Looking Down [OPEN]

[Liberti]

x

A lair, literally meaning the resting place or hide away of someone. Sure someone such as the Queen of the Underworld would have her own lair within the Underworld, but she liked to considering the whole Underworld itself her lair. A place where she had complete control and could be at ease, that was this place. So she walked freely within her lair seeking familiar faces and thinking to herself.

Step after step seemed to echo within the place, some demons ducking into the shadows out of her presence. The Black Mistress as Kiani was called since becoming Queen expected no less. She had been a normal demon at one time... but due to sheer intelligence that most seemed to lack anymore, she managed to become ruler of the Underworld. She would admit though, sometimes planning could become a hassle when you were the only one in charge. Her plans could not be ruined however. So perhaps it was a good thing she was without a husband during such crucial times.

Chuckling lightly to herself, she turned a corner and found a secluded area, which was rather rare in the Underworld. Icy eyes searched around for a moment before she walked further. She was a rather attractive demon, but what could be expected? A leader and bachelorette at that. Raising a hand, she began to manipulate the shadows around to become greater and cause a darkness. Honestly, she preferred being alone in the dark. She was the one with the greater advantage, just in case something went amiss in her lair and one dared to attack her.

Once the shadows were great enough for her liking, Kiani began to plot. She'd been doing this a lot lately, though moreso in her actual lair. Finally becoming fed up with the same place, she left and now found herself here. It was peaceful, which was all she needed. Thus, it began. Her thoughts would roll into her mind at a calm pace. The first order of business would be the Charmed Ones...

[child]

Enigma was not to be considered a fool. She was a fortress on her own, a woman-child capable of manipulating her way to the very top. She was in the Underworld now, the place that she considered home. Her usual sleek and slow pace made her gradually find herself in the presence of the one many now considered their queen. Blasphemus! The Underworld and its royalties are so volatile. Her remembrance brought her back many a days, when things were desperate and unorganized, but once again the Underworld has organized itself under a central rulership, but it is difficult to believe that she was once that ruler.

As her small baby steps continue to become fully known in the presence of this royal, Enigmas sat down in the corner, allowing the doll that she frequently held clutched in her right arm to rest on her lap, running her blood stained fingers through the dolls rough brown hair.She was unfocused as she was staring at the Mistress, her eyes dark like a night and her mind consuming the thoughts of how best to render the world of Good back into its state of chaos and fury. Yes, as you may have imagined, Enigma was no ordinary girl, she was possessed with a purpose, to kill before she is killed.

[»K h o u a]

"Thats righ' out of the way!"

A fireball would be sent flying at a demon who growled and ducked out of the way. A fight had broken out between the two over something as silly as a shoulder bump, demons and their excitement to kill. A loud yell would echo from the shadows, he'd missed but managed to wound the demons shoulder. "You little bastard! You're in my lair, I'll kill you!" he growled as the demon rolled out from behind the corner and looked around. Much to his surprise, Asmodeus had vanished. Scratching his head he'd summon an energyball and look around for the Triad member only to find nothing. Asmodeus would never use his status for control, raw power and skills would be how he ruled. Fading in behind the demon he'd chuckle and stab him with an Athame.

Straightening his black leather jacket, Asmodeus would look around for a moment. There was a faint echo of foot steps very close by which seemed odd unless this demon had managed to summon back up. Scratching his head the young Irishman would stroll towards the corridor and peek his head around the corridor. An amused smile crept upon his face, it was just Kiani, the one they had secretly placed into a positon of great power. While they were aware of who she was and what she could do, she remained blissfully ignorant of how she got her position and who had given it to her. An interesting opportunity to speak with her however presented it's self and so he would.

"Evenin' girly. Helluva place for a stroll aye?" he asked with a thick Irish accent. His trade mark smile rest upon his face right now, an opening gesture to show that he was pretty chill and would not attack unless she decided to do so. "You're a long way from home? This e're belongs to the tracker demons. What're you doin' in their lair?" he asked with arrogance lacing his tone. This would explain why the ones who had been outside of this little cavern had vanished into thin air, they were running and hiding from the Queen. Typical lower level demons, running in fear of the rulers which showed great disrespect towards her.

