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* Nacheyla wanders around the Tower, wide eyed. <Nacheyla> Hello? * Zoya appears before Nach has the chance to get very far. "Hello, Nacheyla." <Nacheyla> ::grins:: Hey there! This place is soooo cool. <Zoya> ::grins:: Yeah, I think so, too. Ready to go see what we can make of your little friend? <Nacheyla> Sure. ::reaches into her tunic and pulls out a wad of paper, a few pieces of candy, a spinning top, and a small silk bag:: Ah! There you are. * Nacheyla takes the yellow star out of the silk bag. * Zoya leads the way down a bewildering array of hallways, up stairs, down stairs, and through more hallways, until Nach is quite certain they're halfway to the harbor. She pauses patiently several times so Nach can examine "cool" things in the hallways, but finally opens the door on a small, sparsely decorated workroom. * Nacheyla takes several small brightly colored balls out of another pocket and begins juggling them as she follows Zoya around. Every few minutes, she drops a few and has to stop and pick them up again. <Nacheyla> ::panting slightly as they reach the lab:: Let me guess... that was the short way to get here... ::grins:: <Zoya> ::laughs, and gestures to a chair:: Have a seat. Do you want something to drink? <Nacheyla> Um, sure. ::climbs onto the chair and swings her legs, her toes just brushing the floor:: Do you have any grape juice? * Zoya gestures, and a blue wisp of smoke appears. "Grape juice. Water." The wisp disappears. <Zoya> Can I take a look at your star again? <Nacheyla> Sure. ::hands over the star, then gets up to watch the wisp:: What is that thing? <Zoya> ::The wisp of smoke reappears, bearing two mugs. Zoya takes one and hands it to Nach, then puts the other on a table. She waves a hand and the wisp disappears.:: <Zoya> That's the Staff. It fetches things for me, and keeps the place clean. * Nacheyla has a long sip of grape juice. <Nacheyla> Oh! I thought you meant like, people, when you talked about the Staff... * Zoya begins examining the star again. This time, as she does, she constructs a model of it in the air in front of her, glowing a soft blue. Every so often, she adds an arcane symbol to the model. <Zoya> Hmm? Oh. Yes, I suppose most people assume that. * Nacheyla reaches over and pokes at the construct. "Neato!" <Zoya> ::eyes Nach:: This is probably going to take me a while. Would you like a book or something while I work? <Nacheyla> Sure... whatcha got? <Zoya> Hmm... Glossaria has some adventure books. You're probably not interested in romances. There's some histories, too, but they're probably a little dry. <Nacheyla> ::gives Zoya a sly glance:: Does Erdian have a Holy Book? <Zoya> ::chuckles:: Not that I've seen. <Zoya> I've been keeping a diary of notes about him, and that might one day turn into his holy book, but he hasn't favored me with a review yet. ::grins:: <Nacheyla> Oh. I thought that might be interesting. I'll take an adventure novel if that's okay... ::reaches into her pocket, pulls out a half-eaten lollipop, picks a bit of lint off it, then pops it into her mouth:: <Zoya> Certainly. ::She summons the Staff to bring a few books, and then goes back to her study:: * Nacheyla picks up a thin book with a blue leather cover, plops down on the floor, leaning on her elbows with her legs bent and her ankles crossed neatly. <Zoya> ::It takes Zoya about an hour to complete her model of the star. When she finishes, she spends another fifteen minutes or so making sure she hasn't missed anything too obvious.:: * Zoya considers the model for a while. "Interesting." * Nacheyla looks up from her book. "Hmmum?" <Zoya> ::absently:: There's a person in here. <Nacheyla> Exsqueeze me? ::closes the book on her thumb and stands up:: <Zoya> ::looks up:: There's a person in here. Well in *there*. ::points to the star:: <Nacheyla> Really? ::takes the sucker out of her mouth and sticks it back in her pocket:: <Zoya> It certainly looks like it. <Zoya> Did you know anything about this? <Nacheyla> Huh-uh ::shakes her head:: The mage-guy who made it for me... he died. His apprentice found him lying on the floor in the lab, clutching the star. <Nacheyla> So he never got to tell me all about it. * Nacheyla sweeps her toe along the floor, her hands clasped behind her back. <Nacheyla> I got together the money for a resurrection, but the priest wasn't able to bring him back. <Zoya> Hmm. ::she picks up the star and examines it more closely. Quietly, she chants a spell at it, then considers her model:: Duriel? <Nacheyla> Really? ::her eyes widen as she leans forward, staring at the star:: <Zoya> That's what it tells me. <Zoya> Is that your... mage friend? <Nacheyla> ::nods