Kalicity

“You have no idea how much you sound like her.” Gabriela’s expression was unusual as if the Black Queen was in denial about the entire situation. Kalicity’s piercing blue hues focused on her daughter beneath furrowed brows as if she was attempting to capture those manipulated thoughts. Who was to say that the old Kalicity did not still exist underneath those silver tresses? Even though memories and thought processes were lost to the present and future, it did not mean that there was nothing left of the Dark Goddess. So much of Kalicity still existed, but the Dark Goddess no longer had access to those pathways that would lead her down that similar path. The Dark Goddess chose against it, and with good reason. Never again will Kalicity Darkbane long to permanently link herself with the demons and monsters of her time. It was in her past, and she wanted to look towards her future. Gabriela’s laughter slightly broke her concentration, but her gaze still lingered. “We don’t pick who we love,” replied Gabriela. How ironic, Kalicity thought to herself. How true is that statement? For a brief moment, Kalicity remembered her encounter with Colvin. There was emotion there, a strong, deep-rooted emotion that she could not explain. His venomous green hues stirred something within her which caused her stomach to wrench into knots and as she softly leaned into him lightly grazing her cheek against his, she recalled his torturous display. He called it love..it was all so tragically beautiful. "You speak of love, Gabriela and it makes me all the more curious. Did I love him,- Colvin, that is?" She inquired bluntly. If anyone would know, she felt it would be this woman sitting in front of her. “Roen saved the city..” “Roen returned the throne to me..” “And you’re foolish enough to think a man like that would allow you control after he has taken it by force, Gabriela. Or maybe you want him to as it will relieve your duty as Queen.” Words were blurted out, she could not help herself. Quickly Kalicity pushed herself out of the seat, the wooden legs rattling loudly against the floor as she moved away and towards the curtain covered windows which allowed a tad bit of sunlight to peek through the crevice. Once again she took a moment to quietly admire the rest of the room, "Forgive me, Gabriela. It is not my place to tell you what to do, as you will do what you think is best for your country.” “What are your plans Kalicity? Where do you see your future- your home? While you may not be my mother, I find your presence – on some indescribable level – a great comfort. I must confess, that I do not look forward to losing it.” “You will not lose it, Gabriela, that I can promise you,” she responded quickly, “But eventually I must go back to Vdara. I have been welcomed to stay there under your sister the Queen, Malaysia. I also have unfinished business to take care of regarding your brother's, MorceLa’Kai and Alukai, as they are both residing there as well. I must also confess that with Roen here, I just do not wish to stay here long. I am not a possession that he can claim and I do not desire another confrontation with him."

What would genuinely happen if Kalicity Darkbane were standing in this room, instead of just Kalicity? Did Gabriela learn to expect a backlash from those that she loved due to her decisions, or lack there of? Was it something that the infamous Black Queen secretly longed for to receive some form of affection, even if it was negative? Maybe the prolonged physical, emotional and mental abuse Gabriela had sustained from her mother, who was only trying to build the only way that she knew how had truly failed in her conquest. So when there was a subtle and distinct disappointment reflecting in those burning golden embers, that Kalicity did not go awry and smack the wits out of her young child for her insolence and foolish innocence as she once would have, left Kalicity sorely disheartened. Even as Gabriela put on a brave face and motioned to one of the chair’s that the Dark Goddess was already sitting on, like a mannequin being played by some strings, her daughter slowly fell into character. Was this always so common? The concept was curious. Gabriela spilled what she felt were earnest words, but hesitation remained present even in the smallest forms. Excuses followed by apologies forced Kalicity to sit back and lean calmly into her chair. Soft taps of her fingers rolled across the wooden desk as she tapped them one by one in a light, fluid motion while her other hands still managed to rest faithfully on her thigh. “You mistake me, Gabriela. Violence does not weight my conscious; it is a simply apart of life. You cannot have light without the darkness, and it appears that Roen yearns to keep you locked in the shadows. I have only met the man three times, but I already tire of his company.” She paused for a moment, the muscle in her jaw visually flexing as her teeth ground together before easing up again. “It is fascinating to me that you bore him a child, perhaps it is a fondness that I do not understand. I mean, he laid siege to your castle, killed your people, and still, you apologize for him.” Taking a glance to her right, Kalicity started to look around the room to observe all that it had to offer. The architecture was beautiful, much different from the places she had been in the north.

