Outside the library that belonged to the college of Uthlyn, a carriage came to a stop, steered by a knight that bore the livery of an ancient and long-lost Adelan noble house. The knight showed no skin, his body completely covered up by the full plate he wore. His armor was adorned with golden trims, and featured a cape and feathered crest that were black and white. On his chest, a black dragon was emblazoned, curling around a ruined castle ."My lady, we are here." The knight rasped out, and dismounted the chariot. He opened the door, and an absolutely stunning young woman stepped out wearing an elegant summer dress. She also had on a wide-brimmed hat with bright red and orange feathers on it. Across her neck, a necklace with an impeccably cut black diamond hung, complimenting her ruby red eyes.
"Thank you kindly, Seussal. Would you be so kind as to wait by the carriage?" She asked in her naturally seductive voice, and the knight nodded. "Yes, Mistress Veno."
Stygia nodded to the knight, and turned around to enter the library. She parted the doors, and stepped inside, not bothering to acknowledge other people, even if she did catch the stares of every man (and some women) with her form-fitting dress. She went straight for the section of the library that contained books that leaned towards the occult, losing herself among among the shelves.
The sound of fabric, pulled on the stone tiles, was about all that could be heard in one of the darkest, oldest parts of the library, except for Daerian's fingers, slowly sliding on the backs of books and scrolls. Not many of them were unknown to her... The Uthlyn library was like her second home in her youth.
Her white hand slowly pulled an old book from the shelf. It seemed interesting, but a sigh of disappointment escaped from her mouth when she found out it was nothing that could possibly help.
She appeared almost like a ghost amid the dark shelves, in her flowing white gown, wide under her waist, but perfectly fitted as a corset, embroidered with strands of silver, on her chest. The silver necklace, adorned with clear crystals, was clinking softly every time she moved, and so did the circlet, obviously coming from the same set, only a little darker than the braids of her snow-white hair.
Stygia took a book from the shelf. She was aware of the presence in the library with her, but made no sign of it. She sniffed the air, picking out a scent that reminded her of Ardeadai's, but ultimately different. She realized she could be faced with another demon, but she didn't mind. If anything, if they were even remotely like Ardeadai, she welcomed the prospect. Alas, her life and love were for Ardeadai only, and for him they would remain. She pulled a book out of the shelf, the title catching her eye. "A Commentary and Compendium of Werebeasts and their Behaviors..." She read aloud to herself, and opened up the book. She remained still, only moving to turn the page as she searched for what she was looking for.
Daerian's purple eyes shifted towards another unusual figure in the library, but she didn't show that she acknowledged the other woman's presence. However, all her senses were aimed at her, and she knew the stranger was far from ordinary...
Dragon blood.
Her lips twisted into a confident smile. Now this may have been an interesting encounter... Walking in the dragoness' direction, only the soft clinking of metal told of her coming, but her graceful sight soon appeared between the shelves, holding a couple of old scrolls.
She smiled. Indeed an interesting meeting.
"Werebeasts are interesting creatures," a voice said from behind Stygia.
The voice belonged to a man wearing long robes and had the appearance of an old mage or scholar. The man gave her a friendly smile. He had wanted to get to her before the woman in the white gown did. There was something unusual about this woman, and he would find out what. It wasn't often that mortals attracted his attention.
Stygia turned to face the old man a bit faster than she would've liked, but that was mostly because she didn't notice his smell or even sense him until he was actually behind her. He smelled like the woman in white, the one she originally sensed. She didn't question that they were demons, the both of them, so she wanted to be careful about this. The necklace Ardeadai had given her was displayed proudly on her neck as she looked both of them over with her ruby eyes. She gently closed the book she was looking at, a beautiful smile entering her face as she faced them. "I should consider myself lucky. Two demons have deemed me worthy of attention." She said in her naturally seductive tone. "Would it bother to ask you your names?" She added, giving a slight bow (and a stunning view of her cleavage) to both demons.
Darkaroth chuckled.
"I am no demon, my dear," he said upholding his friendly facade. "And you are no ordinary human either."
