Esylana: The Empress was, as usual, lounging in her favorite spot in the Rose Garden. It was in full bloom and the lovely smell of the roses was almost stifling, in all honesty. But she didn't seem to mind as she looked over an array of papers and reports before her. She looked bored - this was her least favorite part of being Empress. Until a certain report caught her eye, and she tilted her head, reading it with somewhat of a renewed interest. "Well well, then..." she murmured, a delicate hand coming to her chin. She started to think, and as she did, she looked up. It wouldn't be long before she'd summoned two people to attend to her side - Verona, the Inquisitor...as well as her protege, someone who had been training and showing great progress. A man named, Verik. She'd heard some stories about what he was able to do, and what he was, but ultimately it was his skill that had led him to rise above a petty role in the Arena, fighting with the other fighters. This one had what some might call 'Empire Spirit'. And the Empress was intrigued.

VampyrVixen: Verona bit the the inside of her cheek as she as she and and Verik made her way down the long corridor and to the enterance of the garden. The wonderous smell slapped them right in the face as they made their way through. Usually the calculating woman that she is, she was on edge and she couldn't really think of a reason the Empress would wish to see them. "Verik, I get that you are new here, and you've been doing well... Just don't do anything unpredictable especially infront of the Empress, got it?" Her voice was stern and cold as she spoke to him, one that demanded he listen to her. She ran a hand upon her soft chin seeing the Empress calmly there. With a deepened sigh, she approaches with small bow of her head. "Good morning, My lady, you called of me my apprentice and I?" Her tone was emotionless nonetheless even with nervousness creeping up on her.

Guest_VerikAtlas: “I can see why they call you the empress” he’d say looking upon her form bluntly. “It’s a pleasure to meet you Lady Elle” He’d give a bow to her, out of respect however , contradictory to the words he had just said. He’d stand next to his master with a slight smirk on his face, as if he was expecting something to happen between Verona and the empress herself. He’d let out a slight sigh of nervousness release from him, as he felt he was safe within these walls of trees and flower, a bit of calmness would sweep over him as he’d inhale the scent of roses, and his exhale a slight smell of brimstone from his heritage.

Esylana: The Empress' eyes narrowed slightly, and she sighed. This man was blunt, and bravely so. "Few dare call me by name - however, I'll let it slip for now." She shuffled the papers in front of her. "Something has come up, and I find myself in need of a new Champion sooner, as opposed to later..." She handed Verona the report - it was about an arrest made in Valanice, of a Fae who was trying to stir up trouble. The sort of trouble one might get when a rebellion comes full swing. "I will say, good effort on her part. And I -do- appreciate effort." She smirked, rising from her chaise. "I think we can use this to our advantage. Our dear Lord of Valanice, Lorian Castellan, while a lovely ally, tends to overstep his bounds and get ambitious. I think it's time I remind him why he is a part of the Empire, and how I am a -very- generous Empress indeed." She looked at Verona. "I don't have time to beat around the bush today - I want one of you to befriend the Fae, break her free of her prison, and help her start her rebellion. Keep it in Valanice, and march towards Anthem...the other of you..." her eyes slipped towards Verik, almost meaningfully. "Will become the new Champion of the 13th, and will march to "crush" the "rebellion". At the end of it, I want to be firmly stationed in Anthem, myself, as an ally of Valanice. I want to be standing at his threshhold when the errant Lord comes home."

VampyrVixen: Verona soon glared at her apprentice with daggers that she wished to actually stab him with for the moment. She barely even knew this brash and implusive man, but as of now he was trouble, chaos that need to be controlled. Who better than someone who catches and tortures? "I apologize for the brashness of my apprentice, he knows not fully of his position just yet." She would attempt to stay opaque on the subject but she was frustrated already, feeling he was making her look bad. It was already hard that she was out of her element. "Yes my lady,, I will befriend the little creatures that flutters about. Her first mistake was getting arrested. I'd think they would be more clever about their plans... None the less, It will be contained and controlled." Her lips were pursed with slight annoyance, as she heard he would be taking a place she was much, much more qualified for especially being with the Empire her entire life. She couldn't help but feel a bit distraught, what did she do wrong? "It... will be done without another thought, my lady. Verik, you will listen to my orders when the time comes, understood?" She barked at him, trying to teach him there's one's he must look up to, and respect if he is to survive.