rapidly:: Yeah. He's really in there? ::her eyes fill with tears and she turns away, wiping her face:: <Zoya> I think so. ::considers:: Well, if he's willing to help, this might be easier than I expected. <Nacheyla> How'd he get in there? ::looks back at Zoya, her copper-colored eyes glittering:: I didn't do anything wrong? Did I? <Zoya> No, I don't think you did this. I've seen something similar before. It looks like he put *himself* in there. ::smiles at Nach:: He must have been very fond of you. * Nacheyla smiles hesitantly. <Nacheyla> Yeah... we were good friends. <Zoya> ::smiles a little wider, hoping to cheer her up a little:: What? Despite all the boy-cooties? <Nacheyla> ::looks sort of offended, then laughs:: No, Duriel was *old*. <Zoya> ::smiles:: Ah, well, then they don't count. Well, let's see what Duriel has to say for himself, shall we? ::she folds her hands over the star and begins chanting:: <Zoya> ::slowly, in the air above the star, a ghostly image forms:: * Duriel is a human man, probably almost ninety years old, with a long white beard and bright blue eyes. He looks around and stretches his arms over his head, crackling his ghostly fingers. * Zoya leans back against the table so Duriel and Nacheyla can talk. * Nacheyla looks up at the spirit, her eyes wide and her chin shaking with emotion. <Nacheyla> Duriel? <Duriel> Ah. ::smiles fondly:: 'Chey. How are you doing, dear? <Nacheyla> I'm fine. What are you *doing* in there?? <Duriel> Resting. ::smiles again:: Watching out for you. Studying when I can. That sort of thing. * Duriel turns to Zoya. "Which reminds me, I noticed you had a copy of Alistaer's Theory of Necromancy. Could you lend it to 'Chey here? I'd love to take a look at it. <Zoya> ::smiles:: Certainly. <Nacheyla> Be serious, would you? ::puts her hands on her hips:: What did you do this for? * Duriel puts a ghostly hand on Nacheyla's shoulder. <Duriel> My dear, I was old... it was my time to die. You only get so long, even when you cheat ::looks over at the star with a wink:: And I wanted to help you. <Nacheyla> You did this on *purpose*? ::looks horrified:: Why didn't you tell me? I didn't know you were there! * Duriel laughs, twisting the end of his beard around one finger. <Duriel> Do you know what happens when you assume something? Ass you me! ::points to himself, then to her:: I thought you could Speak with Dead. <Nacheyla> ::looks confused:: Why would I do that? <Duriel> Obviously you wouldn't. ::laughs again:: So, I've been in there for two hundred and seventy-some years with no way to talk to you. <Zoya> ::mutters:: I can't believe you haven't had the thing examined before this... * Nacheyla looks extremely horrified. <Nacheyla> I didn't know! It worked just the way it was supposed to. * Nacheyla bursts into tears, covering her face with both hands. * Duriel tries to take the girl into his arms, only to discover that he doesn't have any corporeal form. He looks over at Zoya in alarm. * Zoya pulls Nach into a hug for him, then looks up at him. * Duriel shrugs. "I should have asked before I got started. It's not your fault." <Zoya>: She's an undead hunter... it seemed a reasonable assumption to make. <Zoya> ::smiles at Duriel:: I would have thought so, myself. <Nacheyla> I don't talk to cows either! * Nacheyla looks at Zoya, wiping her nose on the back of her hand. "It's hard to kill something if you can relate to it. I mean, evil things don't think they're evil... I don't want to talk to Wraiths and stuff!" <Zoya> Well, fair enough. ::she shrugs:: * Duriel looks down at the girl, absently braiding the end of his beard. <Duriel> I'm not angry about it. I thought it was... comeuppance or something. ::looks sort of abashed:: <Zoya> Duriel... Nacheyla has... responsibilities that she can't very well keep to if she's a child. * Duriel looks at her. "Oh. Yes, well... er... hmmm." <Zoya> We need to work on partially reversing those effects. ::she considers the model, which still hangs in the air in front of her:: And maybe modifying your initial spell? If we... ::she launches into a long spate of arcane technicalities, pointing at the model to illustrate various points.:: * Duriel nods, stroking his beard and commenting on her observations. <Duriel> Magical theory has certainly advanced in the last hundred years or so... what an enormous difference this makes here ::illustrates a connection in the model:: <Zoya> ::nods:: But if you were to... ::draws another glyph, and connects it with a few others:: Then the extra energy could be directed inward, instead of solely at her, I think. <Duriel> ::looks down at his beard:: A young ghost? That might be interesting. ::shakes his head:: Nah, I'm too old for