Tweet
She sighed. "Several. All of them travelers or nomads themselves. A few I became close friends with, although most I only ever spent a night with. Once they discovered my fire, they would fear me and find some excuse to get away. Only a few stuck with me regardless. Oh the adventures we went on." Her tone was wistful for a moment, then hardened and she straightened. "They died, though. For once reason or another, they passed into the nether world, and I can't follow them. I can't leave this existence, leave this curse behind." Her hand caught fire and for a few moments, she didn't notice. When she did, she only sighed and extinguished it. "Fire only ever kills, only ever destroys. Its very survival depends on something's death. And because my spirit is bound tightly to fire, I am the same. I thrive on others' deaths." Just as I will yours, she added with a grimace.
-
Phillipians 4:13 - I can do everything through him who gives me strength.
Character Tracker, where you can find out about all the characters.
sigpic -
As Sephira talked about not being able to keep friends because of her fire, Maxwell thought about his own experience. Why didn't he have friends? Was it because of his upbringing? Being away from civilization for 10 years? His constant killing and chaos? He didn't know.
"I'm guessing I'm technically one of the people who stuck around despite knowing your powers. The death thing is still fair game, though. Considering the current situation with Edward."
Now that Maxwell thought about it, Edward was the only person/thing Maxwell knew he could be killed by. He know realized this was a bad thing, seeing as it made him overconfident.
"You know, I haven't been able to really make friends either. Well, aside from Edward, but I don't really consider him a person with a heart anymore. Unlike you, I don't really know the reason. There's just....so many factors, you know? The killing, the way I was raised, everything. I guess I'm not really a people person when it comes down to it."Comment
-
She smiled sideways at him. He had stuck around, despite her fire. In fact, when he discovered it, all he'd done was raise his eyebrow. Granted, they had been in an argument and he'd had more important things to address, but when she'd killed those people with her flames, his first thought was if she was okay. Not that she'd just completely wiped out a group of fourteen with just a thought, but at how the effort had affected her. As she learned more about Maxwell, it grew harder to think of him objectively, as she was supposed to.
"You don't seem too bad to me," she said softly. Her fire wasn't the only thing that scared people from her. Midnight and Star, for one (or two?), and how she could communicate with them. Her forest habits. Her accent when she chose to let it lose. Yes, she could understand where he was coming from. There were few out there who could, or would try to sympathize with another instead of focusing only on their own troubles.Phillipians 4:13 - I can do everything through him who gives me strength.
Character Tracker, where you can find out about all the characters.
sigpicComment
-
"I'm not 'bad to you'? I can only imagine the people who were 'bad'." Maxwell said.
Later in that day.....
Maxwell and Sephira were eating a nice meal in the dinning room when Maxwell heard the piano being played in the other room. Maxwell didn't remember the maids or butlers being able to play the piano, so it made him curious.
"I'll be back." Maxwell said, standing up and walking to the piano room. It was now completely dark outside, and the house was lit up.
When Maxwell got to the piano, nobody was there. Guess whoever was just playing didn't want me to see them.
Suddenly, Maxwell heard footsteps coming from the staircase. When he looked at the staircase, the footsteps stopped. However, nobody was there. After a few seconds, the footsteps continued, but slower. When the footsteps got close, Maxwell felt cold. And for a second, a blue outline flashed in front of Maxwell, but then disappeared. This confused Maxwell very much, but he shrugged it off.
It's just my mind playing tricks on me.
Then, the footsteps came back again, but going up the stairs. When it reached the top, the blue outline appeared again. Judging by the shape and size of the outline, it appeared to be a woman. It waved at Maxwell, then disappeared.
A ghost?Last edited by Z64; 02-13-2014, 12:01 AM.Comment
-
It was nice, being able to relax with someone who felt as much an outcast as Sephira did. No one else really understood how she felt most of the time, although she knew James tried. It wasn't quite the same though. I really should make good on my promise to tell him everything," she thought to herself, just as Maxwell excused himself from their meal. She only then heard the faint playing of the piano and frowned. It had seemed like an instrument only Maxwell ever played, so who was playing it now? She stood and followed him, reaching him just as a blue outline appeared above the stairs. She frowned, seeing a feminine figure, and wondered if it was perhaps Melody, who she hadn't seen since meeting her at the lake following Elliot's death. She didn't think so, though, doubting the spirit would be following her instead of James or Elwood, both of whom she'd taken a liking to. "Who is that?" she asked softly as she drew level with Maxwell.Phillipians 4:13 - I can do everything through him who gives me strength.
