Fighting the Fright.

This is yet another thread from my "The Dragon Wars" rpg. My character is Aislinn, my friend's character is Daelynn. I'm posting his part with his premission, so that my combined posts make more sense to those of you who have never read the forum. Also, you will find a link to the forum at the bottom of this post.

Aislinn:

As Aislinn continues to wash the apron, a cold breeze passes through the cottage. It would seem most odd, with all of the warmth burning from the two fires, all of the candles, and even her vast supply of lanterns. However, the cold breeze was there none the less. The breeze itself seems to carry a meanacing hiss upon it, and at once, Aislinn knew what was to come. It may be a little harder for Daelynn to understand, since this was the first time he would have the 'privledge' of hearing. But the stronger the breeze became, the more legible was the hissing words.

Aislinn, Daddy's home...

Shivering slightly, the young girls hands fall from the tub of water, and her body shifts around so that she's facing the hallway that leads from the downstairs level, and upstairs to where the various bedrooms are located. It was obvious that she did not wish to move. The motions of her body are strained, as if her limbs were being pulled by strings, like a puppet being controled. She can be seen fighting against the pull, her head thrashing from side, to side as tears begin to stream down her porcelain face.

" You... you must leave now, Lord Daelynn. "

Daelynn:

Those words hissed by a phantom brought chills down Daelynn's spine. Instinctively, he drew a dagger that was concealed within his vestments and crouched slightly. A scowl played upon his features as he warily glanced about the cottage. He twirled the blade around in his hand to make it a reverse grip.

"...Is that what I think it is? Aislinn?"

Daelynn heard her hands leave the water and her now straining. It was an odd thing to witness, as if she were being pulled by unseen forces. This, along with her words, caused fear to start curling in his gut. Alongside that fear, upon seeing the tears streaming down this woman's face, a sort of righteous fury is kindled. Despite his better judgment...

"I don't think so. I can't just leave."

Aislinn:

That was not a request fool, but an order!

Her father's voice fills the air about them, the atmosphere itself has grown heavy with a cold sensation. Once the words are spoken, the invisible strings that guide Aislinn's body, cause her to move towards him. Stopping just short of his crouched form, her right hand is move towards the counter. Already she could see what her father was going for, and she tries desperately to stop him. Her fingers curl tightly, forcing her hand into a fist. Her knuckles bounce against the handle of a large butcher knife. As she continues to fight against the pull, new tendrils form about each of her fingers. Snapping them open one at a time, until the handle fits into her grip, and then her fingers are snapped around it firmly.

" Please... I do not wish to hurt you... You're so warm, and so kind. Please, Daelynn, please go away. "

It was the first time Aislinn had ever called him by his first name, without using a formal title before. But she was a little too emotional to think of such formalities. He was a kind and warm person, the sort of person she could see herself becoming quite attatched to. The last thing she wanted was to hurt him. Even if it was not actually her inflicting the pain, it was still her body, and she would still be forced to watch on. Her hand lifts from the counter now, pulling the knife up with it. The blade glistens within the glowing light of the fire, as it hovers just a few feet from Daelynn's body.

How noble of you daughter, trying to protect him. Why is that, Aislinn? Do you have feelings for this man? Would it break your heart to watch him die? You know Daddy is the only man in your life. Daddy loves you, and he knows what's best for his little girl. Now let's get rid of him together, it will be fun- just like we used to. Remember those nights sweetie, when we would go down to the local tavern. I'd make you sit there dressed in a whores garment, gaining the attention of all those drunken swine. Then I'd pick one, and we'd take him to the...

" Stop it, shut up! "

Awe, do you not wish for your beau to know about your soiled past? Very well, I shall not tell him how I would kill those drunken men, after letting them stare at your body. They always thought they would get more, didn't they my beautiful little flower?

Clenching her eyes shut tightly, a choked sob escapes her lips, her body trembling against the unseen forces that try to push her forward.

" Daelynn, please, I cannot fight much longer... "

Aislinn, if you kill him... I'll give you that which you desire most...

" Y- you mean... "

That's right, I'll lead you to where I hid your heart.

