Wilting Rose
New Member
Ravenclaw Student
Rutilans Rosa Sine Spina
Posts: 130
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Post by Wilting Rose on Jun 22, 2005 19:27:21 GMT
Wilting Rose's large hazel eyes fluttered open slowly. For one moment, the edges of her lips were curved in the beginnings of a smile - but then she rolled over on the lumpy mattress, and the light faded from her eyes.
It had been about a month since Rose had been removed from the school and taken into the Shrieking Shack, a tumbledown house on the outskirts of Hogsmeade. For half a second every morning, Rose awoke with the half-hope in her heart that perhaps it had been a terrible dream, and that she would awake safe in the Ravenclaw dormitory surrounded by friends. But that half a second wasn't enough. She had been here for so long, and as far as she knew, nobody had got even close to finding her.
If they were even trying to find her at all.
Wiping the sleep from her eyes, she scanned the dark room. Isaac was absent. It wasn't unusual, the demon always disappeared at random intervals, reappearing now and again to check up on her. She pushed herself up and pushed the thin layer of blankets aside. Walking over to where her robes were laying over the chair Isaac had magically conjured, she slipped them on and then sat on the chair, her eyes looking dully about the room. She felt as though she wanted to cry, but the tears seemed unable to come - she felt too weak, too tired to cry. What good would it do her anyhow? It would only provoke more dry comments from her captor, and she had had enough of that.
With a hollow sigh, Rose walked over to her sorry excuse for a bed and slumped into a curled-up position, wondering vaguely whether it was even night or day beyond the stone walls of her prison.
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Isaac
New Member
Demon
I dont understand what you want from me
Posts: 1,059
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Post by Isaac on Jun 22, 2005 20:02:57 GMT
Indeed, today was one of those 'checkups'.
As Isaac approach the Shrieking Shack, shrouded by Invisibility, he calmly cast his senses about, checking for prying eyes. He knew that some students had been snooping around as of late, and though they had come nowhere close to finding their beloved Headmistress' prison, their proximity was slightly daunting.
Isaac moved through the ramshackle abode, reviewing his snares and traps like a general might review his troops. Those whose power or construction he found waning, he strengthened, sometimes replenishing the snare entirely. Then, walking through what could have been considered the 'kitchen', he paused in one corner.
Having realized long ago that an overcurious student might wonder as to a locked door in an abandoned house, he had simply gotten rid of the door entirely, blanketing it with a rather solid illusion of a piece of aged wall, no different than the rest of the house.
Before he dispelled the illusion, he checked the floor, as always. Having overanalyzed the door situation, Isaac had also made a point of checking the dust that blanketed every available surface. As usual, no tracks had been left by the demon, for he had long since enchanted his boots to not make tracks in the dust, and there were no tracks now.
Dispelling the illusion, Isaac placed one hand upon the knob and focused his will energy into it; for the lock could only be opened by him and none other. With a muffled thump of locks disengaging, the door opened soundlessly, and Isaac descended the steps, taking care to shut, lock, and Illusion the door once again.
Being aura-sensitive, Isaac could taste the crackling energies of all the spells that were placed in the cellar. Warding charms against Scrying, Apparation, and any other forms of Divination or Transportation, snares and traps, both magical and mechanical, that ensured no intruders remained alive if they ever found a way in, and of course, the basic locks that ensured the room was sealed tightly.
Whistling in an almost mocking way, Isaac descended the stairs with a haughty air. "Good morning, my dear." He said with a falsely cheery smile.
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Wilting Rose
New Member
Ravenclaw Student
Rutilans Rosa Sine Spina
Posts: 130
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Post by Wilting Rose on Jun 23, 2005 13:13:08 GMT
As Isaac entered the room in which Rose was being held, Rose's heart started beating faster - every time he came to see her, she hoped beyond hope that for some reason or another, he would set her free. After so long, it was a very faded dream - but one she clung to with a great deal of stubbornness. If she lost hope, she would go mad - her head was constantly whispering, whispering thoughts she couldn't understand, had no way in which to process, and she knew that if she didn't keep fixed on getting out of here, those thoughts would devour her.
