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Fantasy Immortuos
- Thread starter Kaya
- Start date
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- Tags
- multiverse mystery romance vampire
AccioProphecy
Positivity
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Kaya
Perhaps short of a marble
The sun was lazily setting over an imposing city, painting the stone houses with their thatched roofs as black silhouettes against the blazing, dark red sky.
There were fields, barns and cozy little farmhouses lining the outskirts of the town, a wide marketplace framed by a blacksmith, bakeries, inns, tailors and countless other little shops and stalls, where vendors were packing up their wares to go home for the night.
A few half drunk people were stumbling from one pub to the next, while others were calling for their children to come inside.
At first glance, it seemed like a peaceful scenery from a medieval story, but when the last ray of sunlight had disappeared beyond the horizon, and the full new moon was leaving the sky pitch black, something happened-
a man in a dark red cloak, his face hidden in the shadows of his hood, riding a black horse that was pulling a golden cart covered by a black velvet shroud.
He went from house to house, like a tax collector, but this one wasn't collecting money.
The cart was loaded with bellied crystal karafes, each corked up to safely contain a dark red fluid.
The blood taxes payed by the townspeople were meant for their lord, Lord Aurelius, a vampire. As long as they payed their tribute each new moon, they were safe from the vampires roaming the land and could live their lives in peace, knowing that the powerful man living in the manor on the hill looming over the town like a dark guardian.
Said lord was just waking up, slate gray eyes glinting in the dark of his bedroom unnaturally.
He swiftly got up and changed into his black pants, white button up shirt and his beloved black coat with the silver rims.
His gaze wandered towards the window for a moment, taking in the black sky before he scoffed silently.
New Moon. Time for the great gathering.
How he hated it. But, as a lord it was his duty to go meet up with his coven and the leaders of the other covens. No matter how much as he hated them...
After quickly downing a wine glass of blood, he headed out to once again spend a tedious evening with a bunch of people he despised.
There were fields, barns and cozy little farmhouses lining the outskirts of the town, a wide marketplace framed by a blacksmith, bakeries, inns, tailors and countless other little shops and stalls, where vendors were packing up their wares to go home for the night.
A few half drunk people were stumbling from one pub to the next, while others were calling for their children to come inside.
At first glance, it seemed like a peaceful scenery from a medieval story, but when the last ray of sunlight had disappeared beyond the horizon, and the full new moon was leaving the sky pitch black, something happened-
a man in a dark red cloak, his face hidden in the shadows of his hood, riding a black horse that was pulling a golden cart covered by a black velvet shroud.
He went from house to house, like a tax collector, but this one wasn't collecting money.
The cart was loaded with bellied crystal karafes, each corked up to safely contain a dark red fluid.
The blood taxes payed by the townspeople were meant for their lord, Lord Aurelius, a vampire. As long as they payed their tribute each new moon, they were safe from the vampires roaming the land and could live their lives in peace, knowing that the powerful man living in the manor on the hill looming over the town like a dark guardian.
Said lord was just waking up, slate gray eyes glinting in the dark of his bedroom unnaturally.
He swiftly got up and changed into his black pants, white button up shirt and his beloved black coat with the silver rims.
His gaze wandered towards the window for a moment, taking in the black sky before he scoffed silently.
New Moon. Time for the great gathering.
How he hated it. But, as a lord it was his duty to go meet up with his coven and the leaders of the other covens. No matter how much as he hated them...
After quickly downing a wine glass of blood, he headed out to once again spend a tedious evening with a bunch of people he despised.
AccioProphecy
Positivity
When Isla woke up, thunder was rumbling above her. She lay flat on her back, wondering why she could not see the skies clearly, realizing seconds later that branches were blocking her line of sight. She sat up sluggishly, mind blank.
"Congratulations on your promotion..." was the last thing she could remember reading on her phone while crossing the street. Loud screams, blinding lights and then...silence. She gasped, scrambling to her feet. Work. Work. I need to get to work. Her hand touched her shoulder by habit, knowing that the strap of her shoulder bag should have been there. Keyword: should have. It wasn't there.
She started looking around on the ground. Mind reeling at the strangeness of things. It was...soil. She was standing on soil when just a moment ago, she was crossing the street laid out with concrete. Her heart stammered. She lifted her gaze and looked closely around her. Trees. Grass. Plants. No buildings here.
Ah, she must be lost. She simply thought. But it was dark. And she hated the dark. The only comfort she had here was the seemingly bright and full moon. But, she knew she had to move, lest she would stay out here in the dark and the cold. Just as she decided to start taking a step, someone behind her spoke up.
"Lost in the woods, are we?"
Isla turned around, amazed at the indifference she felt when she saw that there was in fact, not only one, but a group of men in front of her. Her eyes darted amongst them, she counted 3. They wore what seemed to be... some sort of tunic that one would see in history books. They all looked quite normal, except for their hungry stares on her. But she was desperate, and not one to back down from her problems.
"Actually, yes, I'm a bit lost... Would you happen to have a mobile phone with you? I just need to call some friends..."
The one who spoke up furrowed his brows "Mobe what?" He shrugged and started advancing towards Isla, the other 3 following suit behind. "We don't have whatever you're looking for, but we can help you... If you come with us, we know these woods like the back of our hands... It's your only chance,"
She was glued to her spot. Fear, anxiety and confusion mixing together had mentally paralyzed her. Ah, a dream. Of course, that was it! She shut her eyes tight and willed herself to wake --sometimes it would work-- but this time no matter how many times she did that, she was still face to face with the three men whose faces were increasingly becoming more confused.
Isla decided to step back the same amount of steps they had stepped forward. "I'll be fine on my own, thanks,"
"Congratulations on your promotion..." was the last thing she could remember reading on her phone while crossing the street. Loud screams, blinding lights and then...silence. She gasped, scrambling to her feet. Work. Work. I need to get to work. Her hand touched her shoulder by habit, knowing that the strap of her shoulder bag should have been there. Keyword: should have. It wasn't there.
She started looking around on the ground. Mind reeling at the strangeness of things. It was...soil. She was standing on soil when just a moment ago, she was crossing the street laid out with concrete. Her heart stammered. She lifted her gaze and looked closely around her. Trees. Grass. Plants. No buildings here.
Ah, she must be lost. She simply thought. But it was dark. And she hated the dark. The only comfort she had here was the seemingly bright and full moon. But, she knew she had to move, lest she would stay out here in the dark and the cold. Just as she decided to start taking a step, someone behind her spoke up.
"Lost in the woods, are we?"
Isla turned around, amazed at the indifference she felt when she saw that there was in fact, not only one, but a group of men in front of her. Her eyes darted amongst them, she counted 3. They wore what seemed to be... some sort of tunic that one would see in history books. They all looked quite normal, except for their hungry stares on her. But she was desperate, and not one to back down from her problems.
"Actually, yes, I'm a bit lost... Would you happen to have a mobile phone with you? I just need to call some friends..."
The one who spoke up furrowed his brows "Mobe what?" He shrugged and started advancing towards Isla, the other 3 following suit behind. "We don't have whatever you're looking for, but we can help you... If you come with us, we know these woods like the back of our hands... It's your only chance,"
She was glued to her spot. Fear, anxiety and confusion mixing together had mentally paralyzed her. Ah, a dream. Of course, that was it! She shut her eyes tight and willed herself to wake --sometimes it would work-- but this time no matter how many times she did that, she was still face to face with the three men whose faces were increasingly becoming more confused.
Isla decided to step back the same amount of steps they had stepped forward. "I'll be fine on my own, thanks,"
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Kaya
Perhaps short of a marble
"Hear ye, hear ye- announced be the arrival of the White Lord, his grace, Duke Diavel Corvin Aurelius of Irewood."
Diavel exhaled slowly at the pompous announcement made by one of Count Devorak's servants. The entire dining hall had been over the top decorated for this evening, from Crystal chandeliers over banners showing the Dukes' crests to a table so loaded with foods, decanters of wine and blood and a million little snacks, that the black wood was bending under the sheer weight.
Count Devorak just loved to host gatherings, parties and balls, especially if it meant Diavel would come.
The vampire society of this land worked quite simple:
Four Dukes were ruling the four independent duchies, which again were split into a number of Shires supervised by the Counts under their respective Duke's command.
Their Covens payed taxes in gold and the humans living under their protection payed blood.
Devorak was the youngest of Diavel's Counts, and while he was beyond put off by the guy's love for social gatherings, he appreciated his fairness and the devotion he poured into taking care of Marmoria, one of the five Shires of Irewood.
As he walked past the other Vampires he merely gave them a short nod before he took his seat among the other Dukes at the head of the table.
Today, he was here for one matter only.
Duke Carden's blood red gaze was boring into his forehead the second he had leaned back in his chair, arms crossed.
"If you will pardon my saying so, dear Diavel- might you have any recollection of Countess Nadia dying at your hand?"
Diavel just raised one eyebrow.
"Indeed, Carden. And if I happen to find any more vampires of your coven attacking people on my land I will remind you of how you are responsible for their actions, if you will pardon my saying so."
An eerie, uneasy silence settled over the room.
Diavel had been the one to work out the Contract of Eleyson with the people of his duchie about one or two centuries ago. They payed a bottle of blood each, each new moon, and in return he and his Coven made sure to protect them from every threat that would set foot on their land. And everyone knew that he did a dangerously good job at holding his side of the contract.
Fuming, the White Lord stood, his slate Grey gaze digging into every Duke and Count gathered at the table.
"Be warned that I will not tolerate any hunting activities on my land. Let Duchess Nadia's fate be a warning to you all. I bid you good day. Count Devorak- I appreciate your efforts in preparing this gathering."
On his way back from Devorak's mansion, his fine senses caught the scent and voices of a few vampires of his coven, Apparently talking to some human he'd never seen before.
He knew those three, of course, they had left to join Duke Carden's Coven a month or two ago. They didn't look good though... Gaunt, for once, like they hadn't had any blood for way too long...
Diavel exhaled slowly at the pompous announcement made by one of Count Devorak's servants. The entire dining hall had been over the top decorated for this evening, from Crystal chandeliers over banners showing the Dukes' crests to a table so loaded with foods, decanters of wine and blood and a million little snacks, that the black wood was bending under the sheer weight.
