All That Glitters Gold...

[silverdust]

((ack, late reply >.>;)

Yes, perhaps he would enjoy himself in his new position. But he didn't respond to the Murder's petty rage, it was beneath him. He gave a slight bow to his new Puppet Master, best to take his advice and at least feign polite respect. "I thank you for your offer, Lord Jiarokumo. No, I will not need help to move my collection, I would not ask you to dirty your hands with the work. All I need is a guide to the theatre, that is all."

He nodded in response to Siyaebi's well-wish, and his eyes raised slightly. He knew exactly why she acted as she did. Isisbia had done the same, albeit more violent and he was less concerned and they pretty much hated each other more during the whole affair. The lovely doll was pregnant, no doubt in his mind. Of course, he wouldn't tell Jiarokumo that, nor would he tell him of his new family, until it was necessary. After all, his newborn son would be the key in his transfer to a new theatre.

Idly, he wondered what their reaction would be. It might be amusing, to see if Isisbia's thinly-veiled infatuation would shatter into a thousand pieces.

[tigs]

Her departure was obviously reluctant, as she slithered along his arm and side, slowly moving away from the comfort and seduction of his arms. Sighing in what was obviously immediate distaste at being away from him, she did a forced elegant bow and gave her best promising smile. "That we will my lord." Her response told him openly that she had never intended to keep him in the dark.

The eyes of the Sin before her made her uncomfortable. There was a hidden knowledge there, one that made her skin crawl. He couldn't know... he certainly didn't seem like the type to have a mate pregnant this season. He seemed to anti-social and, well, just not mate material. Then again, one didn't have to be with someone to produce offspring. For once in her life, she realized the pain of knowing her children could very well mean nothing to him. She would be a fool to enjoy the sensation of having a family. There was no family, there was no... love?

The emotion of her 'condition' left her fleeing with tears biting at her eyes. How pitiful! Who was she to woe the loss of emotion? What use had it? She'd gotten this far without it. Lust was all she needed, and the knowledge of how to behave like a lady. Her hidden malice and sly tendencies were just a bonus on Jiaro's part. What would he think when he knew? She'd been so sure of things before, but now she wondered... what if he didn't even want them anymore? Of course, they would be useful to the Cast until they became old enough to go elsewhere... but other than that?

Did she love Jiaro? She'd never even ask the question aloud, and the response was unthinkable. She let the matter drop and focussed on the cool air, which brought notice to the dampness on her cheeks. Angrily, she shifted form, doubling over in sudden pain. It took all of her strength, but she reached the theatre at last. Running to his room, she flung herself on the bed and forced back into human form. Seeing as changes had taken place in her true form, her human form now showed the undeniable truth.

What would come of this?

[Should we have a seperate thread for Jiaro and Siyaebi? Or just continue here? X3 I can wait on posting until both, or just Jiaro return to the theatre]

[Vyn]

(We can continue a Jiaro x Siyaebi thread at the threatre. ^_^; )

Despite his distraction with his pet, Jiaro offered a cordial nod to Ja'mediahs.

"Then I will have a Puppet awaiting your use outside of the building. She should be sufficient as your guide..." As he spoke a slight grin tainted his pale features. "She's an avian, not at all hard to miss."

As Siyaebi slid out of his grasp, he watched the lovely Marionette maneuver out of the building with a dark glint in his cold blue eyes. He was not a fool, not in the least. He'd taken quite a few females to bed and he knew the product of such a union. There was something else which was bothering him, though he would not bring it to voice here.

Attention turned momentarily back to the Director before him, Jiaro offered a curt bow before his gaze flicked toward the door once more. "I will take my leave now as well. I have my Doll to attend to, and you have your gold. Again, Siakaenobi will be awaiting your presence outside."

The dark god offered a final dip of his head before turning silently and sliding into the crowd. He would leave his Puppet to attend to the Director, and deal with his Egyptian Doll personally.


Meanwhile, awaiting outside, sat the smaller-than-average avian Jiaro had recently claimed as his puppet. She was currently in her anthro form, lounging in silence on a bench which was almost entirely hidden by the shadows cast by twilight, and the drooping limbs of an old willow.

Her hollow eyes watched the door to the human party, following the twirling humans inside and than the two figures which separated from the building: Marionette first, followed by the handsome Jiarokumo. Siakaenobi would not lie to herself and believe she wasn't utterly smitten by the Dark Lord, but it was not his looks and charm which held her: it was his power.

