:.[A]ll My Friends are Heathens.:{Flighty}

[[C]ontortionist]

LOUIE TOULOUSE SICARIO

Things had been getting progressively worse, and Louie's state of mind was declining swiftly. Seraphina and Koya had refused to let him leave the house for nearly a month, and during that time he'd only fed once. Madness and paranoia gripped at the very core of him, even more so than usual, making it difficult for Tyler to protect him. Once he began to sneak Koya's private reserves of divine liquor, he was forced to serve Sisa and Rococo for each and every little whim. To make matters worse, a greasy son'of'a'bitch named Paracelsus had been making deliveries to their home instead of sending Tyler out. It was a rare agreement, as both of his Mothers were very picky with whom they allowed to pick their food, but Louie's debilitating state of mind left everyone feeling distrustful. In a last ditch effort to trim the suspicion away, and save any chance of the brothers ever getting to leave, Tyler beat the living hell out of Louie when he spat upon Inkasisa one evening. It had been planned, but it was still brutal. Neither of them held back, but Tyler had always been physically stronger than him, tougher, and in the end Louie was forced to submit.

Yes, all of it had been a rouse, but the aftershock of isolation and exclusion from his brother was very real. With his entire family fed up and on the verge of killing him, Louie was locked away with the food in their dungeon. He began wasting away, not physically, but mentally. It was torturous being there. Fear, panic, even anger filled up the dank expanse like a flood, tempting Louie constantly, and lathering him up into a frenzied state of mind. Even if he tried to take a sip, his mothers would sense it and send Tyler to beat him until he wasn't standing. Louie had tried it once, but it nearly broke Tyler's resolve, and so he refrained. After a few more days Koya and Seraphina came to offer him a bargain, if he cried and begged while licking fear from their feet, maybe they'd allot him some time upstairs. Of course he refused, and so his pride held him there for days, even when Tyler begged him to give them what they wanted; saying he could bargain some time on the outside with Inkasisa's sway. Still, he denied them.

After what he thought was three weeks, the anger began to boil over, and he sought to annoy them all. The sounds of maniacal laughter and enraged screaming echoed up the stone staircase, rattling the halls and haunting his family; or rather Tyler, to the rest of them it sounded like music. That was until he began singing a repetitive rhyme with the most annoying tune, after five hours he customized the song to include his family, it was descriptive to say the least, and involved the shoving of things up asses. Eventually Tyler was forced to go down and beat him again until he shut up, but Louie refused this time, and so Tyler gave him a few gulps of stolen alcohol from a flask in his pocket, and stuck a piece of duct tape over his mouth. As quick as he could, he let him know that they were attending another party that night, and he planned on ditching them when they got good and drunk. He'd return for him later, and they could make their escape to Reapmore Castle.

---

In truth, Louie didn’t ever think he was going to get to leave. But he couldn’t deny that he hadn’t thought of the Darklings Tyler spoke about, hadn’t fantasized about giving them exactly what they wanted, or even imagined eating them himself. What did it look like? How would those sickening bitches taste? Would they beg and plead like the putrid useless fucks they were? But most importantly, what the hell would they do after everything? All these questions and fantasies had been the only thing to keep him going. Louie played them over and over in his thoughts like a movie on an endless loop, recoiling into the dark recesses of his mind to protect what little of himself he had left. The rest of him was mostly incoherent, soaked in a madness that had penetrated him down to his core, threatening to rot him from the inside out.

The sadness he'd pushed down to his toes began to crawl back up his legs. Never in his existence had he felt so hollow, so empty and useless, so fucking crazy. Louie was locked away in the darkest corner of the dungeon, farthest from the humans, and shoved in the tiniest cell in the entire prison. It was the size of a broom closet, with no windows, no light, and nothing to sit on. It didn't matter though; they'd chained him to the wall by his wrists and ankles, the black metal was enchanted to withstand what little strength he had left, and he was only able to lean forward a few inches.
"They say that crazy people don't know they're crazy...Is that true? Or is that only humans? Am I talking out loud?"

"You're talking to yourself....soooo."

He couldn't see anyone, but Louie recognized the voice immediately, it was Para. His expression twisted painfully as he thought about how long it had been since he'd seen her. Almost frantically his eyes combed the darkness; the voice came from within the room, yet no other sounds reached his ears. She couldn't actually be here...could she?

"I'm here Louie."

A string of oddly pitched laughter crawled from his lips, the chains rattling loudly as he tried to step forward. The movement only warranted an inch as usual until they jerked against his arms and legs, reminding him exactly where he was. She couldn't be here, it had to be something he was imagining.

"Are you okay? You look like you got hit by a bus."

Her vocals were as clear as crystal, and there was even a small echo after the lyrics ended.

"I'm just abso-fucking-lutely dandy-hehehe-" the words gave way to his odd laughter, it spilled from his lips in droves, lasting a few minutes until his amusement ceased.

"You know you're losing it, right?"

"Losing what?!" The implication was followed by a serious expression, it melted into worry as he searched his thoughts for something he'd had, but perhaps hadn't noticed it's absence. Para's laughter reverberated against the walls almost cruelly, but he laughed along with her, the sounds coming deep from within his belly.

"You're a fucking loon my friend. I'll be back to fit you for your straight-jacket."

"NO-PARA-PLEASE! DON'T LEAVE ME HERE!" Silence. For the first time Louie would have even been moderately pleased to see anyone, even one of his sisters. The sadness he'd locked away broke free, the wave overcoming his body and causing the most haunting wail to leave his lips. It was a gut-wrenching sound, filled with loneliness and self loathing. "I DON'T WANT TO BE ALONE ANYMORE!!!" The volume of his vocals died out as he began to sob uncontrollably, ash tears spilling from his eyes as he jerked like a wild animal against his chains.

Louie didn't even sense his brother's arrival. As he stepped into the dimension, a look of concern wrapped his features tightly; he'd never witnessed his brother in a state like this, not even when their father beat them. Only when Tyler's strong arms wrapped around his brother did he begin to settle, his energy over-powered the enchanted chains, jerking them out of their own personal hell and out into the cosmic aether. Louie felt the weight of the isolation leave him as they got further and further away from their families home, but his arms were locked tight around Tyler, refusing to release him. A hand rested on the back of his head as Louie laid his head on his shoulder, looking out to the right to watch the dimensions fly by. For now Louie remained silent, feeding from sparse emotions in the aether around them as they flitted through the atmosphere. Although he desperately needed to feed more, it was important that they made it to Reapmore before Koya or Seraphina sensed that their enchantment had been broken.

Reluctantly, Louie let go of Tyler when they dropped into the new dimension. The castle loomed over them, standing tall with pointed peaks that threatened to stab the sky. Demonic looking dragons held large iron knockers between their teeth, daring any individual to reach out and grasp one. Granted, Louie's thoughts were consumed with the desire to feed, he watched his brother reach out for the ring exuberantly, anticipation evident in his light brown eyes. But, before he could raise it to knock, the door opened slowly. A dark energy could be felt immediately; like a riptide it took hold of Louie forcefully, causing his aether to vibrate along the underside of his scarred flesh. The man was undeniably handsome, with light blue eyes that were filled with mischief and a chaotic fever that could not be matched. This had to be Jericho "You must be Louie and Tyler, we've been waiting for you." The smile that rose on his full lips was delectably wicked, but Louie's very essence screamed for satiation.

