[spoiler]<o1 Valiance>
Darkness.
As it always was, as it always would be in the seclusion of the top floor of the tower, where Tera remained hidden away like a modern day Repunzel. Olive eyes flickered between the pages of the tomes before her, then to the small squeals that drifted from shadowed hideaways within the chamber itself. Despite the modern décor of the pent house, it was obvious how eerie the ambiance of the scene was by the several dark flamed candles and the etched scribbles of various ancient symbols; things the normal citizen wouldn’t be able to decipher. These were her tools, all displayed like the best wares in a phantasmal black market stall – but this was her home. Sanctuary in the pitch of artificial night, illuminated only by the warm and silent burning of wax figures, and the face of the female used this small set of discovering light to study more of incantations and theory.
So this was the life of Tera Naples, the seamless socialite. A secret magician, a creature of the abyss… A very curious character.
The sounds had grown louder, those whines of something inhuman, and finally the woman raised her gaze to turn and face the black of the furthest corner of her home. Cages upon cages the size of refrigerators all lined the far wall, and within those barred confines stared the beady eyes of strange beasts, their restless breathing the only sound to meet the inquisitive stare of the sorceress. For a time she allowed herself to bask in their presence, accepting not only their strange company but their unique appearances. These were things others would never see, at least not until the time was right; creatures of the lair. Finally a smile split cherry lips and Tera released a cold click of her tongue, dismissing their distress like one would a tantruming child. These were her children, after all. Creations of a twisted psyche, visions of man and beast forced to inhabit the same fragile frame – anthromorphic abominations.
Therians she had called them.
Features of a feline seemed to smile back in the seconds that followed, a hunched tiger beast all poised to strike with humanoid claws for hands, wrapped among the bars. It was hungry, needy, tempting her to release it from the prison she had chosen to leave it in. Only by now, the beast must have known it was highly unlikely anything of the sort would be happening this evening; in fact, she would be late if she didn’t get ready. Rising from the ancient desk and chair where her studies had taken place, she glided towards her captives and gave them closer examination in the way one would inspect ripe fruit. Tera wanted them feral, and with each passing day, clinging remnants of broken humanity seemed to shed and be replaced by a more bestial rage. When the time was right… Well, she had plenty of plans for them. These once mundane people would prove to be of further use in this life than they ever were before they had the misfortune of crossing Ms. Tera Naples.
“I have the Gala tonight.” Purred the ebony tressed girl, teeth biting her bottom lip in a teasing fashion as she turned away finally, done with whatever examination she’d mutely performed. This was normal for her, day to day progression. “So I’ll be home late. Please mind your manners while I’m gone. I’d rather not return to a Zoo.” These were the words of an angel, voiced clearly in a lyrical tone that seemed to refuse to let up. It was almost too soothing in light of the current setting, but there wasn’t a hint of pause in her statements, like she’d already driven herself to overcome small bouts of irony caught in her regular speech. As Tera vanished from sight, there were audible clicks of her heels on hardwood and the distinct snap of a door being shut; and all at once, darkness returned.
Tera Naples hadn’t always been such a mystery, but those who knew her best were long dead, including her past flame and her weak willed nature. How she despised those reliant on others, their pleas for saving as foul as the smog of downtown. It left a bitter taste in the mouth of the witch, which she quickly swallowed as one might do away with a terrible cocktail - Just to be done with it for the time being, because as far as she was concerned, she was beyond spitting. Such a pitiful planet she was forced to inhabit, cast here like garbage, and each passing year only proved to further her theories on the stupidity of its inhabitants. And super heroes, if only there were words for the disgust felt towards the do-gooders. Crutches for a cripple society, that’s all those meddlesome costumed freaks were; and one day, she’d have her way with that League of theirs. Each and every one of them.
Leaving the massive tower in the jungle of similar buildings, Tera knew her secrets were safe behind runed doors and spell spun steel, with layer upon layer of reinforcement to assure any fluttering of her heart. She wasn’t born yesterday, after all. In such, she knew just how to stay out of the public’s eyes while still being the absolute center of attention; call it a gift. The dark arts had kept that beautiful portrait and figure of hers flawless for centuries – no, millennia even. Every ripe curve and every swell of flesh all seemed as fresh and intimately unique as could only be expected from such an enigma, though her smiles seemed distant. Was there really any chance to get with such a bombshell when all she was capable of in public settings was putting on a charming veneer and strutting her stuff like she owned the place? Maybe. Tera enjoyed a little mischief when malevolence wasn’t possible.
Like tonight, there would be little for her to deal with in terms of entertainment. At least nothing she’d caught wind of as of late. Not to say she was as involved in the affairs of other villains within the city reaches, but it was almost impossible to keep up with the lives of others when one was so absolutely narcissistic. Tera loved herself in every way a woman could, and rare was the time when the sorceress could tear away from her perfection to delve into the details of the lesser. Oh, of course there were some she held interest in, and of course she kept a close watch on their progress through the years, but these rare exceptions were few and far between. Tonight, there was chance one in particular would be at the Gala, and that was the sole reason she even bothered to show up in the first place.
