Apr 23 03:27:41 106 PA
From Chronicles
Apr 23 03:27:41 106 PA Kingsdale - Golden Carafe
The muted lighting of the hallway bathes the tasteful art and lush carpet with a pearly white luminescence, indirectly placed here and there to paint the walls with light and leave the center of the corridor in relative dusk. The sun's last light died an hour ago, fading to give way to a rainy April night. The patter thumbs a staccato drumbeat above, while a lone figure exits his apartment. Clad in charcoal tones with skin the color of rich ink, the being's silver eyes flash up at the sound while the lighting about him dims subtly, swallowed by the living night.
The image is repeated, in many ways, as Leonard exits his own abode. Dark clothing is a popular motif, afterall, although it is a contrast to his fair complexion. The conspicous darkling receives a brief nod in acknowledgement and, potentially, in greeting.
Ahriman stops there. When he stops moving, the black creature attains the stillness of a snake; the sort of motionlessness only a cold-blooded creature possesses. Pupilless eyes turn to Leonard, difficult to track for lack of contrast, though slate grey seeps in around the black edges, looking like fat rain clouds intruding on a Summer night. "Human," Ahriman speaks, voice deep enough to rattle the bones. "I would ask that you spare a moment."
Emayn's door opens, allowing the woman herself to slide through the opening, closing the door behind her. She's dressed in a short white dress and what appears to be half a jacket, and she carries an umbrella in hand. She looks down the hall, and sees the men, the smallest sneer finding her lips before she fights it back. She approaches, at least one of the men known to her, an interested look on her face.
Leonard arches a brow in response to Ahriman. "Which moment did you wish? I may have a few to choose from." His focus then shifts beyond the ...man to the woman in white. A half-smile if offered in her direction before his eyes return to Ahriman.
"I was being colloquial," Ahriman rumbles, following Leonard with his eyes. He lets that hang a moment, voice monotone and unable to carry any great inflection. When he moves it seems sudden, though he shifts forward slowly to square up with Leonard. Subtly blocking the hallway. "Outside in the market there is a vendor who sells meat," Ahriman reveals. Emayn is behind and beyond him, for now unseen. "He has expressed a desire to never see me again. For the moment, I will not press the issue. Perhaps you could help me buy a package?"
Leonard arches a brow in response to Ahriman. "Which moment did you wish? I may have a few to choose from." His focus then shifts beyond the ...man to the woman in white. A half-smile if offered in her direction before his eyes return to Ahriman.
Emayn approaches as silently as she can while still maintaining a normal gait, her eyes bouncing from Leo to the other man, then back to leo. She arches an eye brow, head nodding in Ahri's direction, as her hand slides down her leg, lifting the side of her skirt up just a bit, exposing more of the sheathed knife strapped to her leg. A grin is on her lips, and something wild in her eyes, it's hard to tell if she's joking around.
"What exactly is it that you wish purchased? I'd expect that you could find another butcher easily enough." Leonard's brow remains lifted, as he's uncertainthen the other joins in at Emayn's gesture, and his grin becomes a full one. "Bored again, Ema?"
The Silhouette's eyes narrow, black lids drooping over the slate grey. Half-turning, the dark being's ebony mane swings aside to reveal the line of his perfect face, one silvered eye taking in the woman with a lingering glance. "Venison," he rumbles, staring at the woman. "Though perhaps ordering out will be unnecessary." That last comment is made with a hint of menace, Ahriman's chin dropping as he stares at her. One paying very close attention would see the light slowly bleeding from the hallway, like whisps of clouds slowly overtaking the sun to choke out the life-giving light of day.
"Always." she says, her walk becoming a saunter, her dress allowed to fall back into place, "Who's your new friend?" she asks, sizing up the shadowy man, her eyes narrowing a bit, stopping a bit of a distance away, her hands on her hips. She smiles once more and looks over Leo with a shrug.
Leonard chuckles at Ema's reply, then rolls his shoulders. "More a passing acquaintance, actually. Why would it be unnecessary?" His attention is on Ahriman once more, and a hand lifts to the lighting, or dimming weakness thereof. "If you can play havoc with the illumination, I'd expect you could feed yourself. You have existed for how many eons, again?"
