Mist Spire III

[AmberVael]

Tucked away in the corner of the astral plane there is demiplane. This demiplane is Aesa's planar realm.
Though small, it contains a variety of terrain. There is a small wood, a lake covered with mist, foothills and the small mountain on which her tower has been built. A path leads up the mountain to Aesa's tower.
The realm is obviously real, but something about it seems insubstantial and not quite there. The feeling that you will simply wake up from a dream, or that you will pass through the ground, is easily ignored or forgotten, but never overcome. Its quite a pervasive and insistant sensation.
Storms and lightning continually flicker in the background, and a thin mist coils about the surface of the entire plane, adding to its surreal quality. The plane maintains a constant, cool breeze and slightly chilly temperature.
Anyone venturing here who has earned Aesa's ire or comes in an unwelcome fashion may find that the lightning is not just in the background, and that the mist is more than just a whispy thing around their feet.
Furthermore, the shadowy, illusory nature of the plane means that Aesa can simply make it not exist... for selected people. It also allows her easy change over what the plane is like.
The tower itself is fairly small, but not crampt.

Aesa has now opened up her plane for mercenary buisness. Aesa takes any jobs that she feels inclined to take, ranging from tracking to assassination.

There is a portal that connects the first floor of Aesa's tower to the streets, and there is a sign next to it that reads:
MIST SPIRE-
Home of Aesa, Diviner, Assassin and Mercenary for hire.
Inquire inside.

BASEMENT: This area is connected to a small network of catacombs that lead to numerous places of interest. A few of these are Aesa's summoning chamber, her vault where Zchiz is now kept, and a training room.

FLOOR 1: The first floor contains a desk, a large number of chairs around a table, a fireplace, and is in general a 'welcome' area.

FLOOR 2: The second floor is a small but comprehensive library.

FLOOR 3: This floor is reserved fro the private quarters. As of the moment, there are five bedrooms, a kitchen, and a small living area.

FLOOR 4: The literal top of the tower. You are outside on this floor, and can see the entire plane. Apparently it is a good vantage point for throwing lightning bolts at things.

There is also a connected but somehow separate portion of the plane that is an eternally lit field of white, blue, and yellow flowers. This part of the plane is normally inaccesable.

[Kyrian]

Aesa puts her hands on her hips and watches him, smirking.
This is a normal situation for me. Standing over the fallen.
((New Thread (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?p=2219818#post2219818)))


Good look for you.

[AmberVael]

Aesa chuckles and gets on her knees next to him.
Honestly it is boring to win so easily. I wish I had a challenge.
She leans over him and smiles.

[Kyrian]

Rafael smiles as he grabs at her and tries to roll her over him, flipping their positions.

[AmberVael]

Aesa resists surprisingly well, but her awkward position betrays her and she gets flipped.
She raises an eyebrow at him, and a small smirk appears on her face.

[Kyrian]

Rafael grins as he stands and looks down on her. Standing over the fallen, eh? Seems to have a type of power to it...

[AmberVael]

Aesa chuckles and mutters something under her breath.

[Kyrian]

Rafael kneels back down to bite at her shoulders, closer to her neck. Sorry, what was that?

[AmberVael]

A heavy (but nonlethal) blow of force strikes at him, trying to knock him the rest of the way to the ground.
Aesa smiles innoncently.
Nothing.

[Kyrian]

Rafael raises an eyebrow and gives a mocking glare as he finds himself on his back on the floor again.

[AmberVael]

Aesa chuckles and rolls onto her side, tilting her head a little as she watches him.

[Kyrian]

Rafael spins around and turns, so his head is down by her legs. He grins and bites playfully at her leg.

[AmberVael]

Aesa raises an eyebrow at him. She looks more amused than anything else.

[Kyrian]

He starts trailing the bites up her leg.

[AmberVael]

Aesa snickers a little.
Does it taste good enough for you? Maybe it needs a little salt?

