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[raging_monkey]

Act 265 : dapper

Spoiler

Tiberius looked at a shocked zera who was speechless by his bravado. He smiled until he felt his cheek burn "ow... signals "

" delude yourself all you want but touch me again and I will make you useless to a man. "Zera said rubbing her palm, she admired his forcefulness and had she not met her man they could'be had a life together but this was their reality.

Tiberius rubbed his cheek smirking " well if this is all a misunderstanding how did the letter come to my manor... " Tiberius said his warm tone becoming serious.

" maybe a deluded mage did it to stalk a woman that tossed him aside " zera said sarcastically as she wiped her lip "terrible kisser" she thought.

"I have a question if I may. Do you remember enchanter varen's class on alchemical application. " Tiberius asked leaning in his chair.

"Yeah every mage of substance in this city took it. Its what stirred my interest in medicine, what of it?" Zera said tapping her finger wondering why she still entertained the conversation.

"Well I remember a lad who fought for your attention yet never recieved it and then years later found his paramour married a lowborn mage and fortunatly divorced" Tiberius said slyly confessing his reason for agreeing to marry her.

"Ah now I remember Mousy silius. Well get over me you don't know me and dont particularally care to know you" zera said coldly leaving the tavern having had enough ofhis hispresence. She knew she could have let him down easier,gave him some false hope but decided to blunt.

XXx

Zera heard Tiberius call out to her apologizing for his improper decorum. She wondered who had sent the letter telling him of her "dire situation " and reciprocation of his feelings. "Tiberius seriously I'm not interested you've been played.. "

Tiberius grabbed her wrist " zera you must stop this game. You have lost everything you hold dear for some upstart. I am not saying you should be with me but at least stop embarrassing your family! " he said his voice cold and practical

"Maker's breath man mind your business or I will keep my promise" she said taking her wrist back she saw a woman in a wolf mask step from the shadows.

" your making this difficult, zera just go be with him and let the ragin go he is poison "the woman said adjusting her mask

"Tiberius... run... now " zera said cracking her finger she heard the sound of lyrium emanate from her "time to teach this dog some manners

" bow wow " the woman said drawing her sword the blade shining in the light

[raging_monkey]

Act 256: uncertain

Spoiler

Tiberius watched the masked woman draw her sword pointing it at his wife, mocking her comment of being a dog. "Friend of yours dear? Tiberius said taking off his blue coat.

"Nope and stripping won't help your case perv." Zera said cracking her index finger, the sound loud enough for her foe to hear.

"Freedom of movement my love, I have a feeling the woman is quite devious perhaps if we work together... " Tiberius teased conjuring ice in his hands. The cold tickled at first but he felt nothing as the ice formed a.a pair of gauntlets around his hands. He dashed to the masked woman throwing his left fist past her.

"He's fast... controlled.. disciplined" the woman said deftly dodging his strikes. She had encountered mages that relied solely on ranged combat and very few chose close quarter she felt it a welcome change in pace. She made a swift slash over Tiberius's arm hoping that would be enough only for his skin to hardern like stone

Tiberius jumped back shaking his arm "andraste's grace that smarts... " he said looking at his wound, a large gash but not life threatening but still painful though he was honestly more concerned with his shirt being damaged.

"Answers! Just who are you " zera said losing her patience.

The woman adjusted her mask and twirled her sword and stared at the blade " I am merely a concerned friend... and doing my duty to free him.." the masked woman said dashing toward zera. Tiberius threw a ball of fire at the woman engulfing her completly.

Tiberius strolled confidently toward zera proud that he had shown his mettle " so like what you see perhaps- " he said until hearing a crack of porcilene.

The masked woman stepped from the flames with only minor Burns and a portion of her mask damaged. "Men can be so... problematic" the woman said making sure her ponytails were unharmed, she considered her features homely despite others claiming others and only her red hair she prided for being her only worthy feature.

"Templar... " zera thought to herself as she stepped back summoning her mana only to feel as if the world lost all sound and color. Tiberius came in front of attempting to uppercut the masked woman only for her to pivet her leg bringing herself to his rear and driving her blade though his spine. He wouldn't feel a thing unless she wanted him too.

Zera snared at the woman who held Tiberius with her blade. She bore him no ill will nor did she have any intention of having her former classmate die at the hands of a assassin.

"No... more friends dying... " she said channeling her magic begging for even the slightest sliver of power. The woman withdrew her blade from Tiberius who spewed blood he began to channel his mana focusing on his severed spine rather than the bleeding.

"Tell... Monkai to meet me at the alley north of here... come alone..." the masked woman said walking past zera slipping a letter into her coat.

Xxx

Kara stood from her apartment building taking off the charred mask. She watched as Monkai operated upon Tiberius curious to why he would allow his romantic competition to live, thinking it would be so much easier if she killed him. "Your soft girl... if you just twisted slightly we would be further along.. " she said wiping her face. Her mother's plan became more convoluted each day of planning. It would end tomorrow... her friend since childhood would know her mother's plans and he would finally end this madness before it began..

[raging_monkey]

Act 258: perspective

Spoiler

Monkai pricked Tiberius's foot seeing his nerves respond positively. He was awoken from his sleep by zera who had brought the man to their home who was bleeding profusely. "Well your nerves aren't damaged...but you will be pretty sore for a few weeks." He said sitting beside him

Tiberius moved his toes fortunate not to be a cripple. He stared at Monkai seeing his.demonic eyes and snow hair, making him feel unsettled " what does she see in him" Tiberius thought as he studied Monkai for signs of possession

"Relax I know the rumors are abound that I'm a abomination.. it's just a side effect of tapping too much mana " Monkai said tying his hairhair and taking a seat across from him.

Tiberius struggled to his feet still sore from his injury " you can fool everyone else but I know its true. You put everyone at risk if you loved zera you would let her go!" He said his voice serious. Their eyes locked as they slowly channeled their mana

"If I was a abomination I would already laid waste to this city... but I haven't nor have I harmed you. Remember that when I send you the bill for not making you a cripple" Monkai said rising from his chair he could feel Tiberius's feelings of shame,jealousy and fear build with him

XXx

Zera paced the study hoping for news of Tiberius's recovery, not out of friendship but more in case of legal repercussions she knew if he died she would be forced to seek aide of of the magister despite him giving up on her. "Come on mouse get your ass up..." she said continuing her momentum

"Keep pacing and you'll ruin the floor " Monkai said leaning against the wall.

"Tell me he is alive" zera asked her voice laden with concern.

"Yeah he is good as new but sadly chatty about us. I heard he even stole a kiss " Monkai said laughing at hearing why she came home late.

"Maker the man is desperate... kai it meant nothing I- " zera began until Monkai raised his hand in surrender his face remorseful

"I wouldn't mind if you allowed it... I mean I was dallying with a spirit while we shared the same bed.. treating you like a piece of property at times. I wouldn't mind if you decided to leave me.." Monkai said taking his lovers hand.

Zera smiled at him and quickly kneed her man in his groin dropping him to his knees. "What the **** is wrong with you! After all we been through after being exiled and made permanently being made barren you want me to leave to assuage your guilt for MY choice. You must have truly gone mad if you think you or any one else can separate us! ITS DEATH DO US PART!" Zera said as she headbutted him with each word, furious that he had the audacity to to suggest she play her father's game

Monkai rubbed his head confused by her temper " I'm just saying I know it's been hard on you and I just want you to be happy "

"I'm happy with you and the girls... enough I have work... here a letter was slipped to my by that masked woman that attacked us... and she wants to meet you

[raging_monkey]

Act 259: lover

Spoiler

Kara watched as Monkai paced in a circle waiting for her to reveal herself. She saw a young girl with cropped hair hide behind crates and another woman that was tall covered in black leathers cover her potential escape.

"Damn it I told you to come alone" she whispered putting her mask on, she wondered why she chose to wear such trappings thinking it might be shame for trying to kill each other. "He has to know... he has to know" she said tightening her belt so her sword stayed in place as she dropped to the ground.

"So I take it your my concerned friend?" Monkai ask to her. He saw her armour adorned with carcella's seal,deducing she had some affiliation.

Kara smiled behind her mask remembering the angry child who long solely for her. "Yes.. but I told you to come alone.. "

Monkai raised his brow chuckling at how his lover's precautions were spotted . "Well that was a waste I guess... " he said whistling for coldi and Galatea to step from the shadows. "Bit of advice I'm always with my friends..."

"Do they know what happens to your friends.... " Kara said taking off her mask showing him the woman that he had murdered.

Monkai stepped back slightly looking shock and horror "Kara?... is it really you?" He asked his hand trembling

Coldi looked at them confused "wait didn't you kill her, like you cried for days after talking about her." She said trying to understand looking to Galatea if she knew something only to be met with a indifferent shrug.

Kara removed her glove to show him it was her in flesh his tattoo marked her hand "it's me Mathias and yet it is not. I am Kara sephir Bret, tevinter native, a member of house carcella by blood tasked with using the ragin to bring our house to glory. " she said putting her glove back on.

Monkai listened to her cold and practical tone realizing that everything she told him was a lie. That she was no fereldan nor a orphan just the first jailor he met but never knew. "Your lying... " Monkai pleaded but sensed truth in her words.

"Your call fury.. but I say you mount her for old times sake before you kill her. " galatea said sheathing her knife. She knew this would be no battle just a lover's squabble.

"No body is killing anyone. Kara answer me what is going on" Monkai said regaining his composure

" what don't you get Mathias did you not read my letter. My mother seeks to create a heir between our houses. She is planning to kill your woman.. she " Kara explained until falling to her feet her heart tightening..."no not yet just a bit more time " she whispered

"Kara Damn it answer me!" Monkai said rushing to her side. Kara struck him with her fist and threw him into the alley wall. Coldi channeled her mana only for nothing to come

" what the void.. my magic is " coldi said before seeing Kara appear before her driving her sword through her stomach. Coldi stared into Kara's eyes they were black as the night sky.

Kara threw coldi at Galatea sending them both down she rushed to Monkai her body moving as if a puppet taking him to her mother

[raging_monkey]

Act 260: forgotten

Spoiler

Monkai heard the sounds kara being beaten as he awoke in chains. He wiggled his tooth in the back of his mouth feeling it lossen but still attached to his gums.

"Stupid girl you dare defy me!" A woman cried as she struck kara with a large tome. Her voice was eeriely familar to Monkai, he looked upon the silver haired woman seeing her face as one embittered by status. "Aria?" He said groggy but was ignored

Kara laughed through her chains, wondering how long her mother could keep her composure " defy... no... prove to you that your a relic of a bygone era obsessed with some Bullshit genealogy. " Kara said before being slapped for her insolence. Aria gripped her face bringing her thumb to her remaining eye.

"I took your eye before girl... as a warning to obey me... maybe I'll take the other one" aria cooed pressing her thumb into Kara's eye, barely applying pressure so it popped

"ARIA!" Monkai shouted to her pushing himself from his chains. His memory was clouded and wondered what was going on.

Aria released Kara's face glaring at her wayward child wondering what had gotten into this generation of rebelling against their betters. "Ah master mathias ragin I apologize for such a display, my daughter is a insolent girl and despite being in her early thirties she acts like a five year old. " Aria said smiling pretending her display never occurred. Allow us to start again, I am Gulla Bret head of house Bret and a distant relative. "

Monkai sneered at her as he listened to her go on with their relations. He saw kara bound a shackled and covered in bruises, still unable to fathom her survival let alone her arrival in the city. He wondered how long she was here.

Gulla cocked her brow at Monkai who looked at her ,his gem coloured eyes intent on taking her life "ah perhaps you would like answers and refreshments " gulla said kneeling before her captive

" who the void are you... answers now!" Monkai demanded fighting his chains.

"Maker bless your slow wit... you were a much better learner as a lad... I already introduced myself and your already familiar with my runt, what else you need" gulla said rubbing her temple

"First that's not Kara! I... I... " Monkai said barely able to look at kara, his emotions flooded his mind he felt his guilt resurface.