A slow smile tainted her features. Even as a simple Puppet she would have power just by being in that Dark God's shadow. However, she was now forced to turn her attention upon the building once more. She had a duty to do: keep a lookout for the Director, and offer her uses to him immediately.

[silverdust]

"Thank you, Jiarokumo."

He once again gave another light bow as the Puppet Master departed. He hoped it would turn out well, it would be a mess to work in a cast torn apart by familial strife. He already had enough dealings with that.

He slipped through the dancing figures, moving to the door relatively unnoticed. The treasure he had dreamed of acquiring tonight would be ruined, but he could track the ones he really desired later. These matters were far too important. He pushed through the gilded doors and passed the doormen without a word. They obviously would have their suspicions, seeing his 'lady' leave pursued by another, which is why he didn't stay to dally with their questions.

Avian, he was looking for an avian. His pale eyes scanned the surrounding areas, his mind touching and reaching for puppet strings. There, under the willow. How quaint, a bird and a tree. He moved over, swiftly, not being bothered by any formalities or greetings. It was the way he was going to advise the cast after all, he wasn't going to waste his time for frivolous games of tact.

"You are Siakaenobi?" he asked brusquely, eyeing the canary. A Sin like himself, also dominated by Greed. How wonderfully ironic.

[Vyn]

Siakenobi saw the Director as he strode from the door, but it was the sensation of his mind tugging at hers that lifted her from the bench to await him. She was an obedient Puppet despite her insatiable greed. A greed that he, like Jiaro, fed with his mere presence, for like Jiaro, he was power to her.

"Of course, Director." She bowed her head respectfully, lowering herself beneath though it was highly unneeded for she was quite petite to begin with. "I am at your disposal, sir."

Siake rose from her half bow, awaiting order from her Director as she quietly studied him. A Sin Type if she judged properly, dominated by Greed, tainted by malice and vanity. He had a cold, powerful aura and Siakenobi was delighted to act as his Puppet for the evening.

[silverdust]

Good, a Puppet that knew her place. Mentally he grimaced, reminiscing of the Puppet that he had gotten himself entangled with, the one who had born the monstrosities he was entitled to call children. Bah, at least she had served her purpose, for awhile. Their ties were to be cut tonight anyways, it was not something he wished to dwell upon.

He looked her over again, debating her uses. He wouldn't require her to carry anything, she was samll of stature and he didn't trust other Greeds like himself with his treasures. His eyes flicked to the distance, toward the theatre he had previously called home. "I shall need you to be a guide, nothing more. Come, I have work to do."

He started off, toward that vague shadow in the distance. He had never had interest in joining a Cast, how strange that one of such power might find him tonight.

[Vyn]

Siake was silent throughout his thoughts, waiting with polite respect that she dared not break. Jiaro had taught her well upon their first meeting, if she were to serve under him she would have to be perfectly obedient. He had high standards, and she knew the risk of falling below those standards.

Finally, as her orders were given, Siake bowed her head once more. "As you wish, Director Je'mediahs." Her tone was light and melodic, much like the bird her breed so keenly resembled.

With that said, she straightened herself once more and followed after the Director, allowed him to lead until she would be needed to act out her task as Guide to the cast of Jiarokumo.

[silverdust]

He knew his way well around the paths, not dallying in the labyrinth of streets but choosing the way that would bring him to the theatre the fastest. Already, his mind was going over the possibilities of his transfer. It would be of smoother fare if Isisbia had finally stregthened herself enough to go hunting. Even though her reaction, what with her tangled and eratic feelings, would serve as most amusing, he did not wish the confrontation tonight. It would hold him longer than he required. Of his sons, only the tiny twisted thing would be needed. Isisbia's genes had passed on one desirable trait, soemthing he was proud to call his own. Though crippled, that boy had power, that which he would need to utilize tonight.

The theatre that they drew up to was not a grand affair, but not upon the point of being dilapidated. Merealy abandoned with shuttered windows and stripped of the glam and gloss. He had personally made sure that some of the golden ornaments had remained in his collection, much to fine to waste in a human storehouse. He forced the door open easily and walked inside brusquely, checking briefly over his shoulder to see if the Puppet still followed. It was dark inside, lit by a few candles in the eves. Quin'Seriibi must've been here earlier, to light them. She was the only one that had such aesthetic desires.