[Kyrian]

Rafael looks up at her and grins, moving all the way up to her neck where he nips lightly.

[AmberVael]

Aesa tosses her head a little, moving her hair away from her neck and exposing it a little more.

[Kyrian]

Rafael bites her neck, and drinks a small amount of her blood.

[AmberVael]

Aesa watches him with her yellow eyes.
Is it just a habit to drink so little?

[Kyrian]

Rafael gives a small grin as he drinks even more.

[AmberVael]

Aesa smiles at the sensation, letting her blood slowly replenish itself. She runs a hand down his back and traces a circle on the middle of it. Her wings slowly move to lay on her back.

[Kyrian]

Rafael continues to drink her blood, his hands roaming across her shoulders lightly.

[AmberVael]

Aesa closes her eyes and lets her arm drape comfortably over him.
These blankets were a good idea.

[Kyrian]

Rafael finishes drinking her blood and kisses her as the curtain falls around them.

[Rebonack]

Maph'tey steps back into the tower, looking rather haggard. Not exhausted physically, but rather mentally. He's worried about a friend, a friend who is even now a prisoner in her own mind. He honestly wishes he could do more to help, but telepathy had just always been difficult for him. Hopefully someone could get that bastard sword... or was it a great sword? Out of here head.

He dismisses his Shapechange and slinks back through the wall into his room, curling up in a tight ball in the middle of the floor and falling asleep.

[AmberVael]

Aesa starts and wakes, then conjures a small scrying in her hand as she sits up. There is focus and an extremely serious expression on her face.
Within her scrying, stars are streaming from the sky like bright arrows.

[Kyrian]

Rafael opens his eyes. Aesa?

[AmberVael]

Aesa doesn't answer, but keeps watching her scrying. Her yellow eyes narrow at the star fall and her wings twitch behind her.

[Kyrian]

Rafael sits up and watches.

[AmberVael]

Aesa "moves" the scrying to look at the ground below, and there appears to be some sort of riot going on. Torches are everywhere, lighting up a darkened city.
She closes her eyes and places one hand over the scrying, and it goes dark. She frowns, and then the scrying shifts to show a massive, ravening wolf, its jaws bloody.
Aesa clenches her hand over the scrying and it goes out.

[Kyrian]

What's wrong?

[AmberVael]

The strange expression fades from her face, and she turns and smiles at him.
Nothing you need to worry about.

[Kyrian]

Rafael nods, and touches her cheek. If you're sure...

[AmberVael]

Aesa laughs strangely, exultant and almost nervously.
I'm quite sure. The only one who has to worry is me.

[Kyrian]

Well, I'd gladly help you in any way I can. He lightly kisses her before reaching for his pants.

[AmberVael]

No. This is the fate I have chosen for myself. It is yet undecided, but in life or death, infamy or glory, this fate is mine.
Aesa stands and is suddenly dressed in her normal robes.
Now, what do you want to do today?

[Kyrian]

Rafael dresses as he thinks. What is there in the Town to do for fun? He grins.

[AmberVael]

Tormenting people in the Tavern? Exploring? Looking through my vaults? Sparring?
Aesa picks up her magic rod.

[Kyrian]

Tormenting people sounds like fun. Rafael continues to grin, and the targeting patterns in his eyes spin.

[AmberVael]

Aesa chuckles and teleports them to Trog's.

[Rebonack]

Maph'tey, still in his feral shape, is busily putting the last touches on his wards. Upon its completion the room he's currently in is suddenly filled from floor to ceiling with creamed corn.

There's also a shark swimming around in there somewhere.

Despite this, the spell holds fast.

With a grin the Traveler rends open a gate in the floor, allowing himself (and the corn) to come pouring into Town.

[AmberVael]

Rafael and Aesa appear in her room.

[Kyrian]

Rafael gives her a small smile, then looks to the floor. Sorry about the wing...you just "wake me" sometimes as you're working...

