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[indent][u][b]7:28 PM, January 18th
New Orleans[/b][/u][/indent]

The Delphine estate was vast, stretching out across New Orleans like a festering wound against an otherwise pure patch of skin. A cobbled path winded through from the main gateway, leading past the rows of cypress trees and barren magnolias to the star of the estate, the mansion. 

Painted in beautiful shades of white, and roofed in navy shingles, the mansion had not a single chip in sight. Pruned bushes surrounded the perimeter, and a perfectly manicured lawn stretched out front. Children played, and mothers kept a watchful eye on them, as well as the gate, from where they were seated on the porch. It was at least three stories, with a proud tower rising above the rest. Clio knew that was where the Head of House lived, but it likely looked like just another fixture on an extravagant manor to others. Yellow light shone through the windows, warm and inviting. 

Around the mansion were houses, contained within the wrought iron fence of the estate. They were far more simple than the mansion itself, but were all painted in dark colors that matched the aesthetic of the main building. Smaller paths led to each house, with every path leading back to the main one. It was symbolic, in Clio's mind, at least. All paths lead back home. 

To get through the fifteen foot tall, wrought iron gates was simple. You only had to be accompanied by someone with Delphine blood. Cars were allowed through, but had to be parked right away. The gate opened automatically for Clio, and the car crawled through them slowly as a black raven watched them from its perch on top of the gate. She turned on a dime, parking against the side of the gate. 

[color=EF1956]"So...what do you think?"[/color] She asked, not sure if she wanted to impress Star or not. 

Her bright green eyes took in as many details as possible flicking back and forth from place to place. This was where Clio grew up. [color=c4df9b]”It is like a palace. Beautiful, and old, and imposing.”[/color] This building looked like it could be older than Starfire herself. It was wonderful that they could maintain such grand buildings over many generations. She stopped looking at the mansion and turned to her friend expectantly. 

Clio was scratching at her skin, picking away at the nerves bundled up beneath the outermost layer of her flesh. She didn't know why she was so afraid. Perhaps it was because she felt so powerless. She was going to be beaten in any challenge thrown her way, unless Makaya's strength returned. She felt like a child again, vying for attention and power. 

[color=EF1956]"Ready to meet the family?"[/color] She asked, her forced grin souring. Starfire nodded eagerly but compressed her lips as her friend’s expression turned grim. Clio walked forward, feet pulsating as they hit the cobble path. She could do this, she knew she could. How bad could her family be?

As soon as they got past the final row of trees, the first challenger approached. A child, no older than six, lashed out at her knees. He attempted to summon up shadows, but all that came to him were little droplets of darkness. Clio stared down at the boy, blinking. 

Whose kid was this? 

Clio reached out, gently shoving the child by the shoulder. He fell onto his butt, and proceeded to pout. The child's mother, presumably, approached. Clio recognized her immediately. Cousin Zyra, daughter of Aunt Sophia. She was a year older than Clio. How could she already have a grown child running around? 

"Cousin Clio," Zyra said warmly. She wrapped her arms around Clio, pulling her in for a tight squeeze. There was no aggression, thank goodness. Clio had already displayed her dominance over Zyra years ago. She was just glad she didn't want a round two.

[color=EF1956]"Zyra, it's a pleasure. This is my friend, Starfire. Starfire, Zyra."[/color] She gestured between the two, before Starfire or Zyra could ask. 

Starfire had her own arms behind her back, holding her left wrist with her right hand. She smiled and waved at this cousin, Zyra. [color=c4df9b]”Hello, Zyra. It is good to meet you.”[/color] There was an optimistic anxiousness in Starfire’s voice. She was not comfortable but she wanted to keep going. 

Zyra gave the alien a good, long look, before finally smiling at her. She was wary of the newcomers, but perhaps this was who Clio wanted as her second? It wasn't a matter she could pry into, not now, at least. "The rest of the family's been awaiting you, Cousin. Nou rate ou."

Taking Clio's hand, Zyra lead the girl up past the playing children and the mothers who gave Starfire uneasy glances. Opening the door, a familiar flush of scents hit Clio's nose. Earthy herbs, spices, fresh baked bread and desserts. Clio's face relaxed almost immediately, the scents of her childhood wrapping around her. 

Family members of all different ages and sizes surrounded them. They had seemingly been alerted to her presence, and Clio knew who had informed them. The two teenagers from earlier that afternoon were leaning against one of the upstairs banisters, watching with smirks on their faces. Clio shot them a glare, despite her pettiness being ridiculous seeing as she was far older. 

Clio glanced around the room, and swallowed. She wasn't sure what to say, or do. Matriarch Zaalia wasn't around, so she couldn't get on her knee and swear fealty again. To her left, she heard someone stomping rapidly down the staircase. Shadows wrapped around her body, pulling her forcibly toward another person. She forced herself not to cry out or struggle, even as she was tucked into the arms of her Cousin Theo. 

"Cousin!" He roared with laughter, and the rest of the Delphine clan followed as he began to give her braids a noogie. At this, she did put up some resistance, crying out and throwing her hands up over her head to keep them from getting disrupted.

At last, Theo released her from his hold, only to spin her around, hold her by the shoulders, and give her a hard stare. Clio kept her eyes ahead of her, staring him down and hopefully making him just as uncomfortable. It had been a while since they had seen each other, but everything came rushing back.

From the open window to the right of the door, the large black raven that had trailed them since they entered the city entered. Flying directly for Theo, it beat its wings lightly before settling onto his shoulder. It, too, now stared at Clio alongside him.

