#[Antonia:Markus]

[theartofruling]

Who: Antonia + Markus @ocean-eyeslnrp

Where: The Black and White Ball

Antonia hadn't spoken to Markus as of late. Mainly because she needed a break from the immortalem and her father and Markus had become a new dad so she gave him space. Now, though time was ticking away and the two needed to regroup. Mostly though, she missed her friend though she would never say that out loud. She approached. "I give you the best months of my life and you kick me to the curb and forget about me? I'm not above making a scene," she said in jest.

[theartofruling]

“I think it would have. Such a crucial piece of the puzzle would unravel our lives if changed.” She doubted it was that crucial but all the same, she was glad it happened. “You mean you don’t want to go back over the memories?  I’m hurt.” She laughed. “Against my better judgment, we can make a plan to speak with him.” Antonia’s eyes widened. “Your blood? Shit that’s devious. But he does go for the jugular. I still haven’t been able to see my nieces.  So he knows how to make a simple concept life altering. Want me to do a little research? He’s well connected and keeps witches around willing to do his bidding. For some reason there are people who still want to follow his lead even though he’s the weakest link in his circle. But, although this probably isn’t very reassuring, my dad has a code. He doesn’t hurt kids. His followers I can’t vouch for but his line is kids are innocent. He hated Jakovan, but never once considered harming his kids. Well they’re adults now so fair game but back in the day.” 

“Superhero duo it is. Storm and…whoever you want to be.” Antonia smiled at the thought. “The day I can be truly free will be a day to celebrate.” 

"Would that be so bad though?" He smirked, teasing her because even though their way of meeting wasn't the best he was glad to have Toni on his side in this. "Don't start dissecting our relationship." He laughed shaking his head, "I completely understand the want to give him more time but time is definitely not on our side, especially with us not knowing where they could be." Markus nodded, "I don't know but I'm sure he would have done something besides just make her faint. Her hormones are all over the place, I know that's normal but she wasn't like this with Scarlett and she has a thirst... a thirst for my blood." He gave a nod, "I'm not worried about me as much as I worry about her, Scarlett and the baby."

He rolled his eyes at her, "I prefer a superhero duo, either way a friendship I think we both deserved and we're going to get what we deserve when it comes to your dad."

[theartofruling]

Who: Antonia + Markus (@ocean-eyeslnrp)

Where: Northland Falls Palace

Normally used to barging into his palace, she had to check herself knowing that people would recognize her as who she was. She had to do this the hard way. She made an appointment as Antonia, and allowed the guards to lead her to the library where they normally would meet up. "Markus...I'm going to save you the confusion of asking who I am when you were expecting Antonia. It's me. My father happened and I fucking told you he was going to do something. Actually, I was afraid he was going to kill me, but somehow, this might be worse. And I can prove it. I can tell you about the thing you and I did that no one else knows about. Or I can tell you that to cover it up, I told people we were sleeping together. I even twerked on you for your bachelor party and you just stood there and asked me if I was done like the most boring person I've ever met. So please say you believe me so we can talk about this."

[theartofruling]

Who: Markus + Antonia @ocean-eyeslnrp​

Where: Northland Falls (  Bachelor Party) 

Antonia was enjoying herself as if it were her damn party. Though she knew that it was most definitely not something that Markus would enjoy as much as everyone else did. She danced her way over to him, taking his hand. “Why are you looking like you’re not at a party for you?” she asked. “Come dance with me! I’ll blow your mind with my back it up on you skills. This is a one night only thing though. What do you say? Dance with me? Or are you going to stand there looking like the Grinch before he stole Christmas?” 

[theartofruling]

Who: Markus + Antonia @ocean-eyeslnrp

Where: Northland Falls Library

Antonia had worked her schedule so that she could travel to the Northlands. All of her clients in and around Northlands would be seen during her travels. Right now though, she was focused on a side task, one that would help her father out more on his long awaited journey back to his magic, his longevity and he hoped immortality. Toni walked over to lean against the table where Markus was. “When I said I wanted to borrow your library, I didn’t think I would be accompanied by the High Lord himself,” she said matter-of-factly. Though she would be lying if she said she didn’t appreciate the help, but stating her appreciation was something she wasn’t ready to do with the man who simply had mutual goals as she did. She felt that he would gloat and she didn’t need gloating while they were surrounded by a sea of old books. “Finding anything useful? Any spells that seem to have merit? Of just old folklore?” 

