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Post by The Storyteller on Sept 10, 2009 22:44:44 GMT -5
A huge red symbol has been painted across the library doors: a circle enclosing what seems to be a four-armed stick figure with a snake's head, holding four curved swords.
The symbol seems to have shown up during the night.
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Daridouvlyn Zhoumi
Keme
It's pronounced "dove"
Kneel not before thine dreams; praise instead the dreamer in his limited saneness.
Posts: 76
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Post by Daridouvlyn Zhoumi on Sept 13, 2009 18:49:23 GMT -5
Daridouvlyn clutched her journal to her chest and stared up at the entrance to the library. The doors positively dwarfed the little vampire-- a vision of fragility in her flowing white sundress, the thick lavender book reflecting its color faintly onto the underside of her chin and the stray tendrils of hair that fell from the loose bun at the back of her skull to frame it. The doors were easily three times her height. The symbol itself was not much smaller.
Daridouvlyn's eyes roved over this graffiti, her expression sleepy but her mind working a million miles an hour. She had seen this. It had been a vision occurring in several of the dreams that had invaded her sleep the night before.
"Whose dreams were they...?" She wondered aloud, not noticing her own voice as it echoed down the corridor.
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Fekete Istvan
Ireth
University Junior: Mage
Make believe, close your eyes, I'll be anything for you.
Posts: 140
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Post by Fekete Istvan on Sept 13, 2009 19:35:11 GMT -5
Istvan hurried down the hall toward the library, a book clutched tightly under his arm. He halted several yards away from the massive double doors, staring up at the ominous red symbol painted across them. He took a few tentative steps closer, noticing a petite female figure also staring up at the graffiti.
"What happened here...?" he murmured, half to himself.
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Daridouvlyn Zhoumi
Keme
It's pronounced "dove"
Kneel not before thine dreams; praise instead the dreamer in his limited saneness.
Posts: 76
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Post by Daridouvlyn Zhoumi on Sept 13, 2009 19:47:56 GMT -5
Daridouvlyn pursed her rosebud mouth and shook her head. "I don't know," she answered automatically. She hesitantly leaned forward and sniffed the red mark. "It... smells like fruit," she half-mumbled, "Or berries..." Looking up at the young man she confessed, "I don't think this is regular paint." She reached out one dainty hand and touched the door, her fingers coming away clean. It didn't feel like paint, either. The grain of the wood was the dominant texture as far as the doors were concerned. Maybe the graffiti was dyed into the wood... But no, there was no dye that would lend such an opaque effect to the old, heavily varnished wood.
Once again her thoughts wondered to those strange dreams. They were far different than most of what she had gleaned from the general student body of Dunehelden. They were fleeting, dark, dappled with silver that may have been moonlight filtering through forest trees. The smell of sap and dew and crisp, cool air invaded her nostrils as she remembered her unconscious hours.
"I don't know who will be more upset about this," she joked, more to bring herself back to a conscious train of thought. "The librarian, the janitor, or the Headmistress."
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Fekete Istvan
Ireth
University Junior: Mage
Make believe, close your eyes, I'll be anything for you.
Posts: 140
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Post by Fekete Istvan on Sept 13, 2009 19:57:44 GMT -5
Istvan laughed, the sound echoing around them. "That will be anyone's guess, I think."
He studied the strange symbol again, considering the girl's assessment. Berry juice would probably not affect the varnished wood like that, unless perhaps it was mixed with something... but what?
"Maybe we should tell someone," he spoke up again, taking a step back. "The Headmistress will want to know about this, if she hasn't already seen it."
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Daridouvlyn Zhoumi
Keme
It's pronounced "dove"
Kneel not before thine dreams; praise instead the dreamer in his limited saneness.
Posts: 76
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Post by Daridouvlyn Zhoumi on Sept 13, 2009 21:25:57 GMT -5
"Something tells me," Daridouvlyn said slowly, "that she'd have heard about it before we ever got to her."
That something was of course she multiple visions she had received. No, Veronique would not need to be told about it. The woman would find out... and certainly sooner than later, as there would most likely be more than one of these symbols around...
Against her better judgment, Daridouvlyn pushed against one of the doors to open it. It wouldn't budge.
"Is it... locked?" She tried the handle. There was no click to indicate a locked door. It seemed jammed shut.
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Fekete Istvan
Ireth
University Junior: Mage
Make believe, close your eyes, I'll be anything for you.
Posts: 140
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Post by Fekete Istvan on Sept 13, 2009 21:28:41 GMT -5
"Perhaps something's holding them shut from inside?" Istvan wondered, coming forward and pushing hard against the doors, which didn't budge. He stood back, frowning in confusion. "Odd..."
