When the room fell silent, Saqqara immediately collapsed onto one knee. The Diabolist breathed heavily, each breath an effort. In the dim lamplight, one could faintly see a line of blood running from his eyes and mouth. With a shuddering breath, Saqqara coughed and spoke. "Cursed... She-" his words were interrupted with another cough "-is afflicted with a curse. Powerful. As you can see, it reacts violently to tampering." Leaning back on the table, he sneered at the woman.
Oleander nodded and paced around the room. "What did she say?"
"To guess? How to lift her curse."
Oleander arched a brow. "The instructions, if you would."
"Oleander, this-"
"If I cared about your opinion, I would've asked."
"Oleander, I hate you more than anything. But if you die, I die."
Saqqara sighed once more. "We should heed the warning"
"When have I ever been one to trust spirits, hm?"
Saqqara growls, but sighs in compliance. "I believe she needs to be outside, at night, for at least one hour. Possibly with the moon and stars visible. I didn't catch everything. "
Again, this earned a raised eyebrow from Oleander. "Oh? Anything else? True loves first kiss perhaps? A charming prince?" He said jovially, clearly enjoying himself.
"Poison too, perhaps. Your specialty. We may need to kill her with nightshade." Saqqara dig his knuckles into his temples.
Oleander continued to pace the room. Hand stroking his chin. "Saqqara, go find Laera and head to the roof. Take the girl and prepare to lift the curse." Oleander said, idly. Oleander exited the room. Walking back into his laboratory, he rummaged around the various vials of toxins and venoms. Pocketing the required element, Oleander thought how he would spend the next few hours before midnight.
The hours passed slowly. But eventually, The clock struck midnight and Oleander made his way to the roof of his mansion. The area wasn't over large. Barely larger than the previous room. Disused lounge chairs were pushed to the sides to make room for the ritual. For the moment, he was alone with his thoughts. "Father..." a soft yet harsh sounding voice spoke from the top of the near by spire. Turning to the source, Oleander gave a genuine smile.
"Laera. What a wonderful night to have a curse." He said, gesturing to the pale moon.
The now named Laera gracefully took to the air on midnight black wings. With a flourish she landed gently beside Oleander. She was taller than him, but much thinner. Her pale skin gave her a cadaverous look, and her razor thin features and slightly pointed ears gave away elven heritage. "The bound one is nervous. I can smell his fear. It... amuses me."
Oleander chuckled and ran his fingers along her cheek, eliciting a pleased warble from Laera. "Always the perceptive one, you are." Staring once more at the moon, Oleander heard the access door creak open. "Speaking of,"
Saqqara carried the limp woman bridal style onto the roof. "Monster, abomination." He greeted the two.
Laera hissed out a laugh, and gave a mock bow to the demonist. Oleander simply nodded. "Well, let us get on with it. Lay her there, and let us continue with this endeavor." Gesturing to Laera, "My dear, please leave us." Before she could protest, Oleander placed a hand on her shoulder. "I shall be fine. Go hunting, enjoy yourself. I insist." Laera hesitated, shifting uncomfortably.
"I... shall. Fare well, father." With a flap of her large ebon wings, Laera was gone. All but a fading silhouette in the night sky.
Oleander nodded in satisfaction, and turned back to regard Saqqara. "Well, I suppose we wait." Oleander moved to sit upon one of the disused chairs and laid back.
Saqqara could only rub his face and lament his fate, for all the good it did him.
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((Nah. He's just an NPC for now. Laera on the other hand is getting a character sheet soon. If the format is a little abrasive, I could change it. Just for future reference.))