Count Devorak just loved to host gatherings, parties and balls, especially if it meant Diavel would come.
The vampire society of this land worked quite simple:
Four Dukes were ruling the four independent duchies, which again were split into a number of Shires supervised by the Counts under their respective Duke's command.
Their Covens payed taxes in gold and the humans living under their protection payed blood.
Devorak was the youngest of Diavel's Counts, and while he was beyond put off by the guy's love for social gatherings, he appreciated his fairness and the devotion he poured into taking care of Marmoria, one of the five Shires of Irewood.
As he walked past the other Vampires he merely gave them a short nod before he took his seat among the other Dukes at the head of the table.
Today, he was here for one matter only.
Duke Carden's blood red gaze was boring into his forehead the second he had leaned back in his chair, arms crossed.
"If you will pardon my saying so, dear Diavel- might you have any recollection of Countess Nadia dying at your hand?"
Diavel just raised one eyebrow.
"Indeed, Carden. And if I happen to find any more vampires of your coven attacking people on my land I will remind you of how you are responsible for their actions, if you will pardon my saying so."
An eerie, uneasy silence settled over the room.
Diavel had been the one to work out the Contract of Eleyson with the people of his duchie about one or two centuries ago. They payed a bottle of blood each, each new moon, and in return he and his Coven made sure to protect them from every threat that would set foot on their land. And everyone knew that he did a dangerously good job at holding his side of the contract.
Fuming, the White Lord stood, his slate Grey gaze digging into every Duke and Count gathered at the table.
"Be warned that I will not tolerate any hunting activities on my land. Let Duchess Nadia's fate be a warning to you all. I bid you good day. Count Devorak- I appreciate your efforts in preparing this gathering."
On his way back from Devorak's mansion, his fine senses caught the scent and voices of a few vampires of his coven, Apparently talking to some human he'd never seen before.
He knew those three, of course, they had left to join Duke Carden's Coven a month or two ago. They didn't look good though... Gaunt, for once, like they hadn't had any blood for way too long...
AccioProphecy
Positivity
"Hold on, Dein, should we really be doing this?"
One of the younger looking men in the group of three spoke up. "We aren't in Duke Carden's land... You must know whose land we're on... We won't be spared if he finds out."
The one called Dein just scoffed, "It's a new moon, and you know what happens in a new moon," The gathering would not end so soon, thought Dein. His companion replied in certain urgency.
"You also know what happens if we trespass and attack people on Diavel's land," the said companion stays back as Dein steps closer to Isla.
"Stop talking, you're scaring the girl," Dein says.
There was no apparent look of fear in Isla's face. She knew they were planning something vile. Her hands were trembling, and Dein could smell the scent of fear on her.
All of a sudden, in a quick burst of adrenaline Isla shoots up and turns, starting to run further into the woods, not having any other options in her mind. She must have only sprinted for 5 seconds before one of them has grabbed her by the wrist, pulling her over to them and their head moving towards her neck.
One of the younger looking men in the group of three spoke up. "We aren't in Duke Carden's land... You must know whose land we're on... We won't be spared if he finds out."
The one called Dein just scoffed, "It's a new moon, and you know what happens in a new moon," The gathering would not end so soon, thought Dein. His companion replied in certain urgency.
"You also know what happens if we trespass and attack people on Diavel's land," the said companion stays back as Dein steps closer to Isla.
"Stop talking, you're scaring the girl," Dein says.
There was no apparent look of fear in Isla's face. She knew they were planning something vile. Her hands were trembling, and Dein could smell the scent of fear on her.
All of a sudden, in a quick burst of adrenaline Isla shoots up and turns, starting to run further into the woods, not having any other options in her mind. She must have only sprinted for 5 seconds before one of them has grabbed her by the wrist, pulling her over to them and their head moving towards her neck.
Kaya
Perhaps short of a marble
Diavel watched in silence as the scenery unfolded in front of him. It was faint, but the tiniest of smiles that had crossed his face for just a moment was about as rare as a rainbow at night.
Iliyah, Dein and Asra.
Dein had always been hard to handle, constantly challenging him and trying to talk himself out of everything.
Iliyah and Asra though... When the three had left his coven those two had done nothing but follow their older brother. He got it, really, back then he would've followed his family everywhere, even straight to hell.
And even though he wouldn't admit it if anyone asked, he liked Iliyah and Asra. But if he'd let Dein just get away with his little hunting trip here, the others would try to make a weakness of it. And surrounded by a bunch of dumb, feral blood suckers, he couldn't afford to seem weak.
Killing the two younger brothers was out of the question, the driving power clearly was Dein. But if he'd kill the guy he'd have the other two against him...
He needed to improvise. If he wouldn't act now it'd be too late for this girl, and damn he'd hold his side of the contract.
Scare them!
"Iliyah, Asra, Dein", he spoke as he stepped out of the shadows, looking like a ghost with his long, white hair and pale skin.
The oldest brother immediately let go of the girl and moved to the left, apparently trying to hide in his blind spot.
Stupid. He only had one working eye, yes, but his sense of smell and hearing compensated it easily.
He gave them a sharp glare before his gaze wandered to their victim; and felt like a lightning had struck him.
This girl, she looked like... Like her.
Alice...
He didn't believe in reincarnation, but she-... If his ritual to summon Alice's soul back into the living world would work, she'd be the perfect vessel. It came with a catch though... The soul that was currently occupying the body needed to leave peacefully.
First things first-
Save her and make sure those three punks wouldn't try anything funny ever again.
"Sweetheart, are you okay?", he mumbled softly as he wrapped one arm around her shoulders and gave her a quick look that clearly said Play along, I'm trying to save you here.
"You three, what are you doing on my land? As far I can recollect, you left my coven to join Carden."
A hint of scorn mixed into his voice. "Didn't go as planned with him?"
He sounded like he was just chatting with them, but the fury in his gaze would've been enough to burn holes right into the three vampires' foreheads.
Iliyah, Dein and Asra.
Dein had always been hard to handle, constantly challenging him and trying to talk himself out of everything.
Iliyah and Asra though... When the three had left his coven those two had done nothing but follow their older brother. He got it, really, back then he would've followed his family everywhere, even straight to hell.
And even though he wouldn't admit it if anyone asked, he liked Iliyah and Asra. But if he'd let Dein just get away with his little hunting trip here, the others would try to make a weakness of it. And surrounded by a bunch of dumb, feral blood suckers, he couldn't afford to seem weak.
Killing the two younger brothers was out of the question, the driving power clearly was Dein. But if he'd kill the guy he'd have the other two against him...
He needed to improvise. If he wouldn't act now it'd be too late for this girl, and damn he'd hold his side of the contract.
Scare them!
"Iliyah, Asra, Dein", he spoke as he stepped out of the shadows, looking like a ghost with his long, white hair and pale skin.
The oldest brother immediately let go of the girl and moved to the left, apparently trying to hide in his blind spot.
Stupid. He only had one working eye, yes, but his sense of smell and hearing compensated it easily.
He gave them a sharp glare before his gaze wandered to their victim; and felt like a lightning had struck him.
This girl, she looked like... Like her.
Alice...
He didn't believe in reincarnation, but she-... If his ritual to summon Alice's soul back into the living world would work, she'd be the perfect vessel. It came with a catch though... The soul that was currently occupying the body needed to leave peacefully.
First things first-
Save her and make sure those three punks wouldn't try anything funny ever again.
"Sweetheart, are you okay?", he mumbled softly as he wrapped one arm around her shoulders and gave her a quick look that clearly said Play along, I'm trying to save you here.
"You three, what are you doing on my land? As far I can recollect, you left my coven to join Carden."
A hint of scorn mixed into his voice. "Didn't go as planned with him?"
He sounded like he was just chatting with them, but the fury in his gaze would've been enough to burn holes right into the three vampires' foreheads.
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AccioProphecy
Positivity
The change in events was as fast as Isla's decision to move out on her own. She couldn't really internalize what was happening. It was like watching a foreign movie with no subtitles.
"Sweetheart, are you okay?"
Up until that point nothing registered in her mind. Suddenly there was this... Elegant looking man calling her sweetheart. She looked at him carefully, not being able to decipher the look he gave her successfully. That and the mask on his left side distracted her.
It was his touch that assured her he was at least better than this guy Dein whose harsh pull on her wrist still lingered on her skin. She stayed quiet at his side, watching the three men's faces go from relaxed to alarmed.
Dein swore under his breath and stepped out from the trees with what could only be described as a strained smile. "Duke Diavel," he bowed his head, lifting it up only to glance at the Duke's hand in the girl's shoulder. "We were... Just passing by and saw this girl, we didn't know you were... Acquainted," he explained.
Iliyah winced and spoke up for his brother, knowing that it wasn't nearly enough of a reason to be marching around taking blood from humans in a territory that now wasn't their own. Specially here in Irewood.
"Forgive us, Lord Diavel," Iliyah bowed, Asra following suit. Iliyah continued "The rules in Sigrid are... vastly different from what it is in in Irewood,"
Sigrid. Duke Carden's duchie. It was not as big as Irewood, but the population mainly consisted of vampires. Humans existed only in one of the shires... And a lot of things were swept under the rug. Still, Iliyah dared not to say anything bad about Duke Carden and Sigrid.
The three brothers had made a choice, they should uphold it, or so is how Iliyah thought. "We acted without thinking, and I assure you it won't happen again,"
Dein didn't move an inch, not even to bow in apology. He placed his gaze on the girl, and spoke, "Well, it's not entirely our fault your pet was wandering around in the woods, we happened upon her, that's all,"
Iliyah's voice got stuck in his throat. It seemed that whenever they took five steps in the right direction they would end up six steps back behind the starting line whenever Dein opened his mouth. He had always been like that.
"Sweetheart, are you okay?"
Up until that point nothing registered in her mind. Suddenly there was this... Elegant looking man calling her sweetheart. She looked at him carefully, not being able to decipher the look he gave her successfully. That and the mask on his left side distracted her.