Isisbia's musk was there, but it was distant, old. She was roaming tonight, all too well for his sake. With a slight smile, he rapped the cane he still carried sharply against the floor. "Xavídje!"

His voice was sharp and stirred the dust, spoken with the air of a general. He did not spare any sentiment, even for his son. Not that he would entitle the little mutant so, if blood didn't bind them and if the boy hadn't shown the remarkable ability he possessed. He was useful for that, and in that respect, nothing better than a tool.



The was a shuffling, dragging sound in the shadows. Slowly, a small, grotesque little figure made its way into the small glow of the candles. Xavídje found it easier to maintain his anthromorphic form, his front limbs as an Euclides to twisted for him to walk properly. In this semi-form he could maintain a degree of balance and dignity. A ragged scrap of a cloak and hood covered most of his features in shadow. Ja'mediahs still couldn't discern if it was for shame or some sort of prideful intimidation.

<Father.>

The voice echoed, as cool and clipped as his own, but not from a mouth. It ran through the mind, with no sound that an ear might here. Ja'mediahs shot a sideways glance at Siake. "My son, Xavídje. He will assist me in my moving to the theatre."

If the boy knew or cared of the gravity of the words, there were no signs. The form was still, obediently so, except for a perhaps scornful tilt of the head. The dim light and shadow cut a sharp contrast over the boils that bubbled about his eyes.

[Vyn]

Siake strolled behind the Director, curiosity tinting her hollow eyes as they passed from path to path, only to arrive at a not-so-grand Theatre. Not at all what she'd expected. He was Greed dominated wasn't he? With a fixation for gold, if she had seen properly, so why would he have such a run down home?

The avian smiled to herself. Well, he would enjoy Jiaro's theatre, it had far more class than this old place.

The Theatre was as much of a disappointment on the inside as on the out, but Siake wouldn't comment. Honestly, she wasn't allowed to. So she kept herself from chatting and, like a good servant, did not speak until she was spoken too.

Siake tilted her head, watching Ja'mediahs as he summoned his son to him. Strange way to treat one's son, another thing Jiaro and this Director had in common: they treated their offspring more like tools and minions than actual children. She nodded to his comment, tilting her head up to peer at him.

"Will he be accompanying you to the Theatre?"

Jiaro would not appreciate this child if he was coming. Especially from the deformities she could already see, and he was mostly hidden by his cloak.

[silverdust]

Ja'mediahs gave the puppet a sidelong glance. "Only as far as the door perhaps, the rest I can manage upon my own. He will not stay with me very long."

Once again, no reply from the strange, twisted child. If he was used to his father's disdain, uncaring or a master at disguising hurt, such impassiveness was reminiscent of a statue. Ja'mediahs started deeper into the theatre, his own private quarters. He could read the meaning behind the puppet's question, he wouldn't be a Director if he couldn't pick up perhaps a vague warning. Jiarokumo certainly would not approve of the child, but Ja'mediahs needed him for the transfer, that was all. Surely the Puppet Master wouldn't throw a fit, he wasn't even going to let the thing near enough to the door. No doubt, he thought with a small, sadistic smirk, the boy was picking up these thoughts as he trailed at his heels. Better off for him, things were going to get worse as he grew.

The door to his chambers glimmered into view. He had managed to swipe one of those guilded affairs from an opera-house, to replace the shabby wood. The fine gold embossing shimmered softly against the dark-oaken finish, quite out of place given the rickety appearance of the wall. Ja'mediahs brushed it open, his fingers glancing almost tenderly against the precious metal. He would have to leave that behind, damn. Well, even better, let Isisbia have something to torture herself with.

Though night, the hoard he had amassed set off something almost like a daylight, even in the candle's lurid glow. The treasures seemed to have no organization in their scattering, no arrangement in their piles, and indeed he meant it to look as such. Then one couldn't tell which ones were the most precious. Jewelry, coins, even small statues littered near half of the room. Besides the treasure it was near bare, only a rug, a polished counting table, and a four-poster bed serving as sparse necessities.

Ja'mediahs snapped his fingers with a cold glance at the wraith of a son. There was a raspy breath from the shadows of the hood, sharp and near angry. Slowly, several of the piles began to rise in a circling sphere, almost of their own volition. They glanced and glinted about each other, as small stars or universes of their own, one impressive display for all its eerieness. Casually, Ja'mediahs picked up the stray pieces in a velvet bag, and pinched a few from the spinning menagerie in the air.

