Bittersweet Candy Bowl

Sunday looked away from Albert for a moment, before facing him square on. “Please Albert… Just trust that I know what I’m doing. We need Makar to defeat Reinhild. Caignwell needs him.” She looks down for a moment. “I… Need him…” She looks up again with renewed determination. “I know you’re concerned for me. But all I want from you is your vow as a swordsman… No… As a knight… That you will protect Delilah.”

Realising how mature and serious Sunday becomes he also remebers she is a Princess and knows he should act accordingly if she we’re to treat him as a Knight.
He bows down on one knee to her and hides his glare from her face
You have my word Princess.
I’ll keep her safe if she’s as important to her as she is to me.
He then decides now would be a better time then any to see how Delilah was doing and heads towards her, but not before saying one last thing to Sunday
Oh and I’ll remeber you calling me Knight m’lady.
It may be important when we get back home.

Delilah stands up when Albert approaches her, tugging down on her skirt self-consciously as the jester and mime stand nearby, the feline dancer’s cheeks flushed with a bit of embarrassment as she sort of half-faces away from the warrior, swaying a little on her feet.

Albert… They uhm… Well… they…

The cat turns and pushes her face against her mate’s chest, hiding from the “stares” of the pair, her tailtip flickering anxiously.

Sunday smiled warmly as Albert commented on the knight remark. “Though I haven’t time to do so now. By the time this journy is through, you will have your tiltle sir knight” She watched as the swordsman left to talk to his love, and Sunday saught out to make the final preperations for the ritual… “Lily… Makar will be fine. I have a cure, I just need some gingsen ash, and rocksalt to make it complete.”

Carter paused for a long time, trying to come up with something to say, but gave up and turned around.

“OOOOF!” Carter bumped into Amy’s invisible barrier and fell on his knapsack. He flailed his arms a bit before finally getting into a sitting position.

“What was that?” He asked her.

Lets see where to put Lily in this scene. I imagine she’s sitting down, legs crossed, almost in a meditative position within hearing distance of poor Makar. Wearing a new gray robe that she isn’t particularity fond of, presently painting a number of new charms, and symbols given most were burnt in that little fire-bomb.

Her bad habit being present too of course, little stress relief is always a plus as puffs of smoke escaped her. A brow being quirked from all the fussing the Princess had been doing around the camp.

“… hm… oh I know I know… It would have been hard for me to -not- notice you rushing about the camp…..” giving the Princess one of those soft smiles before turning to her bags for the requested Gingsen and Salt.. though clearly taking her time with it. “So then:how does this ritual work?”

Albert begins blushing again, almost as much as he had before, when he realises what Delilah meant and holds her as she hides herself under his chest. He strokes her hair and makes shushing noises attempting to calm her
Aww don’t worry dear.
I’m sure most of them are just jealous that someone like you would love me enough to be so romantic towards me and not them.
I’ll make sure they leave you alone if they start to annoy you don’t worry.

Delilah nuzzles her face into Albert’s chest, squeezing him around the middle with her arms, taking comfort in his warm embrace, his scent calming her somewhat. She makes a quiet sound, nestling her smaller body insistently against his. Her ears are still quite crimson though.

Thank you… *she says muffledly, her breath warm on his fur as her fingers shift against his back, shivering a little at the feeling of her fur being stroked*

The princess was expecting the woman to pry. It was her way after all. She smiled, knowing that she was always trying to look out for the young woman she had practically raised. “It cleanses the body of the poisons from the vampire’s curse, and puts back what was taken from the victim. It’s not a ritual that exists per se… Just a culmination of some very powerful white magics and a dose of knowledge of vampire lore. That little black book of yours helped me realize that last part…” She referred to the small book on the history and nature of the vampires curse that she had read along with the other tomes and scrolls of Lily’s that she had perused in order to make the spell.

