The Fate of Twins
<h1 id="title">Elliquiy Role Playing Forums</h1>
		<h2 id="linktree">Play-By-Post: Bondage, D/s, S&amp;M =&gt; Bondage: Human Solos =&gt; Topic started by: Iofiel on 07-10-2008, 08:10:28</h2>
		<dl id="posts">
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>The Fate of Twins</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Iofiel</strong> on <strong>07-10-2008, 08:10:28</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Aria stared at the case of dissected and pinned insects hanging on the wall of the right travel hall on the first floor of the Draekthist estate. Her hands rested gently on the dress protruding from her waist, held upright by the ridiculous frame her mother insisted she wear. Her eyes played over the preserved bodies and tiny organs the creatures held inside of them, bared here to the world, noted and tagged for study.<br><br>It had been some time since she had studied their simply anatomies. She raised a hand to the glass, lightly dragging her nail across its surface. <em>What hand made your life, hm?</em> A small smile came to her lips as she observed them, thinking of the designs she had been constructing in her study over the past several weeks. While excelling in her studies, she had much time for else and, of course, as any good Draekthist regent, she had been working diligently on Necromancy... it was far more fascinating than the dull balls and socials and tea meetings that her mother insisted that she attend.<br><br>What lay in wait for her hands was far more pressing.<br><br>While staring into the glass, her eyes shifted to the reflection of her black hair laying around her face in its curled spirals.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: The Fate of Twins</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Protocol</strong> on <strong>07-10-2008, 08:41:41</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				A sickly green aura the shape of a butterfly quickly grew and died beyond the glass shield Aria stood before. The wings fluttered helplessly as the once deceased creature tried to fly out of its prison. Dinesh approached her position from behind, the light tapping of his boots alerting his presence. He stood behind her, somewhat to her left, staring over her shoulder as he watched the bug's futile movements. His sneer could be glimpsed in the reflection of the glass. <br><br>"Sometimes I imagine that is all we are. Made to look pretty, and interesting, for the crowd to see, but in reality we are bugs, pinned in place..." His eyes stared at the butterfly, but past it to his sister's reflection, though he wondered if she would see where he looked. "Then I thank those who bless me, so that I may be less involved, as you are, in the political stews mother concocts and insists you learn from." This time he hoped she would notice the direction of his look, so that she would see the ever so playful smile upon his face.<br><br>"Do forgive me if I continue to find excuses to keep myself out of such meetings. I much prefer to keep my sanity." He looked around the room, as if now uninterested by the display before them. By now the butterfly had ceased the move, the little magic he had put into bringing it back to life dissipating quickly. He used a finger to lightly brush away a lock of his hair, the same shade of black as his sister's, in fact, away from his face.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: The Fate of Twins</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Iofiel</strong> on <strong>08-10-2008, 01:24:56</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Aria's eyes impassively watched the butterfly shred its own wings from the pins that held it and attempt to escape its glassy prison, its desperation strong for an animation. Such desperation was almost fascinating, particularly in the works of a dead heart... but then maybe it was more mechanical after all.<br><br>"Then I thank those who bless me, so that I may be less involved, as you are, in the political stews mother concocts and insists you learn from."<br>She snorted lightly, her eyes shifting to look at his reflection in the glass. "I'm certain the male socials you attend are ever so much nicer." An ugly smirk coming to her lips, her fingers left the glass as she turned around, facing him.<br><br>"Do forgive me if I continue to find excuses to keep myself out of such meetings. I much prefer to keep my sanity."<br>"I rather think I will hold it against you instead, brother." A slight notch of her eyebrows was her only followup to her statement as she moved past him, resuming her unrushed walk down the travel hall. "Birth favored you more than I in this regard."
