Among my Kin (Lenneth)

[Holly Hallow]

The Realm of Darkness hadn't known rest in the last several years and had been the spawn of suspicious activity. The creatures that dwelt inside, the Heartless, while they maintained their wild, lustful chase for hearts, their movements had been a little too organized. Nothing of the sort compared to someone like Ophelia, who treated them all equally as brethren, family and sent them out like an overwhelming hoard. The raids upon the worlds were but a shallow mockery of the woman's actual prowess to lead. These actions could only be attributed to someone with the ability to control and direct Heartless as well, someone whom the women called a "brother." Lenneth. A man who had opposing ideals to that of the more imperialistic Heartless Witch. Where she sought domination over the worlds (a view that has become a little bit less extreme over the years), he meant to have all Heartless remain behind in the realm and keep them protected from the wielders of light. Light users who can actively hunt beings like Holly and Ophi down and end their existences permanently. A very noble goal for someone so... Attuned to the dark like him.

That's why she resolved that it couldn't have been him. Holly directed herself to seek the man out and inquire about his involvement in it all, or at least figure out what information he had. After all, even a novice Seeker like herself could feel the pulse. A powerful pulse that resonated with her instincts and granted her a directive. Something about it felt oddly familiar, like how it felt when she finally became a seeker and immediately imprinted upon Ophelia's being. Maybe it was due to that bit of familial bonding that she was able to strictly resist what it was clawing in the back of her mind. She'd only allow one person other than herself to control her and that was Ophelia. Strong devotion bred rebellion against all other forms of command from outside forces. A mental defense mechanism designed by the young woman.

While her being traveled at a comfortable pace through the Realm of Darkness, a place she called home, she reflected on her goal and what her Mistress wished of her. It had been a while since she explored on her own and contacted the woman, maybe it was about time to do that? "After the meeting..." She spoke quietly to herself. Blinking several times, she gazed outward to the darkness, took in its welcoming scent and embraced its bitter cold. Goosebumps formed on her pale, smooth skin, she hugged her body closely and relished in the atmosphere.

[Lenneth]

Breaching through the dark as the last bits of light faded away from their travel, leaving their bodies to embrace the great dark the moment this beloved realm of shadows touched all around them comfortable. From the dashing magics and purple hues of the beauty king he and one of his generals would appear in a twister of black rose petals that touched their skin with intimate sensations. Forming together and now embraced in each others arms. Duncan gaze pierced deeply in Lenneth's while materializing slowly leaning in with hungry intentions before catching the last bits of blonde hair as he moved away suddenly.

Nearly tripping over the bard found this speed to be shocking while planting his lips on the ground in a deep defeated pain. Lenneth fully aware of the circumstance gave the man a silent pause as an apologizing gesture before flying off into the night. Not anything malicious by any means and to tease the red head a little. No there was a small sense of urgency across the dark realm that called him further from such pleasures.

As he flew he scattered across the winds, breaking his body apart each piece of that perfect frame becoming countless bat like shadows that glittered in colours, gaining speed with each flap of their wings in search of this urgency. It took a fair bit of time to fly over towards the source of his concern, even a his great speed this was far out of the way of his established kingdom of living flesh.

There in the distance, alone with uncertain intent was a figure born from the dark, wielding a surprising amount of force and magical might underneath her seemliness harmless self. Enough to rival Ophelia indeed, a staggering realization appearing now in this day just as the threat of war was nipping at their heels.

Diving down the bats gathered around together on the ground, reforming into the dark lord of charm and grace standing in full colour and pride before this new kinwomen in his narrowing sights. A female form stood before him, one that had no place in any memory for the La Vaeas yet radiate enough power to rival a lord of heartless, a troubling notion giving his recent history to the troubling other free willed heartless he had meet these last few days. Len would keep his distance and tensions to himself while gauging this individual from afar.

