Affairs of Blood

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When you walked into the abandoned castle on the old borders of Tithea you had expected a simple mission. You had been told that two vampires had taken up residency in the decaying structure, there were only supposed to be two. Two vampires barely into their first century. You don't know who scouted the place but they did the worst head count you've ever seen in your life. It was not two, not three- it was a whole damned swarm of vampires. You stood at the center of a decrepit castle, hundreds of pairs of beady eyes peered at you from the dark. Glinting claws and teeth reached towards you from every which direction, and you are woefully under prepped. No amount of prepping could get you out of this anyhow. You only had your twin daggers, a few vials of blessed water, five stakes, and a pistol in your back pocket. You'd be lucky if you could get down two with so many around. [[Next|1]]

All the same you get into position, brandishing your blades against the hoard as you squint into the dark. The odds of escape were low, winning even lower, but that didn't mean you'd allow yourself to become some monster's next meal. You lunge towards the nearest vampire where the swarm was thinnest. Were it any other place you would have thought she was still very much alive if it weren't for her bearing her fangs at you and drooling as if she hadn't eaten in months and she'd just been presented a banquet. She was still a fledgling, which meant she was weak. Compared to the average vampire at least, and only as fast as she likely was in life. And with how easily your blade sunk into the crook of her neck, she wasn't much of a runner back then. She hissed as your blade sunk further, twisting into her flesh as you surged forward with the mometum of your strike. You could smell the burning of flesh, and disn't need to look to know her skin was likely fraying away layer by layer like parchment to a flame. You had long since gotten used to the smell and sight of it all, but what you could never get used to was the blood that sprayed as you struck. Still warm. As easy as fledglings were to handle you could never stand how they bled bright red blood like any other human, they were too close to teh living for your liking. You couldn't help but shudder when ripped your blade out as you kept sailing through the air, feet barely touching the ground. Your blade collided with another vampire, this one older. They did not bleed like the fledgling screaming out as the other fledglings around her tore into her bleeding wound like rabid animals. Though you supposed that's all vampires were, just animals. Dangerous ones. [[Next|2]]

Silence filled your mind as in a matter of seconds they pounced upon you. Your blade did not dig in deep enough by the time you felt dozens of cold hands clambering along your body. Their claws dug into each limb, some even going as far as to grab at your ankles. You pulled forwards, they pulled back. They pulled and pulled, and eventually your feet did not touch the ground. The hands pulled you into a writhing mass of bodies in every direction. Your swords discarded somewhere in all the mess, you don't know if you had dropped it or if it had been wrenched away. Deeper and deeper you went, and yet you felt no warmth as they fought over you. Then you felt their bites. Usually they didn't hurt so much, like pin pricks really, but usually they didn't have to share a meal between so many. Their fangs dragged against your skin where your clothing had been shredded, yanked out by force by another starving vampire. With each bite you felt yourself get weaker and weaker, yet you still struggled. Struggled until you had nothing left in you, no energy and soon enough no blood. [[Next|3]]

As you lay there, the last remains of your blood and consciousnesses being sucked away you heard the sound of footsteps. Heels clicked against the stone floors, echoing in the vast and empty space. With each step the shadows of gaunt faces thinned, and you quickly realized that the vampires were making way for whoever had just arrived. You barely managed to turn your head to see this new arrival, but you could barely keep your eyes open. You watched as the fuzzy silhouette crouched besides you. Gentle hands reached for your face, turning it side to side ever so slightly. The hands were ice cold, making your colder than you already were. “Leave,” they say simply. Their voice was airy and just as gentle as their touch, but the power that underlay made you shudder. This must be their leader. You hear the faint shuffling of steps and cloth and the howling of wind through the cracks in the wall. [[“Well aren't you a treat, I haven't seen a man as reckless as you in some time.”|4.1][$title to "husband"]] [[“Well aren't you a treat, I haven't seen a woman as reckless as you in some time.”|4.2][$title to "wife"]] [[“Well aren't you a treat, I haven't seen a somebody as reckless as you in some time.”|4.3][$title to "spouse"]]

