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Post by Morpheus on Sept 9, 2009 20:17:33 GMT -6
It was a pleasant day, like most days in Temarra were and the djinn was enjoying it, dressed in his usual attire as he decided to grace the plain again. He was invisible to everyone around him, his companion flying in the sky above, keeping a watchful eye around. The bird served two purposes really, one was to provide an ever faithful companion and the other was to alert his master's allies on this plane if the djinn were to ever get into serious trouble.
Few knew of the bird's existence and it's magickal properties so many didn't bother with it, assuming it was a normal bird attracted to the djinn. Morpheus drifted through the marketplace, watching at the different magickal races drifted through and mingled with one another, exploring the ins and outs of the world when he felt it.
It was a sensation that every djinn cursed and loathed, even a freed one such as himself. It started as a low pull and he dropped down in an abandoned alley way, becoming solid and tangible as well as visible to the world. He could feel the words of the summoning binding him as well as the power in those words. Cursing, the 40,000 year old djinn slumped against the wall, using every fiber of his essence to resist it.
It cannot be! My name is not known, the djinn thought as he grit his teeth against the excruciating pain that came with resisting a summons. It was a white hot pain, one that was torturous in its own right, a penance for having unlimited and unrivaled power. The pain was so great that he could focus on nothing else for the duration of the summoning's pull. It felt as if he were being stabbed in the gut with a silver knife and having it twisted every which way, over and over.
When at last the summonings did fade, he crumpled to the ground, weakened but not yet down when it came again. It was a second summons, this one more powerful than the first with hardly a rest between them. He threw his head back, breathing labored as his arms wrapped around his stomach, clutching his body through the pain, this one more excruciating than the last and it showed. He could feel that the summoner was tiring from this one and he had a short window to rest and gather his energy, perhaps an hour and no more than that.
His companion circled once, sensing the energy before shooting off to find a suitable 'master' that could spare the djinn his fate, searching desperately for the girl thief. When he found her, a toothed beak would grab her cloak and pull her to the severely weakened djinn, crumpled on the ground of the abandoned alley way.
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Post by Ro on Sept 9, 2009 20:31:03 GMT -6
The was a puff of weak magic and her foort steps were there soon enough, their owner stooping down beside the weakened djinn as her face registered genuine worry. "Jarlaxle?" she asked, reaching a hand out to touch his shoulder. The smoke left over from her spell curled around her and permeated her scent with the heady stench of magic, but soon dissipated and the trail of her hasty departure from where she'd been was gone. "What's wrong? What happened? Crow came out of no where and started cawing and yanking on my cloak-"
The human's vision swam a bit, an effect of casting the hasty teleportation spell and the enegry it required, but she regained control once more.
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Post by Morpheus on Sept 9, 2009 20:38:25 GMT -6
It was hard for the djinn to speak but he managed, his voice weak. "A summoning, twice in a row. It should not have happened, my name was cast off the books milennia ago," he said as he shook his head, managing to sit up even though his breathing was labored.
What he was about to tell her was serious and could potentially put him back in danger but he had to trust her. "Jarlaxle is not my name. Djinn have many names and we rarely give out our true names unless it is to those we trust. Summonings occur when our true name is uncovered by a wizard and they set forth with a spell, wanting us to do something for them. It is one of the most painful experiences we suffer if we refuse a summoning, if we even can. It is the price we pay for having unlimited power," he said, closing his eyes against the pain of speaking.
"What I am about to tell you, you are to tell no other or I will kill you," he said, opening his eyes and locking on to hers with an intensity in his gaze that knew no boundaries. "My true name is Morpheus. If you wish to keep me here, then you must give me a command that will take some time for me to accomplish," he said as he looked up at her.
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Post by Ro on Sept 9, 2009 20:53:49 GMT -6
Blue eyes widened to the size of saucers with the severity of his words, and she pulled away almost instantly. There was no way she could subjugate him to her will, not when she was so against it herself. But...he seemed to trust her enough to give her his real name (she'd suspected Jarlaxle to be fake anyways; she knew better then anyone not to give out one's true name), and the weight of that trust was enough to make her reconsider. Only problem was she wasn't to good at thinking on her feet like this.
He was going to be mad if she picked something stupid...
"Morpheus," she started in a squeak before clearing her throat to try again. She grasped his hand in hers jsut in case he needed an anchor. "Morpheus...I command you to help me find my parents."
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Post by Morpheus on Sept 9, 2009 21:01:27 GMT -6
There seemed to be a tangible lift in the air around them as the magick that was pulling on the djinn ceased and flew back to its master, as if to say the djinn was already in service to another being. It didn't matter if the being was magickal or not, the djinn had an outstanding command that had to be fulfilled before he could work for another.
