So couple of days ago, I posted an excerpt of two characters...Miranda and Dali. I think this time I'll put something up from Emerald and Saturnus. Their history is tangled and complex, she's technically the villainess but I'm not sure if she'll remain such or not.
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Swathed in mist, moisture, and nothing else, Saturnus traveled through astral planes unknowing what he sought. He heard voices, his interest peaked, and he peeked, curious. A smile flickered when he caught the byplay between Miranda and Dali. Hmmm, she hadn't known what the mirror she gave Dali would do for him? Ignorant of her, but she was unaware of what her abilities gave her as far as powers were concerned.
Saturnus grimaced because he sensed Dali recognized what Miranda was and knew more of her powers than she might know or realize. He trusted Dali wouldn't hurt her, he couldn't say the same about Emerald or anyone else for that matter. His skin prickled when he donned physical mortal man body. Just in time when he caught sight of Asorna prowling the paths.
"What're you doing here?" He growled unhappy at her presence.
"Looking around," Asorna retorted assessing him calmly and jeered. "This is part of my realm. I can always change futures and options for spirits caught here." She gave him a chilling smile. "Including the ones who're still alive elsewhere, why are you here, Saturnus?" Her eyes narrowed. "Thought you managed to find a woman you could cleave unto?" she mocked knowing his history with women sucked. She grimaced at his unpleasant smile.
He bowed to her with mock gratitude and gritted his teeth. He hated snoops; Asorna was the worst of those kinds of people he dealt with on daily basis. Despite his awareness, he chose to give her a possible tale to use against Emerald in this stupid power play the women were engaging in.
Saturnus found such games inappropriate at any time, and so far he despised what stakes they used against one another. Talk about disaster waiting to happen, he mused grumpily, but decided he would aggravate Asorna and make her leave him alone. He wanted to prowl around some more without her company.
"Thanks for the reminder. There was no honeymoon, woman, or wedding." Saturnus snapped though he realized the sham worked with everyone else. He watched Asorna take in his response and roll her eyes. He figured she wouldn't want to leave without further encouragement. "Despite what you believe I am faithful to her even if she isn't to me." He shrugged dismissive of her attempts to intrigue him. He saw through Asorna's ploys and wouldn't give her the time of day.
A dismissal she found infuriating and punished him often as a result. Her punishments he could take, he mused, and it was her lavishing repulsive attention on him he couldn't stand. Saturnus found her attempts pathetically amusing but rarely encouraged her to continue them.
What annoyed him was when she wouldn’t take no for an answer. As a result, he cut her off cold whenever she began hitting on him. There was always several power plays she forced on him, Saturnus had yet to acknowledge what she pulled. Impatient right now, Saturnus wanted to roam elsewhere, Emerald caused trouble.
"Satisfaction is mine." Emerald announced cheerfully. She wasn't alone in the plane, but figured she had about three minutes or less before someone came down on her for what she'd done. Oh like, trashing someone's dreams wasn't unnatural for people to do? Please, Emerald shook her head disdainfully. Besides, there were others she taunted with her actions, people she wanted to lure from hiding. She owed Saturnus and Asorna a few licks because of their latest restrictions on her activities. "Hah, they haven't seen anything yet."
Her grim mutter echoed in her ears. Emerald frowned. "When will I learn to moderate my moods?" She didn't understand where her bitter hatred stemmed. There were occasions when she wished she held less hatred for Saturnus and Asorna but they were inextricably linked of late. Her mouth curled in disgust. "Pah, I'm becoming sentimental in my old age." She didn't give into the mood to reflect upon various possibilities where she could cause more trouble.
Instead, she remained where she was so she could smile over Miranda's outrage. She hadn't seen what else Emerald would do in order to keep her separated from Dali Montaigne. Montaigne, mongrel gargoyle dragon who didn't know what else he'd become. She didn't want him learning either. Damn, but he and Saturnus kept certain ethics close to their hearts.
She smiled knowing the only reason she treated them with so little respect was because of their ethics. The world she walked, Emerald forgone most of what she held dear to survive. "I made mistakes, but then, when haven't I managed to survive successfully." Oh sure, there were circumstances when she regretted actions taken.
"Alas, I'm not able to recant certain words and gestures I used." Emerald mused, but not of what she said to Miranda earlier. Oh no, the young woman needed to understand there were consequences when she messed with the wrong deities. Her eyebrows slashed. Why did Miranda snoop so much? She wondered before trying some light poking around.
She reeled in pain when sharp spears of agony shot through her brain. "Huh, well I won't be doing that anytime soon." Shaken, Emerald scowled and turned her attention to Saturnus and Dali. She needed to work a small miracle ensuring their cooperation with her plans. "What should I do to coerce their compliance?" She tapped a finger against her lips as she pondered and shrugged.
"I'll have to think more about my decisions." Emerald shrugged indifferent to consequences. She'd gone over them so much she was sick of pondering disastrous episodes if nothing worked as plotted. A faint grin curved her mouth when she spotted Saturnus in the distance.
Hmm, looked as though he talked with Dali she hoped he meant to ensure Dali's cooperation later. Her life would be much easier if the stubborn assassin wouldn't refuse this last request. Too bad, he'd be handed over to Commodore Alistair Trafalgar. Ah Trafalgar, Emerald chuckled as she contemplated him. What a preposterous cliché walking she mused.
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So that'll be 4 out of 5 PoVs. The fun part? There's actually five but Saturnus plays a big part in all this...so he's a main character with...problems, big time and far worse than I originally envisioned. Have fun reading and if you want to leave a comment, please do :)
