[IC] Devouring Light

[Owlriel]

Asran looked away when Ayrie mentioned the church hurting him. He didn’t like thinking about it, having the constant reminder on his skin was more than enough already. He then noticed she didn’t take her shoes off at the entry, and sighed deeply. “Next time you come here take your shoes off at the entrance. Just be glad granny didn’t see. She’d verbally berate you,” He said chuckling.
Soon a waitress came carrying a large tray of food, and set it on the table. Asran grabbed a pair of large spoon, and served himself. Then grabbed a pair of chopsticks, and started eating.

[Arreyis]

"Well, if you're little man hadn't pushed me in the door and the woman at the front had given me a moment I might have." She shot back with a smile.

She grinned larger when the food arrived, and happily waited her turn to serve herself. It looked delicious, and she was hungry. She wasn't very good at chopsticks, but she was passable, and she took a few bites.

"This is very good." She said, "Actually I think it might be one of the best meals I've had."

She relaxed visibly as she ate, allowing all her worries to melt away. She did hope that Markus wouldn't worry about where she was, and that he wasn't waiting for her. She spared little thought for the priests that were arriving any day, but she knew they would not approve of her having dinner alone with a man. Especially a man as dangerous as the mayor. 'They'll just have to deal with it.' she thought to herself.

[Owlriel]

Asran swallowed the food in his mouth. “Yeah sorry about that. They can be rather zealous in getting me what I desire. Even if it’s not in a way I’d like,” he said with a nervous chuckle. “So sorry about that.” He then went back to his food eating with a smile. The food was always delicious here ever since it’s founding eighty years ago. “So tell me how are you enjoying my city so far?”

[Arreyis]

Ayrie smiled at him again, feeling better now that her stomach wasn't growling.

"It's beautiful. Everyone I have met so far has been nice." She said, "I met the summoning teacher today in the park, and Markus offered to mentor me." She didn't go into detail about how little she knew of her power.

"It's certainly a pleasant place to live, what with help around every corner and everyone being so friendly." she said, taking another bite of food.

[Owlriel]

“Ah Markus he is a very good teacher,” Asran said with a smile. He served himself a bit more food as he’d finished his first plate. The waitress returned with even more food, and set it on the table. Asran was starved he’d not eaten the night prior, or had breakfast. So he was teetering dangerously close to a feeding frenzy. Which was why he’d ordered so much food. He soon finished his second plate, and started on his third.
“I’m glad the people you’ve met so far have been kind to you. Though, you should still remain vigilant especially when your priest buddies come along. To help you preach your lords gospel,” he said between mouthfuls of food. He swallowed hard fitting down a belch.
“Your culture is welcome here. As you can see this city is a bit of a melting pot.” He paused to silently belch, with a fist to his mouth to cover it slightly.
“But, religion is something of a touchy subject for a lot of people. Especially for people who have been harmed. Such as the summoner instructor or the temple of generosity head priest. They come here seeking to feed their needs. It doesn’t matter what it is, but they flock here. Lord Gluttony gladly feeds them, so long as they return in kind with a worthy enough sacrifice.”

[Arreyis]

She nodded, wondering just how Nadia had gotten her scars. She decided she would ask her if the right time arose when they met next.

"Religion is a touchy subject in most places." She said, nodding. "It's why I do not preach the way many of my elders would like me to. I don't feel that anyone is inherently in need of scripture or sermons in order to feel the light I offer to them."

She looked down and sighed, "That's part of the reason they sent me here, to get me away from the younger crowd so I couldn't influence them with my way of thinking. They can't get rid of me, as until I am married off or taken in by some other house I am their ward under their laws, but they can send me away from my home and my friends. The elders that are joining me are also of more progressive persuasion, but they are still very much held by the old standards. They won't get in the way, they are too old to do much of anything and they are non-magic users, but they will report my actions to the rest if I am not behaving appropriately."