It was his touch that assured her he was at least better than this guy Dein whose harsh pull on her wrist still lingered on her skin. She stayed quiet at his side, watching the three men's faces go from relaxed to alarmed.
Dein swore under his breath and stepped out from the trees with what could only be described as a strained smile. "Duke Diavel," he bowed his head, lifting it up only to glance at the Duke's hand in the girl's shoulder. "We were... Just passing by and saw this girl, we didn't know you were... Acquainted," he explained.
Iliyah winced and spoke up for his brother, knowing that it wasn't nearly enough of a reason to be marching around taking blood from humans in a territory that now wasn't their own. Specially here in Irewood.
"Forgive us, Lord Diavel," Iliyah bowed, Asra following suit. Iliyah continued "The rules in Sigrid are... vastly different from what it is in in Irewood,"
Sigrid. Duke Carden's duchie. It was not as big as Irewood, but the population mainly consisted of vampires. Humans existed only in one of the shires... And a lot of things were swept under the rug. Still, Iliyah dared not to say anything bad about Duke Carden and Sigrid.
The three brothers had made a choice, they should uphold it, or so is how Iliyah thought. "We acted without thinking, and I assure you it won't happen again,"
Dein didn't move an inch, not even to bow in apology. He placed his gaze on the girl, and spoke, "Well, it's not entirely our fault your pet was wandering around in the woods, we happened upon her, that's all,"
Iliyah's voice got stuck in his throat. It seemed that whenever they took five steps in the right direction they would end up six steps back behind the starting line whenever Dein opened his mouth. He had always been like that.
Kaya
Perhaps short of a marble
There had been a time when the four duchies had been at war, and everyone had witnessed or at least heard the stories about how the White Lord had cold-bloodedly slaughtered entire covens that had dared to raise their weapons against him. He'd been a one man army and he'd never showed mercy.
To this day his fighting skills had been unmatched- and no one had dared to challenge him since he had killed Duke Carden's father when he had challenged him to fight for the throne of Irewood.
All that had gained him a reputation of a nightmare come alive and he did everything to uphold it. The less people bothering him the better.
But it also meant he had to do what had to be done now;
At an inhuman speed, he carefully pushed the mortal behind him and shot forwards to rest one hand on Dein's shoulder like they were old friends.
Slowly, however, his grip tightened, until the crunching of bones and squelching of flesh broke the eerie silence.
Diavel's fingers had dug into the younger vampire's shoulder up to the knuckles.
He looked almost bored as he narrowed his eye and stared the other down.
"Dein... Dein... Dein..."
The third time he said the name it was a deep, demonic snarl, while his fingers had dug even deeper into his flesh.
"Something you should always be aware of is what one can do, and what one can't do. See, right here and now you can't dictate what the people of my duchie do at any time or place on my land. However, I can and will sever your squabbling head from your scraggly shoulders should you ever lay hand on anyone under my protection again. Did I make myself clear?"
He shot a warning gaze at Asra and Iliyah, too, but didn't move a finger to harm them. The one to blame here clearly was Dein, and everyone who knew him was well aware that his warning right here was pure mercy in his book.
"You can tell your Coven that I won't show mercy next time. Leave now."
Dein's shoulder made a disgusting sound when he pulled his fingers out, hand covered in the vampire's blood.
Turning to the mortal, he winked at her, to show her he meant her no harm. Well... Not yet, at least.
"Come, let's go home."
To this day his fighting skills had been unmatched- and no one had dared to challenge him since he had killed Duke Carden's father when he had challenged him to fight for the throne of Irewood.
All that had gained him a reputation of a nightmare come alive and he did everything to uphold it. The less people bothering him the better.
But it also meant he had to do what had to be done now;
At an inhuman speed, he carefully pushed the mortal behind him and shot forwards to rest one hand on Dein's shoulder like they were old friends.
Slowly, however, his grip tightened, until the crunching of bones and squelching of flesh broke the eerie silence.
Diavel's fingers had dug into the younger vampire's shoulder up to the knuckles.
He looked almost bored as he narrowed his eye and stared the other down.
"Dein... Dein... Dein..."
The third time he said the name it was a deep, demonic snarl, while his fingers had dug even deeper into his flesh.
"Something you should always be aware of is what one can do, and what one can't do. See, right here and now you can't dictate what the people of my duchie do at any time or place on my land. However, I can and will sever your squabbling head from your scraggly shoulders should you ever lay hand on anyone under my protection again. Did I make myself clear?"
He shot a warning gaze at Asra and Iliyah, too, but didn't move a finger to harm them. The one to blame here clearly was Dein, and everyone who knew him was well aware that his warning right here was pure mercy in his book.
"You can tell your Coven that I won't show mercy next time. Leave now."
Dein's shoulder made a disgusting sound when he pulled his fingers out, hand covered in the vampire's blood.
Turning to the mortal, he winked at her, to show her he meant her no harm. Well... Not yet, at least.
"Come, let's go home."
AccioProphecy
Positivity
And yet again there was a movement that Isla could not even follow with her own eyes. The elegant man --called Diavel, she found out-- had his back to her and was conversing with Dein. Not until did Dein drop to the ground, writhing in pain, clawing at his shoulder as if it was on fire did Isla see that his shoulder...had five holes in it.
Goosebumps rippled up Isla's arms and when Diavel turned to her with a wink, she caught a glimpse of his fingers. Bloodied.
What's happening? A dream? She watched as the other two brothers swarmed around Dein, she couldn't bear to look at the holes on his body anymore and turned away, following Diavel in a trance.
How did he...? It's virtually impossible... She continued to follow with heavy steps. What's going on? I need to go home. I need to... She takes a few steps forward, feels the ground below her waver. Her vision sways and her mind was clouding over. I'm so... tired.
Perhaps it was the fatigue, the confusion or fear, but in the next moment, she had stumbled down, flat on the ground with a loud thud. The last thing she saw was Diavel's coat swaying around as he turned.
"Congratulations on your promotion..." was the last thing she could remember reading on her phone while crossing the street. Loud screams, blinding lights and then... There wasn't a lot of pain. It was almost as if she had wanted her burden to be taken away instantly and the next thing she knew...
She opened her eyes to an unfamiliar ceiling. Well... At least this time, she wasn't on the ground.
Goosebumps rippled up Isla's arms and when Diavel turned to her with a wink, she caught a glimpse of his fingers. Bloodied.
What's happening? A dream? She watched as the other two brothers swarmed around Dein, she couldn't bear to look at the holes on his body anymore and turned away, following Diavel in a trance.
How did he...? It's virtually impossible... She continued to follow with heavy steps. What's going on? I need to go home. I need to... She takes a few steps forward, feels the ground below her waver. Her vision sways and her mind was clouding over. I'm so... tired.
Perhaps it was the fatigue, the confusion or fear, but in the next moment, she had stumbled down, flat on the ground with a loud thud. The last thing she saw was Diavel's coat swaying around as he turned.
"Congratulations on your promotion..." was the last thing she could remember reading on her phone while crossing the street. Loud screams, blinding lights and then... There wasn't a lot of pain. It was almost as if she had wanted her burden to be taken away instantly and the next thing she knew...
She opened her eyes to an unfamiliar ceiling. Well... At least this time, she wasn't on the ground.
Kaya
Perhaps short of a marble
And... Lights out.
Okay, she'd looked a little pale right from the start, and after almost being killed by a vampire blacking out seemed like a legitimate or at least understandable reaction.
Diavel subtly rolled his eyes as he bent down to pick the mortal up.
Fine, so he'd carry her home... Even if that meant he wouldn't be able to just turn into a raven and fly...
The walk from Devorak's Mansion in Marmoria back to his home wasn't exactly short, but as he'd made most of the way in vampire speed, he only had a walk of about an hour ahead of him.
While he was still on his way up the stairs to his entrance door an hour later, he made his gargoyles clean up a big, cozy room in the guest wing. Finally inside he carefully put her down on the floor poster bed with the wispy, shimmering curtains and covered her with a warm, luxurious blanket, lit the candles all across the room and put a dress on the table by one of the enormous windows.
His hand lingered on the silky fabric for a moment as guilt washed over him. Alice... If it hadn't been for him she'd still be alive...
"Dia...?", the soft, confused voice of his only friend woke him from his brooding.
"Rain, hey", he sighed softly.
"Who is she?"
Diavel just shrugged. "I just saved her from a some Sigrid Coven trespassers."
"And you brought her here...?"
Another shrug was the only answer Diavel gave. Honestly he didn't want Rain to know about his plan regarding the ritual. The restless ghost always worried too much about everything anyway.
"Come on, I believe I promised you a game of chess."
While Diavel went to spend some relaxing time with his best and only friends, he left a gargoyle in the mortal's room who'd notify him when she'd wake up.
After he'd hung his coat on the rack by the entrance door, he and the ghost sat down on the age old carpet to play chess, as always, something he'd never let any other vampire see. But playing chess on the ground had been how they had bonded so many years ago, and they had upkept their tradition ever since.
Okay, she'd looked a little pale right from the start, and after almost being killed by a vampire blacking out seemed like a legitimate or at least understandable reaction.
Diavel subtly rolled his eyes as he bent down to pick the mortal up.
Fine, so he'd carry her home... Even if that meant he wouldn't be able to just turn into a raven and fly...
The walk from Devorak's Mansion in Marmoria back to his home wasn't exactly short, but as he'd made most of the way in vampire speed, he only had a walk of about an hour ahead of him.
While he was still on his way up the stairs to his entrance door an hour later, he made his gargoyles clean up a big, cozy room in the guest wing. Finally inside he carefully put her down on the floor poster bed with the wispy, shimmering curtains and covered her with a warm, luxurious blanket, lit the candles all across the room and put a dress on the table by one of the enormous windows.
His hand lingered on the silky fabric for a moment as guilt washed over him. Alice... If it hadn't been for him she'd still be alive...
"Dia...?", the soft, confused voice of his only friend woke him from his brooding.
"Rain, hey", he sighed softly.
"Who is she?"
Diavel just shrugged. "I just saved her from a some Sigrid Coven trespassers."
"And you brought her here...?"
Another shrug was the only answer Diavel gave. Honestly he didn't want Rain to know about his plan regarding the ritual. The restless ghost always worried too much about everything anyway.
