Five Days of Mischief (solo/training)

[Liam]

Spring 22, 511 AV Wesley Therin sat alone in his study examining the invoices his father had given him to look over. He had been at it for about an hour when Liam showed up, and was unaware that he was now being watched. As far as he knew he was all alone in the room, but Liam was sitting invisible in the chair on the other side of the desk. Liam glanced at the paperwork, but it really wasn't anything of use to him, just shipping details and things of that sort. If it had been something of value he might have changed his plans for the night, but as such everything was to go according to plan. Not that Liam had much of a plan anyway, he was simply planning to pester the poor young man until he ran out of energy. This was the same man who, just a few days earlier, Liam has attempted to possess. He wasn't planning he same thing tonight, but it would likely prove just as exhausting to the inexperienced ghost. Liam's eyes roamed over the room, trying to determine the best place to start. He might feel sorry for Wesley later, but his mind was in no such place for pity at that moment. To Liam, everything he was doing was just another step towards getting his revenge. Wesley. while not technically one of the enemies, was the son of a minor supplier to the Black Sun, so Liam felt justified in his actions for it would disrupt trade with his enemies and thus, slow their progress. It was all the excuse Liam needed to continue his training, and as his eyes finally settled on the inkwell Wesley was dipping his feather pen onto Liam knew just where he would start. Liam closed his eyes and concentrated, clearing his mind of all thoughts other than the inkwell. He pictured in his mind exactly what he wanted to do, and if he had been visible a smile would have been seen spreading on his ghostly lips. Liam reached an invisible hand out toward the ink, concentrating still. He could feel the soul mist, the essence that made up his being, gathering around the tips of his fingers and when he felt he had focused enough Liam gave the well of ink a little push. ...nothing happened. The ink had barely moved, certainly not enough for Wesley to notice, and Liam threw his hands up in frustration. Why does everything as a ghost have to be some hard!? He thought to himself as he began to focus again. This time he would push it harder. Again he reached out his hand and waited as the soulmist gathered, building the energy it would take to move the object. Liam pushed again, much harder than the last time, and the ink inched forward. At first it was slow going as Liam continued to build energy, unsure of how much it actually took to move the object. Wesley, oblivious to the ink well slowly sliding toward the edge of the desk, continued to read his paperwork. Liam pushed harder and the ink slid across the desk and fell off landing in Wesley's lap.

[Liam]

"What the &@"%!" Wesley jumped to his feet. Ink was all over his pants and a stream of curses flew from his lips as he tried and failed to clean himself off. "Great," he muttered to himself, "I don't know how I did that but these pants are ruined now." Wesley walked over to the door to his room, followed by an invisible Liam who was barely able to contain his laughter. Wesley walked over to the wardrobe and pulled out a clean pair of pants, setting them on the bed, then went went to wash the ink from himself as best he could. Meanwhile, Liam was reaching for the pants, focusing again on the soulmist that made up his body. He reached under the pants, pushing them up into the air. Slowly they lifted off the bed until they were suspended a few feet off the ground hanging as if by an invisible string. Liam pushed again, this time in the direction of the open wardrobe, and the pants began to float in that direction. Grin on his face Liam pushed the pants into the wardrobe and back onto the shelf from which they'd come, then focused his will on the door to the wardrobe itself. This was a bit harder and normally Liam would only be able to push a couple pounds of force, but thanks to the miracle of hinges that was all it took to slowly push the door closed. By the time Liam was done he was exhausted and moved to the corner of the room to watch his handiwork unfold. Eventually Wesley gave up on removing the ink and went to grab the fresh pants from the bed, only to find nothing there. "What in Rhysol's graces, I could have sworn I took our a pair of pants." Wesley walked over to the wardrobe and flung the door open, his jaw dropping when he saw the pants laying right where he thought he had gotten them from. Wesley stood there, half naked in his under garments, staring at the pants before finally muttering under his breath, "I must be going mad." He grabbed the pants and pulled them on before returning to his work and cleaning up the mess of ink, all the while wondering why in the world he was so out of it that night. Liam, amused and highly pleased with his mischievous ways, fled the scene before breaking down with laughter. The look on Wesley's face had been priceless. Who ever said he couldn't have fun every now and then? It almost pained Liam that he still had to do what he eventually planned to do to the poor young man... Almost.

