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Guess I have nothing to say.
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Mar 23, 2015 22:01:45 GMT -5
Post by Deleted on Mar 23, 2015 22:01:45 GMT -5
Central Park might be a piss-poor stargazing spot, but it was close by and he had work in the morning. One couldn't get too distracted, otherwise the class will begin late, the Dean will get mad, and he'll have to skip his morning coffee - God forbid! Thankfully, the park was open quite late, and it was only around eleven at night. Even so, it was dead. Very dead. In the city that never sleeps, the park seemed to be the exception - he hadn't seen anyone in over an hour, beyond the occasional car flashing by in the distance. The peace and quiet was welcomed, but every now and then he wished something would happen. In that train of thought, he peered up at the moon. Waxing gibbus; not quite a full moon but it was coming soon enough. At least he wouldn't run into a rampant werewolf...or, he hoped he wouldn't. They were, however, of little concern. Colton was more afraid of the odd vampire prowling the park for an easy snack, and being a Magi made that idea all the more terrifying. He did not like the idea of being a walking opiate for glorified undead leeches.
Colton pushed the thought away. If a Vampire was stalking him, he was confident he'd be able to react long before those teeth came anywhere near his skin. Instead, he stopped at a bench and turned toward the sky. His favorite star, Betelgeuse, was out tonight and surprisingly visible with all of the light pollution and such, as was most of Orion, though covered by trees from the angle he sat. His eyes drifted from the big red star toward Ursa Major and the Big Dipper...which was just Ursa Major's bum. The idea made him laugh, simultaneously opening his hand to conjure a small black box. It flipped open, revealing four self-rolled cigarettes inside. He plucked one out and pinched the end between his lips, waving his hand to dismiss the box then lifted a finger to ignite the tip. He took a few short puffs, then one long drag just to make sure he had it going and relaxed against the bench with his arms spread across the back and his legs crossed before him.
Soon the familiar buzz of nicotine permeated his mind, staring blankly up at the sky. He looked, but didn't see, instead retreating into his mind to daydream - even if it was nighttime. Thoughts of his parents came to mind. He had seen them only a couple years ago, surprised to learn they moved to California. Thoughts of family drifted to his own race: Magi. He had not been to nor seen much of the Scarlet Council lately, which was the least of his expectations with the whole 'coming out from hiding' bit. Being a Mage, he figured they would be keeping close tabs on everything related to magic, especially the older ones such as himself. But, ah, perhaps it was a blessing in disguise. He hated the Magi politics terribly - any politics, for that matter. He had no desire for power over others, no want to control and determine laws or people's lives. Colton could not understand the lust some men have. Can people simply not just be people? Be civil with each other?
Idealism. Reality is what matters, and the reality was power corrupted. Not physical power, not magical power - but power over others. Perhaps he should distance himself from the Council like his parents had been for years now, but they weren't all bad and it kept the media off of his case...mostly.
Ahhh, dilemmas...
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I'm not gonna count my losses... just let 'em come.
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Mar 29, 2015 15:01:16 GMT -5
Post by Macht Stärke on Mar 29, 2015 15:01:16 GMT -5
Macht rolled into town rather late, strolling in at, roughly, 9:15. The first hour-and-a-half of his time in town was spent getting a hotel room and situating himself and his belongings. His room was smaller than usual this time around, so it was harder to fit everything comfortably, and it took much longer to finish up than he was hoping for. By the time he was done with the room, it was already 10:45, which meant the chance of doing anything tonight was already gone. Not that he minded, really - he was comfortable being alone, in the quiet. He was just... silently hoping to be forced into a change of scenario, that's all. Sucking it up, however, Macht adorned himself in a black button-down tee and blue jeans, took the ID with the name "Jack Gavyns," and headed out.
"Jack" spent maybe fifteen minutes just driving around, pondering where to go. He was surprised at how dead the city was, even at this hour, simply due to its population, and noting the emptiness, he figured it'd be best to just head to a park, if any were still open. It would be hard to garner suspicion at a park, especially at this time of night, and fresh air was desperately needed. It took very little debate, but he decided on Central Park.