He didn't have time to react. At first he thought that Jericho was going to devour him whole, but instead that hollow feeling was torn away, and a dark aether began to fill him. The cannibal had strode forward and simply rested his hand on his right shoulder, but the connection allowed him to pour massive amounts of chaos and fear into him like a roaring waterfall. Instantly relieved, Louie dropped to his knees and titled his head back from the sensation, allowing the energy to surge to and through his core. It felt as if Jericho was a tap and the dark energy was endless, Louie gorged himself, feeling his normality returning, or as much as it could. Only when Jericho removed his hand did Louie open back up his eyes, the gold flecks in his irises glowing with satisfaction. "You must be Jericho." Louie's lyrics sounded breathless, his expression in complete awe as he looked up at him with genuine gratitude.

>Flighty<

created by Lilith of Adoxography

JERICHO SAVIAN SAVAGE

[smear:550000]
Jericho's expression was as smooth as glass, his lips upturned in a blissful smile, and his light blue eyes glassed over in a lustful haze. His arms gently moved from underneath Ash's and Damask's heads, stretching and reaching upwards towards the steel headboard that framed their massive bed. Twelve individuals could lay comfortably in their own space it was so large, but the three powerful Darklings were curled up together. His fingertips thrummed the cold metal energetically, but he jerked his arms back down when Damask suddenly jumped in the middle of his chest and bit down onto his left nipple. A sarcastic scream fit for a bad horror movie flew from his lips, catching Ash's attention and casting him into action. Jericho's mock screaming turned into almost giggling laughter when Ash began to nip him in various places, his rugged cheeks brushing his skin in the most pleasurable way, while Damask's lips would place small kisses after each bite. His hands reached for them when they attacked, but the small nips and tantalizing bites where alternated between them, one would strike while the other eluded him. They played like this until they became hungry and moved to Jericho's favorite room, the massive library with the island bar in the center. That daemonfae, Paracelsus, had brought a special case of drinks; Jericho thought it was rather marvelous. Each glass decanter held a different essence of emotions, although it looked like liquid, once it was poured it turned into a heavy smokey substance that could be sucked in. The largest was special though, something he'd created for only Ash and Damask, it was his own essence; and just like his true form, the liquid bubbled feverishly, breaking apart into an ashen smog when taken in.
The trio lounged comfortably, each doing their own thing, but simply enjoying one another's company. Jericho had been doing a sketch of Damask and Ash, but once the sun began to set he served them a glass of his aether while choosing a glass of human chaos for himself. It tingled his aether as it went down, reviving him instantly and sending a prickling sensation across his tongue. Just as Cathal spoke from where he stood in the corner of the room, Jericho felt other Darklings step onto their plane; right at their door in fact.
"There are others here." Jericho's eyes closed as he cast his body through the castle, planting his form directly at the front door. It could have been anyone in truth, but Jericho's gut knew it was the Darkling brothers Damask had told him so much about. Granted it had been some time since the offer had been delivered, the three waited patiently none the less. Eagerly he opened the large iron clad door before the stranger could knock, the depths of his oculars brightening when he looked upon the duo. "You must be Louie and Tyler, we've been waiting for you." The brothers were strong beings, but he could still sense their hunger, their absolute dissatisfaction. They'd been held back and pushed down, denied their freedom, starved beyond belief. Jericho knew they were to discuss things, but it would be much easier for them to witness how he could help them. In an instant the cannibal stepped forward to Louie, reaching out his right hand to rest it on his shoulder. At first he could sense the wall of fear, but it crumbled away as Jericho poured himself into Louie, just like he'd done for Damask and Ash so many times. It pleased Jericho when Louie pulled his essence in just as fast as Jericho could give it, melding it into himself and allowing the cannibal to experience his relief alongside him.

Jericho knew he could drink down more and more, but he was eager to show Tyler as well, and so he removed his hand from Louie's shoulder. "You must be Jericho." Dark shadows were cast across his visage when he grinned, his teeth flashing for just a moment as he reached out his hand to help Louie rise from the ground. Already his energy felt exponentially stronger, his eyes glowing a soft gold hue, matching the beauty in his genuine smile. Next, Jericho turned to Tyler, reaching out his hand until he grasped it. Blue hues dove into his captivating eyes, pouring his aether through the connection slowly until Tyler allowed Jericho's energy to co-mingle with his own. He was just as ravenous as his brother it seemed, and even more of Jericho's essence was shared generously.

Tyler was the first to break the connection, letting go of Jericho's hand and causing his eyes to re-open. It felt impossible to break the smile that had captured his full lips, he was floored by their presence, and at the thought of feasting on hybrid god darklings, he was more than eager to get things going. "Please come in." A darkness encompassed them all as Jericho summoned their energy to follow him back to the library, their forms taking shape quickly as if they'd been there the entire time. Without hesitating Jericho moved to the bar in the center of the room, pouring them a drink and gesturing for everyone to come and sit. Jericho practically hopped into his seat gleefully, his lips drinking down the rest of the chaos he'd poured himself earlier. "Welcome to Reapmore." [/smear:f41000]

created by Lilith of Adoxography

[>Flighty<]

”But innocence is gone, and what was right is wrong”

Pain dug at every thought like serrated blades into flesh. If he’d had a heart it would have been breaking wide open; instead the aether at his core was dismally still and hauntingly cold. Nothing moved inside of him save for haunted thoughts of steel gray and rigid marble weighing his aetherial shadow soul down more with every moment. His hands still ached with phantom pain and nothing could turn his mind from the memories of every agonized sound that had spilled from Louie’s throat.

Having planned it out with Louie before hand made no real difference in his mind. The fight had been real in so many ways. Louie couldn’t even stand when it was over. He’d been weak enough from lack of food to begin with, and tormented by their sister’s for days before so that his emotions were frayed more than usual. Tyler had tried to find another way, but in the end he’d given in to Louie’s idea. They’d both known they couldn’t hold back though, the family would know if they did. They’d fought before, brutally even, but nothing compared to this. By the time that Louie had stopped trying to get up and fight, his artificial skin had been seeping shadow smoke from nearly a thousand wounds. He had looked sort of thin and grey, as if he was barely holding himself together; the torn flesh seemed the only thing that kept his shadow soul from being entirely extinguished.

Tyler had his own wounds from the fight of course, wounds that Inkasisa had “lovingly” tended for hours afterward. Despite his emotional and spiritual pain, the bitch still managed to chase away the physical agony and get his body to react to her in ways he hated, and add yet another level of emotional pain to his internal wounds. It was the only thing she was good at; torturing his soul into an even darker state than it already was by using his own body against him, and she was very, very good at it. Not a single part of him had wanted her in any way, yet she managed to elicit moans of pleasure from him, and she knew how much it hurt him, so she continued to find new and inventive ways of using him.

