Through adversity to the stars (Sanguine)

[Panna Cotta]

(Your timestamp)

Many creatures find their way into the isle of the undead, unhindered by the stench of rot and unfettered by horror tales. Some have just as much as a dubious reputation, others known for their savagery. But where one is always misunderstood, someone is always there to offer refuge. Sahova was built to withstand the test of Tanroa, and though the forces within play against each other, there were many reasons why the Citadel remain. One such reason takes the form of a relic called Skyclock, an antikythera mechanism built by the greatest Alahean astronomers, retrieved from the Ruins of Djuka. Nowhere in the world would one find a device that accurately measures stellar coordinates. It has helped the Sahovans trace some of their lost colonies, and has helped Nel'vira Kalpante predict the movement of the celestial bodies in the sky. Sanguine Black was escorted to Gug Andjak by following the glowing magical blue lights, and was already on his way to the observatory. The Citadel was magnanimous, it would be easy to get lost in the multiple corridors that branch out to nowhere. He was going to have an audience with Nel'vira, and perhaps the meeting would determine his fate in the island. What did Sahova have that could possibly attract a wandering Zith? But maybe Saguine's interests are well-placed. Maybe it was written in the stars that on this very day, at this exact moment, he will bring himself to Nel'vira. Maybe it was his destiny. Then again, in a place like Sahova, even the path of the stars cannot be properly predicted. What could be destiny to one may be a rip in somebody's fate. Sanguine climbed the observatory, quite satisfied that he was able to make it this far. Hopefully, Sahova will be worth the travel. He entered the observatory, a curious place to be at this time of day. It was noontime, and it wasn't really the time for stargazing. Though he found Nel'vira sitting on an antique bronze chair, long legs folded one behind the other, slender arms stretching out, hands carefully adjusting the lenses of a rather large telescopic device. Her luscious blue skin defied the nature of rot around her, her silvery-blonde hair healthily waved at him. She spoke without looking up from her device - What was she looking at? The Sun? Who would stargaze in the middle of the day? - "A visitor, just as the stars said." She paused long enough, whispered a mathematical cord of ideas that sounded like a serenade. "Make yourself comfortable. It is rather inconvenient, but I am making some last minute calculations. I have to do this right now. This exact bell. This exact chime. There. Just as I planned!" One hand flipped away and reached for paper and pencil. There was something lyrical in the way she swirled her hands to scribble numbers. Almost seductive. Almost. Sanguine could take in the big office - which looked like a large office filled with a number of magical devices. The right corner was setup like a study, shelves and maps adorned the wall. The room was decorated with Alahean-style fixtures, though everything felt like they were pieces from a reliquary. Most notable, though in no way as elegant and cultured as the antique furniture in the room, was the perfect dome above his head. It was black, pitch black. As if it absorbed all light. Hanging upside down from its dead-center was the biggest armillary that he has ever seen. It did not lie about its age, at the very least. Perhaps most stunning was that it looked like it was still working. Nel'vira looked up and smiled after finishing her notes, she flipped the piece of paper, folded it in half and deftly inserted it into her plunging neckline, pushing it down with one finger towards her left breast. Had Sanguine been looking, he would certainly be able to make note of the enticing swell of flesh. Or if he had been distracted, he could at least note that the green velvet dress was tight-fitting and bejeweled, certainly expensive. She glided smooth steps towards him, her long dress swaying with the undulation of her hips. She reached out a webbed hand, though she was not about to exchange pleasantries. "May I see your palm...?" She asked, hinting that she would like to know his name. Her eyes know how to smile, her long lashes emphasized her femininity. Nel'vira would introduce herself with a sultry voice, "I am Nel'vira Arwain Kalpante, and if you had been listening to the drones, they may have mentioned that I am a Seer in the Citadel." She added, "Though my obligations are far from fortune telling and predicting weather." "What brings a being like you so far away from home?" Sanguine could tell her his history, if he didn't mind, though Nel'vira wasn't really interested who or where he came from. "What matters is why you came here, and what are you looking for." She smoothly hooked her hand around his arm, and though Sanguine would resist, he will find the gesture endearing. Almost as if he wanted to be a gentleman for her. She led him towards a long table and had him sit on a gilded chair. The table had a stack of books neatly organized - alphabetically if he would observe each name - beside a few astronomical devices that he neither knew the name or use for. She sat on the other end, chilly and regal in her posture. She had an outstanding sideglance, making Sanguine feel as if he was being measured. "And of course, most important of all, is whether I can be of help. Spill your story." Her lips coaxed answers out of him, her voice enjoining him to tell her the truth - no matter how dark or morbid it may be.

