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Post by Johnathan on Jun 18, 2013 19:58:15 GMT -5
As Sophia and Soleth departed, Erebus sighed and settled back into his corner. The very real hell hound to his right made a motion to follow them, but Erebus signaled to the negative. "Leave them. What they think is of no concern to me." The hound lowered its head as if bowing in respect, before backing slowly through the dark portal and vanishing completely.
Hoping to be done with today's disturbances, Erebus made himself comfortable and allowed his mind to recede into its meditative half sleep. It was in this state, that he felt himself grow calm, and for the first time in quiet a while, fully relax. All the tension that had been stored in his body of the previous few months evaporated. It hardly even registered to him when Mekura entered the room.
As he lay calmly in his corner with his eyes shut, Erebus did not notice his chains begin to glow softly. Then slowly, as if attempting not to disturb him, they began to dissolve. One by one, the links evaporated into a shimmering magic powder, sparkling up into the air only to vanish into nothingness. As the final link vanished, there was a short pause of silence and stillness, as though the calm before the storm. Then, Erebus's eyes snapped open.
To his perspective, time had stopped. He surveyed the room in an instant, noticing a change but unsure of its origin. It didn't take him long to realize that the change was within himself. His chains of fate, the binding technique which restrained the output of his dangerous power were gone, and yet the destruction that should have followed was absent. That too was easily quantified. His own emotional state had reached a level he had never before experienced. He was perfectly calm and what more, confident with his control over his abilities. The absence of his usual stress and worry, was enough to grant him absolute control over the power which fueled the techniques he had already mastered. Now the question was why.
An imperceptible shadow pulsed through the room: examining, categorizing, evaluating. The source was so obvious it was laughable. A glass vial had broken. Its contents had become air born and were affecting him in some way. A brief compositional survey using the magic he knew betrayed the molecular structure of the gas. He recognized the compound as a mixture of hormones from his lessons in chemistry, but of their effect he was unaware. He contemplated resetting his hormonal system, but decided the benefits gained outweighed whatever negative effect the chemicals might have. For now, he would wait and see.
His focus shifted to Stein, who was clearly observing him. He deduced that the occurrence was an accident but her scientific mind would not allow her to correct it without gathering data. He couldn't help but smile as he gazed into her beautiful dark green eyes. They held an inquisitive and brilliant charm, that was easily missed when framed by her cute and small pixie like appearance. Erebus found himself wondering why he had never noticed it before. In an instantaneous movement, he appeared behind her and his eyes settled on Mekura.
The gym teacher had the air of a mysterious beauty, even now as her ethereal features were tinged with the faintest hints of pain. Her feminine and seemingly fragile form easily could move the most stoic of male hearts with the desire to protect and defend. To Erebus's trained eye however, the woman before him possessed the subtle elegance of an unstrung bow; relaxed and without tension at the moment, but easily drawn into a lethal weapon at a moments notice. Such a form held a dangerous sensuality which Erebus couldn't help but admire.
(From the moment Erebus opened his eyes to the moment he touches Stein happens so quickly that her brain would only just have processed the visual data telling her he wasn't in the corner anymore. Mekura may have noticed him but even to her he would be moving exceptionally quickly.)
Reaching out, he let his hands come to rest gently on the top of Stein's head. In a soft caressing motion, he stroked his fingers through her hair, gently massaging her scalp as a mischievous smile crossed his face. When he spoke, his voice was cool and smooth like the most practiced of aristocratic dialogue; which could melt the frigid hearts of even the steeliest queens.
"My dear Eris, that your inquisitive mind would be interested in a simple weapon such as myself is flattery to the highest degree." He leaned in close so that his warm breath would tickle gently down the back of her neck, before speaking softly, directly into her ear. "Is it within the parameters to allow a subject to learn the basis of the experiment, or must I suffer alone in my curiosity?"
