Van Helsing

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<span class="title">Van Helsing</span> <span class="author">by <a href="https://www.tumblr.com/blog/vanhelsing-if" target="_blank">Beau</a></span>

<<nobr>> <li>[[stats]]</li> <li>[[relationships]]</li> <li>[[profile]]</li> <li><<link "credits">><<script>> Dialog.setup("Credits"); Dialog.wiki(Story.get("credits").processText()); Dialog.open(); <</script>><</link>></li> <</nobr>>

Miss. Katya Manelle, a United Nations delegate sent on behalf of the 193 member states, places the remote down on the table gently, and pushes her glasses back up her nose. "The bodies of the broadcast crew were all stripped of their flesh in the same manner that the body of Mr. Wade was," she informs you and your companions with professional detachment as she slides folders across the table. "Pictures of the scene are on page three." You nod, flicking to the indicated page. Your blood turns to ice in your veins at the grisley crime scene photos, but outwardly, you remain as unaffected as the woman sitting across from you, analysing your body language for signs of weakness. You admire it in some ways, but over 100 years of experience at masking your emotions means that she's rather out of luck if she thinks she'll find something to hold over you, emotionally or otherwise. Miss. Manelle clears her throat, leaning forward to catch your eyes, "I come here on behalf of most of the //world// to ask you for your help, [[Mr. Van Helsing.|3][$mcTitle = "Mr"]] [[Miss. Van Helsing.|3][$mcTitle = "Miss"]] [[Mx. Van Helsing.|3][$mcTitle = "Mx"]]

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[[Sugarcube 2 Documentation|https://www.motoslave.net/sugarcube/2/docs]] [[OpenDyslexic Font by Abbie Gonzalez|https://opendyslexic.org]] [[Notify Macro by Chapel|https://github.com/ChapelR/custom-macros-for-sugarcube-2]] [[Live Update Macro by Cycy|https://github.com/cyrusfirheir/cycy-wrote-custom-macros]]

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"Do be careful not to anger the werewolf in the room, Miss, you might not enjoy the outcome," $mName purrs. You sigh inwardly at the same time that Osyka sighs outwardly. While everyone who knows Osyka, knows how much control they have over their wolf, Miss. Manelle does not, and the look that flashes across her face before she schools her features, betrays that fact. "Must you make me out to be some kind of monster?" Osyka asks, sounding exasperated. Dracula has the good grace to look guilty at that, $mtheir eyes silently conveying $mtheir apology. The woman clears her throat, trying to get them back on track, "if we could return to the matter at hand?" You nod, "please go on." "As you heard at the end of that tape, Mr. Wade addressed a professor, and we wondered if that could have been aimed at you?" The blank look that Osyka sends her almost makes you smile. You know what Osyka is thinking though, if she knew that your title was professor, why did she call you //$mcTitle//? You put that question aside to ruminate on the question that you have been asked. It is a question that had already been discussed in one of the rec rooms yesterday when the interview was first broadcast. <span class="next"><<button "We don't know that it was talking about Helsing." "5">><</button>></span>

You nod at Xoese, "I think you're right, Xoese, that thing was addressing me." In fact, you know that it was, because you //felt// it. Even with a lack of eyes, you felt as though the Creature had been looking straight at you - into your very soul. Xoese preens a little when you agree with her, and Leks, whose face is turning a concerning purple colour, flips her off. Xoese seems unsure how to respond to the gesture, and just glares at him a little awkwardly. "Leks, sit upright before you pass out," comes Ren's voice and Leks immediately does as he's told. "Woah, I feel sick." Xoese immediately takes several steps back, "puke on me, and I'll make you eat it." But she still raises her hands, a purple light setting them aglow, and Leks sighs happily, relaxing into the sofa. "Thanks, Xoese," he rumbles as the witch heals his sickness. Honestly, as prickly as Xoese can be, she is a kind woman that just finds it a little hard to understand social cues sometimes. Everyone had become pretty used to her bluntness over the years though, so it is rare that anyone takes offence these days. Especially considering that everyone knows that the Institute would fall into chaos without her around. Her organisation skills were unmatched which had earned her the title of Head Handler. However, she's the complete opposite of Ren. Xoese's past was, and still is, a total mystery. She just turned up one day of her own accord and asked for a job, which you were happy to give her after some questioning. The fact that she's an extremely powerful witch is a definite bonus. Just as you're about to ask Ren if ne's learnt anything, someone else enters the room, taking your attention. Frankie, the 'monster' that had been created by Victor Frankenstein. He waves at you, and then signs out your name... [[Abraham|8][$mcName = "Abraham"]] [[Gabriel|8][$mcName = "Gabriel"]] [[Abriana.|8][$mcName = "Abriana"]] [[Gabriella|8][$mcName = "Gabriella"]] [[Abrax.|8][$mcName = "Abrax"]] [[Gabby|8][$mcName = "Gabby"]] <<textbox "$mcName" "Type your name here" "8">>

