Topic: The mage and the mansion..

VanyelAskeveron

Date: 2007-07-12 21:39 EST
Van had waited a while after the Nexus ate him, pacing and finding clothing. He needed something suitable, not too dressy. Since there was a chance he'd spaz, and it was truly amazing how very fast pure energy ate a silk outfit. So, after a long while of digging through three-quarters of his clothing (and about half of Shad's) he settled on a clean white doeskin tunic, a black tank-top underneath. A pair of black leggings and a simple pair of boots.

A faint grin as he combed and trimmed his hair. He'd caught the look Dark had given him, the one that wondered if he was sane. He tied off the thong he was using to bind the shoulder-length braid and went to bed. The letter from Celestine tucked in with the dagger under his pillow.

The next morning he awoke and stretched. Up early for a nice change he got a cup of tea and armed himself as he waited for the time to come. No, not armed for bear, or dragon. Armed more for humans. A couple daggers slipped into his boots, another pair in his sleeve. Not that he didn't trust her body gaurds, no. It was more that he didn't trust Murphy's law. If he wore weapons, nothing would happen to require them.

Once the time came he popped the wax of the letter in one smooth motion, having already locked the door to his room. And with a shrug, popped it in his mouth and swallowed. Muscles twitched as the gating magic slammed into him full force, and to all outward appearances he was gone.

The gate had taken him. That he knew, the problem here was that his tattoos were on high alert. He could feel the lines of magic eating away at his clothing, and found himself hoping that it only felt like an eternity to him.

Celestine Sargose

Date: 2007-07-13 10:37 EST
(Two hours prior to Van's arrival.)

The maid with a silver serving tray ascended the stairs like a ghost fluttering inches from the ground. For she was without sound and without thought, but just with one single goal and purpose, and that is to get this teapot, teacup and saucer up these stairs with so much as spilling the mini-milk jug or bowl of sugar all across the newly polished wooden floor. Dressed in a traditional French maid outfit the Maid was young " perhaps late teens early twenties, with the most perfect and firm ample breasts to tare many sets of male eyes away from their partners, with the most finely cut chin length sandy hair" A blonde nymph in a maid's uniform.

Coming upon the landing from the arched stairway that led from the main foyer, the maid took her silent steps down a long straight hallway directly in front of the stairs where the bare walls held no portraits of family or friends, but just nothing more than the scratched worn dream wallpaper revealing the woodwork of the original construction. At the end of the hall came the maid's destination. A double sliding door with the most spectacular carved and detail painted roman-gothic figures of creatures ravaging and raping women in all forms of positions, with naked men amongst them drinking from chalices of blood created from the heads of fallen stags, their proud phalluses erect to the scene about them. The design was out of place " and it seemed almost new compared to the almost run-down atmosphere of the rest of the manor" It seemed almost unrefinedly vulgar and blatantly so, like it were Celestine's little secret manner when in dark ire.

Was Celestine a sexual beast"

The room behind the door was indeed most special compared to the rest of the manor, for it was Lady Sargose's private room and only one servant were allowed in there at all, and that was she, Clare, the Head Maid of "Manoir de l'araign"e Noire."

Youthful fingers reached out to one of the crescent golden handles as the other hand balanced the weight of the tray upon upturned fingers, using the focal point to her advantage while she slid one of those doors open, announcing her arrival with a bend of the knees " a little bow, with a dip of her head and fingers plucking the hem of her skirt, flaring it to one side, "Lady Sargose, I have brought your morning tea."

"Earl grey I hope?" Came the hopeful reply from somewhere behind a monolithic armchair, shadowing the thin feminine frame lounging and basking in the large fireplace's flicking light.

"Of course, Lady Sargose?" The maid replied politely, remaining in her bow for several seconds longer before closing the door behind her silently.

"Is everything prepared for the visit?" Celestine spoke softly, the fingers of the white skinned hand curling at the wooden end of the arms of the chair to gain a good grip, like Celestine were working out some tension in those hands that had been building up there for most of the morning.

"The manor has been prepared. All downstairs rooms are locked upon your request my Lady, all upstairs rooms are also locked except this one." The maid rounded the armchair, bowing down to place the tray atop of Celestine's lap, pouring some of the tea into a cup ready for her Mistress to add the sugar and milk.

"I hope all servants are safely tucked away in their quarters?" One sugar " no; that were two sugars dumped into Celestine's tea, the teaspoon swirled about to mix the sugar in before adding a touch of milk.

