The House of Noctus

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<div style="text-align: center;"><span class="cinzel-title">The House of Noctus </span></div> <p style="text-align: center; color: #800020; font-size: 1.2em;">━━━━━━ ❖ ━━━━━━</p> <div style="text-align: center;"><i>In the seedy underbelly of Northwyck, your most valuable currencies are sercrets- and blood. </i></div> You wake in a stranger’s bed with blood on your lips and a bullet hole in your ribs. The man that found you says that you belong to him. And he to you. You are the leader of The House of Noctus, the most influential vampire Coven in the northern region. But you have no memory of who you are, or the past life that you led. Thrown into a world of masked courts, ruthless politics, and velvet seduction, you must unravel who you were, and decide who you'll become. <div style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="color:#800020;">Fight. Flee. Seduce. Survive.</span></i> </div> <div style="text-align: center;"><i><b>But above all, remember who you are. Before someone else decides for you. </b></i> </div> <p style="text-align: center; color: #800020; font-size: 1.2em;">━━━━━━ ❖ ━━━━━━</p> <div style="text-align: center;"><span class="cinzel-title">The Romance Options </span></div> <div style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="color:#800020;"><span style="font-size: 1.25em;">Lestat</span></span></i> </div> Your lover. Your Monseur. Your betrothed. You find vestiges of the life you once shared with him everywhere you look, but you can't remember the man who'd sooner die for you than see you hurt. <div style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="color:#800020;"><span style="font-size: 1.25em;">Snow</span></span></i> </div> Your protector. Your shield. Loyal to a fault to you and you alone, Snow follows your oders without question. But is he loyal to you because you lead The House of Notcus, or are his motivations more personal? <div style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="color:#800020;"><span style="font-size: 1.25em;">Zero</span></span></i> </div> Your blade. You assassin. Zero does your bidding in the dark, without question. You've known him for years, but for all intents and purposes, the handsome vapire is still an enigma. Even to you. <div style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="color:#800020;"><span style="font-size: 1.25em;">Dimitri</span></span></i> </div> Master of the coven of The House of Deveraux, Dimitri holds a seat at The Crimson Court. He opposes you- openly- at ever turn. But not because his political interests are opposite your own. His motivations are much more...personal. He's fixated. Obsessed with you for reasons you can't remember. And he swears he won't let you get away again. <div style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="color:#800020;"><span style="font-size: 1.25em;">Lux</span></span></i></div> Lux is The House of Noctus' information broker. He trades in secrets and works his machinations behind closed doors. He and Zero often work closely to further the aim of the coven, but Lux has always kept his interactions with you professional...until now. <p style="text-align: center; color: #800020; font-size: 1.2em;">━━━━━━ ❖ ━━━━━━</p> <div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 1.5em;"><span style="color:#800020;">A dark vampire romance featuring...</span></span></div> -Gothic intrigue and lavish masquerades -A treacherous vampire court -A customizable MC -Dangerous choices and branching paths -Five different love interests with secrets of their own -A dynamic Favor system to determine which covens will eventually ally with you and which will become your enemeies -A Personality system based on player choices, detailing what type of ruler you are <p style="text-align: center; color: #800020; font-size: 1.2em;">━━━━━━ ❖ ━━━━━━</p> <div style="text-align: center;">Dive into a world where every touch could be a temptation… or a trap </div> <div style="text-align: center;"><b>This game is rate 18+. </b> <i>Playing with headphones is highly recommended.</i></div> <span style="display: block; text-align: center; color: #2e7d4f;">[[Start Game->Name]] [[Credits]]</span> <<run setup.stopMusic = function () { if (window._bgMusic) { window._bgMusic.pause(); window._bgMusic.remove(); window._bgMusic = null; } }>> <<run setup.playMusic = function () { if (!window._bgMusic) { const audioElement = document.createElement("audio"); audioElement.src = "https://files.catbox.moe/8te2iy.mp3"; // Your song audioElement.loop = true; audioElement.volume = 0.5; audioElement.autoplay = true; audioElement.id = "bgMusic"; document.body.appendChild(audioElement); window._bgMusic = audioElement; } }>> <<run setup.playMusic()>>

<h3>Name</h3> Please enter your name: <<textbox "$playerName" "">> <<button "Continue">> <<goto "Choose Hair">> <</button>>

<h3>Pronouns</h3> What pronouns do you use? <ul> <li><<link "He/Him">><<set $pronounsSubject to "he">><<set $pronounsObject to "him">><<set $pronounsPossessive to "his">><<goto "Choose Hair">><</link>></li> <li><<link "She/Her">><<set $pronounsSubject to "she">><<set $pronounsObject to "her">><<set $pronounsPossessive to "her">><<goto "Choose Hair">><</link>></li> <li><<link "They/Them">><<set $pronounsSubject to "they">><<set $pronounsObject to "them">><<set $pronounsPossessive to "their">><<goto "Choose Hair">><</link>></li> </ul>