"Come on, I believe I promised you a game of chess."
While Diavel went to spend some relaxing time with his best and only friends, he left a gargoyle in the mortal's room who'd notify him when she'd wake up.
After he'd hung his coat on the rack by the entrance door, he and the ghost sat down on the age old carpet to play chess, as always, something he'd never let any other vampire see. But playing chess on the ground had been how they had bonded so many years ago, and they had upkept their tradition ever since.
AccioProphecy
Positivity
She stayed on her back for a while, wanting so bad to close her eyes again, reopen them, and see something familiar. She tried. Once, twice, a third time before giving up. She slowly sat up and realized that she was in an enormous poster bed, with billowy white curtains. She looked down on her lap, feeling the fabric of the blanket.
This is... rich people's fabric...
She knew what ordinary felt like and this was not ordinary in the least. She picked her head up again and sweeped the room, doing a full 180. There were candles all around, they had been blown out. What caught her eye were the enormous windows on one side of the room. They seemed to open up to a balcony and she could see that it was morning outside.
Another rich people's thing...
She poised to move out of her bed, there catching a glimpse of what she was wearing, realizing that she had not changed clothes from last night. She was wearing something that...was rather strange. A simple, brown corset on top of a white dress.
This kind of style...What's going on?
On closer look there was another dress on the table, she wondered if she was supposed to change into those, but she stayed put in her bed, her mind replaying the scenes from last night. She closed her eyes once again. Trying to calm down.
It wasn't a dream... It's not a dream... Also...
She suddenly remembers her accident. The car speeding, and her not looking where she was crossing.
It can't be...
She shook her head to clear her thoughts, not realizing that someone --or something-- else was in the room with her while she tried so desperately to piece things together.
No... That's not logical. I'm just lost. Someone must have taken me to this place... This... country.
This is... rich people's fabric...
She knew what ordinary felt like and this was not ordinary in the least. She picked her head up again and sweeped the room, doing a full 180. There were candles all around, they had been blown out. What caught her eye were the enormous windows on one side of the room. They seemed to open up to a balcony and she could see that it was morning outside.
Another rich people's thing...
She poised to move out of her bed, there catching a glimpse of what she was wearing, realizing that she had not changed clothes from last night. She was wearing something that...was rather strange. A simple, brown corset on top of a white dress.
This kind of style...What's going on?
On closer look there was another dress on the table, she wondered if she was supposed to change into those, but she stayed put in her bed, her mind replaying the scenes from last night. She closed her eyes once again. Trying to calm down.
It wasn't a dream... It's not a dream... Also...
She suddenly remembers her accident. The car speeding, and her not looking where she was crossing.
It can't be...
She shook her head to clear her thoughts, not realizing that someone --or something-- else was in the room with her while she tried so desperately to piece things together.
No... That's not logical. I'm just lost. Someone must have taken me to this place... This... country.
Kaya
Perhaps short of a marble
The gargoyle moved impressively swiftly for a creature made of stone, the second the mortal had sat up in the bed. Its claws were scraping across the dark red carpets covering the marble stairs as it scrambled down to notify its master like it had been told. Although the face of the stone monster was unmoved, the lesser little demon occupying it as a vessel was buzzing with excitement. A human, here in the mansion! And a female no less- undoubtedly the master's plan was slowly starting to progress. There was no gain for it in the whole deal, but living for centuries locked up in this place guaranteed eternal boredom. Ever since the war had ended things had gone awfully silent in here.
As it hurried across the room with the sound of stones being thrown on a wooden floor, Diavel looked up from his and Rain's game.
The gargoyle, or rather the demon inside it, made some gurgling, slimy sounds, leaving the Duke to raise one eyebrow. He didn't speak demon, and honestly he wasn't planning on learning it either. He got the message, though; his guest was awake.
"Checkmate", he grinned at a frustratedly pouting Rain, before he got up to go greet the girl.
Phase two... How to make someone willingly give up their life?
Upon arriving at the door of the guest room, he patted some folds out of his shirt, made sure his mask sat properly to cover the scars on the left side of his face and finally knocked at the door.
After waiting for three seconds he carefully opened the door.
"Ah, I see you are awake. Good morning", he spoke politely. "My name is Diavel, you're at my mansion. I took the liberty to bring you here when you blacked out in the woods..."
He silenced upon noticing how confused and fairly troubled she looked.
God how he hated that look on her face. How it was an almost perfect copy of the way Alice had used to look at him when he had spoken of planning to leave Carden's father's Coven...
After a moment of pulling himself together, he attempted a strained smile at the stranger.
"If I may say so- You seem like you've had one hell of a night. If you'd like some breakfast, do let me know, and in case you feel the need to freshen up- there's a bathroom right across the corridor."
As it hurried across the room with the sound of stones being thrown on a wooden floor, Diavel looked up from his and Rain's game.
The gargoyle, or rather the demon inside it, made some gurgling, slimy sounds, leaving the Duke to raise one eyebrow. He didn't speak demon, and honestly he wasn't planning on learning it either. He got the message, though; his guest was awake.
"Checkmate", he grinned at a frustratedly pouting Rain, before he got up to go greet the girl.
Phase two... How to make someone willingly give up their life?
Upon arriving at the door of the guest room, he patted some folds out of his shirt, made sure his mask sat properly to cover the scars on the left side of his face and finally knocked at the door.
After waiting for three seconds he carefully opened the door.
"Ah, I see you are awake. Good morning", he spoke politely. "My name is Diavel, you're at my mansion. I took the liberty to bring you here when you blacked out in the woods..."
He silenced upon noticing how confused and fairly troubled she looked.
God how he hated that look on her face. How it was an almost perfect copy of the way Alice had used to look at him when he had spoken of planning to leave Carden's father's Coven...
After a moment of pulling himself together, he attempted a strained smile at the stranger.
"If I may say so- You seem like you've had one hell of a night. If you'd like some breakfast, do let me know, and in case you feel the need to freshen up- there's a bathroom right across the corridor."
AccioProphecy
Positivity
There was a knock at the door, Isla sat straight up and fumbled a little, not knowing what to do and didn't have the time to answer when the door opened and in came the elegant looking man from last night. Her breath got caught in her throat as he started talking. His name is Diavel, he says, and he's the owner of the mansion. Her face contorted from confusion to awe. She stared up at him for a while, "You look...different,"
There was a certain wisdom in his eyes that Isla couldn't place and before she even knew it, just like always, she had committed word-vomit again. Sometimes she just said whatever was on her mind. But she did feel the difference between him and her. Between him and the people in her world.
My world...
It was as if she had accepted it already. No... I have to get back home, I'll go by today. "How did you...pierce through that guy's shoulder? Do you have long claws, like Wolverine?" She asked, pointing at her own shoulder to illustrate what she meant, curiosity splayed on her face. As someone whose life was dictated by numbers and logic she just couldn't put it together.
You're asking too many questions, he'll be suspicious and weirded out. "Umm... No, nevermind, you don't have to mind me, I'm just...confused."
At the mention of breakfast, she shook her head a little "No, I'm okay, I need to get ho--" and was interrupted by a small rumbling in her stomach. She stopped abruptly, wondering if he heard that but retracted her sentence. "...A quick breakfast wouldn't hurt,"
She stood then, and took the dress laid out for her on the table, noting his directions to the bathroom, muttering a quick "Excuse me," and hurrying off to change. There were so many things running through her mind, she couldn't keep track of all the questions she wanted to ask. She looked at herself in the mirror--even the bathroom--was intricate, took a deep breath, and sighed it out slowly. It felt as if it had been a long time since she's seen her reflection.
She changed clothes, and again noticed that what she was given to change to... was not of normal fashion. It was a silk, midnight blue dress. It showed off her shoulders and somehow hugged her waist perfectly and flowed down until it touched the floor. The sleeves covered up until her wrists. It was...slightly uncomfortable, but better than what she previously had on. She folded her old clothes and walked back to the room.
"Thank you, by the way," she says as she puts her folded clothes on the table, turning towards him. She fidgeted with her hands, it was awkward talking to a complete stranger and even more awkward to be receiving such care. But she was alive, and that meant a great deal at this moment. She gave him a small smile, a first since she landed into this predicament, "I do have a lot of questions though..." she added.
There was a certain wisdom in his eyes that Isla couldn't place and before she even knew it, just like always, she had committed word-vomit again. Sometimes she just said whatever was on her mind. But she did feel the difference between him and her. Between him and the people in her world.
My world...
It was as if she had accepted it already. No... I have to get back home, I'll go by today. "How did you...pierce through that guy's shoulder? Do you have long claws, like Wolverine?" She asked, pointing at her own shoulder to illustrate what she meant, curiosity splayed on her face. As someone whose life was dictated by numbers and logic she just couldn't put it together.
You're asking too many questions, he'll be suspicious and weirded out. "Umm... No, nevermind, you don't have to mind me, I'm just...confused."
At the mention of breakfast, she shook her head a little "No, I'm okay, I need to get ho--" and was interrupted by a small rumbling in her stomach. She stopped abruptly, wondering if he heard that but retracted her sentence. "...A quick breakfast wouldn't hurt,"
She stood then, and took the dress laid out for her on the table, noting his directions to the bathroom, muttering a quick "Excuse me," and hurrying off to change. There were so many things running through her mind, she couldn't keep track of all the questions she wanted to ask. She looked at herself in the mirror--even the bathroom--was intricate, took a deep breath, and sighed it out slowly. It felt as if it had been a long time since she's seen her reflection.
She changed clothes, and again noticed that what she was given to change to... was not of normal fashion. It was a silk, midnight blue dress. It showed off her shoulders and somehow hugged her waist perfectly and flowed down until it touched the floor. The sleeves covered up until her wrists. It was...slightly uncomfortable, but better than what she previously had on. She folded her old clothes and walked back to the room.
"Thank you, by the way," she says as she puts her folded clothes on the table, turning towards him. She fidgeted with her hands, it was awkward talking to a complete stranger and even more awkward to be receiving such care. But she was alive, and that meant a great deal at this moment. She gave him a small smile, a first since she landed into this predicament, "I do have a lot of questions though..." she added.
