Beginning of the Masquerade(Private)

Visiter Count

+1	100.0%	[ 8 ]
Total Votes:			[ 8 ]

[Sears Nazi]

She was startled by this - she knew this person didn't own the house. . and even took a quick glance at Aleksandr to make sure he hadn't somehow changed. . And here this man was, holding her hand in his own. The lord didn't seem to mind - so she knew she had no right to protest even if she had wanted to. . and she had, if only because this went beyond general introductory touching and into a completely new realm. She knew she was blushing - not because she was so enamored by this fellow that she couldn't help herself, no, she was more embarrassed by the action, shamed for no real reason other than she didn't know how to react and nobody seemed to care to do anything about it. But he seemed kind - kinder than Aleksandr had (not that she knew he went out of his way to do as much as he did) - and if the lord trusted him, she could as well.

Her fingers curled up slightly, though, still somewhat uncomfortable. . and she never looked him in the eyes, only partially because she hadn't been granted the privilege. Still, she was somewhat concerned for him - his hand was oddly cold - so before answering his inquires she questioned, "Were those blankets for you? It's no trouble if you need more, it'd be terribly sad if you got sick--" But there truly wasn't any time to wait for the answer. She had been asked a question, and that meant she had to answer it. She knew she was out of bounds for even speaking before addressed on such matters - so she wanted to withdrew her hand, placing both arms firmly at her side before bowing apologetically. . . but she couldn't, he was already leading her. . well, she assumed towards the library - she hadn't been down those halls, yet. "It's no. . trouble. ." She stated, somewhat carefully - still both nervous and embarrassed.

"I'd imagine they are," she said, focusing on her hand so she didn't have to look at him. "Really, I don't see why it'd be a problem. ." She looked up at the moment he smiled down - again quickly looking back at her hand and again blushing with embarrassment. "I'll get it for you, don't worry!" And she smiled this time, though not at him. . only because she felt so very useful - two people requesting favours of her in one night when she had been so accustomed to nobody really bothering with her.

"Valentin?" Charming name - nothing harsh, not quite like one she was accustomed to. . Seemed fancy - older. Names like that were somewhat rare in the modern times. "That's a nice name." She found herself smiling again at nothing in particular, though meant for him. . "My name is Fédora, and I'm nineteen. I'm new here - well, to the inside area, at least. My father works as a farmer outside the manor, so we live on the farm," She stated - a bit more confidently than she had been before. This person was easy enough to talk to and for that she was thankful. . Easier than some of the other workers, even - though she supposed that was because she could only 'bother' them when they were on shift. ". . but now that I'm old enough to work, I've been hired as a gornichnaya--- . ." . . . It wasn't as though she had many more options. Her father wasn't about to marry her off - things didn't work the same when you were of her standing. If you were going to get married, it'd be on your own accord. . It wasn't as though she had a dowery or anything else to offer anybody. . and being that she lived on the estate but outside of the manor's walls, she didn't need to cook or anything like that. Previous to this she had done some work with her father - shucking peas among other things. ". . And I'm. . not sure what else you'll have me say. ." Not that there was much else to say. That was her entire life in a nutshell.

♟-ДℒξҞϚДȠȡ℟-♔


Aleksandr was pleased Valentin had chosen somebody. . just so happened it was the pretty maid girl he had just spoken to. He already knew Valentin had good taste - though that was. . a bit of arrogant on his part. He dismissed the others, telling them to bring everything back to where it had come from and thanking them - which was, as usual, harder than he'd have liked for it to be - for tending to this need rather than finishing their work.

. . Though he made a point to tell them to hurry their asses back to their posts - the work had to be done and nobody was doing it at current. Double time, double time. There was only so much niceness he could take during any one given evening.

Though now he found himself rather bored. . with nobody to complain about - or, for that matter, to - he decided to try something else, and . . join Valentin. But there was nothing fun about showing up out of nowhere, completely unannounced. . That'd be rude - not that he cared, really. . . but he was trying his hardest to not scare Valentin away - going out of his way to do all sorts of things he never would. . god, being nice to a f*****t was one thing - but a f*****t and an entire group of people? . . Completely interfered with his Machiavellian styled ruling. So he'd . . simply have to. . employ more drastic measures. After all, it was only fair - since Valentin was clearly using Majesty to get him to do as much as he had already.

Moving from shadow to shadow posed little problem - perhaps he'd be a bit more tired but as soon as this thing was over he was done for the evening anyway. . and then there was the even more exciting thing - actually being a shadow. . which also made it significantly difficult to see where he was. . It. . wasn't stalking, no. . This was his own house - he was able to go as he pleased. .How he pleased. And what was the point in being a vampire if you couldn't use the perks? Obtenebration - the only thing that made the clear overuse of Majesty. . slightly more fair.

. . . And he may as well have a bit of a show before sleeping. Maybe it'd make the evening slightly better, depending. . He was simply curious, after all.
---

[Sears Nazi]

"Another? Do go on." . . If he wanted to, that was. . . but that was more something implied. He knew he wouldn't get an answer if Yunxu didn't want to give him one - and he wouldn't fight it were that the case. You could spend lifetimes with someone and never truly know them - it wasn't even as though he was giving away all the details about his own life. . and he had no intentions nor reason to. Oh, there was a lot he'd never go into - things from his past life, or even things from now. . Strange curiosities about his clan and their atypical embrace among them. Simply. . never was a reason.

. . . As was the whole 'winds' thing. Strange. . increasingly strange. Fate or not, it didn't really seem as though there was a reason to come to Russia - which may as well have been backwards compared to China at various points in history. . Fate indeed. Luka felt more comfortable knowing he had some kind of control over. . whatever it was, be it something small to something significant. But that was more nature than place of upbringing. . besides, with things so, as he saw them, uncertain. . what was the point in doing anything of importance? It could be taken from you the next day if some. . some unknown force or another deemed it so. No sense in working towards anything and that made a man lazy. . In this he figured his thoughts were somewhere closer to Aleksandr's. . . which would have bothered him if he didn't so strongly believe it.

