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[sub][right]Interacting with: [@Obscene Symphony][@AChronum][/right][/sub]

[color=f49ac2]Zelda[/color]
[color=9e0b0f]Troy[/color]
[color=92278f]Salem Sr.[/color]
[color=ec008c]Alicia[/color]
[color=f26522]Aaliyah[/color]

 [Color=bc8dbf]”Your discussion suggested a mage's opinion should count for more in their treatment. How much weight should a mage's opinion have in your opinion?”[/color]

Salem didnt even pause to think of his answer, no, he knew exactly how much weight he believed a mage's opinion should have. [Color=82ca9d]"I believe they should have equal amount your majesty. That is to say, I feel that among the current council, there should be an equal number of mages present to have equal say in the matters discussed. I do not doubt the councils decisions, but I feel it rather odd to have a council of non mages weighing in on mage matters, thus a council of both mages and vampires should be created to better discuss these ideas."[/color] Salem went to go grab his drink but was unfortunately too late and it was removed and replaced with the next course. A bit upset that he hadn't the chance to try it, but that was the least of his worries.

 Salem went to turn to Aaron but found himself unable to. He began to feel a sort of hand, creep around his neck from behind him, and grab hold of his chin. The spectre was cold and hard against Salems smooth face, holding his gaze forward until a new feeling began to wash over him.

 It felt as though he was back at the Orientaion room, seeing Aaron and Lilie for the first time...but not the first time. Salem was filled with joy as he watched his meeting with them again from the outside. His body slowly began to creep closer and closer until he was looking through his own eyes again, Aaron and Lilie slowly sliding away as the room darkened and an under lighting lit their faces. Their voices could be heard from the distance saying 

[color=f0d705]”What a loser, why does he think he can come and speak to us?”[/color]
[color=00BFFF]”I dont know. I have an idea, let's just say we'll meet back up with him and leave him when our matches finish. We'll never have to see that pathetic face again.” [/color]

Salem got closer and closer until the two turned to face him, faces under lit and grins of treachery across their faces as they spoke in unison

 [color=f0d705]“Wait Right here ok? We'll come back, promise.”[/color][right][color=00BFFF]“Wait Right here ok? We'll come back, promise.”[/color][/right]

They're maniacal laughter could be heard as they slowly faded away and the sounds of their laughter were replaced with his father's stern, but loud, voice.

[color=92278f] "Those people down there, they only use you, your kindness. Instead you're out there gallivanting in the slums letting them abuse you and your talents..”[/color]

 As his father spoke he began to grow taller and taller until he was looking over Salem, casting a dark shadows across him. The shadow grew and grew as the voice became more thunderous, fading into the background as rain began to deluge on top his clinics tent. Loud drops of rain banging against the tarp as Salem desperately worked to heal a patient on the table. The sounds began to meld together, turning into a rhythmic beep on a monitor. The only sound pounding in Salems ears. A flat line. The patient was lost and anguish filled him like the sea consuming a capsized ship. His stare was blank as he looked on ahead and attempted to close his eyes and look away from the body. 

 There it was again, that cold hand, gripping at his chin, forcing him to relive his past and look head on. A warmth began to hot his skin, welcoming, beautiful warmth. Salem blinked a few times, adjusting his eyes as he saw fields of flowers, a bright blue sky, tall green trees and his boyfriend Troy. His eyes were lavender, against his fair skin and tuft of raven black hair. Troy's smile was as warm as the suns embrace and everything seemed perfect. The flowers in the distance began to wilt and rot, sweeping ever nearer towards the pair until everything was decayed around them. Troy's voice could be heard from behind Salem, distorted, the scent of a crackling fire emanating from him. 

[color=9e0b0f]”What's the matter Salem?”[/color] Salemn turned to face Troy, who was now engulfed in flames, face rotting off, the scent of a campfire and rotted flowers permeating the air. Salem began to slowly move further back, away from Troy until he hit a wooden wall.

 He slid down the wall slowly, shaking, muttering like a fool, as his eyes were peeled open and the sounds of his family could be heard outside arguing, as the scene became his room. 

[color=f49ac2]”The poor boys been drugged! Who knows how long that weasels been tainting his mind!”[/color] [color=92278f] “His mind wouldnt be so easily tainted if he wasnt so weak!”[/color] [color=ec008c]” When I get my hands on the Blossoms! I'll-”[/color] [color=f26522]” Now all of you stop it. This isnt going to help him. He needs us right now.”[/color][color=92278f] “What he needs is discipline!”[/color]

All the while Salem had fully fallen to the floor, the cold hard wood pressed against his skin, soothing the burning feeling on his biceps from his nails digging into his skin. He shivered, mouth muttering uncontrollably, his stare fixated on the light from under the door as his family's shadows danced around and argued.

 The door slowly opened, light pouring in, blinding him as he felt a cool, wet, towel pressed against his forehead. Was she always so tall? His face now nuzzled a pillow as he ran a fever, a large snake coiled against his chest, the smooth, chill, scales helping to cool him down. [color=f26522]” Now now child, you'll be alright. I've got you.”[/color] Salems bed seemed larger somehow, he moved his hand to place it on the snake and noticed it was the hand of a child. His as a child. His eyes wearily looked around the room and noticed the ingredients for an anti venom. That's right...he was invited to play at a competitors house while they were entertained as guests. The fever must've made him forget...the tea...they poisoned him, his mother, to take done her empire. He reached out once more to touch his grandmother, but when he did she shattered.

 [color=92278f]” That was an antique! Do you know how hard it is to acquire those!”[/color] The shattered pieces were on the floor, his father screaming at him as he banged his cane against the ground. A burning mark on his back quickly stung to remind him it was there. A welt from the cane. [color=92278f]” You do NOT run in this house hold you understand?! What a pathetic child. Cant follow the simplest of directions! Clean this mess.”[/color] Young Salem began to cry as his shoulder stung with every sweep of the broom, picking the shattered glass and placing into the dustpan. He moved to dump it into a wooden box for repairs, as the pieces fell, his eyes became transfixed, the box now vertical as the pieces formed back into his grandmother, the wooden lid closing. [Color=82ca9d]” Dont go! Dont leave me!”[/color] he yelled through thick tears. The cries fell on deaf ears as the lid finally closed, a loud thud resonating throughout the room as the box shifted further and further out of reach. The room stretched and warbled as the sound resonated and was finally collapsed under the sound of his head hitting the back of the wooden chair. His foot stung as though someones sharp heel stomped on it. He turned to face the source of the pain and noticed Princess Ryner next to him, he was at dinner again, and no one seemed the wiser of the turmoil within.