[theartofruling]

“The story of two best friends in the making. Forced proximity. Is that what we are going to tell your kids when they ask how we became friends? Forced proximity?” She laughed at the thought. It’s a good anecdote. “Should I try to reach out to him? Maybe see what we’re up against? So we can plan for how we combat it? I get the anger. I would be angry too if I was kept frozen in time because it was inconvenient to others. Maybe we should offer them something else? What if we looked into a way to lessen the chaos that happens when we all exist at once?” That seemed like a question for Jakovan on if it was even possible and it seemed like power they definitely didn’t have. “But of course, if we’re talking coexisting, there’s no way they would let you all rule over them. And there’s no way you all would let them rule over you. We’re fucked, aren’t we?” She sighed exasperatedly. It really felt like they were. “I’ll threaten you more since it gives you the warm fuzzies. How about this, we just need to get through Iris and Daphne’s wedding, and then after we’ll do it. That gives you time to mentally prepare and me time to figure out how to do this without scrambling your brain.” She grinned at him angelically. “I’m just kidding.”

"Because we were forced to come together for the greater good." He teased, laughing at the though of them hating each other. "His want to be powerful will be what drives them to get rid of him. Gods won't bow to man. No matter how powerful he believes he is." He shrugged, "Partially, but at the same time I knew I could never harness them. They are angry, they want revenge." Markus' brows raised but he agreed, "honestly, I'm okay with that too. I just wanted to see how honest we were going to agree on being. I like seeing Antonia back though." He smirked, "I've kind of missed her a bit. How she was reluctant to even work with me and threatened me on numerous occasions. That's the person I became friends with." Markus gave a nod, "I'm ready now. I have leaks now, but it's like a faucet drip. I know you want to enjoy your time though."

[theartofruling]

“You got on my nerves more than anything. How I came to find you endearing and a friend, I’ll never know. Because you definitely didn’t make it easy.”  She shook her head. “It’s definitely more than he thinks. Honestly, I don’t want them to like him enough to want to keep him around. Because he might seem like a lesser being, but his want to be powerful makes him dangerous. Maybe even more dangerous than them.” Her brow rose. “Were you trying to harness the will of the gods when I met you?” Antonia dropped her playful tone. Her eyes practically cutting Markus. “No. You can fuck up your life but you’re not going to fuck up mine. My father was responsible for all the curses breaking and that’s what we’re going with. Those are the cards I’m putting on the table. That’s the truth.  Put yours out there if you want but leave me out of it.  I’ve chosen who I want to be, and that’s Antonia Ryback, not Lilian Rhys.”  She thawed after she made sure he understood the situation and that he wouldn’t ruin her life with his sudden interest in honesty. “Let me know when you’re ready. I’ll get the necessary information and do what we can. Fair warning though, the emotional onslaught you go through getting them back will be intense. All your memories, feelings, a whole life will come rushing back to you at once.”  She said it almost as a warning. 

Markus shook his head, "I have no idea but I think we both can admit we hated every minute of it." His lip curled at the thought and he smirked, "it felt like... you were more like my sister." He gave a nod and smiled as Antonia spoke about her relationship. "We will handle him. We will keep our people safe. Your dad should be the first stroke. I would rather have the Immortalem running wild than allow your father the satisfaction of holding this power he thinks he has over Lume." He took a deep breath, "after all, what does a man look like trying to harness the will of Gods?" He gave a nod, "It will take some explaining on both of our parts. We may lose Kings Hill in the process... but I believe it best to lay this all on the table." He shook his head, "the young king perhaps will understand that though we started the breaking of the seals, they would have been broken anyway." He gave a nod her opinion mattered very much in this matter and he was glad to have her feedback, "I'm trying to tap into kindness more often now." His brows rose at her admitting she knew of their mate bond. "Rowan did what she could. I didn't want to put her through more that night. I'm fine with trial and error, I just... I want my memories back. I want to be able to see what Iris sees in me but isn't there yet."

