And then, Rose/Kitara leans back, looking deeply into Nahia's eyes. "Sure, I could take you for my lover, master you. Draw you in. But I'm sure there are other ways, other times you have loved."
Rose/Kitara smirks a rather evil smirk, and her form shifts again. This time, the change is slow and carefully made. Long wavy auburn locks now cascaded down the form of a woman somewhere between human and elven. Her olive skin drawing the eyes, if only that it could detract from the piercing purplish eyes that now gazed into Nahia's soul.
"After all, my pet, you never forget your first. Right?"
Nahia's face blushes at the Rose/Kitara's whispers, her head shifting to the side at the feeling of her partner's warm lips of her tingling skin, hoping to feel more of that soft contact.
Does... does it have to wait?
She grins her own devilish grin as Rose/Kitara sits up, there eyes exchanging looks of wanton desire, her body blushing as it heats up all on its own.
But her look goes from wanton to surprised when she shifts again. For a moment she is quiet, her eyes drinking in a sight from what seems like so long ago.
"How... how do you know of her?"
The olive skinned woman looked Nahia up and down, suddenly darting in to steal a passionate firey kiss, ending it as suddenly as it began, pulling back and leveling that same piercing gaze on Nahia once more.
She laughs and smiles widly. "Your skin is ablaze, pet..." Her form shifts again, this time settling upon a woman with white hair and pale skin. Her aura, which up till this point has been strong as a fireplace, now seems to turn chilling. "..., perhaps you need something with which to cool off?"
Another soft laugh comes, as Nahia now stares into the face of the leader of the Seventh Knot.
Nahia returns the stare and finds herself falling into those purple eyes, her mind going fuzzy with the heat surging through her. She opens her mouth to respond to the question only to be met with the sudden kiss, her eyes closing as her body melts into the contact, only for it to be snatched away just as quickly as it was given.
Nahia gives a slight whining moan, her eyes half open as shallow ragged breaths escape from between her lips. She watches again as her partners form changes, but at this point she is too far gone to care much for the how of the situation, instead only seeking more.
Softly, she coos "Or... or maybe I could warm you up too?" as she squirms, her thighs squeezing squeezing and rubbing as her sensitive skin begs for more attention.
After letting their kiss linger for a several moments, Elise comes up for air. Her breathing a bit staggered as she focuses on the witch. Her eyes seem to flare for a moment, her eyes shifting to green, her hair a flowing platinum color as she chuckles. An air of sinister power now seems to permate the space around herself.
"Or perhaps, you wish to dine on the forbidden fruit? That which you know you will never attain?" The lilting voice of the cardinal's messenger filling Nahia's ears, sounding quite amused at the position she finds herself in with Nahia.
When the kiss comes again Nahia is not only prepared but yearning for it, leaning up to meet it. Again their lips meet, her desire made obvious without words, but still she wants more. And as their kiss continues, as their bodies intertwine, Nahia's kissing grows more passionate, more wild.
And then the kisses stop as her lover pulls away, leaving Nahia begging for more with her eyes, licking her lips with the hope of finding just one more taste. Again her partner shifts, but this form does make her smile, as she gives a breathy "Oh but this one is appropriate... with how easily I've come under your spell..."
Chewing on her lip as she arches her back, she gives a low aching groan nd a soft cry of "Mmmm, and the hungry wishes to dine... but the mistress forbids all fruit... will she not spare something to sate me?"
Tiadora laughs gently as she starts tracing soft circles on Nahia's skin while she waits for an answer. "I know how to wake such desires. I know the secrets and the means to WAKE a person to such heights. Submit yourself to my spell, and all shall be AWAKENED."
Tiadora then keeps teasing and tantalizing her.
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Kitara gently holds Nahia, slowly and very gently trying to stir her awake. The poor darling. She passed out just after reading her poem. They have to have been pressing themselves lately.
Kitara smiles softly, leaning down and pressing a soft peck over each of Nahia's eyelids. "Nahia darling, it is time to wake. Dinner is nearly done. Come on, wake up for me." Kitara smiles, continuing to try and rouse her.
