Fighting the Past (Dec '07) [Closed]

[Persephone]

"I don't know that I know you anymore..." her voice carries a somber melancholy tone to it as she addresses him. Her eyes fall over his barely showing a glimpse of recognition.

"no one can rid themselves totally of what they are. As hard as they try, even ladypeacek occasionaly releases Alex Wolfe something I hate having freed."

"I know she does."

"So why do you hate me pers?" he asks.

"Because I have my reasons." she answers him abruptly, unamused their lesson had quickly turned into a question and answer session. How many times had he asked her that since she had admitted her hatred of him to him.

He smiles, once more taking her denying to answer in stride. "ahhh denied again..."

Her voice once more sure, as the Magister Oracle and Teacher she was she replies "You will have to discover it on your own. When you come to me with the correct answer I will let you know. I promise."

"theres lists of reasons you should hate me pers. Hurting your brother, verbally assaulting your sisters..."

"bah Aries hurt you more than you hurt him." she interjects growing weary of his droning voice.

"...questioning any and all your abilities..." he continues as if she hadn't spoken.

"I should hate you for that?" she cocks her head to the side and raises her eyebrow.

"For not listening to you, for putting ferrymen in constant danger."

"You never listen to me."

"For being an independent in all mindsets and I wouldn't be surprised if you thought I would be willing to sacrifice ferrymen for personal goals."
"No, you love ladyp too much for that."
"maybe your not over me choosin' Mina over you."
"oh heck no" she laughs shaking her head, how stuck on himself could he be? "I got the far better side of that fiasco, I have Koz."
"perhaps you hate me simply because once in awhile I slip into your mind even if ya do love Koz. Well if I represent so little why maintain any hatred at all?"

"Ask yourself that."

"Oh, I don't hate you"

She tries to regain control of the conversation once more "Interesting how you assumed that's that I meant."

"and your important in my life whether you hate me or not I for some reason am always here. We are forever connected, the ways will always change our alliances sometimes we may even eventually kill eachother but we are linked. So pers why do you hate me today?"

"We are linked and will forever be whether I like it or not." she sneers, her loathing of the fact of the connection between the two she had fought so hard to destroy yet it just wouldn't die.

"Is that what you hate? Is that why you hate me?"

"A part yes." she cedes keeping her vow.

"I have saved you to many times for my blood not to be forever intimately linked with yours. Our flesh has has touched to many times to ever forget the feel. I like creating such emotion in you."

"hated?" she asks.

" anything, so whats the other part?"

"Why do you enjoy it?"

"I asked first." He throws her own typical rule at her. "I'll tell you if you tell me."

"I hate you Kaio for what you did to Alex." she picks the most believable reason to hate him so as to find out his answer.

"You have no right to hate me for Alex you helped kill him and you don't even love him anymore he has lost all importance to you."

"No, Alex will never lose all importance to me. However he is dead. YOU mean nothing to me."

"I love creating emotion in you because it rekindles me, it reminds me am alive and brings up dead embers of our past I dont want you, but the feelings you created brings me pleasure.
You will never be indifferent, and that makes me happy.
You cannot dismiss me and that brings me joy." He blows a kiss and without another word stands up and walks out.

She shakes her head "And that ego is the worst of them all..."

Her eyes remain on the now closed door, it seemed he no longer bothered to knock rather he just entered and exited as he wished. That childe drove her crazy, she wished he would accept some responsibility and quit causing those around him pain and worry. She could just throttle him in fact.

Realizing her thoughts were falling darker and darker persephone sighs softly. There was one place where she wished to be at this moment, but it wasn't possible. He was busy. Koz, her love, her companion, and now her husband was busy. At first it'd seemed that she would not have enough time to devote to him, her childer and her clan needed her, let alone her many sisters and her few brothers. She ached for his arms around her, his kiss upon her lips, setting her lips aflame by his simple touch. "What Kaio said doesn't matter." She told herself. "He's delusional and stuck on himself." she places her files on her desk, perhaps a tad to harshly as she feels the pain trickle into her fingertips.

Her eyes traveled over the papers and files before her, and a chill passes over her skin causing the tiny hairs over it to rise along with gooseflesh. Her fingers slipped over her desk and fell upon her blade, the dagger she had carried with her always. She found a semblance of peace as her fingers brushed over it. The cold clean bite of the knife against her skin causing a tremor in her midsection. A brief glimpse forms in her mind, the things the blade could do in the hands of her companion, and she closes her eyes. He alone did she trust in that respect and Kaio had been wrong, she no longer thought of him in that manner in the slightest. His boyish good looks were simply that. They were "boyish" to her, where her Koz was a man, greater than a man a vampire.

She gathered her blade into her fingers and slid it beneath the fabric of her pants, placing it against her thigh. Then she fished through her purse for her keys. She needed a drive. Her steps rang out in the Ferrymen's parking garage, echoing in the cold cement as she located her car, a gift from her Father Deth. Her fingers brush over the smooth surface and she closes her eyes once more taking it in, allowing the chill to bite at her nerves, to bring her back to feeling. She found the doorhandle and lifted it, entering the car she turns the ignition. As the wheel moves beneath her fingers she exits the parking lot, taking the turns to the ground floor perhaps too quickly as she abandoned her usual concern for safety. She wanted destruction. She wanted to cause pain. But most of all she wanted her Koz.

[Persephone]

She wanted destruction. She wanted to cause pain. But most of all she wanted her Koz. But that wasn't going to happen now was it? No it seemed she was deemed a companion to the shadows. Perhaps it was better that way. Spared her time for her clan which she thought needed her. Although she was fairly sure they would function on their own if the time came for her to depart.

