Post by ShadaAntoinette on May 25, 2010 3:12:08 GMT -5
Weeks had passed and she was beginning to get restless. She hadn't slept for fear that Arnoz would try to take her in her sleep, and Rhys presence wasn't helping that. He had told her that he would watch over her, but she just didn't have the desire to allow him to do that just yet. She just didn't trust him yet. She trusted no one, for there was no one who had given her any reason to do it.
Currently she was studying what was called a television, which was the box that was plated in glass. It kinda fascinated her. Rhys was sitting next to her, watching whatever it was they were looking at; it had captured both of their attentions at that moment.
She had grown fond of the demon, though he was a strange creature. She didn't know whether to be irritated at his abruptness towards her, or find it endearing. Still, whatever the case, she was growing bored of just sitting around. Her body ached, in all the wrong places, and that made her wonder if what Arnoz had told her had been right. She didn't want to think about that, for if he had placed some sort of spell on her, she was lost, no matter what she did. And that also meant that he would win, and she couldn't have that. She turned and looked at Rhys, who was still oblivious to her and studied him for a long time. Did he know anything about the situation? She wanted to ask him, but when he turned to look at her, she lost her voice. His red eyes glinted by the light of the television, though they glowed with inner light.
"M'lady? Did you need something?"
"No. No. It's nothing." She said quickly, getting off the bed. She was starting to get uncomfortable now. "It's nothing."
"Mm." He said, nodding slowly. He turned back to the television and whatever amusement he was getting from it. A muscle ticked in her jaw and she began to pace the side of the room. "Are you sure?" Oh, yea because she was going to tell him what was really going on. She could just hear herself now. 'I'm rather randy right now because my husband, if you could even call him that, told me that I would seek him out for sex and um... I think I'm actually starting to feel it now.' Aye, because that would go over really well. She sighed and rubbed a hand over her face.
"Do you know anything about charms or spells?"
"I am a Demon after all." He seemed offended that she would even ask such a thing. "Why do you ask?"
"Well.." She trailed off. "I think I'm suffering the effects of one." She didn't feel it was in her best interest to say any more than that. Besides, it really wasn't proper. She sighed and shook her head. "Never mind." She said, sitting again. She prayed Liir would know what to do, being a Succubus and all. But the woman in question was silent as death. Great, wonderful, Fan-freaking-tastic. She was getting nowhere and fast, which was just as irritating. She fisted a paw into her hair and sighed again. Rhys, hearing the irritation and stress in her voice, turned to look at her, the television all but forgotten now.
"What is it, M'lady? Surely there is something I can do." He said, laying an almost silver colored hand on her paw. She watched it for a moment and then looked up at him.
"Arnoz has placed some sort of spell upon me. He has plans to finally consummate our union, and felt this was a sure fire way to get that from me." She admitted. His ruby eyes glared a garnet color, showing his rage.
"He would take you against your will?"
"He's a monster, so I have no doubt of this." She told him. Rage made his horns ramrod straight against his head and his nostrils flared.
"This is the charm you asked me about, isn't it?"
"Aye... and that is because I am unable to find it myself." She nodded, secretly ashamed of herself for saying anything at all. He thought for a moment, his horns relaxing and curling back into their original position.
"There is a way to break it... but you aren't going to like it. Trust me, you are NOT going to like this." He frowned, which made her frown.
"How? How do I break it? I don't care if I like it or not, I will never lay with that man, never." He gave her calculating look for a moment.
"Well... to break what he has placed on you, you have to sleep with someone that isn't him. As soon as you do, his charm becomes moot, since you did what it was made for. Even thought it was made so that you would lie with him." She gave him a horrified look.
"I have to... are you sure there is no other way?"
"The only other way is giving him what he wants, and you already said that you have no wish to do so." Rhys told her. "I would choose wisely if I were you." He said, crossing his arms over his chest. She blanched and her face went neutral, understanding what he was saying. Hopefully he didn't think she was going to break it with him, for that was even less likely than her sleeping with Arnoz. She lowered her chin to her chest and sighed.
"How long do I have?"
"Well, I would guess you have the same amount of time that Arnoz believes it will take you to succumb to him." He shrugged and gave her a strange look. She peered at him from under her hair, and realized her thought had been right. The rage Demon actually thought she was going to break the charm with him!
"Humm..." She sighed and lifted her head. "Well, then I have to start looking, don't I?" He got a disappointed look on his face that quickly disappeared behind a mask of indifference.
"I suppose you should." He said with a shrug. Ordinarily, she wouldn't have cared. As a matter of fact, before Azazel, she would have gladly have taken him and called it a day. But since Azazel had happened, she trusted no one, and that was what gave her pause. He was a Demon. How was she to know that he wasn't out for power, or something? How was she to know anything about him, other than what he'd told her? Besides, he had allegedly been sent to her side to watch over her. How much complication did that need? None. One screw up and she was dead, and then his mission would fail. Not only that, she didn't want to complicate their relationship. She was just getting comfortable with the Demon being around her as it was.
"Rhys..."
"Mmm?" He looked at her, his eyes shining.
"Look, I know what you're thinking and I have to tell you, it's not like I didn't think about it. Because I have. But you are supposed to be protecting me, or watching me... whichever. Breaking the charm with you would just complicate your mission and I don't want to be responsible for that, all right?" His eyes widened slightly but he nodded, clearly not at all happy with what she'd said. "Besides, you and I are friends, I would like to say. I'd like us to stay friends, if you don't mind."
"Of course, M'lady." He said, voice flat. She could tell he was not at all happy about that, but he would be alright with a bit of time. She sighed again.
"All right, fine. Look, I'll make you a deal. If I don't find anyone else, I will have you help me. Does that suffice?" He perked up instantly.
"Yes, M'lady." He said, beaming. Oh great... she had given him hope. That was not good. And the Elders had given him far too much culture for this world if he was lusting after her. Damn.. this was all too crazy, far too crazy for her.
After that, she told him to get off the bed so she could lie down, claiming a headache. She was lying, she just didn't want to have to deal with the problem at hand anymore. Everything was just getting to weird right now.