Nahia stirs from her sleep, looking up groggily... "Huh? Oh, sorry... I must have fallen asleep. And I feel like I had an... interesting dream, but I can't for the life of me remember it."
Rubbing the sleep from her eyes she smiles at Kitara, adding "Come, let us join the others. I have the strongest craving for some nice, succulent fruit right now..."
She smiles as she sits up and offers her hands to Nahia. "I'll see what we can get. I do know that you can find ripe peaches this time of year in this area, I am fairly certain."
The item, being used to contact the cardinal isn’t a disk as Nahia thought, but a clay seal. Thinking about the first time they used one, when Balentyne fell, Nahia snaps the seal and them waits for any answer.
While waiting, she goes and talk with Kitara.
Drinks, songs poetry and some Vanilla Sky dreams makes everything fuzzy, as one is unable to say what’s happening, what’s dream, what’s being imagined.
Some hours while Hound labors to put the frogs to work, and Mysty plots and observes.
Dinner is about to be served when someone else appears.
Tiadora walks inside the place, using a black long dress. Heir platinum hair almost sparkling in the semi darkness of the place.
”It’s better worth the Cardinal’s time, this summon. You know he is most unforgiving about wasting his time.”
If she noticed one more in the group, Tiadora gave no indication about it.
Hound rested a bit after cleaning up any debris in the lower area. Any obvious evidence of them passing through was gone for now and he could now focus on the upper levels.
He remains silent and wary when Tiadora enters.
"Tia, we found Kitara." Rose says simply. "Daddy needs to know."
Kitara listens to the others as they speak to the newcomer. Her eyes scan the room as they all talk, mentally taking stock of the situation.
Once the rest of them have spoken, she then looks at the newcomer. "I am not certain if we ever met, Tiadora. You may have come after the incident in the grove." She stands and gives a very formal curtsy of the nobility. "Kitara Ithil'Dae Thorn, at your service."
She then returns to her seat and waits.
Tiadora looks at Kitara for a moment, and finally says.
"Is there anything else?"
"I'll notify the Cardinal."If no one offer no other reason/news she walks outside the Horn, before finally teleporting away.
Kitara shrugs and watches the woman go, turning to the others. "She is rather pleasant, isn't she? Rosie, how long as Daddy known her?"
"Since I was about twelve? She's just very work oriented. When she's not on the job she's much better company." Rose said with a shrug. "She's actually one of my closest friends. Or, she was before I joined the Knot. None of us have a lot of room for outside friendships anymore."
Kitara frowns at her sister, seeming to be deep in thought. If her mind were a machine, dozens of spinning wheels and gears would be visible.
"Why is that? I see nothing that precludes friendships. Unless we are all to simply sacrifice our desires and ambitions to simply be tools of another?"
Nahia hides her surprise at the irritation Tiadora displayed behind a smile and a sip of wine.
I had expected more, especially since this shouldn't have been a surprise... Hmm, I wonder if the Cardinal is going to show up? Maybe I should go take a bath and make myself presentable? But then what if I miss his visit? Hmm... I'll get Andros to clean me up...
But she is broken out of her thoughts by the discussion between the two sisters. "I think Rose is saying it as more of a circumstantial kind of thing. We move around a lot, and who knows which people are going to be left standing when everything is said and done."
Taking another sip of her wine, she adds "Though I'm not going to let that stop me, should the opportunity present itself. But Rose's approach may be the more pragmatic in the long run."
Kitara nods thinking about Nahia's words, and contemplating. She finally looks up at Rose. "How good has Daddy's sense of humor been lately?"
Rose nodded, agreeing with Nahia. "Hard to maintain friendships when you're neck deep in work. Tia and I haven't said more than a few sentences to each other since I signed the contract. We're just too busy."
She frowned a bit at Kit's question.
"Basically gone since Mother was banished. He doesn't smile much anymore. I'm sure he'll be happy to see you though."
Nahia shrugged and added "Well, you find comfort where you can find it." She smiles briefly at Kitara before taking another sip of her wine.
I wonder how used Kitara is to spending tome with people as driven as us? Or with people in general? When I was with Anahita... I only really spent time with here and people that we intended to use in rituals...
