|
|
Post by Jules on Mar 18, 2009 22:30:01 GMT -5
The few times Zizzy had decided to swing towards the surface of her consciousness and become aware of her surroundings, she'd regretted it. Vilmos had let up on the killing spree after a few thugs he'd enjoyed tangling with since it wasn't his body, what did he care what happened to it. But the violence he had bred after that was hardly better for being more indirect. Besides, it hadn't taken her very long to figure out he was a pig in more ways than one. In their few weeks of body-sharing Zizzy had taken to wearing bone-tight dresses with a horribly low neck. Embarrassed, when she asked why he cared, he'd given a little chuckle and replied "Because I wanna enjoy the view."
There were a few more things about having a solid body Vilmos really enjoyed and although Zizzy had made enough noise to prevent him from going too far, she still hoped Armand never found out.
Armand
Where was he? She hadn't seen head or tail of him for years. She'd given up on getting out and now just attempted to keep herself in one piece. Zizzy had to be doing something right, because Vilmos had told her she only had a few weeks before she'd become a zombie, but so far it hadn't happened and it had been waaay more than a few weeks.
Most of the time, she relived her memories, pulling them out and recalling as many details as she possibly could. It was a comfort even as it hurt and it was a sure-fire way to keep her distracted from what Vilmos was doing with her.
But sometimes it was impossible. Like right now. Slowly she drifted away from the first time she and Armand had met to the mob swelling and growing from Vilmos. And Dear Morpheus, how was she even breathing in this thing she wasn't even sure counted as a dress? This was why she didn't like being aware very often.
Vilmos was excited and happy in the way Night Terrors know that emotion. He'd created a mob for absolutely no reason beyond that he'd felt like it, and here it was, a mass of people tearing apart a smaller group of people just because it was entertaining to Vilmos. Zizzy felt sick, but the intensity of Vilmos' emotions wouldn't let her sneak away again.
Sometimes she wished things had worked out differently, that she had managed to get out, that Armand had made it in time, but too much thought like that was not conducive to survival, as horrible and bare and pathetic as it was, it was still survival and she had promised herself she would no longer condemn that.
|
|
|
|
Post by Miss Jack on Mar 18, 2009 22:48:02 GMT -5
At Iker's suggestion, he and Armand set out to find Zizzy by simple search. Destruction always leaves a visible path, Iker said.
You could have walked yourself, Armand growled.
I could have. But I like this body, Armand. It belongs to me. It was given to me at your birthright, it was meant for me.
Choosing to ignore him, Armand pushed his pace a little faster. A cry of pain, followed by several more shouts conducive to fighting and beatings, echoed from somewhere around the corner of where he stood.
He felt Iker's smug satisfaction and broke into a light run.
Careful, Prince. Don't make yourself visible. We don't want to scare Vilmos into an early retreat.
Nodding his consent, Armand proceeded at a stealthier rate, keeping to the side and out of the line of attention as he came upon the scene of mass beating. A mob had broken out --assumedly there were two sides, but only the one was doing any damage. Instinctively, he rushed forward to stop the senseless slaughter.
No! Iker screamed in his head. With a wince, Armand retreated. Your sense of nobility is truly unhelpful and actually quite sickening, Iker snarled. Try and contain yourself.
Armand listened, only because right at that moment, he saw Zizzy, though he almost didn't recognize her.
Murder becomes her, Iker commented.
Don't push me.
Duly noted, Iker said. Try to maintain a close, but invisible distance. I'm close enough to her now I can hop into her mind, but if you travel too far, I won't be able to.
I'm not going anywhere.
Iker didn't trust Armand, but he trusted Armand's love for Zizzy, so he had nothing else as he entered into the ravaged remains of Zizzy's mind. His nose wrinkled in disgust. Vilmos. What a slob. No wonder he went through hosts at such a rate.
"Vilmos, brother. Your attention, please."
|
|
|
|
Post by Jules on Mar 18, 2009 22:56:07 GMT -5
Zizzy recoiled very suddenly at the presence of Iker. Vilmos was bad enough but nothing was as repulsive as the familiar feeling of Iker in her head. Vilmos, however, smiled broadly and turned away from the mob to hold the discussion away from the screaming and the ripping.
