Nightmares and Dark Visions/ the return of the dark one

[Kait Marobas]

Behind the mask of shadows, icy eyes peered out at the club scene. A sinister smile wound its way onto the young woman's face. Ah, but she did love parties. Even before she emerged from her protective shadow, her hips swayed to and fro, as if the beat of the music gave them a life of their own. Stepping finally from her place of darkness into the dim lights of the tavern proper, she moved with grace although she seemed to have no real destination in mind. Her arms, thin but muscular, joined her hips in dancing, winding through the air like a pair of snakes. The dance itself was much like that of any other whore's, except that it contained a hint of a primitive, almost animalistic nature.

Kaitcha's eyes remained closed for a few moments as she moved through the crowds. She'd seen her prey and she'd already wound the path she would take with her eyes. Now it was up to her feet to bring her there. Past the hags, around the naked concubine, surrounded by friends - or more than likely minions. She'd seen his eyes skirt around the patrons, and hers followed to the scene of destruction. Part of the ceiling had been crashed into the floor and she suspected that obscene slurping noise had come from that area of the tavern.

She scowled mentally at herself. Her mind had lingered on the broken ceiling for too long and her feet had taken her a few steps in that direction. Doubling back gracefully, she spun once, returning to her path towards him. Deep down, she could feel the beast stir. She had not let it out yet this month and her urges were getting stronger. Her nostrils flared, taking in the sharp scents; her ears seemed to swivel this way and that, picking up slight noises most mortals would not notice. While she herself was mortal, she considered herself many, many rungs above the average human - she was different, stronger, faster, better.

Her prey was still surrounded by others but this bothered her not. She was there to make contact and offer up first impressions. What better way than in a public place where he would feel safe, at ease, and where he might try to remember a few pretty faces? Her pale lips parted in a smile, showing off well-maintained teeth - elongated canines and all.

Unlike many of the patrons here, Kaitcha was no vampire. She was immune, in fact. She'd found that out the hard way...


"Do it, Cor," she urged through gritted teeth. "I want it. You want it. What else matters?" She spat the words out, hurriedly, trying to hide the snarl that escaped nonetheless.

"Perhaps we should try this later, when you've calmed down and we've had time to research more. All of our findings so far have come out negative..."

Kaitcha need say no more. The look on her enraged face was reason enough. With one last uncertain breath, Cor leaned forward. He could smell her blood pumping through her veins. She was strong - stronger than any he'd ever tried to embrace. His hunger increased and he unconsciously lunged for her throat. His fangs pierced her snow-white flesh, the bright blood standing out as it dribbled down her neck. Her blood was sickeningly sweet. He wanted more.

A low growl filled his ears, and a sensation he hadn't felt in years caused his stomach to do a somersault - fear. He stopped what he was doing, but it was still too late. A searing pain racked his body - the source his back, where long claws had flleted his flesh open. With no time to even scream out, he watched in shock down the muzzle of the beast as her blood-soaked claws sliced his throat.

It was long before Kaitcha tired of gnawing on the bones of her late lover. When she did finally revert to her human (or was it humane?) self, the shock hit her like a kick to the stomach. She sobbed. For months, she sunk into a deep, dark depression...


But that was then and this was now. She'd learned that while she couldn't BE one of them, she could still work with them. And so she danced. Her body moved closer to the one who just might take her under his wing (Kain). If not he, there was another here who might take her not as a dancing whore, but as the warrioress she was at heart.

Her eyes wandered about, fluttering closed every so often. A glint of silver caught the corner of her eye as she opened them once, but she paid the dagger no heed as it flew parallel with her rather than towards her. Some fool was now daggerless. She couldn't help but grin to herself. Hopefully he still had a sword on him - who knew what kind of dangers one could find in a bar like this.

[Innocence Defiled]

Sitting in her chair quite as a mouse not making any sound or speaking to anyone sure she felt comfortable around them but she didn’t know what to say to anyone. She was a shy girl normally anyways always tolled since she was little girls should be seen and not heard. She enlaces her fingers together and places them on her lap. She hears some cracking noise she looks up towards the ceiling and watches it come crashing down to the floor she looks over towards kain for a second then she looked around at the other  people around her the two woman messing around then nasty smell came through the air it made raven sick to her stomach she unlaces her hands and waves her right hand back and forth in front of her nose hoping to wave away the smell. What she was seeing tonight was pretty strange and any mortal girl like herself would have just left in a hurry to freaked out.

She turns her head when a woman speaks towards her  asking if she was a slave raven tilts her head abit confused about why this woman sitting in front of her would ask her something like that. But she opens her mouth just about to speak that she wasn’t a slave to anyone there or any where but kain beat her to it. So she shut her mouth back up and looks around the tavern  cocking an eyebrow as alexa danced around as others watched raven shakes her head and enlaces her fingers and places them on her lap. She looks down towards her wrist where she had a bracelet on it was something special to her she softly grins and plays  with it for a little keeping herself busy while other things where going on she looks up again when she hears a crash and see one of the old woman being thrown by someone else. Oh this didn’t look good raven thought to herself .

She looks away from the people she was sitting by and notices the new people entering the tavern raising her eyebrows and then turns her head away thinking What have I got myself into? She didn’t feel comfortable that much anymore she looks at kain and locks eyes with him for a second feeling calmness wash over her again she takes a breath and sits back into her chair a little more. She brings one of her legs up and crosses it over her other one she felt like she was at ease again. But her head was still throbbing from the attack earlier that night she places three fingers on the side of her forehead and lightly rubs it until it stopped bothering her so much she touched where she had the cut pulling her hand away not seeing any blood it must have dried up a little now and starting to heal. She places her hands down onto the arm rests of the chair and started watching everyone again

[Viperstrike]

Tim gets up and without bothering anyone, slowly walks toward the bar counter to retrieve his supposedly accidentaly tossed dagger.  Once at the counter he wraps his fingers around its hilt and puts one hand on the counter to prevent jostling which he knew would probably disturb a lot of patrons.  With a careful twist of the wrist, he retrieves his dagger from the wooden counter.  He had seen the trajectory of his throw, which he thought may have endangered Kaitcha.  He was rather relieved when he saw that it did not even sail into her or in her direction.   He now spots a servant coming over to him.   He wanted a drink but now that was the least of his worries.   He realizes that his stunt was careless and indeed was an accident.   As the servant approaches, he gets up and bows to the tender.

