Oracles come to see Evangeline.
Caroline spends the afternoon teasing Dark.
The tallest of the women must have been the oldest. He face was so wrinkled, you could barely see her eyes. But her hair was as dark as night! She wore dark purple robes and was very interested in looking around the room. “We have seen much, daughter. You have an extraordinary gift for one so young… and still alive.”
The old woman stood tall, very proud of her words. “We are the Guild of Oracles and have come to offer sanctuary to one of our daughters. A Seer is not safe here on the human plane. There are many who seek to own our power and souls. We are with deep regret that we have not come to spare you this torment much sooner…”
“The Guild of Oracles brings together the strong and the bright. Safety for those who see beyond the present. We influence destiny, guide fate, and protect life from the darkness.” Answered the old woman. She did not seem to be in a rush, nor concerned about the clinging devil.
The old lady only smiled as if she knew that was the response she would get. “You speak truth, young Seer. Darkness is not to be feared as a threat. Yet, the children of Darkness are the ones that prey on life most often. Your soul has been safe and protected thus far, but you are now in great danger. The feud between Darkness and Light will be the death of you, daughter. We have forseen it.”
“Small devil child, do not fear. WE do not wish your Seer harm! We wish to protect our daughter from this fate!”
“The gypsy is a prime example, daughter. She, the devil Malsuada. The vampire Anthony. The beast of the trailway. They are moments of your forseen death, only narrowly escaped. But, if you will not believe our words, we could show you. A tour of our sheltered place if you wish to see for yourself.”
“Of course, daughter. We would not take you without consent. If you wish to find a sitter for your devil, and tell someone where you are, we would allow it.” Several of the women nodded in agreement!
The Oracles were quite patient, allowing the exchange to occur without a sound of complaint! They did find it quite interesting, however!
“Good-day, small devil child.” said the tallest Oracle, moving to stand at Evangeline’s side before there was a soft hum of the women’s voices. A doorway opened, blinding bright and near impossible to look at! She placed a hand at Evangeline’s back to guide her through the portal!
“Yes. We have sheltered Seers for many eons. Come!” Most of the ladies had dispersed, leaving to go about their business. Evangeline was alone with the eldest, who was taking her arm to guide her through the tour. “Daughter, do you know why so many Seers of myth and legend are often blind as you are?” she asked!
Dark: *He was just sitting back and watching TV when his view was obscured by a little wailing devil!* Wha?! Meri!!
Caroline: *Caroline was sitting at the kitchen counter, reading a magazine and eating cashews from a bowl. The sound of Meri, though, and she was inwardly groaning. That wasn’t the happy hello “daaark!” that was the trouble one.*
Vlamerias: *She was sniffling and clinging to his head, oblivious to the discomfort she was causing!* They took Mommy and Mommy went with them! And I’ll probably never see Mommy again!
Dark: … Whoa! Calm down! Slow down! Stop! Rewind! Who took Evangeline and what do you mean you’ll probably never see her again?!
“A great Seer must have nothing to distract her vision from the lines of fate. You, daughter, are to be a great Seer.” The elder led Evangeline to a large room, where many woman were sitting in their own secluded little spots. Each having a large crystal, bowl of water, or other clear mediums sitting in front of them. “Have a seat here. Look in to the stone, that is your element, correct? Look deep and tell me what you see, daughter!”
Dark: That’s insane! I’ve never heard of these oracles before.
Caroline: Vlamerias, did they -take- her or did they -invite- her? It’s an important detail. *Oracles were mysterious things… Rare! To see one meant a huge event. Even she had only met one once… and it wasn’t good circumstances.* They are like the elite of psychics. People like Evangeline, but their gift is stronger, more controlled. …and they aren’t nearly as helpful or direct.
“A tool for divination. To enhance the strength of vision. Imagine the good one could do, seeing every vision with crystal clarity. Knowing exactly what is to happen. How to prevent evil or guide good to it’s destiny.”
