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#Post#: 411675--------------------------------------------------
Re: Golden Cage to Freedom in Shadows?
DIR By: Gatita
Date: December 25, 2023, 4:16 pm
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When the waiter refills the cup with the sweet mix brew of
spirits and spices, Marie goes to sips on it.
The moment she does, something happens that made her whole body
shivers with a cold chill! Her eyes go wide open when her lips
touch the ceramic cup exactly where his lips sipped before. She
felt the residual powerful energy of the patron of this cup
connect to her. It felt like her natural eyesight adjusted to a
new reality, like her eyes had scales that started to peel off
for the mundane to allow the supernatural to be seen!
Marie saw it now. Arcane dark magic, a small glimpse of the raw
powers this person held. Before was a trail the shadow essence
left in the ground, which diverted into two paths.
Marie stood up from her sit, paid for her drink and left extra
cash on tip, and followed the paths they painted in a slowly
and cautiously manner, but also drawn to do it. She needed to
follow it, it was calling out to her, and she couldn’t resist
it. Let’s be honest, she didn’t want to resist it.
Following the path of the party first, this one quickly
disappeared, fizzling in the crowd that consumed it. The other
path had a slighty stronger essence, as the shadows blended with
the quiet of the night.
Following this way, Marie walks this path.
#Post#: 411676--------------------------------------------------
Re: Golden Cage to Freedom in Shadows?
DIR By: Ciaran
Date: December 25, 2023, 8:38 pm
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Ciaran's "office" was more like a simple occult shop. At first
glance it was just a quick stop to catch the interest of
tourists looking to get into the "magical" side of New Orleans.
Tarot and Oracle Cards, Altar Pieces, candles stones, Animal
bones... nothing truly spectacular.
But the true magic was in the back, during after hours. It was
then and there that Ciaran felt with his more... special
clients; the ones who wouldn't be satisfied with simple
trinkets. Here he Divined, Scryed, and most importantly, chose
his personal projects.
He had been back at the shop for some time, organizing, and
preparing for his visitor. Surely she would make an appearance
within the next day or two. Imagine his surprise when he felt
her approaching only hours after laying eyes on her! Had she
tracked him down so soon?
A grin played on his face. She was a special one indeed! He
practically couldn't wait to sink his teeth into her! But he
understood that his game was one of patience. It didn't pay to
be overeager. He locked up the bank room and opened the shop.
For now, he was simply a vendor. He would present her with no
more than that.
#Post#: 411677--------------------------------------------------
Re: Golden Cage to Freedom in Shadows?
DIR By: Gatita
Date: December 25, 2023, 10:17 pm
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Marie follows the path until it took her to a mysterious shop.
She stops in front of it and takes a deep breath in and out. A
woman of curiosity and questions, now faces with a possibility
of endless answers. She looks both ways, the streets are
completely silent and empty. Another cold chill.
“It will be fine… it’s now or never, Marie…”
She murmurs to herself for strength
Placing her hand on the door, Marie gently pushes it open. It’s
a exoteric, dark occult and magical shop. She had seen some when
she passed by and perused the streets, but never entered any of
them. The fear, that little part of her that was taught these
are just scammers and dangerous people. The demonization of it
all.
She walks in very slowly, her eyes hit immediately with what is
inside. With every step she takes, she stops to study every
single thing, object, trinket and statue bedore her. She held
her hands tightly, making sure to not touch nothing as she is
not allowed too, respecting deeply, strangely being drawn to it,
and fearing it, all at the same time.
#Post#: 411678--------------------------------------------------
Re: Golden Cage to Freedom in Shadows?
DIR By: Ciaran
Date: December 26, 2023, 10:28 am
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Surely enough, there she was! She had tracked him without any
help at all from a party without even seeing him! She was a rare
talent indeed! And despite the fun and adventure that Mardis
Gras presented, she didn't allow it to distract her from her
purpose! Focus, Determination, they only further increased the
value of this soul... He smiled politely as she entered.
"Welcome to The Other Side."