[AmberVael]

Aesa chuckles.
I just needed to concentrate, not start getting distracted by you.
She lays on the floor and stretches out her wings comfortably.

[Kyrian]

Rafael lays on his side next to her, and kisses her. So, how about that surprise I owe you?

[AmberVael]

Its what I'm waiting for. Should be more enjoyable than the rest of this day was.
Aesa smiles at him.

[Kyrian]

Rafael grins and leans over her, starting to massage her shoulders.

[AmberVael]

Aesa smiles lazily.
So how often do you do this sort of thing?

[Kyrian]

Give massages? I really only give them to the truly deserving...

[AmberVael]

Aesa chuckles.
Yeah, right.

[Kyrian]

Don't believe me? Rafael smiles.

[AmberVael]

If its true its because you either have low standards or always get the women you want... which, with these massages, I'm pretty sure I could understand why you would.
Aesa makes a small humming sound.

[Kyrian]

Rafael gives a laugh. Ok, you got me. I used to actually get paid to give massages, but got bored quick. For you on the other hand... He moves his hands down to her back, continuing the massage.

[AmberVael]

Aesa's humming grows louder, and her wings seem almost limp.

[Kyrian]

I enjoy massaging you though. Rafael works his way down to her legs.

[AmberVael]

Glad you do.
Aesa's eyes are half closed, and her voice is very relaxed.

[Kyrian]

He finishes with her legs and goes back up to her shoulders and back, though he only uses one hand this time. With the other, he gently strokes her wings.

[AmberVael]

Aesa gives a shiver and her wings lift a bit off the ground.

[Kyrian]

Rafael gives a small laugh. You keep this up... He gently strokes her wings again.

[AmberVael]

Aesa shivers again and pulls her wings to her back, then rolls over to look at him, smiling lazily.

[Kyrian]

Don't know if you've heard this one before, but I'm glad to have had the honor of getting to know you. Rafael smiles back and lightly kisses her.

[AmberVael]

You sure are an unusual person, Rafael.
Aesa shakes her head at him, still smiling.

[Kyrian]

So I've been told. Rafael reaches out and lays a hand on Aesa's cheek.

[AmberVael]

Mmmm.
Aesa puts her arms around him and closes her eyes.

[Kyrian]

Whatcha thinking, Aesa?

[AmberVael]

I'm not. Its nice.
She scoots close to him kisses him softly.

[Kyrian]

Rafael smiles and wraps his arm around her. Glad to have helped in my own way.

[AmberVael]

Aesa seems to be slowly falling asleep.

[Kyrian]

Goodnight Aesa...sleep well. Rafael gently kisses her forehead.

[AmberVael]

A gentle smile crosses Aesa's face before she falls completely asleep.

[Kyrian]

After she falls asleep, Rafael sits there, holding her, though he looks up at the tapestry showing both sides of her, still curious.

[AmberVael]

The tapestry remains as it is- the left side of her in hell, wearing her red robes and holding her fearsome rod in her hand, conjuring fire; the right side of her in the field of flowers, wearing white robes and holding a single, large blossom in her hand. There is a small bracelet on that arm as well, with a single blue gem dangling from it.

[Kyrian]

Rafael smiles down at the sleeping Aesa, and continues to hold her, even after sleep takes him.

[AmberVael]

Aesa wakes up and twitches her wings a little, but doesn't move from where she is. With a smile she stays relaxed and places one wing over Rafael.

[Kyrian]

Rafael slow opens his eyes and smiles down at Aesa.

[AmberVael]

Good morning.
Aesa gently trails the fingers of her left hand down his face, the small sapphire on her silver bracelet barely missing him.

[Kyrian]

Morning. Rafael closes his eyes and enjoys her touch.

[AmberVael]

Aesa smiles and softly kisses him, then leans back and props her head on one hand.
So what is in store for us today?

[Kyrian]

Good question... Rafael thinks.

