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  Brian Kennedy September 9, 2024 at 2:38pm

  [ Thank you so much for your patience, my friend. I've had a string of bad luck recently, first I injured my back, and then I got sick, but I'm recovering and should be back to normal soon. I will hopefully have that starter out for you by the end of this week. Thank you again for your understanding! ]
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  Sweetest Perfections || Multi Muse September 6, 2024 at 3:18am

  Roger & Mephistopheles

  

  Surprisingly, Dr. Rockwood sounded to be more interested in receiving a question from his patient first instead of posing one of his own. Roger had assumed the doctor would find it particularly worthwhile to start the game himself but perhaps the man had his reasons to not. What they were precisely, he did not know but he was willing to play along. But, not before finishing up his two crumpets and ogling at the dish until he was offered a cup of hot tea.

  Roger abandoned the thought of snacking on third crumpet for now, and took the mug into his hands. "Thank you. Yeah, a cinnamon stick should be enough," he told Rockwood before taking one of the aforementioned sticks off the table and placing it in his teacup. He set it down to let it cool off a bit so he could focus better on the other man and his game. The doctor was helping himself to the crumpets now and Roger couldn't blame him. They were very tasty, and a bit addicting.

  "Not much of a cook myself but I appreciate the efforts of others'." Roger told the psychiatrist, a chuckle accompanying his words as he almost absentmindedly selected a third treat off of the tray. It was in that moment he realized that a question about what Dr. Rockwood's hobbies were might have been a good starting choice. But then again, he was distracted by how the doctor kept the religious objects in his public office, in particular the painting that he noticed had gathered attention from its owner.

  Roger swallowed thickly, and not only because he was eating another doughy crumpet. The query he currently had in mind was going to tackle a rather touchy subject, and he felt as if he already knew the answer. Even so, there was an inexplicable need to hear confirmation from the one sitting across from him.

  Clearing his throat, Roger spoke, attempting a casual and polite tone. "All right, then. Are you religious?"
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  𝖂𝖎𝖑𝖑𝖎𝖆𝖒 𝕸𝖆𝖈𝖍𝖊𝖗 September 5, 2024 at 6:08pm

  

  (Hello I am back! Hope you are well, please check your inbox when you have a chance and thank you. Write soon!)
• Community Leader

  Maya (Slow Replies) August 27, 2024 at 6:20pm

  Write wif meeee

  
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  Sweetest Perfections || Multi Muse August 27, 2024 at 2:43am

  Roger & Mephistopheles

  

  It hadn't been long since they'd first met but Roger was already getting a fine impression of Dr. Rockwood. The man was apologetic about the wait even though he ought not to be, especially as he was going out of his way to boil tea for him and bring some devilishly tempting treats, a couple of which Roger selected from the tray. Perhaps taking two was a bit excessive, but he just couldn't help it. Snacking served as a bit of a comfort for him, whether it was a bad habit or not. Which, of course, it most certainly was.

  "Ah, you really didn't have to go all out of the way for me," Roger remarked, biting into one of the soft, doughy treats he'd picked up. The taste of it brought a smile to his face. "But thank you. I guess I'll be helping myself to these, then." He went ahead and nibbled on the crumpet some more.

  Did Dr. Rockwood do this for all of his patients? Roger had to wonder if this psychiatrist had the time to present so much hospitality to everyone or if he only picked special cases to get this sort of treatment. If that was how it worked here, Roger was unsure whether he should be flattered or concerned.

  He supposed he'd be finding out the hard way. For now, he'd been offered a round of 21 Questions and judging by the explanation alone, it sounded like a good way to start their session. "I've not played it." Roger informed the man. "Though I have heard of it. It's really popular in those social mixers taking place at pubs from what I've gathered." He never had bothered to participate primarily because he visited bars to eat and drink, not get entangled with stranger's personal lives and let them know his own. Though there were occasions that he'd be dragged into conversations and the like while he was trying to enjoy a meal.

  But here, it would be different. He was with a professional whose job was to help him understand himself better. And in a way, that made things a little less awkward.