Guest_VerikAtlas: "I'll listen to your orders, but you're gunna have to buy me dinner first" he'd smirk at his master, purposefully trying to tilt her the wrong way. He'd stretch his limbs, eager to get out and do something as he adjusts the blade on his back. "I'm only kidding about the whole dinner thing, unless you're up for it, then I'll luckily have y-..... have dinner with you" he'd make an attempt not to laugh, as his presence was infront of his empress." Is there anything you may ask of me, Lady Elle? I will see to it if so..." he'd bow his head out of mutual respect for her and her "talents".

Esylana: Elle was quiet for a moment. Perhaps too quiet. She paced away from him briefly, not even looking as he'd suddenly feel the air around him grow thin...-very- thin...he might suddenly find it harder to breathe. "Well. There is one thing, I would ask. You do not get to address me by name. Not yet," she turned to look at him, looking to see if he'd feel the affects of her mastery over the air around him, through a practice of Dark Air, or withdrawal. Of absence. Of void. And yes, there was a reason she was the Empress. "You are taking command of my most cherished of legions. Special, powerful, and completely obedient. If I cannot trust the Champion who commands them in my honor, then...well, that's a shame, isn't it?" She narrowed her eyes, there would be no relief for him until she heard what she wanted to hear.

VampyrVixen: Verona almost growl in his direction, her eyes filled with primal rage. She would bring herself to raise her hand, closely about to hull off and strike him; to show him who was really in charge in this situation, but seeing the empresss take action against him. Verona lips would twist with sadistic desire pleasure. She smiled gently looking at him. His smirk was annoying as playful as it was, but seeing him like this was the only way he was getting a smile out of her. She was still annoyed that she was not the one being champion and having him, this disgusting pig of a creature take the place she sought for. No. She hated him, She took pleasure in his humliating position as of now.

Guest_VerikAtlas: He'd find himself grasping for air slightly as it becomes thin, yet not as much as the normal human would take. His feet would dig into the ground slightly as he regains himself. Verik would eye Verona, a bit of sorrow in his eyes, "Sorry...to...to both of you" he'd look over to the empress as well. "Do you believe I am truely capable of handling this position of command that well, my empress? I don't doubt that I won't let you down, but...finding trust in me... odd" he'd tighten his gauntlet, wanting to take this armor off that had been hauling him down for quite some time. " I do have something I would like to ask of you empress, if I may however..."

Esylana: She smiled, benevolently. The air remained thin as she inclined her head. "My last Champion had a fierce hatred for non-humans, especially of a particular sort. And it was his undoing. I've heard great things about you, Verik, and I know what you are. So I suspect..." The air somehow grew even thinner, as if she were squeezing - no, sucking - the very air out of the depths of his lungs. It would be come difficult to stay concious, if this kept up too much longer, for any mortal. "But your Empress listens. Speak."

VampyrVixen: The raven haired woman pursed her lips as he could even still talking. It was almost not satisfying enough that he could. She wished that The Empress would allow her to discipline him, via her lovely methods given to her or rather was taught to her. She didn't know who this man was, and at this point she didn't care. He was someone she didn't wish to know nor wish to mentor like she has been made to do.

Guest_VerikAtlas: “I wanted to ask... if... if you know who I really am? I can’t seem to remember ever since I was found by your kingdom empress.” He’d look down, not looking her in the eyes, but instead more back at Verona. “I don’t want to bother you if it’s not a problem... but I feel as if maybe it would help me.... help you?”

Esylana: The wind had died - of course it had. It would be very clear, by now, that the Empress was completely in control of the Element in question. But she soon sighed softly, an eyebrow raising. The air - blessed, cool, like a much-needed drink of water - would suddenly return to him. "...I do know. But what you need to know, now, is that you serve as my Champion. And if you please me, if you do as commanded, if you...help me bring Valanice completely under -my- control..." She smiles, her beautiful dark smile. "I will tell you -everything- you want to know, Verik."