“Lily… You’re like a grandmother to me…” She started slowly. Though the threw a slight cheeky grin at her briefly. “A young grand mother… I just… I wanted to let you know how greatful I am to have had your insight and wisdom growing up… I don’t think I’ve ever properly thanked you…” She smiled kindly as she spoke.

The mature hedgehog chuckled as she pulled the jars out of her pack “Oh… don’t start that non-sense my dear….. there’s no need of thanking…. though you could start by -never- calling me grandmother again” She waves one dismissive finger “Maybe when I get past my 50th or 60th year I’ll allow that, but for now I’m everyone’s big sister understand? Mother perhaps.. but -never- with the grand” she takes a breath glancing aside for a moment “… you certainly are like a daughter to me Sunday…..maybe I should have had the good sense to have one of my own… but hm… lets say when I was your age I was making just as many mistakes when it came to romance.. if not more”

She shook her head tossing those thoughts aside handing over the ingredients, before picking up one of her charms, blowing on the ink to help it dry more quickly. Presenting it to the Princess right after that “.. it should help keep your mind calm during the casting. Assuming you do love the poor fool.. which is pretty clear you do. “

Lily finally stands up straight, dusting off her robe some “.. and I’ll be supervising of course. Could hardly let you do this on your own”

Sunday nods with a gentle and loving smile. “There is no one I would rather have keeping an eye on me while I do my duty” She bends down a little and hugs the hedgehog close, before standing upright and holding her ingredients. “Could you please get the others into a large circle. I need to make an elemental pentagram with the rock salt, and the group will help build a physical barrier for the effects.” She left Lily with this task, as she made her way over to Lieselotte.

“My lady… It’s time… I need you to help me move Makar into the middle of the clearing onto the bare patch of earth.” Her eyes looked slightly saddened now, though only the vampiress would see. She smiled a final time, a little more forced than before. “It’s all going to be ok Makar… You will be better soon…” She turned to Lieselotte and nodded, indicating that she was ready to move the knight.

Heh Lily is sure to hug the girl tight too. “… now you be careful with this… magic this strong -can- be dangerous…. Andrew would never forgive me if you get yourself hurt like this…” she leaned back giving the girl a reassuring smile and a nod “I’ll get the others… just don’t start without me hm?”

She watched the girl walk off with a small frown, giving a short prayer and tucking an identical Charm as the one she handed Sunday into her robes pocket, walking off to gather the others one by one, Waving to the dancer and Soon-to-be knight first.

“It seems our Dear Sunday is ready to start….come along then hm?”

He keeps brushing Delilah’s hair until he can see Sunday moving around and acting quite rushed, obviously meaning the ritual will be started soon. Thinking of rituals reminds him of something an he decides now would be a better time then and to talk to her.
Sorry Delilah but I need to go and talk to the Princess.
Don’t let the boys tease you while I’m gone.
He walks up to Sunday, hoping he would be able to grab her attention
My Lady theres something I would like to give you before you go ahead with this.
He then takes out the necromancer’s necklace, he had mentioned before in his tale, and places it in her hands
All I’ve ever seen it do is sparkle but it might help you if you’re going to do through with something like this.
Lieselotte is important to Makar but you are to so I don’t want anything bad happeneing while you do this. Just remeber to give it back to me afterwards please.
I’m sure Delilah would like to keep it more then you would *chuckles*

She helped pick up the knight and carried him to the center of the clearing. She looked concerned at Sunday, speaking in a low voice so only she could hear.
Princess, there’s more to this then you’re telling us, I can tell. Don’t do anything you’ll regret, this is my fault not yours or anyone else’s. If someone needs to…well if sacrifice needs to be made I should be the one to do it.

Delilah tugs her head away from Albert’s chest at the hedgehog’s words, looking over at Lily even as Albert strokes her hair, her ears pressing up against his hands as she half-closes her eyes happily. When Albert says he needs to go talk to the princess, she nods and half-follows him, unsure of where to go exactly, as Sunday requested her help personally earlier. When she sees her boyfriend give her that necklace, though, with his words about giving it to her, she giggles, walks up behind him, and hugs him around the middle, looking around his side at Sunday.