<<set $hairColor to $hairColor or "">> <<set $hairLength to $hairLength or "">> <h3>Hair</h3> Choose your hair color: <span style="color: gold;"> <<link "Black">><<set $hairColor = "black">><<goto "Choose Hair">><</link>> <<link "Blonde">><<set $hairColor = "blonde">><<goto "Choose Hair">><</link>> <<link "Brown">><<set $hairColor = "brown">><<goto "Choose Hair">><</link>> <<link "Red">><<set $hairColor = "red">><<goto "Choose Hair">><</link>> <<link "White/Silver">><<set $hairColor = "white/silver">><<goto "Choose Hair">><</link>> </span> Current: <<print $hairColor>> <hr> Choose your hair length: <span style="color: gold;"> <<link "Short">><<set $hairLength = "short">><<goto "Choose Hair">><</link>> <<link "Shoulder-Length">><<set $hairLength = "shoulder-length">><<goto "Choose Hair">><</link>> <<link "Long">><<set $hairLength = "long">><<goto "Choose Hair">><</link>> <<link "Shaved">><<set $hairLength = "shaved">><<goto "Choose Hair">><</link>> </span> Current: <<print $hairLength>> <<if $hairColor and $hairLength>><span style="color: gold;"> [[Next: Eye Color->Choose Eyes]]</span> <</if>>

<<set $eyeColor to $eyeColor or "">> <h3>Eyes</h3> Choose your eye color: <span style="color: gold;"> <<link "Blue">><<set $eyeColor = "blue">><<goto "Choose Eyes">><</link>> <<link "Green">><<set $eyeColor = "green">><<goto "Choose Eyes">><</link>> <<link "Brown">><<set $eyeColor = "brown">><<goto "Choose Eyes">><</link>> <<link "Hazel">><<set $eyeColor = "hazel">><<goto "Choose Eyes">><</link>> <<link "Gray">><<set $eyeColor = "gray">><<goto "Choose Eyes">><</link>> </span> Current: <<print $eyeColor>> <<if $eyeColor>><span style="color: gold;"> [[Next: Skin Color->Choose Skin]]</span> <</if>>

<<set $skinColor to $skinColor or "">> <h3>Skin</h3> Choose your skin tone: <span style="color: gold;"> <<link "Fair">><<set $skinColor = "fair">><<goto "Choose Skin">><</link>> <<link "Tan">><<set $skinColor = "tan">><<goto "Choose Skin">><</link>> <<link "Olive">><<set $skinColor = "olive">><<goto "Choose Skin">><</link>> <<link "Brown">><<set $skinColor = "brown">><<goto "Choose Skin">><</link>> <<link "Dark">><<set $skinColor = "dark">><<goto "Choose Skin">><</link>></span> Current: <<print $skinColor>> <<if $skinColor>> <span style="color: gold;"> [[Next: Height->Choose Height]]</span> <</if>>

<<set $height to $height or "">> <h3>Height</h3> Choose your height: <span style="color: gold;"> <<link "Short">><<set $height = "short">><<goto "Choose Height">><</link>> <<link "Average">><<set $height = "average">><<goto "Choose Height">><</link>> <<link "Tall">><<set $height = "tall">><<goto "Choose Height">><</link>> <<link "Very Tall">><<set $height = "very tall">><<goto "Choose Height">><</link>> </span> Current: <<print $height>> <<if $height>><span style="color: gold;"> [[Preview Character->Customization Summary]]</span> <</if>>

<h3>Customization Summary:</h3> Hair: <<print $hairLength>> <<print $hairColor>> Eyes: <<print $eyeColor>> Skin: <<print $skinColor>> Height: <<print $height>> [[Start the Story->StartGame]] [[Go back to change hair->Choose Hair]]

<div style="text-align: center;"><span class="cinzel-title"><span style="color:#800020;">Chapter One</span></span></div> When you open your eyes, you're covered in blood and snow. Your lashes are frosted white. You blink twice, slowly. It's dark. The sky above is a deep indigo, filled with smog and car exhaust. You're surrounded by crumbling brick and you can just barely make out the blare of horns in the distance. Snow continues to fall in delicate spirals and, for a moment, you stare at the ice crystals, transfixed. They're pure. Perfect. Hauntingly beautiful as they lay suspended in the pool of blood that surrounds you. Pain blooms beneath your ribs, sharp and unyielding. Your hands come to rest on your abdomen and you realize, belatedly, the crimson blood pooling around you is your own. You can't remember who you are. How you got here. You can't even remember your own name. You try to prop yourself up on your shoulders, but your arms give out from under you. All you manage is a low moan. Blood sputters from your mouth and dribbles down your chin. You know with absolute certainty, in that moment, you are dying. A shout echoes down the mouth of the alley. Half a beat later, a man falls to his knees beside you, his coat dusted with snow. His long blonde hair pools over his shoulders as he leans over you, distraught. "<<print $playerName>>." The anguish in his voice is raw- visceral- as he slips his hands under you and cradles you to his chest. He's shaking so hard that you can feel him tremble, even through the unnatural chill that consumes you. "My love. What did they do to you? How-" He shakes his head and yells to two men further down the alley. His voice is sharp and commanding as he barks orders at them. But when he turns back to you, his words are low and intimate. Aching, like the sight of you bleeding out in front of him is enough to break him. "Don't worry. I'm here now. Just rest. Everything's going to be alright." Your body relaxes against him and you close your eyes. You hear other footsteps now, the clatter of boots against concrete as more approach. You try to cling to consciousness even as it slips away. [[Continue->wakeup]] <<run setup.stopMusic = function () { if (window._bgMusic) { window._bgMusic.pause(); window._bgMusic.currentTime = 0; window._bgMusic.remove(); window._bgMusic = null; } }>> <<run setup.playMusic = function () { const audioElement = document.createElement("audio"); audioElement.src = "https://files.catbox.moe/yo7obr.mp3"; // New music audioElement.loop = true; audioElement.volume = 1; audioElement.autoplay = true; audioElement.id = "bgMusic"; document.body.appendChild(audioElement); window._bgMusic = audioElement; }>> <<run setup.stopMusic()>> <<run setup.playMusic()>>

