Through the Looking Glass (Open)

[Kallen]

Unless someone swoops in to save the day, I'm about to lose my tongue.


The plan had been pretty simple. There was a portal rumored to be opening over in the Sorcen's camp not incredibly far from the castle. Would have been a simple matter of walking in and jumping through. Easy peasy. Except it so wasn't. The Sorcen weren't on good terms with the Netherlings and it was going to require a lot of luck to get through them, to the middle of their camp, and go through a portal. Her getting captured was pretty much a given. What wasn't a planned was Aster finding her so quickly. But, at least he was chained up. Kallen on the other hand was on her knees, hands around her back, staring up at the leader of the Sorcen. The Queen's lover and guards-woman stood at Kallens back, gold boots and gold gauntlet digging into her back. The Queen was smirking, enjoying this.

"What do you say, Kallen of Dagur? Loose the tongue, and be welcomed into our ranks. We can't have that nasty scream of your's messing things up, after all," the Queen, Ember, purred. Kallen continued to stare, thoughts shifting through her head. It was what she had told them when she was first captured. That she had had enough of her family, enough of Aster. She had said she wanted to join them. It had almost worked, until Aster found her that was. Now here she was, at the mercy of the Queen and about to have her tongue cut off. Or, her head. 

"What say you, Kallen? Give us some color for this drab landscape?" Ember asked. Kallen hesitated a moment longer. Though it'd grow back, tongues were super-sensitive; mother of gold, this was going to hurt.


A toll I'll pay to get free.



She glanced over at Aster. He was thrashing against the immovable stone. When she stuck out her tongue and Portia pinched the tip with her gauntlet claws, he grew crazed, ramming his horns into the rocks until blood dripped down his face.


She tensed, readying for the pain.


Slice.



She screamed, blood spewing. Cheers and laughter broke out.


Agony assailed her; black dots swarmed her vision as she choked on blood. When her legs grew weak, Portia held her up by her collar. With her other hand, she raised Kallen's severed tounge for all to see. Then she tossed it into the crowd.


Stay conscious, stay conscious.
 She spat up mouthful after mouthful of blood, crimson streams splattering over her hands.Colorful enough, you bitches?!


They continued to laugh, even as blood streamed from her mouth. Aster had become completely enraged, roaring threats in the Old Language at them. Her trashed so hard that Kallen truly wondered if the chains could even hurt him. Her vision swarmed, the ground started to sway. But then, she felt it. The buzz across her skin, the magic singing in her veins. She grinned. It was here. The portal was finally here. She grinned, swiping at her mouth with her leather jacket. Portia, believing that Kallen was true about joining them, stood to her full height. The feeling grew stronger and with a glance at Aster, she could tell by the look in his eyes that he felt it too. They glazed black, his horns straightening and making grooves in the rock.

"DON'T YOU DARE FUCKING DO IT!!! DON'T YOU LEAVE ME MILATAIS!!!" he cried, continuing to shout in the Old Language. Ignoring him, Kallen braced herself, eyes locked on the swirl of air about two feet to the right. Her shoulders itched, wings ready to be freed. Portia and Ember didn't even notice, enjoying the blood bath far too much. Her eyes narrowed, mind focused on it completely. One.....Two...Three....NOW!

Her wings sprung from her back, knocking away a surprised Portia. Aster screamed, Kallen lunged....

Through the portal she went.

~*~*~*~

What exactly happened in there seemed like a blink to Kallen. One minute she was in Rothkalin, the next, she wasn't. She hit the ground hard, body moving with the momentum to roll her into a crouch. Her hand immediately went to the knife in her boot as she scanned the rather run-down area. Quietly she stood, wings returning to her back as she looked around. The city, for that's what she guessed it was, looked like a bomb had gone off. She kept her knife out, not quite sure what she had gotten herself into. Or who she would meet along the burned road.

