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Markius smiled contently, "True to no end, change would happen after a time, a very long time." He stopped to chuckle for a moment before continuing, "While I may appear to be possessive it is quite a limited trait I assure you. And that is only directed towards the land that I was buried and arose from, nothing else. Besides, if you had no free will then why would I desire to rule by your side, I already stated that I am not one to sit behind the throne and pull strings, I've already done that far too much." Markius slowed the pace of the maestro and of himself and Scarlet, "Take as much time as you like dear Scarlet. I have patience in waves. Do keep in mind, that I will keep no hold over you should you seek warmth in the arms of another; if you choose to rule beside me."

"Very well then." Markius waited for Scarlet to return to Ciro before he made his way to a chair off to the side and relaxed. The ancient vampire expanded his mind probing a few humans for current knowledge of the world, looking for a strategic point at which a new empire could emerge.

"I would normally err on the side of caution, but his proposal is enticing," Ciro paused to think. "I say take it, but be prepared for any potential betrayals; also, be sure to negotiate for conditions in your favor. Don't let him get all the chips, so to speak." Ciro smirked. He was thinking of the possible outcomes, both good and bad. "We could win or lose it all.... Wonderful odds."

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"You'd think your comrades would've sent backup by now." Alfons commented.
"I know. I was thinking the same thing." Jamie replied.
They both looked out the window.
"You know, I've had a cellphone on me the whole time."
"Then why the Hell didn't you call for help?!"
"Don't be stupid. There's no reception out here for some reason."

Ciro smiled. "Of course not. I rather like my current position." He gazed at Scarlet. "I will follow you for an eternity."

---------------

"Oh. Now what?"
Alfons shrugged. "Got any cards?"

A bat flew down to Markius at his silent beckoning. The ancient vampire whispered something in its ear and hung it on the back of the chair he had been sitting in. With that in place he silently made his way out of the castle and into the night air. With no humans around he discorporated into a cloud of gas and made his way into a small crack on the side of a nearby cliff. Once within he reverted his form and took his place within his coffin, crossing his arms and setting his cane aside. He closed the lid to his resting place and began to rest just as the sun began to peek over the horizon.

"Of course," Devonte agreed. "I believe she has retired to her chamber. Your guest suite is along the way, I will point it out as we go. I will have my staff watch for Samuel and guide him to the appropriate rooms." He turned and led the way out of the observatory, grabbing Wretch along the way. He led them down the long halls and pointed to a set of black doors carved with decorative geometric patterns. "These are your rooms. Scarlet's personal chambers are farther this way."

He continued down the long hall, made a left, and finally, they came to a dark red door. Devonte knocked politely.

"Come in!" sang Scarlet's familiar voice from beyond.

Devonte ushered Valthier and Wretch through the open door. They walked in on Scarlet and Ciro striped to their undergarments. Scarlet's were like dark spiderwebs; Ciro wore simple black silk boxers. Between them was a young man with dark skin and a dreamy expression. Bite-marks and angry red fletchette marks, as well as the faint scent of blood in the room, told them that the two vampires had been feeding.

"Darlings, so good of you to drop in for a night cap!" Scarlet cried joyfully. "We're going to start an empire--we should celebrate! Devonte, dearest, do we have any untapped donors? No? Then perhaps some of my special vintage for the occasion."

Val made a mental note of the guest suites, and he was none the wiser for it. Devonte had done the single most mentally distracting thing he could to the Undead Elf; pushed him roughly through a doorway to what would have been an awkward sight if she weren't in such a good mood.

Val couldn't help but take in the intoxicating aroma, and give his Hostess and her entertainment quick full-body scans with a sweeping gaze. he wasn't sure he wanted to know what her 'Special Vintage' was, but nonetheless the smell and sight of his current environment was making it rather hard for him to remain fully conscious. he grinned devilishly wide.

"Scarlet, milady, you are too kind! I merely meant to come thank you for the evening, and get a status report. I may be staying a few nights. I've sorely missed your company after all, and I would like to take full advantage of your hospitality."

he then stepped fully into the room, and put his arms around Scarlet and Ciro's shoulders.

"that said..." he giggled, "let us enjoy that 'Special Vintage' of yours!"

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

meanwhile, Samuel woke up in a pile of garbage bags, gripping an empty bottle of liquor, and a piece of paper folded in half. he stood up, groggilly, nd rubbed his eyes, then opened the paper.

inside was a phone number, and a note that read 'thanks for the wonderful night, and the gifts. call me!'. there was also a little picture of a face blowing a kiss, personified by a heart. at this, he checked all his pockets.

"DAMN!!" he cursed. "she took my money! my Strings! my Car!" he scratched his hair furiously, then slumped.

after standing up again, he walked back to the kitchen door, and inside the building. several cooks and clean-up staff chewed him out for smelling like rot in the kitchen, but he ignored them as he passed through and into the dining room. he slumped on a chair, and tried to drink from the liquor bottle, sighing in defeat when he noticed it was empty.

"Of course," Devonte agreed. He went to the a small, nearly invisible panel in the wall and opened it to reveal a speaking horn. Quietly, he ordered several bottles of Scarlet's special vintage to be delivered to her chambers as quickly as possible.

"Val, darling, you are always welcome in my home," Scarlet crooned as she leaned back into him momentarily. "I've been teaching my young protege how to feed--and you know how messy young vampires can be," she added teasingly. Then she leaned forward and murmured in Ande's ear, "You might want to make a hasty escape, precious. There are going to be more sets of teeth in this room than even you will be able to endure."

Taking the cue, Ande got to his feet and stumbled out of the room. Then Scarlet got up and pulled out a silk robe from her closet. She put it on for modesty's sake, but couldn't be bothered to tie it in the front. Sitting in her plush winged armchair again, she surveyed the group of people in her room.

"I have news, my darlings," she announced. "I have decided to accept Markius' proposal and we are going to start an empire. Rather, I'm going to use his war-mongering ways to expand my empire beyond that of the Red and Black courts. It is not going to be a vampire empire, so much as it is going to be my empire, although I'm not sure if Markius is aware of that. In any case, I hope I can count on your support as I expand my influence around the world--especially yours, Cassandra. I would greatly appreciate another ancient on my side to balance Markius."

________________________________________________

A servant dressed in the colors of Scarlet's house rushed to Sam's side.

"My lord," he gasped breathlessly. "Please, follow me. Miss Scarlet has prepared a suite for you and your companion where you will be able to freshen up. She is also having a meeting with your friend and the Great Lady Cassandra, and I know you would be displeased if you missed it. Please, please, this way."

The servant was doing everything in his servant-ly power to coerce Sam short of actually touching him, desperate to follow Scarlet's orders.