Clio squinted at the large avian creature, then back up at Theo. [color=EF1956]"Have you been watching us?"[/color] She asked, recalling Starfire mentioning a bird earlier. It could've very well been a different bird, but coincidences were unlikely here. 

Theo scoffed. "What type of Cousin do you think I am, estipid?" He asked, poking at her. "I don't control Effy's actions."

[color=EF1956]"Alright,"[/color] Clio said, obviously not accepting this answer, but leaving it in the past. She batted away at Theo's arms, applying more force than necessary. Theo may have been her favorite, but this casual power move had been ridiculous. She had set herself below him long ago, due to him being the Matriarch's son.

Turning, she looked for Starfire. The girl had been approached by several family members, and was currently being observed from an arm's distance away. Someone had offered her a slice of sweet potato pie, which Clio huffed at. She loved the stuff, and they were giving it to someone who couldn't even eat!

Starfire shook her head politely at the offer. [color=c4df9b]”I am sorry, I do not eat food.”[/color] Infact, ever since her encounter at that restaurant  18 days ago, the stuff looked disgusting to the alien. But she did not want to say that, because that would be rude. Everyone else seemed to enjoy it. Everyone else was also looking at Clio and her and Starfire felt like she was sticking out even more than she usually did.  

"You don't eat? How do you not eat and you [I]still[/I] look thicker than Clio?" Asked one of the males who were observing her. [color=c4df9b]”Thicker…?”[/color] The woman who had offered up the pie looked a bit upset, but slowly moved back toward the kitchen. 

Clio stepped toward them, putting a hand on Starfire's shoulder. [color=EF1956]"Please, don't mess with Star. If she needs something, I ask that you give it to her. My place is hers."[/color] The alien looked appreciatively over at Clio.

One of the women opened her mouth to say something, but Clio assumed her words and cut her off. [color=EF1956]"If anyone wants to challenge me again, feel free."[/color] She raised her voice, even though she felt like crawling within herself, assuming the fetal position and hiding. 

The raven’s head darted about the room, seeming almost curious as to which of them would offer a challenge to Clio first. At no point did she ever caw, or make any sort of noise that would disturb the palpable tension in the room.

The gathered family then began to step aside, like trees forced apart by the movement of some large animal. The source of this disturbance was soon revealed to be none other than Caleb, standing at an impressive six feet and six inches tall. His black shirt grasped tightly at his defined, muscular frame, his face angular and handsome, in a “classic hero” sort of way.

“I’ll challenge you,” he said, grinning with a mouth of gleaming white teeth. It looked as if he was posing for a sports magazine cover. “Though, it might be the last one you’re able to accept for a while.”

Clio let out a string of mental curses. She glanced at Starfire, though, and knew she had to take the challenge. Not doing so would be a sure sign of weakness, and it would put Starfire in a precarious position of weakness. The alien looked worried, not knowing how destructive this challenge would be. She took a few nervous steps backwards.

Clio straightened, adjusting her hair like it wasn't a big deal. Mentally, she was panicking. While Makaya seemed up for the challenge --currently doing a series of mental push-ups and flexing her strength-- Clio was anything but sure. She begged Makaya to work whatever was ailing her out. 

[color=EF1956][I]Shut the fuck up, I got this.[/I][/color] Her better half said, and Clio nodded at Caleb. She tried to recall his face, recall him. It hit her, and she stumbled, face dropping. 

[color=EF1956]"Cal?"[/color] She asked, the nickname for her younger cousin. He had been such a cute baby, lacking this animosity. She supposed everyone had to grow up. [color=EF1956]"I accept, Caleb."[/color] She said proudly, summoning up her daggers. It was like summoning through quicksand, but she ignored that. Makaya would get through it. 

With those words, the home shifted. Suddenly, the entire area was covered in a thick blanket of shadow, produced by the surrounding family members. It was a protective measure, for when challenges were performed in the home rather than the Breakdown. Many children fled, alongside their mothers. Some stayed, settling against the new wall of shadow to watch the fight.

Those three words were all Caleb needed to hear from Clio. He didn’t seem to be in the mood to reminisce about the old days. Sucking in air, he flexed his considerable musculature, and the surrounding shadows immediately wrapped themselves around him like armor, leaving only his eyes visible through a narrow slit.

Lowering his head, he stepped forward with such a force that the floorboards beneath his feet audibly cracked. The distance between them was closed in an instant, the vastly larger Delphine rocketing towards Clio shoulder first like a battering ram. His face was tucked down, likely to protect the only vulnerable part of his body.

While Clio was struggling magically, that tea had made her feel better physically than she had in awhile. Coupling that with her actually eating something for the first time in a day or three, she was practically in her prime. Knowing that Caleb's momentum prevented him from drastically changing course, she jumped to the side, shifting into a roll midair and launching back up to her feet. She launched her first dagger at the back of his neck, sure her accuracy would be off with the sheer amount of force she exerted in order to get through his shadow. 

[color=EF1956][I]Don't evade! Get back in there, we don't jump around![/I][/color] Makaya roared, willing Clio to step in. Clio's feet remained firmly planted, though her body was screaming at her. [color=EF1956]"We evade, when you're struggling!"[/color] She hissed under her breath. 

Caleb grunted when the knife struck the back of his armor. He had apparently felt it, but it had nevertheless failed to do any meaningful damage. Rounding on her, he roared out a laugh. “Think your fast, do you? You haven’t seen speed yet, cousin!”

