#alteris

[yeetus-skeetus]

Meet Alteris, God of Mana and Arcana! In the Outer Realms, magic is the blood of the Starmother, the tree-woman who holds reality together. This is her grandson, which is why he looks like that. He’s holed up in his tower in Wildera, protected (unwillingly) by the Mad Mages. They are evidently insane, massacring anything and everything that tries to enter the tower. They give him proper respect and are loyal to many faults, so he’s not inclined to tell them off.

[thefugitivemango]

Argonas - Face to Face or from behind? Avehi - Face Fucking or Anal Sex? Alteris - Public Edging or Filming in the Bedroom?

Argonas: “Hm... I feel there is more control from behind. Depth, angle, I can perform better in that position, and more easily play with my partner’s tail.”

Avehi: “Anal, absolutely. I have yet to have a partner who can face-fuck me properly, without grabbing my horns like some manner of handlebars and--” *she clears her throat* “... In any case, I prefer anal.”

Alteris: “Bedroom, f’sure. Last thing I need is t’get caught, literally, with m’ pants down, aye?”

[gattius-starfrost]

Weekend of Indulgences

The week had been long, busy, and irritating in Starfrost Clinic. Success was one thing, but Gattius quickly became overwhelmed by the number of new clients coming through the door. He was only one elf, after all. Managing financing, scheduling, and the actual practice of medicine all on his own! Not to mention his duties to take care of Tannis when Syrielle was off at the Sun Spire doing… whatever it was those Magisters did on a daily basis! He debated turning some patients away… but he just couldn’t bring himself to. Helping people was his goal in all this, after all. No, less patients wasn’t the answer. More staff… that made more sense. It came with its own set of challenges, though - Syrielle had just hired a few new guards for the Manor. More hires so soon after that would stretch their coffers thinner. House Starfrost was well off… but not that well off!

It didn’t matter, in the moment. The clinic was closed, and would be for the weekend. Gattius had finished his paperwork - records and ledgers, both - rather late into the night. All the same, he needed to decompress. He needed some time to himself, away from work, from Tannis’ constant needs, away from the busy Manor…

He needed a fishing trip.

Syrielle, of course, was all for it. The thought alone of how supportive and loving she could be at times brought a smile to his face. She came home early from her business to tend to Tannis and allow Gattius to promptly finish his work and head out for some evening fishing; the start of his weekend away! He packed his fishing supplies and overnight gear - the latter of which consisted of a shoddy tent, hammock, rations, and about half a crate of cigarettes - and set off south to start his mini-vacation!

The Elrendar River babbled on as it always had, setting a soothing soundtrack to his weekend of relaxation. Gattius loved fishing here; his hidden fishing hole, just above the falls. He cozied up against a small angled rock facing, which served faithfully as his fishing chair for years now, and cast out his line. He’d always had some success at this spot. Some days more than others, it all depended on the season. But he expected he’d pull a fish or two before bed. Ten or so the next day. The rations were really just in case, honestly - he intended to be well fed through the weekend by the rod alone!

Gattius smoked. A lot. He’d cut down a bit, between his time in the clinic, and interacting with Tannis. Neither were suitable environments for such a habit. He’d sneak out for breaks every now and again, but those had become few and far between with how busy he’d been lately. But out here, alone, he indulged himself. The taste, the feel, it relaxed him all the more!

His ear flickered, as he felt a nibble at his line. Then another. He cast his golden eyes to the water’s surface, watchfully. A firm tug caused his rod to bow ever-so-slightly. He responded in kind by jerking up quickly to try and snag the fish!--- but it got away! He exhaled a smoke-filled sigh, as he reeled in his line to cast it once more. It seemed he was a bit out of practice.

His line was back in the water before too long. He lit up another cigarette… his fourth now? Or fifth? He’d lost count. It didn’t matter, though - he was happy enough to indulge in his old vice, freely. It seemed like a good weekend to indulge, anyway. In old habits, old hobbies… time to cut loose and enjoy himself!

Gattius’ ear flickered again… but this time, it had nothing to do with his line. He heard something. Felt something. The evening Eversong breeze grew somehow cold, heralding an uneasy feeling that gripped him at his core. He sat up, eyes wide and alert, as he looked around for something - anything - out of place. It was quiet. Nothing but him, the trees, and the calmly babbling river bend stirred here, at this hour. He relaxed a bit, as he ashed his cigarette.

“... Lad…?”

He heard a whisper on the winds; quiet, but as clear as his own voice. He recognized it… and yet it sounded foreign. Distorted. He leapt up from his seat, hands glowing with radiant Light energy as he looked around once more.

