Closed Just Desserts [Mirage]

[Annalisa Marin]

Anna noted the long silence from Daren, one that bred a worry or two in her mind as well as allowing the cautious part of her mind a slight growth. Silence could be interpreted in any number of ways, some of them were not entirely innocent prospects. Just as Daren had said words carried weight here, a lack thereof could speak just as many volumes. The wizard waited for a response, willing to give him the benefit of the doubt at the moment.

His explanation was odd initially and she opened her mouth to comment on false modesty being wasted on her, but a raised hand forestalled her protest. The glint of crimson caught her eyes again and this time the design was more easily noticed, a half closed eye wrought from what looked like silver twisted its way around his index finger. Again it vanished into his pocket as he elaborated on his initial self assessment. Anna made a note to inquire as to its meaning when the opportunity presented itself.

The fact the Sahova had apparently been more strict, rigid, and cold seemed rather impossible to Anna's eyes. Places didn't get much more strict, rigid, or cold for the living in her opinion. Still she listened, noting the rather somber change in his demeanor as he spoke. His rather tragic background moved a slight cord of sympathy inside of her, a human emotion her mother had fostered during their time together.

She allowed unfamiliar feelings to form in her, giving him a slight smile of her own. It sometimes amused her that people cared how she judged them, that they didn't realize a rather horrible truth was a part of her very being. Few people were sympathetic to Chaons, especially those that relished in the acts Rhysol demanded of them. Whatever sin's Daren had committed were small by comparison to what she had done. Betrayal, torture, causing suffering for amusement, and destruction for its own sake, such things were what she existed for.

"I think no less of you, Daren. I know about second chances myself, from what I've learned as long as you are true to your nature then you have not wasted it. It is only when you know yourself truly that you may thrive." Anna offered, speaking as the Chaon and not as the wizard.

She was feeling much better for her time speaking with Daren, even in her fevered state Anna was feeling more alive than she had been in days. The wizard felt her breath stolen by the sight of the impressive doors before her, each one a work of art in itself. The rest of the Citadel seemed rather poor in comparison to this place, she could only wonder what the inside looked like.

Anna noted Daren's offered hand and she hesitated for a moment, the mark left from where Rhysol's blood touched her flaring slightly. Not painfully but in an almost erotic sense, the sweet caress of chaos swimming under the surface of her mind. It was the price one paid for being blessed by the dark god, the desire to spread his chaos to all. Chaon affected whatever it touched in someway, sometimes it was obvious and other times it was not. Physically Anna looked no different for the mark, but for the scar, mentally was a different story. The more she used it, the closer she felt to her god which in turn translated into wanting to use it more.

Touching someone in a physical way was often dangerous, for even if she controlled whether it activated or not the desire to use it was more insidious than the sweet whispers could ever hope to be. With but a single whim she could strike Daren blind or deaf, even though she like him the danger was there and the desire was strong. She managed to reign it in, reminding herself that cursing him would be rather disadvantageous and overly cruel. He had only proven worthy of her trust and friendship, he was not a target for a curse as of this moment.

She smiled at him and calmly grasped his hand in her own, nodding slightly to indicate he was correct in his words.

"Indeed, you are certainly better than the lot of sad individuals roaming the Quarters. If only slightly." The wizard teased lightly with a wink of her own.

[Mirage]

Daren nodded gratefully at Anna's kind words, and slowly his fingers wrapped around hers. As his skin brushed Anna's a vision would pass before her eyes, a blinding white flash filling her mind. She heard a scream, her own or someone else? She couldn't be sure. The feeling of white hot metal pressed against her skin, and then images began to race by. She was in her room and a man approached, suffocating her. The vision passed and another replaced it. In the Quarters once more, this time the man bound her wrists and angles as he cut the top of her shirt to reveal her chest, the scar clearly visible. Again the vision changed, and this time the man held her by the chin, bringing her face close to his as the scent of garlic filled her nostrils.

