I must preface my statement with a few modifiers. I am not a connoisseur of blood. I never hope to gain that much knowledge on the consumption of blood, though it seems I may. I do not wish know the chemical composition of blood to the level of knowing what sodium levels are needed to provide the best distribution of viscosity and flavor. Nor do I wish to know dietary management of a prospective donor, the way one researches the agricultural practices of the wine-producing regions. I have no desire to study the balance of proteins versus plasma in the manner of the alkaloids and flavinoids of oenology.
That being said…
Oni blood is vile.
That is all.
Wednesday, August 27, 2008
Monday, August 25, 2008
So Many Threads
My peregrine lass has me well in hand, so to speak, and has been making sure I am updated. Yes, my body is mostly unresponsive, but she has been linked to me, and letting me know what has been going on around us. The sheriff was a capable man, even without his lycan abilities, and as for the djinni and the clone – well, that was something for Sister to work out. It was a staff disciplinary problem at its core, she just had to sift through the emotional minefield to get there.
The tumbling dice in Steelhead have been cast; there is naught I can do to help until I finish the job here. Removal of the last of the controls imposed on Gem by others – both the vampire and the Elder – proceeded at an agonizingly slow pace, but caution is dictated. They have caused her some long-term damage; all of us have, to some extent, whether we intended such or no.
I was focused on her sense of philios, warped as it was into a gear that turned only on Aleister’s whim. She had managed some work on it herself when come of the gears locked into it had been freed; now I hoped I could finish before she encountered others beyond her father.
The aura coming into range made me fear we were out of time; Gem’s hunger suppressed some of her logic subroutines, the cams jammed by her need to feed. The warning cry to my niece may or may not have reached her, but something made Gematria pause. I blessed who so ever chose to listen that Ama inherited several disarming senses of humor.
More time lost during the battle, as I could do nothing to assist, other than the occasional warning of danger from an unexpected quarter, I listened to my mate explain what had recently transpired in town… and I fed back my observations of the battle to her. Her hunting instincts rose, and the rush of controlled battle-rage fed the gestalt, to the point of feeding Gem, though her key was winding down… interesting, I would have to see what that meant when we got everyone home - it could mean we had a way to feed her if she remained a Blood Doll.
The tumbling dice in Steelhead have been cast; there is naught I can do to help until I finish the job here. Removal of the last of the controls imposed on Gem by others – both the vampire and the Elder – proceeded at an agonizingly slow pace, but caution is dictated. They have caused her some long-term damage; all of us have, to some extent, whether we intended such or no.
I was focused on her sense of philios, warped as it was into a gear that turned only on Aleister’s whim. She had managed some work on it herself when come of the gears locked into it had been freed; now I hoped I could finish before she encountered others beyond her father.
The aura coming into range made me fear we were out of time; Gem’s hunger suppressed some of her logic subroutines, the cams jammed by her need to feed. The warning cry to my niece may or may not have reached her, but something made Gematria pause. I blessed who so ever chose to listen that Ama inherited several disarming senses of humor.
More time lost during the battle, as I could do nothing to assist, other than the occasional warning of danger from an unexpected quarter, I listened to my mate explain what had recently transpired in town… and I fed back my observations of the battle to her. Her hunting instincts rose, and the rush of controlled battle-rage fed the gestalt, to the point of feeding Gem, though her key was winding down… interesting, I would have to see what that meant when we got everyone home - it could mean we had a way to feed her if she remained a Blood Doll.
Monday, August 11, 2008
DUCK!
The warning from my mate rang though the space that held me. I evaded the missile, [Aha, another one of the memory spikes.] Not exactly something you expect to do in astral form, unless you have been in psychic combat, but there are some zingers flying about here.
[Why is she so angry with you about getting her out of Avaria? I thought the situation would have caused her to die if she stayed.] The tones of the falcon’s cry were overlaid with confusion.
I watched for the next flare as I responded, [She would have died, but I took that choice from her.] There! That was where the sphere generating her anger was only partially trapped. Mapping out where she was trapped and where she was not in the clockwork overlay Aleister had created provided some insight into his tactics. Her anger could give her strength, but it could also cause her to make mistakes in her rage.
