|
Post by nightreflection on Jun 22, 2011 15:28:25 GMT -5
Part XXVVThe days and nights merged into seamless continuity. He spent hours studying magic and retired to the cabin when he was worn out. He'd caught himself desperate for blood several times and scarcely managed to hold himself long enough to choose a victim. He visited his businesses a few times. It turned out an example wasn't needed at the factory. He took over the investments of a few other orphans, but it all felt so peripheral. The magic drew him in, if it weren't for sire to balance the pull with his laughter and fun it would have claimed him. Day or night it was all one blur. He completed his studies on the second book, but the third was not like it. He opened the third and it was easy to read. Whether due to training or just how the book was written it was easy to read, he felt it grab his soul and steadily pull him. He looked at the timer he used to make sure he got enough sleep to find he had been awake for thirty seven hours. He tried to put the book down, but it would not let go. Paragraph after paragraph enticed him, and then he felt it. A silent gentle tugging, the desire of magic, the allure of the unknown, it was less than usual. But if that was magic, then what had been leading him? As he gazed at the page the pull of mystery remained unchanged, but a craving rose within him now. Familiar, he had thought it the pull of magic. Eagerly he consumed the text desiring the power it gave him, craving more. He wanted to know it's secrets, every last hint and chant. Every rune, every potion, every formula. He stared at the page, eyes wide. 'What the hell happened to you?' 'mwarm mnoff fure maffer.' 'You know, if you're hungry, books don't make good dinner.' Charby chuckled slowly pulling his teeth free from the tome. 'I.. I don't know what happened.' 'Yeah, what's with that? I thought you had it under control.' 'It wasn't what I usually experience sire. I think I have a new problem.' 'Oh great, minion problems.' groaned Charby. 'I'll try and work around it sire. In the meantime I think we should hunt. I'm hungry enough to slaughter a whole party of businessmen.' he said weekly. Charby burst into laughter and they headed off. ----- In book three he learnt how to accelerate his mind. Everything went dark when he did, but it allowed him to study faster, and the magic books could be read by touch now that he had mastered the technique. He progressed quickly and finished the remaining books in a month. The strange feeling still drove him. He knew it was there, he could watch it now. It didn't just show up when he was reading. It showed up when he was practising, but especially when he was trying to make magic artefacts. He realized this had been with him since the day he died. It had driven him to start the businesses, it had grasped the reigns of magic. It was an unadulterated lust for power. 'What do I do sire?' 'Everyone has something they freak out about.' 'I know, but this could be dangerous for everyone. Promise me you'll keep an eye on me sire. Please' 'Nothing new there.' He had to admit. While Charby had been proud to call him his minion, and happily cracked the whip when he wanted something, Charby had always been looking out for him. It wasn't all bad. He could actually help Hex and Mye now. They were centuries ahead of him, but at least he could follow what they were doing, and could offer a little more assistance than 'hold this.' He was also called on to perform for master when he was bored or wanted to show his minion off. He began to settle down into a sane routine once more. ***Meh, you can thank online games and two very good comics for saving your eyes just a little longer. I'm so sad. This is probably the most constructive thing I'm doing, work included. That bad, yes. Ref 49--
|
|
|
Post by nightreflection on Jul 2, 2011 14:55:04 GMT -5
Part XXXI
One of the new rich and famous had demanded an audience with him. These seldom went well, so he invited Charby to share. His office was atop one of the larger office complexes with a beautiful view of the city. They waited until his back was turned. Oren cast a little something to mess up cameras just in case. He also tricked the light so any outside cameras would just see blue. Anyone looking wouldn't notice any difference compared to the other windows, there would just be nothing in this one, not even furniture or walls, for a zoom-lens to get a hold of. He wasn't paranoid. It's not like he couldn't brainwash, threaten, burn or slaughter his way out of any consequences, he just liked being prepared. Same tricks, new motivation. That done they poofed into the room. Oren managed a door lock spell before Mr Williams and his assistant realised they were there. 'Oh, when did you arrive?' The depreciating tone was not appreciated, but Oren was only here for the entertainment, he usually sent a manager if the request was polite. 'You had business you wanted to discuss.' he said, bored of introductions. 'What I have to say is for your ears only. I said to come alone Didn't I?' 'Charby is my son, he is learning everything, even the hard lessons.' 'Don't think you can fool me I w..' he caught himself. 'Yes, I know you've read my file, not like everybody hasn't. Get to the point.' he said, disinterested. It was always the same. They thought no-one had ever tried what they were doing before. 'How's your store doing? I hear it's taking quite a lot of money nowadays. What's the name of your manager, Zeke is it? How's he doing? When did you last speak to him?' 'Zeke is fine.' he said, still bored. If anyone knew how to look after themselves, it was Zeke. 'That's good to hear, Mr Black here was inquiring after his health. You see, it's a very rough area. Of course, Mr Black's help can be purchased, for a fee.' Mr Williams tried to smile generously, but there was just a flicker of worry on his face. Oren looked at the huge hulk of Mr Black. If he had still been mortal... but he wasn't. Mr Black just looked.. delicious! He started to laugh, it grew and grew, he couldn't contain it. He laughed till he cried. He opened his eyes and saw sire laughing too. Mr Williams was finally unnerved, 'I'll have you know the room is monitored.' he spoke very quickly. They both dived at Mr Black, sank their teeth in and when they were done, ate him in front of Mr Williams. He was running around in panic, muttering to him self. He banged the door, shouted at the cameras, but nothing happened, he was too scared to come anywhere near them. They finished their meal he even tried throwing himself through the window. 'Come now Mr Williams, you were willing to hand out death to further your business, how is this different.' He squeezed himself into the corner, his head turned away but his eyes followed them. Charby dug his hook into a shoulder and yanked him out of the corner. Mr Williams was in shock now and not responding. 'Yeeeha' he said and sank his teeth in. A second later Oren joined him. The police would be around, but there was no way in, no way out, and Oren had not been seen anywhere near the crime scene, he would simply say he did not attend. It seemed the word travelled very slowly amongst the newcomers. Nevermind, it was fun getting to know the new neighbours.
-----
The late Mr Grebes had been survived by his daughter Laura. She had taken it hard at first, but quickly regained her composure and begun seeing to her heritage herself. She was only twelve, but had been educated specially to handle money. Studies which she continued on top of her regular duties. She was doing quite well. He hung on a railing in the evening air. He felt sorry for the children left behind, but still had no regrets. Most of them would follow in their parent's delicious footsteps at this rate. This one... This one interested him. He flew around to the front door and pressed the buzzer. 'Hello, can I help you?' 'Burger and fries please.' He waited for the chuckle on the other end to subside. It's Mr Redford, I don't have an appointment, but I would like to see Ms Grebes if that isn't a problem. The door clicked and he entered the over-tidy headquarters. Secretary working this late? The strain on the business was showing. Alas he'd made it hard for all his co-workers. Still no regrets. He stood in the hall while the secretary conferred. The room was full of pictures of the honourable men that had made the company. He was feeling sick by the time the secretary invited him through. 'Laura will be a few minutes, coffee?' You got first-name treatment when you had money, 'Tea please, two cubes.' The tea arrived in stylish crockery with an expensive looking biscuit lodged temptingly on the edge. There were a few minutes of silence. 'So how is the poor thing coping?' He sounded sincere, he was. There was a pause. Each sentence vetted for sensitive information. 'She's pulled through remarkably well, the company's hardly felt it.' But what he heard was 'How could this have happened, they were such nice people. Laura is near the end of her tether, how will we cope?' His eyes saddened. She wasn't allowed to talk about real life, only the painted picture. Sadly, many executives lived in the imaginary world where they saw only its beautiful strokes. Strokes in this company, painted in blood he mused. He was ushered through about half an hour later. 'Sorry for the delay, I had so much to do.' 'That's not a problem my dear, I didn't make an appointment.' 'Let's get to the point, as you may have noticed, I don't have much time. I know you came here looking for a slice of my money. Well I've got it in hand, however, if you wanted to invest some of it in my company, we could talk.' She'd recognised the potential of a meeting with money and had quickly drawn up a plan. So sharp. 'How are you my dear.' 'Oh, how forward of me. I'm still getting used to these things. I'm doing well, but I just don't seem to get the same results daddy got. I so wish my studies were completed.' Studies Eh? So that's what she put it down to. 'No Laura, that's not what I meant.' He had her attention now. 'How are you?' There was a second's pause. Something slipped in her psyche. She tried to hold on to it, lost control and in a few more seconds broke into tears. He held her in his arms. Counselling her would be the most ethically corrupt thing to do, but who could he trust not to turn her into her father. She stayed there for fifteen minutes bawling her eyes out and then spent another five at the long conference desk. 'They say you killed them you know.' 'They say a lot of things. I try to ignore them. You'll understand soon enough. People forever trying to take you down a notch. It's not the best strategy, but I honestly can't be bothered with them.' He sat down next to her and gave her a hug. 'I'm not as good a businessman, but how about I drop by for an hour each day and show you my methods until you've gotten your own?' He handed her a hankie. 'Thanks, it would be very much appreciated.'
Over the next few weeks he slowly weeded her fathers many pies and got them to a point where they could make money with green paint. He taught her how to keep her guard up and how her piers would 'playfully' try and get their hands on her money. At least if she thought of it as a game she would be spared the truth. At least until a time when she wasn't so distraught. She'd grown up so insular. He wondered when Mr Grebes was going to tell her the truth? Wait till he needed her then bully her into becoming a murderer like him? He regretted nothing.
*** Interest comes and goes. Here's the next installment.
Ref 52-
|
|
|
Post by nightreflection on Jul 10, 2011 14:46:57 GMT -5
Part XXXII He was now considered an accomplished businessman. Using the money from the new trust funds he opened a few new factories, with a normal night shift, further away from the clutches of the forest. 'Soooo, you're opening up lots of factories...' sire was worming his way around to something. 'Oh no, there's that glint in the eyes again.' Charby grabbed him by the collar and lifted himself until their noses were almost touching. Eyes wide he shouted. 'Do any make chicken?' Oren fell over backwards laughing. 'It can be arranged if you want sire.' 'Nah, just fooling you. I get plenty variety as it is. And you and Zeke are really good cooks.' 'Plenty of experience sire.' Oren laughed. 'It's sad really.' 'What sire?' 'The people who work in factories. They work so hard all their lives, the jobs are miserable, and then they die. Do they have anything to look forward to?' 'Depends on their employer, but usually, no.' 'And You?' Charby tilted his head curiously. 'My food is properly nurtured.' Charby smiled whimsically. 'So what brought this on sire?' 'Gramma was talking about a friend she has. Worked in a factory all her life, but the owner is too old, no heirs, no buyers, so it's closing. She hasn't got any savings or anything. Never could afford to.' Oren got a distant look. He knew he couldn't help everyone, but he did feel sorry for them. 'Show me.' he said. They flew. They flew down the docks, past the cheap housing and into the old industrial area. There was the occasional new building, but most owners here stayed out of habit, or simply because it wasn't worth cashing in on the slight increase in land value. They came to a plain old building. Inside women were sewing and chatting gossip. There was a slightly subdued feel to the air as the two rats silently scurried across the rafters. In a little over a week this would be empty. It would probably stay that way for a few years until a developer bought it out. It was an old building with poor light, but there was space. The machines were old and the conditions mildly unpleasant, but the staff had known nothing else their whole life. They didn't want to move on. The machinery clicked and clacked churning out outdated clothes for the cheaper, tacky beachfront stores. This factory hadn't changed with time, but had still managed to hang on, until now. Oren smiled. Fabric flashed back and forth, the hands that handled were expert. This he could work with. He managed to get everything for a song and a promise. He updated it, but just enough to turn a small profit. He had never felt happier about any business he'd taken over.
-----
He lunged with a typical demonic slash. She stepped back and brought her hand down hard. He pirouetted and the dye on his glove stained her cuffs. 'Very good Elizabeth, but I've warned you before about over committing.' 'The execution was off. When I have mastered it the technique will never fail.' She had come so far in they time they'd had, but her pride was ever snapping at her heels. He needed to do something drastic. If she weren't humbled soon his plan would fail.
She had been a good ally. Simply mention the word demon and there she was, dispensing light. But her pride would kill her one day. Besides, when she found out the truth, in her current state, they would be enemies.
'Why the sad countenance, praytell? Finally realising you don't stand a chance?' It was true, she was rapidly closing the skill gap. Even telepathy was beginning to be less of an edge, but then he had never been much of a hands on fighter. She could have easily been twice as good by now if she didn't think she knew it all already. 'Today's lesson is over. We will not meet again this week.' He turned sharply and left her.