[Liam]

Timestamp: Spring 23, 511 AV The following afternoon Liam was rested and recharged, ready to cause more mischief. Wesley had managed to push the strange events of the night before out of his mind, attributing then to random chance rather than some sort of ghostly intervention. Wesley was leaving his house on his way to see his father, knowing the man would not be pleased with the lack of work he had done the night before. Liam, however, was very pleased as he followed the young man to his fathers shop. Perhaps there he could do some real damage while honing his skills. The previous night had been amusing, but hadn't really accomplished anything of value. Wesley entered his fathers shop and was greeted warmly, only for the mood to change when he explained that he had not gotten much work done the previous night. "What is wrong with you, boy? You go put every other night to see your whores, you're always drinking, you just can't do anything right. I give you a simple enough task and you don't even finish.. Spilled ink, more like spilled the bottle I'd wager." Wesley and his father continue to argue but Liam quickly became bored and began to wander around the shop. There were all sorts of herbs and medicines, some Liam recognized and many he did not. It had been many years since he'd practiced medicine, but he also knew this shop dealt in poisons. There was nothing marked so, but Liam guessed the poisons were not kept on display. His thoughts were not interrupted until he noticed the father and son had stopped arguing. Then of course there was the customer who walked right through Liam, greeting the herbalist and his son. "Gabriel, Wesley, so good to see you." The newcomer shivered, an after effect of having passed through a ghost, "Is it cold in here or is it just me?" The father welcomed the customer, his earlier argument with his son completely forgotten. "Richard, so good to see you again? What can I do for an up and coming young Agent. Are you just here for medicines, or are you looking for a special order today?" If Liam wasn't already paying attention he was now. The customer was an Agent, which in this city usually meant Black Sun. Liam listened intently as the three men talked about his order, mizas were exchanged, and the agent left. The order was nothing special, just your basic salves and creams for treating burns and numbing pain, things of that sort. Liam considered tampering with the order once it was out together but decided against it. There was a chance the medicine might be used on somebody innocent, and Liam did not want to harm anyone who wasn't working for the Black Sun if he could avoid it. Liam was somewhat disappointed, he had hoped to find something useful to use against the Black Sun but the day had turned up empty thus far. Then something dawned on him.. The small pouch the agent had handed them, they didn't even bother to check it's contents. Wesley simply took the sack and set it behind the counter, then went back to his argument with his father. Slowly a plan began to form in Liam's mind. Liam went behind the counter, spotting the pouch of coins. It was the only one there at the moment, so Liam knew it was the right one. Liam reached out, focusing his soul mist around his hand until there was enough energy to push the bag up off the counter. Liam glanced over at the two men who were now distracted by a new customer. None of them were looking at the counter and Liam knew this was his chance. The bag was not heavy and it didn't take much force to push it toward the open window on the side of the building. With a final glance toward the men Liam pushed the bag out the window. Luckily nobody was paying the back of the shop any attention, otherwise a floating sack of coins might not have gone by so unnoticed.

[Liam]

Petch, this little pouch is getting heavy, Liam thought to himself as he pushed the sack along through the down the alley and away from the herbalist shop. Liam knew he needed to hurry before they noticed the bag was missing, so instead of carrying it with him to wherever he was going he found a nice dark spot behind a crate and dropped the pouch there. It jingled with the sound of coin as it hit the ground and Liam shot off down he alley. It didn't take him long to find what he was looking for, and he eventually came upon a sleeping homeless man sleeping behind a building next to one of the canals. Liam appeared in front of the man, and when he didn't wake Liam spoke. "You there!". That woke the man, who was startled and extremely surprised to find a see through man standing before him. The homeless man tried to stammer something but Liam quickly cut him off. "Yes, yes. I'm a ghost. Now then, I need help with something. It is not dangerous, and there is coin for you if you help." Liam did not wait for the beggar to reply, but simply said "follow me" and then headed back the way he'd come. The beggar hesitated for a moment, reasonably unsure of the offer, but the lure of easy coin inevitably won out and follow he did. Liam was waiting next to the crate with the Pouch behind it. "Glad to see you have some sense about you. Now, there is a pouch behind this crate. Take whatever coin you find within, I ask only that you refill the pouch with pebbles of about the same weight. Do this for me and there may more opportunities in the future.. Betray me and I will haunt you until you die. Deal?" Again the beggar was uncertain, but he definitely didn't want an angry spirit haunting him for life.. And then there was the coin. The beggar agreed to the terms, easily finding the bag and practically drooling over the ten gold mizas inside. "Okay.. Now the pebbles," Liam reminded him and the beggar quickly filled the bag with pebbles and other debris until it looked and weighed about the same as it did with the coins. Liam thanked the beggar the sent him on his way. He would have done all of it himself, but it probably would have taken forever and left him exhausted. This way has been much easier, and he could feel good about helping out the needy in the process.