The time taken to map out the cogs and gears overlaid by the old upstart was also critical to our next steps. We needed to find the bits of self that made Qlippothic create the CVFD, the spark that made Qli:2 offer herself as a sacrifice and that made it possible for Gematria to recognize the addiction to Bloodwine as detrimental. Freeing those bits, and giving control back to her would be necessary before releasing the power her ancestry gave her.
Birdie’s comment echoed hollowly, [That does not sound like you – you might convince someone of the error of their ways, and manipulating groups to harmony, sure. But without permission?]
I needed an energy boost to polish the gear-teeth out of her sense of community, and let it spin freely… [What, you mean like the five-hour bath?] Nothing wrong with my peregrine lass’s memory, if the surge that followed was any indication.
[You come back here and say that, and I’ll show you manipulation.] I had no idea that hunting birds could purr.
I chuckled, and focused the energy into the trapped bit. The glow gave me enough warning to step back and release. Her next question was unexpected. [Why did you not let her die if that was what she wanted?]
I could not sidestep a direct question from my mate. [I saw the Tigris run black from ink, and exhausted my resources to salvage what I could from the university. I could not prevent the scourging of holy ones for holding the “wrong” knowledge. It is not in me to let more information be lost, and in that, I circumvented the will of a sentient being. Because of my hubris, I delivered her into the hands of one who did not care for what knowledge she held, only what she could do for him.] I stilled, and finally admitted, [I have done her a grievous injury, and I must do what I can to set things right.]
A slight glow near me caught my attention, and I focused on the sphere squeezed into a timing cam. [Even if it means we have to find a way for her to feed when this is over. If it is freely given, I hope she will take the chance.]
[Why is she so angry with you about getting her out of Avaria? I thought the situation would have caused her to die if she stayed.] The tones of the falcon’s cry were overlaid with confusion.
I watched for the next flare as I responded, [She would have died, but I took that choice from her.] There! That was where the sphere generating her anger was only partially trapped. Mapping out where she was trapped and where she was not in the clockwork overlay Aleister had created provided some insight into his tactics. Her anger could give her strength, but it could also cause her to make mistakes in her rage.
The time taken to map out the cogs and gears overlaid by the old upstart was also critical to our next steps. We needed to find the bits of self that made Qlippothic create the CVFD, the spark that made Qli:2 offer herself as a sacrifice and that made it possible for Gematria to recognize the addiction to Bloodwine as detrimental. Freeing those bits, and giving control back to her would be necessary before releasing the power her ancestry gave her.
Birdie’s comment echoed hollowly, [That does not sound like you – you might convince someone of the error of their ways, and manipulating groups to harmony, sure. But without permission?]
I needed an energy boost to polish the gear-teeth out of her sense of community, and let it spin freely… [What, you mean like the five-hour bath?] Nothing wrong with my peregrine lass’s memory, if the surge that followed was any indication.
[You come back here and say that, and I’ll show you manipulation.] I had no idea that hunting birds could purr.
I chuckled, and focused the energy into the trapped bit. The glow gave me enough warning to step back and release. Her next question was unexpected. [Why did you not let her die if that was what she wanted?]
I could not sidestep a direct question from my mate. [I saw the Tigris run black from ink, and exhausted my resources to salvage what I could from the university. I could not prevent the scourging of holy ones for holding the “wrong” knowledge. It is not in me to let more information be lost, and in that, I circumvented the will of a sentient being. Because of my hubris, I delivered her into the hands of one who did not care for what knowledge she held, only what she could do for him.] I stilled, and finally admitted, [I have done her a grievous injury, and I must do what I can to set things right.]
A slight glow near me caught my attention, and I focused on the sphere squeezed into a timing cam. [Even if it means we have to find a way for her to feed when this is over. If it is freely given, I hope she will take the chance.]
Tuesday, August 5, 2008
She Is a Marvel.
A sudden surge of energy, and a familiar touch - [You are in SO much trouble, love]
Relief washed over me. [My peregrine lass! So glad you found me so quickly!]
She chuckled, a mix of amusement and irritation. [Found more than that. When were you going to ask?]