Kaya
Perhaps short of a marble
Diavel's face was mirroring the stranger's confusion as she rambled about him looking differently... And wolverines? Those dog-sized critters with aggression issues and an unsatiable hunger? What was it with their claws? And why in all world should he have claws? As a Raven, sure, but-... Eh?
Had she hit her head when she'd blacked out?
He just watched her with a raised eyebrow as she continued to call herself confused and lastly disappeared out of the room to change.
...was it possible that she no knowledge whatsoever about the existence of vampires? He knew that some alchemists believed in the existence of multiple worlds that coexisted in some kind of... Layered multi-reality, but he'd never really bothered to waste another thought on those theories.
And then she was back in the room, where he'd been waiting with his hands behind his back and a puzzled expression that changed to a mix of surprise, anger and pain that disappeared as quickly as it had crossed his face.
"Good, it fits", he just said, voice sounding a little hoarse.
Of course it fits, she's like a copy of Alice, stupid!
Her remark about having a lot of questions however made him stifle a reaction somewhere between a scoff and a laugh.
"So do I, believe me", he muttered before he waved for her to follow him down the stairs and across the entrance hall towards the kitchen.
There was a relatively standard sized table in this room, and as they were only two persons anyway he figured they could as well eat here instead of the enormous dining hall.
"Here", he said as he pulled back a chair for his guest and busied himself with setting the table, while a lesser demon occupying another stone gargoyle was attempting to cook. Diavel watched with rising impatience as it proved once again that the prejudice about demons being bad cooks was true.
After having to fish eggshells out of a half burned Omelette, he took matters in his own hands.
"Here you stonehead, like this- be careful. And less heat, you're gonna burn it again! And remember to shred the cheese and chop the bacon and chives for the filling."
While the gargoyle did as it was told, Diavel gathered the bread, jam, honey and ham and set it on the table.
Waiting for the gargoyle to finish the omelettes he leaned forwards, watching his guest with obvious curiosity.
"Very well, time to get some questions answered, don't you think? Ask away. But for starters- I didn't catch you name, Miss-..?"
Had she hit her head when she'd blacked out?
He just watched her with a raised eyebrow as she continued to call herself confused and lastly disappeared out of the room to change.
...was it possible that she no knowledge whatsoever about the existence of vampires? He knew that some alchemists believed in the existence of multiple worlds that coexisted in some kind of... Layered multi-reality, but he'd never really bothered to waste another thought on those theories.
And then she was back in the room, where he'd been waiting with his hands behind his back and a puzzled expression that changed to a mix of surprise, anger and pain that disappeared as quickly as it had crossed his face.
"Good, it fits", he just said, voice sounding a little hoarse.
Of course it fits, she's like a copy of Alice, stupid!
Her remark about having a lot of questions however made him stifle a reaction somewhere between a scoff and a laugh.
"So do I, believe me", he muttered before he waved for her to follow him down the stairs and across the entrance hall towards the kitchen.
There was a relatively standard sized table in this room, and as they were only two persons anyway he figured they could as well eat here instead of the enormous dining hall.
"Here", he said as he pulled back a chair for his guest and busied himself with setting the table, while a lesser demon occupying another stone gargoyle was attempting to cook. Diavel watched with rising impatience as it proved once again that the prejudice about demons being bad cooks was true.
After having to fish eggshells out of a half burned Omelette, he took matters in his own hands.
"Here you stonehead, like this- be careful. And less heat, you're gonna burn it again! And remember to shred the cheese and chop the bacon and chives for the filling."
While the gargoyle did as it was told, Diavel gathered the bread, jam, honey and ham and set it on the table.
Waiting for the gargoyle to finish the omelettes he leaned forwards, watching his guest with obvious curiosity.
"Very well, time to get some questions answered, don't you think? Ask away. But for starters- I didn't catch you name, Miss-..?"
AccioProphecy
Positivity
Isla followed diligently, all the while looking at her surroundings. The mansion was no joke. There was enough space in the hallways for a car to fit, the floors were marble and there were a few intricate art pieces around.
They entered what seemed to be the kitchen, there was the smell of burning eggs. She sat down but froze at the sight of a...rock, cooking breakfast. It was a small statue, with what she could describe as bat wings. She picked her hand up and for the first time since the weird happenings she pinched herself. Really hard.
She could still see the stone statue cooking breakfast, and Diavel now reprimanding it. Teaching it how to cook as if it was...
Normal. There's no other way to explain it... Last night... This morning... Everything is so strange because...
She couldn't help the shiver that ran through her.
Because I'm not home. I'm nowhere near home. There's no other explanation. This world...
She watched, shoulders tensed as Diavel gathered bread, jam, honey and ham.
This world is not mine.
"My name...? Oh, my name," Under the table she was gripping her hands tightly, caught off by the normal question within such an abnormal situation. "Isla... Isla Becker," She said stiffly. Her eyes still darting towards the stone statue that clearly had a life of its own. Suddenly, she didn't feel very hungry, and just stared at the bread in front of her.
It's okay. Calm down. Nothing's happening. They seem nice enough. Plus... this man saved you.
She gripped her hands tighter together and peered up at Diavel, trying to ignore the cooking statue. "Wh-What's your job?" It was a fairly simple question. The most harmless one she could ask. She didn't want to give anything away too soon. She wanted to ask if he had a computer somewhere, she just needed it to check some e-mails from work. She wanted to ask about what country they were in, but it'd be suspicious as well, not knowing where you were. She wanted to ask so many things but opted for the simplest one she could think of.
Perhaps she could learn more things with his answer.
They entered what seemed to be the kitchen, there was the smell of burning eggs. She sat down but froze at the sight of a...rock, cooking breakfast. It was a small statue, with what she could describe as bat wings. She picked her hand up and for the first time since the weird happenings she pinched herself. Really hard.
She could still see the stone statue cooking breakfast, and Diavel now reprimanding it. Teaching it how to cook as if it was...
Normal. There's no other way to explain it... Last night... This morning... Everything is so strange because...
She couldn't help the shiver that ran through her.
Because I'm not home. I'm nowhere near home. There's no other explanation. This world...
She watched, shoulders tensed as Diavel gathered bread, jam, honey and ham.
This world is not mine.
"My name...? Oh, my name," Under the table she was gripping her hands tightly, caught off by the normal question within such an abnormal situation. "Isla... Isla Becker," She said stiffly. Her eyes still darting towards the stone statue that clearly had a life of its own. Suddenly, she didn't feel very hungry, and just stared at the bread in front of her.
It's okay. Calm down. Nothing's happening. They seem nice enough. Plus... this man saved you.
She gripped her hands tighter together and peered up at Diavel, trying to ignore the cooking statue. "Wh-What's your job?" It was a fairly simple question. The most harmless one she could ask. She didn't want to give anything away too soon. She wanted to ask if he had a computer somewhere, she just needed it to check some e-mails from work. She wanted to ask about what country they were in, but it'd be suspicious as well, not knowing where you were. She wanted to ask so many things but opted for the simplest one she could think of.
Perhaps she could learn more things with his answer.
Kaya
Perhaps short of a marble
What was it with this peculiar woman?
Diavel watched in silent wonder as she seemed to process everything around her. But what was there to process? Sure, his mansion was quite big and probably fairly impressive, but what seemed to bother her far more was his gargoyle cooking breakfast.
Everything about her seemed so... Out of place.
She was startled by something perfectly normal like his servants, didn't understand how he had been able to crush Dein's shoulder, remarked that he looked different... Well, of course he looked different, he was a vampire, after all!
And then her question about his job.
Job? Way to call this life task...
Plus, she clearly had no idea who he was, unlike, well, every single living being in this land.
A multi-reality suddenly seemed like a sensible explanation...
As the gargoyle had finished the omelettes and set them on the table, neatly arranged on a china plate, he gave him a quick nod of acknowledgement before giving him the next task right away.
"Listen, go to my study and fetch the world map for me, would you?"
While waiting for his servant to come back with the map he put one of the omelettes on his plate and thoughtfully poked it with his fork before looking back up at Alice. Isla! Not Alice. Damn it.
"Well, uh... I'm the Duke of Irewood", he explained slowly, like expecting her to catch up every second.
"Duke Diavel Aurelius? Uh... The White Lord?"
She still seemed as confused as before, but like on cue the gargoyle was back with the map.
"You aren't from here, are you?", he asked, intrigue ringing in his voice, while he unrolled the map between him and his guest.
"Here, this is Naphuron. It's split into four duchies; Sigrid, ruled by Duke Carden, Vesuvia, ruled by Duchess Mora, Athera, ruled by Duke Lucian and Irewood, ruled by me. You, as a human, would be best off staying away from Sigrid and Vesuvia. They are mainly populated by vampires, who prey on your kind like wild animals. Lucian of Athera and I concluded the Contract of Eleyson with the mortals of our duchies, which keeps everyone safe from attacks. Sure, we're predators, but unlike Carden and Mora we don't behave like animals."
He scoffed silently.
"Like I'd ever stoop down on the level of those savage."
Diavel watched in silent wonder as she seemed to process everything around her. But what was there to process? Sure, his mansion was quite big and probably fairly impressive, but what seemed to bother her far more was his gargoyle cooking breakfast.
Everything about her seemed so... Out of place.
She was startled by something perfectly normal like his servants, didn't understand how he had been able to crush Dein's shoulder, remarked that he looked different... Well, of course he looked different, he was a vampire, after all!
And then her question about his job.
Job? Way to call this life task...
Plus, she clearly had no idea who he was, unlike, well, every single living being in this land.
A multi-reality suddenly seemed like a sensible explanation...
As the gargoyle had finished the omelettes and set them on the table, neatly arranged on a china plate, he gave him a quick nod of acknowledgement before giving him the next task right away.
"Listen, go to my study and fetch the world map for me, would you?"
While waiting for his servant to come back with the map he put one of the omelettes on his plate and thoughtfully poked it with his fork before looking back up at Alice. Isla! Not Alice. Damn it.
"Well, uh... I'm the Duke of Irewood", he explained slowly, like expecting her to catch up every second.
