Author: Kirika, Posted: Wed Feb 8, 2017 10:22 AM, Post Subject: Home, Sweet Home[P/R]
Kirika smiled up at Bryar. “That I am.” The five queens stood as pillars of different elements. Not all elements were represented but divided among the queens. Their houses stood for balance and many still had a hard time believing in gods despite Angela’s status. She needed protection because the darkness was innocent, at least this time. It had an innocent vessel.
She chuckled as he commented on her robe. She spun around it and let the fabric flow in the gentle breeze she made. Their new home was large and the most interesting room for her was the library. They looked down at their balcony and her eyes followed the dark marble stairs down to the ocean. It was their own little cove. She stepped out onto the well-crafted balcony and went straight up to the rails so she could see the crashing ocean.
“Me neither despite being so close to the sea. I was always in the castle.” The manor was blocking her view or she would have taken the time to recognize just how much the castle of the empress was really the heart of all of Arri. “We could get a nice boat and have it docked here…” She mused as she went over and put her head on his shoulder. She held his arm gently to the swell of her breasts and smiled up at him. “All of this will be home.”
–
They spent a good lot of the first week they had getting the lower floors clean. Bryar showed Kirika how to mend and rework stone. All the while they stripped the red décor and switched it to a more pleasant blue, just like Angela had done for their bedroom. The mahogany was restored and all the while Kirika felt eyes on her.
It didn’t bother her as she thought it was just her wayward sister who had been quite active in Arri lately. However, that changed when foot prints of dust appeared all over the clean floors that Kirika had painstakingly cleaned. “Who are you?” She knew that her voice would alert Bryar.
“Friend,” the word was so awkward and so weird. The person was behind her as she swung around and slipped on the freshly washed floors. The being that stood over her had ocean like eyes. Long black hair that was oddly dust covered. Matter of fact everything about this woman was odd. Her robes were gold with a blue accent if you could look under the coat of dust that had appeared.
Kirika’s chest was raising and lowering quickly as she had been frightened by the sudden appearance. “Eldora? Right?”
Eldora stared at her for a moment before padding her way around the room and looking at all the paintings that Kirika had gotten to put up. It brightened the house up, Eldora thought. “Nice change,” the woman offered little to no answers for Kirika. Rather that alone was all that was needed to confirm it. "Bright… warm… Nice." Eldora put her finger to the windows and felt the sun hit the glass. It was hot and anyone else would have jumped back but not Eldora. She just stood there and felt the stinging pain. "Nice bear," Eldora said as she laid eyes on Bryar. Her arm reached out as if to pet him and she stopped. A twitch came to her face a bit and she was off looking at a nice statue that they had ordered for the enterance.
"She's… odd." Kirika managed to say.
Author: Bryar, Posted: Fri Jan 27, 2017 11:38 AM, Post Subject: Home, Sweet Home[P/R]
Bryar found himself pleased with the fact that Kirika seemed to understand his thought process. She certainly was not a job - not in his eyes - and he never wanted her to feel that way. He had never imagined that he would get married so quickly to someone he had just met, but now he could not imagine a life without Kirika by his side. It seemed that she needed that support that he could offer her, and there was nothing that would tear him away from being by her side.
He nodded, more in reassurance for himself than anything, as Kirika explained the darkness that surrounded them. He was well aware of the fact that darkness was an element, but seeing it be manipulated in such a way when the source of the manipulation was nowhere to be found was a bit disconcerting. He watched, not saying anything, as the darkness swirled around her hands. Of course, he found himself worrying about her - but she did not seem concerned, and as her explanation went on further he began to relax. He moved towards her, wrapping an arm around her waist as she let the darkness move about her, and soon it was swirling about him as well. “And you are darkness,” he said, quietly. It all made sense now - why she would need protection.
“And I love you as well,” he said softly, nuzzling his bearded face against her hair. He could have stayed like that forever, had they not other issues to attend to in the manor. He chuckled softly as she pulled on the robe. “I think it looks better without it,” he growled, but fought the urge to pounce her and tear it off of her. He pulled his trousers on, remaining shirtless, and followed her out of the room as he led her deeper into their new home. He appreciated the detail of the stonework, though it needed some tender loving care before it would be restored to its original splendor. He was beginning to have ideas about what the two could do to make it more appealing and more like a home.
He frowned a bit as Kirika spoke of Angela killing her mother, but resolved himself into knowing that it had to be done, Angela would not have done it had there not been a reason. He was glad when her mind shifted gears again. He stepped towards her as she pushed open the door and drew in a deep breath of the salty sea air. “We will make this place our home, my love,” he said, stepping out onto the balcony. “I’ve never lived near the sea before,” he added, and there was a boyish wonder to his words.