It makes you happy to know that Ren's gotten closer to someone. After the condition that you found nem in all those years ago, and the extensive trauma that ne suffers from, you once feared that ne would never settle in. Your eyes catch on the deformed wings that hang down on either side of the chair that Ren is sitting on, and sadness pricks at you when you think at how you met nem. You'd been responding to a distress call in the Japanese Alps from the Tengu who were being harrassed by several Yurei. It wasn't often that a species as secretive as the Tengu asked for help, and you had rushed there to aid them in ridding themselves of the Yokai. As you had been leaving, you'd witnessed a Tengu child being thrown from the temple. You immediately went after the child, and soon realised why the child had been discarded. Nir wings were far smaller than they should have been for a Tengu of nir age, although one was larger than the other. They were somewhat deformed as well, almost as if they'd been broken once and then not set correctly. You had rushed to get the child back to where you were staying so you could warm nem up and give nem first aid. Once, ne regained nir strength, ne told you that nir name was Saito Ren. A few days later, and you returned to the Institute with nem in your arms. These days, Ren struggled with severe chronic pain, an inability to fly, and balance issues due to the size difference in nir wings. It meant that some days, the pain and bitterness led to a biting temper and deep resentment towards you for saving nem and forcing nem to live in such pain, but for the most part, Ren was highly loyal and protective of you, and was always ready to give Dracula's sharp wit a run for its money. Xoese's voice jolts you out of your thoughts about Ren, "as I was saying, it is highly unlikely that it was referring to anyone other than Helsing." <span class="next"><<button "They all turn to you" "7">><</button>></span>

<<set $rone to 40>>\ !Stats <div class="stat-bar-group"> <div class="stat-bar-container"> <div class="stat-bar-overlay-left">Dracula $rone%</div> <div class="stat-bar" id="rone-stat"></div> </div></div>\ <<set $rtwo to 10>>\ <div class="stat-bar-group"> <div class="stat-bar-container"> <div class="stat-bar-overlay-left">E. De Boer $rtwo%</div> <div class="stat-bar" id="rtwo-stat"></div> </div></div>\ <<set $rthree to 40>>\ <div class="stat-bar-group"> <div class="stat-bar-container"> <div class="stat-bar-overlay-left">V. Frankenstein $rthree%</div> <div class="stat-bar" id="rthree-stat"></div> </div></div>\ <<set $rfour to 70>>\ <div class="stat-bar-group"> <div class="stat-bar-container"> <div class="stat-bar-overlay-left">Osyka $rfour%</div> <div class="stat-bar" id="rfour-stat"></div> </div></div>\ <<button "Return" $return>><</button>> /* or <<link "Return" $return>><</link>> */

Name: $mcName Van Helsing Gender: $mcGender Identity: $mcIdentity Hair: $hairLength $hairColour $hairType hair that you typically style $hairStyle Eyes: Your right eye is $rightColour and your left eye is $leftColour Skin: $skinColour with $skinNotable Facial hair: $facialHair. Height: $mcHeight Body type: $bodyType Tattoos: $mcTattoos Scars: $mcScars Piercings: $mcPiercings. Outfit: $mcOutfit. <<button "Return" $return>><</button>> /* or <<link "Return" $return>><</link>> */

!Synopsis You are a Van Helsing. In fact, you were the most formidable foe that Dracula ever faced…over 130 years ago. No one knows how you gained immortality, least of all you. It was a gradual thing, noticing that you no longer aged. You refused to let a single year go to waste though, creating the Helsing Institute where agents were taught to hunt those that deserved it and protect those that needed it. So, when an ancient Entity reveals to the world that it’s going to destroy Earth in four months, you are tasked with hunting the Creature down and slaying it before it gets the chance. However, you and this Creature are far more entwined than you could ever realise. Will you remain the indomitable Van Helsing of legends or will this finally be your breaking point? //[Based on Bram Stoker’s Dracula, Van Helsing is an 18+ interactive work of fiction coded in Twine. Content warnings include death, murder, mentions of past child death, xenophobia, blood, gore, explicit language, explicit sexual content (optional), mentions of past self harm and attempted suicide, violence, mental illness and unhealthy coping mechanisms, grief, body horror, and harassment.]// <span class="next"><<button "Prologue" "1">><</button>></span>

