|
|
|
|
|
|
|
iStoleYurVamps
iStoleYurVamps
|
 Posted: Mon Sep 08, 2008 8:24 pm
Castle Croncvist had been Joachim's home for as long as he could remember. Which, would explain his hesitancy to ever leave it. When he did leave the castle, he would be gone for days, even weeks on end. Some times only to return a single night and leave once more. These last nights had been no different. He had been following Rutger, as usual, trying to draw some for of emotion from the stoic fey. When, very quickly, he began to lose Rutger's trail. This was odd as vampires rarely lost their prey. When they did, it was usually due to two things, the trail was old, or, their prey were shielded by holy magic. Joachim had never been more then a quick run away from Rutger, and even during the day, the fey wouldn't travel very far. Even if Rutger had managed to out run Joachim, the trail of emotional residue or his very scent itself would remain. Yet, in the past few nights, the scent had faded away, and the emotional residue became scattered at best.
That left Joachim very upset. Not only had he lost Rutger, but, he had lost something even more valuable. His drive.
It wasn't a drive for sex or anything of a sort. Rather, it was simply a drive to do anything. Joachim felt unmotivated to go back and look for Rutger. He also felt that Rutger might have destroyed his trail with Joachim in mind.
Which left Joachim even more upset.
And tonight was worse then the past nights, and the sole reason had once more, been surrounded by Rutger. Joachim had prepared the castle for a guest, on hearing of a red fey in the area. Turned out, the rumor was just that, a rumor. No Rutger, no taunting, no conversations that ended in one of them thinking their lives over. Marcus had called Joachim gay for going to such lengths to see and converse with the red fey. Joachim just scoffed at the remark. He did not love, love was beyond Joachim's abilities. His recycled emotions could not afford love. Passion, hate, lust, but no, never love. What he felt for Rutger was no such emotion. It was resemblance. He was Joachim, a different form, a different history, but, emotionally, he was, or rather, had been the same.
Joachim sighed, closing the large wooded doors behind him.
Tonight, he would not go look for they fey that drove him, rather Joachim would simply feed, and be done with this night.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Mon Sep 08, 2008 9:10 pm
Rutger had become aware of a certain absence the last few nights. It wasn't that he'd come to depend on the provoking and often deeply considering conversations that he had with Joachim, just that he'd begun to develop an interest in what the other ghostling would force him to consider next. He was well and able to think over his own concerns without the aid of another; that wasn't the problem. If he needed assistance, there was a poltergeist in his own home who had more than enough opinion for one being, in his estimation, that he could turn to as well.
He recognized something in Joachim, that was all. He reminded him, in a way, of someone that he had left behind. Not in personality, or even spirit, but in the reaction that he produced in Rutger himself.
Folding his arms against a breeze, eyes narrowed toward the moon, he paused in front of a strange building he couldn't recall ever seeing prior. Something had drawn him to it, and now that he had arrived, he was almost certain it had been the wind. He had been thinking of Joachim and seeking him out after days of evading him. It hadn't been out of any aversion - simply a test to see that he could - the results of which he would verify shortly.
If, indeed, this was where Joachim resided.
Standing in front of the doors, posture arrogant, he tipped his head up and took in a deep breath. In a volume unusual for the generally soft-spoken fey, he called, "Who dwells here?"
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
iStoleYurVamps
iStoleYurVamps
|
Posted: Mon Sep 08, 2008 9:27 pm
He was surely hallucinating. The voice was not that of a villager, their voices usually came in one tune only, 'angry mob'. Thankfully, it was just a single voice. A voice he knew, or, thought he knew, fairly well. But again, not feeding could lead to hallucinations. He jumped up to the large window that overlooked the front plaza. Yes. Red clothes. Brown hair. Single white horn.
Grinning, Joachim was ready to run out and greet Rutger personally, however, that, was not the way of host. Jumping back down to the doors, he straighted out his clothes ruffles, gave his armor a quick glance over. Nothing was amiss.
"I dwell here. But then again, 'here' is relative. I do not dwell here, yet, I know for a fact that I do. So I ask you, Uniboy," Joachim opened the doors, expecting to see the cold frown and glare that Rutger constantly wore, "Do you think I dwell here or rather do you think I dwell here? I will tell you you get a consolation prize if you get it wrong though." He gave a small laugh at his own joke.