Dark: … Grand. They sound like the life of the party. *He muttered, trying to pry the devil off his head! But she had one hell of a grip!*
Caroline: It’s hard to imagine Evangeline as an Oracle. They don’t live amongst humans. They live in their own little world away from everything else.
Dark: *He stopped trying to pull her off and opted for patting her on the head instead! At least, he hoped that was her head he was patting!* Come on now. I’m not the first to defend him but Gabriel finds ways of getting Evangeline back.
“Those visions are unique, are they not? You have viewed yourself only in moments of great choice and consequence. You would not see the other potential moments…” The elder moved, resting her hand on top of the crystal. Here she was sharing visions of her own! Several shifted on the crystal before it settled on one. A seemingly innocent moment of Evangeline helping hunters in a class before a very fatal accident! Then another of her and Meri taking a bus across the city and a wreck! Then another where several demons interupt their way home! “These moments are common. Come often. You have been lucky thus far, that you have survived for so long. So many have tried to claim your soul.” The last vision was an odd one. Everything there was crystal or glass and Evangeline seemed to be just sleeping. But there was both Light and Darkness there! “If you remained here with us, this things will not befall you.”
Caroline: I can promise Gabriel would find her, even if she were at the center of the sun. As long as they don’t intend to harm her, she’ll be all right. Oracles aren’t known for being vicious… just vague and irritating. *At this rate Dark was going to be smothered… she should probably save him. In a moment.*
Dark: *He was back to trying to get Meri off of his head! Why did she always cling to his head? He stopped, huffed!*
Caroline: If she chose to stay there herself, then that is where she’ll stay. …Otherwise, if they were slick you can bet Gabriel will go to get her. *…all right. She felt sorry enough for Dark to get the devil off. Caroline rose from her chair to cross the room and pluck Meri up in to her arms.*
“Daughter, even Darkness can fail. Light wishes her child to be returned and she will have her victory. At least here, amongst your kindred spirits you will be away from the war between Light and Darkness. None will touch you here, and your love with remain eternal and alive.”
Caroline: Tell your master where she is, then. But for the heavens, Small Lady, don’t panic so badly. Bad choices are made when we panic. Then you do silly things like make crazy wishes or try to burn souls.
The elder looked regretful. “If that is what you wish.” She pulled her hand away from the crystal, and gestured at it again. “Before you choose to leave us, perhaps you can donate your time and knowledge? If only for a few moments, share you visions with us. Allow yourself the opportunity to use our tools?”
Dark: *He blinked!* … What.
Caroline: Is he answering the door naked? *…THAT would be a sight! What does he do while she’s asleep or away?*
Caroline: If Dark is answering the door naked, I would say there is a lot more than gossip…
That was plenty enough for the Oracle! Bidding Evangeline a thank you, she moved away to check on other women. Leaving Evangeline alone with peace and visions!
Dark: Hey! I had some pants on! … Most of the time. *He rubbed the back of his head. He couldn’t remember EVERY time he’d had to answer the door!*
Caroline: I can only imagine the things they say. *A wicked smirk across her face, she could imagine lots! Things that would likely send him in to another temper tantrum, so it was wise to keep them to herself.*
Gabriel: *Somewhere, in that realm of shadows, Darkness swung its tail and roared! The roar was loud enough to be heard even on Earth as it lifted its head!*
Caroline: *There are many ways to keep a deviled entertained… In this case Caroline had Meri playing with a box of marbles that may or may not be of a suspicious nature. If Dark didn’t ask what they were, she wasn’t going to tell!*
Dark: *He winced!* … Crap. *He massaged his temples.* Hey, Meri. I’ll give you two guesses who’s pissed off right now.
A hand rested at Evangeline’s back, and the Elder Oracle smiled down. “You’ve over exerted yourself, daughter. I shall take you somewhere to rest.”
Caroline: *She glanced up at the clock on the wall.* …Someone is missing his wife, no doubt.
Dark: *He huffed and cracked his knuckles! Meri was one emotional devil!*
The elder wrapped an arm around Evangeline’s back to support her and took her hand to help guide her from the room. “The divination tools are taxing yes. You will need a much more rejuvinating rest that what a normal bed might give. Allow yourself a small nap here, where you will be much more refreshed when you wake before you return to your home.”
