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Post by Tantomile Rush on Jan 17, 2008 20:04:16 GMT -5
"He is merely twenty-eight in human years, Dominique! That is no more than a season to us witches, yet he has already managed to slaughter four of his own species, one of which had a lesser daemon. It is despicable, as well as cowardly!"
Tantomile's face shone red, and behind her, Coricopat growled long and low, ears flattened against her skull. As she paced, the light caught the gleaming line of her hardened scar, straining against taught muscles. Unintentionally, Tantomile's right hand rose up to grasp something near her heart, and though Dominique could not know, she was feeling for the cold metal of the mirror, hidden beneath the fabric of her bodice.
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Post by Dominique Ampria on Jan 17, 2008 20:11:33 GMT -5
"Where did you hear this from? And besides, it is not so great a taboo to kill one of a lesser daemon in human society. Who is to judge the lesser from the greater?"
Dominique watched with increasing curiosity as Tantomile began to mirror Coricopat's movements, striding from one corner of the room to the next. She was behaving very much like a caged bird, and as her hand rose up to her chest, then to her face, then back down to her chest again, Domonique wondered if she was loosing her sanity. Certainly she was not witnessing Tantomile Rush lose her cool? But it appeared the only logical explanation for the blue-eyed Witch's erratic behavior.
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Post by Tantomile Rush on Jan 17, 2008 20:22:31 GMT -5
"It was a dog, Dominique! A dog against a lion. Even a fool could judge the greater in that scenario."
At these words Tantomile paused, hand on the back of her chair as she panted, eyes closing. For a few brief flashes, all she could think of was the face of her father's tiger daemon, Narcissticae, glaring in a predatory fashion as Tantomile stood in the forest, trapped by her father's influence as surely as Coricopat had been by Narcissticae's claws. A lion against a dog.
"Even when a lesser daemon wins such a battle, there are always scars to deal with later."
Tantomile paused, and then looked up, blue eyes unflinching.
"But the man Lord Ezekiel murdered doesn't have any scars. Because he's dead. Because dogs are lesser, and the King of the Gyptians was perfectly aware of that. Standing alongside such animalistic people in battle would be degrading."
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Post by Dominique Ampria on Jan 17, 2008 20:39:35 GMT -5
At last Tantomile settled, and her shoulders hunched over, breathing rapidly. Coricopat stood close by, still growling deeply, yet some of the fire was fading. Taking a chance, Dominique stepped closer and placed a cool hand on Tantomile's bare, burning shoulder.
"I don't think the distinction is so obvious. Not all dogs are lesser than lions. Alright? Do not believe for a moment that you are anything but the greatest. I have never met a more formidable person before in my life, especially one that can be such a magnificent friend on the side."
Slowly Dominique rubbed a soothing circle over Tantomile's shoulder, fingertips just barely skimming the edge of the thin sleeve that hung low on her arm, having fallen in Tantomile's agitation. A small knob of skin, knotted and white, peeked out from beneath the fabric covering her shoulder blade, and Dominique's touch slid over it daringly. Tantomile stiffened, and the Queen withdrew.
"Just because Lord Ezekiel fought and killed a man with a dog daemon does not make him a dishonorable person. Who knows? Perhaps his opponent was as ruthless as you. If that is the case, then I would think it would go to better his reputation, not diminish it."
Turning around, Dominique retired to her seat, Mankustrap perching on her shoulder like a loyal little body guard.
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Post by Tantomile Rush on Jan 17, 2008 21:02:18 GMT -5
Dominique's touch confused her, but not nearly as much as her words. It was as though she knew, as though she could see into Tantomile's personal thoughts...and then Dominique found the top edge of her scar, and Tantomile thought that she would die from humiliation. Luckily, Dominique chose that moment to step back, abandoning her find immediately. Tantomile had never opened up to anybody about her scar or how she recieved it, not even to the old woman who'd found her and healed her. The thought that Dominique had been about to ask...Tantomile shuddered. She did not know if she could lie to the Queen.
"It's getting late...nearly past midnight. I should go. Will there be a council tomorrow evening?"
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Post by Dominique Ampria on Jan 17, 2008 21:05:45 GMT -5
Dominique nodded, Mankustrap chirruping after the pair of retreating figures.
"Yes, Tantomile. And while it is a general rule that all Witches, no matter what their position, are allowed to offer their opinions...I will hope that you think about changing yours on Ezekiel Faa before we meet again."
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Post by Tantomile Rush on Jan 17, 2008 21:12:20 GMT -5
Tantomile paused on the edge of the cave mouth, hearing Dominique's suggestion sting the night air. The dark Queen was right...They needed the Gyptians, whether or not Tantomile hated them and their culture. Well, maybe not all of them...but definately Lord Ezekiel, whom she still found to be the worst of the bunch. She had not even met him yet, and already she had begun the loathing process.
"Good night, Dominique."
Having said her farewell, Tantomile began the short walk eastward, from whence she had come. Coricopat strode along beside her, tail stiff and ears flat, and the pair looked just as unapproachable as ever, especially because, as they walked, Tantomile clung to the spot near her heart, and it looked like she was guarding it from the world.
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Post by Dominique Ampria on Jan 17, 2008 21:14:28 GMT -5
((Finished. This thread is now closed, just in case anybody was getting any wise ideas.))
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