Vincent Hawk
Ireth
Sexy British Professor of Music
~ Sing like no one's listening ~
Posts: 722
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Post by Vincent Hawk on Nov 17, 2009 20:39:50 GMT -5
Vincent blinked slowly as the blackness faded from his mind. The air around him was still and damp, and the ground beneath him (how had he gotten outside?) was hard and cold.
He stood up slowly, brushing dirt from his clothes -- he was still in his nobleman's costume, sword and all -- and taking stock of where he was. Or at least making the attempt to; a thick grey fog lay over his surroundings like a musty blanket. He turned in a slow circle, blinking and peering out through the fog.
One hand clenched on the hilt of his sword (just a stage prop, but maybe it would come in handy), and the other stretched out uncertainly in front of him as he groped his way forward like a blind man. Any direction would do; they all looked just the same.
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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 Nov 17, 2009 20:48:38 GMT -5
A laugh echoed from the fog, seeming to come from everywhere and nowhere at once.
"Look at the little Hawk, floundering in the fog. Did it forget how to fly? Or is its little lion keeping it grounded with worry?" the voice teased. It seemed somehow both friendly and yet... not. As if the voice didn't really care too much about what happened to Vincent as long as it enjoyed itself. "Fly away, little birdy. Or the cat might come to find you..."
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Vincent Hawk
Ireth
Sexy British Professor of Music
~ Sing like no one's listening ~
Posts: 722
|
Post by Vincent Hawk on Nov 17, 2009 21:08:30 GMT -5
Vincent tensed, instinctively drawing his sword and looking to and fro, trying to pinpoint the source of the voice. It was familiar, and yet not... the last time he had heard that voice, it had come from the mouth of a young boy with the mind of an adult and the heart of a Fae. This time the voice was deeper, more mature, but still recognizable.
"Korlian," he said aloud, keeping his voice firm. "Where are we? What do you want with me?" The back of his neck was prickling; everything about this was inherently wrong. The Korlian he knew would never speak to him with such disrespect. And what was he talking about? A cat coming to find him?
He narrowed his eyes, trying to see through the fog. "Show yourself, Prince of the Fae."
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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 Nov 17, 2009 21:11:53 GMT -5
Korlian materialized in front of him, tall and elegant. Every inch the Fae Prince he had been claiming to be all along. "Such disrespect. Where are we? Simply enough... in your mind. This is your world, Vincent. I'm just here for the ride."
His head turned to the side and he smirked, the feline cast to his face growing more apparent. He definitely looked less... human, and more feline than he had as a thirteen year old boy.
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Vincent Hawk
Ireth
Sexy British Professor of Music
~ Sing like no one's listening ~
Posts: 722
|
Post by Vincent Hawk on Nov 17, 2009 21:20:12 GMT -5
Vincent frowned a little, drawing himself up to his full height and looking up at the Fae Prince, who now appeared unmistakeably feline. He kept his voice civil despite the worry gnawing at the pit of his stomach. "Disrespectful? I'm using your proper title, which is more than can be said for you, Highness."
It suddenly struck him what a silly thing that was to argue about, since he had much more important things to focus on -- like getting out of this place -- but what was said, was said. He lowered the hand holding his sword to his side, but did not loosen his hold on the hilt. He wanted to know what kind of madness he was in for.
"So... this is my mind," he assessed, echoing Korlian's words. "Am I conscious, or am I dreaming?"
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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 Nov 18, 2009 1:10:51 GMT -5
"Both and neither," Korlian shrugged. "The disrespect was in your tone, and what respect do I owe someone whose life encompasses a mere blink of the eye? You live at my humor here, Professor. I am, and am not, the boy you know. I mean you no harm, Vincent. At least, not yet...
"Take your hand from that sword. The only danger here is one we conjure, or one you create."
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Vincent Hawk
Ireth
Sexy British Professor of Music
~ Sing like no one's listening ~
Posts: 722
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Post by Vincent Hawk on Nov 18, 2009 1:17:10 GMT -5
Vincent shrugged and sheathed the sword again, looking up at this strange new Korlian. "I live at your humor? So, I take it you brought me here somehow. Then you can help me find the way back, correct?" He hadn't liked the way Korlian had said "not yet" -- it reeked of malice and treachery. He resisted the urge to draw his sword again, searching the Fae Prince's face. What secrets lay hidden behind those strange grey eyes?
"What do you want with me?" he asked again.
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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 Nov 18, 2009 1:27:32 GMT -5
Korlian shrugged, "I did not bring you here, and I had nothing to do with its form. What I want from you...?"
His eyes flashed and he leaned toward Vincent, smirking a little. "I want... to know what you want of me. Your daughter is out there... and my kin. You heard the man dressed as the Death. But they aren't looking just for me... no. If they hunted us, they would not have bound us."
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Vincent Hawk
Ireth
Sexy British Professor of Music
~ Sing like no one's listening ~
Posts: 722
|
Post by Vincent Hawk on Nov 18, 2009 1:56:49 GMT -5
Vincent suppressed a violent shudder. "All I want is to be able to protect the ones I love from whatever threats come knocking at Dunehelden's doors. Can you help me find a way back to them?" He met Korlian's eyes, wanting to be able to trust him.
"Not long ago you laid a claim of friendship on my daughter; you said that 'the Seelie do not harm what is theirs'. I know that you are a... person of your word, and that you would never harm Ariel yourself. But if I should fail to guard her myself, can you promise me that you will not let her come to harm by others' hands... the hands of your kin?"
