Closed A Small Issue

[Brandon Blackwing]

x

OOCI think it would have been if Bran and Kaik were even remotely able to work together instead of fighting all the time ;p I mean, they hadn’t even started yet and they were already exchanging insults. I never once thought this would work out well… though it is fun

Bah.

Kaik’s sarcasm was like a blunt edge striking ten foot thick armor; harmless. However, it did create a ringing noise that annoyed the crap out of people. “You know Kaik, there’s a little thing called torture. It consists of inflicting great and rather continuous pain on a victim to break them.” On a ghost, that thing was not likely to work, however, a spiritist could easily find a way to manage, right? Levi might not be willing to participate in that kind of thing, but surely there were others out there who weren’t bound by ethics. Hey, Dira had never instructed him to be nice to apparitions. Heck, she’d given him no instructions whatsoever!

“No, I still can’t force anything. However, I can … assist… her in making a choice. Making the right choice.” Oh he could for sure. By now he even had thought of a way to actually torture Azura, if the need arose. It was quite simple really; he just needed a spiritist to trap her in a barrier so she couldn’t run, and then all he had to do was use soulmist-coated objects to harm her even if she wasn’t materialized. It would probably be expensive though… burning down the library might be the better option then.

Brandon stood just by and watched as the dollmaker went through some stages of… something. And then he made something that sounded suspiciously like an accusation. Well, to be honest it was just a question, but even a fool could hear the hidden meaning of those words. Taking credit was not part of the plan though; Incognito had left his calling card, and Brandon was not thinking of ever revealing himself as the phantom thief. Or at least not for a long time still. “The Animation Studio… Ah yes, that wretched place.” He sighed theatrically. “I’ll have to disappoint you, but no, it wasn’t me. I heard the official story tells there was an accident with an oil lamp or something, though I am more of a believer of the unofficial tale. The rumors.”

Rumors which held more truth than most people seemed to believe. “You know what I’m talking about, right? Incognito.” He cocked his head slightly, “The Shinya have tried to keep things under wraps of course, lying about accidents and all. I don’t think anyone actually believes it was one though.” A shrug. People weren’t stupid; sure, openly declaring the fire the work of an infamous criminal would cause the citizens to be careful, but it would also cause panic. For the sake of the peace of the city, the Shinya were right not to give the populace that information.

“Two other things;” the bat casually stated, showing two fingers. “Firstly, I summed up what spiritists can do. Like you pointed out so nicely, yes, ’can’, not ‘will’. Not all spiritists use those methods, it depends on preference, I’d wager.” Another shrug, but then the bat’s expression changed, letting the casual charade crack and shatter, allowing his rage to show. Once again he rushed forwards, this time charging at Kaik. There wasn’t much space between them in the first place, so it took perhaps one swift step before the Kelvic had grabbed the man’s wrist and collar, and smacked him into the floor with a shoulder throw. He did not release the dollmaker’s wrist though, placing a couple fingers on a particular spot on the joint.

“And two. You’re taking your words back.” A miracle perhaps, but his voice remained calm, though the tone of voice could only be described as ‘icy’. “Insults to my person are one thing, but those to Dira are another. You’re taking them back right now. Or else… I’m taking your wrist.” Temporarily, but hey, the dollmaker did not need to know. “So what will it be?” For the moment, Brandon decided the ghost was not worthy of his attention.

x

credit goes to Euthisa

[Kaik Leyr]

Right, torture. That brings back memories. Really bad memories. Hard to forget with it etched into my skin. Even if I got rid of it...it won’t really leave.

Kaik narrowed his eyes. “Yeah, I’m fully aware of what ‘torture’ means and what it can do. Though it’s somewhat hard to perform torture on a ghost, don’t you think? And assuming a Spiritist has the means to do so, I somehow doubt you’re a Spiritist yourself.”

The assumption was based on the fact that if Djas did have the ability to do so, he would not have let this job go on as long as it did.

The dollmaker had worn a dubious look. “Right. ‘Assist’. Torture is, as you said before, breaking down a person’s will, but the point to doing so is to get what you want. Now, you might want use different word than ‘assist’, maybe ‘force’? The ‘thing’ you seem to think you’re not doing.”

First hand experience had taught him what torture meant.

Okay, so he says he did not burn the studio down. Now that I think about it, it was too earlier to have assume it was him. Surely there were like-minded people like him in the city. Still it can’t be farfetched to assume this guy is somehow involved in the accident. He’s certainly not hesitant to stab a doll in public.

If any other would have said him the exact same line, Kaik would have believed him; however people are capable of lying, and Kaik could not turn down the idea that Djas had lied. Still without proper proof there would have been no way to have accused him of being the arsonist.

Kaik shrugged. “Hm, surprised you actually know of the Animation Studio then. It’s not that famous around here. Though I suppose with your hate for my branch of magic, you’re bound to know of it.”

Idle chatter at best, however it still revealed Kaik’s doubt in the Djas’s words. The Animator expected nothing to come from what he said, well he had expected a snarky comment or shrug, but nothing that would help him prove his prior assumptions.

I’ve always wanted to believe in that official lie they created. Still it would be stupid to believe such a thing.

Kaik sighed. “Yeah, the infamous thief, Incognito.”

People have stopped talking about him, or perhaps her, for a while. Though it’s hard not to remember such a person. Why say this person’s name though? He’s a thief. So that means even this “Incognito” has a hate toward Animation?

The black haired man held up two fingers. He stated Kaik was correct was in his reasoning, though said nothing worthwhile in the end.

It was made immediate known that Djas had not appreciated Kaik’s previous words. The man’s face had taken on a look of pure hate. Before the Dollmaker could react, the world in his eyes had already been spun. He let out a gasp of pain as his head hit the floor.

