• My hopes dangle upon a strung web of lies, drawn across a board of absolute misery and corruption. I have no intentions of ever curing myself of the madness that has stricken me, and I never have. My purpose is very blunt: like the dull end of the Spear that is thrown at my dreams and sanity. My purpose is to survive. That is all that matters to me, and that is all that –will- matter to me. As I step upon the cascading flight of stairs in my Suite, I come to recognize the pictures that are engraved into the wallpaper, the occasional Lion’s Head, the tragic slaying of a Beast by a renowned Hunter, and the same image that haunts my dreams, the Raven, perched upon a Branch on a decrepit Willow Tree, gasping its last breath in the world. I slowly make my way down the Cobblestone steps, taking notice of the cracks strung upon the corners, wondering how exactly they got there in the first place. As I leave the Spiraling Chamber, shutting the door behind me with a faint creaking sound, and the slam of the steel handle, I roll my shoulders back, rolling my tongue across my fanged teeth, afterwards, pulling a Cigarette from my jacket pocket. As I reach into the void of my other pockets, searching for my Engraved Lighter, I begin to sense something was nearby, but shrug it off, nearly convinced I was Paranoid. I flip the Zippo’s cap open, and with a quick smack of the Flint, I am inhaling smoke and Nicotine into my lungs. I let out a breath, both for the sake of letting the smoke out, and as a sigh of tension. Again, the scuffling noise that I had heard before continues, this time, a bit louder. I begin to wonder if I am truly insane, or if something is actually after me. I shrug again, and proceed down to the hallways nearby to the Common Room, where I reach the entrance and lean upon the wall, watching the crowd enjoy the festivities and the Merriment. A Woman approaches me, decked in a very formal Ballroom Dress, decorated in an elegant Golden hue, and wrapped in Lace. Her breath was a hint on the stale side, showing a sign of Alcohol content within. She walks up and places a hand upon the wall over my shoulder, smirking. “What’s your name, Stranger..?” I look at her, with my cold, nearly undead eyes: “Why would you like to know, Madam..?” She huffs, moving over and placing her back to the wall. “I am just curious, as some Women can be.” She replies in a very stern tone. I put my Cigarette out upon the wall, mashing it upon the stone, and leaving a faint black mark. “Dimitri. Let us keep it at that.” I smile and show the faintest glimpse of my fangs. The Woman smiles: “Ashe. It is a pleasure to make your acquaintance.” She attempts to curtsy, while leaning upon the wall. I take her hand, and kiss it lightly, breathing my Ice-chilled breath upon her fingers. “The Pleasure is all mine, Madam Ashe.” The woman tries her best to not facially erupt in a sea of red, not only from her makeup, but from natural flattering. “Well…would you care for a dance?” she asks me, offering her hand, in which I take, smiling.

    The Night continues on, and as I dance with Madam Ashe, I begin to notice her features. The Brunette hair, the soft, supple look, and the smooth feeling of her skin, she was a perfect candidate for any relationship for a man, and I was dancing with her. Lucky me. After the dance, and the crowd’s applause, I whisper gently into her ear: “Follow me, I would like to show you something.” She nods, seemingly unsuspicious of what is about to happen. I lead her into the Kitchen area, passing the Chefs and Wait staff, and opening a back door, into a Wine Cellar, waving along: “Ladies first..” She gives me a quirked brow, asking “What is this about..?” I smile, and reply: “Nothing at all, Madam, I would like to have a drink with you, in privacy.” She nods lightly, her suspicion growing as she steps in. I lightly creak the door closed behind her, and step downstairs behind her. We finally reach a secluded space in the Wine Cellar, near all of the Barrels and Wine Racks, and I approach her, caressing her shoulders with my cold hands, before, spinning her around and planting a kiss upon her full lips. She almost collapses in a heap, her legs quivering and her heartbeat quickening. I could sense it: It was a very passionate moment for her. And as I begin to move down to her neck, I whisper to her. “This won’t hurt you at all...” before cocking her head to the side and sinking my fangs into her thick neck. The sensation was truly breathtaking, being that I hadn’t fed in over a week, and as I sucked the crimson life from her body, I began to feel regret for having to take her life. As her legs give out, she nearly drops to her knees, but I am there to pick her up and gently place her upon the moldy Stone floor. She lied there, motionless, with a pool of blood slowly forming around her head. I flicked my Ivory cape around, and headed back upstairs. “Such a pity.”