NationStates Jolt Archive

OOC: This is a spin-off to my story Immortal. Yet, anyone is more than welcome to join.

IC: The pond sat silent and still in-between AmandaTheGreat and Empire of Empress Serene. The pond was always a tranquil body of water. Now, more than ever. Stories and rumors floated with the wings of a creature the lived, or made a home under the dark cover of the water. There were stories of a beautiful maiden the walked the edge of the pond and across it, her toes barely touching the surface of the water. They said she floated across it, as if she was off it. It is believed if you see her you are captivated by her amazing and beautiful aura.

A young child came back one evening to his parents. They were worried because the child eyes were glazed over, as if he had developed cataracts within that very night. He told his parents he went to the pond and saw the most beautiful woman, even more so than his mother. He described her all in white with amber eyes that shown brightly. There was calmness to her, and a melancholy tone. She smiled at him and told he to go home. He said he wanted to go to her. She said maybe some other time. The story was jotty, but the little boy remembered that she looked sad and did not want anyone to visit her anymore. She sent a warning with him, his blindness. But his parents and all the citizens played it off. No one really ever wondered why people came to the pond and never came back. It was named Immortal Pond for the fact people died and went to heaven, being a wife's tale.

These stories continued, some lost, some changed, but people still came to the pond. They were in search, sometimes you just don't want to know what you will find.

OOC: I am looking for brave people to come to the pond at night and see my little siren and see if they can escape. There is a way; it is just for your character to find out how.

#tag#

Very nice. :) I'll definitely be watching this, and I'll take part if I think of something.

Maximus sat upon the church's bell tower, as he looked out upon the capital city of Tarlachia, his hometown. Skadi had gone hunting once again, and would return in some time. He himself had already fed, and was content just sitting where he was. Looking down he smirked at the thought that he, an Elder vampire, was sitting upon the house of God. God had forsaken him the day he was turned by his now-lover Skadi. Nevertheless, his life had gone through drastic changes, and now he lived a life of danger, constantly being hunted, and hunting the hunters.

Maximus thought to a recent meeting with members of the VRO, a now more organized structure, despite its negative exposure to the outside world. Few had cared when they heard of the vampire uprising in Tarlachia hundreds of years ago, an uprising that he himself had led successfully. Now, Tarlachia was firm within the grip of Immortals, and existed peacefully with foreign nations. It minded its own business, and did not partake in international affairs.

Maximus, now 745 years old, was nearing the title of an Ancient. Skadi was well over the minimum age of becoming an Ancient. She was 1368 years old herself. Maximus's thoughts went back to the years together the two had spent, battling the so-called forces of righteousness.

His thoughts moved on, back to the meeting with the VRO. They had revealed some more rumors of the mythical appearance of a siren within the nation of AmandaTheGreat. The location where the siren was believe to be was quite near the castle where the host, Sapphire had hosted an "Immortal Ball" tournament. But things had gone wrong...very wrong. A good friend of his, Alexander had almost died, and he himself had been severely impaled. Sapphire was last seen by him to have disappeared into an adjacent wood, and was said to never have been heard from again. However, Maximus had his suspicions. This siren's physical description matched that of Sapphire, but that was where he was confused. How had Sapphire become a siren? She had only been a human before, with a few magical abilities, but that was it. This left only one decision for him to make.

He would have to go back once again, and settle the rumor for himself.

Alexander Kelsing ran... and ran... and ran some more.

But he couldn't get any further away... from her.

Alexander woke with a start. It was just a dream. He was still in his bed in the Hyraphore, and no longer running.

Hyraphore... his hyraphore... He was safe.

The door to his quarter burst open. "Sir, are you alright?"

"Yes... I am alright. It was just another nightmare. Do not worry about me. Go back to your post."

But it wasn't just a nightmare. It was something... more.

In it he was back in ATG, back at the estate of the Lady Sapphire. Back where the gathering of immortals was held. Back in another time.

But he was running from Sapphire, but she wasn't really Sapphire... not really. She was calling out to him with nothing but her eyes... and he ran... and ran.

"Hold guard. Tell me, any word on the whereabouts of Driretlen?"

"No sir, but we are searching for him as we speak. He will be caught shortly."

"Excellent. Please expediate the orders I have given you. In the meantime, ready the Mark II chopper please. I have to... leave town for awhile."

An old woman sat on the stairs of the temple of Lady Amanda. She watched over the temple in hope of the dear muse’s return. The town thought the old woman to be a witch. She let them believe what they wanted; she knew she was just a keeper of the temple. The years and weather aged her face and body, but she was still in good physical condition. Her mind, also had not failed her one bit, plasticity had granted her as wise.

She sat on those steps and watched the townspeople walk by. She though too hurried to pay any attention to nature. She had long known of its changing. She long knew of what was in the pond. Neither was it evil nor good. A siren, she laughed, people were confused. This was a woman who was trapped rather. Trapped between worlds and couldn’t get out, such a sad story really.

