Demagogue and Nashyah were on their way to a certain country within the powerhouse that was Serendipity, a certain place known as Shadowmire. An ominous name to be sure but the demon was looking forward to carrying out his orders. The skeleton hovered just above the ground as they came over a hill, following the road that lead them to this place... It was a long, difficult journey for them both, Demagogue having to deal with the split personalities of this girl and Nashyah no doubt dealing with him... For the most part, the demon kept to himself for once in his abnormally long life, hardly saying a word throughout the majority of their journey. He didn't speak during the nights they needed rest, he didn't utter a word as the hours passed by on the road, he didn't even huff or make a snarky comment as roadblocks of various kinds forced them to alter their route. He was simply silent...
Demagogue was thinking about many things, about his ultimate plans for the world, about what he'll do to the clock-eyed girl once her usefulness came to an end, whether or not he would allow Nashya to go about her business once theirs had concluded... He wondered if his decision to leave his plans on hold were truly worth it, if taking orders from someone COMPLETELY MANIC AND INSANE was a wise decision, but these questions were sheer novelty. He made a deal with her and now he couldn't break it. There would be... consequences if he did... The one thing he knew was that once this was over and he had received his reward, Clock-eye would too. Her eternal reward...
They would still be about half an hour yet to Shadowmire and the skeleton lowered himself to the ground quickly picking up a wide but slow gait, keeping up with Nashyah casually. The closer they got, the more people they saw, the more sketchy they got. Yeah... they really were getting close.
Demagogue fished a soul out of his pants-pocket and and shoved it into his mouth, gnawing on it thoughtfully as he tipped his hat to the latest group of passersby. He wondered if his contacts were still alive... If not, he'd need to pay a visit to their families... How fun.
Walking just slightly behind Demagogue Nashya remained quiet for the most part, concentrating all of her efforts on keeping the 'face' that appeared before people up. Illusions were a part of her abilities she hardly used, therefore causing much more concentration from her than normal. It wasn't as simple as constructing a shadow manifestation that lacked the detail and color than human flesh did. All of this was an effort to allow the charismatic demon known as Demagogue to be the face of Golden Gear.
When he reached into his pocket to consume yet another soul the not so silent voice within the confines of her mind spoke up for what felt like the millionth time. "He really is inconsiderate. Does he not realize how hard we are trying to make him like normal? Eating souls like that with so many people around is just stupid."
Nashya's eyes flicked to the side when the voice spoke, an uncontrollable reflex as if that part of her was standing right there. Still this time her other sides comment caused a flicker of a smile to cross her lips. "You're right... he is inconsiderate" She then looked to Demagogue knowing full well that he had heard what she just said. Part of her said it on purpose out loud just so that he would hear it. So far she felt he really didn't appreciate the effort she was putting forwards to make him look somewhat human.
The journey had been long and silent, the two of them not quite finding a common ground to speak of yet. Instead they traveled with purpose, a task they had to complete for the sake of their reputations. The journey wasn't all silence though, as Nashya at least had her other self to converse with, something she normally would hate to do.
Of course, many humans were ignorant to what a soul really was, let alone what it looked like so Demagogue had no care munching on them in public. Between his confidence in Nashyah's illusions and the utter stupidity that humans seemed to possess above all other attributes, the skeleton continued on with his habits. It was only when he reached in and grabbed the last one he had on him did he hear the little conversation the girl was having with herself (rather her alternate personality), stating that he was inconsiderate. At that, the demon smiled softly to himself, crushing the soul into shards with his fingers for Nashayah to see, if only for his own amusement. While Demagogue was no practitioner of illusions himself, to most humans, what they'd see was the demon crushing a little sweet between his fingers before the girl, all part of the human guise she was so kind to cook up for him. Granted, it'd still be attention getting, though far less so than a glowing ball of energy.
Still, eventually they reached the city of Jadenshine without incident, stopped by the guards at the gates as were all travelers requesting entry. Having a few words with one of them, the guard let them pass, signalling for the gates to open, revealing a bustling city inside. For the first time, the demon addressed Nashayah.
"We're going to see an old.... friend. She may have what we need and if not, her family will." The demon winked lightly, though his joviality was rather forced. It was hard to be joyace when traversing your own thoughts...
Without taking as much as a detour, Demagogue let Nashayah straight into the heart of the city where the rich presided, the houses steadily growing bigger and more extravagant the further in they went. It was one of these castles that the demon had his eye on, known for it's.... conductive attributes and excessive size. Granted, it wasn't the largest building here nor was it the most expensive by material amounts but it was the most suited for their purposes... The Onyx Keep.
The building was massive, made of a black marble-like substance, shining and radiant in the sunlight. The entire area surrounding the keep itself was made of a similar material, Nash's and Demagogue's boots *clacking* against it's surface. After a few sharp raps of the massive wooden doors, a young woman answered, her skin pale and fair, dressed in an elaborate white dress with hair that matched and eyes a solid black color. She looked at the pair in confusion, though her eyes seemed to linger on Demagogue's, something apparently familiar about him.
"H-hello...? May I help you too...?"
"Nash...." He murmured kindly. "Undo my face for a moment, would you kindly?" If she obliged, Suddenly, the illusion around Demagogue's face only would disappear, revealing the skeleton's smirking, carved teeth and glowing lights in his sockets.
"Demagogue!" She screeched before suddenly lunging forward, wrapping her arms around the demon's neck, forcing him to catch her lest they both fall back into the ground. Letting out a frustrated sigh, the Demagogue attempted to pry himself free but the girl was latched on tight, giggling.
"AHEM!" He faked clearing the throat he didn't have. No change. It took 3 more times before the message finally hit her, the girl pulling away from the demon, a wide smile on her face.
"Well don't just stand there! Come in!" She stated, standing aside and letting the pair enter. Gods almighty.... why....
The rest of the trip went on just as it had begun, boring... slow.... irritating. Nashya couldn't help but wonder if it was just the fact that Demagogue was a demon that made her so negative. As if some kind of unseen aura was emanating off of him that she wasn't picking up on. Or maybe it was just that he was so negative all the time that her abilities were overloaded, the shadow of Demagogue's mind fueling them enough energy for days on end.
When they reached the gates of Jadenshine Nashya did what she did best. She stood silently behind Demagogue, only focusing on keeping the facade of his 'face' believable. Thankfully, they were able to pass without issue and continue on with their duty. But mere moments after clearing the gate the demon addressed her for the first time during the entire trip. Her gaze that had been locked on the back of his boots the entire trip snapped up, the utter shock of him finally speaking to her a change of pace from the entire journey.
She did her best to keep an expressionless face when he spoke to her, but the forced wink he sent her way caused her stomach to churn in the most unpleasant of ways. "Did... did he seriously just wink at us?" The voice inside of her head almost as repulsed as she was. On the outside Nashya merely blinked not really able to find any words to reply with. Thankfully he then began walking again, leading her to wherever this friend of his lived.
Finally they reached the place he had in mind and Nashya merely stared at the keep in awe. It was magnificent to say the least, the color of the stone pulling at the darker sides of her personality. She did manage to keep her utter love of the structure in check though, instead continuing her focus on keeping Demagogue appearing human.
Then for the second time during their trip the demon addressed her again, this time abbreviating her name. "Kill it" her darker self taunted, already agitated with the familiarity Demagogue was using towards them. However, no matter how Nashya felt she knew there was purpose behind this visit, and it was all for the sake of Cyn and their plans. "Sure thing Dem" Nashya countered, the hint of sarcasm in her voice evident.
