- ̗̀ i wanna fly higher

did i write myself as gentle instead of hungry? efigenia. 137. witch. she/her. narcissus watcher.

[enfenimx]

"Who said it hasn't been already?" Dealers were among the most convenient; when money was good, they'd sell just about anything. "It's a lot easier than you make it sound: hey man, I've got something new for you to try." Enfenim did his best to mimic a mortal degenerate; the stretch was only focused on half of that statement. "This is different from anything I've given you before, go on, give it a try: you'll feel like Superman for an hour." Enfenim settled back into himself, "And the first time's free." The lineup at Porus was strewn with people who'd jump at the chance to escape themselves for a time, and the black market was evidence enough that there were people who'd do just about anything for strength. The Asphodel, too.

[efigeniax]

Efigenia’s lips pursed into something of a sardonic smile at Enfenim’s jestful mocking before deciding to inspect the box one last time at his prodding to try it. Drugs, even that of the supernatural kind, weren’t something close to compelling for the Advocate, but the abyssal elf spoke of mimicked power; and power often spoke to the Advocate’s language. Her brow quirked at his embellishment of the pill’s accomplishments; she often took the good with the bad, the power that stemmed from the Asphodel being one such fated exchange. Enfenim was slippery, and though they had moments and quirks where they intersected, she’d not take any random pill that fell from his bag unto her hands; despite his astute reputation as a shady dealer. “Why, Saint Nicholas, you’re so giving.” Lest not by herself, "And are you not going to indulge, as well?"

[efigeniax]

a starter for @prosperox, where: are we at lubefest, we can be at lubesfest

“I should have known you'd show up," the Advocate had not lived through the fate of the timeline which wasn't, but she'd heard of the demigods being subjected to possession and how they all flooded into Rome as though it was the epicenter for their conquest over the world. “You’re a sight for sore eyes,” a friend, what was once something more was now something to staunchly rely on instead; infrequently, sure, but trust was thin amongst Efigenia’s small circle and she valued the very few who had proved a shared loyalty. “Are you here because of all the-” a hand waved as though it encompassed the state of what had been, one encased in a black chiffon glove; a fashion statement more casual and inexpensive considering the company of lycans that violently hooted and hollered around the grounds of Lupercal currently.

[feral-ballad]

Yrsa Daley-Ward, from bone; “waiting for the check to clear”

[shadowseveron]

@efigeniax

[fxllenpythia]

"As it should." It's deafening, the solidity in which she defiles the woman with her stoicism. It is how Leviathan has always intended it to be. Loyalty beyond all fault - and as it was with Kaan, their deception should be to all but her. "Necromancy is but a menial piece of all that you strive for. Appeasing Oztalun is all you need to do," it was something that Pythia could swallow, however barbed it was. The splinters of dark magic were otherworldly, and created the stepping stones to what the First offered. One did not exist without the other. "Should you wish to earn his favor, keeping mine would do you well," which wasn't entirely true - but Leviathan was certainly within the realm of taking all she'd offered away and then some. Undoubtedly, it'd land anyone in a bit of a pickle. "You'll make do." She smiles, like the edge of a jagged knife, "And how am I to trust that you're not of the same mindset Kaan was? Hm?"

[efigeniax]

Where Efigenia once conveyed herself as upholding this lethal stoicism, the Pythia blew her out of such waters. Leviathan was the true leeching of the abyss, not easy to distill, wholly corrupted and vengeful in their path. They were the Advocate's idol, and though she were meant to kneel and swear fealty to another, such statement still held true. Kaan's name was surely a test, barbed wire that scathingly embedded itself within Efigenia, nodding grimly. She'd have respect for Kaan's betrayal to the Pythia, no matter how messy and convoluted her shared loyalties and beliefs were to both ends. "Kaan was an unexpected twist for you, he didn't have all of these variables when he pledged himself to you." Efigenia's head bowed, a twinge of sorrow for her fallen friend and Sovereign, but also a sign of loyalty to the archfiend, "I know what I have, what I've built here, and I don't mind to go against it."