The day had been too long, far too long. His feet hurt and he didn't want to walk anymore. Still, he had to follow Hetu-Ahin where ever she went, and she seemed to be on a mission. True, with their conversation last night, he had to admit that this was his fault... well, partially. Who knew the woman would actually be opposed to sleeping with a demon?
It would have been so much easier had he just told her that sleeping with a demon would rid her of the charm that ailed her but he couldn't lie to her, not with good conscience. She was to be his Goddess, and he didn't want her to find out he had lied to her. Ever. So, when she had risen that morning; he had watched her sleep, having no need to do the mundane task himself and found that she was beautiful even then, she had insisted they start their search for someone who would break her curse. He hoped she would find no one, but to his dismay, the woman had found several who piqued her interest. As a Demon, he was not surprised that the people were of both sexes, but he was surprised by how easily she got along with random strangers on the street. They all peered at her as if she were a freak of nature but she merely offered them a wave and a smile in return. He could glamour, she seemed to be unable, or unwilling, he wasn't sure. Still, she towered over her in her present form, and he had the distinct pleasure of walking behind her, watching her move.
For her size, she was graceful. Her legs were fluid in motion and even her long hair, which reached almost to her waist, seemed to pick up on her gait easy enough.
"Rhys... hurry up." She said to him. He snapped from his admiration of her body and hurried to her side.
"Yes, M'lady?"
"I want you to do something for me." She said, sitting on a bench that sat along the road. "I want you to find something to eat. I know Demons don't really eat, but I do and I'm starving. Can you do that for me?" Rhys nodded and eagerly went off to do as she asked, a smile on his lips.
He crossed the street and walked in the opposite direction than they were heading, having seen people eating a few blocks back. He didn't know what to get her, but given her order, she hadn't given him any clue. He sighed and kept walking, hoping to find something she would enjoy.
Okay... so she had sent him on a fool's errant. So what? That didn't make her a bad person, did it? Besides, he was making her uncomfortable and searching for someone to break this charm was already uncomfortable enough as it was.
As soon as he was out of sigh, she quickly rose and made her way down the street, listening and scenting the air for any passing scents that would catch her amusement. Sure, she had been drawn to a number of people today, but there had to be at least one person worth her time and effort, right? She sighed, briefly crossing the street and heading down a deserted side street to transform into her glamored self. It would be easier if she wasn't in her Xurenae form. As she rounded the corner, she saw a woman being accosted by a man in a dark hooded sweatshirt. Instantly, she was on guard. She listened for a moment, gauging the man. He was trying to take advantage of the woman, since they were alone, which wasn't true, but neither had noticed her.
"C'mon, baby, I've seen what you can do. You can't pretend you aren't Laccee."
"I don't know what you're talking about!" The woman's indignant voice rose just then and she started to stutter. "I-I'm not w-who you think I am!"
"I know you go by Laccee, I'm in the club several times a week. You can't lie to me!" The man grabbed her breast hard enough to make her scream and that was the last straw for Shada. She took a running start and planted both feet into the man's side, taking him down and landing on top of him, her weight, which surprisingly more than she looked capable of, crushed down on him.
"She told you she wasn't the woman you were looking for. What part of no don't you understand?" She growled at her.
"H-hey!" The man squealed. "Get off, you're crushing me!" She did, but made sure to give him a good kick that sent him flying a bit down the street as she did so.
"Get out of here and you leave this woman alone. If I see you do this to anyone else, I will come after you, so help me!" She yelled after him as he fled. When he was gone, she turned to the woman, who was looking a bit shell shocked. "Are you okay, Miss?"
"Yes... thanks to you." She said, her black rimmed, golden brown eyes wide. "Who are you?"
"My name is Shada." Shada told her, smiling a bit.
"I'm Mandy. Nice to meet you." She tucked a strand of black hair behind her ear, which Shada saw was pierced and gauged, much like her own. Shada studied the woman for a moment. She was tall, around the same height Shada was in this form, with shoulder length black hair, though this close, Shada could see there was at least a layer of red somewhere in the interior. Her face was oval shaped, but she features were proportionate. She had big, full lips, the lower pierced by a steel, captive bead ring. Her nose was a little big but it fit her face and her eyes were a rich honey-over-chocolate color. Her skin was dark but it wasn't at the same time; she had a rich caramel skin tone, though her face had hints of discoloration around her eyes and on her cheeks, which had a few beauty marks scattered upon them. Shada wondered what she would look like with makeup on, though she definitely didn't need it. She was pretty, in a different sort of way. And Shada, was positively smitten.
"What were you doing out here by yourself? I mean, this place seems a bit dangerous, from what I have seen." Shada gestured in the direction the man had taken.
"Well, it's my day off and I was heading toward the mall when he grabbed me." Mandy said with a grimace. "I've never seen him before, and I'd rather not do it again." Shada laughed and nodded.
"I understand what you mean. I was going to grab lunch, would you like to join me?" Mandy seemed hesitant at first, which Shada knew was probably a good thing, given what had just happened.
"Sure, I'm not really doing anything." Mandy said, nodding. "And it's the least I can do, since you just probably saved my life."
"Awesome." Shada tried not to beam, lest she seem weird, so she gave a small smile and the two women walked toward the main street.
"So where are you from?" Mandy asked, looking up from her salad. The women had met up with Rhys, who had been none to pleased to see that Shada had found someone. He almost outright glared at Mandy when they entered the diner.
"Well.." Shada chewed thoughtfully. "I'm from a country far, far from here. Most would deem it a fairy tale." She smiled a bit and took another bite of the food that Rhys had handed to her. He sat next to her, by the window, pratically seething. "What about you?"
"Oh, I was born in Kansas." She explained. "In a small farming town. Not really much to talk about, though I was born a twin." And there it was, that was the reason that Shada had been drawn to this woman.
"Older or younger?" She asked Mandy, who had placed some more food in her mouth at that moment.
"Older. I'm older by about three minutes." She replied around the mouthfull.
"Ah, I was the younger." Shada said, nodding. "Around five or six minutes."
"I see." Mandy's brown eyes shimmered for a moment and then lightened a bit. Shada was taken by the colors they became, even if they were only shades of brown.
"Um... can I ask you a question?"
"Sure. Ask me anything." Mandy said, winking and taking another bite.