She lifted her head to see the same casual smirk that greeted her every time Isaac paid a visit, and her heart sank with strangely nauseating effect. Of course he wasn't going to free her. She still had no clue why she was being held like this, but she was beginning to lose all hope that she would ever see the light of day again.
"Whatever," she mumbled in reply to the demon's hollow greeting. Once upon a time she would have filled with hate by simply being in his presence - she would scream at him, abuse him in any way she could, her heart filling with spite for his white, glaring eyes and arrogant smirk - but she had given up. It had no effect on him other than giving him a good laugh to see her in such a state. Emotionally, she was running on empty.
"What do you want?" she asked dully, inspecting the dirt beneath her fingernails and trying to pick it out - not that there was any point, she was covered in grime for staying so long out of the sunlight in this dingy place. "Unless you brought me some food or water, you can get out of here."
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Isaac
New Member
Demon
I dont understand what you want from me
Posts: 1,059
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Post by Isaac on Jun 23, 2005 16:18:13 GMT
"Oh, nothing nothing. Isnt a demon allowed to bring his captive bagels?" Isaac said innocently.
He tossed the paper bag to her, which had bagels and cream cheese inside, then a positively massive water bottle. "You need to eat, get your strength back. You may be having a change of scenery soon." He said with a feral grin, settling into the chair as always to watch her eat.
"So, any gentlemen come calling lately?" He joked.
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Wilting Rose
New Member
Ravenclaw Student
Rutilans Rosa Sine Spina
Posts: 130
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Post by Wilting Rose on Jun 27, 2005 23:03:47 GMT
Wilting Rose was shocked at the luxury of the snack he had provided for her. She attempted to pick up the enormous water bottle with one hand, but failed, weakened as she was, and settled for tucking into her bagel, all manners forgotten as crumbs went flying.
"I wish," said Rose after devouring her bagel in literally less than a minute. Licking her lips, she turned her sharp witch hazel eyes upon Isaac. Being in this place had hardened her to an extent she had never been before, not even in her previous life. "Any company's got to be better than demonic company. All you ever think about is your stupid battle... and that's when you say anything at all."
Suddenly, she remembered what he had said. A change of scenery?
"Hang on, what do you mean, a change of scenery? Are you letting me go? Oh, please say you are... I'll do anything... please, I want to see the sun..."
Something painfully raw sparkled in Rose's eyes as she appealed to the demon, an inch away from grabbing his hands and clutching them in desperation.
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Isaac
New Member
Demon
I dont understand what you want from me
Posts: 1,059
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Post by Isaac on Jul 1, 2005 18:30:31 GMT
Isaac nodded sharply, a single, decisive gesture.
"Yes, I'll take you outside for a walk. A short walk, mind you." With a flick of his cane, he conjured a fresh set of robes for the girl, then, almost as an afterthought he cast a Returning Charm upon her.
Granted, the girl was too weak to pose any form of threat for escape, but if some miscellaneous member of the bumbling Resistance happened to be in the vicinity, Isaac would be able to restore Rose to her prison with a simple thought. And duly, if he was somehow waylaid, if she moved beyond ten feet from his position, she would also return.
Isaac waited for the girl to finish changing, impatiently casting a couple spells to strengthen her weakened body. "Hurry up."
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Wilting Rose
New Member
Ravenclaw Student
Rutilans Rosa Sine Spina
Posts: 130
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Post by Wilting Rose on Jul 12, 2005 12:58:25 GMT
Rose's clawlike fingernails dug into the crumbling wall, helping her to stand to her feet as she changed. Removing her filthy, worn school robes, she quickly pulled on the fresh ones Isaac had given her. She was going to go outside! She would feel the sun on her face, the breeze touching her hair, perhaps even hear the sound of another human voice. She doubted Isaac would let her actually interact with anybody else, but nevertheless...
Her hope returned with painful desperation as she walked to Isaac's side, looking at her captor with sparkling eyes, a kind of muted gratitude she had never had any reason to pro-offer before.
"Where are you going to take me?" she whispered, trying not to break the moment, in case it broke the dream.