"You don't give me enough credit. You came here without knowing any Russian-" . . He smiled, "Though it's true - I couldn't bring myself to go out there feeling so ignorant. Once again you've seemed to have figured me out." For all he knew, 'Qīnài de' could have been a language - or at least the name of one. "And I am unsure what merited that smile of yours, unless it's me playing the part of knave. . but if that isn't the case, I must admit you've got me slightly creeped out." . . . Which he found humerous enough to smile about himself - he could, after all, be a creepy little thing if he wanted to.

[DeliriumNitemare]

xxxxx♡Valentin Radomir♡xxxxx

♡♡

ღIf I had a single flower for every time I think about you, I could walk forever in my garden.ღ

”Oh I’m not sick at all, I just grow cold these late hours of night… That’s all.” He smiled. ”Curious as it is, I assure you I’m fine and I am not sick, so don’t worry about that.” He didn’t let her become so formal as to bow before leading her away, even in her flustered embarrassment. It was easy, and it would stay easy, since he chose now that he was away from Aleksandr to use his Majesty.

(Majesty • Awe: This power allows a supernatural degree of charm; people affected by the power fawn over the are fascinated by the user. They won’t take actions that will result in harm to them, but they will be polite and deferential. )

It was easy to take from the willing, and nothing was often more willing then those whom where in awe by a pretty face. ”Oh I’m not worried, you seem very capable of being able to get my watch, after all you got the blankets as the Lord requested, I don’t think there is any task you can’t do.” It was weird calling Aleksandr ‘Lord’ such a mark was something he’d only used for Zakahr in the past… So to use it now for someone less then Prince… Hm, but it was better to not confuse the poor human over the matter, stick to things she’ll know. And she seemed ready to please. Little meek, easy to make fluster – He could hear the coarse of blood, the rush, and smell the color before it even took to her cheeks… The heart was a beautiful thing if one chose to listen to it work.

”What a beautiful name you have.” Newer then his, or even Aleksandr’s, but it was still a lovely name to him. Seemed fitting for her too. It was dainty and… Nineteen? This caused him to look down at her – He himself not looking a day over 19, and perhaps, guest or not he could have past as Aleksandr’s child if he was just a little younger and they put on such an air for their own personal amusements… But nineteen was a far cry from his true age now, he remembered being nineteen. ”Well for someone so new, you’re doing a wonderful job here I think.”

He continued to walk, burning what energies he had to keep up his powers, unaware of the shadow that followed behind. He liked this one, and normally he didn’t take such a shine to his food… Such a draw to it. There was an understanding there, from where they both stood when he was once alive, though he didn’t live inside the walls of a manor like she did now… He also did not get the choice of embrace. The hand on his back came around to hold his chin, he’d never really thought to embrace anyone before…

Not that there where anyone to embrace in the keep mind you, but… To have his own childe would give him something more to do with his time, perhaps be a better sire then his own sire… He’d have to ask Zakahr about this, he already knew Aleksandr wouldn’t like it, but, he said he could have anyone… That they didn’t matter to him. What was one for the embrace? He’d have to watch her while he was here to see… In the kiss he didn’t see her personality changing, perhaps his clan was a touch too flirtatious for her, but she’d never have to be so… He could aid her like Zakahr aided him… And perhaps in this light the idea of embrace looked all the better to him.

He put the hand behind his back only after he opened the library door, letting her in and, without knowing, Aleksandr too, before shutting the door behind himself. He finally got to see that large window which seemed to anamor him – Given that he walked over to it after retaking Fédora’s hand. ”Now look at this… Isn’t this just simply beautiful?”

ღWhen you love someone, all your saved-up wishes start coming out. ღ

xxxxxx⧰Yao Han Yunxu⧰xxxxx

⧰⧰

⧝If you are patient in one moment of anger, you will escape a hundred days of sorrow.⧝

”So curious.” He smiled and shook his head lightly. It wasn’t something he was interested in speaking about. Least not yet and not now, so for the moment he’d leave the other guessing about what pushed him out of his own home land, more so since the other rarely shared anything of himself…. So there was no real pressure to share more then you weren’t given – and it was easy to give nothing when you got nothing.

Stone walls covered in tapestries hung in this wall, old ones too. Some parts of the keep where newer then the others… More cared for then the others. Zakahr never really said why though Nikolai had a idea from the memories… He and Zakahr alone knew what these parts looked like in their glory, not now covered in web with aged rug and dusted tapestries of people who didn’t match the faces of the ones in the keep… But a Fiend was a Fiend and a Fiend could always change how they looked if they where displeased by their own features.

Yunxu found the area to be the strangest part of the keep, though he could never bring himself to look into the doors that came up here and there as they moved along, curious what was inside them and more still if they where even unlocked. It was rumored among the court, and even Aleksandr couldn’t dispel it since he simply… Did not know… That Zakahr’s Sire lay in torpor in one of the rooms in the keep. He’d be an aged Fiend for sure, and someone that age would need a servant to even be allowed to go into torpor, they’d be too hungry when they woke and would kill many… With a servant they’d never kill they’d least be able to feed with no risk of a mass slaughter.

”Some things in this keep are simple to figure out.” He stopped very suddenly and took a step in front of Luka. ”Like you and your motives, or your interested and ideals.” He kept the smile on his face, even brought a hand to his own chest to show a sign of amusement. ”I’ve… Managed to creep you out? A child to the Nosferatu… Creeped out by a Mage.” Oh that tickled him. He just shook his head at the other and brought his shoulder up in a shrug – A movement he learned when he came to Russia, and one he rather liked. He could move into it just as easy as his other movements and it stayed just as fluent. ”Well that wasn’t quite my intent, so I do apologize for… Making you uneasy.”

⧝A gem is not polished without rubbing, nor a man perfected without trials.⧝

[Sears Nazi]

[[itt: Aleksandr's just kind of there so he gets no post JOY~]]

There was . . . a general. . sense of.. ease, suddenly - one she didn't question as she saw no reason to, it was quite apparent that Valentin was a good person, and beyond that, rather charming as well. And there was such flattery, flattery she was sure she shouldn't have felt comfortable receiving from one that appeared to hold such rank, but. . that, too, didn't seem to matter as much. She wanted to look at him as he spoke to her, and did. . after another moment. There was no thought that went into it - nothing . . seemingly changing to have caused her to make this decision, too. She didn't know of Majesty. . or much about vampires, and even if she did it wasn't often one -at least one still alive - had reason to believe they were in the presence of one. "I'm glad you think so," though glad didn't even begin to cover it. To get compliments from someone so charming, someone, as she saw it, so unlike her. . .