"Oh you mean killed her haha drove your hand right through hahaha... even I was considering to to let the runt die.. though I did keep your father a live so it was a simple matter " gulla said squeezing her daughter's face her grip cr as going the bones in her jaw "add a few changes and poof a loyal and proper girl only a mother can love... though I can take or leave it "

Monkai stared at gulla as she taunted Kara "Mathias don't listen to anything she says " Kara shouted before gulla slapped her.

"Enough child you caused enough problems... must be the lyrium withdrawal... maybe another day without will teach you." Gulla said leaving. She had grown weary of talking and she had a schedule to keep.

Xxx

Water dripped from the ceiling breaking the silence between Kara and Monkai. He had grown accustomed to spending his time inside prisons and dungeons as he spent a fair amount of time in them through events of his own doing or others.

"My name is Kara Bret.. age... thirty-one... tevinter soporati of house Bret... descended from nardeth the spiritual... I- " Kara repeated for days since their incarceration. She repeated basic facts so she could retain her sanity. Her throat was racked with a unquenchable thirst for water and no matter how much she drank from the pool that laid before her it was never enough, never blue enough .

"Kara... Kara! " Monkai shouted trying reach his former lover, feeling her agony and conflicted emotions.

Kara laid her head to the floor using her cold hands to soothe her blinding headache. She wondered in her youth want was it like to suffer the feared withdrawals that the southernet spoke of and regretted every joke she made about them. "Mathias... what's the day we met... I can't remember..."

"Harvestmere... 9:26... I was seven at the time... I had stolen bread and lived in a alley for a week " Monkai said humouring her as she repeated his answer. He had never seen lyrium withdrawal before and found it horrible to behold watching a friend slowly lose her mind killed him .

"First kiss... and you said you loved me " Kara asked unable to remember, each time she tried to remember her mind was blank as if a page was torn from a finely crafted book, missing a crucial scene.

Monkai clenched his fist painstakingly avoided the memory of his youth "I.. no not until you answer me.." he said swallowing his throat tightening

"Snips don't... just don't " kara begged wiping blood that fell from her nose "**** ... " she thought to herself her vision fading.

"Was anything that we had real... or was it just Aurelia playing maker so she could keep a promise to a dead man! " Monkai asked walking as far as he could channeling what mana he could til his chains burned his flesh preventing his magic.

Kara looked him as his body cracked and seethed mana "hmph.. hopefully he finishes the job.." she thought to herself.

"Answer me!" Monkai said as his magic dissipated remembering he was no longer a man scorned but one of compassion no matter how much he hurt.

" mother and I were sent at... first to spy on the southern circles in case of war... and I found you on a lark. When I told mother of your discovery and then wrote to Aurelia... I was supposed to befriend you and then take you back. I was told not to get close just protect and pass over... but you were like me alone.. angry, bitter... I don't regret what we had how ever it started" Kara said desparatly trying to make her words clear but felt unfinished and missing context. She need the lyrium having gone over two weeks without, her body begged and hungered for the substance growing weaker each minute without it.

"Kara that doesn't answer my question! Was it real or was it just a act.. " Monkai shouted as Kara slumped down to the floor. Kara listened as Monkai shouted at her to wake up and give him answers only for his voice to become muted

"It's okay.. snips... I'm... just resting.. the thrist..is unbearable and my body is so heavy... it hurts" Kara said drifting off not knowing is she would awaken

[raging_monkey]

Act 261: disclosure

Spoiler

Aurelia sat with gulla drinking tea she had imported from rivain. She had detected cinnamon and a spice that escaped her memory. "So what do I owe for this gracious visit " Aurelia said swirling the tea in her cup.

Gulla took a sip from her cup before adding cubes of sugar finding the brew lackluster at best "merely a visit to our branch head. It's awfully boring this time of year and batzas doesn't visit as he did. Always was fond of the boy " gulla said after adding a sixth cube.

Aurelia glared at gulla, they had rarely saw eye to eye and found her to be useful but requiring a short leash. "Well aria perhaps you should find a hobby... perhaps knitting or seranading the boys your famous for " she said smiling knowing her nickname would incite her.

Gulla's brow twitched as she recalled the name. It was a name of shame in due to her youth of bedding the majority of tevinter's elite in service to her. " perhaps... but what of what was the lads name Mathias has he been well since discovering his parentage, narass would be disgusted with his habits mingling with a soparati and half assing his duties " gulla said ignoring her mistress's barb.

"Well for any young man... like a wild horse he must be broken so he will be of some use. But I care for something else." Aurelia said until hearing the door swing open.

"Where is he!" Cried zera held back by Tiberius and coldi. Her face cracked with fury as gulla stepped from her chair wiping lint from her purple robe

"I can't stand the presence of a loud mouth girl... let alone one without manners, Aurelia we shall continue this elsewhere good day." Gulla said winking at zera who merely glared at her as she left.

Aurelia sat in her chair offering tea to the angry woman believing keeping a Stoic face would ease her. "Where is who and I know vallenious taught you manners. Manners that I share opinion on,so sit down and lower your voice " she said swirling her tea waiting for her to follow suit.

"Don't patronize me! I know you did something to him. Monkai has been missing for days." Zera said knocking the tea jar to the floor " I always found it curious to why you took him in so easily not just cause he's the son of your cousin that you hold in disgusting level of esteem ... first you force him into helping your son then having him search for a tomb of a madman... what. Did. You. Do!" Zera said clenching her fight til she felt blood.

Aurelia laughed as she saw the younger woman's display "what the boy does in spare time is your doing I have more pressing concerns. We must renegotiate your contract " she said snapping her fingers and smiling as coldi and Tiberius fell unconscious. " sit down... now"

Zera defiantly stood her ground as Aurelia refilled her glass of tea ignoring the magic that trapped her friends "what about our arrangements I have paid you already "

Aurelia walked to the shelf dragging her finger to the ledger that she sought. "As per section nine of your terms of service I am allotted a significant sum of coin in lieu of investing in your clinic and offering protection from a mutual friend. I have yet receive any of it" she said her tone cold and pragmatic.

"Don't change the subject! I know you know where he is. Your spy took him and nearly killed my ward " zera said cracking her finger as magic circled around her. She knew magic regarding combat was never her specialty but knew how to front.

Aurelia saw she had taken fera's habit of cracking her fingers as a act of intimidation a habit she taught her. "Bite the hand that feeds you.. maker girl you are a ingrate... perhaps I do know where your man is perhaps I do not.... regardless it has come to my attention that you are unfit of my generousity" she said putting the ledger back and cupping the young mage's face, gentle but full of conviction.

"I gave you this months coin... just tell me where he is " zera said his voice matching hers..

"A letter has come from a friend that you are barren... and whether or not that is the true reason of your exile is irrelevant. Mathias is the last of his line and I intend to cultivate his potential and his line... and sadly you do not fit into that plan" Aurelia said to a shocked zera who wondered who spoke of her condition. Aurelia snapped her fingers and watched Tiberius and coldi awoke from their stupor "take your pets and leave... I'll let you keep the clinic as a favor to the boy... if he's ever found but I would recommend you find a new man."

[raging_monkey]

262: diversion

Spoiler

zera paced around her office embarrassed by Aurelia's statements, she wondered how her life would have turned out had she just went along with her father but thought it irrelevant to to her missing partner. "Damn it kai what happened to keeping a low profile " she said before hearing a knock on the door.

"Still seething I see" Tiberius said dusting his azure coat.and offering her a bouquet of roses. He could help but feel glad the rivaini was missing believing it a boon from the maker himself.

"Tiberius not now... I'm at work" zera said taking the flowers and setting them by the window. She had grown fond of his attempts at a legitimate courtship finding them a humorous diversion.

"I'm simply a friend consoling another "Tiberius said leaning beside her cupping her chin gently.

"Easy wannabe I can break you " zera playfully said cracking her finger warning him she didn't mind his flirting but within reason. Tiberius chuckled moving to the wall.

"I have to ask... why do you stay with the fool despite the drama. I did some digging and granted he held a esteemed position a few years back but now what's the point." Tiberius asked curious to learn more of his competition

Zera chuckled amused by his question. "I honestly don't know, we didn't have the greatest start mostly a drunken fling but life had other plans.. why hoping I'll miraculously come to my senses"

"Ideally yes we are duty bound to be with each other besides who said I wasn't against a affair..." Tiberius said playfully.

"Cuckhold " zera said shaking her head dissmissivly but stifled a smile.

Tiberius walked to her letting the sun set beside her her eyes glistening. "A willing cuckhold " he said kissing her. Zera raised her hand to strike him but realized she could use him to her advantage as she saw a spy masquerading as a merchant.

"If I toss you a few pity fucks will you shut up? " zera said pushing him to the desk. "His technique better be good " she thought as she climbed on top of him

XXx

Monkai pulled his chain after finally loosening them from the wall finally freeing himself from days of captivity. "Seriously starting to hate mage prisons and the like" he said rubbing his wrists

Kara glanced over to him ignoring his attempt at humor despite not truly able to understand, "good...damn it what is the word" she said holding her head feeling another migraine. She whispered to herself as she begged for even a sliver of her coveted substance.

"You got me... Kara, I'm going to get you some help... but after we are going to have a serious talk." Monkai said inspecting her chains and channelling his magic shattering them. She leaned on him as he helped her walk.

"This wasn't part of the plan, just know that Kay.." kara weakly said struggling to make sure she worded her words. She watched as monkai melted the locks finding it irritating that a simple chains and lock had kept them captive. "We have to stop her" Kara weakly saidvz

[raging_monkey]

Act:263 return

Spoiler

monkai held Kara over his shoulder as they slowly walked the streets trying to find their 21st to his manor. "Just hold on a bit longer... I still want that chat" monks said annoyed by his companion's rambling.

"Still snippy I see.." Kara said as she pointed to her left. "Take this street ... And my apartment is there."

Xxx

Monkai set Kara on the street as she began to vomit, unable to hold her composure. He saw his manor from the steps and wondered how long she watched him funding it nostalic. Kara wiped the drool from her mouth as she say at the steps.

"Look mathias just go home I'll handle everything.. I'm clear again... Just.." Kara said until she stared at the ground lost in thought. Monkai shook his head as saw his friend struggle against madness he had hundreds of questions ,all that lead to the same question of why was she alive and still watched over him.

"Kara my house is across the way... I have lyrium maybe I can help" monkai said taking from the stoop. Kara groaned at having to be helped funding it a affront to her remaining pride.

Xxx

Coldi tightened the sack on her staff making sure the container that held the water was properly adjusted. She wondered why Aurelia refused to find her master and with her mistress refusing to help it fell to her. "You tore half the city for me... Now I will year the entire city for you.." she said as ice formed around her and her eyes becoming yellow. She saw the prism he had vale commission lying over the table, calling to her with a faint but melodious sound as she took it.

"You know he's dead right... A week of being gone proves it... Give yup and count the money." kina said leaning on the wall as she watched coldi wall past her.

Coldi sighed at having to listen to the young child , truly considering knocking her conscious and leaving her in the river. "Look I have honestly had enough of you. Seriously what is your deal? Daddy issues, yeah I pasted your old man boohoo he experimented on me! So get over it " coldi said sternly having become fed up of her housemate's jibs.

Kina chuckled at coldi holding her hand out " you think I want you dead over my father? Please of I cared enough I'd give you a medal void I would even pay ya. But no I just hate you... Most... And your little rabbit.." she said drawing a piece of wood shaped to a knife. " He screamed a lot you know... And I mean Aaaaaa loooot!"

Coldi's eye twiched having thought she was over her former lover and tried to keep face. "He's a liar... I have a disdain for liars." she said gripping her staff feeling the metal bend

"Maybe you should ask the tiny carcella... They like rabbits.. "Kina said teasingly hoping it would cause a scene. They heard the door slam open and shouting for them both.

Xxx

Monkai sat Kara beside the chair in the foyer as he ran to his lab to find lyrium for his guest. Kara stared at kina and coldi intensely as they did her. " careful girls even in my state I can take you without a issue" she warned.

"Kina.. Truce?" coldi asked cracking her hands and summoning a shard of ice and tossing it to the young girl.

