Jewel
Healer
Loyalty comes in many forms. Some are more obvious than others. -Thorn
Posts: 2,195
Pack Status: New Dawn, Nighstar, Rogue, Other
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Dethroned
Dec 6, 2016 16:32:12 GMT -5
via mobile
Post by Jewel on Dec 6, 2016 16:32:12 GMT -5
Ventia!! It was dark in here. Warm, yet not inviting. She felt a lack of life from her surroundings. That was what freaked her out, she guessed, at least the most. Rikara's breathing stopped for a few heartbeats, bare feet stepping away quickly from what she came through, then stopping again at the souls of breathing – not her own. It was slow, telling her that the owner of that sound was asleep. She was in someone's living quarters. But how? Rikara had to breathe again and so she let out an audible exhale – though hopefully not too loud. Granted, she was still frightened, but strangely less so. All she had to do was come back the way she came. Whatever she had done to get here, she can undo to leave the sleeping person in peace. With a resolute nod of her head, she turned and walked straight to the … full-bodied looking glass. After a few moments of looking dumbfoundedly at it (how had she come through that? Wouldn't she have felt herself pass through glass?) her reflection quivered, then the bed behind her. Slowly, she pulled her hood back and tucked a lock of errant hair. Shins her ear. Upon closer inspection, it was as if the mirror reflected was a veil. A very sheer veil. She saw the dilapidated statue that she had so recently passed, the upraised commanding gesture of the man scratching at her mind like a dog working to reveal something. And she smiled. Before she screamed with pain. To her knees, she went, tears springing to her eyes before falling freely down her face. She grasped the wrist whose Marking was dark as night and as painful as a snake's venom. Yet she didn't cry because of that. The Marking on her wrist stated that she was exiled. She didn't believe it, though, until just now.
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Post by Ventia on Dec 9, 2016 2:26:48 GMT -5
The reflection in the bathroom showed Jackson a man that he both despised and loved. Even Jackson now could barely see himself in the reflection since he actually met the man. When he caught sight of himself, no longer did he think it a reflection of himself but the sight of his own father suddenly around him. Jackson hated it. Hated that he couldnt outrun the sight and memory of his father. Hated that his own mother placed a spell over him because she knew Jackson's hatred ran too deep in his blood. Hated that on some days, Jackson actually enjoyed being around his father-pratically unable to not laugh at the man's words.
Jackson hated the man in the mirror. The red light from the bedroom etched along his features, casting dark red shadows and making Jackson look more like the demon that was his grandfather. The man that pratically took Jackson under his wing. He could see the spark of danger lurk out within the red pools and his mind dipped into the darkness within, excited to come out and play when suddenly a shadow disrupted the red and Jackson was just staring at himself once again.
Jackson wondered briefly if Bram had awoken and decided to stretch out his legs until something caressed his walls. It touched boldly, pressing close and tight, and taking a taste before curling against his. Magic. Jackson felt a strangely familiar pull from the new source of power and whether it was the witch blood in him that was called to it or because Jackson himself was intrigued by the familiar tug, Jackson felt himself leaving the darken bathroom and turning within the shadows until he could watch without being watched.
His eyes briefly glanced to the bed to which he could see that black cat still deep in his slumber. Not that he cared if something were to happen to Bram. Jackson almost scoffed but wanted to remain hidden so he stayed quiet, slowing down his breathing and gradually his heartbeat until it only felt like there was only the cat and the woman within the room.
Jackson stared at the reflection since she had her back towards him and his eyes drank in the dark features, the wickedness in him standing at attention. He watched her smile and for a moment, it felt as if she had been smiling to him. His chest tugged and a shiver of delight ran down his spine before finally confusion and dread clung to him when the woman suddenly screamed.
Bram was first to react by nearly jumping to the roof with a loud and surprised hiss that seemed to be as high as the stranger's scream. Jackson twitched at both of them before finally coming out of the darkness, as curious as the cat on the bed and probably way more intrigued. His eyes caught on the marking on her wrist and a memory made its way into his head even as his own fingers curled around her wrist.
"Dont scream."
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Jewel
Healer
Loyalty comes in many forms. Some are more obvious than others. -Thorn
Posts: 2,195
Pack Status: New Dawn, Nighstar, Rogue, Other
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Post by Jewel on Dec 9, 2016 17:10:36 GMT -5
Rikara was so caught up with her pain and despair that his hand on her wrist was a surprise.