With a smile she adds "I don't know... She's been nice before... And the Cardinal sometimes shows his gentle side... admittedly, it is rare, but still..."
Kitara sighs and shrugs. "To each his own I suppose. Since it would seem that Daddy's messenger is returning soon, I suppose I should go prepare myself and be presentable."
Kitara stands, grabbing a peach from the table, and taking a rather hearty bite of it, before wandering off towards the direction of the room Nahia took over.
Hound will head off to do more work getting the place cleaned and secured.
Hmm, I could follow her... there is no way that I will miss the Cardinal if I'm with her... but then again, it might seem like to forward of a move... especially after all of that...
Then again, maybe heading to my room wasn't a sign from her... Could that just be my own imagination taking over...
Hmm, let's keep her in suspense for now... Besides, she might need her wits about her to face the Cardinal... chances are good he isn't the man she used to know...
Nahia reaches over and retrieves another peach from the bowl, giving a brief prayer to their Dark Lord before biting into it.
"Hey Rose... how do you think the Cardinal will handle this news?"
While waiting for Tiadora to return, the knot begins overseeing the place's defense. while searching, cleaning and fixing the place, this are some of the things noticed:
From the book found in the caves, you know there's three eyes of Vetra-Kali, you guess with some reason that the two emerald you found are the eyes. However one is still missing.
"Hey Rose... how do you think the Cardinal will handle this news?"
"I... don't know. If there's one thing I've learned in my life it is that Daddy is completely impossible to predict. I'm hoping he will be happy, but if he is he might not show it.
Perhaps put water into the reservoir and see what happens.Plus destroy that Mitran altar.
This is probably Rose's expertise.
Seren wanders the halls of the great temple with Grumblejack, admiring all of the stonework.
Not my preference of colors but you can't argue against their imagery! I'm sure this place would have been a treat to visit in its heyday.
They pass through the great sanctum, the statue looking somewhat menacing, when Grumblejack complains of being thirsty again. Looking confused, Seren responds "I've got some fresh water. And Nahia surely has something stronger. What are you thirsty for?"
Kitara gets to the room, sighing. She looks about before thinking. She adjusts her sleeves, which transform her clothing once again. This time it is a shape and form she knows all too well. A layer of skin tight crimson red leather. The base layer she wears under her armor. She takes a moment, letting it form, and making sure everything is in place. She then goes and grabs her armor, starting to don each piece with care. They need to see strength, confidence. Purpose. The will to power, and the drive to control. Then so be it. My darling sister thinks that she is the only one capable, and for that she will pay. *sigh* Each piece in time. Maneuvering on the chess board is a complex and intimate process. And I am already late to the game. I shall have to endeavor to be swift and sure. First to deal with Father, though by the sounds of it possibly no longer the father I know. Then I need to visit the city. I need to see how this whole game will play out, and the field upon which it rests.
Kitara finishes donning her armor, collects her scimitar of fire forged steel, belting it on and then grabbing her shield. She then dons a small pair of spectacles and makes her way back out of the room.
Kitara takes some time to start a personal inspection of the grounds, floor by floor over the places that she had not already seen. She calls to some of her followers to assist her, working her way around to try and determine what facilities they have to work with.
Nahia frowns as she takes another small bite of the peach.
I wonder if he has always been like that... or if something changed... and if so, what changed him...
Glancing around to see that they are alone, she leans in to Rose and whispers "And what about you?"
Nahia turns the corner, nibbling on her peach, just as Kitara leaves the room in her full armor. The witch smiles and says "Well, don't you look lion-y. Intending to go on the prowl?"
Kitara's eyes are determined as she carefully studies Nahia, the light glinting off of the crimson of her leather, and the dragonhide of her armor.
Nahia nods with a smile. "Would you like some company? Not that I'm trying to impose..."
Then the smile faded her face became pensive. She shrugged. "They're my family. I love them, but I don't always get along with them."
She sat down against the wall looking at Nahia, layer after layer of self-projection seeming to fall away as she thought about the question that no one else had ever asked her before.