"Except myself, do you wish for me to also return to the quarters for the rest of the day?" The maid stood up straight, clasping her hands before as she stood ready, waiting for further orders.

"That will be quite alright my dear, for I need your company. What of the basement' I hope that is barred."

"Shall I check to make sure, Lady Sargose?"

Celestine leant back, letting the feminine voice echo dully against the polished wooden walls, "You do that, Clare" And prepare for my acquaintance's arrival." The aristocratic bitch sipped the tea, happy now that it was quite cool to drink. Ah yes. Some clothes might be agreeable. Celestine was sure that Van would not wish to see the feminine beauty naked. "Oh and Clare, can you prepare my dress for me" I wish to look presentable for him."

____________ (The present time) ____________

With clear blue skies and the birds singing their typical feather-song, the location for Van's transport was perhaps most indifferent to what some might expect from Celestine, for as he materialized from Celestine's mysterious magic imbued into the wax, Van appeared within the woods, practically in the middle of nowhere without a sound of humanoid life for many miles around. But, if it were not for the slight clearing a few meters ahead of him, he would not have seen the towering spectacle that is Celestine's manor.

http://img528.imageshack.us/img528/9110/undyingmanorfrontdoorxx4.jpg

Almost medieval gothic in its appearance, with near organic masonry, the manor seemed to sit quite nicely within the wilderness, almost like it had grown out from the ground like the rest of the trees around it. There was the issue though that many of the windows were covered up with wooden boards instead of windowpanes, suggesting that the manor were once heavily neglected and still under its reconstruction in the hands of its new owner, the Lady Sargose. The front door seemed the most out of place. It were a thick and heavy wooden thing, brand new and polished to a reflective sheen, perhaps the most cared for in contrast to the rest of the manor's outward appearance. The door held one interesting object though, an unusual spider-designed knocker within its centre, just begging to be tapped? If anything, the black metallic spider seemed almost alive.

VanyelAskeveron

Date: 2007-07-13 10:56 EST
It had only felt like an eternity. In reality it had only been a couple seconds. As the spell released him he staggered. Ambient power discharging quickly out through his palms as he leaned on a tree for a moment to catch his breath. He looked at his clothing and skin, the glowing symbols fading rapidly. Leaving the burn marks on his clothing.

He stared at the mansion for a few long moments before walking toward it and, after a moments hesitation grabbing the knocker and knocking. A faint shock as the thing was charged. He stepped back and waited. Hands clasped behind his back.

Celestine Sargose

Date: 2007-07-13 11:09 EST
The door's sound was dull and hallow yet loud enough to kick a megaphone's dB level right into the gutter. The knocker swayed as it was left go, leaving the spider-knocker's legs to curl up and clench, like it were killed during its use. Was it alive" It couldn't have been! It felt like a metal, and had little to no heat or life signature" What other surprises shall Celestine have in store for him' A stair banister fashioned from a living boa constrictor"

Well for one, when the door opened ever so slowly, out poked the head of the maid " Clare, her sandy blonde hair shifting across her face as she stared at him gently, smiling sweetly at him. A rather drastic distinction between Celestine's usual bored yet cold steel gaze.

The maid opened the door, and bowed ever so slowly, plucking her skirt to the side so that she could flare it politely for him, "Sire. The Lady Sargose has been eagerly awaiting your arrival..." The maid didn't question what happened to his clothing, but instead opened the door and moved out of the way to let him enter the main hall. "Do come in, would you like some refreshments before I take you to the Lady's private study?"

VanyelAskeveron

Date: 2007-07-13 11:22 EST
He paled slightly as it twitched, and moved. Though he didn't move away, just watched it warily. He didn't like inanimate objects that moved like that. As the door opened he swept the woman an elegant, deep bow. "I believe I'm fine, thank you though my lady." He looked up and met her gaze straightening and smiling in return. "I'm glad to hear that. I was a tad disoriented by the gate spell. Mildly worried I'd come to the wrong place." Still smiling.

Celestine Sargose

Date: 2007-07-13 11:42 EST
The main foyer was perhaps large enough to be a small hall, with little to no items within the highness of its ceiling. The marbled floor itself seemed clean, but the wooden walls were wood rotten beyond condition and were already in the process of being replaced with freshly cut and fashioned long wooden thin planks. The ceiling too could have been in better nick too, as the white paint was mostly flaked off through sheer amounts of neglect from the previous owner. Directly before the front door at the end of the foyer stood the stairs that led up to the second floor, with two wooden doors standing either side of its steps that were subsequently locked from Van's entrance. These two rooms were merely the joined dinning room and kitchen.

