[R] Clash of Shadows - Drakonnas and GirlyWoman

[Drakonnas]

Rated R for violence, and suggestive themes.


Midna floated around the room, grinning almost childishly. She was waiting for one of her favorite humans, as well as one of her best friends, Marie, to join her after her class. Midna didn't teach a class per se, but often assisted others. She was still relatively new to the Academy, and didn't have a class of her own yet. The "young" female demon understood why the Dean didn't want her to have a class just yet, but that didn't mean she didn't like it.

Reducing the amount of magic she used to float around, Midna sank to the ground, and sat down in one of the many chairs that lined the teachers lounge. She had finished helping out another teacher, who had let their class out a little bit early, so Midna had come here to wait. Looking in the mirror, Midna admired herself. "Don't I look simply stunning?" She asked herself softly, enjoying the moment.

Her thoughts turned to how she had joined the academy. Marie and her friend Gabriel, the one who had often travelled with her to the Shadow Realm, had seen her capabilities and potential after working together on a particularly difficult research project, and had brought her here. She had done very well in school, and had been offered a place as a student/teacher. She'd assist other teachers, and if it was deemed she had what it took, become a teacher herself.

Midna laughed silently to herself, she was in a good mood today. There was no particular reason, Midna just happened to be quite optimistic. The odd things that had been going on were not important to her at the moment, for she was thinking about what she needed to talk with Marie about. There was a rather important issue at hand. She had overheard the Dean talking approvingly about her. This was just the news she wanted to hear, it was likely that she would finally become a complete professor soon. Maybe as soon as next semester. The thought cheered her up greatly. Perhaps Marie already knew? She seemed to have that sort of information readily available.

Wondering when Marie would show up, Midna entertained herself by practicing small amounts of magic, making things levitate, just relatively simple things that even the most ignorant mage should be able to do. She didn't know why, but she found it an amusing passtime. She made sure no one else was in the vicinity though, she knew it was childish. At heart, Midna was childish. But she knew how and when it was appropriate to be so.

Looking out the window, Midna observed the numerous evergreens that surrounded the Academy on two sides, and the lake on the other. It really was lush, and full of life. Midna loved the color that was out here. Greens, blues, and all sorts of colorful flowers. Only the front of the building was open to the small plains before the rolling hills took over. It was a very well kept campus, she had never seen more beautiful landscape. There was nothing like it in the Shadow Realm.



---------



Kel'Naeer looked out the window moodily. He was in a foul attitude, having not slept well again the night before. The scenery of the Shadow Realm did nothing to improve his mood. It was eerie, almost unnaturally creepy. The sky was pitch black, yet the landscape was lit as if it were day. Reds and blacks dominated the scene. The ground
was dry and cracked. No winds blew, it was still. No vegetation grew here, or at least in this area of the Shadow Realm. He had never been within a mile of the castle he lived in. Kel'Naeer thought it was more of a prison than a home.

His only consolation to his 'imprisonment' had been his sister, the only light of his life. Then the thrice damned humans had murdered her. Or so the Demon King had said. Kel had held onto the hatred within his heart, it was the only thing keeping him from committing suicide. He wanted to see the humans suffer, to feel the agony that he had felt.

Kel had spent his entire life under the King. He had been kind enough to take him in, shelter him, and teach him. He believed that the Demon King had the right idea, that exterminating the humans was the only way to spare another tragedy like the one he had already suffered. He didn't want others to go through the same thing.

As Kel stood up, he looked around his small room, it was mostly bare, except for the things he cared most about, his weapons. Kel fought with a long poleax, as well as two long daggers he always kept strapped by his side. He wondered how his friend, Mathieu had fared his night. He hoped it would have been better than his.

[Girly Woman]

Marie and Gabriel were buried in old books and scrolls. Marie had found, quite by accident, an obscure passage in old and tattered scroll referring to the Shadow Realm as a colorful and lush place, even more beautiful than the Light Realm. Thus had begun their steady tearing apart of every library they could find in order to find out what had happened to the Shadow Realm to make it so bleak. No demon alive now apparently knew of the Shadow Realm as anything other than it was, so this scroll referred to time that was ancient in the ancient times. They wondered if there was a way to bring this lushness back to the Demon world and thus work against the propaganda of the latest king.