*** Picture of Nightreflection standing over a witches pot with a giant stirring rod, cackling insanely. Oh Ms vampire-hunter, if only you knew. Ref 53--
|
|
|
Post by nightreflection on Jul 15, 2011 14:07:36 GMT -5
Part XXIIIIt was a dull party. The half moon was being shy but he still wished he was out hunting. He was a somebody now and people kept trying to get his attention. 'Would you like this deal?' 'What do you think of my idea?' 'Can I sell you something?' Since when did his work follow him like this. He leaned over the balcony with a fruit juice on ice. This had been a mistake. He'd hoped to eavesdrop on the thoughts of the competition, but there were less irritating ways of doing it. A stunning brunette joined him. 'I'm not interested. Go away.' 'I just wanted to talk.' Oren looked at her indignantly. 'And you think you're the first person to say that.' 'Please don't send me away. You're the first man tonight not to hit on me, Mr Quinn even tried to get a little too close. I'm not sure I can take it anymore.' 'When I find out you are just leading me on you are going to regret it.' She was an interesting conversationalist, quite smart for someone usually associated with her bust size. She was trying very hard to get work as a psychologist, but no-one would take her degree seriously, so she was stuck in a modelling career. It was hard to progress in a visual industry without 'favours', and she did not want to sell her soul, so she hadn't gotten far. All she wanted was to be taken seriously for her intelligence, not her looks. Better not introduce her to master then he thought with a smirk. 'There you go, you did it again. What's with the smirk. Don't pretend, you weren't thinking dirty.' 'Actually I wasn't.. This time.' The look he got was well worth it. 'I was just thinking, I have a friend you shouldn't meet. In fact, I have a number of them.' She sighed, 'Story of my life.' she mused. Oren's face suddenly lit up with a wicked smile. She slapped him and walked away, but he grabbed her arm. She looked him with eyes that could have burned a hole in the wall. 'What do you say I sponsor you dear, but..' She slapped him again and tried to pull free. 'Not even an option. Let me go you jerk!' They had quite an audience by now, so he whispered. 'but, you will let me teach you how to abuse those looks of yours. Think about it.' He let her go. There was quite the hubbub as she rushed out with a murderous face. This sort of thing happened, they all knew it did, but never in public. He didn't care. Let them mis-read him all they want. He'd made many meals of people who thought they'd had him pinned. ----- 'Soo... chick huh?' 'You know me better than that sire.' 'All over the front page! Ooh you naughty boy you.' 'Jealous are we?' 'Aww, you're no fun.' 'So what's she like.' 'A truly rare specimen, drop-dead gorgeous. But with brains.' They turned more than a few heads as Charby continued to goad him. The streets were bustling with afternoon shoppers. They were making their way to 'The Relic Shoppe.' for his weekly checkup. Ironically, if they knew how to ask, Zeke and Oren really could get them relics. They arrived and found the subject of their discussion waiting for them. 'Aroooooo baby!' 'Greetings my dear, I see you've made headline news.' He smirked. 'Charby, this is her, and her, this is the one I didn't want to meet you.' She tried to keep her composure but couldn't help a chuckle. 'So my dear, intrigue or desperation.' 'Well, you're the only man who's offered me anything without bluntly demanding the obvious, but I will warn you, it isn't available, and not taking no for an answer has had very painful consequences before.' He looked at Zeke and smirked. 'Oh don't worry Zeke, I wouldn't.' Charby had backed off much to her surprise. 'So honeycakes, what's your name?' she could tell Charby was joking but still gave him the stare of death. 'Lucy Norton' she replied, still a bit uneasy. 'Well Lucy, one contract,' Oren dumped a heavy folder with a few sheets of paper in it on the desk, 'which I'm sure you'll want to go over. Let me know sometime next week. In the meantime, here's a freebie. If you sign up, consider it compulsory.' 'Thankyou.' she said formally and clipped out the door. 'I'll be waiting for you sweet thing!' came a cheeky taunt, 'What? Can't blame a guy for trying.' 'You know sire, you don't have to ASK for pain and suffering.' Lucy stopped at coffee shop. It wasn't anything fantastic, just a free promotional voucher, but she decided to go anyway. She'd relied on her wits till now, but a few self defence classes couldn't go amiss. *** Ah Lucy, we have different plans for you. I have too many characters. They don't get enough airtime. 55-
|
|
|
Post by nightreflection on Jul 20, 2011 13:11:13 GMT -5
Part XXXIV'Cafes des Luna Llela was behind Cafes des Sol Tropicale. They were both run by the same eccentric latin owner, although rumour was that his newest expansion had been bankrolled by a local businessman. It was certainly an irregularity. Cool inside, even in cold weather. It had an extensive chicken menu. There were outside tables, but inside everything was done in curtained alcoves. The ceiling was glass and the covers were open at night. The lighting was blue-white like the moon and all the furniture and settings were black or dark blue with just enough luminescence to allow comfortable use or reading. It was popular with a few stranger folk and it's food was excellent. It did a good trade in the evening as waiters did not enter the alcove until seat sensors had declared it empty. it certainly must have been doing well as it did not show any signs of disrepair. Charby was trying not to drool despite being a regular. All but one of the chicken dishes were designed to taste better without garlic. Tony helped himself to a menu and his eyes fell on a short 'German selection' it was still much more extensive than other restaurants. 'Two mammoth steaks.' came an excited exclamation. 'You know they're just big, not real mammoth Menu?' 'Spoilsport.' he replied. 'Berry and white chocolate sundae please.' 'Umm, Claire-bear, we'll order dessert later.' 'Silly puppy, then I'll just order another.' Zeno was lost in the 'hot hot hot' section. 'Is the seafood selection ok to order?' 'Stop being so shy Mye, you don't have to go for a set meal, order a whole platter if you want.' 'Ticket please?' Hex scribbled steak & chips on their order. Oren rolled his eyes. He'd decked the place out just for them and they ordered such common dishes. I suppose, as long as they enjoy it. he thought Oren ordered a mammoth steak. Well done. He could act civilised when he wanted to. Zeno shoved the slip through the letterbox and it pinged a few minutes later when a waiter collected it. 'Awww puppy, don't claw the seat, I like it.' 'Don't waste your time Menu, what I had them use is virtually indestructible.' 'Maybe we's should gets his nails clipped.' grinned Tony. 'Don't you touch my puppy.' Claire clutched Menu protectively. 'Ooh, she owns you now.' chuckled Charby. Menu opened his mouth to say something and thought better of it. He turned up his nose indignantly and left it at that. 'Ho, the mouth is left speechless.' Oren chimed in. Menu reached across and grabbed him 'Oh I'll show you speechless.' Oren just grinned. 'Come now you two, it's not the right place for a fight.' came Zeno's calm voice. He and Mye were leaning against each other. 'Puppyyyy, no fighting in the restaurant, you promised.' pleaded Claire. 'Hmph, you're all no fun.' They jested and punned until a 'ding' announced that their food had arrived. 'No Menu, you can't go out and get it, they'll see you.' Oren said. 'No, you just want my food.' 'Just get it quickly.' cried Claire trying her best to restrain him. Charby and Oren stepped out and drew in the trolley. Meals popped up one at a time from the unit and they slid them across the table. Menu insisted on having both his steaks at once, even though the trolley could have kept the second one warm. Their laughter echoed within the walls of the alcove late into the night and everyone left full and happy. ----- There was a stone pillar a short ways into the forest. Every year a band of 'mystics' would make their way to it. They were loud and many so they never got bothered. It was ornately carved in the shape of a serpent. The mystics would pray to it, leave and offering and leave. The free food was gladly picked up. Oren was here because it was mentioned in one of his books. He squinted at the book and then bent down and touched a glyph near the base of the statue. He then put his hand in the statue's mouth and offered up an incantation. As he finished the snake bit his hand off. They must have heard him at the docks. He'd brought a hand with him to sacrifice, the book had said nothing about it being his hand. 'Youse such a wet blankets.' 'Thank thee esteemed raccoon, and pray tell, findest thou much of mirth in mine countenance?' 'Youse think youse gets used to its by now.' Tony said, wiping a tear away with a paw. 'How about we see if your hand regrows huh? Come here, gimme that!' 'Nein! I's just joking. Whats youse doing here?' Oren looked at the torso of the snake. Green ooze was seeping out from the rocky scales. 'This stuff is pretty lethal apparently. A tribe once used it on all their weapons, all it took was the hands of their enemies, although I think any body part would have done.' 'So's it not be all chants and prayers?' 'Nope, just plain magic.' 'Youse not gonna jest leave thats stuffs?' 'Why not, I'll survive it?' That would teach him to make fun he thought. He watched Tony wiping the stuff off with leaves and putting it under the roots of a wickedly gnarled little bush. 'Youse can be a real monster but youse still screams likes a girl.' Oren laughed and started walking off. 'Hey! Don't nothings chafe youse ego?' 'My dear Tony, if you want to offend me, you must DO' *** Sorry if it's cheesy. I wanted a scene with the crew and it turned into a 'look how much I don't know' I tried to rescue it. 56--
|
|
|
Post by nightreflection on Jul 23, 2011 17:06:28 GMT -5
Part XXXV
Oren walked back to the house and found a tall figure in a trenchcoat standing at his front door. “Can I help you sir?” “Perhaps, may I come in?” “Sorry, I've got stuff to do.” “I'm sure you have. Listen,” he whispered, “I can free you from your master's chains.” “Whyever would I want that?” “You can't fool me, I know a vampire lives here.” “So you thought to confront his minion right in front of it?” “Oh, I know vampires, they'd never live in such a run-down shack, this is for minions.” A familiar smirk came over Oren's face, “Very well, vampire hunter, I will entertain you for a while, but be warned, there is more than vampires involved here. Violence of any sort may result in a fatality. Do we understand?” The hunter thought he had this one all figured out. The other demons would also be minions. This was going to be fun.
“Tea Mr.... ?” Oren asked politely as they entered the kitchen. “Shetley and, Oh, I wouldn't fall for that one.” “I'll be drinking too if you want. Please take a seat, no, I insist.” The kettle boiled in silence as Oren poured out two cups. “How do you like it?” “Black, no sugar.” Pour us a cup each, pick your own. Which he did. Oren sugared and milked his. “So, what makes you think I work for a vampire? Besides me more or less playing along with it.” “He's a tricky one your master. Usually they keep to themselves, but sometimes they get really dangerous and start getting social power. I thought it was you at first, but they always live in a big fancy place that advertises their wealth, besides, it's day outside and you aren't smoking. Yours has gotten you to have the money, but he forces you to life in a place like this. It's genius, his fortune assumed inherited, they never tie the money back to the real culprit.” “But what really showed me his danger is when he wiped out half of the rich in this city, that's a definite flag right there.” “So you wait for the fireball before you worry about nuclear testing?” “There are just too many suspects. Regardless, I am an expert. I have slain seventeen vampires that thought themselves beyond mortal grasp and countless lesser. Show me your master and you will be free.” “You wish to see the vampire? Understand, if what you told me is hype, you will wish for death.” “That's what I said.” The hunter paused and waited for a response. His mouth was half open and then it froze there as his eyes went wide. Oren's eyes were red, his skin pale, and two teeth just showed over his lower lip. “You will find, Mr Shetley, that your prey is not what you expected.” Oren drained the remainder of his tea. “If I wanted you dead, you already would be but, believe it or not, you are no threat to me. Unlike those other fools you've slain, I have a very good reason I am not telling you, and it's not some ‘infallible plan.’ One more thing Shetley, beware of Kellwood, this is no ordinary playground.” Oren washed his cup. After a minute Mr Shetley quietly drained his mug. “Even though you think I'm no threat, you didn't even try and feed on me. Since you seem to have a sliver of a soul I will leave you for now, but beware, greed corrupts.” “Your concern is noticed, now I suggest you leave before we get a visitor. Do not let my appearance fool you, I can be quite violent when my friends are in an scrap, and they don't all need an excuse.” Oren left the hunter at the table and went upstairs to the portal. Greed. How ironic that he would be accused of that which had lead so many to his party.
Mr Shetley sat wondering. He'd need to rethink things properly, more investigation would be needed. He'd obviously been mislead.
*** I likes surprises I've redone the formatting. Not sure if I will keep it up or ADD will kick in. ref 57e
|
|
|
Post by nightreflection on Jul 26, 2011 13:46:34 GMT -5
Part XXXVI He had had a phone call from Miss Grebes’ secretary. She was having a hard day. He wondered why the usual request for him to cover her duties was missing. He landed quietly in the parking lot and made his way around to the entrance. He tapped the buzzer four times to let them know it was him and the door opened. “Thank you so much for coming Mr Redford, I don't know what we'd do without you.” “My pleasure, she is a remarkable young woman, and she has compensated me more than adequately. Now, if you have her work schedule...” There was a pause. “I'm sorry Mr Redford... It's much worse than that.” He could see her fighting back the tears now. Finally she broke, “She's in the boardroom. She's been crying since lunch. Please Mr Redford, I know it isn't professional to ask, but she's so vulnerable. I know we barely know you, but right now there just isn't anyone else.” He put a hand on her shoulder and looked at her caringly. “Don't worry, I don't mind.” He entered the room and a teary little girl huddled in the corner. As he got closer he heard a soft weeping. “I.... I'm ss..sorry m.Mister Redfford, I.. I.. can't greet you properly.” Oren hunched down next to her and put an arm over her shoulders, “You just let it out little girl, you just let it out.” Laura put her head against him and started weeping, then fell against his chest crying loudly. She grabbed him by the shoulders and as teary eyes squinted back at him she cried “Why? Why did they have to die? Why?” Oren stood up and took her with him. He let her cry on his shoulder for a while. With a gentle nudge he straightened her up and with sad eyes looked into hers. “I would love to give you an answer to that child, but that kind of answer will cost more than you want to pay.” “I know you're probably just here for my money, but I will pay half my fortune just to find out, please.” “My dear, you have lost your head, if I really were here for the money I'd just tell you what you wanted to hear.” “Please, whatever it takes, please.” “Very well, very well... but if you bail on me half way you won't get your answer.” Her look changed very quickly. He returned one indignant. “No my dear, I wouldn't ever, but, I will be running your company for a week.” Laura put her head on his shoulder and sighed, “I suppose it's worth it”. “That's not the price, that's just a consequence.” “Whatever you say Oren, whatever.” her voice was resigned. “You're going to hate me.” he goaded. She looked at him and smiled. “Cheeky bastard.”
She hung around, but let him get down to brass tacks. He explained to the secretary that Laura would be taking a week off and that he would be running things. She didn't like it, but she cooperated, although she would watch him like a hawk. She wasn't impressed at outside help being brought in to the head office, and doubted his promise that he would find someone reliable. Oren advised that he would be visitable by appointment for the first hours of the day only.
The next day a bombshell by the name of Lucy Norton arrived. She had honestly thought Mr Redford to be at least a little different from the late Mr Grebes, but apparently they were similar. She wasn't sure if this was a good or a bad thing. Despite her looks Miss Norton was quite intelligent. She warmed up to her very quickly but caught herself when she realised all of Mr Redford's visitors warmed up to her very quickly too. There were only a few visitors, but that would change from tomorrow. Strangely Mr Redford's instructions, while not as effective as Lucy's, seemed to be a lot easier to implement, in fact he went home after the hour of interviews but things still ran smoothly. She'd had the privilege of sitting in on one. It was amazing. It was as if the man could read their faces. Most of them left grumpy, but other than that and the speed, the decisions seemed pretty normal. And then there was Lucy. She couldn't quite put her finger on it. Lucy had been given the sole job of taking messages, but it saved her and incredible amount of time. While it wasn't as pronounced, Lucy seemed to have a similar ability to know what people were thinking. Not as good as Mr Redford, but she also didn't enrage people as much. She was astounded to learn Lucy had a Psychology degree. No wonder she got along with everyone.
Laura woke up. The crude alarm screamed at her. She lifted it above her head. But she needed it. She couldn't afford a new clock. Oren had given her a pitiful handful of coins for the whole day. She groggily crawled out of bed. She caught herself as she was about to call for breakfast and grumbled as she stumbled over to the dresser. She cursed at the outmoded worn clothes that had been left for her, but decided to let it go over a nice bath. The shower was cramped, nothing like a bath. She banged her elbows several times. The walls seemed to be closing in on her just to do it. She stumbled into the kitchen struggling to keep to the schedule Oren had given her and threw open the cupboards. Her stomach turned at the selection but she managed to force down a bowl of cornflakes before running for the bus.