[AmberVael]

Aesa watches him, not giving any help.

[Kyrian]

I want to torture someone. Have some fun with them. Rafael's eyes gleam and he kisses her.

[AmberVael]

Literally?
Aesa seems somewhat interested.

[Kyrian]

Literally, emotionally...doesn't matter to me, as long as there's some fun to it.

[AmberVael]

Hmmm...
Aesa toys with the idea, then suddenly flinches and curls her wings around herself.

[Kyrian]

Aesa, you ok?

[AmberVael]

Lets do something else today.
Aesa doesn't look at him.

[Kyrian]

Rafael gently touches her cheek, and tries to gently tilt her head so she's looking at him, but won't if she doesn't want to. Ok.

[AmberVael]

Aesa's lets him move her head, but casts her eyes down. She tightens her arms around him.

[Kyrian]

Please talk to me...what's wrong?

[AmberVael]

Aesa opens her mouth to answer, but she honestly doesn't quite understand herself. She could give part of a reason... but that reason had bever stopped her before. She frowns, then speaks in a soft voice.
Just old memories.

[Kyrian]

Rafael kisses her, trying to comfort.

[AmberVael]

Aesa kisses him back, trying to take her mind off of it.

[Kyrian]

Rafael holds her, as his player needs to leave.

[AmberVael]

Aesa sighs and tries to think of something else to do.

[Kyrian]

Rafael gently strokes her wings as she thinks.

[AmberVael]

Aesa looks a bit distracted and gives up, snuggling against him instead.
Hm. You're making me lazy.

[Kyrian]

Yet you haven't once complained... Rafael smiles and wraps his arms around her.

[AmberVael]

Normally being lazy isn't as enjoyable as doing something.
Aesa runs a hand along his arm.

[Kyrian]

I think I should be honored then. Rafael shivers slightly, but enjoys her touch.

[AmberVael]

Mm hm.
Aesa turns her head and gets his earlobe in between her teeth.

[Kyrian]

Rafael chuckles. Can I help you?

[AmberVael]

Maybe...
Aesa nibbles a little on the captured ear.

[Kyrian]

Rafael smiles. What is it about you... He reaches out and caresses her shoulder.

[AmberVael]

Aesa smiles and rubs her cheek against his.

[Kyrian]

Hey now...you know all the right buttons to push... Rafael bites playfully at her shoulders.

[AmberVael]

Aesa grins at him.
I may have had a little practice.

[Kyrian]

Mm hm... He continues to playfully bite up her shoulder, towards her neck.

[AmberVael]

Aesa leans her head to the side so she can watch him. A bit of her hair lays on her neck.

[Kyrian]

Rafael reaches out and moves the bit of hair with his hand, gently runs his hand through her hair, and bites lightly at her neck.

[AmberVael]

Aesa leans her head back towards his hand, also pushing her neck closer to him and into his bite.

[Kyrian]

Rafael continues to play with her hair, and bites into her neck, drinking her blood.

[AmberVael]

Aesa puts a hand on the back of his neck and closes her eyes.

[Kyrian]

As Rafael continues to drink her blood, he lightly slides his tongue across her neck.

[AmberVael]

Aesa shivers and wraps a wing tighter around him.

[Kyrian]

Rafael continues to drink her blood, as his hands begin to wander her body.

[AmberVael]

Aesa smiles and runs a hand down his back, her free wing twitching.

[Kyrian]

Rafael finally releases her neck, and smiles at her as he licks his teeth clean.

[AmberVael]

Aesa kisses him eagerly, ignoring the slight amount of blood beading up from the holes in her neck.

[Kyrian]

Rafael returns the kiss, and strokes both her wings.

[AmberVael]

Aesa moves to lay on top of him and pulls down the curtain.

[Kyrian]

Rafael tosses the curtain aside and smiles. Well now...

[AmberVael]

Aesa smiles back, quite content and smug.