“Well aren't you a treat, I haven't seen a man as reckless as you in some time,” they say softly before all at once you feel yourself being lifted up effortlessly and laid upon a couch. Your head propped against what you can only guess are the vampire's own thighs. Surprisingly fleshy, they must be well fed unlike the frenzy that was their swarm mere moments ago. You tense, feeling suddenly energized as they ran a single clawed nail along the side of your face. Not enough to move, but you feel your head begin to clear up. Opening your eyes you find the vampire hunched over your head with a smile that did not quiet reach their eyes. Their hair fell down in glossy blond waves, held held up in a bun to keep their face free of obstruction. But wispy locks of gold escaped their loose confinements regardless. Their light brown skin was washed out but you could still see faint freckles along their skin as if they had managed to spend time in the sun. But the most striking thing about their appearance were their eyes, their eyes were a vibrant gold that pierced the through the darkness. You knew vampires had brighter eyes depending on how strong they were, but never in your life have you encountered a vampire with eyes like the one before you. Then they smile, brandishing their needle sharp fangs at you. You'd find a grin with a tooth gap endearing were it a human, but from a vampire it felt like a threat. “This is the part where we introduce ourselves dear hunter,” they laugh, but the sound rings hollow. [[”I'm not telling you a damn thing!“|A1]] [[“Name's...”|B1.5]] [[“I'd rather not say.”|C1]] [[You were too stunned to speak|D1]]

“Well aren't you a treat, I haven't seen a woman as reckless as you in some time.” they say softly before all at once you feel yourself being lifted up effortlessly and laid upon a couch. Your head propped against what you can only guess are the vampire's own thighs. Surprisingly fleshy, they must be well fed unlike the frenzy that was their swarm mere moments ago. You tense, feeling suddenly energized as they ran a single clawed nail along the side of your face. Not enough to move, but you feel your head begin to clear up. Opening your eyes you find the vampire hunched over your head with a smile that did not quiet reach their eyes. Their hair fell down in glossy blond waves, held held up in a bun to keep their face free of obstruction. But wispy locks of gold escaped their loose confinements regardless. Their light brown skin was washed out but you could still see faint freckles along their skin as if they had managed to spend time in the sun. But the most striking thing about their appearance were their eyes, their eyes were a vibrant gold that pierced the through the darkness. You knew vampires had brighter eyes depending on how strong they were, but never in your life have you encountered a vampire with eyes like the one before you. Then they smile, brandishing their needle sharp fangs at you. You'd find a grin with a tooth gap endearing were it a human, but from a vampire it felt like a threat. “This is the part where we introduce ourselves dear hunter,” they laugh, but the sound rings hollow. [[”I'm not telling you a damn thing!“|A1]] [[“Name's...”|B1.5]] [[“I'd rather not say.”|C1]] [[You were too stunned to speak|D1]]

“Well aren't you a treat, I haven't seen a somebody as reckless as you in some time.” they say softly before all at once you feel yourself being lifted up effortlessly and laid upon a couch. Your head propped against what you can only guess are the vampire's own thighs. Surprisingly fleshy, they must be well fed unlike the frenzy that was their swarm mere moments ago. You tense, feeling suddenly energized as they ran a single clawed nail along the side of your face. Not enough to move, but you feel your head begin to clear up. Opening your eyes you find the vampire hunched over your head with a smile that did not quiet reach their eyes. Their hair fell down in glossy blond waves, held held up in a bun to keep their face free of obstruction. But wispy locks of gold escaped their loose confinements regardless. Their light brown skin was washed out but you could still see faint freckles along their skin as if they had managed to spend time in the sun. But the most striking thing about their appearance were their eyes, their eyes were a vibrant gold that pierced the through the darkness. You knew vampires had brighter eyes depending on how strong they were, but never in your life have you encountered a vampire with eyes like the one before you. Then they smile, brandishing their needle sharp fangs at you. You'd find a grin with a tooth gap endearing were it a human, but from a vampire it felt like a threat. “This is the part where we introduce ourselves dear hunter,” they laugh, but the sound rings hollow. [[”I'm not telling you a damn thing!“|A1]] [[“Name's...”|B1.5]] [[“I'd rather not say.”|C1]] [[You were too stunned to speak|D1]]