"I really don't know if I'm alright. I'm so many things to so many people, and I'm not smart enough to keep it all straight. I'm not a planner like my father, or a diplomat like my mother. My sister can do pretty much everything I can, only better. "
"I feel like I'm just an amalgam of other people's expectations, but I'm not actually living up to any of them."
She shrugged. "Doesn't really matter anyway. I'm here to get the job done. I'll throw myself a pity party later."
Hound tries scoring some Unholy water, either from Rose or by getting the frog priest to make some. He then goes up to the shrine and looks at it a bit before dousing it with unholy water and saying prayers to Father. After that is done, he draws his polearm and rages, bringing it down again and again on the 'holy' shrine.
She glanced over to Nahia, thinking. "How do you keep the frogmen downstairs in line?"
Nahia gives Rose a compassionate smile walks over to sit next to her.
"Rose... you are much more than you give yourself credit for. And you're not just here to get the job done, you're here because you can get the job done."
She turns away from Rose, taking a small nibble from the peach she holds in both hands before softly responding. "When the group was first formed, but especially after you showed up, I felt like I was useless dead weight. I'm not good in a fight, my seductive charms weren't useful, and my spells seemed to be... well... about as helpful as throwing pebbles at our enemies... and sometimes I still feel that way."
She turns back to Rose with a bit of pink warmth in her cheeks. "But we were chosen for a reason. We've all done the impossible. So at this point it is kind of silly to believe that there are any kind of expectations that we aren't living up to."
She reaches out and places a hand on Rose's knee. "I want you to do me a favor. I want you to think about who you would be if the only person you had to answer to was yourself. If it was your choice how would you live your life?... Don't answer me now... just think about it. Search deep."
She twists into a crouch in front of Rose, her hand going to brush away some hair, her fingers lightly brushing her cheek. "And once you figure it out, if you want to talk about it... well, just come find me..."
And with that she stands to walk away, leaving Rose to her thoughts.
Hmm, I think I liked the flirty version of her better... But I'm sure I'll change my tune when she is shaving my life from some horrible beast.
"Well... we don't really. We got here just about the same time you did. The Frogmen look up to Hound as their leader after he killed the last one. At some point I need to go talk to their priest... he's this odd fellow that has done way too many drugs... but he has sway over them..."
She brought a hand up to her chin, a thoughtful expression on her face. "Part of the problem is that none of us speak their language. If I had a way to, and given some time, then I could work some charms on them to keep them under control... well, probably... they seem, erm, normal enough for that..."
"That statue there? what's the story with it?" She points over at the lifelike headless statue.
Nahia nods. "There is one. But that still limits my options... Well, all of our options... except maybe Hound."
Turning to the statue, she adds "Not really sure. We found a pile of destroyed statues in another room, and one of the heads looked like it had the same level of detail. Given the lack of debris around this one, chances are good it is the same piece. I don't see any magic on the thing some I'm not sure what it might mean. Any thoughts?"
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On seeing kitara wow, is that dragonhide? Where did you pick that up from
Kitara looks at Nahia pondering. She takes her time looking over the statue. "Perhaps..., do you have the head someplace? Maybe put it up atop the statue and see if they belong together?"
As they are talking she notices Mysty and smirks at her, her eyes smouldering slightly. "Oh, it was a donation. Apparently the particular wyrm that wore this hide felt that perhaps it might look better on me."
Rose didn't say anything after that. She just nodded and gave a small smile before picking herself up and walking away.
Rose wandered for a while, thinking. The longer she walked the darker her thoughts got. Eventually she found Hound in what was left of the Mitran temple. She watched him systematically destroy the altar and started to smile.
Piece by piece she dropped her armor and peeled herself out of her doublet. By the time he noticed her she wasn't wearing much.
"I need you to f%!+ me like you hate me. Right now."
As the lady wishes.
Hound tosses her onto the altar and ends up staining it with some infernal blood.
Hound and Rose does their best to destroy and desecrate the knight’s shrine.
The details of their efforts are best left to themselves. However, even with that, even tho the shrine does not exist anymore, its effect still persists in the place.
The spare head found in the other room fits perfectly the headless statue. The amount of details is so impressive, you begin to wonder if there's anything else behind it.