Tears still fell down her cheeks, yet they were slow moving. So it was no feat to see familiar hazel eyes. To feel that comforting touch. Recognizing him was immediate. Yet everyone said that it was just her imagination. Or a spirit of the past. But a spirit doesn't grow old. And wouldn't her imagination keep him as a twelve-year-old boy? Her heart said that this was Jackson, child of night. Her mind, though, stated that this was a man that dared to touch and command her. Nothing more.
The Marking didn't bite her anymore (Was it because of his touch?) Even so, it was still sore. This didn't deter her as she quickly reached into her cowl to reach for a weapon that was not there. Sh ecursed, before grabbing the forearm whose hand was on her wrist with her own. She meant to headbutt him. Disorientation, she was taught, was the key to get away from someone.
Something stopped her.
She lifted her face to Jackson again. "Don't scream", he had said, in a language that was not her own. Yet she had understood. A memory wriggled at the back of her mind, demanding to be relived. A spell. The blanket of maic, as warm as her father's hug. Being able to understand each other.
"You."
She released his wrist slowly, shock evident in the way she had stopped crying. Her mind still tried to deny it. As her heart beat grew stronger - faster - her mind finally came to terms with it. His voice was still smooth as marble, despite the tone being much deeper than it was. The firmness in his grasp still told her he was one who never shied away from tough work. The darkness still clung to him.
Another memory came to mind. The talk that went from the royal Marking that framed her face to how he hated his father. That was the day before his absence. The day before he broke her heart.
"You've changed." And he had. The hatred seemed palpable in the air. His last name might have meant that he was of the night, but this darkness that clung to him wasn't from her mother's friend. That little girl that was once Jackson's friend (and could have been something more, if he would have just let it go) didn't die, like her betrothed claimed, the day Jackson didn't come to see her. She was still there, hating that Rikara didn't go after him. Not helping him with his pain.
I tried.
Not hard enough.
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Post by Ventia on Dec 10, 2016 18:01:14 GMT -5
Jackson was close enough to the stranger that when she glanced up at him, only a few inches seperated their faces. His chest tightened at the sight of her face and the tears that ran down them, whether it was because for a split second his mind made him believe that he had Thea in his room and that she was crying, or because of the truth that this was Rikara, a old memory that was best forgotten.
Jackson never could forget.
Her dark features called out to him and the birth mark across her forehead and her cheekbones made Jackson know for certain that this was the Princess of the Ground, Sky, and Sea. His little Nature girl. Jackson fingers eased just a fraction of their grip and he watched her as she watched him. Understanding dawning in her eyes as well. Eyes that were filled with despair and confusion and pain. Ugly emotions filled those dark eyes and Jackson felt the wrongness even in his dark soul. It was wrong. Rikara being here. It was very wrong and yet the possesive hand on her wrist wanted her to stay.
Her touch was warm against his forearm and her voice. Jackson closed his eyes trying to fight the truth. He opened them once again when she told him he changed and he found himself staring at her. Despite the pain in her dark eyes, her eyes were still pure and innocent. Jackson had changed since she last saw him. If only she knew just how much.
"Time does that to us all." He dropped her wrist and stared at the mirror he had received from his grandfather. His lip curled slightly and then he got up, moving away from the woman in the room and moving towards his bedroom door.
"Bram, out." The cat on the bed had been looking at the pair with interested and intelligent blue eyes and now it was annoyed at Jackson for making him leave. The cat eased off the bed, its tail curling just slightly at the end, moving slowly towards the door, his gaze still on the back of Rikara. The fact that Bram was interested in her annoyed Jackson to the point that when the cat near Jackson's ankles, Jackson bent down and touched its face, forcing the cat to look into his seductive yellow gaze.
The cat purred out of its own willingness and his eyes glazed over until finally it fought off the effect Jackson had on him and hissed before running out the door. Jackson scoffed, shut the door and walked back to Rikara. When he realized that, he changed the course of direction and instead sat on the bed, behind Rikara so that she could see him in the reflection.
"Why are you here?"
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Jewel
Healer
Loyalty comes in many forms. Some are more obvious than others. -Thorn
Posts: 2,195
Pack Status: New Dawn, Nighstar, Rogue, Other
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Dethroned
Dec 10, 2016 20:06:32 GMT -5
via mobile
Post by Jewel on Dec 10, 2016 20:06:32 GMT -5
The residents of Gahal knew no "decency". They never had any foreigners, yet if they had the visitors would be appalled at how … bare they were. When there were Markings, there wouldn't be any clothing. Sometimes, people would walk without anything to cover them. And it was because of the pride they had in their Markings. Of course, being the future ruler (and having a protective betrothed) Rikara had to cover up just enough to show that she was humble and wise enough to take her mother's place. Beneath her cowl was a simple, binding wrap and a skirt of black material native to her land that went to her mid thigh.