Already I see you giving away jewlery to other pretty girls! Oh Albert, how could you?

The dancer squeezes the warrior, then tickles lightly at his sides, grinning and winking to the princess.

So where are you going to need this unfaithful lout? And what do I have to do?

Giggles a little, beaming happily at Sunday, glad she looks so much happier now than she did when they spoke earlier.

Albert’s voice starts breaking up and his face blushes as Delilah sneaks up on him and act’s as if she we’re cheating on him
N-no it’s nothing l-like that.
I just don’t want t-to see her getting h-hurt is all.
I’m going to let you k-keep it for me h-honest.
He sighs and tries to calm himself down, putting his arm around her shoulder and kissing her as an attempt to prove his loyalty
She’s right though Princess is there anything we have to do?

Looks down at Carter and smile offering a hand up

sorry little odd fellow, forget those are there sometimes she thinks to herself

(Amy, Dickballs! Sorry about that name)

(You’re missing something there Goldwulf)

The Princess looks serious as she responds to Lieselotte. “It is not a question of fault anymore Lieselotte. Now, it is simply a question of me performing the ritual without failing…” Her expression softens a little “Don’t worry about me ok? I promise you, I know what I’m doing.”

She takes the necklace from Albert and nods, still keeping her serious expression, thanking the knight for the extra protection. She places it around her neck, and looks to Delilah. “I need you to do the dance of purification in a circle around the shape I will draw with the rock salt. It will amplify the effects of the spell I’m going to cast.”

She turns to everyone else. “As for the rest of you. I need you all to stand in as large a circle as this clearing will allow. Once everyone is in place, I will begin the ritual.” She takes a look at all the faces surrounding her. Every last one of them counting on her to do this right. I will not fail…

(( Whoever wants to post getting into position, do it now. My next post will be the ritual. ))

Moves into position, but with a feeling of unease

(Yeah.. I’m going to have to head out. No time for proper postings. As always Dragon, Mav, and Rukral are free to control Lily if required.)

Moves into position praying this won’t fail.

Gets into place, clenching his eyes and squeezing on Delilah’s hand fearing what may happen

She takes her place in the circle. Staring at the people around her, her worried gaze stops first to Sunday, unsure of her fate after the ritual then to Lord Makar in the center. She keeps her focus to Makar, afraid to look anywhere else now.

I can only pray she knows what she is doing. I doubt highly this will end happy for all.

The dancer kisses her boyfriend firmly, rubbing his back with her hands, her little joke on him obviously having played out its course successfully. Once she breaks the kiss, she takes a step back and bobs to the princess, smoothing out her dress another time before she moves to her appointed position. As people move into place, the dancer begins stepping; while she is sore, she is feeling reinvigorated, and she steps quickly, twirling, moving, posing, her arms and legs moving in a carefully choreographed manner as the princess draws the powerful magical symbol, the rock salt glowing faint blue-white from the magical energy as she moves around the edge of it, Sunday feeling her body suffusing with energy donated from the dancer.

Whenever you’re ready, princess! *she says, a smile on her face*

He tried to look around for someone, but his vision was all blank while he felt a painful thirst.
Gah… I need something to drink… Princess? Lieselotte? Are we ready?
He coughed a little and tried to force his eyes to make him see anything properly.

Makar lay still and silent upon the raw soil. Sunday took the pouch of rock salt from her bag and slowly and carefully used it to draw a very large, but perfectly proportioned pentagram. She took five crystals, each representing it’s own element, and placed them at the five points of the pentagram, and then, she walked over and sat before the knight’s immobile form. She places a crimson red stone on Makar’s forehead, before beginning to chant. As she chants, Delilah’s dance around the inner circle, just skimming the edges of the pentagram begins to mimic the words that Sunday speaks.