As the thought passes through her mind she follows it, like a tributary creek leading to a main thought. She needed to get away. She needed peace, she needed to be refreshed, renewed. She needed to go back to HIM. Why was it whenever she felt the most anguished over something she always ran to HIM? It wasn't as if he offered her comfort of any sort, rather he provided very much the opposite. Maybe it reminded her things weren't so bad here afterall. I don't know, she didn't know, and since we don't there's very little chance anyone else does either after all everything changes in the light of the moon doesn't it?

Her conversation with ladypeacek echoed in her mind and she fought back the stinging tears. The woman had been right. In everything she'd said, as much as persephone hated it she couldn't deny it. She knew the truth when she heard it, it rang clear as a bell. Yet she wanted so badly to do something about it. To make it better...to ease the pain...the suffering of the one. She wanted to take the one in her arms hold them close and kiss it better. But that wasn't the reality. It couldn't happen like that and neither party would deny it.

Pressing her foot harder on the gas pedal she sped towards the interstate. Faster and faster the wheels turned carrying her to her un-predetermined destination. She careened into the night, as the lights flashed before her turning to streams of light buzzing almost like fireflies for all the heed she gave them.

"Intent on killing ourselves are we?" she slams her foot on the break pedal throwing her car into a 360, tires squealing as they scraped across the asphalt that was the interstate. As it careened towards the side of the road HE jumps out in front of it, and puts out his hands to stop the dangerous spin. She screams not recognizing him and believing she's about to hit a poor stranger. She wanted death and mayhem yes but not hitting some random fool with her vehicle as it spun. That wasn't her cup of tea, nor anyone else' she knew.

[Persephone]

The car comes to a halt and she feels the metal crunching beneath the hands of the stranger who she had swerved to miss in the road. She feels the slam of the inertia colliding against itself, whipping her neck to and fro until all motion ceases and blackness envelopes her.

She parts her eyes to see herself in the brightest of rooms. Filled with industrial lighting the room nearly blinds her. She quickly closes her eyes once more, attempting to seal away the burning light. She attempts to raise her arm over her eyes and realizes she's laying on an operating table. To her right stands an old fashion looking doctor holding a scalpel over her midsection. She fought to sit upright but the straps held her down as the doctor peered over her face looking into her eyes.

"Seems she's still awake Doc, whadda we do now?"

"Proceed as planned, time is of the essence Doctor."

Her eyes widen as she feels the blade sink into her flesh and she tightens her muscles trying to pull them away from the knife. She feels as his hands sink into her body, moving organs to the side in order to retract...she wretches about on the table. The doctor was taking her uterus from her body. He was stealing her womb, that which made her a woman. That which gave her worth.

"Oh do stop that wretched thrashing, you're one of the undead. You don't need this anymore!" the doctor chided her. She nodded slowly hoping he wouldn't do anything else if she permitted this invasion of her body. Feeling the needle sewing across her before unblemished abdomen she relaxes under the assumption he would leave her be now, to "recover."

She closed her eyes once more falling into a sleep until she felt a cold chill across her breasts. Her eyes flew open once more and her pupils tightened quickly to cease the overflowing lights. She felt the incision beneath her left breast. She kicked her legs, knocking over the instrument table and causing the doctor to peer over her once more.

"You do know the past is still your master persephone, and it will control you until you can break free with a future you can grasp with both hands."

She pauses her movements, frozen nearly, and turns her head to the side barely cocking it to look him square in the eyes. Her irises burn with a blue flame then shine pure gold, then silver flames and he quickly breaks her gaze. "Why would you assume that Doctor?" she incites her tongue to emplore.

"You really are intent on killing yourself, my Queen, aren't you?" she hears the doctor's voice differently this time and recognizes it as HIS voice. Panic rises in her chest as she feels his hands invade her chest cavity. As HIS hands rise from her she feels an emptiness and her eyes widen. "No! Put it back now! I need that!" she protest as she watches his surgical gloved hands grasp onto her beating heart, one on each side. She watches as he tears it in half, one half she knew belonged to he whom she truly loved, the other another she watched as it slowly discontinued it's beating.

"Why aren't you holding onto the future persephone?" she hears HIM ask as the darkness once more overcomes her vision. "You're letting it die...isn't this what you wanted?"

HIS questions soon fade into nothing, and she too fades into the dark black abyss only to awaken finding herself strapped in her car by her seatbelt knowing what she had to do next. She had to see him. She had to seek out her safety.

[Persephone]

"Kaio...I...I have a favor to ask you...something only you can do for me even though I wish to Hades you were dead for what you have done to Alex. I need to see my best friend...the one who knows me even more than my companion does. I need to see Alex Wolfe...if but for a brief moment..."

She leaves her office knowing he would receive the message from her, and retires for the evening. Slipping off her boots she sighs softly shaking her head, what she wouldn't give to have Koz arms wrapped around her, to lose herself in his embrace and forget everything. She could forget her past, forget the dreadful reality of it all if but for a few moments. She curls up in a fetal position, tucking her legs against her chest as she closes her eyes and wraps her body around her long silky pillow, laying her head on it she slips into slumber.

~*~

"Have you considered my request?"

"Yes if you give me a worthy reason I'll consider it."

"Because I want to see him once more before I leave." she informs him her tone even and restrained.

"Leave persephone? Leave what?"

"I'm returning to HIM."

"ahhh, haven't we done this old song and dance?"

"We have and it's time for my yearly trip back."

"this keeps ending badly"

"Does anything end well?" she asks raising her eyebrow and turning her head to the side slightly.

"We try..."

