Contract

[23:20] Rindou's own hand came into the fray after that long, long silence, slapping away the disgusting talon the man dared to call a hand. She wasn't about to let him touch her like that - neither her nor Lea would be treated like an object.

Calm down, cowboy.

She didn't interrupt them any further, however.
(Rindou Sakamoto)
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[23:33] Lea reached forward and grabbed the hand when it was slapped, motioning for him to grab them again because she had a feeling that she should...

But maybe she shouldn't have.

She felt it. And she resonated with it. And the words he spoke further resonated with her, as if he were directly talking to that part of her that was better off not being spoken to or acknowledged. But when it was acknowledged...

"I... see..."

She felt the sin of despair slowly infect her mind, and worse, her spirit.

"I don't think I can get behind that, but..."

Her denial was empty, it was hollow, it didn't come from her heart. It came from reflex. But the words she spoke after did, reflecting a morbid curiosity over how she could get what she wanted.

"Maybe I'd like to know what it entails?"

To the point where it became crystal clear in her voice that this was more than a "just so I know" kind of curious.
(Lea Elisheva)
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[23:35] Cordelia's teeth grit at this point, watching all of this go down. This wasn't good, and she knew it. It wasn't what Ethan would have wanted. The Dhampir spoke up now,

"Lea.... Don't." She said simply. She didn't know just how far she should tread, but that warning, hopefully, would have been enough. "You don't want to know what it entails, trust me."
(Cordelia Invidia)
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[23:42] The Ultovexian had reached out with both hands, only to have Rindou slap his away. The blue eye of his staff stared at her, but the hands would remain on the table. Only, instead of further reaching for her, Lea reached for him instead. Their fingers touched.

Lea would feel the connection between them, of the pain he was able to exude, share with others.

Hope and Despair were two parts of a very similar coin. They were connected at a base level. To be in Despair was usually to give up on hope, and for a long time the Ultovexian had. But he had also strived and created his hope anew. But the same could not be said for those who shared with him.

Instead it would be like tunnel vision. Despair would try its darnest to make his words the ones she would listen to.

"You must ask, how much are you willing to work for it? I can make ya a contract. But everything tha' I do has it's price. It is usually a soul fer happiness. But,"

"I can bring souls to me in Death. I could teach ya how if ya were to become my apprentice."

"I can teach ya how to connect wit' people on deeper levels. How people mite shower ya in lov'."

"An, s'long as ya hav' a method through which the world can become a betta place In mind, I can see it granted. Given, it will take pain an' souls ta do."

Her hands held his. It was her choice.

"I can see 'bout grantin' any wish, real. S'long as the method through which it can b brought about can b imagined."
(Despair)
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[23:44] This time, her words were louder, the Dhampir's head shaking. A contract...? Lea? No. She had gone into her own with the goal of meeting Malentine - and it had happened. Her life had taken a turn, but she didn't want that for Lea.

"Lea. I'm serious. Don't. Please.... You don't want that."
(Cordelia Invidia)
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[23:50] That all started to sound appealing to her. It was everything she wanted. Maybe it wasn't what she wanted, but it was very much what she wanted. There was one tiny issue with that though, one that the part of Lea that represented hope was grateful for:

"I can't pay my soul as a price. Mom saw to it that I couldn't."

She was protected from that. And yet...

"If you could figure out something else I could use, though, then I'd love to hear it."
(Lea Elisheva)
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[23:51] Camille Is just quiet the whole time.
(Camille DuCoeur)
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[23:52] we know
(Lea Elisheva)
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[23:52] The Ultovexian shook his head.

"No. The askin' price is never the soul o' the one who wants the wish. You would not b able to giv' up ya own soul an' see your wish granted, after all. It is always the souls o' others tha' ensure a wish comes to fruition."

Sors reassured.
(Despair)
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[23:53] Lea Elisheva says, "I see."
[23:53] Lea Elisheva asks, "Does it matter who's?"
[23:54] Despair says, "Tell to me your wish. Tha' bigger it is, the stronger the soul needed."
[23:54] Cordelia Invidia says, "....."
[23:57] Rindou offered a long and hard glare towards Sors as he said such a thing. It wasn't due to the fact the man was being too intimate with Lea, no, but rather that... She was getting the attention. She was getting her deal settled before her.

A frown came. How could this man treat her this way after promising her the world? Malentine was right. He was right after all. She was nothing but means to an end, wasn't she?

