Closed A Place to Play (Annalisa Marin)

[Volanaro]

36th of Spring, 514

The cold fogs of the courtyard licked at the Nuit's face as a vibrant laugh escaped his lips, vibrant gray eyes of storm cloud cast about as he searched for the pathway that would lead into the dungeons. He remembered very little of the citadel proper, and he spent nearly fourty-five chimes in search of the pathway, distracted by the means of headstones and the fog obscuring his view. Volanaro, however, did not mind it in the slightest, the hood of his ramie robes raised over his head, a small hand traversing the rough stone outline of the nearest headstone. This place is a... graveyard, right?Dead bodies and bones? I wonder if there's something to play with!

The thought, and with it, a sudden urge, came as quickly as the realization, a smile curling his pale features as fingers continued to move along the length of the headstone, lowering further and towards the earth, causing the Nuit to follow suit and find himself in a crouched position as fingers felt along the face of the stone for printed letters. Do they mark the graves? It seems so... strange! Why have graves without names? Just bury the useless toys in the ground and find new ones! The Nuit laughed aloud at the foolishness of his fellow Nuit before he moved to the earth itself.

Ghosts began to flock towards him, a single hand moving to brush against the ramie material of the Reimancer's robes before it was pulled away by a mysterious force. Volanaro didn't pay the slightest attention, instead allowing his view instead to focus upon the headstone, fingers digging into the earth beneath the stone surface before he came to a realization.

Silly, silly Vol! Now you're being just as thick as the people who marked the graves! Magic is the answer to EVERYTHING. Why dig when you can use Reimancy?

The Nuit was well aware with the fact that he was unable to manipulate the earth itself and manually dig out the material he wanted, but there were other ways to do the same thing.

Fog... it's nothing but water dispersed by the air, kept light enough to float about and look all creepy crawly. So... I should be able to manipulate it!

The Nuit decided to test his theory, his smile fading as focus pulled at his thoughts. Djed flowed into his hand, seeping from the body in the form of a crimson miasma. The Res coalesced upon Volanaro's fingers, swirling about in the vicinity of his hand, very much like the fog above. The Nuit then raised his palm, the Res following it, coating the small, pale limb. The moisture in the fog began to gather as Volanaro willed the material to attract to his Res, the process slow. But, in time, droplets of water began to latch onto the crimson gas, turning what was wispy gas held in place by the Nuit's mind into a gas floating in the midst of a liquid, the water forming into what could be compared to a container around the Nuit's hand, conic in shape and rippling against his fingertips.

The cone then collapsed and matted itself against the Nuit's hand before Volanaro guided the Res lower, allowing the water and the Res with it to seep into the earth. The Res allowed Volanaro to clearly feel where the water was placed. And with the feeling came transmutation.

Pleasure rolled down the Nuit's spine and in his mind, a giddy laughter escaping his lips as he willed the Res to tramsute into cold air, swirling with the water embedded in the earth. Though Volanaro could no longer sense the Res, he could physically see what it had done. The earth parted beneath him, a fissure forming along the length of the grave as ice began to expand beneath the ground. Earth tore from earth, and Volanaro could see a single crack moving downwards deeper along the grave.

The task was by no means complete, though he had started his efforts, the Nuit willing more Res into creation, the gas flowing again from his fingertips as he willed the quantity to flow into the crack his previous transmutation had created. Shards of ice were mixed with the earth, scattered by the expansion, but Volanaro ignored it, having little need for it, now that his work had been done. Res filled the cracks in the grave, Volanaro condensing it, packing it into the space so that he could allow one final transmutation, laughter bubbling from his lips, joy setting firmly in his mind as he willed a final transmutation.

Air.

The word was spoken in his mind as he willed the element to burst in the crack, swirling violently as the winds picked up the mud that his previous transmutation had disrupted. He pushed it to each side, creating a hole just wide enough for Volanaro's entire arm to fit into, and at the end, rather than the pure, black abyss of earth, the Nuit saw white. A bone!

