Merrett glanced to his left at the younger lizard next to him, then leaned in to share a few words with his sibling, possibly discussing a topic unconventional or even taboo!

After exchanging those words, he leans back and puts some distance between them.

"Can you do it?"
(Merrett lux Rosethorne)


[07:16] Merrett lux Rosethorne whispers: A corpse.
[07:16] Vyphe says, ". . ."
[07:17] Vyphe freezes. Nary a peep from the frozen stiff chickadee.
(Vyphe)


[07:21] Johann turned towards his brother with a puzzled look on his face accompanied by a risen eyebrow. For how odd the question was, and with how visibly confused the older brother was.. he didn't seem particularly disturbed by the ask.

No.

He tackled it with his usual, a faint friendly smile formed on his face and with a tilt of his head he responded, "I'm sorry?"

Looking past Merrett it'd appear that he wasn't being nearly as secretive as he thought he was - judging by Vyphe's reaction. He returned the whisper in kind, however.
(Johann lux Rosethorne)


[07:21] Johann lux Rosethorne whispers: Like.. a person corpse?
[07:29] He stole a glance in her direction, noticing how rigid and possibly even pallid she is, suggesting that the whisper had indeed reached her ears. It seemed he had truly messed up this time.

But he doubles down.

"Yes- A real one, it's important." He nods.

"It absolutely must be a mage, or perhaps even just a simple grunt or a lowly knight -

I honestly don't care, as long as those mana circuits are fired up and buzzing with a good dose of mana.

We on the same page here?" Looks like he was up to no good...
(Merrett lux Rosethorne)


[07:30] Vyphe says, "I-"
[07:30] Vyphe says, "Should grab an amnesia, I suppose."
[07:30] Vyphe says, "Inside..."
[07:30] Merrett lux Rosethorne says, "Go.."
[07:32] Still finding herself unable to really.. Leave- Her childish curiosity grabs the better of her. It was concerning, and without fully registering if she'd want to know the answer, she asks the question:

"What are you up to, Merrett? What sort of request..."
(Vyphe)


[07:35] Ah. How exhausting it was to be the supportive older brother. From the clown-like twin brother to the troublesome younger brother. Alas such were the ups and downs of family bonds.

"Not that I'd say no to my dearest younger brother. Perish the thought. But that is quite the complex task." from a social recluse, as branded by Merrett, to that? It was quite the jump.

Where would he even find such a thing? Many factors to consider, and yet.

He never did say no.
Or question his brother's motives.

For the time being however, his attention shifted to the girl sitting besides the younger Rosethorne. He rose from the bench and moved to her side, then placed his gloved hand atop her head while maintaining his smile.

"He's just being weird, don't think about it too much."
(Johann lux Rosethorne)


[07:41] He reaches out his hand, tousling the shorter girl's hair for a moment, aiming to provide comfort. "Don't worry about it."

He redirected his focus toward Johann, his expression bearing an unmistakable air of seriousness. This was no jest or hyperbole for he had genuine need for a corpse of a mage.

"It's simple- Just, find somebody on the side of the road and do it- Pay somebody to do it...

Get creative!" There's a pause.

"I'd owe you one."
(Merrett lux Rosethorne)


[07:43] Vyphe gives a gaze to the ground... There's no thought in particular. Her head remains empty. With a sluggish kind of vacancy, she slides inside only to come back with said amnesia. Her expression remains... lacking.
(Vyphe)


[07:44] Vyphe commits minecraft drinking noises.
(Vyphe)


[07:53] After a long and deep inhale, a very tired sigh escapes Johann's lips. Brows furrowed with worry whenever his attention shifted to Vyphe. Think about as much as he might, there was no scenario nor timeline in which Johann could deny any of his family were they to ask this sincerely.

How did it go to this point? A lone thought coursed through his mind bringing about memories of the past. Of him and his hyperactive twin brother lacking even a shred of responsibility. Being the more reserved and reasonable of the two Johann had to bear the role of a proper brother figure, as it was nailed into his head over and over for years.

It became his second nature. An instinct.

After a few more reassuring headpats for Vyphe and a gift in the form of more fruit, he set off.. somewhere.

...
.....
.......

Seconds became minutes and minutes turned into hours, but eventually he came back. Despite what one might think given the context, there was not a shred of blood on his clothes nor any signs of conflicts on his fair pale skin. And by his side? Arm over shoulder as if him and Johann were long lost brothers in arms? A happy and unassuming person with a smile on his side. Without much complaint or issue Johann seated them on the bench by Merrett's side.

No murder to be committed this day.
But of course at this point one could realize that when it came to tricks like these, things hardly were what they appeared to be.
(Johann lux Rosethorne)


[08:09] "Good."

And so when Johann embarked on his task to locate the requested corpse, Merrett leisurely stretched out on a bench, surrendering himself to a nap. He patiently awaited his brother's return, anticipating the arrival of the deceased.

Time passed, hours slipped him by until he was roused from slumber by the rustling of trees and brushes. His brother emerged from the wilderness, bearing a body on his shoulder.