The sheer pressure from Rindou's feelings dug at the desires of everyone's heart.
(Rindou Sakamoto)
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[00:01] Up until now, she found it difficult to speak honestly. But the parts of her that were better off unspoken to were brought to the surface. She felt comfortable in expressing those deeper desires, and with that expression, they were solidified into reality.

"I want people to stop leaving me."

She gazed over at Rindou, feeling the tug at her heart. Another desire was blurted out in response, although they weren't exactly what she thought Rindou's desires were, at this point.

"And I want to make people feel loved in a way they can't ignore or forget."
(Lea Elisheva)
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[00:14] It takes a few moments to think. The Ultovexian considered it in his mind for a while. To have a wish granted, one must understand first how it could be granted. The process must be made in mind. But as he did, his hand moved down to his side. One of the chains would be pulled from his pocket. At first it is normal.

But the chain shifts. It moves as if it's alive. A small Nethradin taking the form of a chain would slowly begin to be molded by green light.

"My ability to mark souls stems from tha' divine. It is a power tha' gives me the ability to pulls souls ta ma. I can share it wit' ya, so tha' in death they neva leave ya. I can show ya how ta influence minds so tha' ones ya want are prevented from leavin' ya, so long as ya willpower is strong enough ta guide 'em. In this way, I would guide ya ta how, an' through a contract, find a substitute fer the shard."

"To make people feel loved is a bit tricker. But I can guide ya down tha' road too. It is not somethang ta b taught. But it is somethan' I can bring ta bloom from ya."

"How does tha' sound?"
(Despair)
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[00:20] Rindou's desires would not cease from burning. Those offers, this appreciation, this... direct attention that Lea was getting; she was the one who was supposed to have it all, or at least, have it first. She should be. And that...

... was enough for her to act out a bit. For her hand to move under the table, unseen by most as it reached out for Lea's thigh. She squeezed, hard. Love? Maybe. She was... she wasn't hurting her. No.

Her heart was torn, however.
(Rindou Sakamoto)
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[00:24] The Dhampir paced now while wearing a worried expression all the while. She hated this. She hated the fact Lea was even here, talking about all of this to him. Around and around the woman went, a hand coming up to begin chewing on a nail of all things. She was quiet, debating and thinking.

She had made friends with the very same people who had cheered on Neo's death. Who had thought he was a monster. She had thrown away her own immortality just for that reason. Her eyes squeezed shut. Malentine had caused her to think heavily, to doubt her own choices in life.

But she had finally made her choice.

Would it leave to heartache? She didn't know, and that's perhaps what worried her the most. Nothing but sadness upon Agartha - that's what he had said, after all. Kraus' prison. Her pacing grew frantic.

Pink eyes glanced briefly towards those assembled around the table, her thoughts eating away at her.

You will never be one of them. They'll always see you as what you were, as what you became.

Thinking. Thinking. Thinking.
(Cordelia Invidia)
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[00:30] And there it was. The means to solve one of her biggest problems given to her. Just what would it cost her? Did it even matter anymore? The grab to her thigh was noticed, but it didn't do much to bring her back to lucidity; perhaps this was what lucidity was to her, at this point. Maybe the Lea who wanted to accept this deal was the Lea that the world would have to deal with, from now on.

And yet, she hesitated. In the deepest recesses of her mind, a voice echoed out:

You're the one I always bet on.

And she felt an overwhelming pang of guilt in her chest, which was very much reflected in her face. And perhaps, to Cordelia's eyes only, Lea's own would appear to glow a bit. But she quickly shook it off. She needed to know how far she'd have to go. She had to.

"Thatsounds like exactly what I'd need. Name your price, please!"

If it was hard, maybe if it was hard, she'd be able to resist... Maybe, just maybe, she...

Didn't know what she wanted.

"Like, y'know, the terms of the contract and all that. I wanna know what I'd be signing."
(Lea Elisheva)
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[00:36] The power of want was great. The desire swelling within Lea would bring the Ultovex to a cruel unusual smile. His hand remained, touching hers, holding it. They were almost to the final step. The chain Nethradin that he command would shift in it's form, slowly changing from a chain to a ring. It was not metal, but instead something much more ethereal, something that would not leave a visible mark or be easy to tell.

The ring itself is brought forwards. As it touches Lea's hand, it would speak to her mind directly.

" You wish for a love that never ceases. And so life must be lost.