[Sanguine Black]

The machinations of fate and gods were powers that Sanguine regretfully acknowledged his ignorance in. Not for lack of trying, mind you. Much of his energy was spent to understand the darker threads that bound this cursed land into a singular line. He knew of people who could see these threads, read them clear as text in literature and even bend those threads to their whims. Their agendas were his cause, their knowledge was his greatest thirst. Above all else, of course, was the desire for power.

So it was with cautious excitement, that he willingly followed his escort towards a towering citadel. He was going an audience but with whom? Already a thousand questions spun in his head, none could settle on a decent conclusion. He let the questions turn, it was enough to keep him occupied as he gazed at the hue of glowing lights. This was a strange place indeed, unlike the caves or open mountains he had been familiar with in previous lives.

As he entered the room, filled to the brim with relics and other crafts of alien origin, he was directed towards the end where his destiny sat. A blue-skinned woman, but certainly not a zith, was before him in elegant green. She had a regal, otherworldly presence. Her hair was silvery blonde, a color that displeased him, but he could still acknowledge she was indeed beautiful. He paid little heed to it, his mind rarely indulged in the fantasies lesser beings waste their lives on. The comforts of the flesh were fleeting and worthless to him. The only thing that kept his focus forward was what this woman offered.

He kept silent, offering no reply as she spoke. He approached her, slowly allowing his zith hand to open as he came closer. He was cautious, but intrigued. How open she was, declaring her nature. It was curious, how willing she seemed to offer her aid to Sanguine's yet undeclared cause. For now, he thought, this would be worth his while.

"My name is Sanguine Black, I am a Zith who has abandoned his clan for their crimes against me. I have studied the ways of summoning but know that there are much greater powers to beheld. I seek these powers as an eager student. I hunger to grow as a mage, I wish to see those that have wronged me and all who will wrong me be crushed under the weight of my being. If you are a Seer of this citadel it speaks then to your own power. Therefore, I offer myself up as a willing slave that my strength may become tenfold. My lady, here my cries, answer me thus."

His open palm still extended, he dropped to a knee in reverence. He did not know much of decorum for other races, much less those in Sahova, but he felt the position was more than universal for the moment. Humility was always a proper step in growth.

[Panna Cotta]

