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 Posted: Tue Nov 25, 2008 9:48 pm
Dreams and Dust
At the heart of Mortimer's...residence...is a place for the Toreador to gather and commune. Or, if they wish, to share the products of a century or more's effort and thought.
Like much of Mort's castle, with the exception of his private study and a select number of guest rooms, the courtyard is in an obvious state of disrepair.
The fountain which once supported an angelic motif has long since crumbled, given way to the strength of the ages and the merciless prodding and questing of the many vines which once clambered over the stone carving. The vines, too, have died and returned to the earth and the fountain's basin holds only the water that falls from the heavens.
Only the roses remain, grown wild with the passage of time. They have claimed half of the walls that fence in the square courtyard and, when they bloom, the place seems almost ablaze with their scarlet color and rich scent.
It is a peaceful place, despite the ruins. The wreckage of elder statues and benches of stone provide ample seating, with the addition of such comforts as velvet cushions on the rougher, sharper, places to soften any physical misgivings certain Toreador may feel.
And, if you manage to watch your step amongst the lifted and worn cobblestones, you might find it to be a relaxing and comfortable place indeed.
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Posted: Tue Nov 25, 2008 9:57 pm
Mortimer lounged in the gap formed by two large boulders which angled themselves away from each other in such a way that he found the resulting seat to be quiet comfortable-made more so by one of his many over-large velvet cushions.
He sat there, with his knees almost on the same level as his eyes, contemplating the opening lines of his next story, the overcast skies and subtle perfumes from his roses bringing 'Victor' into his own.
Today, he thought, will, perhaps, be a good one. He nodded, looking up at a sky that was the same color as his own grey eyes and then back down to the page, frowning softly at it as he tapped the rear of the ball-point pen upon the margin of the page of a new journal.
"Now if I could just think of something to write about," he added, smiling softly as he inserted a finger to mark his page before flicking the book gently shut over it, stroking the soft leather cover with a slender index finger.
He leaned his head back upon the cushion and cast his eyes downward to where his sheathed blade lay upon the cobblestones before he closed his eyes altogether, reveling in the sounds of nature on this dusky morning.
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NitemareNightCross Captain
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Posted: Thu Nov 27, 2008 2:16 pm
Keeping quiet Victoria crept her way around the Castle gates trying to find a place to hide. "Where did that woman run off to?" One of her trackers yelled in frustration.
She had to snicker at how easily she had lost them as their voices faded. Scanning the area around her she sneered wondering how she had ended up by civilization. Pulling her long black and blond around her shoulders she ran her fingers through it.
Her bright eyes landed on a man sitting. Hoping she hadn't been noticed she crouched down pulling her black hood over her head to further conceal herself watching his every move. The young vampire demon's eyes turned a light shade of purple as she started feeling the full affect of the large gash on her side.
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Posted: Thu Nov 27, 2008 7:46 pm
Sensing an unfamiliar presence intruding upon the peace of his garden, Mortimer sighed inwardly and casually reached a hand down to grasp the hilt of his sword.
The birds, which had long grown accustomed to his smell, had ceased their usual singing at the unfamiliar vampiric intruder. Yet another unfortunate side-effect of having guests, he thought as his grey eyes opened lazily, settling upon the darkened figure.
"No use hiding in the corner, love," he said softly. Given the choice, he preferred a more gentle approach to dealing with strangers than most.
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NitemareNightCross Captain
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Posted: Thu Nov 27, 2008 8:12 pm
The silence that feel over her surroundings made her look up in confusion but all traces of confusion disappeared when she saw the man. Her eyes widened momentarily. She knew there was no use hiding now so she stood up and took her hood off. Tilting her head to the side she watched him closely expecting him to attack her.
With her hand still holding her side she sneered when he didn't attack. Victoria watched him with curiosity. "I see your hand on your sword but you haven't attacked me yet. Very odd." She spoke softly not daring to take a step closer.
"I'll be on my way as soon as i know the pathetic excuse of my persecutors aren't anywhere near. Persistent little creatures they are but they lack common sense." Victoria said looking to the side of her. Taking a step forward she stopped when a sharp pain shot through her as her body protested against her movements. "And when i can properly walk." She added.
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Posted: Thu Nov 27, 2008 8:48 pm
"Ah." Mortimer smiled apologetically as he slid the sheathed blade easily through the ring on his belt. Truthfully, after catching sight of her, he had completely forgotten the sword that he had held lightly in his left hand.
