(Untitled)

[safehouse_guest]

Date: very early March 19, 2003
Status: Private (Drugs, Primoris) Complete
Setting: mostly the lobby and nearby bathroom
Summary: Drugs sneaks in and discovers Primoris - or is it Primoris that discovers Drugs?

Comments

[safehouse_guest]

Drugs walked as quietly as he could following the wall to get a feeling for the layout of the building. He couldn't sense anyone nearby and knew that all the lights on this level had been out for a while now - well, at least those visible from the front. Not all of the manor's inhabitants were people he could feel, though. Drugs and those who took or sold them burned brightly in his awareness, but those who abstained were hard to detect and some of the beings that he'd seen come and go did not register to his supernatural senses at all. Fellow gods or personifications from completely different domains he assumed and shuddered at the thought of what they might have to do with Ishtar's plans.

That old bitch had to be stopped at any cost. Stopped and then punished. If only he could find away to destroy her, to permanently rid the world of her. Ah, but it shouldn't be fast as an overdose. He wanted her to suffer all the agony of a thousand junkies unable to afford the next dose ... perhaps forever.

He came across an unexpected door and stopped, trying to make out the sign on it in the dark. It couldn't be a big room. Maybe a laundry cupboard or bathroom?

[safehouse_guest]

If the being trapped in the amethyst had had an actual voice, he would have hissed in satisfaction at the emotions he could sense. Fear, and anger, and a longing to cause suffering... he soaked them up, glorying in them.

This person would definitely be useful. He focused, reaching out towards the mind of the being, mentally pulling. Ah, a god, of sorts. Definitely useful.

Come to me...

[safehouse_guest]

For a moment he hesitated worried that somebody might be inside the room or would hear the door open, but then he pushed down the handle anyway suddenly sure he'd find something interesting in there. Yes, something seemed to be calling to him.

The room turned out to be an ordinary bathroom, dark and empty ... except ...

Something glowed purple next to the washbasin and it was definitely not a fancy new brand of soap. It felt powerful and as if it had been waiting for him. Fascinated Drugs picked it up. It felt cold and smooth with sharp edges, a crystal or cut stone, and in the midst of the purple glow darkness swirled enticingly. Beautiful.

[safehouse_guest]

Warmth flowed into the amethyst, and the god's mind was so much easier to read, this close, with contact.

A god of drugs. Interesting. He would certainly prove useful; his little vendetta against the other beings, his competition, could be used against him so easily... Now all he had to do was draw the god in, make him trust him.

If darkness had a voice, it would have sounded like the voice suddenly echoing in Drugs' mind.

I have a deal for you.

[safehouse_guest]

Drugs jumped instinctively pulling the crystal close to his chest. He had no idea what it could do, but it had to be powerful and he didn't want to lose it again before he'd even figured out what he might do with it.

He glanced around in the darkness, but couldn't see anyone.

"Who are you?" he asked his voice deceptively friendly and inviting. "Why don't you come out here so we can discuss our business face to face?"

[safehouse_guest]

Fear. The god reeked of it, and Primoris absorbed it, drawing strength, exulting in it.

The inviting voice was such a clear contrast to the fear Primoris could sense, and he let his amusement show, flowing into the god's mind.

But I am out here, young god. I am in the crystal you hold. And you ask the wrong question; rather, ask what I am.

[safehouse_guest]

In the crystal? Drugs loosened his grip on the stone and held it out before him.

"Well, come out of your crystal then and let's talk face to face," he invited.

This was a rather worrying development. If this other ... whatever he was ... was inside the crystal, then he probably owned it and its powers. Though perhaps Drugs could take it from him anyway and maybe get a quick introduction how to handle it as well.

"I'm always eager to make new friends." He smiled charmingly at the crystal in case the other could see him.

[safehouse_guest]

I can see that, Primoris responded, still amused. This god certainly knew how to hide his fear. He longed to be free, to search the god's mind for his deepest, darkest fear and make it real, and a thousand times worse, and watch the naked terror spread across his golden face...

Oh, how he hated having to ask this being for help. But Morpheus had bound him well, and he could not escape on his own. He could make use of this god's desires, make him agree to destroy this purple prison, and when he was free and had all his powers once more, he would make everyone suffer their worst fears, over and over and over again. In a way, he would still be keeping his word.

As I said, I have a deal for you. I am bound to this stone, and cannot escape by myself. If you help me escape, I can help you in return. You long to make someone suffer; I can certainly bring that about. He paused. Tell me who and what you are, and I will return the favour.

[safehouse_guest]

Well, if he was stuck, this stranger was probably not dangerous. He needed help so Drugs was sure he had the upper hand. He'd have to be cautious, though. If one being could get stuck in this stone, perhaps so could another moreowerful one.

