Devotion and Desire [Dorian/Cora/Regina]

[Ruby Gray]

Ruby waited in the courtyard of Dorian's sizeable plot of land. The thing, white gown, fluttering about her ankles in the breeze, it was all she wore, all she needed for the short, brief walk to Aldeon's edge. She would not be needing clothing as a four legged beast, and she needed to find Regina as quickly as she was able, it was killing her to feel so hollow, worst than any torture she had ever received. The Queens card, the one she was to use in summoning her she had given to Dorian to carry, she would have a miserable time doing so as the wolf, apparently the queen had not thought of that. She waited with patience and reverence, she had promised him that he could come with her that she would not leave without him and as any good wife she would keep her promises. Emeralds glittered, starring down the opulent manor, she wondered if this would be the last time she would ever see it, the last time she drew breath, today could very well be her dying day. She was not afraid or anxious, she was currently incapable of such things, so she waited patiently for her lover, arms folded across her chest.

Dorian himself, had rarely left her side, practically glued to her hip. She had slept that first night for near fourteen hours straight, she had not realized Cora's spell had taken such a toll upon her body, but apparently it had needed the rest. Dorian was beside her when she awoke, lounging lazily, a tray of food and drowsy eyes watching her. How long had he been there? She did not ask and he did not tell. He had told her he loved her so many times in the past few days, that was uncharacteristic of him, nowhere in her memory could she recall him voicing it more than a scarce few times, what had suddenly invoked such a change, she knew not. She tried over and over again to feel what she had felt for him before to no avail. The empty cavity within her chest would not allow it. he touched her constantly, never taking her body as his own, no, But her hair, her face, her arm, dragging her by the waist to rest against him on the divan. He forced her head upon his lap, tangling fingers in her hair while he read her stories of mythology, of Adonis of Eris... she was Eris, he was Adonis, she remembered that much. He would not release her from his sight, hovering over him constantly, he had even bathed with her once, washing her skin with a delicacy he had never displayed before. The protected had become the protector. So possessive had he become.

He emerged from the manor, looking at stunning as he ever was, approaching her swiftly. She held out her hand offering him her arm, they could walk for at least a bit before she had to shift. She laced her fingers with his, something that had brought a smile to his face several times in the past few days and turned to glide beside him as they began their march, towards life or death she did not yet know. For a moment she was silent, debating if she had the words or not to give him strength, she could feel nothing, but he could, and he was handling it quite well for someone who had recently learned their fiancé had the emotional depth of a rock. She sucked in a large breath.

"I was going to take you somewhere forbidden by anyone who does not bare the blood of Luna herself, to tread upon." She stepped closer to him, leaning slightly against his shoulder, empty tones revealing the secret she had kept so well from him. "The legend of my curses origin belongs to the moon, it tis said that Luna, goddess of the moon, fell in love with a creature of earth, a mortal man. he traveled high into the mountains, close enough for Luna to reach and in one of the caverns she appeared before him, professing her love. He claimed her body again and again instantly in love by her overwhelming beauty. She bore him a child, half monster, half man, a Child of Luna, the first werewolf and thus our bloodline was created. She paused a moment to reflect on the story she had heard one too many times. "I was going to take you to the cavern, crystals create an iridescent halo upon the walls, thousands of colors the likes of which you have never see before stain the cave walls, but only when Luna is high within the sky, and only when her light reverberates off the walls. Tis the most stunning sight you will ever see."

She looked down, brow furrowing as she struggled to feel, but nothing beat within her chest, she had no life just purgatory. "I don't remember what love feels like, but I know, if it is as wondrous as you claim, I felt such things and much more for you... especially if I willing to take you there."


(((OOC: Since I have no idea how much of a clusterf*** this is gonna be... Im gonna have Dorian and Red post a few times and then we will bring in Cora, and depending on how everything works out in the end, maybe Regina, although Im not sure Cora would want Dori and Red around when she is discussing matters with Regina xD BUT we will see!)))

