Beginning of the Masquerade(Private)

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[Sears Nazi]

Nikolai

[[lol bonus post is bonus]]

He . . really didn't know what happened. He knew Yunxu and Luka were outside, somewhere. . He could hear them clearly enough. The fact that they were pondering such simple things with such. . obvious answers amused him - and though he smiled. . he daren't make a sound. There was a lot he tried not to do - thinking among them. . especially not after hearing Zakahr approach. After so many years he had become used to that sound, a different sound than Yunxu's light footsteps, for example -- . . All the same, once he heard Zakahr - once he even thought he heard Zakahr - he silenced both voice and mind; a rather stoic expression planting itself on his face.

And. . and what was this? Ohhhhh, they're going to get yelllleddd atttt--- And he smiled - oh, this was amusing . . Though he quickly covered his mouth after having this thought, as though that would help. Once again taking up the stoic expression he stretched, rolling ever so slightly to the side to try to see under the door's crack. . There were feet out there, anyway. . though it was hard to tell who they belonged to, from his position under a bed.

He was winning, you know - least he thought he was. As long as Zakahr wasn't in the room with him he was winning. . and he'd remain winning until he was found. Simple enough, but not when the person you were playing the game had such an advantage. . Sure it worked two ways, but Zakahr wasn't one for hiding in the same was he was, really, and -- . . No, no more thoughts! . . . Silence. . silence. . silence. .

He was still winning. . silence, silence, silence. . .

Waiting under beds was boring.

[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

Valentin wasn’t one to speak with himself when he stood alone in a hallway. He didn’t hear the door open behind him and had walked a good few steps away from it.. To distance himself. What he did do when he was alone was let down his clan mask, his natural nature to be calm. That all went to the side. He covered his mouth with his hand and took in a unneeded breath – He knew what he said, knew what he had done, but… Something’s needed to air.

This wasn’t the first time he’d ever cried alone anyway. Probably would never be the last. After all when you’re alone there is no one that can hurt you... Aleksandr wasn’t the only one left open to all that had been talked about. So much in the open now… But unlike Aleksandr he wouldn’t use what he knew against the other, it wouldn’t come up again or be aired to mock them… Why would he? He’d never have the heart to hurt Aleksandr like that.

He took another step, but stopped when ‘Aleksandr’ walked out of the room, simply turning himself away from the other and drying his face on his sleeve. He had his pride… He wasn’t going to give Aleksandr the sick satisfaction of knowing he was hurt. Hell no… The bowing, the waving. Had he lost his voice or was he just mocking him now? … He waited, watched, putting that mask back on and looking as collected as he could – Using the darkness of the hall to hide the rest. Then… Then he started to speak.


”I never know where you’re coming from. One moment you yourself are hitting me… Yelling. Then next your being nice to simply be bitter again… Only to be nice again when I threaten to leave. To walk. I’m not your property Aleksandr and I’m not about to be treated as such for another person.” Voice ever unwavering, though he wanted to snap at the other, be bitter… He just couldn’t be. ”Your not the only one who’s suffered their share of humiliation this night, the past night, nights before you even knew me. I don’t know what you think I’m going to do with what you told me. I seek not to use it against you, to tell others. It lives and dies with me as most everything does. You’ve no reason to feel humiliated.” Though Aleksandr’s mood swings where starting to give him whiplash.

”How?” He furrowed his brows and brought a hand up only to let it fall again to his side lightly. Valentin looked bothered that he was followed to feed. ”You followed me? While I was feeding? I don’t even bother you when you hunt… When you seek. “ Oh he was angry now but his voice… It just never seemed to change. ”Yes I had to make her that way, of course I did. Unlike you I can’t slip into shadow and just grab a human to drag them back. I have to coax them, talk kind… It’s a game Aleksandr. Rules to the hunt and for my hunt I have to be kind… I have to care. I as Daeva there will always be intimacy from our kiss. This doesn’t mean it meant anything to me, that I cared past what I sought from her. Kind woman she was she’s not who I lark for nor will I ever lark for. He shook his head side to side.

”Maybe if you didn’t feel the need to follow me you wouldn’t have felt betrayed. My hunt was not against you, my way of hunting was in no form disrespect to you. It is simply how I and how every other Daeva hunts. She’s not who I lark for.” The last part he repeated again… Hopefully it’d sink in but he didn’t hold his breath… Not right now anyway. He watched the pause and tilted his head some to hear. ”You are the one who’s changed attitude from the previous to the now… I’m simply not rolling over and taking it anymore. I can’t and I will not. If you mean what you say then stop being so malicious in your speech when I’ve never done a thing to warrant your ill treatment.” He swallowed… The hell comment was pretty much true. “I suppose… We are. We are damned. The only thing that stands between us and hell is final death.”

He caught the lip movement, but he wasn’t at all sure what it made out. He tried… But, there was no way he’d understand it. Before he got to say another thing Aleksandr seemed to… Die off. More tricks… Or was it more shadow games, the hall was dark after all. ”I hate it when you move between shadow.” He started to turn to look at the other only to get grabbed by the hand and pulled. ”Aleksandr that hurt..” A bit at least… Daeva he may be, but a worker he was in life.

But it was the kiss that threw him off completely. Something so sudden and out of no where he didn’t know how to react to it. Rather he didn’t remember the last time he was kissed or had been kissed in a willing way. He didn’t fight it, he just stood there – Hand in Aleksandr’s and for the moment.. Just enjoying the feeling…

But not all things last, and the things we like the most seem to last the least. When Aleksandr pulled away he sighed lightly, bringing his free hand up to touch the other’s face lightly – Just with his finger tips at first, until his full hand was cupping the side of the other’s face. ”Stop being so malice.” her murmured lightly, keeping his eyes on the other’s face.

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

[Sears Nazi]

She had been bothering him. Again. And he simply didn't want to deal with it, as she was no longer under his jurisdiction. . or he supposed she was, if one ventured into the multiple legal technicalities. . It wasn't as though one could technically own a demon other than whatever god or goddess created them. . and even then, he had a Prince that he had to answer to, and he. . he wasn't a god by any means. .

What year was it? From a purely mathematical standpoint, none of that made sense. When they they start counting? He wasn't a few thousand by any means. . Numbers counting down from some - as he saw it, from his life - completely random number. . to zero, only to boom forward once again. Right right. So, when the numbers were put together. . they were somewhere in the 1700s. Revolutions were on the horizon - a thought which made him smile with disdain. . Seldom did any good come from those. But what did he know? Well. . he knew just about everything as far as that was concerned. . as far as a lot was concerned. Pyromancy - a wonderful thing, and fire was ever abundant. All the information was at his disposal - he simply needed to know what to ask. . and revolutions, well - having experienced his share of those, it was always a hot topic.

But that wasn't the issue at hand - nor would it be an issue he addressed. . unless asked. That was how things worked, after all. Ask and you shall receive - least that was the ideal.

And she. . she was starting to piss him off with all her asking. He had a good deal of things to do, always something doing deals with someone under his own name or his Prince's. . And speaking of princes. . He hit his finger tips into the desk, one after the other in a 'wave' motion for a couple of seconds, contemplating if it was really worth it.

. . Not that the contemplation took long. If he ever wanted to get his work finished, he'd have to see what the was complaining about for himself and pay his dear vampire friends a visit. He could get there with little more than a thought, having an image of his destination clear in his mind. . that was all it took - some minor familiarity. . and he'd been around long enough to have seen almost everything. A few more taps of his fingers against the desk, and a faint smile, knowing this bothersome bullshit would finally be over once this was dealt with. . . and he was gone.