Author: Kirika, Posted: Fri Jan 27, 2017 11:07 AM, Post Subject: Home, Sweet Home[P/R]
Kirika gave him a smile as he said his piece. He didn’t want to talk to her like she was a job and she was thankful for that. She understood the circumstances of their meeting and marriage. It wasn’t arranged in the typical sense but it might have well been. She was glad that he was hers. He was stronger and more confident in most of his decisions than she was.
The queen was glad that her husband would not leave her. She noticed the look in his eyes as the darkness began to shift around them. “It’s not bad Bryar. Darkness is just like any other element. People misunderstand it because evil uses it but it is truly neutral. It can be evil or good.” She held out her hand and let the darkness swirl around her hand. “When I took my trial… it was my biggest supporter. It awoke the fascination it had for me. Just like all the queens. If you look at them you can notice their element. Angela is earth. Lily has her light aura. Cathrine has a wind aura. Toya is fire through and through.” She laughed a bit.
She snuggled into his chest and smiled up at him. “I know my love. I struggle sometimes but I know that you will help keep me on the right track. No matter the struggles we have to go through.” She held his hands and kissed them. He kissed the top of her head and she blushed. “And I love you.”
She pulled out a little robe that went with what she was wearing and put it on her. She tied it tight and put her hands on her hit. “I am ready!” She took his hands and led him out of their new room and out into the destroyed parts of the manor. The stonework had once been beautiful. It looked closer to dark stone than to something like basalt. They made their way into what appeared to be a two-story library. It was absolutely empty as if secrets had been kept there. “I can sense Angela when it comes to this. There must have been something she didn’t want anyone to see when she killed my mother.” There were whispers in the dark. She could hear it.
“The last person in here… was Angela.” All the books were gone. Most likely magical research on things that physically sent a shiver down Kirika’s spine. “We should start by taking down all the pictures on the walls, the curtains, anddd dusting!” Looking over to a huge window she came her way over to see it lead out to a high balcony. She pushed open the door and sea salt breezes swept in. She could see the ocean from the balcony. The more she looked she realized there was a small boathouse down below. They were near the shipyard.
Author: Bryar, Posted: Thu Jan 19, 2017 8:28 AM, Post Subject: Home, Sweet Home[P/R]
“The likelihood of me turning down that ‘job’-” he paused, having felt rather silly referring to his time with Kirika as a job - “was rather low,” he continued. “It was offered by a royal court, and I was most certainly in need of money. I did not know what the job was, only who was offering it… and hell if I’m not glad I took it,” he said, and there was a finality to his words, as though he wanted it to be clear that he did not want to speak on the matter anymore. Even though it was not something he was thinking, he was fearful that if he said the wrong thing, Kirika would take it as him not wanting to be there, or having regretted it.
He squeezed her hands when she took his into her own, and listened to her. “It does not matter how difficult it it,” he said. “I’ll never leave your side through it all.” He paused, however, when she spoke of the trial, and his eyes widened a bit at what happened next as she continued on, watching the darkness snake throughout the room. Initially, it disturbed him, but when he realized that Kirika was nearly fond of it and not afraid of it, he backed down from his trepidation and relaxed.
“I am not surprised that you passed your trial,” he said to Kirika, holding her close to him as she pressed her chest against his own. “You are not your mother - you are strong… and yes, you have me,” he said, with a chuckle, returning her kiss but pulling back from her slightly. “I love you, you know,” he said softly, kissing the top of her head. “But we are slacking. We need to get to work,” he said, implying that they needed to get moving on cleaning the manor.
Author: Kirika, Posted: Wed Jan 11, 2017 9:20 AM, Post Subject: Home, Sweet Home[P/R]
Kirika snuggled herself close to him as he held her. Her blue eyes watched him in the mirror, she watched both of them. She smiled at his answer and reacted with a giggled as he kissed her ear. “I am glad that you did fall in love. I’m glad to have someone like you by my side.” She had been innocent at first with everything so she wouldn’t have noticed the way he had looked at her in the beginning. Now she could see it in his every move and the way he looked at her helped.
“You’re still tasked to protect me but… being this close helps.” She turned her head and pressed her lips to his cheek. She leaned away from the kiss simply because it tickled her. A laugh left her lips as she returned the kiss to him. “Have you ever thought of what you would have done if you didn’t take the job and end up with me?” It was a curious question the both of them had.
