Post by Kyrie Blaze on Aug 5, 2013 22:46:00 GMT -8
. o O ( This thread takes place shortly after Not As Planned and "The Disappearance" and at the same time as A Mother for Maddie, which explains her absence from Dragon Territory around that time. This is a Skype Log I've transferred to quotes with coding on my part. )
"Yes?"
He asked without looking up.
"I have..." She trailed off, uncertain of starting with this. "I have an odd request, and then some more familiar questions."
He asked, his eyes moving up. Pools of Green fire still danced in his gaze and despite himself the corner of his mouth tugged up in a grin that only hinted at what he saw. Like a joke that had a punchline only he knew.
"...can I...would it be possible for me to have a hug?" She asked, voice soft. There was even a small tremour she didn't bother to hide. A lot had happened, and...ad maybe she just wanted a little comfort from someone that was, intentionally or not, a father to her in her own eyes. It would be completely his choice, though.
But not this.
"You are only helpless when you let yourself be. What happened is your fault, do not dread it, learn from it. Only you will defeat you." He paused. "If you are worthy of a name..."
"I--I kn-now... I was not strong enough..." And now, at least, she was recovering. And she got, completely and utterly, what Mathew was saying to her. And, she hoped, the underlying message she was thinking was there. She took a slightly ragged breath, but all things considered, was stable. There was strength, here, and in learning to be vulnerable and ask for the things she needed. "...if I am worthy of a name..?"
"...perhaps...I could not say I am much of a tyrant, though...the name itself does not matter. The person it follows, however, does." She nodded, once, and slowly stepped back. "...thank you."
"No need."
"As for my questions..." She trailed off, blinking and lightly brushing away the few tear tracks along her cheeks. "...the brand on the back of your neck...when and how and why did you receive it..?"
It would most likely give away her other questions, but she wanted to know of his before she asked of hers, so she could understand better.
"Back in New York when I was a teenager I was part of a Street gang. The Reign of Blood. They took me in when I was thirteen when I was kicked out of my home by my drunk abusive asshole of a Father." He almost spat out the last word. It left an unpleasant taste in his mouth."
"Over time I moved up in the ranks of the organization until I was promoted to the head of KAID. Which was the intelligence division of the gang. The founder had moved on and the gang was being run by a woman named Celeste. She was... nice. Probably too nice, but it was not my place to question who was put in charge, only to make sure that I was the best at what I did." He shrugged.
"A new gang showed up. The Horsemen of the Apocolypse. And with them came a series of very high profile rape cases. Me being the prudent person I was I kept tabs on everyone. Friend and foe. I was tailing Celeste herself when it happened. Not that she was aware of it. But an ice cream truck pulled up, and I noted the driver was wearing a gas mask. She seemed to be oblivious to the danger and partook of some ice cream from the truck. Moments later her knees were buckling. She had been drugged. The driver hopped out and I came to the rescue.
The driver turned out to be a Logan Foxx. A large man with a perchent for Mercenary Work. A skilled fighter, but I was able to hold my own. Until I was double teamed. From the back of the truck a man known as Bishop hopped out and smalled the brand of a rival gang into the back of my neck to throw me off and give Foxx the edge. It seemed to be a losing battle, unarmed as I was. So I did the only winning move. I picked up my tiny asian leader and ran for it. They pursued in the car, but they were not able to drive through the alleyways and fences that I escaped down with Celeste. The mark is from that day."
"...I see." She tilted her head, and nodded, after a moment. It was a punishment by others, she supposed, for being carless. But not from a superior. Not like her. Instead it was a punishment by an enemy for not being more aware. For ot getting out of there, faster."...I would like to know...what my own entails. Does this encompass everything, even say any eventual, personal relationships until I gain my own name or am released from my oath..?"
It was kind of awkward. She wasn't even sure she had really come to terms with it, especially with the example she provided. But then, with that, there hadn't even been an opportunity to, for that.
"What do you think it entails?"
"I know my life is yours, and I am... What I know it entails is if you need my life, you have it. It also means that in regards to...politics between you and the other Elders, or any other Dragon on a professional level, I must always be mindful of your interests, over all others, and must take care to guard and uphold them." She paused, with a breath. "...but the others...anything especially more personal, I...I simply do not know if I would be free to act upon them, so long as I remain true to you, regardless of whom it is I am with..."
"You have romantic feelings for another Elder don't you!"
Oh this sparkle was dangerous!
She confirmed with a nod.
It wasn't even a question.
"I'd prefer Levi to David. For a few reasons..."
Enemies in the past, Bastille, Olesya, he didn't like his nose, and Levi was the fucking Dragon Killer.