----

When he got there, he took a quick look around to re-familiarize himself with the area. He hadn't given much thought to Russia lately, so enraptured in paperwork and dealing with. . minor pests. . that the cold lands simply went forgotten. . Not that he really had a concept of cold. . No, he - least in this form - was completely immune to such . . mortal feelings. . So lost in his scouting of the area was he that he forgot that he has arrived in the same position he had left in and -- . . . uncrossing his legs, he lowered himself to the ground. He'd need to remember these things - pay more mind to them. What was acceptable where he currently resided was completely abnormal here. . Sitting in a floating, invisible chair. . How. . positively surreal. . and then there was walking verses teleporting - something he was painfully familiar with at one point in his. . 'life', if he could even afford to call it that. He was never a woman, he was never a human, so he could barely call that his own li-- . . .

. . . . And what was this?

He had seen them before - knew he had, recalled the first time he had seen them with vivid detail. And there was a little depiction of hi-- . . no, no not him, of some human girl! If they belonged to anyone else, anyone else. . Those tapestries would have been destroyed a long time ago, as would the person that commissioned them. . and the person that had pieced them together. He shook his head at the sight, no sense in getting frustrated over it, it wasn't like anyone would know it was him except the ones that were there, and they already knew-- . . Well. Maybe a few others knew. But they wouldn't be touched . . Least they had protection, the seal assured it - and that was something not to be taken lightly.

He knew they'd been there recently - at least. . the young one. Young - a term he realized was so painfully relative. . How old was the 'young' one now? No sense thinking too deeply into it. . He'd always be young by Forcas' standards - as would his sire, as would his sire. . and so on all the way up the line. . No sense getting into that, either. Mysteries were best kept. . just that. Besides, it was no fun if every little detail was given away. . even if he could tell every last bit about a single person just by a quick gaze at the hand -

Now where had he gotten off to? . . Maybe he'd follow the footsteps, thankful for the dust. . least in this respect. Or maybe, since he was in the keep of a vampire that had their own secrets to keep, he'd just. . pop in - . . teleportation was nice like that.
----

"Zakahr." Short, simple, and to the point - efficient and. . good. . enough of a greeting after so long, it wasn't like he had come to sit down and catch up, after all. "Where is he?"

[DeliriumNitemare]

xxxxஇZakahr Varfolomeiஇxxxx

இஇ

ஒOver an eternity, improbabilities become certainties.ஒ

Zakahr had made a pass in the hall again, twice now actually. He knew where Nikolai was – The boy was never very good at silencing his mind. Smiling he set his hand to a door knob, lips slightly parted as he leaned into the wooden door so slightly. To hear the other breath from the other side, to hear him silent and try and silence himself completely now knowing he was out there… But the heart was the betrayer. Oh yes. He pushed the door open now, grinning now, but the grin died away when his name was called, door knob still held in his hand. That was a voice he hadn’t heard since he was very young – A voice Nikolai would only know through hallow memory.

The last time Forcas saw Zakahr he didn’t even have a proper hand in the craft yet, he wasn’t a Prince then either… He was just a childe, a young neonate. Letting go of the door knob he gave two sharp snaps into the room to tell Nikolai the games where over and it was time to come out now. Fixing his cape, he turned to look at the other. ”Forcas.” Zakahr… Looked nothing like he use too. Blonde hair now, taller now, paler… So different then the young man he once came face to face with. ”It’s been some time.” But this didn’t have the air of catching up around it… No there was a different air here. ”Nikolai, come out here.” He snapped again and moved from the door.

”He’s in torpor, as he has been since a few years prior to me becoming Prince. I must admit, getting his corpse back from the church who saw fit to stick him under so much gold was a… Pain in the neck.” but this wasn’t what the other wanted either, was it? It answered a where in a sense… Sleeping, but not location where. Not where the coffin was, not where it had been hidden. He dusted his hands off simply and started to walk down the hall, if Nikolai was wise he’d follow. ”He’s among the hallowed halls of the keep… Though curious as to… Why you’re suddenly so interested in him.” Zakahr did not speak in threat, nor noble breath to the demon – A demon that could end his unlife in a blink if he chose too.

”If he was ready to wake, he would have started to cry for his servant.” Mental links where nice. ”Is she starting to make a calmer?” Never did understand why she didn’t stay once he went to sleep… Not that it was really his choice to go to sleep in the first place. Damn church. Glancing back at Forcas, he raised a thin brow. ”I take it you’d like to see his coffin… Correct, Forcas?”

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

[Sears Nazi]

Nikolai

Silence, Silence, Silence. . He was doing so good, too. He was definitely going to win this round, it was decidedly so. . It had taken Zakahr longer than usual to have found him. In fact, he knew Zakahr was out in the hallway - knew he had passed by a few times and hadn't thought to look into the rooms so. . So clearly he was doing a better job than usual at keeping silent - and that was the point of the game - so. . . He had been so careful to sparsely move, barely think. . Or, at least careful to suppress any thought which happened to come up during the course of the game. . Breathing - well, he couldn't stop breathing - though every time he felt Zakahr approach his breathing became significantly more hallowed. .

. . Yes, he was definitely winning.

Until Zakahr came a bit too close for comfort. As he approached the door Nikolai sunk back ever so slightly, moving himself up against the wall, still under the bed. . He could find the room, but if he didn't find Nikolai, well, he didn't win the game. And he knew he couldn't be seen from this new position, and that was a bonus, at least.

. . . And the door was opened and. . . There was a pause, and . . someone had said Zakahr's name. The voice. . . was vaguely familiar, though he couldn't place it. . It didn't belong to anyone he knew - not . . on a day to day basis, anyway, not. . It was distant. That was all he could think to say - had a dream like resonance to it, like something he had experienced indirectly. . It had to be someone Zakahr knew for him to have known the other's name, and . . If this voice was unfamiliar, and only the distant trail of faux - as far as he was concerned - memory, then. .

. . but he was still winning. Zakahr still hadn't fo-- . . . oh. The snaps said it all. He didn't need to be discovered. . it seemed he had already lost. So close.

So he crawled out from behind the bed, brushing off his robes and making sure his hair was still neat enough - a fairy princess must always look presentable - and walked to Zakahr's side-- . . . Huh. Now what was this and was it edible?

[Sears Nazi]

Nikolai was. . new, but there was no need to question it. It'd either be spoken or he'd find out through other methods. . and even if curiosity did get the best of him, he wouldn't mention it until everything that he had came to do was done. "Torpor?" . . Logical enough. That would be reason for her to get 'bored' - having nobody to talk to and all. As to the time frame of it all. . . He glanced at Zakahr, sizing him up somewhat, trying to figure more of this whole thing out. . "Before you became prince?" . . My, what a long time to wait. No wonder she was getting so impatient - he almost couldn't blame the. . dear. And. . churches? At the mention of such a word his face contorted slightly into a disapproving stare. He could go into them, sure -- what was he, at the end of the day, but an angel having suffered most. . unlikely circumstance? . . "I see." Strange Russians and their even stranger customs. He had never been a Russian - least not in any of his incarnations. . and he had to admit he was somewhat pleased about that.

As to Zakahr's own why questions, well. . "You're lacking in women," a casual observation, "And it's understandable." . . He knew he didn't like to deal with them - didn't like to be one, just. . didn't like them, "Sometimes they nag and nag and don't give up until you bend to their will. . " He shrugged - it wasn't admitting to a weakness, at least not in his case. . For him it was more a way to get rid of an annoyance, "She said he wasn't talking to her, which is why she decided to bother me. . I'm not sure why since there's so much she could be doing, so many other people she could be associating with. . Though I suppose she's free - enough - do do as she pleases, now." Again he shrugged - it was something he never questioned. "She didn't give me all the information and I couldn't be assed to look into it on my own time, we're . . having a bit of a hard time right now." . . Getting ready for the revolutions, of course. . . There was much temptation t be done, many people to sway into taking the wrong side. . Ideas that needed to be planted into people's heads to get these whole things into motion. . Not that he dealt with those sorts of things - though he did authorize such acts every now and then, and it was keeping him more occupied than he cared to be.