" Parden me, but I accidentally lost grip of my dagger, and I believe I nearly hit a young lady while it slipped from my hands.  Please, before you serve me, I wish for you to send a message to her.  Tell her I deeply applogize for my actions and would like to invite her to my table for a drink, which I shall pay for myself. "  

Tim says to the servant, who nodds and quietly goes over to Kaitcha to deliver a writen message.  Silently the servant holds the message for Kaitcha, in their hand.

" The young Pirate Captain appologizes for his near miss with his dagger and wishes to make ammends by inviting you to his table for a drink."  

Was all the message on a tiny scroll reads.

[The End of All Light.]

[align=justify:28dbc165f9]A frigid shudder emanated over those beauteous features, attention swayed from Mobius and instead placed on the delectable naked female dancing as if caught in an enchanted trance; lucrative and seductive- enough to grasp her sights to turn around and watch momentarily from the corner of nigrescent eyes. Of course perceptions still ran rife in the proximity of where she sat poised in straddle stateliness, svelte figure not aggressive or passive, hidden somewhere between the two and her complacent miasma-shrouded mind. Thoughts coveted by mind fog and mental blocks disallowing any within the tavern to read her thoughts and determine action, however, some this evening would not leave… alive; it would be their own actions which would determine and seal their irreversible fate for the past no longer meant nothing to the heartless one. Chiseled chin turned at a ninety degree angle, resting along the landscapes of shoulder blade. Ravenesque rivulets shrouding right shoulder only to hang down and drape over onyx-oiled leather, trickling over bodice like midnight overshadowing the moon, silken wreathes of funeral shawl iridescent in the flickering torchlight.

This female, Alexa… captivating all her senses, an attraction at first but something tugged on stronger acquaintances, that of almost camaraderie. It made Atra study harder, standing as hands again rested on the back of the polished wooden mahogany chair only to expectedly flicking the furniture around, straddling lumber frame with a more suggestive, concentrated technique with her back to Mobius. Maintaining acuity, focus and direction upon every action Mobius makes whilst her back is turned, any approaching or coming into closer quarters where Atra was positioned.  In every aspect there was no business in which to discuss, what she had to say was already out there to hear, and whether Mobius cared to listen or not… that was his manner of handling his own indiscretions. For now, Atra was more interested in watching the “show”, studying the movements and manipulations of naked flesh and feminine contours for there was a way in which woman moved that men could never muster or ever understand. Woman moved in the method of the most adept killer and predator, something man could never harvester or match.

Left hand rising into an ‘L’ shape, hand flattened out vertically so that her fingertips pointed towards the ceiling, silencing any words Mobius cared to speak- suggesting it would be more beneficial for him to watch in silence than speak and find himself departed of this world… and every other for that matter. Elbows resting on the backrest, left hand mithril finger armor honed to scalpel silvery peaks. Elaborate intricate patterns tracing around the proportioned lengths of her digits, from knuckle to manicured pinnacle, serrated barbs with double-sided finely honed blades designed to rupture, slit and slash without room for error, jeweled with midnight spinel, hematite and black diamond entwined in filigree. Atra’s right hand always remained naked without ornate decoration of metal and jewel for the sinister surrender of her war gauntlet, weapon of blood and bone designed for massacre and brought it about so gratifyingly. Enthralling demise, sweet enticing murder; that alone was enough to inspire the incitation of wanton lusts beneath the mask, opprobrious mirrors watching every enticing extraction of sexuality and elegance this particular woman had… the dancer of darkness.

Forefinger extending to attract the attention of the tender, Atra’s eyes never leaving Alexa even as satirical blades curled around russet tunic pulling his ear closer to her blood-piquant lips, her raspy voice whispering to tease the lobe with piquant perfumes of vitae before trailing along curves of throat to neck- nostrils inhaling, taking in his scent. Apertures parting as if to order her poison for the night, a wicked grin portraying as her choice was made. Extracting her head back just a little, fangs protruding from the gums as left hand curled around the back of his cranium in serrated embrace. Fingers entangling in the thick tufts of dark mantle, eyes burning like the crimson fires of hell, body snapping forwards to drive those sharpened apexes through throat and jugular, fangs digging deep, tendon and artery severed as the warmth of Goetic accolade splashed against her apertures. Head shaking in a frenzied fashion, imbibing quickly his precious essence, tearing out vocal chords and sinews of flesh after every drop had been devoured.

The victims twitching in paroxysm in her burning grasp before pulling away, digits unfurling from their grasp as her exquisite head retracted from its warm libertine of the feast. Blood-splattered exquisite features alive with roughed illumination. Smiling into those dead eyes throwing back the malice of her reflection, holding him up only to gloat fiendishly before pushing his useless carcass aside like a plaything no longer required; for it had served its purpose, and purpose it had served well. Right hand rising to wipe away the remnants of sanguine rapture with the back of her alabaster refined hand, whatever remained was enticingly licked away with a conciliatory sweep of tongue in the direction of Alexa- her new found object of euphoria. Monochromatic beauty splattered with scarlet jewels around her elegant throat like a ruby pendulant necklace, tiers of raindrop rubies adorning bodice only to decorate flawless ample cleavage.

Sumptuous spoils of her slaughter ornately resplendent in the assuaging luminosity, attracting the hunger like a moth to the flame. Again left hand beckoned to another tender, two men emerging from the back to drag off the limp corpse across the floor that left not a single drop of blood around where he fell or her feet. Of course the tall youthful man hesitated to attend to her whim,  and there was nothing more that Atra hated than a man who loitered when she had beckoned him… not every man was fit for her consumption, why act so daunted by the possibility? It should be an honor to die in Atra’s throes of avarice, not everyone was so lucky to be the envied amongst the damned. Corners of mouth turning upwards, displaying the satisfaction of fear in his baby blue eyes, the tenseness well illustrated over strong jawline and angelic winged lips. Maybe this one had better uses than being simply, food in a warm meat sack? Maybe he could warm her skin with passionate kisses and muted affection, then die like the rest, painfully… slow? Then again, maybe this dancer could do the job more… proficiently? One or the other, perhaps even both?