Yeah, Mathew was still impressed by that.
"I..." She Began, hesitating. But her curiosity drove her forward, with a blink. "I believe I know of three reasons, but...may I know the others?"
"...I see..."
She looked at him, expectantly, blue eyes clear and quiet.
"Out of curiosity, how old are you..?"
"I see." She nodded, simply.
A blink.
"Do you think you are free to pursue personal relationships?"
"...I have not felt like I am free to pursue personal relationships, because I am not sure if you would approve of me doing so, because of it."
There was a long stretch of silence. "...would you kill me, if it was either David or Levi, if I decided that I knew where I stood, and it was okay?"
An echo of memory. She could choose, she just had to remember that her choices came with costs...and she had to be sure she could stand up to that cost and take ownership if her choices turned out to be mistakes.
Kyrie Blaze said:
There was a knock at the door. Kyrie stood outside, hands behind her back to hide the fact she was wringing them. While she had wanted to come here for a few days, it was the dream she'd had the night before that made her move her schedule up. Mathew Amtrum said:
"You may enter, Kyrie." Mathew's voice rang out after a few moments from inside. Kyrie Blaze said:
'Meep. He knows? Of course he knows,' The blonde chided herself as she moved inside, carefully closing the door after herself. Not only was the house itself of stone, there were windows as well. She turned, moving into the house like a ghost in search of him. Mathew Amtrum said:
She would find him on the bottom floor in what amounted as a Den. Mismatched furnature filled the room as well as several tattered books. Mathew was working on what looked like a Map of the city! "Yes?"
He asked without looking up.
Kyrie Blaze said:
Blue eyes flicked about, noting the general state of disarray but thus far making no move or even hint of cleaning it up. Mathew was working, and it was likely to be organized chaos."I have..." She trailed off, uncertain of starting with this. "I have an odd request, and then some more familiar questions."
Mathew Amtrum said:
"Yes?"He asked, his eyes moving up. Pools of Green fire still danced in his gaze and despite himself the corner of his mouth tugged up in a grin that only hinted at what he saw. Like a joke that had a punchline only he knew.
Kyrie Blaze said:
Because that wasn't unnerving at all; it wasn't as though she could forget his intensity, but, it was nice to have a refresher on just how he could look at a person and it was like the weight of the world rested on their shoulders. The blonde's blue eyes blinked, carefully, as she tilted her head."...can I...would it be possible for me to have a hug?" She asked, voice soft. There was even a small tremour she didn't bother to hide. A lot had happened, and...ad maybe she just wanted a little comfort from someone that was, intentionally or not, a father to her in her own eyes. It would be completely his choice, though.
Mathew Amtrum said:
A quick amused exhale of air from his nostrils is the only sign of amusment that he showed before he pushed himself up from his desk and moved over to her and motioned for her to come and hug him. Kyrie Blaze said:
She certainly hadn't--hadn't expected him to be okay with it; in fact, she had kind of expected him to just scoff at her for it. 'Not sure if trap or...' She swallowed her hope that this was no strings attached and drifted forwards after just a moment. Hopefully, just a hug. Hopefully. Hopefully. So, even despite her trepidation, she hugged him. Hard. She had no real reason to fear Mathew as family. Other aspects, maybe.But not this.
Mathew Amtrum said:
His own arms encircled her and squeezed tightly as he leaned in to the hug, his lips passing by her ears as he whispered quietly, despite the fact that they were alone."You are only helpless when you let yourself be. What happened is your fault, do not dread it, learn from it. Only you will defeat you." He paused. "If you are worthy of a name..."
Kyrie Blaze said:
Whatever residual tension at the potential for it being something other than what she requested - as, after all, he hadn't verbally agreed to the hug - fled her body as Mathew's arms banded tightly around her. Kyrie exhaled slowly, shakily, and listened quietly. The tears that pricked her eyes were allowed to spill over against his shirt. She knew he didn't mean it insultingly, he wasn't insinuating the attack itself was her fault, but that the rest of it that had happened she should have been strong enough to prevent to do something."I--I kn-now... I was not strong enough..." And now, at least, she was recovering. And she got, completely and utterly, what Mathew was saying to her. And, she hoped, the underlying message she was thinking was there. She took a slightly ragged breath, but all things considered, was stable. There was strength, here, and in learning to be vulnerable and ask for the things she needed. "...if I am worthy of a name..?"
Mathew Amtrum said:
"I was thinking Shadow Tyrant Dragon myself." He said with a shrug. Kyrie Blaze said:
There was a tiny smile. That was certainly Mathew. "...perhaps...I could not say I am much of a tyrant, though...the name itself does not matter. The person it follows, however, does." She nodded, once, and slowly stepped back. "...thank you."