Usually Tera liked a private party.
Reaching the private garage at the bottom of her pent house lift, a line of various vehicles stared at their sole observer, each ready to be driven and as fresh and new as Tera appeared. Easily she continued her pace to the far back, and with a wave to the night guard on duty, she lifted the helmet from the seat. Her favorite motorcycle in the color of Grecian red wine was the obvious winner in this contest of pizzazz, and secretly Tera knew every time she entered the private garage that this would be her method of transportation. Spell modified and easily the most reliable bike she’d ever owned, how could she not agree to showing up on it? Mounting the figure with a muffled giggle through the visor of helmet, she revved the engine with a roar and kicked up the stand in one fluid motion, giving herself a push in the process. With that, the witch streaked off into the night, casting otherworldly violet streams of light from behind.
Moments later after a dodge and weave through traffic, Tera Naples made her usual flawless transition from biker bitch to classy heiress in a snap of her fingers. Literally. A valet approached her to walk off the bike just as the sorceress had shifted her clothing from the torn up leather and denim of her riding attire to the figure forming black dress and heels she’d chosen for the event. His face changed from boredom to mild shock in less than a split second, but not because he’d caught her changing; no, that much was assured. Really his surprise was because of her appearance, and she knew this as well as anyone, because there wasn’t a soul alive who was more attracted to her then she was. A simple canvas of dark shades painted her eyes, accompanied by red lipstick and a light blush, while dark stones glittered at her wrist, ears and throat. She cleaned up well it seemed, because her current admirer couldn’t seem to find the words for what he so eagerly had thought to say.
But she hadn’t the time to allow him to fawn, and clicked her tongue knowingly before stating bluntly, “Don’t fuck up my bike. One scratch and it’s your head.” Handing him the helmet to finish their involvement with one another, the Greek female sauntered away towards the other guest arriving and entered through the main doors with whispers seeping through like a cascading flood. Maybe some of them involved her, but if one thing could be promised in all the soft chatter, it was how little Tera seemed to notice it all. Just like white noise, the buzz of conversation could be overlooked for the most part, because none of it carried any real weight on the situation at hand. The Gala wasn’t about her, after all, and she wasn’t looking to make idle small talk with lesser beings. At least not yet.
As usual, Tera had plans. Big plans. But just what they were, well, that was a secret.[/spoiler]
Darkness.
As it always was, as it always would be in the seclusion of the top floor of the tower, where Tera remained hidden away like a modern day Repunzel. Olive eyes flickered between the pages of the tomes before her, then to the small squeals that drifted from shadowed hideaways within the chamber itself. Despite the modern décor of the pent house, it was obvious how eerie the ambiance of the scene was by the several dark flamed candles and the etched scribbles of various ancient symbols; things the normal citizen wouldn’t be able to decipher. These were her tools, all displayed like the best wares in a phantasmal black market stall – but this was her home. Sanctuary in the pitch of artificial night, illuminated only by the warm and silent burning of wax figures, and the face of the female used this small set of discovering light to study more of incantations and theory.
So this was the life of Tera Naples, the seamless socialite. A secret magician, a creature of the abyss… A very curious character.
The sounds had grown louder, those whines of something inhuman, and finally the woman raised her gaze to turn and face the black of the furthest corner of her home. Cages upon cages the size of refrigerators all lined the far wall, and within those barred confines stared the beady eyes of strange beasts, their restless breathing the only sound to meet the inquisitive stare of the sorceress. For a time she allowed herself to bask in their presence, accepting not only their strange company but their unique appearances. These were things others would never see, at least not until the time was right; creatures of the lair. Finally a smile split cherry lips and Tera released a cold click of her tongue, dismissing their distress like one would a tantruming child. These were her children, after all. Creations of a twisted psyche, visions of man and beast forced to inhabit the same fragile frame – anthromorphic abominations.
Therians she had called them.
Features of a feline seemed to smile back in the seconds that followed, a hunched tiger beast all poised to strike with humanoid claws for hands, wrapped among the bars. It was hungry, needy, tempting her to release it from the prison she had chosen to leave it in. Only by now, the beast must have known it was highly unlikely anything of the sort would be happening this evening; in fact, she would be late if she didn’t get ready. Rising from the ancient desk and chair where her studies had taken place, she glided towards her captives and gave them closer examination in the way one would inspect ripe fruit. Tera wanted them feral, and with each passing day, clinging remnants of broken humanity seemed to shed and be replaced by a more bestial rage. When the time was right… Well, she had plenty of plans for them. These once mundane people would prove to be of further use in this life than they ever were before they had the misfortune of crossing Ms. Tera Naples.