[Liam]

Now came the hard part. Liam had to get the pouch back inside and behind the counter without being noticed. The reason this would be so hard was because now the owner was standing behind the counter, though he didn't look like a man who had been robbed so Liam took comfort in that at least. Wesley was nowhere to be seen, but judging by the sun in the sky he had most likely gone to the House of Immortal Pleasures to watch the whore he was too afraid to take service other men. Liam sneered, thinking of the boys cowardice and utter lack of manhood, but quickly reminded himself he had work to do. Liam stared down at the pouch, which was waiting merrily for him while he tried to figure out what exactly to do. Finally Liam settled on more mischief, and entered the shop unseen. Liam wandered over to one of the shelves, staring at a jar of what looked like pickled frogs... must be some strange herbal remedy or something, but it didn't really matter. He knew what he had to do, and knew it would be a waste of energy but it was his best option. Concentrating on his soulmist once again Liam reached out for the jar. For a moment he thought he saw a small ghostly tendril coming out of the edge of his fingertips. Not enough to give him any extra range, but enough to make Liam wonder if such a thing were possible of he continued to practice the skill. As the times before Liam concentrated on his soul mist, feeling it gather in strength and when it was ready he gave the jar a light push, tipping it over and knocking it to the floor. The jar shattered and frogs and green juice went everywhere. Liam jumped back to avoid getting his shoes soiled, then felt foolish when he realized that wasn't possible. The owner also jumped, surprised by the crash and let out a stream of curses when he saw the mess. Running over with an empty jar he quickly began collecting the frogs, which Liam could still not fathom what purpose they might serve. With the owner sufficiently distracted Liam went through the wall and back to the crate. He was getting tired but he still had one more task to finish. Luckily nobody had taken the pouch while he was gone, that would have been very annoying. Once again Liam began to concentrate, thinking in the back of his mind that he hoped it would get easier eventually. Whoever told the stories of ghosts flinging furniture about must have been off their rocker. Carefully Liam lifted the pouch of coins off the crate it was sitting on and maneuvered it through the open window. The owner was still busy cleaning up the mess Liam had caused and didn't notice as Liam pushed the little bag through the air and behind the counter. Liam lowered the pouch and returned it to the spot he had taken it from just in the nick of time. As the pouch settled Gabriel came around the counter and walked right through Liam, shivering as he did so. Liam was getting used to the feeling of having people walk right through him, and so was hardly surprised when it did happen. Liam quickly moved away and settled down to rest and wait for his mischief to be noticed...

[Liam]