[Kyrian]

Rafael kisses her. You're so damn amazing.

[AmberVael]

I know.
Aesa grins widely.

[Kyrian]

Think we should actually get up now?

[AmberVael]

Well, I am already down at Trog's with an illusion. We can go to it, if you want.

[Kyrian]

That's fine with me. Anyone interesting there?

[AmberVael]

That man who I was trying to get a job from is there.
He is still being stubborn, too.

[Kyrian]

Rafael slowly pulls himself away to find his clothes. Still? Jeez, what's his problem?

[AmberVael]

He's rather wary of me, apparently. Thinks he can tell everything about me just by looking at me.
Dolt. I don't think he understands at all.
Oh, and Leonel is there.
Aesa is suddenly dressed.

[Kyrian]

Forget Leonel, I'd rather be there with you. Rafael winks as he finishes dressing.

[AmberVael]

Just saying.
Aesa stands and holds a hand out to him.

[Kyrian]

Rafael takes her hand with a grin and kisses it.

[AmberVael]

Aesa grins and teleports them to Trog's.

[AmberVael]

Aesa appears with Rafael in her room.

[Kyrian]

He eagerly kisses her. I think it's your blood that helps...

[AmberVael]

I wouldn't doubt it.
Aesa kisses him back and runs her hands up under his shirt.

[Kyrian]

Gently taking her wrists, Rafael uses her hands to help remove his shirt. He tilts his head and bites at her neck, wanting to drink more of her blood.

[AmberVael]

Aesa moves her neck into his bite, closing her eyes as his canine teeth sink in.

[Kyrian]

Carefully, Rafael leads her over to a wall, and backs her against it, drinking from her blood as his hands move to caress her body.

[AmberVael]

Aesa spreads her wings to keep them from getting pinned to the wall, then lightly begins running her fingertips over his back.

[Kyrian]

Rafael shivers under her touch, and finally releases her neck after a couple more good drinks. He licks his teeth clean then kisses her deeply.

[AmberVael]

Aesa kisses him back, shifting her weight as she twines one of her legs around his.

[Kyrian]

Rafael grins as he begins to work on her clothing and the curtain falls around them.

[AmberVael]

Aesa wakes up and briefly contemplates how she wants to spend the day while idly drawing her fingers through Rafael's hair.

[Kyrian]

Rafael smiles as he slowly opens his eyes.

[AmberVael]

Good afternoon.
Aesa smiles, idly scribing out a scrying circle with her free hand.

[Kyrian]

There's a sight I enjoy waking to. Rafael grins.

[AmberVael]

Aesa kisses him on the cheek as she finishes her scrying. It focuses in on Trog's.

[Kyrian]

Looking for anyone in particular?

[AmberVael]

No. I just glance around every day to see if I am missing something.

[Kyrian]

Ah. Rafael kisses her neck and looks at her. So who was that man last night?

[AmberVael]

Which one?
Aesa guesses, but doesn't assume. Which is unusual for her.

[Kyrian]

The one at the bar. You smirked at him as he was drawing.

[AmberVael]

His name is Hiko. We used to be lovers.
Aesa gestures around herself.
He made most of this tower, and his children still come by on occasion.

[Kyrian]

Oh... Rafael looks around, almost as if it's his first time in the room, and as a question enters his mind, yet he debates asking.

[AmberVael]

Aesa raises an eyebrow, almost sensing a his question. She sends her scrying zooming out of Trog's and towards the countryside.

[Kyrian]

Rafael tries to push the question out of his mind, fails, and tries instead to watch her scrying.

[AmberVael]

The scrying zips past Alena and Alex, not pausing to focus on the two at all, but instead looks towards the rainbow. Which is on fire.
The man sitting on the edge of it suddenly opens his eyes and looks straight at the scrying sensor. Aesa merely smirks.
I wonder how he does that...

[Kyrian]

I don't know... Rafael sits up a bit.