Daelynn:

Duty and honor. Simple words. Words that carried the weight of the world. Inwardly, he felt the urge to jettison all sense of duty and honor to run like a thief in the night. However, he hesitated. In spite of his better judgement, he wanted to stay and fight, even though he knew nothing about this adversary, except that he was both a powerful and vile specter. Heh, true to his paladin past. Still, he didn't want to hurt Aislinn, if it could be helped. Hastily, he considered his options. Even if he could render her unconscious, it couldn't be certain if that would prevent it from using her body, or simply free it up. His holy powers were somewhat weak right now, from lack of any major use and exhaustion. He forced himself to jettison feelings and look hard at the situation.

He couldn't stay here. He was too weak to put up any sort of appreciable resistance and knew nothing about the enemy. To stay would be suicide. Better to rest, regroup and reconnoiter this new fiend. Then, he could go back in and put up a real fight.

He felt like the bottom of his boots, but he knew what had to be done. Deftly stepping around the large knife, he lightly kissed her forehead and drew back quickly, before whatever took hold of her could bring the weapon to bear on him.

"We will meet again. I'm sorry, but I can't put up any worthwhile fight right now, not in my state. I must leave."

He gazed into the air as he spoke again.

"You may have bested me now, dark Sir, but your judgement will be sure and is coming."

Daelynn set his hand upon the doornob and turned it, still looking in Aislinn's direction.

"Light shall always beat back the darkness, gloat while you can!"

Before the spirit of her father could taunt him, he exited, slamming the door. As Daelynn marched down the dirt road, he muttered some very sinister curses. He needed to rest, but didn't feel like going back to the Tavern. He needed to be alone for now, in a place of worship, to recouperate, regain the holy strength that used to flow through him so fiercely. He hoped Victoria would stay away from the Chapel Ruins as he meditated.

Daelynn's dark horse, Sheol, awaited him in the Weeping Angel's stable. Sheol shook his head and neighed, as if to acknowledge his master's foul mood. His master barely needed to speak anything to the horse after Daelynn mounted him. This steed was smart, it knew where Daelynn wanted to go.

Aislinn:

Beneath the kiss to her forehead, he would be able to feel just how icey, Aislinn's flesh had become. She trembles viciously, fighting against the power of her father. It's not until Daelynn gets safely out of the cottage, that Aislinn finally falls dormant. She knew what was to come now, it was a nightly ritual in her humble little home. The butcher knife falls from her hand, and the tendrils that had been controlling her reel backwards. A sharp scream escapes her lips, as her body is forced up the stairwell, and through the upstairs hallway. With a dull thud, her body falls stomach first to the floor of her bedroom.

The material of her dress rips apart along her back. And for the first time of the night, her father's spirit shows itself. He's standing over her, in the same armor that he wore in that horrendous painting downstairs. And while she cannot see his face, she can sense his snarl. Not wanting to look at him, she stares out the window of her bedroom. She could see Daelynn walking down the road, and she was so grateful that he had saved himself, and left while he still had the chance. But such thoughts are soon cut off, as he begins to thrash his shadow tendril across her back, using it like a whip. It bites the flesh, and pulls it open in thick gashes. Her screams are loud, shaking through the small cottage, and follow Daelynn down the road for quite a ways before he finally gets out of earshot.

That's right, watch him walk away daughter. See how men are, you think you find yourself a good one... and he abandons you. Leaves you to a fate, that I'm sure you told him all about. Do you think he could ever care for you, that anyone could care for you? You're apperance is nauseating enough on it's own. And your personality? You're nothing more than a wilted flower. I've destroyed your physical beauty, and it will not be much longer before I destroy your life completely.

During Daelynn's ride back to his home, various birds can be seen perched on low hanging tree branches. They all screech loudly at him as he passes, as if accusing him of giving up too soon, and leaving Aislinn to the hands of a monster. Sheol, however, knew Aislinn quite well from their time together in the stable, and he speaks back to the birds. Who all realize that he's right, though they loathe to admit it. It was always easier to face Aislinn the next morning, if there was someone they could blame. After a few moments more of screeches and gruff neighs, the birds fly away from Sheol and Daelynn, landing instead upon the ledge of Aislinn's bedroom window. They watch the going-ons in the room, just as they had promised Sheol that they would.

http://draconicwards.proboards88.com/index.cgi