It showed the yellow feathers that went from the tips of her fingers to just below her collarbone; the blue waves traveling from chest to stomach; and the green petals riddling her legs. The Markings weren't there when she and Jackson first met, nor at the beginning of his absence. It was when she turned fifteen that she underwent the trials. Under any other circumstances, she would have proudly shown them to Jackson. But this was an extraordinary circumstance.
"It is not just time that has changed you, Jackson." When he pulled away, so did she, despite her childish wishes. She, too, turned her head once more to see through the sheer veil. Yet it wasn't with a curled lip she gave it. It was a look of longing. Already, it was twilight, she saw. It painted the trees a faint gray color. And she watched it with just as faint of an interest. She was too busy listening to Jackson.
The magic that exuded from him caressed her bare skin, making her shiver slightly. She wrapped her arms around her bare torso, and shook her head. "It is not good to force nature to do your will. There are always repercussions."
Then she stood slowly, dangerously close to the mirror, but not daring to touch it again. Oh, she was definitely tempted. The statue seemed to call to her. She barely looked at what the veil wanted her to see. Jackson's gaze was hot on her back, though. "Why am I here? As in what I assume is your home? I am not sure. My intention was to go to my betrothed's clan. But you were my friend once. You know of my home. So I feel that it is safe to say that I have been exiled. And my mother is dead."
No matter how many times she says it, it still delivered a deafening blow. Suddenly, she couldn't look at the mirror anymore. Her toes curled harshly into the carpet. Then she started to pace back and forth. She couldn't sit still. Not as she told him, "My mother felt something that the Night felt. Something evil. She was afraid for my safety, so I spent the night in her quarters. I woke up in her blood the next morning." Her throats closed up, yet she pressed on. "I spent the next week planning for my coronation. But things started popping up. 'Evidence', the Council called it. Rumors spread like wildfire. 'Rikara could not wait for the throne'.
"I had supporters. But soon, they all turned from me. The only ones that believed were the Sea, Ground, and Sky. Yet they cannot speak. And even if they could, I do not think the Council would listen." By the end, her voice had gone raspy. Her breathing was ragged. Tears were brimming again. "They believe … that I would kill my own mother. For something as shallow as a throne. I don't know what to do."
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Post by Ventia on Dec 30, 2016 8:38:11 GMT -5
Jackson shrugged at her comment and found himself staring at the mirror. He could see the other dimension with all its beauty but one could look past that and see the reflection for what it was-a mirror. Once he dismissed the entry way to her home, he could see the plain mirror that hid the mystery from eyes without the sight. He could see Rikara. He soaked in the sight of her, unable to not notice everything that had changed from the past. From a time before Jackson had made his choice.
He saw the long feathers across her arm, its color a silent jab to his chest. They were the same color of his eyes when he let the Constantine color shine. He wondered briefly if that was just a coincidence or if she had remembered him that clearly from their past. From the time he had showed her just how much he hated how similar he was to his father.
His eyes followed the curve of the feathers from the tips of her fingers all the way towards her collarbone, before dancing down towards the wide flowing waves of the Sea that was across her torso. He took in the sight of her natural curves and the green petals that clutched lovingly to her skin. Her markings should have felt unnatural or seem more like the tattoos that people in this realm seemed to love to have on their skin, but no. Hers seemed as natural as skin, as if each stroke and color represented just who she was and told a story-her story. They were like runes of power, showing everyone that she was a favored soul to the elements.
It was beautiful and breathtaking vulnerable, but it was that purity that showed its strength and power from within. It was Rikara. He had felt the same thing when he had seen her first marking-her birth marking across her temple. The Tiara one. But this time it was more powerful and in some ways, a warning. A warning that he had changed far too much to be in the presence of that pure power. A warning that he was still beneath her-that she was the Princess and he was the kid that her mother despised letting her play with him. A sign that reminded him that Rikara was meant for something and he shouldn't try to damage that.
Her words were a reminder as well. He glanced around, as if he could see the magic that he claimed as his that she disproved of. "I persuaded them. Never force." He extended his arm and stared at his hand, at the stains of darkness that couldnt be seen by the naked eye. "Well...maybe just a little." He shrugged then, before glancing into a old friend's eyes.
Jackson listened to her and didnt feel anything when he learnt that her mother had died. It was just a fact to him that he took in pretty emotionless. Jackson didnt enjoy emotions. He had a few of his own and even those could be used against him. And yet, seeing how close to the edge Rikara still managed to make even him pause.
