Crimson Hawk | Maximos Suite - After Round 5 - Raven - Lucind
"Hahahahaha...heh..."
Lucind got up, swaying dangerously, her arms hanging by her side. She was laughing, but Maximos was not. Maximos was not even moving. He sat in his seat, comfortably leaning back. That was a laugh true...but it was a sad sort of desperate thing which tugged at his heart.
The Siren's hair fell down, a curtain around her face, the band, neatly cut, landed somewhere on the floor. There was a storm. Max saw it, his bottom lip ran along his top row of teeth. Could she? Would she? She looked upwards and as she adjusted her hair, there was a cut.
"Is that..."
And Max was sporting a small, mischievous grin. It was one cut, but its size and shape and the blood staining her precious nails said it would not be the last. She was tearing....ripping. She stepped toward him. Then again. There was menace in her steps, and though he was still seated and still unmoved his grin had stretched and twisted into something wicked.
Her eyes, widening and narrowing alternately, lay on the Shadow, her jaw and lips twitching every now and then.
"Is that what you want?"
Twitching. Trembling with the force of the war raging. Max knew the symptoms and with every part of himself wanted to say, "Yes". But couldnt. If she was going to break, she had to do it for herself, by herself.
Without control, she eradiated emotions, unarticulated, raw...primal. Max saw ribbons and slashes of colors bounce and fly from her like fireworks. It was beautiful. Beautiful like birth. It was the most beautiful she had been in a long time. But psionically he was not in the slightest gifted, thusly half the show escaped him.
The wind however did not. It was chaotic. Not a calm boring sea at all. Part of him wanted grab her and shout that she hold on, that she ride this to its end. But he couldnt, not yet.
Another step. She leaned forward until his and her eyes were on the same level, one hand splayed on the couch's armrest. A normal man would have been panicking now, fearful. Another Maximos would have been fidgety and blushing. There was a part of him, and time for that. For now, he stood cool and grinning in his seat. It took every bit of restraint he had to keep from just leaning forward and kissing her. Would she, could she take the next step?
"You want me to be your bloody bride, watching you slay whenever you feel l---"
Lu's eyes shot open in shock, jerking her head sidewards. "What?"
No!
He said it, but immediately recognized it didnt sink. She couldnt pull away now, she couldnt lose it when she was so close! His hands shot up, he would grab her face, center her again, bring her back. Lucind helped many spirits, but this was their time. They werent wanted! Not now!
But before he could touch her she said.
"What do you want?" A low growl escaped the Siren's opened mouth, and then she straightened up and turned away. Her hands curled and uncurled when she absent-mindedly walked around the table, lightly shaking her head as if something was stuck in her ear.
She hadnt lost it...Max leaned forward and looked across to Raven for answers. But Raven seemed lost and vacant. Instinct would have told him to shake her back to reality if it werent for the fact he could feel her energy still working at him. It meant she was still safe, and in herself..
His eyes snapped back to Lucind when he saw waves of something pouring off of her. They rushed past her and the air behind them seemed quieter. Max couldnt explain how, or why. He had no psionics. But he could see a turmoil.
It was as if Lucind was a shaken bottle of soda. The fizz had risen to the neck of the bottle but before it could pour out, it was capped. And now a war was raging on the inside.
Warring. The bottle was shaking. Lucind's soul was a storm, two sides lashing back and forth, each lash more intense than the last. She was mostly silent, keeping the war within the lines, but even that control was fading.
I...kind of...liked this sort of power.
She didnt have to say it. He saw it. Something black and terrible, something outside the morality she held so close to. Something that spilled over the lines, but that she had not bothered, nor desired to pick up. He saw enjoyment...
Max began to chuckle. This was it...this was the feeling. This was the impossible outcome his mind had voted impossible. Peeking over her shoulder, Lucind lay her haunted eyes on Max, half hidden behind navy blue locks. A chill shot down his spine. Not fear, but excitement. Whoever she was talking to...whatever she was warring, he was on its side. It showed on his face, in intense eyes that said, "More, more". In the grin on his face. In the idea that she might actual taste what it was like to be...
"...happy..."
Yes...you deserve to be...
The Siren would turn back around, her side facing the couch on which Maximos was placed.
"I know..."
Lifting her hands, she stared at the cuts. But Max could see she was staring at something so much more. There was a meaning there. There was something held back that was bleeding free. A part of her that was restrained and now seeped through holes in her armor she wore like a skin.
"I wouldn't have stopped him. ...and I would behead her a second time."
The storm of her soul was chaos incarnate, it was a painting made solely by splashes and thrashes. There was no order to it. Nothing but vestiges of lines, and the ink was still spilling.
