i've come to burn your kingdom down

Veronica Aiveras. 21. Witch. I won't shy away from killing you, know that much about me.

[cedricxjames]

He watched her remove her harness, not really staring but more of interested in the process. He had never rock climbed, he wasn’t scared of heights or anything it just never dawned on him to try. 

Cedric met her eyes. 

"Yes well I attempt to be one," 

He mocked a small bow.

"My name is Cedric. Cedric James. And you are?"

He stood upright, making it obvious he was trying to have perfect posture to fit the role of “gentleman”. 

[aiverasuccubus]

Veronica smiled despite herself. "Veronica Aiveras, the resident succubus." Her smile slowly began to morph into a hard expression. "I'm sure you've heard about me. But I know nothing of you. Your last name sounds familiar, though. Your family anything of importance around here?" 

[cedricxjames]

Cedric smiled. He hadn’t been really checking her out he already knew from the other day that she was pretty. And the lighting of the gym did make her hair seem to brighten. Plus she seemed overall in shape… he stopped his eyes from wandering. 

"And if I were?"

He laughed.

"You can’t blame a guy for enjoying such a view. " 

He smirked as she triumphantly reached the top and began to scale down. 

"But no, I’m a gentleman, for the most part, so you don’t have to worry about it."

[aiverasuccubus]

She paused in her climbing to throw him a glare. Though it held no real heat. "A gentleman? In these parts?" She snorted, shaking her head before continuing the rest of the way down. As she removed her harness, she eyed him carefully. A disinterested look played on her face. "What is your name, again?" 

[cedricxjames]

Cedric had been carrying supplies for the upcoming party across the building. He didn’t know why he had volunteered, maybe to fill his hours with more busy work. Either way, as he passed the gym he noticed the girl from the training room, the one that liked her knives, rock climbing. After he set down the supplies in the correct room he walked back and saw she was still there. Walking into the gym he looked up at her.

"How’s the view from up there?"

[aiverasuccubus]

Veronica looked down at the voice, recognizing the face immediately. With a snort, she rolled her eyes. "Breathtaking." Sarcasm laced her words. With one more push upwards, she finally reached the top of the wall. A satisfied smile formed on her face before she began climbing back down. "You better not be enjoying the view from down there." Not that she really would mind if he was checking out her ass. She just didn't want him knowing that.

[aiverasuccubus]

[fireborne-johanna-deactivated20]

At the admission of the brunette, that she could be killed by the Elders and not care, Johanna felt her heart constrict painfully in her chest and she shook her head fiercely, words of denial on her tongue. Not a soul so young should want to leave this world, to have this little regard for their own life, it wasn’t right. But soon after came another confession, Veronica’s parents had been murdered by the very same people Sabrina claimed were there to guide them, protect them. Not for a second did the young princess believe the words coming out of the other woman’s mouth were a lie and even if they had been, you cannot fake grief such as the one the brunette clearly felt, etched in every line of her face. She took both Veronica’s hands in hers, even after the woman had flinched away from her. “We can’t make this right, we can’t reverse time or bring them back but you can have justice. You can have revenge and I can help you. I will help you.” Johanna had always aimed to be a good queen, just and loving to her people and a good queen protected the weak and served justice to the ones who hurt her people. The Elders would have to answer for their crimes one way or another.

[aiverasuccubus]

Veronica's face pinched in agitation when Johanna took her hands, but this time she did not pull away. She looked to the woman's face, watching her closely as she spoke. At the words Veronica's pulse quickened, "You'll help me? I--" She shook her head, "You can't just say those words, Johanna. They have heavy meanings. You must be one hundred percent sure that you mean what you say, and you must understand what they will bring to you." Veronica paused for a moment, still watching the witch carefully. "There are others like me, who have been betrayed by our Elders" The last word was nearly a growl, the disdain Veronica had for the Elders not hidden in the least. "They have made plans, and will carry out these plans soon."