"Anyway, riddles aside, I, Joachim Armster, Vampire, and Lord of Castle Croncvist, Invite you in. Welcome, Rutger, Fey, to my dwellings." Joachim, not one to pass up a chance to play lord and host, bowed, extending an arm inward, hoping Rutger would not hesitate to take up the offer.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Mon Sep 08, 2008 9:46 pm
Expression a little perplexed, wondering at the ceremony that Joachim was displaying, Rutger said nothing for a few moments. He was used to Joachim's odd way of doing things, but the elaborate invitation made him a bit uncomfortable. In his past life, he had been a halfling child, his appearance a blatant reminder of his mixed heritage, and not particularly high on anyone's social status. He preferred it that way, having grown into an awkward and reserved man.
Even when traveling in Roy's army and being in the presence of royalty, he had avoided them at most all costs. He was comfortable around men of his own ilk, men who disliked pretense and simply went about their own business.
Unfolding his arms, he allowed them to fall to his sides. His sleeves billowed slightly, tail whipped behind him.
"... I accept." Closing his eyes, he walked past Joachim, still a bit uneasy, but willing to put that aside. Though normally he would consider being in another's dwelling putting himself at an unforgivable disadvantage, in this instance, he was simply curious.
That aside, if Joachim had wanted to attack him, he would have.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
iStoleYurVamps
iStoleYurVamps
|
Posted: Mon Sep 08, 2008 10:02 pm
Though Joachim had expected Rutger's apprehension, he had no idea where the fey had gotten the idea Joachim would attack him. Especially while he was Joachim's guest! He may be a collaboration of souls and vampiric magics, but, that didn't mean he was a crass, unrefined pig! Who ever had planted such seeds in Rutger's mind did not know the laws of a host with guest. Closing the doors behind him, Joachim thoughts traveled to Rutger's new presence. Joachim had been searching for the fey for weeks it seemed, yet, how was it Rutger could find him so easily. Perhaps its was a gift of the fey.
"I take it the wind told you where to find me. Or, rather, were you not trying to find me at all?" His voice held sting. While Joachim may not admit it out loud, he had come to enjoy Rutger's company. If if Rutger didn't Know he had company. He brushed his rudeness aside, it was not welcomed.
"I am happy that you have come Uniboy. Is their any thing I might get you? A drink? Fresh fruit? A woman?" he grinned at the last item, recalling their last encounter. "I am your host, and thusly, you are my guest. Please, don't be so stiff. It is bad manners to attack one's guest. " he walked towards the foyer. "And I am no crass pig. Again, can I get you anything?"
Wasn't he just the chatty cathy this night?
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Mon Sep 08, 2008 10:14 pm
Retaining his silence, reminding himself of just why having certain thoughts became dangerous around Joachim, he cast a glance around the lavish room he had been escorted to. He was reminded of his own modest beginnings, the comfortable and homey thatched huts and tents that he had been raised in. He had been taught to hold only what he needed, waste nothing, and travel lightly.
Still, there was some kind of appeal in such a place. He would never be truly comfortable inside its walls, however.
"... I require nothing." Finally turning his gaze back to Joachim, expression solemn but oddly serene, he rested his tiny hands on his hips. Joachim was... talkative, and seemed much friendlier than their previous encounters.
Not that he was abrasive most times.
Perhaps Rutger simply wasn't accustomed to being anyone's guest.
Raising one eyebrow, he tossed his head slightly, freeing his vision from the sheet of bangs that had fallen over his brow. "I have not yet had the pleasure of speaking to the wind."
Tipping his head downward, contemplating, he added, "Though I believe that yes, the wind assisted me tonight. I did seek you out. Does this displease you?"
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
iStoleYurVamps
iStoleYurVamps
|
Posted: Mon Sep 08, 2008 11:53 pm
If he had been less of a man, and more of a woman, he might have clapped his hands and jumped for joy on the news of Rutger seeking him out. Thankfully, Joachim was very male, and had little impulse to participate in such acts. Joachim only response to that statement was a smile. So he had not been sent away. Rather, it was just a fluke. Fluke were rare, and thus, it would likely never happen again. This thought mad Joachim's smile wider.
"You can now sense the wind however, which, if I am remembering previous encounters, is an improvement yes?" He closed his eye, recalling the slight shock in being found out. "If this brings you joy, then uniboy, I shall share in your joys, for, I wish you well, and no ills. On the note of emotional states, I am merely treating you as a host should. I may know the latest news of the world, but, I still hold to older ways and traditions." He gave another bow. "It is something I was created with. So again, you have little need to fear me so long as you are my guest." he waved his hand in dismissal.