[theartofruling]

“He not only wanted to take the kids from me by changing me. He wanted me to be recognized. Caught playing the game of pretend he started. I look just like my mom. Spitting image of her. People who remember him would remember her. They would see me, and see her. That’s why I altered my appearance in the first place. So this is the original model. Liliana Rhys. The kid that got lost when shunning my dad and putting my mom away happened.” She nodded in agreement of her nieces probably missing her. “Honestly, they probably have forgotten about me.” That was a fate worse than anything them forgetting her.  

“There’s no fun in you not having a name.” She pouted. “Just when I think you’ll be fun. This is like twerking and you just standing there all over again. I’ll never forget that by the way.” 

Markus laughed and shook his head, "no I don't want to go back over them." He nodded knowing it may not be the greatest idea but at the moment what needed to happen was protection first, planning second. He ran his hand over his face and nodded, "yeah. Yeah, he does. I'd love if you did that honestly because I have no clue where to even start. He may not hurt them but he involved them when he messed with your looks, you obviously miss your nieces terribly and I'm sure if you miss them they miss you."

Markus raised a brow, "I don't need a name." He matched her smile though and nodded, "we will get you day, Toni. I promise."

[theartofruling]

She smiled, grateful to have a friend who she could talk about her father’s demise with. “He’s done too damn much, but I suppose if he wasn’t the vengeful bastard that he is, certain aspects of my life wouldn’t have happened. I wouldn’t have met you. I’d still think you were a stuffy king who people lie about being so bad,” she teased bumping shoulders with him. Her nose scrunched, but she chucked. “Is that how you and Mrs. Queen Olsen get down?” When the conversation swung back to Sebastian, she nodded. “Okay, you’re right. The therapist in me wanted to give him more time to sit with all of this before presenting more, but time isn’t really on our side lately.” Her brows furrowed. “You think my dad did something to mess with the pregnancy? What’s she experiencing? All I’ll say is it’s possible. He has found ways to get his magical bidding  done before. Of course, I’ll make her something too.” To protect both of you. I can’t promise you whatever he set in motion won’t still happen. But I’ll do my best.” 

Antonia laughed. “I twerked on you at your bachelor party. I’d say that earns me a friendship. But when you put it that way, it sounds like we’re a superhero duo.” 

"I'll even hold him for you if I need to." He smirked but his brows raised, "We'll tackle telling people we're working together, together. I'd rather not potentially add more targets to your back, I believe your dad has done enough." He nodded though at her explanation of the first night but his agreement quickly turned to disgruntled when she brought up his age, "an hour wouldn't have been enough, Toni." Markus shrugged, "it may be worth an ask of him, after all they are his subjects." he smiled and gave a nod, "Yes, having her safe helps me rest a bit easier. Knowing my best friend isn't committing mass murder to find her and my wife can sleep soundly gives me peace." His brows pulled together, "anyway you can make an inconspicuous talisman for Rowan? She.. she's pregnant, I don't know if it will help because I think your father's threat may be making this pregnancy... difficult but I'm no witch."

Markus nodded, "so nothing spectacular needed for him. Understood." He nodded knowing they had to finish this before his brow raised at her, "I would say so, yes. If nothing else we're partners in keep Lume safe."

[theartofruling]