With muddled eyes he looked around the library in confusion. Djas’s fragmented voice could be heard. In the distance he could see Azura stunned with wide open eyes.

Just run away, Azura. You’ve been doing a fine job of it so far. Don’t cause trouble and those Spiritist probably won’t chase you. Just gotta run from shykers like this guy.

His mouth made the movements, but he said nothing. ‘Just run’ would have been what he said.

Djas had said something, though the ringing in his ear chopped of the man’s words.

What was it he said? ‘Take back your words?’ Something about ‘Dira’? Whatever it is he want’s me to say, I don’t think I’ll take back my words.

“No.”

Having not heard what Djas said last, the next step was inevitable.

A familiar pain took the Dollmaker. His left arm had been pinned by Djas. It had been a terrifying experience for him to have lost all control of his left hand. If it had to be compared, he much preferred the pain he felt now then when he was captured by Melissa; it was by no means a tolerable pain, accompanied with fatigue it had been more than just unpleasant.

“Petch you and your goddess!” He screamed with what energy he had left.

Pain escalated until his forearm became useless. The heartless torturer may have said something, but Kaik heard nothing but his own voice. He struggled to escape, though he had already been unconsciously doing so before.

“You’re both heartless petchers! I won’t say what you want!” He screamed out, as if it helped ease the pain.

Having never taken an interest in the gods, Kaik had no specific knowledge of any god. It any other situation he would have been amazed at how more effective it was to insult a god instead of their follower.

The Dollmaker’s voice quieted down, though he still gasped in pain and fear. It had been already known to him that he had lost control of his arm, but it took a while to have understood what that meant.

He took my hand. It’s...gone. As if not a part of me. What did he do? Why did this happen?

His words had no emotion left in them. Trails of tears fell from his face, yet the energy in his his eyes had lost the fury that burned just a half chime ago.

“So...this is- is what you want? Just an apology? Then I must be an idiot not to just say so, correct? Well...my answer is still no.” Kaik took a chime to breath. “Though, I don’t feel like dying or losing what I have left. Ah, if I say what you want will you leave the ghost alone? Can’t you just be happy with this much? Just leave the girl alone. Can’t exactly do Animation in such a condition either, so I guess that a plus for you, right?”

While not exactly true in that Kak could still easily perform Animation, creating new shells would be a more difficult task.

Ha. I actually lost my left hand. I can’t control it. It had to be my left arm too, why not the right? My right arm, etched with the scars of that time. What cruel fate is this?

Fear finally settled in Kaik’s mind.

He had started to mumble to himself. “Carving will be difficult. One arm? What am I to do with a part of me gone? What will I have lost?”

Azura had remained in the library. She watched intently as Kaik turned into a shell of what he once was. There indeed was a frail bond that existed between the two, but could have been easily cut. Nothing, but a promise held the two together.

Fear forced her to stay put and not say anything. Guilt filled her as the man who tried to help her screamed in pain. She wanted to mock this man for trying to act the tragic hero, who sacrificed everything to save the townsfolk. Azura did not have it in her to think such a mocking thought.

When it seemed Kaik was at the edge of insanity Azura could not watch anymore.

Her words started as a whisper, “stop it.” Azura’s voice continued to rise until she had been screaming. Tears flowed from her ethereal eyes. The loudest scream she could let out had echoed for a long period of time.

OOCBrandon is a jerk.
If only Kaik knew the Bat is an unarmed combat master (Well he'd still 'try' to go up against him).

Boxcode by Yra

[Brandon Blackwing]

x

Kaik refused with a bold 'no', giving up his left wrist instead. Brandon had no qualms kicking a downed opponent, nor did he feel too bad about injuring an incapacitated foe further. Incapacitated one moment did not mean they would be the next; it was always best to be safe. Sure, Brandon usually knocked his enemies out cold, but only because he did not believe in taking lives left and right. Everyone had the right to live –well, most of them anyway- whether they chose to stand in his way or not. Besides, sometimes he felt killing them would be going too easy on some of them.

The bat went right ahead, starting with the pressure point he’d placed his fingers on. He pressed and twisted for one brief moment, inputting false information to the astral body of Kaik’s wrist, inducing a stab of pain. One point was not enough though, oh no. With the dollmaker’s wrist held in a vice grip, Brandon repeated the process multiple times, rapidly moving from one pressure point to the next, not as fast as he’d have liked, but it wasn’t slow either. It was a matter of practice. Here though, it didn’t really pose that much of a problem, Kaik wasn’t going to get up any time soon, from the looks of it.

All points had been manipulated, and Brandon could see the effects right away; the affected wrist was limp and useless, as numb as it could be. Kaik shouldn’t be feeling anything there anymore; no pain, no touch, no wrist… He’d disrupted the flow of information from the physical to the astral body, pinned down the rope between the two stones. Even if one moved, the other wouldn’t; the connection between them –the cord- was nailed into the floor. “Well, I’ll take your elbow for that, ” stated as Kaik only spouted more insults, though this one wasn’t as offending as the last. Still, one had to be consequent with these things.

Brandon changed his grip, grabbing the arm close to the elbow, starting to work on the points there, planning on making that part completely useless for a couple bells too. He didn’t really have to work fast, but he did so anyway, for the sake of practice. As fast as he could, he pressed and twisted his fingers onto the points, pinning more of the metaphorical rope between the metaphorical stones to the metaphorical ground. Another useless joint. Kaik struggled harder, and Brandon placed a knee on his chest to keep him in place. He released the arm then, wanting to go for the shoulder too, but realizing he’d have a hard time to get to it with the studded armor the dollmaker was wearing. Well, he settled stomping on the shoulder while getting up instead.