People jostled her and cut her off. She almost didn't make it as, out of politeness she joined the back of the wrong queue. She arrived at her new job already worn out from the journey in. She was put to work doing menial boring tasks. At mid day she'd had enough. She was about to pack her bags and not come back but, she couldn't let him win. She wondered what he was doing with her company. She rang the office and everything seemed ok, although she had transferred as much as possible to an unlisted account just to be safe, to name one thing. She walked down to the corner cafe and got our her meagre allowance. Her face fell as she realised that she either had to eat sweets or junk food. Health food was more than she had. She was quickly losing the will to go on, but she propped herself up, finished her grease burger and headed back to the office for more abuse. Not only was the work bad, but she was treated like a leper. She almost called out “Unclean, unclean” in sarcasm, but she wasn't going to cross that line. She arrived home that evening drained and tired. She didn't even want to read any of the books Oren had let her bring, she just sat in the darkness and rested. She turned on the TV which she never did. Reluctantly she stood up and made dinner. It wasn't very appetizing and she went to bed with the frustrated feeling of wasting a day of hard work.
It didn't get easier. As the week wore on she felt more and more frustrated and helpless. The weekend arrived. She usually worked on the weekend. Free time was a luxury, and yet, here she was, and without money, she could do nothing. She'd been getting to bed later and later and struggled to stay awake at work, falling prey to a life of caffeine addiction, she only hoped she could give it up when the week was over. Saturday was the only early night. Friday she was too highly strung and Sunday she was doing everything to postpone waking up to a day of work. Tuesday was her last day. Words could not express her exuberance when the day ended. She barely slept and was already awake when the alarm went off on Wednesday morning. She'd made it. Ha! Eat that Mr Redford. Her phone rang to inform her that a limousine was on the way over. She was asleep by the time it rolled up at her house. Her comfortable bed greeted her with open arms and she slept until late morning. She got dressed and left for the office. Her office, the one she owned, where she made the rules.
*** I have a sick, sick mind. Sorry, that's just me. Ref 59e
|
|
|
Post by nightreflection on Jul 30, 2011 2:49:13 GMT -5
Part XXXVII Oren was sitting at a side seat in the board room, head on desk, snoring. She didn't know how he did it she mused, he could do more in an hour than she could in a day. “Wakey sleepy head.” He pretended to groggily wake up. “Whuh? Huh? No, shorry, you can take your deal a...” he blinked. “Oh, hi Laura.” “Hi yourself sleepy head, have a good week?” He yawned, “Nothing spectacular, the usual bunch trying to rip you off. Although there were a few honest deals, your secretary has the list.” He looked into her eyes. There was something there that wasn't before, a strength. “I'll be honest. I'm impressed.” “It was soul destroying, thank heavens I don't have to do that again.” “Anyway my dear,” he held her chin, “you passed my test, so I'll tell you, but you won't like the answer, and it will incapacitate you for an afternoon, so we'll give you a week to get back on top of things.” “Anyway, I'm off.” he said making for the door. “Thanks Oren, I don't know why this was important, but it certainly was an experience, and I can see it will help, just not how. By the way, who's the escourt?” Oren laughed, “Just don't call her that. Lucy Norton is one of the best psychologists in the business. I'm sponsoring her, but you can have her for two days a week if she's interested in the pay.” Laura moved to her office. It felt good to sit down again. Given her secretary's pleas it looked like Lucy would be visiting more often, and given how well she'd handled the people, Laura might ask her to sit in on meetings to she could get a reading afterwards. A paper crossed her desk. New health and safety regulations. A cheap way for the government to make money. She was about to sign it but she paused. She knew this! She knew the people. As she read through it it made sense. Everything that had seemed excessive before clicked into place, it's like she could see the office reacting to them. She sat stunned for a few minutes. Even if the effect wore off, her week of hard labour had given her a new awareness for the slave labour in her company. Managers always clawed for attention, but this week, for the first time she had seen the fate of the voiceless. Her secretary checked in on her and almost called Oren back seeing the tears welling in her eyes. “No,” she said sadly, “No,” again, stronger. “It's not that.” and she went back to work. ----- There was no warning. The shot came out of an alley. He rolled with it and pretended to die. It looked like his dinner was set. His would-be assassin approached. His hand was steady and his face set. But his mind. Oren heard him debating, desperately looking for a way out. It seems the local gang had discovered his regular haunts and promised not to kill Graham's parents if he eliminated him. It wasn't the first time. He knew they'd keep holding it over his head until he failed one day, but there was nothing he could do. Oren was incensed. He stood up in one fluid movement and knocked the gun back into the alley. A look of despair covered Graham's face. “Don't worry,” Oren said, “They won't bother if you're already dead.” His face stiffened but a tear flowed down it. “Please, please make it quick.” he begged, kneeling. “I'll make you a deal. I'll take care of your parents’ safety this once, but in return you must help me kill the scum that infest these streets.” “I.. I'm sorry, I would, but I can't risk it... please. My life isn't worth much anyway, just promise me you'll spare my parents. They had nothing to do with this.” It's the same sad story he read in Graham's eyes. Bullied at school, tracked down by the one that bullied him and abused into doing their dirty work. Set up to take the fall for it while the real criminals hide behind an endless procession of victims. “Come.” Oren said, and walked away in the light. Graham swallowed hard, retrieved his gun and followed. The rich bastard was right, this was the only way, he should probably kill him and die on the next, but he was outclassed. He still didn't know how Redford had recovered. He shadowed him to make it look like he was looking for an opportunity. You never knew who was watching. They stopped at an abandoned factory. The building had been condemned but it was still a regular site for criminals. They went up to the third floor. No-one ever came up this high. No cover and the floor was unstable. Oren stopped just before the jagged remains of a fire escape. He turned and looked deeply into Graham's eyes, he felt like Oren was probing his soul. “Do not lose your soul, and do not forget, you have a job to do. I will be watching.” The confused man barely noticed as Oren gently put a hand behind his head and gently moved it to his shoulder. He felt a wetness on his neck. He suddenly realised what was happening. This guy had a vampire fetish. He gave in to the blackness as he realised his parents would be safe as long as he was dead. He did not notice when the blackness of night became the blackness of death, but he greeted it like an old friend. It was over. ***Helps if I log in before I try update ref 61-
|
|
|
Post by nightreflection on Aug 2, 2011 13:55:01 GMT -5
Part XXXVIII It was raining. He held his head in his hand as he slowly sat up. It was a bright night. Had it been a dream? Then how had he got here? The creak of beams under him reminded him that his imagined death would be prophetic if he didn't move carefully. He lay down and rolled over. With his weight spread out he slowly crept towards the broken stairs. He could drop down, the floor near the stairs was reinforced. It was a surprisingly bright night he could see everything. He levered himself next to the edge, swung held and dropped. He waited. It was a regular haunt, he had to make sure he was alone. He listened carefully until he was sure the only creaking beams were those blown by the wind. He'd never noticed the beams creak before. A bat startled him as it flew off. “Pull yourself together Graham.” he thought. He felt his neck, no marks or anything “See, just paranoid.” His heart stopped. His neck had been washed clean, but his collar was sticky. He brought his hand infront of him in horror. The light rain had mixed with the dry blood to revive it. He smelt it and he knew. It smelt of compulsion and hunger. He lost track of time while he stared at it. His attention was distracted by voices. “So you showed. I honestly didn't think you had the stuff.”, he was being so stupidly loud. “Oh, I've got sources, even with Mr Powers junior rubbing out the competition. Let me see the cash.” So this was what Redford had meant. He didn't usually pick fights, but orders is orders. He drew his weapon and carefully crept closer. He got right above them without them seeing him. They must be blind. Somehow, even with the rain clouds it was a very bright night. He hit them with two quick shots. He was sure the gun had had more kick than this. He was glad it had a silencer, but was still a bit worried. He'd have to check it later, it was a bit loud. He can't quite explain what happened next. He saw a glint of blood in the moonlight and like a dream he dropped down and bit deeply. He had never felt such pleasure. He drained both of them and then hung them upside down for the last few drops. “Eat them, came a voice from behind him.” He wanted to turn and see who spoke, but his nature took over and he sank his teeth in. The first piece of neck came away easily. The taste turned his stomach but it was seasoned with blood. Sweet sweet blood. He ate them both until only the bones were left. He turned and saw Mr Redford. His eyes were red. He was sitting watching as if it was a show. “You make quite the vampire.” Graham's eyes opened wide and he held on to a steel beam for support. Of course he knew he was, but hearing it like that hit him. “I will take care of the creep threatening your parents, but first you have to die to release them. Grab some reinforcements and meet me outside the ice rink at the black hour of three later tonight. I have left instructions in your pocket, in the meantime you might want to find some place to hole up. I hear the sun's killer this time of year.” That night Oren shot him in the stomach and wounded the muscle he'd been lent. He was officially dead. His parents were free. It healed slowly, but it healed! It was amazing, that would have killed anyone. He found some scum to feed off and slept. A few nights later he picked up a paper and read it in the darkness. Some monster had decorated the walls of his old boss with, well, his boss. It looks like the rich bastard had kept his promise. He would keep his part out of gratitude regardless, but he didn't mind this kind of contract he thought as he grinned hungrily and thought of the next scumbag who'd end up as dinner. ***Right, let's get this show er... slowly lumbering Oh for a fanfic writer of old awooo... wait, wrong monster. *ahem* Ref 62-
|
|
|
Post by nightreflection on Aug 4, 2011 14:35:27 GMT -5
Part XXXIX “So Zeke, how'd you end up with the cushy job?” “Oh, the usual. Right place, right time and not too attached to my soul.” Lucy always made good conversation. She had trouble figuring out his development. She never could figure from cheeky little teen to dedicated lackey in less than a month. It had paid off of course, but that boss of hers was a dangerous predator indeed. She didn't know how he did it, but he really knew how people thought. It was as if he was psychic or something. She knew something was wrong, somehow his psyche had been tweaked. Things that a normal person would get bored with or would deem a bridge too far Zeke seemed to put up with, although not eternally happy to help. But that wasn't the weird thing. It was like he was aware of it, it didn't bother him. Kerry had a similar affliction, but Zeke was different, his face also regularly showed content or a slick smirk. Whatever was happening, he was enjoying his work, and he thought he knew something everyone else didn't. Still, no matter how she lead him, he never owned up to anything. It wasn't just Zeke, Oren was a mystery too. Coming out of an office job and rising overnight almost out of the blue. And even then, there were shooting stars among the rich, but even the youthful Laura Grebes and her piers she could grasp the basics of. It was like the man knew everything, even though she'd seen on occasion that he didn't. She certainly had a lot to learn. She thought herself a genius until she'd met Oren. She got the impression he wasn't as fast as others, but he still seemed to come out on top somehow. “I'm here, hold the applause, hold the applause.” Zeke sarcastically clapped his hands while Kerry gave him the bored ‘not this again.’ look. “Sorry, couldn't help myself.” “That's not what I heard.” Kerry chimed in. “Ooh, she bites. Liiiike.” a humorous smile crossed Kerry's face. “And you my dear,” he looked at Lucy. “Break any hearts lately?” He said and gave her a peck on the cheek. “No.” it was a bit defiant. “Darling, you must learn to toy with men. Not all men of course, but just look at what you read in their faces if you need motivation. Now go ye and fetch me a customer.” As threatened, he was teaching her to use her looks. Every few evenings he got her to trick some sucker into visiting the store using her looks alone. She felt so cheap, and even worse knowing she wouldn't be giving him anything, but the lecherous looks on their faces made it a lot easier and she was slowly getting desensitised. She had hated using her looks, but had never thought of abusing them this way. She felt like a predator, leading the man on with breadcrumbs only to ambush him and leave him disappointed at the end of the road. She had wanted to use her mind, now she was using both her mind and her looks. The result was devastating. Oren could send her into a room and all the men would be putty in her hands. She played them off the women and manipulated them too with jealousy and fear. She would emerge with whatever it was he wanted a few hours later. She'd started using it for herself, but like her mentor, she was careful. A bit here and a bit there. Too much attention was a bad thing unless you were using it. She was becoming more like her master than she knew, only Oren use a different kind of look to hunt. He was doing it again, that little smirk, just like Oren.
This is the best job in the world Zeke thought. No feelings getting in the way of work. He'd seen stuff with his eyes other people spent their life looking for. The cash was great. He muttered a few words under his breath and a twinkie appeared in his hands. A sweet deal indeed. Now to make it cushy. He looked at the deflated seat.