Closing her eyes she released the facade of appearance around Demagogue. Very quickly the veil of flesh and blood fell from him, evaporating before the girl that stood before him. The reaction that came next though caught Nashya off guard. "Well then...." her inner thoughts entertained and horrified by what she was seeing. Immediately Nashya thought the girl brain washed, no other explanation as to how someone could have any sort of positive feeling towards this irritating demon.
Following Demagogue inside Nashya gave the smallest of curtsies to the woman, showing her gratitude for allowing them into her home.
The black-eyed girl either seemed completely oblivious to Nashya's sarcasm towards the skeleton or simply ignored it, letting the two of them in to a MASSIVE foyer, at least several floors tall by the typical drudgery's consideration of homes. She smiled kindly at Nash as she curtsied lightly before her, gently nodding in the direction of what could be considered the guest room, a section of the house slightly larger than the foyer containing an elaborate black marble fireplace and two black silk couches with a black-wood table in the between them both, all seeming to belong to a person with wealth and... obsessed with the color black. Demagogue made his way in with what little dignity he could scrape off that situation from a few minutes ago, sitting himself down on one of the seats and motioning for Nash to sit beside him. The woman in white would sit across from them both, her expression all smiles and her black eyes seeming to peer into the demon's own sockets... or what the illusion passed as his face. After maybe.... a second's worth of awkward silence, Demagogue raised a closed fist to his lips and cleared the throat he now had, compliments of his illusionist.
"Well... introductions are in order..." The demon declared, gesturing to the woman in white with a nod. "This is Caremilea De Bloodsworth, one of my... older 'clients...'" The woman only giggled lightly in response.
"It's not polite to call a lady old..." She murmured, leaning it a bit, her eyes flashing dangerously. Clearly, there was some kind of magic within her, at least enough to rival the demon in power or maybe even surpass him and yet... she was so controlled...
"Is not a several thousand years old, lady?" The demon countered.
"No, it's not."
"Indeed." Demagogue nodded lightly, staring into her eyes with a certain mild intensity before looking back at the smaller girl beside him.
"And this is Nashya... She's my assistant for the time being." The demon clapped his hands together, ready to get down to negotiating. "We want your house."
She would be lying if she didn't say she was impressed with how beautiful this home was. Nashya couldn't help but let her eyes wonder around it, taking in as much detail as she could. Once again following Demagogue she made her way into the guest room and sat beside him on one of the white couches. "Well seems they are both the strong silent type..." the voice in her head chimed in, noting the awkward silence that was growing in the room.
Up until Demagogue cleared his 'throat' Nashya felt slightly uncomfortable. When he introduced the woman as Caremilea.. one of his older clients Nashya slightly nodded at her out of respect. However, when they began talking about her age Nashya was stunned. "She is a hag" the voice chimed in again... causing Nashya to let out a slight giggle unbeknownst to them what she was laughing at.
And then Demagogue was introducing Nashya, and the way he called her his assistant created a fire within her that would not be extinguished for days to come. "Who the hell does he think he is!? We are not his 'assistants'! KILL HIM... KILL HIM NOW!" Nashya only averted her eyes from the two sitting as the voice in her mind continued. Instead of responding Nashya kept her cool, but her inner self could not. Instead that part of her aimed for revenge. Ignoring the bit of wanting the woman's house Nashya leaned back in the couch, her stature becoming more relaxed and casual, even slightly entertained.
However, Demagogue would not notice for at least a few more seconds that his 'nose' had begun to appear twice the average size of a humans. Instead of stopping her darker self Nashya found herself loving every minute of it and allowed it to continue. His face would shift a few different times until finally settling into that of an ugly dog. "I'll show him who's in charge here"
"So what favor did you make for this kind woman?" Nashya asked, not giving even the slightest hint that Demagogue's face had changed. No.. she would just sit back and enjoy this for every second she could.
Caremelia giggled profusely as Nashya fiddled with the illusion that was his face, morphing it about as if it were a ball of clay in her hands. One moment, she made his nose.... excessive, the next, she expanded the distance between eyes so that he looked like a fish. The woman in white's reactions alone prompted an eyebrow-raise from the demon, his eyes now huge making the act that much more hilarious, making him seem like something of a comedy act.
What could she be laughing at...? The demon wondered, contemplating what he had said until now. It wasn't THAT funny.... The Demagogue then looked over at Nash beside him, her expression about as flat as her ches-PERSONALITY... a bit TOO flat... He squinted his eyes at her, eyes that now appeared to the that of an ancient pug: Large watery, bulging, almost completely concealed in fat flab roles. The skeleton peered at her curiously, oblivious to the subtle spell-work before the girl asked what he had done for Caremelia all those years ago. Before the demon could speak, the woman in white spoke first.
"Oh, he killed my husband!" She responded between laughs, a hand covering her mouth to hide her smile. "He was... Demagogue, how would you describe him?"
"Arrogant?" The demon offered.
"Yes, that, but what else...?"
"Rich?"
"Yes... but no..."
"Lazy?"
"YES! Lazy!" She exclaimed, clapping her hands. "That's what he was. Never did ANYTHING around the house besides sign a bill or mouth off. I didn't even need to call Demagogue...." She giggled cutely. "And we've been married ever since..."
"We're not married." The demon objected.
"Ah... but we are in love..."
"Love is a 2 way street." The demon countered.
"And both are fully active..." She retorted, smiling behind her hand.
"Yes... well... you can be in love and homeless because we're taking your house." Demagogue declared, gently brushing aside her comment. "As I recall, you owe me more than twice the amount this place is worth."
"And as I recall..." She murmured, reaching out and gently taking the demon's hand, much to his chagrin (or as much as pug could display). "You owe me something as well."
"Not right now I don't." Demagogue attempted to faze his hand free but his magic wouldn't come to him. He tried to tug his hand away but the woman's grip was iron.
"Why not...?" She pouted playfully. "If you don't... no house... Now come here... and give me a big dog-kiss..." It was obvious Caremelia was struggling to keep from laughing in the demon's face.
Dog ki- The demon's head swiveled on it's neck over to Nash, his expression as threatening as a dog's could be... He said nothing, only stared, magic crackling around him. Whatever he was planning to do was swiftly shut down, all energy fading from the skeleton, even the illusion being cast fading away... strangely in Caremelia's direction... It was almost as if she was sucking the energy away from the room...
"Now..." she whispered seriously leaning in too close for the skeleton's comfort. "About that kiss...?"
Demagogue's white glowing orbs flicked over in Nashya's direction, almost pleadingly, hoping she could do or say anything that would earn her the esteemed honor of being his assistant.
Still sitting back as entertained as could be Nashya resisted from joining in on the laughter. Even when Dem turned to look at her with a dead set serious expression she managed to keep her expression flawless. She tried her best to follow their conversation, even going as far as raising her brow when the woman mentioned that Dem had killed her husband. However, she never chimed in and actually began to grow irritated with their back and forth banter.
But when the woman grabbed Dem's hand Nashya's interest was peaked. She could feel the emotions radiating off of both of them and that caught her attention. "Is this... embarrassment? Or maybe fear?" inside her inner self was picking apart what she could from the situation. She even noted that when the woman took his hand her illusion completely evaporated.
"Don't let her touch us" Nashya nodded in agreement with her inner self. She had pretty much given up trying to keep the illusion over Demagogue's face at this point. It was too much work and with this woman making it go in and out it was a waste of time.