"Merely a reflex, I meant no offense," he added, his grey eyes quickly taking stock of his unexpected visitor.
He frowned softly when he heard her harsh words about the humans. Really, they were more amusing in his opinion. How they scurried about in their short little lives-it was precious. Endearing, even. It was something he had never noticed in his time among the mortals-just how quickly time passed.
He had obviously abstained from leaving his castle to visit the society of men for too long, it seemed, if Hunters had moved into his domain, unnoticed by himself. "And they've hurt you, as well? Tsk. I do loathe violence," he said softly, a cold glimmer in his grey eyes, his hand clenching upon the hilt of his sword as his gaze was directed, for the merest of moments, far away to another time and place altogether.
"Is there anything I can do?" he added, in a latent attempt to be polite. He wondered briefly if she thought him mad. Or-if not completely unhinged-a trifle touched in the head. Though his encounters with other vampires lead him to believe that common courtesy was not the way of his 'new' world, in his relative solitude he had developed a fancy for keeping a polite and open 'home' should anyone desire to call.
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NitemareNightCross Captain
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Posted: Thu Nov 27, 2008 9:56 pm
For a moment she was silent considering is offer. Victoria had been deceived many times and had to consider things carefully as to prevent herself from further emotional and psychical damage. Still on edge she nodded. "Yes they managed to sneak up on me. Thats what i get for letting my guard down." Even though Victoria was banished she still tended to wonder the streets causing trouble.
"Those humans are so quick at the sword when they see me around 'their' parts. If they were logical creatures they would know to leave someone like me alone." Victoria stated. Looking back at the man she and clicked her tongue in thought. If she were to let her guard down even for a moment he could easily kill her in the state she was in.
"If you could some bandaging would be a great help." Giving in she walked closer to him but stopped after a few steps and sat down baring her fangs as she winced again. Mentally scolding herself she tried to ease the pain by detracting her mind.
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Posted: Fri Nov 28, 2008 7:30 am
"Bandages," he repeated thoughtfully, frowning in concern. It had been such a long time since he, or anyone around him for that matter, had gotten into enough trouble to need any real medical attention that he was having a hard time recalling just what bandages were.
Bandages...bandages..., he tapped his hand thoughtfully at his side for a moment, unwilling to ask the stranger to explain the silly things. He did know what they were after all. He had just...forgotten. "Ah yes!" he said suddenly, his face breaking into a wide smile, pleased that he had finally remembered. "Be with you in a moment, love!" he called as he took off, hurrying toward the cedar chest in his study where he kept such objects-things that reminded him of mortals.
Mortimer returned swiftly, leaning against his former seat as he tossed the roll of cloth to her, maintaining the distance he somewhat felt she preferred.
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NitemareNightCross Captain
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Posted: Fri Nov 28, 2008 10:11 am
Victoria watched him for a moment longer before returning to her injury. I wonder whats wrong. Hm? She thought quietly to herself. Groaning she remembered that her bag had been taken from her. The one thing in life she had left from her mother.
His retreating words made her look up quickly. When he had run off she hissed. "I'm no ones love." She didn't intend for him to hear her harsh words.
Catching the bandages in her other hand she carefully placed them on the ground next to her. Removing her hand from the wound she examined the extent of it. "I've had worse." Victoria muttered to herself. Gingerly as to not upset the wound anymore she wrapped the cloth around her waist to ensure a strong hold. Taking off her jacket she wiped her hands on it to rid them of the soiled blood. Clicking her fingers the jacket slowly turned to ashes as a purple light slithered over it. Oh the charms of being part demon.
Once finished tending to herself she looked back at the man. With realization she frowned. Victoria had forgotten to properly introduce herself. "Oh pardon my manners. I haven't introduced myself. I'm Victoria Von Ann Harper. Thank you for kindly helping me." Victoria spoke feeling contentment take over her angered senses.
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Posted: Fri Nov 28, 2008 10:43 am
Mortimer frowned softly, maybe he was going insane. Purple fire was a new trick for him. He shrugged it off as she introduced herself, the polite smile firmly settling again upon his features as he bowed slightly to her.
"Victoria," he repeated, savoring the sound for a moment as he let it roll around in his head. That was a nice name indeed. It reminded him of his pen-name, in fact. Victor was a name he most enjoyed; often when he descended into the realm of humanity, he used it over Mortimer. It seemed...too long, somehow. After all, when your life could be as brief as half a century-or less-who wanted to waste it on the recitation of appropriate appellations? But as a vampire...he could use words like appellations and not feel badly about it at all because he and his brethren had all eternity-or should-have all eternity in which to say such things in.