The Animator seemed to rapidly lose his will to resist as he came to realize the result of his stubbornness. Still, the guy did not take back his words, and Brandon could only look down on him while shaking his head. “Well, then I won’t have to feel bad at all for what comes next.” Not that the Kelvic had felt any remorse for taking the man’s wrist and elbow before either. In the bat’s eyes, Kaik was a fool for not valuing his body higher than some words. Fools like him were beyond saving, beyond pity. He didn’t need to listen to the dollmaker’s babbling anymore either, he had had his chance. Now Brandon would deal with the ghost his way. He wouldn’t leave her alone even if it meant hunting her down for years. Passively, of course.

As the young man slipped into senseless mumbling, the ghost started to voice her desire for this to stop, quietly at first, but soon enough yelling at the top of her lungs –if she had any. It gave Brandon an idea; he could exploit this situation. Slowly, the bat walked back to Kaik, grabbing his other arm, twisting it behind his back in such a way that struggling wouldn’t do him much good. “How about I take this elbow too?” he queried rhetorically, already manipulating the pressure points, hoping he was in the middle of the ghost’s sight. To be sure though, he’d spoken loudly, so she’d hear for sure.

“You know,”he mused, dropping the man’s arm in favor of grabbing a leg, setting himself down on the dollmaker’s back, “I might just take your knees too!” He glanced back at the man’s face. “You don’t mind do you?” He wasn’t really expecting a reply that made sense, but he decided to interrupt whatever the man said with: “I thought so. Well then, here we go!” He started on the pressure points there too, stopping halfway and looking up, as if he just now had noticed Azura was still here, and that she was screaming. “You want me to stop? Really? I haven’t really begun yet… and really, this isn’t all that bad. I can do worse.” He stared at her for a bit, eyebrow raised quizzically. “Say, how about this? I will stop this if you pass on. No?” He shrugged, continuing on the knee, occasionally smacking his elbow into the dollmaker’s head to daze him. Soon enough he was done with the right knee, and moved on to the next.

“I am serious, if you want to stop, move on. Pass away.”

x

credit goes to Euthisa

[Kaik Leyr]

Emptiness existed where the Dollmaker’s left arm was. The pain in his left shoulder served as a reminder that his arm still existed, though it was unusable. He chuckled having noted that unlike his dolls, tying a new arm on himself would not work. Maybe it would have worked if he had been a better Animator, but as far as he knew, doing such a thing was a waste of time.

Regret had perhaps passed his mind, but he never regretted saying ‘no’. It seemed foolish not to give in to Djas, but that meant giving up and saying the man was right. Words mattered to Kaik, more so than the body. Words are used to make people move, words make up the life of a person, and words can change a life. More than just words, it was actions that Kaik valued.

To create a self-aware being no different than a person in mind and heart, who can change the world through their own actions; that is what I want.

Kaik had remained on the floor with his mind not able to cope with losing his arm. Sitting where Kaik last stayed, were the two dolls the Animator had brought along. They stared at their creator, who dared not to command them.

They have to stay safe. Didn’t say before, that I could make more? So why must I cherish them so? Does it matter why I feel this way? No. It doesn’t matter what happens now, I have to keep them and...Azura safe. Because that’s just how I feel.

The motivation to move escaped Kaik. When Djas moved in a position to take his other elbow Kaik had remained motionless, much like a puppet with no string attached.

Ah, so it’s the other arm now? Oh, seems like he want’s to take a leg instead.

Kaik forced a smile. “Doesn’t matter what I s-”

Djas had not cared what was said. Instead he started his process of taking Kaik’s leg until he stopped to look at Azura. The Dollmaker also looked in the direction of where Azura would be.

It would take time for Kaik to accept the lost of his arm and potentially leg, but such thoughts did not interrupt his logic. It had not been hard to understand how Kaik was viewed through Djas’s eyes. A tool used to rid himself of a ghost, only to be thrown in the trash. The Dollmaker gritted his teeth in frustration. Sanity had returned to the young man, though in the form of anger.

This is not how things should be done. This is what brings civilization to the brink of destruction again. She does not deserve to die again through such cruelty.

Azura eyes continued to shine glimmering tears. She had stopped yelling to respond to what the Torturer said.

“I said before to stop this! That young man...Kaik, doesn’t deserve this!”

Djas proposed an impossible deal.

“What? Pass on? I can’t just do that!”

The man finished what he started until Kaik’s leg served no purpose. He struggled to move, almost using the pain to make his body move, but an elbow was delivered to his face before he could try.

Kaik looked up at the ceiling. His voice carried well in such a silent and vast building. “Ha...what? Did you think dying's easy, Djas? Unlike abnormal people, like me, normal people tend to have a hard time dying, believe it or not. And she...is the soul of a normal lady.”

“Shut up!” She cried out. Azura’s hands gripped her head as she weighed the worth of a stranger to her passion for books.

Kaik found the will to speak despite being hit multiple times. “You should have ran away.”

“I hate you, Kaik! Why’d you have to help me? What made you think you could help?” Azura laughed, “I don’t care about you! Not you or anybody else, just my books. My books are worth more than your pathetic life!”

Ouch. Does she really hate me that much? Why?

Azura turned and ignored what transpired with Kaik, despite what pain he let out. She covered her ears and exited the library.

Without a trace of emotion Kaik said, “wow...she actually left.”

Despite the words Azura said, her feeling had remained unchanged despite her wanting it to not be so. She wanted to simply not care what happened to Kaik, yet to abandon him would have weighed heavily on her.