He waved his hand, that was the end of that tangent. "Really I've just checked to look into her claims, see if she was being avoided - in which case I'm sure we'd need to have a bit of a talk - or. . . if she just wanted to drag me out on a little day trip." . . And he was glad that wasn't the case. He never pegged her as the type to do something like that, though. . . He couldn't see a reason for Zakahr's sire to just . . ditch her. . Torpor - well, that was the most likely thing, though. . she hadn't complained until now?. . . Or perhaps his concept of time was really that far off. . Time did go slower in hell, after all - a day there sometimes equalling months or years on Earth, depending on whoevers will-- . . "That's it, really - routine check up, as it were-" . .

. . For everything he could figure out on his own, actually checking up on people. . well, that was hard. As usual, without a particular question. . answers were hard to get. He didn't have the ability to know and see what anyone was doing at any given time - and pyromancy was nice, the fires could tell you anything. . .but you needed to know something to ask something. . hence the reason for his visit. Things were so much easier in person, and quicker, too. . not that he envied the omnipresent, omnipotent ones. Far too much responsibility. Even the responsibility he did have was too much at times for him - he who was more interested in doing things for himself and a few particular people than for the greater 'good' of . . whatever.

Though it was interesting - the fate of the coffin. . Ending up in a church of all places - the damned in such a revered place. . Not that it . . seemed too off - the hypocrites that they were. "I hadn't planned on visiting a coffin, but. .I wasn't thinking that'd be his state, either. So, if you would be so kind. . " . . Maybe it wouldn't do much. He knew talking to what was basically 'dead' was pointless. . not even he could do something like that. Still, he'd at least like to see the man. . if only for. . old times sake.

[DeliriumNitemare]

xxxxஇZakahr Varfolomeiஇxxxx

இஇ

ஒOver an eternity, improbabilities become certainties.ஒ

”Well as I said the torpor wasn’t quite his idea. It wasn’t the ideal action at the time, either. The only reason I never tried to wake him up is because when it happened I couldn’t find his servant.” It wasn’t a stab in the back, not from Zakahr, he was so much younger then and if she wasn’t able to come when he laid in pain in the church… He figured she just abandoned him. ”So the state he’s in is a touch problematic. He’s not even in his proper coffin but a glass one… You’ll see.” He walked along, reaching out now to take one of Nikolai’s braids and give it a light stroke.

’Behave Nikolai, this is the last man on this earth either of us want to vex, so do be on your best behavior.’ Or there was a good chance there wouldn’t be a life left to behave in. ”This is Nikolai.” He brought the boy out a little more to the front to show him, setting a hand on his shoulder to keep him there for a moment, then only to let him return to his side carefully. ”He was a gift to me a few years after I became Prince of the domain, he’s my servant.” unlike his master who picked such a curiously dangerous race to dance along the safe line with, Zakahr picked a shifter… Just as dangerous but for all different reasons, yes.

The lack of women comment made him tilt his head, then nod. ”I have no women in my court. They’re in the domain but I’ve never given one a court job. Too… emotional, to quick to jump when not everything is clear.” He already had this issue with a Lasombra getting too temperamental, that was enough ‘woman’ for him to deal with… and it wasn’t even coming from the Daeva. ”Forgive my rudeness here, but if she cared so much… She’d have been there when the church chose to shove him in a gold glass box. Or there after… Somewhere. It’s not as if I could summon her.” He folded his hands behind his back and continued down the aged hall, which soon went into another, though less cared for if it where somehow possible.

Stopping for a moment, Zakahr dusted off an old candle stand and struck the stones beside to light it, lifting it so they could see. There where no windows in this hall, the cobwebs thick and low hanging… It was clear no one had gone into this one for some time – Even Yunxu chose to avoid it, too strong the foreboding sense of it all was… No sense in risking something you weren’t sure was worth the risk after all. Though it was very curious, even Nikolai wasn’t taken this way – Who could currently feel the distress welding and pulling at Zakahr on the inside… But his visual didn’t change, his vacant face which rarely showed anything of emotion just stayed still, but he was clearly torn on the inside.

And who wouldn’t be? Zakahr was so much older now… His sire had long since been out of sight even since /before/ he met Aleksandr, before he had a keep… All he had where these hallowed halls he left behind to be cared for. All that was left where memories of a man… It’s not that he felt threatened. It was a strange feeling of being worried about living up to someone’s expectations. Not all childes had this, some even resented their sire. Zakahr never honestly hated the man. Bitter at first over the embrace but he’s had years and years… And years to get over that.

Stepping lightly to the end of the hall, he pulled back a dusted tapestry, which was made a bit thicker then the rest to stand the test of time. ”Here.” He handed the candle off to Nikolai to hold as he went through his pockets. This door… This one was locked and had been locked since the glass coffin was placed in there. Though locks didn’t often keep out what needed to. Taking out an old key he dusted off the lock to slide it in. A jiggle and a forced twist later there was a loud ‘popping’ noise which allowed the door to creak open. Putting the key away and taking the candle back, he let Forcas step in first, then he followed behind holding the candle up so the other could see.

The coffin was indeed made of glass… Rather ornate coffin at that and clearly not one of Kazimir’s pick, or even close to what Forcas would remember the man liking. Lined and gold and closed tight, the vampire looked… Less then a man in there. Since it had been decades since he fed his features where sunk in, he looked as if he had been starving himself – Though clad in more ornate clothing then Yunxu himself could bother to wear… It really looked like the church had a blast with his body, right to the gold stake planted nice and deep into his chest, the top was really the only thing showing… It had been hammered in there hard – This was what kept Kazimir in torpor.

”As you can see… The state in which he was put into torpor leans into… Problematic areas. Getting that out will be a task, and waking him up /now/ will be a danger unless his servant is here. It’s likely he will frenzy without her… And one of my clan on a frenzy is something best left avoided.”

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

[Sears Nazi]

He took a moment to consider all of it. He wasn't going to touch the thing - not that it'd kill him to touch it, not that. . Zakahr's sire could kill him, no. . but when it came to 'religious' things, in any sense of the word. . Best, he figured, to not get involved. . Unless he wanted to play entertainer to a certain divine being and his lackeys. And where had she gotten to . . that was beyond him. She could have, theoretically, been summoned at any time. . But it wasn't as though he had the idea to look.

There had to have been some reason for it. He knew she wouldn't just up and leave - and knew she cared because. . well, he had heard enough of her complaints to last him this lifetime and whatever ones may follow. "A pleasure." In response to the introduction of Nikolai. . little beyond that, though he did watch the creature for a moment. Curious looking thing. . And not a vampire, that much was obvious. Servant. . it took him a moment to figure out how the word was being used. He had a servant, himself -- multiple servants, rather. . Ones he seldom saw a reason to have, but-- . . That was little more than a task force. This was. . something on a bit more of a grand scale. Personally, he never saw the point to that kind of servant. Both weakness and hinderance. . and a constant companion, want it or not. .

. . Though in this particular case, he was amused that life could so easily be given as a gift here, as well as where he was from. What gave someone the jurisdiction to do something like that? . And the fact that Zakahr had a servant to begin with was also slightly amusing. Like sire like childe? . . Something like that - he had never been a vampire before. But . . Nikolai wasn't nearly as important of a thing to pay any heed to when compared to. .

