Who: Damien Thorn [NPCs Logan and Silvia] When: September 26th, around 8pm. Where: Thorn Manor What: Freeing his slaves Rating: R Warnings: Mostly profanity Status: Complete
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It was time. He was going to free his two slaves, Logan and Sylvia. He would release their minds and their souls from his unholy influence. He had the ability to compel others to follow him, under the guise that they truly want to... it takes time, but the results are usually worth it. And he also was able to reverse the process, he believed. Not that he'd tried it before. But he was confident enough. And this wasn't for any selfless reason, oh no. Not because it was the right thing to do. And there was perhaps more than one reason. Part of it was because his alternate self didn't use his mind to gain followers, it was willing. And he did have a handful of willing people scattered around.. losing two wouldn't hurt much. The other reason was, it would just be something else for people to think about like the JL people. Bart kept harping on the issue and complaining with the accusations. So, Damien would set them free. Maybe that would give them something to think about or even confuse them. Might even plant seeds of doubt concerning him. At the very least, he'd probably be making a point.
He'd definitely miss his times with them. They were quite enjoyable. Most recently was today, after the event was done. They had come back here, and changed, using the indoor pool. They swam a few laps, splashed around, played games, had some laughs. It wasn't long before they transferred to the hot tub and engaged in some less than innocent.... activity. At the same time. It was quite fulfilling. Once they had been done there, the trio had grabbed up the towels and gotten dressed. He was going to miss this, and these two. But he had to do this. Part of him wanted to. They had come to his room, where he had directed both of them to lay down on the bed, a foot apart from each other. He paused, collecting his thoughts, before setting himself between them on the mattress, sitting with his legs crossed. The other two looked a bit content as they laid there. "Now.. both of you. I wish to thank you for your service. For everything. However, there is one last thing I require of you.."
Logan looked up at him. "What is it, master? My lord.. what do you want? I'll do whatever it is." He was so eager. Like a devoted puppy. Except human.
Syvlia nodded as well. "Yes, of course. But... last thing? What.."
"Shh," Damien said with a brief smile. "It's fine. I just need you two to relax." He touched the side of her face. His other hand went to Logan's head, resting in his damp hair. "Rest now. Submit yourselves to my will once more. Please."
The two people stared for a moment, before sighing and closing their eyes, breathing softly. They seemed to be unconscious. Damien closed his eyes too as he looked down. Perhaps he was thinking. Or praying. Or something. But what he was doing was focusing his own mind, his intent. He had physical contact. His fingers would move once in a while, his mind reaching to theirs as they were in a sleep state. That would make this much easier, make them more susceptible than usual. "Logan... and... Silvia. My agents. Apostates. Disciples. Servants of the Beast. I do this in the name of my father, and in mine. Your minds and souls are mine.... and now, I release you. I renounce my hold, my claim to you. I give you freedom. I free you from this pact. Let you choose between me and my father's eternal enemy."
He was seeing into their minds, taking breaths as he entered. He was seeing things, memories. He could just as well let go now and they'd be free. But they'd know what they were, what they'd done for him, who he was. Such knowledge would crush their sanity, dropping them into a bottomless pit of despair and insanity. And so he had to work this delicately, with caution. He spoke after going back farther. He alternated between both.. he went back to when Sylvia had been brought by Bellatrix. Back further, at the library.. the witch had agreed to bring her to him. "There... enough.."
He held that part, now looking to Logan. Maintaining the focus, with sweat on his brow, he saw much as he went reverse into the young man's past. The adventures they had together in secret. The many times the boy spent with Sylvia. They had gotten the apartment. When Damien had given Logan his own room at the hotel, instead of being with him all day. The meeting Logan had concerning Damien and Mikhail. The shady deal in which Bart sold Damien a priceless gem. The times they were together when Bart still lived there to overhear it. The show they had both put on for Valek. And the dark night that Tom Riddle had brought Logan to him, the scared soul slowly walking to him--"Stop. There. Yes.. there..." He breathed, sighs escaping him, as he kept contact, and held those mental images. Both of them. Sylvia with Bellatrix at the computer, as well as Logan meeting himself with Riddle in the alley. Maybe I should have done this one at a time, he thought, then shook his head. Well, this was a first time and he couldn't change anything now.
He paused, remaining still. Several minutes passed as he kept the control. Then he slowly spoke, once again focusing his intent and will toward them, as when he had began. "Remember this. Remember how.. you were going to meet me, Damien Thorn, to be my servants... you never stayed with me. Yes, you know this is true. You two have never been mine, have never engaged in any sinful endeavors with me or yourselves." He winced, eyes squinting harder.. his will was for this to be foggy at best, that their actions and thoughts were a blur. "You do not worship me. You do not serve me. I am not the antichrist. I am merely a company president, someone who likes to help the homeless and unfortunate here. Your lives are free to do as you please, there is no hold.. now." He leaned forward and whispered intently. "When you awake.. the release will be complete. I will no longer own you, and you shall have devotion only to the family and acquaintances of those close to you before you met me. You. Do NOT.. know.. me."