It was not hard to find a pair of Shinya near the library. Though any passing eye would have not noticed the girl's true nature, Azura stopped in front of the Shinya to have let them noticed. Before a word could be said from the two, Azura spoke first.

“There’s something going on at the Brhani Library. I saw some boy being tortured, he can’t seem to use his leg or arm. Please help him.”

Just as soon as the Shinya blinked, the ghost girl disappeared. She returned quickly to library though she never entered and remained out of sight from any passerby.

Boxcode by Yra

[Brandon Blackwing]

x

OOCHooray for monster post!

Of course, things weren't going to be that simple, of course the ghost would now give in all of a sudden. Brandon sighed, then moving his shoulders in a shrug. “As you wish then,” the bat stated, now starting on the pressure points of the dollmaker's second knee. While he would have liked the situation to be a little different, the bat was still glad to get a little practice in. The location of the pressure points was not a problem, but actually manipulating them fast was not as easy as it seemed; it required great coordination. Now it was rather easy to use the technique, but what about during a fight? His target would be moving about just as much as the bat himself, and unless he managed to grab hold of the arm, disconnecting the elbow and wrist would be difficult. The shoulders on the other hand... Though those were sometimes unaccessible due to armor of some kind. Ah well.

Kaik felt it was necessary to comment on the situation, still trying to strike a nerve, it seemed. Azura found he had to shut up, and Brandon agreed wholeheartedly; if he wasn't going to scream in pain and beg for mercy -thus playing in on the ghost's compassion- he should just keep his trap shut. “Yeah, you shut up,” he voiced rather annoyed by things still not going as planned. “Besides, she doesn't have to die. She can't die. She just has to stop existing on the mortal plane. And that should be easy for a soul tormented by misery.” He continued to work on the knee, about halfway done, taking short breaks and alternating them with short bursts of movement of his hand, manipulating about four points rapidly in a row.

Once more the dollmaker flapped his lips to speak, and Brandon was getting irritated by the man. Sure, the pressure points numbed the joints after a couple were pressed, thus not actually hurting the young male at all, but that still did not mean he could just start talking if he so desired. He was supposed to fall back into shock or whatever; this was psychological torture, playing with the fact that he was “losing” his limbs. “And you should have stayed holed up in your dollhouse! Shut the petch up, will you?!” He twisted his torso so he could aim a blow at the Animator's face. “You're a real pest, you know?”

In the meantime, Azura proclaimed she cared not about what happened to Kaik, and Brandon felt that the situation might be hopeless. Or maybe not. Maybe he should actually dislocate his shoulders, make him scream out in agony... surely he could dislocate them slowly, right? To make things worse? But the knee was more important, Brandon decided, at least for the moment, and he skipped the breaks, instead increasing the pace with which he worked. Press, twist, move on, repeat. Faster, and faster, and faster... no, no he couldn't. He didn't manage to go faster. Nevertheless, he finished the knee in a speedy fashion, though the apparition was leaving the library already. Her presence grew weaker, but Brandon's mark still detected her.

“She did... Gods you're useless. Even for this.” He sighed, the girls's ghostly presence vanishing completely for a chime or so, then re-entering the range of his power. Brandon wasn't sure what she'd done, but he was pretty sure he wasn't going to like it. She didn't even enter the library -which was good, actually- which only strengthened that belief. The Kelvic rose from his position, and walked a couple paces towards the exit, at the same time trying to locate the direction of the place the spirit was hiding.

* * *
Two Shinya, one protector and one acolyte, patrolled through the streets of Lhavit, nodding to the citizens of the beautiful Diamond when the civilians politely greeted them. They kept their faces stern, but the older guard was far more successful at it than the acolyte accompanying him. She was still young, probably enjoying the attention her position brought her a little too much. That, and she was just a kind young woman; she couldn't help but smile back at the people dipping their heads in respect and greeting. The protector said nothing of it, knowing fully well that he'd been the same, years and years ago. Besides, a stern face was not a requirement for a Shinya monk.

A young girl stopped in front of them, and the acolyte bended over slightly, bringing her face more on her eye-level. She was just about to ask what was wrong -since the girl looked a little distraught- but was cut off upon opening her mouth. Both Shinya were a little surprised at the forwardness of the girl; most children were too awed or ashamed to speak to the guards without some encouragement. “There’s something going on at the Brhani Library. I saw some boy being tortured, he can’t seem to use his leg or arm. Please help him. ” The use of the word 'torture' surprised the guards even more; why would a child have knowledge of such a vile act? A child living in Lhavit no less! They blinked in confusion, and when they opened their eyes, she was gone. Vanished.

“The petch?” the acolyte frowned, earning her a raised eyebrow from her superior, he was known to be a little strict on proper language, though he rarely made any remarks on it, unless he found the slight was too grave. “I mean,” the acolyte corrected herself, “Did you see that? Am I hallucinating?”
The protector shook his head. “No you were not. She was here. Probably a ghost.”
“Such a little girl? Poor thing.”
Her superior shrugged, his gaze sweeping over Lhavit's skyline, locating the Library and judging the distance between it and them.
“Are we going to the Library?” the acolyte asked, “You think she's telling the truth?”
He nodded hesitantly, following it up by shaking his head with equal hesitation. “The truth has many forms,” he spoke, “what is seen by one does not have to be what really transpired. She may think it the truth, but it may be something else entirely.”
“You are saying what exactly?”

The protector frowned at her, obviously displeased with the question. The acolyte looked at her feet sheepishly. “We're going to the Library,” he confirmed, “to verify the information.”
“Because we can't ignore a possible heinous act, right?”
He nodded. “Exactly.”