"...and we fail."

"How about Koz?"

"He is asleep, he knows where I'm going...although I'm not certain he understands truly but he claims to."

"pfft if he had any sense he'd stop you."

"That's nice"

"pers your asking for trouble"

"When am I not?" she retorts. Although it almost seems he cares, which almost throws her off guard.

"You just got him you silly childe, why do you wish to sacrifice that which you have only recently gained. So persephone?" His eyes take her in a smile spread across his lips "why do you wish to see Alex?" She seethes as he calls her childe, she who was so far ahead of him, she who had all he wanted and yet she didn't even wish for it and in many ways she didn't even appreciate it.

"Because I wish to say my goodbyes, in the chance that I don't return."

"Hmmm a small request. You didn't even ask for him when you needed the alchemists, it was I who guided you."

'Yes...yes it was. And Kaio I didn't think there was an Alex left."

"While I am gone I will be leaving you somewhat in charge of Oracles as Gally my first Oraclette is still away...but I need to see Alex...not for long...just a little bit..."

Kaio gives a smirk and smile* ahhh well than. Why didn't you say so

"I did..."

Kaio moves to the floor sitting down before closing his eyes. He begins to shift, sudden jerks interrupting his body, his hands grabbed his legs aggressively, these random actions lasting a mere 2 minutes before he began to relax.

She watches silently and steps back, she felt foolish even asking this favor of one she loathed for what he had done but she had no other choice. Her eyes turn to sorrow seeing the spasms, worrying she had caused him pain.

"One of the cupboards opened up nearby before a concoction an odd red colour left to plant itself before Kaios body, Kaio simply opened his mouth and within a minute the elixir was pouring itself down his throat. "Suddenly his eyes opened and were completely changed no sense of aggression the hunter was gone a need to kill almost nonexistent. The smile he offered her was totally innocent. "Oi its been awhile." His eyes glazed he barely saw pers before looking up. "Well hello there," he stood up slowly. "miss me?"

She breathes shallowly unsure if Kaio is simply tricking her or if he truly had released Alex. She hoped her hinting at allowing him power would have been enough but she was unsure it would be enough to bait him into letting her see Alex, if but for a moment. His eyes had changed, although she wasn't sure Kaio hadn't moved to the point of being able to portray even that much. Oh how she hated that beast! He seemed to have lost the aggression...that was a good sign...she thought and hoped. She looked down at him "Hi..." was all she could find the voice to speak.

Alex's hand moved across her cheek in the most gentle way something he had not done since an attack which had occurred, so long ago. "If its any consolation I missed you." He gave another innocent smile before looking around. "Where are we? Have you redone AoD castle?"

She fights the urge to break away from his touch but instead closes her eyes briefly. It seemed everything she did lately was briefly done. For the better or the worse. "It is...and I haven't really redone it...Rosette changes a few things on her whims...she was turned after...." she trails off and swallows hard.

He leaves the subject, turning to look around. "So I hear you need to talk to me, whats up?" Again he kept it gentle as if nothing had really happened since Aries had brought his weapon down upon him, he spoke as if the true Kaio didn't exist and had been running his life for the last year.

"You don't have to act like nothing happened Alex. And yes...I wanted to talk to you briefly although now I seem to have lost the list I had gathered to speak to you about." She moved to her chaise and sat on the edge of it. "The most prevailant thing is I'm sorry."
kaio999: yes well... whats done is done, I am sure Kaio has not exactly been a picnic for this city."

"He's been enjoying himself for the most part, I'm sure."

"So... pers what of importance has occurred that you must wake me from my self inflicted solitude? I feel my blood gone, has a war occurred? Is the city falling apart?"

"No...Kaio dueled Seth and lost. I can't say I was disappointed in all honesty. I hate him. And I asked him for you because I wanted to say my goodbyes in case I don't return."

A small laugh left the lips of Alex he shook his head gently before looking her up and down in a most loving way, like that of a so recently lost wife, a wife he still loved. "Ahhh, and where do you head my once Angel?"


She pauses feeling his eyes over her. She looks over him in a like manner, relaxing as she grows to trust it's really him, and not just Kaio pretending to humor her. Hearing him again call her that softened her and yet partly stung. "Back to HIM."

Suddenly the gentleness in Alex's eyes darkened, still distinctly his probably more so, not gentle now, but full of rage emotional unlike Kaio who kept only hatred. "You must be joking my queen, I have already saved you from that fool once I don't have the energy to do it again...even when I was more than just a remnant."

"Where is Hitomi, Aries Jersey surely they can talk some sense into you."

"Jersey and Aries are gone, I'll be fine. Aries is farther gone than you are, even his body sleeps. des sleeps, xSinx sleeps, you sleeps...everyone sleeps. Hitomi and Dracconius are engaged now and have returned to his homeland. You won't have any reason to save me. I won't ever do that to anyone again. It's not fair to them." She looks down shaking her head "I shouldn't have done it to you either."

"Angel surely you awoke me to talk you out of the endevour why else would you call me forth?"

"I'm old and I tire of the city and its workings. I wanted to say my goodbye to you. I needed to see you once more before I depart. Some things ladypeacek spoke to me of made me realized I needed to before I left."

A sudden wretch grips his stomach his eyes bulge in pain. "pers... don't... don't go back there must be other places, other things..." While in seclusion Kaio had become weaker however while deep inside his mind he had become one of the most powerful telepaths and telekenitics in the city. This had allowed him access of his body whenever he felt fit to do certain things. With a mere thought a container flew into pers's hand. "Those are pills if you take one before you sleep, I can find you and speak to you in your thoughts." He turns over in pain going to his knees, she flew towards him to help him then felt the change of Kaio's return and moved back to her seat. "...if you need me take one ill find you fast enough...."