Then it was gone, and all memory of the event faded as quickly as it had happened until Anna noticed she had been standing perfectly still for nearly a chime. Daren looked into her eyes, an expression of concern written on his features, "Are you... alright?" He squeezed her hand gently, pulling her toward the door as he pushed it open with one hand, "Here you should go see Amaryllis quickly and get your wound cleaned up. I think your fever might be getting worse."

As they passed through the door Anna would feel as if she were passing through an invisible veil. It tugged and pulled at her skin, but the gem in Daren's ring glowed softly and the feelings dissipated. They found themselves in a large chamber, the center of which was a Giant pool of some strange liquid. The Architecture was beautiful ancient Alahean, and it looked as new as when it was first created. This was the Palsa Hydrasa, one of the few true remnants of Alahea left in this world. Once they were over the threshold Daren quickly let go of Anna's hand, looking slightly embarrassed as he did so. He pointed further into the room where another door could be seen at the opposite end of the still pool.

"That is Amaryllis' office. Go to her and ask for supplies to treat the infection." He hesitated before continuing, "She is the Chief Embalmer of Sahova, and rather... eccentric. She is a very influential person in the Citadel, and some say she has hold on many of the Council of Five as well. Be polite, and be sure to tell her how beautiful you think she looks." He smiled a coy smile, "She is really big into her looks, and if you really want to get on her good side stroke her ego a bit."

He shuffled back a couple steps, hand on the great carved door as he looked at Anna, "I've got to go for now, but I will see you again soon. Remember you promised to let me show you around the Citadel." He winked, and Anna would feel a fluttering in her chest, the sense of affection stronger this time, but quickly it faded once more, "I'll find you again soon Anna. Good luck."

The door closed softly, but the sound of it echoed across the completely silent room, bouncing off the stone walls and reverberating. The water in the pools were perfectly still, like glass that reflected everything around it. Amaryllis would be found in her office, eyes on a piece of parchment spread across her desk, the end of the roll nearly touching the floor. The nuit scratched on the surface with a peacock feathered quil, and she seemed to be deep in thought.

*****

Daren stared at the closed doors to the Palsa Hydrasa for nearly a chime, his eyes never leaving the carved surface, barely blinking. Rather suddenly her turned, ramming his fist into the stone wall behind him hard enough that blood began to trickle from his knuckles to roll down the surface of the stone.

"Fucking Chaon..."

"We saw it! We saw it though! We knew we knew!"

He jerked his head to the right, "Shut up! I'm trying to think."

"She's dangerous, we should just kill her. She will us, kill us without mercy."

"Kill us kill us! She's gonna kill us! *hehe*

"I said shut the petch up! I want her, she is mine... She is mine, mine mine..." He slammed his forehead into the wall as well, drawing blood once more as he balled his hands into fists.

"Lets take it from her, her memories. Lets take it all, her thoughts, her ambitions. Wipe her mind, her soul. She doesn't have to think for what we want..."

Daren pounded his head twice more against the wall, squeezing his eyes shut, "Shut up..."

"No we did that last time, and it was a disaster. She was useless, and we had to get rid of her later. Just kill her and keep the parts we want. Just keep the good stuff."

"Keep the goods, keep the goods!

Daren shook his head, straightening slowly. Pushing the hair out of his face he opened his eyes, "No... we are going to wait. I want her... I will make her mine. I want her... I want her..." He repeated this over and over as he turned, walking down the corridor, speaking to no one at all.

[Annalisa Marin]

Anna blinked, shaking her head slightly as though she were dispelling a thought from her mind. She had been standing still for a chime, why had she been simple standing in place for a chime? The wizard couldn't remember, pain, it had something to do with pain she thought. Her hand was injured, was that the problem? Yes, that was it, that had to be the problem. Daren, he mentioned her fever so that was likely the problem. She needed to get it checked out, that was why she was here in the first place after all.

