11-28-2016, 11:39 AM
Her green eyes flashed as she spoke and for a moment, a tempest threatened his soul. Emerald green, a hint of secret knowing and even playfulness peeking out with her words. So familiar. The dagger of pain that was usually just a dull ache stabbed sharply. So familiar. Lissandra. The succubus who had stolen his daughter had hidden behind those eyes. Love and hatred warred inside him, a battle he had tamped down decades ago now threatening to engulf his soul.
He was off balance. The supports and beliefs that held him and his world together were gone. The magnitude of the loss above- the loss of his study, his anonymity, his home- not immaterial things but the tools that let him operate in the shadows- added their own shading of flavor. He was stripped down to nothing.
But it was when he was down to nothing that he was the most deadly. The softwood burned away until the iron heart remained. He reined in his emotions, seeking the solace of the chong rann until only quiet remained. The peace and stillness that found resonance in this hidden chamber.
And he saw the girl anew. Young but not childish. Hopeful but not naive. Devoted. Worshipful even. A worm of...something slithered inside him. Careful. He could not allow the allure of worship to ensnare him. He knew his own pride. He could not let it weaken him.
Her hands were not the smooth and soft hands of the pampered and spoiled. But her lips were cool against his hands, the dampness it left cool against his skin.
He studied her. Radenyi. Of course. Ritualized community. Ecstasy. He had little doubt where that ended. So she was preserved. A virgin. For him? That was the question, really. Was he a cynic? Was he a charlatan? Would he use these people out of utility? Or did he believe?
He wasn't sure what the answer was. Clearly, there were forces at work, something larger than himself. That too disturbed him. But here he was. Somehow the waited for leader of these people.
Perhaps this was what he needed. He would go slowly. The unknown was dangerous.
His blue eyes gazed down at her, letting her see his study of her. If nothing else, this was unexpected. It was nothing he'd even have imagined.
Not that he believed he was Rasputin. And bringing a war to the Above? Perhaps, though not in the manner they thought. Time enough to deal with that later. Still..."The Above will come, Valeriya." He smiled to soften the blow. He needed to be careful.
He stepped back and surveyed the room. The chests held promise. What would Rasputin have though important enough to squirrel down here? The jar on the outcrop was given a cursory look. He knew what it was. Despite himself, he found himself smiling on the inside. It was humorous on its face. Of course they would preserve his member. Sex always rested at the root of power, however dressed in the clothing of ritual.
"Let us see what was charged to the Khylsty," he said, inviting her to join him. The uncertainty was still there, that feeling of not having control. But he would not let himself fail.
He was off balance. The supports and beliefs that held him and his world together were gone. The magnitude of the loss above- the loss of his study, his anonymity, his home- not immaterial things but the tools that let him operate in the shadows- added their own shading of flavor. He was stripped down to nothing.
But it was when he was down to nothing that he was the most deadly. The softwood burned away until the iron heart remained. He reined in his emotions, seeking the solace of the chong rann until only quiet remained. The peace and stillness that found resonance in this hidden chamber.
And he saw the girl anew. Young but not childish. Hopeful but not naive. Devoted. Worshipful even. A worm of...something slithered inside him. Careful. He could not allow the allure of worship to ensnare him. He knew his own pride. He could not let it weaken him.
Her hands were not the smooth and soft hands of the pampered and spoiled. But her lips were cool against his hands, the dampness it left cool against his skin.
He studied her. Radenyi. Of course. Ritualized community. Ecstasy. He had little doubt where that ended. So she was preserved. A virgin. For him? That was the question, really. Was he a cynic? Was he a charlatan? Would he use these people out of utility? Or did he believe?
He wasn't sure what the answer was. Clearly, there were forces at work, something larger than himself. That too disturbed him. But here he was. Somehow the waited for leader of these people.
Perhaps this was what he needed. He would go slowly. The unknown was dangerous.
His blue eyes gazed down at her, letting her see his study of her. If nothing else, this was unexpected. It was nothing he'd even have imagined.
Not that he believed he was Rasputin. And bringing a war to the Above? Perhaps, though not in the manner they thought. Time enough to deal with that later. Still..."The Above will come, Valeriya." He smiled to soften the blow. He needed to be careful.
He stepped back and surveyed the room. The chests held promise. What would Rasputin have though important enough to squirrel down here? The jar on the outcrop was given a cursory look. He knew what it was. Despite himself, he found himself smiling on the inside. It was humorous on its face. Of course they would preserve his member. Sex always rested at the root of power, however dressed in the clothing of ritual.
"Let us see what was charged to the Khylsty," he said, inviting her to join him. The uncertainty was still there, that feeling of not having control. But he would not let himself fail.