Kaio stood that same devious smile on his lips, looks at the bottle seeing only 5 pills. "Well hope it was enough time," Kaio smirks "cause thats all the time we have left for today."

Her eyes fall upon the container that came into her hand and she closes her fingers tightly around it. Her eyes raise once more hardened as she sees Kaio's return. "Thank you Kaio. I appreciate it. I was able to be assured he is still there...somewhere...and I now have the strength to do what I need to do."

Kaio shrugs "No problem, so will I have access to Magister's Hall until your return, since I am your representative?" Kaio gave another dark almost animalistic smile.

"Do not forget Kaio, you are still an Oraclette, a second Oraclette at that. No you will not have access to it. Nor to the reserve of power, You will inform ladypeacek or Daphne of business which needs brought to the Magister's Council. I am not so foolish to give you the power you crave Kaio. I am an Oracle, the last remaining Oracle in the city. There's a reason for this, in time you may learn it. But you'll have to get over that ego of yours first."

He growls at her. "I will have all complete by your return, ill give you no choice but to award me the title.

"Lesson number three Kaio, there is always choice. Always."

Kaio turns on his heel, a dark aura left in the room pertaining to his anger, Alex's power silently looming over him something Kaio hated. "I need to kill." with that he was gone.

"You're already dead, good luck with that." Her voice no longer soft she bites back at him.

She waves her arms about her attempting to clear the now weighted air, she found it humorous that so many spoke of things as "light as air" as air really wasn't all that light. In fact is was heavy with emotions and illusions.

[Persephone]

How dare he tell -her- she'd have no choice but to pronounce him an Oracle. Being an Oracle was not to be taken lightly, it was a heavy burden one she bore gladly, being who and what she was, yet at times even she grew weary of the constant weight upon her shoulders. She sighs softly, her shoulders drooping slightly as she does so. Unlife had worn down on her lately, it was no secret. She didn't wish to hide it. In all honesty she probably should have hidden it, but something within her had gone to sleep just like so much of her family. The old one's were falling into slumber one by one, and she could feel it calling to her as well, but she refused to give up. Refused to give in to the enticings. It would be far too easy for her to just give up and fall into the deep slumber of the ages. She was a fighter and she'd fight the slumber with everything within her, until she could fight no more.

She needed to seek out ladypeacek, she knew her history as very few who survived did any longer. Donning her sanquiore cloak persephone hastily exits the castle. Why she chose a castle was beyond her comprehension anymore, except that was what her brother felt was suitable. At least it'd been nice for practicing her soreceries. Stepping out into the night she closes her eyes briefly, feeling the breeze blow through her hair. She could hear it's whisperings, calling her name. Calling his name for her..."persephone, my Angel..." She froze in her tracks, searching the scene with her eyes. The streets were empty, she heard no step, nor saw footprint in the freshly fallen snow. She felt a chill pass through her and stilled her unnecessary yet comforting breath. Tightening her fingers around the bottle encased in her fist she forces one foot before the other.

Flakes of snow fall upon her hair, speckling it white against the ebony. She longed to release her wings, to surround herself in their warmth but denied herslef the comfort they would provide. It was far to dangerous in such a visible spot, let alone she needed to speak with ladyp.

She stops at the door, realizing her feet had carried her to her destination, and rapped upon it before turning the knob and entering. Stepping inside she saw the woman she sought and revealed the occurence of her time with Alexander Wolfe.

"He said if I took them he'd find me...I can't just flush them..."

"Alex will find you?"

persephone nods solemnly "Yes...I told Alex I was going back...and he gave me these 5 pills just before Kaio took control back. He told me "If you need me just take one we can communicate when you are asleep" which is how it was in the Shadow Realm...."I will find you." it worries me...that he's hidden himself away there..." her voice grows with worry as she continues, almost to the point of hysterics.

"Probably...so why are you still going? If you don't need HIM anymore...are you wanting to save Alex?"

persephone turns her head slightly in thought, was this really what she was after? Is that why she was so often drawn back to her Shadow Realm? Did Alex reside there? And if he did was there truly anything she could do to save him, as he had done for her so many times now? Would he even wish to return if she tried? How would he react to her marrying Koz. How would Koz react if he knew she'd tried to rescue her ex-husband, one who besides him had held her heart as none other? What would it cost others who were involved? What about Mina? If she brought back Alex, Kaio would be banished, where would that leave Mina? She didn't think she could bear the sight of Alex being with Mina, perhaps it was better to leave things as they were...but still...the chance was there. She could repay him for all he'd done for her. She could restore the damage done by her...she thought about it a moment. The damage caused by her...Aries strike couldn't have done this to Alex...she felt the weight of the consequences strike like a brick against her chest. She'd done this...he'd blamed it on Aries so she wouldn't have to carry the weight of her actions.

She suddenly broke away from the room rushing out into the night. Running, just running and running. Her feet sure though they pressed upon the freshly fallen snow until she reached the Park. The Park is where it had all started.

[Persephone]

“Where exactly is Alex hiding himself away?” She walks into the foye’ and demands and answer. Her blade residing in her hand she tightens her grip on it as she peers over Kaio sitting at his desk. The restriction of her skin by her black leather pants evident as she leans over. She silently curses herself for letting Rosette pick her latest wardrobe.

“You really need to learn manners. You know like, 'hello Kaio how are you? I need to ask you a few things.'” He says all of this without looking up from his notes his expression unchanging.

"I could, but I don't actually care how you are. And I'm not the one trying to be an Oracle."