“Who’s there?” he demanded!

“Easy… relax, lad…” the whisper came again. “Don’t need yeh slashin’ m’throat again…”

Gattius gasped, as a shadowy figure emerged from behind a tree before him. He scowled, hands clenching to fists… and yet his feet kept still. He’d seen this figure before… in the manor. The ren’dorei infiltrator! He was stunned-- didn’t he kill him? No, he’d vanished… was it an illusion? Was this an illusion, too? His mind was bombarded with questions as his eyes kept affixed to the elven figure.

“Who… who are you?” he demanded again. “What do you want?”

“Thinkin’ I’ll keep m’distance this time, lad.” the figure replied, smirking. “Yeh’ve gotten jumpy on me. Last time I tried gettin’ close, well… lucky slash, lad.”

The figure pulled his collar down a bit, as he brushed the darkened, pallid skin on his neck - no scar, no sign of a cut.

“It’s me, lad! It’s Alteris. Was try’na tell yeh in yer study, there, but…” he shrugged, words fading to a simple, familiar chuckle.

“Kodo-shit!” Gattius shot back! “Alteris is dead! This is a trick!”

The Blood Elf’s hands thrummed with holy power, as his golden eyes flared. He’d heard this before, fallen for such tricks in the past. Not again! In lieu of a weapon, the fishing rod in his hand illuminated with a fiery glow. An extension of Gattius’ divine power! He pointed it at the shadowy figure, scowling!

“Leave now! This is your only chance!”

There was silence for a moment, as the two stared each other down. Gattius, staring in anger and determination. The void elf… staring in disbelief. Awestruck! He blinked his eyes. Then again… the his lips curled to a grin. It started low… then became more pronounced as his shoulders bounced; he was laughing!?

“Hehe… ehehehe… Haha! Hahaha! HAH!” the void elf threw his head back, as the laughter overcame him! “HAHAHA--OH HO HO! Y’look like a feckin’ idiot, lad! What’re y’gonna do with that, now? Plannin’ ta smite me with yer open-face reel? Hahah!”

Gattius was not amused. He sighed, as the flames that glowed about his fishing rod flickered out. He scoffed.

“I could, y’know!” he said, defiantly! … but it came out borderline childishly. “I mean… Bah! Nevermind! If you’re Alteris, prove it!”

As if laughing and demeaning him wasn’t proof enough… Gattius lowered the fishing rod, but kept his guard up. His ears flickered about, eyes watching not just the Void elf, but the area around him. The void elf leaned against the tree from behind which he’d emerged, relaxed, casual, not at all appearing threatened by Gattius and his radiant glow.

“Oi, an’ how do yeh want me t’ do that, lad?”

Gattius frowned. He wasn’t entirely sure HOW this void elf could prove such a thing! What would serve as a suitable test? If this was Alteris, by some strange happenstance… how would Gattius know for sure?

“... Tell me something only Alteris would know.” he said. “About… us. About me. Something personal, aye? Not my name or favorite color… something Alteris would know about me that no one else would.”

The void elf raised his brow. He pushed up off the tree, and took a few tentative steps forward.

“A’ight… lemme think, aye? Could go int’a our relationship. First time we fucked? --No, no no, y’might’ve told that story to yer new-ish wife.” he tapped his chin, thoughtfully. “Maybe a war story, campaign we fought t’gether? Or… well, other folks were there fer most’ve ‘em…”

Gattius shook his head. None of that would really be proof. Stories about events like that were easy enough to overhear and recite. He’d told Syrielle a lot about his time with Alteris. Who knows who overheard him? The Guard was infiltrated by void elves once… was this a continuation of that? He couldn’t risk it, no. It had to be something he never told anyone.

“... Tell me about Grim Batol.” he ordered, sternly. “If you’re really Alteris… you’d know that story.”

The void elf’s shoulders slumped a bit, expression growing serious. He swallowed hard, and exhaled a sigh.

“... Aye. I remember it well, lad.” he replied, tone even. “You an’ me ventured in t’gether. Was late night, pitch black sky - dinnae think it could get any darker, until we slipped inside. Y’went in first, told me t’ watch our backs. An’ I did that, until we fell. Slid down that pit trap, remember?”

Gattius watched, rather surprised the void elf knew even that much! Could it be Alteris…?

“... What happened then?”