It was troubling to be so cold towards one of his kind but giving the number of assassination attempts he felt it a valid regulation, despite the idiotic ones from a child like hive minds string lately. He'd dislike effecting the darkness of a heartless directly but if it came to it.

“Greetings Milady. Is there anything the dark can assist with you fellow kinsmen?” he spoke with a elegant voice not matching his true feelings while holding his chest underneath with his forearms, sorting his features for a deceptions first impressive.

[Holly Hallow]

Her relishing had come to an abrupt end seeing as she was soon to be visited by the very person she sought out. Expected of someone who held dominion over the entire Realm of Darkness. This entire place was practically an extension of his existence and thus, no one can freely wander within its confines without him taking notice. Convenient for the Seeker of Sorrow, as she didn't wish to draw out the search for the man. Once her eyes gazed upon that figure that was Lenneth, she could see why Ophelia couldn't truly dominate the man. Strength exuded off of him coupled with the look of a confident leader. That is to say, she could also see the way he eyed her. Suspicion, no matter how slight it was, could be seen on his features. She knew the look and feeling well enough to just know. However, her plan wasn't to antagonize him. Ophelia would sooner have her killed and subsequently revived if she were to harm their brother. For once, she sought a decent conversation with someone she wished to trust.

"There is indeed something you can do for me. Let's walk." She was the first to move and in a steady pace approached Lenneth, but was soon past him and walking beyond. There was a womanly sway of her hips and a mature air about her. Besides the obvious powerful atmosphere she herself gave off, there was much more to her than others could see and Holly without a doubt knew that the ruler of the realm saw it. "I am Holly san Hallow, a Seeker who has sensed a great disturbance among our kin." Her golden eyes blinked several times before she peered out of the corner of her eyes should Lenneth have followed her. "Our brethren have become bothersome even by our standards and has thrown off a great a many plans I had in store, so I've sought out those who may have similar abilities to rule the creatures. You were on the list considering your reputation and influence." A gentle smile graced her lips. "So what have you noticed? What have you felt? What have you heard?" The seeker asked, getting straight to the point.

[Lenneth]

Lenneth was taken back a little the moment she spoke leaving him blinking with a broken expression trying to wrap around his mind a little. Her words have a cohesive flow and proper structure with a undertone litter with intelligence of competent person. This would be quite a record breaking person then to break the streak of other free willed kinsmen his encountered. However that would bleed into the the other of the spectrum of issue with the late problems with public image of the heartless, a rampaging era where their hunger was terrorizing their neighbours.

He remained still with his back turned as the girl stepped past, holding still physical while his mind extended further around them, sweeping across a vast area with his consciousness with each fibre of darkness with the landscape coming alive by his will and for his purpose.

The land and skies would quake for a moment as an intention sign to the women to perceive as she wished before turning as well. Following in suit with the hip motions matching the ferocity and elegance of the empowered persona they both shared.

“Lenneth Darklin, charmed I'm sure. Yes the wild ones have certainly made a mess of the white realm and given the rest of us more then enough trouble lately. I am surprised though miss Hallow how are you so aware of me? I've made it a point to be anything else but myself, sharing only a selective individuals”

The La Vaeas would slow down, piercing his amethyst gaze at the back of her skull while filling them with energy that crackled around him in colour magics as he readied for an incorrect answer. His patience wore thin in this cold war.

[Holly Hallow]

What Holly perceived was utter darkness dotted with the many eyes of their Heartless kind. Nihilistic, homicidal, filled with the desire to make all reach their "true" and "perfect" form, something she had no qualms about showing the man who walked alongside her. The ground the two traversed had been a velvet-red carpet that stretched toward a darkened horizon. A very welcoming warmth had spread over Holly's body and she felt a shy bit aroused from the sensation. She subtly licked her lips. The woman was charmed if only a little.

