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Post by KD on Jun 27, 2011 5:53:22 GMT -5
The streets were a bit more agitated than they had been earlier as Karine led the way, silent and graceful as a shadow herself, she knew these streets like the back of her hands. There were more humans about, though she paid them no heed. There were also strange creatures and strangely dressed people, priests most likely. Everyone was talking about the battle earlier, some frightened, some excited.
She led him into the courtyard of what looked to have once been a manor of some sort. Something moved in the shadows, a hulking, barely seen figure, but it backed off when it saw Karine. She went around the ruins of the house to a small door set in the ground, leading the way down it. She reached over and touched something off to the side and a line of flames set in a trench suddenly followed the wall, revealing a spiraling set of stairs.
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Post by Jenny on Jun 27, 2011 6:04:52 GMT -5
Orpheus kept his eyes low, but ran over the humans and creatures in the street. He could hear them talking about the Archon and the unnamed angel that had taken her on. There were whispers about whether or not the fallen angel would fufil his revenge on the followers of the Church of Light, and whos side the unnamed angel was on. Did he side with demons and dark beings, or was he just acting on his own. There were many who feared for their own lives, and there was talk about leaving the city completely.
At this point, Orpheus was a neutral party when it came to the unnamed angel. He didn't know which way was right or wrong, only that he didn't want his own kind to be exterminated. If the angel wanted to destroy the followers of Light, let him do so with Orpheus' blessing.
He assumed that whatever was moving in the shadows was a lookout, or some sort of security measure. Orpheus ducked his head to not hit the low ceiling as he entered the tunnel but straightened up after a few feet. "Hrm, that's handy," he said of the flames.
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Post by KD on Jun 27, 2011 6:17:36 GMT -5
"And a good dramatic effect." Karine walked down the stairs. "As you've probably seen, Bates just loves a good dramatic effect."
It showed. As they reached the bottom of the stairs, there was an odd...shift in the air, like when Bates had manifested himself. Orpheus probably recognized the feel of his power at that point. The very stones of the area were saturated with it, his presence in every inch. The walls were made of simple stone polished to a high shine so the firelight reflected everywhere. Doors and other corridors branched off the main one, but Karine kept to the main one for now.
Karine also started to fade a little bit, like a ghost, though she was much more visible than when Bates had shown himself. The main corridor finally opened into a large room reminiscent of a hellish painting. It was brightly lit and several sections of the walls were made of clear, dark stone that seemed to shift as you looked into it. Pillars stretched up on all sides, carved with intricate designs. And at the middle of it, surrounded by racks of gleaming instruments and tools and silver chains that hung around it like vines, was a large slab of steel and stone. Nothing was on it at the moment but the bloodstains on the floor indicated someone had been recently.
There was a figure seated on a simple chair near the back of the slab. He bore, at first, an almost uncanny resemblance to Bates, with white hair and skin. He was more well built, however, and looked younger. He also had a silk handkerchief wrapped around his head, covering his eyes. Either he was blind naturally or he blinded himself. "Orpheus," Karine's voice was quieter than usual, probably because she was faded out so much. "This is Adrian."
The man turned his head towards them and nodded. "Quite a welcome to our city you've had."
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Post by Jenny on Jun 27, 2011 22:35:06 GMT -5
The shift in the air unwillingly put his body on edge. He glanced at Karine and smiled a little. It was true that he had only known her for a short time, but their talk together had been somewhat intimate, so he felt like he knew her a little better, person to person. Even if she was some sort of avatar of Bates, he didn’t believe that she was merely that. There was still an individual inside her that was thoughtful, vulnerable, and warm.
The temple was impressive. It must have cost a fortune to make it the way it was. Again, he wondered about Bates and what Bates had said, that he had no physical form within his realm. But the temple was saturated with his presence. Orpheus noted that Karine’s form was again fading, which sent small shivers through his body. She did not seem alarmed, which gave him comfort. This must happen often in this place.
