Completed [The Quarters] A tale of two Pulsars [Maduro]

[Annalisa Marin]

Anna laughed at his last comment, amused by his observation and knowing it to be very true. By all rights she could teach most any apprentice on Sahova a great deal regarding both reimancy and glyphing, still she knew that patience was a virtue in this situation. Gold would be wrapped around her finger soon enough if she played the game correctly, this deal with Maduro was a first step in that direction. On the off chance he caught the notice of one of Uldr's faithful she'd have one of their temple in her pocket. The Chief Embalmer would no doubt be pleased to see proof that Anna was learning quickly.

"I intend fully to replace both with gold in due time. Until then, being an apprentice has its uses. Something you will no doubt discover." Of course, Anna didn't add that she was a barely three days into her apprenticeship.

The wizard gestured for him to take her right hand, the one with her apprentice ring on it. Provided he took it she would lead him through the Courtyard on the way towards the Dungeons. The place was also off limits to visitors, though many would likely have no wish to end up there to begin with. She made very certain to keep to the marked paths, having no wish to test her very limited capabilities with Spiritism against angry ghosts. As soon as they crossed the gravestone littered Courtyard and arrived at the Dungeons Anna would pull Maduro along through the threshold. He'd feel a tugging sensation as he crossed into the dour place, Anna's ring emitting a soft glow to permit him entrance. The sensation lasted only a moment before he would be allowed to enter freely.

"When we go into the Caverns, I'd suggest you stay close and follow me. If you do manage to get lost follow the glowing arrows back to the entrance to the Caverns. I would not recommend poking your head in the labs down here, especially not the one that the arrows point to the brightest. That is the Elements Sanctum, Master Maelstrom tends to be a little... quick on the draw we shall say." Anna instructed, knowing the last bit from unpleasant first hand experience according to her notes.

The tall woman fell silent as she focused her attention to finding the entrance to the Caverns. She got turned around a couple of times, still hardly a master of navigation herself. The Citadel was indeed rather mazelike and the Dungeon was hardly a helpful place either, filled with the soft cries despair or pain. Dark stains splotched the walls occasionally, leaving it up to the imagination how they got there. Anna liked the place to some degree, it was amusing to witness the depths of despair and tease those hopeless with hope only to snatch it away. Idly she wondered how much it might cost to acquire a slave or two from here. Perhaps to test the lengths of how potent Chaon could truly be.

She felt little to no pity or remorse for those housed in the cells here, occasionally grasping out at through the bars looking for freedom. Her eyes betrayed nothing of her cold detachment, openness and friendliness was a better tool for serving the Deceiver. Anna was cruel and black hearted, but she was willing to feed those around her poisoned honey if need be.

"Trust me when I say... you'd rather willing walk in here than unwillingly." Was all Anna commented on in regards to the Dungeons.

Said the spider to the fly. She thought, amused slightly by the comparison.

Finally after a couple more chimes they arrived at the entrance to the Caverns. Anna regarded Maduro seriously, her grey eyes holding little of their earlier mirth.

"Now, I'm going to ask you if your sure you want to do this. I can't say for certain what you'll find within the Tears of Uldr, nor what reaction you'll garner from the faithful. They would technically be well within their rights to kill you, unless you have a good reason for going in there. So if this is something you really want to do, you'd better get your story straight." Anna said, her tone rather grave.

Uldr and his faithful were not a force known to her very well, she simply knew that she wanted nothing to do with the God of Undeath. Rhysol was her master and she was marked by him, therefore tarrying in such a place as the Tears of Uldr was unwise. She herself would just deliver Maduro there, what happened to him afterwards would be his own doing and the business of the Temple. The God of Undeath was always looking for converts, but he would not find one in the Chaon no matter what offer was made.

[Maduro Salvitary]

Maduro was happy to hold Annalisas hand, he made sure to hold firm enough to be a man and affirm her capabilities of an accomplished wizard. That level of unspoken respect usually reserved by men for other men. Yet gentle and soft enough to acknowledge that he was in the presence of a lady and thus his his hand would treat hers cordially as if a noble. As a seducer his first touch was important, it set the tone for all other encounters. Something as small as a man holding a woman's hand could be a deal maker or breaker depending on how things were played.

