Vena's Story

The wind rushed past Vena's face and as it seems to blow away all of her problems. It was a nice flight outside like this, with the wonderfully green landscape rushing past her, that really made everything else seem pointless. Of course, when she stopped flapping her jet-black wings, all of the overbearing duties of a queen caught up to her. She gave a heavy sigh and rubbed her temples. "I wish we didn't have to fight, but the Oranges don't know that we have our reasons too...maybe I'll go over there some time soon and try to have a talk with their king and Queen." But it was time to head back. As Vena turned back towards her kingdom, which was becoming increasingly warlike and dull, she gave a grimace. "I probably need to beat some sense into everyone over there as soon as I get back." That wasn't the only thing that made her face turn; she also didn't like the way the Black kingdom was changing compared to old times. "We used to be like them...." She began to speed back towards the castle, and her problems melted away again, for the moment. "Hmm...maybe I can get one of the newer maids into my bedroom tonight. That'd be a nice little 'reward' if I handled things nicely today." She giggled a bit, but immediately after, her face became a cold, unfeeling mask as she prepared to return.

[[Yay, starting. I'm not exactly sure how you want to kick things off, so I'm gonna drop a few hints about things I might do. =) ]]

Vena flew quickly back towards her beloved kingdom. On the way, she passed over the forest, but noticed...a fire? Vena quickly flapped her raven-like wings downwards to find out what was going on. She dropped down quickly towards the source, prepping her blood-red aura in case it was a criminal or enemy from the Orange kingdom. As she approached the blaze, she realized that in was actually emanating from some kind of person and she also noticed a familiar figure. Vena landed with her face in a cold mask. "Liana? What are you doing outside of the castle? Who is this?" She folded her arms, tapping a finger and raising an eyebrow, while waiting for an answer.

"Well.. uh.... Mom?.. I'm Just Taking a Walk, and I Saw her Fiery Beautiful Wings.. and I Got Interested." Liana answered her Mom's Question, Calmly....
Pulling out a Lollipop from her Pouch, "Mom, is it okay?"She asked Her Mom--Vena. After Asking, She went to a Tree, Climbing up to The Branch to Seat...

Oh Gosh, I'm Getting Hungry. She Thought for a Second, Liana Decided to Take a look inside her Pouch, It's EMPTY... "NOT AGAIN!!!" She Screamed from Hunger. "Rapture, Your Full Name, Please.?" She Smiled at Rapture.
Then She Jumped from The Branch.

Vena saw the young girl with flaming wings' face brighten up at some thought. She gave a smile dripping with ice to the girl, before manifesting her aura as a blood-red rapier and speedily placing it against the girl's neck. "I would suggest you not lie to me - us, and tell the truth about who and what you are, Miss...Rapture." Vena then dissipated the sword, and gave a laugh akin to ringing bells before speaking again. "Of course, that was a warning. Don't get any funny ideas about taking over our kingdom, that's all. We've been expecting you, and people like you, so no need to make up a story." The corners of her mouth turned up in a more heartfelt manner. "We need people like you to help us fight against our current enemy, the Orange Kingdom." Her words turned into a murmur. "Of course, I wish we could just end this peacefully...maybe I should look into a negotiation with them..." She shook her head to snap out of it. "In any case, Miss Rapture, you are a guest and will be treated as such, in the castle. I will introduce you to our king, should he choose to show himself. I will also explain everything inside."

Vena turned to Liana with a stern look. "Don't whine, Liana. It's not becoming of a princess like you. We'll get you more candy later. In any case, Miss Rapture here, and I, are going back into the castle. You can follow us if you wish, or continue what I assume to be a walk outside." She gave a nod to Rapture, expecting her to follow, then began to walk towards the huge building without a backwards glance.

Rapture's eyes widened as she saw the weapon taking form in the queen's hand. Magic. She had gambled everything she had on a good hand, only to find that this woman was in possession of all the aces. Still, she had started down this path already. She could not just turn back, it would only ruin all of the careful plans taking form in her mind. She had to present a strong image, or else this entire facade would fall apart. So she made yet another gamble. She doubted she could escape from the winged queen, and she obviously could not fight her, either. But there was still a chance that the queen would not simply cut off her head where she stood. She gambled her life on that one chance, and so stood firm, quickly taking control of her expression. She raised an eyebrow, glancing down with a cold, analytical eye upon the rapier at her throat.