Sometimes the old woman would walk by the pond and watch the movement. It was not sinister in any means, it was the way of the land and no one would realize that. The land near by ATG was magical and the pond connected the lands. People believed the wrong things, she warned them various times that the little boy that was blinded was true. She was thought to be insane. They would never realize it. She saw the woman called Sapphire one night. She knew the lady of the pond was not evil; she saved the boy’s life. Yet, she took others. The woman was a balance between good and evil. The battle was staged right there in that pond and she was stuck.

The woman could no longer make the journey to the pond. Yet, she hoped other would. Sapphire was still had human characteristics and longed for company. Company that she used to have. The old woman walked into the temple and prayed. Please, have people come here to help out. Help out in means that she couldn’t.

BUMP

Pyros swooped low over the clouds near the palace for the second time in hundreds of years. Heavy feet thudded into the ground, and Pyro lay on his stomach to allow Maximus to get off.

Once on the ground, Maximus spoke to his trusty ride,

"You have done well tonight, thank you. You may go on your own again, but be nearby, you know the drill."

A nod of its compliance was all that was given, before the dragon was up and over the treetops quickly.

Maximus turned and stared at the palace, and turned toward the woods where he had seen Sapphire disappear years ago. He began walking toward the woods, senses alert. Once he entered, the woods got darker, but Maximus's vampiric abilities still excelled in this lighting.

The wind picked up a bit to a slight breeze. A bird flew overhead of Maximus and cried out. Its song a sad one.
The silver light refleted from the sun to the moon cast the shadow away from the pond. It danced on the surface, as fairies on flowers. The light ran over the pond showing a figure ascending from its dark water depths. The lady of the pond.
This was her time, her magnificant time. The moon illuminated off her skin and she appeared to be light herself. She walked across the water. Her dress trailing behind her. She reached the edge of the pond and walked on the beach area, surrounding the pond. The pond's water licked at her heels, calling her back home. She knelt down and drew in the sand. She called to Maximus. She sensed he was there. Her picture, she was sure of he didn't see. It was an elaborate drawing of all the people that came into her pond. The wind blew the sand picture away just as he arrived.

"I have been waiting."

Finally walking out of the woods, Maximus stopped, his face in wonder at the woman before him. She looked like Sapphire, but...she was different...

"Sapphire? Is it you?" he asked, somewhat confused.

She looked at him, her face enchanting his thoughts, as she answered:

"Yes, it is I, but not I."

She didn't offer any more explanations, and he didn't press for any.

Maximus stood there, somewhat dumbfounded.

She's alive...but how?

"Awww.... what a touching reunion... And I never even got an invitation."

Maximus turned around and stared as Alexander Kelsing walked into the clearing. He held his coat on his arm, and looked as if he had not had much sleep.

"Maximus... you are looking well..."

Alexander turned and bowed at Sapphire.

"And my dear, you look as if you have not aged a day since I last saw you. Ane we all know that it has been ages..."

Sapphire looked at the two men she was familar with. Both men were there the night she came to be here. She smiled at Alexander's comment. She spoke slowly and softly, "It is hard to age, when one does not know time." She walked around both of them, light and dark flickering in her eyes. She walked up to Maximus, her frail, yet firm hand reached up and touched his check. She spoke once more, "You eyes have aged to me. Yet, I remember you just the same. For your memory is kept here." She placed her other hand over her heart. She took a step backward and walked over to Alexander. She paused and smiled at him. She placed her hand, cold, but not frigid, over his lips. "You have not changed either. I thought maybe different experiences would make you foreign to me. I am pleased you are still the same." She bowed her head and backed away. "Yet, we are missing a few and other yet. New people have come and gone. There is more to come." She paused, her eyes dimmed and she frowned with worry. "There is much more to come and I am not able to do much about it. I am glad you both came for I have plans for you." Her eyes glowed and the smile, as if the cat knew it had its mouse. She walked over to the edge of the pond. Her bare toes submerged under the water. She looked over shoulder with a smile that would make any guy melt. "Boys would you like to join me for a dip." She parted her red lips. Her eyes shown a look of wanting.

Maximus squinted his eyes slightly as Sapphire spoke. She may have gained some more beauty since the last time he had seen her, but her words stopped him cold.

Speaking to Alexander telepathically he spoke:

<<Plans for us? Something's up...Keep your guard up my friend. She may very well be the very siren I have heard rumors about...>>

Maximus looked over at Alexander, shrugged slightly and stepped closer to Sapphire.

<<Might as well have another adventure together eh old friend?>> he asked Alexander silently with a hint of daring in his voice.

Alexander looked at Maximus... though he did feel a twinge of nostalgia wash over him, he remained hesitant.

The pool, the water... Sapphire. All looked exactly as they did in his dream. Alexander was never one to believe in dreams, but the events of the last few months... changed his beliefs.

"All right Maximus. We'll play this her way... for now."

Alexander and Maximus walked up to Sapphire. Alexander coked his head, trying to read past Sapphire's cool gaze.

Sapphire stopped, her ankles barely under the dark surface. She turned and faced them. Her face sad, as if nothing could release the pain she felt. "You do not trust me. I can feel it. The senses tell me this. Why? Have I ever gave you each a reason to fear me. Let alone not trust me."

She walked further into the pond. "The water is warm, do not worry that you will freeze." She slipped off her white silver gown. She went under the water, up to her neck. "See, there is no harm in this at all." Her pale body shown under the water with the help of the moon's light.

