A new witch, and a new dilemma

[23:17] The trek to the tower would be entirely uneventful, as well as unfortunately long. However, they seemed to arrive before total nightfall. As much as she enjoyed walks in the wilderness, the night was far too creepy for her taste.

Upon arriving, she soon spotted an unfamiliar figure. Human, by the looks of it.

"I don't believe we've met yet, who are you?"

Inquisitive as ever, the witch would also quickly note the anti-magic collar around his neck. It wasn't unusual to have human slaves, at least by Atreylla's standards.

"And who do you belong to?"
(Serenity Vander)
[23:22] A new pair had ran up to the tower, a redhead... And some other teenager. He was growing... More able with the collar, but still. It was a drain to manifest flames for long. But still, he was half toying around with some flames of his own meanwhile.

They arrived, and his eyes trailed along as he turned to face them. He was almost reluctant to speak, if only for a simple reason. It had become harder lately. So he kept his words brief.

"Darrel." Sharp teeth evident behind his lips. Longer incisors now too, closer resembling fangs. "You?" He then asked. Before the second question came.

A look of annoyance, but he'd still answer. "Veles."
(Darrel Hull)
[23:26] Sath studied the collared individual carefully before pointing casually to himself.

"Sath." He stated plainly in a simple introduction.

So, apparently the enslavement of humans was more or less commonplace in Moonfall. The brown-haired man couldn't help but wonder if he had wandered into the wrong village, after all.
(Sath)
[23:32] Being both a doctor and alchemist, Serenity quickly noticed the peculiarities about the male. It wasn't any of her business, as she had her own research to attend to, but odd nonetheless.

"I am Serenity Vander, a witch of the Atreyllan coven. I am a doctor and alchemist who is aligned with the demons."

Serenity was quick not to note any demon in particular, as the current inner strife didn't interest her in the slightest. It was common for demons to squabble amongst each other, after all, fighting for supremacy.

Witches remained neutral in most cases, or else their coven wouldn't have survived so long.

"Regardless, I am pleased to have met you. Is there anything specific you've been charged with? I have seen you here from time to time, so I must admit I'm curious."
(Serenity Vander)
[23:39] If they were looking, then they'd also likely notice claws on his hands as well. The teenager, did he look almost nervous? Maybe. Darrel would have been too on a visit here.

Before he'd gotten stuck here that is. Doctor was some of what drew his attention, but so was... Witch. He tapped his collar lightly with one of the claws as he rose more to a stand.

"Asides tha basic garbage..." He still was trying to speak carefully, tenderly. As if trying to avoid biting his tongue. "Wan'ss me learnnin' the occult... If I'm ta get m'flames back in order again. It's... Been tricky." Part of him did feel a pull for it. But the other part... "Only able ta call up flames."
(Darrel Hull)
[23:43] Sath frowned slightly, honestly too naïve to the ways of witchcraft and demons in general to have a good understanding of what either Darrel or Serenity were talking about.

"...We've been mentioning flames a lot, lately." He commented idly as he gave the woman a casual side-glance.
(Sath)
[23:49] Serenity knew quite well the difficulty surrounding learning the occult, as well as witchcraft. She had been a mere apprentice at one time, though that was years ago.

"I'm confident you'll find what's required. I imagine you may even have the opportunity to thrive here, many humans have done so in the past. Most demons respect strength above all else, so if I were to give you any sort of advice it'd be not to appear weak. Or well, don't show your weakness."

All things he likely already knew, though she couldn't help but wonder what his life must have been like up until this point. It would probably have been a traumatic experience, even if he was treated fairly.

"Regardless, I will be around should you ever require anything. I am a practitioner of the occult, though I don't exactly fancy myself a teacher. Should you display enough aptitude and talent, perhaps even the secrets of the craft will one day be presented to you."

Serving the dark lord wasn't easy either, but an option to some all the same.

"I don't intend to take up much more of your time. I came to show Sath here the tower."
(Serenity Vander)
[23:58] As Sath spoke up, Darrel looked over to them, seeming to try to better look them over now. And his comment on flames. "It's m' natural magic. Wha' hass always come ta me." What he truly enjoyed...

And then, back to Serenity as she spoke. On strength... "Tha's why Veles wanted me fer her project." That demon had been a strong fight. "Strength." Pretty simple and outright with how he spoke. It made the most sense to him.

The lesson on strength he knew very well, from watching how the demons interacted with each other. They didn't respect much else. Asides some sense of honor.

ALthough, on mentionning advice, he'd nod. "D'you got an idea then? Always fed m'frustration an' all inta m'flames. So thinkin' on tha' sstuff..." The fireball he was toying with grew slightly. He wanted his flames properly back and was willing to take the risks to get there. To see a beautiful blaze again but the collar was irritatingly limitting.

"Difficult ta make anythin' elsse wit' those thoughts."
(Darrel Hull)
[00:03] Sath took a step back as Darrel continued to evoke fire from his hand.