How foolish of her. She had misjudged the type of storybook setting she was in. Deep down, she had desperately wanted to cling to reality, and so had assumed that she was in a realist fantasy setting. This was a full blown high fantasy tale. If they expected her, then she doubtless was the subject of some sort of ancient prophecy or something, just like every other unoriginal Human in a fantastic world. She would have to take a new tack, then, and play her cards as an inexperienced but determined savior rather than a powerful being that could be either messiah or destroyer.

"I never said I was a particularly good witch," Rapture replied, smiling wryly. "I haven't had enough experience with magic to reach my full potential yet, you see." That was true enough, and very believable, given how young she was. "But, if my service is required, I have no qualms about aiding you as payment for your hospitality. However, if it's not too much to ask, might I have the name of my benefactor, and of the place where I currently am?" She said, turning to follow the queen toward the castle in the distance. This person seemed to know she was a Human, which was bad. Even with these flaming wings and all of the hallmarks of a great witch, she could not convince anyone otherwise if she was some sort of prophesied one. And, while that position had a certain authority of its own, it also made her vulnerable. The awe and fear inspired by a great witch might have kept potential enemies at bay - none would have dared approach her without an innumerable host at their back. But a hero-in-training inspired no such respect. In a world seemingly populated by magic and the magical, she needed that command of people's terror to survive. But now that she had been found out as a phony, her life was in danger unless she could create some sort of miracle to back up her story.

A miracle...

"You can Go First.." Liana said to Her Mom Impolitely.

Maybe I'll Try to Talk to Dad.. She Thought.. Maybe... No? I Guess i'll not talk to him Today.. Maybe Tomorrow?. He's Busy with His Girls, I think She Continued...
She Climbed Up To The Branch to Sit There Again.. "When can I Talk to Him?" She Murmured, "Hmm.. Hmmm..." Liana Hummed, She saw a Little Bird..Then She Suddenly Grabbed it then Crushed it Down... "This is All i Can Do. I'm No Big Help." She Whispered to Her Self..

Yeah, Yeah.. I'm Hungry. Stop Beggin' for Food. Mr. Stomach. She Stared at The Orange Kingdom that is Being seen from The Branch...
"I'll Crush Those Humans... and The King and Queen.... And Their Whole Family..."

"I see. Alright, then, Ve-" Rapture began. However, she cut herself off as she noticed Vena closing her hand on something. As she began to spin about, leveling the rapier, the fire-winged witch was ready for her on this second attempt. She couldn't step out of the way in time - the weapon had too long a reach - and she rather disliked having a blade at her throat. On a spur of the moment instinct, she decided to test something. Having discovered how to control her wings' movements, she now extended one of the burning appendages, 'willing' it to defend her. To her slight surprise, the wing - despite its infernal makeup - seemed to solidify, deflecting the rapier with a loud crack, scattering sparks into the air. Rapture hadn't exactly intended this, but she took advantage of it nonetheless, like an actress taking the stage in some great play. Crossing her arms slightly, she sighed, giving a rather amused - albeit tired expression.

"My, my. You certainly do love toying with your guests' heads, don't you? Unfortunately, I'm afraid I'm not particularly fond of that sword of yours," She said with an air of nonchalance, as though she was discussing something as simple as the weather rather than a sword that had just been swung at her head. "So, although it might seem somewhat impudent of me, I'm afraid I'll have to request that you refrain from using deadly force upon me." She adjusted the brim of her hat in a carefree manner, glancing about as though stopping to smell the roses, so to speak. As she did so, however, she noticed something: a single playing card - the two of diamonds - melting away behind her. Vena would be unable to see the disintegrating object due to Rapture's positioning in the way.

That's one of those playing cards I bought at that store... So I brought them with me after all... Are they what is making up these wings of mine? She wondered. How interesting.

"In any case, there are plenty of people in the world I come from that believe in magic, from superstitions like good luck charms all the way to people who seriously study magic, and the occult. And, judging by the fact that I currently stand before you with wings made of living flame, I would say that magic does, indeed exist. It's rather rude of you to assume without proof that I must have no knowledge of magic. Perhaps it's a hobby of mine? Since I haven't brought any 'magic' with me, I'm afraid I can't prove my case. However, that doesn't mean that I must be lying. All I have to do is present a possible counterexample to your theory to prove that it could be wrong. I have just presented that possibility. Now then, can we cease mincing words? This argument is getting us nowhere."