Caroline: She isn’t in danger Meri and you will not be in trouble. *…at least not in physical danger. Evangeline had a terrible habit of not being able to tell people NO, but Caroline didn’t think Oracles would be stupid enough to do something to the wife of Gabriel.*
Gabriel: *Darkness’ form dissipated and Gabriel stood there! He appeared in Evangeline’s class and was unable to find her! Vlamerias was with Caroline and Dark … but it wasn’t an emergency or she would have contacted him somehow. He felt the traces of the portal. The easy part turned out to be activating it again. The hard part was tolerating all the light! He walked down the corridor, feeling the bond between him and Evangeline and following it.*
Several surprised Oracles were startled when someone dark walked through a portal in to their sanctuary! Frightened even, so that a few were scurrying away to find somewhere to hide, so sure they were being invaded!
Gabriel: *He wasn’t interested in the other Oracles. He wanted his wife back but he did keep his sense out in case one of them should try something stupid.*
Dark: *Dark clasped his hands behind his head.* So, let me get this straight. All these little Oracles away in one place. And neither Darkness and Light is allowed there or something?
The elder moved Evangeline to tuck her nicely in to the bed. “Time does not have much meaning here, daughter. Do you like this? Our daughters require deep and restful sleep. You cannot recieve this on the human world, being bombarded with all that is there. Rest!”
Caroline: Uh huh. Oracles are valuable. Even human conquerers would keep Oracles close to help predict the outcomes of battles and such. Knowing the future is an asset. Demons tend to like collecting their souls or stealing their power. *Now it was Caroline trying to get Meri off her head!*
Gabriel: *He found himself in the room Evangeline had been sitting in just moments ago. He saw the mediums she had touched, the place she had sat. Then he turned and walked out, still in search of her.*
The Elder smiled with a self satisfied look, before brushing a hand gently over Evangeline’s head. She exited the room quietly, but was startled to find Darkness himself approaching down the hall. “..Y-you…!”
Gabriel: *He stopped.* You have someone who belongs to me. Step aside.
The wrinkled old face frowned deep, as she held up a hand and shook her head. “She does not belong on the human world. Her gifts should be shared with the guild and her life safe here within our walls.”
Gabriel: I will hear those words from her own lips, not yours.
Caroline: A lot of things are less common these days. I suppose that’s the way the world evolves. *Finally, she managed to get Meri off her head, and trying to tempt her with that box of marbles again!*
“Her judgement is being shadowed by her love for you, Great Darkness. You cannot dare to deny that her existance on the human plane has been perilous and traumatic. Her soul in danger. WE have forseen her death.”
Gabriel: Her judgement is all that matters. I deny nothing. But that is the risk one takes to live. You are directly interfering with my affairs. Stand. Aside.
Caroline: *At this rate, she was going to be Caroline, Master of Babysitting! With her head free, she was settled back on the sofa with a cup of tea!*
Dark: *He yawned.* So this Light chick. Did any of your sources know anything more about her? You know, besides her being a royal pain in the ass.
“And you are tresspassing in to our Sanctuary. A broken promise.” The elder didn’t move and inch! “She is meant to be an Oracle and you are preventing her from her true path.”
Gabriel: A promise that would not be broken had it not been for your meddling. I want my wife back. *He said, beginning to bristle.* Or my trespassing will be the least of your worries.
Just a lot of myth and legend, but nothing about her personally. There seems to be more legend about Gabriel as the Great King than anything about Light. I have the suspicion that he’s tried to erase anything she might have done.
Caroline: Just a lot of myth and legend, but nothing about her personally. There seems to be more legend about Gabriel as the Great King than anything about Light. I have the suspicion that he’s tried to erase anything she might have done.
Dark: Heh. Figures. Even Gabriel must have a petty streak somewhere. He probably got so insecure about Light, he resorted to trying to scrub her out permanently.