When you open your eyes again, you're in a room full of decadence. You lay in a plush bed of gold and crimson with a fireplace to your left. Soft firelight flickers from the marble heath. The room smells of pine, old books, and candlewax. A chandelier glows overhead, casting pale yellow light through the dim room. There are candles covering the frosted glass table to your left, and an opulent rug on the marble floor. Snow coats the only window in the room. The man from the alley is seated beside you, cradling your hand in his. In the dim light, you can see much more of him than you could back in the alley. His eyes are a stunning green, like frosted emeralds. They seem to glow, even in the dim light, as he lifts them to you and breathes out a sigh of relief. He's beautiful in a way that feels almost too perfect to be real. Too intentional to be coincidence- more than simply a random act of nature. "Thank the Gods." He breathes. "You're awake." His eyes are red, like he's been crying, and his words are hoarse. "I thought I'd almost lost you. I thought you-" He closes his eyes and shakes his head, as if to chase away the thought. His lips are ice cold when he presses a kiss to the inside of your wrist. The gesture is soft, almost tender, like he's worried it might break you. He bites back a sob and tucks a lock of your hair behind you ear. He only pulls back long enough to roll up his sleeves. His silk shirt shifts, and you can just barely make out the crest of a brand on his chest, right above his heart. "You need to feed before you lose consciousness again." Someone to your right clears their throat, and you realize that you're not alone. There is a man with white hair standing at the far end of the room, by the door. "Would you like for me to step out, sir?" The man asks, but the blonde man doesn't answer. He's too focused on you to register anything else. "Marquis." He tries again. "Lestat-" "Be quiet." Lestat hisses. Your eyes slide back to Lestat. He has a knife embroidered with gold and rubies in his hand. You want to ask him what he means about needing to feed, but then he slides the sharp edge across the inside of his wrist and suddenly nothing else exists except for the thrall of the red that spills from his veins. Viscous and sweet, like sin incarnate, it calls to you. The blood spills like wine across his porcelain skin. Lestat cradles your head with one hand and brings his arm to your mouth with the other. [[Drink from Lestat]] Don't drink from Lestat (this option will be added as updates are made) <<run setup.stopMusic = function () { if (window._bgMusic) { window._bgMusic.pause(); window._bgMusic.currentTime = 0; window._bgMusic.remove(); window._bgMusic = null; } }>> <<run setup.playMusic = function () { const audioElement = document.createElement("audio"); audioElement.src = "https://files.catbox.moe/vd0kwf.mp3"; // New music audioElement.loop = true; audioElement.volume = 1; audioElement.autoplay = true; audioElement.id = "bgMusic"; document.body.appendChild(audioElement); window._bgMusic = audioElement; }>> <<run setup.stopMusic()>> <<run setup.playMusic()>>

<<set $thirst += 2>> When his blood hits your tongue, it's pure ecstasy. He tastes like rapture- like reckoning. You feel weightless. Euphoric, lost in oblivion, and completely consumed as you lap at his wrist. Lestat moans, but you barely hear it, drowned beneath your own pulse. Warmth floods your body and pools between your thighs. The ache in your stomach turns to hunger, then to something deeper. Something carnal. You continue to drink, unable to stop, until your body sings and aches with something you don’t have the words for. Suddenly, you don't just want to taste him. You want to feel him. You want Lestat naked next to you while you sink your teeth into the hollow of his neck and he moans your name into your skin. The heady fog that clouds your thoughts clears, and suddenly, it hits you like ice water- the horror of what you're actually doing. You wrench yourself away from him. What's wrong with you? Have you lost your mind? You just drank his blood- and you liked it. Loved it. <i>Savored it.</i> And this man- this stranger, why is he looking at you like wrenching yourself away from him is the oddest thing you've done tonight. Like, in pulling away, you've just slapped him. "Whats wrong <<print $playerName>>?" <<print $playerName>>...that must be your name. The way he says it, so low and intimate, like something sacred, tells you that you should remember him. That this man was something to you, maybe something important. "Thats not enough, my love. You need to drink more after all the blood you lost." "Sir, maybe it would be good to let her go slow." The man by the door says. "If she drinks much more, you're going to end up passing out. You have a meeting with The Crimson Court in an hour. They'll already be suspcious that she isn't attending two days before the masquerade. If they sense that something's off, or suspect something happened to her, and that she's in a weakened state, the court will descend like vultutres." "No one gave you permission to speak." Lestat growls at the man. "If you open your mouth again, Snow, I will have you strung up and bled dry till the sunrise turns whats left of you to ash." "Yes, sir." Snow replies without a trace of emotion. All the fear that you were too weak to feel earlier suddenly floods into you. You suck in a sharp breath and scramble away from Lestat. His expression shifts from concern to confusion. [[Tell him to stay away from you]] [[Ask where you are]] [[Ask who he is]] [[Say nothing]]

