Secrets

[Doctor]

It struck Anshel that his silent conversation was inconsiderate towards the council. "Ms. Donavon can..." He addressed the judges. How would one explain it? "...mentally project her thoughts." He nodded to himself, approving the terminology. "And she has kindly agreed to discuss her talents."

As he understood it, that was an ability they attempted to explore during the run of Project Aksakov, but everything had remained theoretical.

"I'd like to focus on you a bit, Ms. Donavon." He still didn't know what to make of her aside from her unusual honesty. She was a curious thing. "What else can you do when your eyes change so prettily?"

[Rima Elaine Donavon]

She smiled, and cleared her throat, reading the thought of it being inconsiderate to the other council members. “This mind speak is… something. It can be turned influential as well, but it seems like I don’t use it for that often.” Her eyebrows knit together as though she was searching for the correct wording. Nodding slowly, she seemed satisfied. Rima closed her eyes for a moment, and when she unveiled them from behind long, black lashes, they were back to normal.

“That… And a few other things.” Upon letting that statement out, Rima began to start explaining of the abilities she knew herself to have, including: the ability to manipulate shadows around her to complete tasks, move objects, (or people), the speaking to Spirit and Ghosts, and one of the strangest of the bundle: walking in, and partially influencing, one’s dreams.

About 45 Minutes later the bottle of blood was gone, and Rima was drawing her explanations to a close. “If anybody wishes for demonstrations… I’d be willing to volunteer, depending on what you want to see.” She finished.

[Doctor]

There was low and urgent chatter among the judges, some excited and curious, others racing through the risks of having such a vampire in their presence. Anshel was compelled to keep the peace, as well as show their guest the patience and cooperation she so willingly gave. He held his hand up to ask for silence, not unlike how Bartholomew would, although his gestures were more animated and less tired. He was pleasantly surprised the circle acquiesced.

"Well, it is getting early in the morning. We should have you away soon before the sun rises. But could you show us just one thing?" Anshel met the faces to his left and right in a thrill before looking at Rima again. "Could you manipulate Ping?"

The old huntress's eyes widened in shock only for a moment before settling back into an unemotional stare, ready to comply. She had been in her position a long, long time, no longer affected by the oddities that were asked of her. Anshel banked on that.

[Rima Elaine Donavon]

Rima slid foreword in her seat slowly, resting her elbows on her knees and her chin on her palms. A few locks of her already loose hair slid, parting to the front. She gave a slow nod of compliance. Inwardly, a kind of excitement came to her, an experiment to control a Huntress Judge was a one time opportunity.

Her eyes were hidden for a brief moment with thick, black lashes. But as soon as she opened them, they were fully silver once more, predatory, but with a new change. The pupils were slits. Scrupulously, she kept her breaths calm and focused.

Something like an intoxicating web worked its way from her mind to engulf the Huntress’. That fact that she was willing made it even easier than normal. ‘Stand.’ She commanded mentally, projecting only the command to Ping, but also repeating the word for every mind in the room (which gave her the feeling that she’d probably suffer a headache the following day).

[Doctor]

The room looked to observe Judge Ping. She sat still. Looks of confusion were thrown around the room when she failed to comply with Rima's command. The silver that bled into the vampire's eyes was dramatic enough of a show to convince them her claims were legitimate, but now it seemed that they were mistaken to be so easily taken in.

Until, with a sharp intake of breath, Ping stood abruptly. Her yellow robes brushed the floor and her artful bun bobbed once from the suddenness of the movement. They all looked again at Rima, but it was Anshel who spoke. "Does it usually take that long?"

[Rima Elaine Donavon]

Rima tore her gaze away from Ping, and let the room grow quiet. The silver in her eyes dulled, and she sat back in her chair. “I haven’t used that in a while.” A bit of a sheen of sweat gathered at her brow. “Daylight is coming as well. But to answer your question: It fully depends on the person in my experience. Some are easier then others. She was willing… But humans seem to develop some kind of warding with experience.”

The word ‘humans’ was spoken with the faintest trace of resentment. Rima would’ve loved to have stayed human, even though she loved her life now. In Vampire form, she felt unnatural, different.

[Doctor]

He nodded, accepting her explanation.

"It's an hour to dawn. The guards will escort you to a comfortable room for the night." He wanted to keep her with them desperately. Rima was far too valuable an asset to release or risk the chance of her escape and he wasn't a fool enough to believe she couldn't do that as easily as breathing. So, he put forward a proposition to her and adjourned the council. Anshel only hoped his companions could contain their rage and see the benefits of the arrangement.