"Boy are you barking up the wrong tree." is Ema's reply, her head shaking as she takes another few steps, "Offering me pocket change to be your bitch?" her eyes on the dark man's face and there is something cold in them, but she is unable to hide a sublte agitation he seems to invoke in her. Her hand unclenches and comes up to her head, brushing her hair behind her ears as she looks over at Leo, "They really need to get a better lock on the front door." she says, smirking.
"I'd assume that he has a key, since he has a room here." Leonard shakes his head and steps aside, in Ema's direction, though his focus remains mostly on the darkling. "So you eat men, just not while in the city? Interesting. What manner of being are you, then? From what realm or world are you from?"
The dark being stares at the woman a long moment. Absolutely still, with eyes bleeding towards black. "I am unfamiliar with those terms," he speaks finally. "This money is a creation of your kind. An intermediate fungible good between forms of labor. I hunt people, and in exchange you can get meat for me. And then you may trade this portable labor for something else. This is how your money works." His eyes slide back towards Leonard, expression difficult to pick out, but grim. "I have been polite with you people. I try to abide by your rules. I try to respect that insolent whelp below with his cleaver and meats. Perhaps something else is in order." The dark creature turns then, and walks down the hall. 'Walks' might be a stretch. He glides. Watching his legs it's obvious he moves via two legs, but to see just his torso the being appears to almost float, as he brushes past Ema on the way downstairs.
Ema's stance widens a bit as the Darkling approaches, her shoulders set against him brushing past, "Hunt people?" she asks as he passes, her eyes moving briefly to Leo, her amusement showing as her smile parts her lips, becoming a grin, "Eats us?" she says as she looks back over her shoulder to see if Ahri has stopped.
Leonard rolls his shoulders to Ema's question. "Many beings find human flesh desirable. Or feed on other aspects of the psyche or soul. I'd wager that, from his desire for venison, it is more the meat."
Finishes her approach, walking right up to Leo, her head coming in as her cheek slides by his, "How ya feelin, tiger?" she says before kissing his cheek and steps back, smirking at him, "I couldn't help but notice what a quick study you were," she says, umbrella twirling idly in her hand, and she almost sways from left to right, "Had that adorable little girl from the bar over for the night?" she asks, grinning, her tongue licking her lower lip through barely parted lips.
Leonard offers her an amused smirk. "Thank you, but I'm not sure that I can claim that. It was she who had me over, and I was far too intoxicated to barely walk, much less anything else useful. What, dare I ask, have you been up to?"
Ema shrugs, her expression non-commital as her eyes close briefly as she grins, "Just hanging out, getting to know your fair city, that sorta thing." she sways to the left, a bit of her weight shifting as she leans on the umbrella lightly, "Not having nearly the good time you appear to be having." she says, her appraisng look not unnoticed, "You having a rough could of days?"
Presently the dark creature returns, charcoal suit jacket swinging wetly over one arm. A vee of red frames his tie, the long-sleeved shirt clinging there along the red-stained buttons to a slim chest that's as black as his face. One might wonder, briefly, what the rest of him looks like. Crimson stains run up his silver-shirted sleeves, as blood drips occasionally from that jacket into the plush carpeting below. Oddly, his skin seems untouched by the defilement, as even and ebony as ever. Maybe the whole of him drank in his meal? Black eyes watch the pair as he glides down the hallway, swinging jacket wetly slapping his cotton pants to leave a moist triangular impression there as he comes to a halt before his room. Falling still once again, the black being stares at Emayn's back. Her neck, the flesh below barely covered by that loose dress. "Interesting," Ahriman rumbles, and strides towards her purposefully.
"That might be an understatement." Leonard notes this to Ema even as his attention shifts to the returning darkling, and a brow lifts. Black is not so unnerving, but blood dripping from it is another story, entirely. "I would hope that you only availed yourself of the butcher's wares and not the butcher, himself..."
