Rise of the Blood Chemist

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<center>Rise Of The Bloodchemist A Vampire AU with the <a href="https://ligianunes.itch.io/love-the-guard-be-the-king" target="_blank">LtGBtK</a>cast Read [["The Bloodchemist"|INTRO_00]] before playing. or [[Start the Game |chapter01_00]] <img align= "center" src="images/VampMattie_menu.jpg"></center>

<center>This is not a story about love. This is a story about blood... [[And the hunger that binds Them to it. |chapter01_000]]</center>

The experiments. The experiments. [[You'll have to talk about the experiments.|chapter01_011]]

<center>The Bloodchemist A short-story by Ligia Nunes - Vampire AU</center> BEING one of the few human professors remaining in Opala's Blood Academy of the Regenerative Arts—a fancy, if not misleading name for a vampire academy—can be exhaustive, but you like the work you do. You're fed, protected, and educated on subjects that range from simple mortal knowledge to the very rare and sought-after work of the grand Vampire alchemists of old. On top of your lectures and studies, as your mother, and her mother before her, you're a Draco. A Commander, if you will, representing the humans on the small kingdom-island of Opala. Because of that, you're used to being invited to parties such as this, in which the gold in the guests' gowns compete with the Grand Castle's decoration. Still, you're not used to being invited to the company of Count Mathias Jan Yvanson himself. You let out a trembly sigh as you clasp your hands at your back and offer him a low bow. When you straighten your back again, you meet those steel-grey eyes focused on you. "Count Mathias," you greet. You glance at the Count's sibling and gulp. The way Mandreis Jay Yvanson plays with their dagger sends a cold jolt of danger down your spine. "Your paige forgot to mention the reason for my visit, so I brought an early version of my yearly report with me." You try to smile, but the pressure of Mathias's gaze has you almost wincing instead. Schooling your expression, you add, "I work on them gradually rather than filling them a day before my deadline." Deadline. You never liked that word. Not when an immortal—and very much deceased—being stares at you like Mathias does. [[Continue |INTRO_01]]

"How... dutiful. Thank you, Commander." Mathias reaches for the folder your personal guard offers and hands it to his sibling. With a wave of his hand, Mathias sends Guard Valência away. You two share an uncertain gaze, but you nod—if the Count wants her out of his office, there's not much you can do about it. When Valência closes the door at her back, Lady Melike Jal Yvanson locks it with a wave of her hand. There's humor in their voice when Mandreis says, "Please, Commander. Do sit down. Breathe." And only then do you notice that the loud clack of the iron lock has sprung you to your feet. Your heart is racing; you must control yourself. With the sketch of a smile, you swallow hard and pivot around to look at the Count. Mathias holds your gaze and offers a hand, palm up, to receive yours. You hesitate, and Mathias narrows his eyes. A pair of delicate hands rests on your shoulders and pushes you down on your chair. Those same hands draw a gentle caress on your hair, combing it back and away from your face... and neck. "You know how much my siblings appreciate candid humans, Commander." Melike brushes a gentle thumb on the exposed skin under your jaw—you shiver—and focuses on your hair again. "So I'd suggest using all your honesty right about now." Your reflection on a closed window shows Lady Melike tying your hair with a long ribbon. The silk in it is glossy and of a deep, dark red. When Melike brushes the ribbon over your shoulder and lets it fall across your chest, you have a distinct impression that you're not looking at fabric but at your [[impending death.|INTRO_02]]

<<set $pname to "Kylin">> <<set $pgdr to 1>> <<set $dulce to 0>> <<set $arr to 0>> <<set $domn to 0>> <<set $mcsat to "">> <<set $tiedup to "">>

<div class="storycaptionstyle"><img src ="images/castle2.png" width = "300"> <center>Copyright © 2025 Ligia Nunes All rights reserved.</center> </div>

Mathias opens and closes his hand again, and this time you place your hand on his. "I'm... I'm ready to be honest, of course. Always." You decide to embellish your point a little more and to talk about honor, force, or discipline, but no words come out. "I think this family is tired of your pretty words." Mathias raises your hand and turns it around. "We all know you haven't been honest with me." On the inner part of Mathias's wrist, you see the small punctures on the place he often offers you to feed on. On the inner part of yours, the vampiric powers he lends you almost make you see your blood pumping in your veins. Mathias touches you. Only one finger, resting cold and hard against your warm skin. It's part of the ritual, and you know it; your heart picks up. You lick your trembly lips and hold back a whimper as Mathias slides a long nail on your skin. When was the last time he fed you, anyway? Three months ago? A week? It feels like a decade ago. Your lips burn, your mouth aching with hunger and desire. Deep down, you know you shouldn't. Don't drink it. Keep it in your mouth again. Resist! [[But you can't.|INTRO_03]]

