As the darkness creeps in

[Necrefiri]

A Role Play Between

Necrefiri

and

rosettique

[Necrefiri]

Characters

The Human Prince


The Shewolf


The Vampiress

[Necrefiri]

A week had passed since it occurred. For the first time in years the shewolf had been faced with an unpredictable event. The collision of hoof and cobble stone street had awoken her that morning. But what caused the woman to leave the comfort of her bed was the mumbled yells she heard from beyond her door. As her hand touched the latch she was hesitant to open the door. It had been quite a while since she had contact with the king or any of his men for that matter. Her stay within the castle walls had been bitter sweet due to numerous persons. What awaited her now was a mystery. There was a chance of being returned into the service of the prince or on a more horrific note she was being removed from the register of previous servants of the royal family. Not a moment remained for her to think as fists continued to beat the wooden door demanding someone answer. She had always told her ward she feared nothing in his younger years and yet now she felt herself to be a liar for her past had her paralyzed. Sonya managed to convince herself that she would give no one the opportunity to call her a coward .

By now she had forgotten much of what was said. The guards had ushered her toward a horse while they whispered the severity of the situation into her ears. How could she be blamed. Arrival at the castle reminded her why she had been so eager to leave upon banishment. She worried for the well being of her ward but realized that remaining would not aid him. For the king would have been ever more determined to make the prince believe his keeper was composed of true evil.

As she began to remember what her former master looked like the doors to the thrown room were opened and she no longer had to pry details from her memories. He had aged as one might expect. Not horribly but a trained eye could notice the additional creases along the skin framing his eyes. "Greetings your majesty, I never imagined to be summoned into this court again. Although from what I have heard no one could take my place." she announced. "Believe me. I took no pleasure in arranging this. Unfortunately I had no choice." the king mentioned before rising from his seat to approach the unwanted guest. "Then why not tell me where I might find the prince. The faster I meet my patient the faster I can leave court." she explained making clear neither of them had a desire to be near the other. " If only you didn't look as if you'd crawled out from the slums we might have been able to make quick work of this. As you are now he might not even recognize you." the king wasn't wrong. The winter hadn't been kind to her as of yet. She was tempted to snap at the man but knew time was of the essence. " I'll always do what is needed for his majesty." she said before the trek through the castle began.

By the time she arrived at the princes door she felt peculiar. Almost as if she had been tied into the dress so her wolf like mannerisms would be gagged. She supposed so long as her hands and arms were free she could care for the prince well enough. Sonya would certainly do better than those who came before her.

She didn't bother to listen in before stepping inside and regretted it once the door had been opened and she entered. The air was filled with an odor. The kind of scent that only presented itself when too many women rode the coat tails of a single man in hopes of rising up in the world. Sonya planned to banish them all so she had air to breathe. "Everyone is to leave this room immediately." she said with her hands clasped together at her waist. This wasn't to seem formal but rather to keep from throwing them out herself. Sonya had never lacked the strength to make her position clear "Under whose authority. We are guests of the prince." one was quick to complain as if her livelihood had been threatened. "My authority, which is currently an extension of the king. Your more than welcome to go question him in the throne room right now." she said motioning to the door and pausing in her declaration before her lips glided into a smirk. "I'll be sure to have the guards prep a few cells and sharpen the guillotines blade while your discussing the matter." she promised. Most cleared out with haste knowing that the prince wouldn't argue on their part with his current condition. However one of them remained laying beside the prince.

This one rivaled the others when it came to her aura. ominous and dark the kind that might cause the sun to vanish from the sky if it would not burn her skin. Rayna could swear she heard a hiss as she entered the bedroom as if the woman was threatening her. "Your included. He needs solitude and fresh air to begin recovery and the miasma you carry is only making things worse." as she spoke Rayna approached the bed . "Your more than welcome to return to comforting him later but at this very moment he needs more than someone to warm the sheets for him." she stated. The lady of the night slowly shifted and rose to her feet. "Fine, I suppose you muts have to prove your good for something. Besides laying at your masters feet." her words proved Rayna's assumptions of vampire activity to be true among other things. Her hands were clenched tightly as the beast took her leave. A fight between titans within these walls wouldn't end well.