“I was selling the story of us having a fling while trying not to vomit. Which you poorly sold. How else would you have explained why we were running around after midnight other than breaking curses?” She also poorly sold the story, having her sister believe it when she often times would respond with “ew” when mentioning Markus in any romantic way. “Can I be honest? He’s better than I deserve. And I need to handle my father so he doesn’t take that away from me. I even threatened Jakovan to help me keep him safe for me with some kind of protection spell more powerful than what I can do is what I need from him. Because I will murder everyone in my line of sight if something happens to Olivier.” She nodded in agreement that they definitely needed a leaders' meeting where they could talk this all out, but she feared what a bunch of people with little knowledge could possibly input. And what asinine ideas could come from it, but she trusted Markus. “Okay. I’m fine with leaders knowing.” While she wasn’t a hybrid she did live in the realm. “I’ve got no pulse on what hybrids feel, but easing into this tense situation is best. From a therapist's standpoint, people will have high emotions, try to figure you out. Tap into kindness, but also don’t bullshit. They’ll be able to see you being fake from a mile away.” He didn’t ask but she’d rather not have her clients in the realm feeling uneasy. “Not to betray the therapist, client confidentiality, but I know a lot about your mate bond, but I didn’t know that you were able to get a memory, so that tells me whatever this is can be undone. There are loopholes if a telepath could get through it even for a moment. I can help. The difficult part is, I need them to talk. Tell me what the spell was because if I know, I can undo it with ease. If not, it may take some trial and error. Either way, I can help.” 

Markus shook his head, "I'll take the loss. It's not that I don't like to be twerked upon, it's I didn't like to be twerked upon by you. It felt, wrong." After all they were partners is raising the immortalem and now friends, there had never been any attraction between them at least from his side. He rolled his eyes at her, "we were in the middle of other processes." His brows raised and he gave a nod, "I'm happy to hear that. I have enjoyed the slight break as well. It seems like the hybrid you have is good for you and making you happy and you deserve it. Hopefully, we can both get back to that if this stuff ever ends." He gave a nod, "I've tried to keep your involvement when I bring it up low as well. I've talked to a few other leaders to see if they have any new information but so far nothing. We need a leaders meeting again, which would probably be the time to reveal that you have been working on this with me. I'd rather keep it quiet to public audiences but the leaders should at least know." He smiled, "I appreciate the support and I hope to build up support among the hybrids as well but I know that will take time, especially with my past." His smile only widened knowing Toni would support him no matter what. "You may never know how much that means to me. Truly." His sighed at getting back to what he needed from Toni, "I believe I've told you about mine and Iris' mate bond. It was older than we realized. Back when she was brought to Northland, we had a relationship. 8 years. Some how we both forgot it, and our bond was broken. She remembers now, after a few physical encounters. She can access memories but I only recently got a memory due to Rowan doing some work." He referenced his head, "but I didn't want to push her. This has to be tied to magic because Iris' was compelled and I can't be compelled, obviously." He sighed trying his best not to ramble any further, "I need you to open my mind up further."

[theartofruling]

“Deal. I want it to be drawn out. He doesn’t deserve a quick painless death.” She had a whole list of ways to torture him. “You can tell people I was helping you. I told Vada we used to be involved and honestly I doubt she believes me. But our involvement in breaking the first curse…still stays our secret. That was booty call night. Got it?” She asked, pointing in his direction. “The story is I gave you the best hour I had. Wait…should I aim lower? You are old…” she laughed, joking at Markus’s expense before getting serious again. “No. As long as he doesn’t find out Alden is immortalem, I don’t see why he would think he was a threat of any kind. Do you really think Sebastian would do that? After what he’s been through?” Toni nodded. “River. Yes I spoke to her after. We had a drink together after everything.” She thought about what she could do. “I can work on protection talismans for the kids. Scarlett too. It’s a lot of magic but I can try blood magic to make it stronger. I agree we need to protect our loved ones first.” 

“Unless they were able to give him back his abilities, he’s just human. It’s those helping him we have to worry about. So he won’t need anything too special to hold him.” Toni nodded. “They have a connection with the originals. I can try to channel them.” Her brows rose in surprise. “Even better. Now we just have to get them on board and willing to help us. We started this together we finish it together.” She grinned for a moment. “We’re really friends now, aren’t we?” 

"You deserve those final honors more than I do. I only ask for a few shots... I also need you to know we may have to come out of hiding in the shadows. Come out as the ones, it's hard keeping the secret of you helping from those around me." He nodded, "I assume that's good. Though your brother in law... do you think he could be targeted? I would prefer we talk to Sebastian about keeping them safe for you." His brows furrowed in though, right now it was about protection for those close to them for him. Especially with what had happened to Rowan. "Rowan's cousin was taken... Rowan was also a target as we know. So we have to keep our families protection in mind. Once we get that figured out we continue."