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Post by Stein on Jun 18, 2013 23:38:53 GMT -5
Stein heard the knock on her door and reluctantly let Mekura in, she’d probably popped some stitches again. She open the door, sighing as Mekura confirmed that she’d popped 3 stitches; Stein directed Mekura to sit while she checked her desk and grabbed her needle, thread and scissors. Stein checked her computer as well to ensure all her lab cameras were on, and pulled a small hover-camera out of the drawer incase Mekura wanted to connect to it. After Mekura had ‘borrowed’ one of her lab cameras last time Stein started providing her with a camera to have while in the lab; she set it to hover as she turned and walked back to Mekura with her stitch kit. Stein set down the kit beside Mekura before turning to check on Erebus again; she realized that he was no longer sitting in his corner at about the same moment she sensed him standing behind her. She felt pair of hands come to rest on her head that begin stroking her hair and scalp. She also noticed that she no longer heard his chains and that they had dissolved , Shouldn’t he lose control of his powers and be causing mass destruction without his power restraints? He’s probably at approximately a power level of 10, despite his calm attitude, he’s dangerous like this, I wasn’t expecting this batch to have such a calming effect.
Erebus towered over Stein by more than a foot; she remained still while he whispered in her ear, tilting her head a little to better hear him. The chemicals have shifted and he’s fallen in love…with me. Wait…these chemicals will probably affect Mekura in a similar way. She took a brief moment to decide whether she’d quietly observe, or create a more ‘hands on’ approach, she quickly chose and begin her experiment. Thesis: How do love hormones affect jealousy? How much does encouragement or rejection affect the hormone levels. “You are more than a simple weapon Erebus…Shhh” She finished as she held her finger to her lips. She then said in a tone of voice that sounded as if she was taunting him “I know you love surprises, but since you insist I’ll give you a little hint. Love is such an interesting topic; I wished to explore it further, in all its forms. ..But that is all you’re allowed” She turned her head over her shoulder to look at him. “Besides, I think there’s another lady here who has a crush on you” Stein said as she indicated Mekura; the hormones would be affecting her soon, then the experiment could continue.
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Post by Rikka on Jun 19, 2013 20:55:29 GMT -5
Mekura listened to her move about as she tried to identify the odor in the air. It smelled like the hormones that were in the hallway but amplified. Hearing Stein pull out a hover camera her fingers twitched to open the wavelength but didn't. She needed to work on not using her cameras a whole lot. Later she would work on them again. Taking a deep breath she felt her stress start to just melt away. Calmly she looked around wondering if it was the hormones Stein had let loose into the air. Looking in Stein's direction as she felt movement in the air. It wasn't hard to follow in her calm state as she figured out which corner it had come from. Erebus had been the one to move.
As he spoke she found his voice rather soothing to listen to as she closed her eyes. A pang of something jumped to the forefront of her chest as she listened to him flirt with Eris and Stein although her words sounded stoic flirted back. Startled by the foreign emotion, she opened her eyes and tried to figure out what it was. Why did she feel herself attracted to them? Not liking the emotion running through her body she wish Stein would seal her wound up. She wanted to be out of here. It wasn't right to be attracted to people younger than her and students at that. Fidgeting slightly she felt another stitch pop and sat still again and the bleeding in her side was worsened. Now she had done it."Uh Stein could I get you to fix my stitches please."
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Post by Johnathan on Jun 20, 2013 0:42:19 GMT -5
"Oh?" Erebus questioned, an amused look crossing his face. With the hint she'd given him it was a simple matter to put two and two together. With a sly grin, he walked towards Mekura, as a chair composed purely of shadow took form right beside her. Sitting down so that they were side by side, he draped an arm casually over her shoulders. He crossed his legs into a comfortable lounge and leaned in to whisper to her.
"If you'd like, I can make all the pain disappear." With his free arm, he reached down and began to run two fingers slowly up her side. A small black flame appeared at his finger tips, and wherever it passed the dry blood vanished. In addition, the blood ceased to slow from the wound and all pain was replaced by a faint tingling sensation.