Finally alone Rayna shut the door behind her and took a seat at the princes beside. "Now I might actually have a chance to help you. Feel free to scold me later when you've regained your strength." she offered. It was now she realized just how much he had grown. All hints of boyhood had vanished besides the gluttonous tendencies. In fact he might have even had the ability to intimidate her were it not for his meager appearance caused by the illness. Hopefully he would still accept her aid now that he was no longer the student following a mentor but instead an equal. Her hand rested upon his head to feel for heat as her head rested upon his chest to listen to the rhythm of life provided by his heart. The beating was slow and yet still steady. It was a relief to know his body wasn't in complete discord. The signs she saw now weren't enough to be certain of the illness. "You may bear me further ill will for this but I assume you already carry a heavy amount of hatred for me." rising up she began to search the room for something sharp. Her knives had been taken and the king had insisted to pins placed in her hair remain dull. This made her resort to using a letter opener she discovered tucked away inside the drawer of a beside table.

Her many head on collisions with wounds and injuries allowed the woman to have a vast knowledge as to which cuts would be fatal and which would cease to be anything beyond an irritation. The location for the cut was quickly chosen before she made the incision. So soon as she had her lips covered the opening and she began to taste for impurities. The night crawlers were right in this assumption. Human blood tasted unlike anything else when in peak condition. Blood tasting was an archaic method at best but to this day she had found little else to offer guidance in such matters. "It is not the plague at all. you my darling have been poisoned." she announced. "It simply appeared otherwise due to the slow and creeping nature by which this toxin was administered. But no need to worry your in good hands now." Sonya was certain she would be spending much more time within these walls than originally intended. Although she had abandoned him with some ease before due to the jealousy built up inside she couldn't keep from caring for him.

[rosettique]

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♛
J u l i a n
D u p r e
crown prince
of the empire

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Everything was a hazy mess. The room seemed blurry and, when Julian tilted his head just slightly into his pillow, upside down. The female beside him gave off a weird scent, one he wasn't accustomed to smelling in the castle grounds.She smelled like that one time he had to parade around town and took the wrong turn into a dark alley. Heck, the whole room smelled like that.

Julian moaned, and in between the ringing of his ears and the sound he just made, he almost missed the grunting open of his doors.He let out yet another small noise, in hopes of attracting attention to himself.

Who is it? He wanted to ask, but didn't have enough strength to. What's wrong now?,

Judging by the pitch of the new voice, it seemed to be a woman. Julian couldn't pinpoint exactly whose voice that was, though even in his half delusional state, he realized it sounded very familiar.

It also made him rather sad, for some reason.

There was a sudden shuffling of feet and swishing of voluminous dresses - Julian could see this as much as he could hear it - and then the door was closing behind them. It seemed like all his escorts had left.

Except for... one? Who was sitting on his bed, beside him, taking the place of his favorite. Was this the woman with the familiar voice?

Julian opened his eyes a bit wider and tried to look at her. Everything was too bright, like sunlight had flooded the room a thousand times over. He couldn't see her face, only the outline of her features.

Then, she was speaking.

"Now I might actually have a chance to help you. Feel free to scold me later when you've regained your strength."

She moved and- was that her head on his chest? What was that doing there?

"You may bear me further ill will for this but I assume you already carry a heavy amount of hatred for me."

He was barely registering her words when she concluded her diagnosis and informed him it was poison. Julian might not be learnt in the field of medicine, but even he could tell the fever and hallucinations were symptoms of poison. He would've told someone of his condition if they would listen to him instead of fuss over him.

He waved a hand in the air - or at least, tried to - as if attempting to disregard her words.

"Who?" he managed to wheeze. "Who are you?"
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sorry, didn't give you much to work with ;v ;

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[Necrefiri]

The pitiful mumbles he offered her for conversation were almost incoherent. She imagined some humans might even have been unable to understand. "Hush now, we will speak later. Now is the time for action and not words." she insisted. The truth of the matter was simply his kind couldn't afford to waste energy in such situations. Such fragile creatures and yet they kept her prisoner so long. With nothing but a bit of silver and the guilt of being responsible for the life of a little one. It amazed her till this day. but she supposed the king should be praised for being somewhat clever. Although no one of the earth clan would ever use their child as a bartering tool.