Mathew Amtrum said:
He waved her thanks away and moved back to his desk, making some marks on the map."No need."
Kyrie Blaze said:
That, too, was expected, and did not bother her in the slightest. Though he was certainly polar opposite of her own father in many ways, the brush off didn't bother her. He'd hugged her, and meant it, and that was enough. "As for my questions..." She trailed off, blinking and lightly brushing away the few tear tracks along her cheeks. "...the brand on the back of your neck...when and how and why did you receive it..?"
It would most likely give away her other questions, but she wanted to know of his before she asked of hers, so she could understand better.
Mathew Amtrum said:
He let out a small but quick sigh as he made a few more marks on the map before lowering his pen and leaning back in his chair. Looking over Kiyr with pursed lips. No one had asked him about the brand before. Most people didn't dare, or so he assumed. Bastille probably didn't care. In the end he had never considered it important, it simply was."Back in New York when I was a teenager I was part of a Street gang. The Reign of Blood. They took me in when I was thirteen when I was kicked out of my home by my drunk abusive asshole of a Father." He almost spat out the last word. It left an unpleasant taste in his mouth."
"Over time I moved up in the ranks of the organization until I was promoted to the head of KAID. Which was the intelligence division of the gang. The founder had moved on and the gang was being run by a woman named Celeste. She was... nice. Probably too nice, but it was not my place to question who was put in charge, only to make sure that I was the best at what I did." He shrugged.
"A new gang showed up. The Horsemen of the Apocolypse. And with them came a series of very high profile rape cases. Me being the prudent person I was I kept tabs on everyone. Friend and foe. I was tailing Celeste herself when it happened. Not that she was aware of it. But an ice cream truck pulled up, and I noted the driver was wearing a gas mask. She seemed to be oblivious to the danger and partook of some ice cream from the truck. Moments later her knees were buckling. She had been drugged. The driver hopped out and I came to the rescue.
The driver turned out to be a Logan Foxx. A large man with a perchent for Mercenary Work. A skilled fighter, but I was able to hold my own. Until I was double teamed. From the back of the truck a man known as Bishop hopped out and smalled the brand of a rival gang into the back of my neck to throw me off and give Foxx the edge. It seemed to be a losing battle, unarmed as I was. So I did the only winning move. I picked up my tiny asian leader and ran for it. They pursued in the car, but they were not able to drive through the alleyways and fences that I escaped down with Celeste. The mark is from that day."
Kyrie Blaze said:
Kyrie moved to sit, cross-legged, upon the floor, looking up and listening intently. She seemed to be completely at ease...and it didn't surprise her to realize she was. Here she was safe."...I see." She tilted her head, and nodded, after a moment. It was a punishment by others, she supposed, for being carless. But not from a superior. Not like her. Instead it was a punishment by an enemy for not being more aware. For ot getting out of there, faster."...I would like to know...what my own entails. Does this encompass everything, even say any eventual, personal relationships until I gain my own name or am released from my oath..?"
It was kind of awkward. She wasn't even sure she had really come to terms with it, especially with the example she provided. But then, with that, there hadn't even been an opportunity to, for that.
Mathew Amtrum said:
Mathew just looked at her with a tilted head. That sparkle of amusment was even brighter as he folded his hands in front of himself and leaned forward."What do you think it entails?"
Kyrie Blaze said:
Kyrie was silent as she considered. She knew one of the things, but didn't like being in the dark on others."I know my life is yours, and I am... What I know it entails is if you need my life, you have it. It also means that in regards to...politics between you and the other Elders, or any other Dragon on a professional level, I must always be mindful of your interests, over all others, and must take care to guard and uphold them." She paused, with a breath. "...but the others...anything especially more personal, I...I simply do not know if I would be free to act upon them, so long as I remain true to you, regardless of whom it is I am with..."
Mathew Amtrum said:
His face was in full on boyish grin now."You have romantic feelings for another Elder don't you!"
Oh this sparkle was dangerous!
Kyrie Blaze said:
And the petite blonde that could slit throats without batting an eye, with one of the most calm and serene expressions...found her cheeks flushing a bright, betraying pink. But she was not ashamed of her feelings. She did not look away from Mathew despite that dangerous glint to his eyes. She was steadfast and unapologetic, but not combative in this matter.She confirmed with a nod.
Mathew Amtrum said:
"So Levi or David."It wasn't even a question.
"I'd prefer Levi to David. For a few reasons..."
Enemies in the past, Bastille, Olesya, he didn't like his nose, and Levi was the fucking Dragon Killer.
Yeah, Mathew was still impressed by that.