“Yes but Alex has nothing to do with my Oracle training persephone. You will have to be more reasonable than that if you wish my cooperation, when it comes to the former master of this body.”

"But you have to have MY approval to be instated. One would think you'd aim not to make an enemy from me. You have to prove to ME that you are an Oracle." She glares at him, her eyes penetrating his not even blinking.

“And you think being an oracle is more important than maintaining my control over this body?”

“Maybe not being an Oracle, but power is worth the risk to you. You said it yourself Kaio, if you became an Oracle you'd be one of the most powerful vamps in the city." She knew the allure of power was great for him and intended to make the most of it. She feared it was her only chance to make him cooperate with her.

Kaio sighs some looking up. “He’s here, like he always has been, kept in the recesses of our mind.”

She narrows her eyes “Explain...”

He continues as if uninterrupted “Humans, vampires use about 10% of there mind. I...both me and Alex use about 17% it is what allows us the ability to lift objects and enforce our wills on lesser beings.”

“So you use 7% and he uses 10% when he's active. I know he's stronger than you.”

“Incorrect, I use 17% while Alex is trying to discover how to use the rest... however to do this he would of had to turn himself off. Instead he handed his body over to me... he searches for diatism, to become perfect, a mission that could last literally forever. Attempting to break all barriers to become truly enlightened.”

“He doesn't realize he was perfect...before I destroyed him.”

“He felt unfit unable to be anything so he searches for protection and has been since his destruction however. He can be called if I go to the doorway he created for me and open it.”

“Searches for protection?”

“Yes he believes he can only protect himself if he is perfect. You really did a number on that boy.”

“He's no more a boy than you are Kaio.” She seethes, even after such a long time had passed she still regarded him highly now.

“He was a boy when I first felt his rage and pain and desired his body.”

She rolls her eyes and comments to herself "Seems you desired his body more than I did"

“…but he fought so hard, so hard to keep me from taking control, until finally... we made a deal.”

“And what was that?” She raises her eyebrow challenging him.

“I would be his retainer until he finally reached perfection.”

“And he never will...because of you...because of me...” Her voice begins harsh and as she falls into more reflection of what she had done it softens with regret. She had done all but killed him, yet at the time she knew it was the best choice with what she knew. It just happened to turn out to be the wrong choice.

“Exactly it is not possible.”

“So you tricked him.” She states her tone once more hardened and bitingly caustic.

“I didn’t trick him. He is able to use more of his brain his mind than almost any human being on the planet.”

“You tricked him.” She once more accuses him. “I betrayed him, and destroyed him.” She sighs heavily with guilt “though he blamed it on Aries at least to my face...but you tricked him.”

“I have placed no barriers in his way. He searches the mind freely, however Buddha reached enlightenment when he was able to enter into his mind and find personal Nirvana at 20%. What possible chance do you think Alex has? He might do it in 800- 900 more years.” He shrugs nonchalantly “that’s a distinct possibility.”

“You will have destroyed his body by then.”

“You think someone as powerful as Alex will allow me to interfere? I don’t think I can kill his body even if I try. But I can leave it... perhaps... but that would leave him fragile... an empty shell.”

“Another question...Do you have any connection to my Realm?”

[Persephone]

"Another question...Do you have any connection to my Realm?"

“Your realm is your creation all aspects of it, I am a demon an actual demon I am no nightmare come to life. I took possession of a body. I am what they call a Taint, I exist from larger bodies a fraction of a greater demon.”

“So I don't have to worry about harming Alex if I destroy it?” She ponders the question further.

Kaio laughs hard “Incorrect, part of my agreement with Alex was that any power he contains must be used to protect me and the body... if you attempt to harm me or the body I can call him and he has no choice but to fight. Sorry pers, you can’t do anything.”

She laughs as she finally figures out what he’s going on about. He’d misunderstood her question. He’d assumed she meant kill the body that Kaio inhabited, when she’d truly meant the realm. “No, no no. You understood the question wrong childe.” She chuckles once more addressing him.

“I am 900 years old I don’t think childe is the correct term.”

“It is.” She restates challenging him.

“…and the pure form is older than Egypt.” He continues.

“You aren't the pure form. Anyways, I meant the Realm. I don't have to worry about harming Alex if I destroy the realm.”

“No... it will not harm either of us.”

“And what if I destroy HER?”

“She is no longer part of either of us.”

“Do you swear a blood oath to that Kaio?”

“I told you I can’t do anything to harm this body.” His voice grows impatient.

“I don't care about the body. You can swear a blood oath. It's not harming to the body.”

“I can drain it of blood over and over but I am not allowed to destroy the souls the body or the vessel.”

“It wouldn't be you harming it, it would be me.”

“Yes, but I cannot do anything to place it in harms way either. However, pers if ever you want me out of Alex's body I’ll tell ya how.” A sadistic grin crosses his lips.

“That's Alex's choice, it's not mine to make.” She states turning away from him, and the temptation.

Kaio smiles “Very well.”

“If I knew how…” she trails off afraid to expose herself “I'm afraid it would be far to tempting to dispell you Kaio.”

“Well I want a new body this one requires to much, or I want Alex out.”

“Requires too much?” persephone’s brow furrows as she attempts to unveil his words unsuccessfully. She crosses her legs once more pulling into herself as he grows closer and closer to the proposal she had so long ago believed she would do anything for.

“Yes he forces many sacrifices on me.”

She resists the urge to laugh at his obvious joke “such as?” she asks him just in case he wasn’t joking.

“He keeps my chaos in check he does not allow me to place this body at risk which is sometimes very irritating... also if he tried he could drive me out easily.”

