azazele

Arc 8-28 (Umphrieltalia)

What does it mean to be a flower of an elven clan?

That question defined Talia’s existence. It had no easy answer. When she imagined giving herself to Lou, she thought it would be in a more traditional role. A mistress perhaps, or a concubine if the noblewoman wanted to give her a more official status. She wouldn’t generalize every extramarital relationship as a frank exchange of carnal indulgence for resources, but that was what she imagined when she made the offer. That, and the l...

Arc 8-27

Despite having spent the night with murderers and thieves, I enjoy the rest of dinner, or really, the drink-fueled story time. My guests have lived interesting lives. A more virtuous person might say scandalous lives, but I’m in no position to pass judgment. Well, I am, because I could crush them with a pinky, but I won’t because I’m a magnanimous woman. Also, they’re funny. It’s incredible how many things can go wrong in the tight confines of a ship.

But all things come to an...

Arc 8-26

“Interesting. I’ve never seen a parasite that can affect the host’s movements without inflicting damage to the brain. Whatever it’s methods, they are incredibly delicate and precise.”

“Mm. It has been pitted against itself, used to slow its own advance. A twisted physique.”

The two older elves exchange a running commentary as they examine Rey, having pulled her away from the table to have enough room to stand on either side of her chair. They show no hint of discomfo...

Arc 8-25

My hand snaps out, grabbing her by the throat, the slight pressure of my grip meant as a warning. I’d hate to kill her before knowing their story, but I’m afraid I might have to as the feel of my fingers clamping over her neck doesn’t stop the woman, this Rey. I ready myself to squeeze, knowing how little effort it would take to shatter bone and end her.

But she doesn’t attack. Her limbs wrap around my neck and her legs cross over my waist, but there’s nothing hostile about it...

Arc 8-24

“Thank you for hosting us on such short notice, Lou.”

“Always happy to see a friend and friends of a friend.” Saints, she’s really walking around with pirates. It isn’t even the leather that gives them away. It’s the look. The one that’s quietly appraising the furnishings and assigning them value while also mocking them. It’s a particular brand of arrogance and opportunism I’ve only ever seen once, on the face of Arthur before Geneva taught him some civility while he...

Arc 8-23

For most of my life, meals were lonely affairs. How could they not be? It was just me and Father in that crumbling estate, seated at opposite ends of a dining table built to accommodate an expansive family and their guests. When he bothered to show up. Often, he took his meals in his study or wherever he was working. I know he wasn’t absent because he despised me. He simply forgot, giving the matter no attention so long as I didn’t starve.

There are stories about caring servants tha...

Arc 8-22

“Such power must be fragile, no?” Kierra asks lazily. She’s switched from actively pawing at the succubus to merely hugging her as if she’s an upright pillow. “The hunters defaulted to what they know in a time of crisis, but it is only a matter of time before they come to resent these Traditionalists. Someone with the power to protect the people that does not act is a villain by public damnation.”

“Oh, yes,” Geneva agrees. “Order within the camp is very fragile, mainta...

Arc 8-21

“Shall we start with a recap?” Geneva says, neither Kierra’s attention or her food preparation giving her the slightest pause. My thoughts briefly drift to the thought of the amazing dinner waiting for us, but I quickly shove it aside. This is part of the problem, isn’t it? Why I’m not making progress. Not wanting to risk my most likely immortal life by opening my mind to Geneva is fine, unquestionably smart, but that means I have to put in more effort. A colossal amount of effort. ...

Arc 8-20

It takes a while to run off the anger. By the time I make it back to the estate, my shirt is clinging to me and a few strands of hair are sticking to my face. I took a liking to looking down on the city. Something that would have been much easier had I switched to the form of a dusk hawk, the first bird I ever copied, but leaping toward the heavens on two legs is more exhilarating. I feel bad for the unwitting souls I must have terrified though.

I’m, ehem, on the heavier side. It can�...

Arc 8-19

“Good morning, my summoner.”

For the past few days, I’ve been avoiding my elven in-laws, fed up with their prodding and poking of my mind. Though truthfully, it’s less that I’m avoiding them and more that they’re allowing me a reprieve; saints know either one of them could make their presence felt if they desired. However, they’re respecting my wish for time to process their craziness. And with that time, I’m slowly coming around to the idea that it might not be crazines...

