ex Cadmus
As you look at the man before you, you realise that his mortal frame is not as clearly defined as others that you have seen. The outline of his flesh seems to blur, and as you look closer, you see that his tangible form is more ghostlike than human.
Hair as white and thin as the snow over the northern hills falls down between his shoulders, and a gaunt face peers out from beneath it. The eyes of his face are sunken, the cheeks hollow, and you realise that you are not looking at a mere mortal but at an adept of the darkest arts known to mortals of Avalon.
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Someone sniffs sadly, wiping away a tear.
Someone places his hands on his hips and says, "Hmm!".
Cadmus says, "I can still cry, it seems".
Cadmus says, "What a shame".
Cadmus says, "I need to lose that ability forever".
Someone pauses to consider things a moment.
Shadow Mistress Narissa says, "Humanization is not all that bad".
Cadmus says, "Perhaps, but then, there are those of us that seek unlife, and the power it brings".
A shadowy figure caresses you with his cold, gnarled finger.
You raise your left eyebrow and glance at Someone.
Cadmus says, "Merely curious".
Shadow Mistress Narissa says, "Did you wish something, Master of Sorcerers?".
Someone bares his teeth.
Cadmus says, "It has been awhile since I tasted living flesh".
Narissa raises her eyebrows in mild interest. "In what manner of tasting?" she asks, her voice sharp, although undercut with a note of curiosity.
Cadmus says, "The simple warmth".
Cadmus says, "The scent of the living... It intoxicates us".
Narissa unconsciously steps closer to Cadmus, her head tilted as she listens. "How so?" she asks.
Someone pauses for a moment to reflect, and then with a short intake of breath, utters "Forever will I remember what it was to be human...".
Someone reaches out, but stops short. "Ah," he says, "Such vibrancy there is in humans".
Narissa blinks blindly in the magically darkened square, following you by the sound of your voice. "How did your...mortality vanish, Sorcerer?" she asks.
Someone ponders for a moment, and then answers in a sibilant undertone, "I made a pact, long ago, that I would serve my City and my Guild as best I could, in exchange for the power to do so. The one that honoured my pact exacted the cost of humanity".
Someone draws a rattling breath.
Someone says, "The loss still pains me, and I am forever lost, between life and death, always in pain...".
Narissa laughs quietly, although a faint note of uneasiness threads through the tone. "Many of us sacrifice things for the greater pursuit of power," she quietly observes. "But why pain? Surely the power is a salve, a balm to soothe the loss?".
Someone show a grimace of a smile, then says, "Oh, if only it were so, my Princess... The power I gained is surely what I desired, but it has it's own cost".
Cadmus says, "I must feed, from time to time".
Cadmus says, "And the petty bread and meat of the living is fleeting when compared to the ecstacy of living blood".
Narissa listens, enthralled with a sickened fascination. "And if you do not have this sustenance..." she whispers, her movements, drawn by the twining hiss of your voice, bringing her to your side.
Cadmus says, "Then I become weakened, forced to live less than the half-life I have now".
Someone pauses, his cold eyes far away.
Cadmus says, "It is a wretched existence".
Someone shudders violently.
Narissa exhales sharply, unconsciously shivering as she nods in agreement.
Cadmus says, "You have no real understanding, Princess, of the utter isolation one experiences when entombed in the earth".
Someone bows his head, as if not wishing to reveal his next words. "I can hear, but cannot see, I cannot touch, but I feel the presence of the Living as they pass by the doors of my Guildhouse... I exist as nothing more than thought".
Narissa almost extends a hand, reaching towards you, but stops, remembering your profession and character. Letting her hand fall to her side, her fingers nervously flutter as her eyes widen.
Cadmus says, "You pity me, then?".
Narissa exhales sharply, her cheeks flushing in embarrassment. "No, no," she hastily says, although a trace of guilt can be heard in her voice.
Cadmus says, "Ah, but I hear the lie in your voice, and the blood rushing to your face sings it's own song to me".
Someone stares into your eyes for a moment, and then gives a wry smile, the expression pulling the skin of his face taut.