"I am...was ashamed to show how much I loved my new self...my real self...I couldn't admit the reason it took me days to return from the sea was because I enjoyed it so much...being down there with the mothers...their raw nature...we shared...the power...the endless sight..."
The storm inside of her bled and rushed out, it was outside now. Maximos could not only see it, he could feel it. Wine glasses sung, bottles vibrated, and the tall floor to ceiling windows shook violently as if caught in a tempest. The table withstood only because of the seals on it, but even it danced unnaturally. The hurricane was about to reach its peak. The tension put a knot in Maximos' chest which lodged his heart in his throat. She was so close...it was like a knife playing at skin. Not cutting, but pressing far enough to leave red furrows. The entire room felt her strength, felt her power, felt her truth.
In the face of her every fragile thing quivered. And in Max's head was one litany, over and over....
Break...break...break...
"When I came back, I felt like I had failed everybody, as if I'd selfishly indulged in something...in my extremes, which I couldn't face at the surface, which I didn't trust myself to be able to control outside...I couldn't...reveal..."
His eyes locked on hers. No running.
One arm was pressed against her stomach, the other hand against the side of her head, fingers entangled in hair. A pained look contorted the Siren's face, while hot tears eventually made their ways into her eyes.
"Why did she hide it? Why didn't she show me how despaired she was? ...I...don't hate....but if...if she only..."
Whatever was being said, it was saying it right. Max' palms were balmy. The rattling of the windows and the tabletop become stronger. The room threatened to fall apart with her. And damn it all, Max wanted to see it.
"It's not right...I can't do that to her..."
Dont back off now...
"If she would've shown me how much it was tearing her apart, trying to be human for her husband while being true to her Siren side...I wouldn't...I wouldn't have created my life around the promise to become as strong as her...I wouldn't have started to loath my kind! I wouldn't have accused them of killing my mother!"
Let it out...it all out...
"I hate her for keeping me blind even when I told her I wanted to be like her! I hate her that for the fact I kept on lying to myself even when I had experienced I could be free! Even when I didn't really wanted to follow her anymore, the image of her made me hide in shame...! And yes, yes, I was glad to get rid of the human blood - I was happy....I was relieved to have it cut from me!! I could breathe! I just want to be...!"
The intensity. The raw emotion rushing from her blinded him, his eye saw nothing but a plethora of dancing colors. It began to bleed a bead of black which was smothered by the eye patch.
Somewhere, a vase burst and judging by the sound the table made, it had received another crack. A tree branch of a fissure ran along the top protective layer over the table. Then however, it became completely quiet. The sound of bits of glass rolling off a counter top and onto the floor echoed in the silence. It was like the first few splashes of rain before a down pour.
"But...I still love her. She tried to protect me. ... And blame is also on me."
Lucind snorted, in a way that yet indicated concession.
The whole scene had lasted less then two minutes. Within the final moments, the ocean had completely calmed down. There were cold and warm areas beneath its surface, friendly and deathly currents.
Now in the wake of the silence, all that remained was an answer. She had to answer...
"Yes."
Without another word, Maximos was on his feet. An apology would be delivered to Raven, after this was through for being so difficult and fidgety. Only a table stood between them. There was nothing legible on his face, just a silent intensity. Who was standing across from him now? Who was this black depth, and what did she hide?
Maybe later Max would remember the conversation about her name, versus what he saw, but right now he felt something entirely else.
"You have me."
His hand whipped up, and the eye patch was removed and tossed onto the couch in one motion wiping away the black tear. His gaze was twice as intense.
"Through all of it."
Both of Maximos hands shot forward and pulled Lucind to him. They would meet over the table unless she pulled away. Because Maximos was going to kiss his girlfriend now. He was going to kiss her like he had never before.
Like he wanted to, like he wanted her.
---------|Raven|
The room went darker than natural. The boy approved.
Then there was Rain, it was a very nice touch. But it spoke of sadness.
And what would this boy know about sadness? Everything about his said emotions were play things. That he knew how to work them, he knew how to manipulate them. But for His sake, there was a dagger in his heart which bled black. He was heartless.
His dashing pose never faltered, but his eyes dart around the room and then looked back at her with an approving smile. And then her smile melted away as orange eyes met his, all her normal mirth was gone.
"I wish I had a reason to live, to be needed as more than just a medic when I happen to stumble upon someone on the verge of death themselves!"
Now he looked confused. His eyes squinted to slits. His own smile faded, and his head cocked to the side. She was crying, and crying intensely, tears formed by emotions held back and denied for so very long. And in the face of it all he looked confused. Absolutely bewildered.
