Occultism: Freedom and Slavery.

[20:54] Hendrick Mordstein asks, "How long you in for Rhoynur?"
[20:55] Vasilios Quinn says, "Dunno."
[20:56] Vasilios Quinn says, "I'm assuming it's another Extrajudicial Execution, since y'know."
[20:56] Vasilios Quinn says, "No justice."
[20:56] Hendrick Mordstein says, "I imagine that happens often."
[21:19] Blake Augustus says, "Sooo."
[21:19] Blake Augustus asks, "How likelydo you think it is you'll get out of here, Quinn?"
[21:19] Vasilios Quinn asks, "Why would I tell?"
[21:19] Vasilios Quinn asks, "Also, who are you?"
[21:19] Blake Augustus says, "I figured we could brew up conversation."
[21:20] Blake Augustus says, "Blake Augustus. I was being trained by a Witch to be one but ah. My magic got exposed b Fuckboy Dillion Endore. "
[21:20] Hendrick Mordstein says, "Sudbury Boars looking to win the Elementa Bowl."
[21:20] Blake Augustus says, "Now I'm in here because I ddn't register my magic, even though they stripped me of my magic."
[21:21] Blake Augustus says, "We agree on a lot of points. Is all."
[21:22] Hendrick chomped on there pipe, looking at the new arrival.
(Hendrick Mordstein)
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[21:24] After a short while, Lemuria found her way to the prison. It wasn't too difficult to find, especially with the presence of a map, but she had so much on her mind that it took her a bit longer than usual to get there. And when she got there-

As expected, Blake was there.

She stood across from them, her expression difficult to read. Anger? No. Fear? No. Disgust? No. Worry? Not even that.

But it was hard to call it neutral, either. Perhaps... conflicted?

"Blake. Are you okay?"
(Lemuria Augustus)
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[21:28] Blake moved to the bars upon spotting their big sister. Quick to place their hands against them, eyes almost welled up with tears. It was nice to see the one person they cared about more than anything. Their parental-figure and elder sister, Lemuria.

Upon placing hands on the bars, as if to try and pull them apart, all Blake managed to do was to get closer to them. "I... They stripped me of my magic. They found out I was an occultist and stripped me of all of it. I can't feel my mana circuits. And I've just been. Numb. They tried to get me to expose my teacher so I could get out of jail early but... you know me. I don't break my promises. Promises are integral to my honesty. And if I can't be honest, then who am I?" Their voice was drier than normal. And eyes looked at Lemuria's legs. Not their face. Eye-contact was not hard with Lemuria, usually.

But there was shame riddled all over Blake's face.
(Blake Augustus)
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[21:29] Lemuria Augustus says, "...Blake."
[21:29] Lemuria Augustus says, "I have a question."
[21:29] Blake Augustus asks, "Huh?"
[21:30] Lemuria closed the distance between the two of them even more, leaning her head on the bars of the prison.

"What was occultism to you, Blake? What did it represent to you?"
(Lemuria Augustus)
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[21:31] Hendrick looked between Blake and the woman for a moment. Idly he pondered if this was the witch Blake had mentioned to Vasilios. The Sluthian exhaled a breath of smoke, the scent of earthen tones from his tobacco wafting in the air.
(Hendrick Mordstein)
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[21:35] Amalia Priscea asks, "Where're we going?"
[21:35] Lumori slipped a burger in-between the bars on a plate.
(Lumori)
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[21:36] Lumori says, "I'm just doing things."
[21:36] Lumori says, "Savor it, that was a borger Robin gave me."
[21:36] Vasilios Quinn asks, "...Am I assuming there's a file in this burger?"
[21:36] Lumori says, "No but there IS the sensation of being deliciously full in that borger."
[21:36] What was it? That was a difficult question to ask for someone who was difficult at expressing themselves in conventional ways. But perhaps with some thought, they could've worded it all. "It was my pain. It was taking what hurt me, and fighting back. It was my strength to fight back. To change the status quo. It was tied to so many emotions. My love, my anger. And all of my sorrow." A pause, as they aimed to touch forwards with Lemuria. A sign that being behind bars, without any form of physical comfort was eating away at them.

"But now tat's gone. Even when I tried to cast spells all the did was back fire. Cut my hands like papercuts. Made me bruise myself. I can't even feel anything, without a shock of pain going through my body." A pause again, as they licked their lips.