*** He's a bad bad man Oren is. Ref 63-
|
|
|
Post by nightreflection on Aug 9, 2011 16:07:15 GMT -5
Part XL (The size of my clothes ) Oren had promised answers, such as he had, and today was the day. It was one of Lucy's days at Grebes Omni, so there would be plenty of weeping time. He found Laura waiting in the private room. It was a small room for small meetings. Best not to extrapolate what purpose it had served under its former owner. “How are we doing Miss Grebes?” “Fine, just fine. A few nasty customers but nothing I couldn't get through, especially with Lucy playing her mind tricks.” “Don't take this the wrong way but, is she using any of her feminine wiles?” “Oh, don't even start, it gets worse every week. This morning she had Wiles propose to her.” “Good. It's nice to know my student is learning.” “It's not really fair you know.” “The sap barely knew her, he could have at least asked her out first. Hopefully he will learn and be a less forward in future.” There was silence. It wasn't awkward, just transitionary. Laura slowly remembered why they were there and Oren waited. “So then” she sighed “give it to me straight.” Oren avoided the obligatory put down. This wasn't the time. “Do you remember what I showed you last week?” “Yes. I understand a lot about the poorer caste, and about my company.” She didn't ask how this was connected. She trusted him, and she knew he'd get there. “The poorer cast, how did you find them?” “Rough around the edges, crude, uneducated, but still remarkably caring in their own way.” “Those negatives, how did they get there?” There was a long pause. “Well, I guess they were never taught any better.” Oren waited, he could see Laura's mind working. Suddenly the penny dropped and she forced back a tear. “Yes my dear, that is correct. There is a certain amount of genetics, but most of what separates them from us is money. Money for a better house, money for a better education. The less money they have, the less of the former they have. They are looked down upon as social outcasts simply because they didn't have the same opportunities.” “I... Is it true? My friends and I all used to say how gifted we were, how we were special, not like the rest of the rabble. Is that all there is?” “That is all. Even virtue, the lower classes will steal without hesitation, we just call it clever accounting, benefits, any excuse really.” She was crying softly now. “So tell me my dear, once again. What is the difference between them and us, how did you end up with money and they didn't?” “I was born to rich parents I guess.” She needed just a little nudge now. “And why not poor parents, what was the difference?” “Luck? You're telling me luck is all there is to this?” “You talk about it like it is something you can own. A trait to possess, but that is misleading. You roll a die, the figure must be one of six. That is the lucky number, but what did it do to earn it? What skill or trait did it possess to be selected? It was just one of six. This looks like luck to the chosen number, but it is really nothing more than cold chance.” He let it sink in for a minute. He took her in his arms, she was already crying softly again. She knew what he was going to say. “This is what killed your parents.” She cried, pathetically, but not loudly, and when she calmed down a bit he continued. “There are many ‘reasons’ your parents could have been killed. They were rich, well known, had lots of enemies. These are shared by most of the Kellwood elite. Even more, you can name several very real threats to the life of anyone you choose, they were just among the many this time, not the few.” He really wanted to tell her the truth, how he fed on her father, and how her mother was ripped apart between Charby and Menu, but he just couldn't. He was too weak. Even though it wasn't the right time, like there ever would be one, he was just too weak. He held her and comforted her. It was the least he could do. Sometimes he felt sorry for what he'd done, then he remembered what he knew. Mr Grebes, seeing the potential in an idea had paid a thug to ‘pacify’ the competition, and then generously offered to buy the invention to support the widow. There was no evidence, but it was so easy he did it again. And again. And again. Mrs Grebes who, when she had found out said nothing, and even helped cover the trail. His posture stiffened. Again. He looked down at the head nestled on his chest. He regretted nothing, but perhaps he could save just this one from the fire. *** I like reading my own work. Narcissism? Yes, Oren is very self righteous. Yes, he is doing this mainly for his enjoyment, he just uses the ends as an excuse. ;D ref 64-
|
|
|
Post by nightreflection on Aug 11, 2011 15:43:44 GMT -5
Part XLI
Eve Roots had worked all her life in the little clothing shop. It wasn't the best of work, but there was worse, she imagined. The gossip made it bearable, sitting in a room full of armchair politicians and counsellors was always entertaining to her. She didn't participate much. She didn't like to admit she enjoyed the gossip. It was considered impolite, and she did have at least one good friend, so she didn't have to bare everything to the gaggle. They were skilled every one of them. Their skills had been called outdated, but Mr Redford had shown them! A few new bits here and there and things carried on, pretty much the same. Annabel had been so glad when she told her. She liked working late. The factory to herself it was so quiet where only hours before the bustle of machines and chatter had been. Her movements echoed in the empty space. It was very calming and her mind wandered. The new owner seemed to have a vested interest in her. She enjoyed specialist work as opposed to the grind you could switch off to. He often had her make specialised clothes. Each request would come on paper with measurements and a name scrawled at the bottom. The measurements for each person never changed. At one time she thought they were styles, but she guessed in the end she was making only part of the garment. After all, Menu had to get pants from somewhere, and Phineas couldn't spend all his time in swimwear. She liked to imagine what they all looked like. She imagined Zeno as a cheeky little lively boy to match his shirts. Hexavier was a little blue-eyed boy peeping out from under clothes that were too big for him. Mye had the same measurements but she gathered from the wiccan garments that she was a bit more reserved. Foomy was probably someone's doll, one of those farty ones they were selling a few years ago. The fabric was difficult to work, but it was worth it. It looked like it was designed specially for stains and to resist damage. Very sensible for children, although she'd played around with scraps and thought it was a bit overboard. Well, he was stinking rich anyway, any friends and family were probably well treated. She had seen one of them. She'd been surprised to see Charby's clothes on a pretty normal looking boy that had been leading Oren around by the hand. Even they had them she thought with a smile. Sometimes it was so easy to forget that the rich were so different. She'd been brought up with all these unspoken rules about how the rich had some God-given right to rule over them. Of course, times had changed so much, and heaven knows they had no right to be treated with the invasion of privacy that they now had.
The door clattered as someone tried to get in. It didn't startle her anymore. No code, no in. There was the beep-boop-bop of buttons being frantically pressed and the door clicked. She raised an eyebrow, Mr Redford at this time of night? It wasn't uncommon, but it wasn't usually frantic. “Little freak went down here.” Sounds drifted from the open window. It took a while for the factory to cool down in the evenings with the fans off. Maybe it was Charby? She'd been dying to see how her handiwork fitted. She'd asked Oren many times to see who she was making for but he'd always declined. The lock banged loudly and a child slipped through the door, banged it shut and pressed himself against the door. Eve's surprised stare met a blank pained grimace blankly for a few seconds. Eve moved first, she looked him up and down. His black horns may have been a put on but the huge yellow eyes and missing nose told her there was more to this. “Zeno?” she said inquisitively. Zeno looked like he'd been caught with his hand in the cookie jar. “Um.. yes ma'am' “Come here child, I've been dying to check your measurements.” As he crossed the room with a nervous grin on his face she noticed the pack on his back had something alive in it. “Goodness, it's not good to keep pets in Oh my!” Zeno took a step back. “Now now, I was just a little surprised, let me get a good look at you. Wow, those are real , you really are a strange one aren't you. Let me see the stitching. Not a bad job, although needle and thread have their limits, let me redo this for you.” Before he knew it Zeno was watching his shirt getting a major working over. “You know I've always thought your measurements were a bit strange, it explains a lot now. You're not quite what I expected at all. Tell me, did Mr Redford give you the code incase something happened? Are you alright?” Zeno tried to smile, normally it terrified people, but he forgot himself for a moment. He could see what Charby saw in Mrs Marlowe now. “Yeah, I lost my hat and, well, you can guess.” “My my, what a row of teeth you have. You're so lucky I've only got two left.” she grinned “I'll whip you up a beanie when I'm done with this.” She drew a breath and slowed down a bit, “So, what are the others like?” “Uhh.. I think Charby would kill me if I said anything. But thank you so much for helping me. It really means a lot.” They talked about this and that for half an hour and then everything was done. “Thanks again Eve, and good luck. I'll put a good word in for you I promise.” “Don't be a stranger now.” Such a nice boy she thought, and wondered what his story was?
***Haven't really got anything to say. Now that's a change. ref 65-
|
|
|
Post by nightreflection on Aug 17, 2011 3:12:59 GMT -5
Part XLII
The next morning she was a little late. Mr Redford trusted her not to lie about her time and she could take any overtime off later. Nevertheless, she was still unnerved. “Ooh, you're going to be in trouble today Eve, the boss is in.” That didn't help much, she trusted Mr Redford, but she was uneasy about last night. It had all been so obviously reasonable at the time, but he wasn't human, and she'd seen him. What was going to happen. There was a chorus of “Told you so.” as she was summoned into Mr Redford's office. She nervously took a seat opposite him as the door closed. “Tea Mrs Roots?” “No thank you Mr Redford” she was tense. “Here, you lie badly.” “Thank you sir.” “Please, Oren will do at this point.” “Yes sir.” Oren rolled his eyes. “I hear you've met Zeno.” “I'm sorry sir, I didn't.. it didn't seem wrong at the time.” “Relax Eve, you're not in trouble. At least, not the way you think.” “Oh, how then.” Oren laughed “Stop worrying so much” “First, I need to explain something about Zeno to you. I don't mind keeping them away and giving the work to someone else, but you need to know the truth.” Eve was very unsure of herself, “As you wish sir. She still didn't like the idea of losing the specialist work.” “Zeno is a demon.” This didn't get the reaction he expected. After a pause he continued. “I am a vampire.” Still no reaction. She was just absorbing it. He let his facade fall. “Oh my, Mr Redford, I never knew.” There was genuine pity in her voice. “Please, call me Oren. I know this isn't freaking you out, but I kill and eat people.” This got a reaction. She thought it over “If I may be so bold sir, but you are one of the kindest people I know, and while you may be thoroughly evil, all you have shown me is good and until I see otherwise, I am willing to believe in your good nature.” “Well, that went better than expected. Zeno doesn't really kill people, but he does eat anything we drag home.” Again, not as much reaction as he'd hoped. “I'm sorry Mr Redford, but you underestimate us. We've lived through a lifetime of war, flood, famine. We've seen the heartless and the helpless. And we've seen the kindness of man to man too. You can't throw us that easily.” Oren looked deeply into her eyes. Here was a woman who had seen it all. She could probably tell him a thing or two, and he'd had one heck of a crash course. “Very well, if that's your decision, then I have an offer for you.” “You will need to switch to night shift, but the clothing you make will be more specialised. You will also get paid about four times what you are on now.” Her face lit up “Really?” Oren nodded vigorously. “Are you sure?” “Yes Eve, I am.” She ran out of the office shouting how happy she was. He hadn't told her about confidentiality yet, but it looked like a group brainwash was not in order. She only told them that she'd been promoted and that she'd be doing more specialist work in the evenings when they were out of the way. They were all very sour of course, but had very little to say. She didn't need them anymore.
Oren brought pictures in that night and had Mye drop by with some more specific measurements. She was now sewing wing and tail slots into clothes and all sorts of other strange modifications. The work dried up after a few nights but it seemed Oren was not the kind to let that sort of gift go to waste. She would regularly get orders for different measurements, often more adult. She smiled at the comments like “taper to hoof”. They were really interesting garments, and she was getting very good. Sometimes one of the original brats showed up to keep her company. Charby was a favourite. They would talk long into the night. Slowly the equipment was updated, but it didn't bother her. She understood it and it was just a means. There was no threat of losing work. They clearly had too much. She adored the children she was making for. She knew they weren't children but they were so interesting. Zeno's wings, Crispo's hooves, Mye and Hex's size shifting, Foomy's flammability, they fascinated her. She hoped to meet them all one day.
*** ref 66-
|
|
|
Post by nightreflection on Aug 19, 2011 14:18:47 GMT -5
Part XLIII It was quite mesmerising. The magician danced his way through spell after spell. From variations to old favourites, to the new and unseen. He pulled a squirrel out of a bag of nuts. Made a lady's bag of oranges vanish. And then diced one of them without touching it. Oren stood amazed. “He's just using cheap tricks you know.” said Charby. “No. There's no magic in it, but his art is practised and inventive.” “Too bad you're taking me to dinner eh, eh?” Charby grabbed Oren by the ear. Oren had just enough time to wrap a card in a fiver and throw it. That afternoon he got a call and invited the magician over for dinner. The magician was reluctant to give up his trade, but the amount of money being offered, he didn't refuse. He still struggled to grasp it when the money hit his bank the next day. He wanted to elope with it, but someone with that much money was not a good person to grab and run from. He showed up at the dingy residence on the edge of town. A little goth introduced himself as Zeke and guided him through the house. It was surprisingly well stocked and not very creepy on the inside. Obviously Mr Redford didn't want the competition for whoever was here. Although why he had to come here just to stop performing was a mystery to him. Zeke lead him to a dry, desolate stone basement. The lights weren't crude, but other than them there was nothing in the room except Mr Redford. The room felt like terrible things had happened here. He must ask Oren how he did it, although he would have to give up magic, he could live cushy now. Maybe he would practise in private. It was his life, and his love. “Since we're all here let me explain what I mean. Oh, Zeke, get yourself a chair. Clayton, do you believe in real magic?” “Uhh, not really, no. Get me one too please.” “Then you're about to have a very hard time. I'm going to steal your knowledge from you. You can practise all you want, but you will have to learn all over again. Hope you have notes.” “Haha, well, you sure know how to set an atmosphere, I'm ready.” “Splendid. Since you don't believe in magic, just stand still for a few hours and you're free, with the money.” “Sweet.” With that Oren took an aged notepad out of his cloak and began drawing a rune of some sort around Clayton, occasionally referring to the yellowed pages before him. Zeke arrived. “One?” “You're going to be standing.” he said grinning. Clayton hoped he lasted three hours. He never did like meditation type tricks. Oren worked quickly and in five minutes a complex rune formed around him in red ink. He had to hand it to them, they really knew their stuff. There was a faint smell of blood in the air. He wasn't quite sure how they did it, but, even being used to a lifetime of misdirection, he was starting to get a little nervous. Oren stood up and started circling the rune and chanting in some freaky language. He was sure someone was filming this, nevertheless it was worth the money, already paid. The runes started glowing. This relaxed him, it was probably a cheap laser trick. He was intrigued when they reversed and seemed to absorb the light and then flicked back to half and half. Oren finished circling and seemed to change his focus to his hands, mouth and mind. The gestures and mumbling suddenly stopped. Oren had transformed into a monster with huge red eyes. He looked into Clayton's mind and seemed to tweak something. Amazing effects, he'd probably been hypnotised somehow, but for a moment his mind was in limbo at the shock. Oren sank his teeth into his neck. There was a sucking feeling, but it was just like air was being pulled into Oren's mouth. He put his hands next to Clayton's head and they glowed yellow. Slowly he felt his mind disconnect from his consciousness. His memories became crystal clear, but he could not control which ones he saw. Things he had forgotten for years drifted before his eyes with the clarity of a spring in the hills. Slowly the vacuum at his neck reached in through the teeth. Wait a minute. There were teeth? The magic felt like the black part of the rune, draining his essence. He felt it slip past his consciousness and touch his mind like a squid probing a reef for morsels. It found what it was looking for and all but one strand of black vanished. It grew a little thicker and was soon joined by a host of others, like a cable. He felt his memories slipping away. He made a move towards them but felt too weak. Slowly his mind was flowing through the shadowy thread into his host. As time passed he looked on in despair as he realised this was it. The money didn't matter. Soon this creature would know everything about him, including how to get the money back. It started with what was most precious, but would soon engulf his whole mind leaving him a vacant mindless consciousness. And then, as quickly as it had arrived, it stopped. The black strands retreated through the teeth and he became aware of a warm mouth on his neck. The mouth was dry as if something had been taking the saliva away. It released him, but hands grabbed him so he did not fall. The mouth uttered a few final chants and he stepped back and scuffed a dark red rune. It was dead now, but the colour explained where the smell had come from earlier. It was blood. He was a bit dazed, but slowly the world around him became coherent. Zeke was leading him upstairs. Mr Redford had passed out it seemed. Zeke sat him down at the kitchen table. He grabbed him a coffee and Clayton felt better for it. He pulled a bauble out of his pocket. He couldn't remember what it was or how it worked, but he could remember where he got it. He got up to leave. “Please sir, feel free to stay as long as you need. I'm told it's very disorienting.” Clayton laughed. “Who cares? I've got a house in paradise with my name on it, have fun.” The first place he went was to the bank. Everything he hadn't spent was still there, and it was lots. He took a few weeks off. Raided his old home for notes and went back to the cushy life. In time he returned to street performing with a new technique, but sometimes he regretted it. Some long nights he'd give anything to relearn some of his lost tricks. Had it really been worth it? *** What would you trade for your life's work? Sometimes we don't realise what we got. Yes, yes that is about the limit of my 'deep' at the moment. Ref 68-
|
|
|
Post by nightreflection on Aug 23, 2011 13:27:22 GMT -5
Part XLIV
There were wows and woos late into the evening as Oren entertained his master and the rest of the cabin with his new tricks. He was pulling a gem out of an eyeball (none of theirs, but Menu ate it anyway) when Charby threw the question. “So why'd ya do it minion? I know you work for me, but you wouldn't do it just for us.” Oren smiled, “One more trick for my master.” “Hey, don't you ignore me, remember who the minion is here!” “Wait, I wanna see this, just one more Charby” Menu was enjoying the show, and the odd snack. “Stop hounding me.” At this point Oren had summoned a blood bag he'd prepared earlier into a hat. He pulled it out, threw it at Charby and bowed. There was a round of laughter and applause, but the significance was not lost on the magic users. That had been real magic, though everyone else had just thought it another trick. “I wish you'd just tell me. Damn that's annoying.” Charby complained. “Come sire, let there be no bad blood between us.” “You're such a showoff, you know that?” said Charby. “It runs in the family.” Oren said, tilting and dipping his head courteously with an expressive wave of his arm. “Ooh, what's this?” he said reaching into his shoe. “Yeech, put it back on!” Menu yelled. Oren stuck his tongue out at him. “Ooh, it's a map.” he said unfolding a small square of paper. “I wonder what it shows?” “Nice try,” laughed Charby “but I'm still not going anywhere near it.” He spread it out on the floor. It was a poor copy. His skills were poor, even with a lightbox. At least he'd magik'd the creases out of it. Suddenly he had a lot of interest. Its origin forgotten, Hex was pouring over it. Zeno was trying to make sense of the runes. Mye nudged up to her boyfriend and started reading something that surprised her. Crispo who always liked a good puzzle was looking at it analytically, but without enough lore or language skills, didn't have a hope. Everyone had something to say of course. Oren sidled over to Hex, “So.” “Yes.” “Khuredin?” “Northern woods.” “Red tree.” “Yep.” “Good, with stuff this old it's good to have a second opinion.” “So you're going?” “Actually, I thought it would be a good day out for all of us.” “You know it's a trap?” “Aren't they always? It's more for the entertainment value.” “What are you talking about?” A grinning Charby head appeared between them. “Of course, it's unlikely that Khuredin had ultimate power, in fact there may not even be anything worthwhile there, its mainly something to get us out of here for a few hours.” “Sounds good let's go.” said Charby.