"Duke Diavel Aurelius? Uh... The White Lord?"
She still seemed as confused as before, but like on cue the gargoyle was back with the map.
"You aren't from here, are you?", he asked, intrigue ringing in his voice, while he unrolled the map between him and his guest.
"Here, this is Naphuron. It's split into four duchies; Sigrid, ruled by Duke Carden, Vesuvia, ruled by Duchess Mora, Athera, ruled by Duke Lucian and Irewood, ruled by me. You, as a human, would be best off staying away from Sigrid and Vesuvia. They are mainly populated by vampires, who prey on your kind like wild animals. Lucian of Athera and I concluded the Contract of Eleyson with the mortals of our duchies, which keeps everyone safe from attacks. Sure, we're predators, but unlike Carden and Mora we don't behave like animals."
He scoffed silently.
"Like I'd ever stoop down on the level of those savage."
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AccioProphecy
Positivity
Isla stiffened up as the gargoyle came around with their plate of eggs, Diavel giving it another task. On closer inspection though... It was actually... endearing. Not completely cute, but there was something about the way it willfully followed Diavel's instructions like a puppy that put Isla at ease. She still preferred puppies though.
She tilted her head a little in wonder at the way he was talking to her. As if she was a kindergartener. Without noticing it, her hands started to relax on her lap. He just seemed fairly harmless at that moment.
When the gargoyle came back with the map and Diavel started explaining the whole thing to her, she was struck with a sense of doom. She blinked at the map, replaying the information in her head.
"You, as a human, would be best off staying away from Sigrid and Vesuvia. They are mainly populated by vampires, who prey on your kind like wild animals."
Her hand reaches up to the table with a slight tremor, holding the map in place. "No way..." She whispers, scanning the map for something --anything-- familiar. "You're kidding..." She scans the map again and when she doesn't find anything, any place that she knows of, her other hand reaches over to cup her forehead. She could feel a headache coming on.
Naphuron...? Even if it was a country I've never heard of before... What about the vampires part? Or the moving stone statue? How? What's the reason? What about New York City? My new promotion? My apartment?
"I-- I don't recognize these places," A lump was stuck in her throat, "Vampires... don't exist where I come from," She wasn't trying to filter it out anymore, she just couldn't keep it bottled in. She was thinking that everything was crazy, but maybe Diavel thought that SHE was the one who was lying or going crazy. Her hands atop the table found each other again and she gripped them together quite tightly, "I don't understand... Why..." She started thinking aloud "How do I get home? What if I never go back?"
And then an idea clicked in her mind, she looks at Diavel, eyes watery yet full of hope. He saved her last night. This man... must be able to do something, right? If he really was a Duke... He could do a lot of things. "Can you... help me?"
She tilted her head a little in wonder at the way he was talking to her. As if she was a kindergartener. Without noticing it, her hands started to relax on her lap. He just seemed fairly harmless at that moment.
When the gargoyle came back with the map and Diavel started explaining the whole thing to her, she was struck with a sense of doom. She blinked at the map, replaying the information in her head.
"You, as a human, would be best off staying away from Sigrid and Vesuvia. They are mainly populated by vampires, who prey on your kind like wild animals."
Her hand reaches up to the table with a slight tremor, holding the map in place. "No way..." She whispers, scanning the map for something --anything-- familiar. "You're kidding..." She scans the map again and when she doesn't find anything, any place that she knows of, her other hand reaches over to cup her forehead. She could feel a headache coming on.
Naphuron...? Even if it was a country I've never heard of before... What about the vampires part? Or the moving stone statue? How? What's the reason? What about New York City? My new promotion? My apartment?
"I-- I don't recognize these places," A lump was stuck in her throat, "Vampires... don't exist where I come from," She wasn't trying to filter it out anymore, she just couldn't keep it bottled in. She was thinking that everything was crazy, but maybe Diavel thought that SHE was the one who was lying or going crazy. Her hands atop the table found each other again and she gripped them together quite tightly, "I don't understand... Why..." She started thinking aloud "How do I get home? What if I never go back?"
And then an idea clicked in her mind, she looks at Diavel, eyes watery yet full of hope. He saved her last night. This man... must be able to do something, right? If he really was a Duke... He could do a lot of things. "Can you... help me?"
Kaya
Perhaps short of a marble
What a peculiar situation this was... A mortal apparently just randomly appearing in the middle of the woods while having been in an entirely different world just seconds before, as it seemed. A world where vampires didn't exist... Crazy. Just crazy! Next she'd tell him that they had carriages that didn't need horses or contraptions that could carry them high up into the sky like a bird.
Seeing her watery eyes as she pleaded for his help sent a wave of sympathy washing over him.
Of course I will help you, Alice... You know I'd do everything for you...
For that thought he would've loved to slap himself across the face. This person was not Alice, she just miraculously looked like her!
Clearing his throat, his posture stiffened, jaw clenching in anger at himself and the world. How he loathed himself for wanting to comfort her, if only with a smile. This was not Alice! And caring more about this woman just because she looked like her was a disgrace to both.
The dead shall rest in peace.
And the living shouldn't be used as some sick replacement but taken for who they are...
But maybe it's not that... Maybe I just want to help her because she needs help...
Clearing that mess in his head would take too long to do it now.
"Okay, take a deep breath", he said, trying to sound as calm as possible, despite the turmoil inside him, and forced a small smile.
"It could be worse. You could have appeared in Sigrid or Vesuvia. In that case you'd probably already be dead. You're safe here, that's a big plus. And of course I'll help you."
He even already had an idea -
"About half an hours walk outside Paravel, the city you can see when you look out the window, lives an alchemist. If someone knows more about multiple worlds and traveling between them, it's him. We could go see him as soon as the sun has set. My... Condition, you see, leaves me quite flammable when it comes to sunlight."
With a small smile and a hint of puppy eyes, he pushed the plate with the untouched omelette towards his guest. "You've had a rough night, don't you think it would be wise to starve now? Or would you like something else for breakfast?"
Seeing her watery eyes as she pleaded for his help sent a wave of sympathy washing over him.
Of course I will help you, Alice... You know I'd do everything for you...
For that thought he would've loved to slap himself across the face. This person was not Alice, she just miraculously looked like her!
Clearing his throat, his posture stiffened, jaw clenching in anger at himself and the world. How he loathed himself for wanting to comfort her, if only with a smile. This was not Alice! And caring more about this woman just because she looked like her was a disgrace to both.
The dead shall rest in peace.
And the living shouldn't be used as some sick replacement but taken for who they are...
But maybe it's not that... Maybe I just want to help her because she needs help...
Clearing that mess in his head would take too long to do it now.
"Okay, take a deep breath", he said, trying to sound as calm as possible, despite the turmoil inside him, and forced a small smile.
"It could be worse. You could have appeared in Sigrid or Vesuvia. In that case you'd probably already be dead. You're safe here, that's a big plus. And of course I'll help you."
He even already had an idea -
"About half an hours walk outside Paravel, the city you can see when you look out the window, lives an alchemist. If someone knows more about multiple worlds and traveling between them, it's him. We could go see him as soon as the sun has set. My... Condition, you see, leaves me quite flammable when it comes to sunlight."
With a small smile and a hint of puppy eyes, he pushed the plate with the untouched omelette towards his guest. "You've had a rough night, don't you think it would be wise to starve now? Or would you like something else for breakfast?"
AccioProphecy
Positivity
Isla took steady breaths as per his instructions. He was right. She was fortunate enough to end up here with a nice man... or was he? She stole a glance at him. He says that she's safe here but being in a stranger's mansion was just as suspicious. But what other choice did she have? Plus, he's been nothing but nice so far.
She perks up at the idea of visiting the alchemist and starts nodding at the idea, but gets confused again when he says that he was flammable under sunlight. Perhaps the myths in her world about vampires held some truth in it. She would have to ask him later if he could turn into a bat and if he hated garlic. Before she asked him a barrage of questions she looks at the omelette placed in front of her. She sighs and picks up a fork, muttering "Maybe I'm just dreaming, if I eat something strange from this world, I'll wake up," she cuts a piece and puts it in her mouth. "...It's just a normal omelette..." She stares at the plate, slightly disappointed, thinking that food here would taste different. But that one bite of omelette was enough to revive her appetite and she started eating.
She looks up at Diavel while chewing, "Mm... it didn't work. You're still here, I'm still here," she sighed but continued eating. "Are we... walking to Paravel?" Half an hour, he said. On foot. Back home there were... taxis, buses, trains but maybe they didn't have that kind of thing here. God knows. Well... if it came to that, she had no problem walking. Now wasn't the time to be a sissy. "You're not busy? You're the duke," she just didn't want to impose, "I can go by myself, if you give me instructions," Perhaps she was asking too much of Diavel and didn't want to bother him too much.
Nevermind that she was hella scared of the dark and the unknown, and even more so after encountering three men last night who she found out were vampires wanting to maul and eat her... Which reminded her... Didn't Diavel drink human blood too? If she continued like this, there would be about a thousand questions she would want to ask. But for now, she kept quiet. She'd learn about everything slowly. She'd focus on getting home first.... and staying alive.
Before she knew it, she had finished her omelette already. "Thank you so much," she said sincerely, "I hope I can repay you somehow,"
She perks up at the idea of visiting the alchemist and starts nodding at the idea, but gets confused again when he says that he was flammable under sunlight. Perhaps the myths in her world about vampires held some truth in it. She would have to ask him later if he could turn into a bat and if he hated garlic. Before she asked him a barrage of questions she looks at the omelette placed in front of her. She sighs and picks up a fork, muttering "Maybe I'm just dreaming, if I eat something strange from this world, I'll wake up," she cuts a piece and puts it in her mouth. "...It's just a normal omelette..." She stares at the plate, slightly disappointed, thinking that food here would taste different. But that one bite of omelette was enough to revive her appetite and she started eating.
She looks up at Diavel while chewing, "Mm... it didn't work. You're still here, I'm still here," she sighed but continued eating. "Are we... walking to Paravel?" Half an hour, he said. On foot. Back home there were... taxis, buses, trains but maybe they didn't have that kind of thing here. God knows. Well... if it came to that, she had no problem walking. Now wasn't the time to be a sissy. "You're not busy? You're the duke," she just didn't want to impose, "I can go by myself, if you give me instructions," Perhaps she was asking too much of Diavel and didn't want to bother him too much.