"You dont have it in yourself to kill someone you love." Jackson shook his head, crossing his ankles as he kept her in his field of vision. "So much for your supporters. Didnt I tell you they all would turn on you eventually?" A memory flashed in his mind. A slightly less angry Jackson wanting Rikara to choose him...over her kingdom. She hadnt. He had left. It had been the last chance of a different kind of life.
"Now you're back." He mumbled to himself. "Fuck the Gods." He almost spat, but the rug was too expensive for that. Plus, Jackson didnt like to leave bits of himself in random places. Not even in his own bedroom.
"Betrothed huh?" The word tasted horrible and Jackson would like nothing more than to drink something to hide the bitterness that was suddenly there in his mouth but he didnt. "Well, its unfortunate you're here instead of your darlings. But if you're exiled, it wont be so easy to just go back."
"Someone's been plotting against you Princess. If you try to come back, they just might kill you." Jackson stood then and pointed at the mirror. "No touching that. Not until we figure out whats going on. There's not much you can do now, its late in this world. Most people are asleep or visiting someone's bed. I would suggest sleeping it off and...as much as I'd hate to say it, you shouldnt leave my side while you're in this world."
"I'm not sure how your body will hold out here. It took even me a full day to get used to your world's atmosphere, I expect the same for you. And as to why you shouldn't leave me, not only if something happens to you because of the differences but if someone's out to kill you, you'll need someone to protect you. And nature is all nice and dandy, but you're fair game here. You might not like it, but I can protect you better than you can at the moment."
"So, bed. It'll be like old times."
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Jewel
Healer
Loyalty comes in many forms. Some are more obvious than others. -Thorn
Posts: 2,195
Pack Status: New Dawn, Nighstar, Rogue, Other
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Post by Jewel on Dec 30, 2016 23:02:40 GMT -5
"Do not talk about what you have warned me about!" Rikara snapped, her sadness replaced briefly with righteous anger. Even if she didn't have the heart to end a life, she still punished. She still tasted the bitterness of his departure, as well, and remembered his pleading face and the sour salt of her answer. How she wanted to leave with him. But she loved her kingdom more. She had duties to tend to, even at the young age of twelve. "Regardless," she said, turning away with a scowl from his eyes, "if given a second chance I would have still chosen Gahal."
She ignored his exclamation. Rikara didn't care about how Jackson felt about his deities; they were not hers. She only followed one, and that was the Great One, the creator of the Ground, Sky, Sea, Day, and Night, as well as herself and her subjects and everything else. Being that this was a different realm, who knew who or what created it. Jackson seemed to, and he hated them. "Yes, betrothed. Did you not think that I would not find another to lean on or confide in since you disappeared?" Of course, it was arranged. Actually, a month or so after Jackson's path separated from hers, she had been promised to the son of the Orsar Clan's chief. He eased her pain, even though he didn't think there was a boy by the name of Jackson that traveled from a different realm almost daily to play with her. At his obvious observation, she couldn't help but snort sarcastically. "I thought I was on a lovely vacation and that I was loved from coast to the Stone Gate. Thank you from stating otherwise."
Her sadness now has taken on a bitter quality, eyes quickly drying as her hands by her sides turned into fists. Shakily, she inhaled before giving out an exhausted breath. Her chest ached a bit, she had to admit to herself. It must, indeed, be the heaviness of the air. She was going to ask why he should be the one to keep her safe from this world that seemed to be so much ... wilder than her own (otherwise, Jackson might still be the same as he was when they were younger). His words were sound, but she still didn't like it. "Fine and dandy," he said, which irritated her. He must not know how destructive and volatile nature could be. Otherwise he wouldnt have said those words. "Bah." Finally, she turned her head and gazed at him head-on. "Tolor will appreciate it; he thinks I'm delicate. But what he would not appreciate me sharing a bed with someone that is not him." A few heartbeats later, she shook her head. "And I do not sleep comfortably unless special circumstances are met. There must be other sleeping arrangements."
Okay, so she wasn't about to tell him that she slept as bare as the day she was born. She would not have cared less, if not for the fact that Tolor didn't care to rip Jackson to shreads if he ever found out that she slept with another besides him or her mother. And what if she did kill her mother, but she didn't know because she was asleep? The fear of waking in Jackson's blood was there, as well as preserving her relationship with Tolor. "I must have another wing of the house."
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Post by Ventia on Jan 6, 2017 11:02:07 GMT -5
Jackson raised an eyebrow at the way she snapped at him and after a moment, rolled his eyes. "Oh course you would. Dont worry Kara, it would never had worked out between us either way. You would have eventually made your way back home to those scheming people and have told your mother that she was right all along about me. I mean, cant you smell it?" He glanced around, "how much the darkness has clung to me? You poor girl. If you came with me back then, I would have made you into the Queen of this darkness. You with all that power, next to me and my family?"