"Such is the luck of a ghoul," Mandreis says. "Half of the time in control of their humanity and free will, and the other half, kneeling before us with an open mouth." They get up and stalk towards you, tossing up and catching their dagger. "Now be an excellent little ghoul"—They stab their dagger on the backrest of your chair with a thump—"and tell us everything you've been doing for the red market." "Everything you've been doing behind our backs," Melike adds. "And everything you'll do to make me happy," Mathias completes. Your eyes widen. They know. "I did—" "Don't say you did nothing," Mandreis growls. "We know of your little experiments in alchemy." "We know you've been selling them for the highest bidder," Melike adds. "The Bloodchemist, is it? Such a dreadful title. Such a grave offense to the blood that feeds you." "My tinctures were harmless!" you lie. "Only a little tinge of vampiric blood to heal illnesses and treat Life Force wounds on the—" [[Continue|INTRO_04]]

Violence flashes in Mathias's eyes, and you feel the blood draining from your face. "Do not lie to me, Commander." The Count walks around his desk and nudges Mandra and Melike aside. He takes in your expression, smirks, and bites his wrist. "You'll not lie to me." There's a thin trail of dense, purple-red blood running down his forearm when he stops in front of you. "Drink me," he says. And as much as you try to resist the urge, you obey, flaming lips meeting the ice of the vampire's skin. "Your lips may be sweet, but your heart is coated in greed, huh." Mathias caresses your hair as you suck his blood, his power reaching out and covering every inch of your body. "I like that, Commander. But I want that greed to serve only me. You will not lie to me ever again. Is that clear, pet?" And you raise your head, delighted and spent, your eyelids heavy over your eyes. [["Yes, My Liege."|INTRO_05]]

Mathias clears the corner of your lips with a thumb and slides it [[into your mouth.|INTRO_06]]

You let him open it and move your head this way and that, checking for himself that, yes, you drank it all. "Good." He leans back and smiles, licking the place your lips touched. "Now tell me about your experiments, Commander. I want to know every little thing about them." [[Continue to the game|chapter01_00]]

Rise Of The Bloodchemist

Is it, perhaps, the power that enraptures you? You were always fascinated by their cursed blood—the conduit of their wicked magic and their immortal un-lives. Since you were a child, then a teen, then an adult (by then applying to study at Opala's Blood Academy of the Regenerative Arts), you've always dreamed about what this power would feel like. To enchant. To dominate. To feast on knowledge, life, and its people, unafraid of what would come next. Unafraid of being rotten, gone, and fucking forgotten like your family. You became the ''Draco'' when you were twenty-seven, and that's how you still look like today, twenty-three years later. Your youngest sister could now be mistaken for your mother, Brother has lost most of his hair and mind, and even Mother and Father, the latter so intent on //ruining you//, are now old, weak, and decreptic. Now //he// is ruined—as rotten outside as he's always been on the inside. You //enjoy// that with a wrong, sick type of gusto and perhaps with a very right thrill of accomplished revenge. Eyes lost in the distance, you shift on your seat. Perhaps you were never meant to [[be human after all.|chapter01_03]]

Those thoughts give you pause. You blink back to reality when someone calls your name: <<textbox "$pname" $pname>> <<button "Confirm">> <<set $pname to $pname.trim()>> <<if $pname is "">> <<replace "#name-error">>Please enter your name.<</replace>> <<else>> <<goto "chapter01_031">> <</if>> <</button>>    \

"//$pname.//" You blink a few times, then clear your throat. Despite however long your thoughts have distracted you, Mathias, Mandreis, and Melike still have their eyes on you. They will still be here once you're gone. "I apologize, My Lady. I'm listening now." From her new place beside the window, Melike repeats, "You were talking about the experiments, $pname. Continue. More than my siblings, I'm sure, I'm keen on hearing the details about them. Call it... [[A professional interest.|chapter01_05]]"

"Of course, My Lady." You clear your throat and lift your chin. The dread inside your chest is really rising right now, isn't it? Rising like foam in your go-to mix of sodium bicarbonate, acid, and water. It burns, too, and that's the worst part. You clear your throat again. Adjust your collar. Tug at your sleeves. "Very well. Yes. Well." "Stop stalling, $pname!" Mandreis shouts. They bang their fist on Mathias's desk, and the noise makes your shoulders jump. "Y-yes. Yes, My Highborn." You're very good at hiding your emotions for a short while, but that time ended 'a while' ago, so now you can't stop yourself from fidgeting with your fingers. Mandreis sees it. You open your mouth to speak. And in doing so, [[you don the noose.|chapter01_51]]

Mathias stands and raises one arm, and Melike walks to him, letting him pull her into a tight side hug. "Great thinking, Sister." He places a brotherly kiss on the top of her head and lets her go. With a sigh, he turns to you. "Well then, $pname, we have a Blooming to attend, and you'll be our guest of Honor." His fangs look even sharper when he bites his lower lip. Mandreis narrows their eyes and crosses their arms. "Each one of us have a private box. Choose which one you'll occupy." [[♦ You'll choose Mathias's box. He's the Count, after all.|chapter01_061][$Matt_route to "True"]] [[♦ Mandreis loves the theater; if you're lucky, they'll be too busy to pay attention to you.|chapter01_061][$Mand_route to "True"]] [[♦ Melike's box feels like the safer option. She's more civil than her siblings; besides, Knight Kastian is not around.|chapter01_061][$Mel_route to "True"]]

