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Post by Markus on Jan 5, 2021 7:48:57 GMT -5
As he feels Nova reaching out for him, Markus takes a deep breath trying to calm down. "Nova I don't know if you can hear me but I'm on the backside of the pub". As he had stated earlier to her. He learns far faster based on need over want. So he was pretty sure the message went through. As much as it hurt him to admit it. He needed her right now. Anyone at this point but her most of all. All noise was muffled and his vision began to blur. Despite not being able to see clearly his ice burg blue eyes darted around wildly at every noise he thought he heard. His body shook and his head twitched randomly. He sat there in the ally trying to control his breathing and get some part of his mind in control. " control is strength and strength keeps us safe." He starts to whisper those words over and over again, like some form of creepy demented mantra
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Post by Nova Black on Jan 5, 2021 8:59:38 GMT -5
She stopped and tilted her head. She heard him and turned around to make her way back to the pub. Slowly she rounded the corner and saw him there and her heart broke a little. “Markus,” she whispered and approached him cautiously. “Are you okay?” She sat down beside him and wrapped her arms around him the best she could. Nova felt the chaos in his mind and so she decided to try something different. His mind was dark. He was scared. So she created a ball of warm light and pushed it at him seeing if he would accept it or not. If he did, she would do it again and again, layering him in comfort until he was better. If not, we’ll, she would try something different. “Markus,” she whispered again. “Come back to me.”
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Post by Markus on Jan 5, 2021 14:58:02 GMT -5
As she approached a dagger forms in the air in a panic. They're after him again. He's weak and they're going to get him this time, he was sure of it. It was then that she could hear that dark voice again in her head whispering "no". Wait not a whisper in her head but an echoing yell in his. At that moment Markus grabs for his throat in pain. The color he has appeared and small metal thorns push out from it slowly dining into his neck before disappearing again. As this happens and the dagger which he had started to lunch at Nova quickly turns to sand and skaters across the street. His body seems drained. It appears that Reznor just zapped the strength out of him. Like tranquilizing a wild beast. As sad as it was, it was for his own good. Markus could feel her embrace as she moved to hold him and the light that she pushed on him. Both helped to calm him down but at this point, he was powerless to stop her. The strong out shell of a man had melted away leaving him a quivering mess in her arms. All he could say is the words " im sorry" a few times before he passed out.
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Post by Nova Black on Jan 5, 2021 15:33:21 GMT -5
What...was...that? Nova felt him go Limp in her arms and gently probed his mind to make sure he was okay. Careful, as always not to get too far and upset anyone. She moved him into the shadows and sat her bag down beside him. Stroking his hair back from his eyes she bent down and kissed him. “I’ll be right back.” She whispered and took off towards the stables. As she ran she told Rune what happened and the horse, though disgruntled, agreed to help; as Nova knew she would. Opening the door, her horse was already waiting for her and she climbed on and the pair trotted back to Markus who was laying right where Nova had left him.
She should have put on a saddle, she thought, but it was too late now. Doing this in the daytime was going to draw enough attention but it didn’t matter. Dismounting, she put her bag over the horse’s neck and the giant Percheron laid down to make it easier for Nova to lift Markus onto her back. He was easy enough to lift and once she got him stable on Rune’s back she got on behind him and up they went. Rune cantered back to the inn, instinctively sticking to the shadows where she could. “He smells like demon,” the horse snorted. “I smell like the damned and you smell like sulfur sometimes. So what?” Nova replied. The horse snorted again. “You smell like him” she remarked. Nova’s only answer was, “yes.”
Back at the inn there were a few odd looks but no remarks as Nova dismounted again and slid Markus from Rune’s back. Grabbing her bag she carried Markus inside and up to her room. Rune stayed outside for a little while until she decided she was no longer needed and made her way back to the stables, nibbling on grass and the occasional garden flower as she went. Nova laid Markus down on her bed and took off his shirt. She brought a basin of cool water and a cloth over to the bed and started to slowly wash him, paying special attention to his neck. Frowning she decided to do something either exceptionally brave or tremendously stupid and pushed past her safe zone and went deeper into Markus’ mind. “What the hell was that?!” She said to no one in particular. “A bit over the top don’t you think? Driving a man unconscious before he had a chance to calm himself down.” Her eyes blazed red as she continued to tend to Markus as she waited for a response. She could feel warnings al around her and paid attention to them but that didn’t stop her. “Seriously,, I could have handled it.” She stopped again and went around his mind just enough to provoke a response but not enough to piss him off, just amuse him on some twisted level. “Well?” She said hotly, “do you have nothing to say?”