Oho, they rifled my desk? [I intended to do so as soon as I got back, which was supposed to be weeks ago.]
There was a shift, and she complained, [Don’t like that mode of travel much – let’s get you in the bath]
They had brought me Home, and in gestalt with my mate, I felt stronger. Even though I was still lodged in the Captain’s psyche, now we could get cracking on some serious work. There was nothing I could do about the physiological component just yet, but now that I had a firm place to stand, the next step was to decide where to place the lever for the most effective use.
Relief washed over me. [My peregrine lass! So glad you found me so quickly!]
She chuckled, a mix of amusement and irritation. [Found more than that. When were you going to ask?]
Oho, they rifled my desk? [I intended to do so as soon as I got back, which was supposed to be weeks ago.]
There was a shift, and she complained, [Don’t like that mode of travel much – let’s get you in the bath]
They had brought me Home, and in gestalt with my mate, I felt stronger. Even though I was still lodged in the Captain’s psyche, now we could get cracking on some serious work. There was nothing I could do about the physiological component just yet, but now that I had a firm place to stand, the next step was to decide where to place the lever for the most effective use.
Wednesday, July 30, 2008
She Is Going to Kill Me.
I seem to be stuck. My mate has no idea where I am, in either physical or astral form, and by now she may start to worry. I might as well get ready for the cataclysmic tempest when she realizes what I have done.
At this juncture, I cannot tell if it is the Ego or Superego that holds me fast in the orb of Gematria’s psyche. The core is still questioning the actions, the overlay is still in the pretender’s control. The casual cruelty of the overlay disturbs the core personality, but she is too weak to do much more than nudge.
I have no idea what state my body is in, but this long of an astral walk, it is likely to have reverted to my base form. Lovely. At least it is in the Tam San, and not in some of the hospitals I have landed, where they would vivisect first to formulate their questions. But I am going to need to feed in a fortnight or so.
My beautiful and dangerous peregrine lass, you are going to have to find me. You can do it, but you may need sister to help break me out without your getting demoted again, love.
At this juncture, I cannot tell if it is the Ego or Superego that holds me fast in the orb of Gematria’s psyche. The core is still questioning the actions, the overlay is still in the pretender’s control. The casual cruelty of the overlay disturbs the core personality, but she is too weak to do much more than nudge.
I have no idea what state my body is in, but this long of an astral walk, it is likely to have reverted to my base form. Lovely. At least it is in the Tam San, and not in some of the hospitals I have landed, where they would vivisect first to formulate their questions. But I am going to need to feed in a fortnight or so.
My beautiful and dangerous peregrine lass, you are going to have to find me. You can do it, but you may need sister to help break me out without your getting demoted again, love.
Tuesday, July 22, 2008
A Month of Hellish Torment and Heavenly Delights
I found her.
What is left of her, that is – the one who I sought is buried under layers of malign influence, both old and new. She struggles still, and though I have been unable to speak with her, I have attempted to drain the miasma from her. It may only heighten her distress, for it allows her to feel the changes wrought in her. At least she is aware enough to know and still desires to fight for her sense of self.
I had to leave my post on occasion, lest I succumbed to the energies I had drained off and revised for return. The warnings of Great-Aunt Sybille and Auntie Gris fresh on my mind, I sought a pool of that which would balance, and as luck would have it, the Sheriff provided the setting with his natal-day observation. Dancing generally does restore the balance and the company of a good friend will heal much. Though, when she had to leave, I was assaulted by a newcomer who decided I was “fresh meat”. The lady in question was definitely unexpected, and provided a second wind to my flagging spirits. I could return to my self-appointed task with renewed vigor.
The old conflicts had not quite been settled before, with the addition of the infusion of blood, had thrown her off balance to the point of madness. Do not tell me she was not able to be driven so, her soul ached with it. As one who, in this society, only had a passing acquaintance with her, I could not gain an audience with her. The fact that I was not a relative, and admittedly a transient in the eyes of society as yet, meant I had no means of introduction. I had to watch from a distance and attempt to contact her in a manner appropriate to the eddies of movement in the patient population.