Droplets of blood run up the stairway to the apartments proper from the foyer, with the dark form of Ahriman showing more color than usual. His jacket's off, swinging wetly at his side, while blood streaks the exposed parts of his silver shirt -- his cuffs and a vee of his chest. His tie is a mess. Gliding at Emayn at the speed of a jogging man, the dark being growls in his low tone, "Turn," moments before an iron hand locks on her left shoulder, spinning the poor girl to press her against the hallway wall. As suddenly as he arrived Ahriman is still, a motionless black mass pinning the woman in place, as he eyes feast on the exposed back of her dress behind her neck. His opposing bloodied right hand rises slowly, touching the center of that tattoo on the back of her neck to trace a still-hot line of blood along the outside of the marking, as he wonders in a remarkably civil tone, "What is this, human? What significance does this have?"
Emayn grins at Leo, her head tilting a bit as she says "Oh?" teasingly, her umbrella poking at Leo, "Do tell!" she seems amused, her eyes wide as she prepares more coaxing, but is interupted by a hand on her shoulder forcing her against the wall. Her eyes go wide and feral as he head hits the wall. She sits their a second, her brain processing what is happening as her umbrella drops, her body twisting at his touch, contorting, falling as she attempts to pull herself away, a Blade of pure light appearing in her now free hand, "Get OFF!" she screams, her voice nothing but rage.
Stepping into the foyer Tirzah almost misses the scene against the wall as if her subconscious almost wants to deny its existence. However, the scent of blood is not easily disregarded once it is noticed in the air. Slowing she turns and takes in the scene, and oddly feel's shock as she witnesses Ahriman's assault and a girl's resistance. That feeling doesn't last though as the flames burn inside her with fury, her eyes glowing wickedly as her link insists on being tapped. Her arm leveling at the Darkling a ball of fire coalesces in her palm and swells to rival the size of a basketball. "Release her." She orders, her voice cold as death.
Vargus steps into the lobby from the street and reaches into a pocket at his hip. His arm goes into the pocket up to the elbow, and he fumbles around, eventually coming out with a set of keys. He turns toward the stairs and stops, blinking at the bloodied form and the woman pressed against the wall. His brow furrows, but, he stays still, assessing the situation.
Leonard scowls as Ema is grabbed, hand lifting to gesture and utter a word nonsensical to some. His eyes narrow upon the nearby darkling as he does so, the remainder of his words clear and concise. "Why don't you be a well-mannered blot of ink and release her. Now." Despite his initial formality, there is no question whatsoever to his words. How very unlamblike of him to glare at Ahriman and make rather bold demands.
The reek of cooling blood wafts around Ahriman. The tangy scent of pennies, the undercurrent of something else, and under it all a musk. Something not of this world. Something difficult to define, and alien. The lights above begin to dim, darkening visibly as he speaks, and only coming back half as bright when he falls silent. The ebony creature's suit jacket sways against Emayn's back, slapping wetly against her squirming as he keeps her as motionless as a vice-like grip can, speaking again, "Is this the mark of your Gods? Some symbol of prowess, the foes you've defeated?" His voice grows louder, asking more slowly as if speaking to a child. "Is it a ward against evil, human? Is it working?" A dark red pattern adorns her upper back, blood turning black, tracing what part of that symbol Ahriman can see. And then, as suddenly as it began, Ahriman lets go. He stares at the woman wielding her knife, the jacket slipping from his left arm to fall in a moist red pile on the ground, having found that stillness that he has. As if he were simply put on 'pause' while the world around him can take a breath.
The fireball still leveled at Ahriman, her link already attuned to his essence Tirzah can afford to look at Leonard and the woman now released. The reaction to him understandable she reaches into her pocket and pulls out her keys, tossing them to Leonard. "Lambert, see the girl to your room or mine, or elsewhere, whichever. Just get her out of here and I'll catch up to you." then turning back to Ahriman she smirks lightly. "And you. I've got a questions as per our little deal. Why shouldn't I burn your existence from this plane?"
Vargus seems to have gleened the basis for what is going on, or at least as much as he needs. His head tilts forward a little and his eyes narrow. One hand twisting and dipping in a complex pattern, as strange phrases escape his lips. The end of the little aside completes and a sword of blazing light manifests in his right hand. Vargus crosses the floor to stand next to Tirzah, the Lightblade turned over and its tip placed on the floor between his feet, leaning on it like a cane. He just stands there as Tirzah's question hangs in the air.