Lenneth wasn't far off from her and had joined their walking pace, putting in his observations over the recent Heartless activity. He noticed it too and based on his answer, hadn't known the cause of the wild ones' actions either. Two powerful figures of darkness walked side by side and it hadn't taken the man much longer to voice his concerns and suspicions. Seems like his identity was something he fiercely protected and the fact he was among someone whom he didn't know, but they knew of him had set off his paranoia scale. Holly felt that power, that piercing, awesome power as he made his subtle threat. She simply chuckled and turned to look him over her shoulder.

"Please, brother, withdraw your fangs. Someone of your caliber, tact and grace shouldn't act like a cornered animal." She stated before her steps continued down the red carpet. "But to answer your question... My teacher spoke of you, taught me about your existence and your role within our society. You're a smart man. From those 'select' individuals, who do you think my teacher could have been?"

[Lenneth]

The girl kept herself in control, still composed during a brunt accusation without much of a sign outside of her words. Her emotional wavelength didn't registered a deception either, a power she might not be aware Lenny held and happily didn't broadcast openly. Hmm questioning this outcome his brow raised then eased up, she seemed to enjoy herself as well from what he did get, curiously lightly heart too despite the sliver spoon life style that radiated off her.

Lenneth would casual shrug it off as the sclera of his eyes returned to their normal black, his body deceptive lowered its tension yet the muscular tone kept tight. Scratching his head for a moment before walking forward a bit, leaving his sculpted back exposed and turned for the girl to express her features freely away from his physical gaze. His tentacles swaying along the stone twitching but hardly moving as they drag their arrow heads behind.  

“ Had to be sure assassins and all that”

Afterwards he casually disjointing his body and letting his posture to fixated on a more comfortable manner he would seemly adjust himself into a different persona in terms of body language, in addition he wasn't feeling so noble today not enough to exchange a game of wit and words, at least externally showing it.    

“You even speak like her to, sister certainly likes to gather powerfully chosen to her side while indoctrinate into her the species. Hopefully your a more stable candidate.” his senses in truth would never leave  her state, location or the surrounding area around them. Through his connection each spot the darkness touched became one with his awareness, allowing the dice to fall to his favor “ I'm guessing you haven't seen Ophila yet, we spoke a short time ago on the same subject. I assume you'll be hearing about gathering your forces as well given what was danger is ahead of all of us”    

[Holly Hallow]

Talk of assassins had made the young woman laugh. The sheer notion of it had her all but amused. "Your concern is dully noted but it is unnecessary. There are only three known of us that are this influential among our family." Her words were reassuring in the fact that Holly wasn't an assassin, merely someone trying to find answers to her questions. "I haven't spoken to her in a while, you are correct regarding that. Though, rather than wait for our eventual meeting, I'd like for you to tell me your side to it and those involved in said discussion."

That was her simple request. All she wanted was to hear what Lenneth had to say about the meeting, his opinions regarding it and who he spoke with besides Ophelia. "The sooner I know the information, the sooner I'll be able to make plans. I like to remain one step ahead or at least up-to-date with what is going on in our home." Once more she made her intentions known. There was something about Lenneth that put her at ease. It was likely their unity and connection as Heartless that made it easier to talk to him. She wouldn't ever verbally admit this but she felt comfortable around people like Ophelia and the La Vaeas due to their affinity for dark. Deep down, Holly felt "at home" and with a "family."

[Lenneth]

Lenneth's brow raised once more at the message made by this women, bringing a confusing awe gesture with his look of glimmering suspicious. It was certainly a bold statement to make and claim such a title and rank among the common honor and respect both he and Ophelia had built upon through a series of experience built around the short time they interacted with each other. The expression would fall into a light heart-ed smile afterwords while conjuring a slaw of flying bat like shadow heartless underneath him, carrying him over the ground in a slight hover motion while he adjust himself for comfort on them. Turning back into her direction with the same features.  

