Wenn & Wolf Tales

wwe1160

Nightshade meets Necromancer

Session Start: Thu Oct 02 1997
*** Now talking in #WolfKeep
* Nightshade .2 moves amidst a flutter of deepest bluish-purple robes and cloak. A flash of gold from a smooth medallion around her neck reflects up on her pale face. Her ice blue eyes look out from the shadow of her hood. Like her namesake, her touch may be curative in small doses but in quantity, lethal.
* Necromancer steps from the shadows, seeming for a moment to be of the darkness...then there is movement, a separation, a detaching of what is real and what is imagined.
* Necromancer 's black.6 satin robe and hood completely hide most of him from the harsh lighting of the room. He stands all of six foot and moves in a fluid motion as he steps away from the shadow realm and into the realm of the living.
* Necromancer reaches up, with hands gaunt and skeletal thin, their coloring that of a corpse and slowly pushes back the hood of his cloak revealing long white hair, and alabaster skin drawn tight on high cheek bones and around thin dark lips.
* Necromancer 's eyes are covered by a wrapping of gray gauze, obscuring his eye coloring and most of his facial features from view as he looks about the room.
* Nightshade looks to him and nods, recalling having seen him once before briefly
* Nightshade finds him oddly familiar, nonetheless
* Nightshade paces very slowly before the fire, long pale fingers fiddling with the medallion at her throat
* Necromancer glids further into the hall of the empty Keep, his covered eyes shying away from the bright light of the fire.
* Nightshade says quietly "Greetings, sir"
* Necromancer nods without a spoken word and pauses as if listening for a moment
* Nightshade continues her slow pacing then realizes she is doing it and stops, clasping her hands together in front of her and looking askance at him
* Necromancer whispers, his voice low and strong A quiet night at the Keep
* Nightshade nods Unusually so
* Necromancer steps to the nearest candlier and reaching out, snuffs the flame
<Necromancer> Do you mind?
* Nightshade watches him and arches an eyebrow
<Nightshade> I... I suppose not
* Necromancer moves to the next without waiting for an answer
<Nightshade> I am curious though... why you do that
* Necromancer snuffs the flames once more, the room growing darker as the light leaves it
* Nightshade is curious and growing a bit nervous
<Necromancer> "I prefer the dark".6 he pauses "Do you not as well?"
<Nightshade> My personal darkness... within this cloak... yes
* Necromancer moves to the next and repeats the death of light, the Great Hall seeming to grow colder as the darkness increases
* Necromancer pauses on his way to another candlier "Just inside you?".6 arches a brow "If that is what you choose to believe."
<Nightshade> I find it more... comfortable
<Necromancer> as I find the darkness more.... comfortable.
<Nightshade> I feel there is a darkness in us all... more in some, than in others
* Necromancer glides to the last of the candliers and snuffles the final life from the flame and turns to face Nightshade, her frame now darkness against the fires back lighting
* Nightshade can see but the barest image of him, the flames casting on him unevenly against the dark shadows
<Necromancer> "That is true and yet some see darkness where there is light".6 he smiles slightly "and others see light where there is darkness"
* Necromancer stands within the dark hall now, having snuffed the lights closest to her, moving away till the final candle was farthest from her
<Necromancer> "Would you know what I see..".6 slight pause "...Sarah?"
* Nightshade swallows hard
<Nightshade> Do... do you know me?
* Necromancer nods though she can see him not in the darkness "Aye...I know you"
<Necromancer> "Little Night Flower"
* Necromancer glides slowly toward her from out of the shadows
* Nightshade hears his voice from the darkness and it both soothes and frightens her, she stands with her back to the fire
<Nightshade> That is nightshade... that is in a way not only what I am, but who…
<Nightshade> Sarah is barely in here anymore
<Necromancer> "You are more than you think and more Sarah than you know.".6 stepping from the shadows into the fire light his brow furrows beneath the bandages around his eyes
<Nightshade> What... do you see then, sir?
* Necromancer pauses within a few feet of her yet outside of reach "Shadows"
<Necromancer> I see shadows within shadow and within you
* Necromancer takes a step closer yet is still outside eithers reach I see fear, hurt...anger long grown cold
* Nightshade wrings her hands in front of her... from his closeness to her, his knowledge of her
<Necromancer> or has it?.6 arches a brow and smiles slightly
<Nightshade> How can you know... so much... I...
<Necromancer> But mostly...I see a child
* Nightshade swallows, unable to continue and lowers her head
<Necromancer> I see Sarah
<Necromancer> I see both worlds....
