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Post by xxHuntressxx on Aug 21, 2008 20:44:28 GMT -5
Claudius had shifted back to his human shape using the counter curse that was placed upon his body in ink by his own hand. The man at last slip from the shadows and had returned to his tower. Only to sit down on the sofa in the lobby with his leg over his knee. The black haired man was now his normal height with pale peach skin that looked like everyone else’s. No horns, fangs, or talons to bother him…though this would only last for so long. Once he grew tired, or his painful headache was to return he would be forced back into that god forsaken shape of his. His curse, his prison. With this he could only sigh. Looking to the clock. Praying that the boy would soon return to his tower.
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Post by mai on Aug 22, 2008 5:15:21 GMT -5
It had only been about twenty minutes since he had seen Claudius, and he had been dreading the Madd Cat Tower since then. The lessons excited him, he was going to learn something most people couldn't do, but from what he had heard about the place, it didn't seem a good place to go. Stopping a few random witches every now and then, he managed to get directions to Claudius's apartment soon enough, as well as some strange looks along the way. Cracker was safely tucked in bed and he wanted to learn.
When he'd reached the door, he knocked before entering. He didn't exactly wait for a response before walking in, but his mother had always told in to knock before entering. She had also told him to wait, but that's just minor details. The door opened smoothly, no creaks like he had expected. A grin came to his head at the thought and he walked in. Unfortunately, there were no magic circles and head on sticks. But there was a man, who looked like Claudius, but was less leathery and....stoney. He raised an eyebrow.
"Were the wings just an outfit to scare strangers?"
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Post by xxHuntressxx on Aug 22, 2008 5:42:51 GMT -5
The man stood with a grace in his shape. The face of the human male was less emotional and more collected then the gargoyle had been as he adjusted his glasses. Orbs of the same teal peeking out behind the optical aids.
“ This…. Is what I was born as, but to keep it…I have to use a counter curse to the one placed upon my head a few years ago. This is what advanced magic can allow you to do, for not many could learn this trick. It took me a year to perfect it. Though as your first lesson, all magic comes with a price. I can’t keep this shape for long, it’s not bad at first but massive headaches tend to settle in and it drains from my power a little. I’m only operating at 75% when I’m like this and not many could retain this counter curse and perform magic at all.” He spoke as he rolled up the neatly pressed white shirt sleeve to reveal a mass amount of seals upon his upper shoulder.
“ These extend down my back, you can say this is a powerful counter whammy on my curse. Though like I said all magic has a price. Do you believe in Karma?” He asked suddenly. Turning as he waved his hand to seal the door once more. He had made sure to magic it to allow the man inside, usually the place was a fortress since such a high price was upon his head currently. He bypassed the lobby then, waving the man into the library area and settled at one of the desks lining the sides of the place. Of course the desk being Adrians so it was covered in anime shit causing Claudius to frown a tad.
“ Idiot, always leaving his crap out.” He muttered before waving for his guest to sit down at the sofa not far away from the desk.
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Post by mai on Aug 22, 2008 11:21:15 GMT -5
Ace nodded at the informatio he was given. He knew it wasn't the whole truth, any idiot could see that, but he wasn't going to press it. Despite his thirst for any knowlede, he knew he wasn't trusted enough to ask. Heck, he'd know the guy for less than a couple of hours. He was going to be his teacher, and maybe later on he wouold be Claudius's annoyance, but he was happy to be taight and didn't say anything.
As they walked into the library Markus couldn't help but look around; books had been friends of his since he was little, one of the reasons his Mum put up with teaching, she could give him a book and leave him too it. Filling in any gaps when he asked. When he signalled for him to sit on the couch, he gladly did. If magic could surpress a persons identity, change how they looked, then it defiantly powerful, plus the tattoo's looked cool as well. An added bonus to the magic itself. he then contemplated the question asked before snorting.
"Karma? Not a chance. Something like it maybe, but definatly not karma, I've seen too many good people in povery and dead to believe in it. You?"
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Post by xxHuntressxx on Aug 22, 2008 17:14:27 GMT -5
“ Mind the three fold law ye should, three times bad and three times good.” Claudius muttered as he picked up a crystal upon a chain. He raised it up, looking slightly above his eyes level as he held his hand beside the crystal.
“These eight words the Wiccan Rede fulfill, and ye harm none, do what ye will.” He spoke again. Muttering part of the rede of their people he held so close.
