[PT-PP-F28] Concerto Fiamma

[Mari 1]

Mari liked him, it wasn’t something like love that would be ridiculous. But she confirmed it wasn’t just lust either… confirmed in quite possibly the best way. Even if it did cost Aincrad a flower field. So what was it exactly…? Emotions were hard to package, you couldn’t wrap them up with a neat bow and call it a day. You couldn’t whack a label on it. The two shouldn’t be together. That much was obvious - and yet they kept running into each other. Not by chance or destiny but because in a way, they kept seeking the other out. At some point, if their intangible tango were to continue - they’d have to confront things. Sit down and have a discussion. Did Mari want that?  She tilted her head, pursing her lips. Yeh….she kinda did. It’d at least give her some kind of inclination. Would the two remain like a couple of flames that just so happened to cross paths every so often in a fiery blast? Or was there potential there?

Anima Gemella

Soul Mates. The word he kept using, Mari guessed it was part of his ‘Italian charm’ The flowery way he spoke and the pet names - just habitual. Cultural. Despite the romantic connotations the words had, it didn’t mean there had to be romance. It was simply an idealistic way to explain two similar people. That’s all they had, a kinship.

So then…Why was Mari going through all this effort? She could have sat the man down on a rock and played for him that way. But no…she had to put in effort. Too bloody much of it, really. Maybe she just got a kick outta showing off for him.

He better bring her another Sullivans Cove for this. She stood in a small clearing in the middle of a forest, eternally golden, eternally autumn on the 28th floor. In a forest so aptly named Mari just had to choose the location. Fire forest.

Its trees are so densely packed together it would be hard to navigate quickly. Hard to make a run for it, or to ambush. Convenient for two people sporting an orange crystal. The sprawling thicket of red barely let light through…so it took time for the woman to find a clearing. Not only had she found a clearing - but she worked. To make it something spectacular. He had shown her so much, so it was only fair she did the same.

Allowing a circle of trees to surround the clearing, Mari had chopped down a  further circle of trees around it. In each of the stumps she had quite literally hammered a small  blue gemstone. To the discerning eye it would be obvious - enchantments that would protect the surrounding forest from the inevitable fire show within. Unlike Lancaster, Mari wasn’t exactly keen on setting the entire floor ablaze. Too much of a headache to deal with. To anyone else, it’d look like a crazy person's attempt at outsider art.

Within the clearing was a black blanket, laid across a carpet of leaves. Ontop, a pile of cushions surrounding a bean bag; not exactly what Mari wanted - but she was limited to what she had at her disposal when it came to furniture.  Nestled on the beanbag was a small bottle of cinnamon whiskey - a little sweeter than the drinks the two had shared before, but Mari made sure it was a blend that wouldn’t offend his taste buds. Next to that, a single cigarette - poorly rolled - Mari wasn’t used to that. Still the tobacco was one she procured from a nearby farm, apparently it was supposed to be good? Woodsy? Like a cigar? Mari had no fucking clue when it came to that sort of thing.

A single folded note had the songs she had planned to play; well in a way.

My Past
My Present
You
Finale

Four songs wasn’t exactly a concert, but she wasn’t sure she’d have the energy for any more than that.
 

The scene faced a large empty space in the clearing, throughout that space were small stone circles, it looked like someone picked up little footpath pavers from a front yard and unceremoniously threw them haphazardly into the clearing, but there was a method there. A reason. Each one would do something different when stepped on.

Mari paced back and forth in front the beanbag; admittedly nervous. She hadn’t played the violin for years. She should have practiced. She should have tried to procure a better violin. The one she had was old and worn, what if it sounded off kilter? What if it snapped halfway through the setlist? It’d be fine…right? Then what of her Gemini….Freyd had ripped it out of her yesterday, it was still running around - realistically Mari should have gone straight after it, gone straight to the quest but she felt queasy. She needed something that’d make her feel better. Warmer. Her entire body felt like ice and no amount of clothing or blankets seemed to curb it.Another night with Lancaster would surely fix that.

Right?

The woman wasn’t wearing her usual attire. She wore a black cape that draped heavy and thick over her form, with two holes for her arms- If she moved too much gleans of gold and amber could be seen underneath - but she wanted to put on a show - and that part of her outfit, would remain hidden till it was ready. She had sent him the message to meet her here; the time was soon...all she could do was wait. Impatiently so.

[Lancaster 1]

Sirens blared on piercing the night skies, Ronbaru under siege in a way the city had never seen before. Another secreted plaza after the trek through an empty boss room, allowing them access to the forbidden and having little issue blazing that path. The man burned brightly, a scream of flame like a tsunami saw useless tin man boiled in their armor in a fleeting weakness. He'd look over pressing his hands to a large window pane, a shop window that was long closed. His ally stood nearby in a stark contrast to his appearance with long flowing white hair and a pale complexion. "Why are we here, Lancaster?" She'd beckon in a sharp dismissal, an emotionless and empty tone that bordered irritation.