Days had passed quietly after that night, and Inkasisa’s constant affections had weighed heavily upon Tyler. The entire incident had been spurred on the basis of his false affections for her. Louie had insulted her gravely and Tyler had attacked with more savagery than he’d ever before expended. It had inspired a new desire in Inkasisa and assured her that his loyalties had shifted more soundly to her. Inka had enough sway with their mother’s that it was the only way the brother’s could think of to keep themselves alive. Louie’s madness had been threatening to expose all of their treachery for some time before. In his moment’s of clarity he’d managed to concoct this emotionally devastating plan.

When Louie’s madness and hunger yet again drove him to insane actions, Koya had sent Tyler down into Louie’s basement prison. Tyler was forced yet again to beat Louie into false submission. Louie was so weak by that point that his fear and desperation had been intensely real. Tyler’s own hunger had burned more savagely than he had ever before experienced. With his own madness surfacing he’d licked the coiling shadow smoke of his brother from his soiled hands. The moment the taste of his brother’s life blood filled him he’d nearly broken. It terrified him beyond words how much he enjoyed that taste. Tears of shadow smoke filled his eyes and a rabid self loathing consumed him. He knew that Louie saw it, Tyler was nearer to breaking in that moment than his abused brother. Tyler left then; leaving Louie lying in a fog of his own shadow blood and more than a small part of him hungering to devour that fog.

Tyler had thrown himself more into the horror of Inkasisa’s bed and the awful escape she provided. It was the only thing that kept him from doing something worse than she could ever do. After a while he managed to satiate his hungers enough with gifts from Inka that whatever it was that had nearly overtaken him that night with Louie was suppressed. Every moment was one of torment still, as he worried for Louie and sought a way to set them both free and get to Damask and her promise of help. He worried that the longer he spent without Louie and in Inka’s bed, the less there would be anything left of him that was worthy of what Damask had to offer.

It wasn’t until Inka had deprived him of her touch for nearly an entire week and kept herself completely away from him for days that he realized how much he’d began looking forward to the distraction she provided each night. It was the only thing that could torment him enough to keep his mind from wandering to the fathomless hopelessness of his brother’s situation. He did not precisely want her, but it was similar enough to desire to make him hate himself anew.

It was not until he heard about a disgustingly extravagant party they planned to attend that he realized what Inkasisa was doing. She was starving him of her presence so that when they attended the party and he was allowed to look upon her again he wouldn’t be able to peal his eyes away from her. He was furious; more with himself than anything.

That was when Louie seemed to fall off the deep end entirely. The laughter that emanated from him and echoed up the stone stairway and into the rest of the house sent Tyler’s mood into a downward spiral. While the rest of their disgusting family seemed pleased beyond rationality. It was as if all along all they had ever wanted was to completely destroy what little sanity he had. When his laughter turned into singing Tyler knew things were going to get worse.

Tyler rather easily managed to turn his worry into anger in front of the others, and when his name joined the rest of theirs he was forced to act. Without Koya even asking it of him, Tyler went down into the basement; fury etched into his face as he passed Serraphina on the way while his soul lamented. Louie was taking it too far. Tyler’s sanity teetered on the same edge that Louie had already plummeted from. By the time he reached his shattering brother, a part of him wanted to destroy them both. He let loose all his fury and uncertainty and worry into one powerful strike to Louie’s jaw. As that demented hunger inside of him surfaced again he was suddenly forced back from the ledge just an inch.

As Louie struggled to rise from the blow Tyler quickly worked to silence him. He slipped Louie the last drink he had from one of Inkasisa’s brews and taped his mouth shut. If Louie had been just a little bit more stable he would have easily been able to slip the tape off of himself; as it were he couldn’t even take his shadow form without fading away into foggy death. Desperate to bring Louie back toward some semblance of sanity he explained his plan, hoping that no one was listening or looking in on them. It was truly just shear luck that no one caught the exchange.

Tyler left Louie again, not sure that he was going to be able to pull off what he had promised his brother.


It felt like an eternity later that he was watching Inkasisa fawning in her drunken stupor over some elven boy. The rest of the family was long lost in lust, drugs or drink, but Inka had been so busy toying with Tyler’s mind that it had taken her longer. When she was finally distracted he made his move. He turned away from her and gathered shadows about himself quickly and within two strides he was standing in the darkness of Louie’s prison. The sight before him nearly broke him.

Louie was bent forward; all his weight almost lifelessly pulling at his restraints as broken sobs poured from his lips and liquid ash dripped from his eyes. The stillness within Tyler’s soul was suddenly more like hardened marble. He felt himself cracking; threatening to shatter into a thousand pieces. His jaw tightened suddenly and his blue eyes filled with resolve. Louie needed him now, more than ever. He stepped forward and wrapped his arms around Louie. He hadn’t touched him in anything but violence in so long that it made him shiver with uncertainty. It felt strange; almost wrong and he felt the fractures deepening in him. He wasn’t sure he was ever going to be alright again. The scars their father had left could not compare to the scars he’d inflicted upon Louie’’s and his own memories.

The way Louie’s arms wrapped around him shook him to his core; setting off another string of micro fractures in the fragile stillness within him. Tyler pulled Louie tighter against himself; wishing that their were words to repair what he’d done. Fury filled him anew and he suddenly ripped through the shadow spells Koya and Serraphina had tangled around Louie. He coiled his very soul around his weak brother and pulled them toward the location that Damask had shown him. He felt Louie grasping at the flittering emotions in the dimensions they slid through, but he knew that Louie would need more, and very soon. He had to get Louie to Reapmore or they would both be dead anyway.

When finally his dark eyes rested on the looming, shadowy castle a small part of him relaxed. Louie released him then and Tyler was unable to bring himself to look him in the eye. He stood and stepped toward the massive door when suddenly a vast presence of utter darkness and nearly endless power pressed against his senses. It made him hunger like nothing he’d ever before experienced. There was chaos and savagery and violence in that presence and it called to every dark and horrid thing inside of Tyler. The door swung open then and Tyler shivered as his eyes traced the countenance of the man before him. There was an unbridled ferocity in his pale blue eyes that matched the feel of his presence and it filled Tyler with a dark wonder. He could also sense Damask inside the ancient Darkling’s flesh; as if he held a part of her within himself. The sensation fascinated Tyler enough to distract him from his ever crumbling sanity.

“You must be Louie and Tyler, we’ve been waiting for you.” he said with a smile; his voice alone was like some dark song of beautiful carnage. Tyler’s lips twitched into a smirk at the wicked grin that laced the man’s lips. When Jericho’s eyes turned to Louie Tyler saw an emotion he couldn’t put a name to and then suddenly Jericho moved toward Louie. Before either of them could react everything about Louie’s presence changed. The thin, grey veil of his stitched together flesh suddenly solidified. His eyes cleared of the fog of hunger; turning from ruddy brown to glistening amber. Tyler could feel Louie strengthening with every second that passed. He looked back and forth between his brother and the ancient and as he studied them both he saw faint tendrils of shadow swirled around Jericho’s arm and plummeting down into Louie. Tyler had never seen such a thing before, but it made the hunger inside of him burn with a ferocity that he could barely contain. His fists clenched at his sides and he took a deep breath as he was reminded of the taste of his own brother’s essence. He closed his eyes; struggling with self loathing and hunger.