Looking back into the mirror she took his hands and gripped them tightly. “You know the road to being queen in Arri is not easy.” That much must have shown. “It’s not getting to the position and managing the people that’s the hardest. It is the trial before you can claim your throne. Each queen goes through one and it is one child that is destined for the throne. That is what the spirits say. Most people pass their kingdom on to their first born but not here in Arri.”
There was a troubled look on her face. “The Trial of Darkness… That’s what I had to endure. I took it as soon as they would let me and they barely let me when I was ten. They were troubled with if it would ruin who I was. I remember the screams the most. The darkness and the visions that accompanied it. I’m not shocked the Black Court is one of assassins. You could say I had an inkling for what it was. Those who fail the trial die. It’s not everyone tries to attempt it. To pass it you must survive the darkness in your heart. I found something out.” The darkness around them flickered the candles and it snaked its way around them. “That the darkness loves me.” She took a breath and the darkness receded. “It is not an evil thing. Nor does it want to be seen as that. At least that’s how I feel.”
She spun in his arms and put her chest to his. “I took my trial and while the screams were bad and I fought my mother… I beat it. I was told later that my mother was almost killed by her trial. That she could barely deal with the type of person she was. I have no regrets for who I am and that is why I can deal with it.”
She cupped his face and gently kissed it. “I can do so much more with you by my side now.”
Author: Bryar, Posted: Thu Jan 5, 2017 1:51 PM, Post Subject: Home, Sweet Home[P/R]
“I will always like it, as long as you are in it with me,” he said, nuzzling his bearded face against the naked skin of her stomach. “So that is nothing that you need to worry about.” He groaned as she pulled him back up to her, but went along with it as well, returning her kiss with much passion. “You think that you need to try to tease me, but your mere presence is torture in itself… absolutely exquisite torture,” he said, with a glint in his eye.
He remained on the bed, splayed out on top of the linens, as Kirika moved to look for clothes. It seemed that Angela had filled the dresser with them, and Kirika tossed him something. He was feeling rather lazy and did not immediately move to put them on, but kept his eyes on Kirika and watched her with hungry eyes. He could not stifle the loud bout of laughter that escaped his lips when she pulled out the skimpy negligee that Angela had snuck into the clothing - he found himself suspecting that would not be the only piece of clothing Kirika would be surprised to find. “I find it rather alluring,” he said, his eyebrows raising and he sat up as she put the material-lacking outfit on.
He found himself crouched on the end of the bed in a rather animalistic way when he caught sight of her in it, watching her as she looked at herself. He could sense the trepidation that she felt, but he rose from the mattress, the clothing that Kirika had tossed to him laying unused on the bed near where he had been laying. “Why you?” he asked, snaking his arms around her and pressing his body into her own from behind.
“It has nothing to do with being stuck with you, Kirika,” he said, leaning down to allow his lips to brush her ear. “I fell in love with you the moment I saw you. I could not act on such a whim, because I was tasked to protect you - but something inside of me knew that I cared about you and would do anything to love you from the first moment I laid eyes on you,” he added, kissing the nape of her neck.
Author: Kirika, Posted: Wed Jan 4, 2017 7:35 PM, Post Subject: Home, Sweet Home[P/R]
Kirika nuzzled him back and gave a soft smile. “I want you to like it too. It is your home too. Our home. That means you should like it.” She kissed the tip of his nose.
She blushed at his words and laughed. “You are a hopeless romantic Bryar.” She shook her head at him as she laughed more and watched where he kissed her. She took hold of his hair a bit sternly but playfully as she dragged him back up to her lips and smiled. “I think that I could do that if only to tease you a bit more.” She cupped his face softly and kissed him once more. It was slower now compared to when she threw him.
She pulled herself away from him and got curious enough to look through the dressers. She had found it full of things from Angela for the courts. “Hmm.. she got us clothes.” She threw him a new pair but stopped at a skimpy little lace dress. Her face flared red as she stuttered. “THERE IS NOTHING TO THIS.” Despite being naked in her own home she was suddenly very attentive and held the lace to her as she tilted her head at Bryar. She calmed down enough to put it on and found it fit her rather well. A little too well. It was black much like the shade of her hair and it made her tilt her head. She wasn’t nearly as confident as her sister and it bothered her as she looked at herself in the mirror.
“Why me?” She looked back at Bryar. “Besides the fact, you got stuck with me.” She said it as a joke but her eyes were saying something different. She was attractive but she wasn’t stunning not in the way her sister was or her aunts for that matter. At least she didn’t think she was.
