Monsters from Childhood - Terhune

[17:13] Jianyu Xi asks, "Oh?"
[17:14] The witch approaches Terhune as soon as he arrives. He's a new face, one unknown to them. A suffocating feeling comes into the air, as though emitting something... foul.

"And who are you, little one? Wandering into these woods sooo carelessly?"
(Jianyu Xi)
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[17:17] Terhune, wasn't the fearless youth he might have appeared once he walked into the dreadwood. Well, if anything you could see the pale to his face, his eyes already misty, however, once Jianyu approached. That foul feeling of the air was... Familiar and yet it was so familiar.

"I- Uh, I'm Terhune, I-" He took a deep breath to steady himself. "I'm looking for Anthonio."
(Terhune)
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[17:20] Like Hel itself encircled them in an invisible mist. Icy, narrow hues steadied on Terhune. Pupils threaten to constrict and thin to that of slits as they focused.

"Terhune, mh? There is no Anthonio here."

Because they knew no Anthonio but a different man entirely. "I'm not particularly fond of people wandering into here. Now let's see..."

The Supreme reached out and grabbed the boy's hand, digits trailing over scrawny fingers. Their own were dainty yet nails were akin to short claws. "For every second you remain here, I'm taking a finger."

Finger tips trail over his knuckles.

"One, two, three, four..."
(Jianyu Xi)
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[17:26] Terhune gave a shuddering sigh as he felt that nasty icy sensation wash over him. Not like the Void but just as crushing, in a different away at-least. So, this was a witch of some kind was his guess. Fear radiated off of the young teen but there was something else as well. A grim sort of determination, for whatever reason he radiated both.

Perhaps that's why he didn't just break down into panic the moment she started to count his fingers. "W-well, good because I didn't wander! I c-came with purpose, I even left a note!" Though, somehow he doubted they'd actually gotten the note off the ground. Someone might have though so it was a shot in the dark.

"You see, even if Anthonio isn't here- Uh, you are." As he spoke he struggled not to pull his hand back. "They kept staring here and they stared when the d-demons caught those blackhats." As he spoke he'd take a deep breath. "I'm not here to hurt anyone, just looking for the man who summoned the eyes." He added on quickly, "A-and enemies of the blackhats."
(Terhune)
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[17:28] Claudia walks over to see what was happening in the square that had awoken her from her sleep
(Claudia)
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[17:35] "Silly, silly boy."

Counting ceased at least but not the gentle touch on his fingers. Knuckles feel the touch of their fingertips, nails and all before their other hand joins to grasp his.

"Anthonio is not here, no. No man like that has ever showed his face within these woods. But, I am here, I suppose."

"You couldn't do much damage to me or nay other if you tried. Do you refer to those occupying Osrona right now, Terhune? I wouldn't call myself an enemy per se..."

Jianyu shook their head. "No, no... I'm quite fond of them all. Each one of them from the boring to the interesting. I want to pluck them from their little machine and keep them as my own. Like a collection of cogs all to myself."

"I had one but she was useless so I killed her."

Pliant lips curve at the corners, a smile touched their features as eye contact did not waver. "Tore her flesh asunder with a bolt from the sky... You're here to sell your soul then?"

"To give all you can offer and ever will be to me then?" The Supreme purposefully twists the nature of the boy's visit. There must be some gain for them.
(Jianyu Xi)
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[17:47] Tehune's lips pursed as she mentioned he couldn't do much damage to anyone. He wanted to argue that point but then again that might spark a request for a demonstration and he wasn't keen on that either. Still, he listened intently to every word she had to say. Anthonio hadn't went to the witches or demons, he hadn't stayed in Myllenoris, he hadn't ran to Theria, and he wasn't in Osrona.

So where was he? Where was the man who'd twisted his life? No where it seemed, perhaps he'd never be found. A cosmic nightmare flittering in the edges of his life forever. Now though he was met with a different kind of nightmare. It wasn't the eyes of the spaces between.

No it was a monster from the space below. A threat as clear to him as any other might be. The question was how could he mitigate it? Well, how could he do that without risking his life or soul? As he looked up to meet the eyes of Jianyu, well it wasn't long before his gaze broke and he looked away. Anywhere really, into the eyes of the void, towards the dirt, anywhere but towards her own.