It had been an interesting day, to say the least. The Dread Margrave had done well the sink his clutches deep into Orisia and only in a matter of hours, yet there was one individual that he would not win over.. no matter how threatening he chose to be. Kalicity had already declared her allegiance to another royal family, one that existed far beyond the reach of Roen and his legion of terrorists. Her family. In this most recent event, Kalicity seemed a bit disappointed with how this entire situation unfolded. Perhaps there was much more to this story than she understood, but she wondered how such a wondrous beauty and her youngest daughter could become so bound to those that claimed her. The vision of Gabriela sitting on the chair, doing as she was told, like some common, low born slave bowing down to her master, perplexed her. But alas, it was now that she is able to sit in front of her long, lost child and find some answers.. that’s if, Gabriela wished to give them to her. Having been escorted into the study, the Dark Goddess calmly found her seat across from the Queen. She briefly stared at the tea that was offered, the bitter-sweet scent reaching her nostrils and she forced herself not to cringe. She never liked tea, save for the kind that spilled from the neck or wrist of a dying meal. Sapphire hues rose to greet Gabriela’s golden spheres as she placed her left arm on the table before them, the other resting on her lap. “Gabriela,” she spoke softly, “How are you doing?” It was a simple question. She wasn’t sure how else she could start off this conversation.

I think this is accurate, I like it. As the other's have mentioned I think there is always a possibility for an NPC to become more developed and even become a main character, if permitted by the writer. I see multiple player's have NPC's that are significant to the story lines (such as someone in high command of legions or armies), and still have a strong backstory, which makes them more important than the average NPC.

“But we’re family all the same, hm? So we should at least pretend we are, mother.” From the gleam on his armor to his charming mannerisms, Kalicity had not been paying Harlon much attention up until that point. As the giant of a man dared to call her mother, it caused a reaction in the Dark Goddess as she snapped her lovely sapphire gaze to his face. There was humor there and as he turned away to heed her request for a beverage, her lips peeled back into a sly smirk as she imagined herself reaching up behind him with one of her blades and slicing his throat from ear to ear. She could practically hear the clatter of his mass, armor, and sword hitting the floor, the high pitched cries of startled guests and captured alike and the beautiful marble tiles being painted in thick, bubbly red. That illusion came to an abrupt halt as Harlon approached one of the servants that had been rounded up, and proceeded to crack his skull open like an egg with nothing but his hand. It appeared so effortless, and it startled Kalicity, and it was enough to make her take a half-step back to stabilize her posture. She watched in fascination as the bloodied, and broken body was dragged by the head and nearly thrown at her feet. “Your drink.” It was all so sudden, and yet for some reason, the Dark Goddess was incredibly amused by the sorcerer’s display. When she demanded a drink, she expected a steel goblet full of bloodwyne, not an unsuspecting man that was not planning his death to come so forcefully. So as she stood there observing her future feast before looking up to the crowd as they watched on in horror, only for the moment to be interrupted by Roen and Gabriela’s entrance. What would her daughter think of this grotesque display? Catching a glimpse of Gabriela as she was seated on the throne with Roen standing guard over her, announcements were made on who would seize control over this pristine country. Once the announcement finished, Kalicity could feel the weak hands of the servant grasping at her pant leg, as if trying to find hope in the last moments of his life. Taking one step to the side and dropping to her knees, the silver-haired beauty straddled the man from behind laying him flat on his stomach. Lithe fingertips rolled through the sticky curls of his crimson infested hair as she pulled back on his head forcing him into an arch while with her free hand, she slid a dagger out of its holster. “Shh,” she whispered, “Your suffering will come to an end very soon.” Then she cut his throat without hesitation, ending his life so quickly he was dead in a matter of seconds. Throwing him down on the ground, she took a stand next to Harlon, “You offer me a servant’s blood, my son. You should know better.” She said sarcastically, a form of humor returned to the Sorcerer who called her mother. His warning fell on deaf ears, and when he offered his arm once again, she did not take it. She noticed that amongst Roen and those that followed him, there appeared to be a sense of fear that was linked to unwilling ownership. If the Crimson King expected oaths of fealty from the Dark Goddess, he had another thing coming. Without acknowledging Harlon she started to walk towards Gabriela and the Outsider, whether or not the sorcerer joined her was entirely up to him.