The man changes his posture, leaning less on that barrier. "No matter, amica. Be ready to put the place out if I.... overdo it." Lancaster offers as the window starts to melt, molten glass dropping in globs as another set of alarms start to blare angrily. Stepping through, he lightly taps the small glowing orange ooze of his shoulder. To the register he helps himself, taking a fair chunk of change out of it and adding it to his pockets. Guards scream up in an army and see themselves frozen solid, Mirianna blowing them a kiss that stops them in their tracks. Looking around the locked displays, tracing his fingers with a glowing flame on them to see. "Ah, there you are, prezioso" The man remarks leaning back and cupping his right wrist with his left. A sharp jerk of his upper body has him slam his elbow into the glass, causing it to fracture into a web. A couple more bashes of his appendage causes the reinforced glass to finally give way. The iron bars inside glow vibrant as he grabs the mess with his fingers, causing it to turn to super heated clay in them.

Gingerly he slides his arm in, carefully plucking out a small chocolate instrument from a stand from the red velvet like an apple from a tree. "Hurry the fuck up already." The woman offers in a snide bite through the window, as she shoves the sharp point of a icicle through a guys eye that makes him crumple. "Is fine, I have it." Stepping toward the window and handing it through. "An instrument, what the hell...." She'd turn it around and back "Ugh, we supposed to pawn this? You idiot." spoken with defeated disdain. The man snatches it back aggressively, before rubbing his hand on the opening in a gentle stroke. "No, is a gift. I am.... late, the vault is two doors down. The back room. My men have already started drilling. Help yourself. ciao" The man points with a smile, leaving Mirianna to finish the job as he'd walk away.

---

A roll of his arms, having received a message from Mari that she was on this same floor. Counting his blessings that she wasn't in the city he just spent the better part of the last 45 minutes ravaging through leaving smoldered armor in the streets that used to contain people. A rich dark brown colored instrument in one hand and a bottle of reddish whiskey in the other, this one a single cask reserve that wasn't boiled to all hell. Just took knocking out a few teeth and a bruised knuckle. The man would lean into a nearby fence and snag a rose out pricking his finger. Right into his teeth he walked out into the mainstay of the floor as the city remained in a blaring frenzy.

"Sorry I'm late, mi amore. There was... traffic." He'd smile and start to claim the sight as he looked on in a wave of intrigue, picking out things a bit too hard to glean. Noticing the wandering "Ah, and I have come bearing gifts bella donna. Is a Stradivarius, or at least an expensive recreation of one." He'd look down at it for a moment, tilting it up before extending it out to her "Perhaps, now you can continue what we enjoy."

---

<<Assist System Engaged>>
Level: 6
Paragon: 0
Tier: 1
True Tier: 1

Final EXP Reward: +5%

---

Lancaster | HP: 120/120 | EN: 30/30 | DMG: 1

Spoiler

Name: Lancaster, The Consuming Tyrant
True Tier: 1
Level: 6
Paragon Level: 0
HP: 120/120
EN: 30/30

Stats:
Damage: 1

Equipped Gear:
Weapon/Armor/Trinket: 
  - 
Armor/Trinket: 
  - 
Shield/Armor/Trinket: 
  - 

Combat Mastery:
  - 

Combat Shift:
  - 

Familiar Skill:
  - 

Custom Skill:
  - 

Skills:

Extra Skills:

Inactive Extra Skills:

Addons:

Mods:

Inactive Mods:

Battle Ready Inventory:
  - Starter Healing Potions (Heals 50 HP) x3

Housing Buffs:

Guild Hall Buffs:

Scents of the Wild Totem:

Wedding Ring:

Crafting Profession:

Gathering Profession:

 

[Mari 1]

Sorry I'm late, mi amore. There was... traffic." 

She stopped pacing, eyes lighting up when they saw Lancaster. She broached the gap between them, black cloak billow behind her, revealing bare legs, and just the slightest flurry of a glimmery gold above her thighs, too hidden by the cape to see fully. “Lancaster….” She breathed melodiously. The anxiousness melted away with a soft laugh as she reached out to pull the rose from between his teeth. His appearance, the bright smile he wore. The absolutely corny grin...the fucking rose in his teeth.

Her thumb ran over his lip, pulling away and she showed him he was bleeding before sticking her thumb in her own mouth. Mari quickly pried the thorns off the stem then placed it in her hair, behind her ear. “The rose a bit much, isn’t it Mia Fiamma?” It was absolutely ridiculous, and sweet. It left Mari wondering just exactly what his game was. “Traffic?” Mari asked, brushing ash from his jacket, almost fussing over him as she brushed it from his shoulders and his arms. “Surprised you hadn’t burned down the whole floor.”  Did he burn his way here? A glance over his shoulder - no smoke. Huh.

"Ah, and I have come bearing gifts bella donna. Is a Stradivarius, or at least an expensive recreation of one." 

“A-A what?” Mari was completely taken aback, he got her a fucking violin? Simply because she said she played? Because she said she missed it? He knew she was going to put on a concert and …Mari looked down at his offering.