You walk side by side in the ever-darkening corridors of this gothic monster of a mansion until the four of you reach the large group of people waiting in the Red Theater's antechamber. The vampire nobility waits with excited expressions, brandishing feathered fans, whispering behind gloved hands, and no doubt scheming behind fanged smiles. And yet, you feel comfortable in here, in no small part thanks to Lady Melike. She keeps you close and a smile on her lips. Her fangs show, and her nails look long and sharp—different from usual—running up and down the length of your arm. This is not a caress meant for you, you realize. It's a threat meant for others. You follow closely as she crosses the crowd, her smile growing as the people part to let you pass. The two of you stop near the theater entrance. Mathias opens his arms to talk to the crowd while Mandreis sulks in a corner. You can't pay attention, though, because Melike leans in to whisper, "Tell me something, $pname. [[Do you like being tied up?|chapter01_07_Mel_1]]"

You walk side by side in the ever-darkening corridors of this gothic monster of a mansion until the four of you reach the large group of people waiting in the Red Theater's antechamber. The vampire nobility waits with excited expressions, brandishing feathered fans, whispering behind gloved hands, and no doubt scheming behind fanged smiles. It hits you then. Outside the walls of the Academia, you're but a sack of blood among blood-suckers. A ghoul, yes, carrying Mathias's power, but also a beating heart. You don't belong here, and Mathias doesn't seem interested in doing anything about it. Still, like a force of nature, he walks forward. The crowd doesn't //"part"// for him, they bow out of the way, more pushed back by his imperious aura than by free will. Some of them stumble, some of them scurry back, and some, the few that seem more powerful than him—is such a thing possible?—step aside for him to pass. You, like a child or a //dog// rush after him, trying to keep up with the speed of [[those very long legs.|chapter01_07_Matt_1]]

You walk side by side in the ever-darkening corridors of this gothic monster of a mansion until the four of you reach the large group of people waiting in the Red Theater's antechamber. The vampire nobility waits with excited expressions, brandishing feathered fans, whispering behind gloved hands, and no doubt scheming behind fanged smiles. It is oppressive in here. The vampires flock in the atechamber and refuse to move as Mandreis manouvers to get to the other side of the. They keep you near, one hand closed with an iron grip around your wrist. You don't know when they lowered their arm to grab yours, but with the amount of hungry eyes watching your every movement, you wonder if that's Mandreis's caprice or just a much-needed protectiveness. Someone tries to touch a lock of your hair, and Mandreis all but pounces forward, grabbing the courtier by the throat and tossing her aside. "Mine," they growl to the others, pulling you away from the crowd. [[Protectiveness, then.|chapter01_08_Mand]]

<center><a style="font-size:86px">[[ONE|chapter01_01]]</a></center>

<> <<if $Matt_route>> <center><a style="font-size:86px">[[TWO|chapter01_07_Matt]]</a></center> <<elseif $Mand_route>> <center><a style="font-size:86px">[[TWO|chapter01_07_Mand]]</a></center> <<elseif $Mel_route>> <center><a style="font-size:86px">[[TWO|chapter01_07_Mel]]</a></center> <</if>> <>

♥ Thank you for playing! ♥ Hi! I’m Ligia Nunes, a award-winning writer, Visual Novel developer, feminist, queer, and Brazilian Latina born and raised in São Paulo, Brazil. I’m panromantic, demisexual, interested in all things artistic, and a huge lover of dating sims and strategy games! <a href ="https://ligianunes.itch.io/" target="blank">Check my other games here!</a> And <a href ="https://linktr.ee/ligianunes" target="blank">Follow me ♥</a> This story was written thanks to all of my incredible supporters on ko-fi and itch.io. A heartfelt thank you to my ko-fi supporters, especially:<> <center><table style="width:80%"> <tr> <td>0hn0</td> <td>acky</td> <td>AJendryke IF</td> <td>Ash</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Cath</td> <td>Cheese</td> <td>Chiban</td> <td>christina</td> </tr> <tr> <td>circus</td> <td>Dry Cappuccino Games</td> <td>Haylis</td> <td>Ida</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Jackson W.</td> <td>K</td> <td>Katie</td> <td>kelliody</td> </tr> <tr> <td>kingdom-dance</td> <td>Kit</td> <td>koi</td> <td>Kore</td> </tr> <tr> <td>LazyDreamer</td> <td>leigh</td> <td>LH</td> <td>Marilla</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Megan</td> <td>Mersailia</td> <td>Monika</td> <td>Nefertiti King</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Ourisyth</td> <td>Raiana T.</td> <td>Red</td> <td>Ried</td> </tr> <tr> <td>rykenco</td> <td>Samantha</td> <td>Sammy</td> <td>SlyFire</td> </tr> <tr> <td>SomethingSome</td> <td>Svf</td> <td>Tristan</td> </tr> </table></center> <>//This game and all its assets were made **without** the use of any AI.// Return <<back ↺>>