"That yer's?" he'd ask pointing to a nearby woman, well girl more accurately. He didn't remember anything about Kiani having a child so she must have been another demon consort or something. Perhaps she was setting up a power base with innocent children. It was a clever trick in his mind, using children to do their work on the surface. However the evil vibe he got from her suggested that she was not an ordinary child, this was no kidnapping. "Nice chest." he added playfully as he let his eyes wander over her body.

[Liberti]

x

At first The Black Mistress payed the child no heed. Yes there was something special about her, she'd give that much, but there was something else more annoying occurring that required her attention. Turning to look towards the path in which she came, her icy eyes watched several demons scurry about and a fireball fly by. Yells and shouts echoed within the darkness of the underworld, causing her thoughts to scatter for a brief moment. Sighing irritably, she crossed her arms beneath her breasts and waited. Not many would do something so reckless while she was out and about, so she expected they'd end up finding her as well.

Watching a male present himself to her, Kiani quirked a brow as she made the shadows disperse. A fellow demon with plenty of power, that much was certain. Yet... there was something else. She couldn't quite place it. She felt as if he had something to do with her. That there was enough to pique her interest. As he spoke with a rugged Irish accent and a unique grin, her own mouth turned up into a slight smirk. "Their lair?" she questioned, wondering what game he was playing at, "I am quite assured that this... this is all my lair." Her voice did not waver, holding the solidity of status and power, as her right hand gestured about to emphasize her point.

At his question, the Queen turned to actually look over the child this time. "No... I've yet to find time for such things anyway," she responded, wondering why exactly the strange child had even come near her. Obviously she was special, because most would simply run or avoid The Black Mistress. "I was about to speak to her and inquire why exactly she would be near... but you interrupted with all the ruckus back there," she explained, eyes holding an amused spark within them. Allowing her arms to fall back to her sides, her smirk grew with his words. "You're quite brave to say that to your Queen," she offered in response, her right hand resting upon her hip.

Turning abruptly, Kiani walked closer to the child. "You are a curious being. What brought you to me?" she asked, getting an off feeling from all of this. The girl felt much, much older than she should and it brought The Black Mistress slight wariness. It irritated Kiani to no end, having only wanted time to plan how to catch the Charmed Ones before they could truly realize their power. It wouldn't be easy, that was certain. Standing around and waiting would do nothing, however. If she wanted the Underworld to strive and take what should be their's however... she had to come up with a plan and fast.

[child]

Oh how her mind was quickened with haste. The rumbles of demons getting on amongst themselves almost sent her into an inward encampment. She hated that sound, of demons fighting amongst themselves as though the world of good couldn't ask for anything better. Of course, she understood that it was necessary to show your strength amongst your peers, how best would it be to strike fear amongst the members? But she hated carelessness and outward ignorance. There was much to be done and so little time to do it.

She had noted the uneasiness in the atmosphere and the tension that had developed as soon as the man had walked into the same viccinity. Who was he and why was he interrupting her time with this woman labelled as her queen?She listened to him speak with that annoying and blood crawling accent which caused her to stop stroking the hairs of the doll and now simply stare at the approaching Mistress.

Her legs had crossed one another and she had stuffed the doll now into its original position beneath her arm. She looked up at the woman who mounted over her, and just beyond her as the man stood too staring. Her lips parted and trembled, how was she to introduce herself as such a small child to them when truly their fury was driven by the same thing...to kill the charmed ones before they even recognize their power. But of course, her motives drove deeper too. She didnt want to simply follow orders and be second to the Mistress, she wanted to be the Mistress herself."I-I want what you want. I want to see the Charmed Ones." Her eyes moved inwardly as the still small voice broke the silence within the lair.

[/blockquote]

[»K h o u a]

"Ohoho! Quite the ego ya got there. I hope ya know what you've just done there girly." he spoke with his normal tone of arrogance and amusement. His smile never left his face, for some reason today it was ever present as if there was no end to the fun that he was seemingly having around the Underworld today. But what was this? She was thinking about something? That was definitely a new one lately, perhaps they'd made a good choice in appointing this one to the throne rather then letting some stupid meat head claw his way to the top. "Nooo.. I'm pretteh' sure that this belongs to them." he added with his tone full of disregard and challenge. He never held any respect in his tone, not even for his brethern.