This woman was definitely more than just another fleshbag. She could tell that he wasn't human, and even though she was wrong it still validated Darkaroth's assumptions. That necklace was also quite fascinating. He would have to inquire about that as well.
Daerian only watched their conversation in silence. "Everybody in Uthlyn knows me and my name." she chuckled. "I can clearly see you are not local, then." She cleverly avoided answering the woman's question, and leaned against the bookcase.
"What does then bring a stranger of such unusual kind here, to Connlaoth? You appear to be from Adela... Lady dragoness." her lips twisted into a smile while her hands caressed the scrolls. The old paper of which they were made felt almost like a withered skin...
"So I've been told." She said to the old man, and gave her attention to Daerian, who was infiniifely more interesting. She truly was a beautiful woman, and Stygia sighed inwardly. Were all demons (because apparently the old man was some other kind of extradimensional creature) so intensely attractive? For her, Stygia could make an exception in her love priorities. Surely, Ardeadai wouldn't mind if she shared some love about, would he? She was pretty sure a demon wouldn't mind, for were they not creatures of debauchery?
She looked at Daerian, and her eyes narrowed slightly. "This dragoness is just conducting some research." She said, her eyes scanning the both of them. Her pupils went from round to slit-shaped, and she returned Daerian's smile, stroking the side of the book with her thumb. She turned around, giving them her back. "Shall we sit?" She asked as she walked out of the shelves, her and her stunning red dress disappearing around the corner.
So, she was a dragoness. Interesting. Darkaroth followed close behind Stygia.
"If I may be so bold," he began. "Where did you get that necklace of yours? It is very unique. I have never seen anything like it before."
Stygia paused in her walking and turned around again, taking the necklace up in a hand gently. "It was a gift from my lover..." She started, and she locked her eyes with Daerian, her reptilian slit pupils giving way again to normal looking round ones. She smiled, showing her teeth. They were perfectly white, and her canines were slightly longer than normal, ending in a bit of a curve. "...one of your kind." She finally said, chuckling softly as she sat down at a square reading table, setting her book down on it. Her legs crossed under the table at the ankle, and she opened the book to the page she left off on. It was a section that dealt in how exactly one went around becoming a werebeast. Stygia had experienced one way first hand, but she knew there had to be a different way. "So, if I may ask my lady, what are you doing, hmm? Hiding that beautiful face of yours among the dusty shelves and even dustier scholars? Doing some research as well?" She asked as she leaned forwards on the table, drawing an imaginary circle on its deeply colored wood with her nails.
While she spoke, she thought about the old scholar. If he wasn't a demon, he was definitely something similar. It didn't matter, not like she was that interested in him anyways. She knew a facade when she saw one, seeing as how she was such an expert in them and their use. She couldn't quite pinpoint Daerian, because her smile really did look genuinely alluring. Maybe she was a lady of similar means of Stygia...
"A lover," Darkaroth repeated. "He must be very wealthy to afford something as fine as that. Might I have his name? I might know him from somewhere."
Darkaroth already had his first clue. Her lover was a demon. Darkaroth also remembered how Ardeadai was looking for ways to turn mortals into demons. Could this woman be the one all that research was for? He didn't have sufficient evidence, but what he did know hinted that Ardeadai was in love with a dragonness. Delicious. Absolutely delicious.
"Research... Off course, one would not be searching in the library for an adventure... Or a lover." she winked at Stygia, letting go off the scripts and scrolls as she bent above the table and laid them down. She gracefully sat opposite the dragoness, and her hands arose to the circlet atop her head.
In the meantime, she projected a mental image of Kirnardaz to Stygia. Is that lover of yours really one of my kind? Who I think he might be?
Her purple eyes flashed with crimson for a short moment as she revealed her sharp teeth in a smile, but then returned to their original color, and she put her hands with sharp nails down onto the table. "Now what brings you here, my lady - except the research?"
Stygia let out a smirk as Daerian linked their minds. She studied the mentally projected image of Kirnadaz, frowning slightly. No, I do not know that demon. I do, however...know his son. I must say, Ardeadai is quite the stud, is he not? Oh, don't tell me...are you with his father? she thought back in reply, a smile concealed in her eyes. She couldn't tell if Daerian was trying to seduce her or not, but if she was it was kind of working. Stygia tried to recall the last time she had been with a woman, but could not. She did remember it was another dragoness, however. The memory brought a smile to her face.
