Caging the Bird

[piwakawaka]

When she left the Bar, Tiwa didn't go bird just yet, she could feel a strange sort of Glamour about and being girl was easier. The trail was quiet, no bikers dashing headlong or lost hikers who couldn't find the nice big trail to the top when she found the ball of something.

Carefully she knelt down, it was almost too bright more like a neon light than the warm glow she was used to then someone laughed and the air was suddenly too dense,

"Hello, birdy. No more flying today."

She knows his face and laugh and tries to run and again the air feels solid, hemming her in,

"Oh no, can't have you leaving, much to do with you."

"I'll scream, can't hold me."

Somewhere in her pockets is her poi and she starts spinning and spinning it and starting to chant then she can't breathe, "No tricks though this will make it simpler."

Then the world fades to black as the air in her lungs is stolen.

* * *

The cage is set; beautiful iron full of magic as the floor has been traced with patterns and secrets. He's still laughing slightly when he enters, Tiwa still held in the bubble of air a step or two behind.

Comments

[piwakawaka]

"We will get more information out of her later, I've found it frightened her most when I threatened that lion she mentioned, it will be good to remember that. Perhaps find him or her and use them if one little bird is not enough bait."

It was not part of the plan but he doesn't care much for the plan at the moment, circling around the cage.

[piwakawaka]

"She did fight so, but oh they're always so loyal. I've one of their texts for training knights somewhere, they actually have written Love Conquers all. Perhaps the lion is her love, girls are always such foolish things, risking all for love."

[piwakawaka]

"Strong. Little bird like her would need protection."

The idea of a 'lion's' blood makes him hungry again, but he can't touch her because he'll hurt her and he can't touch the Mage because he's not that foolish.

[piwakawaka]

"Yes, they'll come for her."

No, he has his own protections woven into the air around him and he smiles to tighten the cage so iron strikes her arm. She whimpers but doesn't wake yet simply curling up as the skin is first an angry red then almost grey above her elbow.

[piwakawaka]

This is interesting.

"It seems to burn, not cut."

The pain in the air makes him interested.

[piwakawaka]

"Yes, but that wasn't a sharp edge simply pressure and look at the damage it did."

She can't make herself any smaller and where the iron touched her feathers, her glow has noticeably dimmed.

[piwakawaka]

"I can see it."

He can see it.

[piwakawaka]

Now the Mage is good but he cannot create a sharp iron knife in a moment so considers,

"I will make us a blade. Though I do think the pain woke her slightly, perhaps you can inquire about the lion."

Her eyes are starting to flutter as she tries to pull strength from somewhere so around her swelling lip tries to chant.

[piwakawaka]

She can chant all she wants, the floors and walls are warded with strange and dark magic that even her best efforts won't be able to break down.

He crouches on the ground near the cage's edge and watches her.

"Will your lion come for you, little bird?"

[piwakawaka]

Perhaps it will make her light last a little longer and she doesn't want to open her eyes, the iron weighs down on her as she tries to shift,

"Lions don't have wings."

[piwakawaka]

"But they will not leave you alone."

[piwakawaka]

Its not exactly sitting more slightly more vertical curling as she tries to be as far away from the iron as possible,

"Will you?"

[piwakawaka]

"Once we have what we want."

[piwakawaka]

"Won't get it. Told you I was small, too small to be worth so much. Cause a fuss and I'll be gone but you won't get it."

She won't cry, won't give that up so keeps her eyes on the her peeling gold and red nail polish.

[piwakawaka]

He's not going to push her right now, he doesn't need to stress her more than necessary and it's obvious that she's already upset. He doesn't want to break her.

Yet.

"We'll see."

[piwakawaka]

That sparks a touch of anger and she looks up at him, her eyes almost as old as his if not older,

"Death before dishonor."

[piwakawaka]

He throws his head back and laughs.

"Thankfully, my dear, I don't have to worry about that!"

[piwakawaka]

"Forgotten all about life, not even mortal just a shell, worth nothing."

The anger helps as she focuses on magic being worked by the Mage, she can feel it in the air, a tinge, something she can grasp.

[piwakawaka]

"I am not stuck in a cage of iron."

[piwakawaka]

"Oh bugger off."

She starts to lean back and stops herself before hitting the iron.

[piwakawaka]

He just chuckles underneath his breath and then stands, and moves away.

[piwakawaka]

There truly is no truly comfortable way to be in the cage so she ends up sitting and curled as she watches them through her hair. The iron is a constant, dull pain with stronger twinges where the cage hit her.

Unluckily for her making an iron knife is much simpler than making one of steel and the Mage is working quickly and with a pleased smile.

[piwakawaka]

The blood - her blood - is still running through his veins.

He can't keep still.

He doesn't want to keep still.

So he paces, instead, watching the Mage as he moves through the shadows, footsteps light and quiet and occasionally he laughs at nothing at all.

[piwakawaka]

"I think this will do."

The knife is a simple thing but with a true edge and he watches the pacing with interest,

"What do you see of the Umbra that slips through?"

[piwakawaka]

His hands are fisted in his hair and he's still pacing.

"Is this what you always see?"