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Post by RhiaRaye on Jan 5, 2012 17:36:55 GMT -5
So, I just really wanted to post an excerpt, since I've actually been working on In League With Demons, and it's coming along rather well. The title of the story mentioned is subject to change, as is Miss Ayers's name. I really haven't settled on that stuff yet, but I thought these were good placeholders. Let me know what you guys think!
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"So you don't have anything else to say to me?" I ask, a little surprised at his ignoring me.
"Not at the moment, no."
"So am I supposed to do, just stand here until you come up with something for me to do?" I ask, folding my arms.
Anthony does not look up from the desk. "No, you may sit if you'd like."
A few moments of silence, save for the scratching of his pen on paper, pass between us. Finally, I speak up. "I've read some of your work, you know."
He turns around to look at me, a little surprise showing on his own face. "Have you? What have you read?"
"The Death of Sunlight, most recently. It's very good, you're a fantastic writer."
Anthony's features soften. "That is very kind of you to say so. I must admit, my fans seem to number very few at the moment. That is most likely thanks to my reputation. Mrs. Smithgrove is very kind to keep me on as a tenant, considering the gossip."
"What gossip?" i ask. I'm finally learning more about Anthony Harrison, something I've been trying to do for the last twenty four hours.
"Haven't you heard? I am in league with demons, Miss Ayers."
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ivyflight
New Member
fernweh: noun: origin: German: a crave for travel; being homesick for a place you've never been
Posts: 44
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Post by ivyflight on Jan 5, 2012 19:42:17 GMT -5
Ah-I love it, Rhia! Especially the witty, "No, you may sit, if you like." They sound like interesting characters-and I'm already intrigued! Great excerpt.
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Post by RhiaRaye on Jan 6, 2012 15:57:40 GMT -5
Thanks, Ivy! Yeah, I picture Anthony as being witty like that a lot, and I hope I'm able to do him justice.
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Post by RhiaRaye on Jan 7, 2012 19:42:07 GMT -5
I feel like sharing a bit more of the story, so I thought I'd share some of what I've been working on. I've only done a minimal read-through, so I'm sorry if there are any errors.
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The door closes behind us, and Anthony and I begin the descent down a short flight of stairs. The stairwell is light by candles in sconces. As we walk, Anthony explains to me where we are going. "There is a secret organization, one of many, that meets every so often, to commune with spirits and demons, and perform all manner of magic rituals, hoping to improve their lives. A girl talked me into coming here the other day. I thought it was all nonsense, but that it might make for a good story. I never dreamed..." "I'm sure the others thought the same the first time they came. But I’m sure there's a way to fix it." "I hope you are right. Anyway, the club does not meet down here tonight, and no one should bother us. I can show you what happened, what we summoned and how. Just promise me you'll be careful what you read and what you touch. I don't want your blood on my hands." "I am touched by your concern for my safety," I say absently, watching my steps on the narrow stairs.
When we reach the bottom of the stairs, I see that the floor is littered with drawings and symbols. Each one looks different, and I suppose each is used to perform a different kind of spell or ritual. There is a podium on one side of the room.
"What's that for?" I ask, pointing to the podium.
Anthony follows my gaze. "Sometimes there is a black mass; sometimes it's used to read spells from. We used it when I was here." Anthony walks over to the podium and peers down at the book that still lies open on it. He points to the second page. "Here. This is the summoning ritual we used."
I join him at the podium and look over the page. "It doesn't call for any... ingredients? Like, blood or the likes?"
Anthony shook his head. "No. That's one of the reasons I thought it would be fake. I was even more surprised when the demon actually appeared. Then I thought it was only an illusion. I feel like such a fool."
"There's no reason to feel foolish," I tell him. "I wouldn't have believed in it either."
Anthony shakes his head and walks away, looking over some of the other books. I stay and look over the summoning spell once more. The incantation is pretty short. I've always said that the best way to fix a problem is to face it head on.
[Incantation Coming Soon.]
At the sound of my voice, Anthony looks up. "Emily, no!" he yells, running over to stop me.
I am a very fast reader. Even as Anthony closes the book, I continue the incantation from memory. Before Anthony can stop me, it is over.
The room begins to shake, a little at first, and then it gets stronger. An otherworldly crack, there but not there, appears in the floor, casting a bright white glow. From the crack rises a man, with copper hair and an angular face. His eyes are normal, but for the dark red iris. Two small horns protrude from his forehead. Noticing Anthony, he grins.
"Well well, we meet again Mr. Harrison," he says. He notices I am standing beside Anthony, and turns to grin at me as well. "Well, hello. Did Harrison here tell you all about his great arrangement with me? Come to make one of your own?"
"Never," I snap. "Who, or what, are you?"