Volanaro reached into the hole, fingers brushing aside loose mud and silt from the surface of the bone, his fist closing around it. The child pulled, grounding his legs in the motion and slowly, but surely pulling the bone from its muddy prison. The thing was broken at one end, pointed and cracked, but Volanaro did not seem to mind. He squealed with joy, brushing the last bits of mud from the bone before he turned on his heel and headed westward.

A pathway was marked, footprints clearly showing that the way was commonly tread. This must be the dungeons!

The Nuit allowed a smile to grace his lips, the boy humming to himself as he waved the bone he had acquired about like a sword, his smile clear and set upon his boyish features as he approached the doors of the Dungeons.

[Annalisa Marin]

“Stand back, you curs, lest you wish to get caught up in this!” A sharp and arrogant voice commanded, the gaggle of Apprentices backing away from the scene.

The weaves of Djed were being plucked and sown into a tapestry of art, a spell Annalisa Marin, Wizard of the Citadel, was attempting to work upon. Upon the floor near the tall woman was a series of Barrier Glyphs, each one designed to contain the effects of this spell to a localized area within. This section of the Common Labs was somewhat populated, though most were inclined to take the advice of the Pulser woman that could manipulate the elements as well as any Master ranked wizard. Given that she had bothered with so many Barriers it was likely it was somewhat destructive.

The sorceress tugged at the pool of her Djed, that energy that existed so well within her and made up her entire identity. She grasped at the strands and willed them outwards from her body, trying to give the energy proper form and substance though at this point it was as easy as breathing. Purple gaseous res radiated from her body at a frightening speed, thrills of euphoric bliss coursing down her spine as the substance encircled her like a shroud. Power, sheer and utter caressed her mind and tickled at her senses though it was hardly enough to draw her from her task.

The res was gathered up in a cloud and moved outwards towards the ring of Glyphed Barriers, shifting and swirling in the air magnificently. This was trial number three of reimantic para-elemental phase: sand, Anna intended for it to be the last one. Yesterday she had tried and failed to understand the proper formula, but now she thought she truly understood how it functioned. She had used the concept of beaches and built up from there, thus the equation required more than just air and earth, but also water. Water was the primary erosion factor for truly good sand, air was there as well and earth as the base which made this a three way para-element. Anna had never actually tried such an ambitious experiment before, but now she was.

The first phase was the concepts of earth and water, holding them firmly in mind as she thinned out the gaseous res over the Barriers. These strands of gaseous res began to condense and solidify but Anna didn’t stop it there, her mind awash with euphoric desire and bliss. From here the tall woman would will air to enter the remaining transmutation process, attempting to transmute the whole of the process to the Sand Para-Element she so desired. Her teeth were grit as the transmutation was carried out, though as she discovered to her dismay the process was a tick too late.

The Earth and Water transmutation finished well in advance, solid earth being granted a conforming shape and the pair meeting in the middle as a form of muddy substance. Meanwhile the remaining res transmuted to compressed air that breezed harmlessly against the array of Barrier Glyphs, its effects negated completely and never reaching the outside. A savage growl came from the dark haired woman, who stared at the consolation of having created mud in utter frustration and irritation.

She might have created a different Para-Element sure, one that she had been unfamiliar with and no doubt had countless uses but it was not the Para-Element she had been after. A mere blending of Earth and Water was a pittance compared to the formula she had striven to create, the mud Para-Element was overlooked for the importance of what Sand could have held. If she could combine more Para-Elements together, that would open countless other possibilities, opening more doors than imaginable by the majority of Wizards.

Anna took in a deep breath and pinched the bridge of her nose, pondering and thinking as she attempted to curb her frustration. She had failed in the formula so that either meant she had gotten the formula itself wrong, or that she was overcomplicating the transmutation process. Either were possibilities really, both required either thought and contemplation or perhaps advice from one more experienced that herself in these matters.