He nodded agreeing with her, "I refuse to let him win. Finding him should definitely be our first step, perhaps I should have something constructed to hold him once we find him." His brows raised, "You think they could help find him?" He further digested what she was saying, "four technically, Beau said the princess is an immortalem too." He sighed, "we're going to fix this, for Lume."

[theartofruling]

“I get the final honors but you can help. I have had forty years of trauma. He needs to answer to. But he has power on his side now.” She sighed but nodded. “Yeah, they’re fine. Luckily he doesn’t see Vada and the girls as a threat. And Ollie can handle himself. None of them were taken. How about you? Did your family fare okay?”  Toni didn’t have many ideas either and she felt deflated. “He doesn’t get to win, though. I’m not going to let him. “Maybe focus on trying to get eyes on Dad. And we know at least two immortalem. Or well three since the Kings Hill debacle. We could see if any of them would want to test their connections with the originals. I’m sorry we failed too.”

Markus sighed, as Toni joined him in his study and shook his head. "The only thing I want to do at this point is murder him for what he's done. Speaking of, your family is okay correct? None of them were taken?" His brows raising in concern after all he had helped bring Toni into the middle of this, well further into the middle of this. "I've run out of ideas as before, I don't know if there is anyway to change what has happened. Maybe the offspring immortalem could have some kind of I don't know role in connecting the originals. I don't know." He said as he ran a hand over his head and sighed, "I'm sorry we failed, Toni."

[theartofruling]

TIME SKIP TO PRESENT DAY

They had lost, but that didn't mean their work was done. Now they had a common enemy and that enemy had done something to Markus's wife. So now she wanted to make sure he knew she wasn't going to abandon him just because the work she had done for her father was done. When she came to visit this time, she actually called ahead so he expected her.

"We might have lost, but I'm here. I hope you know that. I hope you also know that I'm here for revenge too. To stop him from doing whatever he's planning. If you want to continue what we started, with the slight tweak of ending him. I'm still game."

Markus nodded, "I was alive then, towards the end of the book run though. They had been putting out a computer game." His brows raised, "I had a little sister. I knew all about it." He went back to studying his book listening to her and sighing, "I'm sorry. If there was a way to help believe me I would help you find it. In my eyes however, you will always be Toni, if it means anything to you."

Markus stopped and made his way over to her book, "sacrifices, huh?" He nodded, grabbing a book he had flipped through, "I saw something about that, I assumed they were all just actual sacrifices." He said flipping furiously before he found the spot, "oh... Oh." He nodded pointing at it, "read that, everyone's sacrifice were different, the human's blood wasn't the key, it was just barely scratching the surface. They all had seals of some sort, those were the sacrifices." His brows pulled together as he read bits and pieces of the passage, "Nymphs endangered, wolves bound by moon cycles. They sacrificed abilities."

[theartofruling]

“Actually, a hybrid, and he had better biceps, better abs, and he’s more adventurous. You don’t even like to be twerked upon. I twerk on him daily, and he appreciates it. Unlike present company who said, “Are you done? Which part of that didn’t you get���." She rolled her eyes, but her smile was firmly in place. “Updates? I’ve been living life, like a normal bitch, and fucking. Not to be vulgar, but I took a mini break to enjoy life before jumping back into being a bad witch. Oh, I did fill in Jakovan on certain parts. I told him my dad was behind everything. I didn’t mention your involvement. I still don’t know if I fully trust him or not, but now we need all the realms’ involvement.” Toni nodded. “Yes, she is…not today. Why would I not come out to support you? You took over the realm that I live in with Ollie. Of course, we were going to be here! Can’t be seemingly making a political statement because we’re not here. Also, believe it or not, I’d support you no matter what. But enough mushiness, because I missed you too. What do you need help with? Other than getting back on dad’s ass and the immortalem?” 