Maduro nodded his head casually to her words, she was intelligent and focused. A fast climber that could see the ladders for what they were and elevate herself above her peers.

Master Maelstrom? He sounds like a regular bag of sunshine, ill steer clear of him then. I guess his idea of pleasantries would be radically different then mine.

He took Annalisas comments in stride as he continued forward through the gloomy cavern, splotches of blood, wails of pain and misery the horrors washed over him like it went over his head as he seemed enamored by grayish eyes that sparkled like silver.

Yes I want to do this, I've had plenty of time to think about it. I must say for a pawn in your game you seem to care an awful lot about my well being. I'm sure the the faithful of Uldr will not accept anything less then my death.

Funny you seem to have walked me to my doom and for that If im lucky ill be forever grateful that it was not the palsa hydrasa.

I was always told by my mother when I was younger that a beautiful woman would be the death of me.

Only now do I realize how true those words were.

If she'd allow the hand holding hers would raise up so that he may plant a kiss atop of it. There was no doubt that the woman had a black heart, but that was very different then having no heart at all. A tender sweet kiss from a seducer like him, he wanted to shake the core of her being just a little before he departed.

She might claim she was protecting an investment, but somehow Maduro thought he got special treatment from this infernal gemstone of Sahova.

[Annalisa Marin]

Anna allowed him to kiss her hand, letting a pleased giggle escape her throat. Maduro was certainly a very strange individual even for a Hypnotist, she fancied that if circumstances were different she might be willing to fall under his sway briefly. At the moment though, considering her predicament, it was rather ill-advised to dally overmuch. Perhaps after Daren was removed and she gain her title of Wizard she would have time for such matters, until then it was best to simply keep things strictly business. Idly, the Chaon considered whether or not she should curse him in some form. It would bring some amusement, and utilizing Chaon had a way of immersing her in utter bliss. The apprentice decided against it for the time being, he was more useful when not afflicted by a curse.

"I like my pieces to be healthy and useful, at least until their purpose is served." She said by way of explanation, tugging at him to follow again into the depths of the Caverns.

The way was dark and dimly lit, glowing arrows directing those in need of direction to their needed labs. Anna noted the brightest glowing arrows with an involuntary glare, the details from her notes telling of how out of her league she had been against the Master of the Elements Sanctum. Even more than Daren it had made her feel naked and vulnerable. While Daren controlled a force little known to her, Maelstrom commanded a force she knew intimately well.

Anna shook off the feeling and instead focused on the journey, making very certain to double check her directions here. The Caverns had a way of turning one around and getting them lost, being a veritable labyrinth of dark caves. Though it was also a place of great power, the private labs of many powerful Nuit could be found here where they conducted research for the benefit of Sahova.

"You have an odd way with words Maduro, one I find rather amusing if nothing else. If you soothe other ego's as well as you soothe mine you'll do fine here." Anna commented as they walked, pulling him down another corridor.

She was silent for another couple of chimes, the dim light beginning to irritate her as it impeded navigation through the Caverns. She halted at a crossroads of sorts, looking around to regain her bearings and sense of direction. The 11th level was where the Temple was located, getting there was proving to be the main issue. Anna was tempted to call up a flame to better help guide her, deciding against it as it seemed a waste of Djed.

Of course she was also rather on the look out for any creatures lurking beyond the next shadow, certainly not wishing to end up a meal for a stray beast from the lowest pits of Sahova. Paranoia served rather well on Sahova she was finding, a healthy trait to possess when surrounded by fellow wizards. Even now she was policing her thoughts around Maduro, making very certain to be on the look out for unwanted thoughts or emotions. She'd been fooled once, never again.

"I also hope you'll understand if I'd rather my name not leave your lips while in the Temple, the last headache I need is some followers of Uldr taking interest in me. If they ask how you got in, simply tell them you told a pulsar apprentice or wizard of your desire and they escorted you. You didn't catch their name, and if you did it most certainly wasn't Annalisa Marin." Anna said at length.