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Isaac
New Member
Demon
I dont understand what you want from me
Posts: 1,059
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Post by Isaac on Aug 28, 2005 20:19:53 GMT
"Just on a little jaunt."
His tone was casual, but his manner was almost.... gentlemanly. He took her gently by the arm and led her up the stairs and through the door. "Be sure to keep quiet now, and dont bump into anyone."
And with that, both he and Rose faded into Invisibility, and he released her arm, letting her walk off on her own. "Not too far now."
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Wilting Rose
New Member
Ravenclaw Student
Rutilans Rosa Sine Spina
Posts: 130
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Post by Wilting Rose on Aug 28, 2005 20:30:39 GMT
As Rose leant against Isaac to keep herself upright as she took tentative steps outside of her prison, she realised that this was probably a trap. He was probably leading her somewhere to kill her. But somehow, she had lost the part of her that cared about life or death - she let go of the demon and began to walk alone, taking in breaths, great big deep gulps, of fresh air, feeling like nothing this good had touched her skin in such a long time.
"Tell me where we're going," said Rose quietly, after a short while of taking in everything around her - there were people all around them, and she could hardly take her eyes off them. At one point she nearly walked directly through an elderly couple, but luckily veered at the last moment. "Tell me, or I'll run."
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Isaac
New Member
Demon
I dont understand what you want from me
Posts: 1,059
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Post by Isaac on Aug 28, 2005 20:37:16 GMT
"Its called a walk, or, as I call it, a 'humbling jaunt'."
As they moved on, they passed a series of dilapidated shanties, set up on the outskirts, where the students rarely went.
"Things are a lot different down here, eh Princess?" Isaac said unnecessarily as they continued to move, headed back into the center of Hogsmeade.
OOC: Gah, so horrible....
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Wilting Rose
New Member
Ravenclaw Student
Rutilans Rosa Sine Spina
Posts: 130
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Post by Wilting Rose on Aug 28, 2005 20:51:26 GMT
OOC: I know you are, dear. ;D
BIC: Rose glared at the nothingness that was where Isaac stood, hoping he could feel her hatred even if he couldn't see it. She knew he could stop her in an instant if she really did try to run - plus she felt a strange sense of security in being with the only creature she had been in contact with for a whole month. She knew in her heart it was very much a false sense of security, but being around him scared her a lot less than being without him.
"Don't call me Princess," hissed Rose, although there was something about the pet name that struck a chord somewhere inside of her mind.
She wrapped her arms around herself as they pressed further along the darker, more dismal side of Hogsmeade. She felt eyes watched her from hollow houses, and shivered. If this was the world outside, then perhaps she had been better off in her prison...
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Post by Danawi Dassous on Sept 26, 2005 23:08:19 GMT
From within one of the dilapidated houses that cluttered the backstreets of Hogsmeade, Danawi Dassous watched Isaac lead the key to the undoing of his whole plan down the cobbled street. He saw through the Invisibility that cloaked the both of them - he saw Isaac's cocky amble and Rose's obvious weakness as she leaned on her captor, and knew, instinctively, that the plan would never work this way.
Making himself invisible before he walked out into the daylight, Danawi made a beeline for the pair of them. Without a word, he knocked Isaac with astonishing force on the side of his head, and caught the staggering Rose in his arms. Holding her tightly, he mumbled a few words and the street around them began revolving, slowly... a moment later, and they were standing outside the castle, Danawi still holding Rose in his arms, knowing she was too weak to struggle.
He looked up at the dimly-glittering windows of the tall stone school. He could feel the battle that was going on within its walls; could sense the presence of evil defeating the good that was now too weak to stand against him and all his forces.
He released Rose upon the ground, and unmasked the both of them, so she could see him for the first time. He looked down at her with darkly glittering black eyes. Pushing back his hood, a small, cruel smile twisted his scarred features into a look of near-insanity. It was time for him to do what had to be done to take his place as ruler of a new reign of Chaos.