[elizsey-deactivated20150309]

[fireborne-johanna-deactivated20]

As Veronica spoke, emotion coloured her words. Sorrow painted every inhale of breath and Johanna wanted nothing more than to get away from it, yet the words transpierced her like an arrow to the heart. Something terrible had happened within these walls and though she did not know what, she was sure now it had something to do with the woman standing before her. She felt her heart clench at the thought, she didn’t know Veronica for long but for all her talk, she needed protecting if the last minutes were any indication. She needed help and once more Johanna’s nurturing side took over as she gently framed Veronica’s face in her hands, holding eye contact with the brunette. “What did they do to you?”, she asked in what could barely be qualified as a whisper;

[aiverasuccubus]

Veronica flinched at the contact. It had been a long time since someone had touched her willingly. Not even a handshake, or a hug. It made her uneasy and a little angry, knowing that she'd let her weakness show. "Not to me...Hell, they could kill me and I wouldn't care." Her voice was thick with the tears she held back, "They murdered my parents. Hung them from two trees out back. I wasn't even allowed to say goodbye." The sting of the memory was something she carried everyday. It was never too far from her mind. The dead eyes of the two people who brought her in this world served as a constant reminder of why she kept to herself, of why she had decided to listen to Avery Hughes at all. Avery was planning on taking down the Elders, though how or when Veronica didn't know. And in the dark nights where she would curl up in bed, crying to herself, begging for a new life, it was that memory that strengthened her resolve. Veronica swallowed and pulled away from Johanna, looking down at her feet. 

[fireborne-johanna-deactivated20]

Johanna couldn’t help the shiver that coursed through her body as her green eyes locked with the woman’s amber ones. The words as much as the heavy look were shaking her, making her question her safety. What had she done? Why had she come here? Just how much had William neglected to tell her about this place? She took great care to listen to what Veronica had to say as the brunette spoke with a singular solemn quality to her voice and if she had known her longer she might even had heard the notes of some deeper emotion there too. “What do you mean? K-killed by whom?”, she stuttered out, taking a step closer towards the other woman. Her frown deepened as she recalled her talk with the brunette witch she had met, Sabrina. Sabrina had told her of the Elders, the ones who ran this place. The ones whom were in charge of maintaining order and of making the rules. And some rulers resemble more cruel tyrants than true leaders. "You don’t mean the Elders, do you?"

[aiverasuccubus]

Veronica blinked in surprise, not expecting the correct guess. Smart girl, she thought to herself. Maybe the newbie could prove to be an ally after all. "Yes, I mean the Elders." The witch swallowed before continuing, "Not all of them are as kind as they may seem. They'll draw you in, make you believe in them. But then, far too late, you'll see who they truly are. And it's when you see what they are that the trouble begins. It's dangerous to have opinions around here, Johanna. Speaking against the Elders, even when they are truly in the wrong, it will never end well. You'll be hanged, sometimes without even a trial. And if you aren't punished, you'll be an outcast. People will hate you for as long as you live within these walls. They'll call you a traitor, a liar..and their torment will never end." Emotion filled her voice by the end of her little speech. It was pain. Not for her own sake. No, she didn't care what people said of her. But hearing the lies and harsh words whispered about her parents cut her deeply. Her parents were good people, the best, even. They loved her more than anything gave her everything. They weren't the backstabbing liars that the coven knew them as. They were Veronica's world.

[fireborne-johanna-deactivated20]

Johanna frowned as she crossed her arms over her chest, clearly the words were meant as advice but she couldn’t help but reel back a little, her defensiveness and fear rearing their ugly heads once again. On one hand the advice was a sage one, she didn’t know anyone in this coven and everyone could be an ennemy but she hadn’t been raised to think like this, the young princess had a knack for nurturing others and a small part of her hoped the inhabitants of this place could become her people, her family and you don’t mistrust family. “I don’t think words could bring much trouble. Freedom of speech is a thing in America too or so I’ve been told.”