"And I thank you kindly, sir, for the compliments." Name and work ethic. . How they meant something to her. So she smiled for him, at him . . so he could see it, this time. "It pleases me greatly to hear you say these things. I've been trying my absolute hardest to do any and everything assigned to me, it seems that's the only way to-- . . . " . . . get ahead. Not that there was anywhere else to really go from where she was. Working in the house. . And it'd be years and years before she could take the head maid position or even think to try.

She noticed him moving his hand to his chin. . contemplative posture? "Does something plague you?" she asked, somewhat concerned. "If you say you are not ill I believe you fully, but if something else is wrong pray you not hold your tongue. . " The concern was genuine, and would have been, Majesty or not. In that sense it didn't matter who Valentin was beyond the fact that he was a human - as far as she knew - and didn't deserve to suffer from . . any form of discomfort; physical, mental or otherwise.

And into the library they went - her looking around both out of curiosity and to see where the watch could have gotten to. . She figured he was leading her to wherever it was; though it was dark and she though she'd aid him in his search. . . for. . the window-- . . . . She knew he had taken up her hand again, but she said nothing, simply gazing outwards. "It looks so different from up here, almost as though you're on the same level as the. . ." She turned her head slightly, looking at her hand, following her hand to his. . up his arm. . finally to his face. He really was pretty - and it seemed so curious to think something like that about a man, though she couldn't think of a more appropriate word to use. "As the moon. ." She finished, the watch barely a thought in her mind.

[Sears Nazi]

Mysteries - always seemed to be mysteries. Sometimes it seemed no matter what the topic was, it'd always lead to some enigmatic dead end; be it his own fault or the others. It didn't matter anymore - there was no sense in prying, no sense in further questioning. . When it ended like this, that was the end of it. He wouldn't play the part of hypocrite, couldn't lower himself to. . . Maybe it was a bit of pride on his own behalf - but that was one thing that meant something. . Never question something you wouldn't be prepared to give an answer for, yourself.

. . Just as there was no sense in prying about the meaning of . . .all this. Tapestries told stories - always had. There was some story here, some . . meaning in both design and colour. . though each family had various reasons for it, each region, even. . And seeing how neither of them were from Moscow, nor could they claim to have known Zakahr way back then. . It was a futile endeavor. They could postulate, make stories up based on visual clues. .but even then it'd probably just be some fictional account. Such complexities. . and maybe Nikolai did know - but there was no sense in asking him, either. As far as Luka was concerned, there was a sense of betrayal in the action. . and Nikolai probably wouldn't answer. When it came to people like Aleksandr using Zakahr as a confidant, it just took a bit of bribing to figure out what had been said. . but even Nikolai knew not to go sharing Zakahr's personal affairs with the rest of the world. . and besides, best not to use that resource too much. With enough temptation. . he was sure even Aleksandr could get some information out of Nikolai, information not meant for him.

All the same there was a charm to this area simply because it was so . . different, and the story guessing games kept him entertained time and again; each expedition over here causing him to think of some new possibility, more likely than the last. .but still horribly wrong, he was sure. At least the game was entertaining enough.

. . 'No need to apologize' wouldn't suffice. He knew that much - once an apology was out there it was going to stay. So in response he just shook his own head, sticking out a finger to make a trail through the dust walls. . then glancing at it, one brow upraised. "If you're not playing enigma, something else is." It bothered him, somewhat. . but it also made things so very fun.

[DeliriumNitemare]

xxxxx♡Valentin Radomir♡xxxxx

♡♡

ღIf I had a single flower for every time I think about you, I could walk forever in my garden.ღ

It was an easy game of cat and mouse, especially when the mouse was willing to follow. Now at the window he knew her awe was not for the moon or the lands below… The clouded sky above… But for him and the tricks he chose to play on her mind. Though past her cute looks, and her hair darker then his own… Her nature was starting to remind him a lot of his younger sister… A lot more then he had really realized up to this point, now standing here at the window with her. His hand moved from holding her hand to setting it to her back. ”It’s nothing, you just remind me of someone I once knew.” Granted, she was a lot older then his sister would be… But the caring was just the same. He smiled.

”It’s lovely, isn’t it? If I could watch the moon every night then I think I’d be content. Things in this world simply move too fast.” Hand still to her back, he sat down in the window so they where more on eye level, using the moonlight to play off his own features, giving another smile – Always toothless, never once showing his fangs. Even as he spoke he was careful how he moved his mouth. ” Idi syuda, milyĭ, ya chto-to ya hochu podelitʹsya s vami.”

(Come here, darling, I've something I want to share with you.)

He spoke softer now, barely above a whisper as he moved the young lady to sit in his lap, ever facing the window so she could continue to look outside, or at him if she did so choose too. Careful handed and perhaps more intimate care then Aleksandr would care to see Valentin give to anyone, he took her chin gently in his hand if her gaze had wavered and brought her to look him in the eye. He didn’t say anything, he just rolled her mind and tilted her head back, only speaking after he knew she couldn’t hear anymore. ”I’m sorry for this, you really have been an aid.”

Feeding was the same for every vampire, Valentin was no different even if his way of getting to his goal was different then most clans. Taking his fill he closed the wound and picked the girl up bridal style. Carefully. Stepping from the library he walked a little more briskly now – All disciplines dropped from use since he simply did not need the powers up anymore. It was now just a matter of finding a bedroom to put her in and to make his way back to Aleksandr for the night… Less he get too testy for having to wait too long.

ღWhen you love someone, all your saved-up wishes start coming out. ღ

xxxxxx⧰Yao Han Yunxu⧰xxxxx

⧰⧰

⧝If you are patient in one moment of anger, you will escape a hundred days of sorrow.⧝

The stories in these Tapestries where, simply, from a time long before Zakahr had learned a craft. A lot of them had a tanner man then what they knew and features not shared by their lord what so ever, other men where seen but perhaps the most ominous of them was a strikingly dark figure near the end of the tale, this one bigger then the rest of the tapestries… and perhaps if it wasn’t covered in such dust, Yunxu would have long ago tried to lift it, to see if it hid anything behind it or if there was just a wall there. Though with all the dust… It didn’t seem like a good idea to touch anything within the halls.