Arc 8-18 (Marcella)

Marcella didn’t have many hobbies as a girl. She couldn’t afford them. Her father’s many mistresses were nothing to him, means to an end or pretty decorations to hang off his arms. But they accepted the marquis' selfishness because they were playing for the future; he would never share much of himself or his business with them, but when he inevitably retired, one of their children would inherit his vast empire and it was enough gold to make sure their bloodlines thrived for a half dozen...

Arc 8-17 (Marcella)

Marcella was in one of the offices of the Golden Feathers when she received word of her sister’s return. She spent most of her time in the hotel, which was true for many important persons in the city whose wealth hadn’t been swept away in the destruction; the Feathers was both the safest and most luxurious building standing, it was only natural that persons of means would flock to it. It was also expected that they would have business with Marcella.

Her designs on the city weren’t...

Arc 8-16 (Marcella)

Despite its long reach, powerful reputation, and immense assets, the Guiness was a young family. Their bloodline stretched rather far but it had only been recognized as a noble house in the past two generations. Her father had taken their family from well-known merchants to nobles whose names could literally and figuratively move the kingdom. It was the stuff of legends.

Unfortunately, legends weren’t all wonderful tales. Her father was a prideful man and would happily let the world t...

Arc 8-15

The more experienced casters around me speak of a magical sense that comes with experience and an inflated core. Rolly swears that if a being lives long enough with their element, they can gain the ability to manipulate it instinctively, at least in small ways. Something akin to a lesser pure affinity. I don’t know if I believe that, but Alana is working toward it diligently, so I keep my doubts to myself.

Kierra’s explanation makes more sense. She says that if you face the same mag...

Arc 8-14

Once I return, I head straight for the study, my mood sour but wanting to get my meeting with Morgene over with. Surprisingly, the room is empty. I barely have a moment to wonder where my wayward tutor is before a weight hits my shoulder, small hands latching onto me.

“Coo~” Bell says right into my ear, while the mature voice of her true, or should I say preferred, form speaks into my mind. {The elf has requested that you meet her behind the estate.}

“What for?”

{She...

Arc 8-13

“Have you thought about our previous conversation?”

Orum’s question pulls me out of my silent contemplation. As usual, he found me in the early hours of the morning and led me on a tour of the city. This time, we settle in the shadow of a half-decimated building, the right side a pile of rubble leaning up against the surprisingly intact left half. I can clearly imagine the daily lives of those who used to inhabit it; the first floor is a shop, a restaurant I’m guessing given the...

Arc 8-12

We didn’t make it to dinner.

Predictably, Kierra ended the game. Not that anyone blamed her. It’s fairly obvious to anyone that sees her in that setting that the poor elf has no control over herself when it comes to these things. It was a testament of her love that she could pretend to be meek for even a moment. And there certainly were no complaints. A lot less giggling but no complaints.

After my lovely elf wrung me dry, I threw Talia and Alana at her as distractions and esc...

Arc 8-11 (Kierra)

Arrogance, the confidence of no substance. As fleeting and vicious as a storm, as useless as a string of pearls on a swine.

Kierra had been called arrogant many times in her life, her family many more times. They were Atainna, the royal blood. The blessed blood. The cursed blood. What they were called depended on the perspective, but one thing was universal; all gazed upon their family with expectations, whether it be as monsters or champions.

It created pressure. Kierra had used ...

Arc 8-10 (Alana)

Before meeting Lou, Alana could never imagine herself as an informal actress with her lovers, weaving stories around indecent acts. She didn’t imagine anything related to the bedroom aside from being grateful to collapse into a decent bed after a long day of training. A condition wholly unique to her. The north was a place of passions. The stark reality of dying young coupled with the extremely cold nights meant that it wasn’t rare for a bed to have two or more occupants at night.

S...

Arc 8-09

Alana’s normally stern gaze is softened with an endearing mix of eagerness and anxiety, contrasting her pretend frown as she joins the game. I can’t hide my smile as my familiarity with her practically points out the signs of her nerves: the tension throughout her whole body, the slight trembling of her lips, the way she can’t quite look me in the eyes. Saints, she’s so out of her element. But that’s one of the reasons I love her. She throws herself into whatever she wants, whether ...