[aiverasuccubus]

As soon as she noticed the frown, Veronica regretted giving the advice that she had. Of course this woman wouldn't understand. How could she? She was new here, and had no idea of the corrupt that lurked within these halls. She was blind here..and hell, maybe it was better for her that way. But still, a part of Veronica wanted Johanna to be safe here. She didn't want her to be led astray by those in this Coven that were out for their own pleasures. She didn't want yet another witch to be lured in by the lies of the Elders and their lackeys. "Words can be more trouble around here than you know." In a rare moment of complete sincerity, Veronica made eye contact with the woman beside her. "Freedom of speech is a human ideal, it is not encouraged in these halls. It could get you killed." Her voice was tight with emotion, the picture of her parent's dead bodies hanging from two trees just outside of the main house in the forefront of her mind. 

[fireborne-johanna-deactivated20]

Johanna appreciated the woman’s honesty, even though in light of her declaration she couldn’t help but feel a little cheated, but despite that she had offered her help freely and couldn’t blame her actions on lack of knowledge. She knew what she was giving up. She noticed the evocation of the use of her powers seemed to make Veronica joyous in a way, power could make for quite the adrenaline boost but she couldn’t imagine enjoying something that hurt others. “We’ll we’re strangers for now. It’s always easier to be honest with a complete stranger.”, she replied with a smile.

[aiverasuccubus]

Veronica found herself smiling back, "True. But be careful with your honestly around here. The truth will not always be your friend within these walls." The truth had gotten her parents killed, and others along with them. Voicing your true thoughts about the Elders had gotten many punished or murdered. Even if it was something as simple as disagreeing with a comment they made, one could be punished for speaking up. It was one of the reasons Veronica taught herself how to lie convincingly. She was an actress, for all intents and purposes, and she played her part well. At least, that's what Avery told her. If she were to make an attempt at honesty..well, it would get her killed just as it had her family.

[aiverasuccubus]

"No, no, no, no, no! What did I do?" The boy was limp in her arms, his head leaning down to her shoulder. "Jason? Jason? Please wake up? Oh, fuck." She pressed her fingers quickly against his neck, checking for a pulse. The skin beneath her fingers was soft and still warm, but the steady thump of his heartbeat she'd felt against her chest just moments before as she was kissing him was gone. She felt nothing. "Oh my God." Veronica didn't think, didn't even breathe as she pushed the lifeless body off of her before running out of the room.

[fireborne-johanna-deactivated20]

Johanna mirrored Veronica’s frowning as the brunette mentioned the opinion the others had of her. She’d been branded a brat by two of the inhabitants of this place and she couldn’t help but think most, if not all people here only judged books by their covers. She wanted to say something but didn’t feel like she had to reassure or comfort the other woman, Veronica seemed pretty aloof in the face of all of that hatred. “They’re foolish then. You obviously can control your abilities enough not to kill unless you wish to.”

[aiverasuccubus]

At the words, Veronica let out a huff of laughter. "I haven't always been able to control my powers, nor have I always wanted to." She wasn't going to lie, if anything. There were a handful of times where Veronica knew she could stop feeding, and yet she chose not to. Feeding made her feel powerful, like she had control over whoever's life she was absorbing. She felt like she owned them, mind, body, and soul. It was an addicting feeling. "But like I said earlier, I like you. You're a sincere voice in a sea of lying asshats. It's refreshing."

[fireborne-johanna-deactivated20]

As her back hit the couch, Johanna fought to regain her composure, facing away from Johanna and counting from ten to one in an effort to stop the trembling of her fingers. A queen cannot show weakness her father had told her numerous times and though queen she was not nor would she be, old habits were hard to shake. She turned back towards Veronica once confident the after effects of the succubi absorbing her life force had subsided. “That’s not necessary. You needed help and I was there. I’m shocked no one else came to your aid”

[aiverasuccubus]

Veronica kept her eyes on Johanna, searching for signs that she had taken too much chi. If she had, the woman certainly didn't show it. The worry on her face relaxed slightly, and she took a seat beside Johanna. "No one else would, believe me." With frown she continued, "You really haven't heard about my reputation around here yet, have you? Most people think of me as a murderer, nothing more." The words were not sad or longing, since Veronica simply did not feel that way. She didn't long to fit in to this Coven, or to have everyone accept and love her. She was fine with them hating her, she reveled in it most of the time.