"Calm down, Ema. All is well." Leonard then looks to the fiery redhead and smirks. "Thank you for your concern, Tirzah, but I think that you should ask politely, as well." A hand motions to the paused Ahriman. "What this one answers or doesn't is not subject to your whim. Or his, for that matter. Of course, I suppose that I could humor you... Answer the lady's questions, but only if she isn't threatening, smiles, and says 'Please.'" The instruction is given to the darkling before he turns to Ema with a smile and offers a hand. "Shall we do what Tirzah suggests? You /do/ look like you could have some steam to vent."
Ahriman stands in the face of a dagger, a pistol, and a fireball. Well, the fireball's behind him. He stares at Emayn, expression difficult to see, much less read. The silver in his eyes has bled entirely to black, the lights around them rising and falling like breathing, still dim in the late night corridor. Yet the onyx being's chest doesn't rise nor fall. For his part, the creature is silent, motionless. On pause as that blade inches closer to his face.
Emayn lets the blade dissapear from her hand, her eyes moving to Leo for a moment, then Over to the two on the other side, her eyes blinking as she offers up a smile, "Thank you." she manages, her eyes back on AHriman a few lingering seconds more as she takes a deep breath. She turns and heads towards Leo, her fingertips dragging lighting across the chest of the Shadowy being, finally ripping off a piece of shirt as she nears the shoulder, "Be seeing ya" she says over her shoulder at Ahri, as she moves to Leo, a familiar look on her face for him to see.
Tirzah considers what Leo says, her grin growing wide. "Complusion hmm? Alright.." She focuses on the conjured fireball reabsorbing its energies for a second before looking to Ahriman and considering her questions. her stance relaxes, the threat gone for now. "WHat is your interest in me?" She asks the Darkling for starters.
The dark being stands there as his shirt's torn, remaining staring at the wall impassively. he doesn't twitch nor budge an inch, even as he's asked a question. It's almost like he's not there at all, except for the lingering smell of death.
Vargus sees that the situation is well in hand, and the tension of those around have shifted from immediate violence to possibly immediate. He stands where he is, watching the people around, holding his light contruct out in front of him, allowing it's blaze to light the area around him. He looks from Ahriman over to Leonard, "...where'd all the blood come from? Doesn't seem like it's from her." He tilts his head to Emayn.
Ema holsters her pistol, her arm tucked behind her as she secures it, moving it again to reach behind her head and touch the spot touched, her fingers feeling for a wound, "I'll live" she says, tossing one more look behind her before she turns and Enter's Leo's room, her body language once again confident and cool.
Tirzah crosses her arms she she gets nothing but silence. "Stupid Leonard, why did he have to include a clause. He wont answer a threatening question either. Useless." Retrieving her keys she nods at Vargas and tries the other question. "Where did all this blood come from?" She asks Ahriman blandly.
The dark being stands in place, staring at the wall, as he drips on the floor. His fallen jacket beneath him has got to be making a mess, and time is running out!
Vargus shakes his head at looks at Tirzah, "Nope... might be Leonard has to do the asking, since he was the one that cast the spell. And as he has just departed the scene of the crime, as it were, you've just got the spell's duration holding it in place. Might be a good idea to relocate." He keeps the sword in his hand, watching Ahriman as he speaks to Tirzah.
Tirzah considers Vargus but shakes her head. "No I dont think so. But if you are right, relocate where? I live here. He's my neighbor.. remember?" Stepping closer to the darkling she grins slightly. "But I think its just as Leonard put it, he wont answer a question if he feels threatened and i have to say please. Silly niceties." She then Walks up to the Darkling and leans against the wall. "Ahriman, please tell me why you are interested in me." She asks calmly.
Ahriman doesn't move, save for his lips. The dark being's the still of the dead, reeking of fresh murder, with black eyes for the wall before him. His voice oozes from between sluggish lips, bass drone even harder to understand than usual. "Because you are my Little Sister."
Vargus nods his head to Tirzah, "Sure.. I live here too. But, there are always options." He pauses as she steps up to ask the question and then his eyebrows quirk up in surprise. "Well. You know of all the possible answers, that's really not the one I would have expected. Huhhh.... so..." He just looks to Tirzah, waiting to see her reaction.
