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I'm in a good mood. So, I think I should share my good mood with everyone! [In one of the ruins by La Llorona, Roa sat with his back to his locket, a number of the twisted trees with human-like faces shifting uneasily in his presence. He carried a lute with him, playing a few notes, interrupting the eerie silence that had otherwise been uncharacteristic of the swamp-lands. Not a toad croaked. Not a mouse squeaked. There was the lute for a moment, before a number of pallid looking spirits rose from the trees, moaning and writhing in front of Roa.]

This is a song from my world--a good one for the moment, I think! Now, before I get complaints about the lyrics-- it's more about the motif than the context...

[The ghosts wailed as Roa raised one hand to interrupt his lute-playing. He curled his fingers and they rolled in pain at his command.]

Like we practiced.

[The ghosts--in bad tune and tempo, all began singing Bob Dylan's 'Knockin' on Heaven's Door'. It was disjointed, lacked timing and none of the spirits understood the keys that had to be taken. Roa didn't mind it, though. He played his lute to set the beat and tempo even if the ghosts failed to accomplish the same. He stopped playing when the song was done, turning to give the locket a lazy sort of smile.]

Terrible, but we've got plenty of time to practice some more.

[The locket cut out.]

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[ Interesting, stubborn, a bit too brave for her own good... same thing. ]

Ariadne.

[ She'll just leave off the titles she's accumulated in the Drabwurld; no point in giving him more information. ]

It's a pleasure to meet you, Ariadne. So--

[His smile came through, pleasant and horrific at the same time.]

What's the move you're going to make?

[ Her own smile is positively icy, and she closes the locket. A moment of concentration to make herself invisible, silent, scentless and then she shadow travels to Quendi, arriving just outside of the Dead City.

Time to find that literal band of spirits, she supposes. ]

Hmmm. First smart thing she's done. [And so, she vanished. Roa heard nothing and saw nothing. He was out in the forest, away from his wards. Had Ariadne entered the ruins, her sneak-attack would have begun poorly, immediately.

Rather, he ventured out because he was well aware that it would take ridiculous effort from even the hardiest of executioners to keep him wounded.

So, he sat down on a mossy boulder and rested one elbow against a knee, waiting. He wasn't an idiot by far--he knew the woman was likely coming right for him, though he had no idea how quickly.]

[ The realization that Ariadne has no idea how she'll actually deal with Roa when she finds him doesn't come upon her until he's in front of her, sitting on a boulder. She could sneak up, try to stab him in the back or slit his throat, but- she's not a murderer, not when she's fully conscious of herself as a human being. Leaving isn't an option either, though.

She doesn't know what to do.

Breathe. In and out, come on Ariadne, think of something.

Her crossbow is lifted, aimed- and returned to her back. She can't do it. She can't just shoot him in the back.

She gathers the shadows to her instead, the concealment magic falling away as she takes her shadow form, horned and clawed though not actually any taller -- but stronger, faster, with sensitivity to magical artifacts and hunger. He's no being of light, but she can sense his Shard within his chest, and the beast growls. ]

Hmph. Amateur.

[Had Ariadne concealed herself, Roa was certain she could have done something to him. When she chose to reveal herself, whatever inclination she had to either be honorable or present a challenge to herself seemingly turned to vapor before him. When Roa stood up, the full might of his magic surged and the forest seemed to only grow darker as a result.

His gaze, which had managed to be friendly before, turned much more predatory. Raising one hand, Roa snapped his fingers and in that, muttered a full incantation in the span of only two words.]

Square: Set.

[With those two words, Roa formed a massive, spinning magical seal in the air above Ariadne's shadowy body. If she were slow to move, the spell would act as a binding in time--making movement impossible without destroying the seal.]

I wouldn't have called foul play if you attacked while concealed. Your murderous intent came out loud and clear, but one thing's for sure--the second I can see you, you've tossed away your advantages.

[ She's not slow to move. Every shadow in the woods is hers, and she vanishes within them only to appear in Roa's own, swiping with her claws at him.

A warning, for now. There's still enough of Ariadne in the creature to warn, though she does not speak, only stares with bright eyes and a sharp-toothed snarl. ]

[Blood followed. Roa buckled, not expecting Ariadne's ability to work so fluidly. Claw marks were left in his back, exposing a bit of bone on top of things. He stumbled forward, his white shirt stained by it. Despite the gravity of that injury, none of his thralls came to the defensive. Rather, they waited impassively, desperation not tarnishing Roa's expression even for a moment. Instead, there was only a smile.