. . Women. He supposed he walked right into that, helped set it up, even. "The fewer women that live near you the better, so your living conditions seem to be perfectly ideal, unlike--" he smiled somewhat. "You can walk near light but you can't get anywhere near sunlight. If what you say is true - and I have no reason to doubt it. . She can walk into a church, but if any relics, holy water, or otherwise get near her. ." To this he gave a half hearted shrug - she wasn't particularly important to him, but he was aware that she meant something to others. "When something as simple as a human priest could - with proper training - banish you to a different plane . . Best to take time to plan things out. . though I am surprised she simply didn't inform me of this quandary, such a fate against such things is one I do not share." Still. . ". . Though as a woman, simply because she's a woman. . she probably wanted to do it herself without any help. Perhaps I should have paid a bit more attention to her complaints." Not that it was . . easy to do, even if he wanted to. Not with so much going on and so much being processed all at once.

He was a bit surprised Zakahr had the key on his person, being that everything seemed so horribly neglected. . Not that it was a bad thing, nor a conversation worth having. . and indeed locks. . useful as they were. . could still be undone fairly easily - he knew even . . shadows. . could slip through such things - not to mention other, more powerful creatures. . perhaps it was the general 'unwelcome' feel that kept people away. It would have been off putting to even him if he had some reason to fear. . well, anything. They'd already had their own rebellion, after all - and . . . After such a thing, there was very little you had to be afraid of.

He did step in, take a quick walk around the exterior of the coffin. . not that it was a very practical one. . There had to have been a lot of thought put into the display - a lot of time and effort going into the construction of the damned thing. The glass had to be enough to support the body, but not too thick as to fog up. . especially not near something like an altar, with so many candles. . And even more lit for the souls of the lost, hoping for some kind of redemption. It was strange how much one could change, though he supposed he was somewhat hypocritical for even thinking it. How many times had he shown up in some new form? . . No mater. . It was definitely Kazimir. . . Kazimir plus horribly ornate stake. Now, he understood reason for lavish and ornate things - it was a way to establish power, visually. . But, things like this? He folded an arm over his chest, one elbow resting into it, hand on the side of his face. . "I don't see him summoning her anytime soon." He glanced over at Zakahr, "Unless you're implying I do something about it."

. . Not a problem, exactly. . But even then, there were never any. . guarantees about how these things would work out until you tried.

[DeliriumNitemare]

xxxxஇZakahr Varfolomeiஇxxxx

இஇ

ஒOver an eternity, improbabilities become certainties.ஒ

”No, I can’t say I see him doing such things either, not with that so deep in his chest.” Zakahr tilted his head lightly looking down at the glass coffin. How many nights had passed since he stuck the damn thing in there, anyway? No matter… No matter. Zakahr was still just a childe, even in his age… Even with how a Fiend properly acted. Detached, cold, uncaring and their clan most common to resent their masters before them… There was a sense of worry there – Not that.. Forcas could feel that, but maybe he could sense that. Zakahr seemed to remember something about hands… Kazimir would always give Forcus his hand… Seemed to always get some sort of answer from such an action too.

This perhaps was why Zakahr chose to wear lace over his hands… Gloves to mask the palms… He never understood those actions then and still didn’t now – But he wasn’t keen on his life being told through the lines on his hands. … Though there where honestly more pressing issues here then what Forcus could do with people’s hands. Tilting his head the other way he kept his eyes on the coffin rather then Forcus at the moment. ”I tend not to imply things to people outside of my jurisdiction.” And Forcus fell far from his own ring of power. ”If you wish to try something, then by all means. I know Kazimir trusted you, with how often I saw you around in my youth.” But wasn’t he a she then? ”You could always call his servant, at the very least. That is something I’ve never been able to do.”

He wasn’t a summoner after all.

”This is going to take a bit of explaining to my court.” And then some. He reached out to brush off the top of the case, to get a better look at the weakened features of the Fiend below. ”I don’t believe there to be any holy relics on him now… If there was he’d be dead, I’m sure. I would be burned from even touching the coffin… I didn’t particularly move it in kindness or grace.” No… He kinda ruined where they’d put it. Taking his hand back, he shook it free of dust, now turning his gaze to Forcus.

But what was left to do from here? Get the servant… Remove the stake… He didn’t want to get diablerized though incase he frenzied. Setting the candle down… On the coffin for lack of better place… He folded his own arms and shifted his weight. ”I think, perhaps the wisest path to take here, is to locate his servant.” He motioned lightly to the coffin. ”Bring her here… Since he’s likely to frenzy. You may not be at risk but…” He was, Nikolai was, his whole keep was. “She’ll have to cut her wrist, let that be the blood he smells upon awaking… Nikolai.” He motioned for him to come forward a bit more. ”Nikolai is a shifter, I myself can’t remove that stake… And I don’t know how keen you are on touching things… But he is likely to not only be able to remove it, but also not become damaged if there is a holy relic in play on that ornate monstrosity.”

Seemed best, least to him. Forcus may have another idea… but least if there was blood in the air that’s where Kazimir’s attraction would go first… Rather then anyone who just happened to be too close at the wrong time. He shifted again… They where likely going to have to break that coffin to even get at him…

Perhaps that’s a problem they should take on first….

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

[Sears Nazi]

"Since he seems all to incapacitated. . " he tapped his fingers on the glass box once again, "I'll see what I can do." It was still strange - a vampire of all things in a little glass coffin. . Made out to be a saint. Now, he was not a righteous creature himself. . In some ways he figured he was probably more damned than any vampire could ever hope to be. Still, even he could appreciate the irony of it all. It was the 1700s, after all - a few hundred years before, well - he kept up with current events. He was aware of the corruption - of the lavish spending and how the church would justify it. . It wasn't gold for the sake of gold, no - never. It was gold to lace the final resting place of a saint. Gold to line the ceilings because it pleased god. . Gold for the priests to wear around their abnormally thick fingers for such. . supposedly meager lifestyles, simply because-- . . . but to have the need to spend gold under ruse of 'charity' but not having things to spend it on. . And lo, a body that they knew wouldn't decay in a few short years, hence the stake. . Saint Kazimir was not - not any more so than Forcas was divine. . and, honestly, he didn't feel very much like a god. He wasn't one.

All the same it was enough to form a thin smirk on his face as he thought on it, the irony of it. . even how grave the whole situation was. It wouldn't be easy, even with her here. Mind reader he was not - such wasn't a power or ability under his jurisdiction, nor would it ever be. . Though even he went into this with a bit of trepidation, not because he was scared of what a freshly awakened fiend would do. . but because he didn't see Kazimir coming back if things went wrong even with his abilities - same for Zakahr and Nikolai, though he cared less about them anddd. . . Well, if something happened to any of them - probably at his own hand - it'd be a bit hard to explain his way out of. 'Why yes, he died because. . .' . . Because this plan was ill thought out. When put that way, wasn't some minor annoyance worth it? . . No, no - because then he wouldn't get anything done and then it would be his a** on the line. He had always been one for careful planning, but this brought a whole new level into the game. These people. . weren't immortal in the same sense he was. What would have worked during his own crusades would be highly dangerous to even attempt here. Even his time with the angel Alexiel and the Eastern war god Homura was different than now. . What the three of the did then -- . . . humans weren't nearly as prominent of a race as they were now, communication was. . kept to a minimal if only because language hadn't yet evolved. . And that was a time before even Kazimir was born. Everything he was accustomed to in that sense, every "mortal" challenge that he knew the solution to overcome. . was null.