If anything, the elder Oracle was persistent! “She will be safe here. Away from everything that wishes to do her harm. You will take her back to a life where people like Anthony abuse her?”
Gabriel: No. But I have learned that regardless, it is her happiness I wish for the most. I abandoned her one time too many. I will not add this to the list. *And now he was moving forward!*
Caroline: No man or god is perfect. Wouldn’t be much of a balance if he were. *Caroline cast a wicked smirk!*
The Oracle stepped backwards just far enough to hold up her arms and brace them in the doorway. “So be it! But does she not at least deserve a rest where her mind is at ease?!”
Gabriel: *Now he was smirking.* As if I would trust you or any other Oracle alone with my wife. I will let her rest but I am staying by her side.
The elder scowled, but she finally stepped aside. “You may turn that suspicion back to yourself. …In the end it will be your war with Light that ends her life.”
Dark: Arrogant bastard. *He lay back and closed his eyes.* As long as the world doesn’t explode …
Caroline: I suppose you wouldn’t destroy your enemy’s things out of spite? *It was an amusing question. …In all honesty she had on more than one occasion!*
Gabriel: *He ignored her and stepped inside. Evangeline was sleeping so peacefully, he really couldn’t wake her. He sat down by her bedside to watch her sleep.*
Dark: *He snickered.* No comment.
Gabriel: *He and Light would be the death of her. Oracles had no reason to lie. He had promised to keep her even if the universe was destroyed. He had left her so many times, had seen the pain each time had caused her. Each pain stronger than the last. He leaned forward on the bed, propped his elbows on it, twined his fingers together.*
Caroline: Wouldn’t it be a sight to find that it’s not Gabriel getting pissed off and burning the would but his Prince of Darkness instead! *She even snickered as she took a sip of tea and rest her feet on the coffee table!*
Dark: Hardy har har. *He muttered, one arm over his eyes.*
Gabriel: *He watched her reach out, take his hand and rest it against her face. This is why he could not leave her. Even if it meant her absolute safety, although he personally did not believe in such a thing.* –
Caroline: My sweet, the least you could do is laugh at my jokes. We are supposed to be entertaining Meri with slapstick comedy and whatever other nonsense she seems to think we’re amusing for.
Dark: *Takes his arm off to look up at Meri!* They do not COO! Damnit, who even taught you that word? Coo. Isn’t that the sound a pigeon makes!
Gabriel: Late enough that I have raised the Oracles’ ire. *He would have kept that thought to himself but she would have ended up hearing it anyways!*
Caroline: They ooh, aah, and before long will be throwing their underwear at him. ..if they haven’t already. *She turned to glance at Dark.* Have they?
Dark: … No! *He said in such a tone and with a look on his face, that they obviously had!* That is the weirdest thing I have ever heard! Women. Throwing their panties at me. Tch.
Caroline: I never understood that one either. What is a man supposed to do with a strange woman’s underwear? Wear it? *…that mental image made her smirk wide. Eyeing Dark with a suggestive look!*
Dark: As if I touch those things! I just do what I go to do and that’s it! Without ladies’ panties! Or whatever the hell they throw at me!
Caroline: …What else do they throw at you? *He had left that open to interpretation…!*
Dark: *He blinked! Coughed!* A few … other … things … *Things best left unsaid!*
Vlamerias: I want to know! I want to know! *This was just too interesting to pass up!*
Caroline: I want to know, also. Bra? Condoms? Lacy nightgowns?
Dark: … Yeah … hotel room keys … roses … money …
Caroline: And here you come home to me every evening. Imagine the looks on those women’s faces. *Actually… knowing that he keeps answering the door without his clothes on, she could probably see a few expressions from the ladies at Oracle.*
Dark: Yeah well I can do without the looks, thanks. *he wasn’t going into detail what was the strangest thing to be thrown at him.*
Caroline: Maybe you should try answering the door with your clothes ON. People might get interesting assumptions about what you do here with me. *She smirked!*
Dark: Can’t beat the looks those girl scouts were giving me that one time … or the Jehovah witnesses.