The truck was loud, compared to the quiet of the night, and the lights stuck out, given there were very few other cars around. These marked the man's arrival at the park, not that he worried about it initially. Upon entering the park, however, he spotted only a single soul. This, again, did not worry him from the start, as he figured the man, like him, needed some fresh air. He noted the man's small laugh to himself from a distance, already making mental notes about the people in the city. He was going to write the man off as being an average one, and not really noteworthy - hell, he might have even struck conversation - until he saw the magic. The box from nowhere, and the lit cigarette with no actual source of fire... there was no mistaking it. Magi.
Macht stopped in his tracks, finding a bench to sit at maybe five yards from the other guy. He spent the first minute or so continuing to watch, but after a while, he figured he wanted to test something. Pulling on the humidity in the air, Macht dampened, and put out, the cigarette. A light smile appeared on his face, one that was hidden in the night, as he did this. He knew it could be dangerous, and yet he did it anyway. Maybe part of him was just tired of running.
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Guess I have nothing to say.
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Mar 29, 2015 20:32:47 GMT -5
Post by Deleted on Mar 29, 2015 20:32:47 GMT -5
Colton remained blissfully unaware of the vehicle's loud rumbling and bright lights, lost in another world of thought, unconscious to anything but himself and the cigarette burning between his lips. Every so often he'd take a small puff, then let it go in a small stream of smoke. Unfortunately, the next time he inhaled he received nothing and there was a tinge of magic in the air that did not come from him, nor anyone around he was aware of. A feeling of dread overcame him, snapping back into reality as he quickly rose from the bench and looked around for the source. His eyes fell on Macht. The first thing to cross his mind was 'Attack before he gets you,' thinking the man was a vampire - one who kept some of their magic when they turned. The temperature in the area around them began to plummet rapidly, causing ice to form along the nearby grasses and moisture in the air to flash-freeze into tiny snowflakes. Perhaps as a blessing to them both, Colton remained conscious of the situation: No hostility had been attempted, the other man could be a Magi he does not know, and if it really was a bloodsucker they would not warn Colton beforehand with some magic trick.
"And who are you? It'd be polite to introduce yourself to the man you're about to buy cigarettes for." He spoke in a deadpan tone, holding his hands forward as if resting atop a cane or the pommel of the sword - the former of which began to form from his palm down to the concrete below. For now, the Magi kept his distance from the unknown male. He was always suspicious of Magi he didn't know, moreso than a random on the street. The average person could do little to harm him, other magi were a different story. Even so, this "Mage" didn't 'feel' like one, exactly. Not like the ones he knew. The idea of a Dragon did momentarily cross his mind, but he saw no Scarlet Council nearby nor any reason why they would send one to him. To the Council, he was simply another Magi. A civilian under their so-called 'government' no more important than the next sparkly-fingered shmuck. He wanted it to stay that way.
"I'd like to know where you learned to do that, too. Males don't often use Water as far as I know." As if he should talk. Ice was simply a derivative of Water, but at this point it was just to see how the man would respond.
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I'm not gonna count my losses... just let 'em come.
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Mar 29, 2015 21:03:59 GMT -5
Post by Macht Stärke on Mar 29, 2015 21:03:59 GMT -5
The moment Macht felt the air begin to cool, he kicked into defensive gear. He hadn't made any aggressive gestures toward this man, but it seemed that he didn't need to - simply showing he was different as well was enough to make him hostile. Standing to his feet quickly, he pooled the water in the area into a lance of sorts, gripping it tightly as it froze. The lance was pointed at the unknown Magi, speaking for itself that he would fight back, if attacked. It was a tense moment, and despite happening so quick, it felt like forever. A breath of relief passed through Macht's body, however, as it appeared the Magi had calmed himself, and as the cane appeared, the lance was deconstructed.
"I don't know what you're talking about," he started, a faint smile curling onto his lips. He knew what he was doing was foolish, and yet he continued to do it anyway. "but if I give you my name, I'm at a disadvantage. I'll do you the polite thing and replace your smoke, but if you want a name, you have to give one." The German's hands retreated into his pockets, and a light band of water appeared near his face. He drank it, ignoring the statement about his ability and leaving it at that. The game plan, right now, was not to give anything away, as the guy didn't seem to know he was a Dragon, let alone a rogue. This was a good thing, and it was going to stay that way. If he could play off being a Magi, well... that was the goal.