Kina flipped the shard noticing it was a gram overweight but moderately suitiable "hmm murder on a Saturday... We may yet be friends." she said as kina charged at Kara. Kara merely sighed as she tilted her chair slightly and grabbed the young girl,raising her into the air and slamming her into the floor.

Coldi three shards at Kara only for Kara to dodge them and strike her with the chair she sat with. " ow..." coldi said pushing herself up only for Kara to force her boot down on her back.

"Enough.." Kara said kneeling in exhaustion revealing she was bluffing.

"Just who what are you?" coldi said rising to her feet. She watched Kara wheeze gasping for even the slightest breath. She saw links I rush to her side giving her a vial of lyrium and Kara drink it then collapse.

"Master... What the void is going on" coldi asked confused to how the night went.

Monkai rubbed the stubble over his chin perplexed to begin. "Coldi this is Kara... My ex and yes that Kara I'll explain when I know more... Maker this a mess" he said knowing zera was going to kill him

" uh yeah I got hat part before it where the **** have you been ! I was worried sick!" coldi shouted as she picked up the unconscious kina.

"Believe me I'll make it up to you promise" links I said as he picked up the unconscious Kara and setting her on the couch and covering her with coat that was covered in muck.

[raging_monkey]

Act 264: templar

Spoiler

Kara awoke from her slumber to see a vial and note next to her. She pushes the covers from her realizing she was in a room with little furnishings. It reminded her of her quarters at the circle sparsely decorated only enough space to seem normal.

"Good morning" zera asked as she entered the room, followed by zero who growled at their guest.

"Cute dog... A mabari right?" Kara asked, keeping her voice calm and taking the vial. She savored the taste that ran across her tongue. "Wonderful... " she thought as she felt whole again.

Zera pulled a chair and sat in front of her crossing her legs she scoffed at remembering her from the clinic and her previous inquiry. "So.. Your Kara... Figured you would be taller"

Kara smiled as she extended her hand letting zero sniff her "where's mathias..." she said moving to the window but fell from her body feeling like stone with only zera cracking her middle finger

"That's the least of your concerns just know it's being handled... I don't take kindly to those who stalk my friends." zera said.

Kara breathed deeply as she rose to her feet. She watched the subtle movement a zera made in shock "calm but nervous " she thought as she cracked her finger. " first don't use magic on me it's not in your best interest and second be grateful that I did. So you can play house." Kara said her voice cold and pragmatic, she knew how to deal with her despite their few interactions.

"Your in my house... I don't know why kai brought you here but it was without my allowance." zera said raising her voice. She felt a sense of dread come from herself wondering if her lover was going to replace her.

Xxx

Monkai stood in aurelia's office waiting for her to finish her dealings be for seeing him. He rubbed his chin as he wondered what to do with his guest and what punishment he would receive for adding another mouth to feed .

Aurelia entered her office reviewing the last shipment of lyrium from the tomb. She had hoped her expedition would have brought her a larger profit but the refining process was putting a considerable strain over her investment. "Well the first tomb is depleted but I expected more" she said paying the younger mage little attention.

Monkai pulled a pipe from his coat and filled it with his supply of deathroot chuckling upon realizing he only smoked due to boredom or because he assumed it was appropriate. "Well it's a millenium old tomb filled with a corrosive mineral... Its only so much useful but there's many more probably.." he said scratching his face

"Indeed... But I assume you didn't come to waste my time. Contrary to my nepotism of you, I am your better and you do answer to me boy" Aurelia said setting down the report and taking a seat in her chair. She noted the fabric and cushion had yet to be broken in and found it a poor selection.

Monkai merely shrugged his shoulders "well first I'd like to discuss house Bret and their how do I put it .. Kidnapping of me. That and a personal issue. " he said folding his arms demanding what was going on.

Aurelia folded her hands as the air around them became heavy and sinister as if the very veil was to be tore asunder. " There are houses within every noble houses as you know. The carcellas and ragins are the most prominent of our family but there are those who while blood related have fallen to obscurity and are no better than slaves despite their status. House Bret is one of those houses that's for all intents dead there are maybe a dozen or so members most are relegated to breeding purposes and spies made to operate in the south. By what means have they wronged you." she said coldly finding nothing wrong with her elaboration despite seeing monkai's repulsion.

"Well like I said kidnapping and cut the bullshit you know whsts going on between you and Caius I can't even take a ****** without you two knowing. Just who the void are aria and Kara I doubt they are the same people that I knew." monkai said slamming his hands on to the table

Aurelia glared at him to remove his hands from the table lest he damage it. "Damage this sylvan wood table boy and I'll forget my promise to your father and turn you into a drooling invalid that shovels dung while eating it. And as to the ones you inquire" Aurelia warned raising her brow. "Aria Bret is a distant relative and current house head any else is irrelevant to you aside from her being your de facto guardian during your time at the circle. As to the girl she is also a relative and well had I had it my way I'd have her running drills and instructing recruits by now but well maybe you should ask her tis none my business either way, the quarrel with the beets is your concern" Aurelia said deliberately being vague on the information he sought, believing he should actually learn of house politics.

Monkai sighed in frustration as he have up trying to get more out of her and began to reconsider his alliance with her. "Maker is every noble in this nation obsessed with propagating... **** " he said as he walked out the office slamming the door annoyed he gained nothing but a headache

[raging_monkey]

Act 265: cursed

Spoiler

coldi grounded herbs in her mortor as she thought of hotus. She wondered why kina had taunted her with her former lover's whereabouts "he's a liar and chose his side...what do i care the murderer is full of it" coldi said putting the pestal down and wiping her face.

"Ah taking up alchemy are we" galatea said entering the laboratory and look ing over the young mage's shoulder. "Your using too much ambris you'll catch fire"

Coldi rolled her eyes at galatea's advice and began pouring the grounded powder into a mixture of solution. "Don't you have to baby sit little madgirl or start some rebellion?" she said sarcastically

Galatea laughed as she touched a nerve " meow claws out today and my rebellion isn't til Wednesday what tied up your robes" she said petting her hair. She noticed she had stopped cutting her hair low and began to mimic her style accenting the natural blue hue to it.

"I'm thinking of hotus... I think he is i don't know tell me I'm crazy he is a liar and argh" coldi said slamming her face onto the table frustrated by her feelings

"Your crazy but then again this whole house is mad. Men come all the time some more quickly than others go to the gambit drink up and move on. The melodramatics in this house is maddeningly annoying, fury's ex shows up , fiend is baby obessed and now a large fued threatens the who city." galatea said stepping away from the table once coldi began to mix the alchemic concoction.

"Thats there issue i just want things back to the way they were. Researching magic, finding new relics, and fighting rogue madmen. Not this woe as me madness mixed with a inbreeding theme." coldi said passively criticising her master. She had always worshipped him and while grateful for continuing her magical education she could put aside her bias toward to those that slept with their relatives regardless if he knew.

"I won't disagree but have you told him this? Perhaps he will do something... Maybe regrow a pair actually get the spark back. And what's your issue regarding that never struck me as a prude" galatea asked deciding to ask what disgusted her so much regarding the topic of incest.

"No and none of your-" coldi began until her experiment exploded in her face burning her eyebrows off.

Xxx

Coldi walked to cassia's estate pulling the hood on her vest over her face to keep the vallenious guards from staring too hard at her face. They had orders to evict her from the vallenious grounds by force if necessary, they were only stayed when she had miri as a escort or hotus and only for a few moments. She knocked polity on the door hoping that kina was lying and trying get a rise out of her.

"Ah Louis welcome what brings you here miri lives over there" cassia said upon opening the door and greeting her.

"Hey ... Um can we talk? It will be short promise" coldi said digging her feet into the ground. She considered cassia a friend despite her aloof and conservative nature. Being a reasonable if cold person

Xxx

Cassia watched as coldi sit uncomfortably as she pondered her questions. "Quickly now i do have other tasks and while welcome this diversion is hampering my work" cassia said inspecting her nails.

Coldi raised her head ,taking a deep breath. " well you know that monkai has taken in the murderer that was targetting our respective houses... Well short version is that she said you found hotus and i'd like to see him" she said covering her face embarrassed

"Well if i did have the elf why would i allow the visit and second why believe a murderer. " cassia said as she poured tea for them both. She silently cursed as she realized her pet would be discovered

"Your right it's crazy he's probably-" coldi responded until she heard the door open showing a garbed man similar in stature to hotus.

" you... Called miss zakum" hotus said adjusting his cowl to hide his condition covering his neck and half his face.

"Timaeus! " coldi said rising from her seat but stopping as she saw the black spots that traveled up his neck and face looking as if he suffered the blight itself. "What did that girl do to you" she said stepping to him

" don't come near... It's a long story... And she did nothing i didn't do to myself... " hotus said stepping from her. well well aren't you a charmer even after she leaves you she cares the voice sardonically said. Hotus groaned in annoyance despite nearly having his mind shattered from cassia's attempts to have her loyal attendant merely exasperated and made the voice stronger and louder finally only granting him a hour's time before it took over.

"Hotus those aren't natural tell me what happened , you missed your mother's funeral, your... The house is a mess without you" coldi said. She felt the air become heavy and began to buckle from the sheer weight.

"Lower your voice please and if must continue this do it outside." cassia said clenching her hand applying magic to the air

Xxx

Hotus listened as coldi told him of his mother's passing as they sat in grove across from the vallenious manors. He already knew how she died butchered like a animal merely not for slaughter but fun, his heart raced as he thought of kina still able to draw breath. "... I will end her ... I don't mind being tortured but what she did..." hotus said coughing between words spewing parts of his lungs into his hand. we both know the master can help even if he can't stop it... He can slow it to a crawl... All you have to do is tell him of cassia's agenda and give him the medium the voice echoed

"Hotus... Whats wrong we can find a healer or magic. This looks like blight sickness.." coldi said pulling back his cowl. She gasped upon closer inspection of his spots, the were like spider webs slowly crawling up his skin and turning his tanned skin ebony

Hotus slide across from her as she she reached to touch them wondering if he was in pain. " its called soulrot... Or at least mother did. It's like mana imbalance from lyrium overdose but causes.. This."

"How did it happen does it have something to do with your tattoos" coldi asked unable to full grasp the situation,steadyly growing more concerned

Hotus left out a labored laugh as he rose to his feet to leave ,he began to unwrap his right arm to show her the depth of his condition " eventually this will cover my entire body and then from the stories say become ash blowing away... But perhaps tomorrow i'll talk more of but duty calls as they say" he said smiling and begining to rewrap his hand smiling to her. well played boy but your time is up... And i have my own agenda the voice whispered

"Hotus..." coldi said as he left back to the manor. She felt a sick sense of relief that he was alive forever how much longer but also a need to help her former lover, still considering him her friend despite their falling out and regretting the things she said weeks before

[raging_monkey]

Act 266: screening

Spoiler

kara sat in her apartment staring at the vial of lyrium debating on whether to take her last of her shipment. She always had access to the substance whether she stayed in the south in her youth or from her mother both now unavailable.

"Kara girl you've done it now" she said reaching for the vial stopping only through willpower. She looked at her sword that hung over the wall and began to remember first recieving the blade from the knight commander.

Kara walked to the weapon removing the string that bound it to its scabard and considered replacing the blade all while looking at her scared hand when the blade melted over it five years ago. She put the broken weapon when she heard the door knock sighing from her solitude being interrupted "who is it? Private residence"

"Open up girlie " galatea said kicking the door open carrying a small case. She began to look about the woman's humble residence finding it devoid of furnishings aside from a small bed and table that was placed before the window. "Creepy how you picked the one place that conveniently has fury in eye view" she said giving a vulgar gesture and winking her eye.

Kara wasn't amused by her guest's implication and merely pointed to where to put her mystery package. "If thats all leave... I have a headache"

Galatea set the case down and pulled a chair and sat infront of the table pulling a deck of cards from her shirt and began to shuffle. "You fereldans play wicked grace right?... Oh apologies.. Your tevinter" she said deliberately misremembering her nationality wanting to see what kind of person she was.

"Leave... Please" kara said refusing to play only wanting to be left alone.