Her mother had chosen the Church to give birth to Ayrie and take refuge after her father had beaten her again. She had not recovered well from the abuse, constantly anxious and afraid, she lived only until Ayrie was ten. Growing up under the thumb of the Church, Ayrie had had no choice but to become a priestess, as there were no other family members that could be found to take her. It was just dumb luck that she hadn't become a cloistered nun, shut away from the world under a vow of silence. Her power had relvealed itself just after her fifth birthday, and the one elder left who knew how to train light magic had died only days after teaching her how to sheild herself. 'It's probably my power that keeps them from punishing me too severely or locking me away.'

[Owlriel]

Asran listened intently to the priestess as she spoke of her church, and her past. He even stopped eating for a moment mid-chew, he was angry. Furious even that Ayrie’s church would dare to view her in such a manner. To stifle her to make her feel threatened. God did he want to reign down every torment he could think of upon them. Before swallowing them whole. But, he swallowed it down, just like he swallowed his food.
“That’s one of the reasons I hate churches. The preach acceptance, generosity, and their gods love. Damning everyone as sinners for not following the edicts. But, they never actually fucking practice what they preach,” he said his hands tightening into fists.
In his rage he snapped his chopsticks making him snap out of it. He sighed at himself at loosing control of his temper yet again today. He called for a waitress asking for a new set while also apologizing. He even paid them enough to replace it, and then some.
He turned back to Ayrie, and rubbed at his forehead softly. “Sorry, I just get very... Passionate, When it comes to these types of things.” He gently rubbed at his forearm where the markings began to sting, and burn. It always seemed to worsen when he got so angry. As his anger caused some of his magic to spark inside him.

[Arreyis]

Ayrie was more ready for it this time when he snapped, so it wasn't as shocking.

"It's ok, I understand your frustration." she said, watching him rub his arm. The marks were reddening. "Those hurt?"

She immediately wanted to soothe them, and started to reach across the table before realizing she probably wasn't welcome to touch him. Not after that spark the night before anyway. She had an inkling it was because her sheilds weren't stable, but she couldn't patch them without Markus's help.

"I wish I could help you with that..."

[Owlriel]

Asran looked to his markings then sighed deeply. “Yeah, they do. But, I have stuff that handles the pain. Also I don’t think light magic could help me. If anything it’d.” He then stopped himself from speaking more. Biting his tongue slightly feeling like an idiot. As he let that bit of scentence slip past his lips. As it was an indicator of him being something dark in nature. As humans didn’t have that particular weakness. Only demons, devils, or dark espers had a weakness to light magic.

[Arreyis]

"I'm sorry... Mayor." she said, pulling her hand back and putting it in her lap. She had a hunch that whatever he was about to say would have given him away to her if she only knew more about magic. She sighed, "I wish you would at least give me a name other than Mayor to call you by."

She finished eating her first plate of food and helped herself to a bowl of the second course, she wasn't really hungry anymore, but this kind of food was so easy to eat a large amount of. She thought about her past as she watched him, wondering if she would get the opportunity to ask him any more questions while they ate.

[Owlriel]

“Maybe soon, when I can go a while without getting annoyed at you.” Asran then smirked then chuckled shaking his head. Then started eating again enjoying his food immensely. He soon had several empty plates stacked on top of one another, and food was still coming. “I’m a big eater,” he said simply. He didn’t seem to be slowing down anytime soon. “I think just one more large main course plate. I think it’s a fried fish in a sweet, and spicy sauce. With fried tofu skin. Then a fruit pudding, that’s if I remember right. Their pudding is to die for,” he said.

[Arreyis]

"I only annoy you? Last night and this morning I thought you hated me. This is progress!" She said with a laugh. She fiddled with the end of her braid with one hand and took a bite of food with the other. She couldn't help but get excited for the next entree, as she loved sweet and spicy sauce.

"I take back what I said earlier, this is the best meal I've ever had." Ayrie giggled as she happily took another bite. She had never eaten so well back at the monastery, but she never would have told the cook that.