"I'm sorry I never told you I was an Ocucltist, big sis. I didn't... I didn't want you to be put at risk, if I was ever caught. You cared about a stupid orphan like me. Took me in as your family when I was nothing more than an orphan covered in rags and dirt. I couldn't risk you going down with me."
(Blake Augustus)
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[21:37] Vasilios Quinn says, "Maybe."
[21:37] Alita Tym says, "Hey, I've seen you before."
[21:37] Vasilios Quinn asks, "Have I seen you?"
[21:37] Alita Tym says, "Probably not, you sleep alot."
[21:37] Lumori says, "Hrmm...."
[21:37] Lumori says, "Nah, nothing else for me to do here."
[21:37] Alita Tym asks, "How'd they catch ya?"
[21:37] Amalia Priscea exclaims, "Okay!"
[21:37] Amalia Priscea says, "I don't even know where we are."
[21:37] Lemuria Augustus says, "Mmmmm..."
[21:37] Lumori says, "Well we're in the prison."
[21:37] Amalia Priscea says, "Oh."
[21:37] Lumori says, "I'm part of the City Guard so i was doing my job."
[21:38] Vasilios Quinn says, "I wasn't paying attention."
[21:38] Alita Tym says, "They aint hurt ya too bad did they? I can go get ya a lax essense or something."
[21:38] Lemuria Augustus says, "Occultism is not what you think it is."
[21:39] Lemuria Augustus asks, "Tell me, do you associate it with freedom, too?"
[21:40] Blake Augustus says, "If Occultism was free, using it wouldn't put someone at risk of being jailed or death."
[21:40] Vasilios Quinn says, "I am injured."
[21:40] Lemuria Augustus says, "...exactly."
[21:40] Vasilios Quinn says, "I'd also -love- some Soothe reed. "
[21:41] Alita Tym says, "To what degree are you injured? I can look for one of them soothe reed thingys people smoke to feel better for a bit."
[21:41] Blake Augustus says, "I guess I made stupid mistakes like any teenager. Only mine likely cost me my magic for the rest of m life. I doubt I'll be able to cast once I'm out of here."
[21:44] Vasilios Quinn asks, "You know those healing potions?"
[21:44] Vasilios Quinn says, "Go grab me one o' those."
[21:44] Alita Tym exclaims, "Alright!"
[21:45] Lemuria backed off a bit and started pacing back and forth, requiring movements such as that in order to properly organize her thoughts.

"People think the occult represents many things. Vengeance against a corrupt society. Going against the grain and forging your own path. Freedom. But... that is incorrect."

典hat is what most people do not understand of the occult, for they are too busy riding the highs that accompany those who immerse themselves in the profane to see the truth.�

Her gaze once more met Blake's own, as Lemuria revealed her own truth to them; her own definition of the occult. What it represented to her.

"Occultism is about slavery. It always has been, and always will be."

She paused, waiting for a response before elaborating.
(Lemuria Augustus)
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[21:46] Vasilios Quinn asks, "I mean, do you care?"
[21:47] Blake Augustus says, "Huh."
[21:47] Blake Augustus asks, "Want to elaborate on that?"
[21:51] Alita has returned and sticks her hands through the bars, tossing a vial to the guy she saw at the war, aaaand then she also tosses him a carefully wrapped reed bowl.
(Alita Tym)
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[21:54] Vasilios Quinn says, "Amazing."
[21:54] Vasilios Quinn says, "You're a good person."
[21:54] Alita Tym says, "I try."
[21:58] Lemuria pointed both of her fingers towards Blake, as she began conjuring a powerful illusory spell within her fingertips. Perhaps it was one too powerful for her level of mastery over the art, but there was a reason it was so powerful; a reason that only her and Blake would know.

"It depends, Blake."

The world around Blake began to twist and turn, and their senses began to dull. However, even a non-magi could resist a spell like this should they simply put up even the smallest mental resistance.

"If you want me to show you firsthand, then let me."

But should Blake not put up any kind of resistance, they'd enter a strange, surreal trance. A forced meditation, of a sort.
(Lemuria Augustus)
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[22:00] Alita Tym says, "Anyway, I'm going to go looking for people, have a good day... awkward to say that to someone in prison but the sentiment exists."
[22:04] Mordstein was just sitting there, doing his job of guarding the prisoners. Occasionally the wafting of tobacco escaped from the man as he did so. He'd already started to get suspicious of half the people coming to speak to either Vasilios or Blake.

Mostly due to his having been sitting there as Blake revealed a great deal of who she was and what she'd done. It was an interesting story, taken in by a witch to be trained in the powers of the Occult. Vasilios and his reticent with interacting with the girl. Building an association, it meant there had to be a mutual background somewhere between them.

It was two threads of note happening to either side. Idly he pondered about the talk of Occultism happening to his right. It was an interesting dialogue between an Occultist in actuality, speaking of there use of hatred and spite over the world around them to break themselves free of it.

Then there was the Woman who'd came to speak to them. He'd already a nagging suspicion they'd been a Witch. Considering the overhead conversation and the fact this had been Blake's only visitor. Yet, for now he'd just listen to the conversation. Occulitism and slavery, a reasonable allegory. From what he knew of the dark magic at-least.