[Dorian Gray]

Dorian had spent the past two days taking care of the woman that had somehow uncovered his heart. She was an incredible thing, Ruby, but he bitterly missed her heart, her emotions. Was this how she'd felt when they were first together, when she tried to profess her love to a man that could not understand? Oh, but now he did and the tables were turned. Unfairly, really, but turned all the same. He tried to spend a great deal of time with her, afraid that when they set off for their meeting with the witch that had stolen her heart, they would not come back. Dorian had made certain to leave his will where he knew it could be found, bequeathing all to Ruby's friends Leona and Snow.

He had spent some time in the study, reading as much as he was able, with Ruby at his side, sitting quietly and sleeping as she saw it fit. He kept reminding her that he loved her, that he would do anything for her, and if he had found the time, he would have gone ahead and married her. But he couldn't, and all he could do was wish that they would make it out alive and she would receive her heart again. And then, he would never spend time away from her. He knew now, how much this woman meant to him. He really did love her.

When he stepped out of the manor for what he feared was the last time, Dorian tried not to look back at all the things he had accumulated. They did not matter to him anymore. He smiled at Ruby, whose eyes were still hollow, and took happily the hand that she offered him. Their fingers twined and he kneeled to kiss the hand before they set off. She was so close, but she was so cold. Her words, then, touched him. Even with her devoid emotional chambers, Ruby had remembered to tell him this. If this was to be her final confession... No. He dare not think like that. It was dangerous and he was more delicate than he was willing to admit.

"Oh, Ruby," he said, squeezing her hand. "You are so thoughtful, even without your heart. We will still go. Because you will have your heart back this day. You will again be complete. I swear on my life." He looked at her, kissed her gently on the lips, and then bit his own. He was not as confident as the aura he exuded, but he wanted to be strong, if only to keep her not too worried. He patted his pocket, wherein was the card she'd bestowed upon him for safekeeping. Oh, the poor girl. He needed her to understand what he felt, but he knew that would be impossible until he met the witch face-to-face. He was going to deal however he had to deal so that he could reclaim her heart. It had always been his, and it was terribly unjust for this demon to steal it. He looked at Ruby, shook his head. "It is wonderful. You'll remember. Soon. And then we'll be married."

But truly, he was terrified.

[Ruby Gray]

He had done everything in his power to make her understand, but without her heart, without her emotions she could do no such thing. She tried to be as soft and obedient as she could be, following him about the manor, resting languidly against his shoulder, his thigh, she allowed his fingers to stroke her hair, to stroke her flesh, anywhere he desired she allowed him this. Even without her emotions she knew that he was the reason she breathed. He had been absolutely everything to her and it her mere presence gave him any sort of relief she would allow it. He spoke often of them truly getting married, had laughing joked that her engagement ring had rested upon her finger far too long, that he wished to see a permanent fixture, his namesake, so she might never leave... even as empty as she was, she would never leave him.

" All I have are memories and thoughts... it is strange remembering things without remembering what they felt like. I hate this numbness Dorian, my heart has forever belonged to you." It was spoken in that hollow, empty tone, but she knew it to be true, if anyone should hold all of her in the palm of their hand, if anyone should decide her life or death, it should be him. She belonged to him. His mistress, his duchess, his toy, his bride, anything and everything he wanted her to be. That came to her strong, a fact. She understood facts. They approached the edges of Aldeon and she leaned against his shoulder, inhaling his scent with hidden zeal. Something masculine mixed with something decidingly him. Gently she raised her fingers to his chin, bringing him down to meet her mouth. She kissed him gently, as good as she was able with no passion. "I love you, I can't feel it now but I know it to be true." She murmured softly to him, her words for his ears only.

She allowed him a moment to say his peace before she pulled away from him, pulling the dress up and over her lithe frame and shifting with ease. The ebony beast that stood before him did not posses its signature golden eyes, they remained a deep forest green, Ruby's eyes. The beast had no drive without its passions. She lowered her body to the grass, watching and waiting for him, and when he was upon her, she turned and vanished, following the scent as quickly as she was able.

[Dorian Gray]

Dorian held close to his bride as they walked, reminiscing on the times they had spent. They had been together for so long now, and his love for her was part of his day-to-day. This was his woman now, this was his duchess and his reason to be faithful, this was his Ruby and no one should ever have tried to take her from him. This was the warning he was giving out: she was to be his wife and belong to no one else. He was to have complete control over who took her breath away, and who voided her of her emotions. And it would not be this witch. He would take her back, or he would go down in flames at her side. And whatever way it went, she would know that he loved her with all that he had left to love.