"One never knows what they'll find in a library, my lady. Did you expect to meet a dragoness today? But...I digress." She said, and she turned her eyes upon Darkaroth. "Now, that's information I wouldn't just give to any random stranger I meet. The world's a dangerous place, you never know who you can be speaking to." She said, almost not being able to conceal how dismissive she felt about the old man. If anything, she wanted him to leave as soon as possible, so she could give Daerian her full attention. "I'm afraid research is all I came to do. Research on how to make one willing man into a creature like me. I must confess, there's no better experience than making love to a dragon, my lady. Such passionate beasts."
She projected some more words to Daerian. If only this old coot wasn't here. We could've had that dark aisle of shelves all to ourselves. she thought, a forked tongue shooting out of her mouth for a brief moment before retreating back inside.
Darkaroth decided to take a shot in the dark. What was the worst that could happen?
"You turn him into a werebeast," Darkaroth asked. "I would imagine that he would want to turn you into a demon, like him, so that you may live together for eternity. Quite the romantic sentiment I must say."
Darkaroth knew that the two of them had been communicating telepathically. What were they saying to each other? Perhaps she told the woman in white of her lover and not him. How rude. Darkartoth was now more determined to get his answer.
"If that is what you search for, my lady, I may be of help. I have knowledge in many areas of study... And dark arts are no exception. Whatever you wish... Necromancy. Control over shadows. Traveling between realms. Werebeasts and changes just as well..." she replied silently. Knowing that there was no one else but them and the old scholar, she spoke more freely, but still carefully.
Indeed, I am... Is that his son? This is a truly fortunate meeting... The crimson in Daerian eyes remained for this time, and her teeth appeared as sharp as blades as her lips twisted into a smile. Her wings remained hidden, but the slim fingers, resting atop the scrolls, turned into steel-hard claws.
Oh, that old man? Don't worry about him... I will make sure that he'll be gone if it would come to something that's not to be heard by other ears.
Stygia smiled at Daerian, her forked tongue passing over one of her own fangs as well.I think I got lucky with the inlaws... she mentally purred, taking a moment to breathe some green fumes from her nostrils."Necromancy? I've dabbled in that a few times. Seussal, dear!" She called out across the empty library towards the doors, and they swung open. The knight that had accompanied her and drove her carriage was there. If Daerian and Darkaroth were capable of sensing magic, merely looking at the knight would give them goosebumps. In terms of magic, Seussal was completely inert, and seemed to suck the magic out of the air like some undead black hole. The knight walked over to the table they were sitting in, and sat down. "Seussal here's my own creation. A Wight, immune to magic and its effects. He keeps me company, and makes sure no troublemakers get into my lair. His sense of humor's a bit stiff, though. Seussal, could you remove your helmet?" She asked, placing a hand on the knight's shoulder.
Seussal promptly reached up, and removed his helmet, revealing a black skull with brightly glowing eye sockets. "Not my best work, but he is all I have left to remind me of a time when I was a human." She sighed, and continued the conversation in the mental world. I believe the old man is more than he may seem. He smells like you, the coppery smell of a denizen of the dark hells below, but there is something else. she projected, and she batted her eyelashes. "Would you like to depart, my lady? I have a carriage outside, and we can discuss these matters...without any prying individuals." She said, and she gave Darkaroth a dismissive glance.
Daerian eyed the wight with interest, mirroring in the crimson irises of hers. "An interesting servant..." she uttered.
At Stygia's note about in-laws, she chuckled. You could not have gotten luckier. And neither could I... It's a pleasure. I believe we will have a lot of interesting time together. One of her white hands arose to Seussal's head, and grabbed his chin with the sharp, pointed claws. "I can see what you are... Look at me." She grinned. "Yes, yes... I see... Not too far from my own creations. These servants sure are quiet, aren't they?"