"Come on firebrand... One game can't kill ya besides isolation isn't good for you

Xxx

Galatea had spent hours playing against kara who despite unable to understand the finer points of the game had beaten her six times. But it was all a ploy to find out more of the red haired woman that didn't match the depiction in her friend's tale.

"I win again..." kara said rubbing her head feeling another headache come. Galatea saw her hair was messy and unkept while one side was combed and proper cropped to her chin ,a odd fashion even by her standards and began to piece together her character.

"So you and fury bit of so history there... Was his crossbow string always loose?" galatea asked humorously trying to break the ice finally ready to begin her interrogation

Kara looked at galatea knowning where she was going. "Thats none of your business... Next question?" kara said drawing a card from the deck and starting the stack.

"Aww your no fun... Well if you don't want girl talk maybe you can answer the real inquries; what's your interest " Galatea asked placing a card on top of hers and taking the lead. She saw the subtle movements she made when asked she appeared calm and indifferent but the adjustment of her eyepatch gave a sense of anxiety.

"Merely watching after a friend" kara said adding to the pile. She took a deep breath and stared at the vial of lyrium "I'll make this short slaver. Eighteen years ago i was assigned to my mother's staff in subterfuge of the southern circles to slowly bring the more disant ones to tevinter. I was also tasked of bringing back the proper formula to making their templars, it was pure luck i found the ragin." kara said setting her hand down and pulling a drawer for a pipe and a small satchel of deathroot.

"Well thats one down many more to go... So what made you devote yourself to him or was it all just a act to make sure he was malleable." galatea asked folding her leg smirking as she fell into her hands

Kara pondered over the question taking a long drag on her pipe blowing it through her nose. "He was six years my juniour.. He was reaching adolescence.. And he was alone. And brets are breeders haven't you heard"

"That doesn't answer my question first of all and spawnshit don't use the breeder excuse I'm too old for for that" galatea said slamming her hand to the table furious over kara's low esteem.

" honestly that was the plan... Have him trained enough to be prevent him from going rabid or hedged... Met his needs as needed but the reality didn't hit me until we were in our teens and well thats all I'm saying." kara said taking a long drag

Xxx

Galatea left kara's apartment unsettled by her discussion, finding her subject uncharistically unlike those monkai had associated himself. She was secretive and aloof playing the indifferent fool. "Kara Bret.. Poor girl doesn't know up from down.. Nor herself" she said sighing melancholic at her discovery and contemplating tell monkai her report

[raging_monkey]

Act 267: talk

Spoiler

monkai stood in the cellar dusting his hands after moving the last of tge previous tenat's belongings. He had wanted to clear it out before but found the task boring and irrelevant to his experiments. "Well thats finally done... Now what" he said scratching his hair.

you know what you have to do... How ever difficult compassion said, telling him to make amends. Since her return to her original purpose, she become passive and solemn advising rather commanding her other half.

Monkai sighed knowing she had the moral high ground half wishing they had their old dynamic. "But where to begin , apologizing for attempted murder isn't easy and from what tea said... I am probably the last person she would want to see" monkai said laughing awkwardly. He knelt down to his knee and began to trace his hand over a worn sigil on the ground

regardless it is more for me. Humor me compassion teased as she made him walk to kara's apartment

Xxx

Kara slowly drank the sliver of lyrium from her vial crushing it in frustration at being required to stay sane. She took a roll of cloth and began to wrap her scarred hand,she did ritually not out her vanity but as reminder to never lose control of her emotions.

"Kara i know your there.. Open the door please" she heard through the door finishing tying her hand.

"Mathias go away our business is concluded " she said to monkai. She heard him call for her for over a hour and began to grow worried that her neighbors would complain.

Monkai laid his head on the door finally giving up at his attempts. He knew their relationship wouldn't be the same and she probably didn't have any illusions of romance either, but he felt he owed her something. He stumbled as she opened the door knocking him slightly off balance.

"You have five minutes" kara said letting him in

Xxx

Monkai stared at his former lover seeing despite their absence from each other she dressed relatively the same although he stiffed a laugh upon inspecting her hair. "So feeling better?" monkai asked taking a seat

" I'm feeling better i can think again. But i doubt you'd want to inquire about my health. Your more direct than that" kara said folding her leg over the other. She was happy he had came to visit imeven if she wasn't ready to talk yet.

"Ironically i did... You were asleep for a week and under the circumstances less than coherent." monkai said , he took a deep breath and sighed " I'm sorry for the circle incident... And sorry for well everything"

Kara raised her brow and began to laugh. "I try to kill you and you end up nearly killing me and your sorry? Haha that's rich, look what happened happened move on we have separate lives." Kara said sternly but smiling "still the romantic... But stupidest man in thedas" she thought.

"Wow already assuming i want to rekindle somebody is vain." monkai retorted. The room became silent with only the squeak ing floor boards offering any sound. "So... You spent the last four, five years keeping tabs... And your actually a tevinter... Lotta lies ya know"

Kara smiled as the talk she had avoided for years came. "Most of them were omissions and i don't regret them, i mean take look you have a new lover, a adopted sister and probably a adopted kid too;personally kina really needs a hobby maybe chess? And essentially a new family. A fair trade." she said as she patted her chest attempting to sooth his guilt

" your doing it again rationalizing, talk to me. I have to know was it all a lie ,was i... Us simply a cover?" monkai asked. Kara looked at him staring at jeweled eyes, seeing he was still host to some creature

"I won't lie it was a job and I'm sure the slaver parroted my response to you but it was real, for years i watched you fumble in this city slowly become the thing you claim to despise ; a half mad monster that hypocritically says one ideal but does the other. If you really must know everything be truly prepared to lose everything. Try as you might your not cut out for this city nor nation, you have a ship and rivain is only a few days go home." kara said sternly hoping she would heed her advice and leave. She had no plans of joining him merely to keep him safe.

"And leave my friends? No I'm done running and so are you! It took p*ssing of a powermad geezer, nearly being killed and jailed more times than i can count to see that i belong here. I am not leaving. " monkai said clenching his fist only to awkwardly chuckle realizing what he said.

Kara sighed in frustration "well i tried and gave my warning, so what else do you wish to know." she said spinning her finger in the air dismissive

" how far are we on our familial relations would be nice to to know " monkai asked embarrassingly having never knowingly commited incest.

Xxx

Kara watched as monkai enter his home. They spent hours reminiscing over their past, the stealing of her first kiss, when she caight him touching himself in their private sanctuary as a child and her life since returning to her homeland. " demonically possessed, relationship issues and yet somehow functional and the same little boy" she said smiling and pulling the curtain she walked to her bed, taking off her eye patch and looked into the mirror seeing her face for the first time in years, no longer average and homely at best but attractive and like her mother in her youth despite her missing eye.

" I guess we need to start over ,and actually get to know each other." Kara said deciding to put her romantic interests aside realizing it wouldn't be fair to his lover if she made a attempt at stealing him back and settling for a friendship instead

[raging_monkey]

Act 268: challenge

Spoiler

Kina sat on the desk at the clinic watching zera laugh with Tiberius as he helped renovate the office. She found it confusing how they spent time together despite her refusal of their arraignment, she began to to think adults were confusing or the ones that currently carried for her.

"So lady vallenious have you changed your opinion of our status" Tiberius said leaning against the wall. He had spent the past weeks courting the independence driven mage believing she merely had to know him and she would join him.

"Your decent in bed." zera said teasingly. "You said you had business." she said changing the subject to something more relevant

Tiberius sighed at her indifference his affectations dashed yet welcomed. "Yes i have a propsition for you. In three months theres going to be a covenant. I'd like for us to participate" he said leaning over the desk and sliding a scroll to her.

Zera waved her hand dismissing kina to tend to the door that rang. She gave a snide remark as she did as instructed taking Tiberius coin pouch as she passed. "You mean savage tournaments that often are illegal and known to leave abominations going free. I refuse only the most depraved would compete." zera said sternly, she had known of the practice since her adolescence having had a interest in them academically but saw them as blood sport. Teams of five would compete against another often by first blood officially but they often left many maimed in even the best case. Their prohibition was a recent law as a way to primarily limit the open battles between houses and draw increased revenue for actual provings.

"One in the same and i ask you reconsider , the prize this year is something you won't be disappointed with; they say the organiser found a relic that belonged to a ancestor of the ragins... A ring found off the coast north of here. This is my proposal compete and win its yours and i will desist my courtship but lose and end your affair with the rivaini." Tiberius said stroking his chin.

Zera raised her brow at him she held her hand hiding the tremors that arose at his proposal. She found the wager absurd but ironically tantalizing, it stuck at her competive drive and interest in gambling. "My such a interesting idea, but why in all the kingdoms in the world would i agree."

"For adventure... Excitement.. And who doesn't like unsanctioned magical sport" Tiberius said waving his hand playfully.

Xxx

Kina held her palms between her trying summon whatever magic that her guardians believed she possessed only for nothing to happen. She felt a sense of anger for her inability to meet their expectations and need for their approval. She remembered when her father cast her aside into the streets as a toddler and being taken by the cult. She had missed the closest thing to a family and felt bitter with her victim's attempts to replace them " I hate them... So much" she whispered as she heard Tiberius leaving and zera sighing when she closed the door

"Start locking up little one... The day is over and you understand the rules" zera said smiling and cracking her finger.

"So illegal tournaments... That allow for me to hit something? All i need to know." kina said staring at the open space between her hands hearing a distant melody.

"Something like that and if you want to compete best to improve your study ethic.... And bathe more often" zera said chastising her student seeing that positive instruction often made her withdraw. She had grown begrudgingly fond of the girl despite being a borderline prodigy with academics and other fields for her age , she found fear and anger that stunted her progress making her reliant on more mundane habits.

"**** you... I mean fine... Whatever long as i get my knives and coat back." kina said shaking her hands having given up on her goal in frustration. She wanted strangle the woman but stifled a smile at her attempt to be cruel. " can i keep what i find Tiberius had crap in his bag barely enough to buy rat meat."

Zera looked at her confused " why were you buying rat meat and where?"

"I like the taste... Sometimes i can taste the rabies and parasites. Gives it flavor" kina said confused to her question and pulling a small stick with a cubed meat on itt

"Either your naturally gifted with healing or your mad...." zera said rubbing her temple when she heard a loud crunch

[raging_monkey]

Act 269: possessive

Spoiler

Monkai listened to zera plan of entering the covenant, thinking she had let her gambling habit have too much of a leash. He had more interest in securing the relic that was said as the prize believing it was better off destroyed or the very least hidden away deep deep into the deep roads.

"Uh. New year same craziness... Really should get the blazes out of this city" monkai said laying his head on the table just imagining having to train his magicks and bladework.

"Yet perhaps its a good thing. As much i enjoy the altruism of my work and general lazy days of yours the city has been lax to the point of madness besides i saw that relic before and i'd rather not have another fall into some spawn eaters hands." zera said trying to get him to go along with her plan.

" I don't know your poor at combat magic so you participating will affect the roster. Then there's coldi she can fight but not long periods and kina is still raw and undisciplined. Oh and durba is a wild card and hasn't displayed anything remarkable. Then add to my diminished power and average sportsmanship only tea is a viable candidate odds don't look good at all." monkai said going over the potential team despite not knowing the rules of the event. He began to wonder if he even possesed any skill due to not having fought anyone of substance since xaras and caius thinking he could be killed by even a stray dog.

"I already selected the roster aswell the support members all we need to do is get back in shape. Speaking of durba where is he?" zera said changing the subject. She remembered durba when he was a child but after returning with his brother he was different, cold, aloof, secretive , and had spent time among the graves that slaves worked to death were buried

"No idea actually he said something about research materials earliar and left. Come to think of it i did some digging and the circle has no record of his attendance nor does any other school nearby... Add to his withdrawn nature it's off putting to say the least. And I actually know nothing of the darkons, just a bunch of altus." monkai said stroking his chin hair realizing he allowed a unknown variable into his home.

Xxx

Durba came to the gates of a decadent manor riddled with webs showing despite the resident's staying their they carried little for outside appearances. "Haven't been here in sometime" he said opening the gate. He adjusted the yellow scarf around his neck allowing himself to take a final breath before dealing with those inside.