[[★ About + More Games|credits]]

Your breathing quickens, and your head becomes heavier. As it does, you lean forward. [["Look at her," Melike says.|chapter01_012][$pgdr to 1]] [["Look at them," Melike says.|chapter01_012][$pgdr to 2]] [["Look at him," Melike says.|chapter01_012][$pgdr to 3]]

<><<if $pgdr is 1>> <<set $they to "she">> <<set $their to "her">> <<set $them to "her">> <<set $theyre to "she's">> <<set $theirs to "hers">> <<set $They to "She">> <<set $Their to "Her">> <<set $Them to "Her">> <<set $Theyre to "She's">> <<set $Theirs to "Hers">> <<set $s to "s">> <<elseif $pgdr is 2>> <<set $they to "they">> <<set $their to "their">> <<set $them to "them">> <<set $theyre to "they're">> <<set $theirs to "theirs">> <<set $They to "They">> <<set $Their to "Their">> <<set $Them to "Them">> <<set $Theyre to "They\'re">> <<set $Theirs to "Theirs">> <<set $s to "">> <<elseif $pgdr is 3>> <<set $they to "he">> <<set $their to "his">> <<set $them to "him">> <<set $theyre to "he's">> <<set $theirs to "his">> <<set $They to "He">> <<set $Their to "His">> <<set $Them to "Him">> <<set $Theyre to "He's">> <<set $Theirs to "His">> <<set $s to "s">> <</if>> <>"Humans are so easy to break, it is really no fun anymore." She lets out a sigh and drags the armchair at your side to the corner of the room. The prolonged rasp of wood against wood raises goosebumps on your already trembling arms. Not even the numbing effect of Mathias's blood is enough to wash away the discomfort. Count Mathias rubs his right temple. "This is not supposed to be fun, Sister." But as he speaks those words, his eyes do not leave you. They narrow somewhat, then his eyebrows shoot up. "Sibling $they will—" Before Mathias even has the chance to finish that sentence, [[you all but fold in half.|chapter01_013]]

Pain and fire course through your veins, and they claw their way up your chest, into your throat, and onto your tongue. Mandreis is there in a heartbeat, covering your mouth with a steady, calloused hand. They hold a silken handkerchief to your lips, drenched with a sickenly sweet scent of anise, their fingers firm around the back of your neck. "Shhh," they whisper. "It will pass. [[Breathe.|chapter01_014]]"

You don't struggle against them, and instead you obey. Inhale. Exhale, letting the aroma calm you. When you look at them, their eyes are studying you. Surprise flickers across those eyes, but it soon gives way to a cold type of satisfaction. Their reward for your obedience is a gentle caress with their thumb, and a firm tug that keeps your head down—close to them—when you try to straighten your back. "Not until you feel better," they say. You acquiesce. They hum. <> <<if $pgdr is 1>>//"Good girl."// <<elseif $pgdr is 2>> //"Just like that."// <<elseif $pgdr is 3>> //"Good boy."// <</if>><> "What is happening?" you try to ask them, but Mandreis doesn't let you. Even as you breathe, your throat, your stomach, and everything else inside.... Your entire being [[is burning.|chapter 01_015]]

Something thick and freezing-cold slides down the corner of your lips. It hits your arm, and you see inky black in what was once pearlescent red blood. [[Shit.|chapter01_016]]

"Has it been ten years already?" Mathias asks. His voice is distant and disinterested, but as you sit (and look) up, you catch a glimpse of something in his eyes. What was that? Surely it can't be sadness. "Twenty-three," you answer. You accept the handkerchief Mandra is offering and suppress a shiver when their hand runs from your neck to the middle of your back. "Hum. Thank you," you mutter. "You are very welcome," they whisper—and smirk when their eyes meet Mathias's. With a violent tug, almost as if to remind you that you can't relax, Mandreis frees the dagger they've sunk into the back of your chair earlier. Your shoulders jump, and Mandreis smile (almost sneers). "... I see." Count Mathias blinks the annoyance away and drums his long nails on the table. Then he sighs. "It's the longest any ghoul has ever lasted," Melike says in a soft voice, eyes lost in the distance. Mathias agrees with a hum. [[Continue|chapter01_017]]

You're not sure if you should take that as a compliment or not. Humans weren't made to drink cursed blood, and your fragile shell of a body is reaching its limit—it's a sign of humanity that your mortal flesh is trying to expel the taint. But you don't know what it means that it took it so long to start doing that. Humans usually withstand ten years of drinking vampire blood until it becomes poisonous, but you only started to feel its effects after fifteen, and it only (truly) became a worry for you around year twenty-one. Now, after twenty-three years, as much as you miss it and as much as you want it in your mouth—throat, covering your entire body—[[you know you won't have it for much longer.|chapter01_02]]

"$pname?" //[[Hmmm no, wait. That's not exactly it. Let me try that again. |chapter01_03]]// [["Yes?" |chapter01_04]]