[Queen Akassa Hattori]

Kallen had left one world of chaos for another. While no one would attempt to rip out her tongue on this plane, if she had one left to remove, the scene around her did not exactly provide any guarantee of safety. In the recent week New Vegeta had seen more destruction than it had ever known. The Universal Church of One had assaulted the Saiyan people, ripping apart their castle and city in an attempt to eradicate the unnaturally reborn race. While the attempt had ultimately failed the battles that had ensued as a result had left nearly half of the city in ruin. The new visitor had arrived in one such unlucky place, the buildings all around her reduced to little more than piles of rubble. A few stood, or at least a number of their walls did. If she were to look for shelter she would find none here.


In the distance she could see figures sifting through the rubble, families attempting to dig out possessions that had once adorned their homes. None approached the woman after her sudden appearance, but one amongst them was a soldier. Of lower station he was no threat to someone of her strength so he instead reaches up to touch the scouter over his ear.


“Commander, a woman has appeared in the 11th district. Her power level is beyond what I alone can handle.” There was a slight pause. “I understand.” With that the soldier motions for the citizens around him to move away, eyeing the woman for a moment before following.

---

Back at the palace grounds, what was left of them after all the fighting that had taken place on the royal grounds, Akassa had already sensed the signature that had seemingly appeared from thin air. This one was strong…stronger than almost all of her soldiers. What concerned her most was how she had gotten here, that nagging at the new Queen even more than whom the person was. While whoever it was that had come to New Vegeta was powerful they were not any match for its ruler. Initially she had thought it a member from the Universal Church of One, but that simply didn’t make any sense. With Aer Nin having failed sending someone so much weaker was pointless. Unless they were simply testing a new form of travel, some sort of instantaneous method. The prospect of anyone arriving at her home with such ease did not sit well with her. With reports already coming in through her scouter the Queen silences them all. Akassa herself would intercept this one and get to the bottom of this.


In her own quarters Akassa utilizes the single hold in the roof to dart out of her room as takes to the air. Even in her normal state the powerful female was able to travel quickly, senses locking in on the intruder as she soars above New Vegeta. Her home had already suffered enough. If this newest arrival was a thread Akassa planned to eliminate it.


Less than a minute later she was there, silver aura disappearing as she drops to the ground a dozen yards from the female. It was a woman and an exotic looking one at that. Instantly Akassa knew the girl was not Saiyan, not in the least. Her skin was far to fair and the wings that sprouted from her back hinting at a genetic background far removed from the normal residents of New Vegeta. Casually walking closer, brown tail swaying behind her, the Queen saw more of the woman’s features. Beyond her wings, curvaceous form, and the markings around her eyes one feature stood out, the horns that poked through her thick hair. Wings were not that uncommon as Akassa had seen them before, but to see horns on such a “human” looking individual was odd indeed. With such a power disparity between the two Akassa did not fear the small blade she held in her hand, the half-saiyan curious more than anything.


”Who are you and how did you get here?” Her words blunt and to the point. So far she had not made a judgment about the stranger, her curiosity staying any type of offense for the time being. Despite how some saw her Akassa did not always strike first and ask questions later, she was willing to let the girl try and explain herself.

[Kallen]

Kallen rolled her shoulders, working out the tightness that came with her wings returning to her back. As she did, she closed her eyes, breathing in and letting her mind go. All around her, she could feel rather than see them. They scurried about like ants looking for scraps. Their fear and heartbreak read loud and clear to her. Everyone felt it so strongly it was like the song of this world. Mixed in was pain and yearning, agony and hatred. While most beings would be affected by what she saw and sensed, Kallen felt nothing for the beings of this world. It simply wasn't her nature. Or at least, it wasn't now. Opening her eyes, she tested her tongue. It was mostly grown back, only a day or two more of rest and she'd be golden. If one thing was to be said about portals, it was that they packed one hell of a magic punch. Thinking of the portal, Kallen frowned. That had been the last time she had felt the usually tingle of magic across her skin. The last moment she felt it in every breath she took. Could it be? Was there no magic in the world? Could there be such a thing? It was rumored of course, but that was all she assumed it to be. Apparently not.

Moments later, it wasn't the sound of a person walking that alerted Kallen to their presence. She had felt them drawing closer, curiosity fresh in this desolate landscape of emotion. It truly was only a matter of time before someone came to check her out after all. 