* * *

Brandon's forehead displayed a frown, his sensitive ears having caught the sound of footsteps. It wasn't one pair, but there were two, ascending the stairs of the library. Along with it, there was the clattering of metal buckles. Ghosts did not have feet, so the bat concluded she had summoned help. For Kaik, most likely. So his pathetic life wasn't worth anything to her, huh? Bah. He cursed internally when the two figures of Shinya guards stepped into the grand building. He could almost feel their eyes scanning every bit of visible space, gazes inevitably drawn to the immobile Kaik, then to the bat himself, who was leaning against the side of a bookshelf.

The oldest of the two -a male protector, judging from his robes- nodded into Kaik's direction, the woman -an acolyte- quickly making her way towards the dollmaker. The protector strolled to Brandon, who unhitched himself from the shelf. “Apologies for our interruption,” the man spoke politely, “but could you tell me what is going on here?” His eyes swept through the library once more, as if trying to confirm there wasn't anyone else present. “I'm in the process of trying to rid the Bharani of a ghost,” the bat replied with a shrug., “As requested by the personnel of the Library themselves.” “Right. I heard about that. So you're a spiritist.” The bat shook his head, and the Shinyaman frowned.

* * *

In the meantime, the acolyte had knelt by Kaik's side, and was carefully scrutinizing his body. Apart from some obvious signs of hits to the head, he appeared to be fine. There was no blood on the limbs the ghostly girl had mentioned, nor did the man seem to be in too much pain, if any at all. “Can you stand? Or move? What happened?” She wriggled her arm under the dollmaker's shoulders, and helped him into a sitting position, continuing to support him. The protector was speaking with the shady-looking fellow, occasionally casting a glance in her direction. She mouthed that she wasn't really sure what had happened; the 'injured' young man didn't make too much sense to her.

* * *

“We saw your ghost,” the protector stated suddenly, maybe trying to get a reaction out of the bat. Brandon just gave him an “I figured” kind of look. “She told us about someone torturing another person, a boy... I assume she meant your companion? Can you give a statement as to what happened?” The Kelvic nodded, trying to piece together a reasonable and truthful sounding explanation. “She's lying,” was all he managed for the moment, hoping it would buy him some time. “How so?” Brandon made a circular gesture with his hand, as if he was getting to it. “She wants me removed because she knows I'm a threat.”
“A threat? To a ghost?”
The Kelvic nodded.
“And you're not a spiritist.” It was a statement, one where the disbelief was obvious in. Not quite sure what else to do, he showed his left palm, the black scythe on display. “Ah, a gnosis mark,” the man mumbled, apparently having knowledge of them. “A scythe though... doesn't ring any bells...”
“It's Dira's,” Brandon informed the man in a low voice, not wanting to be overheard.

“That does make sense, still, what happened here?”
“Well,” Brandon began, having come up with something at last, “As I said, I was summoned by the Library to deal with the ghost, but he-” he nodded in Kaik's direction, “was not supposed to be here. The librarian seemed as if he hadn't been expecting him. Anyway,” and there the lie started, the subterfuge, “after we'd been here for a while, she possessed him, and I punched him in the face a couple times to get her out. Then she left, and he has just been lying there, unable to move.” The protector frowned, staring at the dollmaker and the acolyte by his side. “He may be a little confused though, he's not been making much sense ever since.”

OOC:P

x

credit goes to Euthisa

[Kaik Leyr]

OOCHm, I actually liked how it turned out.

All hail the monster post!

I can’t feel it it, the pain. So why does it seem to hurt? Does sadness bring with it pain?

The only pain he seemed able to feel was all in his head and spirit.

The puppet with cut limbs could not struggle anymore, such a thing had already been taken away from him. It seemed that only his right arm would have remained with his last knee being worked on. Laughter seemed only the fitting thing to do for how funny the one thing he had not wanted, remained. He simply let out a pained chuckle in place of screaming. Not that he could scream anymore, his voice had already grown tired.

Still the broken puppet found the will to continue talking; it served as a way to maintain his sanity. Talking helped keep his mind off what was happening to him. It served to disconnect him from reality.

“Your...and my,” Kaik took a breath of air, “versions of life and death differ. I’d say it’s...harder for a tormented soul to move on. It’s why they’re tormented in the first place.”

Even when nobody talked the broken puppet continued to speak. Nonsense when there should have been silence and chatter in response to what was said to him. In a way the being known as Kaik had already disappeared, but the shell leftover continued to act the same as it always had.

The young man’s mind had shattered numerous times before, but it was in the grave of his dead lover he developed a way to get over the pain in his mind. He just had to become another person. Another being who had no emotions and could handle the pain. What Kaik escaped into was a persona, another personality existing inside him. Countless time he denied this ‘self’ to be a part of him. Still he continued to escape into the comfort of detachment.

“What’s...wr-wrong, friend?” A blow was delivered directly to his face. He let out a chuckle devoid of actual joy, after groaning in pain. “It’s...f- you’re...ah, you must be mad, but ‘pest’ and ‘dollhouse’? You running out of lines...hm a-...dollhouse...a dollhouse sounds n-nice.”

The very ghost he tried to help, turned her back on Kaik. It was what Kaik wanted, but it would not solve the overall problem. Djas still remained and the Dollmaker doubted he would just abandon his so called ‘duty’ and forget the girl. Though those would have been the thoughts of Kaik before he lost himself. Instead of thinking, he watched devoid of thought or voice as the ghost disappeared.

“Wh-o? Me? Look at Mr. Useless call-...calling...another use...less.” Kaik started to cough harshly for a few ticks.

It seemed the Torturer was finished for time for his audience had vanished. The broken puppet tried to get up, but soon realized such a thing was impossible. Movement would never be possible again.