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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 Nov 18, 2009 2:12:36 GMT -5
Korlian paused, narrowing his eyes. Did he want to trap himself in a promise? Words were powerful, and in this realm, they were even more powerful than usual. He circled Vincent for a moment, pursing his lips. So predictable, that his only thought would be to protect. Korlian had mentioned it earlier. Vincent should know the meaning of his daughter's name, after all.
"For tonight only will I give you my word, and only so far as to give her the tools to protect herself. I have other plans this night. And I should be able to take you to the other you so wish to protect. But I want one thing for you in return...
"After this night, I want you to help protect me." He continued to circle the professor. "It is going to be necessary, and I want you to help keep me safe, as I will do for your daughter."
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Vincent Hawk
Ireth
Sexy British Professor of Music
~ Sing like no one's listening ~
Posts: 722
|
Post by Vincent Hawk on Nov 18, 2009 12:06:22 GMT -5
Vincent turned in a slow circle as Korlian walked around him, not wanting the Fae Prince to be able to get behind him. Everything about this situation deeply disturbed him. He couldn't even find his way around in his own dreams, for crying out loud. And on top of that, the small and fairly harmless boy he had known as a friend to his daughter had suddenly transformed into a towering creature from another world, who was perfectly capable -- and perhaps, he shivered, willing -- to kill him with a straight face. Vincent swallowed, trying to hide his dread, feeling very much like the flightless bird Korlian had described him as. And Korlian, it seemed, was the predatory cat. But normal cats didn't make bargains with their prey... maybe he had a chance of getting out of here alive, and finding Diana, Natalie and Ariel.
He held Korlian's gaze, considering his words. Protection didn't seem like an unreasonable thing to ask in return for helping to protect a friend... but... "Protection from what, exactly?" Would it even be within his power to protect Korlian from his enemies, who- or whatever they were?
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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 Nov 18, 2009 12:28:12 GMT -5
"Veronique. I have little doubt that come tomorrow, I will be a child once more, and she will remember at least that she has great reason to dislike me, even if she does not fully remember what."
His lips curled into a smirk as he watched Vincent turn, refusing to let Korlian behind him. There was the fear he'd expected. It must have taken Vincent this long to realize exactly what Korlian was. A soft sound rumbled in his throat; a purr, so exact that a human throat could not possibly create it. He was having fun, even if it wasn't the game he'd been half-planning. Ah, games were Lhachlhass' thing anyway.
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Vincent Hawk
Ireth
Sexy British Professor of Music
~ Sing like no one's listening ~
Posts: 722
|
Post by Vincent Hawk on Nov 18, 2009 12:31:05 GMT -5
Vincent nodded slowly. "That sounds reasonable. But how do you know I'll even remember having this conversation once I wake up? This is only a dream, after all."
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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 Nov 18, 2009 13:40:44 GMT -5
"When Ariel tells you where she was tonight, I think you'll be inclined to help me anyway," Korlian said softly, thoughtfully. "Or should I say, where she will be."
He grew thoughtful. He had no idea where Ariel was, or even if he was going to find her... she wouldn't be able to come back into the auditorium... Maybe she had gone to the restroom. Well, if he found her... If he didn't, then Vincent would probably not really help protect Korlian from the headmistress. Of course, whether or not he would want protection if something happened to Ariel was beyond his ken. The human desires that coursed through his blood when sealed did not fully make sense to him when he controlled himself properly. Well, whatever happened, happened.
"Dreams are... fascinating things. Even the Fae dream..." his voice trailed off and then he focused on Vincent again. "Now... I offered you a second part, but you must make the deal."
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Vincent Hawk
Ireth
Sexy British Professor of Music
~ Sing like no one's listening ~
Posts: 722
|
Post by Vincent Hawk on Nov 18, 2009 13:56:12 GMT -5
Vincent nodded, licking his lips a little and meeting Korlian's eyes.
"If you give me your word as the son of the Seelie King that you will do all in your power to aid me in protecting my daughter, and that you will lead me safely to Diana, I give you my word that I will do all in my power to protect you from Veronique, for as long as is necessary."
He drew a deep breath and held out his right hand, waiting for the bargain to be sealed.
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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 Nov 18, 2009 14:03:00 GMT -5
Korlian looked at his hand, then remembered. Right, people around here shook hands to cement bargains. He wondered if Vincent even remembered where that little custom came from. "You have my word as Finvarra's son that I will give Ariel the means to protect herself, even from me, and that you will reach your Diana in the same condition you hold now."
He took Vincent's hand, waiting to shake it for Vincent to accept his altering of the deal's wording. Of course, it wasn't like the man had a choice. Either he accepted... or Korlian left him here, to wander in the dreamscape he had created.
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Vincent Hawk
Ireth
Sexy British Professor of Music
~ Sing like no one's listening ~
Posts: 722
|
Post by Vincent Hawk on Nov 18, 2009 14:21:58 GMT -5
Vincent let out his breath, realizing that he really didn't have a choice of whether to accept the somewhat-altered bargain or not. He had already stated his end of the deal, and if he didn't accept Korlian's terms, he would be stuck, stranded in his own mind. Well, Your Highness, I hope you remember that you will need me eventually, just as I need you now.
He gripped the Prince's hand firmly and gave it a shake, not looking away from Korlian's eyes. "Done."
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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 Nov 18, 2009 14:29:06 GMT -5
Korlian's eyes flashed a little and he smirked, shaking Vincent's hand in return. His smirk turned to a smile as he pulled away and gestured silently for Vincent to follow him. He walked into the mist, not looking back. If Vincent fell behind, then he would leave the man to flounder in his dreams. He would lead the way to Diana... it was up to Vincent to insure he did not reach her alone.
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