Forces of the bloodstone… Heed my call…
Take from the ground, the blessings of the earth…
Take from the sky, the blessings of the air…
Tale from our flames, the blessings of the fire…
Take from our swords, the blessings of the metal…
And take from me my tears, the blessings of the water…

A slight wind begins to to pick up, rustling the trees. A keen eye would be able to see small beads of tears falling from the princess’s face, and moistening the ginseng ash that filled the ceramic bowl between herself and Makar. Sunday holds out the vial of blood over the small pile, prepares to drip it into the regents as she speaks the next verse.

Ash of ginseng, pure and clean…
Cleans the body of it’s poisons…
Blood of blue, stained with red…
Take back from him, what is rightfully yours…
Tears of love, from virgin eyes…
Guide his life back to us…

The wind picks up even more, now making it hard for anyone around the pentagram to move from their current spot, lest they be blown further away. Delilah is no longer able to dance, ending her part in the proceedings as she is forced to stop next to Albert and hold her ground. It seems to originate from the star itself. Sunday’s eyes begin to glow a brilliant white glow, the same glow emanating from the pendant that Albert had given her, as her hair starts to rise as though lifted up by some invisible force.

Take from him, this curse unwanted.
Restore to us, our knight unharmed

Suddenly the whole scene changed feeling. The wind became shrill with a biting chill, and the brilliant white glow from Sundays eyes and the pendant turned to a terrifying crimson red. There was no hope of reaching her now. The wind was too strong. If anyone moved now they would simply be flung backwards. Her voice too became distorted, tainted by some unknown force as it reverberated with dark energies, ever escalating louder and louder until it is almost unbearable to hear.

And take from me my one last gift!
To fill the void that keeps him bound!
Take from me my one true life!
My self, my being, my soul!

Silence. Dead silence. The wind evaporated, as though it had never even existed at all… No brilliant lights… No ear splitting shouts. Just… Void… And then, it happened. A wispy silver stream flowed out of Sunday. It wafted into the air dancing about like a moonlight marionette. It swept past the group, pausing at each person, spinning around Delilah in an almost happy dance with the young girl. Then slowly, the wispy light flowed back to where the two figures in the centre remained still as stone. It hovered for a moment, and for that moment, it seemed to smile…

Then quick as lightning, the wisp shot itself into Makar’s chest, causing an explosion of bright white light. Though the light seemed as though it should blind anyone who saw it, it felt almost pleasant to look at, and as it faded, it did not harm the eyesight. A slight groan was emitted from Makar, as he sat up, all signs of Vampirisum gone.

But next to him, the princess remained immobile. She sat slumped forward with no movement. Though some may have hoped it not true, the proof was evident enough. Sunday had given her soul to Makar, and thus, had not died… But ceased to exist… The only remaining essence left of her was a small smile adorned upon her face, and the slight tinge of Sunday within Makar.

(( On her body is a note. I will reveal what it says when someone reads it. And before anyone else says anything about Sunday’s possessions, Delilah is allowed to take the ornamental dagger that Albert gave to Sunday ))

((NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO))

Makar got up and looked at himself for a couple seconds, turning his atention to the Princess afterwards.
Sunday? Princess Sunday?! Are you okay?!
Soon, he noticed some kind of note on her body.
What… is that? He asked himself, reading it.

(I think that was somewhat predictable)

She falls to her knees speechless as tears stream down her face. The outcome was worse then her assumptions. Sadness and guilt washed over her as she stared at the frozen Princess, one of her only friends and allies forever gone. She shakes, repulsed by the scene before her now, what her actions have caused.
She’s gone…I told her, don’t do something you will regret. Don’t suffer for my mistake, and now she’s gone. I’ve done worse then kill a friend. Her soul will never find peace now…And I look at him, every time I look at him, I’ll be reminded of what she did for him. If only I had a soul to give, she would not have payed the price…
She stays in place now, tears flowing freely as she swept away by her thoughts of sorrow. She feels too ashamed to look up at the others or even at her Lord Makar. She appears to be drowning in guilt, her dark thoughts making her oblivious to everyone around her.