Jackson scoffed, "I would have twisted that little naive head of yours so bad and used that power for myself." He wouldnt. Back then? Now? Now maybe. But back then? When he still had a chance of changing for the better? He would have did anything to make her happy. But now? Now he wanted to scare her. To let her see just how much he had changed. Just how stained his soul was with the darkness and wanted her to know. Not to try to fix him. That if she tried, he would kill her. Maybe not in the way she thought. But in a way that was worst. He'd kill her mindset and break out that secret wish that everyone had. He would build on it until one day when she looked in the mirror, she wouldnt care about her realm or hell, about the demon that she had become.
"But then again, that's probably what everyone in your home has been doing. Using you. You should be used to it and good riddance. Good for you that you're betrothed. Another man coming in your life for his own selfish reasons to try and get all that power you hold for himself. Still such a foolish little girl, arent you?"
Jackson glanced around his room, "Hmm. No Tolor here. Which sounds like a stupid name by the way. And hell. No one from your damn realm is here. This is Earth. I dont care for anything that has to do with your world. You're in mine. Okay? There's no other room here. Unless you want someone to come in when you're sleeping and take advantage of you. Honestly, they dont even want your virginity. They would want your power and the fact that you're still a virgin just makes your power that much more valuable."
"They can smell you. They can feel the new shift. And they want it for their own. They may be my family but never trust anyone here. You're be safer with me. I have no need for your power for I have my own and if you havent noticed, I never push myself on someone who's not willing. It's one thing that hasnt changed and even if I wanted to, fucking you wouldnt be good for me. You're too...good. Pure. And that has nothing to do with your virginity. It has to do with your power. There would be a consenquence that I'm not willing to make."
He took off his shirt and stood towards his drawer and placed it down. "But hey, you want to sacrifice everything you have because some guy will get jealous? Go for it. It's been a long night for me and I dont feel like arguing with you anymore. Once you pass my bedroom door, you'll be out of my ward and then you'll feel the engeries of everyone and see that their intent arent good." He unbuckled his belt next, then his button, and then the zipper. He had them off in another second and then without so much as looking at her, he took off his boxers.
Jackson didnt do clothes while sleeping. It was too constricting and if she was going to stay here for however long she had to, he wasnt going to be uncomfortable for her sake. She'd get used to it. Plus, it was dark enough in his room once he turned off the red light that one could barely see anything. He walked over to the bed, turned the light off, and then went on the california king sized bed.
"Do close the door on your way out if you leave. You can sleep on the bed with me, or on the floor or couch if you so want. I'm going to bed. Try something with ill-intent towards me and my magic will deal with you on its own. Goodnight Kara." He turned on his side, facing the door so that he could see what she would do and stayed silent, unable to really keep his eyes off of her. Even with the low light coming from the bathroom, he could still make out her.
She was everything he had ever wanted and more. Yet, now she was everything he hated.
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Jewel
Healer
Loyalty comes in many forms. Some are more obvious than others. -Thorn
Posts: 2,195
Pack Status: New Dawn, Nighstar, Rogue, Other
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Post by Jewel on Jan 7, 2017 1:03:50 GMT -5
Remember, Rikara. It is with great importance that you do not let your anger rule your actions. You have great power in your hands; if you do not have a clear mind, there will be repercussions for your decisions.
Her future father-in-law's words hit her as if Nimm was there right beside her. It took all she had not for her head to jerk right, then left to see if he was seeing what she saw - heard what she heard - felt what she felt. It did, though, loosen the hold she had on the fists by her sides. Indeed, she was angry. It felt like white-hot fire in the pit of her belly and growing by the time he lied down for the night. (She had kept her eyes on him, sending him her best 'if looks could kill' glare until he unbuckled his belt. It wasn't that she was one to be a prude; she just didn't want for Jackson to comment something she found insulting.) Rikara was angry at his jibes about Tolor; his talking about ... something vile, she could only assume; and how he actually did scare her.
She found herself in an unfamiliar place, with no protection or confirmation that she could actually use the gifts her brothers bestowed to her when she couldn't feel their presence, having no choice but to rely on the boy she once knew, but was now a familiar stranger. A familiar stranger that admited that he would use her like some sort of tool if he could. Someone that unearthed a dark fear of hers. Of being used by the ones she loved. Something that Jackson had planted long ago. "I am not like you and your family," she murmured, anger making her voice boulder-rough, yet steely with resolve. "I do not use my strength to bring destruction."