[Owlriel]

Asran chuckled more seeing Ayrie took his words with humor. Which was somewhat of a relief. Asran kept eating, and soon the fried fish came. It’s flesh was still sizzling, and popping. The sauce was around it like it was swimming along the surface. With the tofu skins positioned like tiny flowers around it. Asran finished the lates plate of food, and started picking at the flesh with his chopsticks.
“This fish is so flaky trying to scoop it onto your plate is just gonna ruin it,” he warned. Then kept eating at his side of the fish.
The pudding was the last thing to come. On the bottom it was white, and at the top it was red. “Ah strawberry cream pudding, nice.”

[Arreyis]

Ayrie followed his lead and began picking at the fish, dipping it carefully in the sauce as she ate. It was just as delicious as the rest of the food had been, but by now she was truly getting full. As she began eating less and less her mind started wandering, first to her sheilds and then to the many questions she wanted to ask him.

She settled for studying him as he ate, her eyes drawn to the opening of his robe at his chest. There she could see the line of more markings like the ones on his arm. As she filled up she stretched out on the pillows, leaning back on her arms lengthwise beside the table. She didn't notice because she was looking at him, but the hem of her skirt had slid up higher on her thighs as she did so, and a small birthmark shaped like a lantern was visible just above her knee.

[Owlriel]

Asran was too enraptured by the delicious food to notice his robe top was slipped slightly open. But, when he noticed Ayrie staring at him he stopped to stare at her. Then followed her eyes to his chest, his revealed chest. Quickly he closed the top securing it. He looked at her again soon noticing the strange birthmark. But, he didn’t stare too long. Knowing it’d be rude seeing as if he didn’t like his runic bindings being stared at. She would probably mind if he stared at her lantern shaped birthmark. Which honestly was a little odd. As typically a birthmark was more a dot or splotch than something that had a definitive shape like that.
“So... I’m gonna head back next door, and change to my street clothes. Then head over to the festival. Gotta make sure everything is running smoothly,” he said slowly standing.
That, and he had to be there to receive his people’s prayers to him. So that way he could answer the ones that were properly paid for. Not to mention make an actual appearance in his demon form so they knew he was with them. To help reinforce their belief in him.

[Arreyis]

She noticed him tighten his robe and looked down again. Her curiosity was getting the better of her. When he stood Ayrie stood with him, smoothing out her dress.

"Okay, I'm going to go find Markus. He told me to meet him when I was ready. I'm sure I'll see you at the festival later." She said, smiling. She picked up her shoes, not wanting to walk through the building with them on, and carried them behind her back as she made her way out. She waved goodbye to the girl at the front.

"I'll be back for more of that food, it was delicious." She said, leaning doen to put her shoes back on.

[Owlriel]

“Alright, and do be careful. I will see you around,” Asran said bowing his head goodbye. Then left the restaurant going next door. Where he clothes weee already waiting for him. He went to the changing room swapping out his clothes quickly. Then made his way to the main temple. Where people were cheering, and laughing.

Though among the crowds were people that looked somewhat terrified. They were in pristine clothing, and their bodies clean save for a mark upon their foreheads. Which was shared by many animals also found around the temple. These people were treated like royalty being tended to hand, and foot. But, their fear stemmed from knowing what was going to happen to them at dusk. These people were sacrifices for lord Gluttony some viewed it as a great honor. While others were scared, not wishing to become part of Asran. Even despite the crimes, and laws they’d broken here. Which honestly was why they were chosen to begin with.

Asran smiled liking the people brought before him. Two elves, four dwarves, and six humans. It made him chuckle how the sacrifices went by twos. He made his way inside the main temple disguising his presence. He was seen, and yet not see by the people. His magic allowed him to sit just at barely at the periphery of their sight. Enough to know he’s there, but not enough to know to know who he is. He walked past priests helping take account of all the sacrifices. Picking which ones were the best quality, and turning away those that did not fit the requirements. They handed enchanted tickets to the ones that passed the exam, the tickets would tell them when to come up. So that they may tell their lord what it was they wanted.