Author: Bryar, Posted: Wed Jan 4, 2017 7:18 PM, Post Subject: Home, Sweet Home[P/R]
Bryar let out a playful yelp as Kirika surprised him with her strength, tossing his much larger form back onto the bed - but he found it quite amusing that she took the time to grab the clean linens and laid them out on the bed. Before long they were reliving their honeymoon, and he was enjoying her body in the way that he most desired. The actual event remained uninterrupted, but soon after while they were basking in the glow of their lovemaking Angela walked in.
Bryar immediately moved to cover himself up, but realized that Angela did not care that she was seeing him in the nude, but rather was chastising them for not cleaning the room before they got to what it was they were doing. He blushed, bowing his head slightly. “It’s my fault.. I couldn’t help myself,” he said, though the apology was coupled with a bit of a laugh. He thanked her once more as she finished that room for them.
He relaxed as Kirika’s head lay on his chest once more, glad to hear laughter coming from her. He smiled as her lips brushed his chin, nodding. “We will fix all of it, and we will make it look the exact way you want it to, my love,” he said, nuzzling to her. He admired the paintings of himself and her with a grin, but frowned as she moved to get up.
“The blue matches your eyes, and makes you look even more beautiful - I did not realize that was even possible,” he said, and there was nothing but truth in his words. “We can make this place an accessory to your beauty,” he said, wrapping his arms around her as she came to lay with him once more. “I would assume that red will be the predominantly present color throughout the house,” he concurred. “Shall we get dressed and take a look?” he asked, though his movements towards her gave way to something else as his lips met the nape of her neck and moved further down her body. “What do you think?” he asked, looking up at her from his position above her chest.
Author: Kirika, Posted: Wed Jan 4, 2017 7:01 PM, Post Subject: Home, Sweet Home[P/R]
Kirika was gentle as she pet his face and looked up at his golden eyes. They were so pretty. She didn’t answer his seductive tone but she did kiss him and put her finger to her lips. She left the room. “Stay,” she ordered him as she poked her head back into the door for a moment. Bringing back the fresh linen from Lotus’s room she laid it out on the bed and gave him a grin before physically tossing Bryar onto it.
There was a slight look in that’s icy blues that could make any man jealous of Bryar in that moment. Soon the clothes were gone and they repeated their honeymoon. There was a knock on their new door and Angela peeked in to see Kirika cuddled up to Bryar. Not really caring that they were nude the goddess came in.
“You could at least clean up.” With a snapped of her fingers, the room was put back together. The blood was gone and the bed was brand new. “You do the rest but I am gone for today. I’ve been away from my husband long enough.” She smirked and waved. “Have fun cleaning the house. Consider this room my wedding present.” She closed the door and Kirika who was rather spooked calmed down and laid her head on Bryar’s chest.
She was laughing, “I swear, it’s always an adventure with you.” She leaned up and kissed his chin thoughtfully. “We can fix the rest of it up… just like this room.” It looked a hundred years newer than before. The way the rose gold chandelier looked as it burned brightly above them smiled. There had even been paintings of her and Bryar put up. “Aunt Angela is tricky.” She did know how to decorate, though.
The floor was even shiny enough to see her own reflection in when she got up to look. Everything was brand new and it amazed her. “Our whole home could look like this…” The color red was now a soft blue much like Kirika’s own eyes. “I’ve never liked the color red anyways.” She mused as she laid back down in Bryar’s protective arms. “Think she changed the red to blue everywhere in the manor?”
Author: Bryar, Posted: Wed Jan 4, 2017 6:42 PM, Post Subject: Home, Sweet Home[P/R]
Bryar gave Lotus a rather disapproving glance. He did not care for her, even though he had just made her acquaintance for the first time, though he could not quite put his finger on why. He watched her with pursed lips as she answered Kirika, though her answer seemed to not be good enough. It did not bode well for the two of them that there was something different about Kirika that Lotus knew but would not share with them.
He scoffed as she made what was essentially a comment about hooking up with her ‘brother’s half brother’, pulling Kirika close to him once more as she moved to him. He said nothing, but it was clear that he did not approve of the way that Lotus spoke or conducted herself. The name Colden sounded familiar to him, setting off some sort of alarm from when he had spoken with Lily when he had first been tasked with protecting Kirika. “I think I am glad you are not a half-demon, either, because I would not want to share you with another man,” he said, pulling her to him as she looked up at him, and crashing his lips into her own before heading off. After his comment, he remained silent, and was grateful when they walked away from the scene and moved to where the master bedroom was, though he kept the conversation fresh in his mind, to be safe.