"There is a certain substance I discovered in—" A sound interrupts you. A crystaline, cheerful sound. Three peals that pour from the bell tower and echo all throughout the castle, drenching it with a life that usually isn't there. It's exactly three o'clock. "Denra-fucking-xale," Mandreis mumbles. "Just say it, for fuck's sake, before we have to—!" "Mandreis, enough," Mathias says. Then, he looks at you. "We'll continue this at a later time, $pname. Be ready to receive us later tonight." [[Saved, literally, by the bell.|chapter01_052]]

"What?" Mandreis snarl. "Brother, you can't be serious! $They will run. $They will—" "This is an order, Mandreis." You think you can almost hear the sound of Mandreis's teeth grinding against each other. Mathias stands tall, imperious, unchallenged. He is older than the other two, but not by much. Still, something in the way he uses his words or the blood he infuses in them makes his siblings silent. It's no wonder. There are many types of parties in the Opaline Castle, but none as sacred as the //Carmine Blooming.// You're not allowed to attend, though—only the upper echelon of vampire society is permitted inside the Red Theater. And with all the other members of vampire nobility and the Magic-Tainted Monarch as guests, you know Mathias doesn't have any choice other than being there on time. Anything else would be seen as a dangerous offense to the crown. You use every drop of willpower inside you to avoid sighing in [[relief.|chapter01_053]]

Melike looks at you with a wide smile that is only as big as your growing despair. She caresses your cheek with a thumb, then straightens her posture. "Why don't we bring $pname with us, Brother?" She turns around to beam at Mathias. "Wouldn't it be //glorious// to have $them, this beautifully dressed, in our humble Red Theather? Or perhaps... dressed in white?" Your eyebrows twitch. Those words have an impact on both Mandreis and //especially// Mathias that you can't quite understand. Mandreis bites hard on their lower lip and turns around while Mathias lifts his chin, which in turn lets you see his Adam's apple bob with a hard swallow. "Not really conventional," Mandreis says, placing their hands on their waist, back still turned to you. They sound more than a little satisfied. "But there were stranger guests during a Blooming." You look at Mathias. Considering his thirsty smirk... [[He agrees.|chapter01_06]]

You stand only a little too quickly and offer them a deep <> <<cycle "$curtsypref" autoselect>> <<option "bow">> <<option "curtsy">> <</cycle>> <>. "I suppose I'll wait for you, then." One or two hours is enough for you to come up with a good, credible version of the truth that might satisfy your Masters while still keeping you alive (and employed). //Or...// like Mandreis said, you could run. Escape. Leave this castle, like your brother said you should before he started to forget you. Mandra growls and Mathias narrows his eyes, but it's Melike who speaks first: "Let you here all alone, dear $pname?" She sighs and crosses the room in a dramatic show of grace. Melike slides a theatrical hand on your jaw and gently angles your head so you're looking up at her. "Oh, look at that face. I wouldn't have the heart!" And she must know you better than you imagined, for she leans in and whispers, "No, I want the truth, not a regurgitated //version// of it, my dearest darling dove." She pops a chaste kiss on your forehead and says, "[[I have a better idea.|chapter01_054]]"

<<if $Matt_route>>Your choice doesn't come as a surprise, so as soon as you voice it, Mathias nods and leaves the room. He leaves to you and your shorter frame the task of scrambling after him, and that's what you have to do. <<elseif $Mand_route>>Not only Mandreis, but also Mathias frowns. Mandreis glances at their brother, and the silence stretches for only a second too long before Melike chuckles. "Well, $they made $their choice. If you will, Sibling?" She gestures at you, and Mandreis takes a (hesitant) step forward. Until a moment ago, Mandreis has been nothing but opposing shades of angry and bold, but right at this moment, you think you see a little bit of... regret in them. Goddess, //why//? With a giggle, Melike grips Mathias's arm and all but drags him away. Even after leaving the room, his eyes are still locked on yours, and he only looks forward when Melike whispers something in his ear. You find your voice again once they're gone. "Did I offend him?" you ask. Mandrei thinks about your question for a moment. Their chest rises and falls with an unnecessary breath, and they shrug. "More than you can imagine." And //then,// as if forgetting everything that has happened in this room today, they clear their throat, avert their eyes to the side, and offer you their arm. With a blink, you take it. <<elseif $Mel_route>>Melike smiles. "Oh, $pname, how fun!" She links your arms, and the wicked glint in her beautiful dark eyes makes you shiver. "You won't regret this choice, I promise," she whispers against your ear. But maybe you already did. <</if>>Guard Valência tries to follow you, but a single warning glare from Mandreis (and a nod from you) is enough to glue her in place. [[You'll have to go through this alone.|chapter01_063]]

"Fucking vultures." You will your heart to calm down. The only reason your expression didn't change is because your self-preservation instincts are very much honed by now. A hint of fear, the very shadow of it, would bring this entire place on you like a pack of rabid dogs. "Vultures eat dead meat, Mandreis. You'd have to kill me first for them to fit that description. And..." [[I don't believe you'd do that after so long.|chapter01_08_Mand_11][$dulce to $dulce += 1]] [[I won't allow you to manhandle me, much less hurt me.|chapter01_08_Mand_12][$arr to $arr += 1]] [[I'll never be yours—to kill or anything else.|chapter01_08_Mand_13][$domn to $domn += 1]]

