The time had passed quickly as they got ready. Katherine wore her form fitting pants. Tight tank top and jack over it to hide her curved blades sewn into the inner lining of her jacket so that she could draw them easily. Black shoes to complete her look were reinforced with hidden blades in the front and back of them. Her bracelets has charms on them that allows her to call upon her other abilities she has picked up in her long lifetime.
Josidia on the other hand wore an outfit that was much more of a young woman going out. Knee length skirt. V-neck top and laced up boots. Her makeup was done and hair pulled into a tight ponytail. Looking fierce she was pleased with her appearance she emerged from her room to stand before Katherine as if all the eyes were on her and it was just the two of them together in her apartment. It was to Josidia as if she were standing before a group of people nude was how she felt.
“You look lovely. Not very practical or able to fight in it, but lovely none the less” A smile came to Katherine’s lips as she spoke.
“Stop teasing! I don’t have fighting clothes as you say. I have my outfits and if we are going out to get information then we should look like we are going out” Josidia would sigh softly but still manages a smile. “Besides like you said we shouldn’t see combat if others respect the laws that govern what we are to keep everyone safe.”
“Most of us follow those laws, there are those who do not. Seeing humanity as a slave force or food at best. But they are most often held in check by the others, because if not then there would be a war. And there was a war once already, long ago. No one won, everyone lost something in that senseless conflict. Let us hope that those we meet tonight follow the laws and we are not dragged into conflict.” Katherine would respond to her bonded partner.
Leaving her apartment and once again in the car they drove to the club that seemed to have started it all for her not that long ago ago. Bastion.
“Are you sure it is wise for us to go here? What if someone recognizes me from before?” Josidia would ask.
“We can weave subtle magics that make us look slightly different so that most don’t recognize who we are. We are here to gather information about the missing Fae and anything else that we can discover that they may be trying to be kept hidden.” Katherine held up her hands and began to chant softly over Josidia and cast as subtle glamour over her that altered her appearance enough that she would not be immediately remembered. Then she cast the glamour upon herself.
With their appearances altered so that they could slip into the club without issue they left Josidia’s apartment. The drive to the club was relatively short. To Josidia’s senses everything seemed so much more different. Where she used to adore city life she had found with these new gifts to better appreciate the home that Katherine has on the outskirts of the city away from everything that happens. Providing further protection should they need a place to fall back too if something had happened in the city.
After they parked the car and started to walk towards the club Josidia began to notice details she had never realized were there. Around the door was an ornate script etched into the wooden frame. The bouncers were large and impressive. Thick hair on their chests and hands. Two tusks emerged from their lower jaw. Their eyes were narrow and faintly glowing. Powerful corded muscles over their bodies. Josidia didn’t know what they were, they could have been fae or something completely different.
There were others in line that Josidia did not recognize. She was able to see them for what they truly were. Beneath the glamour that they used to hide from the mundane world of humanity. It was fascinating to Josidia to see these things for the first time.
“It’s all so fascinating. I can see things as they truly are and not the mask that is thrown over the world. It is so vibrant. So beautiful. But also there is an element that makes me afraid” Josidia tentatively reached out to find Katherines hand. To her surprise it was held and she was pulled closer as they walked up to the door.
“Don’t worry. You will soon come to see more and do more than you thought possible. The world of mortals will slowly fade and you will be immersed in the realm of the supernatural and paranormal. And we will face it together, throughout the ages to come. Afterall we serve our role as guardians.” Katherine replied to her as they walked close together.
The bouncer on the right stopped them “IDs” His voice was gruff, but Katherine could sense the underlying power to it. He was built to be powerful. His fingers ended in sharpened claws. Heavy jewelry were actually charms of a purpose that Josidia did not yet comprehend the meaning of, but she was sure she would in time.
Showing the bouncer their IDs, the glamour that Katherine passed over them subtly altered their IDs so that they matched as well. Enough to withstand the cursory inspection by the two bouncers at the door.
“You both can enter” The other bouncer stated to the them. Pushing the door open for them. The small hallway was darkly lit but Josidia found it to be bright enough to see just fine. There were other symbols on the walls here disguised as graffiti and other modern art forms. Leaning in to Katherine she would speak softly.
“What does all this mean?” Josidia had hoped that her voice could not be heard over the din of the music, but knowing that Katherine’s keen senses would be able to hear her clearly.
“Similar to how our home is warded, so too is this place it seems. I’ve heard of this place in other circles that you too will travel in. Yet I’ve never actually been here myself. Now I can see why they call this place Bastion. Because it is so heavily warded and guarded, we must be careful now. These wards are designed to break apart glamours and other magics unless you have a proper token that allows you beyond these wards without issue.” Katherine would respond to her bonded partner.