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: The Fate of Twins</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Protocol</strong> on <strong>08-10-2008, 04:46:06</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				He studied the butterfly a moment longer, seeing how it had reduced it's finely preserved wings to a shredded state that looked more like an animal had killed it before it was pinned down for public study. He then turned, placing one hand lightly over his heart in mock hurt. "Do no hold it against me, sister; I could not bear your scorn. Politics is simply not my strong suit." He tugged at the bottom of his jacket to straighten it, his shoulder reminding him with a dull ache of his activities during his last meeting with the fellow men who tended to duck out of what they called the "gossip circles." They all gave the excuse of talking about more serious matters unfit for the ears of the gentle women, but more often than not they would practice swordplay, or wrestling. His shoulder ached from one such wrestling match. <br><br>They all assumed no one knew what they were up to, although Dinesh wondered sometimes if his sister suspected. As he walked to catch up with her, he watched her with an admiring eye. He felt he appreciated her intelligence as much as her beauty, which is more than he could say for any other male that would walk into the same room as her. He always watched them with a disapproving eye. He didn't care if people saw his glares; they all thought it was the temperament of a protective brother. It wasn't just her safety he desired, though, it was <em>her</em>. He smiled inwardly, knowing that soon his desires would exit the realm of fantasy. <br><br>He straightened his posture slightly as he slid into step next to her, crossing his arms behind his back and looking at her with a sideways glance as he thought to himself. <em>It is you that birth favored, my dear sister.</em>
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: The Fate of Twins</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Iofiel</strong> on <strong>08-10-2008, 05:03:02</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Aria snorted rather simply at his retort. "I cannot fathom it being more <strong>boring</strong> than what I must endure." As she walked, she drew an elegant carmine fan from a hidden pocket in her dress, her wrist flicking it open and beginning to fan herself lightly; it always got hotter upstairs when Spring began, despite how like a mausoleum it was underneath.<br><br>"Our studies are a <em>far</em> more fascinating way to spend our time; don't you agree?" Her lips formed a much sweeter smile than the subtle glare of her annoyance. "The most recent batch of 'servants' proved very insightful..." A small breath of a laugh came to her, opening into nothing more though she felt a chuckle in her chest. <em>Their deaths and remade lives were insightful indeed.</em><br><br>She caught his glance without having to move her head, years of stately bearing teaching her to observe without seeming to observe, to see without making effort to see. "You have no political ambition in the colleges, Dinesh? Mother would be gravely disappointed if you did not at least make Arch Magister."
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: The Fate of Twins</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Protocol</strong> on <strong>08-10-2008, 08:34:06</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				"Insightful indeed..." His words mirrored her thoughts, without any intent to do so. "As you say, sister, our studies are much more interesting." His smile is similar to her's, his interest in the suggested subject matter similar, or at least seeming so. <br><br>A sigh escaped his lips as he thought of the expectations they were always faced with. "I don't doubt I will seat myself in a high position, but it will probably not be where mother expects me to be. She'll get over it, it time. I think she focuses more on you, anyway. As long as I don't start any fights with the sons of visiting politicians, she seems to remain happy enough with me." Waving a hand dismissively, he ignored the trapped feeling he always had when thinking about all the subjects he loathed studying. The only two things that interested him in this world more than any other were necromancy, and his sister. Both, of course, were a secret. One more so than the other. 
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: The Fate of Twins</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Iofiel</strong> on <strong>08-10-2008, 08:50:39</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Aria, at this, looked at him more straightly. "You don't plan on appeasing mother?" She grinned lightly, the fan shifting a bit. "That's awfully bold of you. She's rather harsh when she is disappointed." A light laugh escaped her, unrestrained.<br><br>"Tell me, Dinesh, why you would be so brave. Does power not suit you?" She smirked softly, her small earrings jingling a bit as she turned her head. Aria had, honestly, expected him to do quite well; but he never seemed very interested in politics. She had wondered why, but never figured it a subject worthy of deep pursuit. He would land where he wished to.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: The Fate of Twins</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Protocol</strong> on <strong>09-10-2008, 05:06:08</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				"Power comes in many forms, sister. Political, physical, magical... Although having all such powers is beneficial, it is unnecessary, and spreads one's talents thin. I do not mind our studies in magic, but my real interest is with my more physical classes." He sighed, then, as he thought of his mother's inevitable complaints. "Mother will be a challenge, I'm sure. I'll do what I can to make her happy until we are free from..." He halted his speech, knowing he would say something he would probably regret later. <br><br>He smiled weakly and gave another shrug. "She'll come to. I know she will."
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: The Fate of Twins</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Iofiel</strong> on <strong>09-10-2008, 05:31:06</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				"Physical classes?" She eyed him rather curiously, though sidelong on their walk. "The sword is more appealing than our spells?" The smirk remained on her soft lips, her eyes shifting subtly with a blink of her lashes.<br><br>"Well, dear brother, if you can sway Mother, then you'd have quite the future in politics." She laughed very softly, the sound not even echoing as she fanned herself. Aria wondered how rebellious her brother would truly end up being, given all of the repercussions on each side.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: The Fate of Twins</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Protocol</strong> on <strong>09-10-2008, 07:29:54</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				"Politics work quite differently at the point of a sword, Aria, but they do work." He shook a finger lightly in the air with his corrective statement, adding, "And as for our spells, who's to say they can't be used side by side with a good sword?" He rested a hand lightly on her shoulder as he stopped walking. "Don't you wish we didn't have to study our magic in secret?" A curious look sat upon his face, knowing she was passionate about the magic they learned, but wondering how deep it went with her. 