My returns to my home for brief respites from the maelstrom of the Tam San were more restful and restorative than any visits I had made before, as the company of one who developed from an acquaintance to a friend and, most surprisingly, a mate, made my continued investigations possible. Her bond opened a new avenue – if she could anchor me, there was another way to reach the one in pain.
With the link in place, and in the still of the small hours between midnight and dawn, threading past the orders and objectives of others, I sought to ask that which was her core, her true self, one question.
What is YOUR will?
What is left of her, that is – the one who I sought is buried under layers of malign influence, both old and new. She struggles still, and though I have been unable to speak with her, I have attempted to drain the miasma from her. It may only heighten her distress, for it allows her to feel the changes wrought in her. At least she is aware enough to know and still desires to fight for her sense of self.
I had to leave my post on occasion, lest I succumbed to the energies I had drained off and revised for return. The warnings of Great-Aunt Sybille and Auntie Gris fresh on my mind, I sought a pool of that which would balance, and as luck would have it, the Sheriff provided the setting with his natal-day observation. Dancing generally does restore the balance and the company of a good friend will heal much. Though, when she had to leave, I was assaulted by a newcomer who decided I was “fresh meat”. The lady in question was definitely unexpected, and provided a second wind to my flagging spirits. I could return to my self-appointed task with renewed vigor.
The old conflicts had not quite been settled before, with the addition of the infusion of blood, had thrown her off balance to the point of madness. Do not tell me she was not able to be driven so, her soul ached with it. As one who, in this society, only had a passing acquaintance with her, I could not gain an audience with her. The fact that I was not a relative, and admittedly a transient in the eyes of society as yet, meant I had no means of introduction. I had to watch from a distance and attempt to contact her in a manner appropriate to the eddies of movement in the patient population.
My returns to my home for brief respites from the maelstrom of the Tam San were more restful and restorative than any visits I had made before, as the company of one who developed from an acquaintance to a friend and, most surprisingly, a mate, made my continued investigations possible. Her bond opened a new avenue – if she could anchor me, there was another way to reach the one in pain.
With the link in place, and in the still of the small hours between midnight and dawn, threading past the orders and objectives of others, I sought to ask that which was her core, her true self, one question.
What is YOUR will?
Tuesday, July 1, 2008
Greatest Joy Greatest Sorrow
I almost managed to get the Council to dismiss me.
Almost.
Since I had acted without direct orders, they were nearly going to cut me loose, and then someone tipped them off that I had been looking for Miss Q. Likely her aunt, or it could have been 'Chen, but the end result is I am still attached to them, and now have a commendation in my file, for "quick action for reparation". On and on, and everyone misunderstanding.
I failed to protect her, I lost her in the void between planes, and they want to reward me for it.
Damnation, I hate politics.
If England is a nation of shopkeepers, Caledon is a nation of inventors. I haven't covered a third of the continent, and I only hope I haven't missed her in my search. New Babbage is closed to me, so I am having to rely on eyes other than mine to search there, though it galls me to do so. Winterfell has the wonder-workers, but not as many that work in the sciences needed to repair her as she was, and none that noted the work to rebuild her as a golem.
Blast it, I'm tired and drained. I shall have to find a sanitarium for recharging, and continue my search.
Almost.
Since I had acted without direct orders, they were nearly going to cut me loose, and then someone tipped them off that I had been looking for Miss Q. Likely her aunt, or it could have been 'Chen, but the end result is I am still attached to them, and now have a commendation in my file, for "quick action for reparation". On and on, and everyone misunderstanding.
I failed to protect her, I lost her in the void between planes, and they want to reward me for it.
Damnation, I hate politics.
If England is a nation of shopkeepers, Caledon is a nation of inventors. I haven't covered a third of the continent, and I only hope I haven't missed her in my search. New Babbage is closed to me, so I am having to rely on eyes other than mine to search there, though it galls me to do so. Winterfell has the wonder-workers, but not as many that work in the sciences needed to repair her as she was, and none that noted the work to rebuild her as a golem.
Blast it, I'm tired and drained. I shall have to find a sanitarium for recharging, and continue my search.
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