“ARE. YOU. READY?!” he shouted, flexing proudly for the “audience”. Clio stared at him, shocked. He then crouched, launching himself into the air with a powerful leap. Spinning rapidly, spikes rapidly grew along his shadow armor before firing in all directions like deadly quills, each one capable of killing if it struck a vital area.

The audience suddenly summoned up shields of shadow around themselves. Up until this point, they had only been watching. Some seemed bored, in fact. Others mumbled to the person next to them, giving their two cents on the fight. It was obvious that this was normal. 

In the split second Clio had to glance around while the spikes were being launched her way, she noticed that no one had gone to protect Starfire. Why would they, when she was only worth as much as Clio? Forcing herself to ignore Makaya's request to protect their body, rather than hers, she summoned up a shadow barrier that coated Star. It moved slowly, encasing her in a thin layer of darkness. The quills would still penetrate, but they wouldn't do nearly as much damage. It was all Clio could do, she felt her head ripping to shreds at the exertion. 

Clio awaited her anticlimactic death, staring at the shocked Starfire, but it never came. She looked in front of her, and a thick wall of shadow had been placed before her body, absorbing each quill. She didn't reveal her shock, but she felt it in every nerve of her body. Someone had interfered. 

That was the one rule. No one could tamper with the fight, or support their favored family members. Whoever had broken that rule would've been in big trouble if Clio had decided to snitch. Luckily for them, she was more grateful than furious. 

[color=EF1956][I]Focus, Clio![/I][/color] Makaya snapped, struggling to take control. She was completely and utterly pissed. Not only because Caleb had performed an attack that damaged her charge, but because Clio was a blundering idiot. As the shadow barrier fell, Clio launched another dagger at Caleb, summoning her previous one and rushing forward while his armor was still down. 

She could do it. They could do it. As she neared, she suddenly went low, kicking out at Caleb's legs in an attempt to sweep them.

The sweep connected with a distinct, bone withering crack, like a wooden bat slamming into a brick wall. Caleb’s massive leg remained unmoved. Furthermore, the dagger she had thrown had [i]also[/i] met its mark, striking him directly in the chest...where all but the very tip protruded, the end having been literally seized by his flexing pectoral muscles.

Immediately reaching down to seize Clio’s extended calf, he gripped it tightly and began to swing her wildly overhead like a cowboy with a lasso. Laughing, he plucked the dagger held between his pecs free with his other hand. “Your toys won’t be enough to fell me, cousin!”

He then reared back and hurled it far into the darkness surrounding them. With that taken care of, he slammed Clio down onto the ground, before lifting her high again to repeat the attack for several more rounds. 

Finally releasing her, he leaped into the air once more, recalling his shadowy armor as he fell in an attempted bodyslam.

Clio knew she was light, but he tossed her around like a feather. She kept her arms around her head each time he slammed her into the ground, protecting her cranium. Her body was on its own. Luckily, the shadow beneath her was cushiony, but it still hurt like hell every time she was brutally thrown against it. Her calf screamed, his grip so tight she was concerned her knee would dislocate. 

Her vision was blurred, and as he went through the air to catch her in a crushing bodyslam, she lazily rolled. Her right arm didn't follow, and was caught beneath him. She screamed as it snapped, but pulled it out from beneath him anyways. It was already broken, why care about it now? She forced herself not to look at the bone protruding through the skin, scrambling to her feet. Starfire gasped and grimaced at the horrible wound.  [color=c4df9b]”Get up, Clio!”[/color] 

Her world was spinning, the pain was agonizing, and she was ready to give in. Before she could force herself to her knee, the chilling grip of someone pushing their will over her consciousness overtook her. 

[color=EF1956]"You're fucking dead, Slave!"[/color] Makaya roared. The proclamation was serious. Calling a family member a slave before they were dead was ridiculously sinister. But so was breaking a family member's arm with a bodyslam. At least, in her mind.

Caleb glared down at her, but nevertheless backed away several paces. He knew that drastic change in tone--it was Makaya. Still, he wasn’t scared of her demon! His MUSCLES were demons, and he had dozens of them ready to pulverize her! He flexed imposingly, even though his armor largely hid this fact.

Caleb's mother, who had been standing alone in one corner of the room, scowled at the sudden resurgence of Makaya. Leave it to Clio to use her demon against a regular member of the family. That being said, if her child didn't take this seriously, he'd end up a true slave. 

"Sispann pitye alantou, ti bebe mwen an!" She shouted, trying to penetrate the thick skull Caleb had when he was fighting. She knew it was wrong to interfere, but she'd take the punishment over the death of her son.

Caleb’s shoulders slumped at his mother’s admonishment, and he ceased to flex. Casting a sheepish glance in her direction, he mumbled, “Regrèt, manman.”

With that, his shadow armor partly faded. His head, neck, and crotch remained protected, as were most of his joints, but the provenly endurant muscles of his pecs, abs, and limbs were now unguarded.

He raised his hands, also armored, in a ready fighting stance, awaiting Makaya’s move.

[color=EF1956]"Really? You're gonna listen to your [I]Manman[/I]? Where's your pride, Slave?"[/color] Makaya asked, taunting him, she began to prowl around him, keeping her left side toward him. Her right arm hung limp, a constant source of pain.

“Some of us still respect our family, traitor,” said Caleb, making sure to always face her as she circled him.