The wizard nodded numbly to him, feeling like there was something more but brushed it off as she began to pass the threshold. A strange force tugged and pulled at her but a glow came from Daren's ring, ending the feeling and letting her enter safely. The Chaon felt her breath stolen as she looked upon the architecture of the Palsa Hydrasa, it was beyond mere mortal description in her eyes. The doors had been but a taste of the wonders that laid beyond, truly the splendor of Alehean architecture was unmatched by anything the wizard had laid eyes upon.

She must have looked rather like a slack jawed fool, but her awe was genuine in every possible way. Daren released her hand, drawing her back to the world and allowing her to regain her composure. Her eyes flicked up to him, a wry smile on her face at his apparent embarrassment. It was rather amusing in a way, he'd been so confident before and now he shied away from her after merely holding her hand.

Anna followed his direction, gazing upon Amaryllis' office with some interest. He listened to his instructions regarding the Nuit embalmer, knowing what he meant by stroking her ego. Occasionally it had been necessary for her to swallow her pride and praise wizards, who were her lesser, at the University because they had something she needed. It had never been pleasant but this Nuit sounded extremely well informed by the way Daren spoke, perhaps healing was not all that could be obtained from her if she swallowed her pride extra well.

"Thank you for your help Daren, I look forward to our next meeting." She offered as he moved to leave, feeling that affection bubbling in her chest once more.

When he was out of her sight and she was alone in the wonderful place she first allowed her eyes to wander again, truly the Palsa Hydrasa was a wonder in her eyes. Part of her simply wanted to explore every inch of the place and bask in the presence of such timeless beauty. Though, the need for her wounds was greater than her curiosity. Besides, Anna found herself wondering about that ring again and by extension Daren. He was friendly but perhaps with enough fawning this embalmer might divulge some information beyond that, like what he did here and what rank he held. She liked him, but a Chaon who did not cover angles was a poor Chaon.

The tall woman strode to the office, her gaze occasionally flickering to the side to look upon the glassy pools. What was within there? Anna halted at the door, deciding to take Daren's words to heart and keep a modicum of civility with fawning mixed in. One did not simply barge into someone's office, Anna remembered chastising a number of students for having the audacity to barge in on her. Rumors that the same students had suffered eyesight loss or became mute for a time were utterly coincidental of course.

Instead Anna knocked on the door, gathering her composure slightly as she did so.

"Excuse me, Mistress Amaryllis? I was told that you are the most skilled and knowledgeable medical expert on the island. I believe the word radiant was also offered as well. I was hoping you could assist me with a problem of such a nature." The wizard explained.

Radiant was probably laying it on thick, but as far as Anna was concerned she'd say most anything to get medical attention. Short of blasphemy against Rhysol of course. Regardless the wizard opted to wait until she was summoned, best not to agitate someone who had a hold over the ruling body of the island. When permitted she would enter.

[Mirage]

Amaryllis did not look up as she spoke, "As I have said countless times, do not call me Mistress. I do not care for such formal titles, as they make me sound far older than I am." She quite blatantly ignored the fact that she was already well past her 500th year of unlife, "And if you must endear yourself to me, at the very least use some subtlety."

Finally she looked up, her eyes scanning Anna up and down before looking back to her parchment, quill never stopping its scribbling, "I do not recognize your body, so you are clearly not one of mine. You also appear to be breathing, so obviously you are another living apprentice to be come knocking on Sahova's doors, which SHOULD have remained well shut." She said this with an obvious amount of distaste which spoke a lot of this new 'open door' policy Sahova had adopted. Making a few final marks Amaryllis set the quill down and rolled the parchment up, staring it away on a shelf behind her desk. Standing with the grace of a well cultured woman, the nuit walked around to better examine Anna, folding her arms under her breasts with confidence.

There was a rather startling difference between Amaryllis and the rest of the nuits of Sahova. Her skin still seemed to hold some color and showed no signs of rot, only slight bags could be seen weighing beneath her eyes, as if she had simply lost a bit of sleep the night before. Her face was a well placed mask, devoid of obvious thought or emotion, and when she looked over Anna her eyes reflected countless thoughts which passed through her ancient mind. The Embalmer did not meet the Wizard's eyes. Instead she sized her up and down, taking careful note of height, width, and especially important assets such as bust and hip width. Amaryllis did not bother to hide her scrutiny the woman's physique. Anna was actually a couple inches taller than Amaryllis, but the Embalmer did not seem to notice and stood just as straight, somehow seeming to look down upon her even with the height difference.

