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To Disappear (kikora and Z.G.)

Abel had spent four centuries being suspicious of magic and he was not going to stop now. However, he did trust this young little witch to give her word. There was something softening about her--the way she looked like Miranda. Just like Miranda. The vampire glanced up at the porters who held her, "Untie her." There was no space for argument in his tone, the now that lay beneath his words tied to a promise of brutal violence. The last time they had seen the vampire he had pushed his thumb through the eye sockets of their former manager for being inefficient on Abel's time.

The four men converged on her and hastily undid the thick leather leashes from around Teyha's neck, cringing away as though they expected swift and sure revenge to fall upon them. The vampire stood up and held out a hand to the young woman, as though they were going to some sort of formal event together. "My name is Abel. I am to be your master. Mind me and I will treat you well. Do not and you will find yourself with the elf. Do we have an understanding?"
 
Teyha was grateful when the man ordered the bonds be released. His guards scrambled forward, and hastily untied her, the tick ropes falling away from her body. She stared up at Abel as he extended a hand to her, and she knew it would seem rude for her to reject the aid. Hesitantly she placed her hand in his, standing quickly before withdrawing it again, and crossing her arms tightly across her, her eyes meeting his briefly before she looked away again. "An Elf?" She asked softly. "What was her fate, lord?"
 
"Complicated. Sufficed to say she will not be the only one with the adjective striped attached to her moniker should you give me reason," the vampire replied, aware of how brutally unaware Teyha was concerning the fine points of what he expected from his underlings. He turned on his heel and walked back inside of his complex, "Come hither, young one, we have things to discuss."

The vampire mulled something over in his head, "Young one--your name? Also, is it possible you can capture sunlight?"

Inside the complex Alfonse was leading Kaura and Lorian to the grand dining hall. It would be somewhat barren tonight, as it was most nights, with just the two of them and the liveried servants to serve them. Alfonse carefully pulled out a chair each for Lorian and Kaura, then hurriedly rushed to the kitchen to give the orders of what they would eat. One of the servants followed and came back with a goblet of cider and a goblet of wine, setting them in front of their respective guests. The major domo dutifully at Lorian's side, "Is there anything else I could do for you? Entertainment, perhaps?"
 
"Striped." Teyha repeated to herself with a slight shudder, but moved to follow the vampire all the same, her eyes dipping low to the ground as she rushed to follow. She glanced up briefly when he asked her name, and hesitated, considering. Really, if she was to look at it differently, this was very much like a fresh start, and the one thing she desired was to leave her old ties behind her. So she smiled slightly. "I would like to be called Teyha, lord Abel." She told him softly. "Teyha Lockra, it's a playname, but I prefer it to my given. And sunlight?" She asked, considering the question. No doubt he was wondering if she could use sunlight as a weapon against him... To burn him where he stood, should be push her boundaries. "I have never tried." She replied slowly, honestly. "I can produce light, but I don't think it has the same effect as sun rays on your kind."




Lorian walked a pace in front of Kaura, and they both dipped their heads to the head servant as he pulled out chairs for them, the kitchen hurried to fill the order. Another servant brought out the drinks, and Janek sipped his slowly before turning a trained smile to Alfonse. "Yes." He said softly. "Our kind is not accustomed to the same social structure as yours, and it is slightly uncomfortable to eat while others watch."

Kaura smiled as well, her goblet untouched, "Sit and be merry with us." She finished, gesturing to a chair. "meals are more enjoyable in company, we find."
 
Abel slowly tasted the name, "Teyha Lockra." The R rolled in his mouth, the a the last end of a sigh. Already this young witch was nestling way her way into his heart, through the last vulnerability the vampire had left. Funny how that could happen. Suddenly everything had a slightly different perspective to it and, for the first time since he had tangled with Kaura in the baths, he felt young again.

"The sunlight is not for me. It so for another, who you will meet shortly." The vampire lead Teyha through his compound, occasionally letting out a hand to brush one of the statues that decorated otherwise desolate corners. He was painfully aware of the gap between them, one he would need to bridge if he were to get to know her better. That would be interesting. Finally they rounded the last corner before the dining hall, only to see Alfonse bending down to say something in response to Lorian.