When Demagogue turned towards her once more and pleaded with his eyes for her help she merely crossed her arms. She didn't have to say what she was feeling to let Dem know she wasn't going to help. Instead she stood up from the couch and took a few steps away, stretching out her arms a bit. "I am going to assume the guest bedrooms are upstairs. It was a long journey and some rest could do me good. I can see that the two of you need some alone time."
Her eyes locked on Dem's sockets before turning around to find the stairwell. She knew they were taking this house, so she would not wait for an invitation to stay. "I wonder if she is one of those women that steals souls when they sleep with a man" her inner self torted, causing Nashya to break out into an absolute fit of laughter as she rounded the corner of the room.
The demon scowled at his assistant and her unwillingness to even give him some kind of aid... BAH the lengths he went to get what he wanted... He watched Nashya disappear upstairs, the Onyx keep consuming her in the confusing maze that was it's upper floors, leaving only the lady in white and Demagogue alone, Caremelia and the skeleton alone at last. The moment the girl was both out of sight and out of earshot, the woman would retreat back to her seat, A small invisible field surrounding them akin to Nashya's illusion, though it still showed a scene where Demagogue was struggling to NOT kiss this woman and blocking all but the noises most appropriate to the situation out.
"Don't kill her." The demon said flatly, glancing up at the massive black-marble stairs, knowing full well how dangerous they could be. "She's still useful to me."
"My.. you've grown patient." Caremelia commented before reaching under her couch cushion and withdrawing a small rolled up piece of paper, tied together with a white silken bow. "I remember the days when you killed people for much less..."
"And I remember the days you didn't put on this facade for others." The demon smirked, his sockets glowing brightly.
"Ah, the good old days..." She chuckled in response, tossing the demon the rolled up piece of paper, caught in Demagogue's skeletal hand. "The deed to the house, as requested. I believe that covers my debt to you."
He opened undid the scroll and checked the contents, the paper already stamped and signed under the demon's name or... rather... under one of his many aliases. "No... but this does cover a good bit..."
"I could burn that deed..." She offered, smiling.
"You drive a hard bargin..." The demon whispered, matching her grin before leaning back in his chair, letting the pillows welcome him into their soft, comfy embrace. "Very well... you owe me nothing. Caremelia grinned before getting up from her seat and walking towards the massive door to the house, gently tapping a certain onyx candlestick with one unlit candle in the center of a foyer table besides the door before stepping out into the light... disappearing the instant her skin touched light. Demagogue followed her soon after, closing the door behind and looking around his new house... his powerful house... one he could mold the interior of any way he wanted...
Fore this wasn't just any place of residence... It was a construct of powerful magical enchantments, ones that made mockeries of the most powerful dispelling techniques and enchantments... This was a place that shifted with the owner, the one that held the deed and the candlestick... The one that would own and maintain the house. Essentially, it was his own pocket realm within this one to a very certain point but nonetheless, he held more power than most demons like him... he'd moved UP in the world...
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Nashya would find her self on the second floor, greeted by long hallways with several doors lined up beside one another, each one leading into a room. No matter which one she opened, even one after another, the door would open to the same place, a large bedroom of sorts with a white mattress bed in the corner large, but not uncomfortably so. There'd be a wardrobe at the foot of it besides the entrance the door, a large mirror on the wall across from that and another door on the other side of said wall. Should she open that one, it'd open to a... quaint enough bathroom, a place to do one's business on one the left, a sink and mirror combo in the center and a small cabinet on the other side that housed a variety of black towels. This would be her guest room for the time being and would house her well! She could come and go as she wanted as per the rules of the guest quarters that came with this place, food, water and other things would always be present at the will of the owner of the house and every time she left.... her room would be clean...
Now that they had this seat of power... it was time for them to get down to business....
After a few minutes of exploring Nashya quickly determined that every room was spelled to look the same and inevitably she was stuck with it. She wasn't really complaining but always preferred her living accommodations to be more 'subtle'. She didn't stay in the room to get settled in, it all felt too foreign to her.
Making her way back downstairs she found Demagogue standing by the front door staring at the house with eager eyes. "Before you get ahead of yourself perhaps we should run this place by Cyn." She stopped halfway down the stairs and leaned against the rail. "I don't know if something this extravagant is what she had in mind."
Still leaning against the railing of the stairs she let her eyes scan the room she was in such awe of when they first entered. "And on another note I am not your assistant. We are equal partners in this endeavor." At this point even someone who really new Nashya (which was no one) they would be confused on whether or not they were speaking to the good or dark side of her personality.
"If you think a dog is the worst I can make you look like then boy do I have suprises in store for you." With that Nashya pushed off the rail and began walking down the stairs again. Yet again she found herself wondering what it was about this demon that made her so negative.
The demon waved away her concerns as if they were irrational, shifting his hungry gaze from the house to her.
"Hiding in among the rich AS the rich is one of the best places to be." The demon noted, crossing his arms. "People with money are confident, unobservant, trapped in their own security because they believe that the guy next door is the exact same way. All we have to do is keep enough going on in our little house with parties, making friends, learning the culture of these people so that the poor will be distracted with envy and the rich will be complacent with our presence. So long as we conduct ourselves quietly and efficiently, we will remain completely unseen. Trust me... I've been doing this for a long time... Its only a basic 'look-over-here-so-I-can-move-over-there' strategy."
Demagogue's smile widened the tiniest bit in amusement as Nashya voiced her concerns about the little title he had given her, preferring to be an "Equal Partner" rather than what she actually was (in his eye-sockets). Sure, she could called his partner, what did he care? Whatever helped her do her work and help him get once step closer to his reward was worth a small title. The demon nodded lightly as the girl remarked that she could do FAR worse than the face of a dog and the demon certainly hoped so, willing to see just WHAT she could do after their business here was concluded... He'd have to probe her for that later when they had free-time.
"I believe you.... partner." The demon stated, closing the distance between them so that they were a more reasonable distance apart. "I'll send Cyn a letter describing this place and the plan I... we have for it. We should get a response in about a day.... Feel like tea in an hour?" Yes... the demon was serious about the tea. Regardless of Nash's answer, Demagogue would appear back in the guest-room chair with a roll of paper and a quill in his hand, already beginning to write down the details.
Her gaze narrowed as the demon instructed her he would be having tea in an hour. She would be lying if she didn't say it would be nice, but the awful energy that emanated from Demagogue tempted her to say no. But before she could even answer he was already back in the guest room with paper and a quill writing a letter to Cyn she presumed.
"Fine... Tea in an hour"
Nashya then turned back around on the stairs and made her way up to the room she had been in earlier. Closing the door behind her she set her bag on the floor at the entrance and made her way to the bed, sitting just at the edge as she stared at the confines of the room.
"Nothing to say?" Nashya spoke to herself, having already assumed her darker self would have had something to say by now. However, nothing came of her calling it out. Instead a shadow in the corner of the room began to twist and bend before it took shape of a being very similar to Nashya herself. It was a darker version of herself in a full on manifested form, as if she had summoned it herself from the same dimension her other beasts came from. The skin was pale, the hair darker than her own.. the eyes souless and white.
"Everything is going quite nicely... is it not?" The lips of her darker self did not move. It's voice was just as if it were still in her mind and not now standing just in front of her.
"We will see how nicely it is going when Cyn comes to look at it. Her opinion is the only one that matters."