She walked with a sense of dignity to what looked like a lounge before lying down and taking her cowl off, using it as a blanket. "But until Sun rises, Gold." Funny. When they were younger that was what she would call him. To her, he was the golden-eyed boy. When Sun rose to he fullest height in Sky, her rays hit Jackson's face so perfectly that his eyes weren't hazel or yellow - both colors he hated, yet she found herself itching to capture with paint- but a stunning color that reminded her of the coins in her treasury. Now, that gold was tainted. And she was too afraid to polish it.
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Post by Ventia on Jan 15, 2017 23:29:19 GMT -5
Jackson pulled a pillow closer to him, hugging it and using it so that he could keep Rikara in his line of sight. Her words made his lips twitch with a knowing smile. "It doesnt take much to change someone Kara, but if you keep that mentality, maybe you'll survive the darkness from this world." Just dont get close to me, Jackson thought. It would be game over if they got as close as they had once before. Because Jackson knew that there was no changing for him-the devils of the underworld already claimed his soul but for Kara? She could change-it just wouldnt be in the good way.
Such a good little girl, she still was. If he really had a sick mind, he would have loved to mentally break her down and make her so dependent on him that her soul would be incapable of working without being led around by him. He had the ability to do that, to break someone to the point that only with him they felt something-but that never interested Jackson. It bore him honestly, to strip someone of all the little things that made them special. To always have someone who said yes. He wanted them to fight back. It was why he had fallen for Rikara that long ago. Why he enjoyed teasing Thea so much. The ones with that fire, always were the ones Jackson enjoyed the best.
"Gold," he mumbled into the pillow, mentally strengthening the wards that covered what was his. She couldnt see the amused smile around his face since half of his face was covered by the pillow and it was considerably dark, but he had smiled nonetheless. "Goodnight Kara," he closed his eyes, feeling as if he had been transported to the past, where the two of them had fallen asleep under the night of stars, away from everyone at the age of twelve. He took the bittersweet memory and accepted it, and allowed her presence to ease him enough to relax into the bed. He had trouble sleeping at night but strangely like before, knowing she was around brought a sort of peace into him that under ten minutes, Jackson had slipped into sleep.
Light sleep-but sleep nonetheless. It wasnt unusual for him to lie awake all night afterall, so being able to sleep said something about how he had once felt about Rikara.
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Jewel
Healer
Loyalty comes in many forms. Some are more obvious than others. -Thorn
Posts: 2,195
Pack Status: New Dawn, Nighstar, Rogue, Other
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Post by Jewel on Jan 19, 2017 21:45:38 GMT -5
It was only into an hour of her rest when it happened.
She said rest lightly. Rikara felt his magic like a heavy blanket when Sun was at his peak. Hot. Swealtering. Like she needed the cool taste of fruit before she died. And, of course, she felt the pain of trying to adjust to the atmosphere here, like the weight of the boulder she had on her chest when going through Ground's trial. In fact, she was reliving the moment when it first happened.
There was a snapping sound that roused her. At first, she didn't register anything other than it startled her. Raising her head, she bolted upright, knocking her cowl to the floor with a rustling sound. Oh, may the Great One have mercy, she thought. Jackson was right; she was a foolish girl for trusting him! But before she could curse him there was a realization that surged within her: it wasn't him casting magic to use against her.
A bone of hers had been snapped.
Red-hot, fire seared her from the small of her back, only to travel like the slow-moving Orsars up her spine to connect with the aready-dull throb in her chest that she had assumed was her lungs taking their time to adjust to the atmosphere in Jackson's home. Rikara knew that Jackson was asleep then. Or she had assumed. Even though she tried to be quiet (she had broken a few bones before, and each time was more and more tolerant of the pain), this was a different kind of pain. Even her arm was feeling the aftershocks as it reached up to unclasp her wrap so as to alleviate the pain.
There was a pounding in her head. A mallet from a tribal drum hitting it as if it could call upon the Great One's guidance. But now, she didn't feel anything but excrutiating pain even her tolerance couldn't hold. Not even her undressing helped. Her skin twitched. There was a lightning strike of hurt that shocked her body, doubling her over and making her gasp in pain.
What was happening to her?
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Post by Ventia on Jan 21, 2017 17:51:07 GMT -5
The breaking of bones hadnt woken Jackson up. Sure, he registered it in his head, but it wasnt enough for him to actually open his eyes and shed off sleep's embrace. It was however enough for his senses to kick in and while he was half asleep, Jackson listened in to the small sounds of bones breaking, pulse spiking, shuddering breaths and every other little sound Rikara was making.