"Well.... I have kind of a confession to make." Shada said, placing her sandwich down. "I don't really look like this."
"You don't?" Mandy's brow furrowed in confusion. "How do you look then?"
"Promise you won't scream and run away?"
"Well, if you're scary looking, I can't guaruntee that. But somehow I don't think that is what you're going to show me." Shada was surprised by the way Mandy was reacting to this. Perhaps there was hope there yet. Shada sighed and rose.
"Come on, I'd rather show you somewhere private, lest I freak out the whole room." Again, Mandy's eyebrows furrowed but she rose and followed her toward the bathroom.
"You aren't going to like, rape me, are you? I mean you seem like a cool person, and I thank you for saving me, but um... I am in no mood to fight anymore today." Mandy said. She laughed a bit, Shada didn't. "No, really, you aren't going to..."
"No, Mandy. I wouldn't do that to you. But that is not what I have to show you. And I am only showing you this because I trust you." Shada said, opening the bathroom door and ushering her through. Luckily it was a one stall kind of public bathroom, so they were alone. "I don't know why I trust you, but I do." Shada sighed and wiped her hand over her face, allowing her illusion to fade and letting her body come back to the form she actually was. Mandy's eyes were wide again and her jaw dropped as Shada took her six foot, five inch height again.
"Aww...! Look at you, you're so cute!" Shada grinned and laughed wholeheartedly.
"Thank you... I think." She grinned.
"May I?" Mandy asked, gesturing to her fur. Shada nodded and held out her arm. Mandy laid a tentative black-nailed hand on her arm, petting her a bit. Shada bent at the waist, allowing the woman to touch her ears, her face. "You're definitely a sight, Shada. I don't know why you don't just walk around like this. I mean, look at you, you're cute. I just want to take you home with me and love on you until you're sick of it." Shada blinked, and smiled a bit.
"Well, I'm not sure how others would react to this... I have to admit I am not the bravest of women, but I can at least hold my own in a fight. I hate how much intolerance there is in the world."
"Amen, sister. But not everyone is like that, you have to understand. I, personally, like furries." She grinned at Shada.
"Furry? What is a furry?"
"You don't know what a.... A furry is someone who likes to wear fur and dress up as an animal." Mandy said. "I think... Not clear on that." She shrugged. "Still, I have to tell you, I'm a bit jealous. I'd love to have your body."
"And I would love to have yours." Shada said, her green eyes burning. Mandy hadn't realized what she had just said to her.
"Mine? Pfft. There is nothing special about mine. I mean, look at me. My skin is all scarred, my hair doesn't know if it wants to be white or black; I can thank my parentage for that, which is no fun, let me tell you. I've got this." She lifted her tee shirt and showed the wolf woman the little belly she had, which looked as if she had lost weight at some point. "And I have all kinds of health problems. But, hey, more power to you." Mandy shrugged.
"You're beautiful, Mandy. I don't see why you say such things about yourself." Mandy's cheeks turned a slight, very slight pink.
"Well, thank you." She said. She looked like she had no idea what to say next. "I think we better head back out. I don't want your friend to think we were getting busy here in the bathroom or something." They laughed and made their way from the bathroom. Shada didn't change back, taking to heart what the bewitching woman had said to her. As they went back to their seats, Rhys gave Shada a strange look, to which she replied with a shake of her head. No, she had done nothing to the woman, and she wasn't sure she should. The woman seemed to have some hidden pain behind her golden brown eyes.
They spent a lot of time together in the following week and everyday Shada spent with Mandy, the more she realized that she couldn't be more perfect for breaking the charm. Sure, she had lived a hard life, but Shada had too, and she found it that they had a lot in common. Too much in fact, it was almost creepy. Still, the woman genuinely liked her. Maybe not in the same way, but whatever, it would do. If she could just get her to help her.... she had explained the situation and watched the woman's reaction thoroughly, but had found no inkling that she had caught on to what Shada had meant by telling her. In short, it was exhaustingly infuriating. But she felt she was close to a solution, even if Rhys had refused to help her. She suspected the Demon was upset that she had found someone else, instead of allowing him to do it. She had explained several times in their hotel room that she was going to see if she could find outside help, before asking him, and he had told her he understood, but obviously it still bothered him.
This night, she and Mandy were going to a bar. A different one than she had come to when she first arrived in Broken Arrow, since Shada had told Mandy what had happened that night. Instead, Mandy was going to show her where she worked, a place called Monterra, which meant Earth Mother according to Mandy. Shada had thought it was a good idea, considering it wasn't every night she had something to do, other than watch television with Rhys, and it would be a nice change of pace.
She met Mandy after dark in the lobby. The woman was dressed in a miniskirt, a black tee shirt and knee high boots.
"Ready?" She asked Shada, upon seeing her. Shada, herself was dressed in jeans, which she found she could wear, if she got the right length and size for her body.
"I am." Shada nodded with a smile.
"All right, let's go." She turned on her booted heel and walked out of the hotel. Shada followed, ignoring the looks she was getting. It didn't matter any more.
A few blocks from the hotel, in an old brick building, was Monterra. On the outside, it looks like any other shop, but on the inside, it was rather chaotic. She was surprised. The lights were dim, but there were neon lights illuminating the different steel poles that adorned stages. A few of them held dancers clad in their underwear, or less. Shada was embarrassed to be there, knowing they were in some sort of adult bar.
"You okay?" Knowing she would never be heard, she nodded. "Come on, I'll introduce you to Kendra, our bartender." Mandy led the way and Shada made sure to keep her eyes centered on the woman before her, so she wouldn't get lost.
"Kendra!" Mandy called. The blond woman behind the counter lifted her head and smiled, seeing Mandy. "Hey, Kendra, this is Shada. She's a friend of mine."
"First timer?"
"I assume so. She looks a bit disoriented."
"Cool, I'll do what I can to make her feel comfortable."
"Thanks, I owe you one." Mandy winked at Kendra before turning back to Shada, who had heard them perfectly. "I've got to get ready, so I want you to wait here until my shift it over, all right?" Shada nodded. She gave her a slight wave and disappeared somewhere in the back. Kendra motioned her over and Shada went, rather than stand there looking like an idiot.