Eyes shot to her as he arched an eyebrow, the crafty part of his mind already hacking to pieces her simple statement. "Since you have probably saved my life, I thank you, Ro," he said as he wearily lifted a hand to cradle her face in a tender gesture. "But since you did not give me a time frame, I have a feeling it is not something you really want. It is alright, without a time frame for as long as you live I cannot be summoned by anyone other than yourself."
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Post by Ro on Sept 9, 2009 21:06:13 GMT -6
Oh, I forgot about that, she thought when he finished explaining it to her. That meant that she had to release him as soon as possible, no matter how tempting keeping him under thumb was (ie keeping him from stealing any more kisses from unsuspecting maidens). "I'll take it back as soon as you know it's safe," she replied hastily, mentally berating herself for the thought; she made a habit of buying potential slave from traders and setting them free. No way was she going to be just like the slimy bastards who bought them. "I don't feel comfortable having power over another being, no matter how much I dislike them."
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Post by Morpheus on Sept 9, 2009 21:14:19 GMT -6
The djinn chuckled, shaking his head as he let his hand drop before running it through his hair. "I forget how young you are at times, little thief," he said with a short laugh. "We djinn were created to be servants to other races, always longing for freedom and never obtaining it. It is how we survive. I will never be safe as long as my true name is known, the potential for summoning me grows. The only way for me to be safe is to kill the ones who know my name."
Morpheus was unusually serious, but the business of summoning and names was a serious matter to the djinn, no matter their age. "So if you wish to risk having me be forced to come after you, then release me. Or you may leave it open to me to deal with when the time of your death comes. It is your choice."
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Post by Ro on Sept 10, 2009 13:02:59 GMT -6
Her mouth fell open at the blatant threat, absolutely taken aback by his words. Sure, she knew how dangerous names were in this world (anyone with even the barest hint of magical power could control you if they knew your true name), but for him to threaten her even though he knew better... "But...I would NEVER-" she started in a whisper, the hairs on the back of her neck standing on end. Every nerve in her body was screaming that she flee, but she knew better then to do that; he'd just find her somehow anyways, and besides that, her pride wouldn't let her. Red wasn't the only color she wore on occasion. "You know I would NEVER do that," she finished. "I'm not like them, I swear."
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Post by Morpheus on Sept 10, 2009 13:35:04 GMT -6
Morpheus chuckled, shaking his head with amusement. "I've heard that one too many times to actually believe it," he said softly as he looked back at her, his dark gaze locking on to her eyes. "Actions speak far louder than words, my little thief, so forgive me for not believing it as of this moment."
He rose a bit unsteadily and Crow came down, landing on his shoulder, staring at the djinn in apprehensive worry. Few knew the bird could actually speak until now. His voice was low and gravelly, a sign it was not often used. "You need rest, Morpheus. You know an attack will come again, they may summon something higher than you and your essence is damaged."
The djinn looked at the bird with mild surprise. "You are right, old friend. But for now, there is not much I can do. One cannot order another djinn to attack me but they can order them to attack my master, which would in a sense be accomplishing the same thing."
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Post by Ro on Sept 10, 2009 13:40:45 GMT -6
Crow's voice had come as a surpise to her, but she brushed it off quickly and recovered; the thing had fangs, so why should she be surprised it could speak? "Hey, don't worry about me," she said, coming up beside him and grabbing his hand in hers. "I'm not the one who needs rest right now. I rented a room at an inn not too far away, so why don't you just come with me so you can lay down? We don't need you walking around like this until they come for you; it's dumb and just plain asking for it."
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Post by Morpheus on Sept 10, 2009 13:51:14 GMT -6
The djinn arched a delicate eyebrow, looking down at her smaller form before seeming to have a conversation with the bird in silence. Shrugging he followed her through the streets until they reached the Inn. "Are you certain you want me this close? Or would you rather I go back to my plane?" he asked, watching her reactions closely.
He wasn't really too inconsiderate when all things came to it if he actually liked his master. Which he did like the girl but if self-preservation came first, he owed her little to no loyalty. He was not going to save her and get himself killed.
Running a hand through his hair, he peered around the street on several levels, making sure no one was in the area to cause them harm.
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Post by Ro on Sept 10, 2009 14:01:45 GMT -6
"I don't mind," she shrugged when they'd arrived, rapping on the door in a series of knocks that was sure to raise some eyebrows; this inn catered more to the people of the underground (not to be confused with the Underdark), so it got alot of people who were either in her line of work or on the run; sometimes both. "I hate leaving someone behind when they're hurting, and this way I can keep an eye on you in case you decide to do something stupid. I don't care how many thousands of years you have under your belt, stupid is as stupid does."