Marie leaned back in her chair. She said, "I am but a mere human. I require some food and restorative drink." Gabriel chuckled and stood up, offering his hand to Marie. He said, "Let us embark upon a quest to seek this treasure." Marie shook her head and giggled, taking his hand and standing up. They headed towards the large and comfortable teacher's lounge, where they could relax away from the books and the dust and have food brought to them. Marie leaned on Gabriel's arm. He flung his arm out as they walked down the halls, saying "Part, oh people. My lady is famished!" Marie giggled at Gabriel and at the various reactions of professors, students, and staff. Those who were familiar with and comfortable with Gabriel laughed and played along. Others seemed to think it was a real command and jumped out of the way. Others froze in fear. Gabriel laughed, his stronger ears picking up the whispers which followed them. He said, "The rumors grow more rampant, my lady." Since Marie and Gabriel worked so closely together and were so comfortable around each other, the inevitable rumors of a relationship had spread. Neither had any interest in starting any kind of romantic or physical relationship with the other, so they just laughed it off and sometimes did things to make the rumors worse. Such as walking arm-in-arm down the hall.

They entered the teachers lounge and Gabriel, sweeping his arm dramatically, said, "Behold, my lady! Your relief is at hand!" Marie laughed and sat down. She said, "Hello, Midna. You're looking well today, as usual!" Gabriel smiled at Midna and walked up to her, patting her on the head like a child, saying, "Hello, little lady." He then waved his hands and a little bird appeared. It would tell those in the kitchens what to send up for him and Marie. They both gave their orders and the bird disappeared.
***
Mathieu stirred awake. He partially sat up in the bed that wasn't his and glanced over at the human next to him. She was truly exquisite. Humans were more simple than demons. Demons all knew who he was and many had tried to influence his father through Mathieu's bed. Mathieu had therefore taken to venturing into the Light Realm for his amorous adventures. Smiling down at her, he kissed her gently. He may actually come back to this one some day. Waving his hand casually, his clothes flew into his hands. He then opened a portal. He stepped into his boxers and pants as he stepped through the portal.

He stepped out, unannounced, into Kel'Naeer's room. Mathieu had this bad habit of just sort of showing up in Kal-Naeer's room...often in various states of undress. Buttoning his pants, he said, "Good morning. Aren't you a sight for sore eyes?" He laughed. The contrast between Kel'Naeer and the exquisite creature whom he'd just left was actually quite jarring. Their friendship was unusual, given the extreme differences in their personalities. Perhaps that was how it worked. Not that Mathieu gave this any kind of thought. He pulled on his shirt and said, "How are you on yet another lovely morning in the land of the Shadows?"

[Drakonnas]

Midna didn't have to wait much longer for the duo to enter. Midna released the magic that was holding the apple aloft. "Why thank you Marie. You look lovely yourself." Midna said, bowing slightly and gracefully. She turned to Gabriel, her voice a little colder, but a jesting smile on her face. She was simply joking, the two of them did this often, teasing each other like this. It was simply for fun, they both enjoyed it. "Be careful who you call little lady, Gabriel. This 'little lady'" she said, stressing the nickname he had for her, "packs a powerful punch. You wouldn't want to get in my way." She said, not able to keep up her cold voice anymore, cracking into laughter. "Dang it! I couldn't keep a straight tone there. I'll work on that." Midna said happily. She was good at making others feel good, even herself.

"So Marie... I heard the headmaster was talking about letting me teach full time!" Midna said with an excited tone. Taking a deep breath to appear more calm and composed, Midna closed her eyes for a moment to collect herself. "I believe that I can be a valuable asset around here." She said in a much more adult-like tone and manner. "So tell me, what have you two been up to? I can see that you're thinking about something, Marie. What is it?" Midna asked curiously. "Don't think I've forgotten you, Gabriel. I heard about your nomination for one of the best instructor awards. Congratulations."