Clare fully opened the door for him, "Please do come in and wipe your feet," There was a door mat just inside of the door, "The disorientation shall ware off eventually, but if you do feel sick I am sure we have some medicine to give you to dampen it's effects, Sire." The maid smiled again, "Lady Sargose should be ready." Once Van was inside, the door was closed behind him.

Soon, the maid turned, slowly moving up those stairs she traversed earlier, "Please follow me, Sire."

VanyelAskeveron

Date: 2007-07-13 11:54 EST
((After this I'm gone for a bit..))

He looked around as the door opened. Amazed at the size of the place, it took him a few moments to remember the woman had spoken, and so he blinked before answering. "Oh..Yes, of course.." He stepped forward and wiped and stamped his feet, not wanting to leave footprints.

He stared as he followed her up the stairs, not at her, rather his surroundings. Hands clasped behind his back, an odd quirk, but he seemed to be being careful not to touch anything. She might or might not notice that he appeared to be memorizing the layout somewhat. An old habit. He was looking around as they walked, not saying much.

Celestine Sargose

Date: 2007-07-13 13:42 EST
Once at the top of the stairs, all that was laid out before them were a single hallway running right down the middle of the manor. It might had been strange but there were absolutely no doors anywhere aside from Celestine's private study and its elaborate carved double doors right down the bottom end, displaying the images of death, rape and blood.

Where were the other rooms" The manor seemed a lot larger than this" Perhaps all is not what it seemed"

Once the maid arrived at the carved double sliding doors, she knocked ever so gently to warn Celestine that they were waiting. Looking back to Van, giving him a semi-stern expression, she spoke softly. "There are some ground rules I must warn you of before entrance into the Lady's private study." The maid lifted a finger, "Rule number one, never under any circumstances look at the ceiling, this being a vital rule, will not bring harm upon you but it is best not to do. The second rule is less than important but necessary. Please do not touch the antiques. I have just dusted them.?

VanyelAskeveron

Date: 2007-07-13 23:08 EST
He blinked, noticing that there appeared to be no more rooms. A slight shrug, then he looked to the maid again as she started speaking. Only then noticing the doors. He blinked a few times and looked back to her. Giving her his full attention, trying hard to forget what he'd gotten from that kiss. The door bring to mind some of what he'd seen.

"Okay, don't look at the ceiling..I'm guessing it's like that-" A faint gesture to the violence on the doors "-only worse? And no touching the antiques if I do not wish to be beaten with a broom by a pretty lady. Understood." He nodded and started to reach out to touch the handle, then paused remembering the door. That hand quickly returned to behind his back.

Celestine Sargose

Date: 2007-07-14 07:04 EST
The maid gave him a serious once over with her eyes as her hands clasped before her, "Even I don't know what the ceiling looks like. But that is the rules set by the Lady Sargose itself. You do not, under any circumstances break that rule." Then, moving a hand to the crescent shaped golden handle and slowly slid the door open for Van, "You may enter. If you require assistance you need but call my name. Clare."

While offering a hand out to the open doorway Clare bowed her head, "A pleasure meeting you, Sire."

VanyelAskeveron

Date: 2007-07-14 18:44 EST
He nodded then, all joking set aside. "Thank you Clare. And please, I'm Vanyel. If you need to be formal, and Van if you feel comfortable with it." A faint smile and he bowed again. Not formal, but serious. "Thank you for informing me of the rules, I don't like annoying friends."

He shook her hand gently as he passed through. Keeping his eyes down he looked around for Celestine.

Celestine Sargose

Date: 2007-07-14 18:59 EST
The room he had entered too was nothing spectacular. It had four walls, a floor and ceiling like any other, but it was most certainly very dark " poorly under lit with the windows boarded up, the only light offered for him would be the oceans of candles standing upon various holders strewn across the floor, like some ceremony of flame. On the left was a large bookshelf taking up the whole of the wall, the right was where the boarded windows were, and directly ahead of him stood an armchair with a most high back, sitting close to the hearth designed to appear like the gaping maw of a wolf, with the embers linking within.

Smoke curled from beside the chair as Celestine's hand appeared, holding a cigarette between the index and middle finger. The empty tea-cup lay arranged on the silver-tray offered to her not only two and a half hours ago, still unreturned to the kitchen downstairs.