"Hey, I know this is your first time and everything, but don't worry, you're in good hands. Mandy is a cool girl." Shada smiled and nodded, sitting down on the stool and making herself comfortable. Kendra made a drink for her, which she excepted graciously, even if she didn't know what it was.
Her green eyes took in the things around her, even if she really wasn't enjoying it. She didn't really go for the naughty side of life, but Liir did, and she was awake and hitting her full force.
"You gotta let me out. I want to play. No, no, I want to feed. You can't deprive me like this!"
"What are you talking about?" Shada asked, her voice low so no one would hear. Her lips barely moved.
"I'm a Succubus, Shada... I have different needs than you do. You know what desire is, right? Well, I feed off of that. And this place is full of it. It's driving me crazy! Please, PLEASE! Let me feed." She was practically begging to be released. Shada didn't know what to make of her at the moment, but she sighed and conceded.
"You are not to change our appearance. You can feed and that's it. If you do anything more than that, I will make sure you never take over our body again, understand?"
"Yea, yea. I know. No lovers. Just feeding. Don't worry, there is no one here that I would consider for that, you have nothing to fear." Shada wasn't convinced, but with Liir, that was always a possibility. Liir had never been trustworthy before, but Shada was forgiving, to a point. If Liir messed this up, she would never have control again, and she had meant what she'd said. She allowed Liir to dominate their body, watching her as she began to mill the room, touching this person and that. Oh, Shada was going to have to scrub herself raw when she got back to the Inn later!
It was unbearable having Liir use her body to feed, knowing that Liir was going to drive her victims to the brink and steal their sexual desire. The thought made her sick to her stomach, it really did, but she allowed it. She didn't believe depriving Liir of her baser needs was a good idea, even if she didn't like, or fully understand it. After about ten minutes, Liir had grabbed someone and practically dragged him toward the back. Shada lay dormant for the most part, but was aware of what she was doing.
"C'mon big boy, I want something from you." Liir motioned to the man. He gave her a lewd smile and followed, thinking that she was going to allow him to touch her, and possibly give herself up to him. Not even bloody close. As soon as they were alone, she pushed him against the wall and kissed him, sucking out what she needed and leaving him a wet, foggy mess. Shada watched through her own eyes at the state Liir left the man. His eyes were glassy, and he looked like she had pleasured him, when she hadn't even touched him. His pants were wet on the front and she almost felt the bile in her own throat. Okay, so Succubus feeding was different than vampire feeding, or even Lycan feeding, she could live with that. But the next time Liir said she wanted to feed, Shada vowed to be dead and dormant inside. She didn't ever want to see what happened ever, ever again, it was just too.... gross.
"You can come out now." Liir said, as they walked away. Shada took control again as they walked.
"I will never, ever watch you do that, ever again. That was disgusting." Shada said, growling under her breath.
"Somehow I knew you were going to say that." Liir giggled. "Still, that's just how it goes. It would have been much different if you had allowed me to go further with him, but since you didn't, well... you saw that happened."
"Tch... Succubus.." Liir cut her off.
"Shush, Mandy's dancing. And look what she's wearing!" Shada turned her head and looked around, spotting the woman on one of the stages and gawked. Holy Sh--! She had on a skimpy black outfit on and extremely high heels. The way she was dancing made Shada open her eyes and take notice, even if it was meant for the people watching her....It was weird though, she felt like she should be upset about this, which made her irritable. So she had a bit of a possessive streak, that didn't make her a bad person, it made her... human. Crap. She forced herself to break her gaze on the woman, fixating herself instead on the goings on around her. This place made her uncomfortable as it was and the fact that the woman would could help her was currently dancing, if you could call it that, on one of the stages made it worse. She sighed and lowered her head to her chest.
"Hey babe, gimme a dance." The man's voice was really close and Shada prayed he wasn't talking to her. "I said gimme a dance!" Damn it. He grabbed her by her arm and tried to drag her off, which surprised her since she was far heavier than he. That meant he was an Immortal.
"I don't--"
"You're here, aren't you? That means you work here. Now give me a dance before I get angry." She looked at his face, seeing him for the first time.
"Max?"
"I don't know how you.." He was drunk again but he actually looked at her now and a grin stretched across his face. "Well now. I know you. I knew you were just putting on an act the other night! Gimme a dance and maybe I'll give you something good." He chuckled, she didn't.
"Max, get off me before you regret it. I don't work here, and I'm not giving you anything."
"Aw, don't be like that, hunnie. You know you want me, all women do. Just give me what I want and I'll give you what you want." He tugged on her again, but she resisted. He yanked on her arm, which ended up with her sprawled across his lap. "See? I knew it!" She growled at him and tried to get up, her eyes black now.
"Let. Go. Of. Me." She snapped. He guffawed and began to grope her, which earned him a clawed slap against his face. By this time the music and the crowd noise had subsided. They were all watching what was going on. Blood started to run from the wounds on his cheek, which he wiped with a hand and looked at.
"So you clawed me." His eyes turned dark and then a golden color. He was getting pissed and she could see it.
"You deserved it." She said, ever defiant. "You are not going to treat me like that." She growled at him. He glared at her and shoved her off of him, which made her land, hard on the floor. Her chin hit first, cushioning the blow a bit, but making her fangs and teeth clack together really hard. She yelped a bit and rose from the ground.
"You'll regret that, Max." She snapped, her claws ready to bite his flesh again.
"What's going on over here?" Kendra and a couple other girls came to her defense.
"I just wanted a dance and your employee refused to do it." Max said, crossing his arms over his chest. He smirked as if he had won this fight.
"I told you, I don't work here! I'm here with a friend!"
"She doesn't work here, sir. And I didn't like what I saw. I'm going to have to ask you to leave. We don't tolerate this in our establishment." Kendra said, coming to stand by Shada. Max glared at her.
"Another time then, Shada. But you will conceded to me." Why in the Hell was everyone trying to get her to do that? Just what the Hell made every male think she was a play thing? She snarled at him as he turned and walked away. She was going to end up killing that bastard, she just had that feeling, and her feelings were almost never wrong.