“So what is it you'd want to leave him forever Kaio?” She asks.

“A new body...and in return I’ll give you something you will find most beautiful. Something you would kill for.” His eyes connect with hers but for a moment. He can see the temptation growing in her eyes.

“What's that? There is very little beyond my childer or sire I would kill for any longer Kaio.”

“Well that’s easy, the ability to bring Alex back, while still allowing him to do his work.”

“And how would that be beautiful to me?”

“He wouldn’t be a corpse... if I leave he’s just a corpse I can let him continue his work while being in Ferrymen, being your friend, being the man you and LP love. All for a fully powered body which I can control. I would not infect Ferrymen, or any other aspect of your life.”

"I don't understand what you are proposing.”

“Basically you can get rid of me, if you can provide me with a new vampiric body and have Alex back in this one, and not as a vegetable collecting dust for 1000 years, but returned back to this form.”

“And why would that be beautiful to me?”

“He’d be as you once knew him. You love him do you not want him back to what he used to be.”

“Do you know what upset it would cause in my life for him to fully return?”

“So for your own selfish reasons you wont save him? Even though you owe him... how much?”

“Is it saving him if he doesn't want to return?”

“He doesn’t know what’s changed... he misses many things... including you.”

“What would he be returning to Kaio?” She shakes her head in unbelief and throws back the rest of her drink deep into her throat. She must be dreaming. There was no way this was happening. Of all times for Alex to return…for Kaio to release him…he had to wait until she’d married once more? He must have done this on purpose, now she had yet another reason to hate Kaio.

“A clan ladypeacek who wants him back desperately he doesn’t need his body linked to Mina, a peaceful place he can meditate and learn, grow as a man as much as a spiritual master.”

“Why does it bother him to have his body linked to Mina?” She asks unknowing why yet she secretly hoped that he would tell her something of hope.

“He doesn’t even know her, she’s a stranger.”

Her heart jumps at his news, though she knew she shouldn’t really care she couldn’t help it. She restrains all outward showing of her joy in a conservative reply to him. “Well that's assuring.”

[Persephone]

“I enjoy the flesh I am the one who takes pleasure in sex. Alex is like a priest he despises most aspects of me, but I was necessary... he even considers being free but does not want to go before all and attempt to break the conflict. You can return everything to him, for a mere body. Are you willing to sacrifice a life you have trained to bring him back?”

“I cost him a life, I owe him one anyway, let alone he saved my own how many times now?”

“Your potion... did he give you one?”

“My potion?” She furrows her brow trying to decipher his words once more. “You mean the pills?”

“Ahhh...dream pills you can speak to him in sleep...we have run out of the necessary potions to bring him back directly. I am not mentally strong enough to open the door without it.”

“ I see...why not?”

“He’s trying to enter worlds within the mind that are not supposed to be breeched demons aren’t allowed in… humans aren’t really either, but they can surpass it however. Do you wanna see him? Right now?”

“Yes…and no... I don't know I trust you to really let me see him, nor to not do anything to me while I slept.”

“Actually we can do it faster. However you must enter my mind and help me open the door.”

It seemed a simple enough request; she was an Oracle after all. She’d done it before…though she was out of practice. She weighs the outcomes in her mind before speaking in a reserved defensive manner. “I'm stronger than you...so you couldn't trap me there...”

“No, and besides you think I want a third person lingering in this body?” He retorts.

“True” she chuckles and decides with a surety he wouldn’t want both her and Alex controlling his choices. “I haven't done this in a very very long time...”

He proceeds to instruct her “take a pill sit in front of me and place your hands to my head on either side you will enter quickly with the pills.”

Her eyes flit with worry, she worried if Alex truly did still love her as Kaio had said that it would hurt him greatly, something she was seemingly very good at. “He doesn't know I bound to Koz...”

“He doesn’t even know what year it is.” Kaio states blatently.

Her voice racked with worry she speaks barely audibly continuing as if he hadn’t said anything. “How can I tell him...?”

Kaio shrugs “Don’t... but he does still love you, he accepts its over. It’s not like he stopped thinking.”

Persephone sighs softly the familiar ache in her heart returning “I will do it if he wants it but I don't know how well I'd take having him back...”

“Sit, let’s find out.” He instructs her, patience entering his voice.

She nods knowing there's not much choice left. She seats herself on the ground crossing her legs. Placing her hand in her cloak she retracts a single pill and places it beneath her tongue then places her hands to each temple. "Alright..."

“Close your eyes and when you open them you will be inside the brain, the mind.”

She closes her eyes and feels as if she's falling, cascading down...farther and farther into blackness...until she lands on her feet, her knees taking the brunt of impact.

[Persephone]

Kaio entered his own mind and it was as he had always known it dark cruel pictures of numerous lovers surrounding the area, death destruction played in the background, some fire and brimstone but in front was a great door massive and of steal and mind. She looks about, disgusted by what she sees, yet she speaks not a word of those feelings.

"How can this place exist?"

“It belongs to me...push against the door as hard as you can... with my strength added it should be enough.”

She nods and places her hands on the door, pressing firmly against it. Kaio then places his entire body to it and begins to push hard, hard as he can. The doors begin to move... easier than expected something Kaio had not been expecting... within moments light streaked through and all was consumed Kaio was sent flying back he was not allowed access instead a beautiful young gentlemen stood at the doorway in a black tailored suit and monocle, a splendid creature. “Hello persephone.”

She blinks as the light overcomes the area and she hears an unfamiliar, bittersweet voice. Part of her had hoped she would hear the voice of her ex-husband. She’d never thought of him as just her bound-companion; no he’d always been her husband, in her minds eye. "Hello?"

