A little... unbearable pain.

gelwein​:

Elysian Experiments

She lit up at his praise, but his words left a chill. There was something off about this man.

Pandora furrowed her brow. What else? Was he not impressed by her great display of power? Was it not enough? She felt anger rise within her, but took a deep breath to cool herself off. This was not the time to loose her temper.

“I…I can will the spirits to my bidding in any way I please,” she said, quickly regaining her confidence albeit still a bit shaken from what had just happened. Would this be a satisfactory answer? Pandora had the feeling that it wouldn’t be. That much she could guess about the man. There were limits to her power, but he didn’t need to know that.

“...Is that so?” Gelwein said. “Well, if true, that is a magnificent talent. Free reign over the spirits is something man men have worked hard to achieve... and yet, here you say you can simply do so at will.”

He might have been baiting her with his words, but in truth, he had no doubt that, whether or not she was over-embellishing, Pandora did have a bit more power than one would guess at a glance. He had sensed her potential- if he hadn’t he wouldn’t have invited her up here. He would have let her have a glimpse at the part of him he usually hid from untalented fools. 

He wanted to see it- her raw power at work.

It was growing warmer with each passing day. 

On one hand, Gelwein supposed that that was likely a good thing. He could begin to set up events to bring in customers to fund his laboratory, now that it was time for people to begin stepping out of their homes. On the other... The isolation of winter was when it was easiest to keep to one’s self. Even when shopping, or simply taking a walk, he rarely had to be stopped on the road by others, who were eager to make their way home, and out of the chilly air.

arch-sorceress​:

Pandora replied with a simple, “Hmph.” His words held no new knowledge. In fact, Gelwein sounded just like her father. Whether she had actually learned from his lessons was up for debate, however.

Pandora’s eyes widened and a feeling of dread washed over her as a cage rose from the floor. She was once again reminded of her father. Her mind traveled back to a memory that she had tried to lock away. An innocent wooly tied to a well and a spine-chilling snap. 

Attacking a wooly was something she tried to avoid at all costs. Even if they are returned ‘home’ unharmed, that would mean less woolies for Pandora to enlist in her army and to keep as pets. It also just felt wrong. Woolies rarely attack without being attacked first. She preferred fighting the more aggressive and mean looking monsters.

For some reason, Pandora didn’t want to disappoint this man, though. With a wave of her hand, she summoned her staff, that was imbued with magic to return monsters to the Forest of Beginnings, as she always does when fighting monsters. 

Turning her staff horizontally, she closed her eyes so she wouldn’t have to see the terror in the wooly’s eyes and took a deep breath. Violet flames enveloped the wooly until the cage was empty, leaving only some wool behind. She opened one eye at first to make sure it was gone before opening both eyes.

Glad that it was over, Pandora gave a half-relieved, half-satisfied smile. Yet, in her gut, there was a different, unpleasant feeling. She turned to Gelwein to see his reaction and to hear his assessment.

Gelwein hummed with interest- although, it somewhat sounded like a hum of approval. It was a simple attack, and yet, it was already much different than he was expecting. Already, his thoughts began rapidly calculating exactly what this simple attack implied about the woman’s magic. Clearly, it was much different than his void powers. He hadn’t been wrong in sensing promise in her. 

“I see. So your magic is well-suited for offense. That bodes well for you- it is an easy magic for power and control, just as you desire. When you have power to back up your actions,” he said, walking over to the cage, and reaching through the bars, to pick up the wool left behind, “...You can take whatever you want.” 

In many ways, he envied those who had power. Because his magic was not offensive in nature, Gelwein had always had to be crafty. Using direct force was often out of the question. He’d have to pull strings to weave in entrapments, carefully stacking his dominoes in meticulously detailed patterns, before knocking them all down in a glorious cacophony. It made him smarter, cleverer than those who could simply strike fear into others with power alone. And yet, he still hungered for that power.

dragon-twin​:

“Thank you, Sir.” It was considerably high praise coming from Gelwein - based on how he had been acting the whole time. Ren was proud of Draco for doing so well. If they weren’t linked by dragon blood, then perhaps he would have had a lot more trouble training him.

“No…I didn’t know dragons could learn magic if I’m being honest.” He anticipated some disparaging remarks in return for his honesty, but he was getting used to the man’s blunt nature. This was exciting though! The possibility of Draco not only getting stronger but also learning magic. He wasn’t sure if this man would teach him though, so it was probably best not to get his hopes up too high.