“ Karma is very real, at least when dealing with magic. Commit evils with it, and evil will consume you. Do good… and well, evil may still consume you but eventually… you’ll be righted somehow.” He sighed as he shook his head. Sometimes he himself questioned the law… though he knew. That he very well deserved the curse that was upon his head. He had hated the paranormal creatures of the city for so long and held a chip upon his shoulder. Then one night after a lesser demon stole a ancient book and he followed with his partner out to get it back…. Well. The rest was history. Her father killed his partner, so he killed her father… and he was cursed for eternity to take the shape of those he hated so much. To live a eternal death of his pride. Every waking day that he looked into a mirror, he was reminded of his past crimes, sometimes this hell was worse then death. To top it off…. Well, it was still continuing to punish him causing him to fall from grace and be hunted like a animal. To be hunted like those he once hunted….
With this he absently touched his shoulder marks with a frown.
“ Karma is very …. Real. So always remember never abuse your power. This is a gift that we few humans have obtained and become known as the race of witches… As thus… we must use it for good.” He spoke as he threw up the crystal and snatched it within his hand in a instant.
“ Tell me, has your parents taught you anything at all? Or are we starting with bare basics?” He asked as he started to file through Adrian’s desk looking for the study manual he knew the idiot kept all the time in case his absent minded brain forgot something. When the little idiot got back to the tower he was going to make sure to snap him to attention to clean up his pig sty of a work desk.
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Post by mai on Aug 22, 2008 18:18:34 GMT -5
((Short, lack of muse, tired. Sorry))
“Mind the three fold law ye should, three times bad and three times good. These eight words the Wiccan Rede fulfill, and ye harm none, do what ye will. Karma is very real, at least when dealing with magic. Commit evils with it, and evil will consume you. Do good… and well, evil may still consume you but eventually… you’ll be righted somehow. Karma is very …. Real. So always remember never abuse your power. This is a gift that we few humans have obtained and become known as the race of witches… As thus… we must use it for good. Tell me, has your parents taught you anything at all? Or are we starting with bare basics?”
Even when Claudius had finished, Ace ignored the question. Repeating the words from the first two sentences in his head.Somehow it clicked inside his head more than it should. And in a way it scared him. Cracker was there to make sure he wasn't too serious all the time, with him gone and asleep, Ace was a serious person. The words seemed to mean something more to the man in front of him than he was letting on. markus didn't want to press him. Instead he turned his attention back to the question at hand.
"I know some, mainly animal spells and fire spells. They're what I do best. I'm fairly good at other elemental spells but that's about it. I know a few of the basics and that is all. Now my urn for a question; how did you know it was one of my parents that taught me? I've not mentioned it."
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Post by xxHuntressxx on Aug 22, 2008 18:47:32 GMT -5
Claudius smirked as this question rose up in the young mans voice.
“ Easy, your aura has a sense that you have committed acts of magic if you knew of it or not. Thus one of your parents had to be at least a spell castor or a herbal witch. It is very rare for one with your type of power to be born of normal human lineage. A cooking witch maybe, one who can actually use magic… not very likely. “ He smirked a bit as he looked to the guy who seemed to have many inner things troubling his mind. He could see it on his serious face at the moment.
“ If you tend towards animal and fire I would advise you to specialize in that. Everyone has their niche and that is their strongest path. My friend…. Who’s desk I am currently sitting at, specializes in light and water magic. I myself, have a specialty in energy manipulations, another of my friends… is a poison/elixir expert and so forth. “ He smirked at this. With a wave of his hand his purple and teal tinted aura became visible. The energy flowing about him like many whips of snakes the man suddenly closed his hand. His energy forming a ball of glowing light. With this he let the orb hover before him as he stood up. He lowered the ball to the floor and stood upon it. The solid sense of his energy becoming a standing point the used it to lift himself up. Balancing like a cat upon the wind.
“ This is my specialty like I said. I can transform my spiritual pressure into a place to stand, a weapon or a projectile. “ He explained for hoping off and the orb suddenly exploded into dust.
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Post by mai on Aug 23, 2008 9:50:11 GMT -5
“Easy, your aura has a sense that you have committed acts of magic if you knew of it or not. Thus one of your parents had to be at least a spell castor or a herbal witch. It is very rare for one with your type of power to be born of normal human lineage. A cooking witch maybe, one who can actually use magic… not very likely. If you tend to wards animal and fire I would advise you to specialize in that. Everyone has their niche and that is their strongest path. My friend…. Who’s desk I am currently sitting at, specializes in light and water magic. I myself, have a specialty in energy manipulations, another of my friends… is a poison/elixir expert and so forth.“
Ace snorted and gave Claudius a flat look at the smirk. his attention peaked as the man was surrounded by a purple mist when he waved his hand. The mist writhed like snakes and turned around him like an old friend. He attention was completely captivated when the man formed a ball and stood on it, slowly rising in the air. Somehow he reminded Markus of a crow perching on a branch, wings slightly outstretched for balance. But this was hardly the case as Claudius needed no help balancing.