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Post by Barthoulemus “Fable” Jones on Sept 13, 2009 21:54:28 GMT -5
Fable felt warmth on his eyelids and became vaguely aware of a dull pain and a nudging at his lower back. A grumble rose from deep in his chest and he slowly opened his eyes to the near-blinding morning sunlight filtering through the windows at the far end of the library.
The far end of the library...
The library doors were cold against his backside. A mild pressure was being put against them, as if they were pushed from the other side. Lugging his heavy body of the floor with a groan, the beast of a man brought both massive hands up to his temples and rubbed them. His head hurt. He felt odd, fizzy, mildly nauseous. Maybe he was drunk...or drugged... though he had consumed nothing other than his usual dinner, and Rhythan wouldn't dare...
The pressure came against the doors again. Fable whirled and flung them open with a grunt.
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Daridouvlyn Zhoumi
Keme
It's pronounced "dove"
Kneel not before thine dreams; praise instead the dreamer in his limited saneness.
Posts: 76
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Post by Daridouvlyn Zhoumi on Sept 13, 2009 21:58:51 GMT -5
Daridouvlyn, who had tried once again to catch the lock of the handle, gave a short, high-pitched yelp as the barrier suddenly opened inwards, taking her with it. She was flung against a warm, stony mass that smelled of dust and ink and brussels sprouts.
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Post by Barthoulemus “Fable” Jones on Sept 13, 2009 22:06:05 GMT -5
Fable glared down at the tiny figure that fell against him, hardly feeling her weight. This was the girl who spent so much time in the computer labs-- she preferred the online database for her reading entertainment than the print versions in his library. He had less hate for her than the other occupants of his castle, and had come to refer to her as "the wee one."
Regardless, she was touching him. Revolted and surprised, he placed his meaty hands on her thin shoulders and shoved her back with much more force than was necessary.
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Fekete Istvan
Ireth
University Junior: Mage
Make believe, close your eyes, I'll be anything for you.
Posts: 140
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Post by Fekete Istvan on Sept 13, 2009 22:22:58 GMT -5
Istvan immediately moved to catch the tiny girl as the librarian shoved her away from him, the book falling to the floor as he let go of it. Steadying the girl with one arm, he bent carefully to pick up the book, holding it out to Fable with a disapproving look.
"That was quite unnecessary, sir," he said coolly.
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Post by Barthoulemus “Fable” Jones on Sept 13, 2009 22:30:09 GMT -5
Fable chose to ignore the need to apologize. He didn't apologize. Were he able, he might have felt sorry for veritably throwing the wee one back through the doorway. However, ages upon ages of life had worn down the emotions of which he was capable to a sparse few. Sorry was not one of them. He gave Istvan a once-over and grunted, "You caught her, di'n ya?"
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Fekete Istvan
Ireth
University Junior: Mage
Make believe, close your eyes, I'll be anything for you.
Posts: 140
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Post by Fekete Istvan on Sept 13, 2009 22:34:47 GMT -5
"And if I hadn't been here to do so, she might have been badly hurt," Istvan answered, his cool voice dropping to sub-zero temperatures. "So count yourself and her as lucky--her for not being injured, and you for not ending up at fault."
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Korlian
Kitty Kat
Academy Freshman: Bound Fae
Close your eyes and surrender to your darkest dreams... Only then can you belong to me...
Posts: 942
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Post by Korlian on Sept 13, 2009 23:32:37 GMT -5
Korlian came up behind them, looking at the symbol on the door. "Oooh. What is that?" he asked, standing on his tiptoes to see it. He looked at Douv and smiled, "Hi! Finally, someone my size!"
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Daridouvlyn Zhoumi
Keme
It's pronounced "dove"
Kneel not before thine dreams; praise instead the dreamer in his limited saneness.
Posts: 76
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Post by Daridouvlyn Zhoumi on Sept 13, 2009 23:41:02 GMT -5
Daridouvlyn leaned forward slightly to view the newcomer past Istvan-- what met her was a small but attractive boy who was indeed similar in size to her... though his height bested hers by an inch and he certainly seemed more than capable of doing anything physically demanding better than she could.
"Close," she said, donning a smile. She turned her attention to the graffitti marking the door and explained, "We don't know what it is-- it's not dye or paint, and it smells of berries..."
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Korlian
Kitty Kat
Academy Freshman: Bound Fae
Close your eyes and surrender to your darkest dreams... Only then can you belong to me...
Posts: 942
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Post by Korlian on Sept 13, 2009 23:43:08 GMT -5
He reached up to touch it, unable to get any off onto his finger. "There is definitely paint in that. And-" he sniffed it, "That isn't a normal smell. A crushed berry wouldn't smell like that. Man-made perfumes do though."
He smiled at her, "I'm Korlian. You've probably been warned to stay away from me."
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Daridouvlyn Zhoumi
Keme
It's pronounced "dove"
Kneel not before thine dreams; praise instead the dreamer in his limited saneness.