This Seussal was not too far from the shadows she has been experimenting on. Quiet, but powerful, neither living nor dead in the body of withered flesh and singed bone. However, her subjects seemed to go in a different way... She believed they could surpass this wight with raw, brute force, at least judging by what information she could drain from him through the touch, but the fact that he sapped magic from the air could be dangerous. Fortunately, this didn't affect her abilities a little...
Yes, we may. I have a mount waiting for me as well. A rather unusual one, I daresay! But this scholar is indeed strange. He has a demonic aura around himself, and yet he is not of mine, or your kind. I believe we are not safe... She nodded and stood up, leaving the scrolls to roll off the table and slip onto the ground.
"I must say, it is rather rude to have a telepathic conversation when someone else is here," Darkaroth said calmly. "It's pretty clear that you are not fond of my presence, so I will leave. But before I do, tell me..."
Darkaroth decided to take a leap of faith.
"How is Ardeadai? Is he in good spirits?"
It was clear to everyone preset that Seussal did not take kindly to being touched, as it was his sole purpose to fight interlopers. One of his heavily armored gauntlets reached up and was about to clasp around Daerian's wrist, before a glance from Stygia sent the hand back down to rest on the pommel of his greatsword, which he used one-handedly in conjunction with a tower shield on his back. Even with his barebones appearance, it was obvious that Seussal was a beast of a man in life.
Stygia gave Darkaroth a perfectly crafted odd look, along with an immaculately fabricated answer. "Who? I know nobody of that name, old man. Farewell to you, good sir." She said, and took the book up in her hands. "I beseech you, my lady, ride with me in my carriage. I promise, the conversation will be...engaging." She coyly said as she turned her perfectly shaped back to Daerian and started to slowly walk towards the door. Seussal got up, put his helmet back on, and strode after her. There was something interesting on his back plate. An advanced necromantic rune, denoting an advanced creation. Daerian could see that Seussal wasn't just a normal Wight, he was a Wight Lord, a creature capable of performing necromantic spells of its own.
Before Stygia reached the door it opened and Darkaroth stepped through, blocking her path.
"You didn't give me an answer," Darkaroth said. "I told you that I will only leave once I have an answer. You can't lie to me. I am a master of deception. I can see the lies of mortals."
Darkaroth took a step closer to her and spoke softly.
"I can even read their thoughts to find out what scares them most. So tell me, how is Ardeadai? Last time I saw him he was researching how to turn a mortal into a demon. Surely it must have been for you."
Darkaroth began walking in slow circles around Stygia.
"He's afraid to lose you. He wants to be with you for eternity, and yet you deny even knowing him. That's not a very loving thing to do."
Darkaroth was digging deep on this one. If worst came to worst, he would make a few arrangements that would prevent them from leaving. If they slipped away anyway, he would simply follow. It's not like he had anything better to do.
Stygia stopped when she was confronted by Darkaroth. As he spoke, Seussal drew his greatsword and shield, a black mist seeping from the blade. Stygia herself shed most of her human disguise, as a magnificient set of horns sprouted from her head, her hands and feet turned into black-scaled talons, and a set of wings came out of her back. "I'm usually more civilized, but I think it's justified when I tell you to fuck off, you nosy asshole!" She bellowed, the force of her voice splintering the floorboards around her. With a beat of her powerful wings, she jumped backwards, landing nimbly on the table they were sitting around just moments before. As she jumped back, Seussal lunged forwards with an agility rare among undead, swinging his greatsword sideways. Her hand went to her amulet, touching it for a mere moment. Does this guy give you trouble as well? she asked Daerian, her vibrant summer dress turning black.
Darkaroth vanished just before the greatsword vanished. He then appeared behind Stygia and spoke softly into her ear.
"Your rage says it all, my dear," Darkaroth said with a chuckle.
He got his answer. It wasn't a definite answer per say, but it was good enough for him. Wait until he tells Ardeadai what he knows.
A black and red fog/mist had arisen, then it began to take shape. After a few seconds, it transmuted itself into Ardeadai. He looked around... It was good to see Stygia again. But, however, there was the one who was buggering him and his father earlier. "So that's where you went. Are you here to kill my princess, you fool?". Regardless of his answer, he drew his weapon, Shadeburn. "I highly suggest you swagger off to do whatever you do."
