Private Tales A Taste of This World

[Coran]

Coran filed the small tidbit away in his mind. Every piece of information was useful, even in a moment like this. The fact that Fae could not lie was interesting, but not necessarily needed in the moment. He frowned briefly, considering. "No."

He told her.

"It would take time to find a weapon already blessed." Too much time, and it was not as though they could walk into the nearest Temple and demand one from a priest. In order for it to work it needed to be genuine. Such a thing could not be forced, not from the Divine.

There was also the fact that such a solution didn't offer him any advantage. Ylaida would be dead, yes, but if he could cajole followers to his side? It would make him even more powerful. An idea that more than piqued his interest.

"Taking on followers of my own is the way forward." He said as he turned back to regard the stone. "We will just need a place to start…"

The demon murmured, clearly searching for something upon the obelisk.

 

[Genevieve Belisario]

Genevieve hissed something under her breath. Of course she would suggest the path that would require her to do the majority of the work. She really hated doing hard work and this was going to take awhile.

Fuck, she thought to herself. She was stuck with Coran, they were going to be working to convert thousands of people, and there was a powerful demon after them. Goodie.

The fae stepped away from the stone and crossed her arms over her chest.

"What are you looking for?" She asked with a slightly petulant tone.

 

[Coran]

Coran continued to look over the stone, not answering Genevieve until he finally found what he was looking for. ”These altars were built many millennia ago. A dozen, perhaps two.”

The Demon commented quietly.

”Created by enterprising mortals who thought they could recreate those strange traveling stones their kind uses.” He fingered one of the symbols upon the pillars, smiling slightly. ”They failed, of course, not understanding the magic they were calling upon.”

He slowly looked up, then motioned for Genevieve to come towards him. ”Instead of traveling in this world, they breached the veil.”

”Only for a moment, a split second, but enough for one of us to reach through.” Coran smiled. ”Each one of us came to this world through one of these altars.”

It was the only way for them to do so. ”She did not use this one, but it will tell us which one she did use.”

 

[Genevieve Belisario]

"What will knowing which stone she came through do for us?"

Genevieve was full of questions today but this was quite fascinating her. Fae lived in the same areas as the mortals but with lots of glamours and wards. Lots of glamours, wards, and powerful magic. This...what he was talking about...was a totally different world and she had trouble processing it.

 

[Coran]

He glanced back towards the stone. "Because it is magic of this world, and things of this world can be traced."

There was no hiding on this plane, not really. Magic always had a cost, and part of that cost was leaving a trail behind.

"These monoliths were not built by us, but of human hands." He further explained. "Thus, they will have left a mark upon her."

What Coran did not speak out loud, was that he very likely carried one of those marks as well. A frown touched his face, and then he quickly set to work. With a few swipes of his hand he drew the sigil he had found in the dirt, his fingers flickering.

Then he stuck out his hand, clearing intending for her to place her palm within it. "If we know where she is, we can find her, or avoid her. Depending on what we must do."

For now it would be the latter instead of the former, but only until they swayed a city or two.

 

[Genevieve Belisario]

"Fascinating," Genevieve breathed out once he was done with his explanation.

She wondered with they were going to do first. She hoped it was the avoiding part since it was just them two at the moment. Coran needed followers before they could even think about taking Ylaida on.

"Alright, I am yours to lead. Let's destroy this bitch!"

Genevieve may have sounded a bit too enthusiastic at the moment but oh well.

 

[Coran]

There was a flash of light.

A pulse which seemed to echo through the air. It seemed to ring out, seeming to warp and shift. Coran's eyes flickered, and for a moment his vessels gaze turned to utter black. Genevieve would see the abyss of his pupils grow, overtaking the white of his eyes.

Then, as quickly as it had come, his eyes returned to normal.

"Yes." Coran said, his tone distant, a bit as though he had just walked through a lifetime of events. "But first."

He told her. "Power."

A hand reached up, gently caressing her cheek. "Then her death."

 

[Genevieve Belisario]

Genevieve watched as Coran seemed to go into some kind of trance for a few moments. It was nothing short of fabulous and creepy at the same time. She was curious if he had just been given her location or whatever it was that the stone was supposed to share. Location itself or how to find her…either way it looked cool.

Coran’s hand on her cheek did not cause her to grimace, scowl, or pull away. She liked it and she was in her right mind. She had just been surprised before. She wasn’t angry with him. After all, he had saved her life earlier.

“Yes, power…” She replied with a sly smile.

 

[Coran]

With that, Coran began to walk.

The stones had allowed him an insight into the Kine’s path upon this world. It was not an exact location, but close enough that he knew where not to go for now. He knew better than to try and face her, and Genevive had been right.