“Okay everybody, we're going treasure hunting. It's about an hour's walk. You have fifteen minutes to get ready or we leave you behind.”
*** Tease Tease. But I think I'm getting to predictable. Ref 69-
|
|
|
Post by nightreflection on Aug 25, 2011 15:31:53 GMT -5
Part XLV Wow, that's a lot. How sad am I? The forest was thick with bugs this time of year. Fortunately Mye had whipped up some repellent. The unlikely horde traipsed through the undergrowth in search of hoard. Their laughter faded in the forest, but no demon in their right mind would attack the group, even if they were only small, it counted for little in the forest and those that didn't learn quickly weren't around for long. After an hour stones of an ancient ruin began to pepper the dense shrubbery. Slowly they became more frequent until suddenly the sea of green suddenly fell away to reveal heavy stone ruins. Here it was. The stone was so well placed that the foliage was struggling to survive. The wall of foliage at the edge of the ruins and the trees arching above had kept them uninhabited. There was the odd critter, but wicked brambles clawed away at the stones making life unhappy for anyone trying to make a home here. Mannick was holding Foomy like a vacuum, who was happily roasting everything in their path. Oren turned open the map and directed while Foomy and Mannick burnt a path to several statues. At each statue Foomy would call out an animal name and Oren would depress a panel in the wall. Azelea couldn't resist the temptation of power and flew between the brambles to the last one herself. Oren quietly called Mannick over. With the code revealed Oren shoved the final panel in and the wall swivelled and swallowed them. Azelea was not happy, she banged on the wall and almost got squished by boulders when she punched the wrong panel in. Her crazed voice got softer and softer as they descended the steps. Something about watering her lilies. They didn't use a torch, those with night vision lead those who couldn't see. “Mannick close your portal.” Hex whispered hoarsely. “But Mannick want light.” he pouted. But was his happy self in a few seconds. The steps went down and down, deep into the earth. They felt the earth, then they felt the earth feeling them. Every step sent ripples through something. It wasn't quite alive, yet it wasn't quite undead either. Foomy was dancing and burning. He was lucky his new clothes were fireproof. The deeper they got the more joyful his dance became until he was like a candle flame leaping from point to point. The sensation of earth was so thick here they could almost taste it. The stairs opened into a void. Oren tried casting several light spells, but his words and the light were all swallowed by the darkness. Only Foomy's fire touched the vast walls. He leaped into the middle of the room in a burst of joy and stood there a pyre of flame. The room was huge, they could barely see the ceiling. The floor was littered with man-sized boulders. They were denser near the middle of the room. As they made their way through them they realised to their horror that some of the stones had bones sticking out of them. Officially creeped out, everyone got behind Hex or Oren, except Charby. In the centre was a small stalagmite, cut off at the top. There was a boringly simple glyph on the top of it, but there was also one of the strange boulders in front of it. A kick from Charby toppled it and one from Menu rolled it away. “What have we here?” said Charby “Careful Charby, it's probably trapped.” said Hex. Oren was clearing the ground in front of the stalagmite. From where they were they could make out five gaping black holes at the end of the cave. “Strength Magic Bath” read Oren. This was met with a round of howls and cackles. “Well, that's the left exit anyway.” “Strength Life Absorbing” Oren pointed at the next. “Strength Man Hand” Oren pointed at the middle without looking. “Weakness Mind” Oren continued. “Grasp Stone”. “We should be careful, but I think there are no more traps after this room.” said Oren looking at the map. 'I also think, although it's hard to tell from the runes, that all the exits are winners, although if it's true to Khuredin myth, we will only get to choose one.” Caution to the wind, believing everything safe Hex ran for an exit. Taking this as a signal the rest followed. Charby headed for the fourth with murderous thoughts of Quixoto in mind. Tony followed Hex into the first. Thinking it to be a safe bet Menu followed closely. Mye trailed behind wanting to support her brother. Crispo was slowly walking towards the second, there was something odd about his walk. Mannick stopped infront of the third “Mannick want be strong, but Mannick scared to go alone.” The light began to fade as Foomy headed for the fifth opening and Mannick found himself in the dark. “Mannick scared,” he said and crept along the wall, a faint blue glow infront of him. With his night vision and the last of the light Oren saw Zeno walk into the fourth. He did not see the tears in Zeno's eyes. Zeno hoped it would be a trap. At least that way he would have a fair fight. In the inky blackness a shadow snuck into the fifth opening. “#%*$!” yelled Phineas as he stubbed his toe. Oren was lucky not to see the perverted look on his face just before that. Who knew what he was thinking. The cavern was quiet. Oren looked around. Something was not right. The powers, while good did not seem very ultimate to him. Also, Hex had missed one part of Khuredin myth. They would often use misdirection to hide their most valued treasures. In the darkness he felt eyes on him. The feeling was so strong he turned around. They were there, just there, he could feel the breath on him, just beyond the inky blackness were two eyes. He could picture them if he just closed his. He screamed and threw a loose rock. It clattered against the back of the cavern. He was losing it. It was strange, he could feel the power, not magic, something very... basic. The language was simple, the magic felt strange. It was felt like Foomy's fire now that he thought about the lighting. He walked towards the openings and suddenly he felt it. Slightly, like a trickle of sweat down his back he felt the presence ebb, weaken a little bit. He turned wide-eyed expecting to see a giant bestial face before him, but there was nothing. His eyes failed him, his ears told him there was nothing there, but something inside him screamed of a beast in the darkness. He wanted to scream, he wanted light so badly. He gripped himself and fought his fear back to the stalagmite. This was it, it was the centre. His eyes opened wide in realisation rather than fear this time. This was the power they were hiding, but what of the others? Trapped in stone. He quickly took out the map and scribbled a note on the back of it. Hopefully it would be legible - he couldn't see what he was writing. He carefully laid it over the runes. Gingerly he stood in front of the earthen pedestal. When there had been light the rune had been a simple circle with a shallow upside-down V in it. He could feel it now. There was more to it, no, there was less to it. It wasn't part of any language, it had no power, it did not unleash power it was... something else... something... simpler. Simpler than anything his tiny mind could grasp. His eyes hardened and he thrust his hand onto the strange symbol. *** So yeah, I like to play the power-up game a bit more than is good for a healthy story, but it's not like I'm gonna try publish this anyway. ref 70e
|
|
|
Post by nightreflection on Aug 30, 2011 14:14:11 GMT -5
Part XLVI
Slowly a faint blue light began to fill the winding tunnel. Menu's scrabbling claws began to find purchase in the light and he entered a room with a pillar of glowing blue light. Hex and Tony were floating in it and light shone out of their eyes. Mye joyfully pushed past him and threw herself in. Menu waited until Hex stepped out before going in himself, and even then he eyed it suspiciously.
Foomy stepped into the room. No matter how hard he glowed there was nothing. Suddenly it felt like tons of soil was falling on top of him. He screamed but it filled his mouth, covering him, filling him. Phineas blindly stumbled into the room. He'd hoped he'd be able to see by Foomy's light, but as the walls disappeared he stumbled for direction. The floor sloped gently and he found himself following it. He bumped into Foomy. He was lying on his back, cold and stiff. Phineas tried to run but the trap claimed him too.
The tunnel ahead glowed with an insipid faint, weak yellowish light. Charby cautiously peered around the corner. There was a weak orb of light in the middle of the room. He wasn't even sure it was light. His jaw went slack and he started to drool. He stepped towards the light and sat down on a bench, transfixed. Zeno followed a few minutes later. “Hey Ch...” His eyes grew wide. No, he thought, No, no, n..” He felt it peeling back the layers of his mind. Wasn't this what he wanted?
Mannick poked his head around to see a well-lit room. “Hello?”, he stepped away from the door. “Mannick no hurt, Mannick just visiting.” he said in an intimidated voice. He stepped over to the middle of the room where there lay a golden mat. “Mannick sleepy.” he said and lay down. It was warm and cozy. Happy thoughts danced across his mind as his consciousness faded.
Crispo was hypnotised. Something drew him on. He couldn't understand it. He felt like the life force he meditated on had congealed all in one place, and he was drawn to it. The room was dank and mossy. A faint, rich green glow emanated from somewhere. Or was it everywhere. He was drawn to the centre of the room and lay down. Darkness swirled around him as his eyes closed and he fell into a deep sleep.
Mannick forgot how long Mannick lying here he thought. Slowly he stood up. It felt like his whole body was glowing. He slowly stumbled back down the passage. At the end it was still dark? “Hello?” There was a yellow aurora behind him. There was one over each entrance. “Mannick here.” he said uncertainly. “No, Mannick all alone, what Mannick do?” “Miner hat help Mannick know what to do.” But it didn't. “Mannick go back and hope friends come later.” but the aurora wouldn't let him pass. “Mannick hands itch like weasel with bum on poison ivy.” He held them together and then shook them. There was a clank as a metal disk the size of his palm hit the floor. “Mannick make more, maybe others hear Mannick.” He saw a light coming out from behind the brown aurora and hid behind a shadow. Foomy was walking normally now. He coughed. “Mannick glad to see fireboy, Mannick so scared, but Mannick want to know. Why fireboy coughing dirt?” Foomy laughed and clapped his hands together. Rocks sprang up in front of him like bugs bunny tunnelling to Albaquerqe. “Wow, fireboy play with rocks.” A sick looking Phineas emerged from the tunnel holding on to the walls. “Soo much dirt...” He didn't notice, but his hand was making a rail from the wall as he went along. Crispo slowly emerged from the green aurora. He didn't look any different. “What happen to Dragonboy?” “Too much.” He put his hands out and without meditating a strong green light appeared between them. “Whoa, where'd all the coinage come from?” He bit one. “Wow, this is pretty pure stuff too.” “Mannick think Mannick make them when he alone in dark, but Mannick not seeing.” They sat in silence. “Mannick glad fireboy here, Mannick scared of scary place in dark.” The sat some more. Two shadows stumbled through the pale yellow aura. Zeno was leaning heavily on Charby. “You lot look like you got a raw deal.” Said the half-recovered Phineas. “Sorry Phineas, we're exhausted, please, leave us alone for a while huh?” Much to Charby's surprise Phineas got up and walked away. “No, no, I didn't mean it like that.” Phineas stopped and turned around with a puzzled look on his face. “What just happened?” It was another hour before an annoyed Hex and an excited Menu exited the blue aurora. Shortly behind them Tony escorted Mye. They all had a faint blue glow to them. “.. and while the glow will fade there should be a strong permanent effect.” finished Hex. “So I can do magic now? Arooooo yeah!” Shouted Menu. “Err.. not really” said Hex. “What do you mean?” Menu yelled at him. “Sheesh, don't be such a grouch. Your spells will be stronger. If you ever learn any.” Of course the lazy mutt never would he thought to himself. “Awww....” “So.” chimed Charby, “Who left Oren behind?”
*** I'm a sick puppy who really enjoys reading his own stuff, even when I already know what I got planned, hehe. ;D Ref 72 1
|
|
|
Post by nightreflection on Sept 2, 2011 15:13:59 GMT -5
Part XLVII
A round of “No's” resulted. “Oren you creep, get down here now! Watching us is not funny!” he yelled. There was no answer. “MINION!” He was seriously unhappy now. A joke was a joke, but he had a line. “Split up and look for clues” he muttered. “Found him” shouted Hex a minute later. “Oren get your butt over here.” “He can't heeear you.” he yelled. Menu repeated Charby's instruction louder, but no-one was laughing. They all walked or flew over to Hex. He was holding Oren's map. He lifted it in Foomy's light and read aloud.
“Dear friends, By now I have probably done something irreversibly stupid. To speed up recovery, please follow the instructions below: 1.)Remove rock from ruins 2.)Grind to fine powder 3.)Throw powder in mucky swamp puddle. 4.)Add critters. I am terribly sorry for the inconvenience, please do not hesitate to apply the bat of tranquillity repeatedly to drive the spirit of stupidity once this has been resolved.
