Colin's posts

"Something urgent." Vincent responded.

"I need to speak with Syraene." he told her.

"The sooner, the better." he then said.

"Jaden's very life MAY be at stake here." he informed her.

"And if it isn't, I am extremely worried for his safety and well-being right now." he then added.

Ryker and Eke made their way through the town, stopping online to exchange the scales for a considerable amount of money. Once they did, they then found an Inn.

They went inside, and before anyone could ask any questions, Ryker plopped down some cash, and they were given keys.

Ryker then quickly led Eke to the room, where they stepped inside and he closed the door behind them.

"Finally." he said.

"I hate people that stare." he muttered.

"What... what do we do?" Jaden asked, clearly distraught over what was happening.

"Simple." Vincent replied, approaching Desiree, and subtly putting a mana-tracking beacon on her.

"Go with her." he said.

"If things start happening that aren't according to the drow's plans, they might panic, and things could get ugly." he explained.

"I'll call in help, we'll go to where she takes you, and take it from there." he said further, taking out his cell phone and dialling a number.

"All... all right..." Jaden responded, as he hesitantly took Desiree's hand.

"....Desiree, what the hell?" Jaden asked.

"I know this is probably important, but it's not like you to ignore Vincent." he said.

"Because she isn't acting like herself." Vincent responded.

"I can sense it." he said.

"I might not be a drow, but I've known enough of them, been around some enough, to know what control feels like." he went on.

"...wait, Desiree is...?" Jaden asked, unable to finish the question.

"Being mind controlled by a drow." Vincent declared.

"............" again, Ryker didn't say anything.

Instead, he just pulled Eke close to him.

"Come on." he said.

"Let's find a place with a bed." he told him.

"We've got enough for a comfy place to rest." he added.

"Huh?" Jaden asked.

"Uh..." he stammered, before sighing.

"All right, sure." he replied.

"That... yeah, sure, I guess." he said with a shrug.

"Everything all right?" he asked, as Vincent watched from a doorway inside the house.

'.......hm.' he thought, as he looked at Desiree.

"Desiree." he then addressed her, stepping forward. "Are you feeling all right?" he asked, eyeing her suspiciously.

"All right, we're here." Ryker said when they arrived.

"First thing to do is get some money for these scales, then see about finding some supplies, then look for a place to crash for at least a night." he said further.

"Hey." he then addressed Eke.

"What do you want to eat?" he asked.

A few seconds later, the man himself came into view.

"Hey Desiree." he replied.

"What's up?" he asked.

"...wait, where's the groceries?" he asked.

"Didn't you go out to get some?" he asked further, before pausing.

"...or did you already put them away or something?"

There was silence in the suite.

Absolute and utter silence.

It seemed that Jaden was not there, and that she was alone in the apartment.

Not even the feline that she had adopted so long ago was there, as they had a friend pet-sitting it until the danger of the drows had passed.

The drow smiled when Desiree fully succumbed to his power.

"Good girl." he said.

"Now... do exactly as I say, and bring your little hubby to the abandoned building down the street." he told her.

"And do it quickly." he went on.

"Use whatever excuse you think will work." he finished.

The drow chuckled lightly as they saw her wanting to fight the mana off, but was unable to.

"Relax, child." they said.

"I don't want to hurt YOU." they told her, gently placing a hand upon her cheek. "I rather LIKE vampires, to be honest." they admitted.

As they spoke, Desiree felt their control becoming stronger and stronger, as their 'claws' extended into her from their hand.

"However, filthy halfbreeds are filthy halfbreeds." they said. "And this world becomes weaker and weaker with their existence. Purity is everything, after all." they reasoned.

"Don't worry, once you have fulfilled your use to me, I will let you go." they then assured her in a soothing, but eerie tone.

Ryker was silent again.

'Gods, what did this kid's mother DO to him?' he thought.

"Well, I won't argue about the makeup." he said.

"However, crying being weakness is something I cannot agree with." he told him.

"If you always hold back tears, they become as acid in your body. They eat away at you from the inside out, until you collapse in upon yourself, the weight of everything crushing you." he said.

"So one can say that crying is actually a sign of a strong individual."

"Depends on the person, I suppose." the figure responded, before rising to their feet.

"The right or wrong individual can use said name for various reasons." they went on.

"Also, depends on what circles one is talking about." they then added, before they raised their head up a little... and Desiree saw crimson glowing eyes from within the hood.

"For example, I know you're a famous magician." they commented.

"And I know you are VERY close to the dhampir." they went on. "And if one wanted to get close to him, all they need do is be able to manipulate YOU." they finished, as their eyes started to glow a little brighter, and she felt them pierce into her.

Ryker stopped as well, and looked back at Eke.

"Careful. You're bleeding." he said.

"And it's clear you have a lot going on." he went on.

"Also, let me share something one of my elders once told me when I felt sad." he then said, pausing for a moment, and looking towards the sky.

"Crying is something to never be afraid of. Even the angels cry. They cry for God, who weeps at the plight of his children... hence why we have rainy days." he rattled off.

"Whether or not you believe that is up to you... what he was trying to say is that it's okay to cry."