Tirzah shakes her head, not sure what to make of that answer but keeps her calm. "Ahriman would you please tell me all the specific details behind calling me your little sister? I'd like to know exactly what you meant by that." She requests, shooting a coy look at Vargus.
"You are not of my kind, but you are one of us," comes the reply from slowed lips. Ahriman remains staring at the wall, absolutely still, as the lights around the three continue to rise and fall like breath or a slowed heartbeat. "You are my Little Sister on this plane." The capitalization of those words is difficult to pick out, with the slowed, slurred speech and the dark being's natural bass rumble, but there.
Vargus looks from Ahriman to Tirzah and back, and again to settle on the woman. "He seems pretty shadowy. Could it be some kind of elemental association? You said you were air and fire, right? Huh... I don't know enough about it to form a more specific opinion. I'm intrigued, though." He smirks a little, despite the situation.
Tirzah nods, understanding dawning on her. "Alright just a few more questions if you please Ahriman. Please tell me where all this blood came from and please tell me why you assaulted that woman." She queries growing comfortable in interrogation. Looking back to Vargus she nods again. "Indeed elementals have many forms, strong ones can even possess and merge with other beings."
The dark creature's bass rumble again starts up, as ready as an engine with the turn of a key. "I fed in the street, at the butcher's store. He did not want me there. This woman had a mark on her back, a ritual tattoo. I wanted to see it." Well, that explains everything!
Vargus nods his head a little. "Doesn't seem to have much personal interaction skills." He looks to Ahriman, "Touching another without their permission is against custom. You must speak with someone and obtain their permission to do something such as you did. To look, that is fine. But, to touch... it's bad-form. There are many people that have tattoos. Some are ritualistic, yes. Most are just for decoration. There are some that possess magical properties themselves... too bad the Splugorth have a stranglehold on that." He sighs a little wistfully, obviously lamenting that fact.
Tirzah smirks, shaking her head lightly. "Well I bet you've learned that lesson today. Last question now. Please tell me Ahriman, if everything should go as you wish, what will you get from me in the end?" She asks looking quite interested in this question.
Ahriman stares at the wall, apparently oblivious to the nugget provided by Vargus. Then again, he's apparently oblivious to anything but Tirzah's sweet tones, whispering softly gentle commands in his ear. Wrapped in the silken word 'please,' yet as binding as steel. "I don't know," Ahriman reveals unhelpfully. "I don't know why I keep finding myself near you. You seem to be everywhere I go."
Vargus looks from Ahriman to Tirzah. "So.... is that helpful at all to you? Seems complicated from the outside here." He stretches his back a little, and the Lightblade shimmers and winks out.
Tirzah nods, looking compassionate some how. "Well looks like forces higher than both of us are at work. I wonder what they have planned. Alright Ahriman, I bet the times is running out. I've got a new deal for you. So long as you are straightforward with me like you have been in this forced situation, I'll help you, if I can. No games, no riddles, just be clear. Your conduct and its consequences outside of that is of course your business." She offers openly before shrugging lightly at Vargus. "The wheels of fate rarely mean much to me. But there is always balance, even with him I'll find balance."
Ahriman keeps staring at the wall. He doesn't reply to her. He doesn't even acknowledge her existence. He's frozen in place, staring ahead. Lost to the world. Minutes pass, of frozen silence, before suddenly the lights in the hallway wink out. Plunged in sudden darkness, the pair hear a door open, and close. As the lights presently fade in, the creature's gone. A red stain sits on the floor where his jacket once lay.
Tirzah blinks, and lets out a slight sigh. "Figures, oh well." Looking to Vargus she manages a light smile. "See you tomorrow, I'm going to turn in too." She bids in farewell before walking off to navigate to her apartment.
Vargus blinks once. "Well.... I'll give him this much. That was an impressive exit." he looks around at all the blood in the hallway. "I wonder if the management will really go for this sort of activity here. I certainly don't want my building filled with blood every few nights. Although... I really don't use the stairs all that often." the latter said to himself, he kinda trails off, then shrugs. "Well. Looks like he's gone home, and I think it's a good idea overall. Night." He walks down the hall and enters his own room.