. . . Besides, Alexiel couldn't die. Homura could, if only due to his lineage. . but that would be death by natural causes. It wasn't as though anything he did would have killed him. His 'friends' now - and that term was used somewhat loosely - . . there were very rarely any second chances. So. . perhaps he'd step back - do what only he could do, and place the rest of it in the others hand's- he just hoped they were capable.

In the mean time, he focused on the stake. . "This is probably a 'holy relic', you know." Though again he smiled, taking note of Zakahr's words. It was absolutely true - if indeed it was holy, there'd be. . . even greater problems, if any at all. "But I suppose gold is gold, blessed or not. You're children of a great era," this said sarcastically - and somewhat curious, as there was many years between the lot of them. . but Forcas, having been alive basically since time itself thought of them as contemporaries, merely a generation or so apart. "to have been born into a time when not even a priest can spare some mutterings or another to make all the lavish purchases even worth it. Unblessed gold is just a precious metal, and they have no right - by their own jurisdiction! - having such things." Honestly. . . who was the monster? Not that he could blame certain people for the actions of mortals. . Free will and all that - a joke in itself since all it ever ended in was people being punished for some reason or another. . But not the clergy, no - never the clergy. They, even with their lavish spending, comfortable lifestyles and tacky trinkets-- another glance at the stake -- could do no wrong.

. . Just as, theoretically, a Prince couldn't. It was, as humans saw it, anyway - divine right, was it not? "The part where you explain - and I suggest very casually - that you're acquainted with demons, or the part when they notice a significantly older vampire nearby on their own, and have no answers for it?" . . Or the part where things go wrong and he comes after them -- buttt. . best to not get into that possibility just yet. "At the very least tell them how you fetched the coffin, even I'm interested in that story."

"You know more about your own kind than I do, so. . Your call what we do." . . Though he hated to say such. He knew Zakahr would know better - if only because he knew about his own kind inside and out. . Though oh, how he hated to follow other's plans. . If something went wrong it'd distract him for days, weeks, years trying to conceive a better plan after the fact, trying to figure out why things when wrong and what the proper remedy would be. "If you want me to try to summon her, I will. If you think that will arouse too much suspicion, she can't be that hard to find - we can fetch her and drag her back here manually. Or we could wait. . just incase." He glanced at Nikolai, somewhat amused that he had been nominated to do . . the honours? . . Surely that wasn't the right word, but even he appreciated the . . new sense of adventure. "It is stuck in pretty deeply. . and I don't know any incantation to draw it out - not that I'd try even if I did; my own problems, you see," and no reason to get into those, besides, Zakahr could probably put two and two together, "A shifter seems. . . ideal?" Not the right word, but best to keep things moving along, "Though, if removed by force alone. . I do think things will get quite messy very quickly, so best he. . " . . How to put it nicely as possible, ". . knows how to run." Worst case situation, Forcas was able to make things invisible . .but having no experienced with a frenzied vampire, well - perhaps even then they could be detected. It. . wasn't even worth bringing up unless things seemed dire.

. . And now, now there was a lot on the table - a lot of steps to see this through to the end, and a lot of things that could go wrong. What specific question covered it all? None he could think of; and so the fires were useless. No matter. He enjoyed challenges.

. . . And was still alive to tell about them. If asked in the proper way. . . of course.

Nikolai

He was there, you know? So that meant he could be addressed to his face. Least that's how he thought it worked. . . besides, new guy didn't look that special. Didn't look very big, or. . . powerful. . or. . old, even. . Didn't smell weird - didn't really even have a smell he was familiar with, at least. . He didn't know what to make of it. He knew that it seemed like he could be ripped into multiple parts and eaten piece by piece- but Aleksandr looked like that to, and while provoking was fun. . . shadows, when they decided to show themselves. . Tended not to be. Especially when they could find you even when you hid in the dark.

. . And Zakahr didn't seem all too keen on letting him have his fun, either, so. .

. . but he didn't seem to have a title ! Zakahr was the Prince - and the fairy prince, by extension - and he was the Fairy Princess. . and maybe just Princess, if Zakahr's title meant anything to him? Hm. . So, the guy - who. . seemed to only have a first name - and that was less names than Valentin had ! - . . should. . at least give him a look. That was proper to do - look at the princess and ACKNOWLEDGE HE WAS THERE- . . Which Forcas didn't seem like he had any plans on doing.

And of course he knew how to run. Everyone did. And he wanted to say something along these lines to, but didn't think Zakahr would be pleased with him at all. . not. . that he really knew what Zakahr was feeling at the moment. Something new - curiously new - so. . . The emotion didn't . . seem familiar - definitely not from Zakahr's end, at least. What was the big deal, anyway? . .

. . The box? . . Boxes weren't special.

. . Not that he was fully aware of the situation yet. . and the box was still dusty on the sides, so he didn't know what was in-- woah. A man? He tapped on the glass, knocking lightly with his knuckles. .then knocking a bit harder when that didn't seem to do anything. Thick glass. How long had this guy been here? He must be like, the virtual god of hiding for nobody to have found him until no--. . . He rolled his eyes upwards, now glancing at Zakahr. . . No wonder. It was all put together, now, piece by piece from fragments of a foreign memory. He knew who this guy was - knew a lot of things about him, too. . knew why he was here, how he got there, and where this box came from.

. . . So that's why things got so serious on such short notice. And that meant this guy was. . . Well, he didn't know who that guy was. He was completely unfamiliar in everything but name - . . . . and would probably remain that way for a while, seeing how only Kazimir himself knew a good majority of the story. But if he was somehow involved - somehow related to that time period, well. . . Perhaps it was the fairy princess that should be doing the acknowledgments?

"I can run." He said, draping himself over the top of the box, cheek being squished into his eye area somewhat with the motion. It was a look of defeat, really - the only words he felt he could get away with saying. . though he wasn't pleased inwardly.

. . And now his robes were dusty.

[DeliriumNitemare]

xxxxஇZakahr Varfolomeiஇxxxx

இஇ

ஒOver an eternity, improbabilities become certainties.ஒ

”Child closest to this true era would be Valentin. I was not born among men so tied to greed no more then I agree with their teachings.” Here before him stood a creature that, to him, did not add up in his own belief system. God, the Devil, even Cain was tied within their own teachings so deeply. Cain the brother of Abel, cast out only, in their legends, to go to Lilith. … Such a strange tale really, how the biblical Cain became the Vampire Caine, the dark father of them all.

A farmer named Cain prepared a sacrificial offering to his god, of his finest fruits and vegetables. His brother Abel also prepared a sacrificial offering, it being of the finest animals that he had raised. Either there was a dispute over whose offering was better, or their god really favored Abel's over Cain's. The final result ended in Cain "sacrificing" Abel on the sacrificial alter, his brother being the "finest" offering he could give. Needless to say, Caine's "Father" cursed him with a mark, and cast him out to wander in darkness in the Land of Nod.

Roaming the Land of Nod, Cain encounters Lilith. She sees that he is cold and hungry, and she welcomes him into her warmth. She identifies herself as Adam's first wife, the original wife of Cain's father. After staying with her for some time, the two become lovers. He realizes that she has powers and magic that he too would like to possess. So he pleads to her for these gifts. The hesitant Lilith then prepares an Awakening ceremony by cutting herself with a knife, bleeding into a bowl, and giving it to him so that he may drink.