Then there was Vasilios, being passed contraband through the bars. That was something he'd been tempted to intervene with. Then he glanced back at the Rhoynur. At the man who'd been tossed in there more for there race than anything. Of course he knew enough of the man to know he doubtfully was less than innocent. Yet, the captains actions had spoken volumes.

He gazed at them and there reed bowl calmly for a few moments. With a grunt the big Sluthian simply returned his attention to his now empty pipe. Taking it out of his mouth he'd tap the lip into his hand. Letting the asshes fall away and onto the floor. From a pouch he pulled out some more tobacco. Packing itdown into there pipe.

A glance was given back to the right as he felt the twinge of mana, the words being spoken. Illusions perhaps? Well, he was being paid to kill the condemned not keep them safe from guests.

From another pocket came a match-book, from it a match. Mordstein struck it against the wall. Bringing that glowing flame to alite that mahogany pipe. Easily setting it beck between jagged teeth. Inhaling a deep breath before exhaling earthen smelling smoke.
(Hendrick Mordstein)
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[22:07] * You have been awarded 6 Roleplay Points! *
[22:08] If there was one person that Blake trusted to put them under some sort of spell while they were so vulnerable, it was Lemuria. Their big sister to whom the owed everything to. The teen only looked at their older sibling. One who they felt they owed everythin to. And simply nodded. They were used to Lemuria using illusions as a way of story telling. And so they'd simply allow it to happen.

Their eyes lulled back, eventually closing. As if being forced to take some sort of nap. Lucid enough to hear. But not conscious enough to really do much.
(Blake Augustus)
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[22:16] Alita Tym says, "Oh"
[22:28] Ashes to ashes.
Dust to dust.
Illusions to illusions.

...And dreams to dreams.

When Lemuria spoke, everyone could hear, but only Blake could see the visions that Lemuria was projecting into his mind.

"The word occult means 'hidden', at its core. Hidden knowledge, hidden magic, hidden ideas. These things are hidden for reasons, both good and bad-"

A flash of the witch trials of years past flashed through Blake's head, Lemuria's own perception of them every bit as violent as one might think. But what also flashed through their head was visions of terrible misfortune befalling the land; plagued lands, trees withering, animals dying, the weather rebelling against the world itself.

This is the kind of misfortune that witches could curse the world with.

"And to be hidden is to be enslaved to the shadows that the light refuses to cast itself upon."

"This is why occultism is slavery, Blake. Whether you are a slave to your desires..."

A flash to some of the rituals that took place in Moonfall, including that horrid scene where Solon died alone, afraid, and in despair, having his heart torn out by a witch. He was sacrificed to summon a dark spirit that allowed the witches to, in all their decadence, bathe in the blood of the otherwise innocent citizens of Moonfall.

"...to those you sold yourself to for power..."

A flash of the infamous black pentagram, signifying when someone sold their soul to the dark lord of Helheim.

"...or merely those you expected to not cast a light of their own..."

A flash to Dillion and Dragmire, the two people who Blake informed of their role. This was a symbolic representation of anyone that an occultist told about their nature.

"...does not matter. For the moment you become an occultist, you are subservient to them. And the moment you cease to serve them, they will turn on you. And it is not because they are evil, traitorous, or anything of the like."

Images flashed back to back, from Lemuria walking in on her mother hanging herself, to a witch being set aflame by the fires of Helheim for daring to go against the whims of the dark lord, to the most recent happening of Dillion revealing the truth about Blake to everyone.

"It is because it would be foolish not to do so, for someone who so defies the natural order as to become an occultist is already a traitor to all those who adhere to it."

"Do you understand, Blake?"
(Lemuria Augustus)
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[22:29] Dragmire Ruinfall says, "Holy fucking wall."
[22:38] SPEAKING OF A LIGHT OF THEIR OWN!

The radiant desert titan waltzed into the prison, stopping directly in front of Blake's cell, giving a healthy smile towards the two sisters, one of which was not behind bars yet still! Good.

"Honestly! I haven't the slightest clue as to how this whole 'occult' thing works, but when it comes to magic and sorcery, I'm rather a heathen, aren't I? Bahaha!" He would flex his rippling muscles, his enormous presence of mana rolling off his figure. Well, if there was one thing about his energy magic - It was pure, in that it was his own.

And with that, the King would present several rolls of sushi, slipping them through the bars to his imprisoned lover. "Eat! I will not have you wasting away in here, my dear. For even if you were the evilest woman in the land, I would still commend your passions!"

Dragmire certainly could be over the top sometimes, but perhaps that was one of his more redeeming qualities.
(Dragmire Ruinfall)
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[22:41] Visions were always such a strange thing to observe. As Lemuria put Blake under for this particular vision, the things that they saw were well... That of nightmares. And yet at the same time Blake felt somewhat neutral to it all. People lived. People died. And while they lived, there was suffering. Certainly someone could reduce the amount of suffering they had. But... there was always pain.