[color=EF1956]"Your respect is forced, remember when you wanted to run off and be a professional fighter, like your father?"[/color] Makaya asked, pausing and staring at her manicured fingers. She stroked her chin in wonder. [color=EF1956]"Wasn't your manman the same woman who made you stay, and grovel beneath the rest of the family? That was the year I left, yeah?"[/color]

“Of course you would say that,” he growled. “You’re a vile snake of a woman, just like the rest of your branch. That’s why…”

While Caleb's eyes were focused on her, the shadows behind him began to shift. It was a slow process, but with his attention on her, she managed to make three, thick tendrils. They were sharper than daggers at the ends. In a swift motion, they dived toward his back.

Caleb rolled to the side just as the tendrils were nearly upon him, the trio plunging into the floor. “...I KNEW YOU WOULD ATTACK ME FROM BEHIND, COWARD!”

Launching himself forward again, Makaya would note that her shadowy tendrils had been ensnared by Caleb’s own--the shadows he hadn’t used for his armor. They weren’t attempting to disperse them, but rather to force them to retain their forms and remain stationary.

Meanwhile, Caleb was upon her. This time, he did not unleash any of his fancy wrestling moves, having assumed a disciplined boxing stance. Like industrial pistols, his armored, spiked knuckles shot out at her with inhuman speed and power, a rapid succession of straights aimed at smashing her face to a pulp.

With the same level of speed, Makaya bobbed and dodged the assault. From the sides, two tendrils of shadows launched out like battering rams, slamming into Caleb repeatedly. She kept a firm hold on them, so he couldn't take control. 

Caleb grunted, falling back under the assault as he was smashed into repeatedly by the rams. It hurt...but he wasn’t afraid of pain. Raising his arms as the pistons were coming in for another attack, he crouched and angled his body to the side to allow them to slip past before seizing them beneath his arms. Using his momentum, he swung his massive feet forward from this position to deliver a double kick to Makaya’s chest.

Makaya grunted as she was launched by the kick, her body flailing as she attempted to catch herself. She couldn't really [I]use[/I] her right arm in the catch, but she did so anyways. The bone stuck out further, but she didn't seem to care. That was Clio's pain to deal with, for being weak. 

Launching forward after shaking off the attack and sucking in a breath, she summoned up her daggers and feigned a throw. It soared past his head, close to his ear, but she threw up another ram of shadow to pummel into the other side of his skull, hoping he'd move to the side to dodge the dagger and slam himself into it.

The results of this attack played out exactly as Makaya had hoped, with the ram impacting Caleb’s head with enough force to send the giant of a man toppling over onto the ground with a mighty grunt of pain. His eyes crossed from behind his helmet, which began to fade along with his armor, due to his lack of focus.

Makaya took this as her time to strike. She let out a battle cry that ended in a twisted laugh, pouncing through the air to land on Caleb. She encased her left fist in thick black shadow, and began pummeling his face. 

"Koulèv la touye ti bebe mwen an!" Caleb's mother screamed, rushing forward. A barrier of shadow pushed her against the wall, and she was forced to watch through a small slit in the void. 

At the sound of his mother’s voice, Caleb’s eyes snapped back into focus, even as he was pummelled. He could feel the firing burning through his face. It hurt. It hurt incredibly bad...it would be quite reasonable to give up.

Reasonable, yes…but not [i]honorable.[/i]

He hated the sound of concern being levied in his direction. He was a proud champion. He couldn’t go down like this. Never like this, on his back.

No. The three count wasn’t up. The bell...HADN’T SOUNDED YET!

“GRYAAAH!” Caleb suddenly roared, rising to his feet with such a speed that Makaya would not have time to dismount him. His arms snapped forward to encase her in a bearhug, beginning to squeeze as his eyes went bloodshot. Shadows wrapped around them both in that moment, strengthening his grip further.

“MUSCLE...FOREVER!!”

Makaya roared out in pain as her right arm was crushed by his musculature. Her body writhed, panic threatening to consume her. Panic that wasn't hers.

[I][color=EF1956]No![/color][/I] She forced their body to calm, easing her will over Caleb's shadows. When that didn't work, she forced it. She was more powerful, she was older. She was [I]superior.[/I] Her head split, her scalp threatening to explode with the burning pain of control. She screamed, ripping the shadows away and loosening his hold. She forced them back onto him, squeezing between the sliver of a gap that separated them and exploding outward. She was ripped from his grasp, and thrown onto the ground. Her body was an aching mess, she struggled to lift herself up. 

Her fight was almost over. She could feel It. 

He could hear it. Their cheers.

The children in the audience, carrying signs that read “Hardcore Caleb” on them. Even though his mother had pleaded with him to stay, and even though he had relented...he still hadn’t truly let go of his dream. The sight of himself standing in that ring, his arms held high.

If he lost, he would never reach it. His only chance was to ascend. To rise until he was great enough that none could tell him how to live his life.

He would hear their cheers. He would bring them their smiles.

Roaring with such a force that the shadows around them trembled, he pit his will, his determination against Makaya’s and wrested his shadows free. Encasing his hand in a massive fist of darkness, he launched himself at her with all the force of a speeding locomotive.

This was it. His everything. His heart, his passion, his determination.

“STOP IT IF YOU CAN!!” he shouted. “THE FIST OF A CHAMPION!”

Caleb would never give. It wasn't his nature. Nor was it Makaya's. Clio, however, didn't feel the same way. Gone was her past, the days when she relished in these fights. The only thing that kept her going was Starfire, her respect for her friend. Her desire to keep her afloat in a family of intrigue. Glancing over at Starfire, she felt tears bubbling up in the corner of her eyes. She had failed her. 