Posts: 76
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Post by Daridouvlyn Zhoumi on Sept 13, 2009 23:51:08 GMT -5
Daridouvlyn committed what he said to memory and, confident that she had regained her balance from being pushed, stepped from Istvan's side (hoping that the tall student would choose to ignore the librarian-- Fable didn't seem like himself today and was therefore unpredictable).
"It's a pleasure to meet you, Korlian." She extended her hand for a shake. "I'm Daridouvlyn... And though the general consent is, yes, to leave you alone, I generally leave making an opinion of a person to my own devices." Her smile widened and she added, "You seem perfectly personable to me."
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Korlian
Kitty Kat
Academy Freshman: Bound Fae
Close your eyes and surrender to your darkest dreams... Only then can you belong to me...
Posts: 942
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Post by Korlian on Sept 13, 2009 23:57:38 GMT -5
"My brother is something to avoid more than I am," he said, shaking her hand, then leaning over and kissing it quickly, and looking at Fable. He turned his attention back to the petite vampire "I always have been... even in my dream-memories. I wish those were clearer, though. If you do happen to find something shiny of yours in my possession, I apologize ahead of time."
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Post by Joseph "Peace" Emberlain on Sept 14, 2009 17:41:24 GMT -5
Peace had finally gotten up early enough to head to the library before class, and so he was currently jogging down the hallway, his attention was split between holding his books and trying to finish the sandwich he'd made before he got there and possibly ran into the creepy old librarian.
He skittered to a stop before all the short people (and Istvan), a bit of grape jelly falling from his hands. A whole crowd of people?
"Mmf," he swallowed. "Uhm. Is there something wrong? It isn't closed, is it?"
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Fekete Istvan
Ireth
University Junior: Mage
Make believe, close your eyes, I'll be anything for you.
Posts: 140
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Post by Fekete Istvan on Sept 14, 2009 17:45:53 GMT -5
"That depends on if our librarian wants to let anyone in," Istvan replied, looking over at the redhead. "Considering what someone has painted on the door, I think it's anyone's guess."
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Daridouvlyn Zhoumi
Keme
It's pronounced "dove"
Kneel not before thine dreams; praise instead the dreamer in his limited saneness.
Posts: 76
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Post by Daridouvlyn Zhoumi on Sept 15, 2009 17:47:20 GMT -5
Daridouvlyn, still mildly aflush from having her hand kissed, flitted past the two taller students and Fable, into the library. It was oddly warm in here. Stepping up to the nearest window, she looked out upon the grounds. The treeline of the forest was visible in the distance.
"There's paint on the trees," she commented, turning back to the group of males and tapping her index finger softly against the nearest pane of glass.
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Fekete Istvan
Ireth
University Junior: Mage
Make believe, close your eyes, I'll be anything for you.
Posts: 140
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Post by Fekete Istvan on Sept 15, 2009 18:11:14 GMT -5
Istvan came up beside Daridouvlyn, follwing her gaze.
"Hmm... so whoever painted this symbol on the door might have come from the forest, or gone there afterward," he mused aloud. "Do you think there are other symbols elsewhere in the castle?"
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Korlian
Kitty Kat
Academy Freshman: Bound Fae
Close your eyes and surrender to your darkest dreams... Only then can you belong to me...
Posts: 942
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Post by Korlian on Sept 15, 2009 19:15:06 GMT -5
"Yes there are and I am immediately going to say I didn't do it but I don't know about my brother," Korlian said, joining them. "And painting trees? The person was either sloppy or stupid. It too easily shows where one came from. Better to leave no trace."
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Daridouvlyn Zhoumi
Keme
It's pronounced "dove"
Kneel not before thine dreams; praise instead the dreamer in his limited saneness.
Posts: 76
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Post by Daridouvlyn Zhoumi on Sept 16, 2009 20:59:52 GMT -5
Daridouvlyn chewed her lower lip, tracing the red lines in the distance with her eyes. Memories from that dream forged their way into her mind again, drowning out all other thought. The fleeting sound of bare feet against the night-frosted forest floor filled her ears, a sensation that almost immediately gave way to a scratching and then the hum of insectile wings. The dappled light in her vision quickly blurred to streaks of silver in a black and green miasma; the scent of sap, sharp and cold, stung her nostrils.
And beneath all of this, there was a feeling that made her skin crawl-- as if the dreamer knew she was watching, and was consequently observing her from the inside out.
Daridouvlyn shuddered.
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Fekete Istvan
Ireth
University Junior: Mage
Make believe, close your eyes, I'll be anything for you.
Posts: 140
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Post by Fekete Istvan on Sept 16, 2009 21:47:17 GMT -5
Istvan noticed Daridouvlyn's shudder, and looked at her in mild confusion--it wasn't especially chilly in the hallway. He noticed her eyes were oddly unfocused as well.
"Daridouvlyn? Are you alright?" he asked.
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