Flattery always a touched on a soft spot, if not an actual weakness in a woman. Sanguine was succint in revealing details about himself, but he knew how to play his cards right in front of a lady such as Nel'vira. She thrived in other people's attention, exacted their adoration. She smiled, but not too happy, lest Sanguine think that they were sliding into something less than business. "Sanguine, please rise. I do not wish to get accustomed to being treated like a lady... even if such manners are to my taste." She shook her head lightly, as if sorry for the world, "I am not a person to revere, though you be a slave or otherwise." She let go of his hand and made him lift his gaze. "You are here because you want revenge... No, perhaps vengeance is too strong a word," she did a double take. "What you seek is justice, am I right?" She continued, "The word power is often misused, and you have to make sure exactly what kind of power you are looking for. Then, you begin looking for that power." There was fierceness in her eyes, though the thick and long lashes subtly underlined an unspoken sadness. "Sahova can tell you where you want to begin." She sauntered around him, holding his shoulders and moving him to focus on the dome above them. "People view the universe as an expansion of our world, and many scholars believe that Mizahar is in the center of all things. Relative to the position of all heavenly bodies, perhaps, we are in the center, but not the axis." Nel'vira sighed, folded her arms and flexed her shoulders, "It has been a while since someone had actually offered his services to me. The wizards in this place," her soothig voice rolled as if the very words were repugnant, "they are too conceited, self-absorbed. Maybe you are as well." "And I would admit just as much." She waved her hand it the space above her head and mouthed a few chants. Her voice was a silky flower petal gliding on top of serene water. At her command, the armillary moved. "The ball in the center is our world. This Skyclock tells you a lot about known worlds - at least the ones known during the time of Alahea. But you should note that the ones we known in the world after Valterrian are far less. The intriguing part about this machine is that it is also a cypher. You cannot use it without sufficient knowledge in math, astronomy, and magic. It is quite an obligation, trying to solve the puzzles. Bannarche is the only one intelligent to try, but he's too caught up in the trail of Tallshade's magical artifacts." She turned to his attention, "If you are a summoner then at the very least you should know a few common worlds, yes?" She asked him what creatures and worlds he was familiar with, and with each world he would mention, she showed him the respective coordinate using the armillary - mapping out the galaxy beyond. Nel'vira said, "There is so much more to discover. The universe is vast, and the strength to conquer a piece of it is beyond a mortal. Though with the help of gods..." she trailed out. "I stray too much. Forgive me, I am getting ahead of myself." There was something sheepish in the way she apologetically glanced away. When she regained composure, she asked Sanguine, "You really want to stay here? Food is a scarce commodity, and sleep just as precious." The emphasis could not be more clear, though how Nel'vira was able to withstand ridiculous work hours and still stay beautiful was beyond the Zith. Beauty was the least of his concerns. "Tell me your plans. Let me hear something I like and I might accept you as an apprentice." "And no sugar-coating this time. Give me enough to gauge your abilities. In fact, I would not mind if you would open a portal right here and summon a creature or two. Evidence is the best friend of the scientist, don't you agree?"

[Sanguine Black]

Sanguine smiled a cruel smile, his eyes lit up as the fire in his belly roared. This woman, this Nel'Vira, was saying all that he wanted to hear and more. Slowly he rose to his feet and retracted his hand, taking in everything she said and showed. It was a strange air she carried, one that demanded not reverence but discipline. She was not looking for a servant but a soldier, a being that could handle the vastness she was proposing.

Sanguine knew he could be such a person, he had longed for it the day he first took spell to voice. The skyclock hanging overhead only brought on more thoughts of power, she was showing exactly what Sanguine wanted. He would decypher that machine, if it took his entire lifetime and then some.

She seemed more than willing to accept Sanguine and bring him in to whatever cause she had, but words alone could not seal this deal. It was time Sanguine showed his own capabilities.

"My lady my rage is unfocused, my hunger great. This world I want. I seek power for it is the only currency the universe accepts. I will be wealthy in it."

Without a second's delay he slung the wooden box strapped to his back off and ripped off the top end. In one fluid dance of a move he pulled out a rolled up collection of scrolls, a sword being unsheathed. Clutching a scroll in each hand he snapped them both open and slammed them to the floor. The scrolls would be easy enough to recognize if they had familiarized themselves with summoning.

Then he drew both hands to his mouth and with his sharpened fangs he dug into his palm. As crimson dripped out from his fingers, he slapped a hand each onto one of the scrolls. The glyphs erupted in light and the light began to take form.

Under his chanting breath the light seemed to howl and rage as the two forms began to shape and twist. Out from the light came his desired beasts. Two snarling creatures, on all fours, beading red eyes. They were hulking creatures, built like dogs or wolves. They stood in place and barked wildly as they accustomed themselves to the new world in which they'd been thrown.

Sanguine looked to them and hissed wildly, commanding them to stay and heed his words. They went quiet and turned to him. There was an advantage for a Zith in summoning beasts. Monsters tended to listen better to monsters.

He then looked towards Nel' Vira, with a look that begged for approval. "I will do this and more my lady. Teach me to summon worlds and my feet."