The Other Side... The name of his shop carried many meanings,
but the beauty of it was your average customer would just assume
it was a fun name for a shop on the far side of town without any
extra thought.
"Let me know if there's anything I can help you find."
Ciaran had no intention on clueing her in to anything. He would
present her with only what was on the surface; a small occult
shop. She could have a look around and walk right out the door
if she so chose. He had no doubts that she would return. The
same feeling that drew her to this place tonight would bring her
back again. So for now, he would just play the role of a
shopkeeper.
#Post#: 411682--------------------------------------------------
Re: Golden Cage to Freedom in Shadows?
DIR By: Gatita
Date: December 26, 2023, 11:24 pm
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Looking at the different items in the shop, Marie gets lost
studying them, so much so she didn’t notice him there. So when
he speaks she gets startled by that voice welcoming her.
Her whole body shivers at the sound of him, goosebumps all over
her skin, reacting to his sound. Sultry, deep, alluring voice.
“Welcome to the Other Side” he said. What side was this? This
name is deeper than a store positioned in a street, this name
holds power beyond this side, but to what side? She doesn’t
know, but she wants to find out. She needs to find out…
Taking a big breath in and out to recenter, she walks to where
the voice is face the owner of it, she his face. Looking down
she approaches the counter, still leaving enough space for her
to not be too intrusive.
Marie says in a soft voice, full of respect and a bit of
curiosity and tiny bit of fear of the unknown. Looking up to
him, her bright hazel eyes look at him with hesitation but also
searching for answers.
“Hope your night has been good and full of wonder, mister. My
name is Marie, and you got a very lovely store… but yes, I do
need help, may I know who was the one who used this cup, was it
you, sir?”
In her hand is the ceramic cup from the cafe, the one her lips
touch where his did, the one that opened her eyes to see the
trial of shadows that lead her here.
#Post#: 411683--------------------------------------------------
Re: Golden Cage to Freedom in Shadows?
DIR By: Ciaran
Date: December 27, 2023, 11:17 am
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The items in the shop were quality, but they weren't special.
Anyone could use the items sold here, with just a little bit of
knowledge. They didn't require any sort of special talent or
magical affinity. One might suppose that was a good thing. Good
for business. But to Ciaran it made the shop little more than a
cover. He was far beyond these trinkets and bobbles, and even
the money had little meaning.
His smile was friendly as she spoke to him, taking in her
appearance, now that she was much closer. His smile faded,
however, when she presented the cup. It wasn't anger that took
control of his face though, but rather, surprise! She tracked
him down using his cup from that cafe? She must have an
incredible talent for detecting magic! Of course, he had used a
spell before he left, his trail would be easier to follow than
normal. But for someone with no training...
He closed his eyes, and took a deep breath. When he opened them,
they had shifted from the deep brown color they were before to a
crimson red. His friendly smile turned to a more sinister one as
he removed his tophat and placed it on the rack, revealing his
perfectly placed, dark brown hair.
"You know, those cups aren't free to take." He said in amusement
as he removed his blazer. Underneath he wore only a purple vest.
His exposed arms were covered in red and black tattoos, the
symbols indecipherable. He took the cup and placed it on the
counter.
"More importantly though, you picked up a random cup and
followed the trail attached to it. Why?" His eyes were focused
now, as if peering into something far deeper than flesh; As if
reading the contents of her soul for answers to questions he
hadn't spoken.
#Post#: 411684--------------------------------------------------
Re: Golden Cage to Freedom in Shadows?
DIR By: Gatita
Date: December 27, 2023, 1:30 pm
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Maria studied his face, his demeanor, his features, his smile.
They were pleasant for a moment, until they weren’t. His whole
seller vibe as proprietor of an establishment, that cordial
customer service with a hint of chaos mystery, were gone the
moment he saw the ceramic cup.
His eyes also changed. Crimson raw power displayed for her to
see, not hidding it anymore. His sinister smile makes her recoil
a couple of steps back, out of instinct and fear. But this was
not a deep fear, this fear was alluring and exciting, making her
stay and not not run away like a normal, non magical, ordinary
person would do.