“Most breeds can. However, I won’t say it’s impossible for a dragon to be incapable of performing magic. Usually it is instinctual. However, it appears your dragon is more domesticated than most. There’s a possibility that it simply hasn’t awoken. I could try a few diagnostics to attempt to figure out the sub-species of dragon, and whether or not teaching it magic is out of the question...”

Gelwein fought 3 woolies and won! Sold Everything for 1050G. EXP Gained: 150

Gelwein foraged and sold everything except the Rune Crystal for 2,820G New Total: 61,895 G Inventory: Rune Crystal

Expenses:

0G for living at the Elysian VI Laboratories

Income:

1,500G for working at the Elysian VI Laboratories

2,000G for being boss of Elysian VI Laboratories

1,000G for being owner of Elysian VI Laboratories

500G Menu Bonus

dragon-twin​:

Ren wasn’t sure how to respond to the man’s blunt answer (he thought Draco did pretty good), so he decided not to and to instead focus on the task at hand. 

He looked to Draco and asked, “Can you hit all of those targets, bud?” Draco charged at the first target and once again smashed the target with his head. He wasted no time breaking the next, closest target, this time with his tail. One after another, the crimson dragon attacked all of the targets, flying up to get the higher ones and returning to the floor with a proud smile once he was done. 

“Good job, Draco!” Ren gave him a pat on the head after Draco ran over to him. A bit nervous of how he would respond this time, Ren looked to Gelwein.

“Hmm.” As the monster continued its rampage against the targets, Gelwein began making a number of mental notes to himself. Overall, it was less impressive than he’d hoped- but not without promise. After all, a dragon was a dragon. Even the most pathetic dragon of all time would still a cut above most other monsters- and this was not a pathetic display. 

Once all the targets were destroyed, and the dragon had returned to its master, Gelwein opened up a small portal, and caught the electronic tablet that fell out of it before it closed. He pressed a few buttons on it, navigating to a white loading screen.

arch-sorceress​:

The man, Gelwein as he called himself, was hard to read. She couldn’t tell if he was mocking her or not. For his sake, she would choose to believe the latter. With this in mind, she felt pride in her vast knowledge. Of course she would know such a simple fact. 

His next words disheartened her. That was what she needed, though. To harden her heart. If she did that, then she wouldn’t feel so conflicted about situations like what happened earlier that day. It seemed that she would need to seek out another solution to this problem. For the moment, she would focus on her magic.

What it takes? “Of course.” She was willing to do anything for power. It reminded her of something her father would say. He was always adamant that she couldn’t let feelings or anything of the sort hold her back from obtaining what she wanted.

“...Good. Remember that pledge- never forsake it- and you’ll go far.” Did she actually have what it took? He did not know- and for the moment, he did not care. All that mattered was that he prove himself to be of use to her... And get some of her loyalty in return. It was unfortunate in some ways, that her desires were not trivial pursuits, like so many others seeking companionship, or, most pathetic of all, love. However, it was rare that Gelwein found anyone who could truly appreciate his work, and what he had to offer. 

He would not mind putting in genuine effort to impress, just this once.

“Now then. Before I can help you, let me see what you can do.” Gelwein snapped his fingers, and slowly, a cage began rising up from the floor. “Normally, I would have a magic user practice on targets, but certain kinds of dark magic do much better on live subjects. And it just so happens I have one that is ready to be sent back to the First Forest. Would you mind doing the honors?” Inside the cage, which had now fully risen up, was a wooly. It was hard to see in the darkness, but the overall figure was unmistakable. It let out a soft baa, moving to the back corner of the cage, away from the sound of Gelwein’s voice.

arch-sorceress​:

“I know that!” Maybe she hadn’t thought about that, but of course she knew about dark magic working better in the dark. That was why her father’s lessons always took place at night, after all. She crossed her arms and sighed, letting out her frustration. Perhaps she was still on edge after what happened earlier. No, she didn’t want to think about that.

“I want to….control others. I need to become more powerful.” Pandora couldn’t forget her goals. She couldn’t be distracted by trivial things like feelings. Her main goal in life was to gain control of…everything. How she would do this, she wasn’t exactly sure. In fact, she avoided thinking about that part.

Gelwein’s grin cut wider across his face, at the girl’s proclamation. She was truly a bit naive... and yet, there was potential there. If he were in any way more empathetic, he might be tempted to take her under his wing. As it was, he of course wanted to keep her low enough that she would never pose a threat to him. And yet, perhaps he would give her some genuine advice. Just this once.

“Well, well, well. Impressive, that you’ve identified the connection. So many fail to understand the link between the two. To gain control, you must have the  power to back it. To amass power, you must have control. In both cases, you must have a will and heart of steel. Gold is pretty, but it is soft. Those with a heart of gold will have neither power nor control.”