“I…”

She didn’t know what to say. Mari felt completely overwhelmed. When did anyone get her a gift like this? A delicate hand ran over its frame. Mari turned it over, inspecting it quietly. Why…Blue eyes slowly rose to meet his, so many questions. They plead with him, begging him - and then her voice soon follows. Quiet, demure, almost afraid. “Why…did you get me something like this?” She asked softly. Now her presents seemed superficial in comparison.

Mari shook her head, ignoring the fact her heart was beating hard now, pulsing in a way different from their last encounter. She lifted up his hand. “Here.” Mari turned the violin over and placed his index finger on the back of it. “I want you to burn your initial here, its a precious gift from you after all.” He laughed, and obliged, an ornate letter L in calligraphy.

“Thank you. Really…” Mari said as she pressed her lips to the underside of his chin. “No ones gotten me something like this before, keep this up and I might actually fall for you. è pericoloso, mi anima gemella.”

Her other hand snaked around his waist and pulled him forward, toward the beanbag. Mari quickly collected the whiskey and cigarette on it before gently pushing him to sit down. She placed each one in his lap. “I can’t give you a performance without refreshments.” Finally, a piece of paper - it had the days song on it. In Handwriting that was....if anyone were to describe it, it'd be atrocious. Mari may be meticulous, but her mind worked too fast for her hands to keep up with neat handwriting.

My Past
My Present
You
Finale
 

A pause, then, with a flash Mari pulled a small square box out of her inventory. It looked to be made of polished stone, and its surface was sleek with a chemical sheen. Mari handed it to him. “The box is fireproof, the contents are not. It contains a recording crystal with todays concert and…” She cleared her throat. “Translations.” For the uh….” Her resolve faltered. Embarrassed. “The - The singing.” She wasn’t sure if he was expecting that.

 Mari cleared her throat and stood straight, testing the violin. Surprisingly, it was already in tune. “Such a beautiful gift…” she whispered.

Edited 12 hours ago by Mari

[Lancaster 1]

The man gladly obliged her request, carefully searing his initial using a finger nail into the wood. "What can I say...." The man offers a shrug as she'd lick his blood of her own thumb "I am a man who isn't afraid of a little, showmanship. To show mi amore" He'd beckon with his blood nearly boiling and a welcome tinge of curiosity joining the pot. "Is a gift for us, allow me to be selfish and spoil you, Tesoro mia." The man would rake a gentle drag against her cheek, tracing it underneath and lightly tapping her earlobe as if tracing the lines of her features. Locking to her gaze with a blood red intensity, peeling away his senses as he'd drink her in. The black gloss of elegant struck cords in a pang across his heartstrings. A hint of gold breathed daggers into his soul. An inch of the mind. The man cannot help but breath in the scent of her hair as she'd kiss his chin.

“No ones gotten me something like this before, keep this up and I might actually fall for you. è pericoloso, mi anima gemella.”

The man leans forward and whispers into her ear. "Then fall, anima gemella and allow me to catch you." allowing his hot breath to tickle her cheek. Allowing her to take the lead with an abrupt tug, she'd pull him down into a seat constructed for him. An audience of one, to which the world fell to the wayside. A cigar wrapped by hand, proving its creator as he'd drag it under his nostril. A small box slid into his lap matched with booze as blazing as the flame he wielded, one of smoothed stone that he could slide his rough hands across. He struggles a bit but its not something that is easily noticed, given her writing was a little scrambled but still more legible then most he dealt with on the regular. "You tell me the gift is too much, and then you offer me so much more? I have been upstaged mi fiamma." Offering his thumb up it would alight like a lighter, clutching the cigar in his teeth and exhaling in a satisfied release, the kindness made it that much sweeter.

“The - The singing.”

Lancaster perked at it, all the passion welling beneath a pair of tired eyes seemed to gain a renewed vigor. "Play mi cara, reclaim your passions and allow me to taste your soul." raising the bottle of whiskey in excitement like a toast.

[Mari 1]

Every small touch...every gentle caress of the skin - Mari practically leaned into it. Soaking up his warmth. She felt cold. Shivering almost. Had been that way since the Gemini was pulled from her. As though she was missing an entire part of herself. Granted one that was malicious and cruel...but still.

 "Then fall, anima gemella and allow me to catch you."

Goddammit.

Mari inwardly hissed at the motion. That wasn't fair. That was practically illegal. Red erupted across her face as blood rushed forward. Heart singing and calling out to the other man, begging him to push his hand into her chest and claim it for his own. Ahh...the extreme virtues and vices of his sweet avarice...he was no good for her, yet her heart sang for him. She'd sing for him. Not yet...but soon. 
 

link

The first song may have been something unexpected. It felt…lonely. As though it was meant to be played with an accompaniment. It was…the rolling song was supposed to be played as a duet with the piano. Mari used to play this for her family…granted there was never anyone to join her. But this song, a song of timid love, peace, and without the piano a quiet and hidden loneliness. One that was meant to bring warmth to loved ones, to family

Family…

She didn’t have that anymore. She didn’t have loved ones. The world outside this one may as well not exist to her. No ties there. Barely any here - it was why she was so set on staying in this inescapable hellhole. It was why she didn’t care if she had died or not. Granted she no longer held that same sentiment - a recently newfound desire to live. To escape? Maybe…but to live…she wanted to live each day. She wanted to experience everything she could.

