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* Zoya is sitting in her study, going through old research notes and jotting fresh notes in a new book. The "window" that overlooks the Dragonsmere is wide open, allowing a brisk breeze to circulate. * Glossaria knocks on the door, more timid than she's been of late. "Mistress? Am I disturbing you?" <Zoya> ::jots a final note, and looks up, marking her place with a finger:: Not at all, Glossaria. Please, come in. * Glossaria enters the room, looking around, studying the room with care before selecting a chair. * Glossaria sucks on her lips for a moment, buying time before speaking. * Zoya - sensing Gloss isn't about to ask if she can borrow the latest book on theological magecraft - puts a marker in both her books and closes them carefully before turning to face her fully. <Glossaria> Mistress, I... ::pauses for a moment, thinking:: I've been trying to further my research on one of my projects, but I find myself somewhat... frustrated. ::the last word comes out tinged with a little more emotion than she'd intended, and she bites her lips again:: <Zoya> ::raises an eyebrow:: Well, I'll certainly be happy to help you however I can, Glossaria. What's the project? <Glossaria> ::scrunching down in her chair a little bit, knowing her Mistress isn't going to like this, but unable to help herself:: I've been... attempting to study human physical attraction and interaction. <Glossaria> ::with a bit of her week-long growing frustration in her voice:: But no one will *help* me. <Zoya> ::eyes Glossaria almost cooly:: Sex. Yes, I know; I've been watching you. <Glossaria> ::very quietly:: Yes, I know. <Zoya> I have to say, Glossaria, I'm a little surprised you haven't come to me before this. Why is that? <Glossaria> Well, I... ::frowning:: I... I didn't think of it, at first. <Zoya> Reasonable. I've been encouraging you to follow your own paths of study. And after you thought of it? <Glossaria> And then I thought that... well... in at least one instance, you might... umm... present unreasonable barriers to research. <Glossaria> ::scootching down in her chair a little more:: Xarroch. <Zoya> ::looks amused:: Well, I might well have protested that, yes. Xarroch's not always aware of his own strength. <Glossaria> ::a little disgustedly:: I wouldn't know. <Zoya> No, I suppose not. So, what made you decide to finally come to me? <Glossaria> ::licking her lips:: As I said, no one I know will... help me. And.... ::anxiously:: my...need for fulfillment is beginning to move beyond the realm of research, Mistress. ::pausing, an odd look on her face:: Mistress... Did you know that mistress is also a term used in dominant/submissive sexual relationships? ::shaking her head quickly, looking puzzled:: I'm sorry... where was I? * Zoya looks concerned. "Your research, Glossaria?" <Glossaria> Ah, yes. ::looking faintly puzzled for a moment, as if she just missed something she should have noticed, and shaking her head again:: <Zoya> ::considers her for a moment, eyes flashing to silver for a moment, then back as she recovers her composure:: I think I can help you, Glossaria, but I have to know if you'll trust me. <Glossaria> Of course I trust you, Mistress. <Zoya> Good. ::she crosses to stand in front of Glossaria and takes her hands:: Listen to me very carefully. Do you remember the Mayor's party? <Glossaria> ::nodding:: Of course. I wore a yellow dress. <Zoya> Do you remember Charoli attacking Tyl'gainia? <Glossaria> ::thinks a moment and nods:: <Zoya> Good. ::she squeezes Gloss's hands almost painfully tight, and her voice cracks like a whip:: Concentrate! Charoli is putting suggestions in your mind. CONCENTRATE, GLOSSARIA! * Zoya 's silver eyes bore into Glossaria's, willing her to focus her own will. <Glossaria> Suggestions? ::laughing:: But that's-- that's... * Glossaria gasps, and struggles against Zoya's grip. "No! Let me go! That's crazy!" * Zoya tightens her hold again, cutting Glossaria's laugh off. "CONCENTRATE. REMEMBER." She speaks a few phrases of magic, shuddering at the raw magic coursing through her. * Glossaria draws in breath in a ragged scream, squeezing her eyes shut tight and gritting her teeth. <Zoya> ::A very bright, almost tangible, mass of power forms around Zoya's hands as they clench Glossaria's. The power brightens, and surges, shooting up toward Glossaria's head. Zoya keeps her grip, still whispering words of power:: * Glossaria sags, and would fall to her knees but for Zoya's tight grasp. <Glossaria> ::whispering:: No... ::tears squeeze out under the lids:: Oh, Vallel... Erdian.... ::weeping:: * Zoya pauses in her chanting, letting the bright energy linger on her hands. "Glossaria?" Her voice is hoarse. * Glossaria clings to Zoya like a storm anchor, her body wracked with sobs. "Mistress Zoya... I was so horrible..." * Zoya eases Glossaria to the floor, letting the energy built around her hands fade away. She sits on the floor next to her and pulls her into a comforting hug. <Zoya> Shh... It's okay. I understand. No one will blame you. <Glossaria> ::sniffing:: Yes... they will... ::burying her head into Zoya's robes:: Mistress Michelle will think I'm a slut, and Nacheyla, and Lisl, and... oh Erdian, and Lord Kevil! ::sniffling:: And Xarroch was so nice to me, and I kept *throwing* myself at him! <Zoya> ::holds Gloss close:: It's okay. Michelle knew you were being controlled - she's angry at Charoli, not you. And Nacheyla, and Lisl know. And Kevil is the one who convinced *me*. Everyone will understand, Glossaria. Really. <Glossaria> ::miserably:: But... but Vallel... ::sniffle:: Even when I didn't understand what ravishing meant and I asked Xarroch if he would maybe ravish me sometime... Vallel blew up... but... but this time it was WORSE, and with so many people... and I wanted to ask.. to hire... ::crying again:: Oh, Mistress! <Zoya> ::soberly, quietly:: Glossaria. <Glossaria> ::sniffling and looking up, swallowing hard against more tears:: Mistress? * Zoya puts her hands on either side of Glossaria's face. "I need you to be brave. Vallel... is also being controlled." <Glossaria> ::swallowing hard again, sitting up a little straighter as she frowns in thought for a long moment before looking up at Zoya again:: Our argument... wasn't an argument, was it? It...::she licks her lips:: it has no details, in my memory. <Zoya> ::nods:: Whatever it was, it wasn't *real*. <Glossaria> ::still frowning:: He... also desired sex? ::long pause, with a hint of a tremor, and a hint of disgust, in her voice:: With Charoli? <Zoya> I don't know, Glossaria. I don't know what she did to him. Tyl'gainia said he was... drinking, a lot. <Glossaria> Drinking? ::frowning:: Vallel doesn't drink. Well, not more than the occasional glass of light spirits. <Zoya> ::quietly:: I promised Tyl I'd come see her this evening. We can go... now, if you want. If your compulsion can be broken, I'm sure his can, as well. <Glossaria> ::looking around the room slowly:: I think... being in the Tower... helped me. ::eyebrows coming down:: Who else has *she* touched? <Zoya> You, Vallel, Tyl... Jelarthna. We're not sure about some others. <Glossaria> ::standing up:: I want to go now, Mistress. If she did... this to me...::swallowing:: She wanted Vallel. I know she did. I can't imagine what she might have done to...to him. <Zoya> ::nods:: Come on, then. * Glossaria takes her Mistress's hand. |
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