No longer looking at him directly, holding her hands and rubbing
them to soothing herself. she does give very quick glances to
him, his tattoos, his face. Marie finally responds, while
mustering all the respect and calm softness she can, like one
would do to not poke a beast before them.
“Sir, I… made sure to pay extra for it… for this cafe this is
just a ramdom cup… for me is more valuable and priceless… it has
a message in it, and it also lead me to you… to the answers I
seeked… are you… the Shadow Master?… Or do you know him, sir…?”
#Post#: 411685--------------------------------------------------
Re: Golden Cage to Freedom in Shadows?
DIR By: Ciaran
Date: December 27, 2023, 3:17 pm
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Her fearful reaction was less than surprising. He was quite used
to it, in fact. The combination of fear and intrigue that caused
people to back away, but also to not run. He chuckled when she
insured him that she paid for the cup. He didn't care about that
at all. He was simply teasing her. Even so, it spoke to her
character. He took a mental note of it as he listened to her. He
chuckled at her question.
"A silly title that I never asked for. But then, people are
always so quick to attach a title to everything. My name is
Ciaran."
He took a seat on his counter, examining her curiously.
"So you've found me. Now what?"
Of course, he knew the answer to the question. But it was
meaningless until she said the words out loud. He looked at ehr
expectantly. There was much to be done...
#Post#: 411686--------------------------------------------------
Re: Golden Cage to Freedom in Shadows?
DIR By: Gatita
Date: December 27, 2023, 3:58 pm
---------------------------------------------------------
Marie takes a deep breathe and takes one step closer, cautiously
but also trying to fight her fears. She is not a coward, she
came all the way here, traveled to this city, left her home
behind, wonder around for him. Now she is here. She found him.
Now what?
She had rehearsed this meeting for weeks, practiced her speech
for days on end since the trip started to take shape. All the
way in the train. Today when she arrived, and before the party
on the streets. Now what?
Here is The Shadow Master, right in front of her. Allowing her
to see him, to find him. Something in her told her that he
wanted her to find him too, maybe?… were her intentions as
strong that they reached him? Did he know she was searching for
him, seeking him? Now what, Marie!?
Marie pounders all these things in silence as she took that
first step and cleared her throat. Another sigh of deep breathe
before she says in a soft soothing way she responds the: “Now
What” pulsating inside her soul, searching for her desire to
seek him.
“I am here… because… I need you Shadow Master… I wand to find
true freedom… I wanf to find my light in your shadows… I want…
no, I needed to find you, so I could find myself…”
#Post#: 411687--------------------------------------------------
Re: Golden Cage to Freedom in Shadows?
DIR By: Ciaran
Date: December 27, 2023, 9:40 pm
---------------------------------------------------------
Her resolve was impressive. And that was what he wanted to
confirm. Not all who managed to make it this far were actually
ready to take the leap. Many backed out at the last moment. Many
hadn't realized what it was they were in search of, and so he
sent them out the door. This one wasn't like them though. She
had no idea how good that was to know.
Ciaran jumped down from the counter, landing directly in front
of her. He looked down at her with a smirk on his face, and
snapped his fingers. When he did so, the door the the shop
locked, the lights dimmed, The shop closed in an instant.
"Come with me."
He said calmly, turning and walking toward a door that Marie
wouldn't be sure was there before. H opened the door and
disappeared through it. On the other side, was where the -real-
magic happened. No more cutesie trinkets. This room was filled
with sigils and runes, made with all sorts of materials. There
were jars with questionable contents, candles that seemed to
have lives of their own! on the ceiling was a Pentagram,
seemingly drawn in blood.
"So tell me, what is it you're hoping to discover about
yourself, Marie?"
Mind reading wasn't among Ciaran's abilities. But he -could-
read souls. He could see the desires one held in their soul,
their priorities, and in this one, Identity was important! She
longed to complete her identity, to learn the depth of it. It
screamed the name "Marie" loudly. It wasn't a guarantee that it
was truly her name. But he was willing to bet on it.
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