“This is my specialty like I said. I can transform my spiritual pressure into a place to stand, a weapon or a projectile.“
Markus was like a child in a candy shop. His mother had never showed him how magic looked, always explaining things the way books said they were meant to feel like and turn out like. And sometimes that wasn't how it felt, and it didn't flow like that. And some thing just felt plain wrong to do. His mother had never really understood that. He had no idea what she could do, he didn't know if his father had been a with. But it was good to know not being able to do some things was normal.
"My mother. She taught me somethings. And when I say taught, she gave me a book. I don't know what she could do. She never bothered to show me."
That was all the explanation he was going to give. He was still staring at the man who was floating in mid air. Directly in front of him, standing on a small ball. An idea came to him.
"Could I do that? Not float, I'm scared of heights, but make that aura around me."
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Post by xxHuntressxx on Aug 23, 2008 16:38:03 GMT -5
Claudius smiled a bit at this as the orb vanished and he was once more upon the floor.
“ Yes of course. We all have spiritual energy, the color of it reflects your soul. To actually visually see this aura all you need to do is compress it tightly. It’s easier to see if your mad, for your body will gather the energy closely all around you to prepare for a attack. You’ll need to practice a bit, but I’m sure you will be able to do it in no time.” He smiled. A student eager to learn, he liked that idea as he moved over to some books upon the wall and took one out. Flipping through it he seemed concentrated for a moment before snapping it shut and looking back to the guy quite curiously.
“ Have you had any experience in meditating?” he asked. Wondering the best course of action to allow the guy to see his own energy in the physical form.
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Post by Aerynn on Aug 23, 2008 16:54:15 GMT -5
Skulduggery arrived outside the clock tower a few minutes after leaving the tavern. He had an uncanny sense of direction that made it seem that the winding roads of Cheshire were gently guiding him to his destination. He glanced up at the tall stone building, admiring the solid architecture for a second before walking up the short flight of steps to the door and knocking on it with his bony fist.
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Post by xxHuntressxx on Aug 23, 2008 17:12:55 GMT -5
Claudius blinked as a rap came from the front door.
“ Who in the world would actually knock?” he asked, as he held up a hand.
“ Hold that thought.” He spoke quickly as he made his way back to the front. With a wave of his fingers the grand inside room suddenly became a drab array of offices and waiting rooms that looked like some old accountant place. With a flick his hand the man opened the door to look into the shadows before him.
“ Can I help you?” He asked swiftly. Trying to act like some drab accountant then a witch who was giving a lesson here.
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Post by Aerynn on Aug 23, 2008 18:29:40 GMT -5
As he heard footsteps coming toward the door Skul pulled his hat further onto his head just in case he'd got the wrong place. When the door swung open he glanced up at the man and if he'd been able to grin any more he would have. "Good morning, Claudius I presume? Recognise you from the photo." He grabbed the hand that wasn't holding the door and shook it vigorously "The names Skulduggery, pleased to meet you. May I come in? Only its a bit nippy out here and my old bones feel the cold much more than they used to." He examined the man as he spoke, taking in the clothes, the aura and the stern look in his eye. "I've come from London y'see, had a spot of bother and got sent on an extended bit of R&R. Been told to make your acquaintance when I got into the city, so here I am on your doorstep."
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Post by xxHuntressxx on Aug 23, 2008 18:52:25 GMT -5
Claudius looked the man up and down, shakeing his hand in a bit of uncertainty. Was this Delano trying to have him killed yet again? Or was this a genuine cause.
“ I am not sure if you have seen the news or not… but I no longer work for the coven here…..” he spoke with uncertainty in his voice. He debated in his head to let the man in or not. What if he was here to start trouble…..he had to protect himself.
“ I’m sorry if I seem rude but…with recent events in this city one can not be too careful whom they let through their door.” He commented as he made sure the barrier upon the building was intact. The spell he had placed on it should help to keep those with ill intend out of it’s frames… so with this he stepped back a bit.
“ If you still wish to come in… then do so.” He challenged to see what would happen.
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Post by mai on Aug 24, 2008 6:28:14 GMT -5
“Yes of course. We all have spiritual energy, the color of it reflects your soul. To actually visually see this aura all you need to do is compress it tightly. It’s easier to see if your mad, for your body will gather the energy closely all around you to prepare for a attack. You’ll need to practice a bit, but I’m sure you will be able to do it in no time.”