“We will make this better than it has ever been,” he said, looking around at the bloodstains. “It will take some work, but we can get those stains out. Angela can bless the manor, to get the bad memories out,” he said, his voice trailing off as he watched Kirika move to the center of the room. As the chandelier fell and she managed to dodge it, he moved to her with non-human reflexes… a bit of his bear-side coming out. He held her close, the animal within him raising his body temperature. His eyes had turned the golden hue that they attained when he shifted, and his heart raced. He was on the verge of shifting, from his protective instincts kicking in, but he was managing to hold it back rather easily.
However, one side effect of this aspect of him was a heightened appetite for more than just food. His hands splayed out on her bottom and he hoisted her up to him, his lips finding her ear. “I can think of other things I would like to work on currently,” he said, his voice deeper and rougher than it normally would - though he would not push it with her if the room put her off.
Author: Kirika, Posted: Wed Jan 4, 2017 5:59 PM, Post Subject: Home, Sweet Home[P/R]
Kirika gave him a smile but if she honestly knew why she was that way she would have asked to claw her own eyes out. The things that were hidden from her thus far were keeping her alive. If she had known the secret of her birth… Well, she would know soon enough. She kissed him gently before they got to the room.
When he pulled her to him, Kirika smiled up at her him and nodded. It would be alright she thought but Lotus let her know that wasn’t always the case. Kirika was still silent from learning her true role. Lotus, on the other hand, was smiling up at Bryar. “Well, I promise you that she will need your help.” Lotus went to collect a few more things.
“What am I?” Kirika spoke up. “Everyone else is half demon. Why am I different?”
That question stopped Lotus and she turned her head just enough so one of her eyes could look over Kirika. “You aren’t ready for that answer yet. The time will come when I or someone else will tell you. Until then just live your life happily. Have babies, live, do things the rest of us who are fucked up can’t. You are not scarred by Mother. I think that’s why you aren’t liked much.” Lotus filled a bag as she spoke. “Me? I’m going to go party with our brother’s half brother. He has a nice ass.” Lotus winked at Bryar and Kirika blushed.
“That seems really weird,” Kirika managed a breath before Lotus laughed.
“Easy, it’s not like he’s our brother. Plus some demons really don’t mind messing around with their siblings. I promise you that’s not the case here. Dante is just really nice to look at.” Kirika was confused by Lotus but she began to cling to Bryar. Lotus shook her head. “Monogamy isn’t for everyone. I find it boring. Well, I’ll be back. Please stay away from Colden. I would rather not have to stop seeing Dante because Colden gets stupid and attacks you.” Kirika was blushing now as Lotus took off.
“I think I am glad I’m not a half demon. I can’t imagine being with more than one man.” Her eyes stared up at Bryar for a moment. She was really different compared to her siblings now that she had actually met one. She held his arm as they finally left Lotus’s room and they made it down to the master bedroom. The room itself was all torn apart. The bed was broken and the balcony doors were smashed. There was blood everywhere but the bodies had been removed. “This looks terrible? But we could fix it up…” Trying to get her mind off of the conversation with Lotus.
She stepped into the center of the room before she jumped out of the way of the chandelier falling down. She made a noise of shock before taking another deep breath. “We have a lot of work to do..”
Author: Bryar, Posted: Wed Jan 4, 2017 5:32 PM, Post Subject: Home, Sweet Home[P/R]
“Thank you, Angela,” Bryar said, and gave the goddess a deep nod of respect. He had learned rather early on in his relationship with Kirika that Rosenites, no matter their social or divine status, did not necessarily prefer being called by royal or noble names such as ‘m’lady’ and the like. “We truly appreciate your assistance in this matter. With your help and our own elbow grease, we’ll have the Black Court back to its former glory in no time,” he said, though it was clear that the words were not only to assure Kirika, but himself as well.
He gladly walked with Kirika as she took his arm, heading higher into the manor. He took a moment to admire the staircase with her, and could not help but laugh as she began to wipe at the mahogany with her dress. He raised an eyebrow at her, chuckling as she realized what she had absentmindedly had begun doing. He raised his hand up and ran it across her cheek lovingly, leaning down to kiss her chastely and quickly. “You get so excited,” he said, shaking his head a bit as they continued one.