Xxx

Durba waved to the servants that passed him pretending to remember their names but saw them as research material at best or toys to be broken then discarded afterward. A woman with blonde hair came to him as walked to the end of the hall.

"Ah little durby my baby brother still alive i see" the woman said cupping his chin. She leaned next to him smelling the faint traces of perfume "you smell like a prostitute"

"Ah Minerva pleasure as always... Jump into a river. Are the others here?" durba said swatting her hand away. His heart raced as he felt his magic rise desparatly trying to keep it in check.

"So cold to your eldest sister... And even after i taught you the intricacies of-"

"Shut your mouth are they here or not?" durba shouted cutting his sister off not wishing to indulge her. Minerva smiled dragging her finger over his cheek and open a large door.

The siblings entered the auditorium seeing a eldery woman wizend by age helped to a throne by a younger woman that had brown hair twisted into six braids that flowed to the middle of her spine. "So durba... You got my letter i see. Five years and not one letter to your mother your father would be livid were he not required elsewhere..." the woman said tapping her nail over the armrest

" well mother the order has me busy and then its somasi's accounts with the carcellas its a mess" durba said mockingly bowing before his mother.

"Durba lying will only make this worse..." the braided woman said. "Your a member of the house of Darkon tevinter's primary source of problem solvers. You take after somasi with you fragrant disregard for tradition. You were to complete your studies at the order of styx and kill the grandmaster as per our contract with our client. The master yet lives" the braided woman said sternly.

"He's a invalid he poses no threat now besides the guy was a fool" durba said explaining his assumed failure. "The order of styx is in disarray whether he's dead or alive, now i seek my share. And problem solvers? Is that a new phrase for assassin"

Minerva laughed while gazing after brother giving him a playful look much to the braided woman's chagrin" now Una don't make that face.. You will wrinkle, I made sure it was done proper " she said congratulating herself mockingly

"Minerva do not undermine me merely cause you are the eldest." una said raising her voice only to lower it when their mother snapped her fingers

"Regardless I disapprove of my child not returning my letters. How have you been aside from alledged busy work. I understand your staying the ragins, will they need compensation for the inconvenience" his mother said letting her disapproval change to one of concern.

"I am well as to the ragins they don't care long i pull my own... They often forget i exist due to my solitary nature." durba said pushing his hair back his hair realizing he mimic his late brother's

Xxx

Durba sat in his room reflecting upon how his mother never changed a thing despite not living there for five years. The room smell of roses but merely jars of resin long gone stale and congealed into jam like substances.

"Somehings never change.." he said taking the jars and putting them in his bag. He found that without his brother the house he was raised in to be unbearable. He was always the spoiled child doted upon by his family but unable to do away with his perceived sense of loneliness. He felt a warm embrace grip him as he broke from his melodramatic thoughts.

"You've grown little one.. You used to be so gaunt... Now so different from my sweet little durby" Minerva cooed massaging her brother's chest trying to memerized his feeling. She found his growth disgusting wishing he had stayed a infant forever ignorant of the world's cruelty.

Durba removed her hands from him finding her level of attachment to him becoming even more uncomfortable "stop... Your being you again" he said stepping away from her.

"I am simply looking out for my brother... I won't lose you to this damned world. Be grateful i raised you as my own before somasi took you from me for his penance." Minerva hissed, grabbing his collar raising him a inch from the ground. "I love you and to see you gleefully do what you do sickens me. I was kind enough to make you into a man when you began to look at other girls all so you wouldn't develop somasi's disgusting habits" she said her grip tearing the fabric of his coat, she saw her younger brother in durba , the way he styled his hair as his and the way he looked saw her caused her blood to boil.

"I remember that night very differently then.. As to your idea of child rearing i pray you do better i was grateful when mother sent me to the order just so i could breath you were smothering me.. Literally" durba said trying to pry her hands from him. He glared at her finding himself conflicted regarding his emotions for her. He cared about her as a sister but was unable to understand her possesiveness of him. "Look if your needy over masi's death maybe you should-" he added trying to reason with his sister only to feel her tongue be forced down his mouth.

Drool dragged from Minerva's lips as she looked at him "know your place little brother... " she said throwing him to the bed and climbing on top of him, "****** all you want durba... You like this... Your purity is mine alone... Consenting or not" Minerva thought as she grinded her crouch over his feeling his member grow

[raging_monkey]

Act 270: progress

Spoiler

coldi chewed a piece of cinnamon, surrounded by tomes from her master's library letting the inherent spice burn her tongue finding it a most enjoyable habit over smoking since discovering kina had replaced her stash of elfroot with deep mushrooms that caused her to suffer cramps. She felt herself drift in her thoughts of thinking about hotus and how his body had degerated. "Soulrot... It's not in any of these books. Its like the void itself is ****** with me " she said spitting the twig to the floor.

Throughout the days since she saw him she had scoured the resources she had trying to grasp any any idea of what his condition was only to find nothing. "Oyi cold feet its go time i need help" kina said rolling up her sleeves. "The assclicks are gone and i wanna compete so chop chop and help me make fire"

Coldi heard of the upcoming event from zera believing it was a step in the right direction to get over this depressive state. Her only grievance was that her master was in marothous for the month and zera elsewhere not telling her where she had went. "Perhaps asking nicely and maybe i'll help." she said coldly wishing the girl had better manners but grateful for her at least asking.

Xxx

The pair travelled to the outskirts of minrathous making their way to to susa and gend's farm. Kina sniffed the air noting it smelled of manuare and cattle. "Why in the void's name are we here.. Smell like **** and... Is that a bronto?" kina said bringing her jacket over her nose masking the smell.

"Just stay here...i gotta tell the illiterates i'm here..." coldi said putting her pack down.

Xxx

Coldi cursed at susa as they walked back to where kina was. Susa cleaned the wax from her ear ignoring the young mage's disapproval regarding her relationship. "Look frost-tites enough either find your own brother and shut it or i'll put a arrow in your throat" susa said rubbing her temple in annoyance.

Gend looked the quarreling women grunting humorously. He was a man of little words prefering his sister to do the talking finding he learned much by merely observing. To others their bickering was volatile and caustic doing their best to hurt the other, but what he saw was banter between friends despite wanting nothing more than to kill each other "susa finally made a friend... Perhaps we were wrong about the little girl" he thought patting coldi on the head and walking a head of the quarreling women.

"Fnaly ack. Ook ah ong nuf" kina said swallowing her sandwich and dust the crumbs from her hands.

"Runt that better be yours" coldi asked knowing kina ate her lunch just to spite her. She sighed as kina belched just to prove guilt saying she was a growing girl.

"So who's big t*ts and wannabe oxman." kina said attemptingdraw knife only to realize she still lacked her collection.

"I'm susa owner of this land your using and this gend.. Don't mind him he doesn't like to talk" susa said measuring the girl seeing she was abnormally small for her age. "You sure she's twelve frost-******.. Looks six."

Kina's eye twiched at having her height be judged, it was a sensitive issue for her thinking it made her appear dwarvan instead of human. "So what the lummox is a deaf or something"

"Yes i am but i can read lips small one..." gend said his voice distorted making it sound if he was underwater. Susa looked at him remorseful knowing he hated talking over his disability. She secretly was grateful for her miscarriage believinng it was merciful instead of not ever hearing the sounds of their child.

Coldi cleared her throat changing the subject knowing it was a sensitive issue that she wouldn't mock "so y'all ready? "

Xxx

Kina dodged susa's arrows as she tried to regroup. She found it difficult to keep up with her accuracy gasping for ever sliver of air she could get between shots. She saw a shadow block out the sun "oh ****" she said deadpanned as gend swung his sword at her, nearly taking her hand.

"Come on fight back runt just two mund- skilled warriors keep up thirty kills and you can't keep up?" coldi said drinking her tea. She had watched kina for most of the morning dodge and poorly strike back at her sparring partners, coming to the conclusion that her success was due to suprise and sheer luck. "Poor girl is so screwed... Smart but screwed" coldi said laughing before taking another sip

"I heard that! " kina shouted as she dodged gend's sword, she saw it was as large as a tree but he wielded it like spoon. "Deaf bastard" kina thought rolling to his and punching his ribes only him to stare at her confused thinking she tried to tickle him. He grabbed the hem of her jacket he playfully brought her back and forth as she tried to hit him.

" haha clever little brother but no your not getting a cat" susa said releasing a arrow into kina pinning her to a tree. Susa walked to kina scratching her hair in boredom "I'm tellen ya ragin she's hedge'd I'd love to wail on the **** but face she's failure... Bad one at that"

Kina felt her pride fall beneath her as she realized she had failed, her father's words echoed inside her mind words that nagged her for years. "Failure... Useless mundane can't even do a simple task of even trying to do something, get rid of it" xaras' words echoing. Kina began to feel her throat become tight.

"I am not a failure... I'm smart... I have talent... And I am your daughter!" kina shouted as lightning came down upon her releasing her from the tree. She dragged her nails against her face attempting to intimidate her partners "take it back... TAKE IT BACK!" kina said her body channeling mana electricity cackling in the air.

"Make me .. FAI..U.LAR" susa said egging her on. Kina out streched her hand, she felt a tingle erupt from her fingers it was painful at first but euphoric as she proved her father wrong. Susa dodged the arcs of lightning notching her arrow mid air. The world slowed as she felt adrenaline set in, as she released her arrow grinning when drew near her target.

Kina watched the arrow vaporize into dust. She began to laugh from the sheer power that emanated from herself until she felt a hand grip her head and raising her off the ground. "Enough little one" gend said seeing her power run rampede.

"Go AWAY YOUR RUINING MY FUN!" kina shouted kicking his chin flipping back to the ground her eyes became violet changing from her natural brown. Coldi ran to gend's side seeing his chin broken and seeing kina begin to lose control of herself.

Kina giggled maniacally as the storm started to become a maelstrom of unstable energy, she stopped giggling when her heart felt tight and began to cough blood. "This pain... It hurts.... It really hurts .." she said wheezing between spasms

"Kina you have to stay calm.. You have control it. Magic responds to your emotions your drawing too much mana it's killing you stay calm!" coldi said inching to her. She fought back winds that tore the flesh from her palms, cursing each time she wavered.

"Your always telling me what to do... Your always so perfect... The elf loved you despite being a washout... Ragin dotes over you and zera actually talks to you like you not crazy...I AM NOT CRAZY!" Kina shouted as fire erupted combining with the maelstrom, her anger from years of self-loathing that she had subconsciously bottled up reached out blaming her housemates instead of her own insecurity.

Coldi winced as the heat burned her cheek and seared her palm staunching the bleeding as she got closer to kina "look kid I'm not perfect if anything I'm the biggest **** up you will meet! I spend hours trying to be responsible, i even brought you here to help you cause I'm whether we like it or not responsible for cause thats what family does.. You little ****!" she said embracing the diminutive girl shielding her from the worst of the storm.

Kina held coldi as she begged for her magic to subside wishing her magic never bloomed. "I'm scared... I don't want be alone..." she said closing her eyes and staving off tears finding it embarrassing

"Hehe me to kid... Me too" coldi replied stroking kina's hair whispering honeyed words into her ear. The strom slowly began to subside and when it did coldi looked to sky silently cursing that she fit into their merryband of misfits all while carrying the small girl back home.

Susa and gend looked at the destruction of their land "i hope you robes are gonna pay for this!" susa said grinding her teeth feeling them slowly crack.

Coldi dug into her pocket tossing a bag of coins to the ill tempered woman. " its a hundred sovereigns.. Its all i got but it should be the minimum... " she said awkwardly chuckling that she was now broke "little **** just had to go rampant..." she thought as she continued home

[raging_monkey]

Act 271: prospect

Spoiler

kara adjusted her eyepatch shielding the hole that once housed her eye. She found anytime she was out in the day caused it to discharge a milky substance natrually forcing her to the later hours.

"So glad you you decided to join me. " zera said smelling her tea,letting the vapors coat the inside of her nose. She had inported the brew from rivain, thinking perhaps a bit cultural exchange would broad her views of the land but found it to be a waste. "Its overly bitter." she thought taking a sip

Kara watched the servants leer at her believing her unkempt appearance made her appear destitute "I came due to a job offer.. Not do to friendship." she said folding her arms

"My so uncouth. I like that but I digress, kai is heading to marothous for a month i'd like you to accompany him as protection" zera said setting her tea down. She knew she played with fire in dealing with the half blind woman.