“You carry yourself with confidence, perhaps well earned even but it be wise to remember my respect or complacency is not something to demand at in instant from someone you claim as your equal. You may have history with dear Ophelia to temper your judgments with but recall I am just meeting you for the first time and there has been no trust built before us yet”

Lenny would then lay on his side along the makeshift throne, resting his fist onset to his head, sidelining the rest of his body along in a much more relaxed and subtle body language. His eyes would again narrow though with a bit more assertive gaze as he ego showed just its tip before his beauty.

“Consider the situation with more tactfulness

1) Ophelia and I know of a force neither of us created now troubling both the dark and light realms, skimming on the edge of the tipping point to shatter the  shaky peace we have all come to known and throwing us all into a great looming danger. Then I find another force meeting me, whom I have never heard of asking about information regarding said incidents which may lead as to starting part for our counter measures. With your own words claiming to be only “one of three  known that could be this influential among our family. Strange huh?

2) You seem to have knowledge regarding events which you were not present for or means to listen into other wise you would have the knowledge you seek already. Yet you are some how aware there may have been others besides My family that participate in this discussion. I can conclude either sister told you before hand about this encounter ahead of time but it would then make me question why weren't you there or what was important enough to draw you away from this meeting?

Now I have no solid evidence on either road to take when thinking about what to brand you in from my perceptive and honestly I'm willing to walk either or given whatever might be the best in my favor. So whatever your willing to share in exchange as equal value for my personal piece of mind would be appreciated. Consider it a personal quirk to get to know more about me, my unnecessary paranoia if you so choose label it as such. But I've taken a liking to not being a rushing body with a reckless mind set”    

[Holly Hallow]

"You are correct, I did for a slight moment forget that I am speaking to a man who believes everyone is out to kill him, whose paranoia it was that saved him all those many times when others actually DID come and try to take his life." All of that was an educated assumption based on what she surmised from their conversation thus far. A man who doesn't trust right away and continues to explain as such only has his own fears to contend with, that and the possible fact he may have fought many years to secure his rightful spot among that throne he sits on. Lenneth was steadily breaking Holly's expectations she drew up and replaced them with something more realistic. A Heartless who feared for their life far more than the average only meant that there was something out in the worlds, that could bring him low. "Allow me to give you the reasons to trust me or at the very least, divulge the information I require. I'll start by addressing your points."

Holly wet her lips, placing a finger to her chin and giving the points some careful thought. "You think it strange that someone like myself, who's heard some things of you from my teacher, seek you out on a matter that involves all of us more... Intelligent heartless, a strange thing to do? I don't find any of it strange, actually. Rather, I think of it as myself covering the many possibilities of this entities origins." She stated easily and took a pause before continuing. "I claim only one of three because in the last twenty or so years, it was Ophelia, you, and a renegade known as, 'Hayden' that served as Seekers. Heartless capable of controlling any of our lesser kind with just their words alone. Sure, I wasn't present for those few years, but I was present for the last ones and I'm quite aware that there hasn't been anyone else that exhibits our abilities. Of course, this is just a theory and I could be wrong, but who besides us do you see wandering the worlds, controlling Heartless like puppets and laying siege on the worlds?" A question she posed for him, since there wasn't a single eye witness that could claim responsibility for the Heartless' recent attacks.

"Addressing your second issue, you seem to insult my intelligence, Lenneth. Heartless attack around six or so worlds and have destroyed two completely. Only three of us can control Heartless so wouldn't it make sense that some of the more... Well known Warriors of Light come and seek figures out like you and my Mistress? All I know was that Ophelia was going somewhere that day for some reason or other. As to why I did not come along...?" Her voice trailed off and her lips formed into a smile. "I was busy staying in the shadows, staying my hand so that my presence not be known too early. After all, execution of a plan requires that our enemies not follow our movements. Don't you agree?" The witch asked and turned her sharp, dark-yellow eyes over to the male.