The portly fellow glanced when he heard the vampire's distinct foot steps. He straightened up immediately, rigid as a board. "I cannot sit with you, sir. It is not my position." The major domo bowed and at a vague gesture was off to whatever pressing task had previously occupied him.

Abel gently pushed Teyha into a chair across from Kaura and then sat down next to her in a rare display of informality. "Teyha, make light and it point it to the young lady across from you." The vampire swung his gaze to Kaura, "Tell me how it feels."
 
Something about the way he spoke her name made it sound so much more beautiful than it was, almost like a song or piece of art than the name she made for herself years ago. She smiled slightly, and followed the man forward, watching as he gently brushed against statues along the path. He led her inside, to a giant hall, and sat her down across from a stunning young Elf garbed in pure white.

Kaura looked back, she had considered protesting to the domo that it was perfectly fine for him to sit with them, but knew better with Abel in the room. Instead she simply ducked her head to the tiny brunette beside him, her lips quirking up into a slight smile.

Teyha returned the look timidly, and extended her hands, palm up. Her eyes flickered to Abel before she cast her light spell, shielding him behind a paper thin veil of darkness so he could still see the light, but not be harmed by it, a precaution. Once done, she took in a breath, and cast her spell, the energy circling in her palms. The air crackled for a moment, and se frowned at it, soothing the energy until it moved like water, glowing bright, and forming into a perfect orb. Within moments it was too bright for her to look at directly, and Janek was openly shielding his eyes.

Kaura stared though, and reached out, her hands moving across Teyha's as she picked it up from below. "Amazing." She whispered softly, and her fingers came in contact with the bright orb. The moment she touched Teyha's magic, she lost control of it's will. The light flowed into Kaura, through her fingers and lighting the way up her body, shining across her before it settled in, and Kaura let out a shuddered sigh, her eyes closing. "Spectacular." She whispered in response to Abel, a smile on her face. "Nothing short."
 
Even through the veil of shadow Abel felt the heat of the light playing across his skin. It was completely unlike candle light or burned fats and oils; this was true light. The solution to my problem. Now they could take the underground waterways to his people and war could roll across the land to the elves; this time the vampires would win and bring the elves to heel. Abel reached beneath the table to grasp one of Teyha's hands and gave it an affectionate squeeze, rubbing her soft palm with his thumb. A genuine smile took residence on Abel's face, "Thank you, Teyha. That was amazing. Can you do that often?"

Reality collided with Abel's thoughts and he removed his hand, letting his fingers trail enticingly over the top of the young witch's hand. This was truly spectacular. The vampire glanced back at Kaura and smiled, "How long do you think that would hold you over?"
 
Teyha was so consumed with staring at the woman who absorbed her power that she didn't notice Abel reaching under the table, and she nearly jumped from her chair to feel his hand settle on hers. He withdrew it quickly enough, but she still gave him a stunned look, and crossed her arms once more, leaning onto the table. "Every other day perhaps." She said softly. "It takes a good bit of energy to create that kind of light, and she absorbs far more than I put in." She told the vampire softly.

Kaura shot Abel a smile back. "Perhaps it might last that long." She told him, "I might still need to be put in the tower now and again, to keep healthy though."
 
Abel shot the collared elf slave a pleased look. "I was planning on leaving you spanked, naked and chained in the tower in the first place as a lesson to teach you not to be disobedient. Perhaps something more out of the ordinary to remind you why you should not run." He paused for a moment, turning over the possibilities behind his murky orbs. "What do you think would be a fitting punishment?"
 
Teyha gasped and shuddered at the punishment, and Lorian frowned deeply, glaring at Abel openly. Kaura simply looked back calmly. "I do not have a suggestion in mind, master." She told him softly. "Perhaps another trip into the pit?" She asked, trying to not seem concerned by the pain the beating.

"Beating?" Teyha asked, looking up at the vampire. "Isn't that severe?"
 
"Yes. It is quite severe. However, Kaura did attempt to escape, causing me to take a total of three days to bring her back with me." The vampire nodded at the dark skinned elf who was glaring at him, "She also managed to bring back this guest, Lorian. He appears to be a magistrate or sheriff of some kind. He has never been quite clear if he practices both law and order or merely one of the two. Not to imply he does not work hard."