[AmberVael]

Looks like I don't have much time to win that bet...
Aesa shifts the scrying away and out towards the docks.

[Kyrian]

Aesa? Rafael asks in a concerned voice as he wraps his arms around her.

[AmberVael]

Aesa grins at Rafael.
I bet that man at the bridge that I would be able to know more of what was going on around me than him at any given time.
That was a long time ago...
Aesa shakes her head.

[Kyrian]

Rafael smiles a bit and kisses Aesa's cheek.

[AmberVael]

I... his senses are amazing, really. Even with Seid I have a hard time knowing exactly as much as he does. And I can't keep my spells going forever, while he is always like he is.
Believe it or not, he heard my scrying sensor.
Aesa shakes her head in disbelief.

[Kyrian]

Who is he?

[AmberVael]

Heimdall. Guardian of the Bifrost Bridge, which was the rainbow behind him. They say he can hear the grass grow and see to the edges of the world.
As far as I can tell, its true.

[Kyrian]

Interesting. Rafael holds her and watches her scrying. How much did you bet him?

[AmberVael]

It was just a friendly wager- nothing was offered.
He's going to win.
Aesa seems a little sad.

[Kyrian]

What's wrong?

[AmberVael]

Just-
He's fated to die during Ragnarok. He and Loki will fight, and he will be the last of the gods to die. He and Loki will kill each other.

[Kyrian]

I think I'm confused...

[AmberVael]

How so?
Aesa leans her head onto his shoulder.

[Kyrian]

The death of a god saddens you?

[AmberVael]

Well... yes.
Aesa closes her eyes.

[Kyrian]

What is it Aesa?

[AmberVael]

Aesa doesn't say anything, feeling torn between the desire to scream at him to shut up and never speak of it again and the need to explain and have someone understand this piece of her life.

[Kyrian]

I can't force you to tell me, nor do I desire to force you. But if you ever want to tell me, I'll listen to you. Rafael kisses her lightly, trying to reassure her.

[AmberVael]

Aesa isn't sure how to respond to that, so she just kisses him back and puts her arms around his neck.

[Kyrian]

Rafael gives a smile. There's the lady I ran away with...

[AmberVael]

You make it sound like you picked me up and carried me off.
Aesa seems amused.

[Kyrian]

Well, I could if you'd like. Rafael grins and winks.

[AmberVael]

I haven't seen a sign that you actually could just pick me up and carry me off.
Aesa pulls an arm back and lays the hand on his chest.

[Kyrian]

Maybe I'll have to change that.. Rafael smiles and shivers slightly at the touch.

[AmberVael]

Aesa smirks at him.
You'd have to put a lot of effort into that.

[Kyrian]

Maybe I find you worth the effort?

[AmberVael]

Maybe I'm taunting you and saying you can't do it?
Aesa grins at him.

[Kyrian]

Perhaps... Rafael smiles. But then again, maybe I only want to pick you up, not try to carry you off.

[AmberVael]

Now that might work.

[Kyrian]

Rafael grins and kisses her shoulder and neck.

[AmberVael]

Aesa kisses him and then gets struck by dead time.

[Kyrian]

Rafael gently runs his hand through her hair.

[AmberVael]

Aesa smiles at him and very belatedly the horn sounds in her plane, rather muted but still audible.

[Kyrian]

What was that?

[AmberVael]

Aesa sighs and closes her eyes.
Heimdall's horn. Ragnarok is coming.

[Kyrian]

You going to be ok? Rafael plays with her hair.

[AmberVael]

Aesa nods and leans against him.

[Kyrian]

Rafael holds her, gently running a hand down her back.

[AmberVael]

Aesa doesn't really respond to his touch, looking a bit distracted.

[Kyrian]

This is bothering you, isn't it?

[AmberVael]

Aesa hesitantly nods.

[Kyrian]

I'll help you, however I can....if that's ok...