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Post by Markus on Jan 5, 2021 15:53:20 GMT -5
"It's not like I have control of him over here. Just a few commands. I can give energy or I can take it. I did not knock him out. I took his powers away. If he attacked you then your right you could handle it or at least deal with it long enough but if he had missed you and hit someone off in the street they would have killed him. Maybe you as well before someone could have sorted it all out. Maybe you do see it as overkill but it was not your choice to make. It was mine. I assure you, child. I want only what is best for him. He may be in servitude to me but he is useless broken. One last thing. You need not fear your link. You help him somehow. That's worth the risk. Do as you need" the voice fades from her psyche leaving a feeling of peace followed by a complete absence
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Post by Nova Black on Jan 5, 2021 18:00:03 GMT -5
She snarled at the word “child”. A word she came to hate a long time ago. Before she could respond however the voice was gone and there was complete darkness. Sighing, she retreated back a little and focused back on Markus, her eyes fading back to green. “I hate when people are right when I’m pissed off” she said to herself. Not knowing what else she could do for him, Nova sat the basin back and set the small table with the fruit she had gotten earlier. Biting into an apple she half laughed, “wonder if this counts as later. Maybe I should take off my pants.” She laughed again and shook her head and finished her apple in silence. After she was done she looked over at Markus and smiled a little as her heart broke. He seemed both peaceful and tormented at the same time and she hated it. Moving over to the bed, she laid down beside him and wrapped her arms around him and laid her head on his chest, again with the circles she liked to draw. “Don’t get attached, stupid.” She told herself and frowned. “Too late.” Came Rune’s response and Nova closed her eyes admitting defeat. “Yes.” Was all she could say.
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Post by Markus on Jan 5, 2021 18:19:21 GMT -5
After about 15 minutes Markus began to stir. "Nova...Nova...are you ok," he mumbled as he put an arm around her. He looked at her, his eyes blue and remorseful. "Are we ok?" He holds her close against him shaken to the core, his out burst playing over and over in his head. "I did not want you to see me like this. I'm broken. Please forgive me"
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Post by Nova Black on Jan 5, 2021 19:49:36 GMT -5
Nova smiled and buried her head into his chest. “You’re awake. Good.” she said and looked up at him. “How are you feeling?” She asked and sat up to get a better look at him. “You’re paler than usual” she remarked and got up to get him a glass of water. Handing it to him she frowned. “I don’t like blue” she said and kissed him. “And you’re not broken. So stop that.” Sitting down beside him she watched him closely as he drank, her Eye’s continuously moving to his neck and her mind wandering to what she had been told. “You met Rune,” she said to break the silence. “I don’t know if she likes you or not but she didn’t throw you off her back so that’s always a good sign” She came closer to him and cuddled close to his side. Looking up she touched his neck then his cheek then his lips. Moving to get more comfortable she reached up and kissed him lightly, her eyes concerned and comforting all at once. “Want to talk about it?” She asked.
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Post by Markus on Jan 5, 2021 20:44:10 GMT -5
"The blue will fade in time. You can help with that." He kisses her gently. "I have outbursts of extreme anger and paranoia. Oh and PTSD...so yeah. When I told you that I understood your pain. I meant it. Since you don't seem to freaked out by all of this. What's next?" His eyes slowly tradition from blue to yellow to green and back to blue. Continuously swirling in that pattern. "So I met your horse. Not that I remember but still. It's always nerve-racking when you meet the family. Not sure if you made a good impression. Wondering if they know the filthy thoughts you have when you look at her....you know, normal stuff." He kisses her again
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Post by Nova Black on Jan 5, 2021 22:48:16 GMT -5
Nova frowned. “No one should have to know what it feels like.” She cuddled close and showered Markus with kisses. She watched his eyes for a moment then said, “Rune can’t read your mind. She can ask if you’re telepathic but most animals keep to themselves unless they have a lot to say. You’re paler than usual.” She quipped and got out of bed and grabbed both an apple and peach. Walking back over she extended them and said simply, “you have to eat or you can’t leave.” Before he could chose though she was back in bed with him, not wanting to be too far away. While she waited for him to take a piece of fruit she commented quietly, “she said I smell like you....and I couldn’t argue with her....but I don’t mind. Your scent is peaceful. It makes me feel safe...” she looked up at him shyly and said even more quietly, “you make me feel safe...”
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Post by Markus on Jan 6, 2021 3:29:57 GMT -5
As he watched her get back into bed his eyes shift to green and stay there. He leans over with a smirk and bites into the apple taking it out of her and with his teeth and leaning back into the bed again before grabbing it with his hands and speaking. "Who said I wanted to leave?" He smiles at her just starting only breaking line of sight long enough to take a bite of his apple. "I want you to smell like me, that ways others know your mine. If you can keep calming the storm in my mind I will keep you safe till my last breath." He could not help but question what he had just said. Not that it was untrue but he had just died his hand far more than he meant to. Oh well. When in doubt dubble down. "I would like you to consider something for me. You don't have to answer" now but I would like you to have something. I know you don't like anything on your neck but I would like you to consider wearing my collar. This is not something to answer in hast. Talk to your friends, your family, your council. Ask questions and understand what this means before you say yes. The invention is not going away so take all the time you need." He holds her right against him as he takes another bite of his apple nervously. Had he overstepped. Did it really matter? This was something that was coming regardless. Why not now? Stay calm and play it cool and maybe the fact that you just asked her to change her life permanently won't seem like a bid deal. Right...