"If I do take this gig.. And thats a big if why would you allow your man's former lover to travel with him? You play the reckless party girl well and probably are too but your not daft enough to pull that. " kara said taking zera's tea and stirring it with her finger making the brew taste as it was intended

Zera's cheek twitched slightly realizing the indiscretions of her youth haunted her still. "We have a accord not its your concern. And he tells me it's over and you are platonic"

Kara sighed after finishing her tea noting the leaves were stale. "Regardless I decline, my services are quite expensive and it's not good edicit to charge family"

"I am afraid I would have to insist its merely keep a eye on him and you were going to do it anyway." zera said calling on her guest's extortion.

"Well look at you little magister, I'll think about it but I refuse to become apart of your band of misfits. Four thousand sovereigns and a case of garun's refined lyrium is my price ... Minimum" Kara said folding her arms trying to make her turn down her aide.

"Done, and i have another job for you one that's more suitable to your skills; in three months time a tournament is to happen a magical one, most of the houses that function within the underworld will be there" zera explained cracking her finger

Kara scoffed at the mage's interest in the covenant, thinking her a lesser person "and you want me to aide in whatever you robes have planned. Yeah right "

"Correct. Name your fee since you clearly care about money rather anything else." zera said craxking her middle finger channeling mana. "You are wanting to help us you agreed to help" she thought subtly trying to influnce her.

Kara waved her hand dispelling zera's spell and slammed a dagger on the table barely missing the woman's hand. "Try using magic on me again and I'll show you the south's version of tranquility, you may be able to get your way but I'm in a different league that the jackasses you meddle with. I honestly could give a rat's ass over your game or what have you." she said removing the knife from the table. " five hundred thousand up front, another five hundred after its over and demons plus abominations a extra hundred... Each"

Zera's jaw dropped feeling her brow twitch from the sheer amount for her prospective teammate's fee. She realized that her avaricous nature mirrored monkai's and began to see the influnce she had on him. "Your kidding a million sovereigns plus whatever else... Your mad"

Kara snickered at seeing her response. " not so high and mighty are you? Yes im serious go ask daddy or your boyfriend, if you want my services have my money by the time i get back"

Xxx

Kara awoke from her nap of dreaming of how she travelled with her former flame , who was huddled onto the other side of the carriage sleeping. " jobs a job.... Perhaps it won't be so bad" she thought staring at the moons. She felt a sense of nostalgia overcome her remembering how her duty as a templar lingered as she guarded her charge.

"Stop staring... It's flattering but awkward" monkai said feeling her eye bore into the back of his head

[raging_monkey]

Act 272: mentor's prodigy

Spoiler

monkai stepped from the carriage seeing lucius's castle that stood outside the city due it being to large for the officials to manage. He had heard of lucius deciding to run his mother lands after her mysterious disappearance and that fera had also joined him passing over her duties to batzas having decided to go back into retirement.

"Not as elegant as vallenious' but still nice." monkai said oddly missing the wild times he spent there. His time of reflection was cut short by kara's nudge telling him to grab his luggage

"Sure you want to stay here for a month... Master carcella isn't one for luxury" kara said adjust her sword that hung at the back of her waist. She remembered visting aura as a child thinking of her as grandmother like figure and allowed the luxuries denied to her.

Xxx

Lucius groaned as he walked from his office. In the months since he to over his mother's holdings , he had grown fat from foods that beheld his status and felt his age upon him. He was nearing his fiftieth year and began to think of retirement. "I've survived tal'vashoth, qunari, darkspawn and now I'm to be done in by a bad knee and back... Vashaden" he said rubbing his back.

"Lucy you know i dislike qunlat... A confusing language" fera said smoking her pipe plafully blowing smoke in his face. They had been together for over twenty years living as husband as wife despite their adamant refusal to legitimize the relationship due to her being oraislan and he tevinter.

"Has the boy arrived yet?" lucius said waving the smoke away finding the oder rancid.

"Which one?" fera said uninterested in having guests disrupt her routine of lounging about.

"Both... Koslun's robe I am too old for this." lucius said rubbing his back. He stared at fera realizing she had stopped using her magic to make her appear youthful. "You look stunning i prefer your natural form.

Fera glared at him "i look like a corpse... And you gotten fat."

Lucius chuckled at her defensive response taking her hand " a corpse that i love nonetheless" he said until being slapped

Xxx

Monkai sat in the courtyard surrounded by dummies next to Kara who cleaned her sword. They were watched by a tanned skinned man who dressed in vivid colours that only he thought was fashionable.

"Six sovs that the guy over their is a cheese eater." monkai said nudging kara to get her attention

Kara sheathed her sword smiling as it effortlessly slid inside it's scarbard. "Nope... Don't gamble" she said walking to the colourful man. "Beleren been some time."

Beleran looked upon her confused at first until realizing who he spoke to "kara! Oh darling I didn't recognize you with that gaudy hair. What possesed you to have one side proper and the other a spiky mess." he said his voice flamboyant and colourful as his attire.

"Haven't you heard all the rage in fereldan" kara teased putting the young man in a headlock , flexing her arm choking him.

"Thats always the excuse isn't it sunshine. Who's the sourpuss over there?" beleran said tapping her arm.

That my dear cousin is a mathias ragin, the lost bastard..." kara said pointing at monkai.

Beleran pushed kara aside playfully telling her he would back, he walked to monkai and took a long look inspecting the younger mage. " robe has one sleeve while the right arm is covered with bangels and wrist guards. Leaves enough space for elegant footwork implying a fighting style mixed with the sword and entropy" he said circling around monkai raising the tail of his robe to get a better look at his rear. "Would've been fabulous had it not been in brown tsk tsk"

Monkai pulled his robe from the odd man finding him annoying "just who the void are you creep."

Beleran chuckled as he made his way to monkai's front looking him from below. "I my jeweled eyed friend and beleran paranois son to a fera paranois and lucius carcella but bel to friends maker help you if you call me bella,belly, bells, or any other derivatives. Talented hexist and swordmaster at your service." beleran said bowing to him dramically. " so good to meet the one who plucked my favorite cousin's flower knew somebody would do it even if it had to be family"

" Beleran! Not cool" kara said faintly hurt by her cousin's rough teasing

" oh you know i jest sunshine" bel said laughing until he felt himself fly to the otherside of the courtyard. Kara cursed at held back by monkai who struggled to restrain her.

"Are you three done... I have little time to waste" lucius said coldly with fera attched to his arm. "Bel what did i tell you no sizing up family"

"Oh lucy such authority" fera said playing up her accent. Bel rose to his feet cracking his neck and streching down to his toes. "Technically i was simply inspecting his clothes... Sizing up as you saw... Well a mere technicality." he said.

Lucius sighed at his son's penchant for broken logic believing he took more after his mother than him. "I see you met my son... We are behind schedule bel , ragin other side"

Xxx

Monkai looked at bel who merely tossed his sword into the air indifferent to their sparring match. He was vexed by his overly laxed demeanor having saw he could have dodged kara's strike but took it anyway. "The guy's a fool." he said drawing his sword, adjusting it so the green glow stopped blinding him.

"You get the first strike downpour... You will need it, i just need one finger" bel arrogantly said waving his hand dismissing him. Monkai stepped forward pushing his dominant foot channeling mana into his steps becoming a blur.

Bel took a step to the right mimicing his cousin's action and extended his foot tripping him. "Come on love is that all you have my father taught you so much better than that." he said as monkai swung his blade to the flamboyant man.

Monkai grew frustrated at each time bel dodged his strikes "he's toying with me , he lets me get inches from him only to nullify it." monkai thought as he cast entropy at him only for a ball of blue light to protect him.

"You know beleran is screwing with him right?" kara said watching the bout and bel arrogantly toying with her former lover.

"Yeah... I know. He would've ne a officer but his arrogance keeps him from going anywhere" lucius said woefully. He was proud when his son joined the military and the imperial knights following in his footsteps but saw that he had failed as parent and teacher in teaching him humility.

Bel chuckled at the young man's inability to hit " so obvious why can't he see it.." he thought to himself. He cracked his ring finger subtly renforcing his magic of perception, making himself appear as he was faster but in reality it was monkai being slower.

Monkai stopped his assault wheezing from exhuastion. " damn it why can't i hit you... Even using spells that increase one's speed no body is that fast" he said reassusming his posture.

"Its not about speed numbnuts it's about consistency" bel said raising his hands letting his vuard down. He barely dodged monkai's blade seeing the blade inches from his eye shaving a part of his hair. Bel nodded in understanding taking a deep breath. "Okay... I see"

Monkai saw bel disappear in a puff of flame unable to find him until feeling a Sharp pain from his back. He knelt to the ground feeling his wound heal.

"If you want a real fight... You got one..." bel said his voice losing it flamboyant flair and becoming deep and menacing. His strikes were near invisible taking everything monkai had to parry the sword. It's blade was of pure entropy not unlike lucius's weapon when they sparred and each time the blade cut his skin he felt his magic ebb.

"Caught you " Monkai said catching the blade with his shoulder. The blade began to feed off his mana while bel merely looked confused

"Let go of you be ill." bel said until seeing his blade shatter in sparled specks of mana "what the!" he said before monkai headbutted him to the ground forcing blood to erupt from his nose

"Spirit blades are curious weapons... Hilts imbued with the essence of spirit that when focused create blades maintained by the user... A mildly difficult task of banishing the creature making it a glorified paperweight." monkai said holding his shoulder

"Think thats enough for to day... I'm too old for this ****" lucius said standing up from the bench groaning at how his son lost and his stomach rumbling

[raging_monkey]

Act 273: conflict of interest

Spoiler

zera smiled at a young as she gave the girl a exam. Her tonsils were swollen and her father brought her in due to a bad cough she said she had. "Look like pthisis, has she spewed blood or reddish muscus?."

"No but the knife ear that looks after her has it" the mother said patting her daughter.

Zera sighed at the woman's vulgarity but put aside her prejudices and took a vial from thr cabinet. "It's early so this will treat it and here's one for her nanny unless you want to comeback." she said glaring at her client.

Xxx

Tiberius entered the clinic carrying a bouquet of roses for his intended "for the best healer in east minrathous" he said handing her the flowers. Zera smiled at him having found his courtship a tad more traditional if boring. She began to wonder how miriel's courtship with publicus was going having yet heard of a wedding.

"They are lovely thank you. But you know I'm busy what calls you." zera said setting the flowers in a jar. She felt his eyes leer over, her plan was to appear receptive to her marriage to him freigning to want her father's forgiveness and her family aswell her ability to bear a heir to her house back but over the days the spent together she began to forget her objective.

"Merely to add a bit of spice to my day and to spy on the competition." Tiberius said smirking. He was curious to why she had agreed to sleep with him despite the drama she created in refusing to play her part. "That and i was bored."

"So sex calls to you... Maker your pitiful" zera said playfully hitting his groin forgetting that was a man's weakness" sorry!"

Tiberius held his groin coughing "its good.. " he said counting his testies. He rose to his feet and leaned against the wall. So... Mind if i ask why we are doing this?"

Zera sighed at how he began to suspect her plans. "I'm bored of wild sex and wanted to try something traditional." she responded, he smiled believing her response but her heart oddly ached. She spoke the truth but felt guilt for lying to a man who willingly risked social suicide over her. "Its no different than when kai dallied with the demon, then tea... Especially the spy.. Its no different duty to the house" she thought trying to rationalize her percieved guilt.

Xxx

Zera walked inside her home exhausted from work and making sure Tiberius was still under her thumb. She wanted to wash the sweat from her body and sleep for the next few hours but saw kina and coldi sleeping in her arms holding her tightly as they slept. "What the void..." she said gently trying not to wake them.

Galatea clicked her tongue calling zero inside having spent the hour walking the quickly growing pup. "So your home?" she asked pointing to the bed making zero trot and lay in.