As the light flashes he is slightly blinded but amazed at it’s sight. But once his vision reapears he is shoked to see the now lifeless Sunday, laying there stone cold and frozen.
He rushes over to her and stands there watching her simply lay there with her smile
Princess?
Princess?!
Sunday wake up for the love of god!
I knew she would do something like this!

Enraged at how she had sacraficed herself without anyones knowledge he then turned to Lieselotte, clenching his fists almost hurting his hands doing so.
Well I hope you know how much of a hypocrite you are now.
You told us we endangered Makar because of our rash actions and now you’ve gone the exact same thing but instead of you an innocent,heart-struck, and caring girl had to suffer beacuase of it!
I wish you were truly like your kind now because otherwise you would be able to go through this without having to feel guilt for everything you’ve done.

Delilah’s eyes widen as the wind keeps picking up and she feels that, while the energy the princess is drawing is increasing, it is not from her. As the winds begin to blow so fast she can no longer even dance, she realizes what the princess is intending. She screams, but no sound emerges from her mouth; tears blow from her eyes, whipped away by the wind as her skirt flaps loudly, her heels digging into the ground and leaving small gouges in the earth behind her. She reaches out, but she can’t even move up to the salt barrier, let alone beyond it; as the woman’s soul is ripped from her body, Delilah is clawing at the ground, trying to force her way forward, to stop her, save her, somehow, anyway!

But it is too late. As the wind dies, Delilah watches in wide-eyed horror as the wisp moves around her, the dancer reaching out with her hands, trying to embrace it, catch it, hold it, a strange sort of dance as the pair whirl around, tears staining the cheeks of the princess’s friend. She stands there transfixed as the wisp continues its movements, then returns to the center of the circle. She reaches out, curling her fingers at it, before the wisp hurtles into Lord Makar’s body and explodes.

Noooooo!

The woman’s shriek breaks the silence as the knight rises and moves to the corpse, the agile dancer soon following, dashing into the center of the circle, sliding to a crouching halt next to the body, her entire body quaking as she hugs Sunday to her chest, tears freely falling down onto her smiling face, raindrops of sorrow.

As Albert screams at Lady Lieselotte, Delilah sits there motionless with the body, trembling wordlessly, that previous scream seeming to have drawn all voice from her lithe frame.

Letting a hand go out of the Princess’ shoulders, he grabbed Albert’s arm. Tears flowing from his face. With dificult, he could talk.
Enough, Albert. There’s no need for this.
Looking back to the Princess, he hugged her, sobbing. He called Lieselotte nearby, cleaning his face.
Look at this…

The note read…

To everyone,

I am sorry for the deception, but I knew that none of you would accept this if I had told you the entire plan. Reading this now, I cease to be. Or rather… I am a part of Makar… It’s complicated… I gave him my soul after cleansing his body of the vampiric curse that was poisoning his system. Once he was clean and had a soul, Makar would be whole again.

I meant every word I said to you all tonight. Lieselotte, that ring will grant you the freedom I promised. Give this letter to my father, and he will know that I gave it to you willingly. Delilah. You are free to spend as much time at the castle as you so wish. Be good to Lily and father, and live a happy and danger free life.

Albert. Once you return home, by my decree, father will knight you for your brave deeds. This letter will also be enough to convince him of that. You deserve to stand tall and proud alongside Makar and his men.

And to Makar… My one true love. Now, in some way, I will be with you always. Enjoy life Makar. Enjoy it to the fullest extent. And enjoy it with Lieselotte. Go on many more adventures together. May your tales spread wide, and your love for each other grow ever stronger.

To the others, I regret not having gotten to know you better. You have all helped me through this challenging time. And I thank you all for it. I only wish I could have seen your quest through to the end with you all. Good luck, and know that this is what I wanted.

Forever and truly yours,
Princess Sunday Caignwell.

At the bottom is the royal wax seal, and nothing more than the faint sent of the princess’s perfume.