Her shadow self then began walking around the edges of the room, going back and forth like a predator stalking its prey. These actions though did not scare Nashya in the slightest, she probably would have found it more scary if her darker self was just standing there doing nothing. She knew her darker self was just a parasite that had latched itself on her mind, one that always sought out the perfect opportunity to take over completely.
"Whatever you're plotting out it's not going to work. I know your tricks and I am not falling for them again."
Her shadow self then allowed for a twisted smile to appear on its face before slowly dissolving away back to the shadows where it came from.The rest of her time in the room was spent in silence as she waited for time to move forward. Time is such a fickle thing isn't it?
Once what she believed to be an hour had passed Nashya got up and went back downstairs to find Demagogue.
Demagogue had finished up his letter Cyn, explaining the whole situation and briefly describing their new headquarters before putting the letter in the mail-box outside and returning to the house. Ah... it was all his now wasn't it...? What a wonderful artifact... With the girl upstairs doing whatever little girls do when their alone, that left the demon with one more task... he had to get started on that their tea! And one couldn't have tea without biscuits! Unfortunately, he couldn't go back outside without his disguise and without his little assistan- PARTNER tailing him SO... he'd have to make do with what he had on his person.... Digging around in his pockets, the demon found a small handful of special tea leaves, a little favor he had picked up before he was called upon to do this little mission... All he needed was one so why not use the rest on some kind of nice celebration?
Smiling to himself, Demagogue made his way to the kitchen, the place fully stocked with everything he needed to make biscuits and tea...
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Somehow, beyond sense, the demon didn't burn the house down in his efforts to do what he set out to do and, in fact, he thought he made something rather pretty... Setting the steaming kettle down on the coffee-table in the guest-room along side the fresh biscuits, the demon sat down and waited for his little lady to make her way downstairs, no doubt the intoxicating smell of the fresh biscuits reaching her nose.
As Nashya came into view, the demon smiled brightly, genuinely happy to see her here once again. With a gentle wave, he coaxed her over, offering her a seat on the couch across from him.
"Ah! Your punctuality is something to be admired, Nash! Please! Help yourself!" Demagogue smiled widely, offering a cup to the girl, then offering to pour her tea for her. Once she was all situated with her food and drink, the demon would get his own cup, smiling lightly at her.
"Nashya... I think you deserve an apology. I have not treated you with the respect you deserve, have I?" He almost sounded regretful. "I truly am sorry if I offended you in any way... Its people like you that are the reason I even have faith in mortals... Strong... confident... Don't take this the wrong way, Nash, but I find you fascinating..."
The smell of biscuits filling up the space was enticing to say the least. "So the demon can cook..." Nashya simply smirked at her inner self's comment.
Taking a seat on the couch across from Demagogue she acted unfazed by his pleasantries. "Mhmm" was all she said as he continued on with his little ass kissing tirade by pouring her tea and serving her some of the delightful smelling biscuits.
Even when he apologized to her she kept her expression unaltered, unwilling to let him know that perhaps his apology was welcomed. "Let me stop you right there" she chimed in at the end of his apology and flattery. "I am not your little test subject. I know what demons do and I know that you know I tap into some of the same magic you come from."
Feeling like she was on a bit of a roll she continued on. "I am only here because Cyn needs me to make you look mortal. I am not here to make friends and I am not here to be your little buddy." Her gaze was cold as she stared at him. However it quickly went to something almost pleasant as she took a sip of her tea. "I will give it to you that your tea is quite lovely." Her words although nice were laced with something more dark.
"So lets cut the bullshit and you tell me what you want to know about h-... I mean me" Leaning back on the couch she crossed her legs over one another, appearing to be quite comfortable. "I mean this all just a game to you isn't it?"
Demagogue seemed visually hurt as the girl cast aside his praise like he had insulted her instead. Instead of responding with some kind of thanks or something at least on the positive side, Nash favored to be cold, cutting, reminding the demon that the only reason she was here was because Cyn told her to be and that he needed to look like a human, She wasn't here to make friends, be his companion or anything like that... After those remarks, even her comment about his tea didn't brighten his day. When she asked if this was all just a game to him, that he didn't even care about any of this, the demon pursed his teeth, seemingly shocked at her question.
"Oh, Nash... How deeply you misunderstand me..." The demon set his cup down on a saucer on the table, the lights gone from his eyes, evidence of extreme emotion or grief. "I am sorry if I gave you that impression... At times, it may seem like I don't care about a lot of things, doesn't it...? The way I smile? The way I talk? And because of this... you think I can't take any of this seriously... oh dear..." Demagogue leaned in a bit, resting his jaw in his palms while his elbows were held up on his thighs.
"Allow me to be frank with you, Nash, because I don't want there to be any more misunderstandings between us... I do take this seriously... I take YOU seriously... The stakes are simply too high for me to just be doing this for fun..." The demon smiled sadly, almost as if she had insulted him without even knowing it.
"Nash... You're not my test subject... you're my partner, right? And we partners have to trust each other..." Demagogue pulled the tea to his hand once more with a gentle telekinetic tug. "Tell me, is there anything I can do... to quell this anger you have towards me...?"
She was disappointed by his response to say the least. Nashya had hopes of getting a rise out of Demagogue, and now made it her top priority to do so. Yet again she refused to acknowledge his grief and instead went on verbally attacking him again.
"First off you can stop pretending you have any form of feelings. I know your type and you my friend..." she leaned in a bit to plop a bit of sugar in her tea before taking another sip. "... you are trying to fool us."
She was willing to let go of the charade that she was in fact the true form of Nashya. Letting out a deep sigh she leaned back again, as if she were a boss talking to its subordinate. "Let us get one thing straight. The silly deluded girl you have been traveling with is nothing more than a pawn in my own game." Letting out a sinister chuckle she continued. "You and I though, we are two pieces cut from the same cloth. So I am going to ask you again..."
"What is your game Demagogue?"
"Us...?" The demon asked, his eyes flaring to light once more, intrigued. Yes... this was what he was hoping for... Her other personality was slowly gaining ground this one, asserting it's influence... The demon ignored the last attempt to get on his nerves, her words floating past him as if it were a breeze before this new form of her took over... one much darker... one much easier to talk to...
Immediately, this new Nash asserted herself by stating the girl he was talking to up til now was nothing but a pawn in her her game, then admitted to them both being cut from the same cloth... Demagogue smiled lightly on the inside, though his face remained hurt, though confused now, his glowing orbs locking onto her. They were cut from the same cloth... HA! As if that changed anything... Though, she was significantly more attractive now that she was talking like that, displaying her power out for all to see... If there was one thing the demon wanted to tell her right now, it was sweet nothings fit for someone "cut from his cloth", though now sadly was not the time.
When she asked again what his "game" was, the demon's mouth couldn't help but flicker up into a tiny, playful grin, akin to the one a depressed huan might offer when told an actually funny joke.
"My game...?" The demon repeated, looking the girl up and down, trying to find what really changed in her between then and now. "Well... my game now is to sit down... talk a bit... and drink tea with my partner." Demagogue offered, bringing his cup to his teeth and drinking a little of his concoction. Oh... WOW. He made a GOOD tea, didn't he? He took another sip. "May I talk to her a moment? You and I can have tea... tomorrow afternoon...?"
Her eyes narrowed at his response, even more so at his next question. "Are you an idiot?" Nashya sat up on the couch a bit, straightening her stature. "You think I can just come and go as I please?" She then let out another sinister laugh.