!Prologue //"So, Mr. Wade, you have made some rather...extraordinary claims recently about a world-ending catastrophe that is soon to take place," the tone of the interviewer suggests that he doesn't think much of this segment, but he makes the effort to smile and appear interested. "Why don't you tell us a little bit more about that?"// //'Mr. Wade' stares blankly at the interviewer for a few seconds, before he seems to remember himself and nods.// //“On the 18th of November 2026, this world will die.”// //The interviewer laughs a little incredulously, eyes turning to the camera as if to say ‘get a load of this.’ “Oh? and how can you be so sure of that?”// //A smile slashes across 'Mr. Wade’s' lips as the interviewer’s skull suddenly caves in untouched. Blood and matter sprays across the broadcasters desk, and the microphone picks up the sound of bone crunching before the boom operator drops it. The Creature looks on apathetically, rubbery smile still stretched over its face, as the crew begins to panic, running for the doors and finding them locked. It turns to the camera, ignoring the screaming and pleading that starts up around it.// //“Because I’m going to end it.”// //The Creature chuckles as it flicks off a piece of brain matter from its suit jacket.// //Then, it's eyes appear to roll back in its head, and cracks begin to appear along its body. Black liquid, viscous and gloopy, seeps from the cracks and begins to encase the human flesh until no trace of humanity remains.// //Even more disturbing is the sudden silence that descends and then the thuds of bodies hitting the floor in quick succession - fourteen people, all dead in a matter of moments.// //The liquid begins to rescind. Only, it doesn't reveal flesh, but bone. Whatever, that liquid is, it has stripped the human body down to its skeleton. The inky liquid slides off and disappears, but the Creature remains sitting.// //"I look forward to seeing you soon, Professor."// //The skeleton falls apart.// <span class="next"><<button "The TV is switched off." "2">><</button>></span>

//"$mcName, Vic needs to speak with you about something."// The pitying looks that you get given in response to what Frankie signs, doesn't exactly spark much confidence in you. You haven't had a chance to see Vic in a few days, but you know that the others have. You just hope you don't end up in quarantine again. Following Frankie out of the rec room, the two of you head towards the staircase. While, there are several lifts around the Institute, Frankie is too nervous of enclosed spaces to get in one. You, on the other hand, <<cycle "$claustrophobiaFear" autoselect>> <<option "are not bothered by small spaces.">> <<option "aren't afraid of them, but you try to avoid them for practical reasons.">> <<option "are just as nervous of small spaces.">> <<option "are just as nervous of small spaces, but you deal with it.">> <</cycle>> As the two of you begin your descent to Vic's lab in the basement, you take the time to check in on Frankie. "How have you been, Frankie?" You ask, knowing that, while he struggles with speech, Frankie has excellent hearing. The total opposite of Vic who can't hear a thing without hearing aids, but can talk until you fear their tongue will fall off. [[You're about the same height as Frankie [set height as 6'5<]|9][$mcHeight = "very tall"]] [[You're a bit shorter than Frankie, but not enough that you have to look up at them [set height as 6'0<]|9][$mcHeight = "tall"]] [[Frankie's quite a bit taller than you [set height as 5'9<]|9][$mcHeight = "average"]] [[You have to tilt your head back to look at Frankie [set height as 5'5<]|9][$mcHeight = "short"]] [[You practically have to break your back to look Frankie in the eye [set height as 5'0<]|9][$mcHeight = "very short"]]

"Professor," comes the correction from your two companions. Miss. Manelle blinks and turns her head from side-to-side towards the people sitting on either side of you. "Excuse me?" Osyka, your right-hand and the leader of the werewolf pack that resides in the Helsing Institute, raises an eyebrow at the woman, "You should address Van Helsing as Professor." You don't scold them for speaking out of turn, nor do you tell Miss. Manelle that no harm has been done. After all, as a delegate, shouldn't she be aware of the importance of addressing people correctly? It doesn't help that you're not entirely sure how you feel about having someone that works for the UN in the Institute. For years, the world has been trying to gain access to your home, and for years, you've managed to keep them out. This Institute is a safe place for the supernatural, and you're loathe to allow an organisation that is founded by countries that are constantly clawing for more power to dictate to you how it should be run. The last time that they tried to place sanctions on your people, you sent one of the deadliest weapons in your arsenal to give them a message. No sanctions have been attempted since. Your head turns towards said weapon, and your other companion, as a sultry sounding laugh echoes through the room. *[[Count Miron Dracula sits to the left of you.|4][$mName = "Miron"; $mTitle = "Count"; $mGender = "man"; $mthey = "he"; $mthem = "him"; $mtheir = "his"; $mtheirs = "his"; $mthemself = "himself"]] *[[Countess Miruna Dracula sits to the left of you.|4][$mName = "Miruna"; $mTitle = "Countess"; $mGender = "woman"; $mthey = "she"; $mthem = "her"; $mtheir = "her"; $mtheirs = "hers"; $mthemself = "herself"]]

//"I've been well, thank you, $mcName,"// he signs. //"Been busy keeping an eye on Vic."// "That's good, Frankie, but I hope you're taking time for yourself as well?" //"Of course, Osyka imported some new tea leaves for me, so I've been working on my tea brewing skills, and Ren lent me some of nir favourite books."// His happiness over such simple things makes you think back to the early days after Vic and Frankie arrived. Frankie had been overwhelmed by the amount of people in the Institute, unsure if people would treat them as a monster rather than a person. Vic's grandfather, Victor, had created Frankie, and then almost destroyed him when the guilt of trying to play God got too much. It had been Victor's wife, Elizabeth, that had convinced Victor to take responsibilty for what he had done. She treated him akin to a son, and eventually, Victor warmed up to him as well. The couple's biological son, Nils, had seen him as an older brother, and when his father died, he took on the role of Frankie's guardian. Then when Nils died, Vic took over. Now, as you watch Frankie out of the corner of your eye, you see how settled they seem. [[It fills you with warmth and your lips curl into a smile.|10]] [[You feel happy for him, even if your expression doesn't show it.|10]] [[You scowl at the thought that Frankie ever had to feel uncomfortable to begin with.|10]] [[You full on grin at Frankie which he returns.|10]]