Chuckling in a dark manner, fear being another pet love to hamper, lifting her chin higher to nudge against the outer perimeter of his cheek- whispering to his ear ”Not you my dearest… but you shall serve me well with a spell of Absinthe to enliven my palate after such a tantalizing ritual.” Right hand sliding from the mid-apex of abdomen to the tip of his chin only to tap the summit of cold steel, nicking his face only slightly to draw a thin ribbon of blood. Gathering it upon blade to smudge it over lower aperture, then rising the blade to his lips and following the same course of motion. ”You could kill for me to bequeath to you such fiery kisses, unfortunately my dear you shall never know. Now run along and fetch me that drink like a good little boy!” Roughly patting his cheek to send him away, stare again returning to Alexa with that influential besotted vehemence. Noticing Kain in the background engaged in conversation or acquaintance with some relatively young, beautiful female- taking notice of all the faces gathered, staring upon the dancer in want and lust.

It was the conglomerated focus of these sins that fueled and impassioned Atra’s even more, absorbing the energy tenfold. Promptly the tender returned back to her side possessing the alcoholic opiate pleasure of her evening, Absinthe. A shot of the deep emerald liqueur in a slender crystal glass, a small sugar cube was placed on the Absinthe spoon and balanced over the crystalline rim. Setting the cube on fire by black candle light held beneath allowing the sugar to caramelize and drip into the glass from the holes. Five parts of water added resulting in the coloration to be that of a opaque greenish liquid, the ‘louche’- to drink without water leaves a bitter taste in ones mouth making it difficult to swallow and no way did Atra wish to stain the taste from her mouth when it and Absinthe make of an interesting means for embraced explorations and veneration. Waving her hand at the tender, gesturing for him to become scarce rather, swiftly… for his shadow was interrupting her ‘personal’ view, he too had purposefully now served, finally the male species was learning.

Sanguineous apertures rising to meet rim of iridescent beverage as liquid danced over her vexed mantric embouchements… sweet and yet so bitter, just like the useless agonies of love and loss. Head cocking to the right in pure arrogance, gracing along the legs of this captivating female. Soft skin and satin-like tresses flowing like liquid darkness only to bounce and swing about bountiful breasts- sinuous manipulations that demanded recognition and Atra had always appreciated beauty and perfection; in fact she relished in it. Frozen black eyes briefly looking beyond the dancer to examine those lurking, eyes narrowing at the ‘second sight’ of formidable sway being held over ”Alexa?” the name had been carved on stone, visible upon the psychic pall of her mind, clear and discerning. Right hand ascending, palm turning upside down as pointing digit extended and beckoned for Alexa to come closer, directly into her propinquity. Atra had no requirement for dominance or other flamboyant powers, she had long dispelled of such indefinable theory, however more than adept in practice just these days Atra preferred more ’physical’ contacts.

Watching whether Alexa chose to approach or not, noticing from the corner of her eyes Tanthis leaving and… oh… this was too precious, that of her ex lover entering the tavern, Radu. Hmmm the years of slumbering, his hunger must of stirred the prime evil quintessence to move, to crave for that blood once again like it had done so in the past. Another sight to behold, Ladislas entering behind Radu and blocking any means of retreat for anyone… especially Tanthis. Extending her mind with the innate Wamphyric ability to communicate without the means of tongue and audible words, the thoughts extending from mind to mind with telepathy and concealing her words and thoughts from anyone else but Radu- their connection maintained through the connection of blood, essence and the Dimmu. Delectable wicked dialogue endeavored for the ultimate of betrayers and villains, Atra had no loyalty to anyone and wasn’t about to throw in false pretences simply to show empathy…for none existed in her diabolical soul.

Two simple words would be amplified in the forefront of Radu’s and Ladislas’s mind, two simple words that meant another’s doom and even though he had tasted death before by her hands, this time it would be experienced between the maws of ultimate horror. ”Kill him!” indication also extended on the focus of Atra’s reference of whom she spoke, Tanthis- her hand rising with accusations to physically point him out as he shoved past Radu and yet to pass Ladislas. An action in itself that was enough to arouse the nature of the leech and lash back in the most abhorrent of wraths, in the most sadistic and torturous methods unimaginable to the minds of those not Wamphyric.  Whether Radu killed Tanthis or not was of no relevance for should Radu not jump at the chance, certainly Ladislas would, and all Atra had to do was raise her little finger and jeering point in the direction with great umbrage. If the possibility became factor that Tanthis manages to get past them both, then Atra would do the job herself, there would be no place he could hide nowhere to run to- only accept the inevitable… final death.

There was once a time Atra had compassion for kinfolk that was no longer a reality in characteristics, no longer had a fault in the epitome of cruelty, what had been flawed, had now been perfected… to a forte. She cared not who drove the sword in deep, whose fangs drank deep of demonic ichors or the vitriol that snuffs the burning candle to that of irrevocable darkness… death was the sentence therefore the punishment for simply, existing with no purpose other than to irritate- a blight on the patience and nerves like a parasite digging beneath the skin, embedding itself in favorable conditions only to spawn. Some creatures were better off asphyxiated at birth than plague the worlds with meaningless existences. Snickering gravely for her own pleasure and benefit, chin languidly turning back as smoldering ember-scorched lanterns scanned askance across the entire interior of the tavern; orbs of carnelian and ophidian rhombus expanding and diluting to pierce the darkest of shadows with incomparable observation… combing the plethoric crepuscule with incensed curses inverted to corporeal embodiment. Malocchio foreshadowed to bear the most threatening heralds of her ‘condamnation à mort’; fixated within that trapezoid effluence.