"Seriously Demagogue I thought you smarter than that." Taking yet another sip of her tea she finally set the cup down on the small table in front of her. "I will admit your negative energy has helped me out quite a bit. It has been a while since I was able to take over like this. I've been sitting back pulling in as much of it as I can unnoticed."
"Right now Nashya still thinks she is upstairs napping. She doesn't even have any idea I have taken over!" The girl then let out yet another laugh, this one louder as if she had just told the world's funniest joke. "I still find it comical she even managed to get wrapped up in all of this on her own!"
Standing up the girl brushed off her dress before she began pacing back and forth in the room. "When she does awaken she will realize pretty quickly what has happened. She is going to ask questions." Her eyes then shot towards Demagogue again. "Feel free to say whatever you wish but remember that I am always here. I see everything... even the things she does not."
Demagogue seemed hardly fazed by her initial insult, instead, he smiled wider and let her ramble on, staring at her intently. She seemed to willingly give away more and more information about herself, explaining that it was his negative energy that drew her out, that this was the first time in a long time she had been free like this, that up until now she only had more subtle rolls to work with. The skeleton watched her with the utmost curiosity, wondering where exactly she would go from here.
"Do tell..." He coaxed with a simple hand gesture, signifying his desire for her to go on. Nash (or at least half of her) explained that her other half currently thinks that she's sleeping upstairs right now and has no idea that she's been completely taken over. Apparently this half has no confidence in herself as she finds it hilarious she had gotten herself into this situation. The demon only stared, politely nodding from time to time.
Nash got up from her seat and began pacing back and forth across the room as the demon simply sat there drinking his delicious tea and perhaps nibbling on a biscuit as she continued on her rant, stating that her other half would eventually awaken (Implying she doesn't have complete control) and when she does, she'd have questions. The demon nodded to show that he was indeed listening, finishing off his biscuit before grabbing another. When she offered him the liberty to speak freely, the demon smiled thankfully before taking a sip of tea.
"In that case, would you please just go back upstairs then...?" Demagogue asked raising an eyebrow-socket. "Go and curl up on your bed until you wake up again as the person I want to talk to. And when she comes back down and you feel my..." The demon raised his fingers, bending them as he spoke. "'...Negative Energy', do your best to be as little a nuisance as possible... You and I are not partners and right now, I really need my partner here. now." The demon looked at this alter ego without the slightest care, just waiting to see her reaction.
"Would hate to see what Cyn can do to an alter ego with her time magic..."
Her other side was growing more agitated by the minute at Demagogue's lack of intrigue. She thought for sure the two would be able to band up in some way, she thought they would be better partners..
Then he threatened her, knowing full well the meaning behind his bringing up Cyn. Yes, time magic could make her nonexistent. Time magic could make it as if she had never rooted her way into Nashya's head. "Next time I will make your face into a pile of shit." She said plainly, before her expression changed completely.
Of course the darker part of herself wouldn't wait to go back upstairs to bring Nashya back. No, that would be too nice to allow Nashya to awaken where she thought she was supposed to be. The expression now on her face was enough to give her darker self the small amount of joy she wanted from it.
Nashya looked back and forth in the main guest room, then from Demagogue to the biscuits and tea sitting on a tray. "I'm sure you two had tons to talk about" her tone questioning, but the utter fear of the entire situation was too easy to read on her face.
Nashya wasn't afraid that her darker self had just talked to Demagogue, but was more afraid of how she did it. She should have known something was up when she manifested herself in shadow form earlier, she should have never allowed herself to sleep then. She never liked it when that part of herself managed to slip through the cracks.
Slowly she walked back over to the couch and took a seat, lifting the tea to her lips with a shaking hand. "You think it's something you could get used to... having someone take over your mind whenever they want to." She was half joking with her comment, but also embarrassed that Demogogue had seen that side of her. She knew he was aware of the two personalities that shared one mind, but what she didn't want him to know was that it could take over so easily and make her look like an idiot in the process.
"If you're smart, there won't be a next time." The demon responded coolly, tapping his fingers on his thigh as he waited for the girl to go back up to her room as she was told, but instead, her expression completely blanked out as if her mind had been wiped, before his partner had returned to him, nonethewiser as to what had happened only a moment ago. First, she looked around the guest room where she was, then Demagogue, who waved at her nicely, then the tea and biscuits, the demon careful to save two just for her. When Nash commented that they two of them (the other being her alter ego), had a lot to talk about, the demon merely shrugged and allowed her to shakily proceed back to her seat, analyzing that fearful expression on her face.
"It was that bad, huh?" The demon asked, sounding almost concerned for his partner. After a moment of silence, Nash commented that one would think it gets easier, having someone take over your mind whenever they want... quietly, Demagogue tucked that piece of information away in his back pocket to sort out later against what her former self said... Apparent she CAN come and go as she pleased... just like she did before...
"I don't know what to say." The demon admitted. "More tea?" He picked up the kettle, offering it to the girl. If she extended her cup to him, he'd fill it up. If not, he'd simply set it down. "Demons mostly do the possessing... I can't think of a single time my mind wasn't my own..." The lights in the demon's sockets went out once more.
"But listen... Are you okay..... partner? Is there anything I can do for you?" Demagogue smiled hopefully, actually somewhat expecting her to say no, to refuse him outright not because he COULDN'T do something, but because she didn't WANT him to do something...
The way Dem was acting was almost offputting. Why was he being so nice to her? She figured that he would be loving the idea that she was so mentally unstable. Instead though all he did was offer her more tea, which she happily held her cup to the kettle he was offering. "Thanks.."
Taking another sip she listened to Demagogue's admission, that he himself had issues within the confines of his own mind. This pulled at her heart strings just a tad as she knew how horrible a fate that truly was.
Then Dem was asking if she was okay, or if there was anything he could do for her. Typical reaction to someone that saw the horror that was her mind. Everyone was always trying to fix her.. always trying to make the problem go away.
Her eyes then fell serious as she stared at Demagogue. "You can act like it never happened... just like I do.." and with that she took another sip of the delicious tea before setting it down. Next she grabbed one of the biscuits, breaking it apart before slipping a bit into her mouth..
"Your tea is quite lovely."
Demagogue nodded as the girl recommended just forgetting everything that happened here involving her possession. He could understand that... Ignorance is bliss after all, especially the ignorance of others.
"Very well." He confirmed, no doubt surprising Nash further by not asking anything in return. Just... what kind of demon was he...? When Nash commented how good his tea was, the demon smiled lightly, obviously enjoying this small concession.
"Thank you. It's not easy to get those tea-leaves, you know... Had to call in more than one favor from this small-time king just to acquire them!" The demon's gaze softened a bit as Nash seemed to look at him suspiciously. He didn't really blame her for looking at him that way and, in fact, he would've been suspicious of her if she didn't! Up 'till now, their relationship was only working based on their common goals and..... less so on who they were as people. If she suddenly began smiling back or cracking jokes with him well... her lack of consistency would.... hamper their over-all relationship to say the least. You could trust someone who tries to stab you with a fork, but not someone who tries to kiss you right after.
"I hope we can have tea like this another time." He offered, smiling hopefully. "How do you feel about tomorrow, about the same time?"
Listening attentively as Demagogue spoke of the tea leaves Nashya made a mental note to never pass up tea time with him. This truly was a lovely tea, one she never had experienced before. So when Dem offered up to do the same thing tomorrow she just couldn't refuse.
"I would like that a lot actually."