"O-oh, I'm not worth having. I'd just mess up your own machine you know..." As he spoke he'd quickly try and shift the direction of the conversation. "Not that I'm useless! I mean, I'm not useless you know just that I-" His cunning plan started to un-foil quickly as he tried to catch himself.

"Could I sell you something else maybe?"
(Terhune)
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[17:54] She rocked back and forth on her feet as she listened to the conversation. "So the child has been abandoned. Hmmm I would say that is sad but it is typical. Now he tries to talk a way out to leave by selling things." She said simply as her voice gave a tone that seemed to sound like she was being playful.

"Well I doubt you will have anything of value to sell other than yourself to our cause. You say that you are not useless then perhaps you could prove that and be useful to our cause. After all you hate the blackhats yes?" She asked with twisting words. Almost as if to say that they would help them. When in reality she only wanted him to stay here for the forest.

"So boy you must have something of note about yourself and that you came here to join us clearly. No one walks into the dreadwoods without that mentality." She stated simply.
(Claudia)
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[18:00] The way his eyes dart about and the stuttering. Somehow, they're reminded of someone. It only keeps them this way, with his hand cupped in theirs.

Though... he doesn't look at them. He looks anywhere but towards them. Pupils continue to thin, slitting to that of a serpent's, a gaze cold upon him.

"I care little for how you value yourself. I wish for your soul or you run out of here in avoidance of my own attacks. I'm quite bored and perhaps..."

A once gentle grasp tightened. Jianyu squeezed his hands as their slight smile remained. "Terrorizing a little boy will bring me a degree of joy..."

They aren't above it either. "Your soul or nothing. You were ready to risk it all with that insane man yet you can't so much as muster selling all you're worth?"

Perhaps they did know Anthonio.

"Little Star, what will it be? The depths of Hel are just as dark as the void."
(Jianyu Xi)
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[18:03] Jianyu Xi says, "You will also look me in the eyes as you speak to me."
[18:13] Terhune was at a loss now, what could he really do? Though, the more he listened to her the more he felt a sense of peace. He'd tried a long time to find some purpose and his teacher only wanted him to achieve his goals. Would she be disappointed in him?

He wasn't sure, Yami slithered among the blackhats and she didn't care. Why would she care if he was here? Among the monsters of his childhood? Monsters that had never caused as much death as the Terraphim which he'd been living with so far.

His eyes darted upwards to meet Jianyu's at the command, those dull amber hues sparkling with a sickly green pulse of mana. His skin crackled with the voids touch as it trailed along those deep scars. There was a lot to take in, both women he assumed to be witches had spoken, both had said things that make sense.

Now he was left with a choice, sell his soul to the witch or fight. Both options weren't all that pleasant to him. One more than the other by and far. "How, does it work? Does it hurt?" As he spoke he seemed to steady a bit, blinking his eyes as he refocused them on the witch the mists that'd gathered trailing down his cheeks.

"I'm not a big fan of pain, I-it's not so fun. I came to get answers will I gain them?" As he spoke that sparkling green mana seemed to flush. "I'm willing to barter, but I s-sell nothing for free."
(Terhune)
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[18:15] Claudia stays silent and only continues to observe. She had no need to add on to the situation. The boy was seemingly twisting to their will rather well. So perhaps they could bend him into being their own. She eyed Jianyu as if to see what would happen from the woman
(Claudia)
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[18:41] "Hurt? No. It's just a mere pledge at first."

Whatever Anthonio or Gemini did to this little boy was up in the air. At least Terhune seemed normal for now and didn't ramble senselessly on things they couldn't quite comprehend.

"You see, I like to have people I can trust. You're young and I'm willing to take you all for myself. Maybe I've gotten a bit soft but..."

Dainty hands finally released his own. "It's more of an expression, also. You're too scrawny to truly sell your soul. Would the Lord even want you?"

For now, the Supreme wished for loyalty and for more beneath them. "What answers do you seek? I promise you I can tell you little of what my dear Gemini did."