The very fact that Macht wasn't in a battle for his life right now was alleviating. It meant he wasn't as apparent a target as he'd assumed the last 139 years, or they'd simply forgotten about him. He took solace in this, as it was like a huge weight was lifted from his shoulders. Maybe, just maybe, it wouldn't be too difficult to return to living a normal life.
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Guess I have nothing to say.
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Mar 29, 2015 22:26:29 GMT -5
Post by Deleted on Mar 29, 2015 22:26:29 GMT -5
Colton quirked a brow as the lance came to the unknown male's hands. Impressive. He was able to create something as complex as that, even in an area rapidly losing its moisture to deposition and the old Mage respected that. Provided there was a fight, he would be indulged in an engaging conflict. However, there was no need for such hostilities. They had both made clear they meant no true harm. Now, on to courtesy. "Aha. A coy one, even in jest. That's adorable." Colton smiled, gently tapping his staff on the ground. The air was freed from his icy grip and allowed to gradually return to the natural temperature except for a small space around himself, indicated by the frost still present on his jacket. "But...I fail to see how that would put you "at a disadvantage." Such is the language of a man with something to hide." Colton leaned forward, dipping his head. "Not very smart if you wish to remain hidden. Now, I do not care for whatever quarrels you may have with Magi. I am not one of their Council patsies and I could not care less about whomever they may be hunting. As long as you aren't a practicing Necromancer - and you're clearly not - you've nothing to fear from me."
The sorcerer cleared his throat, returning to the upright posture he maintained before. "But, I will humor you. My name is Colton Gray. Yes, I am a Mage. I am also a Professor. So overall, nothing special nor threatening to anyone. If you must know why I reacted so...enthusiastically, my initial knee-jerk thought was you might be a Vampire attempting to play with their meal, but if that was true you'd have attacked me by now, no?" With his name in the air, Colton walked forward to the other man, stopping only when he reached arm's length. "I must admit, I may not be familiar with every Mage in New York but I do know quite a few and you are not one of them. Are you here on Council business or are you simply trying to eke out a life worth living under their thumb?" One might find Colton's outspoken disdain for the Council to be dangerous, but there were no eyes and ears around that he knew of. That and it was nearly one in the morning. Who was around to listen?
Colton remained polite, something slightly out of character for him, but his desire to know what exactly this man was hiding far exceeded his natural abrasive self. It didn't matter what it was, or who might be interested in finding him - Colton didn't care to rat him out, all he wanted was to know.
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I'm not gonna count my losses... just let 'em come.
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Mar 29, 2015 22:46:50 GMT -5
Post by Macht Stärke on Mar 29, 2015 22:46:50 GMT -5
The incredibly evident disdain the man expressed for the Council was legitimately refreshing, so much that it forced a genuine smile onto Macht's face. There were very few he knew of who would speak out as this man did, and while Macht wouldn't go so far as to even imply he trusted him, this alone did earn him the German's respect. He decided to drop the callousness right about now, and meet the man's honesty with some of his own. The words were forming in his mouth, but it was like his throat was fighting him back at first. After all, he'd gone so long giving out fake names and bullshit that the even the thought of being honest was actually slightly frightening.
"Macht Stärke, and I'm... not human. And I can promise I don't like the thought of vampires or necromancy any more than you do." That was the best the guy was going to get. He wasn't about to be like "Hey, I'm a Deacon. I fought to get away from the council and I've been hiding for almost 150 years." Kind of defeats the purpose of hiding for almost 150 years. "Not a mage, necessarily, Mr. Gray, I just like me some freedom." Once that statement was finished, he looked all around himself out of habit, insuring there wasn't anyone around to reign him in, or kill him.
Once he was certain he was completely safe, the man eased up. With the two being at arm's length, now, he extended his right and held out a hand, sort of a late attempt at a formal greeting. All the while, he remained watchful, keeping a keen eye on the man's reactions, if any. At the slightest hint of danger, he was more than willing to fight for his life.
"So why would a mage dislike the council?"
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Guess I have nothing to say.