"At least you remember," he said quietly. "You will know again, I'm certain." he kept reminding her, reminding himself of it. He was going to make this better. Her head against his stiffening shoulder was a welcomed relief, and Dorian sighed, letting out a little of his anxiety. At least she was here at his side. And, oh. She kissed him. There was not much there, but it was the thought that made him smile. Yes, he loved her with all his battered heart. "You are mine," he said gently. He squeezed her hand again, and then it was time.

She undressed, and he tried not to think about what he could do to her. Ruby was soon transformed and then the wolf was before him, his escort to the most frightening thing he'd ever willingly done. But he wasn't going to leave his duchess. She crouched before him and he climbed on, holding her lovely black coat in his hands. "Let's go," he whispered, assuring that the card was in his pocket still. They were off, and it was not long before they were where they were called to meet. He dismounted, looked at Ruby, and pulled out the dreaded Queen of Hearts, his face weary and wary and worn.

[Ruby Gray]

Ruby was a phenomenal tracker, but Regina had diluted her scent with magic, and to add to the difficult task, it was scattered, meaning that Cora's daughter had not found a permanent place of rest. It would do her no good to summon Cora before she found a definite lead, the Queen would see her worthless, crush her heart and move on. It took her much longer than she would have liked to find a genuine scent.

It led them both to the vast wasteland, a terrain of quicksand and sink holes, it would make sense that Regina would chose such a place, many were not foolish enough to risk it, she could lay low here for quite some time. Regina had scattered her scent by the use of magic and no matter how good Ruby was, it was untraceable, but she was most assuredly, here.

She craned her head back and Dorian slid from her, she shifted back pulling on the thin dress with ease and shivering slightly against the abript lack of warmth her fur provided her. She glanced at her lover, could see that he was worn down, she did not like him here but if one thing could be said about her lover, once he set his mind to something he was a very hard man to deter. He knew what he wanted and he went after it with zeal. She could not deter him if she tried. She nodded and he placed the card down, Ruby was at his side in an instant, shielding his chest with her body, she would not take his heart too.

"Cora..." She murmured softly as the Queen appeared in a haze of colorful smoke.

[queenofhearts]

It's time. The Queen of hearts thought as she felt a sensation within her. The wolf child was summoning her. She had found Regina. This was the moment that Cora had spent over forty years waiting for. From the time she had been pushed through the looking glass, she had waited for the chance to speak to Regina, and at last that time was upon her. Looking at herself in the looking glass before her, she contemplated how she would appear to her daughter. As the Queen who ruled over Wonderland? No, that wouldn't do...no, she would appear as she had those many years ago in her colors of dark blue and purple--the dark shades of one who had given up so much to get where she was. With a wave of her hands, the queen-ly attire disappeared and was replaced with garments slightly more suitable for traveling.

With a deep breath, not entirely sure of how the next few minutes would play out, Cora summoned forth her magic and teleported from her palace in a cloud of purple smoke. When she reappeared at the place of her summoning, she saw before her the heartless creature she now controlled with another human being. What she didn't see, however, was the person she cared for most...the person for whom she spared the life of the creature before her for...Regina.

"I'm sure you have good cause for summoning me to this...place."[/b]Cora looked around. The place was desolate. A deserted wasteland reminiscent of some of the places she had banished insolent subjects to. Still, there was something about the place...there was magic about. Was it her daughter's? This...Cora couldn't tell. Regina's first use of magic around Cora was the last--shoving her through the looking glass into Wonderland. She hadn't enough time to familiarize herself with Regina's magic trace. She knew one thing, however, whatever magic was scattered was strong enough to be controlled by someone, or something.
"I trust my daughter is somewhere near...you know the price for failure. As I'm sure...he does."[/b] The Queen of Hearts gestured to the young male standing behind Ruby.
"This...frail creature must be the one you wanted to protect so desperately. Let us hope, for his sake, that your search has led you down the right path.[/b]

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[Ruby Gray]

Ruby was glad for the first time since Cora had taken her heart that she could feel nothing. She was certain, she would have done something reckless and foolish had she been able to feel anger as the witch threatened her fiance. As it were, she stood fast, her eyes narrowing but nothing more. Body tense as a wire and muscles quivering she waited until the Queen had finished her plethora of insults before clearing her throat to speak. Fighting past the urge to attack the monster and be done with it, of course, she would be dead before she took three steps, at the moment, Dorian would have a better chance at killing her. She wished, now she would have stayed in her more bestial form, she was not sure she possessed the decorum to speak to her proper, but for Dorian's sake, she would try.