  That's how it would have gone, except for the fact that Dr. Rockwood had caught him ogling at the painting in his office. Upon being noticed, Roger coughed lightly and cleared his throat. He had inhaled a few crumbs in the midst of being blindsided. "Nah, it's fine," the journalist waved his hand dismissively as he choked out a response. "It's nothing out of the ordinary for me, really." It was impossible not to recall the religious upbringing he had. "I'm up to playing though, if that's what you're suggesting. The 21 Questions. Do you want to start or should I?"

  Roger had a hunch that some of what had already been said was inviting certain matters to be asked about. A part of him wanted to be the first one to pose a query, but he'd politely hold back until he was prompted to. It had been Rockwood's idea, after all.
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  𝕵𝖆𝖓𝖔𝖘 𝖙𝖍𝖊 𝕭𝖑𝖆𝖈𝖐 𝕽𝖔𝖘𝖊 August 27, 2024 at 2:13am

  

   

  Caliban would get no rise out of Meadow. The deathly figure made not one sound, however the shadow he cast shuddered with an animalistic sound. Meadow's raggedy attire was pulled by something from his shadow. Eventually, slender, alabaster arms reached out from the said shadow. There would be no end until the smaller figure stood outside the shadow.  If anything, the figure resembles a young adult taking in their surroundings. Hair obstructed black eyes that held no whites to them. Upon their frail-looking body a simple robe that reached around the toes. 

  At first, their head turned to look upward at Meadow before turning all attention to Caliban. Lips pulled back as a toothy grin adorned their pale face, and then a chuckle followed shortly after. 

  Meadow who was standing still both felt and heard this, he was aware of what and who it was. So, he would eventually turn off to the side and offer a bow at the waist. His bony arm came across his torso in respect. There was no need for an introduction but it did deserve from him alone this acknowledgement. Meadow was sure that this one acknowledgment was more crucial than any other in this room. 

  "He is not here. But according to the child, Mephistopheles is in the mortal realm. Do you wish for me to seek him out?" He asked while he kept that posture.

  The other figure eventually turns away from Caliban to Meadow. 

   

   

  

  

  It would be a moment before the figure said anything, let alone do anything. After what would seem an eternity, they finally spoke. As words flowed, the voice sounded just as distorted as Caliban's sister, though torn between the body's original voice and something deeper, darker. 

  "Amuse the idea. Assume that Mephistopheles is indeed with the mortals and help him in any way he needs. Tell him to come home, it would appear his impudent child needs lessons. I'd like to be entertained and see how he deals with problems within the household." With that said, the short figure steers a look towards Caliban. 

  In the meantime, Meadow offers a nod, "It shall be done," he said before casting off his robes. Doing so, he was all bones with some skin still holding on. It was anyone's idea how he had managed to hide the protruding horns that were suddenly present on the crown of his head. What unfurls are two large dragon-like wings. With a small groan and a roll of shoulders, Meadow gave them a thrust before he was gone, and swallowed the shadows that cascaded down from above. 

   

  

  

   

  As soon as Meadow was gone, words commenced. Without care or precautions. "I hope your father doesn't come back." Caliban had to know why those words had been spoken. If the father won't discipline the child, then let him fend for the throne from being taken. "Another face to the wall." These words followed the thoughts that were running amok within that small head of theirs. Much so that took it as a delight, one that had them cackling quietly to themselves. However, the amusement was evident on their face.

  Another face to the wall... the string of words meant something rather than nothing. This one was known to take on the appearances of those they devour and Caliban seems to be one that would get thrown into the bunch but like many, never see the light of day. Left to be forgotten.