After Cain partakes of Lilith's blood, he is visited by three angels who are agents of God. Each angel offers Cain a chance to repent for the murder of Abel. However, Cain rejects each of them. And for each angel he rejects, a curse is added on to him. He and his children are cursed with a weakness to fire, vulnerability to sunlight and the Beast Within that hungers for blood. A fourth angel then appeared to offer the way of Golconda (Golconda is a mystical state of enlightenment where a vampire is no longer subject to the Beast, or alternatively the Beast and human aspects of a vampire are in balance.), the only way to "light", by the mercy of God. After the experience, Caine becomes officially "Awakened", possessing the following Disciplines: Celerity, Potence, Fortitude, Obfuscate, Dominate, Presence, Protean, Animalism, and Auspex. Caine then became aware of the Path of Blood, the Final Path from which all paths stem. And with all these powers, he breaks his bond with Lilith and leaves her.

Caine continues to wander the Land of Nod in loneliness. The memory of his sin drowned him in sorrow. It wasn't for many ages until he decides to be amongst mortal men again. His powers and his mark were well known to mortal men and some even worshiped him. Finally, Caine settled in a small agricultural community, named Ubar. It was here, in this First City that he became the Dark Father …

Ah yes, even their fail was tied so close to this man, the man in charge of him, even God. This did not mean he believed it all… No. Caine was their dark father, this is where the term Cainite comes from to refer to fellow kin alike… Though the term was long since gone since the dark ages.. Kazimir used it, and often Zakahr did too if only out of habit. Kindred, Clan, Neonate… Brother. Didn’t matter, they where all Cainite’s at the end of the night. And from Caine came the Antediluvian, fathers and mothers of the lesser clans… Of his clan and any clan…. And there was of course Gehenna, the end of the world for all vampires. When the Antediluvian rose again and devour their fill of blood. Those would be the final nights…

… But it seemed they may be having their own final night if the actions taken this night where done wrong. Kazimir was no Antediluvian, he was no head of a full coven of vampires, he was just one… One in the vast group of them all.. But he was aged. Not as old as Forcus and never would he be, but old enough to be a true danger if woken wrong… If tried wrong… So much to risk, so much to lose. This was why it had simply been better to leave the sire to slumber these nights away.

Zakahr’s arms still crossed he shifted his weight, eyes still on Forcus. ”The part where I explain why there is suddenly a very old, very powerful Fiend in the keep… Who is not me.” He said simply. ”You and I know it is best left to the silence in the walls and the halls that we never breath the bond of Demon. Close to brothers as we may be, kinder look to you in fear… You cannot be destroyed so easily as we… But none do we come so close to as you… I think it is best to let them keep guessing your roles. After all, it is not as if they can tell by looking at you, or Uliana.” Yes he remembered the name Kazimir had given her, he was there for it after all.

The coffin part simply made Zakahr give a slight smile, just a turn up of the lips. ”That I will have to explain at the very least… When I explain why he is here and seemingly out of thin air as well. Seems when he is awake and we have not reached Final Death, I believe I will be calling a court meeting.” He turned his hand, elbow now propped in the other, to come to rest on his shoulder. ”You’re more then welcome to sit in, if you truly wish to know how I got the coffin.”

He mind the control over the whole… Ordeal, but there where a number of wrong moves that could be taken, wrong pathways… Simply just… Wrong. He took an unneeded breath and then let it out. ”Get Uliana. We’ll least take one problem off your back… And carefully work our way around the next… Number of problems.” His lace fingers gently brushed over the side of his own neck, thinking while looking back at the coffin now. So much to do, and now, it felt like there was little time to do it in. Couldn't very well keep Forcus from his job after all.

"Of course he can run." Zakahr echoed Nikolai, though his mind seemed to be elsewhere as he moved the candle so Nikolai wouldn't knock it off the glass top. "Don't do that." He took Nikolai by the arm to take him off the coffin and pull him over only to take one of his braids in his hand to keep his attention -- Stroking it gently between his fingers and thumb.

'Don't climb on the glass, come now… Be proper. Forcus is someone worth the while to impress… Someone worth the while to my Sire to impress. Behave Nikolai… It's all I ask. Please.'

He took a cloth from his pocket to clean up Nikolai's face. " Fast or slow, the end will be the same… It's best to pull it out quickly - The shock will least leave delay for you to run from the coffin." Takes his chin with the cloth in hand just to hold eye contact. No words, no kisses, just a look -- Which would seem odd to Forcus but between them it was endearment. "Once you move." He let Nikolai go and moved to the coffin, finding someplace else to put the candle. "Uliana will have to give forth her blood… He can only drink from her. It'll sooth the beast and keep him from killing anyone since the bond will keep him from draining her dry and killing himself."

He started to pull off his laced glove and roll up his sleeve on his right arm. "But first… I think I will open this coffin while you get Uliana." His arm crafted from flesh to bone, into something that'd break and pry open the side… Twisted and inhuman for sure. "Shouldn't be too hard to find Uliana, will it?"

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

[Sears Nazi]

He shook his head. . not wanting to argue with Zakahr. He still thought them all of a similar era - he had to, his concept of time completely different than theirs was. . which, of course, was saying something. 13 billion years. . 13 billion, spent in Heaven, Hell and Earth. . How little centuries meant - how short millennia seemed. . . Most things that were humans at one point in time seemed like children to him. Still, Zakahr's words did interest him - he wasn't born into a time of clerical greed? . . . Even Forcas had been - well, not so much born but created - . . though his perceptions of the world at that time were. . . different than they were at current. And of course, it wasn't the clergy that he had been concerned with. As far as vampiric lore went - he had heard about it in passing, heard about it from various people and things. . Never really bothered to look into it. . There was no point to it. There was little one person could do by way of altering the very fabrics of history-- . . And if Cain - dear Cain . . Truly was the father of all vampires. . Who was he to disclose the information even if he had the answers?

. . There was something in common, though - Lilith. There were rumours that she was the first true demon. . a succubus of some kind or another, another history he hadn't bothered to fully look into as it didn't concern him. It was something of a familiar story to him - her not bending to Adam's every whim, and he tossing her aside for the more well known figure of Eve. . Conflict and revolution; threatening ideas and virtual banishment. . Ah, yes - the story mirrored in that sense; one in the human realm rather than that of the nearly divine -- . . . Disease, illness, death - attributes given to Lilith due to this. . She supposedly plagued men's dreams, did all sorts of things to them in their sleep. . If she truly was a demon, he didn't doubt it. . Beyond that, supposedly she tempted people to do things they wouldn't under normal circumstances - promising all sorts of great things and knowing these things would never be achieved. . without some significant perverse affect. Such was the job of a demon, according to scriptures.

He didn't know how she fell into such a role - it wasn't as though there were demons when he was created. Even Satan was an angel when it got down to it, as he himself was - perfect, heavenly creatures that they knew they were. . . somewhere in the back of their minds. Far, far back. . They were members of a demonic hierarchy - the top two tiers, after all. It was a backwards world they lived in - a world where even holy beings could be considered evil, 'demons' were little other than angels with a different title. No matter. As long as he knew what he truly was and didn't lose sight of it. . though sometimes - sometimes that was hard. Indeed perhaps they weren't too different - fiend was a word that could describe the both of them - for different reasons, of course. . And there was - at least for the future generations of whatever his kind was - something similar to a common ancestor. .

. . Perhaps, other than their need to hunt - and sometimes hatred of - humans, there was something else which made vampires quite. . . tolerable. . . And something worth helping, in spite of everything else saying otherwise.