Their toothy smile falls and is quickly replaced with a tight lipped frown and narrowed eyes. It's uncanny how quickly their expression changed. “I was hoping you'd be civil..." They stare at you for a few long moments, their eyes boring into you and past you at the same time. As if searching for something, though they don't seem to find it as they huff. “I suppose I shouldn't have expected anything less from you old friend.” “We are not friends,” you spit out hoarsely. At that moment your head begins to spin as you felt a sharp throbbing pain lance the back of your skull. A pain that forced your eyes shut for a moment for the spell to pass. One moment then another, before it eventually passes. Once again you open your eyes to those vibrant golden eyes, now with pin pricked pupils. <> “Perhaps not, but I expect some manners from you... you can do that can't you <<cycle "$name" >> <<option "D'Angelo">> <<option "Diane">> <<option "Dante">> <</cycle>> ,” They ask slowly. You see how te corners of their lips quirk up a moment, though only for a moment. <> “Excuse me?” You croak. They pout, “Oh don't look at me like that dear, it's not my fault you memory is awful.” They snicker, it is a stange sound coming from them. Disjointed as if it weren't quiet coming from them. [["Who the hell are you?"|A2]]

“$name,” they repeat. They nod to themselves with a knowing look in their eyes, as if they had expected that answer. “Well $name, it is lovely to see you again,” they say softly. Their smile dampens and their intense gaze softens somewhat as a hand comes to caress your face. Their touch is as cold as it was last time, sapping away what little warmth you had in you, but it was also very gentle. You could feel how their hands trembled upon your skin. “Again?” You croak out before letting out a wheezing cough. “I feel like shit,” you mutter between coughs. They snicker, it's an odd noise for sure. You didn't imagine a vampire as powerful as them doing such a thing, you've always heard they were always so rigid. Being around so long would do that to somebody. “Yeah, you look like it too. But I'm used to it.” You stare up at them a moment and catch your confused gaze in the reflection of their eyes. You squinted, studying every feature of their face, but nothing was coming up. [[“Do I know you?”|B2]]

You couldn't help but be caught in the creature's intense gaze. This situation was far too strange, and you didn't know how to react to any of this. The vampire hums, laughing again. “Oh come, bat caught your tongue?” “Uh... no I don't think they got into my mouth?” You immediately regret your word, cringing into yourself and closing your eyes. This was not the time for that, especially not to a bloodsucker. At least there would be no witnesses for your god awful last words. Well, none that mattered. Luckily vampires aren't known for gossiping with hunters. The room is silent, you feel the vampire shift beneath you. You think they've decided to forgo introductions and kill you, but instead the room is filled with a loud laughter. It's a high shrieking sound, somewhat like the screech of a bat, but theirs is a definitive human quality to it. They even snort as their laughter dies down. <> "Wow <<cycle "$name" >> <<option "D'Angelo">> <<option "Diane">> <<option "Dante">> <</cycle>> ,” they wheeze through dying snickers. “Goodness, I feel as if nothing has changed.” <> [[“Huh?”|D2]]

You answer cautiously, glaring mildly. Vampires usually didn't ask about their prey's name from all you've heard. Who knows what this was about, for all you know it could be some ancient vampire magic they are trying to pull on you. “So cautious hmm?” It's smile turns somber as their gaze seems to unfocus somewhat. “That's new.” “It's new for hunters to be cautious?” You mutter sarcastically. Any hunter with half a brain would be careful, especially when incapacitated in a vampire's presence. In fact, you should probably be more on alert. Maybe the fact you'd lost so much blood is dampening your emotions, you really shouldn't be conscious anyways. “What the hell did you do to me?“ “Hmm?” It blinks, the forming slits of their pupils opening up again. “I haven't done anything to you yet dear.” So they were trying to do something to you. Your gaze hardens, but you can't do much else with so little energy. “Yes you did, I'm still awake right now. I should be dead by now, your swarm took all my blood.“ “Ah, that. Well I suppose I am behind that, but that's not so bad is it? Being alive, I even reduced the pain your in,” they explain in an almost hopeful tone. When you don't let up they sigh deeply, “Since when were you so cautious?” “Since when- what?” <> The vampire pouts, an expression that looks out of place on such a powerful creature. “You weren't so reserved before <<cycle "$name" >> <<option "D'Angelo">> <<option "Diane">> <<option "Dante">> <</cycle>> name.” <> [[“How do you know my name?!”|C2]]