Last thing any of them wanted… Or needed to do… Was anger their prince. ”I wonder what it all means.” He watched Luka then looked around again. ”I remember when I first found this hall… And these pictures of people we have no knowledge of… Are they kin? Where they court before us? If they where the old Lords I don’t see why the Prince would keep this hall so untouched when everything else has been brought up to order… Curiosities.” He smoothed out his robes and took a step – Not to walk, but to try and see a little more.

”Perhaps if I was a far ruder man, I’d have looked into these doors… Least seen if they where unlocked… I’ve come to realize our Prince knows so much about our lives, where we came from… But aside from his title, and his keepings… We know little of him in return.” Not a picture of the Zakahr they knew hung in any hall nor chamber… Which just made everything far the more odd.

⧝A gem is not polished without rubbing, nor a man perfected without trials.⧝

[Sears Nazi]

"Someone you once knew. .?" A question brought up by her own feeling of inadequacy, awe or not it wouldn't subside. His clothes, the mannerisms, the very fast that he was a friend of the lord of the castle all told a very different tale than what was the actuality of it all. Who could he have known that acted as she did, or, if that wasn't right, looked as she did. . She felt plain in her uniform, plainer still when standing beside someone possessing such unnatural charisma and charm. Even so she smiled faintly, accepting the 'compliment' - as she could only see it as such- though something in the back of her mind told her she shouldn't.

Enchanting. All of it. The general stillness of night, the silvery luminescence from both moon and snow. . and of course him, Valentin. She felt conflicted; thoughts of what was proper versus what she couldn't even begin to explain - some kind of supernatural attraction. . ? But those sorts of things were plainly impossible, and. . And she simply must have been weak to have fallen so far from everything she had been taught, everything she was accustomed to--- . . Truly, she hadn't the slightest idea of what any of it meant. She knew she couldn't love him - not so quickly; all too much of a realist for the whole 'love at first sight' idea. . but she. . rather, he--- the draw, the. . "It's . . one of the most lovely things I've ever seen," though she knew they were on different pages - she speaking of him, him speaking of the moon. At least she was admitting it out loud, trying to make sense of it. . even if it was in a horribly indirect way. "Far too fast. . far too fast." Had she been so caught up in her duties that she had failed to notice people like this existed? Did he exist? Everything about him seemed too lovely to be true -- . . Everything about the night was. Being trusted to do so many things, meeting both the lord and his. . friend--- . . . this. . beautiful man--- And the moon seemed all too willing to be an ally of his, oh, if there was any other way for features to seem any more lovely, she'd like to know what it was. . Where she stood, this was the pinnacle of perfection.

. . Everything about it was. His looks, his words-- . . When he asked her to come she followed, blindly even-- as though under some kind of spell or trance. She still couldn't help herself, she didn't want to help herself. She trusted him, was compelled and entranced by him-- And sitting so close to him only confused her more, though she couldn't profess to disliking it. . Quite the contrary, she only disliked that she enjoyed it so much-- And her eyes shifted, outside then back to him, a motion she'd repeat a few times, somewhat conflicted. . She let him touch her, pull her attention to him and only him. . and that was. . it.

[Sears Nazi]

♟-ДℒξҞϚДȠȡ℟-♔


That was . . interesting. And interesting was only a polite way to phrase it. It started out amusing enough, Valentin luring the young girl away, treating her as though she meant something to him, least in some way. . She meant nothing, clearly - or that's how Aleksandr saw it, and . . somehow assumed Valentin would feel the same. It was a matter beyond who was people and who wasn't, yes - this was all about predator vs prey. No sympathies - no reason to care for them beyond the moment.

But. . the act carried on, even in the confines of the library. . and that is where 'interesting' quickly turned into something else - less interesting, more infuriating. . and as the act dragged out, overly infuriating. Of course he blamed the Majesty for this, too - something that was clearly being used during the whole encounter and something even he somewhat felt the effects of. . and that's why this was. . interesting. . and not downright rage worthy. No, that'd come later.

He had just had something of an epiphany, of course - the realization that Valentin might not be there one day. . . and how hard he had worked to correct that, how hard he had tried to suppress the rage that Valentin just fueled more than he'd know-- till later. For now, as he went back to his room - trying to beat Valentin - he experienced a moment of contemplation. . Pondering exactly if what he had just bothered to say meant anything, wondering just how much of that was an act and how much . . well-- . . .

. . . When Aleksandr spoke about himself, it wasn't casual conversation. It should have been evident based on how little Valentin had known previously - how little most of the others in the court knew. . least, he thought --- . . . There was definitely a sense of betrayal - even being used in a sense. After all, he had gone out of his way to make sure Valentin was comfortable, was fed. . Not to mention his encounter with the f*****t brigade. What, then, was there to think? . . Beyond that, did Valentin not know he was his property just as much as the girl was? . . Not that. . he'd inform Valentin of this thought, though Valentin should know. . Least how Aleksandr saw it.

Then there was the touching - something he thought mimicked the motions he had just done to Valentin moments before. Of course they weren't movements exclusive to him - a touch on the chin was. . nothing, though, he found this motion somehow cheapened. .

And there was another conflict - exactly how much should he say? Should he even bother to address it that night? . . Probably not. Not if he wanted to remedy what he had already ruined. . Himself. .

. . . He didn't like feeling at fault. He didn't like feeling betrayed.

So back in his room he got into the bed and covered himself with the blanket he had just been brought. . He just wouldn't say anything - not tonight. Not until he had some time to think it through, pick the correct words--- . . . and besides, sometimes the silent treatment said everything that needed to be said.

