( catch-all ) sailin' away on the crest of a wave

[sorser]

WHO: Stephen and various
WHAT: A catch-all for misc. things!
WHERE: In and around Castle Thorne, maybe the Horizon
WHEN: Throughout the month
WARNINGS: Will add as they come up!

(( closed starters and assorted things below! feel free to PM me if you wanted something specific with Stephen, or if you wanted to plot! ))

Comments

[sorser]

[He should like to think that he is strong of mind — if through stubbornness alone. But even Stephen will admit that his eyes remain fixed on her form, as though encouraged to stay there by the lull of her voice, the subtle sway of her movements. It is not so much seduction as it feels like he’s… off, off-balance, off-kilter, and a hand comes up briefly to his head, eyes closing.]

You’d like that, wouldn’t…

[Words trail off. Wouldn’t you? But they stick on his tongue, which suddenly feels more sluggish, or like words are as heavy as stones.

He is aware, at least, enough of what’s happening here. That this is an outside influence, hers, an attempt to achieve the same with him as she did with that guard moments ago.]

Stop.

[sakaya]

Ufufu. Don't tell me I took all the fight out of you now.

[As his words trail off, she's taken the opportunity to close the gap between them. Her voice and gaze are absolutely hypnotic at this range. Shuten can tell that Stephen hasn't completely fallen under her sway though. Weaker-minded men and beasts find themselves dumbfounded and unable to move when she fixes her focus on them.

So she pushes and pokes a little further, just a bit more, just to see if she can get this handsome face to tremble beneath her.]

You are entirely too serious, Doctor.

[Her voice is a whisper and dripping with honey. Her presence is like stepping into a pool only to realize you're swimming in a fog of sweetness and death.]

But I do like playing around with serious-minded and brave humans. They look the most lovely when they're distracted...

[One finger reaches out to stroke the base of his neck, tracing it until she caresses his chin.]

So just let your thoughts melt away already.

[sorser]

[It would be so easy to just give in to that warm feeling, that temptation of losing oneself into nothingness — no worry, no rigidity, only the dizzyingly anchoring presence of her gazing upon him. Her touch is electric despite her sudden nearness, and he drops his hand, looking at Shuten as though—

As though he is fighting it, jaw tense and the line of a frown deep across his expression. Strong-willed and impossibly stubborn.]

I said stop.

[A scarred hand reaches out, pressing against her sternum, and magic ebbs through his fingertips. Suddenly, a burst of magical force casts outward from his palm, enough to push her back, granting space with his other hand to flick a few gestures mid-air.

Her influence dispels. The cloying presence that had sought to subsume him lifts like a cloud, and Stephen inhales sharply as if allowed to breathe again, looking at her stark disapproval.]

I told you. You’ll have to try harder than that with me.

1/2

[sakaya]

[Now she didn't see that coming.

Shuten is immediately caught off guard by the burst of magic that pushes her back. She manages to not completely get thrown about, skidding backward on her feet. When the oni looks up, her eyes are alert and her brow is wrinkled in confusion as well as caution.

A moment passes as she shakes it off...]

[sakaya]

Oh.

[That's the first thing that comes out of her mouth. And then with a wide smile, she follows up with another longer one.]

Ooooooh! I see, I see! Of course! You wouldn't just be any foolish human trying to lecture an oni. So you do have more than just arrogance. How silly of me to think otherwise! I almost got knocked off my feet there. That's not the kind of magic I'm used to in terms of the feel of it, but it's got the spirit behind it.

[Shuten appears to be pleasantly surprised by the sorcerer's retaliation. There's a skip in her step as she moves forward, though at a respectable distance this time.]

I guess these silly magi in Thorne wouldn't summon just anyone. Doctor, you've done it now. There is definitely some entertainment to be had and you're proof that I've barely skimmed the surface.

[She sighs dreamily behind the sleeve of her robe.]

Ah... It's like taking a tiny sip, no, just a drop of what's to come.

[sorser]

[Indignity still flares in his chest. Shuten’s sudden change of heart regarding his, what—? His worth? His power? Well, it does very little to abate it.

His sarcasm’s just as present, though, as cutting as before.]

Oh, lucky me.

[But his mind works; he thinks of what it means to have the attention of someone troublesome, someone who’s been testing their powers against those unknowing in the castle. At least he would have the advantage of suspecting that kind of behavior from her; at least he has some means of defense against it.]

How about we strike up an agreement? If you’re so interested.

[sakaya]

An agreement?

[Her curiosity is piqued further now that this magus wants to bargain with her. Clapping her hands together, she leans forward, interested to hear more.]

I'm allll ears, Doctor. You've really made me optimistic so I have to thank you even just a little, somehow.

[sorser]

Hold onto your thanks until you hear it.

[Ah, the self-sacrificial nature of all those who'd bear the title of hero. Often, Stephen is not even immune.]

Next time you're wanting to test out the limit of your abilities, turn your attention away from a random guard in the castle. Come to me, instead. I've just proven I can handle you; that includes any wayward experimentations you suddenly get it into your head to play around with.

[sakaya]

Oh?

[The oni blinks in mild surprise at the sorcerer — he just keeps 'em coming. There's certainly no fault with his offer, none that she can immediately poke at anyway.]

How bold of you to offer yourself to me. Though... Hm.

[She is definitely mulling it over as taps her cheek and rests the elbow in the other hand.]

I was assuming you'd just exterminate me on the spot. Instead, you're being pragmatic even after I nearly made you go mad, drinking me in like that.

[She's trying to eke out his intentions, or something to that effect. It would only be natural that anyone with actual sense would single her out as a wildcard and a threatening one at that with no Master to anchor her down.]

[sorser]

I’m not in the business of killing indiscriminately.

[He is a doctor, after all. And though his Hippocratic oath has been… bent to the point of resembling a pretzel at this point, Stephen will always choose reasoning over violence. A peaceful solution to an outright violent one.

It’s often a matter if the other party is willing to do the same.]

So what do you say? Willing to accept my offer?

[sakaya]

So it's neither love nor hate... Mn.

[For a moment, she says nothing and angles herself so that she can examine Stephen. As a summon, Shuten would have never predicted it would take her to this place. There were so many humans and though it would be hard to hold a candle up to her Master's strength of character, the man before her was proving to be something else entirely.

And different isn't bad.]

Welllll... If you're gonna play with an oni, then my one concession...!

[And she holds up a finger, wagging it at him playfully.]

... Is that you share a drink with me. You're handsome enough to make any alcohol I have taste better and it seems we'll have a loooot to talk about. I won't even try to nibble on you if that makes you feel better.