Kyrie Blaze said:
Kyrie inclined her head, slightly, though she knew she didn't need to confirm Mathew's statement. And for her...she didn't imagine there would be any others to crawl their way into her heart in any fashion more than friendship or family. And aside from that, David wasn't available at this time, and she was not going to encroach upon that avenue, either."I..." She Began, hesitating. But her curiosity drove her forward, with a blink. "I believe I know of three reasons, but...may I know the others?"
Mathew Amtrum said:
"I'm guessing you know about him and me being enemies in the past, his relationship with Bastille, and obviously you've seen his nose." He rolled his eyes. "We both also had feelings for Olesya at one point in time." Though the feelings had faded on his side at least. Kyrie Blaze said:
His...nose? Kyrie blinked incredulously several times at that. She actually knew of Olesya, more than the absurdity of Mathew hating David's nose...but she didn't know of Olesya in the capacity that Mathew once harboured feelings for the woman, as well."...I see..."
She looked at him, expectantly, blue eyes clear and quiet.
Kyrie Blaze said:
Kyrie blinked, and it prompted another question, but this one...easier to answer."Out of curiosity, how old are you..?"
Kyrie Blaze said:
Kyrie allowed herself a smile, and her eyes danced; Levi was actually older than Mathew? Sometimes age didn't matter. Certainly, though he was only three years her elder, there was a worldliness about him. He'd been through much, even before Barker bombed the world."I see." She nodded, simply.
Mathew Amtrum said:
"Was there anything else?" Kyrie Blaze said:
"...well, you did not answer my question, you simply segued into your statemet of my feelings regarding another Elder." Mathew Amtrum said:
"You never answered mine to be fair." Kyrie Blaze said:
"But...I did. I told you what I thought and knew. I feel like if I speak further you would perhaps just go with that." A blink.
Mathew Amtrum said:
He stared at her like she wasn't getting it."Do you think you are free to pursue personal relationships?"
Kyrie Blaze said:
Kyrie resisted the urge to reach and touch or rub the brand. Her brows drew together, expression falling as she looked towards the ground for a moment, and then back up, slowly, to answer."...I have not felt like I am free to pursue personal relationships, because I am not sure if you would approve of me doing so, because of it."
Mathew Amtrum said:
"I see..." Kyrie Blaze said:
"...your brand is complicated. Like you. And I do not know what, or where, any boundaries lie." A corner of her lips pulled back, giving her a perplexed expression. Mathew Amtrum said:
"That is problimatic isn't it." Kyrie Blaze said:
"Yes." She stared. Mathew Amtrum said:
"Mhm." Kyrie Blaze said:
"...you are just leaving this up to me to overcome myself on the matter, are you not..?" Mathew Amtrum said:
"Am I?" Kyrie Blaze said:
Flat stare. "Are you?" Mathew Amtrum said:
"Good question." Kyrie Blaze said:
"Right?" She nodded. Mathew Amtrum said:
He nods sagely. Kyrie Blaze said:
"...I dislike this. Not knowing where I stand." She sighed, lacing her fingers together. Kyrie Blaze said:
Her eyes lifted, again, searching. "And if I stand in the wrong place in your eyes?" Mathew Amtrum said:
"Do you think you will?" Kyrie Blaze said:
She sighed. "I would think not." Pause. "But a personal relationship is different..." Mathew Amtrum said:
"It does complicate things, true." Kyrie Blaze said:
A partially-pained, partially-amusesed smile curved her lips. "...you are such a cryptic troll." Mathew Amtrum said:
"It's not a troll. It's a lesson. There is a point to all I do." Kyrie Blaze said:
A solemn nod. "I know."There was a long stretch of silence. "...would you kill me, if it was either David or Levi, if I decided that I knew where I stood, and it was okay?"
Mathew Amtrum said:
"You would have to see if you decide to do that." Kyrie Blaze said:
A small frown dimmed her features. "I would prefer not to lose my life over a chance."An echo of memory. She could choose, she just had to remember that her choices came with costs...and she had to be sure she could stand up to that cost and take ownership if her choices turned out to be mistakes.
Mathew Amtrum said:
"Then how can you live?" Kyrie Blaze said:
"Good question." Mathew Amtrum said:
Mathew stays silent and watches her! Kyrie Blaze said:
Kyrie stares back a moment, two, before sighing. "...one cannot live unless they take chances, of course. Regrets stem more from what was left undone, rather than what one has done, because at least in doing, one knows." Mathew Amtrum said:
"If you say so." Kyrie Blaze said:
Kyrie did. She turned to look at his spray of maps without response, and spent a little more time, there in Mathew's house within God territory. She would go back home to Dragon Territory, soon enough.