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Mar 29, 2015 23:28:45 GMT -5
Post by Deleted on Mar 29, 2015 23:28:45 GMT -5
"You are not Human, yet you control magic?" Colton smirked. That was narrowing his options quite nicely. If not Human nor Vampire, as far as Colton knew, the control of magic or magic-like abilities fell into three other categories: Djinn, Demons, and Dragons. The first could not be plausible, if the man before him was truly German. The latter two, however, were anyone's guess. Both equally possible, Colton weighed the evidence given to him before concluding there simply was not enough to definitively pinpoint what the man was. A look of disdain quickly crossed his face. The second comment, however, gave him pause. 'Not a mage.' The language was specific. For now, he said nothing on the matter and simply nodded. No point in bringing it up until more was revealed. "I can respect that. Freedom is important and you'll find no greater freedom than in America: Land of the Free and Home of the largest prison system in the world." It seemed patriotism wasn't exactly the mage's thing either.
Colton chuckled at his question, "Why? Is that even a valid question? They seem to think their old and traditionalized form of governing still has merit. They think they are superior to mankind because they can live longer and shoot fire from their fingertips. The clear-cut arrogance, their praise of their own 'morals'...the subservience they demand from Magi not specifically in dealings with them." Colton narrowed his eyes. "Why am I to follow their laws when I already live in a country with their own established system far, far greater in size and diversity than their own? Sure, the United States is a shithole but so is most of the planet. It just happens to be a slightly better shithole than most. Give the Council the run of a country and you'll just see another Saudi Arabia but instead of beheading gays and nonbelievers they enslave shifters and call it a service and expel anything not supernatural, or even anything not specifically Magi." He furrowed his brow, looking up at the sky.
"All I care about is discovering what's out there. The mad-dash for power over others is feeble at best, as it is temporary. Fleeting. Everything that has ever lived and probably will ever live call this rock home, and this 'rock' will endure the lives of all species living on it to their extinction, even the supposed 'Immortals.' Everything is a fucking whisper in the wind to the cosmos, so all we can do is try to make the extraordinarily short time we have alive better for others around us and attempting to garner domination over others does nothing to further that goal." The old Magi looked back to Macht, offering the man a somber grin.
"That's why."
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I'm not gonna count my losses... just let 'em come.
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Mar 29, 2015 23:53:38 GMT -5
Post by Macht Stärke on Mar 29, 2015 23:53:38 GMT -5
Macht simply nodded to the question, assuming it was normal. He'd had a dominion over water itself for many years, as far back as he could remember, in fact. So it wasn't so strange to him. As far as he knew, virtually every creature in existence had some sort of magical aptitude. Granted, he didn't realize the man was attempting to probe and find out exactly what he was. If he did, it was likely he wouldn't have divulged any info on himself at all. He'd have given the name "Jack Gavyns," and tell him something along the lines of "I'm new to the world of the Magi." It was too late to do so, now, of course, and maybe it wasn't even necessary. The more this man spoke, the more Macht grew to like him. The two agreed more than he could ever even realize. Every single word Colton spoke hit home.
"That's... in depth," Macht began with a nervous chuckle, a hand running through his hair. He was honestly caught a little off-guard. "As long as I've lived, their practices haven't changed. At least, not for the better, as far as I know. Can't be too sure, though," he mused lightly, forming a light ball of water in his palm, staring at it. "It's funny, Colton - Can I call you Colton? - not an hour ago I feared the moment I'd encounter Magi, or Dragons, or someone influenced by the council. I'm talking more than 100 years, here - and the first Mage I run into sees things the same way I do." Another chuckle, and the ball of water dispersed, almost as though it evaporated in thin air. Macht didn't know whether to rejoice or turn tail and leave New York this instant.
"What's your view on the, for lack of a better term, darker side of the spectrum? Djinn, Deacons, Demons, and the like?"
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Mar 30, 2015 0:24:04 GMT -5
Post by Deleted on Mar 30, 2015 0:24:04 GMT -5
Colton tilted his head slightly. So the man before him was old, yet did not appear to be. He clearly had in-depth knowledge of the Scarlet Council, but of his own admission was not a Mage. Checkmate. "Call me what you want. One of my students calls me Santa." He mused, glancing down to the orb of water which slowly began to crystallize into ice, but was left under Macht's control. "You've spent a hundred years running from the Council? Damn, that's much longer than I'd expect. With their persistent grudges you'd think they would capture and kill their rogues a bit more efficiently. I suppose they are too busy trying not to rip each other apart in their grabs for power." Drop the hints first. See how they react. That's how one opens the door to reveal the secret within. His question was quite interesting, and only served to confirm his suspicions. The man before him was a Dragon. Colton felt no fear, no desire to run and scream in terror. Macht had given him no reason to; no hostility, no ravaging lust for greed, no hunger to satiate. But madness is never too far behind a Dragon, and that was simply a fact of life. Colton resolved to proceed with caution, but at least it was not a Demon.