The young once-occultist heeded the vision however. And the words. How someone should never know who an occultist is. How someone should always keep this secret. Slavery in the shadows. To the Dark Lord. To others who knew of your secret was what it meant to be an occultist. And yet. "Freedom is a lie though. Even the Knights aren't free." Bound by their laws. Their morals. The doing the 'right' thing.

Even the Lord of Helheim punished those who wentagainst him. There was never a thing such as freedom in this world. "I wonder if occultists really do believe this kind of slavery is worth the power they get. If the authority that comes with being a Knight, is worth being slaves to morals and social orders they don't agree with."

The Knights and Witches. Weren't they just two sides of the same coin?
(Blake Augustus)
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[22:46] Lemuria Augustus says, "Mmmmm..."
[22:47] Lemuria Augustus says, "That is a question that only people who subscribe to those ideologies can answer."
[22:49] The Executioner listened to the tale of Occultism as told. It was interesting at-least, a perspective upon it that he'd never had himself. Though of course he wasn't intending to get involved in the conversation. Idly he'd shift that pipe in his mouth to the side.

It was going to be a long shift that much was certain. Though Vasilios had been reticent in conversation. So this rush was something new at-least. Slavery, to most it was such a disgusting word. Such a sin, yet to him it was all so natural. Within the mountains of Sluthia humanity had given there freedom to the dragons long ago. Given up themselves for safety, for wisdom, for purpose.

As was the way of Humanity.

His silent introspection as cut short by the impressive looking southron. No doubt from the deserts that curved the southern tip of Osrona's peninsula. The scent of smoke filled the air for a moment as he looked upon them. Idly observing the offering of food. No doubt the city saved a fortune if there prisoners were feed by random citizens.

"This prisons popular, though perhaps I should be writing down the names of guests."
(Hendrick Mordstein)
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[22:51] Lemuria Augustus says, "There are those who find freedom in slavery because it gives their life a purpose."
[22:52] Lemuria Augustus says, "Simply having a purpose in life is a form of slavery."
[22:52] Dragmire Ruinfall exclaims, "Truly, I miss Shavetia, for the sheer freedom it provided me. For never was their a freer people in this land!"
[22:52] Dragmire Ruinfall exclaims, "As for my name, sir, if you wish to write it - It is Dragmire Ruinfall! REMEMBER IT WELL!"
[22:53] Lemuria Augustus says, "And I am Outta H. Ere."
[22:54] Lemuria Augustus says, "Good luck, Blake."
[22:54] Lemuria Augustus says, "I will come visit more."
[22:54] Hendrick Mordstein says, "Don't worry, a sketch was good enough ma'am and Dragmire Ruinfall, noted."
[22:55] Hendrick chuckled as he shook his head. Speaking openly of Occultism but being dodgy about a name.
(Hendrick Mordstein)
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[22:55] Lemuria Augustus says, "Wait. Let me see the sketch. I need to make sure it is flattering."
[22:57] Dragmire Ruinfall says, "Ah! Lemuria! A moment..."
[22:58] Dragmire Ruinfall says, "Did you make the preparations for the armor"
[22:58] Lemuria Augustus says, "Not yet. The past few days have been busy."
[22:59] Mordstein shifted the pipe in his mouth, chomping down on the worn mahogany with the ride side of his mouth. Offering the woman a smirk, steely hues shifting down to the black-book they'd kept on them.

He took a moment to show-case a page from the book to Lemuria. There was sketched a little display of Lemuria and Blake, contrasted by the bars. With some special attention given to the rather sizable flower upon Lemuria's chest. It was well done, no doubt the man had been trained in the arts at one point in his life.

"I hope it is flattering enough to meet your expectations Lemuria."
(Hendrick Mordstein)
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[22:59] Dragmire Ruinfall says, "Very well then. Please expediate it, as I feel there may be need of it soon."
[23:00] Amalia Priscea says, "Mhm...and...uh...yeah."
[23:00] Lumori says, "So..."
[23:00] Lumori says, "Earth, Nature, and Runes."
[23:00] Amalia Priscea whispers something.
[23:00] Lumori says, "Mmrm....."
[23:01] Lumori had a quiet feeling of disappointment.
(Lumori)
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[23:01] Lemuria squinted at the picture and shrugged, finding it acceptable.

"Augustus is my last name, for the record. And yes, I will have it done soon."

And with that, she was off!
(Lemuria Augustus)
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[23:01] Lumori whispers something.
[23:01] Lumori whispers something.
[23:02] Hendrick Mordstein says, "Wundaba, have a pleasant eve."