It wasn't that she overly feared the priesthood of Uldr, more that having annoyances like them take interest in her might make her already uncomfortable stay even more uncomfortable. Here on Sahova, where the undead ruled, they had power and that power could make life slightly more annoying even with the influence of Amaryllis.

"In any event, you mentioned skill in Hypnotism and Auristics. Am I to assume you know nothing of Glyphing? If not, you may want to try and brush up on it as a word of free advice. Most wizards around here know at least the basics of it." Anna asked.

[Maduro Salvitary]

Yep, he was still not a smoldering crater or twisted inside out. He kissed her hand, and that was risky business considering he didn't know what kind of powers she had or more accurately what she was willing to use upon him if she felt slighted. Although he succeeded in more ways then most would dare dream, or at least he would like to think. Challenges like this always pushed his creativity in the art of seduction further.

He felt a tug on his hand as she walked him deeper and deeper into the cavern, something about the place seemed to go on forever.he realized how easy it would be to get lost if someone did not show him the way.

You have an ego my dark mistress? I hadn't noticed, not in the slightest.
But I'm glad you enjoy my company as much as I enjoy yours all the same.

He smiled things had been shaping up rather nicely, of course she had another serious sit down with Maduro. And as she spoke, that smile crept up on his face like he had been given the keys to the kingdom. Did his ears deceive him? No matter how she rolled the dice or what angle she played.

B...but madam

Your words sting this Maduro, as he has never been known to kiss and tell.

But I will honor your wishes and fulfill this favor you have asked of me, your name shall not leave my lips when I enter the temple.

He paused for a moment, so that it may sink in,

Was he being stupid or was he being sincere or was he just as capable as Annalisa? the young apprentice had used a poor choice of words perhaps her paranoia that was serving her so well was also a hindrance. Did she doubt her ability to keep Maduro quiet? She'd strung him along this far hadn't she?

You'd sacrifice all that for me ? Your rings of gold and silver? And appear before Amaryllis with nothing to show as you arrive unquestionably late to the palsa hydrasa? However would you explain yourself? Im sure Amaryllis will understand that you let a chance like this slip through your fingers. Somehow that seems so unfair to do this to yourself just for me.

I can only imagine the horrors they might do to you.

But fear not my black rosé, I have seen your true feelings for me and shall repay this display of your affection with a favor for a favor so you may still call upon my assistance in the future and keep me in your pocket.

[Annalisa Marin]

Anna's eye actually twitched in slight irritation, clearly he was taking this the wrong way.

"Its not so much a matter of danger, all things in Sahova are dangerous Maduro. Lets instead look at it as preserving your own life, I'm an agent of Amaryllis who is rather... renown for knowing things most should not. If you tell them I'm the one who brought you that significantly diminishes your own chances of survival. They will assume you a plant, which might very well be the case but telling them so would be unwise." Anna said at length.

She halted abruptly and faced him, her grey eyes containing the chaotic spark behind them. Anna liked him, but sometimes it was best nip certain things in the bud. Especially if they impede with business. Her façade politeness and good humor was still up, but the next words to escape her lips most certainly defied her appearance.

"I care little about your survival here, only so much that you might prove somewhat more useful alive than dead. If you die, I'll weep no tears nor give you a second thought. If I think your more of a nuisance than a useful pawn I'll either give over to the Dungeon, or toss you into the Element Sanctum. I'm certain they could use live targets." Anna said, her tone as light as her expression however her grey eyes held the chilling arrogance of her true nature.

"At the moment you are indebted to me, and I assure you Maduro I can expend pawns as easily as I can gain them. I'd kill or sacrifice you without hesitation or remorse of it meant I came a step closer to advancing my own goals. I've betrayed best friends, my colleagues, lovers and even my own family to gain power. You are no different. Think on that." She said, releasing his hand and jerking her head toward a nearby corridor.

With that she started off down the Caverns again, her demeanor still very much the same as it had been throughout their interaction. Sometimes servants or pawns needed to be reminded of their place, especially if they started getting uppity. She found amusement in the man, but amusement could easily be found in killing him or otherwise. If he was useless to her or started getting ideas it stood then that he deserved to be eliminated.

As if she had not even threatened him moments ago she reverted back to conversation as she ducked down another corridor.