Their lashes flutter in a barely contained eye roll and they shake their head but no further anger comes. “You were never so...rude. At least not to me.” You found yourself becoming more agitated, why in the world was an overgrown parasite acting so familiar. You huff, shifting uncomfortably, something that shakes them from their own annoyance at this situation. You can't fathom why they'd be so bothered when they were the one who prolonged your death. “You seriously don't remember me?” You groan, “No I don't, I don't make a habit of befriending vermin.” Regardless you find yourself getting a closer look at their face, and you get nothing. They laugh. It is short lived and hollow as they look utterly offended. “You don't remember your own fiance hmm? Had I known you'd forget me so quickly I'd never had asked you to be my $title.” [[“What...”|A3]]

Your agitation turns to fury, the dull throbbing aches across your body be damned. You wished you could move, you'd definitely have the parasite have a talk with the other end of your swords. To insinuate that they were your dead fiance...! You look at them once more. [[You can't help but begin to notice the similarities.|6A]] [[They definitely aren't your lost love.|6B.5]]

“No- I'd know if you were $M.” You fought your way out of their grasp with desperate flails, only managing to make it to the opposite end of the plush couch. Supporting your upper body with the armrest you tried to calm your screaming nerves. You shouldn't have moved with so little in you, but you needed some distance. You're head was spinning. You couldn't bear the thought of it, the idea that $M had become this was too much. You always hoped that such a fate hadn't befallen them, especially with how vocally they spoke against it in the past. They spoke of becoming a vampire as if it were a fate worse than death. They ask- no they begged you to kill them if they ever turned. Still you can't help but hold onto that small spark of hope that your love had survived after all. Even if it was just a fraction of them, a monster wearing the skin of the love of your life. That bit of hope made you feel ill. The vampire watches you and sighs, “Won't you at least humor me?” “Why, so you can keep messing with my head?!” You scream. Your eyes stung as you gripped the coach, you looked at anything but them. “I have no desire to do such a thing $name, just humor me.” You feel their burning gaze ease as they hands fall delicately in their lap. $M was never so graceful, not a klutz by any means but this type of movement was something you only ever saw in nobility. “If I was your dead lover, what then? Would you kill me... or perhaps something worse?” “Worse?” You croak. “Yes, like run away. I'd hate if you did that, especially when I've waited so long for you.” Their voice is sweet and almost airy, such tenderness only made you more uneasy. The silence hangs in the air and it's clear you aren’t getting out of answering this. “If you were- and you aren’t! But if you were I suppose I...” your voice trails off as you press your head against the armrest. “Huh?” They lean towards you, squinting their eyes slightly. “Aren't you guys supposed to have super hearing,” you grumble. You huff, ignoring how they react all too similarly to $M when they didn't hear you. “I said I'd keep you alive okay, happy?“ “How ambiguous,” they mutter flatly, though amusement seeps into their voice. “I suppose I can accept that though.” “Right,” you huddle into your side of the couch, trying to put as much space between you two as you can manage. [[Next|8A]]

“Is it so hard to believe?” “$M would never want to be a monster!” You growl, your breathing becoming more heavy as the dull pains turned into something sharper. “They told me- they said that they'd become a hunter one day. They'd help me cleanse the world of all that plagues it, especially from your damned blood suckers!” “I did say that didn't I?” They state simply. “What else did I say?” “You didn't say a damned thing okay, $M said it!” Your arms shake as they struggle to hold the weight of your upper body. Or maybe your whole body is trembling as you fight back tears. “They said they'd leave their apothecary and gardens behind to stay by my side, they hated how I'd leave so long for hunts.” “And then what?“ “What?” "They died right, how'd that happen hmm?” A cruel smile graces their lips. They were definitely mocking you and the dying anger comes surging back despite the tears. They sigh, leaning back into the aged cushions, displeased with your silent rage. [[“Fine, I guess I'll finish the story myself.”|7B]]