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Post by Stein on Jun 20, 2013 1:12:09 GMT -5
Stein used her metal affinity to lock the door again, Mekura looked ready to bolt, and if Mekura opened the door it would end the experiment, and spread the gas throughout the school vents. Stein instead went to fix Mekura’s stitches, and to see if she could cause jealousy, or more romance. Stein walked over to Mekura and said I’m sorry, let me fix those stitches now.” as she moved Mekura’s arm aside, ‘happening ‘to place Mekura’s hand on Erebus’s leg. Stein lifted Mekura’s shirt up some and made quick work of fixing the stitches. When she’d finished she lowered Mekura’s shirt and before Mekura could react she quickly kissed Mekura’s cheek and said “There, I’m sorry if that hurt, but it’s all better now right?” She then turned away and walked back over to her desk, putting the stitch kit away and taking off her lab coat, hanging it on the back of her rolling chair. She then walked back over the Erebus and Mekura and sat on the other side of Erebus in another chair, leaning against his side and sighing dramatically, as if love struck. The chemicals in the air weren’t affecting her, she’d seen to that; but she knew which chemicals produced which responses, and she acted accordingly.
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Post by Rikka on Jun 20, 2013 1:44:47 GMT -5
Before she could stop them Erebus apparently decided to turn his attention onto her. Her mind drew a blank as to what she should do as his arm was draped across her shoulders. Mekura got slightly irritated with herself as she looked in Erebus' direction. She was over 700 years old and she didn't know what to do. In fact she wanted to run. Goose bumps ran down her spine as he leaned in and whispered into her ear almost distracting her from the click of the lock. Great now she was stuck in here.
Even as he spoke she felt his fingers run slide slowly up her side making the blood flow slow. Before she could even say no to anything at all the pain was replaced with a faint tingling sensation leaving her with having no clue what to do. So her mind decided that getting away first was the best option. Quickly she removed his arm from around her shoulder and set it in his lap. "Thank you but stay." As Stein came over to fix her stitches her hand ended up on Erebus's leg. Quickly Stein replaced the stitches she had popped and pulled her shirt back down.
Removing her hand from Erebus's leg she blinked as Stein gave her a kiss on the cheek. "Ah. It doesn't hurt thanks to Erebus. Um I am just going to stand over there." Hearing Stein sigh Mekura decided it sounded very hollow. Getting up from her chair she was in she moved in seconds to the corner Erebus had vacated. She was very nervous at the moment not liking how she couldn't control this weird emotion that told her to go back and sit with them. It also scared her. Why was she scared of one little thing? Looking in the direction of Stein and Erebus she could help but speak out loud cause for some reason she didn't like how Stein was acting. "Stein your sighs are hollow and so are some of your words. A hollow love is a sad one." Blinking she covered her mouth and grabbed a chair before sitting down facing the corner.
Blinking she thought over the words she had just said. Love? Was that this emotion that was squeezing her chest? For now she was staying in the corner. Cause if she was feeling love taking shots at Stein must be jealousy. Yes she would just stay right here and keep her mouth shut.
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Post by Johnathan on Jun 20, 2013 22:50:52 GMT -5
As Mekura stood and moved away in distress, Erebus quickly rethought his position. From the hints he had been given, he had already calculated the chemical's effect and the nature of the experiment. Even so, he could not resist the flash of anger that went through him as Stein played with Mekura's emotions. After a brief moment of deliberation, Erebus slammed his right foot onto the floor and in response, a surge of dark energy sparked out across it. Immediately after, the floor ignited with black flames. Erebus made a simple gesture, and the flames rapidly expanded, filling the room completely before vanishing. There was no obvious damage, however the chemicals in the air had been completely erased from existence.