“Tch… well… yer leg got impaled on an iron spike, if I recall it right. Clean puncture, cleare through yer thigh. I set t’ treatin’ yeh. Bandagin’ yer leg up, best I could. ‘Course y’were criticizin’ my technique e’ry step o’ th’ way…” he chuckled, then shook his head. “... Then, I found it. Tucked in yer pocket, just above where th’ spike gotcha. Pulled it out, an’ I asked yeh, straight up… I said ‘What’re yeh carryin’ round this ring for, lad?’”

The void elf sighed, and shook his head.

“... I got mad ‘bout it, then. Chastised yeh pretty good about it. I remember th’ look on yer face durin’ it. Shocked, hurt… But I weren’t ready t’ git married, lad. An’ I knew y’weren’t then, either.” he sighed. “Took it, threw it across th’ pit, kept treatin’ yer leg. Reckon it’s still down there today, aye?

The ring y’were gonna propose t’me with.”

Gattius was silent. His golden eyes welled up with tears, as his ears pinned back flat along the sides of his head. There was a good reason why he didn’t talk about Grim Batol. To anyone. No one else, not even Syrielle, knew that story. Only he did. Only him… and Alteris. He looked him over, and shook his head.

“... How? You died. I saw you die. And then… you were in my head for so… so long… How’d you come back?”

“Th’ power o’ th’ Void is… strange, lad. Complicated. It’s kept me ‘round in yer head awhile… an’ now it’s brought me back fully.” Alteris shrugged, stepping a bit closer. “Guess that was always th’ point in stickin’ ‘round, but… this weren’t quite how I wanted t’ return to yeh.”

Gattius was speechless. His cigarette fell from between his lips, dying in the moist riverside grass beneath him. He fell to his knees, tears streaming down his face - tears of sorrow, tears of joy… tears of anger… the complex bundle of emotions running through him seemed to paralyze him in the moment. He could only look at Alteris, both grateful for his return and disgusted by what he had become. Alteris frowned, nearing closer still until he stood directly before Gattius. He knelt down, and gazed into his luminous eyes. Reaching out, he wiped the stream of tears from the Blood Elf’s cheek, his other hand resting on his shoulder.

“It’s me, lad. I’m back - lookin’ a bit different, I know. Reborn by somethin’ I know yer not fond of…” he sighed, shaking his head. “But this was the only way I could come back to yeh.”

Alteris’ hand slipped up behind Gattius’ neck, as he pulled him up against him. Slowly, he leaned in, and presses his lips to Gattius - retrying that kiss that confusion and doubt had rudely interrupted last time. Gattius didn’t fight it. Now that he knew it was Alteris - truly knew it - he didn’t want to resist. He couldn’t! His arms came up, slipping behind Alteris’ back as he embraced his old lover once again.

It felt different; the energy coursing through Alteris was definitely different, but he felt a familiarity in the movements. The way Alteris kissed him, and the way he kissed him back in return. It was different… yet felt so right! He relaxed, letting out a light moan as he surrendered to the desire. The spark between him and Alteris hadn’t diminished, even after all this time. Despite Alteris’ cold touch, the flames of passion were most assuredly rekindled. He pressed up against his old lover, firmly and commandingly, pushing Alteris down beneath him as they shifted to a horizontal position.

After all, what was one more indulgence this weekend?

[thefugitivemango]

For all! Spanking or Scratching?

((This one snuck past me x.x))

Alteris: “Spankin’, definitely! Gets y’ riled up an’ ready!”

Argonas: “Scratching. I am certain that, even still, my back is scarred from my beloved Sinafay affectionately digging her nails into me.”

Avehi: “Spanking is stupid. Brief, fleeting sensations. Scratches last.”

Bey’ron: “Tch... if it must be done, spanking. No sense marring one another’s flesh during what’s supposed to be a pleasurable experience, hmm?”

Brent: “... I could get behind spanking.”

Gattius: “Ooh... both are fun in their own ways. But if I gotta pick just one, spanking. Syrie’s got a great ass for that!”

Grakkar: “Scratching’s inevitable, when you got tusks! And I give my lovers scratches all over! Hehe...”

(( @sinafay1 & @syrielle for mentions ))

[thefugitivemango]

Ball Gag or Muzzle?

Alteris: “Hm... Ball-gag’d be funnier, I think? I pick that.”

Argonas: “--Err... neither? Eliminating the mouth is akin to fighting with one hand tied back. I have no preference. Muzzle, if I must pick - it is irrelevant.”

Avehi: “Heh. Muzzle, for certain. I can think of a partner who would look striking in one...”

Bey’ron: “... Is there truly that much of a difference? Muzzle, I suppose. It sounds more comfortable.”