“I have the Gala tonight.” Purred the ebony tressed girl, teeth biting her bottom lip in a teasing fashion as she turned away finally, done with whatever examination she’d mutely performed. This was normal for her, day to day progression. “So I’ll be home late. Please mind your manners while I’m gone. I’d rather not return to a Zoo.” These were the words of an angel, voiced clearly in a lyrical tone that seemed to refuse to let up. It was almost too soothing in light of the current setting, but there wasn’t a hint of pause in her statements, like she’d already driven herself to overcome small bouts of irony caught in her regular speech. As Tera vanished from sight, there were audible clicks of her heels on hardwood and the distinct snap of a door being shut; and all at once, darkness returned.
Tera Naples hadn’t always been such a mystery, but those who knew her best were long dead, including her past flame and her weak willed nature. How she despised those reliant on others, their pleas for saving as foul as the smog of downtown. It left a bitter taste in the mouth of the witch, which she quickly swallowed as one might do away with a terrible cocktail - Just to be done with it for the time being, because as far as she was concerned, she was beyond spitting. Such a pitiful planet she was forced to inhabit, cast here like garbage, and each passing year only proved to further her theories on the stupidity of its inhabitants. And super heroes, if only there were words for the disgust felt towards the do-gooders. Crutches for a cripple society, that’s all those meddlesome costumed freaks were; and one day, she’d have her way with that League of theirs. Each and every one of them.
Leaving the massive tower in the jungle of similar buildings, Tera knew her secrets were safe behind runed doors and spell spun steel, with layer upon layer of reinforcement to assure any fluttering of her heart. She wasn’t born yesterday, after all. In such, she knew just how to stay out of the public’s eyes while still being the absolute center of attention; call it a gift. The dark arts had kept that beautiful portrait and figure of hers flawless for centuries – no, millennia even. Every ripe curve and every swell of flesh all seemed as fresh and intimately unique as could only be expected from such an enigma, though her smiles seemed distant. Was there really any chance to get with such a bombshell when all she was capable of in public settings was putting on a charming veneer and strutting her stuff like she owned the place? Maybe. Tera enjoyed a little mischief when malevolence wasn’t possible.
Like tonight, there would be little for her to deal with in terms of entertainment. At least nothing she’d caught wind of as of late. Not to say she was as involved in the affairs of other villains within the city reaches, but it was almost impossible to keep up with the lives of others when one was so absolutely narcissistic. Tera loved herself in every way a woman could, and rare was the time when the sorceress could tear away from her perfection to delve into the details of the lesser. Oh, of course there were some she held interest in, and of course she kept a close watch on their progress through the years, but these rare exceptions were few and far between. Tonight, there was chance one in particular would be at the Gala, and that was the sole reason she even bothered to show up in the first place.
Usually Tera liked a private party.
Reaching the private garage at the bottom of her pent house lift, a line of various vehicles stared at their sole observer, each ready to be driven and as fresh and new as Tera appeared. Easily she continued her pace to the far back, and with a wave to the night guard on duty, she lifted the helmet from the seat. Her favorite motorcycle in the color of Grecian red wine was the obvious winner in this contest of pizzazz, and secretly Tera knew every time she entered the private garage that this would be her method of transportation. Spell modified and easily the most reliable bike she’d ever owned, how could she not agree to showing up on it? Mounting the figure with a muffled giggle through the visor of helmet, she revved the engine with a roar and kicked up the stand in one fluid motion, giving herself a push in the process. With that, the witch streaked off into the night, casting otherworldly violet streams of light from behind.
Moments later after a dodge and weave through traffic, Tera Naples made her usual flawless transition from biker bitch to classy heiress in a snap of her fingers. Literally. A valet approached her to walk off the bike just as the sorceress had shifted her clothing from the torn up leather and denim of her riding attire to the figure forming black dress and heels she’d chosen for the event. His face changed from boredom to mild shock in less than a split second, but not because he’d caught her changing; no, that much was assured. Really his surprise was because of her appearance, and she knew this as well as anyone, because there wasn’t a soul alive who was more attracted to her then she was. A simple canvas of dark shades painted her eyes, accompanied by red lipstick and a light blush, while dark stones glittered at her wrist, ears and throat. She cleaned up well it seemed, because her current admirer couldn’t seem to find the words for what he so eagerly had thought to say.
But she hadn’t the time to allow him to fawn, and clicked her tongue knowingly before stating bluntly, “Don’t fuck up my bike. One scratch and it’s your head.” Handing him the helmet to finish their involvement with one another, the Greek female sauntered away towards the other guest arriving and entered through the main doors with whispers seeping through like a cascading flood. Maybe some of them involved her, but if one thing could be promised in all the soft chatter, it was how little Tera seemed to notice it all. Just like white noise, the buzz of conversation could be overlooked for the most part, because none of it carried any real weight on the situation at hand. The Gala wasn’t about her, after all, and she wasn’t looking to make idle small talk with lesser beings. At least not yet.
As usual, Tera had plans. Big plans. But just what they were, well, that was a secret.[/spoiler]
BDRP Admin. Writer. Villain. Personal Blog.
I tried running from the memory and the mourning.
I tried running from the memory and the mourning.