“I am Demetri, guardian of this level of Alex's subconscious.” When the room returned to normal it was a simple tearoom Japanese in style. Kaio was attached to the wall his body hanging as he desperately tried to escape. “You are not allowed in this portion of Alex's mind without permission Kaio, what are you doing here?”

"Well am I allowed here then? I'm guessing Kaio isn't"

“Oh persephone your of course allowed here, Alex considers you part of himself... this scum is simply holding a body for Lord Alexander.”

She blinks "Lord Alexander?"

Demetri turns on Kaio “This had better not be a trick, why are you here?”

Kaio smiles endearingly “persephone needed access to Alex, it is totally reasonable.”

She jumps in almost unbelieving she’s actually defending Kaio, he who she had grown to so despise. "I didn't trust him with a body while I slept..."

Demetri turned back to persephone and snapped his fingers releasing Kaio from his prison. “My apologies persephone.”

"Kaio knows if he slips up I'm stronger than both Kaio and Alex, and I won't go through with the deal if he does."

“Welcome to Lord Alexander’s focus, this was the first place he needed to enter and conquor for his self perfection.” He turns to Persephone and addresses her “and lady Persephone, I hope you have grown stronger since Alex and your last meeting he has in fact tripled in strength... Kaio isn’t even a reasonable comparison anymore. But I digress. Would you like me to call to him?”

"That is good to hear, if you do not think it wise Kaio can wait outside. As long as he doesn't have control over the body. Yes I need to see Alex..."

Kaio may stay but he must be silent.” Demetri moves his hand and Kaio’s mouth is sealed shut, with a smirk Demetri raises his hands and in the place next to him stands Alex. As she sees him her heart leaps in her chest. His voice striking those old familiar chords within her inner being. “Hello pers.” Alex gave a heart warming smile and kissed her cheek. “How do you like what I did with the place, it’s the first level I mastered so I have complete control over even its surroundings.” Alex looked at Kaio and rolled his eyes. “Demetri that’s not polite, he ran his own fingers over Kaio and his lips were parted. “My apologies Kaio.”

She blinks as she watches Demetri silence Kaio then Alex release him, unable to speak anything. She returned the kiss on his cheek and takes a moment to look around. "It's nice...reminds me of the teahouse in the park. This is different from when we last spoke..."

“Yes I have been working hard a single door opened can double my strength but I had no idea that I still had so much to learn even focus took me what felt like a 100 years.”

She nods "Congratulations...how do I begin this...” She looks over at Kaio and then back to Alex, her eyes softening once more. “Kaio has given me a proposition. He wants me to give him a new host body."

"What?" Alex gives a smile. "He’s finally willing to let go?" Alex turns to Kaio "Are you lieing?"

Kaio grumbles. “You have a contract, but if pers can provide a decent fully powered body one that allows me to cause chaos in this city without you and your damned clans interference, I would be a far happier demon.”

She watches between the two carefully, Kaio almost seemed...civil...here. It was more than slightly unnerving.

“Kaio if you let me finally return to those I love I would be eternally grateful...” He looks up at pers. “Can you find a body?”

“I'm sure I can...you remember my fleet...although it may take a short time...” She looks down.

*Alex lifts Kaio up above his head and gives him a gentle smile. “You harm pers, or if this is a trick contract or no contract ill rip your heart out.”

"I'm sure you'd prefer male to female then right Kaio? I can't see Mina as...content with a female..."

“Actually anything you give works I will transform the body to look just like Alex... except black hair. One of those little advantages to be a demon.”

“I see…”

“But there cannot be a mind. Well it will have a mind, but a weak one. Than I’ll take it and it had best be adequate in all ways persephone.”

Alex begins to choke, “Watch your tongue.”

She blinks and turns back to Alex "What'd he say?"

“To much.” Alex smiles, “he was being ungrateful is all hun.”

"Ungrateful? For your body?" She chuckles, then turns back to him. "Is this really what you want Alex? Will this make you happy? I won't do it unless you want me too..."

“Please pers...I miss so much. I miss ladypeace…I miss you. I miss the world I have lost.”

Kaio rolled his eyes at Alex who let go allowing release and he sat there awaiting so many decisions.

"If I do this Alex...you know things are a bit...well...different now...right?"

“Well I know time has passed but to be honest I don’t know if it’s a day or a hundred years.”

"Alex...what will you do though?"

“Wwhat has been happening? Where does my body currently reside?” Alex offered her a place at the table, Alex sat cross legged and Demetri immediately began pouring tea.

She took the seat as her fingers traveled to her blade, brushing up and down it as she was want to do when nervous. "It's at Ferrymen Keep...But the city hates you now..." Her eyes move to his, a familiar action that held so much of her. “How could you show them you aren't Kaio anymore..."

“Hates me huh,” Alex sipped his tea thoughtfully as he considered all repercussions on the situation. “So I reside within Ferrymen then, what happened to AoD and WoE?”

"I couldn't keep up AoD without you...and WoE fell apart when we left."

“As for reinvention and my return it will be easy enough to pick up of course I am no longer the childe of old I am also not a demon bent on total chaos and war.”

"This is true...do you know anything of the current situation Alex?"

“What situation?” He asks his eyes questioning her own, something he alone had always been able to do, read her eyes like an open book.

"Of the city. Of Ferry, of all those you once knew."