Maybe it was a bad idea to start with this song so soon after the gemini was torn from her. Her hands shook, goosebumps erupted on her arms. Her chest ached. This hurt, but…this song was her past. A bittersweet melody. So many nights playing by a roaring open fire. So many nights watching a daughter she’d never see again fall asleep.
 

Dammit…

This song was meant to be about her past, her family. Her mistakes, everything rolled into one.

It finished on a long, low quiet note as Mari dragged her bow across the neck. She stopped and took a deep breath, closing her eyes. Mari pointed the bow in Lancasters direction. “Stai fermo.” She said with an unexpected level of authority. Telling him to stay seated. Mari opened her eyes and carefully approached him, being careful not to step on any of her previously laid out stones. Triggered by pressure the last thing she needed was for him to ruin the surprise. Mari took two steps toward him, paused - glancing at the intricate violin in her hand. Mari took several steps to the side, carefully, very carefully leaning it against the nearest tree. Then, Mari walked back over to Lancaster. Silently, slowly. A shadowy visage, predatory gaze in those sullen tired crystalline eyes of hers.

 

Now she stood over him. “I need to recharge.” She felt so cold again. The tips of her fingers trembled. To continue Mari would listen to the advice she had constantly been given. To take what she wanted. Mari placed one hand on his shoulder, the other underneath his chin, tilting it upwards she leaned in for a kiss. Her hand ran up his shoulder, delicate fingers tracing his neck before they landed in his hair. She stepped in closer, practically climbing into his lap - but before things could get too out of control. Before his hands could wander too much, she pulled away.

“Better.”

Mari placed a hand on his chest, offering him a small smirk, knowing full well what she had just done to him, and just how frustrated he must be. For the two were almost equals, in many many ways. And she felt that same frustration. Irritation of pulling away. “Patience.” She said simply as she turned to grab her violin. “And be ready to catch me, mi amore.”

[Lancaster 1]

The vibrant red glow of a cigar stood starkly in the shadows, causing his face to light up every so often with the exhale of smoke. The glass in his hand smoldered to life as he'd taken to lighting the top for added flare. It flickered gently on every breeze, like a candle in the dark. The music carried in his ears reminding of diners he frequented, a sense of merriment long lost to this place. The man clutches on that churchill with heavy puffs, allowing himself to feel every chord as spoken word. The glow of the cigar being enough light to find the play schedule.

My Past

The somber tune panged and plugged at the mans heart strings. A melody that breathed a sense of longing and loss, an absence. Longing. Before they'd met, Mari was just another name, another frontline asshole. All he breathed, every fiber and goal meant to oppose her. There were many like her that he could not trust. At first, he treated her the same yet through those blue eyes. Her words...

The melody droned on in an elegant portrayal. One of suffering.

She'd pushed through and claimed his heart, and now Mari was laying hers out through a divine composition that yielded it. There need not be the story, for the emotion in it would explain it all. It was like she was telling him to reflect, to discover that he was missing her. All these fancy things, these toys and this playground, meant little now.

The song ends, causing him to slam his hands together with a feverish strength. The cigar almost drops and Lancaster has to quickly catch it. "Brava, Tanta roba Mari. Bellissimo~" The flame in his eye, a soft burning torch on his skin would show his own horse in this race. It was so much deeper then the man realized (cough and the fucking writer)

“Stai fermo.”

Lancaster would stop, leaning back and holding up his hands. "Non muovere un dito!" and he'd lift his hand and draw an x across his chest with a cocky smile.

[Mari 1]

"Non muovere un dito!" 

After picking up the violin Mari paused, letting the bow rest below his chin, she once again lifted it up so that he could face her. “Ahh.” She droned. Smiling. “Good boy. bravo ragazzo.”

 

 link

 

The next song was much more…energetic. Mari loved the violin, but she wasn’t the most graceful, so some of her movements were stilted as she moved around the makeshift ‘stage area’ She had to focus on her breathing…her singing… the instrumental interlude swelled and thats when she started to sing

 

Ever on and on I continue circling
With nothing but my hate In a carousel of agony
'Til slowly I forget and my heart starts vanishing And suddenly I see that I can't Break free, I'm -

With that she slid her foot over the first stone, a gust of wind shot up, blowing open her cape to reveal a dress of gold. It was form fitting on the upper half, forming an almost corset type silhouette - and it fanned out on the bottom. Its material hangs just above her knees. With every step she took the material glimmered in the sunlight.

 

Slipping through the cracks
of a dark eternity With nothing but my pain and a paralyzing agony
To tell me who I am! Who I was! Uncertainty enveloping my mind
'Til I can't break free and 

This was hard. Mari was so nervous. If she wasn’t so focused on singing, and on playing the violin her hands would be shaking. Her entire body would. She didn’t quite feel so cold anymore…but there was still that uncertainty in the pit of her stomach. Apt for the song. Mari couldn’t help but notice the irony.