Yours faithfully
minion”
Charby looked distastefully at the block of stone while Menu rolled in the dust laughing. “Some minion you have.” he teased when he finally could talk. They grumbled about it, but there was no resistance. Oren was a good source of chores and entertainment. A black aurora blocked the exit, but there was a sloped white one now. They climbed it and entered the darkness beyond. They couldn't move Oren through the aurora, but Charby managed to poof through with him. It was hard going. The cave seemed a lot narrower with a six foot lump of stone over their heads. An ancient stone door rolled aside to reaveal a long drop. Crispo spat over the edge. Mye scolded him. They threw Oren over and climbed down. “Oren's really gone to pieces.” chuckled Zeno. Charby rolled his eyes, so this is what it was like to have a dumb minion. They looked back at the cliff they'd just climbed down. It was a giant statue carved into a cliff wall. Huge yellow-gold lumps of flesh adorned an ancient warrior proclaiming the victory of his tribe. Foomy was getting tired of carrying. He looked at the biggest piece of Oren. Slowly it dragged itself along the ground. “Hey, guys, I'll take the biggest piece, you take the rest.” The idea was well received. “So, who's going to fetch Azalea?” Crispo chimed in. There was silence and they sat looking at each other and burst out laughing. “I'll do it.” Mye said resignedly. “Oh no you won't” said Zeno, “you don't have the best record for solo adventures, and she wants you out of the way if you haven't forgotten already.”
They set out. There was another drop at the edge of the stone ruins. The cliff had been cut smooth here, but there was an ancient waterfall, so over went Oren and they followed. As they set out again they noticed Foomy wasn't actually pushing his chunk. There was a complaint as they demanded he do the same for the rest of Oren, although they were all generally impressed. He stuck his nose up at them as his chunk carved a path through the overgrowth. They constantly hounded him, but it reached fever pitch when he realised he could sit on the stone and let it carry him along. Of course his victory was short lived as the rest of the horde crammed on. He was starting to get tired, but fortunately they made it home before his spirit gave in. Fay was waiting at the door looking very unhappy about being left behind. She'd insisted on her best dress in spite of it being a rough journey, and they had insisted they didn't care.
*** I should have split this up. oh well. ref 73-2
|
|
|
Post by nightreflection on Sept 6, 2011 15:05:52 GMT -5
Part XLVIIIThey took Oren to the basement where Hex crushed the rock to a fine powder. It was strange. He could make out Oren in the rock, it was like it had merged with him. They dumped the dust in a nearby pool of water and started throwing animals in. Foomy happily tested his new abilities by trapping animals. Menu threw them into the pool in order to make sure too many didn't land at once. Charby had words with him when he found Menu eating one. “He just needs the energy” complained the wolf pointing at the pool full of dead critters. Menu was throwing them in and pulling the leftovers back with a hooked branch. Charby grumbled and stormed off. A steady stream of critters walked in seemingly of their own accord. Some distance away Crispo was meditating. He was surrounded by a green glow and vines had begun to grow around him. The foliage seemed to be denser near him too. Anything that wandered too close seemed to lose its will and walk over towards Oren. They gave up as the moon rose. Menu had given up fishing and was just throwing critters in, completely stuffed. The couch almost gave way as he flopped down in it. Phineas emerged from the basement. Who knows what the little freak had been up to. He hadn't been in his water hole since they got back. Tony had to drag Hex up for dinner. “No hat?” Asked Hex midway through a spell. Mye had left Hex practising with their new magic boost. “I can goes for longer wit no hats, so I's practising.” He'd hid the hat. It was safer than on his head in the house anyway. Charby had found that he and Zeno could both hypnotise others very easily, he grinned maliciously all evening. He had one person in mind. He would have to prepare, but he had a chance now. About the only one not affected seemed to be Mannick who was happy watching the animal portal. There was a lot of excitement over dinner. Everyone was talking about their new powers. Fay was jealous she'd been left out. They were half way through something extra-crispy when there was a loud banging on the door. “You #%$!*& creep!. I'll gut you. I'll rip out your £$^* insides. How dare you leave me there!” She was greeted by raucous laughter. The discussion of their powers only made her more and more mad. She stormed out before dinner was over. “So Mannick,” said Menu, desperate to save face from getting a raw deal, “did you stay out? It must be a bummer not getting anything.” Mannick looked a little sad, “Mannick want strength, but he just get useless shiny metal thingy.” He lifted his hand and a few giant coins fell on the table. “Holy £%*$# that's 19 carat!” exclaimed Phineas. Everyone woo'd. “Sucks to be you Menu” chimed Charby. Everyone laughed. Menu swallowed what was left whole and stormed off to howl at the moon. He didn't usually unless it was full, but he could really use an outlet now and Claire had been away for the last two days. ----- Many had tried. But none had been practically invincible. The glyph had been a trap, but had it? When he'd touched it something responded in him. He hadn't felt it, it was like it came from deep within him. Below his mind, below his feelings, from his very core. He had spoken. His mouth had opened, but he did not ask it to. The muscles in his jaw did not push, they stretched. He did not breathe out. There was no sound, it wasn't speaking, it was communicating, demanding, invoking, yet none of these words sufficed. It was not advanced or even powerful, rather, it was basic. He was reminded of the gifts. Even if he'd been left behind his body would free itself... eventually. Slowly colour swam into his eyes. Murky wavy green, the bottom of a pool in the sunlight. It was good to know he'd been rescued. He was sure they would have all been fine. They weren't weak. But it was good to know at least one had made it back. A dull splash echoed through the water and soon a life brushed against his cheek. His soul zapped it dry before it hit the bottom. Something scraped across him. He wondered what was happening. When the sun went down he started to regenerate faster. The donations stopped after a while but bugs and the occasional critter attracted by the dead showed up. The sun rose again as he pondered magic, life, what went into hot dogs, and other answerless questions. Critters started raining again and he soon had the strength to move. He slowly stood up and waded out of the pool. He let out a sarcastic “raaar” and Menu curled up with laughter. There was a hooked stick on the ground next to him and a half-eaten rat. So that's what the scraping had been. He walked past the cabin to let them know he was alive. Menu kept throwing critters at him in the hopes that he could continue feasting. “Sorry Menu, it's done now.” Menu paused for a moment and then just ate the critters live. “Hey Oren!” Zeno sure was upbeat. '“eyhey!” said Crispo, “Looks like I get out of feeding duty? No offense man, I'd like to say we'd welcome you but you stink like worms.” “You all get back 'right?” “Oh yeah, with bonuses too!” “Good. See you later, let the sucker know I'm kicking.” Oren headed off to the ghost house for a shower. Another shower. A scouring. And yet another shower. And it wasn't enough. *** I promises, no more gratuitous power hand-outs to the CTV cast. It's not like I don't clash with the main story enough alraedy Ref 74 --
|
|
|
Post by nightreflection on Sept 10, 2011 10:25:52 GMT -5
Part IL Zeke would wonder what he'd been feeding on. Oh well, he'd have to leave a note. That afternoon was spent with tales of how their awesome new powers worked, and a few more demonstrations than he'd have liked. Charby making him dance in his underwear was a bit too far but then, he was the minion, so he put up with it.
The lights faded and they left the cabin behind them in silence. “You really okay?” “No major damage.” Oren coughed up a smooth pebble. “Although normality is a bit far off.” Graham waved as they passed overhead. It was strange that he could sense them. Drugs still found their way into the city. The good news was Mr Powers knew how to hold on to a good thing. He was the sole exporter of the exotic products of the night shift, and the sole seller outside the forest. He'd been offered fortunes to sell his secrets and sources, but even when he was tempted, the gangster in him kicked in and he wasn't dumb enough to cross something like Mr Redford. Unfortunately, Mr Cales was dumb enough. He'd failed to supply to the factories several times. Oren had had to restrain Charby several times. You just don't mess with the undead. But he'd just crossed the line. He promised drugs to the local hospital. Oren and a few of the rich had done a publicity stunt and covered the cost. He'd had to participate – he started it. He'd never had much of a taste for glory, just approval, but even the little he had was fading. What was the approval of mortals to him? Nobody died, but if it hadn't happened, they would have. That was good enough for him.
“Good evening Mr Cales.” “Redford? How the #£%&$! did you get in.” “It's so nice. This one looks like he will be a perfect complement to you' “Listen, I got your stuff, it's just taking a while.” “No Nelson, you haven't, but don't worry, this isn't about that. This isn't business at all.” “What do ya want then?” “I'll take the lackey, he looks quite healthy.” Charby piped up. “Whe.. What are you!' “I'd look behind you if I were you. Nevermind.” Oren sunk his teeth into a stunned neck while Charby played with his dinner. Another mystery dual-killing by the cannibal killer. The police knew he was connected somehow. They were desperate to track his movements, but he just seemed to vanish sometimes.
He listened to Mr Cales’ dying thoughts. He'd grown up in a rough neighbourhood, been forced to commit crimes to avoid beatings. It had been a hard life. Every victim was like this. Their own history, their own reasons for what they did. Oren bit deeply as the blood ran dry. They were still spreading the ‘love’. There may have been better ways but. He was no saint. Besides. They were delicious.
*** No matter how many times I give up caffienne I never learn. So yah, feeling a bit washed out atm. a few hours of wakefullness ain't worth a whole day of feeling wiped. Ref 75-
|
|
|
Post by nightreflection on Sept 13, 2011 14:42:34 GMT -5
Part LThat night he thought on the glyph. He slowly slipped into meditation without realising it. The more he tried to analyse it, understand it, the further it went from him. He let go and it grew closer. He was going to wake, but this changed his mind. He sank deeper and deeper into meditation. His conscious mind stripped away like layers, and there in the depths of his soul he heard it calling. Deeper he'd never been this deep. He didn't know deeper was possible. Was there a way out? But it called to him, he went to it. He left his mind behind. His soul alone in an empty void. Beneath the blackness something glowed. It was his essence, his nature, what, not who. He could not go deeper, he could not communicate with what he was, his spirit stopped there beneath his soul. Life was gone. Desire, the lust for blood, happiness, pain, it was all gone. They could not touch him here. He was himself, nothing more. Deeper and he would be a faceless spirit. A blank will. At least here he had his memories. And there, in the empty depths he saw it. In the distance below his essence. Etched black-on-black on the surface of the universe, nay, beneath it, he could barely make out the glyph. He could not touch it, but he could utter it. He understood now. It wasn't a summoning, it wasn't a change or even a creation. It just was. It was rock. That's all it was. To invoke it was to speak the words of the creator, almost, to speak “rock”. He caught himself. If he spoke it now there would be “rock”. Around him, in him, through him. He slowly ascended the dizzying heights of his conscience. How long had it been? Days? Hours? Years? He gathered his senses. Hours. He shut himself in his room and dived again. He spent an eternity pondering the fabric of the glyph. Just above his essence he watched it. The universe shifted and twisted, but the glyph did not change. He noticed others next to it. Too many to count. He tried, but he could not make them out. He spent days trying to figure them out, but it was beyond him. Time with sire and feeding felt insubstantial, ethereal compared with the depths of reality. It had been weeks. Charby would have worried about his minion, but he knew Oren would get over it. Although even that was starting too look a little shaky. He'd never had it this bad. Oren struggled to comprehend the glyph, its nature. He left his higher functions behind, he couldn't ‘see’ when he was there. There was just infinity. Space. So much space. He gazed at the glyph. He'd even begged and pleaded, but there was no-one to listen. He wondered what the glyph would look like for putting the rock in front of him. His spirit succumbed to the temptation and he saw himself calling it. He could not see the glyph. Then he saw the lump of rock forming near himself. There was something there. Something in the rock. The rock had been written on the face of the universe. He stared at it for hours. It fell, the rock fell, but so did he, although it wasn't him, it was ‘where’. It fell through the vastness of nothing. It felt like it would never land. Slowly the vision faded. The hidden within the vision became clearer. Eventually it settled on the face of the universe. It was so obvious. The old glyph was there, but he saw the new one separately, even though it was on the same space. The circle was the same, but the centre had moved. Of course. He was the circle. He hadn't learnt it, he hadn't realised it, it had been there all along. Knowledge so old he'd forgotten it before he was born. Slowly he ascended to the real world. It felt so ephemeral, so insubstantial. He uttered the glyph and rock appeared before him. The upside down ‘v’ outside the circle. He went to sleep knowing if he returned to the ether he would never return. It drew him in. He would need rest before he could. ----- “Go on, show us what you've discovered.” “What makes you think I've discovered anything?” Oren said distantly. “You've got a peaceful look about you, usually you're so driven.” “If you insist.” Oren walked outside calmly. He spoke the glyph and rock appeared before him. He tried to invoke stone elsewhere, but he could not change the glyph, he would have to meditate. He left to the cries for more and went back to the castle to meditate. The moved glyphs did not take long to learn, but they were not instant. In that place where they were found, there were so many directions. He had never realised. He had to be careful. It took another week to learn the glyph for air. It was simple. He decided what he wanted, gave it to the ether, and the ether wrote it. Slowly he added other elements. It became faster and he could eventually generate new glyphs without meditation, but he still needed meditation for new elements or concepts. He learnt about size and shape, and combining elements, and eventually, time. It seemed limitless. It required no power, it could not be halted, it was always immediate. He tried to create a hot dog and gave up instantly. The glyphs were so complex. A simple lump or cube of rock was easy, but organics were complex combinations of air, earth, fire, water, energy, magic, spirit. Anything beyond the very basic would be beyond his mind. They glyph would be too intricate. There had been errors too. Unlike normal magic which sometimes did not follow the incantation, the intent always succeeded. Unfortunately, forgetting one part of the glyph, and the invocation would still happen, exactly as badly specified. Cold rock could become rock. Air could become water. Oxygen could become chlorine.. He would have to be very careful, he was toying with an assembler when the creator had used machine code. One mistake and he could unravel his own existence. *** Sorry for the length. I got a bit too descriptive here. I promise, I will stop upgrading Oren, for a while at least. Remember, you can interrupt this with comments, compliments, death threats, etc... Ref 77-
|
|
|
Post by nightreflection on Sept 16, 2011 14:16:38 GMT -5