It was best to gather his own power before trying to hunt the kurr. Though he might have been a match for her even now, he also might not have been. The test could very well put an end to him, and so it was best not to try.

Instead he lead Genevieve out of the forest mountains and back into the plains below.

They traveled for just two short days, stopping only occasionally. It was at noon on the second day that the two found themselves facing a small walled city. Three gates, all guarded spotted the massive wall which itself surrounded a town of forty or fifty buildings. A fortress Keep sitting at it’s center.

Coran tilted his head as they looked down at the city. ”A good start, no?”

The Demon asked quietly, though he had no idea what the city would hold.

 

[Genevieve Belisario]

Genevieve was less grumpy by the time they had arrived at the city. He had let them stop a little more often than not at all so there was that. He may not have gotten tired or hungry but she did. She was still of this world even with her extremely long life.

"I suppose it is a start," she said as she peered down at the city.

It was not too large but it gave her a chance to practice. This would be the most people she ever influenced before and she was wondering if there would be a way to hit a larger group at one time. This was not stealing a human away to the Summer Court...this was life and death.

"We need to find a place to stay because I have a few things I need to clarify with you before we begin this fun."

 

[Coran]

There would be a finesse to this, he knew. Things had to be done…careful.

The people who tended to his worship could not be manipulated wholly. They could not be broken echoes of themselves. They had to keep at least some of their free will, some of who they were. That was the only way this would work.

”There will be a tavern.” Coran said, though a frown touched his face. Eyes flickered down to his hand, noting that the skin upon it was slowly beginning to peel away once more.

The magic he had used in this body was taking it’s toll, and before long it would begin to fade. ”We can find that first.”

He assured Genevieve, taking the first few steps down the hill and towards the city.

Before long they made their way through the gates, offering small greetings to the guards and asking after the nicest tavern in town. Eventually they found themselves in the Glittering Spring, an Inn of some repute.

 

[Genevieve Belisario]

The Glittering Spring was the nicest tavern Genevieve had been to in a very long time. It was very dimly lit with most of the light coming from the stained glass windows. It created a peaceful environment that could be conducive to a shady meeting or a romantic get together. The bar took up the majority of the left wall with booths taking up the other wall and tables scattered throughout. It was pretty nice.

Once Coran and Genevieve had taken their seats at a back booth, she ordered drinks and food. She needed to eat and Coran needed to blend in. She was still trying to figure the demon out but it mostly just hurt her head.

"Okay, I need to know what they are going to be worshipping. There are gods of war and all that shit. They need something to believe in. Some demon guy isn't going to do anything."

Her voice was low as she spoke. Obviously they did not need anyone to overhear conversations of demons.

 

[Coran]

The question hung within the air as he slowly surveyed the room.

Coran had never considered what someone would worship him for, even the mortals. In his mind they were all lowly...disgusting creatures. In his eyes they were food, a meal to be had and passed on. They were better to be discarded, thrown away.

Yet...yet something flowered within his mind.

A wicked smile spread over his lips. "No..."

He said with a shake of his head, agreeing with Genevieve. They would not revere just some Demon. Just some figure of malicious evil and hatred. For that was what he was at the end of the day. A creature of hatred, anger. Evil.

"I think I shall be..." Coran looked to Genevieve. "The Lord of gifts."

Amusement flickered over his features.

 

[Genevieve Belisario]

Genevieve smiled widely. That was good. Everyone loved a god who doled out gifts and favors. She could work with that.

"Alright so what kind of gifts? Do they have to sell you their soul?"

The second question had a slight humorous tone to it but, honestly, she did truly wonder about that. He was a demon and demons were evil. They did not just give out gifts without some sort of cost to the receiver. It did not seem like I want you to worship me would really be enough either. At least not to stick them long term after the gift was given.

 

[Coran]

Coran smiled. "No, not the whole of it."

It would have been...perfect, if they did, but he knew that most mortals would not offer such commitment. Not if it was only so slight. Those of this world were greedy, almost as much as him. Avarice sat within their heart. A pang that he could not control.

Not yet.

"No, no my dear." The demon mused. "The cost must be a prayer. A whispered thanks. A ritual of...praise and submission."

A breath filled his lungs. "Something subtle. Something the devout would follow to the letter."

Fingers gently raked through his hair in consideration, lips thinning as he thought.

 

[Genevieve Belisario]

"Something like forsaking all other gods?" Genevieve asked as their drinks arrived. It was a simple order. Two tankards of ale. She took a drink and made a face. She really missed her home. Everything tasted better in the Summer Court.

"What do have in mind?" The fae asked the demon. This was his area of expertise after all.

 

[Coran]

Coran tipped his head in a nod. "The divine are...esoteric, far."