"Remain still until I return." she prompted before raising up from her seat. What could have been a momentary separation turned into one of hours. The foolish humans didn't seem to have taken notes of what she had provided them with in the past. The herbs were all still minor pain killers and nothing with too much medicinal prowess. Needless to say she had to ride about the woods searching for herself. She didn't like being forced to change upon returning but she was able to demand something less restricting for the sake of better caring for her patient. It resembled what she used to wear when she cared for him In younger years. "Perhaps he might recognize me now." she pondered before re entertain the princes chambers. She didn't fail to notice the group that had formed when passing through. Everyone as curious as the last face she had seen.

"Now you may speak if you like. But as for your previous question...." she began while grinding the herbs. "I'm simply a soul from your past. I once was gone and now I am back." she mentioned simply before beginning to add a bit of oil into the concoction she had grinded. "I suppose that doesn't offer much information. Years ago I was a friend and mentor. Sometimes even a confidant when you had a bitter dispute with your father." she explained. "Always trusted but resented once I left. At least that is what I have been led to believe." she explained before removing the shirt which obstructed her treatment. "I haven't any idea what you would label me now. But most called me your nanny back then. Although I didn't look or act like any wet nurse you had before." she said revealing quite a lot in one breathe. the paste was now taken into her hand as she began to apply it over his heart. Her hope was it would seep through the skin and quickly begin to negate the poison from the most vital of organs. As she massaged the place she couldn't help but giggle. "I remember the reasoning as to why your father sent me away. It's a bit ironic to think the very thing that bothered him is now what I'm forced to do." she said before lifting up the cup she had brought with her. "Now drink this." she insisted. A few sips later and the prince had drifted off to sleep just as she desired. His body could now focus on eliminating the poison instead of remaining awake. "For your father feared i'd gotten to close to you." she mumbled.

She felt a bit of relief within the first week. He spent more time awake then asleep by the end of it. He could not yet stand but she was sure it would come. Most of her time was spent at his bed side. They had little conversations but that didn't keep her from entertaining him. He was no longer a child but she still read to him. The contents of the books simply changed. The woman was very pleased that it hadn't been too late to save him.

Strangely enough Sonya was no where to be found when the prince finally awoke and began to wander about the castle. She had been too busy returning home and removing all trace of her presence. She worried that the presence of the night walkers meant her own kind might discover her origins. The woman had been a lone wolf ever since captured many years ago for numerous reasons. To spare her parent the embarrassment of having a child who couldn't escape a few meager humans. To keep from having to explain what she had learned during her time amongst them and to avoid being put on trial for supposed treason.

Sonya returned to the castle after a week of absence. Upon arriving she was quickly ushered to her patient by demand of the king. He seemed rather persistent to removed her presence from the castle as soon as possible. She had been returned to her previous state. Caged so she might have less opportunity to cause trouble. Stepping into the room she now assumed the position of servant. She was no longer the physician with the power to do as she pleased. Seeing him standing was pleasant especially since he held no cane in his hand. "It's nice to see you healthy and well your majesty. Although I can clearly see your in good health your father insists I confirm it." she explained. "He wishes for me to be certain you won't fall ill again so soon as I go on my way." Sonya informed before stepping closer. First was the pulse. She took his hand into her own so she might grip his wrist. for a moment she remained quiet." yours is just the same as any other human." she said smiling. "Try not to blink." she said before inspecting his eyes. They were white as they should be. No red agitation or yellow tint. His skin was no longer pale and she had no reason to doubt his recovery. "It appears to me that the rest of your winter should be pleasant and painless." she said to him. Now came the good bye as she no longer had sanction to stay. "I'd be lying if I said it wasn't nice to see you again even if it came about through unfortunate events. I hope some of what I taught you helped to shape you into the man you are now. Your aura leads me to believe you'll make a wondrous leader some day. Perhaps ill hear stories someday, for this is good bye and I don't be returning again." she announced. She had overstayed within the town in which she had been discovered and intended to vanish once more.