He looked over at the Puppet. "I am prepared now. Lead the way to the theatre."

[Vyn]

Siake couldn't help but admit to herself that Xavídje was a fascinating creature. Hidden beneath his cloak, Siake was left guessing at the greater extend of his details, only going so far as to assume he was quite mutated in his natural form. Nonetheless she nodded to Ja'mediahs, pleased that he did not contemplate bringing his unsightly son to join him at the Cast.

Jiaro was not only vain about himself, but his Cast as well and would not bide well with a mutant detracting from the beauty of his marvelous theatre and Cast.

Pulling herself from her thoughts she peered up into the room which Ja'mediahs had made his own. The floor sparkled with treasures of all sorts, exciting the Greed in her though she forced herself not to act. It would not due to allow her Greed to control her now, not when she was in Jiaro's good favor.

Luckily for Siake, her thoughts were swiftly directed by the presence of a second Bebe.

Another Puppet had entered the scene. Still in his animal form, Jirisen stalked down the hallway with determination blazing in his vacant eyes and only one thought bouncing through his nearly brain dead thoughts: Xavídje. His brother had gone away...Jirisen didn't know how long ago it was...he wasn't very good at counting...but he'd been gone too long ad Jirisen didn't like it.

Each step was accented by encouragement from a soft, feminine voice inside his head. Keep moving, Jiri... Slowly Siake came into view and the canine swung his head up to glare at her, luring forth another voice. She's not the one you want. Immediately he ignored her and went onward until, There... There he is.

Finally.

A smile touched the Bebe's muzzle as he approached his brother, contented once more now that Xavídje was under his protective gaze again.

I told you he was fine.

His three tails wagged at once, before his gaze scanned around the room before him and landed slowly on his father looming a few steps away. "What are you doing?" His eyes remained mindlessly vacant, his words guided by the remaining shreds of his intelligence: the various voices lingering about his shattered mind.

[silverdust]

In his haste he had overlooked the fact of his second child. Foolish of him, really, to forget the closeness of the siblings. He would have to be more careful as he entered this cast, he knew very well how Annihilation's punished errors. He only hoped that the boy wouldn't interrupt his plans any further.

"Jirisen, my...second child."

The words were reluctant, almost bitter. True the child had inherited strength and physical aptness, and his mutations were bordering upon those of an aesthetic kind. But the boy was about as intelligent as a brick wall, not to mention having his mother's affliction with voices. He had no value, no worth in his father's eyes. That and the fact that he reminded him of their mother...

<Ja'mediahs is moving...a different theatre...> echoed Xavídje's mental voice, broken by strain. He cared for his brother, in some twisted way it was the only emotion he would lower himself to posess. He already knew the Director wouldn't lower himself to address his brother, and if he did the words would be harsh, cutting as a blade. <I am to help him...then I shall return...>

The menagerie in the air faltered for a moment, freezing and falling in its motion, before it quickly reasserted itself. Xavídje would not allow himself to show weakness before his 'father', it was all he could do. It wasn't for some sense of approval, no, he had known his father's scorn to well, picking up his thoughts and the words he didn't say as well as those he did. No, it was his own pride, his own scorn. It was his father who needed him.

"Come boy, we have little time," Ja'mediah's voice, cool and bitter as always. He barely shot his second child a glance as he moved out to the hallway, to await Siake's guidance. Xavídje followed, his gait slightly forced but barely distinguishable was the strain he was in. He wouldn't falter, not now...

[Vyn]

Siake watched the little brain dead pup with amusement, though this amusement was placed behind a very careful mask. No need to offend the Director. Something was obviously wrong with him, and Siake was forced to speculate that his problems were internal instead of external like his brother.


Jirisen stared at his father for a long moment, seeming oblivious to the words he spoke and instead turned his gaze up to his brother. The sound of his brother's mental voice sliced through the constant banter of shapeless voices, all giving way for the true importance in his mind. Allowing him to listen more steadily. For, unlike physical words, he could understand another voice in his head just fine.

"I come?" He questioned softly. The young canine was not at all pleased to know his brother was leaving again, even if it was for a short time. Luckily, his growing anger was quickly silenced by the soft feminine voice in his head: No, Jiri, stay. Jiri sighed but obeyed without question, nodding solemnly to his brother.