Narissa says nothing, merely biting her lip and turning her head. Agitated and clearly discomforted, her teeth scrape a small nick on her lips, which blooms a small droplet of bright blood.
Someone hisses like a snake.
Someone reaches out a gnarled finger and collects the droplet on it's tip, staring at it as he does so.
Cadmus says, "It sings to me".
Cadmus says, "I can sense your life, your thoughts".
Narissa recoils faintly at the withered touch, letting out a gasp both of fear and pain, as a small tendril of darkened magic grazes her skin.
Someone lifts the blood-coated fingertip and places it at his lips, inhaling the scent of Life.
Cadmus says, "Such a wondrous thing, Life".
Someone moves closer and whispers something in the tongue of the Necromancer, his hand raised to your face.
Narissa shudders, her eyes fixed on Cadmus. Her body moves of its own accord, drawing nearer to Cadmus.
Someone whispers, "do you wish to understand what it is to be me?".
Someone stalls a moment, listening to something only he can hear.
Narissa nods, transfixed, now standing closely before Cadmus, staring up at him with widened eyes. Almost glazed over, they are focused solely on him, completely caught in the spell.
Cadmus says, "Sleep, then, Princess, and I will impart the knowledge of that it is to have Unlife, if only for a moment".
Narissa 's body obeys your command, lightly slumping downwards into Cadmus's arms, as her eyes roll up in her head. She collapses, falling into a swooning slumber.
Cadmus caresses you with his cold, gnarled finger.
Someone runs his tongue along his blood-red lips, his eyes burning with a passion deep within.
Cadmus, the Ghost moves towards you slowly, his eyes filled with compassion. A beautiful, intangible song fills your minds.
Cadmus, the Ghost is at your side, and clasps you silently in his arms. You feel his power seize you, and look up, at his face, to drink from the wells of his eyes. He touches his lips against yours.
Cadmus, the Ghost runs his lips down your cheek, and onto your neck, his tongue faintly caressing your naked flesh. You open your mouth to sigh, but not a sound comes out.
Your surroundings are bathed in red as you feel Cadmus, the Ghost sink his teeth lovingly into your neck. You moan with pleasure as you feel your very soul held within the iron grip of your new Master, your true Master, your only Master; Cadmus, the Ghost.
Someone draws a shaking hand across his lips.
Cadmus says, "Life... Truly, a gift for one such as I".
Narissa twists her head, her body unconsciously struggling in Cadmus' arms, although part of her seems reluctant for the embrace to end. Awakening with a gasp, one hand flies to her neck, her fingers tentatively reaching towards the wound.
Someone smiles, grimly.
Cadmus says, "Aye, I have marked you".
You feel the attentions of Cadmus focussed on you and your thoughts, cold eyes in your mind watching you intently.
Narissa blinks, shaking her head to clear her vision, as she twists away from Cadmus's arms. Her fingers lightly probe the wounds on her neck, while she gazes at Cadmus, in confusion and fear.
Cadmus says, "Nay, fear not, Princess... Though you bear my marks, I will not harm you. 'Twould be folly itself to deprive you of your will for little gain".
Narissa narrows her eyes, nodding slowly. Coldly, she stares at Cadmus assessingly. "You have more power than you reveal, Sorcerer," she quietly says. "And the wisdom to know when not to use it." Laughing silkily, she adds, "My regard for you increases.".
Someone reaches out and caresses Narissa's neck. "Though against my enemies my marks would be a true curse, for my friends and allies, my powers can be a true boon".
Narissa catches her fingers around Cadmus' wrist, holding his hand in a surprisingly steely grip, inches from her neck. "Be warned, Sorcerer," she says in a soft, yet menacing voice, "This mark I retain by my own choice. Any abuse of it will spell great pain for you.".
Narissa smiles sweetly, uncurling her fingers and tossing her head, shaking her hair back from her face.
Someone snaps his gaze on Narissa, "Aye," he says, "and for certain it will hurt you, too, if there is any reason".
Cadmus says, "So long as we are allied, then".
Cadmus says, "For Thakria!".
You nod your head emphatically.
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This was Cadmus' first vamping, so I am glad it was something special.