Mana flushed in gaze and theirs only sharpened.
(Jianyu Xi)
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[18:50] He was super normal, really if it weren't for the odd touch of grit or even the pulsing green mana he'd be no more remarkable than any other young boy from Osrona. Then came the answer about what selling his soul really meant and honestly?

He looked a little disappointed at the clarification. He could feel those eyes laughing at him for thinking it was more serious than it was. Still, it was better than nothing and if all it meant was that she didn't want him trying to do her wrong? Well then it was what he could do!

Though at the question about them not knowing much of Gemini's actions, who he assumed was Anthonio, well he didn't know. "Could you explain a little why he did it? What the eyes are? Maybe, a little more about what, um, you are?" After all children's stories about witches only got him so far.
(Terhune)
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[18:50] * You have been awarded 2 Roleplay Points! *
[19:02] "He preached to empty aisles and spoke of nonsense. Watchers and how a certain book he had ruined him. Up is left and down is up. Right is down and sentences move as you read."

Did it make a degree of sense? It wasn't supposed to. "Other than that, I know very little of my dear absence prophet."

Jianyu didn't attune themself with the Stars enough to take much interest in his work. Or, the void. That of the cosmos in the sky above was never their forte.

"Who I am?" A chuckle teased but they instead kept a steady look on the little boy. "Hmm... You dislike the cogs do you not?"

"I killed Sergeant Cecilia Pitri. She came into my clutches for months on end and proved to be a worthless investment. She had no value over her life."

"But, that doesn't define me. It is a funny tale, I suppose. I'm called Jianyu."

Icy hues stared at him, hue wavering. Once a gaze like glaciers shifted, tainting. The color deepened like that of blood. Crimson and glowing as a hand rested at the side of their face.

"I read fates and fortunes."

Serpentine sights felt to strike his very soul. It's an invasive gaze as they view 'fate' unfolding before them. "Supreme of the Twilight Coven and collector of cogs. Did you know I nearly killed Captain Kirill pyr Orlov? What a pretty cog but ultimately lacking in what I desire to see. At least I got to enjoy a glorious dance with a little rodent..."

"I'll devour them all in due time."
(Jianyu Xi)
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[19:15] Claudia sends a bird through the air with a note on it.
(Claudia)
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[19:18] His frown only deepened as he got the explanation he'd spent years at this point trying to find. So, the eyes where just some sort of monstrous thing of madness? They where just here to peer at him and cackle as he struggled through life? Had they cursed him forced him to have an interesting life when he wanted nothing more than to fade into the background.

It was a frustrating situation to find himself in. Then he got asked the question, he gave a slight nod at the question regarding the cogs. "They robbed me, hurt me, an-" He cut off as he was about to continue, no best to not reveal everything to the witch who was probably the scariest thing he'd seen.

He thought about Cecilia and the name sounded familiar. He'd known of them vaguely when he lived in Osrona. He felt a little ping for them but couldn't force himself to care about their death. It did however mean that unlike the Knights they where at-least fighting the blackhats.

His dull amber hues remained steadily gazing into Jianyu's own icy hues. He was obedient at-least if not overly brave. It was as they darkened into a bloody crimsion that his confidence waivered slightly. As she peered into his soul with that gaze she'd find something at odds. A mighty flame burned within his soul, a strong will that hinted towards a deceit in his normal behavior. Perhaps a deceit he wasn't even party to, as if he was lying to himself or believing the lie of another.

"F-fair enough! Its good to meet you miss Jianyu!" When in a panic and scared? Resort back to the polite manners you'd been told to have all your life.
(Terhune)
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[19:19] Claudia says, "Hmmm this child knows his place. Good."
[19:32] How curious...

A path of deception or at least something akin to it later down the line. For more to be gleamed, a true reading would have to occur. "Hurt you?"

Slowly, dainty hands rose to cup the young boy's face. They leaned down a bit, eyes never leaving his. Despite their earlier threats to his fingers, "Is that so? I wouldn't hurt you." The witch's smile softened. "Of course, if you're at my side, I will not."

Their thumb grazed over his cheek before he's released and they stood straight. "You'll reside here then." Fate sealed itself. "Beneath myself. You'll answer and listen to myself, am I clear?"