Now with tears in her eyes, his next few actions were probably blurry, but they transpired like this;
There was a clicking sound as the cap of a marker closed. Two small hands touched Raven's hand and pulled away from the frozen still Maximos.
Your wish is granted.
He said and brought her hand to rest on something cold, yet soft and smooth. It was the boys chest. He brought her hand up until the dagger stabbed in his chest was between her middle and ring finger, so her hand was over the bruised and black bleeding wound and he said.
I dont need a medic.
Black would spill over her hand and down her fingers and wrist, and then dart off into the shadows. His voice was young, but strong. His eyes were always older than his face, and met her chaotic orange, like a violet sunset to her chaotic dawn.
But I am trapped, very far away from most anything that matters...
Both of his small hands slipped from hers. Delicate fingertips smudged black streaks down the back of her palm and up her arm, then his fingers slid up and then branched off, releasing the shadows to race away. His hands moved forward.
He would cup her face so very delicately, while leaving her hand to rest on his wound. Could she feel? Soft? Off pace? Thump. Thump. Thump, inside his chest. He would lean in closer, his body arched over her arm, and he would say.
...And I need you.
Crimson Hawk | Maximos Suite - ? - Damion
"Next time I ask...for a favor...I want you to slap me across the room."
Max grinned, and with half opened eyes and a lopsided grin he said.
I'll keep that in mind.
Max did not move from his spot, his legs still folded Indian style on the ground. He looked up at Damion with that same sort of grin he gave the Earth Elemental when he started this ritual.
"Wait..."
And the light clicked on inside the dark room. Max's grin spread.
"What do you mean did it work?"
The grin grew into a small chuckle, and a faint white glow ignited behind Maximos' right eye.
" Have you never done this before?"
He could see red. The soul light reflected in a gentle hue off of the lenses of his glasses. Damion wouldnt need to answer him at all in a second. Actions speak louder than words.
"That's something you could have to-"
And then it began. Max always figured there would be a transformation, but how and what sort escaped him. Now there was pain, bones popped and flesh tore. Maximos could hear it, even if the red itself blocked view of anything more than the sudden odd cut of Damion's jaw, and teeth. Then his fingers, and finally what looked to be an excruciating process was punctuated with...
"Mrahi-AAaaaaagh!"
Maximos observed like a scientist through a glass. He was speechless astounded. Honestly there was always a chance that the thing would tear him apart and "reject"" but it didnt. And like a Doctor might advise that small discomfort was imminent, Maximos said...
I'm sure you'll get used to that.
But then there were tearing fingertips. Blood curdling screams, and a suddenly lock jaw. Max recognized the glint of claws, and a look for fearful realization on Damion's face.
And that!
He added helpfully. But then the mans shoes exploded. He grew raptor sharp feet, and armored scales. His muscles became swollen and dark, and his skin became dark and scaly. Damion didnt look terrified, anymore than he looked human.
...Maybe not that...
Max said with a bit of a grimace, wondering if the Dagon was a bit too much. But Damion wasnt complaining...if he could still process words. Instead, he said.
"Did it work?"
And Maximos immediately grinned from ear to ear and left judgment in the hands of Damion's greatest critic, which is to say that Maximos pointed straight down at the shiney "See your own reflection" sheening marble tiles.
I'd say so.
He'd say, chipper and proud. But the final judgment belonged to Damion.
Crimson Hawk | 4th Floor - Sometime After Eliminations - Madison - Shin
Shin did not pull his hands away from the offered tea. And as such, Maximos accepted it kindly. Sure, prejudice was a sharp and powerful voice but Maximos was never one to be ruled by anything or anyone. He could ignore ears, maybe even imagine the shorter.
"You speak the elven syllables beautifully Mr. Dark, quite an unexpected but pleasant surprise. I will not be offended should you choose to call me Shin though, it is less taxing for most, but for you it would simply be less formal.
The surprise went both ways. Most of the more cliche elves would have only considered Max as par for being able to speak a language they have mastered so fluently. They would never have offered an easier translation, but instead snobbish remarks and glances at those beneath them. Maximos' response was dictated by his etiquette before thought even need be put into the situation at hand. The Shadow bowed. His jet black suit peeling out of the shadows like a shape rising from water. But not just a formal Gaian bow, this was an elven bow. Or rather, his reading told him this was the sort of bow one uses when addressing a lord, or lady, like Lord Shinathelendros.
Your too kind.
He said. And Shin continued.