Brent: “For Kai, Ball-Gag. For anyone else, muzzle.”

Gattius: “Eeh, I get drooly with a ball-gag in. Muzzle.”

Grakkar: “Hmph! Muzzles are for misbehaving wolf pups! Let them gag on my balls!”

(( @kaiekasunwhisper for mention ))

[gattius-starfrost]

Shadow of Eversong - First Contact... GONE WRONG!

Another busy day had come to a close. Gattius set his instruments and tools away for the night. Every vial cleaned, every document filed, every syringe capped. Gattius ran his clinic with meticulous efficiency - a place for everything, and everything in place! He took great pride in this; his domain. The doors had only been open a few weeks, but already he’d drummed up quite a roster of regulars. Some pleasant, like the Brother Dawnwing, with the bunions. Gattius always enjoyed their visits, and discussions about the Light. He also enjoyed visits from Illyanna; her skin rash and laughter were both infectious! Gatius did his best to curb the former, and incite the latter.

Others were… less pleasant. Like the kleptomaniac child, Talen, Gattius had to search after every checkup. Last time, he almost snuck out with two scalpels! Or Cybilla, the woman in her third trimester who wouldn’t stop flirting with him! She took it as a sign he was single when he didn’t wear his wedding ring during her pelvic exam… a mistake he tried rectifying by hanging more pictures of him with Syrielle, Tannis, or both of them up around the exam room. Cybilla wasn’t getting the hints, regardless.

Even so! Overall, the work was rewarding. It felt good to Gattius, to get back to his medical roots. His days in Eversong both during and following Doctor Starfrost’s tutelage were among his fondest of medicine-practicing memories. The clinic reminded him of those days, in all the best ways. He put out the last of the enchanted lanterns, darkening the exam room to a dim glow. He smiled, sighed contently, and closed the door behind him.

He couldn’t head to bed just yet - a few records needed to be reviewed in his office, first. He stepped next door, and sat down atop his couch - that, too, brought back fond memories of a rather different time in his life. He settled in, leaning back against the arm rest, as he opened the first of the stack of folders he had to review before he could turn in. He didn’t care for this part as much - the paperwork side of the clinic was such a bore. Important, but hardly exciting! He’d considered hiring a clerk to manage such things… but he couldn’t deny the benefit of the personal familiarity. He felt he could better serve his patients if he knew their cases inside and out. It was a sacrifice, to be sure. But worth it, to be the best medical provider he could be!

His body missed the memo, unfortunately. The boring words on the parchments began to blur, serving less to inform Gattius and more to exhaust him. He felt his eyelids grow heavy, a deep yawn escaping him. He re-positioned slightly, in a final attempt to review the first file… but to no avail. His head slumped, eyes closing slowly, as he drifted away.

~*~

“... Lad? Yer not dead, are yeh?”

Gattius started to stir. He recognized that voice… but it couldn’t be. His eyes fluttered open.

“--Wh-who…?” he mumbled, as blurs came into focus.

“Three guesses, lad!” the voice chuckled… almost sensually.

No, definitely sensually - Gattius felt a pair of lips press to his. A tongue penetrating his mouth to meet with his own. He crooned in sleepy response, deepening the kiss! It was familiar… but after a moment, he realized it wasn’t Syrielle’s! He blinked rapidly, the fatigued haze parting to reveal… a Void Elf!?

“--Gah!”

Gattius quickly shoved the late-night infiltrator back off of him! He reached into his boot, and pulled out a black-metal dagger!

“What the fuck!? Who are you and what’re you doing in here!?”

“--Calm yerself, lad! Tch, yer jumpy as e’er, ain’tcha?” the Void Elf chuckled, grinning.

[9]

“Shut up!” Gattius shouted, eyes narrow - and glowing bright. “How’d you get in here? What do you want?”

He sat up fully, dagger still drawn. He’d never seen this elf before… how did he seem to know him? Why did he talk like that? Why did he kiss him so passionately?

“Lad… lad, it’s me! It’s Alteris!” the Void Elf brought his hands up, defensively. “I know I’m lookin’ a wee bit strange, aye? But I promise yeh, it’s me! How can I prove it?”

Gattius wasn’t convinced! He kept his dagger drawn and ready, eyes trained on the intruder like a hawk!

“J-Just… shut up!” he shouted again, shaking his head. “You’re not Alt! He’s dead! Long dead!”

The Void Elf frowned some, hands still up and in plain sight.

