-the meeting place

[crimson]

The streets of London were crowded in the early morning, the sun rising early in the east. There were more smells in the air than Brysin cared to even acknowledge as he searched for demons. The days had began to run together; every day was spent the same way, the only thing that changed was the city he was in. He had only found two demons in the past two weeks. It seemed to him that he would never find any others, but he knew that was not true; there were more demons in this world than there were humans now but that didn't keep the cities from being crowded with other super-natural creatures. As he rounded a corner the strongest smell of the morning hit him. A group of vampires were walking towards him and instead of confronting him he slipped into an alley to transform into a midnight black hawk. "This," he though, "would be a good time to head on home."

That had been two days ago, and he had only arrived home two hours ago. Even though he was able to fly at a higher speed than a normal hawk it was still quite a bit of travel. He knew that he would be called to the Morrigan soon, so he showered as quickly as possible and got dressed, wearing only black and a red the color of blood. He had known the great demon for nearly seven years, and he had grown fond of her, though most were not, even if they showed her differently. She had taken him and his sister in when they needed it most, and that meant as much to him as anything. When his mother had died she told him to keep Kimber safe, and that was what he had done. It had cost him but it was one hundred percent worth it. He now dedicated at least six months a year to the jobs he performed for the Morrigan.

Just as he finished pulling the shirt over his head a light knock came at his door. He opened it without hesitation and listened to the female demon explain that the Morrigan wished to see him in her quarters. Once she was gone and he had finished preparing for the meeting he set out across the city towards the large pillared building. It didn't take long for him to reach his leader. As he entered the room he dropped his right knee to the floor and placed the tip of his Shadow Blade to the ground, his head resting on the hilt. "I have news for you m'lady"[/color]

Words:438

[The Morrigan]

[atrb=border,0,true][atrb=cellSpacing,0,true][atrb=cellPadding,0,true][atrb=style, width: 500px; height: 700px; background: url(http://i55.tinypic.com/2w7g5sm.png) no-repeat, bTable][atrb=style, height: 199px; vertical-align: bottom] they stab it with their steely knives but they just can’t kill the beast

[atrb=style, height: 402px; vertical-align: top] “Mi’lady,”

[/color] greeted a quiet handmaiden as she entered with a curtsy, feathered wings ruffling quietly behind her. “Brysin has returned from his latest mission.”[/color]

“I cannot remember my mother,” she said, studying her face in the mirror.

Ariadne, having been in the service of The Morrigan for many years, knew that it was better to avoid contact with her when she was like this, but she had told her to have him report as soon as he returned.

“All things have mothers, don’t they?”

There was silence for a moment before Ariadne deduced that she was waiting for an answer. “I do not know, mi’lady.”[/color]

“They must. How else would anything get here?” One claw traced its way down the sharp angle of one cheekbone.

Ariadne resisted huffing an exasperated sigh. “Mi’lady, if I may be so bold. I do not think these are worries for the present. Brysin has returned and I am sure he has much to report.”

The Morrigan’s fingers jerked away from her face and she swung around, eyes suddenly reflecting a fire only she could see, licking the skin of the handmaiden who had deigned to question her. Ariadne quailed and knelt on the ground, part in a show of submission, part due to her knees giving out.

“You do not tell me what my worries should be. You report. You clean. Nothing. More.” She saw her talons digging into the girl’s shoulder, flesh yielding easily, and ripped a chunk from her. Ariadne screamed but, to her credit, did not thrash. She only sat silently, ink black tears trailing down her cheeks.

“Clean up your mess,” she hissed. “Then fetch Brysin. Do not make the mistake of coming before me again, lest I find you more amusing as a cripple.”

She returned to the mirror as Ariadne, sobbing silently, began picking up the pieces of her littered about the ground, the missing chunk of her shoulder already healing.

Mother War was in a world beyond the both of them, though, tracing her features, wondering as to the nature of mothers. Perhaps she should question the Halflings shifter companion and see if she recalled her parentage.

But Ariadne had been right; these were not worries for the moment. The rending of the flesh had been more on principal. One such as herself did not take advice from a scullery handmaiden. When the door opened again, she turned to find Brysin entering and immediately kneeling upon the rug.

One who knows his place, she noted with approval.

“I have news for you, m’lady,”[/color] Brysin spoke, his voice filling the room.

The Morrigan inclined her head. “I expected as much. What news do you bring?”

He deserves a reward, she thought. Such unwavering loyalty, all of these years. He and Leda and Katsumiki and… there were more, but their names escaped her now, and besides, the shadow elemental was the one before her now.

But what did one such as Brysin desire? She was certain there was something she could offer, but what enticed him most?

Perhaps the answer would become apparent in time. For the moment, she was eager to hear the news that he brought.