Makaya was eager to finish this, but their body was broken. In the moment before the charging fist connected with their body, Clio used her demon's weakened state to take over. She sat up, taking a knee. A tendril of darkness locked around Caleb's waist, trapping him before he could finish his attack. 

The darkness around them faded, and the family entered the arena. Matriarch Zaalia entered with them, clapping her hands together once.

"Someone, take Clio to the infirmary. Caleb, congratulations." She said, her voice extremely commanding. 

Someone swept Clio up into their arms, and she collapsed against their chest. Tears dripped from her eyes, but she said nothing as she was whisked away.

But though the darkness had faded, Caleb continued to struggle against the shadow tendril, intend on delivery his last, desperate punch. Frighteningly, the shadow started to buckle, until a loud clang rang out through the room.

Instantly, sense returned to his eyes, and they fell upon a boy standing in front of their mother. His little brother, Jacob. He had just smacked a ladle against a pot. The bell had sounded.

Allowing the shadow to fade from his hand, he began panting. Now that the fight was over, all of his injuries were quickly reasserting themselves, and he was forced to find a table to keep himself upright.

Starfire was in the corner of the room with her arm behind her back and her defences up. Seeing Clio clearly injured and the man named Caleb no longer engaged in combat, she quicly tried to follow her friend into the infirmary. 

No one prevented Starfire from joining Clio. They were all busy congratulating Caleb and doing what they could to patch up the victor. The man who had taken Clio turned to Starfire, flashing her an apologetic smile. It was Theo.

"Mind telling me what's wrong with her?" He asked, a subtle annoyance in his tone. "Before she left, she would've been able to take out Caleb as he is now."  

Clio mumbled something, but her tongue was thick in her throat and it came out unintelligible. She was laid down on a bed in the infirmary, which was filled with cabinets that contained bandages and medicines. On top of each cabinet were two small cauldrons. After Clio was laid out, Theo turned to one and filled it with a green liquid. 

He began throwing items in the cauldron, mumbling under his breath in Creole. It bubbled and thickened, smelling of herbs. 

Starfire was about to shook her head, but then thought for a moment. [color=c4df9b]”I believe she was poisoned recently.”[/color] She remembered, giving a knowing shake of her finger. Or rather, Makaya was. Makaya who was mean, though Star still had not seen her yet. Clio mentioned needing Makaya to win that fight.

[color=c4df9b]”Also, her arm is broken. Can you fix that?”[/color] She asked, looking concernedly over his shoulder and at her hospitalized friend.

"Poisoned? With what?" He asked, eying Clio. Poison may have explained her extreme loss of weight, too. She had been so...full of life, before she left. Still struggling with depression, and her inner demon, but hopeful and strong. This wasn't the same Clio. Something had ruined her. 

When Starfire asked about her arm, Theo nodded. "I plan on doing just that…" He said, taking a spoon and stirring the mixture. It was like a thick paste now. Forest green and smelling so strongly of herbs it hurt the nose. 

Lifting the cauldron, he placed it beside the bed. Taking Clio's arm, he gave her a soft look before snapping it back into place roughly. She cried out, and he ran a hand over her braids to soothe some of her pain. After a few moments of that, he took the paste within the pot and began slathering it over her broken flesh. Clio felt a strong burning sensation, but she kept herself still. It took her mind off her mental pain.

Grabbing some bandages, Theo wrapped the arm up tightly, and looked over at Starfire. "Should mend itself soon enough." He said, shrugging. That was all he could do for her. "But she's weak. If she weren't so thin and lacking in energy, it wouldn't take near as long."

Starfire cringed at the crude but effective fixing of her broken bone, and then went to the side of her friend. 

[color=c4df9b]”I believe the poisoning was a miscommunication. It was supposed to be helpful. I also did not know Clio was thin and lacking of energy. You were not always like this, Clio?”[/color] She asked, leaning slightly over the side of the bed. 

Clio looked over at Star, her face hot. She nodded slightly, ashamed but unable to speak on it. 

"Before she left she was…" He resisted the urge to say beautiful, something his other half wanted to put out into the world. "Healthy. No one's been taking care of her, obviously. You're her friend, aren't you? You haven't been able to tell she's not been eating?" He knew it wasn't their responsibility to force feed her, but when she had lived with the family all it took was gentle encouragement to make her swallow down a meal. Clio needed positive reinforcement, it was who she was. 

Starfire regarded Theo sadly. She was not paying any attention at all to Clio’s eating habits. All she did was offer her some cookies, and Clio refused those. [color=c4df9b]”No, I was not. I am sorry for not taking good care of your cousin. I will do more in the future, I promise.”[/color] Just like she promised to keep Karen safe. She did not even know where Karen was.

Since Clio lacked the strength to comfortably speak, Starfire withdrew from the bed and began to wait at the wall. This was not going at all how she expected. They had only been at Clio’s house for half an hour before she was grievously injured. 

Staring down at them from the medicine cabinet, Effy gently cawed in Theo’s direction, the first sound she had made. She had been perched on his shoulder for the entire fight, and had only moved when he went to take Clio to the infirmary. Her head craned towards Clio, her black eyes practically boring into her.

Clio stared back at the bird, lifting her hand to disturb a shadow next to it in the hopes of making it flee. [color=EF1956]"Why?[/color] She attempted, but it came out throaty and slurred.