He continues to sip at his tea, his eyes open but never reacting to any of the words pers spoke, he simply listened. “I have no awareness of what’s going on. I do not even know the women who’s blood share these veins except that her name is Mina.”

fights the urge to hiss at Mina's name. It was no secret she was not fond of her. She looks up into his eyes. "ladypeacek now is Stygian of Ferrymen, we are run by the Magister's Council. You'll see it all. I don't know what I can tell you..."

Alex smiles “Don’t tell me anything you don’t feel comfortable.” His hand moves across your face gently and she closes her eyes feeling his hand brush across her face. Opening her eyes she once more looks into his own. "I don't know how to say this..."

“Yes?” he asks.

"Alex...I...I've bound to Koz a little over two weeks ago..."

He smiles some looking down sipping tea. “How long have I been gone?”

“A little over a year? Maybe two?”

“Is this your first marriage since my departure?”

"It is." she nods.

“I am happy for you darling, nothing more. Oy! I haven’t even bought you a gift.” He smiles “with my return I’ll have to do that.”

“After so long...I accepted that Kaio had overcome you...and I gave up.” She looks down at her chest, seeing with her inner eyes the ring that still hung upon the chain around her neck, beside the necklace Koz had given her. Both were kept beside her heart, as both held it.

“Well that is not shocking the only reason you know now is because I was beginning to push through a little”

“I only knew because ladyp told me...and I had to see you...”

He continues “Pushing the contract to its full extent.” He gives another gentle smile, “well when I have my body back full time. I will make wrong the rights.”

“Make wrong the rights?”

“It seems Kaio has done more damage than expected. Sooner he gets a decent fully powered body the sooner my powers grow, and I can free myself.”

“Free yourself from what?”

“Kaios hold.”

“Won't you be free when he has his own body?”

“Yes, that’s the point.”

“ Ahh I was confused forgive me Alex.” She bows her head.

Alex smiles gently “No harm.”

[Persephone]

Tears stung her eyes with a fierce burning, she could feel them swelling 'neath their lids and forbade them fall. Not that they were any good at following orders. Ironic isn't it, they had a will of their own and stubborn as she was it prevailed forward. Tears were known for doing their own thing, rarely did they listen to reason or do what they were bidden. No tears seemingly had a very strong willed mind of their very own. Each and everyone. And it seemed the minds of each tear were set together against persephone's will this eve, as they cascaded down her cheeks, daring against her will. Although it was to be noted her will was no longer as strong as it had once been, no. She'd lost something, a very important something, if one is to survive. She'd lost her heart.

Koz bless his damned soul had tried to help her, but her will was not to let it be so. Perhaps it was her pride, and we all know pride cometh before a fall. Perhaps it was she'd suffered to much loss and deception. Or perhaps she'd simply forgotten what unlife was worth living for. Part of her loved Koz, but a larger part of her was dead now. She felt almost as it were her soul was rotting within her. So many others had tried and as she lost more and more of those she loved it was evident her time would soon come as well.

She wanted to fall in a great battle. Yes fighting for others will. Fighting for a cause she believed in, to fall into a deep slumber to never awaken. But it seemed fate was not so kind to her, in it's cruel twists and turns. Her eyes fell over the paper she'd recorded the testimonial Tifereth had spoken of her so many months ago, nearly a years time.

*sings* I tell you, she's a super lady, how I wish she was the one who had my babies 'cause I tell you she's fiiiiineee...- Heh, woman extraordinaire, my beautiful Siress. Sweet as candy, fierce as a panther, benevolent beyond words. Loved by me, and many more.

Wed Apr 18, 2007

Tears slipped from her eyes, streaming one after the other. She missed the woman who had been her daughter. She missed the way they had connected. The way she could confide anything. Tif had most certainly been among those within persephone's closest circle.

She'd heard good news that Michi and Tif had gotten back together, this warmed pers' heart to a degree though she was coming to the point of no longer feeling. She'd told Koz, she didn't know what it really was she wanted. She'd spoken to Deth, her ever faithful Father. Hades she didn't know what she would do without him as a standard and column in her unlife. She would have fallen to pieces by now. Not that she wasn't crumbling as it was.

There was one other who had always been there for her, whom she'd always ran to when in need of help, Alexander Wolfe. She hated herself for still loving him. She was proud however that she'd admitted it to Koz, her husband whom she also loved, though it was a very different kind of love. She didn't know what she really wanted. She wanted to just run away from it all. Leave Ferrymen, leave Koz, forget about Alex, sever her childer and walk into the sunlight as her turning sire, her Joseph, had done to her. Yet, she wasn't brave enough for that. No she was a coward, and she hated that too.

Her fingers drove into the flesh of the body she'd been preparing for Kaio's placement and she felt the heart pump within her grasp. She squoze it harder, and harder, until she could feel the arteries pain pumping the blood throughout the body.

"I HATE YOU!" she looks up to the mirror seeing her own reflection. "I HATE HATE HATE HATE HATE YOU!" she throws the knife at her reflection. It drives into the glass, at the point of her reflections heart, and shatters the glass. A web of deceit lay before her on her wall. "YOU FAILED PERSEPHONE! YOU ARE A FAILURE!" she screams at her reflection. She closed in on her body tightly, ever and ever more tightly.

Then the bottle beside her came to mind. She summoned it and poured it into her mouth. It flowed over her lips nearly choking her, had she required air to maintain life it would have drowned her. She swallowed mouthful after mouthful, though more seemed to soak her clothes and skin. Then the laughter errupted from her swollen lips. "YOU THINK IT'S FUNNY! DON'T YOU!" she screams. Those passing by the park were surely surprised to hear her crazed outburst. She then threw the bottle at her reflection and collapsed from exhaustion. She wouldn't be returning to her home with Koz tonight. She wouldn't be going anywhere.