Mandra looks at you from the corner of their eye. They don't answer, and instead pull you just [[a little bit closer.|chapter01_08_Mand_2]]

They scoff, but offer you no answer. They also don't try to hold your arm again. [[Continue.|chapter01_08_Mand_2]]

A flash of hurt crosses their eyes, but they're quick to hide it. "I know that," they finally say. "Dear Mattie won't ever let me forget it." [[Continue.|chapter01_08_Mand_2]]

<<if $dulce gte 1>> "If you want to try me, then maybe you should go back there," they growl. "Soon you'll be dead, and I'll be able to call that blood-sucking //garbage// whatever I want to." <<elseif $arr gte 1>> "It was either me or the entire colony. You should be glad I decided to go with the first one." <<elseif $domn gte 1>> You don't answer, and neither do they. After a long moment, Mandreis huffs and whispers, "I didn't mean anything by that, and you know it. Don't grate my patience just because you're frustrated." "Why //would// I be frustrated?" "Why else? Because your little plan didin't work." Mandreis scoffs. "You've always believed you're smarter than us, $pname." They stop and turn around to look at you. "You're not." You blink, then clear your throat. "That's not what I meant when I said—" "What did you mean, then?" You clench your jaw. <</if>> <><<if $dulce gte 1>> "Honestly, Mandreis. As said, I don't believe you'd kill me. Still..." You sigh.<</if>><>"You speak as if you're different from all the other vampires in the colony, is all. As if you didn't drink blood yourself." That gives them pause. They're not all that tall—albeit really muscular—but they still look down at you like a towering menace. "I do, but remember that I can also [[stomach flesh. |chapter01_08_Mand_3]]"

You swallow. Unlike Mathias and Melike, Mandreis has something to their vampirism that isn't very common in their colony. You don't know what yet—your tests so far have been inconclusive—but you have an inkling to believe that Mandreis Jay Yvanson isn't //purely// a vampire. "Right. I'll remember that." They scoff. "Good." Meters away, Mathias has both arms open, welcoming his guests. There is applause, exaggerated cumpliments, and the promise of unparalleled //fun.// A shiver crosses your back. You don't know what can be //"fun"// for a colony of vampires, but, wanting or not, you'll soon see it for yourself. There's a a side entrance a few meters away from the main doors, and that's where you go. "Through here, $pname." [[Mandra offers you a hand.|chapter01_08_Mand_4]]

<><<if $dulce gte 1>> You accept it, cross the narrowest of doors, and follow them up the dark, flimsy iron stairs that take you to a narrow platform above the theater entrance. Three curtains lead to three different rooms. <<elseif $arr gte 1>> You push their hand aside, cross the narrowest of doors, and follow them up the dark, flimsy iron stairs that take you to a narrow platform above the theater entrance. Three curtains lead to three different rooms. <<elseif $domn gte 1>> You ignore it, cross the narrowest of doors, and follow them up the dark, flimsy iron stairs that take you to a narrow platform above the theater entrance. Three curtains lead to three different rooms. <</if>><> "The one on the far end of the corridor," Mandreis says. You push the curtain to find only one chair. You move toward it—Mandreis offered it, did they not?—but once you're fully into the room, a clawed hand wraps around your neck and pushes you to the side. Your back hits the wall beside the entrance with a dull thud, and you look up. Serious, hard, and angry, Mandreis is there. The red curtains fall close at their back, and they lean in to whisper. "I'm terribly sorry but we won't be watching the show tonight, $pname." They brush the knuckles of their free hand on your cheek; their long, lethal claws glints in the edge of your sight. A threat, then. They're full of them tonight.<> <<if $pgdr is 1>>//"Now, be a good girl and start talking."// <<elseif $pgdr is 2>> //"Now be a good little ghoul and start talking."// <<elseif $pgdr is 3>> //"Now be a good boy and start talking."// <</if>><> [[Next chapter coming soon!|credits]]

The crowd laughs at something Mathias has said, and Melike leans her head to the side, the perfect picture of a proper noble. This feels almost calculated. The impact of the question, followed by the laughs of the vampires around you. Some of them still gawk at you, fangs protruding over red-tinted lips as if they, too, were interested in your answer. Melike's hand on your arm slows down. She turns to face you. Your answers come low and careful: "[[I might be.|chapter01_07_Mel_2][$tiedup to "maybe"]]" "[[I don't think I would, my Lady.|chapter01_07_Mel_2][$tiedup to "no"]]" "[[Experience tells me I do.|chapter01_07_Mel_2][$tiedup to "yes"]]