Outside the door, the Elder was still waiting, looking very unpleased. “This is not the right choice.”
Caroline: I suppose I should begin answering the door without my clothes too. May as well give them all something to talk about.
Vlamerias: Ooh! No clothes means more freedom! Or that is what one of the hunters said!
Dark: *He was smirking.* You just want to flash people.
“Then be wary, Seer. We have only shown you a few mere moments of your death. It will come.”
Caroline: Cleary I am not the one with the affinity for flashing people in this apartment.
Dark: Hey! It’s not my fault they always pop up when I’m trying to sleep! Even vampires need their rest!
Oracles that had thought it was safe to come out, were now running to hide again! And thinking the worst that Darkness must be kidnapping one of their own! Poor Sister..!
Caroline: Most people pull on a pair of pants before answering the door. What if -I- end up seeing you naked? *…there’s a thought!*
Dark: *he blinked! He hadn’t expected her to say something like that!* … Do you want to see me naked?
Caroline: *A sly sort of smirk was on her face!* Why do you ask questions you may not want to hear the answer to?
Dark: ‘Cause you always ask the weird questions! *He muttered, giving her a sideways glance!*
Caroline: I think the question may be, do you want me to see you naked? *There were moments teasing him was well worth it! Especially when it involved dodging answering them!*
Dark: … Hey now! *He huffed. Of all the questions! He started looking for the TV remote!*
Vlamerias: *She giggled as she played with the marbles and listened to the conversation. Dark was so funny!*
Caroline: *That wicked look on her face only got worse! She set down her teacup, inching closer to Dark on the sofa.* Hey, what? One doesn’t walk around naked in a woman’s apartment for no reason…
Dark: There’s a small devil present! You shouldn’t say stuff like that in front of her!
Caroline: I’m not saying anything inappropriate Dark. ..Unless that’s the way you’re thinking? *Caroline may as well of been a cat stalking it’s prey, sneaking closer on the sofa with that wicked grin.* You’ve already flashed so many people already.
Dark: *He was silent as he started flipping channels! He was trying so hard to ignore Caroline!*
Caroline: *Dark was making it far too much fun to pester him! And since he was -insisting- on ignoring her, Caroline inched herself so close, she was practically on his lap. Leaning to mumbled in his ear!* I suppose this means you sleeping naked now?
Dark: *Dark was muttering under his breath!* That’s all I need. To wake up naked and find you’re awake and have company or something.
Caroline: You already have jealous Oracle females thinking they’re trying to charm my lover. I doubt that would make a difference. *As if she ever brought home company! That WOULD be something to talk about!*
Dark: … Yeah, right. It’d be my luck that you do something like that just to make me squirm.
Caroline: I don’t need to bring someone home to make you squirm. *As she was demonstrating now by resting her chin on his shoulder and grinning like an evil fiend. The fact he hadn’t jumped off the sofa was rather impressive.*
Dark: *He leaned to the side, away from her slightly! He blinked! Damnit, why did she have to be so close?!* You should go check on Evangeline and Gabriel, instead of trying to disturb the hell out of me. *He muttered.*
Caroline: They’re fine. No one has been summoned and their little devil is playing without fear. *He leaned away, so she just tilted farther in to his personal space!* Am I that disturbing? I overheard a few hunters the other day, saying some interesting things about me and Evangeline…
Dark: *Alarms were going off!* Oh yeah? *That tone of her voice meant trouble for sure!* About what a tough teacher you and Evangeline are?
Caroline: *She was smirking again.* No. Not about our teaching. I won’t mention what they said about Evangelinge, see as she is your mother, but they seem to appreciate me in such interesting ways.
Dark: *Stuff about Evangeline he wouldn’t like to hear … Interesting ways to appreciate Caroline … It dawned on him! And then he growled!* What the crap, Caroline!
Caroline: *It was impossible NOT to laugh, but she managed to keep it down to a low snicker.* Mind you, I have heard female hunters say much the exact same things about you, also.