"Caught in a piece of crystal?" Drugs said voice full of compassion. "However did that happen, my poor friend? And what is it that I can do to help you out of this predicament? I love helping people, you know, but this isn't my usual area of expertise. Usually I help people to forget their sorrows or pain, help them cope with stress or just have a good time. If there is a way I can hand you a little object through the crystal, I could perhaps provide a pleasant dream ..."

[safehouse_guest]

A pleasant dream. Forgetting their sorrows or pain. And that condescending tone; when he did escape, Primoris would trap this golden fool in one of his own 'pleasant dreams' and slowly twist it, warp it, turn the familiar pleasantness to menacing darkness, and see if he would still be so falsely compassionate then. He was, however, was careful to keep the disgust out of his own tone.

I neither need nor want anything of the sort. What I do is very different. I feed off its effects, and when I do escape I would rather be stronger than I am now. The beings here, those silly feathered do-gooders and shapeshifting relics, would bind me again, or call the one who originally did so, if I cannot overpower them immediately. And for that, I need your help. In return, if there is someone you would like to see suffer, I can drive them mad with despair.

[safehouse_guest]

"If it is strength you want," Drugs promised. "I can do that as well, but I see no point while you are trapped. At least I don't assume I could give you the strength to break this crystal. It appears to be very powerful, but in some way that is outside my realm. I cannot determine its exact function and have no way to determine what might affect it."

The offer sounded tempting. Should he? A cautious inquiry couldn't hurt.

"I am generally a peaceful and friendly being," he lied smoothly. "And have no wish to see my followers suffer." He paused then added as if he'd just had an afterthought: "But I do not like it when the relics meddle in my realm. There are two in this house that keep ..." He couldn't admit to them being strong enough to actually constitute a problem. "Making nuisances of themselves and distracting me from my actual work. Keeping them distracted might prove beneficial and I do have little compassion for their kind."

[safehouse_guest]

Ha. No, I myself can draw strength from the people here. Even trapped in this rock, he had power; oh, nothing like the terrible power he had once enjoyed, but he could still delve into people's heads as they slept, draw out their deepest fears, manifest them, and then he could absorb that delicious fear. But he did need some initial energy, to manifest those initial nightmares, before he gained enough strength to do it on his own. He was already weakened; he had expended too much energy, trying to seal off this place so that the meddlesome King of Dreams would not be aware of what was happening here.

And for that... he needed this god or personification or whatever he was to let him feed off his terror, to knowingly let him manifest his deepest fear and draw power from his reaction. Or, at the very least, to sleep with him close by, for a while. Enough that he could do the same to the other people here, and as they ran from their deepest fears in their dreams, he would draw even more strength from them, enough to protect himself from the safeguards of his prison, and break it from the inside with simultaneous help from the outside. If this gilded fool could produce pleasant dreams, then he could protect himself long enough to break it, and if he did not survive, then it was of no consequence; Primoris would be free by then.

There is an easy way for you to help me gain strength, he purred. And eventually, when I am free, show me your enemies and I shall make them suffer such that they will beg for the sweet oblivion of death. That should prove sufficient... distraction, hmm?

[safehouse_guest]

This was alarming. "You can drain the people around you of strength? Would that help to free you? How close would I have to take you to enable you to do that?"

Maybe he could plant the crystal somewhere in or near Ishtar's room and get the healthy living out of here. He definitely wasn't going to let this being weaken him. not even in return for the power of the crystal.

"Indeed that should be sufficient," he agreed with a smile. "And if we can use those same relics to power you now, I won't even feel bad for weakening innocent faithful."

[safehouse_guest]

Not... exactly. He hated being at a disadvantage - the god was still being silent about exactly who he was - but if he wanted a willing lackey, he would need to be clearer. When they have nightmares, I feed off their fear. That strengthens me. And I do not need to be very close, although being out of this tiny room and a little nearer to to them might help.

Oh, how he hated feeling this weak. But he wouldn't stay this way for long. The people staying here were powerful, he could feel it. And the fear of beings such as these was so much more delicious.

Come now. Would you really feel guilty if I did exploit the innocent?

[safehouse_guest]

Then there probably was no risk in keeping the crystal with him, but hiding somewhere inside was out of the question. Ishtar or Pollution might see him and then they'd hide their plans even better.

"I could leave you somewhere closer to the guest rooms," he offered. "But I expect that area to be the most thoroughly cleaned in the house. I'm not sure I can find a safe hiding place to leave you in. This crystal could be picked up by anyone. Could you defend yourself then?"

[safehouse_guest]

Primoris wondered if the god could feel his frustration. If he could, he would have growled. I am trapped in a rock. I have power only in nightmares. Do you think I can defend myself?

He felt weak, and he hated it.