Did he have a choice to be taken by the Supreme of the Coven? "There are no negotiations. You seek Gemini so you aren't..."

Slitted pupils thin. "Normal."

"So that means you should be interesting."
(Jianyu Xi)
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[19:34] Claudia says, "Ah"
[19:34] Claudia says, "I need to go pick someone up to bring here"
[19:34] Claudia says, "I shall be back"
[19:34] Claudia says, "Play nice you two... gahehe"
[19:39] Claudia says, "Ah yes the occult runs rampant here. It is nice"
[19:42] Claudia whispers something.
[19:42] Terhune's eyes weren't what you'd call steady anymore, nope he was very much shaken and worried. Sweat had sprouted along his brow and his eyes kept a misty nature to them. Tears continued to threaten their downpour once more.

Still, his posture at-least relaxed now that he wasn't in any danger. At-least he didn't think he was in any danger. All he had to do was stay close by? Well that was easy to do, if anything the more talk of having a place and being integrated into it?

The more a smile found its way upon the lads face. "Yes ma'am, I understand you crystal clear. Can I continue my training as a swordsman in Nysea?" He asked the question innocently but oddly smoothly. Perhaps with Claudia gone and just his fear at play he was starting to relax.

Then came the ruthless shattering of his self-perception. Those dull amber hues widened in surprise as she labeled him abnormal. "What? I'm as normal as it gets, I-" His words cut off once Claudia and Demios arrived. Now that they where their it seemed his train of thought had faltered. "O-oh, ah..." He didn't know what to do and clearly seemed a little taken aback at their sudden return. His gaze flitted between the duo and Jianyu and as they did so he'd decide to stop speaking all together. Seen not heard as his ma had always said.
(Terhune)
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[19:48] Claudia whispers something.
[19:49] He became a mess that barely kept together. Was he close to shedding tears? Likely.

"What a good boy. You may." For the sole reason of not many being within the woods to provide him with such. "Milk whatever use you can from them. Do know that they will, at some point, betray you." They explain as Claudia took her leave. "Which is okay because you've my arms to come to when that happens."

The Supreme hummed, sights still upon him. "Not if you want a damn thing to do with Gemini you aren't. But you aren't strange and twisted like he is. Speaking to no one and blabbering to himself. His mind truly lost itself in the void."

"Madness..." The witch shook their head. By the time they glanced to the side, the Lapine returned with-

A Drakanite...

Quickly did their features shift. Crimson hues locked with Demios as a scowl touched upon their face. Maybe it's familiar to him and recognizable. But he did give condolences at one point.

"For what reason is this lizard here?"
(Jianyu Xi)
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[19:50] Jianyu Xi says, "Putrid, wretched thing..."
[19:51] Claudia says, "Ah Jianyu. This is a guest of mine's and Irkalla's."
[19:55] His fear and worry remained, really he still appeared fearful and easily pushed into a mess of tears and panic but he kept himself together. Listening and internalizing the orders, the advice, as it came. It was the second person in his life to care about him and for the second time it was for a selfish reason. Still, he couldn't imagine Signe betraying him. Could he? At-least he now had this place to retreat to.

The thought wasn't a pleasant neither was what she said of Gemini. It basically reinforced that he'd been twisted by the man's actions. Shifted from his path of normalcy and pushed upon the road he now walked. Still, at-least he wasn't crazy like Gemini was. No, he just saw the eyelids and felt their gaze upon him. That was as sane as one could be!

Then came the shift in mood at the sight of Demios. Terhune visibly shrank next to the Supreme. Not wanting to do anything to shift that kind of ire towards him in the slightest.
(Terhune)
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[19:59] There was of course history between himself and Jianyu, Jianyu's disliking of drakanites being well known to him. Regardless, he held no ire towards them in return, his disposition remaining positive, a slight wave offered, as he glances between Jianyu and Claudia.

Even as Jianyu apparently insulted him, he maintained a pleasant air, his long tail snaking slowly behind him.
"Aye, nice ta see ya again Jianyu." His burnt orange hues a dull glow. "Ya seem ta have done well for yaself."