Light began to surge through the woods, countless seals raising up from the dirt as Roa's hands came up. He wouldn't need to borrow from the castle at all. Instead, he simply began to 'burn' one of the ghouls he had taken a hold of.

The injury on Roa's back soaked itself back up instantly, as if time were being reversed. In another moment, the injury had fully recovered as if it were never there. His arms spread, Roa's voice became a sharp and rapid murmur as his magical energy tarnished the woods, flooding it with blue and white light.]

If you wanted to prove yourself, now's the time. I hope you're not going to try running from me now that you've come this far, Ariadne!

[At that, Roa began rewriting physical laws in the forest. He was forcibly containing it and looking to turn fifty or so meters of it around himself into an 'addition' to his castle. It was unorthodox for vampires to claim that much territory, but there were so few living things around that it didn't matter to him.]

[ Blood. The mind of the beast roars in triumph, but the mind of the woman panics. He's not afraid, he's using more magic, he's- he's hurting one of the spirits to heal himself.

Beast and girl roar at once, then, an audible sound that is much larger than the both of them. She surges forward again, claws slashing over and over, teeth snapping -- make him stop make him stop make him stop-- ]

Hahahaha--

[He was cut off. Literally, Roa couldn't have possibly made anymore noise even if he tried. When Ariadne's shadowy form surged forward and tore at him, it came with his throat being slashed open as well. Blood gushed from him openly, his chest suddenly coated with it. Despite his injury, he simply looked down at Ariadne with sickening amusement.

Instead of retreating, his hands lowered and he reached forward with both hands as if to hug her. The magic remained uninterrupted. Bit by bit, he was forcibly draining the forest of life to give himself more and more fuel.]

[ He's not human. She should have expected that, probably, but Ariadne can't think right now of what sort of being could be injured like this and not even slowed. She knows she doesn't want him touching her, though.

She's not as large as she was when she first accidentally took this form, but her horns are still strong. Her head swings to try and knock into his arms, his hands, anything. She hasn't let go of his throat to do it, doesn't stop slashing with her claws; the beast is growing bolder, ripping and tearing and reveling in it. ]

[More of him came undone. Eventually, the vampire called Roa simply stopped moving, going limp at one point. His tendons were slashed apart--bones broken and severed and nothing about him could have possibly been described as functional. Essentially, he became a rag-doll, torn apart by the creature that had gotten to him.

Yet, his shard which should have emerged by then simply remained inactive.

After awhile longer, an arm that shouldn't have moved shot up from the ground, fingertips looking to curl around the beast's throat, right under the point of its lower jaw. A magical seal burned in the severed hand's palm, looking to drain Ariadne.

Then, with a mouth that should have said no more words spoke--]

Be sure not to swallow. You'll regret it.

[ The beast bellows, scrabbling at the arm, the hand. She's not human in this form, not really -- that part of her is buried under shadow and magic. The creature has some survival instincts, though, even if most of it wishes to destroy.

More importantly, it can sense his shard.

With claws on one hand attempting to rip through Roa's palm, to disrupt the seal and make him let go, the creature practically dives forward to try and dig his shard out. ]

Heh...

[Over and over, it simply kept lashing out at him. He must have been desperate for attention. The True Ancestor's power was just as overwhelming as this beast with even more to boast and yet, he could at least still put up a fight. It puzzled him why he wasn't doing anything.]

I was that bored?

[With sudden strength, his fist came up, pushing past the creature's claws. His legs lifted, the repairs happening just as quickly as he was clawed. Both hands came up, looking for the shadowy creature's throat, his own fingers turning into razor sharp claws of their own.

Strength to match the beast surged through him before he simply leapt back, letting the beast keep his throat. One hand rose to hold his head up as flesh and blood returned to him rapidly, reforming piece by piece. His shard emanated with the slightest glow for a millisecond, speeding up his regenerative process only long enough to give him a chance to talk properly, again.]

But, that's enough of that.

[The shadowy beast was covered with his blood. It definitely wasn't any good for Ariadne, he thought. If he decided to crystallize that blood, it would turn her into a veritable pin-cushion.