Oz, for the sake of shortening his name, would scratch his head somewhat and stare at the girl. She held within her blood stained hands a rabbit, seemingly stuffed however the blood made him think other wise. "I can see why, nasty little things really." he added as he peered around her. He was completely unafraid of her, something which would probably either push her buttons or intrigue her slightly. As for this encounter, his "brothers" would most likely tear into him for it, he was suppose to watch at a distance and have no contact with the Black Mistress yet. Ruckus? Oh right -- the demons. With a handsome smile he'd bow. "It's me duty, causing trouble one step at a time." he spoke with a devious grin now.

Ah yes, there is was, her superiority. His grin would widen even further now as he chuckled to himself. "Actually, I don' think of ya as me Queen at all. No one tells me what to do ya see." he added with his tone remaining all high and mighty, like the punk he was. Even his own had trouble controlling his wild side, it most likely having something to do with the body he was in. The boys natural charm and disregard for things was a driving factor, the powers were merely using him as a shell. "In fact, I don' even know if ya are the Queen, you could be an imposter usin' a glamour trick ya know?" he threw out there with a wry smile.

His dark eyes would flicker over to the girl however when she spoke, the words that came out were something strange of a child. The Charmed Ones? What could a small child want with them, she looked like she wasn't even old enough to be all alone as it was. "I think yer reachin' a bit there little girly. They're in a league far above ya, 'sides.. no one knows where ta find them yet." he spoke with the smile fading from his face now. What was it with everyone and being on task? Did none other then himself enjoy the more sinful things like the humans did? Perhaps he was just an outcast, a freak amongst his own kind. "So tha's your plan? To find the Charmed Ones? Good luck with tha'. I hope she's just off her rocker and you're not serious." he had to keep appearance, seem like a normal demon.

"..so you gonna show me those are not?" he'd ask nodding towards her chest with a chuckle.

[Liberti]

x

At the child's words, Kiani smiled darkly. "It would seem we have something in common then after all child, but I'm sure you want many other things as well, as do we all," she responded, voice hard like stone. What would a child want to do with the Charmed Ones? The Black Mistress was not a fool, sensing ulterior motives. The Queen had a good head on her, unlike most power craving demons, and that was probably the biggest reason the Triad had decided to push her to the top. She had both knowledge, reason, and power. It was honestly a lot more than most of her predecessors could claim.

Turning back to the rugged yet in a strange way attractive demon, the Queen smirked once more, "Then consider it my lair to be shared to those lesser." To be quite honest she didn't think that at all, but she felt a challenge in the air. She had to keep up appearances when around others. The words felt like poison on her tongue really. As he spoke of not thinking of her as his queen, Kiani merely chuckled, "Perhaps you do not think of me as such, but the Underworld would state otherwise. However, I respect your opinion dear demon, as I would say the same." When he added onto his statement, she merely shrugged once more. "I suppose I could be, but that's for you to decide, love," she nearly purred, her more seductive side flashing outwards for a moment.

Words came once more of the Charmed Ones, causing her smirk to fade and a seriousness take over the queen. Turning to not face either of the demons, The Black Mistress looked up into what seemed like an eternal darkness. "It would be better to chase them now while they know not of their powers..." she muttered to herself, icy eyes closing for a moment. It was irritating, playing the searching game while not having a clue who the three were... but it had to be done. Things could be so much easier if the witches remained clueless yet showed signs of who they were, but nothing was easy now was it?

Shadows would come forth again, spreading out across the area. Kiani would then relax some, turning back to face the male as he mentioned her breasts once more. "Perhaps if you showed me you were worth showing," she responded, smirking with amusement. She liked this man, she would give him that much. However, when it came to flirting with other demons she was rather cautious anymore. Reason being was that she disliked toying with demons (humans were oh so much more fun), and that she was husband-less. It caused slight problems within the hierarchy of the Underworld, and stressed Kiani to find one. She would never do such easily though, because she did desire a man who could match her own fire. Things were more interesting that way after all.