The rest of the time they spent at the diner was mostly filled with small talk, mostly since Shada was trying to get to know Mandy, and was curious about the woman. She was quite a fighter, as Shada learned from listening to her talk, and that made her feel closer to this woman than before. And it gave her hope that Mandy was feeling the same way, at least in some small way.
Currently she was studying what was called a television, which was the box that was plated in glass. It kinda fascinated her. Rhys was sitting next to her, watching whatever it was they were looking at; it had captured both of their attentions at that moment.
She had grown fond of the demon, though he was a strange creature. She didn't know whether to be irritated at his abruptness towards her, or find it endearing. Still, whatever the case, she was growing bored of just sitting around. Her body ached, in all the wrong places, and that made her wonder if what Arnoz had told her had been right. She didn't want to think about that, for if he had placed some sort of spell on her, she was lost, no matter what she did. And that also meant that he would win, and she couldn't have that. She turned and looked at Rhys, who was still oblivious to her and studied him for a long time. Did he know anything about the situation? She wanted to ask him, but when he turned to look at her, she lost her voice. His red eyes glinted by the light of the television, though they glowed with inner light.
"M'lady? Did you need something?"
"No. No. It's nothing." She said quickly, getting off the bed. She was starting to get uncomfortable now. "It's nothing."
"Mm." He said, nodding slowly. He turned back to the television and whatever amusement he was getting from it. A muscle ticked in her jaw and she began to pace the side of the room. "Are you sure?" Oh, yea because she was going to tell him what was really going on. She could just hear herself now. 'I'm rather randy right now because my husband, if you could even call him that, told me that I would seek him out for sex and um... I think I'm actually starting to feel it now.' Aye, because that would go over really well. She sighed and rubbed a hand over her face.
"Do you know anything about charms or spells?"
"I am a Demon after all." He seemed offended that she would even ask such a thing. "Why do you ask?"
"Well.." She trailed off. "I think I'm suffering the effects of one." She didn't feel it was in her best interest to say any more than that. Besides, it really wasn't proper. She sighed and shook her head. "Never mind." She said, sitting again. She prayed Liir would know what to do, being a Succubus and all. But the woman in question was silent as death. Great, wonderful, Fan-freaking-tastic. She was getting nowhere and fast, which was just as irritating. She fisted a paw into her hair and sighed again. Rhys, hearing the irritation and stress in her voice, turned to look at her, the television all but forgotten now.
"What is it, M'lady? Surely there is something I can do." He said, laying an almost silver colored hand on her paw. She watched it for a moment and then looked up at him.
"Arnoz has placed some sort of spell upon me. He has plans to finally consummate our union, and felt this was a sure fire way to get that from me." She admitted. His ruby eyes glared a garnet color, showing his rage.
"He would take you against your will?"
"He's a monster, so I have no doubt of this." She told him. Rage made his horns ramrod straight against his head and his nostrils flared.
"This is the charm you asked me about, isn't it?"
"Aye... and that is because I am unable to find it myself." She nodded, secretly ashamed of herself for saying anything at all. He thought for a moment, his horns relaxing and curling back into their original position.
"There is a way to break it... but you aren't going to like it. Trust me, you are NOT going to like this." He frowned, which made her frown.
"How? How do I break it? I don't care if I like it or not, I will never lay with that man, never." He gave her calculating look for a moment.
"Well... to break what he has placed on you, you have to sleep with someone that isn't him. As soon as you do, his charm becomes moot, since you did what it was made for. Even thought it was made so that you would lie with him." She gave him a horrified look.
"I have to... are you sure there is no other way?"
"The only other way is giving him what he wants, and you already said that you have no wish to do so." Rhys told her. "I would choose wisely if I were you." He said, crossing his arms over his chest. She blanched and her face went neutral, understanding what he was saying. Hopefully he didn't think she was going to break it with him, for that was even less likely than her sleeping with Arnoz. She lowered her chin to her chest and sighed.
"How long do I have?"
"Well, I would guess you have the same amount of time that Arnoz believes it will take you to succumb to him." He shrugged and gave her a strange look. She peered at him from under her hair, and realized her thought had been right. The rage Demon actually thought she was going to break the charm with him!
"Humm..." She sighed and lifted her head. "Well, then I have to start looking, don't I?" He got a disappointed look on his face that quickly disappeared behind a mask of indifference.
"I suppose you should." He said with a shrug. Ordinarily, she wouldn't have cared. As a matter of fact, before Azazel, she would have gladly have taken him and called it a day. But since Azazel had happened, she trusted no one, and that was what gave her pause. He was a Demon. How was she to know that he wasn't out for power, or something? How was she to know anything about him, other than what he'd told her? Besides, he had allegedly been sent to her side to watch over her. How much complication did that need? None. One screw up and she was dead, and then his mission would fail. Not only that, she didn't want to complicate their relationship. She was just getting comfortable with the Demon being around her as it was.
"Rhys..."
"Mmm?" He looked at her, his eyes shining.
"Look, I know what you're thinking and I have to tell you, it's not like I didn't think about it. Because I have. But you are supposed to be protecting me, or watching me... whichever. Breaking the charm with you would just complicate your mission and I don't want to be responsible for that, all right?" His eyes widened slightly but he nodded, clearly not at all happy with what she'd said. "Besides, you and I are friends, I would like to say. I'd like us to stay friends, if you don't mind."
"Of course, M'lady." He said, voice flat. She could tell he was not at all happy about that, but he would be alright with a bit of time. She sighed again.
"All right, fine. Look, I'll make you a deal. If I don't find anyone else, I will have you help me. Does that suffice?" He perked up instantly.
"Yes, M'lady." He said, beaming. Oh great... she had given him hope. That was not good. And the Elders had given him far too much culture for this world if he was lusting after her. Damn.. this was all too crazy, far too crazy for her.
After that, she told him to get off the bed so she could lie down, claiming a headache. She was lying, she just didn't want to have to deal with the problem at hand anymore. Everything was just getting to weird right now.
The day had been too long, far too long. His feet hurt and he didn't want to walk anymore. Still, he had to follow Hetu-Ahin where ever she went, and she seemed to be on a mission. True, with their conversation last night, he had to admit that this was his fault... well, partially. Who knew the woman would actually be opposed to sleeping with a demon?