------

Kel jumped slightly as he heard someone step into his room. Both of his daggers were instantly in his hand, Kel entering a fighting stance before he registered the fact that it was simply Mathieu. He sheathed his daggers, and turned back to the window. "Good Morning, I suppose." Kel said softly. He didn't dare be discourteous to Mathieu for several reasons. One, he was Kel's only good friend, the only one he'd trust with his life. Kel didn't want to alienate Mathieu, he had no one else. Two, Mathieu was the "prince" of the Demon world. He had to maintain some semblance of respect, even if Mathieu was his friend.

"I've been better. I hope I'm not coming across as bitter... I didn't sleep well again last night. I couldn't stop thinking." Kel said, a little more softly now. "And I see you've had an entertaining night, hm?" Kel said, referencing Mathieu's dress. "What did you have in mind for today?"

[Girly Woman]

Gabriel stood in front of Midna and said, "I'm really frightened of...of...where did you go, Midna?" He looked around, not looking down, as if he couldn't see her. He chuckled, ruffled her hair again, and sat down next to Marie, spreading his arms across the back of the couch.

Gabriel and Marie looked at each other and giggled. Midna had jumped from several topics without allowing them to get a word in edgewise. She was still a child in so many ways. Marie and Gabriel tag-teamed responding to her:

"So Marie... I heard the headmaster was talking about letting me teach full time!"
Marie said, "Congratulations!" She tapped Gabriel's thigh.

"I believe that I can be a valuable asset around here."
Gabriel said, "Perhaps, although many students are nervous around me, and I don't look like a demon." He tapped Marie's shoulder.

"So tell me, what have you two been up to? I can see that you're thinking about something, Marie. What is it?"
Marie responded, "We've been doing some research on the ancient demon world." Marie tapped Gabriel's hand.

"Don't think I've forgotten you, Gabriel. I heard about your nomination for one of the best instructor awards. Congratulations."
Gabriel responded, "Thank you. There are a few students who like me." To celebrate a successful tag-team, Gabriel and Marie high-fived. They then dissolved into laughter.
****
Mathieu put on his boots and smoothed out his hair. He said, "The same thing I do everyday: avoiding my father's many 'You need to start acting like a prince of the demon realm' speeches." His father didn't want to say out loud that Mathieu was consorting with humans because, first, he didn't want to admit that his own son was flagrantly disobeying the king's laws and second, he would have to punish Mathieu under his own laws. The king therefore hid those criticisms in increasingly frequent father/son speeches. It was boring. Mathieu had brothers who had been working towards being king their whole lives. Mathieu didn't want that kind of responsibility, so he didn't see why he had to bother working as hard as his brothers. His father knew that Mathieu would never be king, but he still at least wanted Mathieu to act like a responsible prince. Having a lazy and uncontrollable son reflected poorly on the king.

Mathieu lounged on Kel's bed, saying, "I rather think you didn't sleep because this bed is a rock!" He chuckled. He said, "What thoughts have kept the great winged Kel'Naeer awake all night?"

[Drakonnas]

Midna groaned, and levitated once more. "I'm right here, Gabriel. Don't tell me you forgot your safety rules while in an experiment, and are going situationally blind." She said sarcastically, grinning. "Oh wait, you already are." She laughed, this was a typical conversation between the two.

The tag-team wasn't something that Midna was expecting, and it caught her off guard, just a little. She took a second to compose herself, and looked each of them in the eye as she responded. "What are you looking into this time? Does it still have to do with those experimental breeders you had to deal with last week? I thought that case was put to rest..."

She turned back to Gabriel, responding to another comment. It was interesting, carrying on a conversation like this. But it still might be a good idea to stick to one topic, as to not get confused. "As for my teaching, while I may be a demon, my good looks and charms should be enough to get over that little road bump." She said, twirling around in midair. That and my impressive skill with magic."

-----

Kel nodded as Mathieu complained about his father. "Trust me, I know what it's like. Not fun. He does the same to me. I wonder why he bothers with me. I'm not that special. I just want to see the humans suffer. After that, I've got nothing to live for. Why does he take such interest in me?" In all honesty, Kel had an idea of why, but he didn't want to talk about it, for fear of jinxing himself. Kel thought that the Demon King might want to use him as a general or something in his army. After all, the only think Kel lived for was revenge. He was smart, cunning, and innovative. Who better to be in a position of command?

