Kalicity

The Dark Goddess detected a sense of unease in her daughter yet she chose not to address it. Kalicity had said enough to Gabriela, and deep down she knew that nothing she could do or say would alter the Queen’s behavior. She wasn’t sure how or why she knew that, but she just did. After a long and uncomfortable silence, Gabriela finally shifted in her chair. “This way..” Together they rose and the Dark Goddess followed her daughter into the next room over. It was tastefully designed and had a welcome vibe to it, with a baby crib taking center stage. Approaching the lovely piece of furniture, she looked onward to the little bundle of joy that appeared fascinated with his own hands and feet. He was an adorable little thing, his bright green eyes focusing on her with innocent curiosity. It was at that moment that their eyes met that she suddenly had a vision invade her line of sight. Her grandson was no longer in his crib but instead another young boy. He was dressed from head to toe in black silk pajamas, he had a head full of black hair and deep vehement green eyes. He rocked back and forth on his spine, nibbling aimlessly on his toes as he looked onward towards her with a deep inquisitive gaze. Quickly taken by the vision, Kalicity stepped back as if to regain her balance as she scanned the rest of the room. Save for the crib and a wooden chair sitting next to it, the room was stripped bare. The window had black out curtains and it was quite grim and bleak. Where was this place? Where was everyone else? Was she alone? The thought made her heart drop, and in the blink of an eye the vision was gone and she was back with her daughter and grandchild. With the room back to normal, Kalicity continued to appear stunned as she slowly observed the room as if expecting it to change. “I just had a vision,” she said out loud. “It was so real, I was here. It was dark, and Alukai..” She took another deep breath, stepping up to the crib looking down to Phillippe. “He was here, as a baby.” Calmly reaching down, Kalicity’s fingertips gently caressed the balls of his feet and he giggled in his response. “So precious..”

“No, - I suppose it’s never made sense to you. But you are actually quite right—I am a servant to this crown I wear. Regardless of what I want, things are hardly as simple as they seem. You may see an easy choice before me, but I have no words to describe how difficult it actually is.” Returning her soft yet focused stare, Kalicity listened intently to Gabriela’s words. Maybe there was some truth to what her daughter spoke of, and perhaps there is nothing more that needed to be said about the situation. There is always the opportunity for lack of understanding, and even if Kalicity wanted to, she was not going to invade the Black Queen’s mind as she had so many times before. At one point in her existence, she would step through that door with a simple twist of the knob. No knocking, no asking, simply barging in.. it was her way. However, times have changed and the Dark Goddess is beyond invading her daughter’s thoughts without permission; for in Orisia Isle, this is Gabriela’s world, and Kalicity is a simply a guest in it. “Being a servant to the crown may weigh heavy on you, Gabriela, and I do not pretend to understand that type of burden. I imagine at one point in my life I had the weight of world on my shoulders as you do now, and the sad part is, is that all I had to do, was set it down. I should have let someone else carry that weight for me, or at least share it..but my pride, dedication, and commitment enslaved me, as it is doing to you. I know I am not the woman that you remember, but I ask you, to not make your mother’s mistake. You cannot escape the chains that bind you until you acknowledge that the chains exist, and only you have the keys to unlock yourself." If only Kalicity had known Gabriela’s history with the Devil, she may have compared this awkward love to her own. Did Gabriela learn this from her mother? To love a man that the world despised. To be looked at as weak by her peers, due to her own mortal affections? There were many differences between the two relationships, and yet there were so many similarities. Very few truly understood the needs and desires of Colvin, and it appeared, the same is true about Roen. As their eyes met again, Kalicity could see a troubled soul longing to break free from its fragile shell. A part of the Dark Goddess wished to pull it out, and show her daughter that if she chose to fall, her mother will catch her. Yet nothing came and once again, Kalicity was in a position that made her uncertain and uncomfortable. What was Gabriela so afraid of? There was always the possibility that Gabriela had remembered what Kalicity had once been, and no doubt that Kalicity would rein hell upon her if she chose to mingle with, and even love, someone like the Dread Margrave. But now, things were different.. “It really seems that way.” Gabriela responded. Not paying much attention to her surroundings, Kalicity failed to notice the child who had woken from his nap. “But as long as it is love, true and love, the fruits of it will be magnificent.” How true were those words? Kalicity has now met almost all of her children, save for the elusive Shaitari. She wondered how many of her offspring were spawned from actual love, rather than sheer determination. MorceLa’Kai was formed out of what she thought was love, but clearly it wasn’t. Without hesitation, she ended Varacolaci’s life for betraying her and, never gave it a second thought. She attempted to save him at one point, but did she really try? She prolonged his death for days and let him suffer through his wounds that he bestowed upon himself, then left his body to rot in that forsaken castle. No burial, no respect, no rights..all due to him wanting to keep his pregnant fiancé from serving her Queen in battle. He stood in the way of allegiance and glory, and tragically lost his life. Then there was Alukai, whom was formed out of love. The love she had for Colvin was paramount, and it was enough to drive her to.. this. “Would you like to meet your grandson?” A grandchild, who would have thought. Kalicity had already met one of her grandchildren, her resilient granddaughter Anastasia, Princess of Vdara. That family was going through quite a rough time. With a soft smile and a nod, she pushed herself out of her chair after Gabriela. “I would love to.”