Adrian Rowan, Calael Kang, Magdalen Elisheva, Elyon Hirai, Eshmun Hirai, Caira Vindict, Keitaro, Narissa, Ilui Elisheva, Sima Kang, Thalia Elisheva, Isaac Shimasu, Reito Shimasu, or Calista Shimasu. These are the lives that may pay for his. For only a life as precious in value can possibly pay for a love that will never fade.

You will have 3 years to complete, or a due will be taken. Part of your life essence to feed the star in exchange for failure.

To furfill, you only need to press the dyin' body to the ring. Self sacrifice or murder. And to assist, you can be granted power while the contract lasts. The Flames of Hel will guide you through your task.

Accept or decline? "

At it was at her hand, all she had to do was put it on.
(Despair)
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[00:37] Pestilence asks, "....Oh?"
[00:42] It was... burning. Both the hand and her desires. Why was that man looking at her this way? Why was he offering her the world - skipping over Rindou and saying that it took time to prepare but it was neatly, fortunately ready for Lea?

The man would be given the deepest, angriest glare he'd ever meet. The kind that hardly forgave and never forgot. This... jealousy. This betrayal. This anger. They were all in line with her claims from the past.

I'll make you pay for the shrine.

"Sors." She said. She finally spoke. All that was needed was to call out his name, to say it with the kind of voice overflowing with that need.
(Rindou Sakamoto)
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[00:45] Pestilence says, "holy shit"
[00:45] Pestilence says, "^^omit"
[00:48] Lea Elisheva says, ";_;"
[01:04] Lea felt an overwhelming anxiety well up within her as the terms of the deal were stated. This was everything she could ever want. And yet, the people she had to kill...

Adrian? Calael? Magdalen? Thalia? Reito? The rest of the people she either didn't know, or hardly ever interacted with, but those people? And yet...

A love that would never fade.

A love that would never fade...

All that remained was her mother. Other people stuck around, but only her mother provided a love that never faded, either through death, or through leaving her.

"I can't say no, but..."

...as long as she was around...

"...I can't say yes, either."

She gazed straight into Sors' eyes, or rather, looking past him.

"I still have one person who's love won't go away. So I can't yet. I..."

That realization left a certain part of her very disappointed; a disappointment that was clearly reflected in her face. But that disappointment quickly gave way to an expression of remorse and sadness, and it should be obvious who she was talking about.

"...I can't do that to her."
(Lea Elisheva)
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[01:10] The Ultovexian would stare forwards at Lea as she began to speak. Dusk and Aurum would watch the woman, seeing the reaction on her face. A couple names, a couple of reactions. But as the ring radiated it's power, it's promise, something he could give onto her, she spoke. His words would be one lash final push.

"Are ya certain? Jus' one life. It could b from those ya ain't real care 'bout. One life would secure ya dream, one soul would ensure tha' ya would b able ta hav' a love tha' never fades, an' eternal lov' from whoever ya want."

The ring glowed pale green, forged as she stared into his eyes. His lips formed a line. And then a final smirk.

"I can not guarantee the same reward if ya refuse. Nor can I guarantee tha' ya loved ones are not bein' hunted by another contract holder. If ya do not accept,"

"There is a chance ta lose mor' then ya know."

The ring remained.

"Is it your final choice."
(Despair)
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[01:11] She paused, in her pacing, as Lea seemed to refuse the offer. That was good enough for her. In her own silence, the Dhampir headed to the stairs, circling around the Kaor carefully. She had business to finish up, after all.
(Cordelia Invidia)
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[01:18] The grip on Lea's leg was getting dangerously hot at this point, perhaps hurting the angel before Rindou finally stood from her chair, hardly able to hold it all back.

Just like back then.

"How. Could. You. Do. That?" She asked, practically climbing over the table if it weren't for the fact it was small enough for her to reach out for the man - to grip at his clothes. Amber eyes peered down the mismatched pair that was bound to finally give her attention, a flicker of green running through them as she spoke.

"Is that your idea of a deal? Is that the kind of offer you make? You just wanted to see it, huh? You just wanted to see this - to offer the world to me and still put me in second place!"

She shoved the man back lightly, not enough to hurt him, but more than enough to send a message.

"Fuck you, Sors Ultovex."