<><<if $tiedup is "maybe">> She hums. One of her arms is linked with yours, and the other is draped over it, but her narrowing eyes put her kilometers away from you, lost in thought. <<elseif $tiedup is "no">> "Ah, that's indeed a pity, $pname." But despite her words, her smile grows wider. <<elseif $tiedup is "yes">> "Experience, hum?" She chuckles. "Why, I'd love to hear about this //'experience'// of yours if you feel comfortable sharing." <</if>><>You conversation is interrupted. "I declare this //Carmine Blooming//... open!" Mathias says, stepping aside. "Come to me under the moonlight, my siblings. Let us live through immortality together!" With those words, the massive doors behind him swing open with a loud, wooden [[moan.|chapter01_07_Mel_3]]

Mathias waits beside the doors as the colony trickles in. He stares at Melike in silence, unmoving, as if waiting for something. Whatever it is, it seems he won't have it. Melike lets out an uncharacteristic sneer and tugs at your arm. "Come, $pname. We go through here." She leads you further away from the main doors and through a narrow entrance leading up to an even narrower staircase. After a long minute of climbing up the dangerous steps, you reach a small iron platform that connects to three sets of curtains. "Ours is the one in the middle," she whispers. [[Continue.|chapter01_07_Mel_4]]

You cross the curtains. Two padded chairs wait for you inside. To your relief, Knight Kastian is nowhere to be seen. Out of respect, you sit in the chair that is a little off-center, leaving the best seat to Lady Melike. She notices that with a hum of appreciation. She sits at your side, crosses her legs, and lets out a long sigh. Leaning forward, chin propped on the back of her hand, Melike peeks at the empty stage below. The rest of the colony is still taking their seats while a hidden string quartet plays a haunting song. [[Continue.|chapter01_07_Mel_5]]

"It seems it'll still be a while, won't it?" Melike gestures at the vampires below. "What should we do in the meantime, I wonder." She snaps her fingers. "Oh, I know. How about this—I'll teach you a trick, and in exchange, you'll teach me another." Melike doesn't wait for an answer. She bites hard on her wrist, allowing her blood to trickle down her hands—the sight and the scent make you thirsty. The liquid moves under her command, covering her palms and fingers, not a drop wasted. She presses her palms together, and when they separate, the blood stretches to form hundreds of fine [[carmine threads.|chapter01_07_6]]

Her fingers move, and so do the threads, twisting and turning to form a thick, soft, warm rope. Your eyes widen. You've never seen a spell like this one. It's only when Melike chuckles that you realize you're folded in half, brushing the tips of your fingers on the bloody threads. Heart racing, you sit up. "Beautiful, isn't it?" Melike whispers. The sound sends a shiver down your back. "What do you say, dear $pname?"<><<if $tiedup is "maybe">> She lowers her voice, and the words reach you like a soft caress. "Would you like me tie you up with this?" <<elseif $tiedup is "no">> Her voice falls in volume and reaches you like a soft caress. "Would you like me to teach you how to create this?" <<elseif $tiedup is "yes">> She lowers her voice, and the words reach you like a soft caress. "Would you like me tie you up? I can guarantee that no other rope feels like this one—and no other company can compare to mine." <</if>><>Melike's smile doesn't change. "It will be //fun,// I promise." [[Next chapter coming soon!|credits]]

Mathias stops in front of the crowd and turns to face it; you step out of the way just in time to avoid hitting his broad chest. His presence has been commanding enough so far to keep the colony's eyes off of you, but now that you're both standing at the theater doors side by side, there's no escaping the hungry eyes locked in on yours. The intensity of their gaze is such that you take a step backward. Some of the vampires snicker. "Welcome," says Mathias. He opens his arms, a King among Kings. "Your Majesty," he says, turning to a specific person at his left. "Your presence honors me. Esteemed guests—"and this time he turns back to the crowd. "Yours... less so." A raucous wave of laughter echoes from the crowd, but none is so loud or appreciative as the Monarch's. [[Continue.|chapter01_07_Matt_2]]

A man in the crowd calls him cruel; a woman agrees and says her frigid heart has been broken. More laughs. Mathias chuckles and raises his hands in a placating manner. "All right, all right." You've seen this Mathias before. Charming, funny, the perfect host. You know this one is little more than a farse. A shadow of the human he used to be and completely different than what he offers you. [[Still, it does you good to think he keeps a part of his former self. |chapter01_07_Matt_3][$dulce to $dulce += 1]] [[And it makes you angry. This is just another trick to entrance others. To hurt you.|chapter01_07_Matt_3][$arr to $arr += 1]] [[But you know his commanding nature, and you wonder why he doesn't use it instead of this lie.|chapter01_07_Matt_3][$domn to $domn += 1]]