"Who are you and how did you get here?”


Kallen turned, curious as to what manner of creatures she would find here. The creature sounded female, but that could mean anything. They could be a race of green blobs. Or creatures more beast than man. They could be uniquely beautiful or horribly ugly. They could be--

A humanoid girl with a--Kallen doubled checked quickly--monkeys tail.

She tried to hide her disappointment. Really, she did. But really, this wasn't even close to her lamest fantasies. For all Kallen knew, she could simply be on a different part of Rothkalin. If that was true, it wouldn't be hard to identify her as one of the Netherling race. Though, what a sight she must present. Kallen glanced down with a frown. She wore her favorite shitkickers and leathers that hugged her legs. A black shirt and a black leather jacket with silver accents completed her look. Her mahogany hair was a little wild from her portal jumping, her horns rising from it. The markings around her eyes stood out from her pale skin, just as much as the blood around her mouth and on her hands. Unlike the girl before her, Kallen had no idea how powerful the girl really was. But, she had been around royalty enough to recognize a person in charge. And this chick defiantly had that look. So in response to her question, Kallen moved over to a mostly standing wall covered in layers of dirt and grime. Raising her hand, she used the dirt and the blood on her hands to spell out one word on the building.

K-A-L


For now, that one word would be all this chick would get. Many knew her as Kallen of Dagur, but only Xhex called her Kal. It seemed a little wrong to be giving out the name her only friend called her, but it was the only one she had. Wasn't like she was going to introduce herself as Milatais. Even the thought of acknowledging Aster's pet name for her in anyway made her sick and her skin crawl. Shoving that to the back of her mind, she crossed her arms, leaning against the side of the building with a nod in the girls direction. It was her turn to introduce herself. While she waited, Kallen studied her. She didn't look that intimidating to her. Brown hair with red tips, a jacket lined in fur, and that brown monkey tail. It really was unimpressive. Though, Kallen knew not everyone's looks reflected them. Xhex for example. The most dangerous woman on Rothkalin, and her hair was bright purple and she had a love for bright colors. Not exactly a being that screamed death.

[Queen Akassa Hattori]

Whoever this girl was, she did not appear to fear Akassa’s presence in the least. Fear probably wasn’t the best word for her generals and soldiers did not fear her, but it was easy to sense their unease in her presence. All of them knew the true strength the Queen possessed and that her power dwarfed almost anyone’s. This girl though was brand new to the moon as far as Akassa was able to tell and based on her reaction had no idea who it was that now addressed her. Under normal circumstances the ruler would have expected a guest to genuflect or in the very least bow before her, but she was fine with making exceptions to those unaware of what she was.

At first Akassa thought the girl was attempting to give her the cold shoulder as she turned and began to walk, the Queen of course unaware of the female’s recent injury. In fact she thought, and would continue to think until closer inspection, that the red along Kallen’s mouth and hands was some form of coloring similar to the markings around her eyes. Pausing for a moment as the woman heads for a nearby wall Akassa lets her curiosity guide her decisions, unsure of what she was dealing with. Her small amount of patience pays off as the stranger lifts a finger to scratch three letters into the dirt and grime along the remaining wall of what once was a Saiyan home.

K-A-L

Unless writing in a language that Akassa was unfamiliar with she was guessing that was the girl’s name. As for why she had not simply stated it the Queen was left guessing for a moment longer. The casual nod left a small smirk across Akassa’s thin lips, Kal’s informal way of interacting a bit amusing. Everyone else on the planet dropped to a knee, saluted or both when greeting her. This one acted as if they had just met in a bar, her strange dress fitting that sort of scene much more than the battlefield she now stood in. The more she thought about her attire the more she questioned if she had seen the girl in Kazu’s bar at some point. Of course she should have recognized the signature if that was the case, but she did not remember ever individual that she came across…especially when she had consumed a few to many drinks the last time she had visited the establishment.