Still, he wanted to see how far she would go.]

Come on. I'll tire you out, Ariadne. Maybe you'll be strong enough to suitably be mine.

[ He reaches for her again and she lets go, disappears into the shadows again (where there is light there is shadow, always, and the bright blue light of his magic simply makes what shadows there are all the deeper). There are only so many places she can step out of, this time, and when she does it's further away. The light doesn't hurt her but she doesn't like it, every instinct of the beast screaming to destroy it, devour it. To devour him. It's only the warning against swallowing his blood that keeps her from doing it, but if she can't keep control that won't be enough.

The creature shakes, hissing, claws spread; blood falls off, splatters against the ground, though not all of it by any means. Not yours, never yours, the forest either. ]

Thanks, by the way. [There she disappeared, to which Roa only really had one response in him. She would flee into the shadows, marking that as her territory. The only proper thing to do would be to steal her territory.

Opening both hands, Roa spread the influence of his seals further out until it became a bounded field. The shadows wouldn't disperse, but Roa had applied sealing traps every few feet all at the same time. It was a counter measure meant to steal away the True Ancestor's freedom, but for Ariadne, he was simply interested in catching her the moment her other side's bloodlust peaked.]

I was worried I would get bored. If you're this strong... Maybe you'll last long enough to calm me down.

[ His words are like water against the beach, breaking upon the rocks. Ariadne -- the creature, because she's far more monster now, all teeth and claws and hunger -- simply snarls, tossing its head.

Come and get her, if you've been so bored. ]

A bad time to hesitate. If you insist I make the move--

[He lifted one hand. The beast's claws had definitely been the most splashed by his blood. Having let it tear through him, there was certainly no shortage.

Closing his fist, the blood on the beast's limb suddenly crystallized, bursting. Shards of sharp, crystal-like blood shot out inwards, attempting to crush her limb.]

[ There's a loud shriek, the sound disturbing any birds still in the area. The claws on her other side immediately start trying to rip the crystallized blood off, teeth joining in when it isn't enough.

Oops. ]

So, you've still got fight in you? Your tolerance to pain must be elevated in that form.

[He snapped his fingers, creating another seal underneath Ariadne's feet, to bind her in space if she remained distracted.

Cruelty in mind, at the same time, he focused on the blood on Ariadne's other arm, to crystallize and puncture her there as well.]

Though, I wonder. Which of you is winning this fight? The woman--or, the beast? Whoever survives, I'll consider giving my boon.

[ The creature thrashes, tries to dig the crystallized blood off more -- not fast enough, teeth and claws ripping into the shadows to try and rip it off, away. She stumbles, one foot slipping out of the seal by sheer blind luck.

The beast has all but forgotten Roa, for now. Bits of shadow start to peel off and away, and very suddenly the creature falls to its knees and the shadows vanish, revealing the woman -- who is still frantically trying to rip off any crystallized blood that may have lingered. ]

[Sitting down next to Ariadne, Roa patted his shirt and pants down, repairing his clothing with a few magic seals. When it was all said and done, he looked as if nothing had happened in the first place. Not a scar left on him, he simply let Ariadne do what she needed to do.

He didn't crystallize anymore blood, nor did he let any of what was hardened turn back into liquid--else Ariadne definitely would have been in trouble.]

So, where'd you learn how to do that? Was it a boon?

[ Can't eat it. Shouldn't let it make contact with any cuts, either, which rules out pulling out a knife and slicing the crystals off. Ariadne hisses as she manages to get her nails under a chunk of crystallized blood and pull, not letting herself scream when she gets it off. She does flick it in Roa's direction, though. ]

Which part? [ She can talk; it's a distraction from the pain. Besides, at least it means he's not finishing the job. ]

[He was done teasing, at least. Ariadne seemed a bit too interesting to turn into a Dead, so he relaxed his circuits for the moment. She seemed too busy to really invest herself in attacking, too, so it seemed like a good time to chat.

Then again, Roa was also really bat at reading social cues.]

I'd say 'all of it'. You didn't seem to give off the vibe of a magus, so it's definitely not something you must normally practice.

Magic doesn't exist, back home.

[ More tugging, more pulling, more cursing slightly in French under her breath. That simple sentence should be more than sufficient for an answer, she thinks. ]

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