Nevermind that she was hella scared of the dark and the unknown, and even more so after encountering three men last night who she found out were vampires wanting to maul and eat her... Which reminded her... Didn't Diavel drink human blood too? If she continued like this, there would be about a thousand questions she would want to ask. But for now, she kept quiet. She'd learn about everything slowly. She'd focus on getting home first.... and staying alive.
Before she knew it, she had finished her omelette already. "Thank you so much," she said sincerely, "I hope I can repay you somehow,"
Kaya
Perhaps short of a marble
It was almost comical to see the range of reactions his guest was going through in this new reality she had been just thrown into. Part of her still seemed to hope that all of this was some kind of strange dream, but somehow the omelette seemed to convince her that it wasn't. Why should an Omelette be strange?
Seemed odd to him, but who was he to judge...
Something that was strange to him was how she made him talk like a normal person, act like he didn't hate the world and everything in it... It had been a while. Maybe he'd really just needed some company that wasn't some undead trying to stab him in the back the second they'd have the chance to.
At her statement about both of them being still here, he just raised one eyebrow quizzically.
It had been so long since he'd been turned and most of his memories of his life as a human barely were more than a blurry mist. Maybe that was why the human way of pushing things aside and clinging to a clearly unrealistic hope was so absurd to him. Vampires didn't work like that. After centuries of immortality most of them developed an uncanny ability to just flip a switch somewhere inside them and turn off their emotions. In that state they just coldly accepted what was and acted by what was logical. In a way... They probably lost their humanity. Or rather gave it up.
Testing himself away from his brooding, he blinked a couple of times and tried to focus on his guest instead.
"As you said, I am the Duke. And as the Duke, and especially as your host, it is my duty to make sure you will be okay", he finally spoke, sounding somewhat like a machine.
"Really, I don't like the thought of letting you go alone. In the end it's your decision, of course, but it would put my mind to rest knowing that there's someone to defend you, either I myself, or my lead servant, whatever you prefer, in case Carden still can't keep his own coven in check."
His gaze had gained a hateful glare for a moment, at the thought of that God forsaken vampire and his coven of savages, before he slightly tilted his head at her statement about wanting to repay him.
He just waved his hand around in the air.
"Please, I may be a predator supposed to feed on you, but I am no monster. Even though people are still scared of-..."
His slate gray gaze slowly wandered from the table to Isla, while a hint of a smile played on his face.
"In fact-... You are a human. Humans trust you. At least more than they trust me. If you'd just keep an eye and an ear out for me and let me know if there's anything going on in Paravel that I should be aware of, anything the people need but don't dare to ask for... That would be a great help."
Seemed odd to him, but who was he to judge...
Something that was strange to him was how she made him talk like a normal person, act like he didn't hate the world and everything in it... It had been a while. Maybe he'd really just needed some company that wasn't some undead trying to stab him in the back the second they'd have the chance to.
At her statement about both of them being still here, he just raised one eyebrow quizzically.
It had been so long since he'd been turned and most of his memories of his life as a human barely were more than a blurry mist. Maybe that was why the human way of pushing things aside and clinging to a clearly unrealistic hope was so absurd to him. Vampires didn't work like that. After centuries of immortality most of them developed an uncanny ability to just flip a switch somewhere inside them and turn off their emotions. In that state they just coldly accepted what was and acted by what was logical. In a way... They probably lost their humanity. Or rather gave it up.
Testing himself away from his brooding, he blinked a couple of times and tried to focus on his guest instead.
"As you said, I am the Duke. And as the Duke, and especially as your host, it is my duty to make sure you will be okay", he finally spoke, sounding somewhat like a machine.
"Really, I don't like the thought of letting you go alone. In the end it's your decision, of course, but it would put my mind to rest knowing that there's someone to defend you, either I myself, or my lead servant, whatever you prefer, in case Carden still can't keep his own coven in check."
His gaze had gained a hateful glare for a moment, at the thought of that God forsaken vampire and his coven of savages, before he slightly tilted his head at her statement about wanting to repay him.
He just waved his hand around in the air.
"Please, I may be a predator supposed to feed on you, but I am no monster. Even though people are still scared of-..."
His slate gray gaze slowly wandered from the table to Isla, while a hint of a smile played on his face.
"In fact-... You are a human. Humans trust you. At least more than they trust me. If you'd just keep an eye and an ear out for me and let me know if there's anything going on in Paravel that I should be aware of, anything the people need but don't dare to ask for... That would be a great help."
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AccioProphecy
Positivity
Isla was silent with thought for a moment. Diavel seemed sincerely eager to accompany her. "In that case... I'll happily accept your company," she nods. She was slightly surprised at the mention that he wasn't a monster, she was just thinking and wondering if he drank human blood and if it was safe to be around him. She brushed it off, wondering about his request to keep an eye and ear out for the people --humans-- of Paravel.
"...I'll try," Isla did want to help Diavel, but she was infinitely determined to get home. The alchemist MUST have some sort of idea how to get her home. In a matter of hours, she'd be back in her familiar flat. But, if she was somehow unable to find a way home... Then she would dedicate some of her time talking to the people in town to see what the general populace was like.
"So..." She started, thinking that there was quite a while before the sun would start to set. "What do you do for fun?" She wondered about how people here entertained themselves. Back home the internet was a very powerful thing, so were electronics. Over here... It seemed like that kind of thing didn't exist. Of course, that could be a good thing, seeing as how it had been forever since Isla had read a book for leisure. It had also been a while since she took some time to do something that didn't... involve electronic devices. Hiking? Cooking? Knitting?
"Also... aside from vampires, are there any other..." she shifted in her seat slightly, not knowing what to say. Creatures? She was afraid that she would offend him. "...types of people?" she let out after struggling for the right words for a brief moment. "Well, I guess... I just want to know who I should look out for so that I'm not in the same situation as I was last night," that was the best way to put it. She couldn't say that she was very curious about the other inhabitants of this world, but her goal right now was to survive, she mainly wanted to know if there was anyone out there to be careful of.
Aside from this Carden guy of course. She didn't miss his slight scowl at his mention of the name. He must really dislike him.
"...I'll try," Isla did want to help Diavel, but she was infinitely determined to get home. The alchemist MUST have some sort of idea how to get her home. In a matter of hours, she'd be back in her familiar flat. But, if she was somehow unable to find a way home... Then she would dedicate some of her time talking to the people in town to see what the general populace was like.
"So..." She started, thinking that there was quite a while before the sun would start to set. "What do you do for fun?" She wondered about how people here entertained themselves. Back home the internet was a very powerful thing, so were electronics. Over here... It seemed like that kind of thing didn't exist. Of course, that could be a good thing, seeing as how it had been forever since Isla had read a book for leisure. It had also been a while since she took some time to do something that didn't... involve electronic devices. Hiking? Cooking? Knitting?
"Also... aside from vampires, are there any other..." she shifted in her seat slightly, not knowing what to say. Creatures? She was afraid that she would offend him. "...types of people?" she let out after struggling for the right words for a brief moment. "Well, I guess... I just want to know who I should look out for so that I'm not in the same situation as I was last night," that was the best way to put it. She couldn't say that she was very curious about the other inhabitants of this world, but her goal right now was to survive, she mainly wanted to know if there was anyone out there to be careful of.
Aside from this Carden guy of course. She didn't miss his slight scowl at his mention of the name. He must really dislike him.
Kaya
Perhaps short of a marble
What do you do for fun?
Part of Diavel actually wanted to ask what fun was, it just was a word used so rarely in his world.
Too rarely, maybe.
Then the evenings spent playing chess with Rain, sitting on the ground like they were kids, popped up in his mind and sent a wave of warmth washing over him. The young ghost wasn't just his only friend, he was like a brother, and while he wouldn't exactly call their games of chess 'fun', they definitely brought him comfort.
"Chess", he finally replied, his voice a little silent. "My best friend Rain and I, sometimes we just sit down on the floor by the fireplace and play chess all night. Sometimes I let him win."
That...wasn't exactly the truth, Rain actually was a dangerous opponent, but his pride didn't let him admit that in front of someone who basically was a stranger.
And then she asked about other 'types of people', making him stifle a laugh, which resulted in a silent snort.
Types of people-!
She clearly was trying to avoid pitfalls. It was somewhat endearing, honestly; barely anyone else in this world cared about offending anyone. Vampire politics were based on threats, bribes and occasional assassinations, all hidden behind a veil of fake politeness with edges like razor blades.
Smirking, he crossed his arms.
"Cryptids", he explained. "The common term for our kinds is Cryptids. And yes. My best friend, Rain, he's a ghost. There are also Werewolves and Satyrs, Centaurs..."
He frowned slightly. "Talking about werewolves, the morning patrol should have arrived by now..."
That was when the doors of the kitchen burst open and a group of man sized wolves came trotting in. A dark gray and red brindled wolf with blazing ember eyes approached, bowed its head to Diavel and, accompanied by the sound of grinding bones, turned into one enormously tall, young man with tousled, grayish-brown hair and tribal tattoos covering his upper body and arms. He was barefoot, only wearing some simple, black pants and a hooded, dark gray vest with fur lining its collar.
"Talking about werewolves", Diavel commented as he gave the boy in front of him a short nod. "Anything out of the ordinary? The rest of the patrol is dismissed."
The werewolf's gaze curiously flicked to Isla for a second, before he focused on his master again, while the other wolveseft the room.
"We smelled vampires near Paravel, but couldn't tell their Coven. They smelled sick. Sourly, almost foul."
Diavel frowned deeply. Whatever was going on over there, it was starting to get weird. First Countess Nadia, then the three brothers, and apparently it didn't end there... Pariahs suffering some kind of illness?
"What the... Keep an eye on it. Make sure to keep a patrol near Paravel at all times, I don't need some outcasts spreading their sickness among my people and attacking the humans under my protection. Our guest and I are going to visit the alchemist tonight, but we'll make a detour. I want you to show me that trace."