Timestamp: Spring 24, 511 AV The reaction had been priceless, and Liam went to sleep feeling very satisfied with himself that night. He was turning out to be a regular poltergeist, but Liam knew eventually he would have to start taking things more seriously. As fun as it was to practice his skills, there was a reason behind all of it and Liam knew he couldn't lose sight of that reason. He had an impossible mission to accomplish, and was a long way from even getting close. Rhysol's following would not be crushed by spilt ink and missing coin, one day Liam would have to take things to a new level. But that day had not yet come, and once again Liam had something lighter in mind. Wesley was on his way to the House of Immortal Pleasures, a place he frequented often but rarely partook of it's wares. From what Liam could tell, Wesley was in love with one of the ladies there though he could never work up the courage to talk to her, much less bed her. The cowardice of the man sickened Liam, and of he had bowels to spill he might have just thinking about it. Liam had never been uncomfortable around the ladies, and he almost pitied Wesley for his incompetence in the matter. But Wesley's incompetence alone was not the only reason Liam was interested in the matter. Liam knew the woman whom Wesley was infatuated, and knew her to be an informant for the Black Sun. Mens lips were much looser when a woman's was pressed against theirs, and people such as she often found information valuable to the order. Such matters were beyond Liam's ability to deal with at the time, however, and for now his eyes were trained on the same thing as Wesley's.. the subtle curves of his infatuation as she moved before one of the House's patrons, her body slowly moving from top to bottom like a snake slithering across the ground. The woman turned her back to the man, continuing her snake-like dance as his eyes watched every move, every gyration. Liam glanced at Wesley and could see the desire and jealousy in his eyes, but he knew Wesley would not call her over to him. He was too timid, and seemed to enjoy watching almost as much as his desire to have her himself. Liam also knew she would not approach him on her own, not without the flash of coin, unless he was someone of import which, sadly, he was not. Liam moved behind Wesley, sending a cool chill down his spine, and leaned down to whisper in his ear. "Call her over..". Wesley jumped and turned around looking for the source of the voice, but could see nothing. Had he merely imagined it? There was nobody near him, except the ghost he could not see, and after a moment Wesley settled back in his seat to watch again. Yet he could not take his mind off the voice, and what it had told him to do. He wanted so badly to call her over, Satara was her name. He wanted to call Satara to him, but as always he was too timid. Besides it was getting late, he rationalized, and he was to meet his father in the morning for some urgent matter. As Wesley was about to leave he froze. Satara was coming toward him...

[Liam]

Liam saw it too, Satara had finished her performance and was leading the man she danced for toward them, likely to one of the side rooms behind them. Liam had no reason to want to help poor Wesley, but as he watched the boy freeze up and stare Liam could not bring himself to sit idly by. Liam plunged into Wesley, sending icy chills throughout his body and causing to tense up even more. He could sense Wesley's fear and recognition, and knew he would be expelled quicky. Liam spread out within the young man's body, grasping for control. He could feel Wesley pushing back, but Liam was at full strength at the moment and once again had caught Wesley while he was distracted. Wesley pushed to regain control, Liam pushed back harder and ordered him to stand. All this happened in the span of a few seconds, and Liam made Wesley stand just as Satara was passing, blocking her path. Wesley froze, and try as he might, Liam could not make him move from the spot. Liam pushed, tried to make Wesley do something, anything, but Wesley's fear was stronger than Liam could fight against. Satara eyed Wesely warily and asked him in her cool seductive voice, "Did you need something, dear?" Weley just stood there, staring and speechless. Liam gave up trying to get control and shouted in Wesley's head, SAY SOMETHING TO HER!! You look like a fool! Wesley's own mind was saying the same thing, and as Satara asked him again if he needed something Wesley stammered a nervous response. "I uh.. Um.. I.. Uh.. You are.. Um.. You are very beautiful.". Satara gave Wesley a coy smile, but Liam could tell that inside she was rolling her eyes. "Well thankyou darlin. If you like what you see, and got the coin, come find me in an hour and I'll show you just how beautiful I am..". Satara gave Wesley a playful wink and walked past, the man following her giving Wesley an agitated look as they headed to the back. Nice.. She's so into you now. Liam muttered, still inside Wesley's head. At those words Wesley snapped out of his trance and looked around frantically. Where was the voice coming from? And then he remembered how he had stood up in the first place and the chilling realization that he was not alone in his body creeped into his mind. "Who are you," Wesley whispered to himself, "What do you want with me?" I am nothing, Liam responded, and then he was gone.

[Liam]

