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 Posted: Sun Jan 04, 2015 2:10 pm
In the distant country of Tevlais, the only social structure is magic. The better your skill with magic, the higher your station in society. The ruling class is no exception. While the imperial throne isn't picky about whether it holds an emperor or empress, they must abide the rules of society and be a skilled mage in their own right.
The most recent emperor was father to two young girls. As they grew older, they were tutored in magic and all the skills necessary to be a good ruler. While Valerica had issue picking up on the ways of magic, she grasped the assorted skills of leadership quite well. Her sister, on the other hand, was destined to be a poor leader on her own, but was a talented mage. For her lack of skill, seen as an embarrassment to her noble family, she was disgraced and removed from the noble house and sent to a mages' guild where she might hone her craft to be welcomed back to her family.
Over the years, Valerica has indeed been studying the magical arts, though still not enough to surpass her talented sister. Instead, she's placed her focus on summoning up an assistant to help her reclaim her throne and even turn this magic obsessed society on its head.
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Posted: Sun Jan 04, 2015 4:07 pm
Name: Valerica of House Nightingale
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Posted: Mon Jan 05, 2015 7:57 pm
Tiny flames danced dimly atop the wick of several half melted candles, providing the only source of lighting within the otherwise dank and dreary room. The flames' half eaten pillars of red wax were carefully arranged along a red, circular symbol painted onto the stone floor below. A woman stood tentatively nearby, gingerly wrapping a bandage around her bleeding left wrist - no doubt the source of her symbol's 'paint'. She had finished the ritual about an hour ago, but knew better than to assume she had failed. Her quarry would come as they pleased, when they were ready. All she had to do was wait - wait and hope that what she had done was the right thing. That what she was doing - and what she was willing to do - would be worth it in the end.
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Posted: Mon Jan 05, 2015 8:04 pm
Suddenly the red circle began to glow a deep crimson, and the floor it surrounded began to ripple as though made of water. A dark haired man, seemingly human outside of his dramatic entrance, slowly rose up, one hand politely behind his back with the other resting over his heart. "Good evening." his voice was deep, yet gentle, like rich red wine flowing from an open bottle. "How might I serve you, my lady?"
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Posted: Mon Jan 05, 2015 8:27 pm
The woman, for several moments, gazed on with a look that almost resembled shock. Upon finding her bearings, she responded with as much dignity as she could muster, "You may start by telling me how I should address you." Her words were carefully thought, as she knew his kind were careful and secretive when it came to their actual, true names. Supposedly, names had a very real power to them. Even if she had been the one to summon him, to initiate this contract, she knew better than to be rude or discourteous enough to ask what ought not be asked.
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Posted: Mon Jan 05, 2015 8:34 pm
The man smirked. "My lady has done her research, I see." he said with a slight nod of approval. "You may call me Schwartz." he said with a bow. "Before we get into details, how shall I address you, mistress?" he said now folding his hands behind his back.
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Posted: Mon Jan 05, 2015 9:20 pm
"Of course. You'll find I have a habit of keeping myself informed." she replied, a faint smile tugging at her lips. "You may address me as 'Mistress' or 'My Lady' when in public. In private, you may use one of the former or - if you'd rather skip the unecessary formalities - just Valerica will do." It wasn't long until she finished bandaging her hand, flexing it afterwards just to be sure that she did well and good. Val took it as a good sign when she saw no blood leaking through, letting her hands fall to her sides once more.
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Posted: Mon Jan 05, 2015 9:36 pm
"Then my hands are yours, my lady." Schwartz said as he stepped out of the circle, a previously invisible barrier flickering and parting like a curtain. "You say you've done your research so tell me, knowing your soul will be all but forfeit, I ask again, how might I serve you?"
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Posted: Mon Jan 05, 2015 9:58 pm
"You are to, in the long term, help me take my rightful place on the throne." Valerica, as she called herself, seemed to have no problem with sharing her motives. This person was her ally, their circumstances be damned, and misdirection would serve no one. "I am the Emperor Nightingale's eldest daughter, but because I do not have the naturally large mana pool that my idiot sister does, I was banished to this hick community and disgraced. I'm not certain how much you know of her, but the woman cannot tell the difference between the penal system and a reproductive organ. She's going to destroy this country and I cannot allow that, even if it damns me to stop her." She took a deep breath to calm herself before continuing. "In the short term, I need your help in faking magical ability - or somehow bypassing the requirement. If I can convince the nobility that I'm just a 'late bloomer', and that I am every bit my worthless sister's equal, then I will be acknowledged as part of my family's house once more." After a pause, she deadpanned and said, "Yes, the royal inheritance custom is every bit as idiotic as it sounds."
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Posted: Mon Jan 05, 2015 10:09 pm
Schwartz gave a hollow laugh. "Ah, what foolish creatures these mortals be." he said as he walked around Valerica, examining his new mistress as one hand started to glow. "Just one more matter that needs to be decided. Every being that enters into a demonic contract must be branded to ensure the soul goes to the proper entity upon their death. My only question is thus; where shall I brand you, my lady?"
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Posted: Mon Jan 05, 2015 11:07 pm
Valerica offered her right, dominant hand to the male with a look of certainty about her. Currently, the smooth back of her hand was made open and clear for him. "My hand, if that will suffice."
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Posted: Mon Jan 05, 2015 11:13 pm
"I'm impressed. It's been some two hundred years since anyone last summoned a demon, but most try to pick somewhere less...conspicuous." Schwartz said as he gently took Valerica's hand in his. He ran his other hand, alight with deep purple flames, across the back of her hand in one swift motion while the flames seemed to jump from his hand to hers, a mark like an intricate magical seal forming on her skin. It wasn't a burn or a scar, but it was certainly painful in its transference.
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Posted: Mon Jan 05, 2015 11:37 pm
It was clear by her tenseness and the look of strain on her face that she was in pain. A *lot* of pain. Yet, it was also clear that Valerica was absolutely determined to bear it with dignity. "Perhaps, but the choice was mine." She would not say it, but Valerica wanted it where she could see it should she truly want to. A permanent reminder of her dedication to her country. A permanent reminder of the consequences of her actions that clearly stained the hand she would rule with. "Besides, this isn't anything a well placed glove or the careful application of makeup can't hide."
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Posted: Tue Jan 06, 2015 9:23 am
As Schwartz placed the mark, he muttered something in a demonic tongue. Once he was done, he got down one knee and, still holding her hand, placed kiss on the seal. "My Lady Valerica, I am humbly ready to serve." he lifted his head to look up at her with a cold smile. "And don't worry about explaining my presence t your family or anyone else; it's already been taken care of." Next anyone saw him, everyone would think he was just Valerica's new personal aid and magic tutor. Except for Valerica herself, of course.
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Posted: Sat Jan 10, 2015 5:54 pm
Valerica gave a brief nod, soon matching Schwartz' cold smile with one of her own. "You're making me wonder why I haven't done this sooner." she remarked, clearly pleased by how well prepared the demon came for duty. This almost seemed like the beginning of a beautiful friendship, er, contractual partnership. Even if things were going to end in a blaze for her, she couldn't help but feel confident that this was a very good move on her part.
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