"Yeah.. Busy day just back to sleep and bathe." zera said backing away as Galatea began to smell her neck.

"You smell like a man... And not fury... More like a opportunist." Galatea said her voice laced with humour rather than anger. She found that her dalliance a refreshing change showing her that she was just as crafty as her.

"Since when were you the paragon of morality, and its just sweat. Besides care to explain why the kids are getting along." zera said finding Galatea's lines of inquiry a personal attack. She felt galatea's lips upon hers pushing her against the wall.

"Hush it's just us no need to lie to me... What dragons do when the lair is empty is of no concern of mine..." Galatea said slowly kissing zera's neck and massaging her breasts. "You play with Tiberius but do you know why" she teased deducing who she dallied with.

Zera's heart raced as Galatea began to play with her stem "none your business" she said forcing her hand onto Galatea's stem realizing it was a battle of wills however warped

They both panted as their arousal rose from knowing each others weakness aswell tge possibility that coldi and kina would wake up "Its because you feel threatened by that redhead. You sure you knew fury dallied with the spirit but you knew nothing would come of it. Then I came showed you a realm of pleasures yet oddly you accepted our situation despite the intro." Galatea said opening the door zera had locked away in her mind refusing to acknowledge her motives. "It's because they are each other's first... Sharing a connection that you will never have so naturally you go to the fool that fawns over you rationalizing it as no different from him, while true no better than a crutch"

Zera chuckled at galatea laughing that she was deductive as ever if slightly off "good observations but can we pick this up later or are we going to enjoy girls night" she said changing the subject

[raging_monkey]

Act 274: master of a child

Spoiler

coldi blinked her eyes as she awoke to the sun beaming down on her. She tried to move only for kina to squeeze her ribs feeling them crack "let go runt" she said only for kina to nuzzle her face into her boob fast asleep. She sighed at the irony that since her magic sparking she had regressed to a personality more appropriate for her age. "Murderer or not still a child thats afraid of the world." she thought staring at her bandaged hands that kina took the effort to do.

"So care to explain how you two got buddy buddy?" zera said carrying a plate large enough for two.

Coldi nodded at her gently freeing herself from the girl. "Oh you know.. Helping a kid find her gift only to be nearly maimed and killed.. Where the **** were you! Last i checked it was yours and master's job to teach her" she said gently not to wake kina who mumbled a inaudible sound and explaining the incident at the twins farm.

"So she's not hedged yet.. Good very good does she show any particular specialty. Or is she still fledging" zera asked placing her hand on her chin, considering to alter her education.

" she's dangerous honestly... But maybe with enough practice maybe she will be stable... And im starting to think your making it up as you go, did you think what would happen if she flared up in the city we'd be jailed... And im not going to prison!" coldi said rubbing her temple. She knew kina was a damaged child who in her opinion had yet been born and had been stunted developmentally making her a wild card. She had honestly considered tranquilizing her as she slept seeing a mercy as well a more logical punishment for her previous deeds.

"I knew you would be able to handle it and interesting in that she lacks a preference makes her moldable" zera said coldly not noticing kina having woken up.

Xxx

Kina sat in the bath scrubbing the leftover blood from coldi's hand from her hair. "She wants to use me as a weapon... All those lies she said to me... Can't believe i fell for it" she said angry at over hearing zera and coldi's discussion over her. She felt vulnerable having broken tge the facade of a emotionless killer, she had adopted the persona in a desperate need to survive and fear of being a victim. She had pretended to enjoy her father's experiments on her siblings always wanting them to suffer rather than she when he would skip over her and violate them instead.

"I did it because I had to... The cult was my only choice... That or some creeps plaything" she said suddenly flooded by guilt at having to choose her own life over the others. She splashed warm water over her face hoping to push away her memories and cleanse her guilt.

Xxx

Coldi sat upon the roof reading a textbook on magical afflictions. It was riddled with falsehoods of cures and few actual diseases but in her need to help her former lover she turned to superstitions and rumour. She heard Kina climb up the ladder and sit beside her her hair still wet and soapy. "Dry your head or you will catch my name..." coldi teased closing her book

Kina sat quietly not tossing her a barbed remark, she mumbled a few words barely audible and dug her face into her knees.

"Speak up runt.. I do have my own tasks" coldi said trying to hear what the fledging mage said

"I.. Don't want vallenious to train me... I want you too... You said were responsible for me and i'm calling it" kina said at her normal voice trembling with fear of being rejected. She knew her constant attacks strained their already none existant relationship and was ashamed of asking for her help.

"I didn't hear you runt... Say it louder.. Put your heart into it and scream it to the city." coldi said dramatically rising to her feet nearly falling from the ledge and and pointing to the afternoon sun.

"I WANT YOU TO TRAIN ME! I DON'T WANT TO KILL ANYMORE , I DON'T WANT TO BE ALONE EVER AGAIN! I WANT TO BE ABLE TO SHOW EVERY SHITHEEL THAT EVER LOOKED DOWN AT ME THAT I MATTER AND I'M IMPORTANT" kina shouted from the roof for the city of minrathous to hear, finding airing out her insecurities mildly cathartic.

Coldi smiled at her stifling a chuckle. " geez didn't need to shout. But sure I'll teach you and unlike zera I won't pass you off besides having a apprentice will be fun, three months and you will win the covenant promise" she said seeing kina blush with embarrassment having finally been humbled

[raging_monkey]

Mispost

[raging_monkey]

Act 275: dog

Spoiler

kara watched bel and monkai spar. It was the second day of his training for the upcoming so called event, she found his form largely self taught but had hints of lucius's technique but paled in comparison to her's and bel's.

"Done having your ass handed to you? I do have things to do." bel said holding his sword to monkai's throat pressing the tip on his jugular. He wanted to restore his wounded pride for having his sword shattered and found using a metal blade disgusting and beneath him

"Shut it " monkai said reaching for his sword. Bel quickly kicked his weapon from his reach catching it and finally laying it upon his shoulder.

"Interesting blade; the hilt is dwarvan but no identifying marks of the smith. The blade made of stormheart yet reinforced with lyrium to act as a magical focus." bel said curiously until laughing at a revelation he saw. "Oh there it is... The blade is blunted by design, made for defense rather killing." he said laughing at how he managed to cut his hair. "Pure luck indeed"

"So blunt weapons are irrelevant its just a focus anyway." monkai said hiding his hand beneath the dirt.

"Swords have souls... They yearn to bathe in the blood of their enemies, they aren't made to protect or whatever bullshit ideal some broad would spew in heat... They are weapons like us made by the gods themselves to enact their wills.. So get rid of it" bel said disgusted upon hearing monkai's response. He had little use for lofty ideals that either distorted one's reality or outright lied to themselves making him break his flamboyant facade.

"Boys that's enough playing whose sword is bigger." kara said finding bel had said enough of his personal views

"Obviously mine's bigger and I have two anyway" bel said lewdfully knowing what she meant but couldn't resist a lewd remark

Xxx

Kara walked to a large hot spring that formed near the city of marothous. It was said that the spring was once home to a demon of rage that once it was slain fell into the lack cursing it to burn the flesh of any who stepped in it. Kara merely laughed at the superstitious tale as she took off her clothes and sat inside.

"I swear we are more superstitious than the southern morons" kara said sighing in relief as the water warmed her body.

"You better not be pissing in there.. I do prefer a clean spring" bel said obnoxiously causing kara to shriek and cover herself

"Dumat's blood say something , what are you doing her." kara shouted throwing a rock at him.

Bel tilted his head dodging the rock. "I'm always here sunshine and i said hello beside theres not much to see"

"Shut up.. " kara said her eye twitching "he's family and a altus.. Don't kill him." she thought getting back to relaxing "no talking... Got it"

Bel chuckled slightly "And miss out on gossip oh sunshine.". He listened to kara sigh heavily as he began. "So first off eron and i broke up, he had the audacity to lay with some dwarvan harlot, then try to share my bed."

Kara decided to humor her cousin "could've it been you basically talk of nothing but you."

"But I'm just to die for hehe, but yes I'm on the market again and mother was livid when I told him we were through and broke his legs including the third...adulterous bastard " bel said sarcastically and placed a cloth over his face.

"Fera's orlaisan when was adultery a issue?" kara said asking why the relatively calm woman was furious.

"Mainly for not killing him.. Woman has some odd views." bel said laughing.

Xxx

Kara listened to bel go on over his love life and other miscellaneous details, she had forgotten what it was like listening to him. He was a narcissist, and a open degenerate that desptie his relative boring upbringing he showed nothing of his parents aside from fera's eyes and hair. "Hey bel I'm starting to prun... Maybe we can pick this up later" she said hoping to shut him up.

The mood became silent as as kara rose from the water to grab her towel. "I may be vain... But i am you friend... Tell me whats up" bel said his voice becoming grim. He had saw the sutble changes in his best friend. In her youth she was brash, rude, and just as arrogant as he but her return home had changed her.

"Now once I'm pruned and leaving its my turn?" kara said frustrated.

"More like I'm curious. I read the reports from your stint in finding the boy. And seeing you with him well it's tragic honestly." bel said freigning indifference. Kara sunk back into the water making bubbles knowing it was her turn

"In simplicity; i'm in love with my cousin who i was tasked with protecting him and returning him to his birthright. But he is involved with some concieted woman who willingly made a large fued against her father over marriage." kara began laying her head against the rocks staring at the moons. "But I also know it's not my place as a soporati to challenge my better's decisions and have resigned myself to friendship." she added reflecting on how her past while muddled with lies was innocent feeling that it was a dream that someone else had.

Bel stifled a laugh as she said honeyed words to him. "And yet neither hasn't made a pass at you... My my brets are such loyal dogs.. To their masters." he said mocking her reserve.

"He.. Is with her and he adopted two kids one as a sister the other a homicidal daughter... I may have been raised a breeder but I'm no wh*re. And call me a dog and I'll make you useless to anyone" kara said splashing water into her face reminding herself not to kill him.

"Oh sunshine you can't have it both ways... Act like you know your place and accept it yet covet your innocent affair. He's a man and we men think south regarding our feelings.. " bel said getting out of the water and wrapping his towel around his waist. He knelt next to kara and cupped her chin firmly showing that he cared and assuming their social authority "do something about your issue it's killing my playful facade and orailsan make-up is expensive"

Kara sunk beneath the water as he left she smiled rising from the water grateful for the pep talk but knew it was the same thing she had said for months

[raging_monkey]

Act 276: promises and inquiry

Spoiler

Durba sat in his room reading preferring to avoid the drama of his housemates he had taken hotus's room still filled with amateur smut and odd keepsakes from coldi. He left them where they stood merely finding it rude to disturb the previous resident's belongings and general indifference.

"Hey darkon. You there?" zera called through the door. She had often referred to him by his surname due to the similarites in their appearance. At first durba chucked it up to casual ignorance but found it to be affront to his identity.

"Lady vallenious my name is durba feminine but it is my own" he said politely opening the door.

"Apologies but i assumed it was appropriate assuming that you would've preferred a more masculine name" zera said entering the room. She noticed the bed was made and the room still littered with the various knicknacks of her previous tenants. "This is your room now... Feel free to discard the trash."

Durba raised his yellow scarf that hung over his neck over his face. "I just need this and I'll be fine. Is there a reason for your appearance."

Zera sighed melancholic at the the young man, she remembered the young boy who was soft spoken and reserved who could barely cast the simplest spell who was now a cold and antisocial man. "Just wanted to know if your family is alright i know dark- somasi wasn't in the best light there."

"They are fine.. They said it was a good death and took care of the body. They were more glad i wasn't killed, favorite and all" durba said his voice muffled from his scarf.

Zera nodded her head understanding it was a private matter. "Alright but what of you? You lost your best friend... And now live with his murderer. Thats not easy"

Durba smiled slightly "i won't harm the girl not til she's old enough and I will manage.. We darkons know how to properly grieve."

Xxx

Durba walked the streets of minrathous making his way to the ragin manor carrying ointments and herbs to help with coldi's and kina's training. He left the manor needing time to decide if he would partake in zera's gambit, he was never a team player and hated displays of magic merely to show one's dominance preferring the more subtleties of the world.