[rosettique]

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♛
J u l i a n
D u p r e
crown prince
of the empire

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Julian grabbed her wrist, preventing Sonya from turning around and walking away from him yet another time.

After his mind cleared some a few days ago, Julian had enough wits about him to realize the identity of the woman who tended to her wounds. The guards, mesmerized by her beauty, had only managed to give him a vague physical description - "Her eyes, Your Highness, they-," Julian didn't let them finish - while his escorts, threatened by her beauty had only managed to give him exaggerated descriptions - "She's a wretch," one of them seethed.

She must be new, Julian thought, to display such an unbecoming attitude in front of him. Everyone in the royal harem knew that if there was any sort of behavior Julian disapproved of, it was such ugliness.

Julian was about to give up trying to discover who had healed him so magnificently, when his favorite courtesan spoke up, the usual silkiness present in her voice.

"Your Highness," she said as she curtsied. With a nod of his head, Julian indicated permission for her to approach. She smiled and walked forward, curtsied once more, then fixed her gaze on his throat.

Deference. That was something he liked.

"I saw the- ah, physician. She had long black hair, dainty features, and," she scrunched up her nose, "she was a werewolf."

Gasps resonated throughout the room. Although Julian made no outward reaction, he felt his heart sinking to hell.

"Other than that though," the woman continued, "she looked like she could be... one of us."

She smiled, and Julian felt his head spinning again, though he knew it wasn't from the disease this time.

"Thank you, Sabine. You're excused," he said as he directed his gaze towards the rest of the crowd. "All of you - you're excused as well."

Then, he had lied back down on his bed and fingered the edge of his blanket - just like how he used to as a child - as he contemplated what he should do next.

In the end, the conclusion he came to had been the same as the one he reached all those years ago. He still chose to try and pin her down - a flimsy, powerless hand wrapped around hers, useless against her supernatural strength.

He knew that, and yet, he still tried.

"Thank you-," he cleared his throat, finding his voice rather croaky, and began again, "Thank you for healing me, Sonya. You did really well. Like you always do." His hand tightened. "I- You- You have no idea," he broke out into short bouts of laughter. "You have absolutely no idea how great your influence on me was. Is.

"But that's not the point. The point is," he inhaled and uttered his next line in one quick breath, "can you please not go this time?"
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[Necrefiri]

Sonya felt it hard to simply yank her hand away from the young man who stood across from her. She hadn't ever imagined she would be looking up to the prince some day. He had been so small and fragile. Yet now she was doing that very thing and it made her smile. When he thanked her she was a bit surprised. She hadn't expected him to be the slightest bit affectionate to her." Your very welcome my dearest prince." When he grip upon her hand tightened she took it as a hint that he wasn't simply grateful for the treatment but also genuinely pleased to see her return into his life. He seemed to be as uncertain about where she should be as Sonya was herself. Her influence was and could still be cast over him. His reaction was beginning to influence Sonya's ability to leave. Her conviction was breaking and she tempted to reconsider.

"Well then may I ask what the point is to you ensnaring my fingers in your own ?" she requested to know. The distance between them seemed to close in no time at all as he requested she stay. She was unsure of how to respond. "Even if I must go I don't want you to believe it is because I no longer care for you." she said raising up her hand so she gentry grazed over his cheek." I wish to stay but I fear it will ruin you." Sonya chose not to mention details. He need not know what could be if she was to stay. Placing someone she cared for deeply in the center of a battle amongst titans was not something she ever wanted to do. Seeing him torn to bits by her lack of finesse in making decisions would break her heart. "I can't allow that to happen to you. You survived a few years without me already the ones that follow shouldn't be any harder." Sonya found herself lying to Julian. She had spent eternities trying to overcome misfortunes she had suffered. The loss of friends in battle as well as missed opportunities to escape the life she lived. At the very least Julian would suffer no more than fifty years . If he was lucky his attachment to her would waiver once he married the woman his father was undoubtedly already choosing.