Josidia was amazed that she was able to hear Katherine so clearly over the noise of the club. Past the small hallway they entered into the main floor. The bar wrapped around two of the walls. Around the central dance floor were many different tables. The different floors and rooms were for those with other tastes as they offered a wide array of what to choose from in their chosen entertainment for the evening.
“From what I've been able to gather from my sources this is just a cover for Tara’s other activities. She is not breaking any laws, though she is coming close to them. Yet for her attacks on the other Fae lead me to believe something more sinister is happening that threatens the entire world. She offers entertainment to the mortals allowing the Immortal World to feed and act with impunity. Any breach can easily be concealed as illegal drug activity.” Katherine further explained to Josidia.
“My informants tell me that the upper levels are cleared of any wrongdoing except for the feeding habits of the immortals that come here. It is the lower levels that are more heavily guarded and restricted that we need to investigate. And that is why we are here. We need to examine those levels. We need to make ourselves viable targets for those who are scouting the dance floors for further activity for the lower levels. If we can get there tonight all the better.” Katherine continued to clue in Josidia.
“And how do we get noticed? We are here to investigate. Why not just show who and what we are?” Josidia asked of Katherine. Turning into her more and looked up into her eyes.
Reaching up with her free hand Katherine would stroke Josidia’s cheek. Leaning in to kiss her on the lips. Josidia would tense, but then relaxed. The bond between them unseen, but still clearly felt blazed into her consciousness. Josidia’s mark would pulse with that latent power as her body warmed up as if she were being exposed to the noon day sun. The moment of the kiss stretched for an eternity it felt like, but it ended before they could progress further. Leaning in closer to her Katherine would whisper.
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“That is how we get noticed.” A smile upon those painted lips “You taste sweet.”
Blushing brightly after the kiss broke “Do not tease me!” Josidia huffed softly causing Katherine to laugh softly.
“So fierce, but it should have worked. I allowed a faint pulse of your power to echo through the room. Now eyes will be searching for the source of that supposedly untapped power. Now all we need to do is wait for someone to take the bait. Should the breach prove to catastrophic and her crimes apparent we will ensure that this operation of hers is shut down. My charms are still working. Apparently whoever made the wards is not able to counter the magics of the Sword-Born and wielder, which is beneficial to us” They moved to a table to stand while they ordered their drinks.
Josidia kept her eyes on a swivel. So much to see now that was unknown and unexpected. Everything was new and fascinating. “I have so many questions about so many things” She said to her partner.
“I know, and you will learn in time everything that you need to operate in the world that we truly live in.”
- - - -
She felt the ripple of power from a different room of Bastion. Surrounded by those who adored her she was bored. Little excited her after such a long existence of getting what she wanted and who she wanted. She wasn’t an evil person, but she was selfish. Coming to Bastion to get what she wanted out of Tara and the others before moving on. She had access to nearly every level of the Club and nothing was to be denied to her, and when she felt that pulse of power. The unique scent filling the air she knew what she wanted.
Standing up suddenly causing the others to scatter around her. Looking at them, how pathetic they were to her eyes. Clinging to power in the hope of gaining some themselves. Or for her to take them under her wing and gift them with her heritage. She was alive too long to ever do such a thing, those mistakes were for the young to make. This new piece entered the board. She must have it before the others.
Fixing her form fitting one piece outfit. The top clung to her breasts in a low v-neck that also left her arms bare. A diamond cutout in the midriff showed off her toned stomach and the skirt with slits in the sides to show off her legs went nearly to the floor. Long hair pulled up into intricate braided bun. Her brilliant emerald eyes started the search for the power that she had felt. It was intimately feminine. There was a warmth of energy to it like she had stood beneath the sun on a warm spring day. She had never felt such a power before.
Moving with a sensual grace through the clubs different rooms and floors intent to find this prize before anyone else did. Many of the weaker immortals and others would steer clear of the prize knowing that much bigger fish than they would be searching for it. Others might make an opportunity to gain favor from finding the target first and handing it over to one of them. She had advantages of others with her keen senses.
Lesser immortals were so pathetic to her eyes, they leeched off the greatness of others. She would find this woman first before the others did.
- - - -
Josidia and Katherine noticed the woman at the same time, for she was impossible to miss with their true sight. While the woman was tall she was powerfully built. Massive wings folded against her back and a long tail swayed behind her. Horns upon her head. Scales on her chest, forearms and legs seemed to shift in color as she walked. She was power incarnate. Fingers ending in razor sharp claws. She was majestic to look upon. Regal as a queen.