He turned his head to face his dolls once again. The mask Kaik had worn was broken. He tried to reach out to Arya with the arm he had left. Kaik inched his body forward and grasped the doll’s hand without her doing anything. Once he felt Arya’s leather gloves. His face fell to the ground as it covered the sound of his sobbing.

A question was posed to him by an unfamiliar female voice. The young man said nothing as he positioned upright. Under his breath he said, “Move? Mo-ve. Ha...it w-won’t happen. It’s alllll go-gone. I’ve tr-ied. Wrong... or right? It does-n’t matter, I just...tried.”

What the protector had said about a ghost did not escape Kaik’s notice, however what Djas and the man said after did not catch his attention. His mind focused on Azura, as he recalled why he had visited the library.

She tried to help me? These people...are shinya! Heh...she didn’t completely abandon me. Where is she? I still have that promise, I can still help her someho- Oh...right. They’re gone. I can’t use them.

When the conversation drifted back to the ghost Kaik’s once empty expression turned menacing.

No no no no. Lies!

The Dollmaker muttered his thoughts. “N-n-not...supp-osed to be here? It wasn’t said...wasn’t said I could-...not help. This...this...is my favorite p-lace, just like it is to...that ghost, Azura.”

Kaik tried to move toward Djas, only to fall on the ground. “Azura...she- she only w-anted to read and...remember the stories! Such a….a minor thing to stay for...I-I promised to...help her.” Kaik slammed his fist into the ground. “I can’t do that anymore! He took my limbs away...that man you’re talking to did so. He just wants to destroy her!” Tears fell once again. “I don’t m-matter. But pl-ease…please, I beg you...please just...just pr-protect Azura. What’s wrong...with her being in this library? What has sh-she done? She doesn’t deserve any hate or destruction!”

Azura stayed near the doors of the library as she waited for the library to be empty once again. Her eyes looked down at her own boots as Kaik pleaded for her protection. She kicked a rock as hard as she could.

OOCHow many times has Kaik lost his mind? The guy's got it tough.

Now, did Bran really think Kaik was so out of his mind, that he wouldn't call him out on his shyke? Brandon's not just gonna get out of this easy with just a couple of 'sweet' lines.

Boxcode by Estrellir Konrath

[Brandon Blackwing]

x

The protector just stared as Kaik moved away from the support offered by the acolyte, only to fall right away. The youngest Shinya hadn't be able to catch him, she'd moved of course, but she didn't help the dollmaker back up. The man was speaking again, his voice angry and loud, stammering things about promises, then spitting out accusations. When he was done, and the acolyte deemed it safe to touch him, she dragged him back into a sitting position, trying to make sense of what he'd said. Her superior was of quicker mind though, eyes darting from the animator to the Kelvic, his face a calm mask. “What does he mean?” It wasn't a question meant to have the bat explain exactly what the young man meant, but more a challenge. There was suspicion in his voice, and Brandon saw it dancing in his eyes as well.

“Like I said, he is confused. He believes I am trying to destroy the ghost. That I would-” he smirked, “kill her.” Brandon shook his head, managing to fake a look of slight amusement mixed with pity. The protector nodded, but his expression didn't change, nor did his gaze. “I see. And what is that about his limbs? What did you do?” His eyes narrowed ever so slightly, a tinge of disgust woven through the last query. “I didn't do a thing,” the Kelvic replied, doing his best to keep his voice even, and his face blank. “How could I take away his limbs without cutting them off?” He just hoped that the Shinya had no knowledge of pressure points, but why would they? Medicine was not their field of expertise.

However, the protector's gaze only intensified. “With projection.” There was no mistake this time; the statement was voiced with an icy cold tone. There was a hidden accusation in there, one that did not escape the bat. “Hey now, I can't use magic. Let alone your projection.”
“This would be easy to verify, if we had an aurist with us. Though I have to admit that if a powerful wizard had arrived in the city, one of our members with skill in Auristics would have noticed, and would have informed the higher-ups, who would in turn have informed the rest of us. I'll give you the benefit of the doubt. For now.” He turned to the acolyte, beckoning her over, instructing her to keep an eye on Brandon. It appeared the protector would speak with Kaik for a bit now.

The acolyte openly glared at the bat, a hand on the sword dangling by her hip. Brandon wasn't quite impressed; acolytes might be Shinya, but as far as he knew, they were still in training. Protectors and those of higher rank were the real threats. “One wrong move and I'll-” Brandon interrupted her with a raised eyebrow. “You'll what? Don't tell me you're buying his bullshyke. He's insane.”
“Being insane does not exempt him from being able to speak the truth.” Brandon just shrugged. “So you are saying ghosts can be destroyed? Ghosts can be killed?”
“Well, no... but...” She closed her mouth then, her expression one of doubt, and her stare flitting to the dollmaker and the bat. She was biased, Brandon thought, branding the bat as the 'bad guy' from his looks alone. That, and empathy felt for the man lying helplessly on the floor; he obviously was the victim, right?

* * *

“I want you to talk to me,” the protector spoke to the dollmaker, keeping his voice low, not aware that he was still overheard by the Kelvic. “I have some questions I'd like you to answer. Is that okay?” He crouched near the young man, inspecting his limbs and face with his gaze. Apart from the forming bruises on his visage, there did not appear to be anything wrong with him. However, if what he suspected was true, then the long-haired Dira-marked had used projection to detach the limbs of this boy, not reattaching them and thus completing the initiation. On the other hand, it could be that his boy had been a projectionist who'd overgiven while dealing with the ghost, damaging his own body and mind.