"Don't-" A man bursts into the room. Black hair frames his blue eyes in slick, haphazard strands, like he's been raking his hand through it- an anxious habit, maybe. "They've called-" The rest of his words fall off into nothing as his eyes find yours. He pales and his lips part like he’s about to say something, but no words come. After a few seconds, he composes himself, forcing his gaze back to Lestat. "Dimitri has called for The Court to meet early." [[Continue->Lestatleaves]]

"Where-" A man bursts into the room. Black hair frames his blue eyes in slick, haphazard strands, like he's been raking his hand through it- an anxious habit, maybe. "They've called-" The rest of his words fall off into nothing as his eyes find yours. He pales and his lips part like he’s about to say something, but no words come. After a few seconds, he composes himself, forcing his gaze back to Lestat. "Dimitri has called for The Court to meet early." [[Continue->Lestatleaves]]

"Who-" A man bursts into the room. Black hair frames his blue eyes in slick, haphazard strands, like he's been raking his hand through it- an anxious habit, maybe. "They've called-" The rest of his words fall off into nothing as his eyes find yours. He pales and his lips part like he’s about to say something, but no words come. After a few seconds, he composes himself, forcing his gaze back to Lestat. "Dimitri has called for The Court to meet early." [[Continue->Lestatleaves]]

A man bursts into the room. Black hair frames his blue eyes in slick, haphazard strands, like he's been raking his hand through it- an anxious habit, maybe. "They've called-" The rest of his words fall off into nothing as his eyes find yours. He pales and his lips part like he’s about to say something, but no words come. After a few seconds, he composes himself, forcing his gaze back to Lestat. "Dimitri has called for The Court to meet early." [[Continue->Lestatleaves]]

"When?" Lestat stiffens. "Now." A string of expletives fly from Lestat's lips. "Then they will have to wait." "Lestat-"The man’s voice is firm. “If you don’t go, you’ll be forfeiting our vote. A portion of our territory. Maybe even our leverage at Court." "I'm not leaving her, Lux. Not while she's like this." "And if you stay she'll be as good as dead." Lux warns. "Dimitri is already trying to turn the court against us. Against her. All he needs is one opportunity to plant the seeds of doubt, and they'll come for our necks." Lestat hesitates. His eyes linger on you like he’s being asked to cut off a limb. Hesitantly, he drags himself to the door, like every step pains him. "I'll be back before long." He turns to Snow, the man that stands by the door- the one with choppy white hair and silver eyes. His voice is quiet but authoritative."Watch over her while I'm away. Guard her with your life." "Always, sir." And then he's gone. Lux lingers on the threshold of the room a moment longer. His eyes find yours, holding your gaze for a second too long. "I've handled all communications with The Crimson Court in your absence. I will provide you with a thorough debriefing once we return from tonight's meeting. And...I'm glad you're well, Mistress...I was-we were all...worried." And then he follows Lestat out. You’re left in silence. The fire crackles in the hearth. The chandelier sways slightly overhead. Dazed, you bring the back of your hand to your mouth and wipe the blood from your lips. When you look down at your abdomen, the bleeding has stopped. Is this a dream? Some sort of nightmare your mind refuses to wake from? Slowly, you slide over to the edge of the bed and push yourself to your feed. The gray marble is cold against your skin as you walk towards the window. Maybe if you can see out, you can make out something that will help you remember where you are. Beyond the frost covered glass, you can barely make out the amber glow of the cityscape below. "You should rest." Snow bows his head to you. The brief movement is enough to call your attention to the brand on his hand- the same brand Lestat had on his chest. He hasn’t moved, still stood by the door like a statue carved from stone. His eyes glow like starlight as he watches you from across the room, tracking your movements with practiced percision. He's dressed in all back, with a bulletproof vest and a gun at his hip. If you had to hazard a guess, he likely has several more weapons concealed. [[Contiue->testthewaters]]

You want to ask him who he is. Who <i>you</i> are, and what you're doing here. But a prickling sensation in the recesses of your mind tells you that revealing that to him- to anyone- isn't just foolish. <i>It's dangerous.</i> You study him for a moment. His posture. The way he lowers himself just slightly whenever he meets your gaze. And how, when he does make eye contact, he never holds it for long. Like deference... or submission. "No, I think I'll stand." You test the waters to see if your theory is correct. He bows his head again. The way his lips tighten just slightly is the only indication that your answer is not what he'd hoped. "As you wish, Mistress." <i>Mistress.</i> That's the second time someone's called you that. The title feels foreign and familiar all at once. You don't know who you are to these people. But titles mean power. And when you have power, there's always someone lingering on the fringes, waiting for the opportune moment to take it from you. Pausing, you turn to the picture on the wall. Your vision was too blurry to make it out before. But now, you can see it clearly. It's you and Lestat, dressed in regal golds and crimson reds. You hold one another in a way that is equal parts intimate and possessive. Like lovers, or something close to it. You stare into the eyes of your painted self and wonder who that woman is. Who she was. Because she looks like she knew exactly who she was to him. You're not sure how old you were in the picture, but Lestat doesn't look any older than he did back then. This must be your room, then...and his. And Snow- the way he hasn't moved from the door since you've arrived. Is he a guard? Or something darker? A man Lestat pays to, as he'd put it, <i>watch over you</i>? It doesn't matter. It's of no consequence. You don't plan on being here for long. You're not sure what happened back there with Lestat- what inhuman compulsion possessed you to drink his blood. But you can't stay here, with these strangers. For all you know, one of them may very well be the reason you were left for dead back in that alley in the first place. "Do you remember who did it?" Snow's voice startles you from your reverie. "What?" "Do you remember who hurt you?" Snow's expression is still- a mask of polite deference- but there's steel in his voice. [[Why]] [[Yes]] [[No]]