To Starfire and Theo, it would appear as if Clio had randomly raised her hand without purpose, for the shadows did not move. It wasn’t because Makaya was too weak this time, however. They [i]wanted[/i] to obey, but something was...forcing them not to.

Clio's brow furrowed. She didn't like this bird, at all. Whatever was messing with her shadows had something to do with that creature. 

Theo glanced at Effy, shrugging. "Maybe she likes you?" He waved it off, turning his attention back to Starfire. "Thank you, Starfire. That being said, the best thing you could do for her is to leave her here to recover."

Starfire twisted her mouth to the side. She once again subconsciously performed her anxious  tick, holding her arm behind her back and rocking back and forth on her heels. [color=c4df9b]”Will my presence bother her? I would rather make sure she is safe. I do not need to sleep or sit, I will be fine here.”[/color] Starfire also felt safer in here. She did not believe she was in danger in this house, but what if someone decided to challenge her? Or Starfire made a mistake? She already refused the sweet potato pie. Plus, Clio was the reason she came down here in the first place.

Clio glanced at Starfire, sympathetic. She felt like a failure in her presence, she was surprised the girl was still around. The fact that she wanted to protect her was endearing, but she couldn't take the pressure. Still, where else could Star go? 

Theo took in the silent exchange. "Your presence here is fine, but why don't I show you around the estate? Clio needs rest, she won't be able to relax until she knows [I]you're[/I] safe. You'll be safe with me."

Starfire bit her lip. Theo knew more about this than she did. She considered Clio briefly and then looked over Clio’s cousin. The last thing the alien wanted was to be a burden. After a moment of thought, Starfire nodded. [color=c4df9b]”Okay.”[/color] She said quietly. 

Clio waved her goodbye, and fell against her pillow as they left. Theo closed the door behind them, locking it. He motioned for Starfire to follow, and began their tour.

Now alone, Effy flew down from her perch atop the medical cabinet, landing on one of the lights near Clio’s bed. Staring down at her from this closer vantage point, the raven loomed in silence, seemingly searching for something within the bedridden girl.

Clio's nostrils flared, and she reached out with her left hand to shoo away the familiar. [color=EF1956]"Leave me be, Effy."[/color]

But the raven didn’t budge. Her black eyes continued staring deeply into Clio’s. Deeper and deeper, until they were looking [i]past[/i] them. Into the very depths of her being, until at last Makaya herself could feel them upon her.

Clio gasped, and Makaya responded with her usual aggression. She closed herself away, mentally flipping off the bird. 

[color=#5566db]“Struggle,”[/color] a voice whispered inside Clio, not directed at her, but Makaya. It was a coercion spell, but it might as well have been on another dimensional plane in comparison to the one her younger cousin had used earlier. It was, simply put, overwhelming.

Makaya screamed, rising to the forefront and manipulating the shadows around herself. They launched toward the bird, sharp and volatile.

And yet...they didn’t?

The shadows, though they felt her call and seemingly desired to obey it, refused. Effy, seemingly satisfied with this show of strength, spoke again. “Relax.”

[color=EF1956]"Fuck off, Effy."[/color] Makaya said viciously, despite her body being entirely calm. Her mind was screaming, realizing everything that was going on. 

[color=#5566db]“Now, sleep,”[/color] commanded Effy again, the voice not a physical one, but within her mind, commanding Makaya to go dormant. For the time being, at least.

Makaya struggled uselessly, before collapsing in Clio's mind. Clio stared at Effy, feeling defenseless and frightened. She prodded at Makaya, but she was out cold. Clio had the urge to scream or run, but she couldn't.

Effy raised her head slightly, and the shadows off the room sprang to life, consuming the infirmary in much the same way that the “arena” had consumed the house earlier. Once this was done, the raven leapt from the light and flew down to the floor, vanishing from Clio’s sight.

Like a snake slithering up from a charmer’s basket, a cloaked, humanoid figure began to rise above the edge of her bed until it loomed over her.

Clio threw a punch at its face as it rose. 

The cloaked woman blinked when she was punched, reflexively reaching up to touch her face, even though it hadn’t hurt. Shifting somewhat awkwardly on her feet for a moment, she cleared her throat. [color=#5566db]“Well, you certainly ruined my ominous introduction, didn’t you?”[/color]

Clio scowled, sitting up straight. Picking up the cauldron, she swung it at the woman's face, followed by a bedpan and whatever else she could get her hands on. Whoever she was, she didn't belong in her home. She had entrapped her, and shut down Makaya. If that didn't make her bad, then what did?

The cauldron made a distinctive [i]bong[/i] as it struck the woman’s head, the other medical equipment similarly shattering or breaking against her. Sighing in frustration, she pursed her lips. [color=#5566db]“Yes, yes. Can you perhaps [i]not?”[/i][/color]

The shadows that covered the floor shot up to bind Clio in place. Their hold wasn’t painful--they had take special care with her arm, it seemed--but they would hold her firmly in place. [color=#5566db]“There, that’s better. Now, would you please permit me to speak without attempting to bludgeon me further?”[/color]

[color=EF1956]"What do you want?"[/color] Clio asked, struggling against her binding for a moment before resting. 

[color=#5566db]“Potentially? To help you,”[/color] she said, smiling. Reaching up to lower the hood of her cloak, Aelia shook out her light blonde hair, which fell a short way beneath her shoulders. Taking the ends of her cloak, she performed a rather formal curtsey. [color=#5566db]“My name is Aelia Marcella Lumena. I am from the Mage Consortium, do you know it?”[/color]

[color=EF1956]"No, I don't know it. And if you want to help me, I suggest you release me. These bindings aren't helpful."[/color] Clio's voice was full of spite. 