Before you can ask him anything else, the two of you reach the bottom of the staircase, and walk towards the heavy, reinforced doors at the end of the corridor. Frankie reaches out and waves his wrist over the sensor by the left door. The silver bracelet he wears, that matches the one that you and all those who live and work in the Institute wear, acts as an I.D. It's coded to the DNA of its wearer, rendering it useless to anyone that tries to gain access to areas with a stolen one. The doors slide open, and you and Frankie step into the future. High tech machines cover almost every surface, the best that money can buy. The only spaces that aren't are the metal-working and wood-working benches, and Vic's desk but that is covered in so many papers and prototypes anyway, that it doesn't really have enough space for anything else. Heavy metal music blares out of the speakers, and you curse, immediately aiming for the stereo to turn the music off. As soon as you do, Vic spins around and beams at you. You remember the first time you opened the doors to blaring music, you had asked Vic why they listened to music when they couldn't hear it, and they told you that they liked the feeling of the vibrations. You just wondered how Frankie could work with it. "Ah, Helsing, what are you doing here?" You shoot them an incredulous look and sign, //"Frankie said you wanted to see me."// *[[Doctor Victor Frankenstein Jr. turns their gaze from you to Frankie.|11][$vName = "Victor"; $vGender = "man"; $vthey = "he"; $vthem = "him"; $vtheir = "his"; $vtheirs = "his"; $vthemself = "himself"]] *[[Doctor Victoria Frankenstein turns their gaze from you to Frankie.|11][$vName = "Victoria"; $vGender = "woman"; $vthey = "she"; $vthem = "her"; $vtheir = "her"; $vtheirs = "hers"; $vthemself = "herself"]]

Frankie signs, //"you wanted to tell $mcName about your latest prototype."// $vName claps $vtheir hands in delight, $vtheir eyes sparkling with excitement as $vthey beckon you over to $vtheir desk. They pick up a cylindrical object that is small enough to fit in the palm of their hand. "When you click this button," $vthey points to the button on the side. "It emits a high frequency sound that can disable supernaturals that have sensitive hearing. Of course, if the supernatural is deaf like myself, it's rendered a bit useless, so I'm looking at creating something that can take out those who cannot hear well too, but the last time I thought I'd got somewhere, it blew the test dummy up, so it's definetely something that I need to work on, which means I need you to sign off on this so I can get-" On and on, Vic rambles about their latest experiment. They talk so quickly that the words are almost blurring together, and you almost struggle to follow what $vthey is saying. This isn't an uncommon occurrance though, the very first time you met Vic, they went on such a tangent that you ended up being ranted at for almost an hour. That was just over twenty years ago now, and you had only gone to $vName for help with a case as you had known that their grandfather had done research on the demons you were looking into, only to end up inviting Vic and Frankie to live and work at the Institute when you found out that Vic was a Cambion - a half human, half demon supernatural. <span class="next"><<button "Next" "12">><</button>></span>

You snap back into focus on the now, only to see that Vic is giving you a strange look. "What's wrong with you?" //"What do you mean?"// "You look like shit." //"Vic! Don't be rude!"// Frankie signs, outraged. You huff out a laugh, waving off Frankie's concern that Vic has offended you, "don't worry about it, Frankie, they're not wrong." You're not surprised that Vic doesn't know about the Creature, you'd be more surprised if they did. You explain the situation to $vthem and Frankie, the two of them listening attentively (or at least Frankie was, Vic was watching you sign with rapt attention though). //"Are you okay?"// Are you? [[You actually are okay, you've been through far worse in any case.|12.1]] [[You're fine, you refuse to let this get you down.|12.2]] [[You aren't really sure how to feel about it|12.3]] [[You don't feel great about it, and you tell them so.|12.4]] [[You don't feel great about it, but you don't want to tell them that.|12.5]]

Anyway, that isn't really the reason that you came down here. "You wanted me to sign off on that prototype, Vic?" Vic lights up and thrusts their tablet under your nose for you to sign, almost stabbing you with the stylus in their haste. You recoil slightly, but take the stylus and sign the paperwork before you can really think through what you're doing. The grimace that passes over Frankie's face suggests that he hoped that you were going to disapprove and say no to the prototype. You might have just made a rather grave mistake there, and on your way out of the lab, you do a check to make sure that all the safety measures are still in place and haven't been cannibalised for parts by Vic. Once, you're happy that everything is in working order, you wave your bracelet over the scanner and head back along the corridor towards the stairs. After checking that you've done everything that needs to be done for the day, you head to bed, practically falling into the sheets and passing out from sheer exhaustion. <span class="next"><<button "Next" "14">><</button>></span>