Maybe it's a dream, maybe nothing else is real But it wouldn't mean a thing if I told you how I feel So I'm tired of all the pain, all the misery inside And I wish that I could live feeling nothing but the night 

You could tell me what to say, you could tell me where to go But I doubt that I would care and my heart would never know If I make another move, there'll be no more turning back Because everything would change and it all would fade to black 

Will tomorrow ever come? Will I make it through the night? 

Another step, and a hiss of red smoke started to permeate over the field. Hanging over the fallen maple leaves like a clouded moor on a cool night. They shifted gently the breeze- engulfing her feet. The woman almost looked like she was floating. Mari had her back turned to Lancaster.

Will there ever be a place for the broken in the light? Am I hurting? Am I sad? Should I stay or should I go? I've forgotten how to tell, did I ever even know? 

Can I take another step? I've done everything I can 

She takes a step away from him as the red smoke continues to engulf the area; almost obscuring her.

All the people that I see, they will never understand If I find a way to change, if I step into the light Then I'll never be the same and it all will fade to white 

Mari inwardly thanked herself as the timing seemed perfect, at that moment the smoke had engulfed her completely. She coughed - at least there was the musical interlude as she let out a series of small stifled coughs. Maybe the smoke was a bad idea.

Ever on and on I continue circling With nothing but my hate In a carousel of agony 'Til slowly I forget and my  heart starts vanishing And suddenly I see that I can't Break free, I'm 

Mari continued to play through the interlude and as the second chorus came up the smoke began to dissipate. Another step, another pressure plate, another button. The smoke began to clear. Her back was still to him, but the cape was now gone - sitting uselessly on the floor. Which each following verse she’d take a single step closer back toward Lancaster.
 

Slipping through the cracks of a dark eternity With nothing but my pain and a paralyzing agony To tell me who I am! Who I was! Uncertainty enveloping my mind 'Til I can't break free and 

Maybe it's a dream, maybe nothing else is real But it wouldn't mean a thing if I told you how I feel So I'm tired of all the pain, all the misery inside And I wish that I could live feeling nothing but the night 

You could tell me what to say, you could tell me where to go But I doubt that I would care and my heart would never know If I make another move, there'll be no more turning back Because everything would change and it all would fade to black 

Will tomorrow ever come?

A step - and then flames blue flames. Mari couldn’t help but smirk. Proud of herself. Combustion…plus copper chloride. High school science shit. Mari couldn’t help but flash Lancaster a look that said ‘Look what I am fucking capable of’. 

Will I make it through the night? Will there ever be a place for the broken in the light? Am I hurting, am I sad? Should I stay or should I go? I've forgotten how to tell, did I ever even know? 

After each question there was another plume of flame, shooting up with a blast then burning at an even level by her feet. Not quite enough to burn her. Not yet. Mari really hoped she got this right, it was one thing to accidentally hurt herself, but if she were to accidentally damage this gift…she’d be incredibly pissed and upset.

Finally- Mari stood in the center of the field, a ring of blue fire had circled the makeshift space -

This time you're not hurting me! This time I will take a stand! 

Another step, and an inner ring of fire appeared - slightly bigger than the first. Purple now. A stronger dose of potassium chloride, no alcohol - just, as Lancaster put it ‘biofuel’ 

 

All the hatred in my eyes building up an evil plan Standing lonely in the night, with the darkness by my side Looking deep inside myself, and revealing only fright 

Another ring of fire, three rings with each set of flames burning higher than the last, almost threatening to burn Mari. Green…borax. It stank. But hey, it looked pretty. Mari had hoped it looked impressive. From where she stood, it was almost impossible to see Lancaster now. Was he still sitting down? Was he still watching? The flames would entrance him enough, right?

 

If I make another move, if I take another step Then it would all fall apart, there'd be nothing of me left 

The fire reached her, caught onto her dress and set the bottom of it alight. She was fine though - her upper half was doused in a fire retardant. The other flames died down, running out of fuel, leaving her the only thing lit up in a barely controlled blaze.

If I'm crying in the wind, if I'm crying in the night Will there ever be a way? Will my heart return to white? Can you tell me who you are? Can you tell me where I am? I've forgotten how to see, I've forgotten if I can If I open up my eyes, there'll be no more going back 'Cause I'll throw it all away and it all will fade to -URGHK

She was interrupted. A thick coil had been flung around her throat, pulling her back. Her hands instinctively went to pull it away, dropping her violin.

“N-NO!” Mari pulled forward, ignoring the feeling against her neck as she tried to catch her newfound gift. No…nonononono…..please no. Her fingers managed to almost kiss the instrument before she was jerked back, falling to the ground hard. The flames on her dress extinguishing. Her health began to slowly tick away as black miasma formed around her neck.

Blight damage

It wasn’t enough to do her any real harm but…but… Her gift….was it okay?