Markus smiled as Toni approached him and shook his head, "and yet my feelings were not considered when you dumped me for another vampire." He clicked his tongue against his teeth before his brows raised at her, "you doing okay? Any updates on your end?" He looked around, "I didn't expect to see you here, honestly. Rowan tells me your sister is getting married? However, I have missed our meetings and I need your help with more than a few things on top of dipping our toes back into what we started."

[theartofruling]

"And we ended up getting nothing but consequences. This..." she stopped speaking to chuckle humorlessly. "This was a warning shot. Not so much for me because he's ruined my fucking job and clientele who need stability. Ruined my life because my nieces won't even recognize me. But I know him and there's more to fucking come." Antonia thought about the wall that they hit. "Then we have to leave the bubble of your extensive library and go to Kings Hill and do some digging. We can go to libraries there's no rule against that, and we can also take advantage of being there during the coronation. Perhaps even get access to the library during the festivities?" She pushed her hair behind her ear, looking at him seriously. "The fact of the matter is, we worked to unleash something, and now we have to beat my father to the punch. Him getting his hands the immortalem would be worst than us finding the information and actually giving it to him. I say we find it first. Then we decide what to do with it? But we have to work fast because my father is a loose cannon now. Who could possibly be planning to make a move against you next."

Markus' eyes were wide as a strange woman stormed in and started berating him but he listened. His arms folding as he tried to figure out who exactly she was before she said it, Antonia. "I.. what the hell did he do?" His brows pulling together as he looked her over and shook his head, "I believe you and I'm sorry. I'm sorry we didn't move faster but I couldn't risk your family or mine. We had to get all the information." He sighed stepping closer and shaking his head at it all, "What does he expect us to do now? We've tried everything. Unless he is wanting another murder to happen, and considering the new King of Kings Hill updated security I don't expect us to get past that so easy." He took his deep breath, "plus, from what my sister has found out... his sister is an immortalem as well. I don't think he knows... I don't really know if anyone does other than my sister." He shook his head, "what moves are you expecting to make now? We have no text to point us in a new direction and we haven't done much if anymore research on this. What we did find was all we had."

[theartofruling]

"Of course you're enjoying this. Books, research. I bet you were a fan of that ancient text Nancy Drew. Wait...are you even old enough to have been alive when it was out in actuality?" she asked, thinking about exactly how old the man was. He was old enough to have seen the world full of technology before the wars destroyed it all and sent everything backward." She read while she talked, flipping through books to see if they were remotely immortalem related. "I won't enjoy myself until my father is out of my life. I can't trust that he won't hurt people I care about. For the first time ever, I'm allowing myself to date. I'm casually seeing a hybrid and I feel like he might be safer from the threats because he's about that life too and can defend himself." She looked up from her book at his question. "No. There's nothing. He would make sure of that. I perfectly crafted who I was because I was supposed to be someone else. I lived as her, aged as her my nieces knew her. My clients felt comfortable with her. But now, I'm back to the woman with no fucking life besides the one where he dictates it. I resemble him, his features. I'm the daughter of a madman. So I would kill to have the stability of being frozen in time for centuries. To get to just be Toni forever would be a dream. Except...I can't because Lili always haunts me, and now she's who I am full-time."

She didn't think Markus would ever understand, but she also felt that he might have trivialized what's happened to her rather than understood how much it has impacted her life. She hadn't seen her nieces since it happened and normally she saw them weekly. Sometimes daily. Toni set back to the books in her hold. "Hold on. Look at this. This wasn't just rooted in Kings Hill. It was...Southland, Northland, Eastland, Westland, and the Divine Forest. The rulers came together and made sacrifices." Except that book ended with just that. "Fuck. Is there another book on this in your pile?"

Markus sat more books he had found on the table in front of them, "If this was terrible I'd say the same thing but I'm somewhat enjoying this. Except for the sword at our throats." He patted the stack he had brought and nodded at her, "these don't really match up either so I went a head and brought them over. It's just figuring out what the answers actually are." He said starting to flip through the book, "Maybe you will be able to enjoy yourself after we figure this out. The sooner we get to work the better." His eyes wandered from the pages to her and he cleared his throat, "have you, or is there anyway you have found to help your own situation. I know it can't be easy walking around looking completely different. I've been this way since I was a turned."