“You must be Jericho.” Louie said then and the strength in his voice made the solidified shadows within Tyler tremble and crack further; clouds of ashen smoke coiling up from the debris. Tyler’s eyes opened and he didn’t even care to hide the ashen tears that welled within as he looked at Louie and met his eyes. “I’m sorry, brother.” his thoughts trembled into Louie’s silently, unable to say any more than that.

Jericho moved toward him then and Tyler shivered as he looked up at the pale blue eyes of the ancient Darkling. Jericho offered his hand then; clearly an invitation to experience what Louie just had. The hunger inside of him beat at the crumbling shadows inside of him and restored the last of him to smoke and aether once more. He took the cannibal’s hand as his deep blue eyes locked onto the ferocious, pale blue eyes of Jericho.

As Jericho’s essence poured into him Tyler’s entire being screamed for more; pulling at the willingly given meal. He tasted entirely different than Louie; the depth of the dark taste was beyond description. Despite the fact that he was a demigod as much as he was a Darkling, Jericho felt far more powerful than either of them. Tyler could remember a time, long long ago when he’d known a similar strength, but it had been centuries since he had held it. Inkasisa, Rococo, Sisa, Taruca and Quespi all had a vast power, but they squandered it on lust and laziness while Jericho had honed every drop of power he’d ever tasted and become nearly as powerful as Vichama himself.

The thought made him tremble and he pulled his hand from Jericho’s. The ancient Darkling’s power could easily destroy them both in their current state, even after having fed directly from him. Tyler’s senses returned to him and he realized there was still need to be wary of this creature. But when he saw the cannibal’s smoldering smile he couldn’t help but to grin in return.

“Please come in.” Jericho’s delicious voice filled the air around him just as shadow’s did and suddenly they were standing within the dark castle. The shadowy stone around them was adorned subtly with crimson swaths of velvet over the doorways and plush furniture to match. There was an understated lavishness about the place. Nothing like his family’s home that was outlandishly and headache inducingly decorated to display their wealth to anyone who saw it.

Jericho moved to a bar in the center of the chamber and poured them all a drink. Tyler knew that he should keep his head clear after his recent brush with madness, but he didn’t have the fortitude to resist. He strode toward the offered drink and took it in his hand. He downed it quickly and took a deep breath. He watched as Jericho nearly bounced into his seat and finished his own drink. “Welcome to Reapmore.” he said in a truly welcoming tone. It made Tyler relax just a bit more. He turned from the bar and leaned his back against it, rather than take a seat.

That was when he saw Damask. She was sitting on a deep red sofa; that brought out the crimson of her eyes even more than usual. As before she was dressed all in black; although this time everything was skin tight and the spaghetti strap top had a deep v-neck that was closed off with deep purple lacing. Her expression was careful, but there was something warm in her eyes; something that made him feel safe. He smiled at her as he studied her. The last time he’d seen her she’d had every inch of her skin covered that she possibly could; extremely conservative. Thinking back on the encounter he realized exactly why. She’d intentionally dressed completely differently than the women in his family who showed a nearly indecent amount skin at every occasion. Even now though, there was a softness to her beauty, a decency and innocence in her face that made her nothing like his sister’s at all. She was beautiful, but she didn’t flaunt it; she simply wore it with grace and confidence.

After a moment she smiled back at him and looked down; her fingers coiling through the hair of another Darkling whose head was cradled in her lap. Tyler hadn’t noticed him until then, though he was surprised he hadn’t. The man turned to look at him when he felt Tyler’s gaze upon him. He was dressed in black slacks and a white button down shirt. The buttons were open midway down and the sleeves unbuttoned and messily rolled up to his elbows. There was a gentleness in his face and a shimmering vulnerability in his blue eyes that clashed with the intensity of the power Tyler could feel just beneath his skin. He was beautiful, in a strangely fragile way.

“My name is Ash.” he said with a smile. Tyler’s eyes widened. [smear:#707070]"The Ash?”[/smear:#002b73] He asked with clear exhileration. Ash chuckled and nodded. “Indeed.” Tyler shook his head and laughed. [smear:#707070]"Fucking legends,”[/smear:#002b73] he said quietly. [smear:#707070]"Christ!”[/smear:#002b73] He looked down and shook his head once more. [smear:#707070]"How in the hell do Louie and I fit in to this?”[/smear:#002b73] he said with a wave toward the three powerful Darklings.

Damask smiled and touched Ash’s shoulder. Tyler watched, waiting for an answer as Ash sat up and Damask rose and moved toward him. Tyler might have flinched at her approach had she been any other female Darkling. He couldn’t deny that he feared females after his centuries of torture at his family’s hands. Damask was different though, he couldn’t fear her, there was something so vastly warm in her bright eyes that he felt safe. “Loyalty, Tyler.” she said as she reached out and took his hand, but still kept a careful distance between their bodies. She knew how he felt about females and was being careful of that. “I saw the way you watched over Louie, the first time we met all those years ago.” she said as she squeezed his hand. “Loyalty like that belongs in this family, in this family we are going to create.”

Tyler pulled his hand away from her and looked over at Louie as the pain returned to him. It felt like razors cutting at his soul. He shook his head and looked down. [smear:#707070]"Maybe once, but I can’t be trusted anymore.”[/smear:#002b73] He chuckled, a hard edged, dark and haunting mockery of a laugh. [smear:#707070]"It took them centuries, but they finally broke me. God,”[/smear:#002b73] he laughed the word. [smear:#707070]"They did it so cruelly, so insidiously. I wasn’t even aware of it until Louie was lying at my feet with his shadow smoke bleeding out and I found myself wanting to consume him to satisfy myself.”[/smear:#002b73] The self hatred that poured from the words was sheer toxic blackness that splashed at his feet and then crawled back inside of him; refusing to let him free of it’s hold. He didn’t care what happened to him anymore, but he had to protect Louie. He didn’t trust himself anymore, but he was somehow sure that Damask could be trusted. [smear:#707070]"Louie’s loyalty has never wavered, never questioned me even when it should. I don’t deserve what you have to offer.”[/smear:#002b73] He went on. He looked back up at Damask then. [smear:#707070]"If you promise to protect Louie and kill my sister's I will help. But when it’s over….”[/smear:#002b73] He shook his head. [smear:#707070]"I should’t be a part of this.”[/smear:#002b73] he said gesturing to the group. Louie deserved a family this powerful, and this close though. He deserved to be protected by them and he could see the capacity for love in Damask. He remembered the way Abyss used to talk about her and he knew that she was exactly the type of caring creature that Louie deserved to have watching over him.