"Iker. Long time no seee. How've ya been?"
Zizzy wondered at his sudden presence. What the hell are you here for, Iker? If he stayed, if she somehow had to share with both him AND Vilmos she was going to kill herself, somehow. I'm not a fucking tour bus.
|
|
|
|
Post by Miss Jack on Mar 18, 2009 23:00:38 GMT -5
He felt Zizzy's awareness of his presence, but he chose to blatantly ignore her, as if he and Vilmos were chatting in a park instead of someone else's mind.
"I've been around. Culturing myself, you could say." Unlike yourself, he mentally added. He honestly didn't dislike Vilmos, because he was a fellow Night Terror who could truly appreciate the art of blood, but Iker still grew impatient whenever he had to personally deal with him.
"Anyway. I won't waste your time. I came to inform you that this body has drawn my own personal interest and I must ask you to leave before you ruin anything else in it. Of course, I'm not wholly inconsiderate, I did locate a nice alcoholic for you, currently on the second floor of the Faded, unconscious and ripe for the taking."
|
|
|
|
Post by Jules on Mar 18, 2009 23:06:01 GMT -5
Vilmos frowned, he liked this body. It wasn't going to last much longer but he'd been looking forward to running it into the ground. "Why? I like it. I have tits!"
Zizzy, inwardly of course, rolled her eyes. She was well aware of his fascination with that part of her anatomy as she'd had to live through the first few days of her feeling herself up. The idea that Iker had taken a personal interest in her frightened her. Why are you helping me? It was so outside of what Iker would do, there had to be something behind it. Something he wanted from her, some reason....it made no sense otherwise. And why after all these years?
|
|
|
|
Post by Miss Jack on Mar 18, 2009 23:10:26 GMT -5
"Yes," he said, with a humorless smile. "And they are very enticing, I know." His smile became more genuinely pleased as he remembered said assets, and the sort of jilted passion involved with them.
"If you like them so much, there's no reason you can't find another female. Most, in fact, have years of pent up rage."
He let his power swell inside Zizzy's mind, like a polite threat. "I don't want to force you out, brother." His black eyes pitched to a darker level. "But I will."
|
|
|
|
Post by Jules on Mar 18, 2009 23:16:35 GMT -5
Vilmos recoiled, Zizzy could feel him letting his grip of her loosen and it felt like a tease, like a huge relief and she only wanted him to let it completely go, so desperately it was painful. This was something she'd given up on so long ago, and to think Iker was the cause of this sudden hope and happiness was both confusing and disturbing.
"A'fore I go, just answer me why. Why this one? She ain't that interesting."
Zizzy, despite herself, bristled. To be insulted by someone so base and vulgar was annoying. But she bit back any kind of retort, feeling like if she made a noise before he actually left, she could ruin it all.
|
|
|
|
Post by Miss Jack on Mar 18, 2009 23:22:51 GMT -5
Iker's eyes lit with his impatience, but he kept his countenance clear. "Unfinished business," he replied curtly. "Not that you're due an explanation-- I hardly need to divulge my reasons to you." And one, final time, before he literally would extract Vilmos by force, he requested. "Now get out."
|
|
|
|
Post by Jules on Mar 18, 2009 23:47:52 GMT -5
Vilmos didn't like being threatened in what he considered his domain. Even by Iker, a brother. "If I fight back, her mind won't make it, brother." And since he seemed keen on that part (although he couldn't see why).
"Now what's so special?" It wasn't so often he had something Iker wanted, and he was going to make the most of it. Perhaps get something in return.
Zizzy, on the other hand, was panicked. She'd held out so much longer than she'd expected to and now that was all going to be ruined by a couple of Night Terrors duking it out inside her mind?
|
|
|
|
Post by Miss Jack on Mar 19, 2009 13:33:05 GMT -5
Red pricked his vision. Vilmos's outright defiance was infuriating-- only the thought of losing Armand's body kept him from silencing Vilmos then and there.