“Whatcha doing all the way out here alone?” Came a voice that was distinctly British. A tall man stepped out from the forest line that Mari had meticulously manufactured, and into the clearing. He had short hair that was oddly a bubblegum pink colour, spiked up. On his forehead, and his cheeks were black tattooed symbols. Two rings of black surrounded each of his wrists. More tattoos. In one hand he held the end of the whip. The other reached forward, further up its length and pulled her back toward him with a sharp tug. Another sharp pang, and a familiar feeling began to creep into her skin.

Paralysis. Shit.

Mari scrambled, pulling a small metallic case from her inventory, one arm had already fallen limp, and her legs refused to listen to her but if she could just…if she could just…

The case opened, and three syringes sat inside it. Black, clear, and a light blue.

There was a pause from the man. “No fookin’ way.” He laughed as he dropped the whip, his demeanor changing completely. “Is that…Are you farcking Mari?” He asked, delighted.

Mari was still trying to desperately grab the blue syringe, her entire body working against her. But it was too late. She wasn’t able to move anymore. It was okay…Lancaster was here, and she would be able to move again soon. But…why the fuck did this stranger know her? And seemed happy about it? Her eyes shifted up toward him- offering him a glare.

The man waved her off with a laugh as he peered into her face, then shifted his gaze to her small case. “Yeh. Ya definitely Mari. Holy shit. I’m like, a big fan. Little Mari. Pink PKer, ya were once the most feared one.” He pointed to his hair. “This is an homage to who you were. Ruthless, crazy ass bitch who killed her own kin. Man.” He whistled as he reached for her case inspecting each of the syringes. He was like a kid in a candy store.

“Oh you were so smart with all your little potions! Fuck, you had me addicted to that honey one then you just up and disappeared. Then what?” He looked down at her, almost in disgust. “You were all about the frontlines? Gave up on making such interesting shit? Ugh..what are these though?” A large and calloused hand traced each of the syringes.

5 more minutes….Mari thought to herself. Just 5 more and she could move again. Mari had planned to try and knock him unconscious and drag Lancaster away, but she wasn’t sure she could do that anymore. As long as he didn’t use the black one she’d be okay.

“Hmm….knowing you, the blue one looks like some kinda antidote. The black, a poison. So…” He pulled out the clear one. “I’m doing you proud Mari!” He jerked her arm up, practically lifting her entire body with ease as she hung limply. “I can’t wait to see what this does.” He jammed it into her arm.

Truth serum.

Quite possibly the most useless one of them all in this scenario. She’d get all giddy, and have to tell the truth? So what? Her brows furrowed as she began to feel it kick in, her head swam. Her world spun, it was almost like being drunk.

Footsteps were approaching.

“Aye! That you boss?”

Boss? This guy knew Lancaster? Great, just fucking great.  Mari couldn’t help it, she laughed. A delirious laughter. “You’re gonna die.” she said between fits of giggles. “I don’t even want that….actually…maybe I do…” She said, struggling to keep a straight face. “I’m trying so hard to be a decent human being but people like you make to so hard…but…you’re so fucked.”

The man tilted his head, curious. “What was in that syringe?”

“Truth Serum.” Mari said simply, then barely able to lift her hand she instead pointed a single finger up to the case. Every fibre of her screamed to shut the fuck up. This was exactly what Freyd was talking about. Her concoctions…in the wrong hands.  “Black is Ricin poison. Blue is a sedative. I was gonna use that on you~” She said in an addled sing-song voice.

“Drag him away…keep you safe…”

Another fit of laughter.

“But you. Fucked. Up.”

The man looked up at Lancaster, still holding a giddy Mari by her arm, her limp body half dangled on the floor.

“Whas she on about boss?” A pause, then his eyes widened. “Oh. That lil’ firewerk show waz for you? Hah. Bloody brilliant. So, yer gonna throw this one way then? Can I have her? I’d love a personal Alchemist.”

Edited 9 hours ago by Mari

[Lancaster 1]

The forest filled with an excitable tone that was a lot more, upbeat and reinvigorated. A thrumming and the cover of hers came off. Revealing a dress of gold that painted her into a creature too perfect for this world. Rings of flame twist and mold into each and every shade imaginable, breathing the forest to life in a way that it had never seen. Lancaster was grin ear to ear, his hands clutched in fists as he could feel and immerse himself in her desires. That cigar held strong, another dash of whiskey and the man couldn't help but whistle and add some to the flame. A ripe magnificence, her fire on full display. The paper at his back told the story, but the man was too captured by her allure to see it.

My Present

---

But a cord screams across from the dark, taking advantage of a moment of weakness. Mari is pulled to the floor and Lancaster's demeanor would sour. He recognized this one, Byron. He was a half decent co-worker, usually did his job without having to worry about him. Lancaster sighs, rubbing his hands together as he'd lean and set down his drink. He just had to fuck it up, because they always do. Normally, deaths were quick and forgiving.

"You still wearing that ring, Mi amore?"

Lancaster would ask toward the man, his expression rather complacent and plain. The flames of Mari's display still raged on in a soft retelling of what was just ruined.

"Y-yeah." The woman responds, her speech slurring as she'd struggle to move her jaw.