The man was sat beside him on the bench, also looks exuding a palpable sense of life, or at least from Vyphe's perspective.

However, Merrett knew better.

He reached a pair of digits, tapping them on the man's neck, assessing for any signs of a pulse.

A few hums arose here and there, followed by a look towards Johann. There's a certain nod of approval.

"I'll be coming back later."

The occultist then hoisted the man onto his shoulder and proceeded to enter the manor, making his way to his chambers. There, he remained.

Not coming out for a while.
(Merrett lux Rosethorne)


[08:23] She chugged the questionable concoction.

She felt it slither down her throat, and she contemplated the time. She thought of things- Many things. And yet, at the same time, she found herself debating the everything of nothing. An offering of fruit is made, and assurances are plastered over the grim tidings. Smiles are erected as if somehow she'd be duped into thinking the obvious was merely jest. Yet, how could she be so?

It is often the folly of those older to forget that even the young can have sense. Though lacking a complete comprehension of scope, she knew that death loomed about the house closer than she would like to imagine. And so, hearing him so brazenly speak these words- Seeing the person she had vouched and vaunted as her mentor and friend- And a nap sprawled out about the bench whilst the worst was afoot?

Even after the circuits were finely tuned to more adapt to her wants... Even as she sat there and refined her razor's edge of ferromancy. . . Even as the crystals were able to eventually be formed into more dynamic and permanent structures. Even so, the entire while she held the pressing issue throbbing in the back of her young mind.

The person beside her, for all the smiles and quips and jokes they'd shared, was more heinous than he'd let on, wasn't he? And yet, she knew that from the beginning as well. She knew that those of the occult held their issues, and realized that perhaps the tales of mother and father were not so estranged after all.

". . ." Words were wanted to be spoken, but what was there to say?

'But why?'
'For what?'

The basket of fruits is snacked on, piece by piece. She starts with the plump and juicy succulents, then moves her way down. Apples and the like, once again neglected. Her appetites more the need to occupy time than true hunger. She'd count her blessings for that, and consider all the safety and assurances this position had brought. She considered her friend beside her.

She considered the promises they shared.

". . ." A little clawed hand reaches into the basket and pries out a forlorn apple. As the rustling returns and a person's limp likeness was settled, burning crimson could only but watch. A feel for a pulse, and ominous wording.

Her friend disappears into the manor.

She takes a firm bite.
(Vyphe)


[08:32] Was it a good deed? Many would consider what just transpired to be undisputable evil and yet.. it helped his brother. It likely made him that much happier. That was his job, was it not? As an older brother?

The illusion cast on the corpse for the sake of the child dissipated into nothing the moment it left Johann's sights. An unassuming mage with no family to their name. Their life taken away with a simple swipe of the sharpened knife across the neck.

Another sigh escapes Johann's lungs, and with Merrett's disappearance into the darkness of his own room he's left to stare into the distant seas underneath the cliff in silence.

Ah. But he wasn't alone.

A glance to his side to observe Vyphe. By now the young girl was more like a retainer, or maybe an adopted sister. But what of her? Merrett was much closer to her in age, it wouldn't be too wild to assume the two of them were friends. And with how they've been acting? Throwing quips and casual insults at each other like that? Very good ones.

The silence was broken.

"Family is difficult."
(Johann lux Rosethorne)


[09:05] Footsteps echoed through the corridors as he bore the body on his shoulder, no longer hidden by the veil of illusionary mists. Upon reaching his personal chamber, he shut the door with a light sound and walked towards the central work desk.

The desk is adorned with an assortment of surgical tools, gloves, and sharp instruments all arranged next to the lifeless corpse of the mage.

Such items constitute the equipment for those who aspire to delve into the practice of necromancy. Everything one might need to conduct experiments on the dead.

In an eerie fashion, he placed his blade against the wall looked at , almost as though he intended to address the weapon. After all, the blade had accumulated a lot of sentimental worth over time.

For It was also imbued with Necromana, making it highly precious, and it symbolized the very knowledge he was eager to acquire

"With you here, I reckon I'll be able to recall that sensation of undeath mana. Sohold steady and observe, Moonshadow." He nodded.

He settled into his chair, across from the desk where the body had been placed, prepared to begin.

With a sharp surgical tool in hand, he incised the pale flesh of the lifeless body, navigating the network of mana circuits. Observing the intricate path of veins woven within, he noted the faint and diminished flow of mana, typical of a corpse.. With this mental image in mind, he began the process of taking the necessary undeath mana.

As he raised his hand upwards, it became cloaked in dark energies of the occult. From the corpse did a vile green stream of energy seep out and swim into Merrett's grasp.

This infusion of energy added on to his reserves of undeath mana, providing him with enough to potentially reanimate a lesser form of undead. For he felt prepared for such a task, having spent time studying runes and glyphs for the past month or so.

This would be the next step.
(Merrett lux Rosethorne)

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Pub: 06 Sep 2023 18:22 UTC
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