Jealousy at its peak. Jealousy great enough to disrupt a meeting, too. Again.
(Rindou Sakamoto)
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[01:18] {Item} You drop Pipe.
[01:19] {Item} You picked up Pipe. Dropped by Rindou Sakamoto. .
[01:23] The Ultovexian was shoved, but the pale green light continued to surround the ring as he was moved back slightly in his chair. Dusk and Aurum regarded Rindou slowly. Malice hangs in the air, but he spoke calmly.

"I gav' ya ya first lesson, as promised. Ya said ya didn't want ta b friends cause I ain't earn tha'. So tell ma, Rindou, why do you think ya hav' preference, o' first calls when it comes ta dealin'? Is tha' not reserved for friends?"

But given the out burst, there was a small smirk that crossed the Ultovexian's face. The ring remained outstreteched for Lea, waiting for her response while his other moved down to his pocket, drawing out another chain that would soon be formed into a ring.

"But since ya seem so keen,"

The pale light would radiate out as the Dusk and Aurum watched Rindou.

"Inform me. Wha' is ya wish, Rindou Sakamoto?"
(Despair)
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[01:25] Lea seemed lost in thought, but maybe she was waiting for Rindou's wish before making her own decision, too...
(Lea Elisheva)
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[01:29] "You already know what I want, Sors Ultovex. I've told you back then. I want to learn. I want for my name to be feared and heard. I want power - I want to learn those means to aquire that power. I want people to love me. I want them to see me as they should. I want Lea's eyes never to look away from me. I want the strength to put down the people that put me down.

I need it. All."

She was already practically offering her hand to the man, waiting for the terms to be spoken, for the risk to be made - ready to weight it. She knew of his shitty, shady deals, too. How many times had she turned him down?

"Make me an offer I can't refuse, for once."
(Rindou Sakamoto)
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[01:39] The Ultovexian would smirk as the pale light surrounded the right. He stood fully from his seat, the power throbbing through the air as it entered the ring in his darkened hand. It is extended towards Rindou.

"I know. But the Wishgranter needs to hear."

And when his hand would brush through hers, the voice would speak through Rindou's mind.

"You wish for power, to be feared, to be loved, for all. And so life must be lost.

Adrian Rowan, Calael Kang, Magdalen Elisheva, Elyon Hirai, Eshmun Hirai, Caira Vindict, Keitaro, Narissa, Ilui Elisheva, Thalia Elisheva, Isaac Shimasu, Reito Shimasu, or Calista Shimasu. These are the lives that may pay for his. For only a life as precious in value can possibly pay for power unyielding.

You will have 3 years to complete, or a due will be taken. Part of your life essence to feed the star in exchange for failure.

To fulfill, you only need to press the dying body to the ring. Self sacrifice or murder. And to assist, you can be granted power while the contract lasts. A Carnal Wrath will guide you through your task.

Accept or decline?"

The ring awaited in front of the eye of Rindou, waiting for her choice.
(Despair)
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[01:44] Rindou was far less hesitant than Lea was. She had... desires. Wants. Needs. She needed more - wanted more. She wanted power, strength— the cost was but the life of another. She wouldn't fail, that much she promised herself. She couldn't fail. She wouldn't let it happen.

She could do this. And if she couldn't do it alone? She'd do it with another. She'd play dirty.

For power.

Her hand moved forward.

She sealed the deal.
(Rindou Sakamoto)
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[01:47] And that solidified it.

She, too, reached her hand out towards the ring, aiming to touch it.

For love.

Lea sealed the deal, and with that, the last golden thread within her vision turned red...
(Lea Elisheva)
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[01:48] Pestilence whispers something.
[01:48] Pestilence whispers something.
[01:54] [ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PGVAvGg4s1g ]

Two rings created. Two rings accepted. The pale green light would emanate from both as the two women would take the rings in hand. As they would slide it onto their fingers, they would feel themselves being imbued with energy, energy unlike that that might have felt before.

It would be being imbbuded with the power of a man-made god. The Nethradin rings would surround their fingers, the power starting their and traveling up their forms. And yet, as it did..

Lea would feel similar to how Rindou had once. Just as the willpower had been taken from the envy sin, as the Wishgranter imbued them each with power for their contract, she too would lose something that he had once received.

As the rings connected, they would feel something else as well. The Ultovexian was unable to come to harm while they bared the rings, and they would be unable to remove it for as long as the time limit was active, or until they had completed their objective. But the deal with the devil was made.

"I hav'." He spoke to Pestilence, a smirk crossing the devil's face.