With tedious mockery, optical orbs rolling with contemptuous expression from Tanthis and focusing on more enticing things, like Alexa for example. By now hoping that her gesture was more than obvious of intent and wish- using her own manipulation to cancel out the usage of Dominance ‘forcing’ Alexa to act in ways perhaps she never would. Mind control a useful tool to possess when crafted or ‘lesser’ races and blood, the Wamphyri preferred to work on more material surfaces. If Alexa wished to come into closer acquaintances with Atra, it would have to be of her own free will and no from the exploitation of another even if was for the means of offering and sacrifice. Besides, it was much more fun to ‘thrall’ when the object of the eye wanted to fight against it, anyone can produce a mindless submissive. But one with fire was much more… invigorating.

Précis

1.   Has suggested Mobius sits and enjoys the show.
2.   Killed a tender and ordered Absinthe.
3.   Watching Alexa dance.
4.   Taken notice of Kain with Guinevere as well as the other occupants within the tavern.
5.   Ordered the death of Tanthis to Radu and Ladislas via telephony and used mind fog to hide those thoughts from everyone else except Radu and Ladislas.
6.   Returned to watching Alexa and has made the means to remove the ‘Dominance’ and ‘Auspex’ being used to control Alexa. If she wishes to go to Atra, then it must be of her own free will.

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[Ladislas]

Having entered just so far as to stand in the taverns doorway, feet planted comfortably, eyes perusing what lay within, fingers flexing in the horror of his gloves, the light glistening in embryonic kaleidoscope from the wet appearing sheen giving the impression that they were crafted of the finest of skins, yet in reality, they were merely an extension of his own uncaring persona. Ladislas, a creature of fire had grown much in the time away from his mother, survival instincts had honed and refined but as he stood, effectively blocking the doorway, something impinged upon the core of flame dwelling within him, fanning it to a cold, merciless fury.

Deep within his body, his heart would begin to thud in his chest, rich poison laden ichor rushing through his system, eventuating in his lungs where a deepening of breathe would drag the heavier then air miasma into his breathe, but only slightly for he only wanted to fill the taverns doorframe with his essential paroxysm and with each breathe, only seeming slightly moreso then normal the rushing gales of air within would catch the tiniest essence brining it forth. Hands to his sides, breathe now engaging, the tavern door no longer viable for man or beast.

As he breathed, the effects of his increased heart rate would reflect in his eyes, going from normal grey, to glistening silver, the iris vanishing in the reflection of the pupils, until the eye gleamed in fae sheens. Not fully silver for if this had risen, then doom would befall many, but only as yet an indication of his inner beings readiness. For to use his ultimate would require a drastic metabolic shift, drawing deeply on electromagnetic resonances within his psyche and that was not something he wished released in this present company.

A woman dancing having caught his mothers notice and the chill gleam of vision would cross the woman’s form, the tiniest smirk of appreciation crossing his lips. Truly a fine specimen of feminine motion, but that was as far as his appreciation went. He tended to keep his pleasures for now more... painful and although the essence of Wamphyri within had tried to rouse his lusts, as yet he had chosen to direct his energies to more... destructive quotients. Others within the tavern drawing his eyes, one moving towards the doorway causing Ladislas to cock his head in punitive study, before his mothers inherent command reached his mind and his smirk deepened and chilled. Hands still by his sides, nothing would get past him... he would not fail his mother... for Ladislas knew the price of failure and would not tread that path.

[Radu the Ferenczy]

Radu hadn't needed to be asked or ordered to kill the man known as Tanthis.  It was already within his nature to do so.  Offended by the mere touch of the other; had been enough to push him over that edge; that boundary that separated him from the lust of ever falling prey to the beast of the Leech inside.  Yet that presence of the mind; the announcement going off within the chambers of his very thoughts, the insinuating shroud of mindsmog penetrated only by one of there own.  She was here?  And he had not known?  Curse his lack of attention span, which was now solely focused upon the one that he had been ordered; commanded to kill.  A task that he would take great measures to accomplish.  Radu smiled as he dipped his hand inside the cool interior of the satin lined Battle Gauntlet; and drew it up from his belt as the metal conformed to his hand.

The Lord of the Wamphyri splayed his strong digits within the metallic fingers of the gauntlet and slowly drew up his right appendgae until it was level with his face.  His smile broadened and revealed the elongated fangs hidden behind his pale tiers.  And with a simple gesture of flexing each finger; a corresponding action appiled and the Battle Gauntlet came to life with a series of raspiing and cutting and scything blades.  Knuckle spikes shot forward up and out of the metamorphic surface.  Small injection needles on the inside gave the gauntlet its fule, by impaling themselves and syphoning out his own rich sweet and dark, almost black blood to power the prototype weapon.  " Any last words, boy, before you meet your final death?"  Radu's voice was purified by the emotional and mortal sin of Lust.  The rise of his ever dark and immortal thirst for blood and of violence.

[Alexa Moroveston]

The effervescence that emulated from Alexa in the form of her inner soul shining thru her porcelain skin, was like a beacon to the Lady's eloquent and powerful gaze. And in the back of her silent, bound mind, Alexa was acutely aware of it. Her lithe body moved with the grace and ability of one who had lived, walked and seduced with a high level of sensuality for more than a century. And after more than six centuries, she had that seductive catlike grace in spades.

Elongated digits roamed her body as if making sure the Mistress saw every centime of her body. *How can she enjoy if she doesn't know?* her mind whispered.

They had left. Every one of the men in her life left had left. Atra looked at her the way she wanted to be looked at; as if a single painful or pleasurable caress from her would make Alexa forget all the pain, and remember and know only pleasure once more. Pleasure... pain... ecstasy and euphoria... all wrapped up into one. For all eternity. These were the things those glowing orbs seemed to convey to the dancing girl.

At first she felt the auspex slide from her mind. The slowly growing clarity as dominance faded as well allowed Alexa to begin to feel the people and emotions around her. She was aware of the lust of the hags, the revulsion of those nearest them. She felt the anger in Radu and Ladislas and the contempt and blasé fair idylism within Tanthis. She felt the pride and desire to please, in her keeper, Kain, and the intrigue, curiosity and contempt in those in and around him.