I am glad though, I will have to make sure that you have some to take for your Butler as well, I have heard tale that he is quite a master tea maker? I should enjoy to converse with a man so gifted in such a beautiful art."
Max's lips parted, he drew in a soft breath and was about to speak when Madison beat him to it.
"You can actually say that?"
She said with all the innocence of a school child amazed at ones ability to tie shoes or count into the double digits. Max gave her a smirk and a slow nod of his head. It was a kind of sly, You have no idea what kind of awesome things I can do, smirk. He head turned to Shin, his eyes moved to follow but before they did he got out the words.
I should think Wal-
"What's a butler?"
Max paused, its like he was waiting for something. But he had no idea the weight of what would follow.
"Is it like a penguin that goes around going "buttle buttle buttle"?"
In all truth and honestly, Maximos did not know how to respond. He looked at her, and he blinked. And then he blinked again. His sly smirk slowly began to melt at the end until it was a vacant smile with a series of blinks attached.
Hopefully Shin had something to say so that this did not turn awkward. If not...
"Oh No!"
Was screamed, and their hostess waddled off. And Max just turned to Shin, yet still holding the tea, and blinking.
Blink, blink, blink.
.... so all the sexual thoughts would have to wait till later. Lifting his shoulders upwards and then rotating them back, he would swing back gently to bop his fist on the top of her head after she bit him.
Rou never cared for this season, winter. Who truthfully liked cold winds that stung your face like sharp needles, frozen snow that numbed your fingers and toes, rain that soaked and chilled you to the bone? Certainly not Rou.
Kalin frowned slightly, as she stood up to her full height; not that it was all that much and nodded. 'opposite sides in the field of battle'? Was the woman daft? She wasn't a fighter. Oh, she could fight well enough, but bash her brains against some of the blunders she'd seen wandering around outside. No thank you. She'd have to have a couple dozen screws loose to even bother with that mess. Fighting as far as she was concerned was only for defending yourself. See, that was a proper white mage thought, she surmised with pride.
Having stunned Kain speechless, Song figured she'd done okay with how everything looked. Giving the devil a hug, she requested that he take care of whatever needed taken care of at the dinner and that she'd see him later. She had a date to go meet.
After a harrying hour of trying on the wide assortment of dresses and shoes, Nox stood in front of the full length mirror in her room, chewing her lip. She had ultimately settled on one of the dress's and a pair of high heels that Kay had arraigned to have sent up. And indeed the 
It had been some time since the ceremony. He had been late, just like last year, except this time he hadn't bothered showing up at all. Not that it was that much of a bother. He was but a spectator this year, not a fighter, and as a result there wasn't a whole lot for him to do. Dark eyes scanned the ground below, seeing that there was more than enough media to be caught if he stayed up here too long.
A year, it had been a year since the young teen had been here last watching the tournament. It had also been the last time she had seen her father. She had aged at least two years since she had last been around. Now 18, Thalia would enter the Crimson Hawk Hotel. She had made sure to get a room for herself this time.
SCIENCE Labs
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Almost like it were cued, a conductor initiating the first beat, the first note, her breaking point, the last c***k in her armor like that night, the same night they were discussing, she broke for him once and she was breaking, crumbling, shattering before him now and exposing her innards to the punker. She didn't care who saw her, saw her with wet, tear dampened cheeks, crying showing weakness, showing that she was capable of being afraid and expressing a deep painful sadness.
Her heart fell into her stomach and she felt like the floor dropped from beneath her very feet, no ground to stand on, no courage to help her though this, she was a mess, and she had no idea how someone could have her in such a shambles.
She finally looked up, he didn't exactly give her much of a choice after all and was just grateful she wasn't the type to cry at the drop of a hat like some people she'd dealt with. So she just peered at him, and fought down the urge to beg for his forgiveness.
"Psh...true man..."
Thalia walking across the lobby and towards the bar. She smiled as she had a small backpack slung over her left shoulder. It had been a great hike for the lest few days and she wanted to see how the fights ended up. She would make her way over to one of the lone tables that was empty and fling her pack across it. Taking a seat, she smiled as she ordered a cola and an order of smothered and covered fries to snack on from the waiter that came over.
INJURIES MEANT WORK! Her apology wasn't necessary at all if she got to heal her. Because healing was fuuuuuuuuuuuun~
It was nothing personal, but suddenly Maximos was looking at her as if she had spontaneously spawned a third eye, a second head, and all while a winged pig circled her. Either she had just said something very offensive, or very shocking, or very dumb. Or any combination of, and or including, all three.
so as to prevent ice cream headaches...Bird brained as she was, Raven wasn't stupid 