Dark: *The next time he visited Oracle, he was going to hunt down those idiots and beat them to a pulp! He just wasn’t quite sure whether he was going to do it for Evangeline, Caroline or–and awh hell–both! He huffed.* You’re just saying that.
Caroline: Why would I make something like that up? They say you’re hot enough to eat amongst other things. *Not the way she would describe him, but he was getting flustered and she found that entertaining!*
Dark: And you just sat there and listened to that?!
Caroline: *She leaned back to give him an incredulous look!* Would you like me to defend your honor, next time? I can, but it will only give confirmation to all their gossiping.
Dark: … I have the feeling you really enjoyed that conversation. *He gave her a sideways glance.*
Caroline: It wasn’t quite how I normally thought about my former student, but they did bring up oddly accurate points that were impossible to deny. *There was her smirking again. That moment of surprise was gone and it was back to bothering him.*
Dark: *Suspicion! Red flags! Alarms going off!* … What oddly accurate points.
Caroline: *There was always that look on his face when he was getting suspicious, yet couldn’t help but be curious! If she smirked any wider, her face was going to be sore!* Most accurate, I’d say, would be that beautiful color of your eyes. Probably more silver than grey.
Dark: *He huffed.* My eyes?! *He rubbed the back of his head and then glanced at her sideways again.* So what were the others.
Caroline: Let’s see… Someone did say you had an especially nice haircut. *Caroline even flicked his hair out of his eyes as she grinned.* Getting a little long, though.
Dark: *Another huff!* Yeah, well … I haven’t had time to go to the barber’s lately.
Caroline: Now, when someone brought up that you might look better with a beard I had to disagree. *She brushed the back of her fingers down the line of his jaw. …She wasn’t sure he could even grow a beard!* That wouldn’t suit you.
Dark: *He huffed.* Beards are scratchy and stuff. You know the guys with them just want to spend all their time scratching.
Caroline: *Caroline grinned!* And with as much as you eat, you’d be storing food in it for weeks.
Dark: I need energy sources, you know! Great, now you have me picturing me with a beard using a Dirt Devil on it.
Caroline: *There was a mental image that pretty much ruined her devious mood! Caroline just laughed!* …That’s… not ever going to leave my head. Thank you.
Dark: … Yeah, don’t mention it. So, that’s it. My haircut, my eyes, and me having a beard?
Caroline: Would you like me to go over the entire list of compliments? *She asked, amused with the question. By now she had settled to resting her elbow on the back of the couch. Still sitting close and with her feet pulled up on the cushion, but no longer stalking after him like an evil predetor!* The way you dress, which is more my doing, the way you sing when you’re getting flustered, how you call people dirty assholes when they say things about Evangeline…
Dark: … Wait. Calling people assholes is considered a compliment for me?
Caroline: Defending a woman’s honor, even when the means are less than gentlemanly is a compliment. *Caroline smirked!*
Dark: I guess. *He huffed.* Not like anyone ever listens. I still have to beat the crap out of those new hunters every other day.
Caroline: Why Dark… One might think you care a great deal about Evangeline acting like that!
Dark: Hardy har har. I’m just teaching those humans their rightful place, that’s all.
Caroline: You should admit it. You care for and love Evangeline! You are probably just as snugglie and cuddlie as your dark and wicked father!
Dark: I am NOT snugglie and cuddlie! And I’m grateful for Evangeline doing what she did but that doesn’t mean I love her! *Bristly! So very bristly!*
Caroline: *And in to the tease-trap Dark falls! As helpless as any mouse! Thus, Caroline pounced, throwing her arms around his neck and nuzzling his face!* You are a kind and loving vampire! A rare gift amongst man!
Dark: Hey! *He blinked, falling back against the couch! He was squirming but she had him cornered!* I am not kind and I’m certainly not loving! I don’t care what you say!
Caroline: *It was like killing with cuddles! Caroline kept on nuzzling!* Protecting the young Queen Mother from the hands of perverted hunters! Rescuing beautiful demon women from things they can handle themselves! A dark and brooding hero if I have ever seen one!