Nashya then shot Dem an endearing smile before going back in for another bite of the biscuit. Perhaps she had been wrong all along and he wasn't as awful as she first thought. "He is the worst..." her inner voice chimed in, causing Nashya to almost choke on the piece of biscuit now in her mouth.
"What do you mean?" she asked, not even caring that Demagogue was present for yet another conversation with herself, one that he could only hear one side of.
"He is up to something Nashya... trust me."
"Coming from the person with a personal vendetta of her own?"
"Just listen to me for once you stupid girl... don't let your guard down"
Reaching down for her tea and taking another sip Nashya eyed Dem while subtly nodding to herself as she swallowed the delicious liquid. She hated this, but then again her darker self was less trusting than she was and perhaps one day that could come in handy.
In an attempt to change the subject and get attention off of the conversation she was careful to cut short in front of the demon Nashya cleared her throat.
"So what did you write to Cyn? Do you think she will pay us a visit?"
The Demon smiled brightly as the girl returned his feelings about their tea-time, tipping his hat in thanks.
"Very well! It's a date... er... platonically, of course." Demagogue took a sip from his tea, smiling wider than he had all day before suddenly, Nashya jolted forward, almost as if she were choking on her biscuit. Demagogue's eye-sockets narrowed as he watched the girl's eyes seem to fade out a bit, almost as if listening to something the demon couldn't here... this alternate personality... Whatever this voice called herself, she was lucky he had as much respect for Nash as he did, otherwise he would've killed them both for the smashing of their moment... He'd stolen souls for less. But patience was a virtue... and Demagogue was ever so patient... One might even call him the saint of such... He watched and listened silently as the girl began talking to a presence that wasn't there, piecing together their conversation as best they could for himself... It seemed that whatever they were talking about had something to do with this alternate personality's vendetta and, if the demon had to guess, was about him... Judging from the way she eye-balled him afterwords, like he'd snap at her hand for grabbing another biscuit, the demon could only assume this voice was attempting to spoil their relationship... Internally, the demon only smirked... Already, she trusted him more than that voice, he was certain. As if she had any real sway (besides overpowerment) over her anymore...
Deciding to change the subject, Nash asked what he wrote to Cyn and would she pay them a visit. The demon smiled slyly.
"Oh, basically we acquired this place through strictly legal means and that we have a new base of operations... As for Cyn showing up... I won't say... She's so random and... strange, she'd probably do the exact opposite of what I think."
"If I know Cyn... which I really don't that well... I would have to agree with you Dem."
Carefully she plopped another bit of the biscuit in her mouth, careful not to almost choke like she did before. After swallowing the bit she leaned back in the couch, pulling her legs up and crossing them in front of her. She was sitting just like a child would, no care for manners or 'appearance' sake.
"I bet she is going to have something more for us to do than just acquiring a home base." Nashya then leaned her head back to rest on the back of the couch, lifting an arm to place over her eyes as she fell into deep thought. What could Cyn propose to make Demagogue more presentable to the public? What facade were they going to have to carry out next?
This and many more things raced through her mind as she tried to relax a bit on the couch. Nashya was never one to act like a lady, and just because Dem was here she would not make an exception. "Tell me more about yourself Demagogue. We could trade stories if you like. I mean we are supposed to be partners, I think we need to know each other a bit more in order for that alliance to stand unwavered."
Even if she was laying back with her eyes covered Nashya meant every word she had said. She really did want to know more about Demagogue, if not just to pass the time. Also it was nice to just relax for a minute. Nashya was only cranky all the time due to lack of sleep, often taking random naps at the most inopportune times just so her body could catch up. It was always hard for her to sleep at night, almost impossible when she was younger. It would be for most people if the shadows haunted them in the ways they did her.
"What, you don't think she wouldn't give us what we want right then and be done with it?" The demon joked, letting out a soft laugh. "But you're right... She'll probably want us to maintain a front or something... Who knows what goes on in that diseased mind of hers..." Demagogue didn't mind Nash laying back and relaxing in her chair... That's what they were for, after all, relaxing. One could flop across the entire thing and still look natural... Besides... Demagogue had never found such a comfortable cushion... This was the kind of stuff people sold their souls for....
When Nash proposed the idea of sharing stories, the skeleton's first impulse was to come up with some elaborate lie, tell some small piece of his life blown out of proportion so he could pass it off as his answer... But then he realized how important this alliance was to him, to them both, how they needed each other to get what they want... Especially the demon... He was finding that there was more at stake now than what he had shown Cyn... Call him a mediocre run-of-the-mill desire demon, but he was starting to see something he wanted in this weird, split-minded girl... He supposed a brief history of himself would be a good trade for learning more about his prize.
"Lets see... Well, I was 'born' the very moment humanity was and I suppose you could say I am the worst of it's world. In my younger years I was violent, murderous, deceitful, cold, etcetera, etcetera, you get the point. Over time, my quest for souls, as bloody as it was, earned me the title of god or deity among several peoples, but a few smart people realized me for what I was." He let out a sigh and leaned back himself, nostalgia washing over his skeletal form. "God of Deceit was my favorite title... In any case, the pain of hunger tempered my mind and I grew more patient, analytical, insidious if you will and started making plans... Long term plans... Unfortunately, humans grew as suspicious as they were stupid and refused to sell their souls as often as they used too..." He muttered something silently, something Nash couldn't hear... The tone of frustration in his voice, however, was obvious.
"Which lead me here! I wanted something to snack on and I found you people. Allow me to say I do not regret it..." He smiled endearingly, giving back that which Nash had offered him a second ago. "Now, I can give up on my plans if this all works... A planet of stupid humans giving their souls to me... That's what Cyn showed me... I won't be hungry again!" Demagogue let out a heavy sigh, looking over at Nash, empathetic. "It's not unlike your problem, this impulse nagging in the back of my mind, telling me to consume... consume... lose myself to the hunger and feast... And some times... with a very powerful soul... it IS tempting..."
"But what about you...? What brings you here, spending time with this old demon?"
Even with her eyes closed Nashya listened to Demagogue as he very quickly went through his past. He didn't really give up anyting useful, but did offer a bit of insight as to why the likes of him were with Golden Gear.
"I suppose it's my turn now?" Nashya did not move as she continued to be leaned back on the couch with an arm over her eyes.
"I am actually from here.. as far as this is where I was raised. I don't know where I was born as my parents adopted me as an infant." The girl took in a deep breath before shifting a bit on the couch, removing her arm from over her eyes and now staring at the ceiling.
"I was raised by two very nice people who always treated me as if they created me themselves. I had a rather normal childhood really... I was a difficult child when it came to keeping me still though. I liked to play with all the boys and never cared about getting dirty." Letting out a soft laugh she continued.
"It drove my parents mad really.... they could never get me nice clothes because I always ruined them."
Her story then took a darker turn, and her tone made up for it as it abruptly changed. "Plague swept through my village killing almost everyone... my parents included. I however never even got sick... I was only 15 and an orphan... but I managed."
"Then my abilities began to manifest, and I had no idea they even existed. At night horrid creatures would visit my dreams, they would take over every pleasant thought I had and replace them with something awful. Then it got worse as it seemed in every shadow lurked a creature ready to have at me, always reaching for me but just barely out of its reach."
"Then one night I guess you could say I was finally within reach... and she got in."
"Now we are getting to the good part! I still love how we met!"