”Kal, I have never heard that name before. My name is Akassa Hattori, Queen of New Vegeta and the Saiyan people.” She pauses for a moment as she resumes walking closer to the girl, eyes scanning her up and down again to commit her appearance to memory. ”I am still curious as to how you arrived here, but as long as you pose no threat to my home no harm shall come to you.” Wanting to appear as disarming as possible Akassa allows a small smile to form on her lips. The expression was not one she wore often so she hoped it did not appear forced. This Kal did not seem to be of a violent nature so the Queen hoped to keep things civil.

As she awaited her answer and slowly walked closer, she was soon aware of why the girl had written her name instead of saying it. The dark coloring around her mouth and hands was not the same as the exotic markings around her eyes, they were blood stains. The woman must have suffered some sort of injury to her mouth, perhaps rendered unable to speak. With what she figured to be signs of a recent battle the half-saiyan found herself even more curious about this new comer. She had an impressive signature compared to most and the blood hinted that she was not afraid of confrontation, both attributes that the Queen saw potential in.

[Kallen]

A queen. Boy, could Kallen call them. The woman screamed of power and respect-me-or-else. As she spoke, Kallen raised a brow. New Vegeta? Saiyan people? She had never heard of anything like that. Which meant one thing: she was out of Rothkalin. She let a grin stretch across her bloodied lips. Fucking yeah. She had done it. It cost her her tongue, but she had done it. No more courts. No more Aster. No more of her family. She wanted to laugh, wanted to twirl and dance in the ruble that was this world. She stopped herself, knowing that for certain the woman before her would find her quite mad. Which was wonderful, seeing as madness was sanity back home. Instead, she pushed off the wall. In an exaggerated flourish, she gave a bow to the queen before her, obviously having no true feelings of respect for the woman. Might have been a bad idea, honestly. Kallen knew her for hardly a moment. The queen could ignore or find her amusing, or chop off her head as her grandfather often did. The floor of his throne room had been permanently stained with blood long ago. The staff didn't even both clearing away anything but the body any more. Her grandfather loved it of course, said it was his favorite decoration choice in the entire castle. Lucky for Kallen, she had gotten over that quickly. After throwing up once at the sight, she had learned quickly never to show such a weakness again.



Pulling herself from the past, she straightened and wiped the sleeve of her jacket across her mouth. She didn't let the queen see, but her energy was starting to wane. Between the running, the bit of fighting, and her energy going to heal her tongue, she was running on fumes. She needed sleep and food soon. Shouldn't be too hard to find. One advantage to learning from a Bloodletter? You learned how to move without bringing seen, making you a perfect thief. Wouldn't be the first time she stole to survive.

Quietly, she gazed around the alleyway that she had appeared in The wind stored up, bringing dirt and dust swirling around them. Considering the stench of death in the air, Kallen could nay assume that at least some of the dust was Saiyan remains. It made one wonder what exactly happened here. She had seen death and destruction before, had even had a hand in it. But there were always bodies left over. Most of the time, there were unrecognizable, but they were there. Where were the remains here? It made her think of the many faces she'd stared down into as lives had leeched out of bodies and souls went souring free. As an assassin, death had ben her job. As a Netherling, it had been a kind of calling.

Turning to the wall once more, she wrote what was most likely a not so simple question.

WHAT HAPPENED HERE?

Kallen returned her attention to the Queen. Her Netherling side couldn't help but perk up, curious about who caused it. And of course, how it could do the same. Throwing those instincts to the back of her mind, she refocused on the woman. She seemed to know her way around a battle. At least, that's what her body language and feel of power said. It led one to believe that she had been apart of this battle. Maybe even at the head of it. Speaking from experience, Kallen knew that position was definitely the most fun.

[Queen Akassa Hattori]

Akassa’s current calm and controlled demeanor that Kal was seeing was only a part of her personality. Beneath the surface the Saiyan Queen was an ocean of shifting emotions, the destruction around them due in part to her rage. Had the woman arrived several days earlier she might have been a witness to the fight between Akassa and her own father, the former King. Her true personality had been revealed that day, her vengeful self fueled by anger and hatred. When the chaos had finally come to an end and the dust cleared three of her family members lay dead, all slain by her hand. The decision to restrain herself in public was one of necessity for with her power she could not unleash her rage at will, not without an appropriate target. She ruled New Vegeta now so she had an image to maintain, but woe be it to anyone that threatened her.