Directed towards her, as her hips continued to move for lack of desire to stop and seem suddenly foolish, she felt lust, want, desire and hatred. Some hated the fact they could not have her, and some hated the fact that the one they were with wanted her more.

But none of these compared to the eyes that bore into her deepest soul and conveyed desire, impressiveness and power towards her. The power emulating from Atra slinked over the gaze they shared as if ribbon were wrapping them together in a mortal hand fasting. She felt promises of pleasures within those eyes, she felt a need and want to BE pleasured as well. Something in that gaze made Alexa's heart ache to heal whatever wound she perceived to be there, real or imagined. The empathy slowly waned till only Atra filled her vision and her mind.

She continued to dance, but this time her feet clicked in stiletto heels over the floor as her hips swayed. She passed Radu and Tanthis without even a glance and walked thru the near palatable longings as those around her saw her move within then back outside of their reach. She cast a momentary glance at Mobius, as she approached as well.  She  let her eyes register recognition, but nothing more.

She let her hips and lithe legs bring her within a hand's reach of the Mistress of the Realm and it was there she paused long enough to allow her body to half curtsy, half bow, before rising in a swishing motion that launched her body back into the swaying, seductive rhythm of the music in the tavern. Her lips whispered softly as she swayed, “You wished me here, Mlady. And to you, alone, I come willingly. What would you have of me?”

The offering within the simple words were clear. She was not blind and had not failed to see the death of the barkeep, nor failed to feel the power, reverence and rage that boiled beneath the porcelain pure surface of skin before her.  She recognized this woman from her past, who seemed to have come into power tenfold more than when last they cast gazes upon one another. Alexa had grown as well. More lithe, graceful and comfortable in the skin of the vampyre she wore, as compared to the simpering, scared childer of just five centuries past.

With the recognition between them, the words, simple to those others who heard, would hold more weight for the one spoken too.

She continued to move and writhe as if in the throws of a passionate embrace because it was those motions that had attracted the Mistress, so what was the point in stopping and risking losing that look?

[Altair Carradine]

CRACK

The air outside the tavern split as though lightning had struck nearby, and the sound rattled the windows and the door as a shimmer appeared in the air. The disturbance just looked like that which you might see over a fire at first, but color came to it an instant later, and started to spread, an aurora appearing from nothing a few feet above the road. Energy radiated from it, the power of another realm, and brighter and brighter light spilled from the shimmer, until suddenly the shimmering colors resolved into a pure white disc, five feet in diameter, hanging about six feet above the street. Energy poured out the portal, like a sun to the magical senses, and a few sparks shot off it, tiny flashes of forked lightning.

CRACK

With a flash, a shape shot out of the disc, and even more suddenly than it had appeared, the gateway snapped shut, again rattling the windows with the thunder-like sound. Dazed, the man that the phenomenon had pitched headlong into the road pushed himself up slightly, fingers running across the surface of the ground.

"Road..."

He pushed himself up, shaky on his feet, and walked over towards the tavern, which he could see almost glowing from the energy inside it. He tripped on a step, though, and hit the small set of stairs hard, wincing heavily before he pulled himself back, sitting on the middle of three steps, just trying to catch his breath. His long azure hair fell down in his face, though his eyes stayed closed, and he was wrapped in a charcoal gray cloak of a kind of soft cloth, something like cotton, his clothes beneath it simple black pants, and a shirt almost the color of his hair. His left arm, however, seemed covered in ice - he moved it as easily as he did his other, but the whole arm was encased in glittering crystal, coming to razor ends at his fingertips. When he moved, the crystal shifted with it, as though the ice itself lived just as surely as he did. He had a large, bulky case on his back, and a much smaller bag at his side, hanging over one shoulder.

"I have got to stop traveling this way..."

He didn't even know how it had happened... those people had set upon him on his way home, he had fought back, and all of a sudden... the light... and oh gods the headache... he pressed a hand to his forehead, eyes squeezing shut tighter against the pain. After a few moments he worked up the fortitude to pushe himself off the steps, and turned back towards the door. He was about to walk towards it, and he had held a hand out slightly to push it open - he was sure that was where the door was, he could hear best through that space. Before he moved, though, he felt the cold again on his arm, and realized his spell still encased the limb. He lowered the hand and shook his head slightly, chiding himself - he was far too out of it... As the arm fell, a soft glow, almost like blue fire, spread across the surface of the ice, and it simply melted away as if sublimated, vanishing and leaving just skin and the long sleeve of his shirt where it had been, though the glow remained for a moment before it too faded away. He didn't move from his place at the steps even then, though, as his senses continued to fall back into place, and his eyes narrowed slightly. Someone was at the door already, and he...

By the gods... what kind of place...?

He had been so distracted before by the aftermath of the plane shift and trying to get his bearings that he hadn't noticed the one very obvious fact about the majority of the auras in the place:

They were cold.

My luck gets better and better, doesn't it...?

[Kain]

Much ado about nothing, or was it nothing. Kain leered towards the back of Tanthis after the strange encounter then chuckled ominously as the fool brushed a new entrant to the tavern and Kain's eyes widened appreciatively. Radu... the former lover of Atra.. not a good one to casually brush against for such creatures were to easily aroused to fight and Radu's response was typical of his kind. Kain would mentally gesture to his staff and hired thugs to remain clear and allow this conflict, for after Tanthis had opened his mouth reinvoking the curse so long ago laid upon Kain, any semblance of respect or even consideration had been tossed aside and from black lips only two words would emerge..."Fuck him!"

The young sailor, seemingly out of place, however as with all sailors, whenever a port was struck they could adapt to what was offered, and this man no exception. A nod form Kain and a tender would present him with a large bucket of ale… Kain was after all a good host even though he hosted mainly to serve his own dark agenda. Hand reaching out to stroke the back of Ravens hand, slightly lessening his domination of her mind… Still keeping her calm, but wishing to hear her own opinion of what ventured forth this night. Attention on Alexa and Atra’s interaction, a smile widening as Atra gave her sole focus to Alexa and Kain found himself well pleased for finding this vampire whom still carried a soul. It seemed he still choose wisely when giving to the goddess. A dead tender meant nothing for the mistress was to be served above all others.