"Regina it seems, is wiser than you think, her scent is most potent here, she lingers here, nearby, but I cannot pinpoint her location. She has used magic to scatter her scent to the winds, I cannot trace magic and she has done so more than likely because she knew I would, eventually, be sent to track her." Snow would have done so without hesitation. Ruby's nose was hard to hide from, but Regina had obviously anticipated this. She waited with baited breath for the Queen's response, hopefully she would be satisfied with the answer. "I will protect him. Heart or no." The words were hollow and cold, devoid of her emotion but strong. She meant what she said.

[Dorian Gray]

When the card was placed and the... thing... appeared, Dorian scowled. She looked nasty enough to have the heart of his duchess; she looked like an absolute witch. But he bit his tongue so as to make no ill-fated comment, just listening until a good time came for him to speak and he knew that his eloquence and gentlemanly manners were perfectly intact. Dorian knew that if he slipped, he could be killed or disheartened or worse. He was sure there was worse. Ruby was stepping in front of him and he frowned but did not move, his hands wringing behind his back. He was quite worried. For himself, for his fiancée...

The conversation was immediately cold, and Dorian wondered if the "Queen" even possessed a heart herself, so icy was her voice and her eyes. He was suspicious already, and could tell that she was the type of person that could truly hurt someone just for the entertainment. He looked down for a moment, calling upon his strength and his own curse to guide him.

And anon came the portrait's version of Dorian. The handsome, charming, risqué man who did not care to put his life in danger because he felt invincible. That was the him that he needed right now, he knew, else he'd be a coward. At Cora's words, directed to him, he cocked his head a bit and grinned. She wouldn't win him. "Frail, perhaps, yes. But I will do all to save my bride. You see, Queen, I have a curse of my own. You cannot take my heart. I don't really have one." It was a half-truth but Dorian was a good liar, and he needed to find a weakness about her. He had to make another deal with the devil. "When you find Regina, you will return her heart, I presume?"

[queenofhearts]

Only a few moments into the situation, and already things were tense. Well, Cora had expected as much. She didn't exactly expect a warm welcome from the two--but still, such insolence? When she held all the power? Oh, the carelessness of youth. The Queen of Hearts remembered when she too was young and made the same mistake of smarting off to authority figures. "Trust me, pretty boy--there are far more ways of killing a person than taking their heart." Cora quipped as she stepped closer to the two. "I could, for example, make her kill you. How would that feel? To be killed by the one who loves you most? Or..well, used to love you."

[/b] Cora chuckled coldly as she walked past the two. "Alas, now is not the time for such fun. There is business to be done.

The sorceress listened to Ruby's words. Wherever Regina was, she was nearby. Not only could the wolf sense it, but so could Cora. There was no magic behind this sense...it was the power of the bond between mother and daughter. She could feel her daughter nearby. No doubt, Regina could sense Cora was nearby as well...would she flee before Cora could find her? No doubt she would try...the Queen of Hearts would have to prevent this. She had spent far too long searching to lost her now. Cora's thoughts quickly turned to a plan as the two lovers snipped at her. While the wolf girl spoke idle threats of protecting her lover, this male was really pushing Cora's buttons. She couldn't help but find herself laughing at the boy. "Why presume such a thing? I'm not the Dark One. I don't make deals, especially when I hold all the cards. Besides, why would I give up my new favorite toy, especially when she could be such a useful little weapon?"[/b]