"Why?" You ask. "So that I can bleed them dry." He says it like it's the most natural thing in the world. Like anything less would be wholly inadequate. [[Continue->changeclothes]]

"Yes." You lie "Will you tell me?" Snow asks. "Why?" "So that I can bleed them dry." He says it like it's the most natural thing in the world. Like anything less would be wholly inadequate. [[Continue->changeclothes]]

"No." Why does he care? And what would he do if your answer was yes? [[Continue->changeclothes]]

"Do you think it was Dimitri's men?" You frown. Dimitri. Lux and Lestat mentioned him earlier. Something to do with some sort of Court or Coven? "I don't know." It's the first honest answer you've given all night. And yet it still feels like a lie on your lips. Snow reads the tension in your frame, but he mistakes the reason. "You're safe now. Whoever did it, they can't reach you here. Even if they get past The Veiled, I will protect you with my life." Who is this man to pledge his life to you so easily? Does he do so because of whoever you are to him? To them? Or are his reasons personal? "Would you?" "Of course. I am your shield. My life is yours to use as you see fit. I would sooner die than allow any harm to come to you." The conviction in his words is a blade, sharp and unyielding. Terrifying in its simplicity. Absolute. It's then that you see it- barely there at all. The way his jaw tightens when his eyes drift to the blood on your dress. <i>He blames himself. </i> Not because he did it. But because he wasn't there to stop it. You're not sure if his loyalty is comforting or unsettling. You clear your throat and turn away, unsure of what to make of his words. "Leave me. I'd like to change out of these bloody clothes." You do your best to sound confident and commanding. If you were someone powerful to these people, then you need to sound like it if you want them to buy your act. Something shifts in Snow's expression. Dread fills your chest,, and you're sure that, somehow, you've made a mistake. But then he says "Perhaps you'd like some help, my Mistress." "Help with what?" He stills and studies you for a moment. "Changing out of your clothes." You blink and try to smooth out the surprise on your face. Is it customary for you to have people help you change? "No, thank you." He gives you a curious look. You think he's going to question you further, but he only bows his head and steps through the door. [[Continue->exploreroom]]

Once the door clicks closed behind him, you let out a shaky breath. What in the world have you gotten yourself into? Someone wants you dead- and nearly succeeded. And, based on what Lux said to Lestat, it sounds like you're a figurehead in some sort of court that could prove to be equally precarious. Turning, you throw open your closet. It's full of extravagant, expensive looking dresses. Floor length, tightly cinched, most in black or crimson. Lace, silk, velvet. Some still carry the faint scent of perfume. Gold threaded corsets and lots of leather. You reach for something inconspicuous. A mid length velvet dress- form fitting but with minimal lace and frills. You're not sure where you'll run to, but wherever it is, you want to draw as little attention to yourself as possible. When you shrug out of your bloody clothes and look down, you confirm your suspicions. You've stopped bleeding. There isn't a stab wound or a bullet wound. There isn't even a scar. Is it something about Lestat's blood? Or this place? You aren't sure, but you don't let yourself linger. You can contemplate that later when you're far away from here, and you've puzzled out all the other bizzare things that have happened tonight. Once you're dressed, you examine your room more closely. There's a box of jewelry on the dresser full of sapphires and rubies. Beside that, a bagful of diamonds. A laptop on the desk in the far side of the room that's password protected. When you try to open the only other door in the room, you find that it's locked behind a keypad authenticator. A safe next to it, and a gun full of silver bullets under the mattress. Pulling open the drawers to your dresser, you find over twenty fake IDs for both yourself and Lestat, and several thick stakes of hundred dollar bills. Your stomach drops and you turn away. Is this some sort of crime syndicate? Some offshoot of the mafia? It would explain Snow's unwavering loyalty. Sighing, you walk back to the window and survey the exterior. Snow collects on narrow ledges.You can just barely make out solid ground four floors down. Too far to jump. Cursing, you turn away and slip the gun under the mattress beneath your dress. You hope you won't have to use it, but if the need arises, you'll be prepared. You hide a small bundle of cash and two of the fake IDs in your bra, just in case. "Mistress, are you finished?" Snow's voice calls out to you from the other side of the door. You hesitate for only a moment. This may be your only chance to find some sort of escape route. "One moment." You glance out the window again. There's a balcony below, two stories down. It's risky, but you don't have many alternatives. Your only other option is scaling the scaffolding to try and slip into the room to your right. It might be safer, but you have no guarantee it will lead to a way down and out of here. [[Try and drop down into the balcony below]] Use the scaffolding to climb into the room next to you (This option will be available in a future update)