"Bene, I will get you another violin. Twice as good." He stands from his chair, rubbing his hands on his pant legs and stepping in to those colored flames. Lancaster clicks his tongue three times, shaking his head in disapproval. "Mi amico, why are you here?" The guy immediately recognized the tone, Mari would feel the slight shutter of fear. Lancaster turns as if he's drunk, looking limply toward the flames licking his heels. His hand opens and the flames start to curve toward him, being peeled off the ground and finding themselves up his back and neck. "You've made a grave mistake." A slap of his hand onto his neck, he tilts and you can hear something pop angrily. The consuming tyrant shuts an eye, pointing out a finger and comically remarks "Bang." A wave of heat sees the man start to scream, as the moisture in his left eye vaporizes and causes him to crumple. "sei un uomo morto, mi amico." Mari would clatter to the floor, her limbs not agreeing with her.

Lancaster walks and the flames cling to him, causing him to bath in it and become almost indistinguishable from a mob. A living and burning pyre. He'd kneel down and click his tongue again. "Three rules. And you've broken every one." Lancaster grabs his throat with his left hand, causing the flesh to scream out as it is cooked. The guy grabs on to his wrist, desperate to remove the pain. Grabbing a finger, he snaps them off as they are charred black and made brittle. digit by digit. "Shh shh." Lancaster goads as he slips a hand into the mans shoulder like a hot knife through butter, and with a sharp jerk cleaving it off with ease. Lancaster starts slamming his head against Byron's nose causing it to break, even causing his own forehead to bleed.

"Does it hurt?"

The guy can do nothing but whimper, exhausted from all the screaming and his horribly mangled face.

"An eye for an eye." Lancaster remarks as he shoves his right index finger into the mans head causing his skin to blister and turn black. His rage on full display, he'd finalize the kill:

"riposa in pace, fa cagare"

A new name is drawn across the Monument of Life Byron ~ Player-Killed by Lancaster

Standing up he'd tap his hands together, knowing full well that Mari just watched him torture a man to death. He'd move over and look at her little potion kit, and her slightly burnt instrument. The truth serum, and he'd grit his teeth. Taking it out, he jams it into his neck.

[Mari 1]

You've made a grave mistake.

“Told you.”

Mari was beginning to get feeling back in her body. Lancaster had lost all the lustre he normally extruded. Right now he was near silent. His voice was hoarse. Booming with a dark commanding tone. Mari tried to reach for her syringes - she was angry. So angry at the man. He mentioned her daughter. He said he took joy in her death…. That…that was unforgivable. He talked about her as if she were nothing more than property. This unsavory sort. It was the kind that Oscar and Beat would hunt. The kind Mari promised to take care of- to help alleviate that burden. Mari…didn’t want to kill though. She didn’t want to take life after life - but at what point do you draw the line? If taking one life meant many others stopped suffering. Even in her delirium Mari knew the answer. I’d do anything for those closest to me. Even destroy myself.

"Bang." 

A sudden and sharp command snapped her eyes back to Lancaster. They shifted from him to the man, who was screaming, clutching his eye as he fell to the ground. She followed, landing in a heap next to him. Her limbs twitched, and she managed to roll herself over. Able to fully face Lancaster now. His eyes were cold. Uncaring. An unwavering steeliness that refused to shift from the man as he screamed. Mari shifted her head to look at the man.

He moves a shaky hand away from his face, still screaming. “You burnt his eye off!?” Mari screamed in shock. How was that even possible?? Good. He deserved it.

“Good. He Deserved it.” She said, then clamped her jaw down. No. No that wasn’t good. “No..wait no that’s not…how did you even…” She groaned. This serum was terrible. She’d need to make adjustments. The initial experiment wasn’t this bad. Was it cause she got a double dose? Why did she even fill the syringe with that much? “I’m an idiot.”

"sei un uomo morto, mi amico."

Death? “N-No stop!” Mari tried to call out to Lancaster. He didn’t have to do this. Not for her. He ignored her. He approached the man, kneeling down beside her. Giving her a front row seat to the chaos he was about to wrought. His entire body suddenly lit up - calling to all the flames in the area. In shades of green and blue and purple, red, and orange. Mari was so very panicked at the display. “L-Lan…caster?” She coughed as the flames drained the oxygen from the nearby area.

The redheaded man, her flame…picked the other man up with ease. He kept screaming. Then with an ease that only came with practice…he started to pull off the mans fingers. One by one. Mari winced at the first one - the blackened ash of his burnt finger blowing into her face and stinging her eyes, getting into her mouth. Mari shook her head. “Stop it!”

He didn’t stop.

With each and every scream, and each and every finger Mari felt her stomach lurch. This was wrong. This was so very, very wrong. So why wasn’t she scared of him? Why did her mind keep telling her the man deserved it? Was it a coping mechanism? Was Mari simply a bad person. So battered and bruised from the world that she simply was desensitised to this?

“Mia Fiamma…” Mari said weakly. Dragging herself back up. Movement slowly returning to her joints. “D-Don’t kill him.” She didn’t want Lancasters name to be constantly plastered on the monument…it’d make him a target.