"I can't fathom your interest," Iker said with cruel distaste. "Why a long list of flattering qualities would matter to you, I can't imagine. I mean to kill her myself, so forcing you out will end in the same way, it will just mean you denied me the pleasure, and that will not make me happy. If that's truly what you want Vilmos, then by all means, stand in my way."
|
|
|
|
Post by Jules on Mar 19, 2009 13:40:12 GMT -5
"Geeze, alright, alright." Vilmos began condensing on the outside of her neck, starting as a small black beads of what looked like blood except thicker and then gathering into a small ball which grew in size as it slid down her to the ground. Zizzy gasped, suddenly completely in control of herself for the first time in a very long time. She was unused to it and fell to her hands and knees.
She struggled with the idea of owing Iker anything, but she did. "Th-thank you, oh gods, Iker, thank you." Her conscience wouldn't let her start screaming at him after he'd just saved her, but she really hoped he didn't stay long. It felt strange to talk, to have her mouth come out with the words she wanted. It felt odd to have her body obey her at all.
"What do you want?" Zizzy imagined he'd want something in return. She looked to the side, the mob still raging and it hit a nerve and she scampered away quickly, pressing her back against a wall. Armand. She would be able to find him...see him again, and she could only hope in the years that had passed he hadn't moved on. That he would still want her. The thought that it might be otherwise...
"This isn't exactly like you Iker, coming to anyone's rescue."
|
|
|
|
Post by Miss Jack on Mar 19, 2009 13:50:31 GMT -5
Iker smiled, still in her mind, at the subconscious embodiment of herself, and it wasn't wholly cruel. The thought of Zizzy indebted to him pleased him, but he was nothing if not an immaculate business man, and now was not the time.
He stepped forward and traced a finger from the corner of her jaw to her chin, leaning in to whisper against her ear. "Enjoy your new freedom."
And then he left, placing a well aimed puncture in her conscious as he went that would easily knock her out, weak as she was after Vilmos' occupation.
He returned to Armand, who was already at the Zizzy's side, her body slumped against the wall.
Thank you, Armand whispered.
Iker didn't answer. In time, in time, in time.
----
Armand carried Zizzy back to the castle and had settled her into their freshly made bed. He sat on a chair to the side, and he hadn't moved since he brought her, studying every line of her face.
|
|
|
|
Post by Jules on Mar 19, 2009 14:02:21 GMT -5
Zizzy awoke with a start, the odd feeling of something rattling through her chest, like a gunshot. It was almost nauseauting to have control over herself again. She wasn't used to being this connected to her body. Hadn't been in so long. Slowly, slowly, she sat up and looked around. Of course she knew where she was immediately, and that next to her would be Armand. And she was not dissapointed.
She gave him a weak smile, holding the blankets to her chest to hide what she could of the ridiculous dress. "Not my wardrobe choice. I usually don't wear saran wrap as clothing." He hadn't changed a bit in the years gone by (four or five, maybe three, she wasn't sure), but that didn't mean he hadn't. She looked around quickly for a sign that another woman had moved in, but it was impossible to tell, everything was so neat and tidy.
"I had given up."
|
|
|
|
Post by Miss Jack on Mar 19, 2009 14:07:44 GMT -5
It had only been a few weeks. She'd had so little faith in his ability to keep his promise?
Iker, gratefully, had settled to the back of Armand's mind, not wanting to participate in the 'joyous reunion' as he put it, and not feeling the need to breed any havoc yet.
He wanted to tell her, I told you I'd get you back, but as far as Zizzy knew, he hadn't had anything to do with it.
"How do you feel?"
|
|
|
|
Post by Jules on Mar 19, 2009 14:13:42 GMT -5
Zizzy turned that question over in her mind. How did she feel? Iker had saved her, she owed him something now, and she'd spent a few years of her life possessed by a Night Terror who'd made her do things she never, ever would have otherwise. But she was free. Her smile grew and she shrugged, "I'm pretty happy."
The only thing that kept her from glowing, in fact, was Armand and a few unanswered questions she had concerning him. "I want you to know, if you've moved on, I understand. Morpheus, it's been four, five years." She looked down at her blanketed lap. "And if you have, I'll get out of here before I cause anymore trouble."
|
|