After a short pause while Amaryllis finished her examination, she said, "There is still some work to be done, but much better condition than what I usually have to work with. It is difficult to get women with curves, as they are eaten away quickly by the island." Finally she met Anna's eyes with her own. Old eyes, eyes that knew secrets, eyes that knew just how much power she had, and what kind of influence she held. Eyes of a woman in control, with true power. Eyes that searched for something similar in Anna, "Who are you, and who let you in here. Those who have not been named apprentices are not allowed to bother me without good reason, and every wizard knows this. Your need, I assume, must be urgent indeed."

[Annalisa Marin]

The wizard felt rage broil under the surface of her mind, the woman had barely spoken a few sentences and already Anna desired to curse her until any decorum of false beauty was stripped from her. Quite an accomplishment if the wizard was being entirely fair to the embalmer. The wizard locked her jaw in place and accepted the words, keeping them close in mind for future reference. Also ticking up a strike for the Embalmer on her mental list.

Since arriving on Sahova, Anna fancied a way to pass the time was to remember the names and locations of those nuits and pulsers that dared look down upon her. To recall them for later use when she was in a position to make them squirm in some way, there were very few substitutes for a vindictive mind. With that filed away she noted the way Amaryllis was staring at her body with some discomfort. The static intensity of the Nuit was not vacant from her either, it would seem.

Anna got the feeling she was being looked down upon and it most certainly irritated her, however she kept her calm. No good would come of letting another deathless... thing rattle her nerves. She needed to just keep her calm, to keep up the façade of politeness she'd been wearing for so long. Now was not the time for it to fall.

Her comments on her body were worthy of a shudder but Anna refused to appear to weak, even now in her fevered state she had some pride. That would never be taken by this island and neither would her faith, she was not going to die here. She'd sooner burn her own body in lava than let some nuit take host in it. Especially not some trussed up undead peacock with delusions of grandeur.

Anna met Ameryllis' gaze unflinchingly, her grey eyes had stared into the infinite nothingness of the Void. She had stared into the powerful white eyed gaze of Rhysol and seen what true power was. Compared to a god what could this Nuit be? Nothing. Her own eyes held youthful years behind them and carried the nature of her chilling arrogance within.

She smiled disarmingly, bowing her head slightly but not breaking her gaze for a moment.

"I am pleased you find my form to be of higher quality than most. I fear I lack your current one's life and grace though." She offered.

"I am Annalisa Marin, visitor currently and hopeful apprentice. I was brought here by a living apprentice named Daren, who suggested I ask you for your assistance regarding a fever I'm dealing with due to a wound suffered. If you would not have me address you with the honorific of 'mistress' what shall I call you?" Anna asked politely, displaying the wounded hand along with its crude wrappings.

The wizard was out of her element here, she was in a fevered state and in an unfamiliar place with unfamiliar people. This day could probably only get worse. With her luck, the embalmer would think her body better served here without life in it rather than give any assistance. The wizard prayed this was not the case.

[Mirage]

Amaryllis raised an eyebrow, "Well you have a spine at least. More than I can say for most who come to see me. And your eyes are not weak or clouded by your desires." She said this with a hint of approval, "A woman who remains composed while planning treachery in the depths of her heart is a woman to be respected, despite her youth." She turned and returned to her desk, taking up a few leafs of parchment, "But certainly not one to be trusted."

She returned with papers in hand, looking down at the hand offered to her, but she was careful not to touch it, "Annalisa Marin... An unusual name. Well then remove those bandages and discard them. They are useless to you now. Follow me and we shall see to it that you do not lose your arm."