Kalicity continued to gaze through the stream of light that poured into the room; it was so small, yet held so much power within its grasp. It stayed true to its balance that it provided, as it kept the ability to give and take life, despite its steady course. The Dark Goddess quietly mulled over this until Gabriela’s voice rustled her thoughts. “There’s no need for that.” Kalicity glanced away and lightly looked over her shoulder back at her daughter. There was a subtle change in Gabriela’s voice that drew Kalicity back. Her movement delicate and graceful, and her boots utterly silent as she rolled off the ball of her feet, and carried herself to the back of her chair. Bare hands lightly slid across the top of the sanded wood and reaching the carefully stitched fabric which offered the piece of furniture its unique look. “-My plate is very full.” “I have no doubt, Gabriela.” She paused, carefully squeezing the chair beneath her firm grasp. “I am not here to tell you what to do, how you run your kingdom is on your own watch, but.. this is your kingdom, or is it? Why must you have tyrants and beasts fight over a throne, that isn’t even there’s? And you. You stay in the middle of it all as if you do not have a choice to leave; As if you are a servant to a crown, which you no longer wish to have.” Kalicity’s brows furrowed in confusion, “That doesn’t make sense to me.” “He’s not very pleasant to be around, is he? The off thing, if you believe it, is that he desires to be well-liked. He wants the high regard of his peers and the love of all subjects. He is a curious creature.” “Or a cowardice one.” The words slipped out before Kalicity could think about it. Pulling the chair back towards her, she released it and sat down again while folding on leg over the other. “If he wishes to be liked then perhaps he should change his tune. But there is probably a reason why he doesn’t; he has the power to force people to like him in some sick and twisted way. He threatens people because he can, and it is his defense in hiding what truly lies within.” She looked up at Gabriela, her deep blue eyes softening as she spoke. “A man like that will not give up his power, and no matter his desire to be well liked or not, he will not give up what is already his because that is all he has." Gabriela then spoke about Colvin, and there was an odd sensation brewing in the pit of her stomach as she slightly nodded. “Yes, when I saw him in Vdara, it was so strange. I had a feeling of tranquility and sorrow wash over me as I gazed into his eyes and felt him so close to me, it was if a part of me still yearned for his touch. He was so angry with me and what I am now. He mentioned the weaknesses that you speak of on several levels. He was in so much pain, and I do not understand why he would torment himself so, but I guess in truth that love is gone. I'm not who I used to be, and I'm okay with that.” She smirked a bit, “I guess you really can't control who you love, can you?"

“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.