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Wilting Rose
New Member
Ravenclaw Student
Rutilans Rosa Sine Spina
Posts: 130
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Post by Wilting Rose on Sept 26, 2005 23:14:26 GMT
Rose couldn't see what happened, but felt Isaac stumble and fall to the ground. Unsteady, she almost fell with him, but a pair of strong arms caught her around the waist and held her tightly upright. Looking wildly about her, she could see no-one, and she barely had time to form tears in her fearful eyes before the place she had been standing had been completely changed - they were at the castle.
Released, she fell into a heap on the ground, still too weak. From beneath her matted, limp curls, she looked up as the person who brought her here began to materialise - and found herself staring into a pair of merciless black eyes, and a face marred beyond all recognition of humanity.
"Please," she whispered, knowing already that it was of no use - she knew that this was the Dark Master they had all been fearing, the one that stole her memory away, that put so many people's lives in danger. There was nothing human in him to appeal to - only cruel, raw triumph. "I'll do anything, just let me go... I don't know anything, I'm of no use to you, please..."
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Post by Danawi Dassous on Sept 26, 2005 23:36:04 GMT
Danawi laughed - it was a low, rasping laugh that only highlighted the madness of the glint in his eye, and the way he stared at the helpless witch so hungrily only demonstrated her worst fears - that there was no use in appealing to somebody who was for all intent and purposes, a monster.
"Of no use to me?" he said quietly, smiling. He bent down and grabbed Rose by the hair, pulling her up by it with a surprising amount of strength. His face was inches from hers - he noticed the dirt that covered her pale, heart-shaped face, the fear and desperation that sparkled in her over-large eyes, the way her mouth quivered with anxiety; the worn, hollow complexion that spoke of a girl who had once been much happier, and much prettier than the waif that dangled before him.
"I would hardly say that you were of no use," he hissed. He laughed, and waved his hand somewhere to the left of where they stood - there, looking as though she'd been caught in some kind of daze, stood Claire.
Dumping the ex-Headmistress on the ground, Danawi whirled to face Claire, a sly smile on his tanned, once-handsome face. He opened his palm, and black writhing vines flew out of them, whipping themselves around the limp body of Rose; but he wouldn't remove his solid gaze from Claire's face, watching her closely.
"Good evening," he said evenly. "I wouldn't suggest trying to attack me, not unless you want this" - he held up a small glass bottle, that held a whirling golden liquid within it - ".. to be destroyed. And if that happened, you'd never get your girlfriend back, would you? Besides, those vines holding her now have leaves on them that are now cutting into her flesh - so if you want her to survive, then you'd better listen to what I have to say and make this easier for all three of us to get on with our lives. Sound good? Alright then."
He didn't wait for a response, but pocketed Rose's memory and faced Claire, folding his arms neatly across his chest. "So. We are both victims of not getting what we want, what we deserve. You deserve to have somebody to love you, that same person who has always been there for you, to continue to do so for the rest of time. But that's impossible while she holds absolutely no recollection of who she is, and, of course, who you are to her. And I deserve to have the empire I was promised as soon as I was born; a school to transform into an army of evil, ready to lead the world into a new era of darkness. But that is impossible while your influence, however weak, remains protecting everything within the grounds. So," he spoke, raising a brow carefully. "I think we may be able to come to an agreement here. Don't you?"
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Isaac
New Member
Demon
I dont understand what you want from me
Posts: 1,059
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Post by Isaac on Sept 27, 2005 11:53:39 GMT
A blow to the head, and abruptly Isaac was flung sideways, like one might throw aside a doll or small toy.
Damnit.
Only two people could have hit him like that, and seeing as how he was still alive, that number was rapidly reduced to one. Even as he righted himself in midair, he turned to face his proverbial 'Patron'.
"Danawi." He said quietly, even as he and Rose disappeared, using some kind of teleportation spell that Isaac had never encountered before. That didnt surprise him, as Danawi had shown him a LOT of magic he had never encountered before.
Though the spell binding Rose to Isaac had been meant to return her to him, Isaac could already feel that something with Danawi's magic had more or less kept her bound to him, leaving Isaac with nothing but a simple beacon to follow, like a lighthouse shining over the dark sea.
He took wing, flying rapidly towards the Castle, wanting to be there for the final coup de tat.
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