"Do come in. I feel the company shall be fun." She smiled once more, more of the old Sapphire smile. One they would be familar with.

Maximus waded into the pond, keeping his eyes upon Sapphire, who swam lazily about under the surface.

Soon, he himself was up to his neck in the water, and he floated about. The water didn't affect him too much, as he was used to cold temperatures anyway.

"So, what are these plans you have of us Sapphire?

He watched her face, as she digested the question.

TAG

Alexander put his left foot forward... and pulled it back from the pool.

He knew that he should trust Sapphire. He had no reason not to. She was still the same. Same smile, same scent... but something was different.

Alexander thought of his dream. In it, Sapphire was... the old Sapphire. he could see her, but could not talk... barely breath... He could only watch as he was led one foot after the other to the pool, the same pool.

Sapphire walked into the pool... and submerged herself.

Alexander couldn't move.

Sapphire arose from the water. But she was no longer the same.

Alexander still couldn't move. He knew he had to move, run away, and in his mind, he was running. Running away from her, the pool... In reality, he was frozen to the spot.

Alexander shook his head. He looked around and saw that Maximus was still in the pool.

He stared at Sapphire's pale body. He did not move.

Alexander put his left foot forward... and pulled it back from the pool.

He knew that he should trust Sapphire. He had no reason not to. She was still the same. Same smile, same scent... but something was different.

Alexander thought of his dream. In it, Sapphire was... the old Sapphire. he could see her, but could not talk... barely breath... He could only watch as he was led one foot after the other to the pool, the same pool.

Sapphire walked into the pool... and submerged herself.

Alexander couldn't move.

Sapphire arose from the water. But she was no longer the same.

Alexander still couldn't move. He knew he had to move, run away, and in his mind, he was running. Running away from her, the pool... In reality, he was frozen to the spot.

Alexander shook his head. He looked around and saw that Maximus was still in the pool.

He stared at Sapphire's pale body. He did not move.

Sapphire laughed at Maximus. "Typical response. You have no wild side. Life alittle. I know you are the walking dead, but come on don't act like it." She moved closer to the two guys that were in the water. She frowned and said, "I can't believe you would think that I would have interior motives. I am here for certain reasons, but I do not know why you guys are here. I thought people thought didn't realize I was here. My aura has left and it came back just recently. Maybe that is what you sensed. Yet, I do not know why you came. What is your plans?" As she talked she created rings around her body, from the waves meeting her solid body. She moved her hands through the water in a fluid movement.

Maximus looked on, amused by Sapphire's gentle verbal attack.

"Well, my dear, I have returned for one reason. I had been hearing rumors of a siren within this pond, and her description matched yours. However, I can see that you are not a siren, otherwise you'd have already seduced me."

And yet she is nude before me...oh the irony!

Maximus grinned at Sapphire, his fangs slightly protruding. He moved his hand along the surface of the water, and splashed her, daring her silently to join him in some fun.

Maximus looked back at Alexander and noticed that he had still not entered the water.

"Come on Alexander, she won't bite." he said, laughing all the while.

Alexander shivered, whether from the cold or from the dark feelings he got from Sapphire.

Still, he tentatively stepped forward into the pond. He moved slowly, but soon found himself near floating. He still kept a distance between himself and Sapphire.

"I... am sorry, Sapphire. Its just that I have been having dreams lately... about you."

*Only later would Alexander realize how weird the questions sounded..."

Sapphire paused. The pond became like glass again, except for around the two men. Then she smiled. She waded over to where Alexander stood. She placed one hand, frigid, from the water, air, and unnaturalness, on his shoulder. "Do tell me of your dreams."

A gravelly voice spoke from the shadows surrounding the pond...

"Take heed, Maximus. Skadi would not appreciate you gazing upon another, especially when that other is what your kind call 'naked'..."

The familiar shape of Whiptail emerged, staring oddly. His attempt at a joke had not gone over as well as he had hoped. The old Blademaster Shadowscale Swiftblade had brought tales of this land from the Immortal Tournament, of a woman known as Sapphire. Whiptail had left to see this being for himself, and perhaps dispel the spirit that haunted the so-called Immortal Pond while he was in the area. He did not expect the two things to merge in such a fashion...

"Well, well, well. This is interesting, dont you think so?" Morty stepped from the shadows, grinning. "I knew i would have to come back around these parts someday again, i just knew i would." He squatted down by the pool and looked around.

"Plenty of old friends.......im suprised that all we are all crossing paths once again...." His eyes snapped onto Sapphire. "Hello, my lady. Then.....you are still.....alive......?" he trailed off, both confused and gladdned at the same time. He had heard many rumors about the so-called sirens in the pond, so he decided to be cautious tonight.

Suddenly the trance seemed to have been broken.

What am I doing?!

He glanced over at Sapphire who had moved to Alexander, speaking to him in a hushed tone. Something was wrong, yet he couldn't put his finger upon it.

Maximus turned about, searching for the familiar voice of the Argonian.

Maximus made his way back out of the pond until he stood in front of Whiptail. Whiptail's dark scaly skin glinted dully in the moonlight, his eyes locking with Maximus's.