[fireborne-johanna-deactivated20]

Johanna only had a second to allow herself a faint smile at the brunette’s comment before soft lips were on hers, pressing but not seeking entry. Unlike a kiss of pleasure, this one was out of necessity and she belittled herself internally for not having guessed the move. This was how a succubi absorbed energy according to her readings. The experience was intense and seemingly painless, though she was left with her head spinning and needing to hold on to something, someone in this case as Veronicas’s harm was within reach. Taking a few deep breaths before speaking, she asked while shakily running a hand through her blond curls. “You’re alright now? Right?”

[aiverasuccubus]

It took Veronica a second before she could answer. "I--Yes, I'm alright. You should probably sit down." She led Johanna by the arm over to the couch. Was that remorse she was feeling, regret? Eyeing Johanna carefully, Veronica realized that it was just that. Though if it was regret for feeding off of Johanna, or for allowing herself to be weak, Veronica wasn't sure. "I suppose I owe you---" She swallowed, biting down the swell of annoyance at the words, "--an apology?" She did, as much as she hated to admit it. It was dumb of her to have practically begged the woman to let her feed. It was dumb of her to push herself that far. All around, Veronica was feeling pretty dumb at the moment.

[fireborne-johanna-deactivated20]

Don’t you know what I am? Veronica’s words resonated with Johanna as she searched her mind for an answer, it seemed so obvious to the other woman as if it was a known fact around the coven, what she was. She’d heard tales, she’d read on other species quite a bit after first showing signs of magic. And this talk of energy and needing to feed meant only one thing. Succubi. She couldn’t help but back away slightly yet not breaking the connection, her hand still touching Veronica’s. “Ok.” She let out after a long pause. “Whatever you need to do if it will make you feel better. You can. Do what you need to do.”

[aiverasuccubus]

At the confirmation, Veronica tilted her head to the side. A slow smile came across her face, “I knew I liked you.” Her hand came up to pat the blonde’s shoulder gently, before she leaned in to press her lips against Johanna’s. Her powers kicked in immediately, pulling the chi from the witch in front of her. All at once, Veronica’s mouth was filled with a flavor that was purely Johanna. There was a twinge of sadness, hidden behind layers of various things. Honor, kindness, duty, respect, all of it added up to leave a pleasant feeling in Veronica’s belly. Because Johanna was a fellow witch, her chi was strong and overflowing with power. As she began to pull away, Veronica could already feel the effects of the chi within her, renewing her to full strength.

[aiverasuccubus]

We will stand tall and face it all, together at Skyfall.

[fireborne-johanna-deactivated20]

Veronica’s flinching wasn’t the focal point of Johanna’s attention, her eyes shut in pain however were. She instantly advanced slightly closer, the few words the brunette let out attesting to the severity of whatever was happening to her. As her eyes turned a bright electric blue, Johanna tilted her head to the side to observe, she’d never seen a power like this and curiosity seized her for a second before her mind focused on the problem at hand. She grasped Veronica’s forearm and tugges as to get her to stand up, all the while running a soothing hand up her wrist. “I’ll help, I promise. I’ll help, you just need to tell me how”

[aiverasuccubus]

"E-energy. I need it--need to feed." Her head was filling with words and images. Hungry. Dying. It hurts. Hungry. Just feed from her. Do it. Take too much. Can't. Veronica couldn't focus on anything but the chi before her, almost as if it was calling to her, holding itself out to her in silent offering. "Don't you know what I am?" The words tumbled from her mouth quietly, as if she was speaking to herself. Didn't this girl know who she was dealing with? Didn't she know how stupid it was to be so close? Others had backed away in terror when they saw that Veronica was near. That was the smart thing to do. Couldn't Johanna see that? Veronica grabbed the hand that touched her wrist, holding it gently. "Let me?" These words were spoken just as softly, as Veronica forced herself to make eye contact.