<Necromancer> here and the spirit world.
* Nightshade shakes her head slowly
* Necromancer lowers his head a bit and turns slightly looking away, "I see everything and...nothing".6 his voice echos of something, something deep and sorrowful
<Nightshade> That Sarah, that child... seems all but lost
* Necromancer takes another step closer, now within arms reach, "Is she?".6 slight pause, I think not my night flower"
* Nightshade hears his voice very close and stiffens a bit
<Nightshade> She is a casualty... to my "gift"
* Necromancer lifts one black velvet sleeved arm and gently touches her cheek, his fingers cold as ice "She is you, Sarah"
<Necromancer> "No matter how hard you try to hide her"
* Nightshade draws back from him and turns her face away
<Necromancer> Does my touch trouble you so?
* Necromancer smiles at this thought
<Nightshade> Tis my touch that's the trouble
* Necromancer chuckles slightly, the sound like the crackle of old leaves for it is not something he does often
* Nightshade turns aside and raises a hand to rest on the mantle, almost needing it to steady her
<Necromancer> You can not cure what is not ill, nor kill what is not.....living
<Nightshade> You speak of me as though you know me, laugh at my deadly touch... who are you?
<Nightshade> Why torture me with thoughts of that girl long gone?
<Necromancer> Torture...or merely say what you know to be true?
* Necromancer steps up behind her as softly as the night approaches and consumes the day
* Nightshade feels him close in on her and takes a deep breath
<Nightshade> I cannot afford to let what is left of her emerge... you try to bring her to light
<Necromancer> Sarah....6 touches her shoulder softly
<Nightshade> ... please...
<Necromancer> there is no denying who you are
* Necromancer steps closer, his robe brushing against hers
<Necromancer> You are a child Sarah...capable of both good and bad..healing and death
* Necromancer reaches out and takes her hand in his, his arm laying upon hers
* Nightshade turns her head to look at him over her shoulder and surprised he had gotten so close
<Nightshade> How do you know me?
* Necromancer looks into her eyes, one hand reaching up and gently touching her hair
<Necromancer> How? Because....I know myself"
* Necromancer whispers in her ear, his breath surprisingly warm and moist
<Necromancer> because I know the darkness you hold to as a shield
<Necromancer> to hide and protect the child known as Sarah.
* Necromancer leans in, his chin brushing her shoulder
<Necromancer> I have seen that child before.
* Nightshade gasps quietly and starts to shake her head No... no... you cannot know... please don't
<Necromancer> countless came....6 he presses on after it was known you could heal
* Nightshade looks up into the darkness, trying to fathom this, trying not to cry for that is feeling and she cannot afford it
<Necromancer> yet how many more came after the death?
<Nightshade> ... Seth ...
<Necromancer> so many your family cut you loose..6 he continues relentlessly Aye...seth was the lads name
* Nightshade mutters to herself ... he was but eleven... and I was only nine...
<Necromancer> a child.6 whispers softly a child named Sarah
* Nightshade turns on him and backs away a step No... NO! you cannot know, you cannot draw her from me
* Nightshade 's eyes fill though and she knows it may be too late
<Necromancer> You tried to save him
<Necromancer> Sarah...tried
<Nightshade> I killed him, touched too long.... and Sarah... Sarah is gone... left standing on the road
<Necromancer> No...she took his place.
<Necromancer> it should have been her there dead...not him.
<Necromancer> so you sent her away to take his place
<Nightshade> She did die that day... even as his life slipped from him. Sarah died.
* Necromancer shakes his head slightly but she is not dead.
<Nightshade> There is only me. I cure. I kill. That's all there is to me now.
<Necromancer> Is she ...Sarah?
<Nightshade> She is... she must be.
* Necromancer moves his hand, chilled finger brushing the side of her neck
<Necromancer> she lives...in you.
* Nightshade closes her eyes and does not shrink from him, protesting more weakly no... no... she must be dead
* Necromancer touches her chin, turning her face toward his
* Nightshade looks up and can see the barest image of his face
<Necromancer> Sarah.......6 his touch gentle as he looks into her eyes
<Necromancer> You... are Sarah...
<Nightshade> She cannot live... she cannot love...
<Necromancer> she is...she does and she is....loved
<Necromancer> and.6 lengthy pause she is forgiven.
* Nightshade 's view of him blurs and a tear slips over her cheek
<Nightshade> How can she be loved? Her touch... my touch... brings death
<Necromancer> as well as life, Sarah. You bring life as well.