“--Aye…” he admitted. “That’s true, lad. I died a while back. But e’en death cannae keep me from yeh. What we had was too strong, aye? I’m ‘ere t’be with yeh again, like old times. Just fer t’night, if you’ll have me.”

[4]

Gattius lowered his dagger slightly. Could it be? It certainly sounded like Alteris. It looked… maybe a little like him? He couldn’t be sure. His head was still swimming, trying to make sense of all this. No, no… Alteris said he wouldn’t visit him again! This had to be an imposter! Perhaps the Ren’dorei had probed his mind, in an attempt to glean something they could use against him? The accent did sound a little odd, with that ethereal echo…

“Get the fuck out of here, whoever you are!” he glared at the Void Elf once more. “I won’t warn you again.”

The Void Elf rolled his eyes, exhaling an agitated sigh. He stepped forward, as he reached into his pocket!

“Dammit, lad! Yer as stubborn as a mule!” he grumbled, pulling something from his pocket. “Yeh want proof? Here! I--”

[1]

His words were cut off, as a swift strike caught him across his throat! Gattius lashed out with his dagger, slicing through the Void Elf’s neck. His eyes showed no mercy, no remorse… he did warn him, after all! There was no way, Gattius thought, that this Void Elf could possibly be Alteris! Just an intruder here to threaten him, the kingdom… his family… Gattius would have none of it!

He didn’t expect, however, for the Void Elf to simply vanish! The strike landed. He felt it! He saw it! And yet no body remained, no corpse to identify. In a cloud of darkness, the intruder was simply… gone.

A light clatter on the floor at his feet caught his attention, however. Gattius looked down to see a familiar silver cigarette case resting where the Void Elf once stood. He gasped… it was the one Alteris used to use. Gattius thought it lost forever after he couldn’t find it! How did it get here? He’d scoured the office time and time again, looking for the precious keepsake. Yet here it was… he bent down to pick it up, thoughtfully.

“... Impossible…”

[gattius-starfrost]

Mind Over Matter

Another sleepless night - those had become the norm for Gattius. But not for lack of trying… the Blood Knight had tried sleeping every night, to no real benefit or success. It seemed like every time he closed his eyes, and began to drift away… terrible visions would haunt him. Nightmares. The things he’d see didn’t make sense; he could barely recall anything about them. Mostly shapes, shifting in amorphous darkness. Occasionally they’d take the form of a face, who may say things. Whispers in a language he couldn’t understand… or if he did, they’d say unsettling things. ‘Unsettling’ was a good way to put it - a sense of unease and even dread washed over him, lingering with him when he’d wake. It was cruel; he’d sleep just enough to physically function, but he always felt mentally fatigued, waking with that gut-wrenching feeling that held over from the surreal images he’d seen during his jarring slumber.

He got up from the bed quietly and slowly, as not to wake Syrielle. ‘One of us, at least, ought to sleep well.’ he thought to himself, as he tiptoed out of the room. She woke enough as it was already, to feed their son. She didn’t need to be stirring every time her husband did, as well. He slipped downstairs, still walking softly and slowly; the pace, at least, suited him. He didn’t have the energy to move all too quickly. With a grumble, he entered the kitchen, and poured himself some coffee.

Gattius had a lot on his mind, lately; war, fatherhood, stressors he faced spinning up his practice again… and Syrielle suddenly wanting to cast her lot with the Magistry of all things! Concerns and worries had been building up for weeks, now. Months! He sat at the table with his mug in hands, staring at… nothing. Really nothing this time. Normally, Alteris would’ve shown up by now, toting his usual smirk and a witty comment. But he hadn’t shown up in some time, now.

He felt… alone.

Gattius was sure the vision of Alteris was a sign his mind was slipping from him… Perhaps his mind had slipped further. Perhaps the strange visions and nightmares were a sign of a worsening mental condition. He didn’t want to pull that thread, though… Syrielle had insisted he see a Mentalist about all this. But that meant knowing for sure if he was losing his mind. It meant knowing for sure his days were numbered. Knowing his aspirations to have his own practice would be shattered. Knowing soon he’d have to live in assisted care… if one could call that living. He didn’t want to know for sure… but he also didn’t want it to cause problems later on. Perhaps Syrielle was right… it was time to see a mentalist about it. For better or worse, he needed to find out what was happening to him… and how it could be fixed.

If it could be fixed.