"You never did answer my question. Do you possess knowledge in any discipline other than the two you've named? Glyphing specifically?" She asked, glancing back with the calmness from before returning to her eyes.

[Maduro Salvitary]

Maduro was put in a situation now that he didn't exactly care for. When she nipped this problem in the bud, she did it in a way that revealed her real feelings. She told him that if he was useless she'd kill him, that if he remained loyal and useful she'd betray him, and in the end she was simply using him to be some kind of informant. When the agreement had been for a single favor.

She gave him alot to think about, A lot of real ugly feelings started coming up, one person in particular was a squire named Fallon. And while he had made the mistake of being intoxicated he did try to help, and was rejected for it. And while it had unsettled him, this was like having a date tell you that there is no interest and they are there for the free meal on your tab! Unacceptable!

He was starting to see things differently, perhaps more clearly.even if he helped her climb the ladder, she would not help him up afterwards. Only discard him at the end of it.

It was different before he thought he had an ally, was happy to divulge information but now every prying question was seen at face value for its true worth.

Annalisa might have reverted back but she had left an impression that made him aloof.

....

....

I thought our arrangement was to get me to the temple of Uldr?

[Annalisa Marin]

Anna chuckled darkly at his comment, good, he was starting to see how things were. Poisoned honey was fun, but sheer intimidation was much more useful in keeping people on their toes.

"Yes, that was indeed the arrangement. How thoughtless of me. Follow me, we're rather close actually." She said simply, continuing down another corridor.

Amaryllis would likely not approve of her laying things out so very clearly for the man to see, however it came down to a difference in style. Anna preferred powerful authority enforced by strength and intimidation most of the time. Lies and facade's were fun, but nothing so effective as laying out exactly how easy it would be to end the person if the choice was made. The Embalmer played her cards much closer to her chest, utilizing diplomacy whenever possible. Diplomacy had its place, but was nothing compared to the surety of power.

Maduro was in her debt, a debt she'd collect soon enough when the time was right. She had what she want, and for so simple a task no less. It was amusing to watch people squirm when they were stuck in unfavorable positions. Needless cruelty had a place in her black heart, a rather prominent place as long as it didn't interfere with her potential rise to power.

She kept to her silence through the long corridors and hallways, everything that had needed to be said was said and anything else would be wasting breath. After a few more chimes they arrived on the 11th level, the arrows glowing prominently towards the Tears of Uldr. Anna felt some revulsion well up in her at the sight of the approaching imposing double doors, the Temple to the God of Undeath. Her grey eyes flashed in a silent rage and her mark sent thoughts of unspeakable chaos and destruction coursing through her mind. She wanted to bring the Caverns on down on top of the place, if only to remove it from her sight. Merely being near the place made her skin feel irritated and her mind more destructive.

They reached the threshold easily enough, standing outside of the double doors. Anna took a moment to collect herself, glaring very noticeably at the door and whatever else laid beyond. She really, really didn't wish to enter this place. Still, a promise was a promise and if it brought her further gain then such was the price she paid. Remembering her incident in the Elements Sanctum a few days back, the wizard focused Djed under her tongue to prepare for potential hostilities. If any follower of Uldr dared to think of laying a hand on her, it would be the last thing they would do in their worthless unlife.

"Petching undead." She whispered under her breath, offering Maduro her hand one last time.

If he took it she would carefully push on the door, her mark flaring up as soon as she touched the damned thing. As previously the seducer would feel a slight tug, but would otherwise be allowed passage thanks to the apprentice ring on her hand. When she entered the room an oppressive feeling of wrongness overcame her senses, a feeling that she was being watched by unfriendly eyes. This feeling prompted her to released Maduro's hand as soon as he crossed inside, fiddling with her ring nervously.

The initial entrance chamber was impressive, a small vestibule adorned with many instruments of worship laid before her. However her attention was drawn to the giant pair of imposing red eyes on the wall to her left. They sent an involuntary shiver down her spine, her mark flaring yet again filling her with the nearly irresistible urge to tear this place asunder. Rhysol was an evil and dark god, but even still it felt alien and wrong to be in this place.