It would have been so much easier had he just told her that sleeping with a demon would rid her of the charm that ailed her but he couldn't lie to her, not with good conscience. She was to be his Goddess, and he didn't want her to find out he had lied to her. Ever. So, when she had risen that morning; he had watched her sleep, having no need to do the mundane task himself and found that she was beautiful even then, she had insisted they start their search for someone who would break her curse. He hoped she would find no one, but to his dismay, the woman had found several who piqued her interest. As a Demon, he was not surprised that the people were of both sexes, but he was surprised by how easily she got along with random strangers on the street. They all peered at her as if she were a freak of nature but she merely offered them a wave and a smile in return. He could glamour, she seemed to be unable, or unwilling, he wasn't sure. Still, she towered over her in her present form, and he had the distinct pleasure of walking behind her, watching her move.
For her size, she was graceful. Her legs were fluid in motion and even her long hair, which reached almost to her waist, seemed to pick up on her gait easy enough.
"Rhys... hurry up." She said to him. He snapped from his admiration of her body and hurried to her side.
"Yes, M'lady?"
"I want you to do something for me." She said, sitting on a bench that sat along the road. "I want you to find something to eat. I know Demons don't really eat, but I do and I'm starving. Can you do that for me?" Rhys nodded and eagerly went off to do as she asked, a smile on his lips.
He crossed the street and walked in the opposite direction than they were heading, having seen people eating a few blocks back. He didn't know what to get her, but given her order, she hadn't given him any clue. He sighed and kept walking, hoping to find something she would enjoy.
Okay... so she had sent him on a fool's errant. So what? That didn't make her a bad person, did it? Besides, he was making her uncomfortable and searching for someone to break this charm was already uncomfortable enough as it was.
As soon as he was out of sigh, she quickly rose and made her way down the street, listening and scenting the air for any passing scents that would catch her amusement. Sure, she had been drawn to a number of people today, but there had to be at least one person worth her time and effort, right? She sighed, briefly crossing the street and heading down a deserted side street to transform into her glamored self. It would be easier if she wasn't in her Xurenae form. As she rounded the corner, she saw a woman being accosted by a man in a dark hooded sweatshirt. Instantly, she was on guard. She listened for a moment, gauging the man. He was trying to take advantage of the woman, since they were alone, which wasn't true, but neither had noticed her.
"C'mon, baby, I've seen what you can do. You can't pretend you aren't Laccee."
"I don't know what you're talking about!" The woman's indignant voice rose just then and she started to stutter. "I-I'm not w-who you think I am!"
"I know you go by Laccee, I'm in the club several times a week. You can't lie to me!" The man grabbed her breast hard enough to make her scream and that was the last straw for Shada. She took a running start and planted both feet into the man's side, taking him down and landing on top of him, her weight, which surprisingly more than she looked capable of, crushed down on him.
"She told you she wasn't the woman you were looking for. What part of no don't you understand?" She growled at her.
"H-hey!" The man squealed. "Get off, you're crushing me!" She did, but made sure to give him a good kick that sent him flying a bit down the street as she did so.
"Get out of here and you leave this woman alone. If I see you do this to anyone else, I will come after you, so help me!" She yelled after him as he fled. When he was gone, she turned to the woman, who was looking a bit shell shocked. "Are you okay, Miss?"
"Yes... thanks to you." She said, her black rimmed, golden brown eyes wide. "Who are you?"
"My name is Shada." Shada told her, smiling a bit.
"I'm Mandy. Nice to meet you." She tucked a strand of black hair behind her ear, which Shada saw was pierced and gauged, much like her own. Shada studied the woman for a moment. She was tall, around the same height Shada was in this form, with shoulder length black hair, though this close, Shada could see there was at least a layer of red somewhere in the interior. Her face was oval shaped, but she features were proportionate. She had big, full lips, the lower pierced by a steel, captive bead ring. Her nose was a little big but it fit her face and her eyes were a rich honey-over-chocolate color. Her skin was dark but it wasn't at the same time; she had a rich caramel skin tone, though her face had hints of discoloration around her eyes and on her cheeks, which had a few beauty marks scattered upon them. Shada wondered what she would look like with makeup on, though she definitely didn't need it. She was pretty, in a different sort of way. And Shada, was positively smitten.
"What were you doing out here by yourself? I mean, this place seems a bit dangerous, from what I have seen." Shada gestured in the direction the man had taken.
"Well, it's my day off and I was heading toward the mall when he grabbed me." Mandy said with a grimace. "I've never seen him before, and I'd rather not do it again." Shada laughed and nodded.
"I understand what you mean. I was going to grab lunch, would you like to join me?" Mandy seemed hesitant at first, which Shada knew was probably a good thing, given what had just happened.
"Sure, I'm not really doing anything." Mandy said, nodding. "And it's the least I can do, since you just probably saved my life."
"Awesome." Shada tried not to beam, lest she seem weird, so she gave a small smile and the two women walked toward the main street.
"So where are you from?" Mandy asked, looking up from her salad. The women had met up with Rhys, who had been none to pleased to see that Shada had found someone. He almost outright glared at Mandy when they entered the diner.
"Well.." Shada chewed thoughtfully. "I'm from a country far, far from here. Most would deem it a fairy tale." She smiled a bit and took another bite of the food that Rhys had handed to her. He sat next to her, by the window, pratically seething. "What about you?"
"Oh, I was born in Kansas." She explained. "In a small farming town. Not really much to talk about, though I was born a twin." And there it was, that was the reason that Shada had been drawn to this woman.
"Older or younger?" She asked Mandy, who had placed some more food in her mouth at that moment.
"Older. I'm older by about three minutes." She replied around the mouthfull.
"Ah, I was the younger." Shada said, nodding. "Around five or six minutes."
"I see." Mandy's brown eyes shimmered for a moment and then lightened a bit. Shada was taken by the colors they became, even if they were only shades of brown.
"Um... can I ask you a question?"
"Sure. Ask me anything." Mandy said, winking and taking another bite.
"Well.... I have kind of a confession to make." Shada said, placing her sandwich down. "I don't really look like this."
"You don't?" Mandy's brow furrowed in confusion. "How do you look then?"