~*~

Gattius knew only a handful of mentalists. He’d referred patients to a short list of them, himself, over the years. Of the ones he knew about, he’d only met one. Hopefully, she could be of help. He dressed quickly, and headed towards the city to see if he couldn’t sneak in as a walk-in patient sometime during the day. If not, an appointment for some time later would suffice. He was nervous, but it calmed with every step he took. This was good. It was long overdue for him to get a firm diagnosis of his condition. And with all his worries sprouting up lately, getting this cleared up now was definitely for the best. He lit up a cigarette as he walked the path through Eversong Woods, to help him calm his anxiousness.

“... Wait, lad…”

Gattius gasped, eyes shooting wide as he cautiously looked around. He knew that voice… even though it had been some weeks since--

“Wait! Don’t go, lad!” Alteris’ voice rang out once more.

“--Alt! You bastard, where have you been!?” Gattius shouted at nothing, both relieved and furious he’d come back now, of all times. “I’ve so much on my mind! I need your advice on--”

“It’ll have t’ wait, lad.” Alteris interrupted, as he shimmered into Gattius’ view on the pathway. “I dunnae have much time.”

Bewildered, Gattius blinked. What was that supposed to mean? Alteris was a figment of his imagination. What else did he have going on, that his time was so precious? He looked Alteris over… he looked different. Nervous, cautious, eyes darting about warily, ears flickering as if on edge… Was this manifestation of Gattius’ own nervousness? Or… was this something else entirely?

“What do you mean? Alt, I--”

“Listen, lad, an’ listen good.” Alteris interrupted again. “Yer not gunna like what I’m about t’ say, but… I’m not what y’ think I am.”

Gattius’ brow furrowed, in a mix of confusion and anger.

“--What the fuck does that mean?”

“Y’ remember when y’ asked me about Kai? An’ how I knew she was comin’? Or did yeh ever wonder how I knew where yer girlie was bein’ kept at yer father’s place?”

He hadn’t really thought about that last one, honestly.

“Now that you mention it…” he muttered, eyes narrowing.

“I ain’t some manifestation of yer conscience, lad. Or a sign yer mind’s goin’ sour.” Alteris sighed, shoulders slumping. “I’m… well… easiest way t’ put it is… it’s me. I’m hauntin’ yeh.”

Gattius’ jaw dropped. He always felt the images and conversations felt too real to be all in his head. But now, hearing it was actually Alteris… he couldn’t believe it!

“... How? How is th--”

“This is th’ part yer not gunna like, lad; shadow magic.” Alteris put, bluntly. “Kai, her little bud Sunborn, an’ that bitch Dusksinger… I was one of their sort, once.”

“--WHAT?!” The Blood Knight’s fist clenched, as he glowered at Alteris. “Alt, they were shadow cultists! You’re saying you’re one, too?”

“Not anymore, but… aye…” he replied, ears wilting as he admitted it. “It was long ago, lad. Before I met you. I learned some things, made pacts an’ deals, all that sort o’ thing. But I put it all behind me when I met with yeh at the Dark Portal. --Well… most of it...”

Gattius was speechless. He simply stared, as his mind began to process what Alteris was telling him.

“I’m sorry, lad… I just didnae know how t’ tell yeh, aye? Not an easy somethin’ t’ bring up to a Blood Knight.” Alteris chuckled, humorlessly. “But my time’s run out, now. I cannae be hauntin’ yeh anymore.”

“I don’t… I don’t understand. Why not? You’ve been haunting me this long, thanks to your ‘shadow magic’, aye? Why stop now?”

“It’s… complicated.” Alteris shook his head. “I’m bein’ blackmailed, more o’ less, lad. An’ those nightmares and bad dreams you’ve been havin’... that’s not for you, it’s for me. It’s pressure, for certain folks t’ get what they want from me.”

“M-My nightmares are… they’re tormenting me to get to you?” Gattius stammered.

“Aye, lad. But… I won’t be lettin’ ‘em anymore. I’m… I’m gonna bend.” Alteris explained, sorrowfully. “It means yer nightmares’ll go away… but I gotta go away with ‘em.”

“There’s gotta be another way!” Gattius declared, knuckles whitening. “A way to free you, to get you out from under their thumb! A way to undo whatever shadow deals you’ve done, and--”

“--There ain’t, lad!” Alteris shouted back. “There… there just ain’t, aye? Been stickin’ around on borrowed time too long. Now, they’re callin’ my number. Simple as that.”

Slowly, the image of Alteris began to fade…

“Dunnae bother seein’ that mentalist; once I’m gone, th’ nightmares’ll stop, an’ yeh won’t be talkin’ t’ nothing again anymore.” he assured Gattius. “I… treasure th’ extra time we spent together, lad. I ne’er stopped lovin’ yeh… an’ I promise I ne’er will. Goodbye, lad…”

“--Alteris! No! ALTERIS!” Gattius screamed, lunging for him as if to keep him from going.