[Panna Cotta]

OOCI was away for the Holy Week. I'm sorry for the prolonged absence ;( Nel'vira eyed the Zith with malicious intent. Was he willing to do whatever she requested him to do? She smiled to herself, a knowing smile, easily mistaken for appreciation. Sanguine was skilled, perhaps a little advanced if he knew how to make use of scrolls. He delivered two beasts, not nearly ferocious as she expected of him, but well above the point of disappointment. Sanguine could be trained. But whether he would have what it takes to stay forever - Forever was a requirement, of course! - could not yet be judged at the time. Strings bound him to his former life, the search for justice against oppressors. Nel'vira found his plight mirroring her own, and she knew that she could help him. The Akontak inspected him and his manner towards the beasts, who instantly recognized that he was a bigger opponent. The summoned creatures were not exactly mindless, though not subservient as well. The Akontak laughed genuinely and clapped in satisfaction. "Not bad, but there is certainly room for improvement." Her appreciation was sweet fiery wine. "I love the raw technique." She sharpened her gaze, and with a flick of her hand a whip came flying into her palm. With calculated force, she slashed the air with the whip, whisking it against the two snarling creatures. The beasts cried in pain, and Sanguine would notice a momentary display of delight in Nel'vira's eyes. Did she enjoy inflicting suffering among beasts? "It takes very little for summoned beasts to surrender." The smell of burning acid filled their nostrils, for the whip was magecrafted, much like all of Nel'vira's trinkets and accessories. The Akontak released another beating, and the two beasts, no longer snarling, trembled under Sanguine's feet. The Seer made show as if she wanted to continue flogging the creatures, at the expense of hitting Sanguine. She stopped, and rolled the whip away instead. "Still inferior, when compared to the mages of this place, but it will do." Then just like that, she transformed and put on an air of seriousness. "Yet you have not told me any of your plans," she pouted, and gave Sanguine Black and challenging gaze, "I cannot accept just anyone as an apprentice, there are far too many power hungry beings out there." There was an accusatory tone to it, but at the same time, something in the way she nonchalantly laughed it off made Sanguine feel that the Master was familiar with the occasional pulser traveling to Sahova searching for magic. "Tell me, beyond the will to learn, what is your purpose?" She eyed him, voice losing it sultry seduction, "Many-a-wizard search for greatness for the sake of greatness, horde power for the sake of being powerful. Tell me honestly, what would you do with the power?" She sounded really thoughtful. "Are you going to wantonly summon creatures to devastate a community of Ziths? Is that it? Hopefully not." Nel'vira had always been disgusted with the thought of gratuitous violence. "I wonder what it is that drives you. Let's be fair, alright? If you tell me your greatest motivation, and your current plan on how to deliver justice, I will tell you my story. A fair deal, isn't it?" She paused, eyeing him thoughtfully, "Then I will tell you what it takes to stay here, and afterwards I'll let you decide whether you would want to be my slave for the rest of your life." The Akontak made it sound enticing, but Sanguine wasn't someone who would enjoy the thought of being enslaved. Ziths were known to take slaves, not the other way around. Maybe Nel'vira was well aware of this fact, and was trying to test Sanguine's opinion of himself.

[Sanguine Black]

The pride and vigor in his face turned colder and quieter at the Mistresses response to his display. What he thought was more than capable was quickly set asunder by the force before him. As a pragmatic creature he should have expected as much, but as an equally eager creature, he had perhaps overestimated his worth amongst the magi elite that surrounded him in this hallowed city.

As the beasts recoiled at the cracking of her otherworldly whip, so too did Sanguine give but the slightest of flinches towards each individual strike. This was a powerful woman, and it was clear that her display was making sure Sanguine knew his place. Accepted this, but quietly resented it as well. He'd desired the powering of summoning because of it's raw nature, the unyielding strength it promised. He was what he was to become a being to be feared and respected. Where he stood, he knew he was the smaller fish in the larger pond.