"I'm back.. Ladies" he said entering he felt homesick having said what he did remembering his sister's coming to him whenever he had played with the other children. He heard the sounds of ice form and felt the atmosphere become humid. "And they are at it again it seems" he said ignoring the commotion

Xxx

Kina fell to her knees wiping blood from her nose. She had learned much of what she read regarding magic was not to her understanding. She understood that mana came not only from personal aptitude but fed off emotions to some extent and would physicality tax her causing hemorrhages and busted capillaries. "This **** hurts a lot... Do you mind if we take a break." kina said wiping the blood from her eyes.

Coldi laid upside down upon a throne conjured from ice, she wasn't threatened by her student's abilities finding her recent display a fluke. "You can take another break when you break this barrier. You can conjure fire well enough but your expending to much mana. Try smaller gouts or projectiles mana is linked to a mage's life energy... Well sort of." coldi explained sitting up right and conjuring a wall of ice. She tapped it making sure it was think enough to with stand assualt.

"Wait i can i die from this!" kina said in shock realizing that she slowly was commiting suicide.

Coldi rubbed her hair looking for the right words from her time at the circle. "Technically yeah i guess. It's like this to cast a spell you need mana or a supply of lyrium, now picture mana as a battery if you expell a reasonable amount you can do whatever but expell to much and it strains your body and causes demons to tear from their plane to ours and then **** gets bad. Though children often are the main ones who do the former"

Kina rose to her feet trying to comprehend coldi's advice and explanation "so not too much... But just enough" she said. Stretching out her hand tossing it back and forth trying to aim for the right spot to shatter the wall of ice. She readied her magic her hand glowing with a clove of fire, she saw a small pebble. "Well technically.." she said picking up the pebble.

"Come on runt its dinner time.." coldi said impatiently hearing her stomach grumble. Kina began to channel her magic in to the pebble imagining it to be one of her knives. She threw it as hard as she did at the wall of ice seeing a faint seal on it as it left her fingers.

Coldi looked at her wall seeing the pebble bounce off it. "Really was that it, i said we are-" she began reprimanding kina til a chunk hit her on her head causing blood to squirt from it. "And class... Dismissed" coldi said falling to the ground she began to see griffins dance before her eyes and slowly fall asleep

[raging_monkey]

Act 277: prognosis

Spoiler

Hotus wheezed as he struggled for air, his lungs had begun to harden and he could feel the blood in his veins crystalized form clots that blacken his skin. I told you to seek his aide the voice echoed in his head.

"Will you just shut up..." he said coughing,spewing blood between his fingers. He saw the ragin manor noting they had begun cleaning the exterior making it look less dilapidated. He wished to be apart of the dramatics that for better or worse caused him to break his casual stoicism.

"There you are.. "Cassia asked coming behind him. She saw him lean against the alley wall struggling for any trace of air. "You said you were going for powders... Not spying upon your ex"

Hotus pushed himself off the wall feeling dizzy "it's my off hours sia. What i do is irrelevant." he said hacking red phlegm onto his boots.

"Well we are here might as well.." cassia said helping him to the manor. "Damn it.. I don't need this diversion maeus" she thought to herself.

Xxx

Zera examined hotus seeing the damage he had done to himself. "If it was blight or phtisis he'd be dead so it's not that..." zera said indifferent to her former retainer. She was suprised to see both her sister and him, believing hotus had returned to her father's house but found him merely shambling in direction.

"Your not going to ask why he's like this?" cassia asked freigning concern. She knew her sister was a talented healer despite her independent and rebellious nature and would find a suitiable treatment.

"Not really... Its my day off and this isn't my clinic... So feel free to leave." zera said walking to the door. Hotus gently reached for her hand holding her in place.

"Get your hand off or i'll take it.." zera said her tone cold and vindictive. "Seems like you have mana fracture... Skin grafts could help with the necrosis that will come but from the sounds of your lungs it's a waste of flesh."

its beyond her capabilities... She means... Let me take over we'll will purge our body the voice said. Hotus could feel his existance fade desparatly trying to extend his alloted hour.

"We both know thats treatable" cassia said unamused by her sister not treating their friend choosing to be stubborn and petty.

"It's not just that. It's systematically converting his power in on itself. Only cure is tranquility or a fuckton of blood and the transfusion kind. Face it neither of us know that school and honestly he's not worth it." zera said slamming the door having done her part. She felt guilty for talking to him as such but found that honesty in situations like such was more proper.

Xxx

Cassia walked back to her manor stopping every few moments to watch hotus cough his lungs out. She wondered what hotus had did to himself that caused his condition but put it aside less her attachment to her friend cloud her better judgement "maeus have you gone to my father"

Hotus wiped his mouth spitting the blood he had on his teeth. "I thought about it..." he said laughing at the irony at having her force him to elaborate on her plans. He was only two who were privy to her machinations and the fact she goaded him brought a smile.

"Think on it harder my friend i would hate to lose such asset" cassia said returning to her walk giving a small grimace

[raging_monkey]

Act 278: mutual arrangement

Spoiler

Coldi sat on the roof contemplating over hotus's predicament. She was no healer and had only a passing knowledge in the field. "If zera can't do anything..." she said rising up staring at the moons. She had asked if soulrot was another term for mana fracture but was told it wasn't just a false disease spread through the humors popular in times past.

Xxx

Coldi waited at the cafe she and miriel agreed upon deciding that to keep their frienship they agreed to meet in the areas the magister controlled and to never discuss their respective houses.

"Sorry I'm late" miriel said wheezing followed by bodyguards that coldi had dubbed the jesters due to their civilian attire.

"Wedding plans still.. Maker by the time your proper i'll be a hag" coldi teased kicking back a chair for her friend

"Well he never gets the sweets right..." miri said taking a cookie from her satchel. She found it amusing that she could gorge herself upon confections and stay her petite build while others would have been as large as druffulo

"I swear you literally have something. Do you ever eat real food!" coldi said giving miri a confused look honestly wondering what would happen if she gave up sugar.

"This is real food! Besides I've cut down" she said as a waiter brought her tea.

"South blend milady nine sugars per usual" the waiter said presenting her the syrup like beverage. Coldi felt her arteries close as she watched miri drink.

"So.. Hows hotus... Is he better" miri asked. She could see her lost in thought and decided to break there rule.

"No.. Z says its terminal and i want to help but with the covenant... Mage thing and yeah." coldie responded laying her head down.

"Um has she said anything about me.." miri asked delving more despite knowing she risked a fight.

Coldi sighed at her. "Nope nothing aside from the fight ya'll had. Even when you come over she pretends you don't exist. Think she holds a grudge somewhat"

Miri looked into her glass downtrodden, she couldn't understand why she fought so hard to keep her independence. Preaching famial ties yet siding with someone who wasn't their relation. "I want my sister back... Everything has been wrong since this all began."

"Is that why you've postponed everything? Listen miri Pubs is probably a good guy, you both like each other well enough and blah blah. Don't do what z did and cause a ruckus the house is getting crowded "coldi said being the sensible one of their dynamic

"Sorry i forgot your in the middle too.. Are you fine with everything." miri responded taking her hand.

"Its nothing i can't manage. But yeah bullshit round about." coldi said leaning back into her chair

"If you can get zera to talk to me... I can help with hotus he was always nice to me..." miri said. Coldi knew she was breaking their accord as she saw her father's guards pretend to be merchants.

"Keep him alive... Then we are through.." Coldi thought to herself taking miriel upon her offer

[raging_monkey]

Act 279: tamper

Spoiler

Monkai laid in the grass enjoying his reprieve with training with bel. He found him to be insufferable an incoragable man whose's vanity rivaled none and was somewhat grateful after he left to attend to his personal life. "Maker he's a arse..." he said wiping his face. He summoned entropy in his hand watch the purest expression of magic glow.

"You shouldn't lay about..." kara said laying beside him resting her head over her hands. She made sure to keep a proper distance less she acted on impulse.

"I think of it as angled relaxation. How was the hot springs." monkai asked wondering if it was worth it to investigate the legend.

"You mean if you wanted to peek. Always were a voyeur" kara said playfully. She found it easy to jest with him attributing it their past and similar personalities, feeling jealous that her status and discipline kept them apart. "You recieved a letter..."

Monkai took the letter from her seeing it had been opened then sealed again rationalizing it as a old habit "its from z.. Says kina finally sparked and displays talents in enchanting" he said informing kara of his life.

"Hmm odd skillset she will have one day.. Had we known her ten years ago you would've campaigned to to have her branded." kara said curious to the girl.

"Times change... And I disapprove of the rite on those under thirteen anyway" he said chuckling. He remembered seeing tranquil throughout the circle he found them off putting and to be nothing more than walking corpses that didn't deserve his attention. They were to be pitied at best and replacable at worst. Ironic he had such innate dislike of those he would become with the right circumstances.

"Did she say anything about Tiberius.." kara said changing the subject. Since her talk with bel she grew to despise zera not merely for shirking her duty and house but having what she coveted and able to take another lover.

"Nope and i don't ask. All the **** I put her through.. I don't blame her for seeing what I am, a cancer upon her and her family she had everything and she... I made her throw it all away.. If time magic wasn't theory i would have just gone to Aurelia." monkai said closing his eyes and confiding in kara like he did when was a child.

Kara slide slightly to his side "does this woe as me tale have something to do with me?"

"Partially yeah... But it could be we just hit a rut and she is looking for something. She tells me what i want to hear rather than i need. Maybe i've finally snapped and I'm just living in a swamp eating rats" monkai responded moving slightly away from kara. He felt her attachment to him muddled with guilt and self-loathing ,making it hard to think.

Xxx

Monkai stood on the balcony next to his room. He looked at stars seeing the constellation that depicted the tale of nardeth, cursing his very existence making him a heir to his legacy. He heard a whimsical knock his door knowing who it was without looking

" still awake this at hour are we.. My my my" bel said cracking his finger. He was in a ecstatic mood at having had up shown his former lover at his mother's salon.

"So i take it you mounted some blind and deaf woman?" monkai said annoyed by his chipper demeanor curious to why he bothered him.

Bel laughed at his assumption in that he liked women "no no i am simply a lover of life... Besides men are far more to my liking, women can be so tedious"

Monkai gave a face of understanding at bel telling him his preferance. "So... I see um then why the act of being a jester. Who honestly cares?"

"Oh bloodlines are dreadfully important.. Nothing makes me more happier than to play the fool and be the character that is satirized for over indulgence. My preference for men reflect to in a way; i will do my house's duty blah blah but i will take my leisure." bel said cracking another finger. He sought to extend the conversation as he began to alter monkai's mind. "A simple thing to do to a mind.. Tug the right memories, know the right features... And finally change one's values.. Even if only a night" Tiberius thought carefully channeling his magic to not be visible.

Xxx

Bel awaited outside kara's room breaking his father's rule of smoking kohl in the castle. He had taken up its use at the age of ten merely to emulate his mother believing the fiction it helped her magical reserves but as he reached his twenty-nineth year he realized it was just a fun way of passing time. "Sunshine we don't have all night... No need to look like a harlot.."

"Bel i'll never forgive for this" kara said through the door. She had reached her limit, she thought she could be his friend but found she was poorly deluding herself in thinking she could escape her mother's plan, she had always prided herself upon her duty finding those who shirked it was destined to a eternity of suffering in the void.

"Uh huh just do what you do sunshine, blame the vallenious girl she had to known this would happen. Letting two former lovers spend time with each other... Remember men are simple creatures we lack a compass that points to any direction but north. All your doing is taking advantage of the boon" bel said half caringly to help rationalize kara's second thoughts.

Kara stepped from her room wearing a heavy coat "Your a pig... Does anything matter to you? What I am going to do"

"Yes yes woe as me forbidden affairs blah blah. Just mount up and let me go to bed i have a early breakfast. Maker its going to be a long month" bel said cutting her off and leaving having decided he did enough for her and that she had to make her own choice "deny and die or accept and excel" he added his voice sounding as if he was a viddithari recently converted to the qun.

Kara noticed the change in his demeanor and voice "bel... Did you.." she asked , bel gave no response merely smiled leaving her concerned