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: The Fate of Twins</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Iofiel</strong> on <strong>09-10-2008, 10:44:28</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				"Hm. Perhaps." Bemusement played across her mouth at his enjoyment of the bladed weapon. She found it far less elegant than an arc of pure death, though certainly more culturally acceptable.<br><br>She glanced more fully at him, pausing at his stopping. "Mostly not, I would say. I would not deign to share our mastery with any of the lesser currs of the Academies." Aria arched a brow, giving him a wry smirk. "Unless you intend on mastering every able-bodied magister in the city."
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: The Fate of Twins</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Protocol</strong> on <strong>09-10-2008, 17:26:43</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				She <em>did</em> get it. He knew she would. The smile that appeared on his face was almost cruel. "I never said anything about sharing our gift. I would, however, like to show them the ways in which we are superior." The hand on her shoulder slid slowly across her shoulder blades as he walked around behind her with a slow step. "I fear I won't be able to master them, by myself. Perhaps with you by my side, Aria..." The words didn't quite come out of his mouth, but he intended for it to seem open ended, hoping she would interpret it correctly. His fingers lightly touched the curls of her hair, twirling a bit lightly around one of his fingers.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: The Fate of Twins</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Iofiel</strong> on <strong>09-10-2008, 20:35:15</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Aria watched his movements with an idle curiosity. "Even the two of us, exceptional as we are, would not fare well against so many in open warfare." Her fan continued brushing air at her firmly. "There are many ways for us to show our superiority, brother." She thought him a bit reckless and impatient in the moment; it would takes years to craft and execute such a grand plan.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: The Fate of Twins</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Protocol</strong> on <strong>11-10-2008, 01:47:33</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Wanting to tell her, but wanting also to see what she had in mind, he stifled any excitement he might show from telling her about the things he wanted to do. "I don't believe I actually mentioned open warfare, but... I'm interested what you think would be most effective, if not brute force." 
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: The Fate of Twins</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Iofiel</strong> on <strong>12-10-2008, 02:47:32</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				She smirked softly. "Any position of command comes with taxing responsibility, which bears more completely on those at the top. There are more subtle ways of gaining control... through magic, politics, and blackmail." Her wrist flicked her fan, amusement playing on her lips. "True power amost always lies hidden behind the face of it."
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: The Fate of Twins</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Protocol</strong> on <strong>12-10-2008, 05:37:50</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				"Correct as always, dear sister." He moved in front of her again and smiled, somewhat fondly, as he looked at her. "You were always better with words. If ever I acted out any war-wrought plans, I would want you there to talk me out of trouble." A slight chuckle escaped his lips, then. "Hypothetically, of course, that would mean I would have to fail and be caught."
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: The Fate of Twins</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Iofiel</strong> on <strong>12-10-2008, 06:41:06</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				She waggled a finger at him. "And you dare not be caught, brother." The smirk remained as she began walking again. There were studies and affairs to attend to, and she needn't sit still while her brother divulged himself.<br><br>"It would shame the Drakethist name." 
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: The Fate of Twins</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Protocol</strong> on <strong>19-10-2008, 08:30:12</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				He stood for several moments, watching her walk away, before he called after her. His hands raised slightly, out to his sides, in a motion meant to indicate the, <em>"What? You thought I was serious?"</em> message. "I was, of course, assuming you knew I spoke hypothetically, Aria." Despite his desire to have the last word, he did not follow her to pursue any further conversation. He would have to approach her at a later time, when he would have more time to ease her into the seriousness of his intent. Blurting it out would certainly not help him, at this point, so he would just have to take his time showing her that he wasn't kidding. <br><br>Once she was out of sight, he turned and walked back to the glass casing, looking at the now ruined butterfly specimen. Muttering to himself as he stared at it, his thoughts followed his sister down the hall again. The memory moved in slow motion. "We'll show everyone what we are and they won't be able to do a thing about it. I need you to do this, though..." His fingers slid down the glass as he pulled away and turned, walking his own way now. He, of course, had things to attend to as well. 
			</dd>
		</dl>
		<div id="footer" class="smalltext">
			
			<span class="smalltext" style="display: inline; visibility: visible; font-family: Verdana, Arial, sans-serif;"><a href="https://elliquiy.com/forums/index.php?action=credits" title="Simple Machines Forum" target="_blank" class="new_win">SMF 2.0.19</a> |
 <a href="https://www.simplemachines.org/about/smf/license.php" title="License" target="_blank" class="new_win">SMF © 2021</a>, <a href="https://www.simplemachines.org" title="Simple Machines" target="_blank" class="new_win">Simple Machines</a>
			</span>
		</div>