"Whiptail...it is good to see you here. I hope you come in peace?"

Maximus swept his wet hair from his face as he spoke. His clothes were wet, but he knew they would soon dry.

Whiptail would have smiled if it had been anatomically possible...

"If I came with ill intent, we would be trading bullets and not words..."

He glances at the siren for the most brief of moments...

"Who is this softskin, who so lacks modesty that she goes about unclothed?"

Maximus nodded appreciatively, closing his eyes momentarily before opening them again.

"You speak of the truth. The woman over there you speak of is Sapphire. She is the ruler of this nation...or at least was the last time I saw her."

Leaning in closely he whispered,

"Something's not right, I can feel it in my bones. I urge we keep an eye on each other, make sure neither is faltering in any way."

He stood straight once again, this time watching Sapphire continue to talk to Alexander. He felt the urge to step in and forcibly separate the two, but his trust in Alexander's own judgement held him back, if only to see what Alexander would do.

OOC: WA, do you have MSN, AIM, or YAHOO Instant Messenger? If so, TG me with your contact info, and I'll add you, and TG you back with my info.

Sapphire paused. The pond became like glass again, except for around the two men. Then she smiled. She waded over to where Alexander stood. She placed one hand, frigid, from the water, air, and unnaturalness, on his shoulder. "Do tell me of your dreams."

Alexander swallowed hard. Her hand, her touch... so cold...

He noticed that an Argonian, that he recognized as WHiptail, and the Ravean Morty had arrived as well. He bowed his head, and began to speak.

"In this dream... I see an aeroplane going down in flames, and I know... just know that Angel is on it."

"Who is Angel?"

"She... was... a love. That is all..." (See Adrenaline II: http://www.nationstates.net/forum/viewtopic.php?t=124859&postdays=0&postorder=asc&start=0)

Saphhire nodded and let him continue.

"And... the plane is going down, and I see it, and I run after it. I run and run, but it's too late. I try to stop it, use my stop-time majik. Nothing works...

"And it goes down, and I arrive and tear through the wreckage. The fire burns my leg and the steel shards tear my hands, but I continue to dig. I can hear Angel scream, but I can't see her.

"I finally pull away everything, and I see Angel... but it's not her. It's not her body...

"It's yours."

Alexander looked up into Sapphire's eyes.

"And I try to run away... run and run and run... but I can't escape what I saw... I can't escape you.

"What does it mean?"

Whiptail shook his head in mild disgust...

"You have more loves than I have scales on my hindquarters, it seems..."

'Softskins and their drama...'

Whiptail thought as he seated himself upon a nearby stump...

Sapphire listened intently to Alexander speak. So much emotion is felt across the little space between them. Although, she did concentrate on Alexander, she was quite aware of the others surrounding her. She went deeper under the water, to where her chin touched the cool liquid. She came up and she had her original white gown on. "I am sorry my attire was not fit for you, Whiptail. I hope this is better for you." She walked out of the water and onto the surrounding ground, a trail of water followed her and soon her gown had dried completely, but it seemed to dry too quickly.

She cocked her head at Maximus, she could feel his uneasiness and she enjoyed. She smiled at him. She returned her gaze upon Alexander.

"Angel. Ah yes. I know of her. Who doesn't in this nation?" Her gaze never leaving Alexander's and it seemed as if she wasn't blinking. "So, you see me instead of her. Things have happened and will happen that is the way it always is and the way it will continue to be." She did not explain herself and would not. He would come to realize later on. She did not want to spoil the fun. She walked up to Morty. She smiled at him and embraced him. As she backed away from the embrace the air that left him warmer than when she had hugged him. "My dear friend, Morty. What brings you back?" She also looked over towards Whiptail. Her tone getting more monotone and showing no emotion, "Also, what brings YOU here?"

Whiptail remains stationary...

"I have come for two purposes, the first of which was to enter the Immortal Tournament, the second of which was to dispel the spirit that haunts this pond. It appears the tournament has been over for some time, and its founder now haunts a rather unimposing and oversized puddle near the national border..."

Whiptail loosely crosses his muscular arms across his broad chest, upsetting the silver crucifix that dangled down the front of his tunic. His right hand drums a set of five claws upon his left bicep.

"Your attire did not offend me, as an individual, but rather as a representative of my race and culture. I trust Master Swiftblade was treated well during his stay?"

Whiptail recalled that a great swordmaster of the Dark Argonian people had visited this land for the tournament, but had left for unknown reasons.
Such an individual was always treated with the highest respect, even by one such as Whiptail, the better in their most recent contest of swordsmanship...

Morty gratefully accepts Sapphire's hug.

"Well, as a matter of fact, i had a vision of you and this very pond. So, i decided to come over just to check it out. I was in a buisness meeting at the time of said vision, and i knew that something was going on over here or i was way to drunk. Just to be safe, i decided to drop by."

Morty looks sapphire over thoughtfully.

"So, how have the years been treating you?"

Sapphire smiled brightly at Morty, "The years seems to affect me not, but change me much."

