Armistice of Malice

It was a gloom-filled and rather rainy-evening which found Karmine Vantas in his prison, not a prison of legal sorts mind you. But of the mind, for you see. He has married a General by name of Malasana Aberdire Makara, while their marriage is nice and all.

With the Capricorn's constant paranoia, he often found himself trapped up here in this room. Over looking the sea and pining for his freedom or at least something to alleviate the boredom which had settled in.

Malasana had left him for the next few weeks to go on a conquest of more land, More more more. That...Blasted Subjuggulator was never happy with what material possessions he had, it was always ignoring his "wife" for gold and foreign goods.

As the storm continued to brew quietly outside, The Cancer blood turned his attention back out to the window upon which ledge he had been sitting instead of reading. He could see the sea from here, black and foaming with high-tide. Strangely enough despite not being of the Aquatic variety, he longed to sit upon the shore and leave this...Damned place where he was practically ignored.

Truthfully, Karmine dreamed of a different life, where he did not have to be bound to this chamber and the courtyard. But instead could go forth and walk among the "peasants" as Malasana generally scornfully referred to them as.

He soon grew dreadfully tired of watching the servants and others scurry about beneath his obsidian over-layed window. So the cloaked mutant stood and returned to his bed, quietly undressing and ignoring the novel which he'd been so absorbed in before. He needed to rest.

As he slid into the welcoming confines of his mental release, it naturally began to heat up with his own natural warmth. His chamber door was locked, the candle out. He had closed the window and drawn the curtains.

May sleep take him soon, with his horrendous amounts of free time. He'd taken to simply sleeping days away, he always had...Interesting dreams. Of a figure whom he did not know, though he longed terribly too. Whomever seemed to dominate his dreams and bring joy into his betrothed&miserable life...Had to be better company than his always-absent husband.

The cancer soon drifted off into a deep sleep, this was when the dreams began.

He was free finally!

The trees whose branches looked sharp and deadly soon gave way to a sunny looking stretch of bright-white sand. Marred only by the occasional patches of washed up seaweed and wonderfully warped drift wood, Karmine found his way to the very edge of the shore.

He hadn't the slightest idea of how to swim, but he did not care. The wind was blowing a reprise-from-the-sun's-rays offering breeze that brought the salty smell of ocean water along with it. So discarded his cape did he, and also removed his shoes.

Not bothering to roll up his trouser legs, given he guessed since they were made of a coarse fabric they'd probably not be damaged in the slightest by water...Though The Cancer did not dive into the water immediately but instead crept into it until gentle waves were breaking around his ankles and his talons could easily be seen digging into the sand under them.

Though as he moved forward, the brown-ish wet sand gave way at a sudden drop before him. He was standing on a precarious ledge over the lip of which was nothing. Just solid black water which seemed to have no bottom, as much as he'd love too. That seemed to frighten him enough away from it to go back to the shore.

With a sigh the mutant sat back down upon the soft sand, he was an absolute coward. He'd never learn to swim if he didn't go...Reaffirmed in his decision he rose once more and dashed across the sand back into the water and lost his footing over the rift.

He was plunged into icy darkness for several seconds, but found himself naturally being able to swim. Though breathing didn't seem to be an issue either. Karmine made it half way back to the surface but something curled around his waist and dragged him back.

Several air bubbles escaped him and then the feeling of drowning set in, it caused him to jerk and attempt to fight against whatever held him.

His vision spun briefly and he found himself else where, back in his room...Upon the floor and broken pitcher of water laying nearby...

It was unfortunately just a dream, this caused a pang of regret in him. Karmine stood and noted the wind was picking up even further. So in a bout of symbolism, he tore a fair bit of cloth from his cloak. And wrapped up a note in it. Upon which he had written. "Someone, please help me."

Before casting open the window and throwing both objects into the maelstrom watching as they blew away and out of sight. The Cancer knew it was illogical but he hoped that it reached...Someone and they came to his aid.

With a tired sigh, the Signless lay back down and curled up. Keeping his limbs close to himself this time.

He was plagued again by another dream.

Karmine's vision cleared once again as he found himself in the corner of his room as the door was forcefully shoved open. It appeared he had been sewing before the intrusion, though as the mutant looked up suddenly he was pulled from his chair into another troll's embrace. One whose body suited his own far better than Malasana's.

Once more did the smell of ocean water return to him, that figure had returned to him at long last. Being cradled in the other's arms once again was unbelievably comforting, though the often-dreamed of troll's name was lost on him. It felt as though they had known each other for ages.

There was no need for words, this had happened so many times before it was basically another part of Karmine's life, definitely one of the more enjoyable parts.

The conjured phantom kept the mutant close, nuzzling sweetly into his hair. The Preacher's own claws found refuge curled into its cape. He'd long since missed this ocean-born violet blood that came to his subconscious to cure him of his ailments.

They continued to get reacquainted with one another before the scarred male broke away from Karmine briefly enough to trap both his hands in its own. The mutant felt waves of bitter-sweet happiness washing over his mind, they would never be together in the waking world. The sea-walker was just a mirage created by a lonely mind.

The regal seadweller leaned down just a bit and right before their lips touched. The Cancer was forced back into the world of the living by a knocking at his chamber door. Upon opening it, he found a servant had come to deliver his food.

Oh joy, right when his dream was getting good, he scorned that soul as it retreated back down the stairs after telling him that a Noble from the eastern kingdoms would be coming here to negotiate with Malasana over something, They had told said Noble of the indigo king's departure. But he had insisted and demanded that he be allowed to stay until his business was resolved.

Several hours later, after his meal was finished. Karmine was bade to come down stairs and greet their guest...He was shaken to the very bone to find that...This noble was from the capital and he was a sea-walker...A violet blood who looked suspiciously familiar.

He fought to refrain from making eye contact with said Noble who had been formally introduced as "The Most Honorable Orphaner." but he had quickly said to the others present that they could refer to him as "Dualscar."

Another terrifying realization found the preacher some what lacking in breath, so he excused himself and in the briefest of mistakes, fearfully caught The Orphaner's eye. Before immediately absconding up stairs too hide.

Several minutes later a familiar creak heralded his door opening, the sea walker had come to visit him...In his room.