"My thoughts are on various things, and are my own. But... I shall share a few, in hopes that you might have an idea on them. First of all, why does your father have such an interest in me? I'm no one special. Secondly. Why won't your father let me out of the castle? He says its too dangerous. I can handle myself perfectly well, as you know. Thirdly. I've heard rumors that your father is planning to invade the Light Realm, and destroy humanity. Do you know anything of this? It's the opportunity I've been waiting for... I've got nothing else to live for. Kill the humans. Maybe I'll finally be relieved of the agony and misery of living..."

[Girly Woman]

Gabriel and Marie did that annoying thing they did where they communicated with their eyes. Neither wanted to carry on two conversations at once. It was decided that Gabriel should proceed, in order to take some of the stars out of Midna's eyes and save her from some disappointment. Gabriel said, "Ever since this new demon king made all interactions with humans illegal, what progress was made in unifying demons and humans has been ruined, as you well know. In the past, most humans would have valued you not only for your intellect and skill, but also for your cute appearance. Now they'll just see you as a demon. I don't look like a demon. By human standards, I'm quite attractive! However, even I have problems drawing students." Marie nodded her agreement, looking at Midna with some sympathy and concern. Even Marie had to deal with the stigma, since it was well-known that she worked closely with demons.
***
Mathieu chuckled and said, "He gives you lectures about being a proper demon prince?" Mathieu sat up and opened his arms for a hug, saying, "Are you my brother and no one told me?" He laughed. He then stretched and made stretching noises. He said, "My father likes you because you're all 'kill the humans' all day every day. He doesn't like complex beings like me. We're less easy to control. Second, I have no idea." Actually, he did. Mathieu was fairly certain it was because his father didn't want Kel to see anything of the outside world that would invade his perfect 'kill all the humans' suicidal brain. Kel was the perfect, easily controlled soldier: he hated the enemy blindly and didn't value his life at all. He kind of wanted to bring Kel to the human world at some point just to mess with him, bringing him somewhere were humans were being kind and wonderful. Mathieu finished, "As for the third, why the f--- would my father pay so much attention to a pure human-hating machine if he didn't have something like that up his sleeve?" Mathieu kind of wanted to invade the Light Realm himself. Declare himself Demon King of the Light Realm! Then battle his father. Then give the Light Realm back to the humans. It would be such fun!

[Drakonnas]

Midna's eyes narrowed slightly as the Demon King was mentioned. "He's no King of mine..." She said hotly. "I don't give a d*** about his laws. As you said, it's hurt the relationship between our two races. You know how I feel, Gabriel, I'm sure you feel the same way. I don't have to listen to the crackpot old fool." She said, as if that settled the matter. "Besides. It's well known that this school approves of Demon-Human relations. If the students don't want to deal with us, they can take a hike, and let more open minded people come. It's them we need anyways." Midna said firmly.

Midna looked outside, her mood was a bit off now. "I can't help what I am. All I can do is be the best I can be. That should be good enough for people." She said softly. The green forest, as well as the sound of the water washing ashore helped to raise her spirits again. "I'm sorry, Gabriel. I wish the situation was different. But I don't know what we can do to change it..."

-----------------

"No. He doesn't lecture me on how to be a prince. He lectures me on other things, namely why supporting him and his ideas is important. As if I gave a d*** about him. All I care about is revenge. And if it turned out that something else happened, so would my actions. I'm not controlled by him. My actions are my own. I just happen to support what he's doing at the moment. It may change in the future. It may not." Kel said, still a little moodily.