She turned towards this Whiptail creature. "Well, if this place is so unimposing why don't you leave? It is not as if I asked you to come here. It would not bother me if you left. As I see you may not feel a threat, there is no threat. Plus, of this spirit, I know nothing of THAT sort. " She smiled politely at the green lizard and walked back over to the pond edge. The wind picked up again. A low groan wept with the wind, a message to those who could hear, and nothing but noise to others.

Sapphire smiled brightly at Morty, "The years seems to affect me not, but change me much."

She turned towards this Whiptail creature. "Well, if this place is so unimposing why don't you leave? It is not as if I asked you to come here. It would not bother me if you left. As I see you may not feel a threat, there is no threat. Plus, of this spirit, I know nothing of THAT sort. " She smiled politely at the green lizard and walked back over to the pond edge. The wind picked up again. A low groan wept with the wind, a message to those who could hear, and nothing but noise to others.

Sapphire smiled brightly at Morty, "The years seems to affect me not, but change me much."

She turned towards this Whiptail creature. "Well, if this place is so unimposing why don't you leave? It is not as if I asked you to come here. It would not bother me if you left. As I see you may not feel a threat, there is no threat. Plus, of this spirit, I know nothing of THAT sort. " She smiled politely at the green lizard and walked back over to the pond edge. The wind picked up again. A low groan wept with the wind, a message to those who could hear, and nothing but noise to others.

OOC: Big fat TAG! :D I'll enter soon, if that's OK, but I've got a couple of things to do first...

A beautiful, Shadostanian BUMP!

She ignored this creature. This types always think them to be better than others. She smiled, secretly she knew she had more power. The winds died down and again things were silent. A green, soft, pliable leaf fell down and landed on Sapphire's outreached hand. As the leaf touched her hand it turned yellow then brown and then back to green. She let it fall to the ground to be a blanket for the dirt. She frowned at the others present. "Things are changing. It seems they are always changing."

Hearing a strange whisper in the wind, Shado slowed Amaris from a gallop, and led her gently towards the forest...

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

There came a voice from behind them;

"Though some things never change. Among them are some familiar faces I see before me. Greetings all, and may the moon forever light your honoured paths. I know not why I return here, but I see whatever unseen force it was that drew me here, others too have been called. Of this I am glad."

Shado smiled, and tied Amaris to a tree. Walking over, it could be seen that Shado had not aged a day since they had last seen him, brief as that time had been.

"It gives me great pleasure to see you all again. Especially you, Lady Sapphire."

Shado bowed low, his cape sweeping the ground.
Amaris whinnied, displaying her unease at her surroundings. Shado too felt uneasy, but he would not show it.

"So of what do you speak, Lady Sapphire? What changing things are so great as to merit your attentions?"

"Ahhh...Shado." Sapphire turned and faced another old friend. Her eyes wide and appearing open, her mouth curved in a friendly smile. She walked gracefully towards Shado and gently hugged him. She walked back to where she dropped the leaf. She picked it up and went to the water's edge. She placed the leaf onto the top surface of the water. It drifted with the current and disappeared into the darkness of the night.

She looked to the moon. "The moon is a mysterious thing. Neither good nor evil. It is more neutral. How can something so magnificant not choose a side? Maybe it is better not to play sides and be on ones own. The moon can illuminate and give sight to those who cannot see and yet hide the demons in the dark shadows. The moon it changes, but it doesn't. It changes it outer appearance, but its inner qualities remain the same, not affected by nature's will. Change is in the air. I sense it, it is a part of me. I change with it. It molds me to something new, once more. Do not be decieved by the appearance, trust your instincts, but not too much." Sapphire stopped shortly. She let out an exhausted sigh and sat down on the cool grass. Her body still.

Maximus nodded in greeting to Shado, but remained silent as he pondered Sapphire's words.

Do not be decieved by the appearance, trust your instincts, but not too much......so something has definitely changed about her. Has she taken to the darkness?

"Yes, that may be so, Sapphire, but the moon is more than that. It is a reflection of the light and the dark of the universe. The universe is full of darkness, but do you know what makes it wonderful? The many small lights of the stars that shine, defying the darkness, defying the things that hide in the shadows..."

Sapphire began to laugh. It was neither cold nor was it light. Her laugh almost sounded forced, but not too much. Her eyes flashed at Maximus. So, intelligent you are. Not only did you get the looks, the brawn, you got the brains too." Her tone was playful and light, but her eyes were cold as stone.

"You seem to forget though that the moon has no light to give. The moon uses the light from the sun. All the moon does is illuminate the earth from the reflection from the sun."

She walked over to Maximus and grasped his chin. Her fingers were surprisingly warm, even though the air around was chill. Her voice quiets and she whispers, "Not everything is as it appears remember that. The moon is like people they hide behind the facade of another. Using it for their benefit. So, is the moon good or evil? That question is hard to answer and I see it to be neutral. You put to much hope in things. You will just learn as others do that all is failure from those kinds because you cannot be neutral. "

Maximus did not smile back at her as she had so done, if hardly at all.

"That is correct. Nothing can be neutral. It will always have a tendancy to lean one way or the other, no matter how lightly it does so. It is all part of ying and yang, light and dark, right and wrong, good and evil. It can only be one or the other. Either something is of good, or it isn't. And that brings me to my final point. You Sapphire, are not the same Sapphire I met long ago. You have changed, and I do not think it was for the better..."

