There's no place like home...

[medea-recast.livejournal.com]

WHO: Madelyne Pryor medea_recast and open to those that could feel this.
WHERE: A small warehouse in the wrong part of town, in other words, the perfect location for a demonic safe-house.
WHEN: Sunday night.
WARNINGS: NPC transfiguration, and villains making plans?
SUMMARY: Maddie's taking a break from her Alaskan vacation to make herself a new home as outlined HERE. She might go shopping for curtains, but I wouldn't hold your breath.
FORMAT: TL;DR Para to start, then I'll match all taggers?


Power. She could feel it coursing through her veins, giving her life, setting her on fire. But it came slowly. To sink her claws into this one building, it had taken her nearly a full day. An equal time was dedicated to twisting the soul of the poor man that had stumbled in on her as she began. Twenty-four hours and counting. Without Limbo to draw on, everything took longer... but as the magic continued to build under her skin she began to laugh. Despite everything, the power was still there and here it was hers. No demons to be beholden to, no deals to honor, just her and the power. To build, to destroy, whatever she wanted.

So tonight she bent the world, just a little. With a final cry, she released the power within her, feeling it spread out into the building she'd claimed like life's blood through veins. She felt the floor shudder beneath her and settle. The walls began to change, pulsating with life of their own, almost organic as they darkened and twisted. Air through the vents sounded like breathing, and the creaking of supports and timber were like old bones, just beginning to move again. It became hers, and extension of self and will that none could enter without her permission, a home that was truly hers and reflected the darker nature of what passed for her carbon-copy of a soul.

With a smile she slowly turned to face what was left of the intruder laying on the floor behind her. She knelt beside him as he quivered in fear, running a finger down his nose, over his face and down to his chest. Pressing her palm to his heart, she released the remainder of the power she'd built. His features melted into something more primal, something out of nightmare and darkness. Hands twisted into claws, skin turned to leathery scales and wings stretched out from his back. He shuddered, the last scream of his humanity ripping from his throat before he hung his head, shaking.

Drained, she staggered back, barely able to stand on her own feet. As if summoned, a chair appeared behind her, perfectly placed for her to sink into as a ragged voice spoke from the floor. Her newly-made servant looked up at her even as he pressed himself downward in a show of submission. Mistress are you well?

She smiled, closing her eyes. "Just tired my pet, I need a slight break before I go back to Alaska." There were images to be maintained after all, she couldn't remain in the city much longer.

Still, minutes passed and she opened her eyes, a thought occurring to her. "Perhaps I should go outside for a bit, get some air." She needed to check the outside of the warehouse. The spell had been done with the intention to keep the exterior looking the same, but it wouldn't hurt to confirm it with her own eyes. Picking up the hooded coat she'd been wearing upon her arrival she ran a hand over it's length, transforming it into a dark cloak. Should anyone see her outside, it was all they would see.

"Follow." She headed toward the door, her demon pet following and they stepped into the cold city night to begin her inspection.

Comments

[medea-recast.livejournal.com]

"Sometimes living is overrated, if your death can defeat your enemies."

But... that wasn't true was it? She'd died and yet, Jean lived... for a time at least. Her irritation caused her to shift on her feet, the sudden and familiar surge on anger making her want to lash out. Her familiar bristled and growled in sympathetic anger.

She wouldn't be so hasty this time.

"But then that solution is hardly ideal, is it?"

[pandablade.livejournal.com]

"I would prefer to regroup to defeat those that oppose me rather than dying," he stated simply. "I have found that even the briefest amount of time to recoup and even use the knowledge of the enemy against them is time well spent."

Of course, that is all he had ever been. The one to adapt, grow, use what he had and hone it even further than one could possibly imagine.

[medea-recast.livejournal.com]

"I think in retrospect, I would have preferred that as well."

She chuckled, a light-hearted sound compared to the darkness that surrounds her.

"But this seems to be a place of second chances."

[pandablade.livejournal.com]

"Indeed it does. Chances that allow ones such as you and I to bolster our own potential...as it seems you have made efforts to do thus far."

[medea-recast.livejournal.com]

She turned toward her building. The external illusion was perfect, nearly flawless save for the slight power that leaked from the edges. Easy enough to fix.

"There is a certain... peace in having a stronghold, a place to work in peace. Do you have such a place?"