"My name is Mortimer and you are very welcome," he said simply, straightening with a soft smile on his features. A smile that just showed his fangs. "Hopefully the Hunters are unsuccessful in tracking you," Mortimer said evenly, suddenly absorbed in admiring the hedge of roses that occupied one of the far walls. "I do so like my roses."
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NitemareNightCross Captain
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Posted: Fri Nov 28, 2008 11:02 am
Catching his frown she smirked standing up now that her body was more at ease now that the pain had subsided. Holding up one of her hands it glowed a dull purple color. "I can control shadows and take energy from living things around me. Therefore allowing me to make a fire type of shadow but its a very tricky thing to achieve." Victoria informed him with a small smile playing at the corner of her pale lips.
"Mortimer. Thats a very unique name, defiantly uncommon now of days." Escaping reality for a moment she pondered what the hunters were doing at this moment to catch her. If they had indeed gotten thrown of course then by now they'd be well off on the other side of the forest. Maybe they had enough wit to give up and return to their homes and have that false sense of safety.
Snapping out of her thoughts her eyes landed on the roses. "You have a good reason to like them. There beautiful." She said gazing at them as well. Roses were so delicate and held such beauty yet they symbolized strong things like love and remorse. A soft sigh escaped her as she thought about her mother again.
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Posted: Fri Nov 28, 2008 11:27 am
"Shadows?" he said, interested, his grey eyes floating back over to her as he watched her hand glow a deep purple. "Very nice," Mortimer whispered, nodding to himself. "And here I have my hands full with flame," he added, chuckling softly as he lifted his hands. They were balled into fists, but as they uncurled, a ball of fire suddenly sprang to life in each palm, casting an orange glow upon his pale features.
"Yes well, I like it well enough, most days," he said in response to her words about his name, closing his hands about the fire, and gently uncurling his fingers in order to blow the smoke away from his cuffs where he had singed the delicate fabric.
"Nature has seen fit to spoil me with such pleasures," he added, smiling gratefully at the rosebushes, twitching at a sudden sound. Surely they haven't-, he cut himself short as he realized that the birds had begun to sing yet again. Still, he wondered how long it would be before the Hunters decided to investigate the 'Old Ruin' that lay on the far outer edge of 'their' forest.
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NitemareNightCross Captain
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Posted: Fri Nov 28, 2008 11:47 am
Victoria watched as his palms ignited in flames with interest. "I wish i could do that. I have to combine to of my powers to get a flame but thats alright." Looking down at her hands she smiled.
Raising a eyebrow she asked, "What do you mean most days?" Biting her lip she tried not to laugh at the cuffs of his shirt knowing she'd had worse experiences with burning the sleeves of her jacket.
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Posted: Fri Nov 28, 2008 11:59 am
"Well it's not as interesting as you might think, being a Mortimer," he said with a small laugh. "I often feel much more like a Victor...or a Christoph," he shivered slightly, remembering the last time he had felt like 'a Christoph'.
Christoph had destroyed many a country villiage in his day. It was the general title that he gave to all the unpleasant parts of his personality. His need to feed, for instance, was driven by Christoph jabbing him in the stomach or some other such nonsense, as he put it. He tended to resist such silly tactics.
The last time he had 'been Christoph' an entire villiage had gone up in smoke and he had fed gloriously. Young, beautiful women with flowing red hair and sparkling green eyes were his favorite, he had discovered. They always...tasted...the best. Perhaps it was because they reminded him of her. Sylvia.
"I often feel that shorter names are much more 'en vogue' nowadays. Don't you?" he added brightly, trying to re-engage himself in the conversation after what had almost certainly been an obvious lapse in the man's attention.
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NitemareNightCross Captain
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Posted: Fri Nov 28, 2008 12:43 pm
Raising a eyebrow when he shivered she clicked her tongue. "I see. So your name kinda depends on your mood." Victoria took a step closer to him and gave him a small curious smile. She was going to say something but she cut herself off hearing something like footsteps.
Victoria groaned looking towards the forest where she heard the noise. "Their attempts at being stealthy aren't very plausible. I guess they didn't give up," She sighed. "What a shame." Victoria pulled her long blond hair into a ponytail. "I'm going to leave so they don't find your home. I'd hate to be the cause of any unwanted attention for you. Hopefully they'll leave you alone and follow me."
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