The vampire shifted in his seat somewhat, looking at the three people surrounding him. The servants arrived with platters of delicately cut fruits and steamed vegetables; thinly sliced meats, bread and cheese. It was a simple, filling meal dotted with pitchers of water and the most freshly squeezed grapefruit juice. "Teyha, Kaura, Lorian; please eat."

After a moment's thought, "How did you know that a trip to the Pit entailed a beating?"
 
Lorian took a long sip of his wine. ""My job is to interpret the written law, free of emotion or bias. I work with two others, to maintain balance." He explained softly. "Sentencing is not my duty, currently I am here to decide if young Kaura is legally allowed to remain here." He explained to Teyha softly, giving the young girl a charming smile, that she edged away from.

"I guessed." Teyha told Abel, taking a few strips of meat, and laying it on a slice of bread with some cheese. "When you said she was named 'stripped' and mentioned a spanking... I assumed you meant to beat her again, and she didn't seem to be trying to receive a lighter sentence.... So... I assumed." Teyha told him softly, fidgeting in her chair. "Still.... I don't like the idea of beating someone. Surely she knows now she can't escape you, making her more miserable now wouldn't do you any good."
 
Abel tacitly ignored Laurian. Any conversation with him seemed to end up with fantasies of elf brains covering Abel up to the elbow with a bright red smear of their overtly magical blood across his face. The image of the drow's broken crowd filled Abel with a certain amount of immature glee. "Punishing Kaura is admittedly less for her benefit than the benefit of others as well as for me. I lost a significant amount of money, forgoing a rather nice business deal, to track her down. Moreover, I would prefer to make an example of her before the others to ensure they understand not to flee."

There was a pause as he sought to most amply phrase the next part, "The elf is strong. She can take it."

The vampire looked down at the empty place in front of him and poured his goblet full of juice, sipping to make it appear as though he were doing something. It was in these moments his kind were their most alien.
 
Teyha finished her sandwich, but still looked concerned. "But it's cruel!" She protested softly. "Senseless beatings to reinforce your dominance... Isn't there another punishment you can give?" She asked.

"Shush now." Kaura told the girl firmly.

Even Lorian sighed softly. "There are always consequences for bad choices, child." The older elf told her, putting down the fruit he was eating. "Don't let it trouble you so terribly."
 
Abel slowly shook his head. "She chose the Pit. If she had picked something else, I would have considered it. Keep in mind, tomorrow she will be as healed as you would in a week. Kaura is a strong woman. One of the strongest I have met. I would not do something that would leave someone crippled." Unless I wanted to, Abel silently added, looking deep into his cup. The little interplay between Kaura and Teyha was amusing--he would have to put them in a position to be next to each other some time. Of course, the long journey to his brethren would be a good time for that. Two weeks on a ship with Teyha the only thing to keep Kaura in light? That would be interesting.

"I know--you shall join us for her punishment."
 
Teyha nearly choked on her food, prompting Lorian to give her a few firm strikes on her back, frowning at her. "I have no desire to see someone be beaten!" She protested to Abel, waving her hands in front of her as though to fend off the offer. "I'm a white, it's my purpose to stop pain, I can't stand idly by and watch it happen, my lord."
 
Abel mulled that over in his mind. That would go rather poorly in the future, given how fond Kaura was of testing the boundaries and limits set out before her. He already had an inkling of how much he liked Teyha--everything about her was honest. That was part of the reason he had become somewhat smitten with Kaura during their time together, even if just in his own way. "There may be a place for you here. Would you be willing to work your magic on the infirm that come to my ownership to help them?"
 
Teyha was hesitant, an eyebrow raised as she watched Abel. "I wouldn't have to watch their beatings, only to bandage them?" She asked slowly, and Kaura smiled slightly, noticing just how flexible Abel was with this new woman. "If not, I'd be more than happy to assist with the health of those in your charge."
 
"It is rare that any single slave actually has a hand laid on them. Not good for the resale value," Abel admitted before taking another sip of his juice. He shot Kaura a stern look, telling her to smother that knowing little smile.

"No, most of the slaves who stay under my care for any length of time are injured in fights with one another or work related injuries, though the latter are far rarer than the former." There was no surprise the slaves mauled each other; Kaura had seen what their live was like, fighting amongst themselves for clean, untainted water. "We shall go down to the Pit after we have finished dining."