Drawing in a shaky breath, you say a silent prayer and- carefully- step over the windowsill out onto the ledge. Your hands are wrapped around the metal frame so tightly that your knuckles are white. One slip, and you'll fall four stories to the courtyard below. You cast a final glance over the ledge and you drop down. Your stomach lurches as you fall. You think you overshot it- and you almost do- but your boots hit the snow slicked balcony just inches from the railing. Your breath comes in frantic white wisps as you kneel down and creep towards the window, heart hammering against your ribs. You can hear voices inside, but they don't sound familiar. With bated breath, you wait till voices and footsteps fade away before lifting the window and stepping inside. Darkness envelops you. It takes a moment for your eyes to adjust without the moonlight to guide you.But the outlines slowly sharpen. Rows of towering bookshelves, ancient tomes, a grand piano against the far wall, and a harp on the other side. Everything smells of parchment, wax, and old wood. Tentatively, you step forward. You can just barely make out a sliver of light at the base of the double doors in front of you. When you put your ear to the antique wood, you hear nothing on the other side. Bracing yourself, you push the door open and step into a long hallway. Doors line either side, and you can just barely make out a grand staircase lined with gold and fleur-de-lis further down. Drawing in a shaky breath, you step forward.The carpet beneath your feet muffles your steps. It takes a concerted effort to force yourself not to run. If the stairs lead to the fouyer, the exit should be close. Two men draped in thick leathers with guns at their hips step out from a room just ahead. Your steps stutter. You force your steps even and hold your head high. They don't know who you are- or aren't- yet. You have to look like you belong- like you're not fleeing this place, if you don't want to call attention to yourself. Both men bow their heads to you as you pass. "Good evening, Mistress." You return their greetings with a stiff nod of acknowledgement. Curt. Dismissive. Only when you hear them disappear into a room behind you do you let out a shaky breath. You do the same with the two men posted at the foot of the staircase. "Do you need me to call you an escort Mistress?" One of them asks. "I believe Snow and Zero are available if you need." "No, that won't be necessary." You reply quickly. "I've already made arrangements." You push open the front door and step out into the frosted night air before he can question you further. You only make it a couple steps before a figure steps out from the darkness. You freeze. Your fingers clench, ready to reach for the gun beneath your dress. "Out for a midnight walk already?" The voice is teasing, smooth as silk. The man steps into the light. He has cobalt blue hair and sky blue eyes. But it's the hint of mischief on his lips that draws your gaze. More amused than menacing. The brand on his neck shifts as he speaks- the same brand on Snow's hand and Lestat's chest. "I needed some air." You offer carefully. He speaks like he knows you. How well, you're not sure yet. "We have balconies for that." He assesses you with a razor sharp gaze. The hairs on the back of your neck stand on end. His tone is light. Casual. But something tells you that beneath that, the man in front of you is lethal. A trained killer that charms with a smile before drawing the dagger from its sheath. "I needed some room to think." He hums and takes another step forward. Tilts his head to the side. He's dressed in black from head to toe, aside from his face. No leather, nothing flashy. Like he doesn't want to be seen. "Flirting with death does, on occasion, warrant a moment or two of quiet contemplation." He says, the faintest hint of amusement beneath his words. His eyes drop to your stomach, where you bled out, right above your ribs, then back up. "I spoke with Lux. He said there are no concrete leads on who perpetrated the attack." [[Continue->escapetohotel]] <<run setup.stopMusic = function () { if (window._bgMusic) { window._bgMusic.pause(); window._bgMusic.currentTime = 0; window._bgMusic.remove(); window._bgMusic = null; } }>> <<run setup.playMusic = function () { const audioElement = document.createElement("audio"); audioElement.src = "https://files.catbox.moe/qdkty8.mp3"; // New music audioElement.loop = true; audioElement.volume = 1; audioElement.autoplay = true; audioElement.id = "bgMusic"; document.body.appendChild(audioElement); window._bgMusic = audioElement; }>> <<run setup.stopMusic()>> <<run setup.playMusic()>>

You nod, but you don't speak. The less you say, the less there is for him to pick apart. The man in front of you laughs, but it's a sharpened thing. "As if we need any proof. There's only one person foolish- or obsessed- enough to attack the leader of The House of Noctus and expect to see the next full moon." You wait for him to elaborate, but he doesn't. Instead, he steps forward and lifts his hand like he's going to touch you. He stops midway, freezing. Then he clears his throat and slides his hand into his pocket. "Are you worried about Lestat?" "Lestat? Why?" "He attended The Crimson Court in your stead. He's not as adept at reigning in those bloodsucking vultures as you are. His heart is too soft, and his tongue is too sharp. In the state that he's in, he'll likely come back with ash on his hands and a turf war in his wake." Zero chuckles. "He doesn't have your...touch. Your finess, Mistress. And the last time a Coven head went missing before the masquerade, the Court restructured the entire blood pact system.” A commotion near the main door pulls your attention away from him. One of the guards stationed by the stairwell steps out. "Zero, Lux is looking for you." Zero nods and steps back. His eyes flash as he bows to you. "You shouldn't be out here alone. Not so soon after what happened." "I won't wonder far." He hesitates for only a moment before he bows to you and steps inside the mansion. Your nerves are frayed from the near miss. You can no longer keep yourself from bolting away from the mansion at a dead sprint. You scale the hedges, then the iron gate. By the time you're out onto the street, the constant hum of traffic helps to drown out your racing thoughts. You walk for almost an hour, weaving through back alleys and crowded streets, till you're sure you aren't bring followed. Only then do you slip into a hotel and rent out a room for the night. You use your fake ID just in case. By the time you're in your room, its almost dawn. The sun burns your eyes, and you hastily pull the curtains closed before collapsing onto your bed. You need a game plan. But right now, you're exhausted. Running is only a temporary solution. You don't foresee Lestat letting you go easily once he realizes you've escaped, and you still don't know who tried to kill you. Even if you put some distance between you and these people- whoever they are- where will you go? What will you do? You remember nothing of your past life. Who you were, the people and things that were important to you. And you're not ready to simply walk away from what that might've been, regardless of how seedy your prior ventures may have been. But, truth be told, you're not sure if you're read to learn what kind of person you used to be. And then there's the odd interaction you had with Lestat, and the wound on your stomach that healed with superhuman speed. Sighing, you close your eyes and bury your head beneath the pillow. You can't deal with everything, not right now. Hopefully once you get some sleep, you'll be able to reexamine things with a bit more clarity. [[Continue->meetDimitri]]