She gave Maduro a final look, her amused grin obviously more unnerved than before.

"Well, this is where we part ways. I bid you good luck with your business here Maduro, if you survive I have no doubt we'll be seeing each other again very soon." She said, chuckling slightly to herself.

With that parting the apprentice pulled her tattered cloak closely up around her, turning and head straight towards the exit with more hast than was likely needed. She hated this place, that was it, she really, really hated it and wanted it destroyed. However, Uldr's minions might as of yet prove useful pawns in spreading further chaos so she would endure them, because she needed to. She had a piece on her side of the board now, a circumstantial piece but a piece nonetheless. If he truly managed to make something of himself here, he would no doubt be a high piece to be played. As she parted ways with him Anna got an odd feeling in her head, as though she wanted to see him again. She filed through her thoughts to find reason for this, though the fact he had identified himself as a hypnotist placed every thought about him as subject to scrutiny. She was not going to fall victim to another Daren, no, never again.

[Mirage]

Just as Anna turned to leave, a sudden wind would pass through the room, ruffling their robes and toddling hair, though somehow it occurred despite their being deep under ground. Anna would feel an icy chill arch up her spine, like someone was running their fingers over her bare skin, and then a soft voice in her ear would whisper, "We will see you soon, Annalisa Marin..."

The voice was so soft it might have just been the wind, and Maduro would not hear a thing. The cold feeling, however, would longer far longer than it should...

OOCok continue your posting order

[Maduro Salvitary]

Annalisa had laid everything on the table for Maduro when she had already won him over, but somehow she felt the need to take it a step further. Maduro was fine with an ally, in fact he was happy to oblige but now with the knowledge that her honey was poison who in there right mind would continue to drink?

He realized he'd beed goaded when he offered to use not mentioning her name as a favor, despite the spin on her words. The only person that benefited from Maduro not speaking the truth was in fact Annalisa. Yet when Maduro offered to swear secrecy as a favor she turned on him even when he offered it again.

Was Maduro out of line when he had come to the decision to murder her?

That begrudging smirk on her face, he could feel an intense emotion stir within him although he kept his nature aloof and closed off so others could not see the intent and hatred that was stirring a wicked cocktail thats end result would be an emotional upheaval within him.

Calm

Maduro was a man that was pushed to his breaking point, this woman was not his ally and she would take everything he earned from him. Even if he fulfilled this favor or a thousand it would never be enough to satisfy this woman's endless demands so that she may pick clean his carcass and discard him like rubbage when she was through. It was time for damage control.

He took her hand just as before his touch was different subservient he carried himself sullenly as if defeated. He knew what Annalisa liked and what got that miserable witch off. He'd play what he learned of her, and use her arrogance to his advantage.

When she let his hand go, he began weaving a spell as she continued to talk and rub his face in it. Every self gratifying word was a spare moment to complete his objective. Hypnotism was radically different then many other disciplines as the weaves gave no signal or flashy ques. There was nothing visual to pick up on, did she think that he was only capable of hurting her feelings? The amount of Djed he was evoking was far past what was needed. In this situation it was everything he had left to safely give up to supercharge the masterpiece that was supposed to be his entrance into Sahova as an apprentice, it was a double edged sword though after this anything else would push him into the depths of over giving.

Like the last spell it was a mixture, a combination of two spells intertwining to create reaction. The first step was a brief hallucination, a flash that assaulted her senses. Sometimes by creating fear but in this case it was pain. Tremendous, horrible crippling pain meant to overwhelm her senses as it sweeps the body head to toe. This burst was to create a state of physical shock in the body, sometimes pain itself could render someone uncontious but not always. The last touch was a Piercing Thought subliminal message that was designed to stab into the subconscious and conscious mind like a dagger this thought and feeling was iminent death, the thought not meant to kill but to pressure the mind in those brief moments into thinking it was all over. Generally when a creature is had in a state of shock the mind shut down the body as an act of mercy upon itself.

Maduro seemed to have a great boon with seduction as when they stepped through the door, as she concentrated her focus on the undead rather then the man she so brazinly betrayed. Had she become that comfortable with him that she thought he was his pet or slave before she truly met him?