<<if $dulce gte 1>> Mandreis doesn't seem to agree with you, for they leave the antechamber, disappearing into a narrow side door. <<elseif $arr gte 1>> It seems to have a similar effect on Mandreis, for they leave the antechamber and disappear into a narrow side door. <<elseif $domn gte 1>> Unlike him, Mandreis embraces the entirety of who they are. With a huff of anger or disgust, they leave the antechamber, disappearing into a narrow side door. <</if>> "Tonight, like in many others," Mathias continues, "I invite you to join me for a night of revelry. Let us be merry and celebrate together the birth of a new Child of the Night. My blood-kissed siblings," he says in a whisper. The way his voice touches your ears makes you shiver—and the effect is the same on many of the vampires in the room. "I declare this Carmine Blooming... open! Come to me under the moonlight, my siblings. Let us live through immortality together!" He smiles a wide, empty smile when the colony claps and voices their approval. It seems unfitting for a group of corpses, but something in Mathias's speech makes them seem almost alive again. Either that, or they just shared a nice barrel of [[human blood.|chapter01_07_Matt_4]]

The doors open at Mathias's back, and he steps aside to let his guests pass. He peeks at you over his shoulder, as if to check on you. In response, you straighten. "Don’t say a word," he whispers and turns around—so fast that you almost wonder if it really happened. "Ah, Count Mathias, what a delightful opening!" The voice makes something upturn in your stomach. You try to lift your eyes and see the newcomer, but—your sight trembles, the muscles in your neck strain, your heartbeat races—an invisible force keeps your head down. [[It’s the Monarch.|chapter01_07_Matt_5]]

Mathias takes a measured step to the side, shielding you with his body. "My Monarch," he says with a deep bow. "It is my duty to entertain Your Majesty, and I only seek to serve." "Yes. Yes, it is," the Monarch answers with a chuckle. They sigh, and you have the strangest feeling that they are looking at you, despite the (deceased) flesh wall in front of you. Finally, they sigh. "I hope you saved the best seat in the house for me, child." "Always, My Monarch." Mathias bows his head, and—unsure of what else to do—you do the same. [[The Monarch walks away.|chapter01_07_Matt_6]]

They take with them the dense, heavy sense of doom that has pooled on your shoulders in the past minutes. When they’re gone, you straighten to find Mathias looking at you. He touches your chin to look at your face, but removes his hand before the movement is finished. The hand that touched you hangs heavily, balled at his side. "Well done." He says it without any particular feeling, back to the expressionless man... //vampire// you've come to expect. "Now follow me." [[You do.|chapter01_07_Matt_7]]

He leads you into the dark theater and through a narrow staircase. It's so dark in this place, you can barely see the steps before you. You move on with your hands on the wall beside you for support. After a long minute of climbing up, you reach a small iron platform that connects to three sets of curtains. "This one." And like before, Mathias leads the way. You follow him through the thick, velvet curtains and pause as he sits on the only chair in the box. The rest of the theater waits below, pitch-black and filled with murmuring. You stare into the darkness, wondering if by the end of this night, [[you'll still be alive.|chapter01_07_Matt_8]]

"Sit, $pname." A single candle is the only source of light around you, but it's enough to see that there are no free seats. You clear your throat. "Count Mathias—" He looks at you, and the steel in his eyes cuts into your sentence. "Find a place." He looks away, and his voice drops to a whisper. "You've always chosen your own, regardless of my opinion—or permission." His demeanor is cold, but there's a challenge in his voice. "So do it. //Sit.//" <><<if $dulce gte 1 or $domn gte 1>> [[There's enough space on the floor beside him... but... will you really do that?|chapter01_07_Matt_91][$mcsat to "feet"]] <<else>> ==//There's enough space on the floor beside him... but... will you really do that?//== <</if>><> <><<if $arr gte 1 or $domn gte 1>> [[Stand in front of him. As he said, you don't need his permission and don't care about his opinion.|chapter01_07_Matt_92][$mcsat to "front"]] <<else>> ==//Stand in front of him. As he said, you don't need his permission and don't care about his opinion.//== <</if>><> <><<if $dulce gte 1 or $arr gte 1>> [[Stand at his side.|chapter01_07_Matt_93][$mcsat to "side"]] <<else>> ==//Stand at his side.//== <</if>> <>

Apparently you will. You lick your lips and bend your knees to sit on the cold ground beside Mathias's chair. [[He sighs.|chapter01_07_Matt_10]]

You step into his field of view, blocking his view of the stage below. "What are doing?" Mathias's voice is dispassionate; his expression doesn't change. "You wanted to bring me here." He leans back. "It was Melike's idea." "But you liked it. You seemed //excited// about it." The corner of his lips twitch. "I was. Until I remembered how much of an arrogant brat you can be." "I don't want to be toyed with, Mathias. If you want to kill me, then ki—" [[You don't have time to finish the sentence.|chapter01_07_Matt_10]]

You stand in silence, frozen in place. "I told you to sit," he growls. "There are no chairs, and I'm not about to sit on the floor, much less on your—" [[His reaction is too fast.|chapter01_07_Matt_10]]

Mathias grabs your collar and tugs you close. "You //greatly// disappoint me, $pname. You shouldn't've played with me. //You shouldn't've broken my trust.// But that's okay, my pet." He raises one finger and slides it down the side of your face. "Before the night is over, I'll have you bent and broken, just the way you deserve it." He lets you go. "So //sit// and enjoy the show. It's the last one you're going to watch." [[Next chapter coming soon!|credits]]