"The door was open and closed so quickly that to this day I still have not figured out how to get her out. She has rooted herself so deeply in my mind that I am beginning to think I will never get to part ways with this awful bitch."
"I love you too Nashya"
"It could have been avoided I am sure if I had someone to show me what to do. I didn't know I was a shadowmancer coming into her abilities... I thought my mind had literally just began to break."
"I don't know what you are talking about... I fixed your fragile mind you ungrateful wench."
"Everything I know how to do was self taught and I am still learning even today. Of course my darker side has helped me understand the dimension I pull my manifestations from, but even they can only be controlled to an extent."
"And now I help Cyn, having the ability to tap into shadows even miles away I can see and hear far more that you might expect. Not to mention I can make others think they see things... like a face for instance. As for what Cyn can do for me... I think you can piece that bit together yourself."
Demagogue nodded and listened quietly as Nash described her life, one seemingly common with a lot of humans these days... Tragedy, especially the one about the child taken-in losing their family again was one he often heard over and over... too bad he wasn't there that day... he might've been able to save them... Then again, the demon had been ordered to spread plagues before through... creative means but... it's been so long since he's been asked for that... Quietly, Demagogue wondered if he was the one that had taken her life away, contemplating whether or not he should say anything... The answer, of course, was obvious.
Nash went on, stating that it wasn't long after she had developed her shadow powers, powers she hardly knew she had... This was when things started getting interesting. The way she described it, the way it visited her in her dreams, deprived her from sleep through nightmares... And eventually, Nash was too weak to evade it any longer and was taken... A classic sign of a demon. Typical, typical tactics... For those demons either too weak or too cowardly to manifest on the physical plane, they had to resort to this kind of crap, to waste a host body enough so that they could get inside and nibble away at their soul... This, however, seemed different... Instead of the demon's personality being fully dominant, it fought and struggled with Nash for control... That right there was a testament to her fortitude and willpower...
As Nashya's explanations came to a close, the demon still had questions of his own, though the girl spoke as if her end goals were obvious.
"So what do you plan to do?" He asked, staring at her intently. "Do you intend to erase your powers or erase this other personality? With one, you potentially will remain... this way and just be powerless and with the other... I don't know if that's possible WITHOUT losing your powers... It was that which drew this thing to you in the first place after all, then you to me..." The demon looked at her strangely, contemplating what kind or stupid, crazy time-effects would happen when Cyn worked her time magic... He also wondered if what he wanted was really worth it now.... The way he saw it, the crazy clock-eyed girl could send them into different timelines fitting their desires and if that was the case... then he'd never see Nash again (at least, not his Nash), powerless or not... This was all very complicated... On one hand, he shouldn't care because in the end, his reward would exclude her completely and he REALLY wanted those souls. On the other, he was finding himself growing more attached to this girl in a way a powerful entity feels obligated to protect a more vulnerable one... Perhaps he was REALLY starting to see her as his partner... Perhaps he was merely having a moment of conscience.
Taking in an annoyed deep breath Nashya repositioned her head on the back of the couch, feeling like what she wanted should have been obvious from the start. "If you knew me Dem... like really knew me... you would know that answer."
Nashya left it at that, annoyed with the thought of trying to portray who she really was to anyone else. It's not like they truly cared anyways. Nashya knew she was a pawn in a much bigger game. She was here to work and she wasn't about to let that slip up. However, it was nice to know that Dem did have some form of compassion towards her. And who knows... maybe in time he will be able to answer the question he just asked her.
"If you don't mind, I think I am just going to doze off for a bit right here. The warm tea combined with the comfy couch has really set the mood for a nap." She couldn't help that she was sounding agitated to be honest, exhaustion was really beginning to take a toll on her. And she wouldn't let Dem know it, but his presence was almost... comforting?
So without any more words Nashya allowed herself to slip away into the world of darkness she faced everytime her eyes were closed. The monsters constantly battling in her head as her body appeared to be sound asleep on the outside.
The night was still and silent. The trees whispered to eachother in the darkened breeze as the pale moonlight shone down from above. The large black manor loomed in the darkness, yet faded with the shaded backdrop of the listless sky. However, in all this silence, one presence stirred. It was quick however, and distorted. So much so mere mortal senses would not pick up anything... But those attuned to listen... They would be the ones to tell that the flow of the world around them was slightly off.
And there she stood. On the top floor of the manor, Cyn was in what appeared to be a large dining hall. Silently gazing out the opened window. The only light coming from the moon as the whispering breeze wavered the long white curtains like ghosts. She wore her casual black and white dress. Unlike the last
time she had met with her allies, her hair was let down behind her back. A white eyepatch covering her left eye. Aside from that, she had stayed the same. Just a simple hairstyle and clothing change. No.. This wasn't the guise she used to fool the populace of Shadowmyre.
Cyn would simply stand and wait. Assuming her presence would've been sensed by the inhabitants of the building. A cynical grin on her face as she stared at the bright, pale moon.
Demagogue shrugged lightly as the girl commented about his knowledge of her, that if he knew enough about her, he'd be able to answer his own question. True enough, though he already had his own suspicions as to what the answer was... When she mentioned needing a nap, the demon merely smiled and watched as she dozed off, the lights in his sockets pinpointed on her stomach as it raised up and down... up and down... Nashya could be so bossy, so... disagreeable and other times, she was quite amicable... What EVER was he to think about her...? Well... what a dumb question because he already knew he wanted her at his side if not as a mate than only as his partner. She was fun to be around and a demon such as he would have a hard time resisting such a.... powerful impulse...
It was about a minute of the demon watching the girl sleep (quite attentively indeed) before he sensed Cyn's presence, a warp in the current magical field that surrounded this house, a disturbance to the one who now owned it. Disappearing from the couch, Demagogue reappeared on the lower ceiling of this grand dining hall, standing atop it looking down as if this were the floor. Standing right below him was Cyn, clad in a simple dress, simple hairstyle, simple simple simple...
"No, no no... This will not do!" Demagogue tsked, looking down at the girl as his hat miraculously stuck to his skull. "We need to find you something more extravagant, my lady... If you're going to be a part of this misadventure, you need to look the part..." The demon would disappear from the ceiling and reappear next to the girl with the clock eye (or rather the eye-patch... arrr), looking down at her, rather pleased with himself.
"I have to give credit to whatever mail-service you favor, m'lady... I didn't expect to see you for another day..."
It felt as if she had just fallen asleep, quite literally having just dozed off on the couch moments before. "No rest for the wicked" Nashya's darker self echoing within her mind. Of course that part of her would sense Cyn first, the part of her that belonged to the very place shadows and darkness came from.
Eyes fluttering open she slowly sat up on the couch, swiping her hair from her face before finally pushing herself off of it. Straightening her own simple dress she then began making her way up the stairs, each step a separate mountain to climb as far as she was concerned. Finally though she was able to make her way to the top floor, moving throughout the large house as if she had walked its hallways several times before.
Pulling open the large doors that led into the dining hall Nashya discovered Cyn looking as 'Cyn'-ical as ever and of course Demagogue hanging from the ceiling like a primate.
"Ever think she is trying to blend in?" Nashya chimed in, knowing all too well the importance of not sticking out when you have such big plans.
Cyn's head would flick upwards when she heard the familiar, unsettling voice of her demonic friend. The girl's expression turned from mischief to what appeared to be a sincere sense of joy. Her face lit up and she looked like a young kid who couldn't contain their excitement. She simply gave him a childish hug when he appeared next to her. "I missed you!" Her voice was muffled by his clothes before she looked back up at him. In this dark light, the faint yellow glow could still be seen creeping from underneath her patch...