“Can you tell me how many fingers I am holding up?” He raised a hand with one finger pressed against his palm, the back of his hand facing Kaik. He nodded slowly at the boy's reply, continuing with the next question. “If Syna and Leth meet, and share a kiss, what is the result for Mizahar?” These were not random questions, but were meant to gauge the boy's ability to use his mental capabilities. The answer should be easily found, even if one was not aware of the phenomenon, the answer could be found by thinking logically. When he was content with the answer he'd been given, the Shinya posed his next question, the first real one.

“Are you a projectionist? Yes or no?” He waited a tick or so for the answer, then moved on to the next query. “You said that man took your limbs... How did he do it? And how would he destroy a ghost?”

x

credit goes to Euthisa

[Kaik Leyr]

The young man whispered a “thank you”, making sure to at last glance at the lady's face, as he was helped back up by the acolyte. It seemed common courtesy still remained in the insane man, else Kaik just returned back to his “normal” self.

Kaik let out out a long breath. “Als-o...tha-thanks for coming here.”

Is it okay to rest now? No...there’s still more. I don’t know what I can now, though. I want to help Azura. What can I do?

He curled up his right fist, but opened it after a chime. What point was there to remain angry? Logic and facts were the only way he could argue, not with emotions.

I really was useless, just like he said. Did I change anything for the better despite what I’ve lost? I don’t think I have. So can I change anything, now that my limbs are gone? I have only my voice at this point.

Voices blurred in his mind. At times his eyelids would close, before he opened them quickly. From the corner of his eye, he saw the acolyte move toward the more intimidating Protector. They talked, though it seemed more like the Protector had issued orders, and the two switched places.

Kaik tried his best to lock eyes with the Shinya, but figured it would actually be an abnormal action, so he glanced away occasionally.

The Dollmaker tried to steady his voice. Somewhat slowly he said, “that’s fine...um, please go ah-ahead and ask.”

Two questions had been asked of the young Animator, to which he assumed was to gauge his health, though the idea of it being to test his sanity also crossed his mind.

“Four,” Kaik replied.

He took moments longer to answer the second question.

If they kissed? A sunset? No...that doesn’t really mean they’re meeting. Oh, it’s...what is it called? A…

“It’d be an eclipse, right?” Kaik received no real comment, but he expected his answer to have been correct if the man had not replied.

The first question directed to the case at hand was posed to him. Kaik tilted his head subconsciously. How such a questioned mattered to the case was a question Kaik decided not to ask. “That’s a uh...it sounds like another branch of magic, but no I don’t...I’m not a proj-projection...projectionist. I do...practice Animation, if you’ve heard of it, part of the world magic branch.”

No harm telling the Shinya that, I think.

The protector moved on to the next question.

“Yeah, I um did say that...I- I can’t say I understand how he did so, but...well he pinned me to the ground at first, then he started...to dig his hands into my wrist, then after the pain I...couldn’t feel it anymore.” Kaik looked down at his useless left arm. “Then he continued that for the elbow and the rest. I lost all movement…” Hope seemed evident in his voice as he said, “you- you know a way to get my limbs back, right? You do, yes Of course there’s-” Kaik shook his head as he looked down at his feet.

The door to library opened slightly. Cold wind had blown into the already chilly library.

“Sorry...your other question right? I um...got too er...angry, back then. ‘Destroy’ is not the right word, but I can’t help but say it seems like the right word. What that man wanted was to...psychologically torture her into disappearing, she just had to give up on ‘life’. He even threatened to burn down the library.” He looked to his dolls as he spoke. “I guess...I made a promise to Azura, the uh...ghost, to help her remember what she had read. That man thought torturing me would cause Azura to give up for my sake, I guess he thought we had a...bond...I guess.”

OOCA short post this time around.

Boxcode by Estrellir Konrath

[Brandon Blackwing]

x

The protector nodded as the dollmaker spoke, mentally writing down the information he received, though he wasn’t quite sure how accurate the description of how the man lost his limbs was. He was skeptical of course; he hadn’t ever heard of someone able to take away one’s control over their limbs with just a mere touch. Still, whether he believed it or not, he had to consider it. If only out of pity for the young man who was grasping for a fragment of hope, for a light in the darkness. He didn’t reply to his words of hope, knowing of no way to restore immobile limbs, but he kept his face neutral. Perhaps the healers at the catholicon would be able to help.

Brandon noted Azura was slightly inching closer, hanging about the doorway for one or other reason. Fear perhaps. It mattered not, for now he had to get rid of the Shinya, and then continue his job.

Kaik spoke on, revealing the details of the bat’s threats and whatnot, and the Protector listened quietly and attentively. Eventually, when Kaik was done explaining, he voiced his opinion. “Well, if we are being technical, it is his job to get rid of the spirit, that’s what he was hired for.” He sighed. “I believe Rostam once told us that ghosts only stick around by clinging to life when they die, and continue existing by holding on to the semblance of life they are left with.” Another sigh. “The ‘life’ of a ghost is not a happy one, so, in my opinion, getting her to give up and disappear would be a kindness. He might believe the same.” His face however, showed a slight frown. “But that does not mean I can agree with his methods… if you are indeed telling the truth.” The protector stood up and walked back to where Brandon and the acolyte were standing, switching positions once more.

“Burning down the Library? Are you serious?” the protector hissed, pinching his brow. Brandon shrugged blank-facedly, having known fully well that the animator would tell the Shinya everything he knew. “It’s a bluff,” he redundantly explained, causing the protector to assume an annoyed expression. “I know! Still, that was uncalled for!” His glare could kill, shooting daggers with blades of the sharpest steel. “As far as I know, if I don’t actually burn down the Library, there should be no problem. ”
“We should be able to brand people a criminal for even suggesting something like that!” the protector snorted, his expression once more returning to his stern, but neutral position.