"Two deals have been forged."
(Despair)
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[01:57] Nym Lelhua says, "Told ya to check the tower."
[01:57] Adonis Lelhua says, "Huh."
[01:59] {NARRATION} Something in the room changes as Lea accepts Sors's offer. It's as if a beautiful song has suddenly stopped. The world seems quieter for it. It isn't a sharp silence, but an absent dullness. Those present would be able to tell Agartha has just become a slightly worse place.

Lea would feel it more than anyone. The ever-present warmth of the lifestream that had flowed in and around her is suddenly gone. And in it's place...

Nothing.

She may miss it or she may not. But she will be acutely aware that in this moment, she has lost something precious.
[02:01] You learned the spell Pandemonium Drive.
[02:01] Envy felt it. It was... insane. Unreal. The kind of power that flowed from the ring she wore made her feel like she could take on the world. Like she could do anything she wanted. Like there were... no limits. No stopping her. She could finally indulge in those desires, in those wants. She was given exactly what she sought out, all for the cost of staking it all on whether or not she could accomplish a single task.

A life for power. And it wasn't even hers.

It was greatest deal of them all, as long as she could accomplish it. She would accomplish it. She'd play unfair.

Worse of it all? She brought Lea along for the ride. Magdalen was scared for her daughter for a reason; Sors needed not to claim her soul for her to step into the darkness, all that was needed was one thing.

Love

A poison in Rindou's arsenal.
(Rindou Sakamoto)
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[02:05] Was it worth it...?

Was it really?

...perhaps it no longer mattered. For when the connection was severed, she lost sight of just how valuable it was. In fact, in a strange twist of fate, she felt invigorated, as if she was freed from certain constraints she had before.

It's unknown how she'd change as a person, but one thing would remain consistent, no matter what:

Lea would still be Lea.
(Lea Elisheva)
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[02:09] The Ultovexian was the father of corruption.

The deal was accepted. Power in exchange for life, or in exchange for a part of who they were if they failed. Already as they gained power, he could feel the seconds ticking away, ever excited to see how it would move and sway. The Ultovexian

No longer would be one of the only dangers. The Wish granter, a man made god, made it so.

Inside of each, power would be given, pale green surrounding them, able to draw even more from the ring when it was time. The Ultovexian did not hide the delight on his face.

"Wit' the deal made, is there mor' either o' ya desire from ma rite now?"

"My ~friends~?"
(Despair)
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[02:10] * You have been awarded 3 Roleplay Points! *
[02:10] Lea Elisheva says, "...I'd like a hug."
[02:10] Lea Elisheva exclaims, "But aside from that, I am okay!"
[02:11] Despair would open his arms with a smirk. "I do not ussually giv' them. But I am in a particularlly charitiable mood."
(Despair)
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[02:11] {Item} You drop Suffering's End.
[02:12] Lea gave Sors an "I just made the worst decision of my life" hug :D
(Lea Elisheva)
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[02:13] Despair gives Lea a "never before have I enjoyed demi angels, but there's a first for everything" hug :D
(Despair)
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[02:16] {Item} You picked up Suffering's End. Dropped by Rindou Sakamoto. .
[02:16] {Item} You drop Suffering's End.
[02:16] {Item} You picked up Suffering's End. Dropped by Rindou Sakamoto. .
[02:17] {Item} You drop Suffering's End.
[02:17] {Item} You picked up Suffering's End. Dropped by Rindou Sakamoto. .
[02:17] Rindou Sakamoto says, "... I need to-"
[02:17] Rindou Sakamoto says, "Go get prepared."
[02:18] Lea Elisheva exclaims, "I'm prepared!"
[02:18] Despair says, "I will not keep ya'll up longer. If ya'll need anythang, do contact ma."
[02:18] Despair says, "We are beneficiaries now."
[02:19] Despair says, "wait."
[02:19] Rindou Sakamoto asks, "What?"
[02:19] Despair walks over to Rindou. Before she can leave, the Ultovexian moves to put a single red flower on her hair band.
(Despair)
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[02:19] {Item} You picked up Sinka. Dropped by Despair. .
[02:20] Lea Elisheva exclaims, "It was nice talking to you!"
[02:20] Despair says, "Ya as well."
[02:20] Despair offers Lea a flower too.
(Despair)
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[02:20] Lea was all smiles despite everything. Perhaps because of everything.
(Lea Elisheva)