The next morning, Osyka stands outside your room waiting for you. While this isn't an uncommon occurance as you and Osyka are often joined at the hip due to your roles, the look of discomfort on their face immediately puts you on edge. "Osyka? What's wrong?" One thing about Osyka that you've always appreciated, is the fact that they don't beat around the bush. "There's a delegate from the UN here, a Miss. Katya Manelle, to speak with you about the situation with the Creature from the news," they explain. "I personally escorted them to meeting room one, and left Deima and Georgie watching over her while I came to inform you." You shut your eyes against the headache that is already blooming at the thought of having to deal with this woman. "Hey," Oyska says gently, drawing your attention to them as you open your eyes. "It's going to be fine, $mcName, I'll have your back if she starts to overstep." "As will I." You and Osyka turn towards the intruder as one, and there stands $mTitle $mName Dracula. The most powerful vampire in existance, and a pain in your arse. "What are you doing here?" "Can't I come and visit my favourite slayer?" "I'd rather you waited for an invite." Dracula scoffs and waves $mtheir wrist in your face, showcasing the I.D. bracelet, "I think you'll find that this is an all access pass, édesem." The smile you flash $mthem is nothing short of vicious, "I think you'll find that your access is rather limited." "Odd, it got me into your room easily enough," $mthey leans into your space a little, $mtheir voice dropping a few octaves. "Is that your way of telling me you want me in your bed?" Your hand twitches towards the stake strapped to your thigh, and Osyka springs into action, subtly placing themself between the two of you. "$mName," Osyka says in greeting. "Osyka," $mName replies, voice dropping into a seductive purr. Dracula is lucky that they have the patience of a saint. "I have missed you, my furry friend." "You only saw me yesterday, Dracula, I didn't realise you were so taken with me." $mName blinks in confusion, unused to Osyka responding in such a way, before $mthey smirks. "My, my, so the puppy does have some bite." "I can show you just how much, if you like?" Dracula's eyes glow with amusement, "is that a promise?" Osyka's eyes roll upwards as if seeking a higher power to deal with Dracula, and then push past $mthem to lead the two of you to the meeting room where the delegate awaits. <span class="next"><<button "Next" "15">><</button>></span>

"Professor Van Helsing?" Miss. Manelle's words bring you back to the present, and you shake off the memories of the last couple of days to answer the woman. "Yes, I believe that those words were aimed at me." Miss. Manelle nods, and jots something down on her tablet. You resist the urge to demand to know what she's writing. Once she's finished, she looks up at you again and steeples her fingers. "Does that mean that you will take on this case?" You share a look with Osyka first and then $mName, before you turn back to her and nod. "Yes, I'll take on the case." Miss. Manelle smiles, "excellent-" "Not because the UN asked me to though, I was going to do it anyway." You don't want those bastards thinking that they have any sway over you and your decisions. The real reason why you're taking this case is because... [[It's your job, simple as that.|16]] [[You want to protect the people of this world.|16]] [[You live in this world and you'd like it to remain in one piece.|16]] [[The people that you love live in this world and you'd like it to remain in one piece.|16]] [[You need to know why the Creature addressed you personally.|16]] [[You can't pinpoint just one reason, you just know that this is something that you have to do.|16]]

Miss. Manelle hesitates momentarily. "You can write that down in your notes as well," Osyka tells her. "Also write down that the next time the UN sends a bloodbag here, I'll use it," there's a lethal edge to $mName's voice and you're grateful for it. Even if it might be the confirmation that the UN needs that the Helsing Institute is housing supernaturals that are dangerous to humans, you know that a threat from the legedary Dracula is enought to put anyone off coming back here. Even if said legend is usually only lurking about the Institute as an uninvited guest. Miss. Manelle swallows hard and nods, "understood." "Good girl," Dracula coos, and despite the fact that $mtheir tone was more condescending than anything, you watch as the woman turns bright red. //Ah, vampiric charm.// A few more minor details are smoothed out, and then the delegate is pressing a manila folder into your hands. "This is all the information we could find on it," she explains. "Possible previous sightings, myths and legends from around the world that might have been based on it, the crime scene reports, those kinds of things." With that in mind, the folder was concerningly empty. Osyka escorts Miss. Manelle to the door as you and $mName start to look through the provided information. "How is there so little known about this thing?" "I don't know, but I'm over 400 years old, and I have never seen it or heard about it before, so I'm not surprised that the humans couldn't find much." $mName stretches $mtheir arms above $mtheir head, causing $mtheir shirt to ride up a little to reveal $mtheir toned stomach. Your eyes zero in on the right side of $mtheir abdomen where, if $mName wasn't a vampire, there would have been a nasty scar from where you attempted to slay Dracula over 130 years ago. "My eyes are up here, nyuszi." Your eyes snap upwards, expecting $mthem to be looking at you with that infuriating smirk, but instead, you find $mthem smiling at you, a soft look in $mtheir eyes. [[You smile back, understanding passing between you.|16.1]] <<link "You clear your throat, your eyes snapping away from Dracula's $flirt_label" "16.2">><</link>> <<link "You smile back, but allow it to take on a more sultry edge. $flirt_label" "16.3">><</link>> <<link "You feel your pulse quicken, but you can't place why. $flirt_label" "16.4">><</link>> [[You don't smile back, but your eyes convey enough.|16.5]] [[You scoff, turning away from Dracula.|16.6]]