Ace grinned and did a little happy dance on the sofa. Not really caring what Claudius thought of him. The fact that he may be able to do that was just to cool.
“Have you had any experience in meditating?”
He snorted.
"Me meditate? You do not know my patience leval. It's basicly nothing. So meditating as never become a hobby of mine."
At the knock Ace suddenly fraze. His mind thinking of every possiblity it could. Was this just a trick to lure him here and drag him into the coven? He highly doubted it, but he was a bit highly strung without Cracker's you're-a-good-person radar.
“Who in the world would actually knock?”
Ace stared at him at that. He expected him to know?!
“Hold that thought.”
Well it's not like I have much choice... He grinned though as the rooms transformed into offices. Another thing that sent shivers down his spine. The couch turning into another, more uncomfortable couch he wasn't exacly happy with, but he'd just seen proper magic, comfort could wait a bit longer. He couldn't see past Claudius as the door opened, but he could here what was being said.
“Can I help you?”
"Good morning, Claudius I presume? Recognise you from the photo. The names Skulduggery, pleased to meet you. May I come in? Only its a bit nippy out here and my old bones feel the cold much more than they used to. I've come from London y'see, had a spot of bother and got sent on an extended bit of R&R. Been told to make your acquaintance when I got into the city, so here I am on your doorstep."
“I am not sure if you have seen the news or not… but I no longer work for the coven here…I’m sorry if I seem rude but…with recent events in this city one can not be too careful whom they let through their door. If you still wish to come in… then do so.”
You're letting the guy in!? WHY!? He sounds like a nutjob!
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Post by Aerynn on Aug 24, 2008 13:06:29 GMT -5
Skulduggery released Claudius' hand and stepped over the threshold and into the tower. As he passed through the door he felt a tingle but nothing more, he seal that protected the building obviously satisfied that he held no malicious intent towards any of its occupants. "As it happens I was in a bar not moments ago having a nice chat with a certain lovely demon who explained the current situation to me quite succinctly." He pulled off his gloves and tucked them into a pocket of his suit and removed the scarf from his face, revealing a jaw filled with a fine set of teeth but severely lacking in any flesh. "As I know who you are it seems only fair for me to introduce myself properly. My name is Skulduggery Pellucid, formerly a freelance law enforcer and detective for the elders of London." He bent at the waist into a deep bow and swept his hat from his head, revealing the gleaming bone beneath.
"I might also point out that I've also been formerly alive, as of the 27th of June, 1876." He glanced up at the other man in the room and spoke in a much more jovial and less formal voice. "I am also not a nutjob, merely a little eccentric. And I'm sure the same could be said for any magical practitioner."
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Post by mai on Aug 24, 2008 15:01:52 GMT -5
((Really short I know, lack of muse))
"I am also not a nutjob, merely a little eccentric. And I'm sure the same could be said for any magical practitioner."
Oh bugger...
"Sorry you must get this all the time but, how the hell can you speak?"
Ace wondered if the drink had gotten to him. His mother had always said that pints of vodka could kill him. Maybe they could also fry his visionary cells in his brain...or whatever they were called. This guy was a skeleton...wicked.
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Post by Aerynn on Aug 24, 2008 15:13:05 GMT -5
Skul straightened up and chuckled quietly at the man's question.
"Same thing that keeps me walking I think, a mix of magical energy and my own special brand of bloody mindedness. Probably helps that I was killed basically by a magical overload. Guy pumped me so full of juice that I pretty much exploded, it was a singular experience to say the least."
He stepped toward the other man and stuck out his hand to shake.
"And who may I ask is asking the question?"
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Post by mai on Aug 24, 2008 15:24:43 GMT -5
"Same thing that keeps me walking I think, a mix of magical energy and my own special brand of bloody mindedness. Probably helps that I was killed basically by a magical overload. Guy pumped me so full of juice that I pretty much exploded, it was a singular experience to say the least."
Ace stared and nodded. hopefully the guy won't know that he has no idea about anything that was just said. Oh yeah like that's so gonna work.
"And who may I ask is asking the question?"
Ace stood up and reached out for the hand. Shaking it was an experience he'd rather not repeat. The feeling of cold, hard bone in the palm of your hand made him think of all thos horror stories read as a kid where tribes of mad men attack people and use their bones as wepaons...or was that a movie?
"Markus Fletchley. Friends call me Ace. I normally have a black cat called cracker with me, but he was knackered so I put him to bed. Nice ta meet ya Mr Pellucid."
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Post by xxHuntressxx on Aug 24, 2008 19:57:32 GMT -5
Claudius bowed a bit to the man out of respect. His story though strange could of very well happened. That and it seemed the house didn’t sense malicious intent to for now he would be a welcomed guest.