It was her magic that forced him upright, with his hair a mess around his face-thick curls framing his face and hiding his left eye, Jackson felt the pull her magic had on him and he groaned as he opened his eyes. It was rare moments like these where he had just finished meeting with his grandfather in the dream realm that Jackson's other abilities were easier than normally to wield.
For a split second, he wondered if his magic and hers had merged since there were traces of darkness hidden in the warm aura of hers and although it wasnt common but after some time, magic did merge with one another. But not only had it been too short of a time that the two of them had been together for that to even happen, her darkness was nothing compared to his. Matter of fact, it was almost as though the majority of her magic-the goodness-was transforming the darkness that she held within herself.
He watched-it was strange for him to want to watch her magic rather than Rikara herself but magic said so much about someone and Rikara wasnt holding it back, so Jackson filled himself with the sight of her tendrils of darkness breaking free from the warm embrace of her brightness. He watched the magic surged through her, both light and dark, as her bones cracked more and more. It seemed with every crack-the darkness got bolder.
A chill ran down his bare back whether of excitement or fear was beyond Jackson these days. It was just a chill and then his body moved, the demon blood in his veins attracted to that darkness that seemed as if it were being broken free from her. He eased off the bed, grabbed his boxers and put them on, and then moved around the room until he could get a glimpse of Rikara's face.
He saw the confusion in her gaze and switched his focused towards the spots of darkness that covered her all while pushing his own magic back. It fought against his hold, wanting to taste the other dark entity that was in the room, but Jackson kept his hold tight and still. He crouched then, his eyes glowing in the dark just a little with its seductive yellow glow.
"Breathe." The command left his lips gently, his voice itself would give someone a hard time resisting let alone being able to resist looking at his profile. "You're shifting." He glanced down when he heard another crack and this time wasnt surprised to see the specks of darkness escaping from within her.
Jackson didnt enjoy remembering about his time in Gahal but he couldnt stand not to either. He remembered stalking his grandfather on the rare occasions that he slipped into that world and watching as the man drank from the residents that wanted nothing to do with the specks of darkness that clung to their blood. Of course, his grandfather had done it for his own reasons but that night, Jackson had realized that her people too had the ability to shapeshift.
Was this what Rikara was going through? Jackson hoped so. If this was instead her body trying to reject this world's effect on her-it would be disastrous. Sure, he could bring her back to Gahal but when he wasnt sure what was happening in that realm besides from the fact that they were after her? He didnt want to take that chance.
"Breathe, dont try to fight it. It's a part of you, accept its wish to transform and take hold of you. Switching realms probably triggered it and this is your body's way of trying to protect you by giving you this form of protection. Ride it out Kara. That's it. Breathe."
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Jewel
Healer
Loyalty comes in many forms. Some are more obvious than others. -Thorn
Posts: 2,195
Pack Status: New Dawn, Nighstar, Rogue, Other
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Dethroned
Jan 22, 2017 2:22:28 GMT -5
via mobile
Post by Jewel on Jan 22, 2017 2:22:28 GMT -5
Rikara was too consumed with the pain she was in to hear the near-silent movements of his. Yet when she saw him, she cursed aloud. She didn't think she was loud. No, despite her desire to she hasn't screamed in anguish at all. Rather, she had her tongue in between her teeth to keep her from doing so.
She opened her eyes, staring at those eyes that were so hypnotic. His voice sliced through her pain for a few moments, making her forget anything happening to her for the sake of hanging onto his every word. Which was only just a command to breathe. And she did; a deep breath in revealed a rattling in her chest, and she wasn't sure if it was because she felt congested or if her ribs were about to break.
"It hurts," she admitted softly, and the spell was broken by another unnatural crack. This time, it was her left foot. Rikara didn't cry out, but there was a whimper after the wave passed, and then another. It was only when she felt the need to retch did she understand what he meant by "shifting".
"Impossible," she gasped. A bead of sweat traveled down her temple. Slowly, she wrapped her arm around her breasts, keeping herself as covered as possible. "That is just a Tribal tale. My people and I cannot morph." Before she could say anything else, a crack in her spine had her arching her back unnaturally. She grunted, tasting the sharp tang of her blood from where she bit her tongue. Painfully she swallowed. "A story before the Tribal War." It was uttered in a rush, her hand that wasn't covering her chest snaking into her brunette hair to grab hold and twist with a high-pitched whistling between her teeth.