You wake to a knock on your door. You open your eyes groggy. Its night again. The knocking comes again, more insistent this time. You bolt upright, suddenly remembering where you are. You reach for the gun- now on the nightstand- and walk towards the door. When you look through the peephole, you see a man with long brown hair and eyes as black as onyx. He's dressed in a suit, like he could be a member of the hotel staff. But the way he carries himself feels...wrong. You frown. "How can I help you?" You call through the door. "There was an issue with you ID, ma'am. We need to verify the number on the back of your card." <i>Shit.</i> Was it flagged because it was fake? If he digs any deeper, surely he'll realize something's amiss. Hands clenched, you reluctantly open the door. Maybe you can buy him off. You let him into the room and close the door behind him. "How much will it cost to make this go away?" He stares at you, expression unreadable. And then he smiles, something feral, and his eyes shift to a crimson red, fangs protruding from between his lips. You gasp and stumble back. The gun in your hand shakes as you level it at him. "They told me you'd returned changed. That something was...off." "Get away from me." You warn, voice shaking. He doesn't step forward, but he doesn't step back. He looks like a vampire. Like something undead. But that's impossible. In a flash, he's in front of you. He knocks the gun from your had before you can pull the trigger. His hand flies to your throat. Not tight, not yet, but possessive."It's been too long, <<print $playerName>>. Did you miss me the same way I've missed you?" You drive your knee into his ribs with a sharp kick and land a right hook to his face. He stumbles back, laughing. And when he wipes the blood from his lips, he's smiling. You lunge towards the gun, but he's on you again, this time faster. Lifting your arms, you try to punch him, but he catches your wrist mid air. The man leans in close enough to inhale your scent. “I missed that fire.” Drawing in a sharp breath, you drive your elbow into his chest. He snarls and staggers, but he's back on his feet before you can blink. When the man launched himself at you again, you duck beneath his arm and grab the metal lamp from the nightstand. You swing it, catching him across the face with a crack that echoes through the room. He laughs, blood dripping from his jaw. "You always did know how to make me bleed better than anyone else." He slams into you, and you both crash into the dresser. Splinters explode around you. His hand is in your hair, yanking your head back, his mouth close enough to bite. But he doesn’t. Instead, he hesitates. Breathes you in again. Something flickers in his eyes. “You don’t remember, do you?” You use the brief pause to drive your elbow into his throat, roll on top of him, and slam the broken lamp into his temple. He grabs your wrist and flips you with inhuman force, pinning you to the ground. His mouth brushes your ear. “I could make you remember.” You hiss. “Get off of me.” He leans in and you bite him. Hard. He hisses, recoils, and that’s all the time you need. You scramble for the door and grab the gun on your way out. More men are coming. You hear them down the hall. You break into a sprint and throw yourself down the stairwell, stumbling into the lobby. You freeze as you burst through the door. Lestat and Zero are standing their, with Snow flanking the two.All three turn toward you, and then toward the thunder of footsteps sounding behind you. [[Continue->lobbyfight]]

The hotel doors burst open. The man steps through, flanked by armed men. His face is bloodied and bruised, but his grin is razor sharp. "Dimitri." Lestat hisses. He immediately steps between you and the group, as does Zero. Snow moves to your side, gun already unholstered. Lestat surges forward and collides with Dimitri, slamming him into a marble pillar that cracks on impact. Zero and Snow draw weapons, stepping into place beside you. And when Dimitri’s men open fire, chaos erupts. You dive for cover behind an overturned table as bullets shred the lobby. Snow grabs one attacker and buries a stake into his chest. Zero is a blur, blade flashing through exposed necks and arteries as blood sprays onto the glossy marble floor. Lestat and Dimitri tear into each other, a flurry of fists and fangs and blood. A chandeliers crashes down from above. The air is thick with smoke, blood, and something else- foreign and familiar to you all at once. You shoot one of Dimitri’s men who makes a grab for you, then another. Your aim is shaky, but desperation sharpens your edge. But then your gun jams. One of Dimitri’s soldiers lunges toward you. You rise and meet him head on, driven more by instinct than thought. He swings a knife. You duck, grab his arm, and twist it behind his back with a force that surprises even you. He howls, and you drive your elbow into his face, feeling the crunch of cartilage. Another comes at you from the side. You pivot, sweep his legs out from under him, and take him down hard. It’s instinctive. Efficient. Muscle memory, buried deep. You don’t remember who you used to be, but whoever it was, they were lethal. A third man grabs you from behind. You throw your head back into his nose, break free, and slam him into the wall with a shoulder strike that leaves him gasping. You’re breathless, shaking, but still standing. Dimitri drives Lestat through a wall, then grabs his throat and slams him into the ground, pummeling him. But Lestat retaliates with an explosion of force, flinging Dimitri into the air before launching after him. Glass rains down as the battle shreds the lobby. Snow shields you, absorbing the debris. The runes at his throat glow faintly. Dimitri yells something above the chaos. “Surround her! Take her alive!” A towering man with sharp, white fangs lunges towards you. Zero intercepts, blocking his path and landing a solid right hook. Snow tackles two others to the ground. You take out another with a sharp kick to the knee and a jab to the throat. Lestat is in front of you, bloodied but still in one piece. He has Dimitri pinned down, but you can see him struggling to hold him down. His eyes cut toward Snow. "Get her out of here. Now." Snow doesn’t argue. He turns towards you, words laced with urgency. “Come. Quickly.” Zero stays behind, stepping into formation beside Lestat. More figures pour in from the front and side entrances, reinforcements in dark clothes. Lestat's voice is the last thing you hear as you disappear into the darkness. <b>End of Chapter One</b>