He glanced back to Claudia for a moment, before his eyes widened slightly.
"Oh, I almost forgot... seeing as I was invited as a guest, I took tha liberty ta bring a few gifts." He stepped from around Claudia, taking a couple of steps closer to Jianyu and Terhune, a slight glance given to the teen, before he deposited a couple of potions on the ground near them. He figured, Jianyu wouldn't want to take them stright from his 'lizard' hands.
(Demios Arborea)
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[20:07] The child in front of them got quiet as they toss insults towards the Drakanite. It's no different from a decade ago but more tame.

"I wonder why you wish to intermingle with a man who used to frequent Nysea. I suppose that isn't quite my issue if betrays you or not."

Never did they trust his kind unless it's proven. Jianyu took some steps forward as gifts are presented. Elixirs.

The Supreme takes them both. "A peace offering?" Crimson hues roll as they're stowed away in the pouch at their waist.

"And your purpose here is...? Sightseeing?" With it away did they turn to face the Drakanite, hand placing atop Terhune's head.
(Jianyu Xi)
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[20:07] Jianyu Xi says, "I don't recall this being an 'inn' where guests are welcomed."
[20:07] Jianyu Xi says, "Bed-in-breakfast, lunch a little after noon."
[20:10] Terhune stiffened slightly once they'd felt a hand touching their head. Being touched in general was uncomfortable, in this situation it made him squirm a little in discomfort. Still, he remained quiet and out of the way as he could.
(Terhune)
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[20:11] Claudia giggles, she was quite entertained by Jianyu's banter. Though she continued to be silent until she saw Irkalla
(Claudia)
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[20:11] Claudia says, "Ah hell Misstress."
[20:15] Demios was a wander, this was true, he went anywhere and everywhere he was able, pleasant and talkative with any that would converse. He'd remained a neutral party to the majority of people he encountered and good friends to a select few.

"I tend ta end up everywhere eventually." He states with a slight smile. "A peace offering... you can consider it such if you wish, I mean no ill will after all." His wings twitched slightly before being tucked tighter to his back.

"Sightseeing... is along the lines of my intent, aye. I desired to see... well... here... I've only ever skirted the edge of the dreadwoods, never really delved within to admire." Demios glanced to Irkalla as they arrived, another small wave offered.

"I requested a tour a while ago when I repaired an injury inflicted to one of Irkalla's kin... wanting to see the place Liraz would have called home, had he still been among us."
(Demios Arborea)
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[20:20] "There's not much to see other than creeping demons in darkened fauna but. I suppose you won't be bothered for that reason only."

Jianyu had more than enough to toy with this Drakanite so, they stood where they were, crimson hues shifting down to the boy at their side.

How stiff. "Be on your way then." Their other hand rose and waved the older Drakanite off dismissively.

"And you," Digits push through the boy's hair. "Off with you unless you've anything else to say."

Perhaps he'd feel better when not in the presence of the Supreme and soon after an Ascended Demon.
(Jianyu Xi)
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[20:23] Claudia says, "Hmmm now Jianyu, that is no way to treat our guest who gave us valuable gifts."
[20:23] Claudia says, "Do you not think you can put aside your racism for this man. After all he did not have to bring those."
[20:23] Claudia says, "I did not even ask him to. Which I know Demios would do most things for me as his family."
[20:24] Claudia asks, "Family is important to you. Yes?"
[20:24] Demios glanced to Claudia, then to Jianyu, the back to Claudia, his head tilting slightly.
(Demios Arborea)
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[20:29] Luckily for Terhune he knew a lot about racism so he wasn't out of the loop here in understanding the sub- well, overlay of the situation. Though, it was just a Drakanite. He'd not met enough to really get a good understanding, not that most people in Sudsbury had liked Drakanites any more than they'd liked Terraphim.

Though, his musings about the racisms against Drakanites was pulled to a close as he felt his hair being brushed in a way. His attention shifted upwards towards the Supreme and as they gave him an order, he went to follow it. "No ma'am, I-I'll just go."

With the order given, Terhune used the chance to head for the edge of the village and most likely the world beyond the Dreadwoods. He'd hopefully not run into any Blackhats on the way back to Myllenoris. Hopefully he would find Signe there as well.
(Terhune)
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