Darkaroth started to laugh.
"So it is true," he said. "Young Ardeadai had fallen in love, and with a mortal no less! Tell me, does your father know?"
Now that was definitive. Stygia had tried to hide it only for Ardeadai to arrive and give it all away. That just made it even better.
Ardeadai thought about his answer for a few seconds. "He will... and plus, it has been... balanced. And also, don't call her mortal. It'll change, as you surely know by now."
The demon looked to the dragoness. "This is Darkaroth. He isn't anything that we now of... he is something, though. We'd had a fair share of history..." said Ardeadai as he looked to Darkaroth. With a tenth of a souls-worth of power, he increased the volume of his voice tenfold. "Just go away, Darkaroth. You're not wanted. You're not needed."
"What do you think I've been trying to tell him, love?" She said, regaining her composure and taking a moment to fix her hair. She gave Darkaroth a teasing smile and walked over to Ardeadai, putting one arm around his hip and a hand on one of his shoulder plates. In the hand connected to the arm around his waist, she still held the book. "Seussal, put you sword away and get back to the carriage." She said towards her undead knight, and he sheathed his sword without question and exited the library, rasping "yes, my lady..." as it left.
Stygia looked at Ardeadai's helmet as he spoke, glancing back and forth between the two men. She didn't feel like compounding Ardeadai's reauest, as it was pretty clear that nobody felt like putting up with Darkaroth's crap right now. Her eyes widened a bit, and she looked into the vision slit on Ardeadai's helmet "Oh, I almost forgot, love!" She piped up, and held the book up. "I've got the knowledge I need from this book. Soon, we can both share each other's gifts." She whispered into Ardeadai's ear, and she leaned in further. "You're going to love acid baths when I'm through with you." She added, and her tongue passed over the side of his helmet
"Balanced," Darkaroth repeated thoughtfully. "So Kirnardaz has found love as well then?"
Darkaroth chuckled darkly.
"You would think that he learned better after what happened last time."
Darkaroth approached the couple.
"You seem so certain about the transformation of the other. Not all magics and species were meant to mix."
Daerian carefully watched over them all, calculating and deciding what would be the best to do, but when Ardeadai, whose form reminded her of Kirnardaz so strongly, appeared, she sprang from her chair and appeared before them all in her full form, with wide wings, beating into the air, and sharp claws at the tips of her fingers.
"Kirnardaz..." she purred, walking towards Ardeadai, when she realized it wasn't actually him. "No... Ardeadai. You are the son he spoke of..." Her slim hand grabbed the demon's shoulder and she smiled. "You look almost like him." At first, it was difficult to control her desires and not immediately jump at him.
Darkaroth, on the other side, received only a disdainful growl. "What is no concern of yours should be left alone..." she warned him, and turned back to Stygia and Ardeadai. "You are both very welcome at my fortress. My mount is waiting outside - shall we go?"
Stygia nodded at the idea, and left Ardeadai's side momentarily to make towards Daerian. She placed her sickle-shaped claws on the demoness' shoulders, looking into her eyes. "Why don't you tie your mount to my carriage? I've been looking for a lead animal for a while now. I assure you, Seussal is quite the competent driver. He'll have us there as quick as the night." She said to Daerian, the acidic fumes that emanated from her mouth in gentle waves acting as an odorless stimulant for the senses. Her tounge danced around hypnotically in her mouth as she spoke as well, the tip floating almost teasingly in her mouth like a fishing lure.
She left Daerian to consider her answer, and returned to Ardeadai. "So, this is your mother? Lovely woman, I must say." She said, placing both her clawed hands on Ardeadai's chest and looking over to Darkaroth with a look that said "Piss off"
"Mother?" Daerian laughed. "I am not his mother... Only in relationship with his father, unfortunately." she shrugged. The wings slowly disappeared and the claws also shortened, turning her into a more human creature.
"I'd gladly offer my horse as the lead mount. It is quite strong... And I will enjoy your company. Just let it show Seussal the way to the fortress. It has a good memory." she explained. Her hands appeared on both Stygia's and Ardeadai's shoulders, and her lips twisted into a smile.