Character Tracker, where you can find out about all the characters.
sigpicComment
-
Maxwell looked at Sephira. "I don't know...but let's find out!" Maxwell went up the stairs quickly and looked around. The blue outline was no where to be found.
"Come on, I know you're here!" Maxwell said, scanning the hall.
"Oh really?" A voice said from behind Maxwell. Maxwell jumped and turned around. It was the outline.
"Hello, Maxwell."
Maxwell froze, wondering where he had heard that voice before. It was someone close to him. It was...
"Mother?" Maxwell asked, beginning to tear up.Comment
-
Sephira followed Maxwell, feeling a little uneasy. It wasn't Melody, she could tell that after only a few moments, so who was this ghost? She disliked the dead in the world of living, as it reminded her that she had enemies that she'd preferred stay in the nether world. To her relief, though, Maxwell recognized the spirit. Being his mother, though, made her feel a little uncomfortable, since it was really a private thing to be reunited with a lost loved one, especially if it was someone who had died long since. She started to inch for the stairs, wanting to leave so she was encroaching, but not really wanting to leave either. While she was sure Maxwell's mother wouldn't harm him, the Stari was still uneasy about leaving him completely alone with her.Phillipians 4:13 - I can do everything through him who gives me strength.
Character Tracker, where you can find out about all the characters.
sigpicComment
-
"Mother? Is that what I am? Your mother?" The ghost asked, not knowing.
"You....don't remember?" Maxwell said, on his knees now.
"It's been a while since I passed away. I don't even remember my name." The ghost replied.
"I never knew what your name was..." Maxwell said, tears now going down his face.
The ghost turned slightly and looked at Sephira. "So, son, who is this woman who you've brought to the house?" The ghost asked.
"Her...her name is Sephira." Maxwell said, wiping up his tears. "Just met her today."
"Hmm...ok. Is this true, Sephira?" The ghost asked.Last edited by Z64; 02-14-2014, 12:22 AM.Comment
-
"Yes ma'am," the Stari answered, careful to hide her surprise at being addressed. She placed her fist over her heart and bowed, as she always did when greeting someone, although she felt a little uncomfortable dropping her gaze from the spirit. As soon as she could, she straightened again to keep her eye on the ghost, not trusting her. Maxwell might be happy to see his mother again, but Sephira still didn't trust the dead in the world of living.Phillipians 4:13 - I can do everything through him who gives me strength.
Character Tracker, where you can find out about all the characters.
sigpicComment
-
"Ah, respectful. Unlike the other one." The ghost said, looking at Maxwell. He seemed to struggle with what she was talking about, then remembered.
"Elizabeth? What was bad about Elizabeth?" Maxwell asked.
"Don't be ridiculous, Maxwell. She was using you for your money. Even Edward knew it!"
Maxwell gave his mother a 'What?' look. "How long have you been here?"
The ghost sighed. "I've been here ever since I died. I watched you grow up. I'm sorry I was never able to talk to you. This outline and voice thing is new."
"So...you watched me....kill Father?" Maxwell asked.
"Arthur? Yes. He was quite mad at you. He still is. I do think he had it coming, considering the horrible job he did after I passed away."
Maxwell's eyes widened. "Wait...his ghost is here too?"
"Yes. You're lucky he's dormant right now. But he could come any minute. Don't worry though. We've never been able to make physical contact with you. We just pass right through." The ghost looked at Sephira.
"So, Sephira. Has my son been a good host while you've been in the house? You haven't just been fooling around the whole time, have you? That was the case with Elizabeth."