Bryar frowned as he noticed the sad state of the portraits lining the walls. It seemed as though so many acts of hatred had taken place in the walls - it would be a wonder when the two of them had the place in a condition in which they would want to live in it. “I am glad that your eyes are such a beautiful shade of blue, love,” he said, trying to lighten the mood after she finished explaining the eyes. “It is clearly obvious that you did not inherit any of the traits that made her such,” he said, in a very reassuring way.
He tilted his head as Kirika mentioned a ward, and immediately when the woman emerged from the shadows he pulled her to him protectively. He said nothing, seeing how similarly she looked to Kirika - but he kept his guard up. However, he let go of Kirika as she pulled away from him and addressed the woman as her sister - which would make the woman his sister-in-law.
In the next few minutes, many things became clear to Bryar - one of which, that he had essentially married the Queen of Rosenite Assassins, or something to those terms. He was unsure how he felt about this, but he knew that Kirika hadn’t asked for any of it - and he would of course be by her side the entire time. When Lotus finished speaking, he spoke up before anything else could be said. “Kirika will harden herself, but she will have me - her husband - by her side to do whatever must be done.”
Author: Kirika, Posted: Fri Dec 30, 2016 9:42 AM, Post Subject: Home, Sweet Home[P/R]
Angela nodded at them. It was the least she could do in the torment of the stench. She had been death for a while, that scent was never something she got use to. “Think nothing of it, my Dears. I shall work magic and make sure that all the blood and bones are gone so you can focus on the actual problems with this place.” Angela was great at just snapping her fingers and making the bones and blood disappear. She found the varying states of decomposition in the house frightening but she managed to get those as well.
Kirika took Bryar’s arm and walked with him up to the higher levels of the house. The grand staircase was made from a hard very well crafted mahogany. She rubbed the dust off and realized it was actually carved with patterns into it. The levels of dust that had collected on it were filling in the tight spaces. Absentmindedly she began to take her dress of all things and slowly uncover the art piece. “This is done by one of the elves that live here. I’ve seen it in the main castle.” She mused to Bryar. Her blue eyes smiled up at Bryar but she let her dress fall down and she chuckled. “I didn’t mean to use my dress.”
The portraits that lined the walls were thoroughly ruined. They had faces dug out and blood smeared. It made her realize that her mother was so much gone that she even hated herself. “They say, that my mother was the only royal family member to retain the red eyes from the vampire clan that fused their blood to make us.” It was a hushed tone. “That she was doomed from the start. I heard a story once.” She reached up to touch a candle holder that seemed to be made from silver. “That she took her own heart out to take it apart so she could see how it worked. That what fueled her very being was murder.” Her blue eyes looked over at Bryar. “If there ever was a truly evil person in the world, she would be it.”
For a long time, Kirika had wondered if her mother could have been saved but her mind slowly began to damn her over the years. From burying the bodies of those that had lost their lives to her… to finally finding out the truth about her existence. She found a door and cracked it open. It seemed like the only room in the entire house that wasn’t torn apart. Though, as she ran her hands down the door she found etch marks. “There is a ward here.” She mused. “So mother couldn’t get in.” This part of the manor looked grand. The way the bed was set up to the way the balcony doors were done in dark stained glass. The bookshelves were made out of the same dark mahogany as the stairs. This room was largely untouched.
“Who invited you in here?” From the shadows came a woman. “Oh.” She had long tresses of dark hair and bi-colored eyes of gold and red. They stared at both of them. “House is yours now?” She had facial features similar to Kirika but the woman mostly ignored her presence as she came over to the table and grabbed a few things. “This house is cursed. If I were you. I would just burn the bastard down.”
Kirika left Bryar’s side. “Your Lotus. My elder living sister.” The woman stopped in her steps and turned on her heel to look at her. “How can you live in a house like this?”
“I’m used to it. This is the way it was when I was born. This is the way it was when our siblings all died. Murdered.” Lotus looked around and stretched. “As long as that bitch couldn’t get in my room I didn’t care what else she did. I’m shocked the wards are still there. She banished me for attempting to save us all… Got the lot of us killed. Anyways, if you restore the house I’ll live here I suppose. I do need a home.” Lotus looked over Bryar and smiled. “Been a long time since a welcomed male came in.”
Kirika blushed a bit and stared. “Well, you are my sister you are welcome here! I would never turn down my siblings.” Lotus came over and pat the girl on her head.
“That’s how you’re going to get yourself killed. Trust no one, not me, not your brother, not any of us. You have a good heart. I’ve watched you from a distance since you were born. That big loving heart of yours is going to get yourself killed. Word of advice, stay away from Colden. He wants you dead.”
“But why?”