[color=#5566db]“Will you continue heroically smashing the medical equipment on me if I do?”[/color] asked Aelia, folding her arms.

[color=EF1956]"Pa gen manman, pa janm."[/color] Clio said, batting her lashes.

Aelia smiled, releasing her bindings. [color=#5566db]“Trè bon, ti fi."[/color]

Clio huffed, sitting up straighter and cradling her arm. [color=EF1956]"Okay, please explain why you're here."[/color]

[color=#5566db]“Well, I was here before [i]you,[/i] technically speaking,”[/color] said Aelia, curling a blonde strand of hair around her gloved finger. [color=#5566db]“I have been for more than a week. It’s a part of my assignment, you see; but I digress. None of that really matters to you, does it? No, you wish to know why we’re having this conversation.”[/color]

Aelia called a chair over to Clio’s bed before sitting in it. Her posture was impeccable, her legs politely closed and her hands folded neatly in her lap. [color=#5566db]“I would be lying if I said my first week as ‘Effy’ the raven familiar was all that I had hoped it would be. I learned precious little about the Delphines, or their goals. A hundred idle conversations about often morbid, but unambitious topics. It was very frustrating work, maintaining that form for occasionally hours at a time for naught. Do you know how often ravens must relieve themselves? Too often.”[/color]

[color=#5566db]“But that all changed a week ago, when you called your mother,”[/color] said Aelia, smiling coyly. [color=#5566db]“Suddenly, one couldn’t [i]stop[/i] speaking of their family’s great destiny, and how you were ‘threatening it with your foolish disregard for their traditions.’ Oh, the things I learned...their plans to turn dear Theo into a demon who could lead their family to glory, and how you--or rather Makaya--might have been in his place, had you stayed.”[/color]

Aelia chuckled, raising her hands in a shrug. [color=#5566db]“Of course, we both know that’s impossible, yes? Makaya could never be what they wish for her to be. Even if she consumes you entirely.”[/color]

Clio struggled to take all of this in, her brow furrowing. This was a lot of information to process, but she appeared to take it with ease. She knew that Theo had a ‘demon’ as well, but he was far away from being consumed. At least...she hoped so. As for what she said about Makaya...Clio pursed her lips. [color=EF1956]”And what do they wish for her to be, exactly?”[/color] She asked, wondering why Makaya wouldn’t be able to fulfill that role.

[color=#5566db]“Oh? So it’s true--they haven’t let you in on the family’s ‘great destiny’?”[/color] asked Aelia, though she didn’t seem to desire an actual answer from Clio. [color=#5566db]“Well, essentially, they were hoping Makaya would consume you completely, and become their new demonic Head of House. From there, they would assist the Blackthorn Coven in at last overthrowing New Orleans, in exchange for a position of power and privilege within the ranks of the Three-Horned God’s followers.”[/color]

[color=#5566db]“Of course, since you left, they had to find an…[i]alternative.”[/i][/color]

Clio considered this, then busted up laughing. [color=EF1956]”You’re really accusing my family of working with the Blackthorns?”[/color] That was absolutely ridiculous. 

Aelia shrugged, standing from her seat. [color=#5566db]“You don’t have to take my word for it. Spend enough time around Theo and the rest of your family, and you’ll discover the truth--as I did.”[/color]

[color=#5566db]“Just...make certain not to lose yourself in the process,”[/color] said Aelia, smirking. [color=#5566db]“Remember, it’s not [i]you[/i] they’re interested in, Clio. Though, as I said--Makaya will fail to meet their expectations. She is...incomplete; defective. Theo’s demon is more of a threat. He works in harmony with his master.”[/color]

Clio looked away. Everyone kept saying these things about Makaya. It was starting to work its way through. And while she didn’t believe everything Aelia was saying...she wanted to know why she presumed this about her second half. 

[color=EF1956]”Why do you say that? What makes her...defective?”[/color] She spat the last word out. 

For the first time during their conversation, Aelia seemed to be genuinely surprised by her question. [color=#5566db]“You’re not aware? She’s [i]your[/i] demon, and you’ve surely felt the effects...”[/color]

Shaking her head, Aelia reached out to poke Clio’s stomach. Clio cringed, the slight touch enough to make her gag. [color=#5566db]“You’re not a great journey away from being emaciated. Do you think that’s normal? Furthermore, during your battle, Makaya seized complete control over you, even though you wished to surrender.”[/color]

[color=#5566db]“Do you [i]really[/i] think that’s how Chaos Magic is supposed to work? Losing yourself to the embodiment of your power? Becoming ill with its use?”[/color]

Clio frowned, protecting her stomach with her hands. She wanted to curl up in a little ball and disappear. [color=EF1956]”Well...how do I make it stop?”[/color] She asked with a small voice, feeling traitorous for wanting the best for herself. She knew that Chaos Magic didn’t affect everyone in the way it affected her. But no one had told her she was wrong, before. Except Karen...and that had been a large blunder. 