[Sears Nazi]

"I don't think it's about being rude or not. I believe you should have started that with 'perhaps if I had a plan to suffer the Final Death'. . " It was an amusing enough thought, and on he found perfectly plausible. . Perhaps not all that amusing after all. He had noticed there was some repetition of figures - he figured those people(?) to have been the more important ones in whatever the story was. Perhaps the previous owners of the keep? Family of Zakahr's? . . There was the possibility that it was Zakahr, too. . He knew what fiends were capable of. Yet. . Zakahr had always looked to Luka as he presented himself in the current - so it was hard to think of him as anything other than that man. . and the thought that it was Zakahr was. . dismissible, for that reason alone. Besides, it was something best not looked into - sticking ones nose out to solve such mysteries was one thing, but one had to know where they were sticking it, first. . . and . . well, he had known Zakahr long enough to have some. . general. . idea.

And yes, Zakahr knew a good deal about them all - information he had, at least in Luka's case, been told in passing. . He was easy enough to talk to, approachable enough and that was always a good quality in a ruler. He didn't need to have such responsibility to be aware of such, it was simply fact. Still. . . he wasn't too keen on secrets - but more keen on them than he was on dying . . so, unless Zakahr decided to talk - or he decided to casually ask. . - the tale would end there.

The last tapestry did interest him, though - and he didn't mind the dust; on the contrary it added an eery feel that he quite enjoyed. . but the thought never occurred to him to look behind it. . nor would he touch it in fear of it unraveling or something else similar - that was the only explanation his mind could conceive for why this hallway was so tarnished by the hands of Time. And what did it all mean? Yunxu raised a good point - could they have been kin? . . Though he wasn't sure why they never would have been mentioned - why none of them were still around. . Unless there was some internal conflict, though. . he didn't see why Zakahr would keep the thing after something of that magnitude. He shrugged his shoulders lightly, finding this action said more than he could verbally. "Things belonging to a dead man," he mused, ". . are often left to rest." . . It was the only thing he could think to say - and judging from how old they seemed, well. . . Either the years didn't match up, or these truly did belong to a dead man. .at least in some sense.

[DeliriumNitemare]

xxxxx♡Valentin Radomir♡xxxxx

♡♡

ღIf I had a single flower for every time I think about you, I could walk forever in my garden.ღ

It didn’t take Valentin long at all to find a room to store the girl in, so she could sleep off the effects of the bite before making his way back to the room. It was strange to see Aleksandr already there in bed, so early… Normally he didn’t lie under the sheets like that. Closing the door softly behind himself, he pulled at the strings to his shirt to untie them, let them fall loose. ”Thank you.” After all it was Aleksandr that went out and fetched the humans, he who let Valentin feed from one of them. He moved carefully to the empty side of the bed and blew out the candle before sliding under the sheets.

There seemed to be something… Off, though. Aleksandr was always a hard read but there just… Seemed to be something wrong and he wasn’t sure what. Always in the dark with this one and never really moving two steps forward when progress was made… What more could he do but lie there and guess what the trouble was… What could possibly vex the other.

Turning on his side now he moved to rest closer to Aleksandr, resting his cheek on the other’s shoulder. What act he had put up before seamlessly tucked away until he needed it again. ”I’m sorry that took so long, she was a timid… Though eager young girl, I didn’t want to scare her away before I got my chance to feed.” He pressed his lips together. He had shared much of himself earlier that night, and Aleksandr when they had returned, though that young woman had jogged some of his more… Locked away memories.

Memories kept closer to his heart then on the cuff.

”You know.” He started, bringing a hand to rest on Aleksandr’s arm since he was so close to it now. ”You’ve told me of your family, feel it’s only fair is speak a little of my own. Where I lived my family wasn’t the only family in the house… Mine was small, unusually so. My parents, myself, and I had a younger sister then, Roza.” He smiled into Aleksandr’s shoulder lightly at the memory. ”So much younger then myself. By the time I was fifteen she must have only been five.” So there where at least a number of years between the two.

”My father did much of what you’d employ a man to do, and I followed in his steps. My mother sewed for a living.” Or what living there could have been for them. ”The other family we lived in had six other children, all boys, and a few a good few years older then myself. All of us shared a room.” Simply because there was no way to have your own room… Though it should explain why he was always seeking company during the night. Simply all too use to having it, even when he didn’t want it, it would be there.

”Not as vast as your family, not in status or number… And I never had my own family, so I have nothing of life bloodline to offer, just the family I was born into.” Closes his eyes and lets out a low, unneeded breath. ”I know you don’t miss yours, but some nights I miss mine very much… But I’m not unhappy with where I am now in life.”

ღWhen you love someone, all your saved-up wishes start coming out. ღ

xxxxஇZakahr Varfolomeiஇxxxx

இஇ

ஒOver an eternity, improbabilities become certainties.ஒ

Perhaps undeath… And being in the wrong place at the wrong time was… Often the down fall of some men. Zakahr stepped up the way from the other end of the hall. Now, he never out right told anyone that they weren’t allowed in some places, never felt the need… But as all Fiends where; he was painfully territorial, so seeing those two… His court members down the end of the hall moved something in him which he couldn’t rightfully defuse. ”What are you two doing down here?” was the first thing he could ask with out any real thought to it, closing in on them both.

What reasons could they possibly have for even being down here? Even Nikolai didn't come unless they where walking together... So then, why? Where there no other interesting parts of the keep they could entertain themselves in, nothing in the levels above or below? They had to pick this hall and this spot. Coming to stand before them both now, he left his arms limp at his side, he wouldn't give them the satisfaction of seeing him worked up -- Keeping the same, collected face that he always seemed to have on. They had to have a reason...

A good reason.

ஒYes, I will feed you to my pet alligator who thinks he is a fairy princess.ஒ

xxxxxx⧰Yao Han Yunxu⧰xxxxx

⧰⧰

⧝If you are patient in one moment of anger, you will escape a hundred days of sorrow.⧝

Without true chance to answer the other, Yunxu's hands dropped to his side as if they where heavy when he heard Zakahr's voice. Final Death indeed. Moving, he chose to step and stand next to Luka's side again. "We... Where simply passing through the hall to get to the next. No harm meant." He started, slowly, looking up at Zakahr - Whom to date was the tallest man he'd met.

Now what? He glanced at Luka... They really had no good reason to be in these old halls.