  But just what would cocky little Caliban do with what has been set in motion. Bathsheba's words had not fallen on deaf ears, nor had Meadow disregarded them. Caliban was not fit and would put this ring of hell to shame and if the great  Mephistopheles didn't want to return, then this ring was right for the taking. Plucked... and made to the new king's image. 
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  𝐍𝐞𝐬𝐫𝐲𝐧 August 26, 2024 at 8:03pm

  

  The air around the woman’s mouth plumed into a frosted cloud against her lips. It was the witching hour high up in the Appalachian mountains with temperatures dipping into the low forties and even with that animalistic body temp control, a shiver shot up her spine. Something wasn’t right, what she was doing wasn’t right… But she was desperate. With a long exhale, the she wolf held out her arms, a knife’s blade hidden under her curled palm as she sliced open the skin and squeezed, letting three drops fall to the forest floor within the satanic ritual circle as she spoke in broken Latin. It wasn’t much, just the memorized passage of an old book she assumed would be enough… 

  “Ad te in adiutorium voco, Spiritus tenebrarum, ostende te! Exi, sceleste daemon! Ad te voco nomen sanctum tuum, Mephistopheles, appare!”

  … Nothing. Defeated, Nesryn’s tense shoulders sagged. Did she not do it right? It wasn’t until she stepped back when the wind around her picked up. Circling her, ensnaring her into the trance it placed upon her. Nes’ head snapped back, her eyes rolling back so only the whites were visible as a black smoke enveloped around her and trapped her inside the summoning circle. In her mind, she walked alone within the pitchest black she’d ever encountered. Unable to see the ground she stood on or even her hands in front of her face. Her heart pounded in her chest and bile rose in her throat, choking on the thick air that she suddenly stepped into. Where had she gone? But the silence that settled around her was deafening. Her pale gray eyes scanned the black abyss all around her, “Hello?” It was like she was speaking into a pillow. Muffled, soft and distant. She swallowed, about to call out again when a breathless deep voice grumbled behind her so very clearly,
  “You summoned me, Daughter of Eve?” Wrong… Nope. Abort. Red flags shot up in her mind and heart. Thundering panic sank into her soul as she shied away from the voice, her shoulders hiking up to her ears,
  “Are you Mephistopheles?” her timid question made the voice pause for a moment before speaking,
  “You can call me whatever you’d like. But you have yet to tell me why you have called upon me.” The energy shifted. Impatience and unsatiated hunger, like a cat cornering a mouse. With a deep exhale, her back straightened and she spoke into the void. No going back now,
  “I need to rid the curse that I…” she paused, switching up her phrasing, “I want to be human again.”

  The demon was silent for a moment longer, debating on the terms of the contract before it spoke again. A sinister coyness laid in his words, “I can… Take that wolf off your hands for you.” he started, “I can sever the monster from your body, your bones.” the voice echoed around her like it was circling her, “You can be free of it, if you submit, if you give it to me. You’ll be rid of it forever.” like a snake slithering in the grass.. So vague. But saying just the right things to keep her inconspicuous. Nesryn sucked in a breath, aching to be free. From the form that haunts her in the darkness, her mind. “What do ya say? Is it a deal?”
  Nesryn paused for a moment, thinking it over before she pursed her lips, the words tumbling from her mouth so quietly it was almost a whisper, “It’s a deal.” 

  Immediately following her words, Nes’ eyes rolled forwards again, setting her mind into her body again, putting her feet on the forest floor again, putting her in the middle of the mountains. Alone. As if it had never happened. Though, on the ground at her feet lay a small globe-like vial. Edged like a gemstone with a cap the shape of a skull with hands wrapping around the glass frame. Inside sat a small pool of glowing red liquid, pulsing with energy, humming with need. Nes’ eyebrows furrowed as she studied the vial, the voice echoing in her mind before it disappeared completely, “Drink it, and our deal is sealed.” Her lips thinned, debating one last time before slowly opening the skull's mouth and taking a sniff.

  The aroma of faint cherry blossoms and iron. Blood and… something else. A tang of fruit and cinders, like fire liquified. With one brave deep breath, the she wolf brought the vial to her lips and shot it back, swallowing it in one go. The liquid went down like acid, burning her esophagus raw as it slipped down and into her stomach, absorbing through the walls of her stomach lining, seeping into her bloodstream. Nesryn winced, her eyes squeezing shut as she fell to her knees in pain as each vein glowed that same pulsing red from the potion she just drank. More like poison. 