“ I would have to say that would be my least favorite way to die. “ Claudius responded as if looking at a bone man was all that normal. He listened as the two made their acquaintances. Calmly listening to them for a moment in a amused matter for the kid seemed to be taking everything with stride.
“ So now we are in the safety of the coven house. What was your reason for coming here?” He asked again. The human wincing a bit as his headache reminded him he was holding up the powerful counter curse to take on his human shape. He shook it off as usual. The pain was part of his every day life now.
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Post by Aerynn on Aug 26, 2008 17:23:51 GMT -5
Ooc: Could Skul as he is from somewhere other than cheshire inform him about a dragon of earth being bound by someone outside of the council of witches? Kind of get the ball rolling on the hunter thing.
"Ah, I was just getting to that. I was sent with information from the elders in London. Are you happy for me to discuss it in front of Mr Fletchley or would you prefer that I inform you in private?"
Skul reached into a pocket and took out a brown envelope sealed with a thick red seal embossed with an ornate coat of arms. He carefully broke the seal and withdrew a single piece of paper. He kept the sheet folded, waiting for Claudius to make up his mind. He knew what was on the paper already but it was signed by all of the elders which gave the information a very clear validity.
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Post by xxHuntressxx on Aug 26, 2008 18:54:08 GMT -5
(( Ooc: XD Yeah sure, anyone you have in mind or a random one? Or you want me to pick one or what? X3 ))
“ He’s my apprentice, so I am sure he knows better then to speak anything within these walls to the outside world.” He smiled over to the young witch before putting his hand out. Wishing to see the sealed envelope with his own teal eyes. The human man waited, watching the stranger with utmost curiosity.
“Also, not that this is important…. But how did you obtain it? I mean as you are….well. Most cursed ones are not always welcomed into the fold … or is it that they still have yet to find out your secret if I may ask?” Claudius spoke as he waited for the man to speak once more.
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Post by Aerynn on Aug 26, 2008 19:17:52 GMT -5
Ooc: Eh, I was gonna make a random one up on the fly and then if needed make the bio for it later. Let's see...the dragon imprisoned was the earth dragon of metal, name is Lydinys. Was unbound from resting place in the support of tower bridge and rebound to some mysterious new master.
"Alright then, as long as your comfortable." He handed the piece of paper over and spoke in a much more cheerful tone, answering Claud's question. "And as for the London elders, they are a more forward thinking group of witches than most, also I've got so much dirt on each and every one of them that they'd have to go into hiding if I released even a tiny fraction of it."
It was the part of his job as a kind of freelance detective that Skul enjoyed most. He got pretty much free reign to dig through any archive he wanted, uncovering morsel after juicy morsel of information.
"Anyway" he carried on "I don't see myself as cursed so much as differently blessed."
After those last words Skul shut up, waiting for the other witch to read the piece of paper and react.
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Post by xxHuntressxx on Aug 26, 2008 19:35:42 GMT -5
Claudius took the paper. Making a bit of a frown at the man’s comment.
“ Here they look at you like a traitor and put you to death.” He frowned a bit, still seeing his own curse as just that. A curse. As he opened the letter his eyes grew wide as he realized what had happened.
“ This takes powerful magic to bind a normal dragon of the earth… but to steal one from it’s rest and forcefully bind it without the collection of many witches. It’s unheard of! What sort of magic is at work here?” He replied for anyone to do such a thing… Well they had a powerful weapon in their hands…. The utter destruction they could do. It was horrible.
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Post by Aerynn on Aug 26, 2008 20:04:34 GMT -5
"And that is why I got sent here. Our eyes and ears in the city have been telling us that you have at least one if not more dragons of earth living here. If this person is as well informed as they are apparently powerful they'll know as well."
Skulduggery slid his hand backward across the dome of his skull and paused for a second to gather his thoughts.
"Of course if this person is as powerful as they seem being forwarned doesn't seem like its going to help matters too much."
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Post by xxHuntressxx on Aug 26, 2008 20:22:17 GMT -5
Claudius looked worried as he ran his hand through his black raven locks. Looking up over his glasses he frowned to the man before him.
“ ….We got way more then just one in this city… seems quite a few…. Have migrated to these lands….if this person gets ahold of any more… there is no hope as to stop them. Though what do we do…. I mean. Like you said… this person is powerful enough already….I may have power but I am no God….. No. We need to… figure something out. Delay this from happening since you know as well as I… this place is like a Easter basket of dragons for him to collect.” He frowned in utter terror.
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