⧝A gem is not polished without rubbing, nor a man perfected without trials.⧝

[Sears Nazi]

♟-ДℒξҞϚДȠȡ℟-♔


No reaction to the stirring. He couldn't bring himself to, not after planning ahead as he had. . No, he'd stay unwavering in his decision. Least he thought he would. He didn't expect Valentin to speak if he remained unresponsive, that'd just be. . stupid of him. Like talking to a corpse. No reason to reply to the thanks -- thanks indeed, his actions were plenty of thanks as it was. . And what was he being thanked for, anyway? Cuddle time with some girl? The very nerve. . or something along those lines - one thing he was still unsure of was how to respond to the whole thing. Deal with it now; which would inevitably end in anger, or take the night - and following day - to think of something to say? Explain things? . . It seemed explaining made everything better - he had just figured that out. . and yet. . . Yet if it was only going to lead to things like this. .

. . He didn't even want to jerk away from Valentin's touch, couldn't be bothered to. So whatever, let him rest on his shoulder if he wanted to. He still wouldn't be graced with a reply -- though everything in him was screaming 'elbow the ********, now'. She was 'eager'. . Seemed she wasn't the only one, least to him. . . And he 'didn't want to scare her away'. . Cute. Really, all of it was ******** cute. Besides, Valentin was a ******** pathetic excuse for a vampire, anyway - scare her? He was acting that way as to not scare her? . . Then again, maybe his ideas about Valentin were all wrong. It was already proven that he didn't know as much as he thought he did, that much he knew. . Was it possible Valentin wasn't even a f**? And if that was the case, why go around masquerading as one? Disgraceful, really and truly. . and if he was right - which he hoped he was, as there was no other excuse for a man to act as Valentin did - well. . yeah, scary. . Only men should run from something like that - and there'd be absolutely no shame in it. He rolled his eyes, not that Valentin could see. He wanted to run himself - not from Valentin so to speak. . but only so that he didn't have the time to over analyze this. . and inevitably ruin everything well beyond repair.

. . Though it almost seemed like a good idea. In a world where you could have anything. . a world where such a privilege never seemed to cease. . things like this simply couldn't be processed. He really didn't know what to do, other than to just stay as he was, hold his tongue, and listen to some. . now questionable. . f*****t talk about some arbitrary bullshit as though what he just witnessed never happened--

. . And he didn't care about children, either. Especially younger children. Seriously, ******** this. If he had a younger sibling with a ten year age difference-- . . . there were ways to . . deal with those issues, especially if you were the rightful heir. There was no issue of legalities, then, and --- . . Though he knew this malice was spawned only because he was so angry. He was interested in some level; wanted to know more about Valentin and he was glad he didn't need to ask. . Even then, though, as unrelated as it all seemed to be. . it was a bit hard to take in. . and some of it, a bit hard to grasp. Multiple families sharing a house? . . He was aware it was done, but to actually experience something like that yourself? . . Even as a child, he had entire wings to himself--

He had to raise a brow to it all - a house was one thing, a difficult thing at that. . but sharing a room with so many people? . . And with women? . . Not useful, not proper. . Not their place. He even scowled somewhat at it. "It doesn't matter," he finally started in reply, "if you had your own family or not. You can see we're in the same situation." Though he still never turned around, never fully acknowledged the other. . though added, finally turning his head slightly to at least have the other in his view, the slightest bit of malice in his tone, ". . So you should probably keep what you do have close."

[Sears Nazi]

He froze in his steps, head slowly turning from one of the tapestries to Zakahr. Slow, dramatic movements -- though used only to prolong the inevitable. Not that. . there was much time to waste with such actions - Zakahr wasn't only there but he was. . there. Right there, all too close for comfort based on his tone. . his actions.

Breaking his gaze, he glanced over at Yunxu. If there was ever a time he needed some answer, now would be it. . But what was one to say? They hadn't been told to avoid this area. . And he had been there before, once or twice. . There was never a problem then - but he supposed nothing was ever a problem until you got caught. All the same, he didn't believe there'd be any all knowing words or adages from the orient to explain the situation. . Not that he knew there was one in the first place until this particular moment. And since Yunxu seemed to be returning the glance, just as uncertain of what to say. .

"We were just taking a walk through the keep." He raised both hands up in a 'surrendering' motion for a brief moment, before resting them stiffly at his side. "As he said, no harm meant." He even bowed somewhat, nothing too deep but this pose he held for longer than usual. . Deeply apologetic he was, though he still had a weak sense of being just in this whole thing - the only thing keeping him from doing a full bow. Again, they hadn't been informed-- "Forgive us of our trespass." He thought to make some promise that they wouldn't be back, then leave . . though. . that hardly seemed proper. He'd simply have to wait to be dismissed.

[DeliriumNitemare]

xxxxx♡Valentin Radomir♡xxxxx

♡♡

ღIf I had a single flower for every time I think about you, I could walk forever in my garden.ღ

Why the sudden malice? ”As I try to do.” no not another night of bitter tone and back lashing when he’d done nothing wrong. He removed himself from Aleksandr, he wasn’t about to take the tone and just laid on his own side of the bed, on his back now with fingers laced carefully over his chest. It didn’t seem to matter what they talked about, what either of them chose to share, it all led back to bitter tone and rejection. Even if that rejection wasn’t spoke out loud you could tell much from someone’s body language, and he had just about enough of the ill treatment.

Not that his face changed, not that Aleksandr could have seen it change in the dark. ”All kindred share the same fate and dance, we drink of the same blood and hide from the same sun. I think it’s safe to say that not only are we in the same situation, but as is Zakahr, and any other damned we may have met.” His tone hadn’t changed, either… All that had was that he wasn’t holding onto Aleksandr anymore, nor would he. The other made such a plea in fear… But was it just a false cry to keep power? Was it true? If it was then why the malice now?

No it didn’t seem like it mattered very much at all. He wouldn’t do this again. Not another night of temperament and sour nature. This would be the last night he shared a bed with Aleksandr… Damn it he should have stuck to his guns earlier… Should have listened to his gut. Nothing was going to change with the Lasombra laying there next to him… Hell he didn’t even want to be there now. ”Perhaps though… In keeping what one has close… It’s best not to lash out in malice, or rejection.” Nope, he wasn’t going to do this. He had more pride in himself then this.