With her station revealed the girl was quick to shove away from the wall turned notepad to dip into a lavish bow. Extravagant and exaggerated, borderline over the top, Akassa couldn’t help but be a little amused, a small smirk forming on her lips. This one was a curious subject indeed and one the Queen found herself still rather interested in. Only knowing a name so far she was going to have to inquire more, but before she could speak the woman returns to the wall. After doing her best to clean the blood from her mouth with her sleeve, her fingers began tracing letters through the dirt and grime. A mixture of concrete, dust and most likely Saiyan remains, the thick coating on the stone wall made it easy to write, the message soon clear.

The question was…not what Akassa had expected. Considering the blood around her mouth and splattered elsewhere it was surprising to see her concerned about what had transpired here. The most logical request would have been for assistance or perhaps something to eat, base solely off how disheveled Kal looked. Also she had chosen to write yet again, reinforcing Akassa’s assumption that something was wrong with her mouth. Curious as to what that may be the Hattori strolls forward.

Gently, but firmly her hand lifts to grab a hold of Kal’s chin, tilting it up some and applying a little pressure so that she might be able to see inside her mouth. Not saying a thing as her intentions were quite clear the Queen seemed to care little for the stranger’s personal space, eyes peering into her mouth for a moment to confirm what she had suspected. If no resistance came she would easily be able to see a good portion of the female’s tongue missing, a rather gruesome injury. Raising an eyebrow as her focus shifts from the girl’s mouth, releasing it from her grip, her eyes look to that of Kal’s. Admiring the intricate designed around them for a moment Akassa finally speaks.

”That is not such a quick tale, but I would be glad to tell you in exchange for information about yourself. Fair enough? If so let us return to my palace, we can talk in comfort there. Besides…you look as if you could use some medical assistance for…that.” She says as she motions to the girl’s mouth with her index finger. It was not protocol to invite someone she barely knew back to her home, but this was far from your average case. She was interested to learn more about the girl and if she was at her side there was little danger of her hurting anyone else, not with Akassa so closely watching her.

[Kallen]

It seemed that Kallen had guessed right in part of the Queen’s personality. Amusement flickered through her emotional grid, over her lips too. Surprise soon replaced it as Akassa beheld what Kallen had written. A flash of curiosity and the Queen moved foreword. Kallen made no move. She wouldn’t show even a moment of weakness, even though the Queen had not yet gone to make a threat. Head held high, she allowed the Queen to peer into her mouth. Roughly half of her tongue was missing, the blood still evident. Her small fangs were coated in her own blood, and what looked like traces of black blood. She was no ashamed of her injury. No. She was proud. She had escaped Rothkalin and lost only a tongue.

As Akassa let go, the two locked eyes. There seemed to be almost a moment of understanding between the two of them. Both were fighters. Both were survivors. And Kallen had a feeling that neither would hesitate to kill the other at a drop of a hat.



As she was released, Kallen raised a brown in question. She supposed that what the Queen was proposing wasn’t too bad an idea. She didn’t trust the Queen, but that was pretty much how she felt about everyone. Even herself, if she was being truly honest.

For once.

Quietly, she considered it. Was this information that could be used against her? Would keeping it a secret award her some type of advantage? Would a lie serve just as well, if not better? As far she was concerned, every answer to that was a bold yes. Even just going with the Queen could be a potential bad idea. But, it could also work in her favor. She was in a strange land, and who knew how strong he creatures of this place were? And what about the damage done here? The Queen could be a strong ally. For now at least After a moment, she nodded.



Kallen stepped back, rolling her shoulders. The seams from the slits in her jacket rubbed against the nodules under her shoulders. Under her skin, her wings itched, begging to be let loose and used. She had sensed others flying above earlier and assumed the Queen could as well. If not, Kallen truly pitied her.