Siake nodded softly, her eyes focused on the Bebes before she returned her thoughts to her job. Elegantly she beckoned Ja'mediahs to follow and began to trek to their Theatre. Through the doors and back out into the fresh air of twilight, Siake immediately turned their course into a darker area of the town. No need to arouse suspicion when such a large treasure was at stake.

The lovely Sin moved at a steady pace, not dwadling but not rushing either. She felt it was the least she could do for the young pup tagging along behind, carrying the burden of his father's hoard. It didn't take long for Siake to reach the Theatre, watching the looming clock tower growing closer with each step until at lasty they had arrived at the base of the stairs.

"Shall I take you to your quarters, Director Ja'mediahs?"

She offered respectfully, always the well behaved and polite Puppet. Her eyes flicked to Xavídje. He would probably have to enter long enough to deposit the hoard into Ja'mediahs' quarters, which shouldn't be a problem...so long as Jiaro didn't get in the way.

[silverdust]

Xavídje was grateful that whatever voices flickered inside Jirisen's mind convinced him to stay. He was no stranger to them, often picking up on their conversations absently whenever he sought to contact his brother's mind. They knew what was best for him, no doubt Ja'mediahs would've...well, there was no telling what his father was capable of when he had a set goal in his mind. He shot a glance back at the murky, forlorn form of his sibling, his eyes not cooperating in the dim light but his mind filling in the picture for him well enough.

<I will be back...patience...> The words didn't echo in all the minds, they were for him alone. With that, he departed.


Siake was by far a very competent Puppet, Ja'mediahs would give her that. Then again, the members of Jiaro's cast would have to play their parts extrememly well if they were still alive to play them. He would have to step up his game then, if he were to fill the position. At least he wouldn't have the burden of being female.

The theatre's magnificence was certainly a perquisite. The towering building gave an image of both lavish elegance and power, the perfect resting place for his exquisite collection. Speaking of that, he glanced at his suspended treasure. Everything was there, even he could tell this with a brief look over, he was so familiar with it. If Xavídje was at all feeling the immense steain, the boy hid it well. He smiled tightly. Yes, he was a useful child after all.

His eyes flickered toward Siake as she offered the question. It was a rather large collection to take in by hand, especially accounting the steps that he hadn't been prepared for. But still, there was the issue of his new Puppet Master's aesthetics. He judged that the Egyptian doll would've spoken of her pregnancy to him, so he would either be in a moderately jovial mood or possibly seething, he couldn't exactly read the enigmatic Annihilation's personality as well as he might like. He weighed the options for but a moment before making his decision.

"Lead on," he returned, starting up the stairs. The child was not going to stay, and Lord Jiarokumo had not explicitely forbidden him. As a Director he was expected to overcome obstacles with whatever tools were available to him. Xavídje was a tool, nothing more.

He hoped Jiarokumo would follow his line of reasoning, if not...he was already calculating the distance from the door, and finding the probability of making it veritably null. Drat.

[Vyn]

Patience. Jiri hated it. Or rather, he didn't fully comprehend it. However, his brother had requested it and he could do nothing but lay down and watch him go, following the glint of gold for as long as his dull eyes could.

Jiri was alone...or, at least, as alone as he could ever be. A mischievous voice spoke up in his head, proving just how true that was.

Since the mean one's not coming back, why don't we go explore his room?

The pup grinned and stumbled to his paws, striding through the doorway into the now abandoned room. The voices would keep him company until Brother came back, then everything would be fine again.


Ja'mediahs' was quite right in that assumption: Jiaro took only the best for his Cast and, as proved by his expulsion of his previous Director, he had no qualm with throwing Euclide out of his cast in favor of what he considered more suiting to his own tastes. He'd chosen Siake for her competent mind, choosing to ignore her weakness of will, her consumption by Greed.

It was only the constant sensation of his mind on her puppet strings which kept her in line, and she was quite fine with this. She was still getting what she wanted, even if she had to bow down to Jiaro on occasion.

"Very well." Siake nodded politely and glided up the stairs, her golden cloak swaying around her anthro form as she made her way to the living quarters within the Cast.

Their passage through the Theatre was blissfully uneventful. There were a few spitfire members residing there besides Jiaro, and Siake was quite content that she met none of them as she arrived at the wide room Jiaro had earlier flashed within her mind.

"Here we are, feel free to do with it as you wish." With that said, Siake pushed the door open and stepped aside, allowing Ja'mediahs room to enter and explore.

It was a simple room, and only basic needs were currently available. A writing desk, and a four post bed were all that marred the large room.