“Because Love, we’re demons its what we do. You also have what he wants and he considers you an obstacle. We’re selfish. Some of us have lost it more than others. You’re the only one with no demon blood, well except Eldora but who know what she is made of. She’ll be a good ally of yours. You can trust her.”
“But you just said.” Lotus put her finger to Kirika’s lips.
“If Eldora wanted you dead. She would do it. She knows every move you make. Every breath you take. Every move you’re going to make. Even if you think you can outsmart her you can’t. She takes payment in knuckles of mages but her visions are never wrong. Being the queen of the Black Court means you are going to have to do things that go against the code. You are the Shadow of Arri now. Do some good with that even if it brings blood. Each Court has their own specialization. Ours? It’s bloody. We kill for a living but it doesn’t have to be bad. Killing someone can turn the tides of war. It can end war. It can begin war. It can bring peace and it can end it. That is your job. They haven’t told you that because you are soft. Harden yourself Kirika. The worst is yet to come.”
Author: Bryar, Posted: Wed Dec 28, 2016 12:39 PM, Post Subject: Home, Sweet Home[P/R]
“We will show the people that there has been change - you are not your mother,” he said, and his words were firm, but loving. He had, of course, been informed of a great many things about Kirika’s past - in fact, he probably knew more than she thought he did. He also put emphasis on the word ‘we,’ but not for a selfish reason. He wanted Kirika to know that they were in this together - he would not make her go through this transition alone. He was her husband, and this also meant that he needed to be her rock - he needed to be there for her through all things, no matter how difficult. It was a vow he had not taken lightly, and one he intended to keep for eternity.
Bryar found himself quite grateful for Angela’s divinity at that moment, more so than he usually did. While was used to unfriendly scents from his times spent in the wilds, the stench of death that overpowered them when the manor was opened was unlike anything he had ever experienced before. “That’s… thank you,” he said, directing his gratitude towards Angela. “That would have made things a bit more difficult, if we had to deal with that from the very start.”
Bryar looked around at the frame of the building - Kirika was right. It was quite obvious that the manor had been marvelous in its day, but the years or torture and abuse at the hands of Kirika’s mother had absolutely destroyed the structure’s outer appearance. He listened carefully to the exchange between Kirika and Angela, as his foot connected with a discarded femur that lay on the ground. He scrunched his nose up a bit, but did not divert their attention.
Bryar found himself respecting Angela Rose more than he already had as she was so straight forward with Kirika about what had happened to her mother. Most people would have sugar coated it or tried to place the blame on someone else, but Angela held true to what had happened and knew that nothing would be gained through lying to Kirika about the circumstances of her mother’s demise. He was, however, grateful that she changed the subject quickly, before Kirika could get too worked up about the situation (even though he was unsure if she would or not).
Bryar held his hand out to Kirika as he took a step towards the large staircase, intent on heading up the stairs to check out the upper levels of rooms. “Come, my love. Let us look at what work is ahead of us. I am sure your aunt will not mind us venturing off on our own into the manor, since it is to be our home? Perhaps she can work a bit of her magic down here to give us a jump start while we check out other things?”
Author: Kirika, Posted: Thu Dec 15, 2016 2:10 PM, Post Subject: Home, Sweet Home[P/R]
Angela nodded to Bryar. “Things to discuss later my Loves.” Kirika gave a bit of a determined look as she thought about what this could mean. She had siblings that had died in that house, but what else lurked within in those walls? It scared her to think about it as she walked with Angela and Bryar.
Kirika lovingly snuggled into Bryar as he reassured her that they would indeed fix it up. “I know we are. I want it to be a beacon that we can change. This isn’t my mother’s house anymore, it is mine… ours.” She was quick to correct herself as she smiled up at her now husband. It was still weird to think that they were married and had been for a while now.
Angela gave a soft smile as she unlocked the chains to the manor and watched them hit the ground. Opening the doors it was the smell that would first hit them. “Let’s get rid of that.” With a snap of her fingers, the manor smelled so much better. “There roses all around. Though once I leave it will probably go back to normal. We’ll have to clean up what we can while I’m here..” Angela offered a sad smile as they walked what had been a grand entry.
“It looks as if it was beautiful back when it was built.” Kirika squeaked out as she moved inside away from Bryar and looked at some of the bones on the ground. “My mother did this over the years?”
Angela thought on her question. “Yes, she didn’t care who she killed as long as it got her more power. If she could summon a demon using the bodies she would. Bryar asked about the bodies and I wasn’t going to answer while you were here but you deserve to hear it. Cyprus Rose was a mass murderer. As long as she stayed contained we let her do what she wanted. Through the fury and flames, we regret not stopping her. Through her, we got the only heiress, Kirika. It was a little late to save everyone who had died here but we saved you.”