With one more roll of her shoulders, her wings sprung free, unfurling from her back. Spread full, they filled the space of the ally, tips touching what was left of the walls. Black gossamer diluted the sunlight, bringing out the range of hues in them. Between Kallen’s wings, her horns, and the markings around her eyes, it wasn’t hard to see her as some otherworldly creature. But good or bad? Heaven or hell? Time on this planet was sure to shed some light on that. With a flap, she rose slightly off the ground raising a brow at the Queen, a cocky grin on her lips. With a bow, she motioned for her to lead the way.

[Queen Akassa Hattori]

Being careful to remain gentle Akassa tilts the girls head back just enough to get a clear view into her mouth. The muscle that aided speech in most creatures was half gone, but not evenly so. What remained, although it seemed to have begun the healing process, did not resemble the even wound that a blade would have made. Had the girl’s tongue been yanked from her mouth by sheer force? The Queen was not a stranger to pain yet she had to wince a little at the thought of going through such an ordeal. Her assumption was only that though, for she had no idea what had happened to this woman. Before releasing her from the firm hold she eyes both of the small fangs in her mouth, another curiosity. What was this girl, a Makaio?

The raised brow hinted at interest, although hesitation followed. It was understandable considering open invitations to palaces were not usually something so willingly handed out. Akassa hadn’t thought much of it until now, not usually extending invitations to anyone but her trusted generals or a few select friends. Regardless, she had the right to do as she pleased, no longer needing to request permission from her parents to bring anyone to the royal grounds. It was good to be Queen.

When the nod came a smile answered it. Allowing the girl to take a step back she watches as her shoulders roll in a loosening fashion, almost like fighters did before starting a fight. The difference was that her wings sprang forth from her back, the beautiful appendages spanning the width of the alley. As human as some of Kel’s features looked there were so many more that gave her an exotic presence. The more she recalled about various creatures she had read about in her studies, real and imagined, the fantasy creature known as a succubus came to mind. The girl before her lacked the tail those creatures were described to have, but everything else seemed quite similar. Perhaps the demons written about in books did exist in worlds beyond this one.

As Kel lifts into the air Akassa saw the joy she seemed to take in using the appendages, or perhaps it was the fact she was able to fly in general. With little effort the Queen lifts into the air as well, still smiling as she turns to lead them towards what was left of her palace. Able to fly at breakneck speeds she limits herself to a fast, but matchable pace as she was unsure how quick the other female was. Flying over the battered streets of New Vegeta, Kel would be able to see the other pockets of destruction, parts of the city that had suffered similarly to the area she had arrived in. Other sections were perfectly intact and bustling with activity and life. As they traveled Akassa did not try to rise high into the air, keeping well within sight of those below, many heads looking up to view the Queen as she passed. Of course that meant they also saw the winged companion that traveled with her.

Before long the royal compound itself came into view, what was left of it at least. The center of it, which once housed the grand castle was all but leveled, piles of rubble strewn about. To the right sat the damaged barracks of the royal guard, the area having suffered from the effects of the fight with Aer Nin as well. The main part of the compound, besides the already flat training area at the back, that had survived was the royal quarters. That is where Akassa was taking them.

As they reached the structure she leads the way down through the single hole in the roof, the only damage it had taken. Her booted feet gently tap down on the stone floor, moving aside so that Kel could enter as well. Her old room, for her new one was being constructed, consisted of simple but comfortable furniture. Motioning to one of the soft couches the Queen invites the woman to sit before calling out to the guards stationed outside of her room.

”Bring me something to write with.” The volume of her voice did not rise, but the commanding tone was one befitting of a Queen. Outside there was no response to her words minus the sound of retreating footsteps. Moving to take a seat in a chair across from her guest, the same chair she had sat in while announcing to the galaxy that she was the new ruler of New Vegeta, her eyes settle back on the woman. Sitting in silence for a moment the door then swung open as a guard ran in, eyes blinking at the stranger that sat with the Queen. Gesturing towards the girl he nodded and handed her the notepad and pen before a wave of Akassa’s hand dismissed him.

”There, is that better than dragging your finger through dirt and grime?”

[graderr]

1806 pl