"Promise you won't scream and run away?"
"Well, if you're scary looking, I can't guaruntee that. But somehow I don't think that is what you're going to show me." Shada was surprised by the way Mandy was reacting to this. Perhaps there was hope there yet. Shada sighed and rose.
"Come on, I'd rather show you somewhere private, lest I freak out the whole room." Again, Mandy's eyebrows furrowed but she rose and followed her toward the bathroom.
"You aren't going to like, rape me, are you? I mean you seem like a cool person, and I thank you for saving me, but um... I am in no mood to fight anymore today." Mandy said. She laughed a bit, Shada didn't. "No, really, you aren't going to..."
"No, Mandy. I wouldn't do that to you. But that is not what I have to show you. And I am only showing you this because I trust you." Shada said, opening the bathroom door and ushering her through. Luckily it was a one stall kind of public bathroom, so they were alone. "I don't know why I trust you, but I do." Shada sighed and wiped her hand over her face, allowing her illusion to fade and letting her body come back to the form she actually was. Mandy's eyes were wide again and her jaw dropped as Shada took her six foot, five inch height again.
"Aww...! Look at you, you're so cute!" Shada grinned and laughed wholeheartedly.
"Thank you... I think." She grinned.
"May I?" Mandy asked, gesturing to her fur. Shada nodded and held out her arm. Mandy laid a tentative black-nailed hand on her arm, petting her a bit. Shada bent at the waist, allowing the woman to touch her ears, her face. "You're definitely a sight, Shada. I don't know why you don't just walk around like this. I mean, look at you, you're cute. I just want to take you home with me and love on you until you're sick of it." Shada blinked, and smiled a bit.
"Well, I'm not sure how others would react to this... I have to admit I am not the bravest of women, but I can at least hold my own in a fight. I hate how much intolerance there is in the world."
"Amen, sister. But not everyone is like that, you have to understand. I, personally, like furries." She grinned at Shada.
"Furry? What is a furry?"
"You don't know what a.... A furry is someone who likes to wear fur and dress up as an animal." Mandy said. "I think... Not clear on that." She shrugged. "Still, I have to tell you, I'm a bit jealous. I'd love to have your body."
"And I would love to have yours." Shada said, her green eyes burning. Mandy hadn't realized what she had just said to her.
"Mine? Pfft. There is nothing special about mine. I mean, look at me. My skin is all scarred, my hair doesn't know if it wants to be white or black; I can thank my parentage for that, which is no fun, let me tell you. I've got this." She lifted her tee shirt and showed the wolf woman the little belly she had, which looked as if she had lost weight at some point. "And I have all kinds of health problems. But, hey, more power to you." Mandy shrugged.
"You're beautiful, Mandy. I don't see why you say such things about yourself." Mandy's cheeks turned a slight, very slight pink.
"Well, thank you." She said. She looked like she had no idea what to say next. "I think we better head back out. I don't want your friend to think we were getting busy here in the bathroom or something." They laughed and made their way from the bathroom. Shada didn't change back, taking to heart what the bewitching woman had said to her. As they went back to their seats, Rhys gave Shada a strange look, to which she replied with a shake of her head. No, she had done nothing to the woman, and she wasn't sure she should. The woman seemed to have some hidden pain behind her golden brown eyes.
They spent a lot of time together in the following week and everyday Shada spent with Mandy, the more she realized that she couldn't be more perfect for breaking the charm. Sure, she had lived a hard life, but Shada had too, and she found it that they had a lot in common. Too much in fact, it was almost creepy. Still, the woman genuinely liked her. Maybe not in the same way, but whatever, it would do. If she could just get her to help her.... she had explained the situation and watched the woman's reaction thoroughly, but had found no inkling that she had caught on to what Shada had meant by telling her. In short, it was exhaustingly infuriating. But she felt she was close to a solution, even if Rhys had refused to help her. She suspected the Demon was upset that she had found someone else, instead of allowing him to do it. She had explained several times in their hotel room that she was going to see if she could find outside help, before asking him, and he had told her he understood, but obviously it still bothered him.
This night, she and Mandy were going to a bar. A different one than she had come to when she first arrived in Broken Arrow, since Shada had told Mandy what had happened that night. Instead, Mandy was going to show her where she worked, a place called Monterra, which meant Earth Mother according to Mandy. Shada had thought it was a good idea, considering it wasn't every night she had something to do, other than watch television with Rhys, and it would be a nice change of pace.
She met Mandy after dark in the lobby. The woman was dressed in a miniskirt, a black tee shirt and knee high boots.
"Ready?" She asked Shada, upon seeing her. Shada, herself was dressed in jeans, which she found she could wear, if she got the right length and size for her body.
"I am." Shada nodded with a smile.
"All right, let's go." She turned on her booted heel and walked out of the hotel. Shada followed, ignoring the looks she was getting. It didn't matter any more.
A few blocks from the hotel, in an old brick building, was Monterra. On the outside, it looks like any other shop, but on the inside, it was rather chaotic. She was surprised. The lights were dim, but there were neon lights illuminating the different steel poles that adorned stages. A few of them held dancers clad in their underwear, or less. Shada was embarrassed to be there, knowing they were in some sort of adult bar.
"You okay?" Knowing she would never be heard, she nodded. "Come on, I'll introduce you to Kendra, our bartender." Mandy led the way and Shada made sure to keep her eyes centered on the woman before her, so she wouldn't get lost.
"Kendra!" Mandy called. The blond woman behind the counter lifted her head and smiled, seeing Mandy. "Hey, Kendra, this is Shada. She's a friend of mine."
"First timer?"
"I assume so. She looks a bit disoriented."
"Cool, I'll do what I can to make her feel comfortable."
"Thanks, I owe you one." Mandy winked at Kendra before turning back to Shada, who had heard them perfectly. "I've got to get ready, so I want you to wait here until my shift it over, all right?" Shada nodded. She gave her a slight wave and disappeared somewhere in the back. Kendra motioned her over and Shada went, rather than stand there looking like an idiot.
"Hey, I know this is your first time and everything, but don't worry, you're in good hands. Mandy is a cool girl." Shada smiled and nodded, sitting down on the stool and making herself comfortable. Kendra made a drink for her, which she excepted graciously, even if she didn't know what it was.