Lancaster smiled, a predatory smile that split his even composition wide, his fangs bore down on the screaming sod  as his hand slid through the others arm, cleaving it off. “Lancaster.” Mari pleaded. Her heart hurt - and not for the reasons it should be. “He’s dying. I don’t care that he is but - bu-” Mari clamped her mouth shut, trying to force herself to shut up.

She may as well have been invisible to the redhead. Lancaster slammed his head against the other. She just had to keep quiet. Shut up. Keep quiet. Kee-
 

"Does it hurt?"

 

“HE DESERVES TO!” Mari snapped. Angry tears in her eyes as she struggled to push herself to a standing position. “But thats why! You can’t. You can’t just-

 

"An eye for an eye." Lancaster sneers as he shoves his right index finger into the mans head causing his skin to blister and turn black. His rage on full display, he'd finalize the kill. Mari winced and looked away as the other shattered into an array of red crystals.

…Too late.

Everything ached. Her chest ached…her head throbbed. This…wasn’t good was it? Mari could hear him shift away from her. Hear the footsteps as they sunk into the ground, scorching the earth with a loud hiss.

“W-What are you…doing!?”

Mari coughed as she tried to drag her body over to Lancaster.

He had jammed the last of the truth serum in his neck. The needle melted around his hand, and white hot globs of glass hissed and fizzled to black as they dripped down to the floor. He was still on fire. Finally able to move, albeit poorly Mari stumbled forward. Still freaking out. Her hands shaking, her voice trembling. Why was he doing that? What could possibly possess him to do that? “Y..you’re a…” Shook her head, her words jumbled. “You’re an idiot..look you got that needle stuck in your neck because you melted the damn glass away.” She took another step toward him and practically stumbled into his chest. The flames that surrounded him licked at her. They burned. Only slightly though. The ring protecting her from the more violent damage the flames would have given her. She grabbed a fistful of his hair and violently yanked it to the side - exposing his neck. Then, very carefully she pulled the needle out with her thumb and forefinger. Before letting him go she pressed her lips to his neck. Then she let him go and threw the needle over her shoulder. “You just dosed yourself with a really powerful serum. You know that right?” She snorted. Then laughed at the absurdity of it. She couldn’t help it, the serum tinged her senses with a sense of near delirium. Her dose had been a little too much. More than she would have given herself. “We need to find a place for you to sit.” She said, saying every single thought that entered her mind without a filter.

Glancing around and finding nowhere suitable Mari sighed and simply pushed him over. She watched him stumble backward then carefully managed to catch him before falling into his lap. He was still on fire. “Thank fuck I thought to make sure my clothes were fireproof too. I don’t mind if you see me but fuck….that company you keep…terrible…absolutely terrible Lancaster…”


Drip.
  Drip
    Drip

Mari blinked, feeling hot liquid on her skin. She looked at it. Blood? Blood? “Blood!?” I had dripped onto her hand which held his wrist tightly.
Mari ran a hand over his wrists. The flames licked at her pale skin, staining them a slightly pink hue. “I see why no prison can contain you. But…” Mari looked up at him. Then winced, he was too bright the flames too hot, they caused her eyes to water. Glistening red eyes barely visible between the rainbow of flames he had stolen from the land around them. “Oww..” She mumbled. “You’re bleeding…” She whimpered again, and that’s when the tears began to fall.

“I don’t want you to be bleeding…You’re on fucking fire…Mi amore…m…mi am- you’re…fire…You’re literally fire. Oh my god you killed him..your names gonna be on the monument again…you…you know you could have made it say suicide right?” She sounded angry with the last sentence.

“You could have spared yourself another name on that wall. Were the rules he broke that bad? I could have…I would have…” Mari gulped she didn’t want to say the next line, she didn’t want to admit it because it meant she wasn’t able to control herself as much as she wanted to be able to. “I would have stabbed him with the ricin! He would have suffered! He would have died!” Mari blurted out. Her eyes forced shut from the intense heat. “I don’t want to admit that. Oh no…am I …I'm trying so hard to be a good person but…he mentioned my daughter…and a fan? Thats fucking freaky. Does that make me bad? I don’t think it does but everyone else will. Am I a bad person?” The last question was asked in a pained whisper.

Mari’s hands fell to grip onto his pants, at least, what she could of them as she rambled almost incoherently. The flames tickled her, tinged her body with a warmth that was near unbearable but she still remained close. He was a flame atronach in that moment - nothing but a burning being of pure malevolent destruction. And yet she still couldn’t stay away.

The flames didn’t just wrap around her body, they sunk into her entire being. Her soul. Her heart. They called her. She is kindling to their burning, their desire. A raging hate wanting the world destroyed, but equally wanting to keep her safe and cradled in its embrace.

This was so so so bad.

“I’m falling for you Lancaster - and I’m beginning to think that’s a very bad thing…this has happened twice now…your…the company you keep. The interruptions. Are you planning this?” She hoped with everything in her heart that he would say no, that they were just random happenstances. Because she wasn’t sure what she would do if he told her he had.

But then…Why take that serum?