“What happened to her?” Kirika didn’t hesitate to ask as she peeled some of the wall back that was crumbling.
Angela hesitated. “I killed her for what she did to me.” Kirika stopped and looked back at the aunt who normally held no blood on her hands. “I won’t tell you how so don’t ask. That is my secret Kirika. Just know she got what she deserved. She had killed my son so I killed her.” She was quick to switch topics. “The manor is quite large but up the grand staircase is the master bedroom… It is larger than any of the other rooms and has a washroom attached to it. We can have staff placed in once we get it fixed up of course.”
Author: Bryar, Posted: Thu Dec 15, 2016 1:19 PM, Post Subject: Home, Sweet Home[P/R]
Bryar wrapped an arm protectively around Kirika as they disembarked the vessel, holding her close to him. He could tell that the vast number of people present before them set her at disease, and it was his mission to keep her safe and protected. “There are quite a few,” he said, chuckling slightly. He drew her in a bit closer and kissed her on the top of her head, before meeting her eyes with his own. “It will be okay, love,” he said, squeezing her slightly as a show of solidarity.
He could not help but to grin as he caught sight of Angela approaching them, shoving the spectators out of the way. He smiled warmly at her as she approached them, her motherly arms wrapping around the two. Listening intently, his smile faded as Angela began describing to them the dark state of Black Court Manor - and thinking of how much work they were going to have to do. He almost chuckled at Kirika as she covered her face, but held it in, choosing rather to address the Triune goddess instead. “We will enter, then,” he said firmly. “But if I may be so bold as to ask… bodies? I’m guessing there’s quite a bit of backstory that I haven’t been let in on just yet,” he said, raising an eyebrow. He gave Angela a look that suggested he would like to be filled in later, but now was not the time as it would most likely upset Kirika.
“We will clean it up, love,” he said reassuringly, drawing Kirika tightly against his body once more. “We will scour the place floor to ceiling, and we will make it ours,” he said. “Black Court Manor will be known as a shining beacon in Sularia, far from what it once was.” He was convinced that the two of them would be able to make it a glorious place - even if it was going to take a lot of work. “I’m fairly decent with stonework, too… I can get some work on it.”
He unwrapped his arm from around Kirika and gestured towards their destination, assuming that Angela would be joining them as well. “M’ladies?” he said, offering the pair to take the lead. He would, of course, offer to enter the building first when they arrived to ensure its safety, but he was not of the most knowledge on how to get to their destination. “I would suggest we survey the manor before we make any decisions.”.
Author: Kirika, Posted: Thu Dec 15, 2016 9:53 AM, Post Subject: Home, Sweet Home[P/R]
They arrived home on a ship. It had been decorated with flowers and what, not for their arrival home. They had taken the time to travel Parvpora for their honeymoon. When the ship ported and they came down the ramp. There was a whole crowd of people waiting for them to get off the ship and immediately Kirika blushed and snuggled into Bryar’s warm chest. “It’s good to be home but there are so many people I think I might pop.” A worried whisper left her lips as her blue eyes looked up at him.
Angela pushed the people aside. “Come on, you were all told how the girl is. Move it, move it. You can give congratulations later!” She came over to put her arms around the newlyweds. “You’ll have to forgive this but we’ll need you at Black Court Manor. We haven’t done anything with it… Still bodies and what not everywhere. Most people consider it a curse even to go in. I think if you two did that things will start to get done. We can change things as you call them, though.”
Kirika looked ill for a moment as she brought up her sleeve, tho long and bellowing, to cover her face just a bit. “I don’t know how I feel about bodies, Aunt Angela.”
“I think I would feel the same way. If I tried to clear it I would level the whole house. I think though that this is a good first challenge for you two. Think of it this way… The bodies are merely skeletons now. It was much more gruesome in its heyday.” That thought relaxed Kirika as she looked up to Bryar.
“Home sweet home I suppose…” The two were lead up a wilting road that needed a lot of work. The manor that would be their home was falling apart and needed a lot of love. Even the stonework that had been done was slowing crumbling away from the abuse of its past mistress. “So this is it? I’ve never been here.”
“For good reason Dearest. This place smells of my sister. We could build the entire thing again or you can just tell me if you want to restore all the wood and stone. That is up to you both, though. I suggest taking a look at it first. A lot of bad memories are in that place.” Angela pat Kirika on the head.