Turning to Isla, he gave a bit of an apologetic smile." I hope you don't mind. If this is something serious every hour may count. I'll make sure you'll be perfectly safe, of course, Greyback here and I are more than able to make sure you won't be attacked by some mysterious, sick vampires."
Part of Diavel actually wanted to ask what fun was, it just was a word used so rarely in his world.
Too rarely, maybe.
Then the evenings spent playing chess with Rain, sitting on the ground like they were kids, popped up in his mind and sent a wave of warmth washing over him. The young ghost wasn't just his only friend, he was like a brother, and while he wouldn't exactly call their games of chess 'fun', they definitely brought him comfort.
"Chess", he finally replied, his voice a little silent. "My best friend Rain and I, sometimes we just sit down on the floor by the fireplace and play chess all night. Sometimes I let him win."
That...wasn't exactly the truth, Rain actually was a dangerous opponent, but his pride didn't let him admit that in front of someone who basically was a stranger.
And then she asked about other 'types of people', making him stifle a laugh, which resulted in a silent snort.
Types of people-!
She clearly was trying to avoid pitfalls. It was somewhat endearing, honestly; barely anyone else in this world cared about offending anyone. Vampire politics were based on threats, bribes and occasional assassinations, all hidden behind a veil of fake politeness with edges like razor blades.
Smirking, he crossed his arms.
"Cryptids", he explained. "The common term for our kinds is Cryptids. And yes. My best friend, Rain, he's a ghost. There are also Werewolves and Satyrs, Centaurs..."
He frowned slightly. "Talking about werewolves, the morning patrol should have arrived by now..."
That was when the doors of the kitchen burst open and a group of man sized wolves came trotting in. A dark gray and red brindled wolf with blazing ember eyes approached, bowed its head to Diavel and, accompanied by the sound of grinding bones, turned into one enormously tall, young man with tousled, grayish-brown hair and tribal tattoos covering his upper body and arms. He was barefoot, only wearing some simple, black pants and a hooded, dark gray vest with fur lining its collar.
"Talking about werewolves", Diavel commented as he gave the boy in front of him a short nod. "Anything out of the ordinary? The rest of the patrol is dismissed."
The werewolf's gaze curiously flicked to Isla for a second, before he focused on his master again, while the other wolveseft the room.
"We smelled vampires near Paravel, but couldn't tell their Coven. They smelled sick. Sourly, almost foul."
Diavel frowned deeply. Whatever was going on over there, it was starting to get weird. First Countess Nadia, then the three brothers, and apparently it didn't end there... Pariahs suffering some kind of illness?
"What the... Keep an eye on it. Make sure to keep a patrol near Paravel at all times, I don't need some outcasts spreading their sickness among my people and attacking the humans under my protection. Our guest and I are going to visit the alchemist tonight, but we'll make a detour. I want you to show me that trace."
Turning to Isla, he gave a bit of an apologetic smile." I hope you don't mind. If this is something serious every hour may count. I'll make sure you'll be perfectly safe, of course, Greyback here and I are more than able to make sure you won't be attacked by some mysterious, sick vampires."
AccioProphecy
Positivity
Chess... Isla thought. She unfortunately didn't know how to play. She's watched a game but she herself has never tried her hand at it. Seemed interesting, but even more interesting was the mention of his best friend. The way he talked about him, it seemed like he visited often.
Isla's eyes widened the slightest bit at Diavel's reaction to her question. It was amusing how he reacted to it...and it was here that she finds out his so-called best friend was a ghost. Followed by a few other surprises as he listed out more and more cryptids, as he called it. It was worse than Australia, it felt like nearly everything was out to get you.
Before she could even ask a question about his ghost best friend the door slammed open, making her jump from her seat and emit a sound in between a whimper and a yell. Wolves filed in. Big ones.
She stares at them, her body involuntarily moving away from the group as if avoiding an imaginary limbo stick.
As if that wasn't enough, one of them started to morph into what looked like a taller, bigger being. Isla realized what they were. Werewolves. Something that she could only read about in books or on weird parts of the internet.
She listened to the wolf give his report, the information going over her head. She was too busy examining the wolf and wondering how the hell that was possible and not have aching bones and broken backs. Her brows furrowed together in wonder until Diavel addressed her. Something about taking a detour. "T-That's totally fine, I won't be in the way,"
Isla nods at Diavel and thanked him for the reassurance of protection. She then turns to the wolf, it was only polite, Diavel did introduce him. "Um... Nice to meet you. Thanks," she quickly says.
Greyback had a different air to him compared to Diavel. Diavel was... Seemingly sophisticated, polished and had an atmosphere of a leader around him. Greyback on the other hand, looked a lot more intimidating and sturdy. Perhaps she was mistaken, going by first impressions.
Isla's eyes widened the slightest bit at Diavel's reaction to her question. It was amusing how he reacted to it...and it was here that she finds out his so-called best friend was a ghost. Followed by a few other surprises as he listed out more and more cryptids, as he called it. It was worse than Australia, it felt like nearly everything was out to get you.
Before she could even ask a question about his ghost best friend the door slammed open, making her jump from her seat and emit a sound in between a whimper and a yell. Wolves filed in. Big ones.
She stares at them, her body involuntarily moving away from the group as if avoiding an imaginary limbo stick.
As if that wasn't enough, one of them started to morph into what looked like a taller, bigger being. Isla realized what they were. Werewolves. Something that she could only read about in books or on weird parts of the internet.
She listened to the wolf give his report, the information going over her head. She was too busy examining the wolf and wondering how the hell that was possible and not have aching bones and broken backs. Her brows furrowed together in wonder until Diavel addressed her. Something about taking a detour. "T-That's totally fine, I won't be in the way,"
Isla nods at Diavel and thanked him for the reassurance of protection. She then turns to the wolf, it was only polite, Diavel did introduce him. "Um... Nice to meet you. Thanks," she quickly says.
Greyback had a different air to him compared to Diavel. Diavel was... Seemingly sophisticated, polished and had an atmosphere of a leader around him. Greyback on the other hand, looked a lot more intimidating and sturdy. Perhaps she was mistaken, going by first impressions.
Kaya
Perhaps short of a marble
Diavel gave his guest a thankful nod before he finished what he had done before the morning patrol had arrived -
Setting everything on the counter for the gargoyles to clean it. Honestly he wanted them to carry around his chinaware as little as possible. They were quite dim and far from handy and he'd rather avoid his dishes ending as shards on the floor.
Meanwhile the werewolf wearily slinked closer, nose tip twitching. There was a scent, very faint, buried under other scents of what she had just eaten, the silk of the bedsheets and the soap they had been washed with, a vampire of the Sigrid coven... It was hard to pinpoint, but-...
His blazing eyes narrowed just a fraction.
She smelled like death.
He just pushed it aside and focused on the task ahead.
"Hey", he just said with a grin, fangs gleaming in the dim light. Yes, that weird scent of death was alarming, but they rarely ever had visitors here. It was exciting! "Nice to meet you too. Don't worry, you don't need to be scared of me or my pack, we're only half as beastly as we look. Master Aurelius, when are we going to head out?"
Diavel answered with a faint frown on his face. This whole situation was way out of the ordinary, especially the part with the sick vampires, and he didn't like it.
The only thing he was looking forward to was to help Isla find out more about how she had ended up here.
"At dawn, as soon as the sunlight is dim enough. We'll head out with the evening patrol. Meanwhile... I think I'll take a nap. It's been one eventful night. Ah, Isla- feel free to explore the mansion or Paravel as you please. If you want company, I'm sure Rain or Greyback can spare some of their time."
The werewolf actually started grinning like an excited puppy, and if he still would've been in his wolf form, he probably would've wagged his tail. God he really needed to lose this puppy behavior! But the thought of leaving the mansion for something else than patrols was the most exciting thing happening to him in this entire month, and it would give him the chance to get in touch with other werewolves!
"Sure, the market of Paravel is known far and wide, you shouldn't miss it! I'll have to organize the noon patrol real quick, but do let me know when you want to see the town. Just ask anyone for Sol, they'll help you find me."
And off he hurried, calling "Aspen, Snow, Ash, Thorn- I need you in the entrance hall for noon patrol!"
Setting everything on the counter for the gargoyles to clean it. Honestly he wanted them to carry around his chinaware as little as possible. They were quite dim and far from handy and he'd rather avoid his dishes ending as shards on the floor.
Meanwhile the werewolf wearily slinked closer, nose tip twitching. There was a scent, very faint, buried under other scents of what she had just eaten, the silk of the bedsheets and the soap they had been washed with, a vampire of the Sigrid coven... It was hard to pinpoint, but-...
His blazing eyes narrowed just a fraction.
She smelled like death.
He just pushed it aside and focused on the task ahead.
"Hey", he just said with a grin, fangs gleaming in the dim light. Yes, that weird scent of death was alarming, but they rarely ever had visitors here. It was exciting! "Nice to meet you too. Don't worry, you don't need to be scared of me or my pack, we're only half as beastly as we look. Master Aurelius, when are we going to head out?"
Diavel answered with a faint frown on his face. This whole situation was way out of the ordinary, especially the part with the sick vampires, and he didn't like it.
The only thing he was looking forward to was to help Isla find out more about how she had ended up here.
"At dawn, as soon as the sunlight is dim enough. We'll head out with the evening patrol. Meanwhile... I think I'll take a nap. It's been one eventful night. Ah, Isla- feel free to explore the mansion or Paravel as you please. If you want company, I'm sure Rain or Greyback can spare some of their time."
The werewolf actually started grinning like an excited puppy, and if he still would've been in his wolf form, he probably would've wagged his tail. God he really needed to lose this puppy behavior! But the thought of leaving the mansion for something else than patrols was the most exciting thing happening to him in this entire month, and it would give him the chance to get in touch with other werewolves!
"Sure, the market of Paravel is known far and wide, you shouldn't miss it! I'll have to organize the noon patrol real quick, but do let me know when you want to see the town. Just ask anyone for Sol, they'll help you find me."
And off he hurried, calling "Aspen, Snow, Ash, Thorn- I need you in the entrance hall for noon patrol!"