Though there seemed to be some trepidation on the vampire's part as a whole. . Something he could not deny, nor was it something he had any words to offer in comfort. "Destroyed? . . I suppose you're right," - for the most part. . He knew he could never fully be 'destroyed' unless God willed it, and he . . didn't believe he did anything to warrant such a fate. Again he shrugged, not having anything in particular to say on the matter. "They'll have to know something is up with her at the very least." . . It wasn't like. . she looked completely human - there were the markings, and. . . well, other obvious differences. "Though if you think it's for the best. ." . . . And god, god he hoped none of the vampires in the keep would get the wrong idea about him. . What he was. . And it just got even more curious when he was invited to sit in on a court meeting. They were bound to figure something out from that alone - especially if he forgot where he was momentarily . . Floated somewhat, or otherwise gave some hint away. . But a story - especially one that seemed as good as this could be. . ? That was one he didn't want to pass up. "You have my interest. . and don't mention the Final Death - we're trying to make this as clean as possible, right?" Again he tapped his fingers on the top of the coffin, wiping off a bit of dust and staring at it momentarily. If something was going to be done - well. . after this much dust accumulation. . it was about time.

He looked to the shifter who was fussing with his robes to get the dust off. . Strange thing. "If you're so sure he can do it," he nodded his head towards Nikolai, whom he still. . hadn't formally addressed, "then I'll do what I need to and fetch Uliana." He waved a hand, about to dismiss himself as he walked a bit closer to the door. There was no sense in even attempting to summon her here - not so close to the glass. . Not so close to others. He turned though, finally looking directly at Nikolai - "You better be able to run." It seemed like repetition. . but truly it was important. Surely there was some kind of self defense mechanism just waiting to spring into motion. . and sure - maybe it was only Uliana's blood that he'd drink. . but there was no guarantees that people wouldn't. . die first. He looked from Nikolai back to Zakahr. . If he was sure this was the right thing to do, then. . of course, he wasn't going to say anything. "Have fun opening it, I'll be back with her in just a moment."

That. . should have answered his question.

Nikolai

He stared at the door. . . listening to the sound of footsteps exiting the halls. . He didn't hear any - Forcas had decided not to walk once again, but. . He had to have gone off, somewhere - he felt a bit better, after all. . a bit less . . uneasy. Not that. . Zakahr's . . new. . arm. . made him feel much better. In some ways he wished he could do something like that - how useful it'd be. . Maybe then he could have real fairy wings ? Or be the same colour as Zakahr? . . Aleksandr was always saying there was something wrong with him - not that he particularly cared. . but, if Aleksandr thought white skin was better, then. . he could be whiter than Aleksandr only for spite and-- . . "I can run," he told Zakahr as though the claim needed to be validated, almost looking for some sort of reassurance.

There were some things he wanted to ask about the man in the glass box. . Things he had to have known the answer to already but. . didn't seem to know how to access it. The truth of it was, he was nervous. More nervous than he thought he'd be - especially due to Forcas' words and doubt - least how he interpreted it. If he didn't run fast enough, he knew what it could potentially mean . . and if that wasn't bad enough, if he failed, Zakahr failed, too. It was a lot of. . responsibility? He had other duties, ones that he not only fulfilled but enjoyed doing nine times out of ten. He knew not to doubt or question Zakahr. . there was never a reason for it. . and there was a certain thrill to . . . silencing people that needed to be silenced - that much was certain. Still, though. . . As important as he felt his job as Hound was. . . and as dangerous as it could potentially be. . They were never older than Zakahr. . and he knew strength came with age - ah yes.

But he silenced these thoughts - it was easier to do, now, than it was while trying to hide. He wanted to be found, then in some ways. . . He always wanted Zakahr to find him when all was said and done. And maybe there was some disappointment in knowing he wasn't able to find some perfect place. But. . Being with Zakahr was just as good as winning a round of their demented game of hide and seek. . Which Forcas ruined. He scowled somewhat at the thought. The game was going so nicely, too, and now. . He walked beside Zakahr, waiting for him to open the side. . He'd help push the top off - there shouldn't be any harm there. "I really can run. . really." And oh, how glad he was that his thoughts were silenced - least he thought they were. . No sense in bringing uneasiness into the equation. He repeated it again more for himself - the more you hear something the more true it became. . and besides, he knew he was fast. He knew it. So. . so it shouldn't be a problem, even if this guy was older than he could probably ever count on his own-- huh. "So let's just get this over with so we can have dinner, yeah? I think I deserve some of the newer people for this, none of those old, skinny ones - "

He turned, hearing a sound from behind him. . . Forcas approaching with someone else. Well then. . guess it was a now or never sort of thing-- . .

[DeliriumNitemare]

xxxxஇZakahr Varfolomeiஇxxxx

இஇ

ஒOver an eternity, improbabilities become certainties.ஒ

"I know you can Nikolai, I don't question if you can or cannot run… Simply do." He knew the other could run, he knew this very well and that wasn't a matter he wanted to press on… He was just worried what would happen if Nikolai didn't get away in time… Just took a moment too long… Honestly it'd be the end of them both, so it was best to not dwell on such unpleasant thoughts…

Zakahr moved to the glass box now, and with his morphed arm he stabbed at the sealed side until the ornate gold cracked and gave way, allowing him to pry the lid off the top enough for Nikolai to take it and place it on the floor… The last thing they needed was broken glass everywhere after all… Far from, far far from. Morphing his hand back into a hand, he lifted the… All be it taller man… Out of the rest of the glass. It seemed more like he was moving a skinned skeleton from an old crypt, the ornate clothes (clearly not of Kazimir's like or choosing) hung very loose over the sunk in features of the vampire… Though he himself looked clean… No dust had touched him in decades and now all at once he was being exposed to the elements.

There was no formal place to put his Sire. No bed to place him on, no fine cloth in this dank room. He was simply laid out on the floor, hands placed at his sides and extra fabric tucked in. Kneeling he motioned for Nikolai to come over to his right hand side and kneel with him, tapping the stake ever so cautiously. "It truly is jammed in there, do not be afraid to have to use your claws to get in around it." He tilted his head to look at the other. "He won't start to wake until it's removed, not before then… So work fast and get away quickly. I don't want you harmed." He set a hand on Nikolai's leg for a moment, until the steps got closer, as if they where right outside the door -- Only then did he take his hand away and stand.

Taking the short steps to the door, he pulled it open to let Forcas back into the room, along with who he brought with him. Uliana was a demon… But he also hoped she'd put her woman ways aside and not throw herself onto the still 'dead' body and weep. "I think, Forcas, we are as ready as we're going to get with this." He closed the door behind the two once they entered and made his way back to Kazimir, arms folded now in waiting.

After all this was just going to go one of two ways.

Either half of them where getting ready to die due to a frenzying vampire.

or

They'd walk away from this, and Kazimir will be awakened again for the first time in /years/.

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

[Albion Towers]

[[Forgive shitbox jr D; ]]

N:

There was dead bodies and then there were. . dead bodies. Kazimir fell into the second category. He winced slightly as he watched Zakahr move the body - not because it looked like it was particularly hard to do, no, far from it - more because such a state looked very painful to be in. . Very unnatural, even for a vampire.

. . . and as it seemed, one that could kill them if he so chose to, consciously or not. Not that. . he really looked like he could do much killing - not as he looked now. .

He knelt beside Zakahr at his beckon, taking yet another glance, sizing Kazimir up to the best of his ability. It. . really. . didn't look like the guy could do much harm - everything all too deceitful for him to really get a good opinion on the situation. . It simply didn't seem . . realistic. Men that looked like that didn't even appear as though they could move with any sort of ease, and here he was-- . .and here they were, a very realistic fear lingering in the air, all due to. . something that looked horribly . . beyond dead. He nodded - he knew what he had to do. There really wasn't need for explanation - Zakahr would know how he felt, and even then. . It didn't really seem like there were words to say. It was truly strange - he had lived a long time and Zakahr, of course, had lived even longer. . and after all that -- . . if something went wrong it'd be over in an instant. .