Something was above him. Its aura was by exact count, fifteen small soulless life forces" He may not help to notice that in the far corner a strange bile crept down the walls, threatening to take his curiosity upwards to find its source" Towards the ceiling"

The thud of a book closing animated through the room. It seems Celestine was reading (or was,) but alas, the Lady Sargose's appearance was mostly hidden by that tall backed chair"

"Welcome Van, to Manoir de l'araign"e Noire. I hope your journey was safe. I do occasionally get a fatality when the wax is digested by my invitees" But it seems your strong and worthy enough to grace your eyes within this room."

So' It were a test"

VanyelAskeveron

Date: 2007-07-16 09:13 EST
He gasped softly as the full effects of all the fire hit him. Staggering slightly, they all flared brighter then they ought to be. He noticed absently the slime and the auras. Didn't ask though, his gaze focused on the hearth. Picking out details and such since he wasn't certain he could move just now. The fire was hypnotic. He needed to stay clear-headed. So he started talking.

"Um..Hi..Yes, the wax was a little disorienting..My tattoos hated it, hence the scorch marks..." He trailed off and kinda zoned, the talking wasn't working

Celestine Sargose

Date: 2007-07-16 09:33 EST
Celestine rose from the chair, turning to place the heavy book onto the cushion before rounding to place a single white gloved hand upon the high-back's arm.

Sensing his attention waning and felt that without a doubt; the fire was effecting him in some manner no doubt, turned to glance to him curiously...

The good Lady Sargose's attire today was at best different, if at all almost too white! The dress wasn't that elaborate not was it too frilly. It was in fact quite the opposite. It held no detail and was just a mere white plain dress, long sleeved of course, with the hem of the skirt touching bare footed slim almost bony ankles" Celestine's hair was even combed downwards, the once white face flesh peach " almost human in appearance! There was not an inch of make-up on that face today.

Silently Lady Sargose padded up to him, placing a hand to his cheek to feel his temperature. "You feel a little hot. Are you ill" Perhaps I should put the fire out??

VanyelAskeveron

Date: 2007-07-16 09:47 EST
He blinked a moment, watching her approach, but not having it click until she touched him. One hand grabbed for her wrist while the other went to her waist. Closing his eyes a moment he projected the happy, content floaty feeling that he was feeling by way of an answer. When his eyes opened again they'd gained a slight orange overtone, and spun as he looked to her.

Celestine Sargose

Date: 2007-07-16 10:05 EST
Celestine has never been handled by anyone in this lifetime in such a manner. But this was a surprise. Celestine jerked the gripped wrist to the side, but couldn't do anything about his hand coming to the waist' What was he doing" Lost in thought, those grey steely orbs stared at him with a shocked overtone, subtly layering a sense of puzzlement"

The happiness invading was almost too putrid to handle, and caused Celestine to blush. "V-Van! Unhand me this instant!" It wasn't anger! It was down right surprise in that tone of voice, "I-I did not give you permission to handle me thus!"

VanyelAskeveron

Date: 2007-07-16 10:16 EST
He blinked. And blinked again, fully not understanding why this surprised her so. "True..You didn't.." A faint head cant as he let her go, reluctantly.

"I thought you'd like it though...Just emotions, not thought...It's so pretty..I was just thought to share.." Yeah, his words were spoken oddly, more fluidly with more focus on the vowels, the consonants merely bridges to the next vowel.

Celestine Sargose

Date: 2007-07-16 10:27 EST
Celestine turned quickly a back to him, pressing a palm against the blushed left cheek ever so gently as to will it away, "I am sorry Van, but I did not expect for you to do such things. I would rather a warning next time" Is that understood?" The bitch-aristocrat then glanced back at him over a shoulder, giving him a cold steely gaze.

"Come, sit?" Well, there was only one chair in the entire room, but by the looks of it Lady Sargose was offering the arm chair to him, as the book was removed from the cushion and back into Celestine's hands. "Do not worry about me, I prefer to stand?? Lady Sargose was trying so hard to built up that wall of steely aristocratic professionalism, trying to rid of the emotions Van practically forced in the human form.

VanyelAskeveron

Date: 2007-07-16 10:39 EST
He blinked and nearly hugged her from behind before thinking better of that action. Fairly certain that would anger her more. Taken aback slightly by the glare he nodded. "Okay...I apologize. I didn't think before acting. My err."

He twitched slightly. "You do know that we're in private, right' That the front can go away..." Said as he leaned against the chair. Slight annoyance in his tone, but more curiosity.

"If I sit I'm afraid I'll doze off, or start projecting again.."