[AmberVael]

Aesa shakes her head.
No. Just focus on staying alive.

[Kyrian]

Try to do the same. Rafael smiles.

[AmberVael]

I'll do what needs to be done.
Aesa kisses him to distract him from her evasion, then stands up.

[Kyrian]

Rafael smiles at the kiss, then stands as well.

[AmberVael]

There is something I have to go and do, Rafael. I won't be gone too long. I hope. By Hel, politics are aggravating.
Aesa traces a few runes before vanishing.

[Kyrian]

Rafael gives a small sigh as she vanishes, and gets dressed. He looks around her room, not touching anything, mostly looking at the Aesa tapestry.

[AmberVael]

The tapestry remains as it is, while the second tapestry frowns for getting neglected. ;)

[Kyrian]

Rafael decides, as if by fate, or some other OOC presence, to look at the other tapestry, both him and his player completely forgetting what it is.

[AmberVael]

In the tapestry, Aesa's second venture into the Town Arena is shown, depicting her sending a swarm of white missiles at Gemini.
He seems to be losing badly.

[Kyrian]

Rafael smiles at the tapestry. Just like her...

[AmberVael]

An illusion of Aesa appears.
I have a bit of time, but I won't be able to come back normally. I'll be in Trog's- you can get off of my plane by taking the portal on the first floor out onto the streets.
The illusion vanishes after delivering its message.

[Kyrian]

Rafael nods and finds his way to the first floor, and through the portal.

[Kyrian]

Rafael returns to the first floor and makes his way up to Aesa's room. He lays on the floor, and after a while of thinking, falls to sleep.

[AmberVael]

Aesa appears in her dungeon and moves to place Hiko inside a cell, then hesitates, wondering if she could fix it.

[Rebonack]

Maph'tey gates into the dungeon about half-way down the stairs.

"Aesa...?"

[AmberVael]

What is it?
Aesa sighs and puts Hiko on the ground, using her transformation magic to try and change him back to his normal state.

[Lykan]

The power just rushes into the crystal in Hiko's chest. He claws weakly at Aesa, his eyes flashing red

Mnrmnmnrphmnrm....

[Rebonack]

"You had... Told me that there was someone. Someone who you had hoped would be able to see the purity that's still in you," he begins to come down the stairs. "Is... that him?"

[AmberVael]

Aesa glares at the contraption.
That thing has caused more trouble, and has been more persistant than anything I have seen.
She reaches down to put on hand on the crystal, extremely tempted to wrench it out.
Yes. It is he.

[Rebonack]

"Is there any way I can help?" Maph'tey asks. He sounds concerned, deeply so. He knows that something must have run afoul between the both of them. But if Aesa could find someone to strive to be better for then that could help more than anything else.

[Lykan]

Hiko grabs the arm weekly, the glow in his eyes weakening

[AmberVael]

Not unless you can kill every damned illithid in existance and then remove something which can't be removed.
Aesa tightens her hand around the crystal, her turmoil of emotions pressing her to actually follow through...

[Rebonack]

Maph'tey steps closer to get a view of the condition Hiko is in.

"I... know a fair bit about binding things directly to a being's soul from studying how Old Prancibald assembled me. Do we know what keeps the gem attached?"

He doesn't comment on the whole genocide part.

[AmberVael]

Aesa chuckles darkly.
Flesh and metal? Do you want me to pull it out and give you a closer look?

[Lykan]

Maph'tey steps closer to get a view of the condition Hiko is in.

"I... know a fair bit about binding things directly to a being's soul from studying how Old Prancibald assembled me. Do we know what keeps the gem attached?"

((Crazy glue!))

[Rebonack]

((Not Gorilla Glue™?))

Maph'tey closes his eyes and gives a shallow sigh.

"Would you prefer if I leave?"

[AmberVael]

I don't care.
Aesa wrenches at the crystal with her surprising amount of strength.