The woman across from him, caught up in others events, watching, he would allow her this tiny grace, before again his dominance would impose, for he desired to no more of this ‘kindred’ spirit. Such was the way of Kain, so many times, elders had sent such creatures to try and lure him out, all hoping to diablerise the original, all hoping to be the one to claim they had eradicated the father, thus his caution extending. One sitting back in the tavern, seemingly watching all, but Kain could feel her gaze upon him… and being the focus as extroverted as he liked to be, still made him turn his head and allow his eyes to look directly into Kait’s gaze, a challenge or an invitation… who could say… more to simply allow that he knew she watched… She could approach of her own choice or not… he would await her choice. A chuckle and mouthing “All good things come to those who wait…”

The opening door and another stepping in, (Ladislas) stopping int the doorway, something clouding Kain’s awareness of him but his stance aggressively blocking Tanthis’s path. (It seemed there was more then one desirous of dancing with the arrogant fool and Kain perceived this could be a damn good show. Mobius left to his own devices, for now… Atra would obviously deal with him later, but the ethereal word given from the goddess to both Radu and the newcomer to kill Tanthis brought a choked laugh to Kains lips… Tonights entertainment was better then anything planned. The old witches, Baba Yaga having been summarily dismissed and amusement as Sycorax actually attempted to show respect to Atra… Well even the old and unwise could offer change if they realised what they faced.

For now however his hand would trace up the arm of Raven, drawing her closer, a fatherly gesture? Or something else.  Another’s sense impinging, Kain’s notice given… but no more for now… after all, when one entered by such unusual means, they were welcome… at least for now.

[The End of All Light.]

[align=justify:04844eb014] The words spoken from the sultry lips of the dancer, inspired no vocal retort only a delicate hand reaching out to brush along the curve of Alexa’s waist; dark glances studiously sweeping over voluptuous landscape of feminine beauty and allure. There was something about this woman that struck discordant strings on the pall of Atra’s memory – something of her past though regretfully coveted by years of blood and slaughter. There had been little beauty in Atra’s life and all that she knew of beauty was that it rapidly faded, wilted and turned to dust. Fingers tickling like the legs of spiders over sublime contours with the sharp tips of fingernails and temperate palms; to stir… insurmountable passions, albeit of emotion and derisive of sympathetic caress. Atra’s left hand bringing the crystalline glass of Absinthe up towards her lips and finishing the last remnants of verdant illumined wormwood bitterness, sweetened with caramelised sugars. A sinister simper crossing her lips as svelte body arose, glass discarded over right shoulder to smash against the far side wall… Shattering the diamante shards across the wooden floorboards. Other hand tracing along Alexa’s arm with gnarled solace and piquant succour; soothing and seductively tender – savouring applied with delicate pressures.

Barely able to ignore the fact the lady was naked, Atra’s cold hard stare leisurely scanning over tempting landscapes of divine yearning and exquisite sins… erotic and unexplored. It would be sweet to taste those sins from Atra’s apertures upon hers. Wanting… tasting… licking over this woman’s angelic arches provocatively; pressing her own leather clad miniscule physique against the naked contours of Alexa… hips constricted in binding to blackness and tourniquet bandages swathed around concave navel and the well toned firmness of perfectly rounded yet hard muscled derriere. Tiers exposing milky flesh twixt hips and silver skull clasp. Alexa’s nipple chains and piercing still bleeding arousing a slender arch of raven-spired eyebrows in response, her left hand palm rising to rest on the curve of Alexa’s hips only to ascend with the summating curves along bodice and breast – silver armoured thumb taking particular care to purposely brush over the pert nub of erected nipple… she was a sweet thing, indeed. Now to discover how sweet those lips of hers were to taste instead of just thinking about it.

The entire time Atra’s thumb remained teasing Alexa’s breast, her eyes would be studying the depths of Alexa’s, behind the eyes, the molten edges of passion would be pouring forth insinuating visions of limbs entangled in flaming lust and moaning caress. Her left knee rising slowly, pushing up the inner thigh of Alexa, rising higher and higher giving Alexa the chance to grind if she desired for Atra wished to feel Alexa’s satisfaction, to hear her scream name in worship of lustful perversion and already such images flickered in Atra’s mind. Right hand reaching around to caress the side of Alexa’s face, moving slowly back to begin drawing Alexa’s face closer, slowly… carefully… gently as those fatal strawberry rouged lips, parted slightly allowing tip of tongue to trace the divine arches, piquant absinthe breath and glistening droplets as leaning closer… pausing, then closer again, barely a gap then tongue reaching, begging… gently touching, making contact with electrifying consequence as Atra shuddered in the taste of Alexa, then tongue seeking to part Alexa’s sweet apertures so that she could entangle her tongue, her mouth in the passion of ages… no longer caring that others were about… the only thought was to take this beauty, to make love with her until she screamed… then pleasure her more until reason faded and only lust and passion remained.
[/align:04844eb014]

[Viperstrike]

Tim had never seen a bucket of ale as large as was presented to him by his tender.  At this point he was grateful for whatever he was given, and smiles graciously to his tender, searching for his sack of coins to give proper payment to the tender.

" Ah, this is quite genrous of you sir, allow me to give you payment for the ale."  Tim replied in a polite manner.  Even though he was a Pirate of the seas, he still believed in good manners.  Through his graciousness for the service, an air of anger still boiled within his blood, pumped through his veins through a vengeful heart.  Yet, before retreating to his thoughts, he gives his tender generous payment with coins of gold stolen from wealthy communities in various ports.    After paying his tender, he nodds with a grin on his face, and then turns to his ale.  Sadness, anger, and a hunger for revenge were now at their boiling points.  He wished he could share his frustration with another person but there wasn't anyone he knew at the bar.   For now, he would have to keep his feelings to himself.  