  Nesryn grunted as her very essence leaked from her body slowly. So. Agonizingly slow… Her face lit up, red glowing behind her eyes, from her mouth and throat as that other side of her was ripped from her insides. Torn away like a piece of paper. Messy, uneven, catastrophic. As half of her soul became solidified in front of her. That burnt orange fur and glowing gray eyes bright within the darkness around them. She watched as the wolf essence oozing from her solidified in front of her. What the fu- it howled as the last bit of essence left Nesryn’s body, slowly making its way to the wolf that stood three times her size and it faced her, growling, mindless before its ears perked up tall, swiveling to one side. It paused for a moment, watching Nesryn as she gawked at it back. Her strength, stamina, senses all slowly fading back to it’s normal range. She felt weak, slow, clumsy… Helpless. Her body sagged in a slight relief as the wolf’s head turned before it reared back and sprinted away into the dark night of the forest. It didn’t take long for the exhaustion to hit her, like a damn freight train Nesryn just about fell unconscious in the middle of her summoning circle. Her vision slowly went in and out of focus before the darkness finally consumed her.
• 

  𝕵𝖆𝖓𝖔𝖘 𝖙𝖍𝖊 𝕭𝖑𝖆𝖈𝖐 𝕽𝖔𝖘𝖊 August 25, 2024 at 12:55am

   

  Meadow ever silent, he knew that being in "enemy" terrain there was bound to be news back at the appointed palace of Mephistopheles. His breath rang out in a shudder, no words or anything to indicate this slender, ominous figure held anything true, other than this withering appearance. But given that his name would be revealing enough, there was little to hide. Though, this was one of several appearances that Meadow held. For easier travel, his dragon and deathly figure were known to many and respected even. 

  Today, as he stood in an open area, he looked around past the dark hood he wore over his head. Not necessarily swallowed by mist, it did surround his person, mainly around the knees and down. It threatened to consume him but the mist kept low to the ground while dissipating as it crept up his figure. 

  Materializing in his left hand was none other than his simple-looking scythe. While it looked like so, it was more than just that. A gift, if you will from his Master. The very tool had bestowed upon him powers he'd never possessed and now enjoyed. 

  Meadow saw a stream of souls following an old path, a path that all that belonged to this circle traced like second nature. Yes, he wasn't supposed to but he dared. Swirling his hand in the air, he would weave something unseen that two souls broke from the path and gasped wordless things before they were fused like a thick mist and soon encircled the hand that rocked the deed. It doesn't take long before those souls are devoured, a taste perhaps? Or maybe provocation? Who's to say...

  The dutiful Reaper was here on orders, were he found trekking the grounds belonging to Mephistopheles or not, it didn't matter. This was a job he couldn't refuse. 

  It would be a bit longer before he was at the edge of the palace itself where the throne room resided. With a breath, Meadow's exhale was visible, it resembled smoke of all things. With a tilt of his head as if he were listening to a whisper, come hither those whispers said that provoked a smirk upon that bony face. A toothy green becoming exposed though hidden in the darkness of his hood. As quick as it was there, it was gone as he began towards the large hole in the wall or in this case, the doorway. With soundless steps, he treaded through the threshold. It would be here that he is approached and he delivers his reason for the unannounced visit. Why bother wasting time looking when you can just ask?

  Announced to the child of Mephistopheles, who sits on his father's throne and pretends to be king. Laughable. While that wasn't a thought that occupied Meadow's mind, he stood there tall and billowing a presence of absolute death and decay. A wheezing to his breathing if anything to the listeners in the hall. 

  As soon as he is shown, the figure begins in the direction he is shown. It won't be until he is before Caliban that Meadow bows his head alone in mere acknowledgment. "I seek Mephistopheles, king..." he began to speak, then pointing a bone finger at the throne the boy sat upon. "...of that throne." He adds before dropping his arm.
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  𝐍𝐞𝐬𝐫𝐲𝐧 August 23, 2024 at 11:16pm

  Oh, I like it, Piccasso.

  If there's anything else you want to add, definitely let me know. If not I can send a starter tomorrow! 
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  𝐍𝐞𝐬𝐫𝐲𝐧 August 23, 2024 at 8:43pm

  I really like that idea! So her wolf would become a familiar? In a weird, twisted way- Or do you mean as a bodyguard for the imposter?