Maximus's eyes blazed crimson as he challenged her. His lips parted, revealing the fangs that hid behind them slightly. Although he was a child of the darkness himself, his soul was in constant war against himself, for his soul was in essence, good. A strange combination. Sometimes he exhibited good traits...and sometimes, he didn't... However, this was not one of those bad times...

Sapphire meet his gaze and her eyes seemed to dim to a softer colour. Her eyes looked as if she was on the brink of crying. She took a step back. She allowed the silence and her melancholy aura sink into the very cells of Maximus and the others that watched from a distance. And then she spoke clearly. "I can understand you feel this way. I have changed, yes. Yet, everyone here has changed, be it for the good or bad, who is to decide that. Our fate has brought us to the very point of where we are at." She paused again. "Yet, sometimes people can trick fate and play their own games. " Her eyes flashed. She smiled at Maximus, a turely inviting smile. "Maximus come." That is all she said and she walked into the water. She turned around and had her arms outstretched to welcome him into her. The water licked at her chest and was slowly inching upwards. A slight breeze picked up and tugged Maximus in her direction. The waves rythmatically pulled him closer to her. That smile, so inviting...

The faint click of the hammer on Whiptail's .45 sounds as a clawed thumb tugs it into a ready position, the black steel glimmers in the moonlight as the barrel is aimed at the woman in the pond...

"I agree. Now it seems I must end this haunting..."

Whiptail's dexterous tail twitches in anticipation, his golden eyes a mix of rage and concern...

Maximus couldn't fight the entrancing effect that Sapphire had cast upon him secretly and stepped forward, almost as if in a daze. He held his hand to Whiptail, indicating for him to not fire.

Her eyes...so inviting...

Morty leaned forward in anticipation, slowly drawing a hidden knife from beneath his coat. He would use it only if Whiptial fired a shot. This women was not the sapphire he knew, and he may have been slightly creeped out by this whole incident, but did she really need to die right now?

Sapphire continued to smile at Maximus, but her eyes diverted to Whiptail. She meet his gaze and her eyes flashed. They showed she was laughing and not afraid and alittle bit that she was daring him to fire. She looked over at Morty and her eyes showed some sadness. He was betraying her. She was still the same, but just a bit different by a few minor keys. She looked at the ground just infront of Morty's feet. Her concentration fixed on the small stem. She closed her eyes for a split second and then the stem had grown into an overgrown, but beautiful bush, with little blossoms of silver and white. It blocked Morty and surrounded him in that one spot.

Her eyes came back to Whiptail and sent him a warning to not test her patience.

Her eyes brightened as Maximus came closer.

Maximus's lowered his hand once more and continued to step forward to Sapphire. The waters around his legs rose steadily as he stepped forward in the moonlit night. Sapphire's eyes were cascading orbs of calmness, yet held an unhidden power in them. Power that Maximus had never seen before...

Finally, he stood next to her and looked at her, somewhat blankly, waiting...

Alexander continued to wade... and to watch and see what would transpire. He made no move to interupt the scen unfolding in front of him

Shado had been standing in contemplative silence for a while now, and the seriousness of this reunion disturbed him. With Ayane not here, Shado felt alone, vulnerable. Loosening his sword in his scabbard, he moved to stand by Whiptail, favouring safety by the lizard man over danger on his own.

Morty frowned as the bush shot up around him. He almost drew his sword to cut it down, but he paused as he examined the bush more closely. It was such a Lovely bush.......beautiful yet powerful.

Like Sapphire.

Morty put away his weapons and hung his arms at his sides, thinking. he motioned at Sapphire, trying to tell her with his eyes that he understood.

Sapphire acknowledged the meaning behind Morty's eyes and she let the bush dwindle to nothing before his feet. She let a sigh out of her lips that meet Shado's cheek. A sweet nothing to calm his soul.

Sapphire did not move, but it appeared so because the water around her moved. The tidle pulled at Maximus. It lead him closer to her and deeper and deeper. The wind took a strang of her hair and it fell across her face. She brought her hand up to pull the piece out of her eyes and the cool water trailed down her cheek, like a crystaline tear. She spread her arms out as a welcoming.

Maximus, still entranced, slowly walked forward, not noticing that he was submerging below the surface, and came within arm's reach of Sapphire. She smiled sweetly at him, raising a hand out to his cheek and caressing it softly. With her other hand she reached out and held his arm, pulling him even further into the waters.

And still, Maximus was not all aware what she was doing...

The hunter muttered something in latin as he fired, sending a silver .45 ACP at Sapphire's forehead. The tip of his tail glimmered in the faint moonlight, hinting at the silver barb that resided there.

Whiptail's eyes where deep pools of golden anger, contempt for those weak-willed softskins around him who where so drawn to this supernatural being like flies to honey.

The muzzle flare from the weapon cast the clearing in shades of light, the flame golden in the water's reflection. Under other circumstances, it might have been considered beautiful...

-Double-

-Triple-

As the gentlew breeze reached Shado's cheek, he sighed quietly. Sapphire's breath seemed perfumed, and it reminded him strongly of Ayane. He wondered where she was and what she was doing, and his hand slipped from the hilt of his sword to dangle limply by his side. A glazed look came over his eyes as he began slowly walking towards the pool.