Sitting up he moved the sheets off himself, bring his legs around to hang off the bed. ”I do not know what I did to warrant your bitter tone after all that has transpired between us tonight. From the things we’ve both chosen to share… If you truly wanted to mend what you felt you where losing grip on in honest intent… I don’t think you’d move so fast to talk with such venom.” He stood up smoothing himself over. ”Or ignore my very presence… And touch. If the cries where in selfish plea to continue to have what hold you have on me… Then you can go to hell. I’m not going to spend another night in distance when I’ve done nothing wrong. Not within your halls or Zakahr’s. When I’ve never wronged you.”

And yet his tone was still calm, unwavering, as if they where talking over dinner. He wouldn’t give Aleksandr the satisfaction of knowing his inner upset. ”Through the years you’ve hit me, degraded me, and treated me as less then second class. Yet I’ve stayed, I’ve been the only person aside from Zakahr to hear you… Listen to your worries, what has made you angry, your cries. I’ve been there when no one else has wanted to be… But I am done being treated barely better then the floor you choose to walk on.” He pressed his lips together. ”Some nights you are no better then my sire, it is not only physical attack that can damage someone, and I’m done. I’m just… Done.” He straightened himself and made his way to the door.

”Have a very good evening Aleksandr, I will speak with you on the morrow. I do hope slumber finds you easily.” He bit the inside of his lip as he pulled open the chamber door only to walk out and close it gently. Never where any of his actions harsh… But he wasn’t going to take lies… and another night of that bull, he couldn’t do it.

Not that… He frankly knew where he was going to sleep now.

ღWhen you love someone, all your saved-up wishes start coming out. ღ

xxxxஇZakahr Varfolomeiஇxxxx

இஇ

ஒOver an eternity, improbabilities become certainties.ஒ

You’re not trespassing…” They weren’t after all, he never said they couldn’t be there after all… And to suddenly say? That would just not be proper. He looked at them both, then at the dust that had been taken from the wall. ”I don’t mind if you use the hall… I just ask that you not touch anything. As you can see things are very old. I no longer know what will fall apart down these halls and what will stay.” Though everything in him was screaming to boot them both in the a** back up the hall…

But that wasn’t proper.

Calm as ever he watched the bow and then simply stepped out of their way to motion with a laced hand up the way. ”Pardon my sudden nature on the matter. I don’t remember the last time I saw anyone in these halls, it was… As I’m sure you can imagine a touch surprising. You are both fine to continue on your way. It’s no harm to me.” He lowered the hand as a motion of dismissing. He wasn’t angry… Just territorial… It was really only because of Nikolai that he had some tie on emotions that… Well frankly his clan forgot existed. They didn’t seem to have damaged anything… And he hoped they’d continue not to damage anything.

He touched them both on the shoulder, in his way and in a way they where use to, to show he was fine with their course before starting to take his leave… He was after all trying to find Nikolai – And these old halls where often the ways they’d took… Estranged game of cat and mouse…

Though it was slightly endearing.

ஒYes, I will feed you to my pet alligator who thinks he is a fairy princess.ஒ

xxxxxx⧰Yao Han Yunxu⧰xxxxx

⧰⧰

⧝If you are patient in one moment of anger, you will escape a hundred days of sorrow.⧝

Just as quick as Zakahr had come… He was already gone. Yunxu gently touched his own shoulder, even turned to watch Zakahr take his leave fully before looking at Luka. Without really waiting he just started to walk away, keeping his hands to himself. ”I get the feeling we spooked him just as much as he spooked us… Though he seemed more interested in finding whatever it was he is currently seeking.” This didn’t mean that Yunxu wasn’t shaken by the experience. Least they weren’t in trouble for being down these dark halls.

After a number of slow steps, and after Zakahr’s own steps had died off again he chose to speak again. ”As… You brought up before. I think you’re right… I think final deal perhaps would be the high price to pay. Dancing along the lines of the Prince’s clan’s territorial nature… Is mad for either of us, and we’re not of Malkavian blood.”

⧝A gem is not polished without rubbing, nor a man perfected without trials.⧝

[Sears Nazi]

♟-ДℒξҞϚДȠȡ℟-♔


Nothing. . was making sense. It wasn't anything new - since taking Valentin here nothing was the same as it was back at Zakahr's keep. . Valentin himself was acting different, there were definitely new experiences. . Valentin was hard to read, he had figured out, too. The all too calm intonation he had before - all too familiar, but never something that should be used in situations like that. . It was all casual, as his tone was now. . Were it not for the specific words being spoken, he wouldn't have had the slightest idea that Valentin was mad.

. . And he didn't know why.

Valentin had no right to be mad - absolutely none. He was the one at fault, here - the one that single handedly undermined everything that had been said just moments previous . . . The one that could so seemingly easily say all sorts of things, then frolic off with some maid floozy - then come back and continue the conversation like nothing. . out of the ordinary had been done. It hurt - especially the casualness of the following conversation. . There was no doubt he'd explain that much - or at least not get that into it. . Valentin would have to know something. . He truly did want the other to stay - and knew this front he was putting on was a detriment to the whole thing, but. . . It seemed to be the only thing fitting. He wasn't going to sit back and let Valentin have his fun with women - and not just any women, his women -- When he thought about it that way, it seemed rather like betrayal.

. . But he didn't speak, didn't want to seem all too eager to 'win' someone like that back. . though he, too, moved. . Now sitting up on the bed, watching Valentin talk. . and talk, speak of all these wrongs, even try to condemn him to hell. . He didn't really care about that part, though. The rest, well - it both angered and disturbed him. . He did feel bad about everything he had done to Valentin, even though he something thought he was just in these actions. Still, he truly was starting to feel like everything that he had said meant nothing . . he had made himself seem vulnerable. . for nothing. . and had done so much - as he saw it - for. . absolutely nothing. A good deal of things were out in the open, at that point. . And yet, yet. . .