"Mmm...Djinn I admittedly have little knowledge of. I studied little of India's culture, but perhaps that simply means I should start. I'm honestly not certain as to why they might be considered 'darker' beyond the knowledge that they can entrap a human in their previous prison. I think.... pretty sure there are special circumstances with that, but I'm not certain." Colton casually scanned the area around them - just to see if anyone else might be listening. Of course, there was nobody, but it did not hurt to check. "Demons, I obviously dislike. They exist to harm and destroy, the very antithesis of what I said before. And y'know, I initially thought you might be one because you said you weren't a Mage but had magic. Which brings me to the final part of your question..." Colton leaned in, an 'I gotcha' smile plastered on his face. "You. Deacons. Dragons who broke free from the Council's control. I was always told Dragons were evil, selfish creatures who wanted nothing but to kill and destroy - no better, if not worse than Demons. Perhaps you are a special case, maybe you're just luring me into a false sense of security. Either way, I've yet to see a reason to fear or kill you." Colton shrugged.
"And no, I don't plan on telling the Council anything. They haven't spoken to me in ages anyway. I'll probably forget about you by the time they come around to bug me again." He chuckled. "Besides, they wouldn't give me anything but a pat on the back and a 'Good boy!' for it and I don't feel like being patronized by some asshole who has the honored distinction of being born before other people."
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I'm not gonna count my losses... just let 'em come.
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Mar 30, 2015 0:40:41 GMT -5
Post by Macht Stärke on Mar 30, 2015 0:40:41 GMT -5
A small, almost ironic smirk was on Macht's face. The man deduced what he was, and he wasn't even being subtle about it. No, it wasn't very well hidden, considering the German had divulged far too much about his own personal history, but the fact that he knew was there. This, and that he was Magi, was dangerous. A person could say anything - Macht had learned not to trust easily - but he wasn't typically willing to sacrifice his well-being for their word. He didn't have it in him. As it was now, hiding was easy. It took minimal effort, and he was free to do as he pleased. That would all change if the Council was on his tail. He'd have to jump ship, maybe head to an all new country, and he didn't like the thought of that... not one bit.
"So far, I respect you," he began, moving the ball of ice around itself. While it was frozen, it still remained in his dominion. He just couldn't melt it down if he wanted. "I don't want to end tonight in a blood bath. I haven't had to hurt anyone in a century, and I'd like for that not to change." The ball of ice dropped into his palm, and his fingers began to dig into it with ease, shooting out small splinters of frost. "Discretion would be appreciated. If desiring freedom makes me the equivalent to a demon, that should say everything about what you've been told. I lost everything to live the life I have now, so this knowledge going nowhere would benefit the both of us." Macht turned to his side, throwing the broken ball of ice into the grass. By now, it was a bunch of slushied mush, so it didn't get anywhere.
Whether or not Colton believed him, all of what Macht said was true. He was very much capable of fighting Magi, and could do so on a whim, but that didn't mean he wanted to. At least, he didn't think he did. This whole act of his was something he wouldn't have done a week ago, and yet now he approached someone he knew to be Magi, while they had no knowledge he even existed. Maybe part of him did yearn for a fight, but if it did, it was too far suppressed to make much of a difference.
"I feel like we see eye-to-eye, for the most part, and that's new to me. I'm convinced you're not out for my blood, so believe me when I say I'm not out for yours. Live and let live, right?"
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Guess I have nothing to say.
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Mar 30, 2015 1:08:20 GMT -5
Post by Deleted on Mar 30, 2015 1:08:20 GMT -5
"And I, you." Colton nodded, watching the icy sphere with a passing curiosity. So as long as he made it, he could control it, yet was unable to freeze it himself. Beyond the stories he was told, Colton knew little of Dragons and even less of how their magic worked so this was an insight, if a small one. "Neither did I, Macht. I would rather conserve my energy for a real threat. Pointless violence is not my idea of a good time." He let out a bemused grunt, eyeing the slushy sphere as it hit the nearby grass. "I don't disagree, Macht. I already said I wouldn't be telling the Council anything. However..." The Magi looked back up to the Deacon and frowned, soon averting his eyes to the ground. "You're still mad. It is immutable. I've never been informed why, but it seems to be a basic fact that your kind are a touch insane." He shrugged, tapping his staff on the ground in thought. "Freedom is important. It does not make you a demon, or even evil. I fully understand that I was likely fed propaganda. Even so, can you try to promise me you won't be going on any rampages through the city, or let that madness get to you?"