It mattered not, this humility forced on him. It was more than an acceptable price, he'd pay it tenfold for the promises that laid before him. For a mage, and a potential master he felt comforted in her manner. She was still polite and generous. He worried of being a slave, but if he was to have a master, he would be glad for it to be here.

He lowered his head a bit as the Lady addressed him once more. "My greatest motivation..." He thought and stopped for a moment. There were all kinds of dark and twisted thoughts he could outline and ramble on of, political and philosophical musings for why he sought to destroy and conquer. There was one unending reason, one buried deep down where he'd long since rejected as he'd rejected virtue. However, it was the true reason for it all. For this power, for this Lady before him, he would reveal this honest reason.

"I have lost two loves to this world, taken from me by the machinations of monsters and men. There is such cruelty in the hearts of mortal beings. I wish to end this cruelty, even if it means ending all of them. No, especially if it means that. I will not just destroy any colony of Zith I can find, I will forge my own clan of people and set the course for my race straight. I will not only conquer men and their cousins and all other many of man, I will rule them to save them from their madness."

He dropped to one knee once more. "Please, set me on this course that I may find the means to forge the world into one of sanity and justice. My first step lies with you my lady. I must have the power to summon worlds."

[Panna Cotta]

"A well placed intention," Nel'vira assessed, "In order to rebuild, you must first destroy. We must learn that the greatest souls are those forged through the wheel of time." She touched his shoulder gently, looked down on him and smiled, "I, too, am in a similar quest. Though the circumstances around our past may be far too different, I can see that on a very professional level we might be able to join our hands." She held out a hand for him to clasp, waited for him to lay his burly(?) Zith hand on it. When he did, Nel'vira firmly grasped it, shook it once, and said, "Our paths are officially intertwined." She swiveled on her place, shoulders swaying as she turned around. Her lustrous hair followed her, and the Zith caught a whiff of perfume - a nice smelling one at that. Nel'vira asked Sanguine to look above. "Are you familiar with Alahea, and the meaning of the name? It essentially means to reach for the heavens. A very small number of Sahovans still believe in that, and as a matter of fact, I do too. Though it can be mistakenly interpreted into various things, one thing is clear. Pre-valterrian astrologists built a key to solving the mysteries of the universe. Being a summoner, you should at least believe in the notion that ours is not the only world out there?" She whisked a hand upward the pitch black dome. "This is called the Skyclock, an antikythera mechanism. Probably the only one of its kind in this world. But do not get me wrong, I trust that there might be other similar devices elsewhere, though I am unsure whether they can still work. This armillary is older than both of us, but it is still working. Surprising isn't it?" She waited for his admonition. "I would visit the Ruins of Djuka sometime, maybe next time, when it is no longer dangerous." Unspoken was the fact that she would probably bring him along when she did. She requested him to move back, behind her. Nel'vira's eyes pierced him, that striking gaze intimidated him. By the time he followed, Nel'vira reached her hand and extended it upward, raising it as if waiting for blessings from the heavens to fall upon her. "Yakalas djunn djunn Alat. Djas canoch! Djas ranuritlas! Gug korad. Yakalas." She chanted. Fierceness returned in the dogs he previously summoned, howling and barking along with Nel'vira's crescendo. Slowly the room dimmed, though the darkness above them transformed before his eyes. How could it be? Sanguine wondered, was he seeing-- Up above them, the darkness that blanketed the room started to flicker. Sanguine noticed tiny white dots flickering. He was compelled to keep his eyes at the small lights that peppered the vast sky. It was noon, he remembered, but before his eyes he could see the skies of the evening. Though certainly mesmerized, he did not miss the slow movements of the armillary, now seemingly floating right above their heads. Nel'vira continued to chant in the Ancient Tongue, voice titillating the magical sphere. A number of voices echoed in his head, a melody of violence and rage and chaos. The next thing he saw was a big sphere up ahead, a big red ball looming before them. It looked very familiar. The dogs were now barking wilder. "Welcome home boys," she said, obviously to the dogs. And then the armillary released a laser of energy, zapping one dog before bouncing off the other. In a blink, the room went back to normal, and there was not a trace of his dogs. What exactly happened? Nel'vira wasn't one to explain. "This power could be yours, if you are willing to learn." "Here in Sahova you are provided free lodging, just pick up any vacant room you may pass and claim it your own. Don't wander off on your own, I wouldn't say I'm prohibiting you from visiting any other part of the Citadel... but rather, I will not be held liable for whatever would happen to you, or similarly, what you would make happen in any area not of my jurisdiction. This small room is loaned to me, beyond those doors, I am just as vulnerable as the next pulser wandering around. And so would you be. Apprentices are a bronze miza a dozen these days, and quite frankly, it would be unneccessary effort if I will have to protect you from any of the wizards, or, pray that it does not happen, any of the golems." "I am willing to assist you once a week, that is all I can afford, and you need to be here by the 19th hour of the day. Any chime late and I will pursue other more important activities." She had her own way of sassing him out. "I expect you will need a beginner's lesson, no matter what your current level of expertise. If you prove worthy we could progress in discovering new worlds, though I am sure you have not visited any dimension away from our world." Her eyes were questioning him. She wrapped up the discussion, "Well, that should be it, any questions?" Hopefully the Zith wasn't too keen that she specifically left out a (few) particular detail(s).