“Listen, I was tasked with getting rid of that ghost, and as far as I am concerned, I can say whatever I want to get her to pass on. Be it threats or promises, I care not.” The Kelvic crossed his arms, meeting the Shinya’s gaze with his own. “Even if I would have to admit you’re right, there’s still the issue of that young man’s limbs.”
“Are you saying you actually believe what he’s been telling you?” The bat snorted.
“From what you’ve been telling me, I wouldn’t put it past you.”
“Hm.” They did not have proof, Brandon wasn’t going to say anything that could be used against him, but instead would hold on to the “exhaustion from possession” claim he’d made earlier. Both the Shinya and Kaik had no idea the loss of control over his limbs would wear off within a bell or so. In the end, the guards would have no choice but to admit that Kaik had probably been a little confused.

“The only thing I admit doing is hitting him in the face to get the ghost out of him. He’s just really exhausted and stiff because of the possession.” The Protector glanced sideways at him, his eyes betraying his disbelief even if his expression betrayed nothing. “Perhaps. Nevertheless, we’ll be taking him to the Catholicon.” He waved over the acolyte, whispering some orders in her ear. “I’ll go outside for a chime or so to contact someone in the nearby area. You keep an eye on both of them.” She nodded, and the protector walked out of the library, into Leth’s light. He didn’t stay outside much longer than he’d said he would. Then about a chime or five, maybe ten later, another Shinya arrived, another protector.

The new protector was a younger man, though he was still older than the acolyte. He nodded to her, pointing at Kaik. “Bartell explained the situation,” he spoke, his voice higher than you’d have expected from someone of his build, “We’ll be taking him to the Catholicon.” He spread out a simple stretcher on the floor next to Kaik, then both he and the acolyte gently placed the young man on top of it.

OOCIt's a bit of a strange end of the post, I know, but it's so you could still react or object or whatever before Kaik's being carried away to the healers

x

credit goes to Euthisa

[Kaik Leyr]

”Get rid of” Ha! It’s like they’re treating Azura as a pest.

It had been Kaik’s turn to have nodded at what the Protector said. Azura disappearing would be in the favor of everyone involved, but to use force when it was not needed was not the right to way to deal with the situation. Much of what the Protector said resonated with Kaik’s own view on the case. There should have been something more Kaik could say, but he stayed silent only after he said, “I am...telling the truth.”

The young acolyte returned to keep an eye on the Animator, though he certainly would not go anywhere, unless of course he found it in himself to crawl with one hand. Not particularly eager to move, Kaik stayed at his seat right near his doll and with his back pressed against a shelf.

Unsure of if it was the correct situation to talk, Kaik decided to press his luck, if only to have a way to keep himself awake. He never looked up at the lady, but said, “um...are you new to the Shinya? You seem...young.”

Kaik glanced at the acolyte when she had not said anything. She seemed surprised, not having expected such a conversation given the situation and her own preconceived thoughts on the young Animator’s personality.

“Yes, you would be correct,” she responded flatly.

The acolyte had desired herself to have a conversation, but as she still was on duty mingling with the populace would warrant her disciplinary action and probably a scolding by the protector.

Having forgotten such a detail regarding the Shinya Kaik simply attributed the lack of conversation to the situation. Without conversation to keep himself busy, Kaik settled for wallowing in his thoughts.

After the conversation between the protector and Djas ended, the protector whispered to the acolyte something before he left.

It was right after the protector left that Kaik heard a hushed voice from behind the shelf he rested on.

“I see you’re alive, boy,” Azura said before she sighed.
Kaik turned his head to the direction of the dolls. “Azura? You’re here...um...thanks fo-” Much like how their previous conversations went, Kaik was cut off.
“Stop. I simply called the Shinya to get you both out of this library. If it meant you were given the help you needed, then it worked out for the best. It was no intention of mine to help you.”
“Still...thanks...for,” Kaik looked for a reason to thank her, “er...for coming back?”
She sighed, “sure.”
“Azura...I-I um...still think you should pass away peacefully, even if you can’t remember the books.”
“I’m certain you know how I feel on that subject, so drop it now.”
“Okay, but you know how difficult it will be from now on, right? At least one person is going to be hunting you down.”
“Too many season have gone by without being able to read. I'll continue to live until I’m satisfied.”
Kaik’s voice took on a tinge of sadness. “I know I can’t really help much, especially now, but...I still want to keep that promise. I still have my mind...maybe I’ll find a way for you to truly read.”
“Fine. Do what you want, I don’t really care.”
“So you still remember our agreement?”
Azura took a long time to just sigh. “Yeah, yeah...though I think I’ll be staying in my old home for now. I’ll visit you and the library occasionally. Safer that way, I suppose, as you said before.”
“Yes, it’s safer. Thanks for agreeing with me.”
“It’s simply beneficial for me, that’s the only reason why I’d have to do as you say. If that’s all then Goodbye.”
Azura left before Kaik could say “bye”.

A new Shinya appeared along with a stretcher, to whom Kaik could have only imagined was for himself. Not opposed to being taken to the Catholicon, the young Animator had not said anything in resistance. He had, however ordered his two small dolls to follow him.

When he got the chance Kaik looked over to Djas with hateful eyes; he half expected a short smirk from him, though he blamed the books for thinking it would happen.

Things aren’t settled, but so far nothing bad happened…at least not with Azura. Does that mean I can sleep?

A long deserved rest overtook Kaik. The Dollmaker welcomed the dark with an open arm.

OOCThis feels like the last post for me. If that is so, then thanks for threading with me, I enjoyed this very much! (It'd be kinda of awkward if this wasn't my last post, but...my feelings are still the same none the less.)

Boxcode by Estrellir Konrath