[enfenimx]

"It's well tested, effective." Enfenim snapped the box shut before he kept it aloft for Efigenia to take, to do with what she wished. "I've been asking myself a great deal lately; what is most addicting in this world? What do people want the most?" The lonely wanted to feel loved, the outcast wanted to feel like they belonged, the poor wanted to feel wealthy, and at the root of it all, there was one thing that could quell all of these at once. "Power." The resources were delicately curated, blended, and put together- with a touch of both the Abyss and the Divine for good measure. Considering what most of this realm put into their body, Enfenim couldn't say he was surprised; synthetics, processed flesh, and whatever they could fish out of the dirt just to feel something. What was a bit of blood and magic? "One will temporarily increase someone's abilities twenty-fold, and should one without magic take it... Well, they'll taste what it's like to be us." Enfenim expected it to be a top seller.

[efigeniax]

"That could have a lot of definitions coming from you," gloved hands carefully took the box from the elf, carefully stowing away to inspect further later; perhaps she'd reveal it to Severon, he was still pretty stressy-depressy over his autobot ban. Enfenim was talented, unfortunately, but the Advocate would keep the very compliment to herself; she needn't stroke his ego any further than he'd done so himself. "And how are you planning on distributing these? Do you have little messengers?" She'd figure the fey forest, even Lupercal, was an easy place to filter it; the Senate had a strict eye upon the Roman streets, but Enfenim was as crafty and he could be clever and the witch was certain he'd find a way to navigate around their insipid values.

[shadowseveron]

Efigenia was a hungry woman, hungry for power and strength but also comfort. Deep down he sensed that because Severon, unfortunately, could relate. Males weren't easily cherished in his society and he'd once had to scratch and claw his way up despite superior intellect and noble heritage. Everyone wanted somewhere to belong and someone to belong with. He was prideful and would have thought himself quite joyful and fulfilled within the drow. The mortal realm had been merely a curiousity and a tool for the Artificer. But now Severon found himself longing for this sliver of it for his very own, this piece of it that was shaped as this witch. He'd have her with him. Longing was quite a dangerous thing, need perhaps more so. He didn't know how to classify this feeling in his chest but he knew that he wanted to open up all channels of his life to this mortal and to trust her the way he would never have let himself trust an outsider before.

"A marriage of magic." He mused, not thinking through the words that flowed out of him as he inspected the pendant with a new sense of awe. Truly a marriage of magic by a connection and sharing he didn't think to have between them before. It would certainly come to use for Efigenia... and to him? To have any sort of connection towards a coven's magic and, perhaps, insight into whatever might be left of Tiamat's influence over the witches? The elve's eyes narrowed as he turned it, seeing both the simplicity of it but also feeling what he could of it's pulsing magic. "I will take it," he said softly. Severon gazed towards Efigenia again, meeting her eyes with sincerity. "I will take it on one condition... we vow something. We vow that our paths will remain forever entwined while this connects us and that if our paths were ever to diverge and I return this to you, that still neither one of us will ever be able to harm the other."

[efigeniax]

There was something to be said of the Advocate, who constantly swayed to the beat of her own drum, who mulled over each and ever deviant route until settling on a methodically thought approach; a woman of smarts and strength, yet one who still was wretchedly human deep down. Everyone wanted the validity of being loved, a comfort she often went without, but she still sought out the dark elf despite. He was ever dark thought she'd had, manifested into a reality, and yet he was the respite for every damning choice she'd ever made and would continue to make. She wasn't sure when Severon had become so intertwined within her life, the man was still grossly separated from the quotidian reality of it, and yet Efigenia found him entirely inseparable from it upon a closer examination. This insidious weaving of their lives, a subtle inclination that spurred this final leap of something far more serious than this had ever been intended. Once a means to an end, this maddening pull to further her necromantic magic, spurred now into something of cushioned oblivion.

She smiled, something which likely still appeared odd when flashing across her normally steely visage, "Something like that." Efigenia coolly watched as Severon turned over the jewelry within the palm of his hand, a mirror of what she had done every time the dark elf had gifted her something substantial that had also thrummed with magic. A test, a blind venture, something that could heal or kill, and Severon peppered his own twist upon the request; typical of him. It hurt to think of such vow, she had verbally promised the very same with Kaan, but they'd never bound it to magic; perhaps her oldest friend and Sovereign had never figured they'd need magic to sort out such promise. Efigenia blinked away the lethal thought, nodding, "I can intertwine it with the magic already bound within it." A vow made stronger by magic; a mistake she'd not make twice where someone she cared for was concerned.