<Nightshade> I have killed since, you know... an assassin's tool
* Necromancer nods slowly
<Nightshade> Sarah could not bear what I have done... best let her rest in peace
<Nightshade> And I... I cannot afford... her warmth
* Necromancer looks up to where his hand has remained on hers all this time
<Necromancer> Warmth you have, though you see it not.
* Nightshade follows his gaze and makes to pull her hand from his
<Necromancer> Sarah...6 looks back to her once more Hide if you will from others.....
<Necromancer> but know this....6 whispers lowly in her ear there is no need to hide from me
<Nightshade> I see
* Nightshade seems to relax somewhat
<Nightshade> Then you have come to me for death
* Necromancer smiles, his even white teeth showing
<Necromancer> No...my death is not yours to claim.6 a softer whisper though I wish it were at times
<Nightshade> Then I do not know what reason you have...
* Necromancer turns and steps away from her, their hands parting with the motion
<Nightshade> for trying to draw me out
* Necromancer says over his shoulder what need have I of reason....Sarah?
* Necromancer adds in a whisper to himself what need have I of anything
<Nightshade> What brings you here... to me... then?
* Necromancer turns and looks to her once more
<Necromancer> a debt
* Nightshade arches an eyebrow To whom? For what?
* Necromancer looks down and then back up to her for a life saved long ago
* Necromancer turns away once more, his back to the fire and to her
<Nightshade> I recognize you not so I doubt you owe this debt to *me*
* Necromancer replies in a soft whisper barely heard above the flames of the fire
<Necromancer> how quickly they forget...and yet remember all in the same breath
<Nightshade> There have been so many... I do not recall them all... but I should think I would have remembered one such as you
* Necromancer turns back to her once more at her words You know me Sarah....
<Necromancer> for you made me what I am.
* Nightshade reaches her hand up to touch his face but draws it back
* Necromancer remains still, neither moving forward nor backward from her touch
* Nightshade brings her pale fingertips to his cheek, barely touching him
<Nightshade> And.... and what do you say you are?
<Necromancer> I...I am neither of this world or the other.6 his voice dropping low and a trace of sadness entering it and yet I am of both
<Nightshade> And what had I to do with this... condition?
<Necromancer> Sarah....6 reaches up and touches her cheek has it been that long Sarah Daniels?
* Nightshade wraps her fingers around his wrist and closes her eyes
* Nightshade lets her mind move through him just a bit then she suddenly moves her hand away and looks at his face again
* Necromancer nods slightly at her look
<Nightshade> Nine... nineteen years.... that is how long Sarah has been gone
<Necromancer> You know me Sarah
<Nightshade> ...Seth...
<Necromancer> Aye
* Nightshade collapses to her knees almost in slow motion and in a flutter of dark cloth
* Necromancer catches her and slowly lowers her and himself to the floor
* Nightshade has gone slack, barely enough tension in her muscles to keep her from dropping out completely
* Nightshade 's head hangs low and moves from side to side slowly
<Necromancer> I had to see you...to find you, Sarah
<Nightshade> I killed you... You were dead I saw it... I woke up and... and I had been there too long
* Necromancer nods ever so slightly Aye...I was dead
<Nightshade> Then how can you be here?
* Nightshade looks up at his face again
* Necromancer sits back and folds his legs, never letting go of her hand It was not my time to go.
* Nightshade looks to their hands and pulls hers back quickly I'll not try to send you again!"
<Necromancer> and now..I am neither and yet both.
* Necromancer smiles and takes her hand once more
<Necromancer> you cannot, Sarah
* Nightshade pulls at her hand but cannot extract it
<Necromancer> I do not know how to explain it...but I am already dead and yet I live.
* Nightshade pauses to let his words finally sink in
<Nightshade> Then you have come here to taunt me... for I can touch only one such as you, without risk of killing
* Necromancer reaches up and slowly undoes the binding from his eyes, one wrap at a time
* Nightshade watches curiously
<Necromancer> Taunt?.6 a pause in the unwrapping no...I have come to be with you
* Nightshade sits back with her legs wrapped beneath her
* Nightshade 's mouth opens to speak, but she shuts it again, watching
* Necromancer finishes with the gauze and slowly lifts his face to her, his eyes stare blankly through her, their red centers seeing nothing
* Necromancer reaches out and takes her hand once more, having no problem finding it
<Necromancer> You have a ...question.6 he smiles having seen her mouth open and close
* Nightshade swallows and accepts his hand for she is looking at his eyes
<Nightshade> I have many
<Necromancer> I will answer them as best I can Sarah
<Nightshade> Your eyes do not seem to see me and yet..... you do
* Necromancer nods
<Necromancer> I see you within the shadow world.