[Sanguine Black]

With both excitment and reverence he slowly took the lady's hand and clasped it momentarily. Their paths were now intertwined and his destiny had now been laid before him. He trembled ever slow slightly as it was now clear that this woman would take him in as her apprentice.

He was silent all the rest of her lecture, it was more and more awe-inspiring as it went on. A portal to the very heavens themselves, just the very notion of access to such power was an overwhelming sensation. If nothing else, Sanguine knew he would do all in his power to harness this power.

He would likely do nothing but stare up at the Skyclock for days if not prompted otherwise. Looked at the mysterious lady who awaited his slight reply. "My lady it is most surprising." He said in agreement, but truly as ignorant about the world as he was, the notion that this device was still working was not outrageous. Considering where he stood, nothing was out of the question. It was another reason Sanguine could barely contain himself to just be standing there, on the verge of such incredible power.

He nodded to each direction she gave him, his means of gaining room and board as well as the conditions he would follow if he wished to learn under her. When asked if he had any questions, Sanguine simply lowered his head and shook it. "No my lady, I only wish to know when we can begin our lessons."

[Panna Cotta]

"Ah, quite straightforward aren't we?" Nel'vire coyly peeked at him over her shoulders, "Then I shall be fortright, I will need you to sign this." From the corner of the room, a cabinet shook, until its lowest drawer pushed itself out. A parcel, along with a fine quill, swept across the room to Nel'vira's waiting hands. Apprenticeship was not something you pay for with lip service, and it was now time for Sanguine to truly prove that his mettle was as determined as his words. The Akontak used her sing-song voice to reveal the contract that Sanguine must sign: "This Oath witnesses that I, ____(name)____, voluntarily puts myself as servant to Nel'vira Arwain Kalpante for and during the full space, time, and term of two years from ___(date)___. I will render full service without any complaint or defiance. I will never divulge any information she considers confidential, through any means of communication, under any circumstance, other than the nature of our relationship (she, my master; I, her slave) to any being or item, even after the expiry of my time as a servant." Nel'vira looked at him, searching his face for hesitation. Two years was quite a long time. The rest was self-explanatory. This was a life's gamble, one that the Akontak challenged Sanguine to take. The smile now was different, more curved and more evil. Something in Nel'vira's aura changed. It didn't take him Auristics to realize that before him the thinker had departed, and was now replaced by the doer. Sanguine now faced the second sister, Arwain. "Now, do you have any questions?" She paused, "No? None at all? Then sign this contract by your blood." It was a command, straight and harsh. Where Nel'vira was a queen, whose elegance and mark of royalty elicited loyalty from followers, Arwain was plainly a domineering bitch, the kind you don't want to cross. Ever.