It might have been a promise impossible to keep, but at least hearing it from him would be a small comfort. It'd let him know that Macht would at least try and that was enough for him. Lifting his head, his lips curled into a more positive smile at Dragon. "Yes, I believe we do. Live and let live. indeed" He offered a nod, then looked out toward the wooded park. "I don't suppose I could ask a few questions about you Dragons then, could I? The Council is very hush-hush about them and what I have been told may not even be true. I admit that whole 'Death Switch' business sounded like bullshit to me, but they must have some incentive to keep you guys under their control. I can only hope if it is true they don't start applying it to other beings. Say, Magi who dislike their politics or dissenting Humans. Powerful businessmen and politicians. It just sounds like a lot of evil potential, to me." Colton did not truly expect a full dissertation on Dragons, nor even expected Macht to tell him anything at all. Trust like that takes time to build - and he just learned what Macht was...but it didn't hurt to ask.
"Oh, and you may want to be careful here...the head Council is housed somewhere in the city, and this is where loyalty to them is strongest. Come up with a good lie, yeah?"
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Mar 30, 2015 4:27:21 GMT -5
Post by Macht Stärke on Mar 30, 2015 4:27:21 GMT -5
"I can guarantee the only people I'll ever harm are the ones who give me no other option. I'm still out here, unbothered for a century. That should tell you all you need to know - I don't rampage. It's just not my thing."
Macht figured that was about as good of a kind gesture as he was going to get from this guy. More or less, he was given the benefit of the doubt, and not branded public enemy #1 by the mage before him. Were it anyone else, he was certain to have gone into full-on battle, and Manhattan would have been leveled. However, he spoke the truth, in that his "madness" was no issue to the safety of those he surrounded himself with. The last people he ever fought were the Dragons and Magi who attempted to kill him for abandoning his duty with the council. No assassins, demons, Magi, or problems of any kind ever presented themselves in a manner that forced violence. Dragons may be mad, generally, but Macht knew how to keep himself in check.
"I'm not sure what all I can tell you that you wouldn't already know. There's not a lot to us that set us apart from any other species," he began, shrugging. It couldn't hurt to tell this guy about Dragons. He'd just leave out the "how to kill us" bit. "We're stronger, tougher, and the women can heal. Flying and magic is a given. But beyond that, I can't confirm whether or not that "death switch" is legitimate, but I can dispute the hell out of it. After all, I'm here, without the council on my back. If it was real, we wouldn't be having this conversation right now." This was really just a response made due to his ignorance. He broke the "Switch" somehow, and gained his independence through means he was completely unaware of. It did, however, claim his unsuccessful family, which was yet another detail he chose to leave out.
"Ask me whatever, and if I can tell you, I'll tell you. I gotta say, though, I got out of there before they gave me Dragon Lore 101." A smirk. In reality, the history of their kind was almost beaten into you through dreams and the like since birth.
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Mar 30, 2015 14:04:08 GMT -5
Post by Deleted on Mar 30, 2015 14:04:08 GMT -5
"I understood clearly your time spent in hiding was not done violently - at least not of your own accord. It gives me peace of mind to hear you say it, nonetheless." Colton smirked, a small illusionary 'video' of a Dragon going berserk in New York appearing between them - a simple illusion, but the vividness of his imagination made it akin to a movie. "...not that it wouldn't be entertaining to watch, mind you. Mainly the Council scrambling to understand what the hell happened while they slept." He let out a dark chuckle, dismissing the illusion with a wave of the hand. "If only you could do that without harming an innocent. God knows this place could use a bit of remodeling." The old Magi looked at the skyscrapers surrounding them.