[Lenneth]

“ Why thank ya, I considering your compliments with a smile” jesting then while his lips extend for past average human like green, now widening into a made clown like expression before returning back into his pretty self while the young lady threw her cards down at the table. Many points would be made and keeping track of everything might be a little much.

While speaking he would conjuring a ethereal book, simply to mark down and record this conversation for a later time for him to review in detail, recording in on at words only visible to Lenny's eyes as the pages constantly flipped through.

“The timing it just so close it makes me uneasy knowing how quickly it all happened at once”

“Humans try and have succeed in the same feats, unaware of the price it may cost them. But it is unlikely that we would see one with this scale without paying for it but we can't rule out anything and underestimating them would be unwise. It is very possible this new force, whatever it may be has kept itself very hidden, from where we know not”

“No frankly I'm still surprised you sought me out first instead of your mistress. Honestly none within the light or others of the dark knew of me or my true self. If anything your gal pal is the only reason anyone seems to know my well kept secret. Placing her more as dangerous commodity that I will have to speak with later, I only hope you aren't cut directly from her same cloth”

Her last questions provide little substance to the last bit of question in his eyes, only stirring what small blocks of trust she had tried to build up upon. Lenneth features which captivated any who looked too close hard as his posture pulled back, withdrawing some levels of comforts now drawing upon a more solemn tone as his smile faded. Choosing then not to address it and allow Holly to ponder away as to why

“Is that all you wish to share? I believe I have given you adequate information regarding most of the questions you have asked me in response. Perhaps how you plan to response to this circumstances or anything else that would be reverent”

[Holly Hallow]

"You've given an unsatisfactory amount of information regarding my question." Holly was a little irritated by the philosophy spouted about humans and the potential of there being a fourth just like them, she could care less, honestly. A fourth Seeker couldn't have the ability to reach out to someone like Holly and attempt to give her a directive regarding its will, to her that was impossible. She stopped her walk, turned sharpened eyes over to the La Vaeas and sighed softly. "All I asked is what it was you spoke about between Lady Ophelia and whoever else joined you two, followed by who specifically you both spoke with. I didn't come to discuss philosophy or whatever reservations you have concerning my method of doing things. I asked two simple questions from you in a bid to speed up my preparation time. Should you refuse to answer me, correctly, mind you, then I'll take my leave." Her tone had changed to something a little more harsh, strict would be a more appropriate word for it.

"Our species is being threatened by something more than just humans and their giant keys, that much I'm certain of. Who or what it is? That's what I want to know and who you've spoken with is important, so I know how to appropriately approach them at a later time." Holly concluded with a stern gaze.

[Lenneth]

Ahh and there it was the affections of the entitled once more wishing for more then what they were worth or given. Behind all the jolly sliver laced words and volumes of intellect built upon a craving for right lay a simple child asking for the world to favor them for just being. It was amusing to see them raise to power, much like the era of underage rulers that dominated an entire civilizations this girl proved nothing yet for him to place any kind of faith to her abilities as a true force to be reckoned with. Power yes, scheming hatcheries to weave in her webs seemed like it so. But identity and intent remain in question.

Lenneth would close his ethereal book, its form vanishing in a poof of smoke soon after its pages touched. The magics would then twisted and bend moving closer to Holly before materializing one more conjuring this time a simple wall mirror that showed her own wondrous cat face impression.

“You glare and stumbled about your feet so heavily with so easily after the first few bouts”

His form would then descend from the bats allowing his feet to stand firm and towering over this girl's height. Remaining the few feet away from her without re-position body's placement. He would not break eye contact, meeting her stern glare with a sinister one right back, a sense of surety and self empowerment.

“ You know this, me and Ophelia have spoken on this matter, we plan to gather our forces to fight it, we spoke to a third party about this which are also fighting this new threat and the threat is a mystery. And those were your questions subtract one. Which I see no reason to answer in the face of a stranger. You are free to scheme away and think however you may about my performance and how you see yourself in nauseam.