[Lykan]

Hiko's eyes widen as the crystal is wrenched from his chest. The ccrystal is attached to Hiko's body momentarily by a dozen threads of white energy before it snaps. Hiko's eyes glaze over, and his body goes limp. The crystal has a few long strands of soul still hanging off it...

[Rebonack]

The Traveler tenses for a moment as it dawns on him that the thing is attached pretty much exactly how he had guessed that it would be. Before he can provide any insight it's rent away completely.

[AmberVael]

Aesa tries to ascertain if his soul is being kept in by a soul trap style power or spell.

[Lykan]

It is not. The crystal seems to be as much a part of his soul as any other part of his body...

[AmberVael]

Aesa hums to herself and then has a rather odd idea. She scribes a rune, though nothing seems to happen.
She sits down and waits.

[Rebonack]

The Traveler considers the stone Aesa is holding. Honestly he wouldn't be able to do much unless he got the chance to examine it closely. He glances back up the stares, considering whether or not he should leave Aesa to herself.

The Seid, however, catches his attention. He ticks through his mental notes to see if he can't figure out the rune's syntax.

[AmberVael]

The rune isn't apparently anything that has meaning to anyone but Aesa. It is apparently based off of norse runes... but is too changed to be recognizable.
Its purpose becomes apparent as a rather large gemstone flies into the room to Aesa's hand. She hums to herself and casts Trap the Soul to try and steal it from Hiko, casting it again to get both parts if need be.

[Lykan]

Both parts of the soul are taken into the gemstone...

[AmberVael]

Aesa hums again and tries to figure out if the soul is still somehow attached to the disgusting device. Not to mention his body.

[Rebonack]

Maph'tey watches the process, hoping Aesa's plan works for the sake of both her and her friend.

[Lykan]

The device is still attached to his soul, though it seems to have dissipeared from his body...

[AmberVael]

Aesa scowls, trying to figure out just how in the hell it IS connected to the device.

[Rebonack]

"I could try to disrupt the gem's time-line," Maph'tey offers. "Though it would be difficult depending on how it's bound to his soul."

[AmberVael]

Aesa shakes her head at Maph'tey.
Messing with time has consequences. Plenty of them. Do you know what you might do to his life if you did that?

[Rebonack]

He thinks for a moment.

"I have a sort of... instinctual ability to know how things will change. It's bound up with the rest of my instincts though. Whether or not it would work depends on how intimately the stone is bonded to the rest of his soul," he sighs. "We could always find out how to get it off by asking the people who did it, but I doubt they would be very keen on divulging that information."

[AmberVael]

I have knowledge, Maph'tey, not instinct, and it says it could turn out very badly for him. It might work fine... it might do things that could make this bad situation into an impossible one... it might do nothing at all.
Aesa shoves Hiko's body and the gems into a cell.
I'll deal with this crap later. Night, Maph'tey.
She vanishes and reappears upstairs, where she puts her arms around Rafael and pulls tight to him, apparently taking comfort from him.

[Rebonack]

The Traveler sighs and proceeds to Gate away.

[Kyrian]

Rafael wakes up slowly, noticing that Aesa's pulling him tightly to her. He gently kisses her and runs a hand through her hair. His thoughts betray him, as likely does his face, showing that he wishes he knew what troubled her so, and wishes she would let him help her.

[hr]
As Rafael continues to watch Aesa, and hope he could find some answers, a 3D mesh appears, taking the shape of a small mirror. Rafael gently tosses the mirror up on the bed, and waits for Aesa to wake up, kissing her gently again. I want to be here for you...

[AmberVael]

Aesa's wings twitch as she wakes up, but she doesn't open her eyes. She keeps her hold on Rafael and tries to go back to sleep.

[Kyrian]

Rafael gently runs his hand through her hair, trying to help her get back to sleep.

[AmberVael]

Aesa kisses Rafael on the cheek and puts a wing over him.
Morning.