The Embalmer walked around Anna, not bothering to look back and see if she really followed. She of course knew Anna would. As they walked she would speak over her shoulder, "You may simply call me Amaryllis. That name holds all the honor which I need, but if you insist on some semblance of formalities to keep up your image then you may also refer to me as Miss Amaryllis when necessary." She was silent for a moment, but when her next question came she showed no real interest in the answer, "How have you come to know Daren Marlow then?"

[Annalisa Marin]

Anna took the observations Amaryllis offered as compliments, slightly raising her opinion of the undead to some degree. Not enough to where that strike was dispelled but enough to where some small amount of respect was imparted upon the undead. She was certainly better than the other Nuit Anna had possessed the misfortune of meeting here, for one she was actually talking to her. Which was quite the shift.

Trust. That word again, that foolish ideal that so many believed in only for them to realize how easy it was broken. The undead seemed to have some idea of the kind of woman she was, though the wizard opted to keep to her silence there. The observation was right, Anna saw no point in refuting it at this point.

The wizard did as instructed, removing and discarding the wrappings, wincing as she looked upon the wound once more. She followed the embalmer closely, having no wish to lose herself in this place. Losing her arm would be kind of a big drawback, glyphing with only one arm would be quite awkward. Reimancy wouldn't be a problem though, res could come from any part of the body after all.

Amayllis apparently thought her name was title enough, the wizard respected that amount of arrogance and pride. She filed that thought away in case she was brought down here again, if Daren was correct the embalmer was a wealth of potential information. Of course, nothing was free but Anna was confident she could work around that. Certainly there had to be other pulsers with acceptable potential bodies lying around...

The next question came as something of a surprise, why would the Nuit both asking about that? Daren Marlow, a full name now at the very least but the question still stood. Regardless it was polite to answer the question, then she could follow up with one of her own if need be.

"I was walking the Quarters when he noticed I was in a bad spot, so he helped me by bringing me here. Seems friendly enough, if a bit strange but what wizard isn't a little?" The wizard said with a slight shrug.

The tall woman was silent for a beat, before asking the question that was rather close to her mind at the moment. A small thing that was irking her, but likely Amaryllis could answer with ease.

"Do you happen to know the significance of having a silver ring with a half lidded eye? A ruby as the pupil?" The wizard inquired.

It was a simple thing probably, but Sahovan customs were still very much a mystery to her. She figured the ring signified rank or status of some kind, though she could very well be wrong. Seemed like a good thing to know what rank the man held at the very least, probably apprentice, no higher than a full wizard.

She wasn't even sure why that of all things had stuck out to her, probably was a simple thing. It had glowed when they entered the Palsa Hydrasa though, so perhaps it was not quite so simple.

[Mirage]

Amaryllis smiled slowly, more a sneer than a grin, though the expression was lost as her back was to Anna, "Friendly... Yes that is a word for it."

They did not have to walk far, and soon they reached the Surgery Chamber. The change was abrupt, the fine Alahean architecture giving way to simple cut stone and barren, artless design. Amaryllis set the papers she held on a table near the back of the table, and she motioned for Anna to sit upon the stone slab at the center of the room. She then busied herself collecting supplies as she spoke, "I always forget that those new to the island do not know what is common knowledge to the nuits here. Rings are given to Wizards, and their apprentices, to signify their rank within the Citadel. The material that the ring is crafted from shows the rank of the wizard, where as the design of it shows their field of specialization." She collected a large wash basin and several clean cloths, moving to set them on the slab beside Anna, saying simply 'wash the wound' before returning to her work, Simple copper or bronze is for the ranks of Apprentices, Silver shows that the person is a full Wizard. Gold Establishes that they have gained high renown within the Citadel. Beyond that the materials vary, and the details of the ring signify just how much power and position one holds." She returned with fresh bandages, and a strange green paste in a jar. Amaryllis showed Anna the ring on her own hand. Made of some material that looked remarkably like diamonds, yet molded as if it were metal. It was crafted into the shape of two needles crossed over one another. Blue gems rested in the holes where thread should go, and several other gems of varying color and shape circled the band itself. She then handed the jar to Anna, "Wash your wound every morning and every night, and then apply this paste after each washing. Change the bandages each time as well until the wound heals."