You watch in confusion as they look off into the distance, their body shifting away from you as they cross their legs. “You had gone out for a hunt with your father, Darius, correct?” They don't wait for any answer and continue to speak. “You were twenty-two, you and your father went out to handle a werewolf pack causing havoc in a town a few villages over. Nelth I think it was, closest thing to a big city between your home town and the capitol.” They fiddle with a strand of hair, tucking it behind their ear only for it to fly away instantly. Their hands smoothed the wrinkles on their pants slowly as their posture shifted. “You were gone for some time, now I don't know if you ever solved that werewolf issue but when you two returned home it was all gone wasn't it?” A choked laugh escapes their lips and their head falls back. “Half the town folk missing, anybody not worth taking left in peices to burn in the flames. I wonder if it was still burning by the time you and your father returned.” “Must have been awful,” they muse. “Knowing the Acadia clan had taken everything from you hmm? Your mother, your sisters...$M.” Their body sags further into the couch as any vigor in their form seemed to melt away and they turned to you once more. “You missed Sonia's eleventh birthday you know, you were really excited about that.” There is a silence as they pause to give you time to comment, but you don't. You can't, how did they know any of that? Sure your parents were renowned hunters so it wouldn't be too far off to say a vampire knew them. But the rest of that, that shouldn't be possible. [[It couldn't actually be them could it?|8B]]

They smile, it's a weak little thing that makes them look so much weaker. Fragile almost, even with those burning golden eyes. “Don't look so shocked dear, I told you who I was didn't I?“ “Yeah, you did.” Your throat feels dry as you stare. Maybe they were M, you didn't believe it. At least, you didn't want to believe it. “But you're a vampire, if you really are $M...why?” “Well,” they began slowly as you see the words form in their head. “I was taken captive, though you never found the body so I guess that's obvious. They picked off people one by one, eventually it was me and a few others left. I waited and waited, I thought you'd save me y'know? Like you saved everybody else on your other hunts. I waited for years, but you never came did you?” “No I didn't,” you mutter. But you never bothered looking did you? You remember standing in the scorched carnage with your father, you couldn't tell who was who in the mess of it all. You figured everyone closest to you was dead or bleed dry, vampires weren't one to keep prisoners so the idea that $M had been alive the whole time had never crossed your mind. [[”So it's my fault you're like this?”|9B]]

$M shakes their head, “No of course not. Well maybe it is but I could never find it in my heart to blame you. “They move off the couch onto the floor with such ease you almost thought they were a drifting ghost. “The Sire of Acadia, well he was quiet fond of me,” they chuckle and you can only imagine what kind of fondness that was. “So he offered to turn me, it was that or he'd drink me dry.” “So you chose to be turned?” They nod as once again their arms find themselves around you as they sit you up. You are leaned against their cold body and it felt solid unlike when you were leagues younger. They'd often complain about your being too heavy. “Why?” They grin, “So I could wait for you of course.” The brief cheer fades as they somberly rest their head on your shoulder. “Even if you hated what I've become, I wanted to see you one last time. And it seems as if the fates are smiling upon us.” You feel your throat tighten and your eyes well. The love of your life had turned into a horrid monster just so they could see you again, somebody who had abandoned them. How could you be angry at that? [[“And now that your here I have a proposition.”|10]]

“You seriously don't remember me?” They ask solemnly, and you can't imagine why you would know them. Their friendly demeanor and over familiarity was a bit unnerving, you couldn't help but wonder if they wanted to give you a false sense of security before eating you. Their disappointing gaze makes you shift in hopes of escaping it, but to no avail. “No I don't, I don't make a habit of befriending my targets.” Regardless you find yourself getting a closer look at their face, hoping desperately that something would come up. A name, a memory, anything to clue you into who the vampire was. But still nothing comes to mind. They laugh and you can’t help but awkwardly mirror the sound. It is short lived and hollow and their frustration is clear as day, and the air becomes ever more suffocating. “You don't remember your own fiance? Had I known you'd forget me so quickly I'd never had asked you to be my $title,” they say dryly. [[Next|B3]]

Your drifting gaze snaps back to them, returning an equally intense gaze. “Don't even attempt to joke about that,” you seethe. You didn't know what kind of weird mind games they were playing at, maybe they were succeeding but you couldn't pretend to be unaffected anymore. Not when it had the audacity to bring in them, to feign being them. You hold their gaze for what seemed like an eternity. [[You can't help but begin to notice the similarities.|6A]] [[They definitely aren't your lost love.|6B.5]]