Harlon kindly agreed to guide them both towards the throne room, and during this short time, Kalicity took the opportunity to study this man. He was a strange individual, and despite being rough around the edges, he seemed somewhat soft and endearing. It was a daunting elixir, yet she supposed to sustain such an existence in the service of the Dread Margrave a certain balance had to be maintained. “I’m not at liberty to say.” The words made her frown as she was genuinely looking for a complete answer, but she would not pry. Harlon was bound to his owns laws and virtues, and she was not about to request that he breaks them. Removing his helm and offering an arm, Kalicity was quick to deny him. She admired that he wished to be a gentleman, wanting to walk arm and arm with a lady. The truth of the matter was that she was the Queen’s reincarnated mother, and even a mother could not bring herself to intertwine with the heart of an enemy; even one as sweet as he. “Yes- he can be.” Another simple reply, but it was enough, and perhaps it was a response that she had expected. The devil seemed quite obsessed with Gabriela, and the Dark Goddess would not even try to understand that relationship. Walking into the throne room, Kalicity quickly began to discern the events taking place. Those that were spared and left behind were herded like cattle, the guards acting as the herding dogs. Should one get out of place, the dogs would not hesitate to snap at their heels and push them back in the direction required. The taste of fear ran rampant in the air, so much so that the Dark Goddess could nearly taste it at the edge of her forked tongue. “I’m to stay with you until my lord father comes with the queen, your daughter.” Harlon’s voice broke her concentration as she turned to face him once again, her own lovely sapphire gaze meeting his own beautiful blue eyes. “I suppose that makes us family then, hm?” Kalicity smirked at his remark, followed by an out loud chuckle. “You do not realize what I do to my family, Sir. I don't think you'd want to be a part of it even if you did have a choice," she spoke bluntly. Most of her children hated her and for so many different reasons for which she was trying to reconcile with them. In her previous life, she had attempted to murder three of her of her five children, all at different times in her life for the sake of ambition. “If you are to stay with me, at least tell me where a woman can get a drink? ‘Looks like you rounded up all of the servants, and I’m thirsty.”

Ten seconds had passed, and Kalicity received nothing except blood-spattering silence that was until she was unexpectedly interrupted. “She is with Lord Roen.” Turning her head to look over her right shoulder that was attached to the hand that was still strategically churning the blade into the man’s thigh like a knife through butter, she drank in the sight of the massive individual encased in a heavy set of armor. In response, with little regard for his well-being, she gave her prisoner’s throat one final squeeze before yanking free the dagger and throwing him on the ground like a rag doll. The now dying man landed on the ground with a plop and instantly toppled to his side, his body violently shook with blood pouring out of his mouth like a crimson waterfall as his life left his body. Now facing the sorcerer, Kalicity took a long moment to observe the details of this overgrown person. She caught sight of the lustrous sword and took note of its subtle glow, and she humbly began to weigh her options. There was a lingering sensation that coursed through her body as she stared at Harlon as if there was some distant longing or will that might urge her to challenge him to a fight. Then her intelligence began to spark its own opinion and started to slowly envelop her pride, asking the simple question of could she bring this man to submission? “My lord father has asked me to escort you to the throne room and keep you confined there until he and the queen get there. I’m sorry ma’am.” With such a formidable appearance, he was exceptionally polite. Even as Kalicity remained unresponsive, she was captivated by his behavior. His mannerisms reminded her of another being that she cared for deeply, and then it dawned on her the fact that this man was a servant to Roen. It was a delayed memory, but she recollected meeting Roen in the temple of the Bloody Seer some time ago. He had dressed up Gabriela with blonde hair and how silly she looked as it didn’t quite fit her lovely complexion. She also recalled with the Devil had threatened the Dark Goddess, and oh how intriguing it would be if they were to meet again under similar circumstances. “Please?” The behemoth was standing much closer to her now, and her demeanor shifted. Sheathing her own weapon back into its tiny holster leaving only a drop of blood to drizzle down her pant leg, Kalicity’s lips pursed together in a slight smirk. Even among enemies there can be standard ground. “Very well, since you asked so nicely. You will have to forgive me as I just arrived here yesterday and my knowledge of the castle is not quite up to par, so I ask that you lead the way. However, I also request that you answer my question as to what is going here? I saw the Queen last night, and she appeared to be in good spirits, so it is puzzling to me to wake up to such chaos and disorder.” She would start to follow him once he began to migrate towards the throne room. If she could be escorted safely to see her daughter without fighting her way through, that seemed a much more desirable option than the latter. “I must say that I have met Roen before in Patia. He seems to be a rather interesting character and a bit obsessive, especially over Gabriela. Is that a common occurrence?” She did not share with the sorcerer that she knew more about the Dread Margrave than she cared to admit. The Marquis Zantara had shared quite a bit about the devil in the times that they spent together, and she wondered how such a charming gentleman such as the Marquis could grow to serve such a tyrant.. yet it was not her place to judge, and she would not bring herself to question it. She owed so much of her current existence to the Marquis, and she would do well not to harm the memory of him or his generosity.