"Can we please stop bringing up Elizabeth, mother?" Maxwell asked, becoming a little red with embarrassment.Comment
-
Sephira had to smile at the comments about this Elizabeth. She wondered briefly who she had been, but decided that it was unimportant, since she was apparently gone now. The comment about Arthur, on the other hand, made her tense. She could deal with a peaceful ghost as Mother (she was going to call her that, since apparently neither the spirit nor Maxwell knew her real name.), but a wrathful one would not be pleasant. She hoped he stayed dormant for a while longer.
She couldn't help a grin as Mother turned her attention back to the Stari. "If we're not fooling around, we're being serious, and serious is dull. So yes, we've been having some fun." She let the mirth die a little from her face as she answered more seriously, although laughter still danced in her eyes. "Yes, he has been a very gracious host. Much better than most I've had. Normally I have to work a bit before I can get more than even a kiss from someone."Phillipians 4:13 - I can do everything through him who gives me strength.
Character Tracker, where you can find out about all the characters.
sigpicComment
-
Before Mother could reply, there was a knock at the door. Then three more. Eventually, the door opened.
Thing was, nobody was there.
The door closed, and everybody heard footsteps on the stairs. When it reached the second floor, a red outline appeared next to Mother.
"Hello, my wife and son. I believe my name was mentioned?"
Maxwell became serious."Father." Maxwell still clearly resented him. The outline began to move forward, but Mother stopped him by grabbing his hand.
"Please,Arthur...not now..." Mother said, not wanting Arthur to fight with Maxwell. Arthur's hand simply escaped her grasp and slapped her hand away. He then stood in right front of Maxwell.
"Maxwell. How's it been, son?" Arthur asked, his anger evident in his tone.
"Oh, fantastic." Maxwell said, imitating the same tone. "You remember that argument with Uncle Richard? I took that idea of yours. Just took over a week ago."
"Oh, really? Good for you. I don't even remember what you're talking about."Comment
-
The hair on the back of Sephira's neck *****led as the red spirit appeared. So this was Arthur, the hated father Maxwell had killed. Fire sprang to life in her hand, still by her side, as she tensed. This was not going to go well, and despite her knowledge of the dead, she doubted she would be able to stop Arthur if he attacked. The fire flickered around her fingers, wavering as she readied herself for an attack that she felt unsure of winning. Only a small part of her mind registered someone named Richard, and wondered who he had been.Phillipians 4:13 - I can do everything through him who gives me strength.
Character Tracker, where you can find out about all the characters.
sigpicComment
-
The fire in Sephira's hand got Richard's attention, his outline slightly turning to face her.
"And who is this? Did you finally realize Elizabeth was using you for money?" Arthur asked, still looking at Sephira.
Maxwell became a little angrier. "Her name is Sephira. And what is it with you and Mother and bringing up Elizabeth? She was killed by a drunk a year ago!"
Arthur looked back at Maxwell. "You seem more upset over the death of a ***** than the death of your father."
Maxwell stepped forward so that he was in Arthur's face. "Oh yeah, and for good reason. Are you proud, Father?"
Arthur simply chuckled. "No, I'm not, Maxwell. You're just like your ancestors. You're a murderer. You kill people if they're in your way, or if you feel like it. And you know you enjoy it. You're a monster, limited by twisted morals and minimal human inhibitions. You've killed so many people you can't count. Do they ever haunt you? They don't, do they? Because you've never cared."
Maxwell got even angrier at this, but he had a rebuttal. "Oh yes. I know. But you know what? It's your fault. You were an okay father before Mother died. Then? You were just my caretaker. William was more of a father than you were to me. It was like I didn't ever have a father. Just about anything bad about me loops back to you."Comment
-
Sephira froze as the red spirit turned to her; even the fire in her hand stood still for a brief moment before dying. To her relief he turned back to Maxwell, but she knew she wouldn't be able to take much more. The tension brewing between Maxwell and his father was making her feel threatened, and the presence of ghosts made her uneasy. Between the two, she wanted nothing more than to flee the room. She didn't even know why she was still there, but it wouldn't take much for her to run, despite not knowing where she'd flee to.Phillipians 4:13 - I can do everything through him who gives me strength.
Character Tracker, where you can find out about all the characters.
sigpicComment
Comment