[[C]ontortionist]

LOUIE TOULOUSE SICARIO

Most of Louie's strength had been restored with Jericho's aether, but he could feel just how foreign it was, his own energy washed up against it like the ocean on sand. After a time it would solder to his true self, but for now it was providing a much wanted relief. That aching loneliness he'd felt was gone, but now, as he sat at the bar motionless with his eyes transfixed on nothing in particular; the weight of everything that had happened, and was to happened, crashed down hard. Strangely, all he could do was laugh at the sensation, it was inaudible, but he imagined the sound haunting the confines of his aether.

He knew he was going to shrivel away into nothing down in that dungeon, to become a shadow, perhaps even his brother's shadow if his sister's demanded it. Their rouse had become frighteningly real, and now it left the brother's in a state of uncertainty, and although Louie tried to force it away, the disillusion for him was starting to grow. His apology from earlier repeated in his thoughts, like a recording on an endless loop. The thin string of normalcy he'd gained threatened to break with the release of his ferocity; but it was currently numbed with the presence of Jericho's energy. Even still, once the weight of his vengeance returned, the thread would likely snap, he was sure of this. Things had happened between them, and although those things could never be taken back, they could be used. How? He had no fucking clue, and he wasn't eager to explore it at the moment. The thought was tossed away, and instead he focused on the first bar he'd seen in what felt like eternity. More liquor would certainly help though... A small chortle flitted through his scarred lips, gold eyes casting an expression greedily along the multitudes of bottles and massive decanters. All of them were unlabeled, and he couldn't help but fantasize about how each one would make him feel, anything to get away from the anger. Louie's gaze cut to the side, glancing at Jericho as gulped down his drink, and reminding him that he still had one himself. But when he glanced down almost exuberantly, the crystal glass was empty, and only a small drop of whirling chaos was left at the bottom. His muscles flexed and his nose flared, immediately thinking someone had stolen said liquid, but thankfully his sanity fell into the picture. He'd already gulped it down, he could still taste the flavors on his pallet. Oddly, he didn't remember drinking it. Ah well, he'd experienced weirder things.

Once more his molten gold eyes rested on Jericho on the sly, watching as he poured a second drink. But when he heard another male voice, his crouched figure straightened slightly and he turned in his stool to look upon a pair of rather statuesque darklings. Power radiated from them, almost overwhelming Louie and making him physically cringe when they made a small amount of eye contact. "My name is Ash." Well no wonder he'd felt like that, he concluded as he turned back around and rested his elbows on the bar. He didn't care if it seemed rude, they'd have to deal. "The Ash? Tyler sounded just as surprised as Louie felt. His eyes widened slightly and cut to the side, but the trio remained out of sight, and only Jericho and his brother were visible. Obviously he could withstand the weight of their gazes, he'd always been stronger... "Indeed. His vocals sent a ripple of uncomfortability up his spine."Fucking legends. Christ!” Of course he'd revel in their presence while he felt utterly unnerved, his madness on the verge of being uncorked.

Louie had been staring at Jericho's drink as his thoughts rambled on, half tempted to reach out and snatch it. But when the legendary cannibal's eyes flicked over, he glanced back down at the counter top. Seconds later the sound of glass sliding against the counter top drew his attention; Jericho had delicately sent a large decanter of glowing green liquid his way, making sure to not look at him this time, but offering up a soft smirk when Louie's expression melted into something similar to gratitude. "How in the hell do Louie and I fit in to this?” It was difficult to hide the waver in his reaching hand, anticipation threatened to consume him, but ultimately an explosion of satisfaction and pure enjoyment radiated from Louie's core as he tipped back the large decanter, and gulped down a few mouthfuls of the liquid. It was a variation of the human's absinthe, but unimaginably stronger; it affected him instantly, casting him into a state with which he was most familiar with. “Loyalty, Tyler.” Louie would periodically stop his chugging to listen, but he refused to set the bottle down, and he still couldn't find the strength to face them. “I saw the way you watched over Louie, the first time we met all those years ago. Loyalty like that belongs in this family, in this family we are going to create.” Damask. He remembered her name them, thinking back on what Tyler had shared with him. She didn't remind Louie of his wretched family in the least, but with the history, it was going to be a long time before he could trust female darklings again.

"Maybe once, but I can’t be trusted anymore." The sound of his laughter was tortured, it bled into his next statement, revealing how he felt even more so than his words. Louie was tempted to pour him another drink, but his greed kept the decanter trapped in his grasp. "It took them centuries, but they finally broke me. God. They did it so cruelly, so insidiously. I wasn’t even aware of it until Louie was lying at my feet with his shadow smoke bleeding out and I found myself wanting to consume him to satisfy myself.” Louie gulped down more and more as he listened to his brother, trying his best not to think back on the memory, fighting the urge to leave the room entirely so he could work on forgetting. "If you promise to protect Louie and kill my sister's I will help. But when it’s over…" Louie glanced at his brother when he paused, already knowing what he was going to say. "I should’t be a part of this.”

In truth, it pained him slightly to even think of them splitting, evening after everything. But his emotions were so multifaceted at this point he couldn't remain on one feeling or thought for too long. Another long guzzle was taken out of the decanter, the sucking sound invading the silence that had taken over momentarily. The lovely whirl of intoxication took over, and he in turn took a free fall into the wondrous sensation. Laughter erupted from his scarred lips, and as he wiped his mouth and stood, finally feeling able, he turned and faced the legendary darklings. They were beautiful, but they still frightened him. Strangely though, the feeling caused him to laugh, and so he stood there for a long moment just laughing manically as if the funniest event had just occurred. Still gripping the decanter in his left hand, he bowed sloppily.

"I don't want a part in anything either. All I wanted was my freedom, and I have it." Just thinking about going back to that nightmare set him on edge. There was no way he could be of use to them, especially with him being in this state. Louie wanted to melt into his made up worlds, to just disappear until the deed was done. More laughter flooded the atmosphere, it was a strange pitch, and soaked with so much madness it only spurred his whirling emotions on and on. Casually, he turned to reach over the bar and grabbed three more decanters. Jericho didn't seem to care, and so he took a fourth, casting him a nod and the briefest of glances. As of now he was alright in his book, so to speak.
"You know where to find me." Blonde hair bounced as he turned around one last time, giving his last glance to Tyler. "Come get me when it's done, and only when its done." Focusing his mindscape materialization, the darkling dropped into his dive bar like a stone. As always he landed in his most favorite stool, and came face to face with himself. Each decanter was placed on the bar gingerly, and slowly he was surrounded by the other conjured figures, welcomed back to the confines of his mind by his own madness.
"The drinks are on me boys." They cheered and Louie grinned, all too happy to be surrounded by him, and him alone.

created by Lilith of Adoxography

JERICHO SAVIAN SAVAGE

[smear:550000]
With Jericho's charged energy flowing in each Darkling, he had a short-term, but deep connection with each of them. The sensation of embracing each of their thoughts and emotions all at once was astounding; he was simply a spectator, viewing it all calmly as if they were paintings on his walls. This ability was new, and although most Darklings were able to dip into one another's thoughts, his seclusion had left him lacking in this gift. But now, not only had it returned, but it was evolving into something much stronger. Especially with Ash and Damask at his sides, a connection like none other had been created. Lately though he was harboring concern over large hunts, as their presences were subject to being unveiled with each power educing feast.