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Post by Nova Black on Jan 6, 2021 9:56:05 GMT -5
Nova smiled and sat the peach aside. “You don’t have to leave. I like having you close.” As she listened she went through several emotions at once and she realized her heart was racing but she couldn’t tell if it was out of excitement or nervousness. Cuddling close she gazed up at him thoughtfully. “I’ll have to think about it. Okay?” She smiled to herself part of her already knowing the answer she was going to give, but she’ll run it by Rune just to make herself feel better. Nova closed her eyes and listened to him breathe, the sound relaxing her more than she wanted to admit. “What’s it look like?” She finally asked nervously.
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Post by Markus on Jan 6, 2021 11:08:00 GMT -5
With a smirk, he takes a bite of the apple and holds it in his teeth his hand than pinched the air and a black leather choker appears dangling from his fingers. It was simple by design except for 5 small gemstones representing the points of a pentagram at the center there was a red pentagram that was formed from some type of thin strands of energy that seemed to hold the whole thing together magically. It disappears and he takes the apple back out of his mouth."The gemstones are supposed to react to the wearer the same way my eyes do to my own emotions. It also can only be seen by me, any person that touches it, and any person they wish to allow to see it. Again im not rushing you but it's yours if ever you want it."
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Post by Nova Black on Jan 6, 2021 13:41:52 GMT -5
“It’s pretty” she said and tried to cuddle closer. “I’ll have to talk to Rune first. We’re a package deal and it’s easier if she likes you.” She ran her fingers up and down his chest and drew circles as she went. “Do you want anything else to eat? I can get some meat if that’s what you’re craving.” Nova looked up at him and smiled, fangs exposed. She was more relaxed than she realized, her eyes seemed to cast their own light as she watched Markus. “Do you want to stay the night?” She asked shyly as she sat up a little. Nova realized she fired off several questions at once and never gave him time to answer her. “Sorry” she said out of habit “I’ll be quiet and give you a chance to answer.”
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Post by Markus on Jan 6, 2021 14:20:51 GMT -5
He just grins for a moment saying nothing. His eyes gleaming with shades of green as he continues to stare at her. Several minutes pass by before he goes to speak. "I'm not interrupting, am I. I mean by all means please continue." He pushes her away slightly before pulling her back in. "Yes, I would be happy to stay the night with you. As for something else to eat." His eyes flash a deep red as he stares directly into her eyes. "I can think of something id like to eat" his eyes darken as everything fades around him. He starts to pull her into the enthrallment again. He looked improving and the world melting around him till he is all that she can see. He holds this look for a few minutes. The whole time he focused on the last night they had spent together, wondering if her link would work in reverse. Then out of nowhere, the enthralment shatters. "Stake, rabbit, deer. Anything like that would work" he grins evilly at her waiting for her response.
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Post by Nova Black on Jan 6, 2021 14:44:53 GMT -5
Her breath caught as she watched him. She knew what he was doing but she guessed what he didnt know was that his looks didn’t change. Memories of last night played through her mind and her eyes turned red to match his. She wiggled against him and leaned up to kiss him right as he stopped and started speaking. Nova inhaled sharply and just stared at him for a moment. Unable to comprehend what he did for a few seconds before she grinned. “Asshole.” She said playfully and pushed him away. Regaining her composure she stood up and stretched and looked down at him. “So, would you like to go hunting for this food or would you like to try the butcher’s shop? We can walk or take Rune, it’s up to you...” She opened the shutters a crack to see what the sun was doing and sighed. She walked over to her bag and rummaged around for a few moments before pulling out a small vial of liquid. Frowning, she unstopped it and inhaled its scent. “The new shaman gave me this. He said it was supposed to hell me in the sun...never thought to ask if I drink the whole thing or just part of it...” she trailed off as she got a cup of water and dropped a few drips into the cup, looked, then poured some more of the liquid in. “When in doubt,” she said to herself and swished the cup. “If this kills me, it was an accident.” She said half-jokingly and took a large drink. After she swallowed she licked her lips and said, “well, doesn’t taste bad....but I’m not sure if I’m supposed to feel anything...” Nova looked over to Markus, “well, what have you decided?”