The vampire turned to Lorian, "I am afraid that would not be an appropriate milieu for a guest of your stature. You will need to accustom yourself to the music and library here. Both are quite delightful."
 
If anything, the look Abel gave her only widened her grin, and she had to raise her goblet to hide the look. "I am done." Kaura said softly. "Whenever you wish to go."

"I am not." Teyha said stubbornly, and took a piece of fruit, biting in to chew slowly, a determined look engulfing her usual timid expression. It was obvious to Kaura that the girl didn't plan on 'finishing' her meal for quite some time yet, even if it meant very slowly eating each platter.

Lorian chuckled as well. "I am sure I will find something to occupy myself with." He responded softly. The more time he spent with the vampire, the more he was coming to reconsider his position, and was considering a proposal to change their views on affairs of the outside world. Everything about how Abel ran his castle irked the drow, and he wanted nothing more than to crush it into powder.
 
Abel could not help but to smile at the suddenly determined look on the mousy girl, though he managed to hide it behind his goblet. He shared what could be an almost guilty with look Kaura. Of the motley crew assembled at the dining hall she would most likely be the only one to notice that Abel was trying not to laugh. While normally his immediate reflex would have been to slap the food out of Teyha's mouth and tell her she was done it was all Abel could do not to burst out in laughter. First this young woman had provided a solution to a problem that had been plaguing him for the better part of a week.

The vampire sat silently beside Teyha as she slowly ate her food, idly listening to the ever so faint beat of her heart to pass the time during her stubbornness. While such a tactic may have infuriated most humans, such things were considered at best passe among the longer lived races. Vampires had honed the skill of carefully ignoring politically influential rivals, even to one of the point where one of the great Praetors Abel's bloodline had tangentially descended from claimed "There is no such man!" when asked about a notorious political opponent standing right next to him. There was nothing one could do to discredit someone that by ignoring their little advances and attacks, acting as if that had been nothing to you.

"Teyha Lockra," the vampire said with that same rolling r and sighing a, "please keep in mind that it is considered to continue eating after you have visited the bathroom. It is ever so rude." He shot Kaura a look, "I do ever so despise rudeness."
 
Kaura could clearly see the amusement on Abel's face as Teyha took one bite after another, stubbornly filling herself until a slight green tinge appeared on her lightly tanned skin. "This isn't necessary." Kaura tried to protest, only to have Teyha shook her a look over the brim of her glass. Lorian simply watched, amused as well as the tiny young woman tried to delay the inevitable.

"I am fine." Teyha told Abel stiffly, pausing between bites to send him a queasy smile. "After all, the food on the trip was not very filling, when it was given at all." She reminded him, but made a face when she began eating again, all the same.
 
"I will be so very cross if you puke," Abel warned, leaning back in his chair. He resigned himself to the inevitable happening. He may even have to pat her on the back of the neck before he spanks her for being so very foolish. The vampire sipped more of his juice, had it refilled by an ever attentive servant, and keenly watched her skin slowly turn different shades as she stubbornly stuffed herself. There was no way her tiny body could actually physically hold that much food! She was small.
 
"I wont empty myself." Teyha shot back stubbornly, but started avoiding the greasier meat all the same, nibbling lightly on the breads and fruit. Briefly she covered her mouth, eaten more in this one meal than she had in weeks.

Kaura sighed softly. "Perhaps she could stay with Lorian?" Kaura suggestive. "She has no desire to see me beaten."
 
That solution is certainly the easiest. With that Abel got up and looked to Kaura, "Good idea. Please, lead the way." Kaura would probably have some sense of where things were within the sprawling compound, at least the Pit, since you had to go to the lowest point near the chamber that contained her cage to get there.

"Teyha, once you have finished purging the food from your body, have a liveried servant take you down to the Pit to begin your duties. Tonight will be a taste of the days of the future." That, of course, was only slightly a lie. He would see how many solutions he could slap together to maximize their travel time. Which may, gleefully, include taking Lorian with them and feeding him to one of the blind monsters that existed in the underground rivers or just bashing his head in the courtyard. Either way, Abel would be pleased.
 
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