He was certain that the stone and steel slab in the middle of the room was either for torture, or sacrifice. He thought the latter, and he smiled a bit. There were those that made dark sacrifices for the gods, and it made him feel at ease, for he could appreciate such devotion.
“Pleased to meet you,” Orpheus responded politely. Bates had mentioned that Adrian was a second avatar of Bates. He was different than Karine. Here, he was not faded in the same way. Strength and power radiated from Adrian, which Orpheus could respect.
“Yes,” Orpheus agreed. “Strange and terrifying and wonderful all the same.”
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Post by KD on Jun 27, 2011 22:43:41 GMT -5
"The words of an open mind, I think Bates made a fine choice. I'll admit this is the first time I've actually seen an angel fall outright, the times ahead should be quite interesting." Adrian rose, holding a metal and wood staff to support and guide him. He paused and frowned. "Karine...I can't feel your presence..." "Bates manifested himself, you know that wreaks havoc." She shrugged. "I imagine some time home here will let me get my form back." "I was remaking a newcomer earlier, that probably pulled a bit of power out too, I apologize." He turned toward Orpheus. "This is my workshop, so to speak."
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Post by Jenny on Jun 28, 2011 14:12:31 GMT -5
Ah, he had assumed wrong about the stone slab. But, how could a blind man do such a thing? "I met one of your converts today."
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Post by KD on Jun 28, 2011 17:05:08 GMT -5
"Which one?" Adrian looked at Karine.
She shrugged. "I don't ever remember their names, that's your job. The one who wanted his hands turned into weapons."
"Ah, Jake. Yes. Rather gung ho lad, but I imagine he'll settle down with time." Adrian chuckled.
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Post by Jenny on Jun 28, 2011 19:20:42 GMT -5
Orpheus raised a brow. "Do you use your workshop often?" He motioned to the stone slab. "Is body alteration common among converts?"
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Post by KD on Jun 28, 2011 21:52:04 GMT -5
"My dear Orpheus, that's why they come to me." Adrian shrugged.
"I wouldn't call them converts, exactly," Karine said, her voice thoughtful. "Anymore than you are."
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Post by Jenny on Jun 29, 2011 21:26:45 GMT -5
Hmm... he glanced at Karine. Bates had wanted to show Orpheus his temple. "Would you like to show me around?" He tried as best as he could to focus on her though it was a bit distraction that her body was partially phased.
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Post by KD on Jun 29, 2011 21:40:47 GMT -5
Adrian gestured languidly. "By all means, do so, my sister self." Adrian seemed a great deal more comfortable regarding their strange existence than Karine was. Then again, considering his very nature, not much seemed to faze him.
Karine led the way out of the workshop to another large room. This one was decorated with strange statues of figures made of metal and flesh both. There was no alter but a larger statue of a figure that was little more than a vaguely human shape made up of shifting water like material carved of black stone stood on a raised dais. "This is mostly just for show, there's no services or masses or rituals or anything unless they make one up...this is mostly just so they have something tangible to worship."
She caught his look and smiled sadly. "I wish I could tell you when to expect this," she gestured toward her slightly more opaque form. "But I don't know myself. There's never a set pattern with Bates or his power, it's what makes him Bates."
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Post by Jenny on Jun 29, 2011 22:03:20 GMT -5
He wasn't sure he liked the statues made of metal and flesh and avoided them, focusing instead on the large black stone statue. "What kind of being is this?" He motioned to it.
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Post by KD on Jun 29, 2011 22:07:50 GMT -5
"That flesh is simulated, by the way." She caught the way he looked at it and reached over, running her fingers along the metal. They passed right through the flesh part. "Just illusions along the metal. Although all of them existed at one point. That's what Adrian does, you'll find versions of them walking and talking at one point or another." She turned toward the main statue. "It represents Bates. Like I said, they need some kind of representation of him to worship."
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Post by Jenny on Jun 29, 2011 22:13:24 GMT -5
"I see." He pursed his lips a little. "And you, do you worship Bates?" He glanced at her again.
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Post by KD on Jun 29, 2011 22:15:18 GMT -5
She raised an eyebrow. "I am Bates."
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