<div class="stats-container"> <div style="text-align: center;"><span class="cinzel-title">Your Relationships</span> <hr>  <div class="relationship-block"> <div class="relationship-name">Snow</div> <div class="relationship-desc"> <<if $SnowAffection >= 15>> ..... <<elseif $SnowAffection >=10>> ..... <<elseif $SnowAffection >= 3>> ..... <<else>> He is your shield. Your protector. He says that he would protect you with his life, but is there something more to the absolute loyalty with which he protects you? <</if>> </div> </div> <hr>  <div class="relationship-block"> <div class="relationship-name">Zero</div> <div class="relationship-desc"> <<if $ZeroAffection >= 15>> ..... <<elseif $ZeroAffection >= 10>> ...... <<elseif $ZeroAffection >= 3>> .... <<else>> Zero is your blade. Your shadow. He does your biding in the dark so that you may keep your hands clean. But he watches you in a way that cuts so much sharper than the dagger hidden beneath his vest. <</if>> </div> </div> <hr>  <div class="relationship-block"> <div class="relationship-name">Lestat</div> <div class="relationship-desc"> <<if $LestatAffection >= 15>> .... <<elseif $LestatAffection >= 10>> .... <<elseif $LestatAffection >= 3>> .... <<else>> He is your Monseur. Your lover. Your betrothed. He would die for you, but you remember nothing of him, or the relationship you two once shared. Will you choose to rekindle the past, or pursue something else, even if it breaks him? <</if>> </div> </div> <hr>  <div class="relationship-block"> <div class="relationship-name">Lux </div> <div class="relationship-desc"> <<if $LuxAffection >= 15>> .... <<elseif $LuxAffection >= 10>> .... <<elseif $LuxAffection >= 3>> .... <<else>> As an information broker, Lux understands the power of influence and serets better than most. So why does he look at you like he has a secret of his own? <</if>> </div> </div> <hr>  <div class="relationship-block"> <div class="relationship-name">Dimitri </div> <div class="relationship-desc"> <<if $DimitriAffection >= 15>> .... <<elseif $Dimitriffection >= 10>> .... <<elseif $DimitriAffection >= 3>> .... <<else>> Dimitri is obsessed. Fixated. Posessive of you for reason you don't understand- or can't remember. He talks as if he knows you. Was he ever anything more than an enemy to you? <</if>> </div> </div> <hr> </div></div>

<<set $LestatAffection to 0>> <<set $ZeroAffection to 0>> <<set $LuxAffection to 0>> <<set $SnowAffection to 0>> <<set $DimitriAffection to 0>> <<set $thirst= 5>>

<div class="stats-container"> <div style="text-align: center;"><span class="cinzel-title">Your Character</span> <hr> <div class="character-stat"> <span class="stat-label">Eye Color:</span> <span class="stat-value"><<print $eyeColor>></span> </div> <div class="character-stat"> <span class="stat-label">Hair Color:</span> <span class="stat-value"><<print $hairColor>></span> </div> <div class="character-stat"> <span class="stat-label">Hair Length:</span> <span class="stat-value"><<print $hairLength>></span> </div> <div class="character-stat"> <span class="stat-label">Skin Color:</span> <span class="stat-value"><<print $skinColor>></span> </div> <div class="character-stat"> <span class="stat-label">Height:</span> <span class="stat-value"><<print $height>></span> </div> <hr> </div> </div>

<div style="text-align: center;"><span class="cinzel-title">Favor</span></div> This page has not yet been unlocked.

<div style="text-align: center;"><span class="cinzel-title">Personality</span></div> This page has not yet been unlocked.

<div style="text-align: center;"><span class="cinzel-title">Bloodlust</span>  <<if $thirst is undefined>><<set $thirst = 0>><</if>> <<set _percent = Math.round(($thirst / $maxStat) * 100)>> <div class="survival-block"> <div class="stat-desc"> <<if $thirst <= 1>>A carnal hunger consumes you. You won't last long like this before you turn feral. You can feel the humanity bleeding out of you. <<elseif $thirst <= 3>>Bloodlust gnaws at your insides. You’re starting to feel weak <<elseif $thirst >= $maxStat - 1>>You're satiated, but you wouldn't mind a drink. <<elseif $thirst >= $maxStat * 0.75>>You're thirst is quenched. You feel strong and your senses are alert. <<else>>You could drink but it’s not urgent. <</if>> </div> </div> </div> <hr>