Delilah looks at the note numbly, her breath causing the small piece of paper to flutter in Lord Makar’s hands, before the dancer breaks into sobs once more, hugging the princess tightly and pressing her cheek to Sunday’s own still-warm one, her fingers shaking against her friend’s fur.

(Fuck, I can’t keep up with this during work. I’ll be back on in 2 and a half hours. Fortunately, I only have work on tuesdays and thursdays.)

Makar gritted teeth, letting even more tears fall. A while later, he placed the letter on Lieselotte’s hands.
Sunday…
He looked to the Princess’ souless body once more, unable to hold his tears of sorrow.
… she wanted you to hand the King this letter… please don’t lose it.
He guided a hand to his heart and the other to his back, checking his equipment.
Where is… ?
(As far as I can remember, his shield was left behind, right?)

(WHAT THE FUCK JUST HAPPENED?!?!?! ANSWER ME!!!!!!!)

(Uh… What do you think Icarus? Sunday cast a spell to save Makar but it made her croak in the process. And everyone is ;_______________; about it. Give us a minute to make my own mopey post)

Sharing the same shock as the others, he tries to replay repeatedly what just happened, but finally realizes the total finality of Sunday’s action….The thought of losing one’s soul completely is overwhelming, though he can’t shake the fact that her sacrifice was beyond any he’d ever heard of…

….

After Lord Makar read her letter, his sorrow was replaced with a great sense of enlightenment, the same experienced as her soul passed by earlier… Gaining a great desire to see this ordeal through to the end…However, now was the time to mourn a fallen comrade, and he couldn’t find the words to express such a loss…

(@Visionary: I would assume someone grabbed it, but that’s up to you.)

(Sunday just gave her soul to Mike. Sad scene is sad.)

Carter’s face was more panicked than anyone in the area. He observed how distraught the group was feeling, and he opened his knapsack to find something that can remedy the situation, but nothing came to mind. He hung his head and began to sniffle

“She… She should have used my soul instead…”

(I just read the note and the ritual. I am almost sobbing right now; no exaggeration. Well written. Someone should publish this.)

Hearing Makar’s words he realises how Lieselotte must of been feeling now. He walks up to herand places his hand around her shoulder
I…
I’m sorry.
That was moronic of me to say and I never meant a word of it.
Your a good person and I know it wasn’t an accident so you shouldn’t blame yourself.
I never should of acted towards you like this.
I can only hope you will be able to get past this.

(Y’know, I could totally walk into the scene ignorant, but there’s no way I’m going to kill the mood.)

Albert yelling at her only sinks her deeper into her guilt, not even Makar can rouse her from it. She stares blankly at the letter in her hands, the ring just visible beneath it. She still does not speak, her shaking hands and flowing tears conveying all her emotion.
I don’t deserve this…not after what I put her through.

((DOEET))

((Icaras…. Your expression everytime you don’t know what’s going on in the RP Icaras whine <3 ))

Shaking, her breath coming in ragged gasps, Delilah slowly lets Sunday rest on the ground, surprised to see that, somehow, that dagger has managed to find its way into her hand. Rising slowly, she looks around at all the tear-stained faces. Her eyes travel over the angry Albert, the confused Sir Icarus, the wide-eyed Sean, the sniffling Carter, the silent mentor, the somber Lord Makar, but finally come to rest on the mortified vampire. Delilah thought her own sorrow was deep, but Lady Lieselotte looks as though the whole world has died around her.

Moving slowly, swaying, she makes her way over to the noble vampire alongside her mate. As he puts his hand on her shoulder, the dancer crouches next to her and wraps her arms around her chest, pressing the mourning vampire’s face against her own breast. She slowly strokes the back of the vampire’s head, resting her own cheek atop her skull.

Its not your fault… *she whispers into her ears, over and over again, almost like a mantra, as her own tears sprinkle down onto the white-furred woman, the dancer’s tufts trembling with emotion*