TAGS: brysin
WORD COUNT: 530
NOTES: ragefaaaaace
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[crimson]

Without lifting his head he could feel Mother War's eyes as they swept over him. Just her presence was an amazing thing. When you entered the same room as her, or more like when she decided to acknowledge you, something hit you like a ton of bricks. Though most humans couldn't see it her aura was so strong she may as well have glowed. In all the time he had known her it had been apparent that she was special and not just because she was the head demon. Even if she had been just a normal demon, she would have been amazing; that, though, was not a thought he could ever vocalize. If she even thought that he was thinking of her as anything other than his master she would do to him what she had done to so many humans. More than once he had seen her lay out a dozen full grown men for being in the same room as her when she was mad, and that was just with her claws. When the beak came into play a whole different story began.


As he looked towards the ground, which was quite an easy thing to do since his head was pressed to his blade, he saw, not for the first time, the blood stained floors of the Morrigan’s chambers. The cold, black marble did not hold up well against the many deaths that were administered within its confines. There were scratches as deep as his middle finger was long, and it was impossible to look two or three feet in both directions and not see stains from the blood of mere humans. The first time he had ever met the powerful demon had been in this room. He had almost met the same fate as many of the others who had come to her over time. If it had not been for the black flash in his eyes and the black war hammer appearing in his hands, just soon enough to knock her away she would have killed him. It was then that she had known he was more than a human whose futile attempts to help would mean nothing to her. She also learned of his sister, the white haired girl who could control light, being a half demon. Until that day they didn’t know themselves. They knew that both of their parents had been able to control elements, but they had not known that their father wasn’t truly their father. He was also a half demon, but he had not been their mothers mate. He was snapped from his day dream when his master spoke, “I expected as much. What news do you bring?”

“I have found only two more to join us. One is a half demon by the name of Aarions. He says his father was once in your army, but fell in the initial uprising. The other is a full demon, he seems powerful enough, but he worries me. Something is off with the way he speaks, I think he has something to hide, but I dared not push farther in the position I was in. There are many others, I can smell them, but they do not wish to be found. Perhaps if I had someone with me it would be easier.

“I know that is none of my concern, but that is not the biggest of our worries. On my way back I crossed over Italy, Rome to be more specific, and it seems that more and more ArchDemons are gathering. We may have a fight sooner than we expected.”

Words: 602
Tagged: The Morrigan
Note: OHSHITRAGEFACE!

[The Morrigan]

[atrb=border,0,true][atrb=cellSpacing,0,true][atrb=cellPadding,0,true][atrb=style, width: 500px; height: 700px; background: url(http://i55.tinypic.com/2w7g5sm.png) no-repeat, bTable][atrb=style, height: 199px; vertical-align: bottom] they stab it with their steely knives but they just can’t kill the beast

[atrb=style, height: 402px; vertical-align: top] Brysin kept his head bowed, stating his report cleanly, clinically. Just as she preferred. “I have found only two more to join us. One is a half demon by the name of Aarions. He says his father was once in your army, but fell in the initial uprising. The other is a full demon, he seems powerful enough, but he worries me. Something is off with the way he speaks, I think he has something to hide, but I dared not push farther in the position I was in. There are many others, I can smell them, but they do not wish to be found. Perhaps if I had someone with me it would be easier.” He knew it for dangerous territory, though, and continued onward. “I know that is none of my concern, but that is not the biggest of our worries. On my way back I crossed over Italy, Rome to be more specific, and it seems that more and more ArchDemons are gathering. We may have a fight sooner than we expected.” She slashed her claws along the side of the nearest bookcase, claws shearing neatly through the wood. It was not a gesture made in anger, however; it was one of excitement, judging by the sudden fire alight in her eyes. “Then let them come. I would ride out this instant and end them myself.” Ah, but Katsumiki had advised against that. Something about it being the exact opposite of ‘prudent’. Or some such. She huffed in irritation, at the rational voice in the back of her mind that she so desperately wished to snuff out. “I will send an initiate with you on your next expedition out.” Who were the two Leda had just brought in? She had been waiting for them for some time. Z-… ‘Z’ something. Zylon? Zakat? Zedeki? Zanga, the rational side of her offered. But no, he was much too skilled for such an introductory level job. And the other one, that- that shifter, she needed to prove herself. She would send her with him and let Brysin make his assessment of her skills and loyalty. “Did you happen to take notice of the morale of the Archdemons?” She wanted to know how the defectors felt about being trampled underfoot. Or, as she preferred to imagine, ripped to pieces in the most agony one could imagine for interrupting her. For interrupting her genocide of the human race. They knew why she was doing it. It should have been done years ago. And still they fought for those pathetic fools, insignificant, fragile as eggshells. Demons were fighting for them. Even while knowing… It was enough to make her want to rip everything apart right now. TAGS: Brysin WORD COUNT: 453 NOTES: RIPTIME NOW KTHXBBQBAI