This wasn't the outside world where text book curriculum was regarded as top secret information, this was Sahova where it was considered sub-standard fare.

He waited till she turned her back on him that's when he would strike her with his spell. As he had never known a wizard to be capable of casting a spell behind them.

Maduro kept an ordinary run of the mill eating knife in his pocket hardly a formidable weapon, but it wouldn't be hard to imagine that a knife sharp enough for slicing fruit wedges would have much problem cutting into a throat. It wouldnt take much to split her from ear to ear if she had been rendered incapacitated by a psionic shock. Because as it stood Maduro owed Annalisa big time, and he would not dilly dally in giving her what he felt she rightly deserved.

There were no guarantees, but he played a solid hand

[Annalisa Marin]

In a normal, lucid and unaltered state of mind Anna would have likely been rendered completely immobile by the hypnotists spells. As it was, the chill air and the soft whisper in her ears was what awoke her from a the horrid hallucination and the thoughts that plagued her. A shudder passed up her spine, she felt as if those same unwanted eyes had touched her with a similarly unseen hand. It was frightening more than any magic used off the mind, perhaps even more frightening than Daren's magic was. The possibilities of what the petch had actually happened were not all together pleasant.

The wizard spun around to face Maduro, planning initially to demand to know if he had heard or said something. However as she faced him something occurred to her, the hallucination and thoughts still fresh in her memory had not been natural. They had been designed for immobilization, to render her helpless. If that voice hadn't spoken so she would likely be very dead, if the off posture and expression on Maduro's face was anything to judge by.

Anna was starting to wonder if all hypnotists were into the whole murdering helpless women thing, or if it was just the ones on Sahova. A strange thing to get off on, the problem being that this woman was far from helpless when lucid and aware of her surroundings. The woman took a couple of cautious steps back, liquid res pooling in her palms out of sight. Once she was certain she was beyond the threshold of the Temple and beyond the reach of whatever weapon he was ready to employ, she favored him not with a glare but with the same amused smile from before.

"You know, if your trying to kill someone you shouldn't tell them your a hypnotist before hand. Your lot are a treacherous clutch of snakes, no, that's too kind. A gathering of worms is much more apt. You grasp at power, only deluding yourself into thinking yourself true wizards while the rest of us either plot your demise or chuckle behind the sleeves of our robes." She taunted.

"Your parasites, when your manipulations and plots get taken away and you face a true wizard things become all too clear to you where you stand. You are nothing Maduro, another pulsar hypnotist that thinks to try and end a creature infinitely your better. Honestly, I didn't expect you to be stupid enough to attempt on my life. Seems I overestimated your intellect." She continued, her tone cheerful.

"Your betrayal is also lacking in style and tact, I mean outright murder right out of the gate? Tsk, very sloppy. If I were in your position, and I am believe it or not, I would simply bide my time and gather my resources. I'd use the influence and assistance of my master to grow stronger, then betray them before they could do the same to me. This though? Quite tasteless and wasteful." She commented.

The tall woman spun on her heel and started back down away from the Tears of Uldr, the res moving to the front of her hands just incase stupidity overwhelmed the hypnotist. Honestly she would have dearly loved to have sent an earthen spike straight through his neck, leaving him lying in a pool of his own blood. She probably should have done that as well, for now she had another reason to watch her back and her mind. Mostly she had resisted because she somehow doubted Uldr would appreciate a Chaon murdering Maduro within his Temple. If the man stepped outside to pursue her however, then he was very much fair game. Given that she'd hear him before he could reach her she'd have plenty of time to flick her wrists and end him with earthen spikes.

As it was thoughts of Maduro were giving way to thoughts of that voice in her ear. What the petch had that been and why was it so certain whoever 'they' were would be seeing her again soon? Rhysol willing she'd never have to come down this way again unless she was destroying the damnable place. Undeath and the promise of immortality was sweet, but Anna was a servant of the Lord of Lies first and foremost, she would have no other before him.

"As I said before, we'll meet again very soon if you survive. If you want to try your luck with murder then, you are welcome to try." She said by way of farewell, throwing her head back and letting loose a cruel and harsh sounding cackle that echoed down the Caverns.