Turning back to Macht, he shook his head. "You could tell me a lot I don't know. As I said, the Council likes to keep the details of their weaponized pets under wraps for fear of others using said knowledge against them. I don't know the extent of their magical abilities, or if they compare to that of Magi at all. I know that most were wiped out and there are only a few left, but they seem to be making more. How they do this is, of course, unknown to most." Colton paused. "I had a theory. That the Death Switch is a...placebo. Or, more accurately, a nocebo. Performing a magical ritual while telling the dragon in question is being given a some mystical seal that will kill them if they ever stray from their loyalties. The belief makes it 'real', sort of. The fact that we are talking does not mean anything - all magic can be broken in some way, but it is indicative of several possibilities: It might not be real, the ritual failed to work properly on you, or you have within yourself a means to break its control. The lattermost is...dangerous."
Colton sighed, "You might be a special case, but not every Dragon who breaks away will be as nice as you. But if there was any question I had to ask, it'd be...why hasn't there been an uprising against the tyranny of the Council by your kin? They are powerful, but far from the omnipotence they attempt to express."
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I'm not gonna count my losses... just let 'em come.
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Mar 30, 2015 15:40:42 GMT -5
Post by Macht Stärke on Mar 30, 2015 15:40:42 GMT -5
"As far as the switch goes, your guess is as good as mine. In all honesty, I couldn't tell you if you're right or wrong," the German spoke with a shrug, choosing to ignore the illusion Colton manifested between the two. It was highly unlikely to happen, at least with Macht being the aggressor, but that didn't mean he didn't want it to happen. If he could destroy the council and free his kind, he would, but too many would get caught in the crossfire. Something like that would require a good amount of organization, if it ever happened at all. "I can tell you, if it was real, and I had the power to break away from it, I would do everything in my power to give others the same opportunity. Not that they'd take it." It was unfortunate how many Dragons were brainwashed by the Council. Even if they all had the power to break free, very few would take it.
The next question Colton asked hit home. His family had attempted rebellion, all at his suggestion, and they were met with resistance from other Dragons who claimed the Stärkes were foul deserters. "You could ask a hundred Dragons their opinion on the council, and ninety-nine of them will voice approval out of some honor-bound, dutiful bullshit they cling to. The one who disagrees is most likely to attempt to fight for his or her freedom, and will be met with aggression from the other ninety-nine. As powerful as Dragons can be, generation after generation have been brainwashed into this mentality that their slavery is justifiable and righteous. As long as the Mother remains dormant, there will never be an uprising. There are few with the gall to become a Deacon, and even fewer with the strength to survive as one." He was blunt, for the most part, and spared no words for his kind, if only for the fact that their idiocy was undeniable. The main threat to the well-being of Dragons was other Dragons.
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Deleted
Guess I have nothing to say.
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Mar 30, 2015 18:57:08 GMT -5
Post by Deleted on Mar 30, 2015 18:57:08 GMT -5
Colton listened with a stone face, momentarily pursing his lips in thought. What he was doing right now was already punishable by the Council - egging him on would only add to the case, provided he was ever brought up on charges. There was only a small, minute chance that the conversation had here would ever be known to anyone but them but chances are a poor means of judging whether or not something could happen. Dying in a plane crash had an incredibly low chance, but it still happened. Getting cancer has a low probability as well, but people are still diagnosed. After a moment of silent deliberation, Colton smiled up to Macht. "If that's the case...then it seems you have your goal, no? If you free your queen, then the others will follow. But in doing so, you will unleash madness. Which is more valuable, Macht? The freedom of your species, or the lives of the countless unaware who might die as a result?" A tough decision. How could a living thing decide which other living things were more valuable than others? There is no answer, only biases.
But Colton wanted to see how the Deacon would respond.
If he wanted his people free, it would show conviction. A desire for vengeance and liberty. If he wanted to keep them in chains, it would show mercy. A need to keep the peace at the cost of his own brethren. A third solution, however, came to mind in that moment. "Perhaps..." Colton began to walk around Macht in a small circle. "Just perhaps...there is a means to keep your people sane, not require slavery, and allow your kin to live their lives as they see fit. If they want to be soldiers for the Magi, they can of course. Or they can live peacefully elsewhere. Would your Queen allow such a thing to happen, or is she far too gone to comprehend a solution such as this? And even if she could, would the Council give up their illusion of power so easily?" He stopped next to Macht, facing the same direction as he, out toward the expanse of the park. "Talking to the Council does nothing. No words will sway their minds. The only reset button...is to kill them all."
Now. With those words, he gambled his life.
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