Having to be the one to force the separation didn't fall easy to her even if it was the second time. It would have been a comfort if she knew he would be in good hands but no such thing was true. The concubine wished to sink her teeth into Julian from what Sonya had seen when she first arrived. His father was no better, he seemed to be at odds with himself. Now that Julian was no longer a child he was no longer simply seen as crown prince but rather as the future king. The current king had grown attached to his thrown and was hesitant to release it. Sonya could only hope the king would never become so delusion as to kill his own son. Such a plot seemed unthinkable but Sonya had seen it occur before. The alpha of her pack had reached his prime. His views upon the world in which they lived were ancient and there was no longer a soul who wished to follow his lead. His son was set to take his place and upon the night during which the power was to be passed from one generation to another a fire erupted. As everyone tempted to the flames the prince was murdered. Impaled by a silver spear. No one ever dared to question the man but the scares upon his hands were proof enough for Sonya.

The longer she waited the harder she knew it would become. He could take care of himself now. There wasn't any way for him to prove it in this instant so she would simply need to have faith. " Do not allow a soul to corrupt you and a wonderful life awaits regardless of who is in it." she explained before placing a kiss on his cheek. Her ears began to ring with the foot steps of men coming down the hall. One was particularly familiar. The step of the left foot lighter than the right due to an age old injury. They were coming for her and she would be ready. A last whisper was all she wanted. "You'll always be my favorite. among both humans and werewolves." she managed to say before the door burst open. " Lady Sonya you shall not be leaving this court again." the king announced. "For you are this threat to this kingdom and can no longer be allowed to run free." Sonya made sure to take away the hands which touched the prince. " Do you intend to slay me now that your heir is in good health once again ?" she accused him boldly. She had no time to speak in circles as other woman did fearing man. "No, that was not my intention at all. You would be of little use to us dead. Julian no longer needs a nanny but that doesn't mean this family couldn't use a pet to discourage assassination attempts and other misbehavior." the king felt clever for discovering this benefit before his councils had convinced him to slay the beast. "But no need to worry your allowed out this evening for the festivities. But afterward I expect you back behind the bars. Now take her away so the guest of honor can prepare." Nothing further was said. Sonya allowed them to escort her out. Putting up a fight would simply push the king toward murder.

That Evening

Sonya wished to stay within her cell. She did not know if she could keep her calm demeanor when surrounded by the nobles. The way they carried themselves appalled her. Speaking of their endeavors as if they'd lifted a finger when many of them did little beyond signing their name upon parchment. The woman had difficulty understanding these human standards. One could only be proud amongst her kind telling a tale of their greatness if a scar was seen to prove it. Although werewolves rarely boasted. The race had a preference for physical actions to words. Yet and still she was forced from solitary confinement up into the great hall. To throw a party for the prince overcoming an illness seemed a bit odd but she supposed it sufficed as an excuse to throw a party. Upon entertain the room she heard her name mentioned often candidly within conversations. She did not wish to give them what they wanted , her turning into a snarling animal ripping the jewels from their throats.

Instead she would quietly wait for their curiosity to devour them as she sat by the window. Just as the first little lamb was about to come about and ask the wolf a question the music stopped. Everyone turned to face their leader who sat comfortably upon his throne. Seeing he had everyone's full attention the man rose. " A toast to my son for showing just how strong the line of Dupre is. Not even the plague shall threaten our reign." he said embracing the applause. "I must also thank the court physicians for helping him to a speedy recovery. They stayed by his side day and night to ensure he had what weapons he needed to fight against the sickness." Sonya could only join the mass in applauding these statements. Glad she stopped the idiots from bleeding the prince to death. "We also welcome back the mysterious lady Sonya. Your welcome to inquire if the rumors that surround her are true." with the toast over everyone went back to their previous engagements. Sonya simply wished the king hadn't mentioned her.

"Were you really the first to keep the prince company in bed ?" she heard first. "No, for I see no reason to seduce a child. However if you ask some of his closer female attendants one may claim that action." she offered. "Are you really immortal ?" what a stupid inquiry. "If I wasn't how else could I remain so young ?" she challenged. "Do you serve the king or the prince ?" As if trying to trap her. "Neither, I am simply a friend to the line of Dupre." she claimed certain that the king would not fancy her telling everyone she was simply a slave. Every so often her eyes would wander to Julian to see if he was pleased with the arrangement his father had decided.


OOC: Sorry got a bit carried away hope that's ok o,o