"Well, I can't give much advice on magic, personally. Still trying to figure out if I'm qualified to even learn it...via impending illness." The young man explained, before turning his head to Serenity, deciding she was probably the one Darrel had been directing his questions to in the first place.

"It is a...uh, very impressive tower though, Ms. Vander. Really has that foreboding, ominous doom aesthetic going for it."
(Sath)
[00:11] "While holy magic is often spurred by a strong urge to protect, occultism is quite the opposite. Destruction, as well as a way to empower yourself. Utilizing those negative emotions and channeling them into mana."

Magical theory wasn't Serenity's strong suit, though it was a necessity in witchcraft. When it came to casting, however, everyone had their own way of doing things.

"Occultism is entirely self-serving and damaging to life around us. Coming to terms with that fact and giving up all idea of grandeur or heroism is one of the first steps, I suppose."

His own fire magic was similar, at least on a philosophical level. Destruction, though it wasn't inherently evil.

"Many tend to lose their minds in the pursuit of darkness, it is something which bothers all practitioners. Corruption and outbursts, even I have difficulty at times."

"Continue to practice, continue to channel your negative feelings and emotions into your magic. With guidance from Veles, I imagine it will come eventually."

Upon hearing Sath's words, Serenity turned and offered him a nod of her head.

"We typically don't allow outsiders, especially humans, to come inside or in close proximity. You are in service to me, however, but you must show respect to those above you."

Getting lippy with the demons would be a negative experience for all involved.
(Serenity Vander)

[00:17] Perhaps this time it was more clearly defined for him, but that didn't help. Although... Maybe he'd just have to figure out a way to block out the flames entirely.

"Tha trouble is. I already put tha' inta m'flames. It'ss a good fuel." Each time he failed, or screwed up. He'd just feed the flames. Most of his negative emotions he fed into the flames.

"Ought jus' do it somewhere I can' even bring 'em up..." Maybe in water... Normally he could but... He wasn't sure about currently. Although, as he heard about losing their minds. That much he was aware of, corruption and outbursts. Mildly nodding along.

"She 'ad me learnnin' from Lemuria while she were here." Not necessarily learnning from Veles. He didn't quite take any of the demons here to be the sort to teach. Especially with how they viewed humans.
(Darrel Hull)

[00:25] Sath placed a hand on his chin as he thought for a moment.

"Well, from a metaphorical standpoint, a flame can tended to with more than just kindling. Billows and air are often used to fan fires and make them even larger." He suggested with a half shrug of his shoulders.

"Maybe aside from using negative emotions as fuel for the flames, you can also use other emotional factors to blow upon it and make it grow. Things like ambition, goals, and dreams. How will you use that fire magic when you finally push it past its limits, and will you be able to utilize it well enough to achieve the things you truly want?"

The brown-haired man glanced towards Serenity as if searching for her approval.

"At least it seems like as good a method as any for honing one's focus."
(Sath)

[00:33] "I am familiar with Lemuria, though I never got the chance to sit and speak with her. If Veles isn't teaching you personally, then I am more than welcome to help you where you need it."

Serenity imagined it could be difficult to differentiate from the two types of magic, though it wasn't impossible. With time and practice, as well as a firm hand to guide.

She knew quite well how demons were with those whom they claimed control of, so it would be best to speak with Veles prior to such.

"I'll speak with Veles later and see what can be done in that regard. In the meantime, I wish you luck."

Serenity's gaze shifted back to Sath, tilting her head curiously. He wasn't wrong, though it wasn't the way she utilized her magic.

"That could work. Desires, hopes, dreams, ambition, it can all fuel your magical potential."
(Serenity Vander)
[00:38] That could also serve. Learn to feed his flames something else. It still would be tricky. Having been something he'd done since he was much younger. On mention of ambition, he nodded then... "Tha's tha thing fire iss best wit'." He mentionned.

"An' fire's always been m'strongest one." Although now, his ambition was reclaimming it. But he still would smile faintly. Offer at least a bit of gratitude, despite disliking his current situation.

"Thankss, fer tha ideas."
(Darrel Hull)
[00:42] Sath nodded as he idly rubbed the back of his head.

"Anytime." He murmured simply before glancing over his shoulder at the commotion that seemed to be going on behind them.

"...I suppose we probably won't actually be entering the tower itself, Ms. Vander?" He asked curiously.
(Sath)
[00:47] Serenity had a look of annoyance upon her countenance, facing Darrel whilst overhearing the commotion. However, it soon shifted into that of a soft smile as she turned on her heel.

"I wish you nothing but the best, Darrel."

Serenity's gaze shifted to Sath for a moment, before turning her attention to Sibylle. It had been a while, after all, though Serenity had admittedly become that of a recluse.

Isolated within her workshop, tending to the injured demons when they required it. A better way to live than deal with the politics of the demon tower.

"I'm happy to see you well and thriving, sister. Anything exciting happening here?"
(Serenity Vander)