An inaudible hum rattled the dark granules of his aether, the energy swirling suddenly as he was floored by the presences around him. Jericho poured himself another drink after downing the first, and watched as the boys tipped theirs back hastily. He didn't blame them in the least. If ever there was a time to drink, now was definitely it. Louie's eyes raked over Jericho's features, not necessarily sizing him up, but trying to silently grasp his attention. It seemed his psych was at war with itself, battling to scrounge up serious thoughts all while his addictions grappled the forefront of his consciousness, tempting him to leave their reality. Tyler was enchanted by the sight of Ash and Damask, his lovers already looked like gods, flawlessly perched on their red throne sofa. “My name is Ash.” Tyler's and Louie's essences rippled with surprise, while the cannibal king's pride stirred at the sound of his mate's tones. His Ash. The possessiveness reared its presence, but at the same time his humble nature remembered that he was Ash's as well. All of them equally belonged to one another.
"The Ash?
"Indeed."
"Fucking legends. Christ!”"

Louie wasn't fearful of him, Jericho could sense that much, but he was uncomfortable with eye contact and broke the connection when the cannibal lifted his gaze. Feeling Damask's nurturing nature seeping into his own actions, Jericho made a mental note to not to do so in the future. Louie wanted liquor, it's gripping need had been just as strong as his need for sustenance, and so he casually reached behind the bar for a large decanter, making sure to select his strongest of liquors, and slid it across the bar towards him.

At the gesture, he again felt Louie's eyes on him, but this time he purposefully didn't look back, but instead offered a soft smile before turning to look at Tyler, then Ash and Damask. "How in the hell do Louie and I fit in to this?” Of course his beautiful Hellcat took the floor, standing from the lounge when Ash righted himself and ascended directly behind her. Every move they made, Jericho watched with an unwavering gaze; humbled by their presence as he experienced genuine gratitude for them still being here, by his side. He felt so much for them it was unfathomable. “Loyalty, Tyler.” Damask and Ash were closer now, her smooth hand reaching for Tyler's. “I saw the way you watched over Louie, the first time we met all those years ago. Loyalty like that belongs in this family, in this family we are going to create.”

As Tyler removed his hand, the cannibal could feel Damask's duality of emotions. She wanted to comfort him, but withheld because of the situation. "Maybe once, but I can’t be trusted anymore.” There was no mistaking the self-hatred in Tyler's tones, it reminded Jericho of Ash. "It took them centuries, but they finally broke me. God-they did it so cruelly, so insidiously. I wasn’t even aware of it until Louie was lying at my feet with his shadow smoke bleeding out and I found myself wanting to consume him to satisfy myself. Louie’s loyalty has never wavered, never questioned me even when it should. I don’t deserve what you have to offer. If you promise to protect Louie and kill my sister's I will help. But when it’s over… I should’t be a part of this.” Jericho was disappointed, but only slightly; he had a feeling he could change their minds at some point, although now wasn't appropriate.

Jericho was about to speak, but he could feel Louie's thoughts whirling with the madness of his tortured soul. The beast waited patiently, his light eerie eyes peaking at the scarred darkling as he slid out of his stool and finally roused the courage to face them. He'd been slurping noisily, almost obnoxiously, but Jericho knew it was a fraction of what he was truly feeling. Laughter suddenly erupted, matching the devious expression he'd plastered purposefully, and it continued for a moment, drawing the majority focus until he finally tipped his body in a strange looking bow. He looked like a ringleader, his movements and expressions extremely animated, as if he were putting on a show for them. "I don't want a part in anything either. All I wanted was my freedom, and I have it." Jericho chuckled softly, truly enjoying the bluntness of his statement. He liked him, fear and all, he was still brutishly honest despite everything. It also seemed he did as he wanted... Louie stretched over their bar, raiding the bottles and of course picking out the most powerful in the group. Had it been anyone else he likely would have stopped them, those had cost him quite a lot, but like he'd thought earlier, if ever there was a time to drink... Louie was thankful enough. He tossed the cannibal a nod and a brief glance. "You know where to find me." But he was curious as to where exactly he was going. This time he didn't look away as he turned to face them all, his expression almost triumphant until he honed his gaze in on Tyler, the look turning serious. "Come get me when it's done, and only when its done." His brazen attitude made Jericho grin, the smile lop-sided and morphing into a smirk. Louie vanished, and although Jericho couldn't see his physical form, his energy still saturated the room as if he were still standing exactly where he was. Jericho tried to reach out with his energy, palpating the area and trying to steal a glance as to where he was, but he could not no matter how hard he tried to pinpoint the exact dimension.

"I was concerned your brother was going to expose himself leaving for another dimension, but it seems he's still here. What a gift." Light blue eyes rested on Tyler, his expressions soft. But there was no way to ease the intensity of his gaze. "We will of course will respect your wishes, and your brother's." Jericho poured himself a third drink, and then refilled Tyler's glass that rested on the bar behind him. "But know you will always have a home here if you need it. Friends, allies....Even family." The tones of his rumbling vocals were soft as he trailed off at the end of his sentence, as if becoming lost in his own thoughts. "Tell us about your home and family Tyler, and we will do the rest." The strength in his words returned, and as he downed the last of his drink he moved from his spot at the bar and went to lay across the crimson sofa, his eyes never leaving Tyler's face. He rested on his back, propping up his head by threading his hands together behind his dome.

[/smear:f41000]

created by Lilith of Adoxography

[>Flighty<]

”But innocence is gone, and what was right is wrong”

Tyler could almost feel Louie struggling to come to terms with everything just as he himself was. Tyler was settling on hatred to cope, as per usual Tyler was sure that Louie was going to embrace madness. He closed his eyes and struggled with his thoughts and emotions. His uncertainty made him on edge though and he had to open his eyes quickly. He trusted Damask but he still wasn’t completely sure of them. He was well aware of the way Louie kept his face away from them all. Louie never had been one for eye contact, not since Vichama had tortured them, and even less so after the centuries of torture by their mothers and sisters. They had been so traumatized by what their father had done to them that by the time they had recovered their family was far stronger than them.

As the centuries had stretched on Louie had slipped further into madness and Tyler had become more controlled and perfected the mask he wore. Even now the trauma seemed only to perfect Louie’s madness. Tyler on the other hand had perfected his mask far too much. He had become the monster his family wanted him to be. Louie should hate him at this point, and something about the feel Tyler got from him told him that Louie was near that point.

As Tyler had spoken Louie had chugged down a rather intoxicating smelling liquor. Tyler worried what it would do to his addict brother in his current state. The addictions were a shield for Louie as well as a bolster for his madness, but sometimes Tyler wished he would stop. He understood completely the alcohol and drug consumption though. Maybe Tyler was just jealous that he didn’t find the same emotional numbing in it that Louie could. Tyler had never been able to really feel better about their situation no matter how much he consumed.

Tyler hated himself, hated his mothers, hated his sisters, the only thing that mattered to him at all was Louie and he was terrified that he was too late to really save his brother. He’d done everything he could, but in the end, Inkasisa had broken him enough to nearly kill his own brother. He and Louie had planned it out in detail, but what Inka had done to him had made him want to torment his brother. Louie surely hadn’t been prepared for that.