Leks and Xoese are arguing over whether the Creature had addressed you at the end before the broadcast had finally been cut off. //"I look forward to seeing you soon, Professor."// "There's millions of professors in the world! How can you say for certain that it was our professor that it was talking to?" The blond werewolf is laying upside down on the sofa, his legs hanging over the back of it. Part of you wants to ask why, but the smarter part of you warns you to not even acknowledge it. The same voice seems to have spoken to the others as well. "It could have been, like, a genetics professor or something," Leks continues. "It's obvious that the body didn't belong to it originally, so maybe it wants a body made." Xoese pauses, seemingly surprised that Leks actually said something that kind of made sense. The witch seemed torn between arguing more and congratulating him for knowing what a geneticist is. "Or maybe it wants a linguini professor if it's, like, an alien or something." //Linguini...?// Ren's head whips up from where ne has been pouring over texts looking for something that could give an indication as to what the Creature is. The Tengu looks at Leks in disbelief. "Lingui- it's linguistics, you idiot." "What did I say?" "Linguini." Leks frowns and then shrugs, "sounds the same to me." Ren's eye twitches, but ne seems to think better of continuing to argue, instead shaking nir head mournfully and turning back to the texts. A small smile curls at your lips as you note that Ren seems a little softer on Leks than others. Anyone else would have gotten a book thrown at their head. <span class="next"><<button "Next" "6">><</button>></span>

You send a message to Ren to bring nir own research and join you in the meeting room. Ren ends up bringing Leks and Xoese with nem, and Osyka comes back with Vic and Frankie in tow. You split the research between you all, and start compiling as much data as possible with the little information that you have. It's rather slow going and a bit frustrating at times, especially since everyone knows that this thing seems intent of having a meeting with you. But why? What does it want with you? As far as you're aware, you've never encountered it before...but, is that true? You saw how it possessed Mr. Wade's body, so perhaps it's possible that you came across the Creature while it was in the body of another. Then again, you struggle to believe that you wouldn't notice a presence that powerful. And it is powerful. You don't think you've ever seen power like it before, not even from Dracula or Xoese who are easily two of the most proficient magic users you have ever met. Starting to feel overwhelmed by the amount of questions that you cannot answer rattling around in your head, you focus on the laptop in front of you instead. The rest of the room is unnervingly quiet, and if that doesn't tell you how seriously everyone is taking this, then nothing will. The eight of you spend hours in that meeting room, only stopping for dinner, then getting right back into it. It's nearing midnight when Mischa, one of your agents that is on patrol tonight, knocks on the door and informs you that someone is at the front door asking to see you. You freeze up, exchanging a look with Osyka. Could this be the Creature...? "Did this person give a name?" "No, Professor, they refused to," Mischa informs you. "They seemed pretty desperate though." Osyka speaks up, "I can go and deal with it." "No," you shake your head. "They're asking for me, I have to be the one to deal with this." You make your way to the front door with Mischa and nod to their partner, Rider, thanking them and then dismissing them both. Once the two of them walk away, you turn to the figure at the door, and force a polite smile onto your face. "Can I help you?" Hands reach up and tug back the hood that had been shielding their face from your sight. The first thing you see is a shock of red hair, and then your whole world is grinding to halt. Because in front of you stands... *[[Your ex-husband, Elijah De Boer.|18][$eName = "Elijah"; $eSpouse = "husband"; $eGender = "man"; $ethey = "he"; $ethem = "him"; $etheir = "his"; $etheirs = "his"; $ethemself = "himself"]] *[[Your ex-wife, Eliza De Boer.|18][$eName = "Eliza"; $eSpouse = "wife"; $eGender = "woman"; $ethey = "she"; $ethem = "her"; $etheir = "her"; $etheirs = "hers"; $ethemself = "herself"]]

Far worse, but this is not to the time to be reflecting on the past, or you won't be okay for much longer. "I've been through a lot worse and come out the otherside relatively unscathed, I'm sure this time will be no different." Frankie opens his mouth to reply and then seems to think better of it, falling quiet even as a small frown dips his brows. "True, but considering this thing apparently caved someones head in without even touching them, coming out in one piece might be a struggle even for you," Vic muses. Frankie shakes his head in despair and you give Vic a blank look. "Gee thanks, Vic, you always know just what to say." You're almost embarrassed by the way $vthey believes you, and preens at your supposed praise. <span class="next"><<button "Next" "13">><</button>></span>