Part LI It was your average night. Whispy clouds occasionally dimmed the half-moon. Elizabeth stood in the middle of the forest clearing. The blood of a few demons already decorated the blades hanging at her side. Straight and sturdy but thin blades. A little too long to be daggers, the one on her left hip a little shorter. “A glorious night for conquest, don't you think Mr Redford?” He did not return her expressiveness. “You are proud girl. You think you know more than you do. It is slowing you down.” “I am a Mauriello. How dare you insinuate that I know not the strength of my bones? I was studying the art while you wert but a playful pup. Enough! Stand forth and prove thy metal!” “No.” “What! You would insult us! Is it not an honour to have trained one such as I?” Oh she's really tripping now thought Oren. “The reason I retired.” At least she would listen to this, “Is because, sooner or later, every hunter's path.. becomes entwined with the darkness.” “For the weak maybe.” “A few years ago I met with the most dangerous vampire in Kellwood. The fight was long but he won. He spared my life, but in return I had to spare his. In shame I could not face my fellows anymore.” “Then I shall free you of this burden. Show me where he sleeps.” “Oh no my dear, one such as you does not need for easy prey. You shall fight him now, and, in the unlikely event that he wins, you shall, like me, vow to lay no hand on him.” “Pah. I have no need for such wist, he shall die.” “Then swear to it.” “Never.” A shape coalesced out of the bushes. The moon revealed a child, but her keen eyes picked up flashes of teeth and the eyes were strangely dark. “A Child?” She laughed. “Come, let me grant you your freedom.” Charby lunged before she could draw her weapons and pinned her. She twisted and tried to free herself, but could not. He released her and she sprang up. “Filthy creature!” she cried drawing her weapons. Charby calmly disarmed her and then gave her the chance to fetch them. Time and time again he humiliated her, but she did not yield. Eventually he knocked her out and they left her there. “Such a pity. I hope she wakes before something happens. I'm sorry sire, I had honestly hoped she would stop lying to herself.” “It's ok, we can still use her a little.” ***Sorry Oren, you can't win 'em all. Ref 78-
|
|
|
Post by nightreflection on Sept 20, 2011 15:34:17 GMT -5
Part LII There was a thud as the thug landed on the floor. He couldn't be bothered with this one. He was just about to burn the corpse when he heard the words he dreaded the most. “Daddy? Daddy?” A little girl came running out of the shadows. “Wake up daddy, you can't sleep now. We have to go see the pigeons.” Something was wrong here. It was night. The pigeons were asleep. If there was a kid involved he usually read it while feeding, and what was a little girl doing out here? He knelt down beside her and looked into her eyes. “Is this really your daddy?” “Uh-huuh” he'd mesmerised her gaze. “Sleep.” His mind probed the edges of her slumber. Dustbin food, dirty newspaper beds. She was a street child. She'd been brought into a foster home, but had run away looking for her daddy. The only thing she remembered was his beard. He'd gone off and one day, he hadn't come home. There was no mommy. After that daddy became anyone with a beard. Sadness reflected in his eyes as he moved a lock off her face. ----- “Good morning Emily.” “Whuh? Where is daddy? Did he wake up yet.” He'd thought about this a long time. He'd tried to convince himself there was another way. But in the end, it was the only way. He looked her in the eyes sadly, “Child, your daddy died long ago.” “No, no, you're lying, you're a mean mean person, daddy said he would come back. Go away!” “Look into my eyes Emily.” They were tear-filled eyes. Even at her young age, she knew she was lying to herself. He hated to do this, but he had not choice “Your daddy is in a better place now. Don't worry, I'll keep you safe.” The suggestion hung on her face for a moment. She fought back as the reality forced its heavy burden upon her. She burst into tears as she finally accepted its hefty weight and he gently drew her to him. He wondered what had happened to daddy. It hadn't been a fancy house, the memories were sketchy but he did not recognise him. After an hour she calmed down. “I'm sorry Emily, I can't stay here all day. Zeke!” “Zeke will look after you until I get back.” She curled up against him, “He looks scary.” “He's not really, just check that there aren't any worms in his food. Sometimes he likes to slip them in.” he said consiprationally. The innocent look of surprise covered the trauma of the last day. She'd been used to running from her problems and Zeke could keep her distracted until he got back. “Where are you going mister?” “I'm going to see a little boy with blood problems, I'll be back later.” ----- “But sire, please, she's been through so much.” “No is no. It's not like it's my fault, besides, you're the one running around trying to champion the cause of our lunch.” “That's not fair!” Oren blurted. “She's come through so much, she's got nowhere to go... She's so strong.” “I've overlooked your oddities up to now Oren, but this is where I draw the line. No new elites. I'm already pretty mad at you for Graham. Besides, she's just a kid! Do you have any idea what it's like to start killing people for a living at that age?” Oren turned away dejectedly. So this was the price of his folly. Forever bound to the will of his master. He went wolf and slowly loped away, with a final rejected look over his back he left. He found a cozy tree root and curled up. It hadn't been bad. Sire had stood by as he done things that he knew he hadn't approved of. Sire hardly ever mingled with mortals, let alone associated with them. Sure, there were the Marlowes, but that was it. He could see that it would only end in tears. And yet he had let him run a store, and even let Zeke in on the truth. Sire was right, it wasn't a cure-all. Perhaps this was good for him. He was getting too big, thinking he was somebody. Sometimes you just needed to be put into your place. ***A little sappiness. Why not? ref 79--
|
|
|
Post by nightreflection on Sept 23, 2011 15:02:12 GMT -5
Part LIII “Hi Zeke.” “Hi master.” “How's the girl?” “Everywhere, certainly a handful. I will be glad when she moves on. I take it it didn't go well?” “You know Zeke, sometimes I swear you can read minds.” “Faces master, faces. So what happens now?” “She'll be staying with us for a while yet.” Zeke's face fell. “Need a fix?” “No sir, I'll deal with it.” Oren flopped onto the couch next to Emily, who was doing the actions to sesame street. “Yaaay” she threw her arms around him. For someone who'd been through so much she had so much love. He returned the hug and let her go a few minutes later. She buzzed around the room excitedly while he sat lost in thought. He had so much, why couldn't he just. He smiled weakly. Of course, if he couldn't turn her, maybe there was something else he could do. ----- A few days later another building went up next to the new supermarket. It would be a very secure neighbourhood now with both sides guarded. He hired a nurse who'd suddenly become very interested in charity work. Which was strange, since she'd been suspected of maltreatment in several cases. It wasn't much, but it would be a roof over their heads, and it would help a lot more strays than Emily. The staff would be ‘recruited’ from people who deserved to spend their life serving others. “This is your new home Emily.” “Yaay!” “I won't be around anymore, but promise me, no matter where you go, you remember where home is?” “She nodded.” “This little necklace has the address and phone number, wear it when you go out, in case you forget.” At this point he completely lost her. They arrived at the small bedrooms. “Wow, this is all mine?” “Yes my dear, it's all yours, but you will have to keep it tidy.” “Thankyou Thankyou Thankyou” she said hugging the matron. He felt sad leaving them like this, but he'd been a bit naughty. The children would be expected to be good children and donate blood. This would make sure Charby had a vested interest in it. A suitable splash of payback. They would also learn life skills like cooking and growing food. They would grow some plants for the night shifts. The money would keep the orphanage open and stocked. It sounded harsh, but at least they wouldn't need to humiliate themselves for funds. He remembered.... He remembered sitting in his manager's office. Ready to say anything, sell anything, do anything to be able to afford to live. You lost your identity. You didn't matter, only the lord of the land who supplied you with the means to live. Your truth was irrelevant, his opinion, law. He may be a minion now, but so help him, he would sooner die proper than go back there. ***Kinda outta comments (Me? Speechless! Get the camera...) Ref 80--
|
|
|
Post by nightreflection on Sept 27, 2011 13:26:08 GMT -5
Part LIVThe new supermarket was dubbed ‘Horns’ in a grand opening. It was opened with a flair of magic tricks. Streamers and flags adorned the giant bull horns above the door. The doors opened to eager shoppers to reveal an industrial looking interior lined with all the usual as well as the wares from the day shift. His peers were still wondering how he was able to move so fast. It took them months to organise the capital, more to get the crew on the ground. These things took them nothing short of a year. Laura sidled up to him. “I am a bit curious as to how you built it so fast, but I see they're still puzzling over the read tape aspect.” “Indeed, it would seem they have very little grasp of the disadvantages, or that there even are any, to a big company.” “So Mr Redford, I hear you've already opened an annex.” “Oh, that's just for excess storage. They are going to need it sooner or later” He rolled his eyes. “Yes, strange that, you'd think it would back on to the store.” “Planning permissions and all that.” “Actually, no.” she said confronting him. “I've reviewed the planning rights and you could have built in anywhere. Look Oren, I know and I want to help.” Oren sighed. If she got involved he would lose the generational security. Laura wouldn't live forever, he needed the crops and blood to hold over master's head. “You don't have to do this all alone you know.” she added She was so kind, so caring. He was fighting back tears. She deserved more than this. “Yes, my dear, yes I do.” He said walking away. “You can't get away from me that easily Mr Redford.” He stopped. She had a right. After all she'd done, she had a right. He walked back and with a calm face told her “There is something you really should know. But you need to book a month off. I will give you free-reign of Lucy for that time.” She stepped back stunned. After everything he'd told her, there was more? Yet she was strangely excited too. It was never good news, but she'd been stronger whenever she'd pulled through and it had always been something she needed to know. He left her standing as he left to look after the bustling busyness of the first day. ----- That evening there was another grand opening. Two beefy guards stood either side of the door. There were more inside and some on patrol. It was needed to keep the customers under control. The back entrance lead to a huge atrium. It sold all sorts of goodies including the handiwork of the night shift. A collection of horns and tails moved among the stalls. Several demon market merchants were eyeing up the competition. They were surprised to see they could get a discount. They didn't understand or question why, but Oren knew he would need to work with the markets instead of against them. Shelves and shelves of hard-to-get human goods adorned the aisles. Already there were several merchants bartering their wares at the buyer's desk. He smiled. This would make life much easier for him and Hex. He had hoped that the magic storekeeper would drop by, but alas, that was one business that did not need to increase its accessibility. A few scuffles broke out but they would soon get the message. Whatever it was, you left it at the door. In fact, you left it a mile out in the ‘no fighting’ area, made so that patrons could not be ambushed easily. Sire had been very displeased, although that seemed to have faded as he gawked at everything that was on sale. Oren was just waiting for the painful sting in his stock levels when sire found the exotic bloods section. He was buzzed by the human side. Now open, both sides would run 24/7. A little old lady had dropped by to see him. They had tried to redirect her, but she'd had an invitation. “Eve my dear, how nice to see you.” “Good evening Mr Redford. I must say, it's a very nice shop. Thank you for giving me time off work to look at it.” “Oh, you're getting the full tour my dear, this way please.” He lead her to the storage rooms and to an obscured wall. A few magic words and it slid silently open. They stepped into the darkness. A few more words and the panel infront slid open. Eve gasped at the sight. “So my dear, what do you think?” “They.. They're. This is incredible.” “Quite a change isn't it. I thought you'd like to see some of your creations again.” He led her down the stairs among the stalls to a rack of clothing. There, separated from the rest and a lot more pricey that most were ‘garments for the working demon’ several empty hangars already littered her last week's work. Stuff that wouldn't stain or tear easy was hard to come by. “This is incredible.” “I hoped it wouldn't disappoint.” “But I could never make enough to keep this place going.” “Oh I wouldn't worry my dear. We can move you to a team if you really want, but for now, just keep doing what you're good at, I have no desire to start mass production. Let me know when you want to leave.” But Eve had already disappeared between the booths. It was a secrecy risk, but she had earned it. ***Sometimes Oren gets a little carried away Ref 82-
|
|
|
Post by nightreflection on Oct 1, 2011 2:58:05 GMT -5
Part LVLaura was ready the next day. She was so excited she couldn't sleep, so there was no point in scheduling it. She sat fidgeting in her office. She wasn't even sure it would hit her. While Oren never failed to deliver some devastating blow, after all he'd shown her this past year she felt invincible. Oren entered the room very businesslike. If what Lucy had told her was right he was hiding something from her. But what could he possibly? She thought she knew everything, but then she'd thought that before her parents died. Oren sat down carefully. He had been dreading this day, but also looking forward to it with a sick kind of anticipation. He looked across the table into her eyes. They sat there a few minutes. He was letting things settle. This was important, he'd explained it to her and she knew it first hand. “I know who killed your parents.” It was like a shot had run through her. He'd explained how her parents were chosen specifically, probably for their money, but in the grander scheme, it was a random incident. It could have been any rich person, any of a number of family enemies. He'd taught her not to live for revenge, and yet right now she felt like she would gladly sell her soul to see the murderer rot in hell. He let her seethe for a few minutes. She managed to calm down for the next bit. Whoever it was, she was sure she could find some sort of non-lethal punishment. “I did.” The words shot through her again. She felt light headed. Was he lying? Why would he lie to her? Was it for money? Why? Why? Why? He got up in a business-like manner and walked out. She held her hands over her mouth and then broke into a shriek and a wail. She banged on the table. She knew it was true, something about the way he said it. When she had finished she curled up in the corner of her office and sobbed gently. After an hour Lucy stepped in. “Oh my...” she said softly. She gently comforted her. After a few minutes she called a cab and accompanied her home. “He's really done it this time hasn't he?” Laura burst out in tears again. That was strange. She usually reacted to the situation, not Oren. She would have to have words with him. ----- It had been a week since then. He had refused many a tearful call from Lucy. He knew she hated him, but she also wanted to know why. Menu gave him a guilty look half-way through a steak. “It's all right Menu that's what it's there for.” he waved his hand dismissively and the hound went on devouring. “Although you might at least throw it in a pan for a few minutes first.” He shrunk down and looked at the world thorough rodent eyes. He scurried down to the long unused secret store. He looked at the shelves of brown-leather binders and selected two. “You! How DARE you come into my house. How did you get in here anyway?” “I wouldn't do this unless it was important.” he said calmly. “Like I'm going to buy that.” She backed over to the alarm but stopped as Oren drew two brown binders from somewhere in his jacket. He looked her dead in the eyes. “This will hurt more than what you already know.” He held her gaze for a moment while the binders thudded onto a table. He turned and walked out the door he arrived from. Laura looked at the binders with fear. She did not know what they contained, but she had to read them. Even if it was some elaborate lie, she had to know. Carefully she pulled one over to her chair. The cover cracked as she gingerly opened it. Inside was a dossier on her father. She was outraged. Someone had been monitoring her father. Outrage soon turned to disgust and gave way to despair as the tome became more macabre. *** Ooh, getting all sappy I am. Ref 83-
|
|
|
Post by nightreflection on Oct 4, 2011 15:33:04 GMT -5