Grey eyes narrowed dangerously, the thought of going to Roknus Maelstrom to request advice on Para-Elemental creation appealed to her as much as sticking her face into a bucket filled with Hatchet Fish. Still, when it came to pure reimancy genius in the Citadel there were none that could match the Mad Master of Reimancy, for that and for aforementioned madness. Besides she was no longer that weakling Apprentice she had been when they had first met, she was a Wizard of the Citadel and one that controlled the forces of the four elements with ease. Maelstrom had no choice but to respect that, even in his own domain.

With this in mind Anna turned away from her space, brushing roughly passed Apprentices and visitors alike on her way out of this section of the Common Labs. The sorceress certainly cut an intimidating image with her black silk robes trimmed in purple, black dress slippers peeking out from under the low hem every once and a while. Upon her right ring finger twisted a ring of silver, rubies glinting along the edges and the sigil of a burning scroll upon it. Her dark hair was pulled up into a high ponytail and her form seemed less starving and deprived than the majority of pulsers on Sahova.

The woman’s steps led her out of the Gug Andjak and into the Courtyard, her mind numb to the faint whispers and cries of the ghosts there. She followed the path Mistress Wanda had laid out for those traveling through her domain, her path taking her across the gravestone filled place and towards the Dungeons. Her intension was not to indulge in any pleasantries there however, but to continue downwards into the Caverns. At least that was before she noted someone else about to enter the Dungeons.

He looked young, though from this angle Anna couldn’t tell if he was pulser or undead she was willing to bet it was the latter. Most people around here were Nuit after all, though there were a few rare exceptions like herself. What she did notice immediately was that he lacked a ring around any of his fingers, which prompted a smirk. Unless he possessed one it was impossible for him to gain entrance to the Dungeons, as it was restricted to visitors without and escort. Only those fully ranked by Sahova could go beyond the wards that blocked the entrance.

“That would be ill-advised unless you happen to be hiding you ring of rank somewhere other than your hands. The wards won’t allow you into the Dungeons.” Anna stated as she approached, her lips curled upwards into an arrogant smirk and her tone smooth like honey.

[Volanaro]

Volanaro did not require the musings of a strange woman to know that he wasn't welcome within the Dungeons. His fingers already pressed to the door, yet they were unable to find any sort of leverage. The pressing and pulling against the dense material would do little, the Nuit's physical strength negligible, and though he was a guest in Sahova, he could feel the pull of djed in his stomach.

It was a deep, roaring emptiness in the boy's body, so stark and felt in comparison to the normal emptiness associated with his lack of food. This had so little to do with survival and so much more with feeling of a power so much greater than his own. The Nuit did not immediately turn to face the woman, so much more fascinated with the door and how it restricted him, a frown pulling at his lips.

Magic is the power here in Sahova... This much I know, but what sort of magic could prevent me from opening a door? Because I don't have a ring? If this one speaks true, then that means...

The knowledge that the ring held significance only raised more questions in the Nuit's mind, and thus, Volanaro saw it fit to turn around. Vibrant eyes of thundercloud cast towards the woman, the blonde child tilting his head as he pressed his fingers to his cheek. The ghosts had, without the boy being aware, lowered his hood, the boy's face in full view.

His body lacked visible markings, though his palms were heavily laden with burns, from the procedures he had set into place to preserve his body. The wounds would not be seen, for the entirety of his hands were hidden behind the heavy sleeves of his robes. Spectacles adorned the Nuuit's features, the delicate, metallic rims of which each surrounded a single, circular lens.

The boy managed a smile again, his left, dominant hand curled around the body of the bone he had unearthed, bits of frost and mud still pressed into it, the earth drying and encrusting the bone with its unwelcome presence. Frowning, the Nuit looked to the woman before returning his attention to the bone in his hand.

The citadel was dedicated to magic, so the application of his craft surely would not come as a surprise to the woman. He decided to do so, pulling at his djed, moulding it and spreading it as a liquid upon the surface of the bone. The crimson liquid rippled and breathed, the Nuit following the movements with his own, redundantly inhaled breath, a habit forged with his learning how to manipulating his Res.