vanity. How should we redirect the energy? <Zoya> Well, that's up to you, I think.... ::launches into some more arcane terminology:: ...would probably give you some tighter control over it at the time it occurs. <Duriel> Do you think we might be able to direct it as the same sort of life draining abilities that a lich or vampire has? As an aggressive sort of thing? * Nacheyla looks over at the two mages and rolls her eyes. <Zoya> ::frowns:: I don't know. You mean, if there are more than one? ::considers the model:: <Duriel> There frequently are. Most liches tend to have whole skeleton crews. Of course, we might be able to convert the rest of it to healing magics. That's pretty closely related, school-wise. <Zoya> Hmm. I've never been an undead-hunter, really... Can you modify this from the inside at all? * Duriel looks down at himself. "I don't think so. I can't really hold components or anything." <Zoya> Hmm. Well. Why don't we go *this* way ::she points at a glyph:: for now - that should let you change it into healing or dissipate it altogether - and then we'll make sure Nacheyla learns to speak with you, and you can tell her if you think of any other changes, and she can bring you back here? <Duriel> ::nods:: That sounds good. <Zoya> All right. Say goodbye for now; I can't keep you out here and make the changes at the same time. <Duriel> Oh... right. ::turns to Nacheyla:: My dear, I'm sorry to have upset you so much. We'll get to work right away and learn the spell, shall we? ::smiles encouragingly:: * Nacheyla nods, wiping her eyes again. <Nacheyla> I'm so sorry, Duriel... I didn't know. ::reaches out and lightly touches the ghostly face with the tips of her fingers:: * Duriel turns to Zoya. <Duriel> Thank you for everything. <Zoya> ::smiles:: My pleasure. * Duriel bows, then disappears into a swirl of gray mist and swoops back into the star. <Zoya> Okay. ::considers the model, then the star:: This shouldn't actually take too long, Nacheyla. <Nacheyla> Okay. ::looks at the star, then back at Zoya:: Do you think he's really not mad at me? <Zoya> ::smiles:: He didn't seem mad to me. <Nacheyla> Duriel took care of me and my sister, after our parents died. <Zoya> Ah. Well, then you probably know better than me whether he's mad. You can talk to him about it, after I teach you how, okay? <Nacheyla> Okay. ::reaches out and pets the star as if it were a small animal:: <Zoya> All right. Now this is going to modify the star a bit, and give you some years back all at once. I need you to sit in that chair there and be very quiet. It might be a little uncomfortable - you're going to shoot through puberty in about five minutes. You'll want to take off those clothes, too. * Nacheyla nods, then reaches into her backpack. "I brought a change. I thought I might need it." She pulls out a long black and silver robe. "Is there someplace I can change?" * Zoya gestures, and a screen appears in the corner of the room. * Nacheyla takes her robe and hides behind the screen to change. When she comes out, she looks like a little girl dressed up in her mother's clothing. * Zoya waits until Nach is settled, then cradles the star in her hands and starts whispering. After a minute, the star jumps in her hands a little, then begins to glow. The glow increases in intensity until it's almost too bright to look at. <Zoya> ::Quite suddenly, the glow... detaches from the star, and floats over to Nacheyla:: * Nacheyla closes her eyes, clenching her hands around the bottom of the chair. <Nacheyla> ::the glow envelops the girl, who snaps her eyes open with surprise. Suddenly she shrieks as a sound like splintering bone and tearing flesh fills the room:: * Zoya is poised on the balls of her feet, ready to spring into action if something goes wrong... * Nacheyla starts growing, her already long hair reaching all the way to the floor, coiling there. Her face stretches and contorts as her body lengthens, then fills out. * Nacheyla falls off the chair, gasping for breath. Suddenly, everything is over. Nacheyla, breathing loudly, sits up and starts trying to get out from under all her hair. <Zoya> Nacheyla? <Nacheyla> Oh, that hurt.... ::sounds much more mature:: <Zoya> ::chuckles:: It sounded like your puberty was even rougher than mine. ::she starts pulling hair out of Nach's way:: * Nacheyla looks up at Zoya from under the haystack of hair. Her normally copper-hazel eyes are an absolutely lovely shade of crimson. <Zoya> Oh! My... ::she peers closely at Nach's eyes:: <Nacheyla> What? ::looks down at herself:: <Zoya> Your eyes... ::almost impatiently, Zoya summons a small hand-mirror and gives it to Nach:: * Nacheyla looks at herself in the mirror, one hand going up to touch her