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Post by Markus on Jan 6, 2021 15:07:09 GMT -5
"We can go hunt and take rune. Give some more time to talk. Maybe see what you're capable of." He grabbed the apple and flipped into the air before a Dagger appears and stabs into the apple then slowly flotes back to him. "Besides im, a little rusty" takes a bite of the apple as it flotes there on the dagger. "So you want to go or do you have something else in mind beautiful?"
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Post by Nova Black on Jan 6, 2021 15:57:24 GMT -5
“I mean, I can think of something I would rather do,” she said as she looked him up and down. “But I haven’t hunted in a while, either. I try to stretch out feedings as far as possible before I absolutely have to.” She smiled and blushed a little thinking about last night. She watched him eat his apple from his dagger and smiled. “Wish I could do magic like that. I just rip people apart.” She shrugged. “Well, I’m ready whenever you’re ready.” She opened up the window to let the sun in and instinctively flinched. “Heeeyyy,” she said and grinned. “I think it’s working.” She took off her sleeves and extended her arms to the sun. “I think it’s working.” Her pale skin shone in the sun giving off a slightly blue color. “This stuff is neat. I feel sorta warm too.” She got lost in the moment realizing for the first time she was feeling a little more human.
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Post by Markus on Jan 6, 2021 16:35:42 GMT -5
As he stood there he could not help but smile. He had never seen her this excited before. As he stood there he pondered over her statement while taking the last bite from the apple. "I suppose what I do would be magic to some people but really it's not that impressive. I can put on a hell of a display but only for so long. The more power I put out the quicker it drains. There is a reason when we first met I was taken out by a single arrow. For the most part, a fight with me boils down to if I can take you out in under around 5 minutes. After that I need to recharge." He grins at her for a moment. "So what are we doing because we are not going to be one of those couples that set and argue over what we are doing next and let's face it. I may be the muscle in the relationship but im definitely not the brains"
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Post by Nova Black on Jan 6, 2021 17:11:39 GMT -5
“I got muscle,” Nova pouted and winked at him. “Let’s make our way to the stables. Maybe we can get you some meat before lunchtime.” As she gathered her things she commented, “and you definitely lasted more than 5 minutes last night.” She bumped into him playfully as she handed him his shirt. “Is that your problem now? Need to recharge old man?” She leaned up and kissed him and pulled him close, eyes flashing red for a moment. “Did you know there’s a drug made for vampires? It’s like....gives them insane amounts of energy. It burns though. But it’s given to slaves to keep them awake and dazed so they don’t want to feed. Brings in more profit.” She stopped for a moment trying to think of where she was going with that then said, “it’s addictive and the user has a lot of pain when they try to stop.” She rooted through her bag again and pulled out a bottle full of what looked like large-grain salt. Nova shook it and put it back. “I tell you this because I try to stretch feedings out as far as possible so if I’m ever high strung or seemed dazed, I’m not sick, just drugged. But I guess,” she said quietly, “if I have a willing host I don’t have need for this anymore.” Walking to the door, she waited for Markus and smiled coyly at him, “not as innocent and fragile as I look, sir.”
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Post by Markus on Jan 6, 2021 17:54:38 GMT -5
His eyes flashed red as he stares at her dumbfounded. "So you are a bad girl after all. Strong smart sexy as hell strong capable and a bad girl. I still wonder if you didn't step out of a dream I had at some point." I swear I think im dreaming cause this just can't be real. One thorn spikes on his collar. "Point made smart ass" he growls under his breath looking down and to the right. He then looks back up to her. Alright. Lead the way sexy before I take you right here. I should eat first and play later."
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Post by Nova Black on Jan 6, 2021 19:38:05 GMT -5
Nova laughed and turned it into a cough. “That was funny,” she said as she watched the spike disappear. She reached out to Rune who seemed interested and said she would meet them outside and to not take too long. When she relayed the message she opened the door and cocked her head. “She’s never bit anyone before. I hope you’re not the first..” “Also, she’s a bit of a show-off if she likes you. Play your cards right and she might show you who she really is.”
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Post by Markus on Jan 6, 2021 19:57:06 GMT -5
"Come on now! It wasn't that funny." He exclaimed then started to chuckle... "Ok, maybe it was a little funny but still." He moves towards her quickly as she tilted her head and kissed her. " If she bites me then I probably deserve it. As for impressing her. I can only hope, especially if she is the swing vote im looking for. Let's not keep your valiant steed waiting." He moves up to the door and smacks her ass playfully. "I could get used to this you know, you are quite addictive." He had to admit that he was a little nervous. Most that he had met from the abyss or the 9 hells wanted him dead or worse to use him as some form of tool but on the other hand, if she saved the horse maybe it did not like its homeworld anymore then I do. Corse if that is the case then maybe that's a reason only not to like him. Markus stood there in a near-infinite loop flip floating back and forth for what seemed like forever but truly it was just a few seconds before he finally stopped. "When in doubt...lets go"
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