"Eris, while I am compelled to repay you for the use of your lab, in regards to Mekura I believe your experiment has already gone too far." Erebus stood from the chair, walking briskly towards one of the walls. "If you plan to continue such experiments, I ask that you keep in mind the staggering power simple emotions such as affection can hold. By manipulating the emotions of others, I have carved permanent scars across great empires, bringing the greatest of leaders to their knees." Erebus turned to meet Stein eye to eye, emphasizing how serious he was on the matter. "Remember, that even if a change you influence is temporary, the effects it can have are not. If you'll excuse me, I wish to test the limits of my current state before the effect expires." Erebus turned as the shadows pooled on the wall, waving over his shoulder. "In the future, if I can entice your interest, I may have an offer of business for you." Stepping into the shadows, Erebus vanished from sight.
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Post by Stein on Jun 28, 2013 23:21:44 GMT -5
“The chemicals’ are gone from the air. Thank you Erebus, those hormones would have taken another hour to defuse naturally.” Stein walked over to her desk as the lock clicked open again. She picked up the broken bottle and was sniffing it as she sat down “Interesting, He eradicated the hormones entirely from existence, which means he probably destroyed the stock solution as well.” She begun typing before stopping again and turning to face Mekura, still sitting in the chair backwards as she put on her coat again and leaned over the chair. “You’re correct; the sigh is hollow, and false, as is the love. I am not physically attracted to either of you, love, and the hormones that control it are complicated; and cause problems in the wrong ratios. Fortunately this batch will not have any negative effects; it’s the correct ratios….simply concentrated.”
Stein walked over to Mekura, being careful to remain a couple feet from her, Stein really did feel a little bad, Erebus was right, hormones and chemicals could easily drive someone to suicide…or insanity. She stopped and looked at Mekura as she sighed and said very sincerely “Ms. Nezumi, I’m terribly sorry if I hurt you, you’ll feel normal within about 2 minutes as the last of the excess hormones leave your system. I took the experiment too far and misplaced my moral compass. And please stop feeling responsible for your actions, this particular combination of hormones depresses the decision-making section of the brain, much like when someone's in the first stages of love. You should be commended for not responding more to the hormones actually.”
Damu ran into the room at that moment headed for Stein where he was blocked and couldn’t see Mekura. “What happened? Erebus sounded mad about something.” Damu asked as he took a seat at Stein’s feet. Stein turned to look at him and explained in brief detail what had occurred. Damu had rolled onto his back as she spoke, but he sat up straight as Stein concluded. “Eris, that was morally wrong, no I don’t care if it was science, that was morally wrong to kiss Mekura, you could have hurt her feelings…what do you mean she’s still here? Oh, hi Mekura” Damu said as he peeked around Stein’s legs to look at Mekura and he inched towards her, she might be mad at Eris still.
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Post by Rikka on Jun 29, 2013 1:37:11 GMT -5
Mekura did not respond as the chemicals in the air disappeared from her sensitive nose. Hearing Erebus chew Stein out then hinted at a business offer she reached up and rubbed her head a bit. Staying in the corner she waited for her body to sort out the chemicals and get rid of them. Hearing Stein walk up next to her she finally sat up a bit straighter and looked toward Stein. Standing she allowed Stein to explain herself. "Don't worry. I'm not hurt. I should have asked what had been spilled or what you had put in the air. Being a teacher I should have known better."
Feeling the affects finally disappearing even faster than Stein had told her it would she looked down in Damu's direction as he approached. Leaning down she gently scooped him up and rubbed his head. "As you know, Hormones usually act on sight and smell. When half the stimulus is gone so is half the affect. Also I am not mad at you. Annoyed slightly but not mad. Anyways I should be going. I need to check on River." Gently she set Damu back on the ground and gave Stein's head a friendly rub being careful of the screw before quickly walking to the door and exiting the lab.
Sighing she knew she needed to get back on her old training schedule. It was becoming ridiculous how all the students were showing her up.
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