cheek. <Zoya> ::laughs:: You're going to frighten the mundanes. You might want to look into a masking spell. <Nacheyla> Gods and demons! I look possessed! ::tries to look at the rest of her body with the mirror:: * Nacheyla suddenly blinks and feels the side of her head. "Oh, my god." * Zoya summons the Staff to bring a full-length mirror and put it behind the screen. * Nacheyla pushes her hair around and uncovers a set of small silver horns just behind her temples. <Zoya> Oh... Oh, dear. Those could be trouble. <Nacheyla> ::puts her hands on her hips and gives Zoya a long look:: If I have a tail, I'm going to be really upset. <Zoya> ::looks uneasy:: I'm sorry. You know how... Maybe it'll wear off after a bit... ::she tries to look hopeful:: <Zoya> ::innate curiosity takes over:: Can you... Can you *feel* a tail? I mean, make it twitch or something? * Nacheyla twists her head around, trying to see her backside. * Zoya points at the corner where the screen is. "I had the Staff bring a bigger mirror..." * Nacheyla takes a deep breath, hitches up the robe and then drops it as a slender, very attractive spaded tail whips around her legs. * Zoya winces. "Maybe... it'll... wear off....? <Zoya>: Does it usually? <Zoya> ::self-consciously touches the purple lock of hair behind her ear:: Um.... sometimes. <Glossaria> Mistress? I thought I heard shouting. Is everything alright? * Nacheyla whips around, staring at herself in the mirror. "I am pretty sure this is NOT an improvement." * Nacheyla turns around and looks at Gloss. <Zoya> Well, I didn't do it on *purpose*, Nacheyla... <Glossaria> Oh. My. ::eyes going round as she sucks her lips between her teeth and stares:: <Zoya> ::sighs:: Glossaria, could you bring Nacheyla a scarf, please...? * Nacheyla starts pulling her fingers through her overly long hair. "A pair of scissors might be nice, too." <Glossaria> Well... she *does* make a very attractive brantha demon, Mistress. <Zoya> Glossaria! <Glossaria> I'll just... get you some things. ::whisking out before anything can be thrown at her:: <Zoya> ::to Nach:: I *am* sorry. But I know from experience that trying to remove it now would just... It would be a mistake. <Nacheyla> ::looking at herself:: Yeah, I could end up with feathers, I suppose... ::sighs:: well, I guess it can be hidden, at least for a while. <Zoya> Give it a little while for the residual magic to wear off. If it doesn't go away on its own, maybe we can try something. <Glossaria> ::returns with a scarf, a pair of scissors, a barber's apron, a box of makeup, and a metal file:: <Glossaria> Here you are, Mistress. <Nacheyla> ::laughs:: At least I won't have to say much to explain it... "Zoya did it." and everyone will just laugh. <Zoya> ::grin:: I suppose so. * Nacheyla looks back at her reflection. <Glossaria> ::cocking her head to one side and studying the new Nacheyla, chewing on her lower lip:: It might be wise, Mistress Nacheyla, to avoid Xarroch until your appearance reverts to normal. Brantha demons have a certain, um, reputation in the Nether Regions, and I don't think you'd appreciate the repercussions thereof. <Nacheyla> ::looking at Gloss:: What's a brantha? <Glossaria> ::gestures to the mirror:: Well, apparently, you are, at the moment. At least, you match the descriptions I've read, and the lithograph in Waydell's Demonology. <Zoya> I suspect Xarroch will be able to tell the difference, Glossaria. At the least, she'll be lacking the aura. * Nacheyla looks back at her reflection, then smiles. There is something almost disturbing about this. <Zoya> ::eyes her apprentice curiously:: Do they really look so human? <Glossaria> Well... yes, but... ::turning a little red:: <Glossaria> Yes, they do. They're... umm... not exactly designed for warfare. Well, not... ::blushes deeper:: <Zoya> Yes, I can see that. <Nacheyla> Are they sort of related to succubi? Which is what I think I look like, minus the nice black wings, of course. And yes, I'm sure there are no wings. <Glossaria> ::sighing in relief:: Yes, exactly, Mistress Nacheyla. They're actually a subclass of succubus, designed as...ah...submissives. <Zoya> ::raises an eyebrow, then laughs:: <Glossaria> So you can see why you might not want to... um... flaunt yourself in front of Xarroch at just this moment. <Glossaria> ::eagerly:: But you really do make a very pretty brantha demon, Mistress Nacheyla. <Nacheyla> Well, thank you. ::poses, pulling her hair up, and putting one hand behind her head, the other on her hip:: <Glossaria> ::smiles, eyeing Nacheyla a tad enviously, and unconsciously standing a little taller and straightening her shoulders, herself. <Zoya> ::laughs:: Too bad you didn't grow the wings, too. It would've done