<Necromancer> to me everything is shades of gray, black and white
<Nightshade> Then I am indeed a shade and not wholly among the living
<Necromancer> no..I am the shade and the one not wholly here, Sarah
<Necromancer> but that is required for my talent
<Nightshade> which is?
<Necromancer> I am The Necromancer
<Necromancer> I traffic in shades and lost souls
<Nightshade> Then that may answer my next question
<Necromancer> Which is?
<Nightshade> Why seek out the one who sent you to this fate?
* Necromancer pauses, his thoughts a whirl at this for he himself has not been able to clearly figure it out
<Necromancer> You were the ..gateway for my being here....
<Necromancer> without you, I would have died...for good
<Nightshade> I felt I did but hasten your death... I stole I know not how many years from you
<Nightshade> with my carelessness
* Necromancer nods, "Yet without your touch, I would not have had those years for you to take, for I would have died anyway
<Nightshade> If it is at all a comfort, and I know not how it could be... I became a shade then too... for as I said, Sarah died that night as well
<Necromancer> I know...6 gently squeezes her hand but I need you to live...for both of us
* Nightshade shakes her head I miss your meaning... how can I help you?
<Nightshade> How can... Sarah help you?
<Necromancer> I...I.6 sighs I am unsure as yet. But I see the life in you
<Nightshade> Then your vision is more than your empty eyes reveal... for you see something in me... that even I cannot see
<Necromancer> Cannot see...or will not see?
* Nightshade sighs and leans forward placing her face in her hand If Sarah comes to life... she will want love
<Necromancer> is that such a bad thing Sarah?
<Nightshade> ... this is something she cannot have
<Necromancer> why?
<Nightshade> ... only if it were with death himself
* Necromancer smiles
<Necromancer> I shall ask him when next I see him
* Nightshade raises up and grins despite herself
* Necromancer rises with her
<Nightshade> Oh, you tease me... you draw Sarah's heart out... what shall I do with her, once freed?
<Necromancer> Shall I tell you a tale?
<Nightshade> Please
* Necromancer continues There once was a child who was given a gift. A gift of life.
<Necromancer> She was loving and well loved by many
<Necromancer> and she loved them in return
<Necromancer> some think her dead now..including herself.
<Necromancer> yet she lives and, I think hungers to love
* Necromancer looks directly to her
* Nightshade turns her head and looks askance at him
<Necromancer> You live and hunger, Sarah
<Nightshade> and so she has... I have... all of my life... but what to do with it?
<Necromancer> you once knew how to love....you still do
<Nightshade> I was 9 the last time I knew anything of love, more than hearsay
<Necromancer> Then...
<Necromancer> we shall learn together
<Necromancer> for I was 11 the last I knew of love....and of you.
* Nightshade looks back to him and bites her lower lip, fighting tears
* Necromancer steps to her side and looks down to her
<Necromancer> will you help me...help yourself, Sarah?
<Nightshade> I... I know not if there is help for either of us.... but we can try, I suppose
* Necromancer nods once, his eye catching the glint of metal on her chest
* Necromancer reaches out slowly, giving her ample time to draw away
* Nightshade makes a concerted effort not to flinch
* Necromancer takes the pendant in his hand, feeling it contours and looking at it
<Nightshade> It was a gift of sorts... from... from an herbalist who rather took advantage of my "talent"
<Necromancer> A Gift?
<Nightshade> Actually... I stole it... when I left there
* Nightshade blushes
* Necromancer nods
<Necromancer> payment.
<Nightshade> In a way... yes
<Nightshade> It has some magic but I know little about it
* Necromancer replaces the pendant on her chest, his finger rubbing slightly the softness of her robe
<Nightshade> It looked valuable... and I could place my hands on it at the right time
<Necromancer> I thought there was something more to it
<Nightshade> Someday, I may find out there is... but for now... it is the only property I own
* Necromancer nods once and steps away from her
<Necromancer> I must be going
* Nightshade nods and visibly relaxes as he steps away
* Necromancer steps back further, seeming to melt back into the shadows
<Necromancer> we shall talk again, Sarah
* Nightshade looks about the dark hall and responds to only his voice for she can no longer see him
<Nightshade> Yes, S-Seth... I suppose we shall
* Necromancer smiles to himself and slips away as the lights flare to life once more, she is left in an empty room
*** Parts: Necromancer

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