The dark haired darkling’s hands gripped the edge of the bar tighter and he glanced over at Louie as he stood up and faced the group finally. Tyler worried what he would do, he always worried when Louie was drunk or emotional and right now he was both. Tyler was so used to having to keep his mask in place in these situations though. So used to looking at Louie with annoyance and faking anger, and hatred. Now though, all he could do was watch his brother with fear and pain blazing in his eyes as he Louie laughed like a maniac. Tyler could hear the maddened pain in the sound and he couldn’t stop the tears that welled in his eyes.

“I don’t want a part in anything either. All I wanted was my freedom, and I have it.” Louie said then and Tyler’s eyes flicked quickly over the group. Had this been his family there would have been fury and hatred and viciousness written on all of their faces. Instead he saw calm on Jericho, maybe that was his permanent state, even so it was a relief. Damask and Ash looked concerned and Tyler was certain Damask was fighting the urge to wrap Louie in her arms and promise him he would be safe and loved.

Before Louie moved he knew that his brother was planning retreat and Tyler wished that he could escape as thoroughly as well. Tyler watched in silence as Louie snagged several bottles from behind the bar and Jericho just watched. The simple gesture of charity on Jericho’s part made Tyler feel yet more grateful. How could a creature that was the monster of every darkling child’s nightmares be so much more generous and downright beautiful than his family?

“You know where to find me.” Louie said and glanced to Tyler who was about to come apart at the seams; his shadow soul fraying with emotion. “Come get me when it’s done and only when it’s done.” He said and then disappeared. Tyler was shocked, and downright shaken that Louie didn’t tell Tyler to stay away from him entirely. He didn’t deserve his brother’s love anymore but clearly he still had it, even if Louie hated him right now too. He deserved to be hated though.

Tyler stared at the empty place Louie had been and trembled violently. He couldn’t think, couldn’t even feel coherently for several seconds. Tyler saw Damask edge closer to him but she stopped when it made Tyler flinch involuntarily. He had looked into Damask’s mind at their first meeting, he knew that she meant him no harm at all, but he couldn’t forget centuries of torture by his siblings and mothers overnight. Jericho’s words made him look up then. “I was concerned your brother was going to expose himself leaving for another dimension, but it seems he’s still here. What a gift.” the cannibal commented.

[smear:#707070]“He’s crazy, but not dumb.”[/smear:#002b73] Tyler mumbled, the sound nearly crushed by his emotions.

“We, of course, will respect your wishes, and you brother’s.” Jericho went on. ”But know you will always have a home here if you need it. Friends, allies….Even family.” He said as he poured Tyler another drink. It didn’t make sense to Tyler. Jericho was willing to give them both their freedom and ask nothing in return. It was honestly terrifying benevolent and Tyler could feel the shadowy tears threatening to choke him. “Tell us about your home and family Tyler, and we will do the rest.” he offered as he went to lounge on the crimson sofa.

Tyler was so caught up in his emotions that it almost hurt to breathe, to move at all. Still, he lifted his glass to his lips and hesitated a moment as he stared down at the swirling liquid. He shivered and downed the liquid. It hit his aether with a sizzle and fire spread through him. He couldn’t stop the tears then, didn’t even try. He didn’t need the mask here, not with them. It was destroyed now anyway. Centuries it had taken him to perfect the facade and now it fell from his fingertips and shattered.

Suddenly there were arms around him and they were so gentle and yet fiercely protective that he just melted into her embrace. His face fell against her neck and he shook with his tears as Damask’s thin, but strong arms held him.

[>Flighty<]

”Gleaming visions of death; razor's touching my face; trails of hate and desire, liquid fire in my veins!" It was beyond difficult for her not to pull them both into her arms. She was certain that she would damage something profoundly if she forced her maternal concern upon Louie though, and Tyler just seemed so unsure, so lost that she feared she would throw him off the path toward her entirely if she did. It was breaking her, watching them struggle, but she assured herself that eventually she would heal them. The first step would be in destroying those vile creatures they called mothers and sisters. It was horrifying to her that their family could do what they had done to the boys. Damask couldn’t imagine ever having lifted a hand against either of her brothers for any reason. When they both turned down her offer to be a part of her family she wasn’t angry, not at all. All she wanted was for them to be safe, they deserved it. She would do whatever it took at this point, to protect them. She knew that meant killing their family. Even if Louie thought he was already free he was wrong. Damask knew that those disgusting bitches wouldn’t just let their favorite toys slip away so easily. They were creatures built to use and torture, and Louie and Tyler provided them with the perfect immortal victims. She couldn’t wait to sink her teeth into them, but first, she had to be sure that Tyler and Louie were going to be ok. She had already lost two brothers, she wasn’t about to lose them too. Tyler was her last connection to Abyss, and from what she’d seen in his mind when they had first met, he was perhaps the only person that knew Abyss as well as she had. When Louie disappeared into some other conjured plane her focus turned entirely to Tyler. She watched him nearly ripping himself apart and she wanted to hold him. She stepped toward him; her maternal instincts demanding that she hold him together. She saw him flinch though and she stopped immediately, her heart aching for him. Jericho’s words distracted him for a moment and she thought that he might pull himself back together. She was on edge, hoping that he could find some steady ground but ready to be that ground if he couldn’t. He looked down at the glass of liquor and saw the him lose himself for a moment in the swirling liquid before he downed it and set the glass on the bar. Shadowy tears spilled from his blue-black eyes then and she watched all of his defenses fall apart completely. She’d never seen someone so strong break right in front of her before. He reminded her of Ash. Her heart felt like it was breaking with him. She took a deep breath and moved toward him quickly. He looked like he was about to collapse. She wrapped her arms around him and instantly he fell into her embrace and held her tight. He cried softly against her and she just held him. She wanted nothing more than to take away the pain and bring him as much comfort as she was capable of giving. Suddenly she felt his defenses slip further still and though she wasn’t looking, suddenly she saw into his mind. He was letting her in, trying to show her the layout of the house and the tricks and skills of his family, but she saw far more than that. “You did nothing wrong, Ty.” she promised him, though she knew he wouldn’t believe her. “Louie is alive because of you.” She went on, not giving him the chance to deny her words. “If someone were working to destroy me for centuries, I wouldn’t have survived, Tyler. You did, and you kept Louie alive too. You’ve lost so much; your father, your mothers, your siblings. They should have loved you and they never did, and when you finally found Abyss someone took him from you, from us.” She went on, seeing that the connection he had had with her brother was far stronger than she had at first realized. She faltered at the thought of her brother though and Tyler's arms tightened around her.

[>Flighty<]

”I see into it’s eyes. Down into the stillness of a dying intellect. I feel it in the cracks of my soul. It makes me complete.“

Ash’s false flesh rippled as he watched Tyler fall into Damask’s embrace. He reminded Ash of himself. He knew exactly what it meant to be as lost and broken as Tyler was in that moment. He stepped toward them and placed one hand on Damask’s shoulder and the other on the back of Tyler’s neck.