With a quiet sigh, he sits down and sips his ale slowly, wrapping his fingers around the stein in deep thought.    The wounds now fester and the pain of a broken heart is felt along with several other emotional pangs.   Sharvani betrayed him in more than just one way.  The list of betrayals was more than five hundred fathoms deep beneath the largest of oceans.    Now alone, he could narrow his eyes and think to himself as to how he would get his revenge for all the pain Sharvani had dealt him.  

" As you have betrayed me Sharvani, I swear I will return to your shores to deal you the same toture for which you have dealt me.   When I asked for guidence by your Gods, I was given nothing but torment.  When I sought love and found it, you were quick to take it away.    When I sought to dedicate my services to you you shunned me  away like an unwanted parasite.   Ohh Sharvani, you will pay for those deeds you cast upon me.  As soon as I find a new crew to raise my sails, I shall sail for your shores once again. "

Revenge.  It was what Tim wanted more than anything else.  But before he could seek it, his lost crew would have to be replaced.  He hoped that someone in the tavern could help him fullfill his need.  He looked around and found himself out of place, yet comfortable as to where he was.   He thought of how fun it would be to have a crew that had the same things in comon with him.  He hoped he could find it here.

[Kait Marobas]

A tingle of anticipation rushed up the shifter's spine as she made eye contact with him (Kain). A feral grin spread across her lips, and she licked them in hopes of hiding her excitement. He'd seen her. He knew her, and so far as she could tell, he knew her intentions. The words he mouthed to her confounded her some, but they were not enough to deter her. She wasn't looking for good things. She was looking for the great things... and she was no fan of waiting.

As one song ended, so too did Kaitcha's focus on him. Something tapped her shoulder and she nearly snarled aloud as she spun. Her eyes, shining brightly, studied the face of the one in front of her. A servant by the looks of it. And what was this? A note. For her? Taking the parchment gently, she scanned it, allowing herself to cool off and calm down. Damn, but her emotions were getting the best of her tonight. Shoving her violent intentions back down below, her vision cleared and she was able to really read what had been written.

It was an invitation from the "daggerless fool". Grinning, she turned her attention to the sailor, ignoring the servant. With a quick flick of her wrist, she sent the man off and made her way over to the pirate as a new song started. This time, she did not dance. The mood was gone, and she had other prey for the moment being.

He had almost given up on her when she arrived at his table. He offered her a seat and waited for her to accept it.

Finely plucked eyebrows raised, one just above the other for a brief moment. She eyed the man, taking in his clothes, his more than likely sea-worthy arrogance, and most of all, his words. "Actually, I came to apologize," she started, her lips parting in a sorrow-filled smile. "I'm afraid I'm going to have to ask for a rain check. I'm not here for long and," her eyes wandered towards Kain a bit, despite her greatest efforts to keep them still, "there's someone with whom I must make an acquaintance before I go..." Her eyes met his and she smiled hungrily. "Perhaps I could get your name before I go... We could go for coffee sometime - If you're not at sea, that is." Pink lips tilted up into a small smirk as she awaited his response.

He laughed. "Make it a pint, and you are buying." He laughed as he gave his name and regretfully watched her walk away. "Too bad old man. Coulda had some excitement of your own." He laughed and went back to drinking his free drink. Afterall, would have been impolite not too. His brooding mood returned as he leaned back to watch the room.

Kaitcha grinned wickedly and nodded. "It's a date, Tim." A simple name, but easily remembered. Tucking his face into the back corner of her mind, she began to focus once again on making her way over to Kain. She heard Tim's words and couldn't help but snort quietly. Oh, if only he knew. As she moved gracefully towards the first gen, she took in his posture and movements, subtle though they were. This was his place to be and he had no shame in anything he did it seemed. Arrogance, some might call it. Kait considered it pride - well-earned pride nonetheless.

Taking a quick check of her surroundings, Kaitcha noted the trio of aggressive males hovering near the doorway. A two-on-one brawl would be ensuing she guessed, with a feral grin. She also noticed the man standing behind the one in the doorway... as if he could hide from her. Hah! As if... Finally returning her gaze towards her target, Kaitcha sucked in a deep breath. She was still halfway across the room from him, but she was already starting to ready her nerves for the meeting.

Another flash of silver caught the shifter's eye and she cursed beneath her breath, expecting the pirate to run up after a "lost" dagger. But it was not Tim. It was... a goddess... And the woman whom Kaitcha had considered a whore earlier. Perhaps she was a whore, but perhaps she was just very physically attracted to the goddess and couldn't contain herself. Either way, both women seemed quite content with each other's presence. When at least she wrenched her now yellow eyes from the pair, she found her breath had caught in her throat. Soon... she promised herself, trying hard to push thoughts of rushing over to join them back deep into her skull. She was here for a reason... what that reason was seemed to be slipping slowly away, though...

No! Kain. She caught sight of the Vampire and grunted softly. That was her mission. It was very easy. Make contact. Let him know who she was. Leave. Done.

[Kyria_Stormblade]

Emerald green eyes swept the hallway, first to the left and then to the right as a petite pale hand reached for the doorknob.  So far, so good, no one had spotted her and she had not seen anyone.  Bare feet made no sound on the flagstone floor of the castle as she eased into the room the door opened into.  Silently closing the door behind her, the young red head took stock of the room, one chair set carelessly into a corner, almost as if forgotten, and in the opposite corner stood what looked like a tall mirror.  She stayed near the shadows as she made her way around the room, the black leather pants and black silk shirt blending within them much better than her pale skin.  But she was used to the contrast, and since there was no one nearby, she did not worry.  Her first thought was disappointment.  Having heard so much about this particular room, she had expected much more than a simple chair and mirror.  She sat in the chair and gazed without really seeing at the mirror.  As her thoughts wandered, she keep getting a nagging feeling that something was odd.  Then it dawned on her.  She stood and took three silent steps towards the mirror, peering into it.  She did not see her reflection.  Which was odd in itself, but even more so were the shapes she could see.  She looked around the room again, well used to magic and illusions, but she did not sense either.  Slowly her eyes turned back to the mirror.  One pale hand reached out, fingertips just brushing the surface.  