[atrb=style, height: 125px; vertical-align: top] template by jawn of AA, OTE, DMB and TC

[crimson]

Brysin looked up only slightly as the Morrigan slashed her vicious claws through the intricate book case. From the look in her eyes she was not mad, but excited that there may be bloodshed in the near future. He knew it was one of her favorite things, and that was one of the many personality traits they had in common. They both lived for war, though their reasons were slightly different, they had the same love. Killing, slashing through flesh, both human and super-natural, was one of their favorite feelings. He had not been as much like that before he came to Greece and began serving the Mother War herself, but it had grown on him quickly. Because of this, he had risen quickly in her ranks, higher than any other half-demon anyway.

“I will send an initiate with you on your next expedition out.” He heard her say, and as she did his expression dropped, though he made sure it changed before she turned again to face him. He had not been looking for a newly recruited hand, but one that was experienced and knew not only what to look for in recruits, but how Brysin worked. Not many people could keep up with his pace because of the way he chose to travel, and that was why he had been working alone for four years. As all this came through his mind another thought did as well. He would never complain about this to his leader. Though she tended to be more liberal with him he didn’t want to test her, for he himself had felt her wrath on more than one occasion. Even with the demon healers his back had still scarred, as had his shoulder from the deep bite she had given him with her monstrous beak. He also knew well why she would be sending a new recruit with him: she wanted his thoughts on him or her. This was something she had had him do more than once, and though he didn’t enjoy it, he would do as she asked.

Almost as soon as she had stated that her tone changed to one of that was more intrigued. “Did you happen to take notice of the morale of the Archdemons?” she asked, her voice little more than soft. He hadn’t truly looked at them, just taken notice that they were there, but what he had seen didn’t look like anything special. They seemed to be moving around just as humans had in his home town, not as if they were determined, but not as if they lacked motivation. “They weren’t overly active, but there were enough that they could be forceful quickly if they were to be talked up. I didn’t sense any major force, as I do when in your presence, and that’s how you’ve described his feeling. He may have been away, or it may just be a coincidence that that many were gathered in the same location.

Words: 500
Tags: THE MORRIGAN!
Notes: Don’t see the face!

[The Morrigan]

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[atrb=style, height: 402px; vertical-align: top] She could nearly feel the droop in his demeanor the second she spoke of sending the shapeshifter with him, and smirked. His discomfort at this amused her and pleased her in equal measures; his loyalty was such that he would not protest what he saw as a hindrance upon his duties, but he was still unsure of whether or not he was skilled enough to maintain a satisfactory performance while towing the shifter about. Though towing might not be necessary. The shifter possessed a rather admirable aptitude for the easing of forms, sliding from one into another. She had a natural talent for it. Certainly not that of demons who had been doing it for several millennium, but still. Towing wasn't a given. With some lucidity returning, she took a careful breath and turned, claws dulling into something more resembling the nails of a human. Her eyes sharpened and she turned to look at him full-on, allowing him the entirety of her gaze. His eyes remained trained on the ground. Submissive until the end. While it was heartening that he would still be loyal enough to avert his gaze, it did betray a lack of ambition. And while less ambition among those closest to her provided significantly less worry, it disappointed her, in a way. No drive, no fervor, no desire to reach higher than his current station, only the desire to please. Servile. Being such had sickened her so long ago. Did no one feel the same chafing under her rule? She rather enjoyed a challenge. But then again, she was providing them with the blood they had cried out for under his rule. Thousands could fall, but so long as they had the thrill of battle to look forward to, no demon would halt their advance. The idea of bloodshed was much too enticing. The same was true of her, she thought. It was problematic, especially during those periods of fog, but at least then she was on the same level as those she ruled. Mindless desire for battle and things she could not put names to. The rebellion of the Archdemons sated the need for battle, at least, though it was problematic for her ultimate goal. The humans had been given far too much time to recuperate, because of the delay the Archdemons had provided. Curse him and his love of balance... “They weren’t overly active, but there were enough that they could be forceful quickly if they were to be talked up. I didn’t sense any major force, as I do when in your presence, and that’s how you’ve described his feeling. He may have been away, or it may just be a coincidence that that many were gathered in the same location."

[/color]

She waved a dismissive hand. "I do not believe in coincidences where numbers of opposition are gathered. His hand is involved in this somehow. You and the shapeshifter will scout out the Archdemons; their numbers, their base of operations, weaponry, organization, outfitting. They could be spread out, hoping to divert attention from the true center, or hoping to project an image of a lack of centralized command. We cannot know until you find him. Where you find him, you find the heart."

She glared at her collapsed bookcase.

"And we will cut the heart out."

TAGS: Brysin
WORD COUNT: 551
NOTES: Lucid! For once.
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