"Anyway, the castle is finely equipped, and I can assure you, it can meet any number or needs or wants." Maybe Joachim was hungry, and that was why he wanted Rutger to eat as well. No...he had feed already. "There is a dance hall." Why would Rutger want to dance? Ah, well, maybe if he had a woman. "A gallery, should you enjoy fine art." Granted, much of the art was of war scenes and mythology, but for a man that though wind to have a gender he might like that. "We also have an armory, and strategy room. As well as a vast Library." Rutger had been a worrior, so he mich like the armory and strategy rooms, and if anything, Joachim would know if Rutger could read.
"Or shall we forgo the single room walk, and I give you a grand tour. I must say though, we do have a celler and prison, so if you wish to see those, I'd have to lend you a new pair of clothes. That place if filled with muck of all sorts."
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Mon Sep 15, 2008 2:31 pm
It he said that he wasn't curious about Joachim's apparent home, it would be a lie. The other ghostling was an enigma, and the more Rutger interacted with him, the more curious he became about all other aspects of his life. He had found so little to care about in this strange new world that Joachim was very much in danger of getting Rutger attached to him - perhaps not in the most obvious of means, but attached nonetheless. He might not have been a man who bestowed his attention in many places, but when he did, it tended to become a near obsession.
Eyes traveling up the intricate stonework of the castle, he pursed his lips and merely listened as Joachim spoke. He was used to being the silent party in any exchange, and while for most it would have been troublesome at the least and infuriating at the worst, Rutger found comfort in being spoken to and not being required to come up with some trivial reply to fuel a monologue.
That aside, Joachim seemed to be having... fun. How long had it been since he, or either of them, really, had fun? Likely a shorter time for the other, but all of his new developments aside, Rutger could still remember what it had been like to be a man. Standoffish and brusque as he often was, he still had the same desires and needs, if only muted.
Companionship was all right, once in a while.
Reaching up, he ran his stubby fingers through his hair, combing it back and away from his eyes. At a pause in the conversation, he turned dark brown eyes to his companion, interest evident in the slight sharpening of them.
"You brought me here... to show me your home." It was something he was unused to; prior to this, all had simply kept him around as long as he was useful, and kept him as far from their hearts and secrets as they could. Generally, he preferred it that way. "I am unused to this."
Honesty was a tactic he often employed, and with a person like Joachim, lying seemed a waste of energy. The ghostling would read his mind, anyhow, and if not that, then his heart.
And so, those thoughts in mind, he said bluntly, "I have no use for much of what you hold here. What food I need I can get myself, I do not know how to dance, I cannot read." Dropping his hands to his sides, he shook his head, bangs fanning around his face. "The days of being a warrior are long past to me."
In short, he was little more than an aimless spirit. He'd thought that Joachim understood that, even as it frustrated him.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
iStoleYurVamps
iStoleYurVamps
|
Posted: Fri Oct 17, 2008 10:54 pm
It took a while for it to register in Joachim's mind.
"I cannot read"
Cannot read.
Rutger,
Couldn't,
READ.
Bloody hell, what life did this fey lead? The ability to read was incredible! To not have such a vital skill...Dear lord! Joachim knew Rutger to be simple but not that simple! However...he had been a solider, and, a mercenary had he not? That would explain why he had never learned. Or, had his homeland kept reading limited to certain classes? It didn't matter. Joachim knew Rutger would enjoy reading once he learned how.
Joachim noticed he had worn an expression of shock for the past few moments. He shook his head, and began to make his way to the library, silently calling for Rutger to follow him.
"Though, I will admit, it shocks me you cannot read, perhaps we shall change that. If not..." he shrugged, armor clinking in the silent hallway.
"Then we will go to the armory. While you say your no longer a fighting man, the blood of a warrior flows deep in your veins." He stopped, turned around and placed his head in his favorite spot: Next to Rutger's neck.
"I can smell it." Brushing a few stray hairs from Rutger's face, he backed off. Walking backwards towards two large double doors made from oak, both intricately carved it Celtic designs.
"So here are your options." Joachim held up three fingers.
"One, you and I enter the library, and I teach you to read." He now held up two
fingers.
"Two, we go to the armory and we spar." One finger remained.
"Or you choose three, in which I choose a different option for you." He pointed at Rutger.
"And, no, you don't have any other options."
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Reply