Sapphire saw the bullet coming towards her. She smiled and it stopped inches from her nose and fell in the water. A slight splash vibrated and circles followed the splashes, absorbed into Sapphire’s body. She looked up at the lizard and spoke clearly, “Do not irritate me.”

She focused her attention back on Maximus. “Come here please.” Her tone of voice was wanting. Maximus was inches away from her body and she felt his warmth. She hugged him and pulled him closer. She let him go and he realized there was no ground beneath him and his arms failed for a bit. Sapphire grasped on and he relaxed, totally trusting of her actions. She brought her face down to his and kissed his lips. His were so warm compared to hers. She leaned him closer to the water and his ears now touched it. The cool liquid lapped at his head. She continued to kiss him and time drew longer and slower. Her eyes flashed a deep dark blue and the water covered his face and all he could see were her eyes, but he must have been mistaken because it was the same colour of the pond. She still had a firm grip on him. She felt his body struggle and pull away. She went under the water with him and held him close. It must be impossible for her to cry underwater, but she was and Maximus saw her tears flow around them. It was as if the pond itself was her. The pond cried with her and Maximus began to slow down. She watched his action become uncoordinated; she knew his lungs were filling with water.

Sapphire let go off Maximus and floated near him. His eyes questioned her why she was doing this to him. She floated towards him and kissed his forehead and let out a cry. She remembered that day, the day that changed them all. She blew air into his lungs and took him to the surface. The others would know no difference. It would seem if they were underwater for just moments. She hugged him once more. She whispered in his ear, “You must find a way to help me before your time is up.”

Maximus looked at her, somewhat confused. He asked her telepathically:

What is wrong? What is there that I could do to help you? Speak with your thoughts, I can read them...

Sapphire was being careful in her words to him. Understandably so, the world wasn't safe anymore. He should know, after all, he was a vampire...

OOC: I'm terribly sorry, but I've gotta withdraw from this thread. I'm leaving for the summer, and that means very limited time on NS and the internet. Once again, my apologies.

IC:

Maximus...Maximus...Maximus...home...home...home...

Maximus gasped as he saw images of horror flash before his mental mind. He turned to Sapphire, "I'm sorry, I must leave. Innocents are in danger..."

Good luck, Sapphire...I hope you truly find what you seek...

With that, Maximus muttered an elvish spell and opened a portal before himself. He stepped through it quickly and closed it up merely a moment later.

Startled by the sudded disappearance of Maximus, Shado awoke from the spell, and stumbed back a few paces, his hand withdrawing into his cloak. He studied Sapphire, her face, her movements, with both scrutiny and suspicion.

"Why have you breought us here, Lady Sapphire? For I know 'twas not mere fate that deigned that we all return, albeit with a few abscences..."

Sapphire knew that Maximus would leave and hopefully time would grant him what he needed. She would deal with the present now. She smiled at Shado. He was so smart. A wrinkle crossed the corner of her eyes and then it was gone, just like the wind, just like Maximus, just like everything.

“I did not bring anyone here. You all brought yourselves here for specific reasons. Ones I may know of,” she paused and look at Whiptail, “others I may not know.”

She walked towards the shore. The part of her clothing that was out of the water dripped with the silver water of the pond. She made her way up and out of the pond, with a trail of water following her.

“Are you saying I had made you all come here? Well, that now if very silly. How can I do that.” The later part being a statement not a question. She was tired. The day was getting longer and she was getting nowhere. Might as well be as blunt as she could be.

“You believe I am the “siren” in the pond. Am I not correct? Why do you think that?”

Whiptail lowered the smoking weapon, then slid it back into his belt...

'Bullets have no effect... Not surprising considering the circumstances...'

Whiptail kept a clawed hand near the downward-pointing hilt of one of the katanas on his back. He would not be a true hunter if his methods of execution where restricted to a single weapon...

Sapphire's eyes darted over to where Whiptail stood. She saw his muscles twitch in the direction that they would move. She smiled at him once more, "And what may these circumstances be?"

Josh gasped as his look darted over to the clearing with the pond. He had never seen such a strange thing as the people and creatures there, but what had he expected when coming to the cursed "Immortal Pond"?

He still tried to remain hidden but feared somehow that however silent and crouched he may be, someone or something was watching him. He hoped to be just afraid and not to be right.

He had just journey for a long time over the foreign lands leading him from his homeland of the once proud Holy Empire of Yala Gannish, now left without government and slowly falling apart, to this destination, the legendary "Immortal Pond" in the Empire of Empress Serene. He had to come here, for her. He would have done everything for her. His mind wandered of, his sight clouded and he saw her face before his imaginary eyes.

More than normally, he still looked like the boy he had been, instead of the young man he just recently had become. His brown hair hung down wildly, just barely in the shape of a real cut and slightly over his shoulders and only scarcely some whiskers showed on his cheeks and chin, mostly because of the long journey he had behind him. The captivating smile he had been famous for at home shortly appeared on his face before vanishing immediately again. He wore light and simple travelling clothes which were made of various cloth, leather and fell pieces. He had only a hunting knife on his belt for a weapon and the bow in his bag he had left some paces away to better sneak near the pond unnoticed.