She took a moment to show Anna how to properly tie her bandages before leaving her with all she needed to doctor herself, returning to her sheets of paper and unrolling one of them to examine as she continued, "The one you described is the symbol of a Hypnotist, and a powerful one at that." She looked over the parchment at Anna, interest clear in her eyes, "He escorted you here. What exactly did you two speak of?"

[Annalisa Marin]

Anna listened intently as Amaryllis spoke, taking in every word and filing it away for future reference. It seemed like her initial assessment of the rings had been correct, a fact Anna was please to know. The wizard was quick to follow the embalmer's instructions and set about cleaning the would, soaking a cloth and wiping down the wound to the best of her abilities. Occasionally she lowered her hand into the basin to soak it up as she cleaned the cut, wincing slightly as a flare of pain lit up from the wound.

The ranks of the rings were quickly filed away as extremely important information to keep in mind at all times, continuing her ministrations throughout. The Nuit displayed her own for Anna to view and the wizard had to admit it was indeed impressive to gaze upon. It was just a status symbol perhaps, but Anna found herself wanting more and more to undergo her Judgment if only to possess a similar form of identification. She was tired of being nobody.

The wizard took the jar of green paste offered to her, examining its contents with a slightly curious expression. She concluded that it was perhaps not the best idea to question what laid within over much and simply nodded at the Nuit's instructions. She carefully noted how Amaryllis instructed her on tying the wound, nodding here and there in understanding as need demanded. The Nuit left her to administer it herself, examining her documents.

Anna started by applying the green paste on the wound, wincing as it made contact with the freshly cleaned wound. It was not a difficult task, but it was not exactly pleasant. She carefully began to apply the bandages as Amaryllis spoke, freezing at the offered information.

A memory of a time not so long ago filled her mind, alone in the forest, confronted by a man with a massive sword. Artificial thoughts planted in her mind, fear running down her spine unbidden. Her first experience with a hypnotist.

Hypnotists possessed some notoriety among wizards, believed to possess mind altering powers considered to be extremely powerful. Anna didn't know much more than that and her first hand experience, but that alone seemed enough to go on. Whatever the case was, everything was starting to make a horrible amount of sense to some degree. Her unfamiliar emotions, the thoughts of foolish trust so carelessly given. Not a mistake of a fever but the trick of a hypnotist.

Petch. Petch! You stupid petching fool, you played right into his hands. The wizard berated herself, a mental response to Amaryllis' question.

She had told him everything he needed to know to properly gauge her abilities, her disciplines, her place of learning, everything one needed to deal with a potential target. Anger, chaotic and pure bubbled on the surface of her mind. She would make that fool suffer for daring to trick her, to use her. She would- she would do nothing. No, murderous rage was not the way to go here. She needed to move with care, to watch him as he know doubt watched her. He was of higher rank and probably possessed more in arsenal than met the eye.

Anna continued to bind her wound, regarding the question when she was done. An odd sense of calm overtaking her.

"We talked about me, at his bidding. What magic I practice, where I was from, why I was here. He knows all of it, and I take it that is not exactly a good thing?" The wizard asked calmly.

[Mirage]

A smile lit the Nuit's lips as she looked back down at the parchment, "Offering such information to anyone is rarely favorable, but in this case you are not dealing with a simple merchant, and it is not just coin at stake if the information is miss used." She flipped to the next page, eyes quickly scanning, "Wizards are not known for their moral high grounds, and even the most gentle seeming should not be taken lightly."

Her smile widened "Daren Marlow is no little lamb. Even in Sahova where Wizards abound, he has made quite a name for himself." She said this rather vague, as if initing further questions, further investigation. Amaryllis did not look up from her papers, though she was not reading them as intently as she had been before. No more information would be offered, it would need to be sought out.

OOCShort post but setting up the next! Oh and you may start your Judgement thread whenever you want now that we know Anna wont be losing her hand lol