Turning her attention back to the task at hand, Cora summoned forth a familiar tool from her collection--a gnarled wooden staff she occasionally used to concentrate her power. Looking at it for a moment, she thrust it in the ground, creating a large, domed force field over the area. Nobody would get in or out of the area so long as the field stayed up. If this same magic would withstand the power of the dark curse, it could surely keep her daughter from teleporting away. Leaving the staff in the ground, Cora turned back to face her fellow humans. "Regina is near, and she, or either of you for that matter, won't be going anywhere so long as I keep this barrier up. I don't care if you can't smell her magic, or if you can't find her scent. I want her found." Looking at the sun in the sky, she could tell that it was about midday. Noon, as some would say. She wanted this done soon. "You have until sun down."[/b]

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[Ruby Gray]

Ruby's mind spun, she had forfeited her emotions, not her intellect, Dorian was helpless here and Red was not much better off, Cora was a wretchedly powerful with and her daughter was possibly even more so, the two of them together... Red nor Dorian held much of a chance. Regina had never particularly cared for Red, but only because Snow held her in such a high regard, she had no qualm with her personally... but perhaps if she thought her mother taking Red's heart might cause a war, Regina could convince her mother to give her at least her emotions back, they could cast something along the lines of a vow of silence upon both she and Dorian and plot whatever they may. Even if she was to be Regina's...toy... she would need to make appearances in pubic or people would grow suspicious, she and Dorian both were too widely known.

Damn. This was a double edged sword, Red could think of no way to escape, no way to draw Regina out of her hidey hole. It would matter little what deviations he came up with if Cora would simply kill her if Regina was not found. She chewed her bottom lip, tensing at Dorian's sharp words and Cora's resounding bitterness. The witch would never return her heart, put perhaps she would return her feelings, and then it hit her...feelings.

"Wait! Don't leave! I have an idea, how to draw your daughter out of hiding!" Red stepped forward cautiously, drawing only a touch closer to Cora, if they wanted to be victorious they could not view the woman as a threat, they had to view her as a temporary ally, they had to abide by her game. "It will require your magic, on both myself and Dorian, she glanced at her beloved, not wanting to drag him into such a thing but knowing Regina would never buy a rouse that did not include the Prince. If you can change your own appearance, you can certainly change ours yes? Regina hates Snow White, but she knows damn good and well that Charming would never let her leave the castle alone. Regina would not be able to resist a confrontation." This much, at least, Ruby was certain of. It was the only way she could be certain of drawing out Regina.

[Dorian Gray]

Dorian actually felt a little helpless here. He was weak to them both, since they were both cursed with greater strength and ferocity than he, and this really was only his business because his fiancée had been dragged into a twisted, cruel plot. He did not really want to be here, but he wanted to be with her, and she was all the world to him now so there wasn't anywhere else to be. He watched their interactions with dark, despising eyes, trying to decide what he could say that would throw this dark thing off. She was wicked, he had already determined. And he dared not try and charm her.

He said only one thing, before stepping back and bowing out of the conversation that he was really not a part of. Looking Cora in the eye, he smirked a little and then his face went stone cold. "Not all the cards, sweetheart," he murmured, knowing she would hear but using that secretive voice and smile to make her think that she wasn't supposed to hear. He was good at that sort of tact, at least.

Dorian watched with uninterested, unimpressed eyes as the witch put up a barrier around them, trying to act as though he were indifferent to all the power she had. If he could make her feel like he was actually a bit more powerful, he could get Ruby's heart back, he could have the hold on his lovely bride once more. And he would do anything to have that. Give his life for it, even. But his dark eyes remained calm and cool, his actions becoming a bit confident instead. But he remained standing nonchalantly in the background as they spoke, hoping that Ruby's wisdom and ideas would get them safely through this.

[queenofhearts]

The Queen of Hearts listened to the girl's idea. Admittedly, it wasn't a bad one. If there was one thing in existence that could cause Regina to abandon her otherwise clever mind, it was her raw hatred for the allegedly 'fairest of them all.' No matter how much she would want to remain hidden, seeing her venturing about with only her husband would bring her from hiding. She couldn't pass up such a beautiful opportunity to strike. "It's not the worst idea. It may just work."Giving the two little time to think, Cora waved her left hand and transformed the two in the familiar cloud of purple smoke into exact replicas of Snow White and Prince Charming. The sight of them made Cora sneer for a brief moment before she continued.