But it was too late… the image faded right before his eyes, and he was powerless to stop it. He collapsed to the ground, and coughed - he felt a nameless emptiness now, like something inside was stripped away. He closed his eyes tight as tears began to well up within them. This was all so sudden, so… shocking! He could barely believe Alteris had been and done these things, all without Gattius knowing. But now, as he felt his old friend’s presence pull away from him… he knew it was all true. He wasn’t sure if he should be mad at him for dabbling in such abhorrent magic, or for not telling him sooner… or for haunting him all these years! It didn’t matter, now.

Now, he felt no anger at all. Only sorrow.

[gattius-starfrost]

Unexpectedly Expecting

Gattius’ old bedroom had changed over the last few weeks. The bed no longer saw many sleeping patrons, instead serving now as an exam bench of sorts. Free closet space opened up room for books, notes, and all manner of medical supplies. He had moved his leisurely items out as well, clearing his desk space for a laboratory expansion. It was an idea he had for some time, but never enacted because there was never room for it. At least, not any room he had access to. The basement would’ve worked well, but Tannis locked it away before his passing. Just as well - from what he’d been told, the basement housed nothing but knicknacks and junk. Typical for a basement. Still, Gattius wondered why Tannis never thought to set up at least one room in his manor as a small exam room. Perhaps he didn’t care to bring his work home with him. Either way, Gattius saw the merit of it. And now that he’d moved in with Syrielle, it was the perfect opportunity to turn his old room into a makeshift infirmary, right here on the Manor grounds!

‘I don’t know why yer botherin’, lad.’ Alteris chuckled, leaning idly up against one of the bookshelves as he sharpened his blade. ‘What else could it be?’

By some miracle, Gattius managed to pull a blood sample from Syrielle just a day prior. She hated needles; there was no way she’d let him take a blood sample, even if it were to test her for biological anomalies. Specifically, in this case… pregnancy.

“Could be a dozen things, Alt.” Gattius replied aloud to his imaginary friend. “Still could be mana deficiency. Or some kind of virus she picked up on Argus. Hell, it could be a stomach ulcer, blood sugar deficiency, abnormal menopause, or even a parasite.”

‘It’s a parasite, alright - one you put in ‘er!’ Alteris laughed.

“Bah, shut up! We’ll know soon enough.”

The beakers were set, mixtures stable. Carefully, he pulled the syringe of Syrielle’s blood out from his medical pack. There was enough, thankfully, to conduct three conservative tests. The first, obviously, would be a pregnancy test. But the results of it would take longer to manifest. So while he waited, he decided to do two more - a standard, wide-spectrum wellness check, and a cell/mana-cohesion test to indicate if her body retained the same magical potential it always had. Thankfully, he had a pretty extensive medical record on Syrielle for comparison. He rationed out the blood samples, and got to work. Each mixture was set relatively easy. Now, all he had to do was wait.

‘Still can’t believe she lied to you about those herbs…’

“I’m sure she didn’t.” Gattius frowned. “They’re not one-hundred percent effective.”

‘Aye, unless you take ‘em, they’re ZERO percent effective!’ another boisterous laugh.

Gattius sighed, shaking his head. A part of him did worry that perhaps Syrielle wasn’t entirely truthful with him. He never verified, that first time or any subsequent time. More often than not, he’d just assume. But she wouldn’t lie about something like that… with all the partners she’s had over the years, and no children to show for it… surely she took precautions. What if she forgot one time? Or maybe a lingering effect of the curse caused her to believe she had?

‘What if her contraceptive plan was entirely post-conception?’

Gattius frowned deeper. That’d be horribly irresponsible. There were ways, of course. But like many other things, it was much easier and safer to prevent than to treat. Syrielle wouldn’t be so cavalier with her body like that…

“... Would she?” he asked himself, with a sigh.

‘It’d be a simple thing for a mage, lad. Abra-cadabra, Fetus Deletus!’ Alteris proclaimed, waving his dagger around as if it were a wand.

“--Not Syrie!” Gattius barked. “She knows better. Dr. Starfrost must’ve had dozens of talks about this with her, all growing up. I incited a few of them, myself, with all the little pranks I’d pull on her. She wouldn’t use such a dangerous method.”

He turned, seeing one of the tests conclude. The beaker of solution bubbled for a moment, before calming - the mixture turning a clear pinkish hue. He nodded, smiling, as he flipped open his notepad.