She remembered Tolor telling her of the first shifter. He was from the Wasar Tribe. On his coming-of-age quest, in which he was to find and bring back a keepsake from an abandoned den of a Wasar, he came across an unknown land. He knew the direction from which he had come from, so he was not afraid. But soon, he battled a poisonous serpent. He won, but not without a price. He had been bitten on his arm. He knew that he would be dead soon. So he crawled beneath the roots of a great tree, and closed his eyes with confidence that he would be reborn in another life.
He was filled with unbearable pain for one full day, but he did not die, for he was no longer a boy, but a dog with pointed ears and a coat the color of the tree he took refuge under.
Rikara cursed again, then took another deep, brain-rattling breath. Her back was still arched, her spine sticking out in an odd angle. Following that curve, her pores opened to let something that wasn't fur come through. It was like her spine was extending outside her body in sharp-looking needles. Oddly, Rikara didn't feel that. "How do I …" she stopped to pant for a moment, squeezing her hair before pulling it away. Along with quite a handful of hair. Horror filled her gaze at the sudden harsh loss. "Please tell me this is normal."
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Post by Ventia on Jan 29, 2017 4:05:28 GMT -5
Jackson nodded, "Of course it hurts-your whole body is changing all at once and you're morphing into something that is probably bigger or smaller than what your body currently is. It's going to hurt. But you can overcome it because that's the kind of person you are."
Jackson rolled his eyes at her words and glanced at her magic before answering her. "It's not impossible. All tales come from some truth, Rikara. True, there weren't that many shifters back at Gahal when I was last there, but there are still some. Maybe it's in your bloodline. I dont know, but it's not impossible. If this was a result of you moving through realms, I would have known by now and ended your pain. But it's not. You're morphing into something. So just go with it, Kara. You're fighting it and making it worst. Accept the facts and ride it out."
He watched her then, both her body and her magic and tried to guess what she would shift into so that he could let her know and hopefully the knowledge of what she would end up as, would help her. But he couldnt picture what she was becoming just yet. It was dark-he knew that much based on her magic alone but now, with the sight of her body forming into something grotesque, Jackson wondered just how dark it was.
Who? Her mother? No. The woman may have hated him from the moment she heard of Jackson, but even at that age, Jackson had a keen sense and he would have known if she was something as evil as what was coming out of Rikara. Her father? Jackson frowned, had he met Rikara's father?
Her voice brought Jackson back to focus and he stared at her hair. "Stop being such a girl, it's normal. It'll grow back once you change back to your human form. You're fine Rikara. Think of this being...a set of armor. You put a set of armor on for protection right? Well this is a side of you that will better enhance yourself for protection. It's nothing to be afraid of. It's a part of you. Accept it and stop freaking out from every little thing."
"You can let yourself go. If anything happens, I'm here."
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Jewel
Healer
Loyalty comes in many forms. Some are more obvious than others. -Thorn
Posts: 2,195
Pack Status: New Dawn, Nighstar, Rogue, Other
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Post by Jewel on Feb 2, 2017 22:18:20 GMT -5
What choice did she have, other than to trust Jackson? (If she was honest with herself, it wasn't hard to begin with.) Here she was, going through something that he was familiar with. And how he made out his realm, it was a wonder how Jackson wanted to help her.
So she let go, relaxing as best she could. Instead of doubling over, she moved to lie on her back, one arm still covering her chest. Though whe she felt the spikes moving uncomfortably, she gasped in shock. It took Jackson's stern "Quit fighting it!" to get her to move onto her stomach instead. That was when she let herself relax. Soon, about a minute later, a sense of ... darkness coated her. At first, she thought it was Jackson. His reprimaning her to stop tensing revealed to Rikara that it wasn't him. No one else was in the room, Jackson said when she asked.
The only other person in the room was her. But that would mean the darkness was coming from her - that was impossible. She wrote it off as a figment of her imagination.
**
It took a total of five hours and three strangled screams. What took Rikara's place was, in fact, a monster. She was large enough to take up the whole couch with one foreleg and hindleg resting on the floor. Her teeth was so big and sharp her lips couldn't hide them. Yeah, sure, she had fur, but it was easy to tell that it wasn't sleek and smooth at all. Instead it was coarse and as gray as a thundercloud. The spikes along the back vibrated with small movements. All of the goodness from wet nose to the thick tail draped over the arm of the couch was engulfed with a seething darkness.
The beast moved slowly, a low rumble emanating from her throat. Although her paws were thick as trunks, she was silent while moving to stand on the floor. The tail was like a separate entity, swishing audibly across the floor. The eyes were Rikara's, but there were thin ice-blue rings embedded in the brown eyes. A panic settled within the pit of her stomach, the rumble within her throat stopping as she turned her gaze from Jackson to her body. Or ... what was rising from her body.
Utter darkness.
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