[Girly Woman]

Gabriel and Marie laughed at Madna's youthful quality of seeing things so black and white. Marie said gently, "This is one of the top academies in the country. That is why it is still able to maintain a semblance of cooperation amongst the few demons who make it to this realm despite the demon king's laws. Humans apply to study here despite the presence of the demons. If anyone gets run out of this academy, it will be the demons, not the humans who dislike the demons." Gabriel said, "Your appointment shows that there are enough in power that this academy will remain cooperative, but I wonder for how long?" Marie shook her head sadly. There had been much hope in the past when the alliances were first established and mutual study began. Many fruitful projects and collaborations had been cut short by the new king. Gabriel said, "What can be done is give the demons reason to stop listening to their king and to become open towards humans again. It was the demons who broke the alliance in the first place. It is therefore up to us to build those bridges again. But too many are under the sway of that horrible king. He effectively poisons their minds."
***
Mathieu chuckled. Kel was most definitely controlled by his father. Kel bought into his father's propaganda hook, line and sinker. Kel added to this blind hatred of humans a lack of care for his own life. Someone who cares not for their own life is far more easy to control. So long as Kel remains here, Kel will not change in the future. Mathieu's father would see to that. Mathieu said, "If you didn't care about my father, then you wouldn't lay awake all night thinking about him. You would lay awake all night plotting your escape and your own schemes for revenge." Mathieu rather liked that idea. Kel's appearance was pretty much the stereotypical scary demon appearance for humans. It would be fun to bring him to the Light Realm and wreak some havoc.

[Drakonnas]

Midna closed her mouth, realizing that she must have looked a little foolish, based on their replies. She had other questions she wanted to ask, but tried to look content based on the answers she had received. "The Academy is the worlds last hope for good relations between our two races..." Midna said, her voice had a slight edge to it now. "Something has to be done! We cannot let the Demon King continue to rule if it will destroy both of our races!" She said concernedly.

---------------

Kel looked around at Mathieu. "Are you suggesting that I am not acting of my own free will?" He demanded shortly. "Come now... If I saw that things weren't actually like I thought, my actions would change. Now to answer your question of my not escaping... It's rather simple. I have about as much chance of escaping as I have of being struck by...." Kel was about to say lightning, as a rumble of thunder rolled across the deserted drylands on the Shadow Realm. After a brief pause, he spoke again. ".....by a flying ice cream truck." He said confidently. Something hit him on the back of the head though, and floated around him. It was a miniature ice cream truck. And it was flying. "Verrry funny, Mathieu..." But at that moment, the door burst open, and a female demon entered. She was rather pretty, and Kel recognized her as one of the oddballs who neither worked for the Demon King, nor the humans.

"Honey, your life is your own. Don't let anyone tell you what to do, its your choice." She said, somewhat enticingly. "Mathieu darling, I have a message for you. It's from Hestia. Here." She said, handing a sealed letter to Mathieu. She turned back towards Kel. "Let that toy serve as a reminder, cutie, you can do anything you put your mind to."

[Girly Woman]

Food suddenly appeared on a table in the lounge. Marie stood up and said, "Thank the stars; I'm famished!" Gabriel also stood up and they walked over to the table, where they began eating their meal. Gabriel said to Midna, "That's all well and good to say sitting here comfortably in our posh lounge. What are you actually going to do about it?" Marie glared at Gabriel.

They did that silent communication thing again. Gabriel: "I want to bring her in. She has a fire in her heart." Marie: "She's shown time and again that she is too childish!" Gabriel: "She has a strong spirit and a good heart." Marie: "We need more than good hearts. She is too immature." Gabriel, crossing his arms: "I know what I'm doing. I'm your senior and quite a bit more experienced than you." Marie, crossing her arms: Fine! Do what you want! It's on your head!
***
Mathieu burned the letter without taking it out of the woman's hand. The fire stopped just short of burning the woman's hand. He said, "That's my reply." He laughed a bit maniacally and said, "Actually...I'll send it myself." He snapped his fingers and, somewhere in a mansion nearby, Hestia's hair, her prized beautiful hair, burst into flames. Hestia was one of the many demons trying to use him to get to his father. He grabbed the woman's arm and said fiercely, his eyes almost literally burning into her eyes, "Deliver one more of those to me and I'll burn your hand along with the letter." He released her and said, "Go away."

Mathieu turned back to Kel, all evidence of the fierceness he just showed completely gone. He said, back in his light tone, "Like the lady said, you can do anything you put your mind to. Okay, not really. That's the kind of lame BS lies that adults tell to kids to get them to behave. But you haven't even tried putting your mind to plotting an escape, which means you don't want to escape."