However if you truly can see past your own noise then you can see we'll have to all work together eventually. But that won't happen if all you wanna do is pout and upset yourself by not getting what you want for free.

Who are you? How did you come into power through my sister? Do you have proof of your relationship or are you willing to give me proof it. Are you fighting against us or with us? And why are you willing to not account for every possibility and narrow your focus to only one outcome?”

[Holly Hallow]

Holly wasn't phased by the whole mirror metaphor he attempted to convey to her. She rolled her eyes at the statement about her "stumbling" and the like. "Clearly you're more interested in being vague than the actual survival of our species." The woman remarked but soon had to brace herself when the La Vaeas came to her in all of his threatening glory.

Someone lesser than her, more green in the area would have began to back down and feel that chill run down that spine, but not Holly. The Seeker of Sorrow did no such thing as her eyes turned up to meet his. What was it that the man was trying to prove? What were his goals? Trying to intimidate and lecture her for what reason? Regardless, Lenneth had divulged half of the information she sought, something that pleased her to a higher degree. The woman began smiling, again. The Heartless Witch burned her gaze into Lenneth's own eyes.

"Now then, was that so hard to say?" She chuckled softly under her breath. "I get upset whenever people try to lecture me about things they don't understand, namely myself. You preach to me like you know me, as if you understand why I respond the way I do. The unfortunate truth about that is, you don't." Holly laughed once more. "You see, I am all for working together. I wouldn't dare lay a hand upon my own Mistress... Unless she commanded me to." A sly, sexual joke she slipped in for her own amusement. "You wish to know who I am? Why? Is it because I know of you, while you know nothing of me and that frightens you more than anything, Lenneth? Want to know of my power so you can prepare for the day I attempt to take your throne? I'm not interested in the metaphor you use for your crown nor your territory, I care not for either. Proof of the relationship? You want me to explain who she is to me exactly? Ask her yourself. And lastly, what sort of narrow minded, idiotic being focuses only on one outcome, when the many present itself? You, King of Paranoia, should know that you never just focus on the one lest you become ill-prepared for a variable you decided to ignore. Always remain one step ahead, not two-steps back or on the same space."

Holly spoke her words eloquently, with certainty and confidence. No stuttering and while maintaining eye contact with one just as mighty, if not mightier than she. "Lenneth, allow me to repeat myself. I am Holly san Hallow, a Seeker who has earned her tutelage under Ophelia Echo, the Queen of Heartless. Never forget that, for that answers all of your questions. Whether or not I'm against you, is completely up to you. We make our own friends and enemies. I'm interested in only making friends." She'd say with a smirk.

[Lenneth]

“Finished? Excellent then you have proven my case and have acquired my brand for you.  If you were seeking friends I would have humoured more or tried the more sympathetic approach, kinda turn down the whole ego part but no you seem edger to strike back dousing the fire with fire, hot tempered and far less diplomatic. I could not count on you for anything as delicate as my help. So return to where you wish and ready your forces on your own then Holly san Hallow,  Seeker  under tutelage under Ophelia Echo"

I'll either see you as an opponent or asset beside Ophelia on the battle flied soon. Be with your thoughts”

Lenneth bared no expression any longer for this women, wasting the effort for her like that would mean something after all. He would turn his back to this female to boil around her own thoughts to stew as she saw fit.

There was nothing more to be said with such an impudent child and Lenneth had much more impressive matters to tend to, actually mature would be returning from their travels soon. And they were sexy men after all.

He would physically walk away from her at a general pace giving only about 50 meters of redemption before letting the darkness take him away from his distant area in the spam on a single moment.

[Holly Hallow]

"And you take care to be with yours, considering that's all you possibly have to accompany you." She smiled after her snarky response and turned at the same time as he, before taking her exit. A very interesting encounter indeed and seems as though the battlefield had been set, the pieces in place. Now all she needed to do was prepare for after the battle.

[Sponsored content]