Guest_VerikAtlas: “You don’t need to do all of these things to command my loyalty to you, you need to only ask empress. I call loyalty to you out of a mutual respect.” He’d offer his hand to her now, his palm facing upward, his fingers light” maybe you’d accept me as not just your champion one day, perhaps a friend I could see it. Will you accept my loyalty to you Lady E..... Empress”

Esylana: Her eyes were cold, even as her smile remained. "Of course. I accept your loyalty." She then snapped her fingers, and from the shadows scuttled a steward, carrying a satin pillow. Upon it was the black silken headband, a steel band secured in the center, with two horns, like a bulls, coming out of it. She took it, and stepped to him, ignoring his hand, and placing the headband around his forehead, securing the silken ties with ease, before stepping back. And he would feel it. The great vastness of the hundreds of minds suddenly at his control, his beck, and his call. The 13th was now his to command.

VampyrVixen: Verona couldn't help but advert her gaze. No... No, That headband was suppose to be hers, HERS. She was supposed to become champion, it was what she dreamed off when she was so young growing up in the empire's grasp. She didn't wish to have any less than that, even if it took her -this- long to get there. But it seems even now her strength, her power, and persuaion wasn't enough. It was utterly insulting.

Guest_VerikAtlas: He would slightly have a twitch in his eye when she puts the band on him, one that could escape past the empress possibly, but it was clear to Verona that Verik had pent up rage.” Thank you for accepting my loyalty, it quite the honor to be given to me” he would focus on the word me, as he knew Verona was in his presence, he would do this merely to tick her off further. “I only mean to do well by you, so may we both have success my empress”

Esylana: "You are both dismissed. Verona, to the fae. Verik - I will make plans and call you when they are solidified." She then turned, strolling back to her paperwork, as if she forgot about them entirely, suddenly. They were no more than specks to her, now.

VampyrVixen: Verona nodded to the empress, trying to conceal her obvious frustration, But Verik saw it in her beautiful powery blue eyes. She shook her head. "Thank you my lady, we will be going now." She now grasps Verik's thick gaunletted hand, pulling out with her.

Guest_VerikAtlas: “If you wish to hit me, then do it” He’d look her in the eyes firmly, confident in himself. “You have a right to be angry and upset, but there’s obviously a reason you weren’t given the role, and remain my master instead” he would attempt to pry himself from her grasp.

VampyrVixen: Pulling him into the hallway, her eyes are fiery. She doesn't hesitate out of the Empress's view, attempting to deal a heavy bow to him with her fist curled up. "Even though I'm gravely annoyed by you and the fact you are in this position, I'm more annoyed because that role is one for a master, not my work. But then again, I know damn well with your speech you could definitely not go through with it. Not one bit. My job requires skills, stealth, and deception. I could never see a man like -you- in this spot. Now I am your master. You listen to me. The only one that has more authority over you is the Empress herself, and the way you treated her was disgusting and down right disrespectful. She has to be desperate to accept you." Her rage was seething, her hands to balled up. "You will respect me, and you will listen to me, Understood?"

Guest_VerikAtlas: “I will make it clear... I do not fear or respect you, but I will listen for the empresses sake. I apologize for upsetting you, and I will have you know I will heed your advice and words from now on” He’d nod to her, showing he was being truthful with this statement.

VampyrVixen: She scoffs, turning her gaze to compose herself once more back to something more fitting for a lady, but it wouldn't stop her frustrated thoughts, she was annoyed. Humliated. Degraded. The Empress basically slapped her in the face with this gesture. She then realized she wasn't mad at this man. no, She was mad at the woman she services personal, burning with distess that matched the flames of the nine hells themself. She lamented this, biting her lip. It was clear he respected this woman, and sure she did. But after the fall of her master, she began questioning her place in empire, and now she realizes it was for a good reason. "I don't care if you fear me, or if you truly respect me, but I expect it when I give you orders. It isn't you that upset me, dear. It was myself, for showing my vulnerability to a possible predator." She wasn't clear who she meant, and she wasn't about to openly tell him as they headed back to her office.