It would be easy to let the weight of it all suffocate you, but it's clear that the Creature //wants// to unnerve you, and you refuse to let that murderous thing get into your head. "I'm okay surprisingly, sure I don't like that it addressed me personally, but I'm not going to let it mess with my head." //"Good,"// Frankie signs, grinning at you with unnaturally white teeth. "Yes, who knows what would happen if our mightly leader allowed such a thing to happen, the Institute would fall down around our heads." You're not entirely sure whether Vic is trying to compliment you or is being sarcastic. You decide it's better to just take it as a compliment and move on. <span class="next"><<button "Next" "13">><</button>></span>

It's a strange feeling because, on one hand, you know better than to let it get to you, but on the other, it's hard to not feel at least a little bit unnerved by it all. "I don't really know, I mean I know better than to let this thing get into my head, but it's not easy to just brush off a direct address like that." //"I understand, the human mind is a fickle thing."// "You say that as if you don't have a human mind, Frankie." //"Ah, but mine was rather expanded what with all the chemicals used to bring me to life."// Vic snorts, "I'm rather surprised that those chemicals didn't fry that brain of yours." Frankie pushes them in retaliation. Thankfully it's only a gentle push or you'd have been scraping $vName off the wall. <span class="next"><<button "Next" "13">><</button>></span>

You want so badly to be able to just brush it off, but the feeling of those empty eye sockets boring into your soul makes you feel sick. "Not great, if I'm being honest," you admit. "It's not a fun feeling to know that a Creature that casually slaughtered fourteen people without lifting a finger is expecting to see you soon." Frankie nods sympathetically, while Vic fiddles with their prototype, unused to providing comfort. //"That's perfectly normal, $mcName, you shouldn't be ashamed of that.// "I'm not ashamed of my fear, I know that oftentimes, fear is the only thing that keeps us alive." You can understand why Frankie thinks that though. This bloody Institute is full of emotionally repressed morons. One of the said morons starts whistling off-key as $vthey tries to alleviate the somber mood. <span class="next"><<button "Next" "13">><</button>></span>

Of course, you're not okay. How could you be when that thing personally addressed you, but you're not the kind of person that unloads your burden onto others, so you simply nod and shoot them a smile. "Yes, I'm okay," you wave your hand dismissively. "When am I not?" Frankie and Vic don't look even the slightest bit convinced, but thankfully they don't question you about it. You're not sure how you'd hold up under their questioning. It was like a crazy rendition of good-cop-bad-cop. Frankie was kind and empathetic while Vic poked and proded at you like you were one of their experiments. It was always better to just give in and tell them what they wanted to know before you went insane. <span class="next"><<button "Next" "13">><</button>></span>

//$eName...// You haven't seen your ex for over 100 years. Not since...not since the death of Coen. Your twelve year old son. The son that was taken from you by trickster faeries when they lured him into the lake at the back of the Institute, and drowned him. One of the most tragic elements of it was the fact that $eName is a banshee, and that, even though $ethey felt that Coen was about to die, they still couldn't get to him in time. You had to dive into the lake and drag your son's lifeless body onto the shore. You remember watching the life die out in the eyes of your $eSpouse, and you knew in that moment, as $ethey screamed over the body of $etheir son, that you had lost $ethem. Not long after that, $eName packed $etheir stuff and left. You haven't seen or heard from $ethem since. "You- $eName...what are you doing here?" Your eyes rake over $ethem, taking in all the differences that you notice, but the most disturbing change is $eName's eyes. Once, so warm and vibrant, they are now cold and devoid of life. "I saw the news, I saw that Creature address you, Helsing." You can't help but ask, "were you worried about me?" "Yes," $ethey answers bluntly, and you blink, not expecting that answer. "But it's not the reason that I'm here." //Of course//, you can't help but think bitterly. "Helsing, I...I think that thing was around when Coen died." You frown, "you think it's been around that long." "Yes, but Helsing, I mean I think it was here, at the Institute," $eName eyes catch yours and refuse to let go. "So, I want in, I want to know the truth because...because I think it sent those faeries after Coen...I think it killed our son." <span class="next"><<button "Next" "19">><</button>></span>

It's taken a long time for things to get to this point between the two of you and, even if $mName still manages to drive you insane at times (especially when $mthey sends you seventeen twilight memes in a row), you do consider $mthem a good friend. "You're thinking about the twilight memes I sent you earlier, aren't you?" You stare at $mthem in shock, before suspicion takes over, "are you sure you can't read minds?" "I think I'd know if I could," $mthey respond, pretending to mull over the question. "Maybe we should have Vic crack your head open and study your brain to find out." $mName's hand shoot up to $mtheir hair protectively, "absolutely not, I just had my hair done." "That's your biggest concern?" You question $mthem, exasperatedly. "If your hair looked as good as mine, Helsing, it would be your biggest concern as well." You roll your eyes, "I think I might need to call in reinforcements." <span class="next"><<button "Next" "17">><</button>></span>