[oakleyryder]

"I've always done better on my own." Ryder thought vaguely of the example that he had of family, the man that was- there was a glimpse of something dark; the haunted howls of blood running over an altar, the fragrant scent of raw flesh, howls that were too monstrous to be natural beasts, and the enchanted cry of a mad man devoted to an unnamed God. Ryder's lip quirked, "Not everyone is looking for a family. How did you come by the Narcissus?" The Watcher had hinted enough that she'd been one such individual who'd come upon the coven and claimed a stake of her own. The Narcissus is ancient, bloodied, and proud. He'd known of them a century ago, and the city still whispered worriedly about them today.

[efigeniax]

"So everybody says," many in Rome garnered this survivalist mantra, but Efigenia had seen many frangible and broken mortals pretending they conveyed wretched strengths to rise above it all. In truth, Rome was hungry, it was this voracious stomach that could not be satiated, and she'd seen the city take upon it's victims for less, picking the bones clean. "I was recommended to them by a dear friend of mine; he was married to the Sovereign," the Advocate remained unreadable, though it was a miracle she could speak upon Kaan and Jianyu without her jaw clenching at what had transpired, any evidence of her grief locked away tightly.

[enfenimx]

"There's so much order here," Within the elven realm as well, but it would take some effort to bring his plans to fruition there. Rome would be easier, more ripe for the picking. Eladrins flooded in, and the senate had done such a good job at getting everyone to hold hands. He heard the marshals even had dental now, good for them. "Chaos is the surest way to create opportunity; on a personal note, it's so much more interesting." The Eye had reformed; they were saving the world now, one supernatural at a time. Now, the devil worked hard, but Enfenim worked harder. One of the tranquil brought forth an opaque case, jet black with gilded hinges. Money was common, but it was fun; in this realm, it was the most useful commodity imaginable. Wealth had many forms, though, and Enfenim's connections ran deep, through the Underdark, and beyond. When it opened, a single capsule was within; it shimmered with an ethereal blue light, a manufactured pill unlike any other. "The future: a world without limitations."

[efigeniax]

Efigenia offered the briefest nod; the Advocate was one who walked the very tightrope of such order, weaved her way around the implicit rules and found a way to conquer above them. A watcher, a pillar of this mortal realm, but someone who drifted towards abyssal measures and evil forces as though she could not become burned. "The red pill or the blue pill," stated plainly as the ornate box was presented; Enfenim was riddled with darkness, an elf who made a mockery of whatever life was meant for them within the faerie courts. Thicker than thieves, the two could find commonplace within their habitually illicit past times, but where Efigenia was carefully cut and placed within a certain ideal, Enfenim was a creature who made a name of himself by consistently coloring outside of such box. Chaos; as he had put it so eloquently. She was intrigued, but not for the sake of her own personal endeavors, simply because of the opportunities he'd boasted of, "You're not wanting me to be a test consumer, right?" The Advocate's lip quirked upward at that though her hand hovered over the pill as though even touching it could be detrimental.

[shadowseveron]

He'd once gifted his Mother/mother with a choker that had an obsidian and ruby spider, one that would detach and bring her small objects she wanted. He'd been little more than a child back then. Grown up now, he didn't give anyone any more gifts, not even his Mother - he gave his people his time, effort and genius. They gained much with just that. But Severon had since rediscovered the pleasure of gift-giving when he'd gone to give Efigenia a bracelet that electrocuted anyone she didn't want to touch her. Then a necklace of that she could break off her neck to turn into a small dagger. They'd made a game of it since and it made the witch occupy that much more of the elve's daily and nightly thoughts.

"And what is this?" Severon asked in a low voice, the pleased surprise becoming a smile on his face as he held up the pendant with his index finger and thumb. "... A gift, a game or a test?"

[efigeniax]

"An offering," there was often satisfaction within the Advocate when she carved her own path, evident in the careful navigation towards choosing her own phrasing. Things between them... frivolous and fragile, not marked by any genuine longevity; there was nothing that inspired her to wholly change that and perhaps they needn't quite be defined, but Efigenia found that the further she delved into the abyssal darkness, the more insistent the witch had become towards crossing her T's and dotting her I's. "Something tangible," where his gifts were perfectly curated to the world she navigated this was, instead, beneficial to them both; his magic was so vastly different from hers, shadow magic that was entirely esoteric to the dark elves. No matter how much she vied to understand, to feel such element herself, Efigenia would be an outsider to the elements of shadow he could garner. This was something parallel, a channeling that could be called upon if he ever needed it, and she the same.