"Draw her out of hiding. Once she has made herself visible, I'll do the rest. Unless you have a death wish, I would recommend you not provoke her. So my pretty boy, I would suggest you let the girl do all the talking." Cora smiled condescendingly before backing up a few feet. There was little else for her to do until Regina made herself present. "I'll...be around." The sorceress informed them as she faded away in the purple cloud of smoke, reappearing atop a high rock not too far away. Here she would be invisible from the prying eyes below, but with her magic would still be able to see everything that she so desired. Not long now the Queen thought as she watched the two begin venturing for Regina. Soon the two would be reunited...and soon she would be unstoppable.

[Ruby Gray]

In a split second, Ruby was not herself, but her best friend, the form felt awkward foreign and she frowned, examining one of her hands, this form felt heavy, it was weighed down with the distinct lack of a beast, she wanted so badly to be rid of such a form, it did not suit her. Her dark eyes glanced over at Dorian, whom had become Charming... he was her best friends lover, her husband and they would need to play the part of lovers... something she could not do without her emotions. Regina could be blinded by her hatred, but only too a certain point, she would be suspicious of anyone, anything. Now that they had all retained their memories, she would trust nothing, if Snow's eyes were dead. She was not sure if Cora would give her this, but she could try.

"Cora... I need emotion. Snow expresses far too much, Regina will not come, she will know and flee, or disguise herself further. Your daughter is too smart, she was raised by you." She did not need her heart back but her emotions were vital to this performance, if she could get them back for only a moment, maybe she could remember all of these things that Dorian spoke of, maybe, if they were successful, the witch would at least allow to keep her emotion. It was a long shot, but the only one she had.

((OOC: Short post ;_;)))

[Dorian Gray]

Dorian stood bitterly beside his fiancée, staring down Cora with the desolate, deprived eyes of a child who was angry with his parents for catching him, for controlling him. But this did shut him up, and he realized that the more he spoke the more Cora berated him, belittled him, brought him down. Not even his eloquence was winning him anything, nor his sarcasm. There was so much he wanted to say but perhaps it would just be better to wait. He would let Ruby find Regina, as he hoped she would, and then he would pull all his cards to make a deal for her heart. He didn't want just her emotions. He wanted all of her back for himself, because she was his. All of her, including her heart.

His body was all too soon changed, and he scowled as he examined the changes. Dorian had been so beautiful, so devonaire and handsome when he was himself, but he had no fancy for Charming. He knew what a nice man looked like; sometimes he found himself more than acquainted with them; but he did not particularly like this look. Not for himself, especially. He just wanted to be Dorian.

Yet Dorian did not protest because he knew it was for good reason. And though he hated Cora's words, that brought him so low in her eyes and hurt his pride, he knew they were likely right. He need not do speaking here, because he did not know Charming enough to do so. Ruby's words to Cora, even, were much better. It looked like flattery won her best, and he had not tried that. He raised his eyebrows in hopes that this would be granted, because even in this form, he could have part of his Ruby back for himself.

[queenofhearts]

From atop the rocky spire, Cora heard the wish of the girl. There was no doubt in her mind that she was onto something. No matter how blinded Regina may be, she wasn't stupid. She wouldn't believe that some soulless creature was the step-daughter who's flame she had worked so hard to extinguish. No...something would have to be done. Cora couldn't give her the heart back, that would give the wolf too much power and independence. Cora would lose the guarantee of having her service. The Queen couldn't have that. There was the alternative though...Cora could restore the connection between the heart and its owner, giving Ruby back her ability to feel emotions, and cause her to be more than zombie-like in action.

Holding up her right hand, Cora conjured an object in a puff of purple smoke--the enchanted heart of the wolf girl below. Bringing it down and gazing at it, Cora marveled in just how much power this small object held. With a simple gesture, the sorceress could end the life of the girl below. The heartbreak in that young upstart male would give Cora so much joy, to wipe that smug look off his face would be a beautiful thing. This, however, was not the time for such pleasures. Bringing the heart close to her lips, Cora blew on the heart, causing it to glow with the magic that she had enchanted it with. The heart was now active--the connection restored. Cora spoke into the heart, sending a message to Ruby below. "The connection to your heart has been restored. Complete the task before you, and I will make it permanent. Fail...and I'll keep it around just long enough so that you feel the pain of killing your beloved."

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