[child]

As they both stared down at her as she broke her silence, it was as if she had stolen something from a store and was caught. Enigma looked away, almost playing into the coy pleasures of being a child. It was all the same to her anyway. Many would lower their status to suit orders or to climb up the hierarchal ladder. She had witnessed it first hand and it seemed as though even thousands of years later, it was still the same. Good grief, as if good itself were not slumber dogs licking at each other's balls.She could sense that either these two had a past that eventually went wrong, or they were on a trial where their paths would collide more often than they would hope. The guy, an exception to most of what she had seen before. He was arrogant, highly defiant and with a deafening accent. How repulsive! She could understand why the 'Queen' would react in such a way. As each playboy in the Underworld went down it would be better for them all. She had wished they would simply get to the point where one was tearing off the other's clothing and being biten sharply by the teeth of a monster.

As she turned back to face them, her small little chin rising from her chest, she looked the man in his eyes as the Mistress had moved so that her back was facing her. She had wondered why their attention was not in full on the Charmed Ones rather than their pathetic little struggle for power that she, eventually, will regain. 'We all want thing, I new baby, one, like you.' She stated in a small voice, her innocence blissful from her shyness. 'And you...' She stated as she continued to look at the man before her, 'her?'It was like sharpening one's own teeth against itself, it hurted watching another woman walk around with the authority and command of demons trapped like her.

[»K h o u a]

"A touchin' sight really, but I don' understand a single thing it said." he spoke bluntly as he stared at the little girl. Her words had been completely incoprehensible to him, so much so that he now stood there scratching his stubble trying to decipher it. She was a strange one, someone that he and the Triad would most likely watch however not show too much care towards. It was okay to be cautious, but then there was over cautious and watching for something that'd most likely never come. The others were perhaps just as he was however, a bit more on the wild side sometimes, sometimes. They were trying to re-establish what the charmed ones had taken away, their true grip on everything in the Underworld which was rightfully theirs. Having the spotlight however directed the Charmed Ones onto your trail and thus why the selected Kiani.

Chuckling, Oz laughed and cracked a sort of half smirk. "The lesser aye? I'm supposin' that ya already have the ego of a Queen. Without it ya won' survive.." he added with a nod as he looked around this dingy little place. He hated these pits that other demons lived, loving the free reign the top side offered to him. The night air, the bright moon, the people and noise, it was all like ecstasy to him. Anything was better then sitting in a dirty old room with demons who openly played with their powers. "Is there a reason yer playin' with yer powers righ' now? It's already pretty dark.." he added with a mocking tone. He loved to make others feel stupid where he could if he could manage it without drawing firepower unto himself. He'd adjust his jacket some and sniff the air, walking over towards a cabinet.

"Dear demon? Tha's a new one." he spoke as he rummaged through a strange looking drawer. Several glass tubes and vials would be smashed upon the floor behind him as he grunted and swore loudly the entire time. "Where did ya put it ya bastards.." he swore loudly under his breath as his eyes finally drifted to the back and found a small amulet lying upon a box. "Bingo.." he spoke with a happy tone as he swiped the amulet and turned to look at the others in the room. "Wha? I like my shinies." he added with a smile that suggested he might not even tell them what it was for or did. "The others might acknowledge ya publicly, but there are those who'd see ya dead girly." he added as he pointed to a pile of ashes nearby. "Like him."

Her breasts lay forgotten now in the topic or his mind now as he was suddenly overcome with a small wave of sensations. Something ancient and powerful had just surfaced within the top side, something had just changed about the world in a short period of time. "Did ya feel tha?" he asked slowly as his mind started to piece the puzzle together slowly. He'd felt that before, the same announcement that followed a certain magical trio. "Well girlies, looks like ya got yer wish. If ya can feel tha, I'd say it's them." he added with a nod as he turned and held out a hand to Kiani. "Shall we go topside and try and find them for ya? I'm sure we could locate them better up there." he added. What was in it for him? Nothing really aside from watching their mask succeed.

"I suppose things are 'bout to change afterall, aye?"