Celestine Sargose

Date: 2007-07-16 10:49 EST
"My front is what keeps me whole, Van." Here Celestine goes again with the mysticism. Celestine approached the fire, staring down into the embers, "Then the answer is quite simple, do not take my offer to sit." Which is what he was already doing anyhow" "Yes, the front can fall to a degree, usually I would let it slip away and relax entirely in myself naturally, but I have a visitor, and it would be awfully rude of me to allow my visitor to see me at my worst. I am slightly relaxed Van " and that is quite enough. As promised all your questions shall have answers this day, everything you ask me I shall not beat around the bush " I shall not keep it a secret, for what is said and done in this room, stays in this room." And Celestine glanced at him over the shoulder again, the fire shadow most of the face, given it a most eerie expression, "Ask away.?

VanyelAskeveron

Date: 2007-07-16 11:05 EST
He watched her for a moment. Noting the odd expression. "Okay, where the hell are all the doors" What's with the um...Knocker" It moved." Blinking as he remembered it.

"I know what you are...We mastered that hurdle...Um...How are you managing to hide it so well..If you need to do that for survival, how do you prevent the populous from finding out?"

Celestine Sargose

Date: 2007-07-16 11:30 EST
Celestine didn't him everything about just what "it' was" But Lady Sargose couldn't help but laugh at his questions of the doors and the front door knocker. "To answer your question, the door knocker is a guardian ward. If I hadn't invited you here " or if I simply don't like you at all then the guardian ward would have eaten your hand." A simple answer but perhaps albeit a scary piece of information, "And the doors" Well. They're there. You just haven't opened your eyes."

And now Celestine turned, walking towards him with hands clasped tightly behind, "My dear Van, my existence cannot be read. To you I am neither alive nor dead, nor do I have positive or negative energy. I am by all accounts impossible to figure out upon a glance" Unless I let you, then that is a different story altogether..." Then Celestine's voice drew soft, "Sometimes a spider cannot be seen, even though it can scuttle across the floor in front of the world for all to see. Spiders tread carefully, Van."

Celestine's touched his chest with the fingers of each hand, running down his stomach slowly' "That is how I hide.?

VanyelAskeveron

Date: 2007-07-16 11:54 EST
He blinked at the bit about the door eating his hand. That's lovely..And I thought Shad's Wards were mean.. A faint snicker. "Nice. That'll discurage idiots..."

He fell quiet as she approached, watching her. And listening. The contact made him jump slightly. "So you hide in plain sight...Incredible!" The words soft, his focus on maintaining his shields.

Celestine Sargose

Date: 2007-07-18 08:22 EST
"This form is just a mere illusion of a treading predator, living amongst the prey." Celestine's fingers stop at his waist line, the grey piercing orbs staring downwards for a fairly long moment before those unmarked pure lips twitched upwards. Celestine couldn't tell him. It would spoil the surprise " the mystery' The allure" "I am by exact definition a dimension fiend, Van." Those hands lifted to touch his cheeks, though still that steely bored gaze stared up at him, refusing for the walls to crumble this time.

"I have grown quite fond of you."

VanyelAskeveron

Date: 2007-07-18 19:14 EST
A faint head tilt as he watched her. A slightly bemused expression on his face, not wary or afraid. He blinked at the name she called herself. Dimension Fiend....I know that term...Where have I heard it before" I know it went along with 'stay away from...Because they do...' Damn memory gaps...

So he simply smiled at her. "Fiend" Were you anyone else I'd be worried...Rhaine and you..Yeesh. I attract the things that can kill me!" A faint grin, laughter lurking in his eyes. Warm medium blues meeting her cold gaze, being careful to hold his walls this time.

Celestine Sargose

Date: 2007-07-18 20:17 EST
"The truth is hard to conceal, for I am quite attracted to you. Though as much as a romantic encounter would being some joy to this cold heart, I am afraid that merely spoil you for the others," A perfect excuse, if it were not for the fact those grey piercing orbs didn't exactly look him in the eye. "I believe it may be because of your general appeal, though I much prefer you in female or perhaps androgynous clothing much like myself." Celestine smiled at that, "I appeal you to be quite the Casanova my dear Van, perhaps with a different woman or man in your bed each day."

"There are reasons of my attractiveness towards you. But those are secrets."

VanyelAskeveron

Date: 2007-07-18 21:38 EST
He nodded slightly and blushed. "Really' I mean...I know I'm considered pretty by girls, and most guys...When I had my hair longer..Thought me for a girl..Mainly because I would intentionally wear androgynous clothes..It was common for my clan....Made for some interesting confrontations."

He nodded again, silently hoping the blush would go away soon. He really wasn't sure what to say in regards to her complements.