Timestamp: Spring 25, 511 AV "Where did the coin go, Wesley!?" "I told you father, I don't know." "I know there was coin in that bag, boy. Don't tell me it just disappeared and turned into rocks. I was here all night and the only one who handled it was you! I don't give you enough allowance already!? Did you need more money to go see your whore, is that what it was!?" Liam listened as Wesley's father berated him, quite pleased that his handiwork had turned out so well. Wesley's father thought he had taken the coin and replaced it with stones, all for a woman he was too afraid to even talk to. Liam would have been happier if the father had blamed the agent, but things had turned out well enough. Liam could work with it. Once again he approached Wesley from behind, leaning down and whispering in his ear. "Why do you suffer this?". Wesley, startled, turned around quickly in search of the voice's source, but again saw nothing. "Don't you look away from me boy! You face me when I'm talking to you!" Wesley turned back shaking his head in confusion. "Didn't you hear that?" His father gave him an angry look and roared, "Hear what? My cowardly son afraid to face up to what he's done wrong? Cause that's all I hear." Liam found it all rather amusing, and leaned in again to whisper in the young man's ear. "He accuses you of everything.. You are worthless in his eyes. Demand his respect!"[/ b] Wesley shook his head trying to rid himself of the invisible whispers. [b]"Shut up!" His father's jaw dropped, and Wesley froze, realizing what he had just done. "How.. Dare.. You," his father started, but Liam suddenly dove into Wesley and forced him into action. Liam was still tired from all his previous antics, but he was still able to accomplish what he needed. Liam ordered Wesley's body into motion, feeling the muscles in his arms tense as his hand lifted into the air. Liam could feel the resistance of Gabriel's face as the palm of Wesley's hand slapped across it. He could feel Wesley's shock and see his father's rage as the hand was lowered. A red mark where he had struck was evidence to the force of the strike and Liam, pleased with the result, stepped out of Wesley's body and fled the scene.

[Liam]

Timestamp: Spring 26, 511 AV Wesley sat alone in his room, slumped on his bed and lost in thought. Things had not gone well with his father. After he struck him his father had become furious and beat Wesley severely, leaving many bruises and Welsey feared he might have had to see a doctor if his father hadn't stopped when he did. Wesley had been banished to his room and was to await his father's summons the next day. Why had he done that, Welsey wondered? Why had he struck his father, so out of character for him? And yet it has felt good to do it, a small part of him admitted. But still, he didn't understand what had happened. Liam was there, watching and waiting. At first he had thought to possess him again when his father finally summoned him, but after a few hours of boredom a new idea had entered his mind. Liam approached, invisible and silent, until he was standing right in front of the distraught man. What he was about to do was a risk, it could ruin his future plans, but if it worked like he hoped he would be very pleased. Taking a moment to reaffirm his course of action, Liam finally nodded to himself and spoke aloud. "Are we going mad now, Wesley?" There it was again! That voice that had spoken in the House of Immortal Pleasures, that had spoken right before he struck his father. Only this time it was not whispered in his ear, but had come from right in front of him. Wesley looked up in alarm, but as before there was nothing to be seen. "Who? What are you?" Liam smiled, but did not show himself to the man. That would ruin everything, he had to remain hidden for it to work. Even so pulling off what he was thinking of would still be difficult. "I am you, Wesley. I am your inner most desire." "Wha.. me? I don't understand." Liam sighed. At least the idea had not been completely dismissed. Wesley wanted more of an explanation and Liam fully intended to give it to him. "I am what I said. I am your desire. I am here to give you what you've always wanted, what we have always wanted. Father does not respect y- ..us. We are afraid to stand up to him, but we know we should. It is one of our deepest desire. And the other..." "Satara," Welsey finished. "Yes. We want her. We love her, yet we cannot bring ourselves to have her. I can help you. I am the strength in you that you don't know you have.. Give in to me and I can give you everything you desire." Liam wasn't sure if Wesley bought it, but he didn't have time to find out. There was a knock at the door, snapping Wesley out of his reverie and a voice from the other side. "Master Therin," it was one of the family slaves, "Your father would like to see you now." Liam did not speak up during the conversation between father and son, instead listening from the far side of the room. The discussion was a heated one, but it was of little real interest to the ghost. In his mind he replayed over and over the conversation between he and the young Wesley Therin. Would the man believe his story, he could not be certain, but judging from Wesley's reaction he had at least struck a chord. After a while Liam decided that he would wait a while, let the idea grow on the young man until he was desperate. Liam could offer him a way to have what he'd always wanted, and had intentions to help see the boy fulfill them. But only of Wesley came to him. Liam would watch and wait, and if it didn't look like Wesley would call for him.. well, he could always go back to causing mischief.

[Seth]

Liam: +4 Soulmist Projection XP +2 Posession XP Lores: The Basics of Using Soulmist Projection, Using Soulmist Projection to Push, Forcing a Possession during Distraction, Preying on One's Innermost Desires, Manipulating Someone With Fear. The Method behind my Madness : You used a ton of Projection, and Possession just enough times to warrant a couple of XP points! <3 You did a good job in harassing the poor boy and his family! I am looking forward to seeing all of the other ideas you come up with!