“You’re hurting right now, but it won’t always be like this.” He promised the Darkling. “You need time to heal and we will give you that time. We will be sure they can never hurt you or Louie again.” He went on. “You belong in this family though Tyler, you’ve done nothing to make us doubt that. We are all violent dangerous monsters, make no mistake.” he went on. He took a deep breath and glanced back at Jericho.

“I once betrayed Jericho, I caused him to be imprisoned by the creator of us all. For millennia he was trapped because of me. I was terrified of myself and to protect my sanity I turned against him, though he was exactly what I knew could lead me to my true self, to who I wanted to be.” he told Tyler. He wasn’t fond of the story at all, and would have rather not thought of it again, but Tyler needed to hear this. With his shadowy soul writhing beneath his flesh he went on. “But the past doesn’t matter. What we did when we were denying our true nature doesn’t matter.”

“We exist in a perilous state; vicious, hungry, but also beautiful, protective. We are all connected. The fact that you’re here tells me that you see that on some level. You know this is where you belong.” Tyler looked up at him then and his hand slid to the younger Darkling’s cheek. “At any moment, any one of us could slip, but the rest of us are there to catch the other.” He added as he thought about the way they had saved him from devouring that amazing child. “Ours will be a family of monsters indeed Tyler, but a family more powerful than you can imagine; a real family. All you have to do is give in to who you truly are.”

Ash flicked Tyler’s tears away and the younger darkling closed his eyes and took a deep breath. He leaned away from Damask, shaking slightly, but he looked like he was pulling himself back together. Ash didn’t look away from him, though, he knew that Tyler had something to say. It took him a moment to collect himself, but when he looked back up at Ash, there was a fierceness in his eyes that made Ash smile.

[smear:#707070]“Inkasisa is mine.”[/smear:#002b73] Tyler said then. [smear:#707070]“I can’t let anyone else destroy her.”[/smear:#002b73] his tones were utterly vicious. [smear:#707070]“I have one other request though.”[/smear:#002b73] he added quietly. Ash nodded when he hesitated. [smear:#707070]“I want you to kill Serraphina slowly, while Koya watches.”[/smear:#002b73] the depravity of his tones was cold and intense.

Ash grinned and glanced back at Jericho. “I don’t think that will be a problem at all.” he assured Tyler. Ash had no intentions of consuming any of them. He wanted Damask and Jericho to feed on them. He wanted to see how much divinity they could take into themselves. He was half god already and he wanted his lovers to share in that power.

[[C]ontortionist]

JERICHO

---

Was it wrong of him to admire the crumbling darkling before him? Jericho remained where he had rested his lengthy body, light eyes studying the vast depths of sorrow and self hatred. There was a sound of crumbling granite in the aether that accompanied it, the bass of it tickled Jericho’s sensitive hearing, warranting a smirk he dare not let rise. Perhaps the planning of his sister’s demises wasn’t going to be possible this evening, and although all he could think about was the prospect of a new hunt, he stayed quiet as Damask quickly framed his trembling body. Her dainty form was careful against his, assuring him with kindness and whispering nothing but love into his soul. Jericho drew in a deep breath before he slowly sat up from his relaxed pose, his hands coming together as he laced his fingers slowly and propped his elbows on his knees. He always admired how Darkling energy presented itself, unlike any other creature he’d come across. Rampant emotions flowed around them, some criss crossing, running together like a current, while others collided in a brilliant array of sharp edged sparks. All the while he purposefully remained neutral to better view theirs, enjoying the unique traits in each of their energies and how it translated to the small nuances of their physical selves. Unable to deny his nature, Jericho couldn’t help but wonder if moments like this attributed to his ravenous desires. Where others would have trembled at the thought, the beast inside him stirred, imagining what Tyler would taste like, the shockwave of his anguish and sorrow was the most pungent in the room. With another deep breathe, the cannibal banished the thoughts, shifting his view like a filter and focusing on their words. The fireworks of energy in the air faded, the alluring tones of Ash’s words easily capturing Jericho’s complete attention. They both were embracing him, hands firm while their words were gentle. Ash was reassuring Tyler, painting the most beautiful picture of the family Jericho had dreamt about. His tone shifted as he moved to reveal their history, the sound of his voice easily portraying how heavily it weighed upon Ash. But Jericho only smiled softly, listening respectfully. He’d never harboured anger towards the handsome devil, but only time would change how Ash saw their past. To the cannibal, it had shaped him into a much deadlier creature, and he was thankful for that. Even still, all that mattered now was that they were here, together, and just hearing Ash describe the family Jericho dreamed about made all the darkness and violence they laid in their wake worth it. He suppressed a chuckle at the mention of their nightmarish tendencies, violent monsters indeed.
The room waited patiently as Tyler wove himself back together, his dark tears ceasing as he straightened himself and grappled Ash’s gaze with an intensity that made Jericho smirk. Despite the edges of his soul being frayed, it was still evident the fallen darkling wanted his slice of vengeance. “Inkasisa is mine. I can’t let anyone else destroy her.” At the mention of action and the taste of anger in the air, Jericho’s relaxed pose suddenly became rigid, eyes honing in on Tyler as he listened intently, knowing there was more to come. “I have one other request though.”, his thoughts whispered anything, and Ash’s nod mimicked his growing interest. “I want you to kill Seraphina slowly, while Koya watches.”
“I don’t think that will be a problem at all.”
Wicked ideas reared at the glorious request, the depth of their depravity revealing itself in the gleam of Jericho’s gaze. He smiled and nodded, melting his floored emotions into Ash and Damask, smearing bits and pieces of his thoughts and ideas into theirs before he even spoke.
”Although I am ready and willing to hold them between my teeth Tyler.” Jericho paused momentarily, his hands coming undone as he shifted his eyes between the trio equally. ”I purpose we wait a short time. Plan this through,and gather anyone else that would see the Sicario witches dead.” A bit of his ego grumbled, not wanting to face the fact that they could likely fail if they weren’t ready when the time came. ”Because once we do this, there will be no hiding from our kind, things will irrevocably change.” He was quiet a moment longer as he looked at them, admiring, thinking to himself how lucky he was. ”I want to make sure we are protected, able to withstand the backlash that will undoubtedly come.” His wistful expression became serious, eyes darkening despite their eerie light hue. ”I would devour this world before letting anything happen to any of you. I swear it.” Standing then, Jericho moved from the scarlet couch and over to where they'd gathered, enclosing the space with the lengths of his arms and resting his hands on Damask and Ash’s shoulders, his thumbs making small loving circles. ”I will deliver the pain they bestowed upon you both, tenfold, Tyler.” Jericho’s visage became soft again, his thoughts drifting elsewhere as he pulled away from his mates. ”But for now, you rest, and then we will plan. Wander and use the house as your own, we will meet again this time tomorrow.” Before he turned to leave, Jericho placed a soft kiss on both Damask and Ash’s lips, lingering momentarily. Shifting from the room, all he left behind was a veil of ashen smoke, and a tinge of his ravenous hunger.