"If you decide to wear it, you can... call upon me, and I, you. Our strengths, our presence, even the fundamental tether of our magic; it's more of a reservoir than an open channel. It has it's limits," she was no fool and she knew the Artificer was just as elusive, but the Advocate had made her stakes known and if he denied it; then that would be that.

[oakleyryder]

A fellow witch. Ryder took a moment to move towards the woman and close some distance between them; he had to remind himself that the two weren't the same. Not anymore, anyway. Terror. Something forbidden that was living in a mask that was meant to be a convenient or clever disguise. If Oakley had ever had a thought before in his life, he might have considered the opportunities behind this. Unfortunately, that wasn't the case. Ryder was more methodical and patient in observing the rest of the world. "That's nice of you." Ryder's comment was simple before he followed up with a deeper inquiry, "Are you part of one of the Covens? This city..." The world had changed dramatically since the last time he'd set foot outside the forest. "Everything feels like it's happening very quickly."

[efigeniax]

He resonated a familiar pulse of magic, something dark which fettered quietly within; a note similar enough to sorcery but it had obtained some rancid quality about it. Efigenia's interest was silently piqued and they'd fallen into a similar beat as they wasted no time with a question, "Yes, I'm the Watcher of the Narcissus." The Advocate's head quirked to the side as though studying him, a brow raised before her face fell into a light smile, "It does often swallow it's weakest links whole. Are you interested in integrating with the covens? It's always safest to be apart of one, claim stakes in a family," she kept a slower pace as though the gift shop would mark an end to this conversation.

[fassylovergallery]

morena baccarin in the endgame

[valentinagaius]

Efigenia speaks as Valentina readies the bar for another day, a glass shatters in her hands and the doors lock, a heartbroken wraith was a dangerous thing and it is with dark eyes that she lifts her head to face her former lover. Emotional energy is at the forefront and lights flicker above. "Avoidance is better than locking the doors and barring the windows until none of you can leave ever again." The threat is in her voice and she's thought about it once or twice, of spelling their tea or poisoning their stew so the Narcissus coven would join her in the land of ghosts and never age or leave. "You can't have your cake and eat it too Efigenia, Asphodel will want you completely and like a jealous lover they will demand to come first above anything else that might matter to you." The appearance of Valentina flickers and in a distorted moment, she is a dead thing, a flapper stuck in the 1920's. "You think I haven't gotten to know Python intimately? I died in ritual to her."

[efigeniax]

The Advocate conceals any conflict of grief as Valentina spirals into a fit of her own emotions; a spirit was always a dangerous creature when not handled with care. "We'll see," blind determination is firm, if Efigenia is to let this veil of indifference slip, Valentina would be another that would see this crippling fear looming around the witch like a rabid dog ready to feast upon any sense of weakness within her. Efigenia must be able to succeed in both paths, the Advocate would ensure the safety of the Narcissus, and she could obtain her fealty to the Infernal Seal and obtain her immortality, her craft. "It's too late for your warnings, Valentina, so please save your breath," it's not critical, it's almost a mourning; for all Kaan had done to save them all, her Sovereign and friend had also encouraged her to descend such dark path just the same. It was too late for salvation.

[efigeniax]

a gift for @enfenimx note: murder, manipulate, mansplain, girlboss, you get the drill

The Choice had been a ferryman for Efigenia's most dastardly ability, a long established connect that arose from a like minded cunning for their own selfish ambitions. She'd never say she could dare trust the high elf as far as one could throw him, but there were many perks in having someone who wasn't so roused with moral conflicts over what could be right and wrong when it came to the complexes of their own ambitions. Calling the Advocate evil was a simplification of the steadfast witch she'd always been; and even if her need for elven flesh had suddenly become obsolete, there was still the Abyss which now tethered their acquaintanceship. The Abyssal elf was slippery and often was a beacon for information that was often hard to obtain, she appreciated a gossip; especially one that didn't view themselves as such and merely thrived off of the chaos alone. "Do I get insight on what's next for you?" As expected to her, he'd slipped away as the Asphodel formerly crumbled; the Abyss was their likeness but the ones who lorded over their ambitions were distinct in their own rulings; he held no distinct loyalty to the Infernal Seal.