Asran got into the back chambers removing the magic that hid him. Startling some of the head priests. Making him chuckle, “Jeeze you guys sure are jumpy. What happened,” he asked. The priests looked among one another then to their lord. “It is the priestess they’re scared of,” a grizzled one said. They were one of the bravest, and hadn’t startled. “Ah, so you’ve all heard,” Asran said rubbing at his shoulder where markings irritated him. Which earned a few concerned looks. Nadia walked over, and began using water magic to soothe the pain. “Don’t worry, she isn’t strong enough to cause any issues. Besides I doubt she’ll make it to the head temple. She’s going to be taught my Markus. It’ll make her tired, and chances are she won’t make way over here. So I’m not concerned,” he said with a shrug. Then turned to Nadia smiling at her. Then turned back to everyone else. Which was five people each one was either a teacher of magic, and or leader of an offshoot temple. They all still seemed concerned for him, still scared Ayrie would cause problems at the festival.

[Arreyis]

Ayrie headed outside and back down to the temple where she had left Markus, and saw him still in the courtyard.

"Hello Markus!" She said as she approached. "Sorry it took me so long, the mayor wanted to apologize to me and bought me lunch to do it."

"That's very like him. Food is as good a way to say sorry as any." He montioned to a bench and the two sat down. "So. Show me what you remember, we'll go from there."

He watched her carefully, and guided her in some exercises to improve her sheilds and her use. Then showed her a few basic defenses. The work was tiring on the mind, but Ayrie enjoyed herself. She was thankful she had eaten before hand, and by the time they were done a couple of hours later she was famished again. They finished up by shoring up her sheilds, and when he touched her with his dark talisman she didn't spark.

"Thank you, Markus." She said as they finished for the day. "I feel a great deal better with my sheilds grounded properly. I had no idea they could cause so much tension."

"Aye, it's like a man who needs glasses not wearing them for a day. It may not be noticeable at first, but eventually the strain on his eyes will cause a headache." Markus put away his talisman. "Take tomorrow off, and visit me the next day. We'll go over more of those defensive magics."

"Okay. Are you going to the festival?" Ayrie was tired but energized now that she felt better. "I was planning to go after we finished."

"I am. I'll be heading over shortly, just need to finish some things here."

"Okay, I'll see you there." She smiled brightly and left, heading in the direction of the largest crowd of people near the main temple.

[Owlriel]

As the sun began to reach behind the temple Asran prepared to show his demonic form. He turned to his attendants as they brought him a list of all the sacrifices, and it was his job to decide in which order he wanted them. He’d start off with the animals to wet his appetite, then the people. He just hoped those with prayers were not impossible for him to fulfill. As every year there was at least one that asked for the impossible. Even he had a limit to what his dark power could do. Some things only one with light magic could accomplish.

He took on a giant demonic form the same one as the idols, and portraits depicted. Standing at an imposing twenty feet tall. Entirely covered in smooth shimmering black scales, with an intricate ice blue patterning looking almost like art. A long tail whipped behind him to allow balance, as he stood on two legs, with paw like feet tipped with talons. His hands human like in appearance with fingers tipped with small claws. His face had a long snout with interlocking fangs instead of lips. Steam escaping his mouth, and reptilian nostrils flared as he let out a deep breath. A glowing blue tongue tasted the air as his glowing blue eyes narrowed upon the crowd. A large mane of gorgeous snow white hair rolled down from the top of his head down his back. With two horns arching from sides of his head like a crown. He flexed his fingers and toes gently as he settled into his form. He shook his head out like an animal his eyes seeing within the souls of his people. Seeing the hungering desires they held within them.

[Arreyis]

Ayrie walked with a swing to her step as she headed for the temple, hearing oohs and ahhs and applause as something began to happen. She couldn't quite see what was going on yet, being low on the street behind a large crowd of people. She made her way quietly through the crowd, and reached the front in time to see a giant monster with white hair and blue eyes, black scaly skin that had markings over it walking out of the temple.

'My god...' She thought, unable to make a sound. She looked around her at the surrounding crowd, seeing that everyone here was happy, joyous, praising this thing. 'What is happening here? It looks like... It can't be him though... Maybe he is bound to that thing? The markings and eyes are so similar.'

She could only watch, knowing that if she so much as gasped she could be in danger from the people around her. She had to maintain a passive face no matter what, and keep her thoughts to herself.