Arc 8-08

Despite her eagerness, Alana does not get out of the chair quickly. She’s in charge tonight, but she also recognizes what I’m trying to do for Talia. She doesn’t rush our flower who insists on perfection, uncaring about the tension in the room as she finishes with Alana’s nails and moves on to her hair. Her only concession to the situation is to turn the chair so Alana can see the bed without craning her neck while she tackles her hair. To my surprise, Alana doesn’t want to cut it, ...

Arc 8-07

“You’re messing with me.”

“I am~”

Alana sighs as I giggle at her expense. My poor knight is feeling a bit frustrated, I imagine. After soaking until the bath cooled, she was eager to get her hands on me, getting very daring with the towel as we dried each other in the bedroom. The look in her eyes said she wanted to tackle me to the bed, but I put her off again, stopping her lewd advances with a simple request.

“I want to see you taken care of.”

She caved...

Arc 8-06

“Something wrong?”

Ugh. I hate that’s the first thing that comes to mind when she sees me. Have I really been that bad?

“Nothing. I just wanted to see you. We’ve missed each other lately. Or should I say I’ve missed you?”

She narrows her eyes, but I know that’s just to stop herself from rolling them; saints forbid she do something silly or, worse, immature. “I’ve been trying to stay busy. With all the physical casters around, I can train all day without p...

Arc 8-05 (Alana)

Block. Chop. Thrust.

Alana’s movements were sharp and direct. There was nothing elegant about northern swordsmanship. Their soldiers didn’t train to fight against men. Monsters didn’t care about feints and fancy footwork. They didn’t yield at first blood or understand any rules of engagement. Only one thing could stop titans: strength. One mighty blow that could surpass their prodigious size and magic. That was how the knights of the north were trained, to put everything they ha...

Arc 8-04

I wouldn’t have minded passing out for the rest of the day the way I felt. Sleeping until my problems passed me by would have been even better.

Instead, judging by the dying light painting the bedroom in shades of gold, I’d say it’s afternoon at the latest. The exhaustion that made me take an early rest hasn’t gone anywhere, my nap having left me groggy and loathed to lift my head. So, I don’t. No one’s expecting me till dinner and there’s nothing to do, so there’s no ru...

Arc 8-03

It’s funny that my thoughts should have drifted to my tutors, as Morgene has taken to the role with gusto. It’s not just me she pokes and prods every day, she’s taken an interest in all of us. In her own words, it’s our fault for being so strange.

She’s delighted by the siblings, children being molded by a master, adores the quirky Gajin, who is suffering without a garden to plant in, and is utterly confused, like the rest of us, when it comes to the quiet Nomad. And then ther...

Arc 8-02

“Your father is a strange man.”

While I’m learning to enjoy a moments of peace, I find myself craving company the moment I return from our daily walks. Following the closest heartbeat, I find Kierra in the dining room, dressed in casual clothes with her long, silver hair pulled back, likely because it would have fallen into her face with her head bowed the way it is. She’s focused on something sitting on the table. Something bloody. Thank the saints for succubi who somehow know ...

Arc 8-01

My childhood is defined by the things we didn’t have. Or rather, I define it so. For some reason, the negative memories, recalling that which I never had or was taken from me, is so much easier than thinking of happier times. Summoning was an escape but a rare one, as Father was always more concerned with entertaining himself. Every day was a hunt for something more stimulating than watching ants crawl.

I think that’s why I treated my tutor so badly. For some reason, my mind wants t...

Miniarc-Villains-33

“Do you miss it?”

A week and a day after the attack, Samuel found himself once more seated across from Cecilia in the Gold Dorm’s dining room. He’d kept the promise he made to himself and didn’t return to the camp the weekend past and was glad for it, the extra rest having left him with a good mood and refreshed body. He’d even managed to keep the refugees and rebels from his thoughts, pondering nothing grander than the mysteries of sky.

While he agreed that joining th...

Miniarc-Villains-32

Samuel had a dilemma.

His chosen representative to take the weight of his unwanted fame was rapidly becoming unsuitable. After watching Robert maim a second rebel, Kern gathered his courage and tried to stop the young hero. Samuel suspected that he was indeed nervous about facing the future Harvest Hero alone, as he tried to enlist the help of others.

First, he tried to rally the other acolytes, but Grahm blocked his efforts. The group seemed divided on which of the men were corre...