Aelia sighed, once again brushing a blonde tress behind her ear. [color=#5566db]“A Chaos Mage who reaches their full potential is one who has achieved an understanding with their inner demon. It embodies the power, yes? But [i]you[/i], Clio, wield it. It marches to the beat of [i]your[/i] drum, because it respects you. Such is the relationship I have with my demon, Clarissa.”[/color]

[color=#5566db]“But Makaya has become parasitic. For whatever reason--self-doubt, feelings of inferiority, childhood truama--she views herself as being [i]superior[/i] to you,”[/color] continued Aelia, pacing the room as if she were a lecturing professor. [color=#5566db]“She is a manifestation of your own self-loathing, in a way; and thus strives to be everything you feel you’re not. You made her this way through your lack of confidence. At least, that is what I suspect to be the origin of the problem.”[/color]

Clio cringed, rubbing at her chest. She could feel her heart beating softly. Could this all be true? Was Makaya really the result of her issues? She didn’t want to believe that, but she felt like this woman was smarter than she. The fact that she had her own demon solidified that. [color=EF1956]”Okay…”[/color] She said slowly, gently. Her heart was aching now. [color=EF1956]”How do I fix her?”[/color]

[color=#5566db]“As I said, your inner demon must [i]respect[/i] you, Clio,”[/color] said Aelia firmly. Leaning forward to look her directly in the eye, she asked her next piercing question. [color=#5566db]“Can you envision Makaya ever doing so? Ever agreeing to embody the power you wield, instead of demanding control?”[/color]

Clio couldn’t, but she didn’t want to admit that. Makaya was headstrong. She believed she was better in every way...she was right. [color=EF1956]”I don’t know...but she’s my friend. She’s a part of me, I can’t just throw her away.”[/color] 

Aelia gave her a coy smile. [color=#5566db]“Ah, but I did not say you had to get rid of her...and yet you already know that is what must be done, don’t you? Even if you don’t wish to admit it.”[/color]

[color=#5566db]“No, Makaya is not your friend. She is a parasitic demon using your body to grow strong enough to overtake you,”[/color] explained Aelia, resting her hands upon her hips. [color=#5566db]“Any perceived kindness or protectiveness on her part is simply due to the fact that you share a body. It is self-preservation from an entity with very base, instinctual desires.”[/color]

She then raised a finger before Clio could offer up a counterargument. [color=#5566db]“But you must be thinking--’without Makaya, I’m powerless!’. Not so. You must have wielded Chaos before she manifested, yes? You can do so again, and, in time, a new demon will manifest within you. And if you follow my advice and find the strength to value and respect yourself, it will do the same. It will be your lifelong partner. A [i]true[/i] partner.”[/color]

Clio shook her head immediately. She couldn’t wait, not when she had Makaya there right now. She knew it would sound silly, but she needed [i]someone[/i]. She had never been alone, ever since she turned thirteen. She couldn’t even sleep without knowing Makaya was there. How could she wait for a new demon, and what if they were even worse? [color=EF1956]”I-I can’t…”[/color] She mumbled, looking at the wall. 

[color=#5566db]“Then you will die,”[/color] said Aelia simply. [color=#5566db]“Makaya will consume you, and your family will have not a leader, but a mad attack dog that must be kept on a very short leash until she can prove to be useful in some simple capacity. Is that the life you desire for yourself? Is that the life you’re willing to accept, just so you can cling to the companionship of an entity that will gladly devour your soul when the day finally comes?”[/color]

[color=EF1956]”She-”[/color] Clio nearly finished with ‘wouldn’t do that’, but her voice fell flat. Karen had been trying to tell her something similar. She had trusted Karen before, but it was Makaya that had torn them apart. Now, this complete stranger was attacking her with supposed facts. Clio had to consider the truth of the matter. She also had to consider that if she wasn’t lying about this, she probably wasn’t lying about her family’s collusion with the Blackthorns. 

Tears began to pour from her eyes. The thought of removing Makaya mortified her, but her death at the hands of someone she loved were enough to petrify. [color=EF1956]”Give me time...to think. I still don’t know why you’re helping me.”[/color]

Aelia tilted her head to the side. [color=#5566db]“Well, it would be the very height of cruelty to do nothing when I see someone destined for such a gruesome fate. I would also rather not wish to see a city of more than two hundred thousand people become sacrifices for the Blackthorn Coven, and so I’m hoping you will help me to save poor Theo as well.”[/color]

[color=#5566db]“In the meantime, would you please lend me your gaze for but one moment longer?”[/color] asked Aelia, leaning over to stare into her eyes.

Clio faced Aelia head on, opening her eyes a bit wide so she could enter her mind. 

Aelia once more descended past Clio’s eyes, to the sleeping Makaya. Once there, she extended her finger and swiftly etched a strange rune Clio had never seen before on the back of the inner demon. It glowed red for a brief time, before fading.

Stepping back from her mind, Aelia smiled. [color=#5566db]“That will keep Makaya from accessing any memories you do not wish to share with her. I would highly recommend keeping our conversation confidential.”[/color]

Clio thought about this, then nodded. [color=EF1956]”Thank you...give me until the end of the week. I’ll have made up my mind by then.”[/color] At least, she hoped she would. Otherwise, she’d be long gone. 

[color=#5566db]“Of course,”[/color] said Aelia, stepping towards the door to the infirmary, the shadows now receding. [color=#5566db]“If you need me before then, simply look for Theo. I’m usually with him.”[/color]

Turning the handle, she allowed the door to swing open. Her body then shrank, her robes becoming a black coat of feathers and her face elongating into a black beak. Effy now sat on the floor, and with a quick beat of her wings, she launched herself into the air.

Slowly but surely, Clio allowed herself to fall into a deep slumber. She didn’t turn in her sleep, but her face was scrunched in thought.