“A dragon” Katherine inhaled sharply “Their senses are incredibly acute and able to pierce through most known glamours. Her gaze will rip our disguises to shreds. We should go before she spots you. If she knew anything about your mark she will pursue you until you are hers or she has slain you so that no one else can possess you.”
“A dragon! Those exist?!” Josidia was stunned really as Katherine took her by the hand. Leading her towards the exit
“You are not ready to handle a dragon at the peak of its power. Her scales have not settled on a color or any set pattern. My scouts did not report any power of a dragon in the area. And they have a tendency to change the area around them due to their powerful auras and influence. This has become a more dangerous situation than I want you in” Katherine said hurriedly “I cannot use any more glamours or she will sense the use of magic and be drawn to us even more”
Katherine was always so calm and collected. To see her like this stressed Josidia out immensely. Just how dangerous was this dragon? Going outside the club and back to the car.
“We need to get back to the apartment as soon as possible. Not even a dragon can so willingly break the laws that govern the immortal world so once we are there I will begin to make an effort to deal with the dragon without jeopardizing you” Katherine seemed rather final about this. Imperius in giving Josidia orders, expected to be obeyed.
“No. I am not just some doll that you can keep safe on a shelf. This is my world now too. And while I don’t know as much as you we are stronger together than apart. If a dragon is power then let us show them power. We can do this. I can do this!” Josidia wanted to show that she wasn’t weak. That she was an equal partner in their relationship. That she would be able to rise to the occasion should they need it.
Katherine looked over to her and smiles “If you are certain. Then let us begin” Once she was seated in the car she removed her bracelet and held up the charms. Placing it against her lips she whispered the words of power that activated the charm. Keeping her attention on the spell as it worked.
“To keep the laws intact we will bring her into a pocket realm so that if it is reduced to combat there will be no witnesses in the city. And if we need to pull us out I can trap her in that realm for a time until she can break free, but I would rather not make an enemy of a dragon. So here is to hoping that diplomacy will work”
Letting their glamours fail as the car pulled away Katherine was focused on getting back to the apartment if at all possible. Going through a roundabout route back to the apartment.
“Concentrate on your mark. Expand your senses. You saw her at the club. Reach out and see if you can sense her following us.” Katherine said to her partner.
“No pressure right?” Josidia opened her top slightly to reveal the mark on her chest. Placing one hand on it as she closed her eyes. Slowing her breath the mark began to pulse in time with her heartbeat. Pushing out her senses she caught quick glimpses of conversations as they drove by other cars. And further out she heard people talking on the streets. Her calm breath allowed her to push out those surface thoughts and conversations. Looking for one specific thing.
At first she didn’t know if she could find it. Keeping calm with her senses so expanded was exhausting work. Forcing out the conversations and surface thoughts so she didn’t get bogged down was a crash course in this task. There it was above them. Matching their speed.
“Above us! She is flying above us.” Josidia spoke out loud finally.
“Alright. I have a plan” She pulled into a large empty parking lot. Bringing the car to a stop near the center of the parking lot. A shadow above them was rather large as it got closer it was getting smaller until that woman landed in front of them. Devoid of her glamour she the power rippling off of her semi-human form.
“Why hello there my dears. So kind of you to finally stop” Her voice was majestic and powerful. Used to being obeyed. That long tail coiled about her feet, but without getting in the way. Wings folded over her body like a cloak.
Both Katherine and Josidia got out of the car together. Moving to the front of the vehicle to stand before the dragon. Following Katherines lead she too would bow to the dragon. Surprisingly to Josidia the dragon would bow as well. Those bright green eyes immediately turned to the visible mark on Josidia’s chest. Then to the hand of Katherine.
“That is what I had sensed. It is rare to see a Sword-Born and their Wielder out skulking around behind glamours.”
“We apologize for the deception, but we are on a task that requires a delicate touch” Katherine responded to the dragon. Katherine and Josidia moved instinctively together until their hands were clasped together.
“Ah yes, the missing Fae. To be honest I don’t care about such things. I was there to collect things that interest me for a time. If I should add them to my hoard or if I should just discard them once I am bored with them.”
“Are you going to hinder our investigation of the fae and the owner of the clubs?” Katherine continued to question the dragon though her voice remained respectful.
“I don’t see any reason too. So long as you do not interfere in my business dealings at the club” Looking between them “I see the bond between you is new but the love is growing. I’ve not seen a young Sword-Born in quite some time. A treasure you have there” Laughs softly “But my curiosity is sated for now. I have decided to assist you in your endeavor. Ms. Jones is a threat to my dealings and I cannot allow that to happen” The dragon was a mercurial thing. Keeping her as an ally was probably going to be hard work for both Katherine and Josidia.