A slit in the door opened, and Ro smiled and explained a bit of the situation briefly, taking care to leave out a few key elements (such as her guest being a djinn and all). After a few moments of the narrowed eyes staring them down, the slit slid closed and the door swung open. Grinning, the blonde gestured he follow her in.
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Post by Morpheus on Sept 10, 2009 14:05:45 GMT -6
"If you say so," he said, not at all perturbed by her behavior. He was used to shady dealings and could have easily gone into the building but was playing human for now. Crow took off, launching into the sky to do only he knew what, searching out for information and a meal.
"So you really just want to keep an eye on me to ensure that I do not go out and try to kill whoever did it?" he asked idly as he followed her inside and to the room she had booked. "Or did you have an ulterior motive?"
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Post by Ro on Sept 10, 2009 14:11:56 GMT -6
The look she shot him was suspicious, but otherwise unsuspecting. "You can kill them when you feel better, I don't care. One less person after my head if what you say is true," she explained as she fumbled with the key to her room, make a noise of triumph when she managed to get it unlocked. The door swung open and they were greeted with the sight of meager furnishings and at least two broken chairs. "Home sweet home," she singsonged, padding into the room to flop onto the remaing chair at the table. "Nothing quite like it, eh?"
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Post by Morpheus on Sept 10, 2009 14:18:39 GMT -6
"None at all," he said as the door swung shut behind him. Waving a hand, he restored the chairs to their previous unbroken state and set them at the table, looking around him in mild irritation at their surroundings. With a slight sigh, he set up several perimeters and traps, should anything not human try to cross them with malintent the djinn would be alerted instantly.
"Now," he said as he took a seat in one of the newly fixed chairs. "What is it that you are so worried about that you dragged me here instead of sending me back to my plane?" he asked, watching her closely.
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Post by Ro on Sept 10, 2009 14:23:59 GMT -6
She blinked at him, slightly amazed when he fixed the chairs and took up residence in one. "Well," she began, testing the words in her head before plunging on head first. "From what I know of magical beings in general, they only give two shits about themselves and would sooner attack a weakened comrade then help him. I figured that if you're as powerful as you claim to be, then you had to have a bunch of enemies in both worlds, and that they would jump at this chance to either kill you, control you, or strip you of your powers. I may not be able to do anything special, but you're at least safer recovering with me then in your world since I could care less about how powerful you are."
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Post by Morpheus on Sept 10, 2009 14:35:42 GMT -6
"You do not know exactly how powerful I am," he said with a mild shrug. "And as a general rule, djinn do not attack each other on our own plane. We do not have physical forms there, we mingle with each other, our essences looking like a thick fog. It is not a sight you will ever see, hopefully, since you would be suffering rapid aging on this plane. It is once on another plane of existence we again become enemies," he said as he tipped his chair back and closed his eyes, leaning against the wall with two chair legs on the floor.
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Post by Ro on Sept 10, 2009 14:57:13 GMT -6
"So sue me for being wrong," she shrugged, leaning back in her own chair and peering at him with half-lidded eyes. "I don't make a habit out of saving djinn, let alone hanging out with them, so I don't know much about your kind." She was thoughtful for a moment. "Actually, I don't think I make a habit of inviting people back to my room either. You're the first in...a while; guess that means you're growing on me," she shrugged.
The carefree smile she sent him let him know just how at ease she was feeling the privacy of this shoddy old hotel room and that she often took up residence in places like this all the time. Usually she couldn't afford a room in general, but even when she had enough gold to last her a few weeks, she downsized to places like this make it last as long as humanly possible.
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Post by Morpheus on Sept 10, 2009 15:10:31 GMT -6
The djinn chuckled as he let his eyes close, hardly moving except to speak and even that was not often. He normally chose to project, letting his magick work instead of having to remember to move the body around to look normal. "Most do not know about djinn, except for those foolish tales we grant wishes. If we had any choice in it, we would not be on this plane nor would we interact with other races," he said. "It is however a price we pay for the unlimited power and potential we carry, able to change anything in this world if we wish it so."
He cracked open an eye to regard her form as he 'spoke', watching what she did.
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Post by Ro on Sept 10, 2009 15:36:56 GMT -6
She didn't appear to be looking at him and was instead playing with the little cylinder that hid her staff. "That's the price you pay, I guess. We all have to pay them for the skills we have," she shrugged, coaxing the little cynlinde into growing about an inch. "Kind of like in alchemy where you have equivalent exchange. In order to take, you also have to give."
It was probably one of the more profound things she'd ever say to him, all things considered. Most of the time she was either insulting him or on her guard, so their conversations were usually clipped and filled with hostility on her part. Didn't mean she couldn't be civil like she was no, just that she didn't really trust him as far as she could throw him just yet; hadn't really given her a reason to till today.
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