He mused for a moment.

"I think we must find something more concrete. Something that the people can actually feel." For a second Coran seemed to consider something, and then he looked at the drinks upon the table. "Gold."

Worthless to him, to Genvieve.

Yet the cornerstone of so many lives. "Something along those lines anyway. I believe our work in this city will be two fold. One finding out what ails the more...lowly."

He mused. "And then fixing those problems."

It was a rather...straightforward approach, but also one that was all but guaranteed to work.

 

[Genevieve Belisario]

"Mmmm gold is an excellent idea. Everyone wants gold whether they are rich or poor. The poor want it to survive and the rich just want to be more rich."

Genevieve smiled at him slyly. She was actually excited for the first time in a long time.

"Perhaps we should fine someone influential and single for your next body."

She did not feel like dealing with the bullshit of a wife again.

 

[Coran]

Gold.

It was so pedestrian, so simple, but it would have to do. They would start with gold, and then move on to other blessings. That was how it would have to be. At least for now.

He mused for a moment, then glanced down at his body. "That..."

Coran said with a smile.

"Is an excellent idea, my dear." Someone influential, someone who already had the ear of the people. Someone who could offer a whisper of the peoples new god. Someone who could have Genevieve standing at his side and put pressure to his words. "A truly excellent idea."

He mused.

 

[Genevieve Belisario]

"I have them on occasion," Genevieve smiled at Coran and then waved down their server.

The young woman came over with a sweet smile and asked what she could get them. Genevieve did not have an order though. She had a question.

"My husband and I are new to the city and we are really looking to get some property as well as some employment. Who runs this town?"

"Oh, that is Lord..." Genevieve raised a hand to cut her off and crooked a finger to draw her closer.

"No, no, who is actually in charge of this town?"

The server nodded as she caught on. Who really held the power because the Lords were usually pretty but useless. "His name is Lawrence Cobell and he has an office down by the Lords hall. He makes sure we are taking care of even when the Lord does nothing..."

"Perfect," Genevieve took on of the servers hands and looked into her eye. "You are going to forget this conversation. We just order two more drinks."

 

[Coran]

Coran watched the fae in silence.

He knew that eventually he would have to do something else. Either seal her into place entirely, or simply offer that final nudge over a cliff. For now she was too valuable to get rid of, and far too useful to even contemplate doing so.

A part of him even liked having her around. There was something...fun to it, the addition of chaos that he had not expected.

Yet another part of him wondered what it would have been like to consume her.

To take her whole and feed off the very core of her essence. The frenzy would be utterly delicious, though would likely draw every demon-hunter within three thousand miles. A pain in the ass that he most certainly did not need. "Wonderful, darling."

He complemented Genevieve as she joined him once again.

 

[Genevieve Belisario]

Genevieve huffed at Coran's complement. She doubted its genuineness but she had no choice but to help him. The iron that was poised to pierce her heart in a moments notice meant she would stay by his side. She would be the good little helper but that did not mean she was going to act like she liked the demon.

"You have a name. We can rest tonight and find him tomorrow? You cannot make a spectacle of it like you did last time. We need this city to like us and I would rather not run into any fae hunters."

She took a drink from her mug and looked around the tavern. If this was the top tier of society, they were going to have a good time here. This town was clearly poor even with a small percentage that had slightly more.

 

[Coran]

It was a fair enough request. "No spectacle."

Coran agreed with a nod of his head.

There were simpler ways to do what he had done in the tavern of course, but they were never quite as fulfilling. As long as they got this Lord alone, there wouldn't be any issues. A servant or two could serve as collateral damage, but with Genevieve's gifts there wouldn't be a cause for concern even then.

"We'll keep our profile low." He assured her quietly, reaching over to pat her hand gently. "It will be a simple thing."

A new body.

A wave of generosity, a prayer distributed, a new god whispered of in the streets.

The people of this city would receive a blessing, and whether they wanted it or not it would be a boon for them. At least until Coran took every little sliver of life and love they had.

 

[Genevieve Belisario]

Coran patting her hand caught her off guard. She did not pull away though. She did remember that when he was in control of her, she was the touchy one of the two of them. It felt weird that he was touching her of his own choice.

"So what do we want to do tonight then?"

 

[Coran]

Coran seemed to muse on the thought for a moment. "I suppose..."

For once in his time here the answer could not be 'whatever we want'.

As Genevieve had already pointed out they had to be controlled. This city needed to remain intact, and slaughtering half of it's residents would only mark it in the opposite way. No, they had to do something...something more pedestrian.

"We do the mundane." He mused. "How about an opera?"

The demon asked. "The Mortals always enjoy that sort of thing."

Though he'd never much had the patience for it.