“Patient’s wide-spectrum returned no abnormalities…” he said aloud, as he normally did conducting such tests. “Traces of hormone supplements manifested. So there - she is taking the herbs.”

He smiled proudly, writings filling the page with additional details such as time, date, and others. A good start, at least. She was healthy, using the right methods, and most importantly, telling the truth. Of course, that meant it was either mana deficiency, or…

‘Fine, so she was takin’ them.’ Alteris conceded. ‘Could somethin’ counteract them? Undo them, y’know?’

“Hm…” Gattius hadn’t considered that. “It’s possible. The herbs and teas increase hormone levels to close off the uterus. That prevents the pregnancy. But… it’s possible something she ate or drank could counteract those effects.”

‘Somethin’ on Argus, perhaps?’

Gattius shook his head.

“No, no, the only thing there would be fel contaminant. That doesn’t affect hormone levels. And even if it did, I--”

A thought struck him; a medical procedure he’d use to mend biological anomalies. Something standard practice for him when tending patients. Something he’d employed for recreational use…

“... The Light.” he gasped. “When I used the Light on her… it would’ve reset her biological systems to their natural state. And using it so close to her uterus… must’ve reopened it.”

‘So yer lil’ Light-show foreplay undid her contraceptives?’ Alteris grinned.

Gattius swallowed hard. “... I think maybe it did.”

Alteris erupted, laughing hysterically. Gattius, however, did NOT find it funny in the least! ...Well, perhaps a little funny. His efforts to bring a little more excitement to the bedroom had backfired. He brought his hands to his face, and groaned. A bubbling hiss interrupted his dreaded moping, however - the second test was complete. He sat up, and inspected the second sample. The liquid sparked, this time, turning a deep blue - as deep a blue as he’d ever seen!

“--Well… her cell/mana cohesion’s as strong as ever.” he sighed, picking up his notebook again. “Patient exhibits exceptional cell/mana potential. No depreciation of Arcane affinity.”

‘Doesn’t leave much else it could be, eh?’ Alteris grinned.

Gattius sighed. Signs pointed more and more to Syrielle being pregnant. And to make it worse, he was pretty sure it was all his fault. He watched the pregnancy test, anxiously waiting out the last few minutes before it would either confirm or disprove his hypothesis. Most likely confirm.

‘What’re you gonna tell her, lad?’

“I don’t know…” Gattius sighed. “What should I tell her? She’ll find out I took a blood sample, first of all. Can’t imagine she’ll be thrilled about that. Then I have to tell her I unwittingly cancelled out her tried-and-true contraceptive method… and got her pregnant!”

He collapsed back into his chair with a sigh, throwing his head back against the headrest. What a mess.

‘... Well…’ Alteris began, stepping off from the bookshelf. ‘Is it really so bad, this?’

“What do you mean? Of course it’s bad!” Gattius frowned deeper. “We didn’t plan for this. We’re not ready for this. Fuck, I haven’t even proposed to her yet!”

‘Folks have kids together out of marriage all the time, lad.’

“I don’t know if she’s ready! I don’t know if I’m ready! This is a huge deal, Alt!”

‘Oh, get it together, you drama whore!’ Alteris scolded him. ‘Worst case, you terminate it and learn a valuable lesson about gettin’ kinky with the Light!’

Gattius sat up, brow raised at Alteris as he spoke.

‘Best case… she’s thrilled about it. You two get married, spawn the youngling, live that happy, picturesque life y’ve always wanted.’

The last vial fizzed, indicating it was done. Gattius turned quick, and watched in eager anticipation. The liquids continued to fizz, mellowed out, and turned bright yellow. Tentatively, Gattius reached for the vial, and gave it a light swirl. The color remained. There was no doubt about it now.

“... She’s pregnant.”

‘Told yeh.’

Gattius opened his notes, and jotted down the results.

“Patient… is shown to be with child.” he said aloud, before pausing.

A smile tugged at the corner of his lips. Despite the headache, heartache, or great confusion this could easily cause him… he made a person with the woman he loved. And try as he did, he couldn’t be entirely upset about it. He gave in, grinning as he finished his notes.

“I, uh… I’m gonna go tell her, yeah?” he said.

‘Think you ought to, lad. I’ll wait here.’ Alteris joked.

Gattius rose from his seat, and headed out the door. His stomach churned, from excitement and dread both. He walked down the hall, and towards the bedroom where Syrielle was. Stopping just shy of the door, he took a deep breath.

“Here goes…”