You've never been the most expressive of people, but Dracula knows you well enough to understand what you're trying to convey. The past is the past, and despite the bloody history that the two of you share, you've moved forward. You'd even go so far as to call $mthem a friend...but not to $mtheir face. The image of $mName's smug face makes you internally cringe. You aren't mentally prepared for that level of teasing. "You're thinking about how close we've become, aren't you? We're practically best friends now." Blinnking at $mthem, you keep your face carefully blank, and then look $mthem up and down, "you're less of a friend, and more of a parasite." Dracula splutters, "a parasite?" "I suppose a leech would also be appropriate," you muse. "You know, I expect this attitute from Xoese, but I thought you and I were going to be exchanging friendship bracelets soon." "I'd rather die," you deadpan. "You cruel thing," $mName purrs. You ignore $mthem and turn back to the file, "I think we might need reinforcements." <span class="next"><<button "Next" "17">><</button>></span>

You might not be actively trying to kill each other anymore, and you might, possibly, consider Dracula a friend, but that doesn't mean you need any of that mushy crap from $mthem. You tried to kill $mthem, and $mthey survived due to what you can only assume was sheer spite. You fail to see how that could have earned you a bloodsucking limpet that has managed to annoy the shit out of you almost everyday since. Dracula smirks at you like $mthey knows exactly what you're thinking about, and you scowl at $mthem. "Wipe that smirk off of your face, Dracula." "Make me." Your scowl deepens and you resist the childish urge to kick the chair out from under $mthem. You take in a deep breath, hold it for a couple of seconds, and then release it, forcing yourself to relax. "I think we might need to call in reinforcements." <span class="next"><<button "Next" "17">><</button>></span>

$mName's chuckle at your reaction makes <<cycle "$shyReaction" autoselect>> <<option "colour bloom in your cheeks.">> <<option "you glare at them in embarrasment.">> <<option "your mind go completely blank.">> <<option "you bury your head in your hands and groan in despair.">> <<option "you lean forward, your hair covering your face.">> <<option "you reach over and shove at Dracula's arm in retaliation.">> <</cycle>> "I knew you had a crush on me, $mcName." "Please, you wish," you snipe back, trying to recover your footing. "Maybe I do," $mName replies, surprisingly serious. Your mouth opens and closes a few times before you clear your throat again. "I think we might need to call in reinforcements." <span class="next"><<button "Next" "17">><</button>></span>

$mName's eyebrows shoot up in surprise at the sight of your smile that invites $mthem to play. It takes $mthem a moment, $mtheir eyes lingering on your lips, before $mName leans forward and murmurs, "You shouldn't play these games with someone like me if you don't mean them, $mcName." "Who said I don't mean them?" You whisper, your voice becoming huskier. Dracula shudders and <<cycle "$boldReaction" autoselect>> <<option "reaches out, tracing $mtheir thumb over your bottom lip, before $mthey pulls away, leaving behind the phantom feeling of $mtheir touch.">> <<option "leans forward even further, brushing $mtheir nose along your pulse, before $mthey pulls away with a sigh.">> <<option "gives you a slow smile, $mtheir eyes trailing over your body.">> <<option "grins at you, $mtheir elongated fangs on display and $mtheir pupils dialating.">> <<option "pulls back, giving you a beautific smile, but respecting your boundaries.">> <</cycle>> You both clear your throat and look away from each other to calm yourselves down. "I think we might need to call in reinforcements." <span class="next"><<button "Next" "17">><</button>></span>

Your heart hammers in your chest at $mName's teasing words, but you can't figure out why. Or more like you don't //want// to figure it out. Because there is absolutely no way that you, $mcName Van Helsing, like the damn vampire. You refuse to even entertain the thought. You used to be enemies and now you're friends, albet reluctantly on your part, and that's as far as you're willing to let this relationship go. No matter how much you might want to see how things develop. <<cycle "$relutantRomance" autoselect>> <<option "Your last serious relationship left you gutted and haunted, and you aren't prepared to put yourself through that again.">> <<option "You can't fathom dating a vampire, your ancestors would roll in their graves.">> <<option "You also have feelings for Osyka and you're not sure how to feel about the whole thing.">> <<option "Feelings are a weakness, one that you cannot afford, especially now.">> <<option "You don't know why you feel this way.">> <</cycle>> $mName's eyes dim a little, clearly seeing the conflicted feelings on your face. You turn away from $mthem. "I think we might need to call in reinforcements." <span class="next"><<button "Next" "17">><</button>></span>

Thank you for taking the time to read Van Helsing (and for those who follow my tumblr, sorry that it's a bit late)! Obviously, this is only the prologue, so this was more about setting the scene and starting to introduce characters than it was about establishing who your Helsing is (sorry about that, but that will definetely be more of a focus from now on which will mean more choices!). I'm not a professional writer by any means, so some parts are probably going to read a little stiffly, but I hope that generally it was an enjoyable read. I've begun writing chapter one and it's coming along nicely (apparently having a plan makes things a lot easier to write...who knew). I don't have an exact date for when this will be out, but I'll keep you updated on tumblr and on here. Goals for the next update: - Chapter one. - Get the stats working. - More choices. - Customisation. Feedback that would be appreciated: - Spelling, grammer, punctuation. - Tense changes. - Coding errors. Thank you so much for the support <3