He stared at Zakahr's hand momentarily - not sure what to make of it and not sure if he should hit the hand away. This didn't seem like a time for . . any of that, didn't seem like a time for comfort or . . fear, either, as much as he may have felt it in some way. . No. No room for any of that - it'd just make things substantially harder. And the door was opening, anyway - so. . .

. . . and now there was a girl. . Which. . also somewhat bothered him, if only because she may or may not want to claim his title as the fairy princess -- . . Girls were dangerous like that. But that was another thought that'd have to be pushed aside for now. . For now.

U:

So. . it was her turn to look at the body. It looked. . good. . Least for something that had been stored up on an alter for so many years. . not neglected; no. . They wouldn't allow something like that to happen once the body was in their possession. . Still, there was something eery about the whole thing - eerier still when she compared the body now to how it looked years before. . Years before Zakahr had claimed it, years before the church had done its worst. She was still mad at him - upset that she hadn't been able to claim the body for herself. . but she knew that was a monumental task - one she had tried her hand at time and again only to have failed; escaping within moments of her life being claimed or. . being banished to the plane she had initially came from - wherever that was. . Whatever it was.

Resent would have to wait. She gave a nod to Zakahr after entering the door - said nothing, wouldn't say anything - both because her own pride prohibited her from saying such and because she was even somewhat upset at Forcas for bringing her down without notice. He really did have his own sense of time - though with the differences in Hell and the mortal world she realized she really shouldn't have been surprised. .An afternoon there was some indeterminately long amount of time here, after all.

Other than those initial thoughts, there was a cold indifference about the whole situation - she, as well as Forcas, having the least to fear. She looked over at him. He was levitating somewhat, holding a 'sitting' position a few feet up without any chair to support him. . She hadn't the slightest why he was keeping his distance - he had the least to fear. All the same, her gaze diverted as she glanced back at Kazimir's body. . After so many years, he'd be back - she didn't doubt it, not in the least. She'd do what needed to be done, the. . other guy. . whoever he was would. Zakahr . . Well, Forcas hadn't told her anything about what he'd be doing - but she didn't seem to think it'd be much of a problem at least.

"Well?" Her attention now on Nikolai she spoke - "Do as you need to, then. I'm ready, I assume you are as well."

N:
He still. . wasn't really sure why they were going through all the effort. Kazimir had been where he was for years and years. . nobody seemed to mention anything about it. Of course he was gradually piecing the story together, perhaps the whys would be making more sense soon enough. . Certainly not now, not with so much already on his mind. . Though he did find it most curious that both Forcas and. . whoever this woman was. . were paying him such little mind. Belittling his role or. . something along those lines. Of course he was ready. As ready as he ever would be.

Zakahr had already given his go ahead with his word to Forcas. . as did the girl. The last one he felt he needed approval from was Forcas - so he glanced towards the other's direction, getting only a small 'go on, then' hand gesture in reply. So he knelt again, trying to get his nails under the ornate thing as the woman got closer, standing ready. . Why hadn't he asked Forcas how this would play out? He knew - Nikolai knew that he knew. . Even felt him smiling somewhat at this fact, though this he played off more to nerve than anything of real standing. If they wanted some old, scary vampire back in their lives. . by all means. Who was he to prevent them from having such . . such an honour?

Finally he felt as though he had a good enough grasp on the thing. . and he looked up at Zakahr from his position - not smiling, really. . It wasn't like there was much to smile about. Zakahr would understand what it meant, anyway -- he would. . he had to. So, if all he had to do was pull and run --- . . . damnit, that was easy enough. Sounded easier than a lot of the things Zakahr had him do, yeah -

. . but the mind was fond of playing tricks under pressure. Perhaps. . it wasn't easy.

But he shrugged, grasping on it a little harder. . and pulled. Lots of pulling - a harder task than he ever would have liked but. . it wasn't like there was much else to do at this point. . And oddly curious, since logically the thing would be easier to remove now with the body in the state it was in.

He stared at the stake. Stared and . . stared for another short moment -- . . then dropped it. And oh, wasn't there something very important he had to do next? Ah, yes - run. Run fast and let the demon lady do her thing - . . which she did, not that he was around to have seen it.

[DeliriumNitemare]

(Don't hate on my lack of layout.)

Uliana would feel it first, simply because of the link - Though lack of true life showed in the body. Thought, though nothing coherent, rapid and non-haulting, once that stake was removed fully... Once it hit the ground and Nikolai ran like hell from the room. Zakahr took measures to put himself at the farthest point of the room when Kazimir's eyes rolled open. It wasn't something so graceful, no, not with how his body had withered due to lack of blood, lack of proper bedding with the earth he so did need, but the eyes did open -- if not slightly forced, but instead of their normally vibrant green, they where a thick sticky red. Much of his body was like this, he looked less of a vampire and more like a re-animated corpse. Perhaps the most disgraceful thing to have happened to him.

The Tzimisce, whether New or Old... The appearance is often genteel, beautiful, and intriguing. Though many of the youngest generations promote aspects of brutality and monstrosity, the Tzimisce who have any real power in the sect must cultivate their appearance for the benefit of politics.

This is why Zakahr looked so close to human, he was after all a Prince, and a Prince had to be easy to come near... But, he also was slowly removing himself from all grips of humanity. It was Nikolai that held him to the last few strands.

On the other hand, the elder Tzimisce who make the effort to appear more beautiful and human have the darkest, most twisted natures of any vampire Clan. They have distanced themselves from anything that is human either by pursuing intellect to its highest and most detached form, or by giving in to their rabid natures and descending to the level of the Beast. Either way, even the most degraded Tzimisce knows that the best way to capture prey is to present a beguiling face.

This... Was where Kazimir sat. He had distanced himself, seeking intellect and choosing the path of metamorphosis long before Uliana was given to him. He had to learn how to understand her change in feeling after the bond, such things were long since dead in him. But he was beautiful then. Following the unspoken tradition of Russian's, he had golden tresses which fell to his mid back -- Currently his hair looked brittle and lost it's life, more like dead straw. His skin was perfect... He was perfect to look at, something to appealing he could have passed as an angel.

Of course this was what landed him in the gold glass box to start with. But now his eyes where open, now he was moving. There was just one thing on his mind at the current moment and that was to feed. He didn't realize who was there, he did not care. Uliana being the closest thing to him which he could hear the heart beating in ended up becoming his target -- Which was what they wanted anyway. For something so dead looking he had power to him and she was thus yanked to the floor by the first thing his boney fingers clung onto, which happened to be her clothes. A pull, a yank, and a grab with both hands when she was down. No kind words to be given just yet, he just bit her neck to feed.

xxxxஇZakahr Varfolomeiஇxxxx

இஇ

ஒOver an eternity, improbabilities become certainties.ஒ

He didn't know where Nikolai had ran too, in fact Nikolai would know this because he kept trying to see through his eyes... But he had to keep an eye on what was going on in front of him. Can't do both at the same time and even with Kazimir feeding he was still on edge. Very on edge. There was a chance that her blood wouldn't be enough... Though she was demon and the blood would be stronger then that of a humans, she could only give up so much before Kazimir was threatening their lives. He shook his head.

'Nikolai, go down to the dungeon, find the most lively one out of there and bring it back up here, in case Uliana's blood isn't enough for him, I want to make sure there is no chance he's going to frenzy on us. Be quick and don't let the other court see you.'

He didn't want to explain this just yet, not when he was trying to prevent a frenzy.

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