Her green eyes took in the things around her, even if she really wasn't enjoying it. She didn't really go for the naughty side of life, but Liir did, and she was awake and hitting her full force.
"You gotta let me out. I want to play. No, no, I want to feed. You can't deprive me like this!"
"What are you talking about?" Shada asked, her voice low so no one would hear. Her lips barely moved.
"I'm a Succubus, Shada... I have different needs than you do. You know what desire is, right? Well, I feed off of that. And this place is full of it. It's driving me crazy! Please, PLEASE! Let me feed." She was practically begging to be released. Shada didn't know what to make of her at the moment, but she sighed and conceded.
"You are not to change our appearance. You can feed and that's it. If you do anything more than that, I will make sure you never take over our body again, understand?"
"Yea, yea. I know. No lovers. Just feeding. Don't worry, there is no one here that I would consider for that, you have nothing to fear." Shada wasn't convinced, but with Liir, that was always a possibility. Liir had never been trustworthy before, but Shada was forgiving, to a point. If Liir messed this up, she would never have control again, and she had meant what she'd said. She allowed Liir to dominate their body, watching her as she began to mill the room, touching this person and that. Oh, Shada was going to have to scrub herself raw when she got back to the Inn later!
It was unbearable having Liir use her body to feed, knowing that Liir was going to drive her victims to the brink and steal their sexual desire. The thought made her sick to her stomach, it really did, but she allowed it. She didn't believe depriving Liir of her baser needs was a good idea, even if she didn't like, or fully understand it. After about ten minutes, Liir had grabbed someone and practically dragged him toward the back. Shada lay dormant for the most part, but was aware of what she was doing.
"C'mon big boy, I want something from you." Liir motioned to the man. He gave her a lewd smile and followed, thinking that she was going to allow him to touch her, and possibly give herself up to him. Not even bloody close. As soon as they were alone, she pushed him against the wall and kissed him, sucking out what she needed and leaving him a wet, foggy mess. Shada watched through her own eyes at the state Liir left the man. His eyes were glassy, and he looked like she had pleasured him, when she hadn't even touched him. His pants were wet on the front and she almost felt the bile in her own throat. Okay, so Succubus feeding was different than vampire feeding, or even Lycan feeding, she could live with that. But the next time Liir said she wanted to feed, Shada vowed to be dead and dormant inside. She didn't ever want to see what happened ever, ever again, it was just too.... gross.
"You can come out now." Liir said, as they walked away. Shada took control again as they walked.
"I will never, ever watch you do that, ever again. That was disgusting." Shada said, growling under her breath.
"Somehow I knew you were going to say that." Liir giggled. "Still, that's just how it goes. It would have been much different if you had allowed me to go further with him, but since you didn't, well... you saw that happened."
"Tch... Succubus.." Liir cut her off.
"Shush, Mandy's dancing. And look what she's wearing!" Shada turned her head and looked around, spotting the woman on one of the stages and gawked. Holy Sh--! She had on a skimpy black outfit on and extremely high heels. The way she was dancing made Shada open her eyes and take notice, even if it was meant for the people watching her....It was weird though, she felt like she should be upset about this, which made her irritable. So she had a bit of a possessive streak, that didn't make her a bad person, it made her... human. Crap. She forced herself to break her gaze on the woman, fixating herself instead on the goings on around her. This place made her uncomfortable as it was and the fact that the woman would could help her was currently dancing, if you could call it that, on one of the stages made it worse. She sighed and lowered her head to her chest.
"Hey babe, gimme a dance." The man's voice was really close and Shada prayed he wasn't talking to her. "I said gimme a dance!" Damn it. He grabbed her by her arm and tried to drag her off, which surprised her since she was far heavier than he. That meant he was an Immortal.
"I don't--"
"You're here, aren't you? That means you work here. Now give me a dance before I get angry." She looked at his face, seeing him for the first time.
"Max?"
"I don't know how you.." He was drunk again but he actually looked at her now and a grin stretched across his face. "Well now. I know you. I knew you were just putting on an act the other night! Gimme a dance and maybe I'll give you something good." He chuckled, she didn't.
"Max, get off me before you regret it. I don't work here, and I'm not giving you anything."
"Aw, don't be like that, hunnie. You know you want me, all women do. Just give me what I want and I'll give you what you want." He tugged on her again, but she resisted. He yanked on her arm, which ended up with her sprawled across his lap. "See? I knew it!" She growled at him and tried to get up, her eyes black now.
"Let. Go. Of. Me." She snapped. He guffawed and began to grope her, which earned him a clawed slap against his face. By this time the music and the crowd noise had subsided. They were all watching what was going on. Blood started to run from the wounds on his cheek, which he wiped with a hand and looked at.
"So you clawed me." His eyes turned dark and then a golden color. He was getting pissed and she could see it.
"You deserved it." She said, ever defiant. "You are not going to treat me like that." She growled at him. He glared at her and shoved her off of him, which made her land, hard on the floor. Her chin hit first, cushioning the blow a bit, but making her fangs and teeth clack together really hard. She yelped a bit and rose from the ground.
"You'll regret that, Max." She snapped, her claws ready to bite his flesh again.
"What's going on over here?" Kendra and a couple other girls came to her defense.
"I just wanted a dance and your employee refused to do it." Max said, crossing his arms over his chest. He smirked as if he had won this fight.
"I told you, I don't work here! I'm here with a friend!"
"She doesn't work here, sir. And I didn't like what I saw. I'm going to have to ask you to leave. We don't tolerate this in our establishment." Kendra said, coming to stand by Shada. Max glared at her.
"Another time then, Shada. But you will conceded to me." Why in the Hell was everyone trying to get her to do that? Just what the Hell made every male think she was a play thing? She snarled at him as he turned and walked away. She was going to end up killing that bastard, she just had that feeling, and her feelings were almost never wrong.
The rest of the time they spent at the diner was mostly filled with small talk, mostly since Shada was trying to get to know Mandy, and was curious about the woman. She was quite a fighter, as Shada learned from listening to her talk, and that made her feel closer to this woman than before. And it gave her hope that Mandy was feeling the same way, at least in some small way.