"My name is Mephistopheles," he says with a sweeping bow. "And I think, once you hear my offer, you might change your mind."
"You can't change my mind. I want to know how to get Anthony Harrison out of his agreement."
Mephistopheles laughs, a noise that his human voice cannot fully mask. It takes me by surprise and I straighten.
"There is no way to release anyone from a deal with me once it has been agreed upon. That should go without saying. Harrison's soul is mine, and that is that. Who are you to concern yourself with him so that you would face me?"
"I am a friend. And no offense, but you aren't as frightening as you think you are."
Mephistopheles glares at me. "Then perhaps you should see my true form."
His skin begins to ripple, and his body changes under his skin. Anything about him that was human falls away, leaving a monster in its place. He is massive, with green-black skin stretched tight over a mottled body. The horns at the top of his head have grown into large, curling monstrosities. I stand my ground, but I can't help think, if this is only a demon, what must the devil look like?
"Do I frighten you now?" He growled, his boom, otherworldly voice shaking the foundations beneath our feet.
"No," I answer. "You just disgust me."
Morphing back into his human form, Mephistopheles lunges to come to face to face with me. "Funnily enough, you humans disgust me. If you have no intentions of making an agreement with me, then you are wasting my time, and your own. There is no way to save your friend. As soon as I am ready, I will take him whenever I want. Resign yourself to that."
Mephistopheles is swallowed up by the crack once more, which seals itself up, leaving only a trace of red smoke.
Anthony turns on me. "What is God's name where you thinking?" He yells. "You could have gotten yourself killed! You have gotten us both killed! And what did we gain out of it? Nothing!"
"That’s not true," I say. "We know his name."
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Post by annieofwessex on Jan 7, 2012 21:46:00 GMT -5
Oooh, I love how stubborn your narrator is! I can't wait to see what she's going to do with his name; interesting point! Demons and fae may want to be a little more discreet about their monikers. xD
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Post by RhiaRaye on Jan 8, 2012 9:40:18 GMT -5
I thoguht of that when I was writing it, but I just knew that Mephistopheles (I really wanted to use that name XD) was pompous and proud, and wouldn't think that a human would know anything about demons and name magic. I haven't decided exactly what will happen with the name... I just came up with that spur of the moment...
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Post by annieofwessex on Jan 8, 2012 11:24:20 GMT -5
Doesn't Mephistopheles just roll off the tongue? xD And I laud you for your spur-of-the-moment powers; I just come up with completely unoriginal country names that are all connected with cooking... (I named one country after a brand of spices, for goodness' sake!) Most name magic (if this helps any) is based upon things like, "I know your name is {insert demon or fairy name here}, so now you must obey me/grant me 3 wishes/not harm me/be my slave for life/etc, etc." Anyway, I know you'll find something fun to do with it, much to Mephistopheles' displeasure!
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Post by RhiaRaye on Jan 9, 2012 9:35:49 GMT -5
Exactly! I was just thinking about the name randomly one day, and thought, "I have to got to write a story with this name." Then I figured he was perfect for In League with Demons. When it comes to word creation, my spurring powers aren't so great. (I don't see anything wrong with naming a country after a brand of spices.) I've only recently started to make leaps like that when I'm writing, and I like it so much better. Also, I'm thinking of binding and interrogating him with the name magic...
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ivyflight
New Member
fernweh: noun: origin: German: a crave for travel; being homesick for a place you've never been
Posts: 44
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Post by ivyflight on Jan 13, 2012 19:41:27 GMT -5
Ooh-another great excerpt. Especially the final sentence-it really sounds... foreboding? Like I know in some legends names give power, so knowing could really help your characters. And I do so love Mephistopheles name I always wanted to be named something like that, but alas, it was not to be, and I joined the hordes of Emmas that already grace this world. Wolfgang would be fun...
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Post by RhiaRaye on Jan 14, 2012 9:00:43 GMT -5
Thanks ivyflight! I thought that would be a good way to trap him into telling them stuff, but of course it's not going to be that easy! *evil grin* Emma is a beautful name though, I name a lot of characters that. My full name is Rhiannon, and I've never wished it was anything different.
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Post by annieofwessex on Jan 14, 2012 10:30:47 GMT -5
Oh, wow! Your name is Rhiannon? I absolutely adore that name! (I have a character with that name). I'm glad you like it- I know a Rhiannon (a real one xD) who goes by her middle name to avoid the whole 'Fleetwood Mac' thing.
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Post by RhiaRaye on Jan 15, 2012 10:29:43 GMT -5
I don't mind the whole Fleetwood Mac thing. I usually get called 'Rhianna' anyway, and sometimes I go by Rhia for short. I think most people I meet don't realize about the song...
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