There was a moment of silence. And another moment. And another. He had spoken his will, had transferred it to them by touch, by his power. Slowly, he let off his hands from them, tentatively folding his palms in his lap as he looked downward at them with a faint smile. He sat here quietly. As he alternated between looking at the clock, and back at them, it was a full half hour before their eyes opened. Logan immediately sat up, a look of panic on his face. "Voldemort! He's here, oh God he'll kill me.. umm.." He looked at Damien. "Wait a damn minute. You.. he was turning me over to you, why am I here, how did.."
Sylvia was shaking her head in confusion. Her hair felt a bit wet, as though she had a shower earlier. Or a swim. And she felt a little exhausted somehow. "That witch. I.. I can't remember, she was making me help with her computer.. supposed to meet.. someone.."
Damien sighed, looking at each of them. So it had worked. So far. "Yes, yes, I know. Look.. guys. And lady, sorry. Yes. My name is Damien. Yes, Logan, I arranged with Riddle for you to be my slave next. But that was only to get you away from him. And don't worry, he can't hurt you now. He left the city shortly some time after we met.. then I brought her here sometime later. And Sylvia? Same with you. I wanted to get you out of Bella's reach. I gave the two of you an apartment room, sorta like a safehouse arrangement for those in witness protection. There was a.. incident. I guess you both had blackouts or something. But then we went to see my physician a while ago, and he helped cure that."
Logan paused, scratching his head. It seemed to make sense. But it was a little bit confusing. He noticed that Sylvia sorta felt the same. "So are we.. you know. A couple. Oh.. oh shit! I gotta call my girlfriend! We're supposed to meet again, but Riddle.. then you.."
Damien replied, setting a reassuring hand on his shoulder, looking at him. "I know. But that was months ago.. well, more than that. During your memory problems.. I don't know. She might have moved away. Or moved on. Could be with someone. I'm sorry, man. But you both seem alright now. You're safe from evil wizards. Sylvia, you should go see your mother. Logan.. I'm sure your parents miss you. Maybe you can visit them. And there is someone else who might have been a friend.. I don't know for sure. But his name is Bart. He likes games, like you did. I bet he might like to see you.. I understand he's a regular customer for Walmart. You two should hang out there, walk around, maybe you'll see something you each might want to buy."
"Walmart is the antichrist," Sylvia said with a laugh. At least that is what she had heard. "But thanks, I'll see about going there shortly."
Logan piped up, "No, it's the President. Or Barney. I guess I can go get a game there too, or a magazine."
Damien arched a brow, almost worried for a moment. Then he laughed to cover it. "No, you're both wrong. The true Beast... is Spongebob. Really, he is. So.. you two, you feel okay now?" He saw them nod, which allowed him to sigh with relief. But he still had to make sure. He made a move to stroke Logan's cheek, but the boy stepped back warily. "Sorry, thought there was a fly. Could you get me a hundred bucks?"
Logan paused, confused. He wasn't sure he understood. "Umm.. err, no. Not that I don't want to. I just don't have that much. And besides, I barely know you. Last time I loaned, I never got it back."
Damien smiled. That was all he needed to hear. Before, the younger man would jump at it, do anything to get it for him. They also did not refer to him once as lord or master when they talked. And they basically remembered nothing about their servitude to him. That was a plus. "Ah, don't worry.. just needed to pay a bill. I'll just take care of it in the morning instead. It's fine. But you can go now if you want. I have an early work day tomorrow. Maybe you two can hang out together.. both your numbers are in each other's phones."
Sylvia shrugged. "Ehh, I guess. Maybe.. well I got nothing to do, really."
Logan paused, thinking about the one who was his girlfriend. But if she had probably moved on, he could maybe date this one here sometime. But he wanted to see his folks first. "I suppose. Yeah, I should get going.. thanks for helping us, sir." He got up to walk.
Sylvia rose to her feet, moving from the bed. "Guess I'm going too, then. But this apartment? Where..."
"Oh. Right." Damien sighed. "The doctor says your memories should be fine from now on, so don't worry. My limo driver is outside this house with instructions to drive you back to the place, then.. you can work out from there what you want to do. Maybe date, or go your separate ways, or just hang out... whatever it is. It's completely your choice. And you're welcome. Helping people is what I do. If you also need jobs, don't hesitate to ask." He watched as they smiled, slowly walking out of the room.
About five minutes later, as he heard the limo leave the driveway, Damien rose to his feet as well, letting out a shudder. His shirt felt damp from sweat as well as the earlier pool residue. He was not sure why. Maybe because the very idea of this was against his nature.. regardless of the fact that he had yet another motive for certain actions he did. He took a few deep breaths as he went toward the dresser. It would seem that he had been holding this in while he spoke to his.. former, now.. followers. But it was done. All he had left to do concerning this was wait for the aftermath, for the reactions. Stretching, he walked back over the bed, and collapsed upon it with a sigh. He felt a little better. He decided that he should rest up a bit before he did anything more. And besides, he wasn't lying when he said he had an early schedule for work tomorrow...