[oakleyryder]

@senatusstarters location: Museum notes: a museum starter? Who am I

As Ryder walked through the museum, he couldn't help but feel a sense of longing for all the lost time he had spent in the forests of Rome. The memories of his past were still vivid in his mind, but the present reality was a stark reminder of how much he had missed out on over the years. Despite being the subject of many urban legends, Ryder was not sure if any of the labels that had been slapped on him truly fit his identity. He had been called a ranger, a lost soul, a tortured boy, and even a satanist by mortals and supernatural beings alike. However, he knew that these labels were merely attempts to make sense of his otherworldly presence, and he was not sure if they truly described who he was.

He knew that he still possessed the presence of a witch, even though he had no spells left to cast. But instead of dwelling on his past abilities, he focused on his earnest interest in history. The museum was perfect for him to delve deeper into the world he had missed out on for so many years. As he walked, he took in the exhibits with a sense of wonder, absorbing as much knowledge as he could about the events and people that had shaped the world he found himself in. He marveled at the intricate details of ancient artifacts, the stories behind the paintings and sculptures, and the significance of each era he had missed.

Despite the overwhelming sense of loss that he felt for the years he had missed, Ryder was grateful for the opportunity to learn and grow in this new world. He knew he had much to catch up on, but he was determined to make the most of every moment he had left.

But it didn't look like he could buy a smartphone here.

"Hey- do you know where the gift shop is? I'm kind of turned around here."

[efigeniax]

The museum had become a fresher place of solace for the Advocate, tucked away inside the blanketed years of history that surrounded her, it was here the Advocate could retain some piece of anonymity from her Watcher position. That is, if she wasn't so often putting herself upon the radar as some grieving widow with her antiquated fashion choices and gothic grandeur. The massive hat concealed most of her face and the Advocate tipped her head back just enough so her eyes could meet the others, shrugging, "I'll walk with you, it leads to the exit and I'm on my way out." A dramatic click of her heels resounded on the marble floors and she took a leisurely strut until the other witch caught up.

[efigeniax]

a starter for @shadowseveron, where: somewhere for just the 2 of them

Efigenia sat up, a cunning smile as though she were a house cat bringing their master a treat; where most apex predators strewn dead critters at one's feet, one would suspect Efigenia to be no different. This, however, was something the necromancer fine tuned for the two of them; Severon was so fond of bestowing the Advocate with enchanted jewelry it had adapted as a secret language for them; mostly one-sided until this moment. An effortless roll of her wrist summoned the box within the palm of her hand and when her Artificer was to open it he'd find a bronze-wire wrapped pendant, obsidian encased within it. The true surprise of what it could do would only be revealed afterwards but the thrum of magic, of course, was prevalent.

[efigeniax]

a starter for @bloodcrowncd, notes: oh nour

For dozens of years she'd offered her magic services under Pluto's thumb, the apparition for the plague-inspired bloodline, one who paid handsomely for her magical influence. Vampires were void of life and the very antithesis of magic, but Pluto was not quite a vampire; still, when those could not do, they often found someone to do the job and that was often where Efigenia came into play. Her magic was the one thing in life she was vehemently dedicated to and the Advocate wrapped the entirety of her world within it; her passions, ambitions, desires, all were fueled under the purpose of magic. Pluto's dedication to the vampires beneath him, however, had certainly flipped the script. "I believe, we too, are at a stalemate," her hands were clasped before her, all business, as not a hair was out of place upon the Advocate's head as Efigenia spoke of all the rumors which swirled around his choice.

[efigeniax]

a starter for @thedopple, note: let me know if i have to change anything, kiss

Efigenia noticed the Terror as it slipped through the crowded streets of Rome, she knew plenty about them in theory, through her own necromantic studies but that was where her familiarity ended. Severon was once coded as a terror, a creature who could only be pulled forth into this world through a summons, but even he, her Artificer, had his own freedom to wander throughout each and any realm. She was never one to veil her curiosities and so, akin to a shark weaving through blood-infested waters, the Advocate approached them directly, "I don't ever forget a face." Nor a Narcissus, even if age and apparently death had gotten to them, Efigenia could recognize what once had been. "I believe there's much to discuss."