Before the clock eyed girl could give a response, Nashya entered the hall. She looked tired. Cyn shot a glance in her direction with the same expression, a cheerful smile. "She's right! I walked ALLLLL the way here just to see you two! I- I didn't want my special gaze attracting unwanted attention." SHe said, giggling. "Anyways! I have a present for you two! Or... I think I did anyways..." She put a finger to her lip and gazed upwards trying to remember. "OH yes!" She said as a light bulb lit up in her head snapping her finger. Suddenly, with a yellow flash a long piece of parchment floated in the air in front of her. Grabbing it from its suspended grip, she'd inspect it more closely.
"Hehe. Local vineyard has recently become... 'ownerless' After the previous owner suddenly and randomly resigned. Somt'n about a bad deal. Had to leave town." She grinned, handing the paper over to Demagouge. The paper was a deed to a location called "Bloodstone Vineyard". "So naturally it needs someone to replace him... Whoever signs that deed becomes the official owner of Bloodstone Wine and all its assets. Not that it has many... But that'll be your job to change." She giggled again. Cyn would turn back to the window.
"I'll use my newfound resources to help fund you all, and spread the brand across Jadenshine." She turned her head back. The red glint of her eye shined in the white moonlight as a dark smile lined her lip. "And our dear dear friend Galvan will send you the recipe..."
Demagogue was surprised when Cyn threw herself at him, wrapping her arms around him as she smiled with genuine joy. Of course, the demon didn't allow such surprise to show. Instead, he chuckled like a father being embraced by his kid after a long day at work, wrapping his arms around her as well... At the very least, he had to put on the illusion that he liked this girl, that he trusted her enough to do this... He couldn't phaze through EVERY attempt she made to reach out with him. However, much like the times he was feeling generous in embracing this girl, Cyn looked up at him, a yellow glow radiating from under her eye-patch.... Demagogue immediately regretted giving this girl ANY of his physical contact.
The demon seemed to disappear, then reappear at Nash's side shooting her something of a questioning glance, as if she would have some idea as to why Cyn was here early, how she got his message... As if hearing his thoughts, Cyn remarked that she walked ALLL the way here just to see them, then commenting that she didn't want other people to see her "special gaze..." her time magic... The last thing he wanted was for this girl to screw with the timeline any more than she already had... who KNOWS what kind of roaches would come out of the woodwork if she were to... say... prevent this guy from being born or this girl from marrying this guy. The world was infinitely complex and if she changed something or went back in time to get the note as he sent it and came here.... What the hell else could she to do them...? What had she ALREADY done to them...?
Cyn stated with joy that she had brought them a gift, handing a new deed over to the skeleton who took it graciously and read it over.
"Bloodstone Vineyard...?" Demagogue questioned. She explained that this place had recently been rendered "ownerless", that the poor guy who ran it was forced to leave town and whoever signed this here deed became the new owner of this place and all of its assets. Despite how much he loathed and feared this girl, he couldn't help but smile, amused by her actions to get her hands on this thing... It was very.... demonic and he could appreciate that... just not enough to forget the leash around his neck. Cyn turned away, stating that she would use her new found resources to fund them and spread the word of their existence across this civilization... and that someone named Galvin would give them the recipe. Of course, he assumed she meant to the wine.
"Very well!" The demon exclaimed, a quill-pen appearing in his hand, freshly dipped in ink. Before he scribbled down his name, however, the demon paused, staring into the paper blankly.
"Uh... yes.. What should be my mortal name? What shall these people know me as?"
Placing a hand on her head as if in some form of discomfort Nashya merely glared at Cyn. Turns out she was here with information, a local vineyard suddenly acquired by the itching hands of noneother than the clockeyed girl herself. Nashya wouldn't question the means in which she acquired it though, able to draw assumptions of her own over the matter.
With echoed steps in the otherwise silent house Nashya walked up closer to the two curiously eyeing the deed as Cyn handed it over to Demagogue. Continuing on Cyn explained how this new 'resource' would provide funding to them and the course they both wholeheartedly supported. Even if their reasons for helping Cyn were different, at the end of the day both Dem and Nashya needed this to work.
Did Cyn have any idea who much work this was going to put on Nashya? Now not only was she supposed to keep Demagogue looking 'human' in public, but before an entire staff of workers she assumed would be at the vineyard completely unaware of what was really going on. This meant not a single slip up, not a single moment where she let her thoughts trail off or risk having the entire facade fall. Then there was the matter of keeping an eye on the entire area with her Erokinesis on top of that.
"Nothing better to do with my time anyways." she muttered, knowing full well that neither of them knew what she was talking about. She was just going to play it off as if the voice in her head had prompted the statement. Her gaze then fell on Cyn's back, eyes narrowing again as she took another step forwards. "Then again time means nothing to you anyways."
Cyn would simply stare at them as they eyed the deed, waiting for Demagouge to sign it. However he hesitated. Than asked a question. At this she simply gave an annoyed sigh and shrugged. "I don't know, make something up!" She said. Cyn figured he would've planned this out by now. Not that it was really her issue anymore. They had to find out how to run this business on their own. Cyn couldn't hold their hands through the entire process. At that point Cyn would skip towards the balcony and take off her shoes. Placing them neatly aside she'd climb onto the railing and turn back the two, smiling. "With that I bid you all ado!" She gave a sarcastic bow. "I have a county to run. I suggest you two settle into
your newfound seat of power!" She'd give them a salute as she leaned backwards and fell straight towards the ground. However, if they were to look over the edge of the balcony, they like no longer see her. She had vanished into the night...
"Man... You people aren't any help at all..." The demon muttered as Cyn disappeared over the balcony, Demagogue slightly disappointed he didn't hear the girl splat against the ground on her way down.
"WELL, Nash, I'll see you in the morning... I need an hour or two to myself... I have a few things to think over, a few messages to send, a favor or two to call in. Ciao."
With that the skeleton too would blink out of existence before the girl's eyes, the demon already among the populous, invisible among the darkest of shadows. He needed some resources before his real ascension to power... Specifically, they needed willing subjects, people that would follow his orders. Followers of a sort, the crowd that always surrounded the center of attention.... Admirers.... the best attention-getting cover there ever was.
The demon was a master of getting where he needed to go without being detected, especially when teleportation was one of his abilities.... His first stop, an old noble and his family... Time to collect the first wave of debts.
Ignored again... figures. Nashya should have been used to that by now, it was after all essentially the meaning of her existence. Her entire job was to stand back and listen... nothing more nothing less. She merely nodded at Dem's goodbye or Cyn's suicidal exit.
"She has style"
After Demagogue left Nashya turned around and walked out of the room before descending the stairs into the main room on the lowest level. Now that she was alone in this house it dawned on her how truly large it was. But it was also empty... cold... dark. The house itself portrayed the very world that lived on in her mind.
Without words (not like there was anyone to talk to anyways) Nashya left the house, now finding herself walking on the lonely and dark streets of the city. She was tired but knew any attempt to sleep in that house would be futile. So instead she searched for something else, perhaps something that made her feel more at home.
After about an hour of wondering she stumbled across an inn with a hand painted sign hanging above the door. 'The Sparrows Inn'. And so on nights when Demagogue were gone, or she was feeling extra cold this was where she would stay. This homey little run down Inn tucked away in the corner of such a substantial town.
-End-