Part LVIIt had been three days. She had put out a few calls. As hurtful as they were, they were just documents, by a madman, filled with supposition and subjectivity. The phone rang. She let it ring seven times before gingerly reaching for it. There was a pause before she answered. This would prove him wrong, but there was a slight doubt. The caller gave her nothing. She put down the receiver and screamed in frustration, and then burst into tears. How long would it take. She composed herself five minutes later. She wanted so badly to ignore it, but the tone had suggested she wasn't being told everything. Slowly calls came in. They were all dodging the issues, but it soon became apparent that the dossiers were true. She was new to the underworld, but with Lucy's help she managed to get in touch with people who were willing to talk. She didn't know how he did it, but the dossiers were uncannily accurate. It was as if the writer had been involved. But there was no indication that Oren had been. No mystery figure or anything. If she didn't know better she'd have thought Oren strapped all the people he'd asked up to a lie detector. It did take her a month all in all, and she was often teary eyed, but she managed to take the helm again. Oren had given her space. She didn't think she would want anything to do with him ever again, even though her parents had been so cold blooded. It hurt, it hurt so bad, she really needed comfort. But what do you do when, even if they were still alive, they would have deserved to die. She felt so lonely. She was so glad Lucy was there. She was a psychology major, but Laura could see that she really cared under all the ‘right moves’. Oren still wanted to show her his teeth, but that would never happen. It would only hurt her more, and she didn't need to know what he was on top of what he'd done. Laura was showing a bit of bitterness above her normal professionalism, but there was something else. She no-longer trusted anyone with money. She'd read what happened, heard the witnesses. She was careful around her business partners. She didn't need him to protect her. ----- Elizabeth had taken a time out. She had sadly contemplated all that had been done to her and slowly and logically worked her way through it. She now stood infront of Oren chiding him for his alliance with the darkness. Oren had hoped it would not come to this, but he was tired of her. He would ruin her once and for all. Tony had also been there. The alp had a knack for good ideas, although he was no doubt just hoping for a good look. He had caught her on the way back from the post office. Today would be the day of her ruin. She was already ruined, but in the same way a road built on bridge is ruined. The bridge did not know it yet, but one of its pillars had been removed, and the train was fast approaching. “Hmph.” “Hmph indeed young lady.” “I have nothing to say to you. Were you alone I would gut you where you stand.” “Ah yes, fearless in the face of evil, but common street people scare you. I just wanted to be here for it.” She gave him a deadly serious look. “Open the letter dear.” He goaded with a whisper. “Very well, then since you did not say which, I shall open this letter.” and she confidently pulled an angelically adorned letter from behind ‘Sacred Accessories’. She began to read to herself confidently. Her face began to harden. Not a flinch as she folded the letter up and strode off confidently. Tony's tape of the fight would give her a lot of explaining to do to her family. It would ruin her. But, what was this? A flutter in her stoic pose? Of course. That was it! Her pride was in her family. He smiled evilly. This would be so easy. He was half way to his destination when he realised the potential of his discovery. He'd been going about it all wrong. He burst into maniacal laughter. People gave him strange looks, but he didn't care. This would be delicious. Almost as delicious as the sweet nectar of life itself. ***Yes, eevil, *twiches his fingers* One corrupt vampire hunter on the rocks, to go. Unless he's bit off more than he can chew. More than he can chew.. get it? Ahhahahaha... Ahem, yes. Ref 84-
|
|
|
Post by nightreflection on Oct 7, 2011 14:27:07 GMT -5
Part LVII
The crowded room buzzed with the chatter of over a hundred businessmen. Those who could not attend had made it happen. Those who still couldn't had sent their best representative. “Your attention please, if you could make your way to your seats ladies and gentlemen.” There was a shuffle as the buzz slowly died. “Welcome to Centuro Investment Trust. The reason for this meeting is so that we can showcase our product. We have identified several local business opportunities, and are about to construct several factories, however, we have fallen a little short on capital. So we are appealing to you, the local businessmen, to share in the profits.” He was slicker than a greased jackalope thought Oren. Slowly he took them through their investment portfolio. They had already bought several plots in town and their business strategies sounded solid, but looking below the surface there were a few market research findings he knew were not true. Although the room hung off their every line of drivel. To the businessman it looked like the real reason they needed Kellwood investment was to bypass ‘keep it local’ laws, although they weren't saying as much. Unfortunately the room was full of yes men and people who got other people to get their money for them, so they bought it hook, line and stinker. Of course, he didn't need his experience to tell something was fishy, it was all an elaborate scam. Millions had been spent in property and ‘research’, but that was nothing compared to what they would rake in in investments. They'd grab it all and run. He smirked, this would be very handy, he would be glad to take the rich down a peg. Lucy sat next to him taking notes. She gave him the, ‘they're lying’ look and he smiled knowingly. Psychology at work.
It had been about an hour when a lady at the table in front of him got up. “Not so fast Miss Grebes.” She turned on her heel and stared daggers at him before storming over. “So you're want me to just let them rob these people of their hard earned-money?” she whispered hoarsely. “My dear.” he said softly, “only two people in this room have earned, their money. One is about to leave, and the other is taking notes for me.” She stormed out without speaking her mind. Oren was glad she'd agreed not to warn everyone.
------
That was the Wednesday. On the Thursday night one of them was found face down on the docks. Investigators got most of the gang, but couldn't find the money. It seemed the dead member had transferred it all into the wrong bank account. Several attempts to trace it had drawn a blank. It was now Friday.
Laura was taking a well-earned break in Cafes des Sol Tropicale. She didn't harbour anything against it even though Oren was the one who had introduced her to its smoothie goodness. Oren stopped by her table. “Well that's ruined my evening.” “Just thought I'd let you know, I've come into some money. I know relations are strained now, so I am depositing a little through a back door.” He gave her a dangerous look. “This is not compensation, nor is it refundable. I need the money in hands I can trust and you have room to expand.” “I will put it to good use, but don't think I owe you. I know that's why.” “No, it's not. It's because I have more than I need, and I do really care. About the little man. Everyone else in that room can rot for all I care.” “They're not all murderers you know.” Her tone was sharpened with iron. “That's why I just took their money my dear.” he said whimsically. Her tone was sharp she barely managed to keep her voice down “Just who elected you judge jury and executioner.” Her voice wavered on the last word but she kept control. He looked her in the eyes again and softly said. “If you don't help them, who will?” Laura held her face in her hands and quietly said, “Go, just, go.”
*** Oren knows he's not a good creature, but he does try to inflict himself on humanity in the least destructive way possible. Not that he feels he owes them anything. Ref 85--
|
|
|
Post by nightreflection on Oct 11, 2011 13:19:56 GMT -5
LVIIIHe knocked on Elizabeth's door. It opened and her expression hardened. “Look, I'm sorry.” “You can't come in.” the tone was annoyed and forceful. “I'm willing to teach you the last few things I know. If only as an apology. Let me know..” The door slammed. He sent convincing evidence that the tape was more creative than historic and Elizabeth wrote it off a psychological training. Her training resumed. It was difficult, but he managed to overlook her pride. As long as the skills were there he could remove her pride when the time was right. He taught her how to fight all kinds of demons, even vampires. Yes, especially vampires. She remained a powerful ally as long as the enemy could be coloured black. ----- “Time to go Oren.” Charby was cheery but was being much more businesslike than usual. “So who is this friend we're going to meet.” “Oh, that's my secret. You'll see soon enough.” He didn't know Charby had any friends outside the cabin, except for Victor. It was strange Charby hadn't even mentioned this mystery friend until now. He wondered what was so special. If sire thought them important, they must be. Even his own minions paled by comparison to what the cabin residents could do. He'd barely been on par until he'd figured out primal magic and most of that had been elite abilities. They took flight and weaved through the forest. It wasn't log before they were well past anything Oren knew. Farther and farther into the formless green sprawl they charged. It seemed to go on for hours. Suddenly the jungle gave way and a huge arch greeted them with its open maw. They passed through the dull rock into an expansive room. Everyone greeted Charby with a friendly wave as he made his way through the huge halls. Whoever lived here, it was designed for the pretty huge. Behind a huge set of gilded doors was a throne room and on the throne sat the biggest demon he'd ever seen. “Sammy!” said Charby happily. “Hello Charby, how's the edge of the forest nowadays?” “Ehh.. quite quiet. Haven't had decent entertainment in months.” “So, this is your minion.” He looked Oren up and down like clothing. “He doesn't look like much, are you sure you couldn't find anyone else? What about that vampire hunter? That would be a laugh.” Oren couldn't help feeling offended, but he held his peace for the time. “Hey! He's not that bad, he has hidden depths.” “He cooks chicken?” “Heeheehee yeah!” said Charby grinning. “He also throws some wicked parties.” “I'm sure” yawned the king of parties “Anyway, I'm king Samrick.” “Pleased to meet you your majesty.” replied Oren formally. This would not do. This would definitely not do. He didn't care if he was Charby's friend, he was not going to risk the elites incident again, but he would have to wait for Charby to give him some room. They talked into the night and later they retired. Oren was consigned to a plain looking room. He didn't mind the room, but he wanted the respect. The next morning he joined Charby and Samrick for breakfast. “Hey lazybones, we were just talking about you.” “Thanks sire.” he said sarcastically. The table was laid out with exotic, well, he'd probably better not ask. He felt intimidated and did not help himself. “Come now, it won't bite back.” jibed Samrick, much to Charby's mirth. “Thanks, but I already ate the rat that I found in my bed this morning.” There hadn't been any, but that in itself had been a surprise considering. “So Samrick here wants to use you a little bit. I said he can have you for a week or two, just don't get into trouble ok?” “As you wish sire.” “Oh, and loosen up a bit, we're all friends here.” said Charby happily. “I know sire, I'm just a bit intimidated by it all, but I'm sure it's only passing.” There was an edge to his voice on the end. “Come now, don't be like that, Samrick's not bad. That way at least.” Charby chuckled. To you, yes sire, but we will see he thought. He ate a small portion of the most disgusting looking thing he could see just to prove a point. It didn't taste bad in a demony, bloody way. Charby left just after breakfast and Oren stayed behind. He made his way to the throne room, and the guards let him in. “Just because your sire is my friend doesn't mean you can barge into my throne room unannounced.” he was being jovial, but it was clear he expected to be taken seriously. Oren met his gaze. “You asked me to stay for a reason. I'd prefer to get it over with. I will be outside abusing your guards until you're ready to talk.” Samrick leaned on his throne and grinned, “Spunky, I like that.” He paused, “Fine I'll tell you what I want.” and he began to explain at some length. *** Oh yes, youse better keep youse hats on, youse playin wit da big boys now. ref 87-
|
|
|
Post by nightreflection on Oct 14, 2011 15:02:47 GMT -5
Part LIXOren had a bored look. The gaggle of demons had challenged his authority several times in the last few hours. Half would be dead by now if they weren't Samrick's lackeys. At least the witch had been helpful and shown them the location of the intruders. They made their way through the undergrowth. It was night and the demons found them all nicely bundled in their tent. He severely injured one that tried to take the initiative. It was too easy this way. Besides, mainly to spite Samrick, he was going to take the hard option. Let's see what these ‘shock troops’ can do he smirked. “We wait until dawn and pick them off. That way we can get more information out of them.” He set watches and dozed off in comfy tree roots. It felt strangely more comfortable than the night before. He awoke to a malicious grinning face. He punched it. He was not in a good mood. The demons had spooked the visitors during the night and they were being nervously cautions. This was going to be a challenge. He grinned to himself. He waited for the intruders to leave their tent and then ordered the demons to hold back while he investigated. The foreman was still in the tent doing ‘managerial duties’. Oren donned his human face. “Hello?.. Hello?.. Is anybody in here?” Of course he could hear him clearly with his ears. Tanner was surprised to see someone at his door so deep in the woods, nevertheless he made an effort to look presentable. “Hello, can I help you?” <A bit tidy for a ranger> “Yes, The owner of this part of the forest sent me to see what was going on?” <This is national reserve> “Sure, come in, come in. We were sent by the parks board to check up on the ecology.” <Stick to the story> “Oh, sorry, we usually get warning, what tests are you running?” <Can we make money offa this place?> “Just a few tests on the soil and some tree samples for measurements.” They talked for an hour and he found out some national company could easily swing their weight and get their hands on the forest. The result would be a disaster, but first, a mini-disaster of his own. Strangely, Tanner forgot all about the encounter. Oren was frustrated and starving, but not as frustrated as the demons when he told them they were leaving. Samrick was furious but Oren cautioned him that it wasn't over yet. It was a week before they returned. There were many more this time and they were set to begin clearing large areas in the name of ‘samples’. Samples, sure, for their workshop back home no doubt. He wasn't as grumpy as at first. A little magic had gone a long way to making the room cozy. The gang that had been assigned to him licked their chops. They no-longer questioned his judgement. He'd brought them a feast. He waited like last time, but there was no interrogation. He snatched one of the foremen who had gone out for a breath of fresh air. He hadn't fed in over a week. His pack watched in frustration as he devoured his meal. Having earned their respect he sent them out to pick off lone victims. Hams was zoning out while Carl was ticking boxes. He noticed a pair of eyes in the bushes and then a soft voice called to him. “Come to me my child, come to meee...” Oren laughed at the stereotypicalness of it. Slowly the mesmerised Hams walked off. “Hey, don't go too far now, y’ hear.” he didn't respond. “Hey guys, we got a problem here.” The rest of the team rushed over as Hams disappeared into the foliage. “Sunnuva!” Carl said charging through the bush. Hams was gone. They searched the place for hours, but not a trace. The foreman would not like this. By evening he had devoured five victims. His pack hadn't managed quite the same per-demon amount but most of the worker teams returned early to report missing members, some didn't return at all. That and the loss of a foreman from just outside with no evidence of what had happened to any of them caused wide-scale panic. A few freaked out and ran into the forest to make dinner, but most stayed indoors and barricaded themselves in. The demons began to taunt them with howls and knockings, but no clear visuals, they were forest beasts for all the crew knew. The crew made an emergency call on the CB radio and the operator at the other end got progressively more desperate pleas along with the scrapes, bangs and howls of the demons. Oren gave the signal and there was a shatter of glass and wood as they burst in. This was going to be messy. The operator listened in horror as screams of desperate terror and agony erupted through the dangling microphone for a few seconds before it got smashed. The wholesale slaughter lasted a good ten minutes. The rescue team would have a grim scene to survey. They devoured the remains and left the water running to cover their footprints. They may be able to explain the disappearance of a small exploration team but the wholesale slaughter would be a little harder to sweep under the carpet. Oren's gang were sad when they had to let a petrified rescue team fly off a few hours later, but Oren needed everything well documented. They wouldn't be back. *** Image doesn't bother Oren, but respect does, especially from people who matter, and since Charby likes King Teddy.. Ref 88-
|
|