“I cannot teach you how to harden your heart. However, I can teach you what to do, once you have. Dark magic is well suited to control. Those skilled in necromancy have control over the dead- the ability to command hundreds or even thousands of bodies. Void magic is perfect for manipulation. Illusions, teleportation, barriers... all skills one can use to keep people contained, and under one’s control. You may have some natural talent, which with enough practice, may get you far.”

Out of the many punch bowls at the Hunt Christmas Party, three bowls of punch were spiked! One was spiked with potions with relatively harmless effects, one was spiked with more serious potions, and one was spiked with both. 

If you have you muse drink from any of these bowls, roll for an effect.

Minor Effect Bowl

Christmas Sunshine - You become overjoyed as you are filled with the holiday spirit, and you instill this feeling into everyone you talk to.

Christmas Kitty - You turn into a cat or a kitten. Depending on how much you drink the effects either wear off at the stroke of midnight, or at sunup.

A Borrower’s Christmas - You turn teeny tiny, no taller than a mouse. Depending on how much you drink the effects either wear off at the stroke of midnight, or at sunup.

Tipsy - You don’t remember drinking that much champagne or holiday ‘nog, but here you are. Depending on how much you drink, the effects either wear off at the stroke of midnight, or at sunup.

Feeling Grinchy - You feel an overwhelming need to steal Christmas. Can you even steal Christmas? You don’t know, but you’re determined to find out. The effect wears off at the stroke of midnight

Major Effect Bowl 

Freaky Wednesday - You swap bodies with a person you have strong feelings for- love or hate. Depending on how much you drink, the effects either wear off at the stroke of midnight, or at sunup.

A Hot ‘n Heavy Christmas - You fall under the effects of a lust potion. Depending on how much you drink, the effects either wear off at the stroke of midnight, or at sunup. 

Your First Christmas - You get temporary amnesia. Depending on how much you drink, the effects either wear off at the stroke of midnight, or at sunup.

A Cinderella Christmas - You can change your appearance (including your outfit) to look any way you like, so long as you’re still humanoid, and between three and ten feet tall. Depending on how much you drink, the effects either wear off at the stroke of midnight, or at sunup.

Roll Lines

pi!choose Christmas Sunshine, Christmas Kitty, A Borrower’s Christmas, Tipsy, Feeling Grinchy

pi!choose Freaky Wednesday, A Hot ‘n Heavy Christmas, Your First Christmas, A Cinderella Christmas

arch-sorceress​:

It was her father who gifted Pandora her name, so she treasured it and wore it with pride. Why he chose that name, she wasn’t certain, but she doubted he named her after some silly myth. That seemed more like something her mother would do.

“I’m pleased you understand…However, viewing you as a partner would mean viewing you as an equal and there are none equal to me.” She was honestly offended he would even suggest such a thing, but she was more so offended that he declined such a respectable title such as minion of the Great Arch-Sorceress Pandora.

“Yes, that is correct.” While she wouldn’t deny she used dark magic, it was as he said, her magic was distinct. It was also a bit of a mystery, even to her. That’s why she was here after all - to use this man to find out more about her magic. “Very well then.” She followed him through the portal into a dark room. Her eyes took a moment to adjust to the new lighting of the room. “Can you not light a lantern in here?”

So, she fancied herself above everyone else, did she? Well, she needn’t have worried- Gelwein would never consider someone like her to be his equal. It was obvious to him where they stood.

Testing out a potion with unknown effects in and of itself was not bad. In her position, Gelwein might have done the same thing. But only a fool would put themselves in a situation where they would regret doing so. This woman might have considered herself great and powerful, but it was obvious that she was weak. 

For now, he would play along. He didn’t want to lose such an interesting catch so soon. He would not play a bumbling fool- but he would let her imagine that she was the one in control.

Which was why, when she asked if a lantern could be lit, instead of insulting her, he merely smiled.

“I could,” he said. “Although, that would rather defeat the purpose. Dark magic is most powerful in the dark, after all. If I wanted to see your everyday abilities, I suppose I could turn on the lights. However, that’s not why you’re here, is it? What you want- what we both want- is to discover the true power you have underneath.” Gelwein began to take a few step back, seeming to blend into the darkness, as if he were sinking into an inky black sea. All the while, he continued to speak, until he was completely eaten up by the darkness. “Even those with very specific subsets of dark magic- necromancy, or void, for example-”

“-Will find their powers most amplified when light is absent,” he finished, now standing behind Pandora. He grinned, the soft, gentle blue light from below just barely lighting up his features enough to show his almost hungry expression.