Suddenly, a wild wind sprang up in the room.  Sounds of tortured screaming blasted her ears, driving her to her knees.  The wind snatched at her long red curls, whipping them around her face, blinding her.  She crouched, cowering and leaned forward as if seeking the doorway.  Instead, she found the mirror.  As swift as it started, the wind and screaming vanished from the room.  A passing servant stopped and looked into the room a moment.  Not seeing anything out of place, he turned, shut the door, and continued on.    

A strong sense of self preservation kept her from completely loosing consciousness.  Once she felt more grounded, she called on her blood and wrapped a quick, simple, yet effective illusion around herself.  No longer the usual petite green eyed red head; instead the slightly taller brunette pushed herself to her feet and gazed around trying to get her bearings.  Dark brown eyes noticed a line of people nearby, waiting to get into what looked like a tavern of some sort.  She pasted a smile on her face, and headed in that direction.  Surely she could hear something to give her a clue of her where abouts in the club.  And, as long as there were no other kindred nearby, using  Auspex, she could blend in so easily with the mortals.

Glancing down, she twisted the illusion with a slight bit of will.  With a grin, the curvaceous brunette clad in a long gown dark blue gown matching the style she was seeing headed towards the group of people.  As she drew nearer, she noted the door was blocked.  Senses alert now, she stepped away a few feet.  Perhaps, she would do better to simple watch from a distance for a moment or two.  So thinking, she moved and blended into the shadows across the street from the entrance to the club.  Another subtle illusion made sure that her pale skin was blended in with the shadows.  She took up a position where she had a clear view of the doorway and leaned against the wall.  She laughed a bit as she settled down to watch.  â€œWell, you said you were bored Kyria, looks like you got your adventure after all”, she thought to herself.


(OK, not sure how you are all posting the use of disciplines, but really wanted to get in and get going with Kyr here.)

[Ambika Darkbane]

~Genevieve~

The moment Kain picked at her mind again he of course was allowed to see whatever it was he wanted.  She gave him the name and face of her sire, and the fact that she had no agenda to her being here.  Her gaze met his for a brief moment as if she knew what he was doing before he even began.  She smirked slightly and adverted her gaze back towards the room around her.  For a moment she lingered on Radu, the words he spoke were enough to dampen any evil thighs.  However she found little interest in it considering it didn’t concern her, none of this did.  She again glanced towards Atra and the dancing slave as they displayed their attractions.  Most men would pay to see such things, however she had seen it before and yet it was different.  Not many people held such passion and most of the time is was just carnal lust, however with Atra is was clearly more passionate and this is what caused her to look longer then she might have.

Yet again her gaze adverted, knowing that if people were not brawling all over the tavern that they were staring at Atra and Alexa as she had just been.  Her eyes rested on Kain again, while he was an interesting being his attentions were to split, she kept her silence and watched as he turned his affections towards Raven.  She wasn’t jealous, she had no reason to be, and yet it caused her to lose more interest in him then she might have had.  She again turned towards Radu, wanting to see in what manner he would give this man his certain death, it was exciting and yet almost expected among such a crowd as this.  Sex and violence, what more could you ask for?

Reaching up she brushed away a few stay hairs and leaned back in to her chair again, her arms folding against her stomach.  She uncrossed and recrossed her legs, pondering if a drink was in order and yet not moving to get one as she simply watched the small brawl before her.  Her gown was heavy and she wished then that she had been born a boy, however she knew the perks to being a woman and while it was a hassle at times she wouldn’t have traded it for the world.

[Alexa Moroveston]

Alexa was mesmerized. Here was a woman who found her alluring, appealing and wanted her solely out of all the women and men within the club.

As Atra rose and began to caress Alexa, her skin felt cold and on fire all at once. The smooth touch of the Lady was almost enough to make her forget everything and just fall into the woman's arms. Alexander had never touched her the way this woman was. They had been soul bound and married for so long, but he had been gone for decades and Alexa had assumed the bond was merely for power over her, now, and not for love. It was why she had been so easily swayed into Kain's embrace. She believed her life over and death at Kain's hands, so she thought she was stepping into, was more welcoming than an unlife alone once more.

*Atra....* Her mind whispered just as her lips parted for that wanted kiss. “Atra...” she cooed in recognition as her lips and tongue were devoured. She remembered this goddess female from so long ago. But the power coming from her now was nothing like what poor Alexa had remembered. Something Atra would discover upon kissing Alexa is that in arriving here, being bound to Kain and allowing this side of her to be freed, her own power was coming to the fore as well.

Mere empathy was all Alexa had been good for before. Feeding those stronger than her because conscious wouldn't let her do less. Now she cared not if her enemy fell at her back (Tanthis). She had learned in this short time that she had been denying what she was.

As that moment of realization tripped that switch deep inside her, Alexa closed the final minuscule gap between them and her sensations were overrun with the sights, smells and tastes of the woman who held her. The feel of soft leather caressing up her inner thigh was so exquisite, she lifted her right foot and set the stiletto clad foot on the edge of Atra's abandoned seat for stability and bent her other knee slightly so the leather thigh would press and feel the heat of Alexa's desire. She would part her own crimson carmined lips to allow the Goddess to bless her and taste of the offering she was freely giving. Her naked body pressed to the Lady's fingers and the moan that fell from her as the pinch on her nipple drew fresh blood, filled the space around them.

Her hands slide up Atra's perfect body and around her neck to caress fingers thru her hair and over her neck as they kissed. The motion of her grinding on Atra's leg bringing her closer to the edge as she returned the motions. If allowed to continue and granted it, the explosion building with Alexa would explode with a fever she hadn't realized, till now, she wanted like the vitae that kept her in this existence.

Her body moved like a lover seeking something more than touch and wanting to draw from Atra the same pleasure. Something within her said if she pleased this woman, all would be well in her unlife once more. And her empathy, freed from the binding confines of Kain's mind, reached slowly to seek the desire within Atra and see if this was something she wanted for power sake or because deep inside, perhaps, she wanted it as much as Alexa did.