And there was a brief moment of hesitation after Valentin closed the door. . Still, he hadn't said anything, hadn't the words to be able to say anything even if he wanted to. There was still some question about what all of that was - what it meant. . . and he didn't have an answer. He knew a few words wouldn't atone for the years and years of abuse Valentin had put up with at his hand, and yet. . . Yet, why was it all brought up then? Then after. . He took a very unnecessary breath, slowly, trying to calm himself down. Again he'd need to think fast - be able to think of something to say without getting too upset about the whole thing. . and maybe more importantly, without explaining too much about himself. . Explaining that he was hurt by Valentin's actions, by. . what he had done with the maid. . . And even if he did have the courage to talk about such things, he'd need to explain that he had been following, and. . .

Slowly he rose, walking over to the door and opening it just the slightest amount - slowly, carefully, trying so hard not to make a sound. There were no people about, of course - though he could make out Valentin's silhouette. . So, good - he hadn't gotten far. He waited there for a moment, slouching to the side in a somewhat contemplative posture. . What could he do? . . and it wasn't like he particularly wanted to face Valentin at the moment. . Nor did he think Valentin would just talk to him if he did try to initiate some kind of communication.

. . And then there was the shadow twin. He, personally, had had more than enough fun in the shadows for one night, and even if he did use such methods. . it would come down to the same thing - as soon as Valentin was aware of his presence, well. . He'd probably get even more upset, for one, and two. . once again, communication was inevitable. With the twin. . They didn't talk. More importantly, it was draining, wouldn't work if Valentin got too far away, lasted only for an hour, and could cause problems if something went wrong, but. . Even with so many odds against it--

He walked across the room a few feet, towards the direction he noticed Valentin had gone before sitting himself down on the floor - once again against the wall as he had done previously, and did what needed to be done. His shadow separated, slowly becoming it's own person -- well, at least to the extent that he'd allow for it to. The door he left open a crack so he could hear Valentin talk - after all, the walls were dreadfully thick . . And this was if he was to say anything at all. . and maybe he'd talk back, maybe if he could think of something to say that was.

The shadow made its way out the door and over towards Valentin, and nodded slightly acknowledging the other. What would follow was a game of pantomime, him telling it what to do. . They were simple motions, at first - a wave, another bow - this one more apologetic. . And there were other things, too - impossible things, such as trying to take Valentin's hand. . It didn't work well. He knew it wouldn't work well, but for some reason it was easier to have someone else go through these motions, even if it was literally an extension of himself.

Eventually he decided to give it a voice - it'd move its lips if he spoke - after all, it was his shadow. "Valya," he started, softened both from his own tone and the fact that he was somewhere out of the way. The shadow continued with its pantomime, dipping its head apologetically before he continued, "I don't know what you'll have me do to prove that I was sincere before. . . But I think I've suffered enough humiliation." The shadow shrugged in reply to these words, a fairly uncertain motion. Finding the right things to say was still difficult, even if it technically wasn't him having the conversation. . Still he was the one speaking - he heard this all in his own voice, and he knew the shadow outside would have a definite resemblance to him. All the same, there was more to be said.

He rose himself, walking a bit closer to the door in the event that Valentin did, indeed have something to say. . he wanted to make sure he heard it. He wanted to see how Valentin reacted without having to be the one involved with it all. . this was, for the time, as close as he'd get. "You hurt me, you know." A bit of a pause - the shadow standing perfectly still, awaiting some new command or another. . none came, for this moment - Aleksandr had to take a moment to recompose himself after to admitting to something of this magnitude. "Doing what you did with that girl. . She wasn't eager, you. . you have to have made her that way." Another shrug from the shadow, "I guess it's fair game. You use what you've been given. . but you have to understand; you can't deny there was a certain intimacy there. I felt. . " another pause, the shadow again freezing, as though it were dead, ". . betrayed."

Another dead movement, followed by more words. "I don't know what I've done sometime between our last talk and now for you to have said those things to me. I know what I've done, you didn't need to remind me. . Nor did you need to tell me to go to Hell. Besides, I think we're partially there." . . . 'And I'd go the rest of the way if you actually did leave. - Something he didn't actually say though he noticed the shadow mouth. Curious. . very curious. And he hoped Valentin wasn't a lip reader. It 'died' for the last time, him calling it back. . Not really having anything else to say that wasn't overly revealing. He was still confused, still somewhat disturbed at the multiple possibilities as far as what Valentin could reply would be. . though he did step out from the room, shadow now back in his possession.

. . Maybe. . he didn't want to wait for an answer. . and maybe he was still a bit mad. "Valya," he said again - this time without the aid of the shadow - waking towards the other. He grabbed Valentin's hand, pulling him closer to him, rather forcefully - somewhat angrily. . Though he didn't look angry. "Valya, Valya, Valya. . " Looking Valentin directly in the eyes, his gaze lingered. . but only momentarily. With one last yank at the other's hand, he kissed him. . on the lips.

. . . You know, not because he was a f*****t or anything.
. . . Just because, if he kept Valentin in this position, there was no risk that Valentin could say anything he didn't want to hear---

[[itt:kiss me you fool!]]

[Sears Nazi]

✞Лука Львов✞

The whole. . curiosity the situation presented left something to be desired. Zakahr had left as quickly as he had shown up - tone changing, everything changing. Quite an enigmatic encounter if ever there was one. And now that they had. . well, at least now that the seemed to have had clearance. . everything was okay, right? . . Yet oddly he didn't feel comfortable where he was, thought it best to move somewhere else as quickly as possible. . and probably not come back unless he was with someone else and. . only if he was on a casual stroll. Not sticking his nose where it didn't belong indeed. This encounter was bad enough, and the anger - if that was truly what it was - quickly subsided. He shook his head in some kind of disbelief, bangs falling out from behind his ear. . He fixed this, bowing ever so slightly again as Zakahr left. . to continue. . well, he wasn't sure what Zakahr was doing.

Again he looked to Yunxu, just as Yunxu looked towards him. . Though he continued to stare, even as Yunxu carried on. Eventually he continued walking, hurrying somewhat to take back his position at Yunxu's side. "Let's just get out of this area, and if we ponder about the meaning of all this. . let's do it within some common area." Though as Yunxu spoke, he wondered how far even a Malkavian would go. . Sure they were insane, but surely even they had some sense of self preservation.