What a wonderful encounter!
Stygia shrugged, as it didn't really matter to her whether the relation was by blood or not. A thoughtful look entered her face, and she grew quiet. "Can demons even have children the way the mortals do?" She pondered out loud, not really expecting an answer. She shook her head, and her horns retreated back into her head, along with the other draconic features. Her dress returned to its vibrant red, and she turned to leave, taking Ardeadai's hand. "Come now, my prince. You simply MUST ride my carriage. It's an experience you won't soon forget." She said, pulling Ardeadai behind her by the hand. As she passed Daerian, she returned her smile with a seductive grin of her own. "As I will yours..." She purred as she tugged Ardeadai behind her. She might have been in human form, but her actions still carried the strength of a full-grown dragon behind them.
She opened the doors to the library, revealing her carriage. Seussal stood by the doors of it, arms crossed. The horses were armored almost as much as Seussal was, and from behind the blinders a blue glow emanated from their eyes. The flesh visible on them seemed to be shirveled, and it stuck to their bones like a tight suit.
A wicked grin creeped onto Darkaroth's face. He had everything he needed. He now knew, not only Ardeadai's, but now Kirnardaz's lover as well. It was just too good. Satisfied with what he had discovered, Darkaroth vanished without a word. He got what he came for and more. All that was left to do now was to figure out how to best utilize his newfound knowledge. He would definitely have to pay them all many more visits in the future.
"Sorry, but no. I need to go back to where I came from, and sadly that isn't here, with you, dear."
Finally he sheathed Shadeburn, and dematerialized without a chance to do anything, very much like he materialized in the first place. He materialized back on the dragon with Kirnadaz
((Ardeadai is now officially out of the thread.))
Stygia seemed almost surprised when Ardeadai left, and she pouted and made a noise akin to a growl at the formless black mist as it disappeared. She had every right to be upset, seeing as how she was just robbed of what could've been the best carriage-ride in her life. She crossed her arms, and turned to face Daerian, her smile returning. "It's a shame, really. I guess now we'll have the carriage all to ourselves. Whatever shall we do to pass the the time?" She said as she walked over to the carriage. Without needing a command, Seussal extended a hand, which Stygia took to boost herself up into the door, which was wide open. She patted a hand on the area of seat next to her, a twistedly devilish grin on her face. "Tell Seussal where your mount is, my lady, and climb in. I wish to acquaint myself better with you..." She purred, beckoning for Daerian to come forth with a finger. Seussal stood at attention, waiting for Daerian to do something.
Daerian nodded. She whistled to call her own mount, which rushed from behind the corner - a huge black horse, with glowing red eyes and a pair of black wings, folded by its sides. Its skin was stuck onto its bones, and it seemed more like a skeleton, rather than live animal. She let Seussal take care of it and tie it before the carriage, while herself gracefully stepped in.
She sat down beside Stygia. "It is a wonderful carriage, I must admit." she purred. "And it will be a pleasure to accompany you, my lady." Her lips twisted into a smile, and she crossed her white arms on her knees. "Let my mount lead the carriage - it will take us to my fortress."
"That's what I was thinking as well." Stygia said, adjusting her dress. The inside of the carriage was lavish, almost extremely so. Velvet cushions on the seats, silk curtains to cover the windows if needed, and other amenities. Across from the two women was a small rack, which contained a few bottles of wine. Stygia leaned backwards against the back wall of the carriage, which was also cushioned. "I wish I didn't need this thing, sometimes. If only a dragoness could travel freely from town to town without raising suspicion, I wouldn't have to contain myself." She said, and she dared to softly rest a hand on one of Daerian's legs.
The sound of a whip cracking penetrated the calm atmosphere of the carriage, and it started up. "Seussal, speed it up once we get out of town. Let the big one guide you!" She called out, reaching out with a leg and bumping the front wall of the carriage. The whip cracked once more, and they were now at a moderate speed as they sped towards Uthlyn's exit road. "My name is Stygia, my lady. May I have the pleasure of knowing yours?"