He had travelled here to find the "Immortal Pond", and possibly the siren that possibly lived here. It had all sounded so much better when it all had still been possibilities and not realities standing in view range of him while he crouched in the underwoods. He was terribly afraid of it. But he had to stay and, if he would be courageous enough, he would do what he came for. All for her.
Little did he know that he was the perfect example of a fool made blind by love.

Out from his hidden position he watched one of the persons vanish in a clear light and the others still talking with another, some partially in the water, others at the border of it.


OOC: Hi, I hope it isn't too late to join... if it is, tell me and igore this post. I am new to online RPG (but a longtime pen&paper RPGer), so excuse any mistakes I may do.

"What else am I to think, Lady Sapphire? Am I truly to believe that we all decided to come here at the same time by coincidence? I think not. I do not know of this 'siren' of which you speak, though if any word were to describe you at this point, I would say that would be it."

Shaqdo's hand left the hilt of his sword. He knew it would do him no good, and if he played his cards right, Sapphire would do him no harm. At least he hoped she wouldn't. A strange tingle ran up Shado's spine, as though someonew or something was watching them...

Sapphire looked off into the nearby forest. The wind played with her stands of hair, wanting to separate each different shade of brown on her head. She smiled, but no one would have known any difference, for it was a secretive smile meet for one the about to show himself. Her voice, though, not known to the man, came to him. It spoke loud and clearly in his head.

“Come, closer child.” She laughed within his head. “Yes, you are much younger than me. Do not be confused by my appearance for I have been for awhile now.” She paused once more, as to answer his questions. “You will see when you come.”

Sapphire would not wait much longer, she was sick of it. It drained her.

She looked around her, have they no reaction to what just happened. It would be as if they were just watching paint dry, instead of her almost capturing Maximus as she had did others. It would seem to them not out of the ordinary. Strange people they are.

She took a few steps backwards, towards the cool water. She stopped once more, looking at each person and waiting. She could never get away from that and she knew she was a pro at it now.

She looked at Shado as his spoke. He seems so confused these days. “Shado, do not fret about things, I would not dream of harming you.” She paused and frowned. “I did not dream of harming Maximus either. Things are just planned this way and I am sad that it happened, but he is gone now, and not because of me.” She half smiled at Shado. “Trust what you feel and use your logic to intertwine with it. A mixture is always better than one solid item. Better to use both than to go blindly into the situation or to not use any feelings. I cannot tell you if I am the siren or not, but I do understand that I would appear so.”

"This is strange" thought Morty. "This is the most powerful women i have ever seen.......able to stop bullets and play with peoples minds! What am i doing here?" He could easily answer that qestion himself:He came because of Sapphire. He did not know why yet, but knew that she was the reson.

Josh startled after hearing the voice in his head, not knowing what that were or how it could have happened. But he knew it had been her talking to him, into his head, directly and only to him. He shuddered and a creepy feeling overcame him.

How was something as that possible? He knew the place to be haunted, to be legendary, but somehow he hadn't thought about it too much till now. This isn't just some hoax, this is the preternatural he witnessed. It frightened him, as it would anyone... except most of the other people here who seemed much more at ease with it all. They seemed almost as strange as the woman in the water.

Shyly and unsure how to react to the proposition she had made him, he loudly cleared his throat to signal his coming and stepped into the clearing at the edge of the water.

He looked nervously from side to side, from person to person, trying to get it all. Without him realizing, he only stopped as his feet already touched the water of the pond.

"Ehh, hello everyone. I didn't expect so much people around here... this being a haunted place and all. And I... --" Josh broke his poor greetings and added silently, only whispering: "-- by god, you are beautiful!", blinked and was left without adequate words. So he shut up.

After some seconds, he found something to say again and asked: "So, why is everyone walking into the water of this pond?" Latest as he saw himself standing ankle-deep into the water, he knew that to be one of the most stupid questions to ask. But what is done is done, so he waited for some answer.

Sapphire smiled sweetly. It had been awhile since she smiled like that. Then she remembered why they came and she frowned. Was it really to see her, or was it the energy she drew forth from the pond. She shook her head and looked over at the approaching boy.

He was in her pond and it called to him through her and she felt the surge of energy. Her eyes widened. Why was this person here? She knew not who he was. The people that gathered here she knew, except for the lizard and now him.

Josh broke his poor greetings and added silently, only whispering: "-- by god, you are beautiful!” blinked and was left without adequate words. So he shut up.

Sapphire laughed, what a silly boy and yet he knew so much. She cocked her head at him, how could he know. Her eyes narrowed, but the pond and wind told her otherwise. She walked over to the boy and extended her hand up to his neck.

Her voice rang out and all noise halted to her, all was silent, but her. “My name is Lady Sapphire.” She motioned with her other hand the others around her. “This is Whiptail, Shado, and Morty.” Her hand flew back to her side. With one hand still up, waiting for him to kiss it, she took his arm with her other hand. His body was hot compared to hers and she marveled at how she began to warm up. She slowly inched closer to the depths of the pond.

“So, what made you come here?”