The motion raised his shoulders, his lungs, by fortune preserved with the acquisition of this body, expanded, filling with the unnecessary air that did little but fill the organs. He expelled the gas as he willed transmutation to take place, crimson res converted into transparent water, the liquid sliding along the length of the bone, taking with it the encrusted mud. The dried material, wet again by the motion, began to slide, traces of it lingering, though Volanaro seemed not to notice.

Rather, once the bone was 'cleansed', the Nuit cast his gaze towards the woman again, a smile gracing his features as he stepped towards her, making the woman's height all the more apparent. He stood at just below her shoulder in height, his gaze directed slightly upwards, a measure of distance set between the two as he asked, "Well... obviously, you can go in. Could I go with you...? You look to be headed in that direction. I just want to play!"

He nodded resolutely, waving his bone about excitedly before he looked to the ring on the woman's finger, the thing that she had mentioned before. Curled around the third finger of her right hand, glinting silver encrusted with rubies stared back at the Nuit. He glanced at it several times before he paused in thought, curiosity present upon the Nuit's expression as he asked, "Is there a way I can get one of those rings? I wanna learn! It's lots of fun!"

[Annalisa Marin]

Anna’s eyes fell upon the child, recognizing the signs of a Nuit rather easily as she gazed upon his smaller form in the dark circled eyes, the corpse like completion and the black tongue when he finally did speak. The sorceress had been too long upon Sahova that such signs would escape her notice, just as she did not bother to hide the signs of life in her own body. Her breathing was not stifled, she blinked when necessary and her body would be warm to the touch. Never would she hate the fact she was alive, living upon Sahova had showed her that the Nuits existence did not appeal to her.

A tingle ran down her own spine, more akin to a shiver really as Res was manipulated before her very eyes. Grey orbs narrowed slightly at the action though she simply crossed her arms under her breasts, waiting to see what this Nuit would do with the substance. His generation speed was lesser than her own and his control seemed to require more concentration and effort, drawing a smirk from Anna. He used the substance to slide the grime from a bone in his hand, transmuting it to water and cleaning the bone.

Once the Nuit was finished with his task he stepped forward, inquiring as to whether she would be willing to assist him in entering into the Dungeon. A dark brow rose up at the inquiry, technically not a difficult request but the sorceress was not one to simply do things for free or without some gain. The next thing he inquired towards was the ring and its acquisition, which was another bit of information she could keep to herself for now. Knowledge was power within the Citadel; those who had it were automatically raised above those that did not.

“A bold request from a Nuit I know nothing of. The wards are generally there for a reason, to keep out the unworthy in Sahova. A poor wizard I would be to provide a boon such as that with no gain for myself, no?” The tall woman said as she peered down at the child Nuit, her tone smooth like honey.

“So why don’t you start off with why I should see fit to escort you though the wards and into areas where visitors are normally restricted? While you are at it a name offered would be appreciated as well, or would you prefer I call you Nuit Visitor?” Anna inquired, moving past the child to lean against the door to the Dungeons easily.

The tall woman looked at the ring around her finger, bitterness still lying within her heart at what the thing represented at its very core. The ring was a shackle to the island of Sahova, one that would follow her even should she manage to leave the cursed place. Some might argue the tradeoffs were worth it as she was in a place where magic was accepted, respected even if one was a truly great wizard. However Anna knew well what the truth was after having lived here as she had, that this place was horrific in such a way that no amount of acceptance in the world could change.

“As for the ring perhaps you can… perhaps you cannot, Nuit. If you convince me to let you in to the Dungeons we’ll play a game. If you win, I’ll tell you how you might attempt to get one of your own.” The sorceress replied, the full weight of her gaze upon the Nuit child now.

Anna had been intending to simply visit the Elements Sanctum but apparently this could be an interesting sidetrack. The tall woman did so love having the upper hand in dealings with others, for all else the ring symbolized it gave her freedom and power within Sahova. Those beneath her were forced to recognize the worth the Masters had seen in her, simply by the measure of that piece of metal. Her magic was another story entirely.