wonders for my reputation for a demon to be seen flying from my topmost window. <Nacheyla> Maybe I should go visit Tyl's school? ::laughs, abandoning her seductress pose:: <Zoya> ::laughs:: * Nacheyla runs her fingers through her hair. "Maybe you could cut this? Around the calves would be good. I've always wanted to have really long hair." * Glossaria watches Nacheyla preen, sighing a bit enviously. <Glossaria> Mistress, if you have all you need...? I have an experiment in process downstairs. <Zoya> Oh, before I forget: Glossaria, Nacheyla needs to borrow... ::thinks:: A good treatise on spirit communications and Alistaer's Theory of Necromancy - the latest edition. You can put them on the hall table downstairs before you get back to your experiment, if you don't mind... <Glossaria> ::blinks a couple of times, and nods:: Certainly, Mistress. * Zoya picks up the scissors and starts to trim Nach's hair. * Glossaria turns and trots back down the stairs, running her fingers absently through her short hair. * Nacheyla looks after her. <Nacheyla> Is she going to be all right? I don't think I was... very considerate last evening. <Zoya> ::glances out the door after Gloss:: I'm sure she'll work it out. I don't think you did any damage, Nacheyla. Who takes a child all that seriously? <Zoya> ::grins:: <Nacheyla> Lisl was pretty sweet, actually. ::smiles:: <Zoya> ::smiles:: Well, she's fond of the girl. I wonder what got into Vallel, anyway? <Nacheyla> ::shakes her head:: I have no idea. He moved out and is living at the dorm at Tyl's school <Zoya> ::finishes trimming Nach's hair:: There. ::she looks Nach over:: Forget Xarroch - whatever Gloss says, he'll know the difference. *You* need to stay away from Kevil. ::grins:: <Zoya> Moved out? Really? That's peculiar. Did he say why? <Nacheyla> Kevil? You mean the guy with cooties? ::laughs, covering her mouth with one hand:: Did I really say that? <Zoya> ::laughs:: Yes, I'm afraid you really did. <Nacheyla> He left a note saying that "things" were all messed up and Meghan was living with Xarroch now and not to worry, it was nothing important. <Zoya> ::snorts:: Idiot. <Nacheyla> What did he do? I've been gone for a while. You have no idea how hard it is to travel when you're eleven. <Nacheyla> Especially when you don't have a parent. ::points to her forehead:: This part of my brain knows I should get home, but the rest of me wants to go catching pollywogs. <Zoya> ::chuckles:: Apparently, he and Glossaria had some sort of fight a couple of weeks ago. ::she winces:: Just about the time Marten and I fought over Kevil, actually. ::sighs:: Anyhow, I thought they'd made up - he gave her the materials for a simply *lovely* dress - Tyl must have helped him pick it out - and they went together to the Mayor's party... <Nacheyla> He's usually got good sense. I don't know why Meghan moved out either. He's doing well if he's managed to tick off two different women in the same week. <Zoya> Did you hear about the Mayor's party? Someone - several someones - attacked Tyl, and we think Glossaria? Vallel got in the way - he saved Glossaria - but he was hurt pretty badly. A near thing, as I understand it. <Nacheyla> ::winces:: He's all right, though? <Zoya> That's what was said. Michelle healed the worst of it, and Glossaria patched him up. He came home with her afterward, and I pretty much left them to themselves. Then he left, and I figured everything was fine. But then Glossaria got all mopey on me, and last night... ::she sighs:: Well, you heard last night. <Nacheyla> ::shakes her head:: You know, in three hundred years, you'd think I'd have figured love out. I haven't. <Zoya> ::laughs:: Too many variables. <Nacheyla> ::nods:: I've been married seven times <Zoya> I hope she comes 'round soon. I love her like the daughter I'll never have - I hate seeing her like this. <Nacheyla> ::sighs:: I used to meddle with my sons and daughters' relationships. I try not to anymore. <Zoya> Ah, well... Let's see if we can get those horns covered before you walk out on the street. The robe should take care of the tail... <Nacheyla> Thanks. ::ties the kerchief over her head and looks at herself:: Well, I look stupid, but I guess that's better than nothing. I think I have a hooded cape at home. * Nacheyla smiles. <Nacheyla> Thanks for your help. Where did you say Glossaria was going to leave those books? I'll get back with you if these horns don't fall off on their own. <Zoya> On the hall table - I'll walk you down and show you. ::she grins:: This is too chaotic a building to let the uninitiated wander around in on their own. <Nacheyla> Thanks. ::she follows Zoya out of the room:: |
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