“Why wouldn't I know your name?” They ask playfully, and your have no idea where this familiarity is coming from. It must want to give you a twisted false sense of security before eating you. You supposed a vampire as old as them would want to play with their food for a bit, simply feeding must get old at some point. It looks at you strangely, their eyes on you but you aren't quiet sure if they are seeing you. Their smile is barely noticeable but it's there, bearing no edges of cruelty these monsters are known for. You try to shrink away from it but you do not have it in you anymore to do more than squirm, you can only watch as the longing look melts away into something else. “You truly don't remember me?” Their disappointing gaze makes you shift in hopes of escaping it, but to no avail. “I don't have a death wish most days, why would I know a vampire.” Despite your confidence you find yourself getting a closer look at their face, nobody comes to mind. They laugh. It doesn't last very long as it fizzles out into some strange pitiful huff of air. “You don't remember your own fiance, truly? Had I known you'd move on so quickly I'd never had asked you to be my $title.” [[Next|C3]]

All caution leaves you in that moment. “I suggest you shut up rather than say such foolish things beast,” you seethe. You didn't know what kind of weird mind games they were playing at, they were definitely succeeding but you didn't care about winning or loosing anymore. Not when it had the audacity to bring in them, to feign being them. You're breathing is getting heavy and your head spins but you can't turn away and let it think it's won somehow. You don't know how long you meet it's gaze before your mind comes to a conclusion. [[You can't help but begin to notice the similarities.|6A]] [[They definitely aren't your lost love.|6B.5]]

“What do you mean by that?” You mumble as your eyes open once again. “I mean what that phrase usually means, it hasn't been that long to have changed” They answer lightly. That answer does nothing to help your confusion. It must want to give you a twisted false sense of security before eating you. It looks at you strangely, their eyes are naturally striking but you notice how their lower lids crease up. Their smile is barely noticeable but it's there, bearing no edges of cruelty these monsters are known for. You only watch as the fond look melts away into something else. Realization. “You actually don't remember me.” Their disappointing gaze makes you shift in hopes of escaping it, but to no avail. “I don't make it a habit to befriend your kind.” Despite your confidence you find yourself getting a closer look at their face, nobody comes to mind. They frown. But it does not last long as another smile tugs at their lips, though this one does not hold the same cheer as before. “You don't remember your own fiance. Had I known you'd move on so quickly I'd never had asked you to be my $title.” [[Next|D3]]

A deflective joke was brewing in your mind to distract from the uncomfortable situation of an unfamiliar vampire, but all jests fizzled from your mind at those words. “That's not something to joke about,” you state coldly. You don't know what it was trying to get at by saying that, whatever it was you wouldn't be having any of that. They look confused, but you don't fall for it. They are only met with your cold anger. [[You can't help but begin to notice the similarities.|6A]] [[They definitely aren't your lost love.|6B.5]]

The more your glare the more your anger is replaced by a faint hope. You could almost imagine that they were the love of your life. You could see their deeply tanned skin, kissed by the sun after a hard day of work outdoors. Their golden hair messily tied back out of their face. Their features were much softer though, and their eyes were as rich as the earth they turned. <> “You aren't <<cycle "$M" >> <<option "Malik">> <<option "Malika">> <</cycle>>,” you seethe shakily. They were dead, they've been dead for nearly a decade. But most importantly they’re weren't a monster, they'd rather die than be a vampire. “You can't be.” <> [[“And if I am?”|7A]]

“So... how long have you been waiting for me?” you ponder aloud after a few beats of silence. “About ten years,” they answer before the question even fully leaves you. You suppose you shouldn't be surprised that it answered so readily, they seem dead set on having conversation. “Ten years, yeah?” You stare at the ground beneath their feet, taking in the delicate leather work of their heeled boots. The soles are stained a vibrant red. You couldn't imagine $M wearing anything like that, though it's not like they ever had the money for that kind of fashion. They did always eye the fancy boutiques in the capitol those few times you visted together. They'd definitely look good in it too. “Yes, ten years. Ever since the village was raided-” Your wandering mind snaps back to attention at those words. “Excuse me, what? A raid?” They look quiet annoyed at the interruption, “Yes, don't tell me you forgot that too dear? Ten years ago when you and your father went off to handle a werewolf problem in town a few over our village was attacked by the Acadia clan. They tore everyone apart in a frenzy!” Their anger rises along with the hairs on your back. “They killed everyone $name, they killed my sister! You remember Victoria don't you, those bastards tore her apart and took me. I waited for you $name, I waited and waited and waited and where were you!?” They crawl forward, closing the gap between you. The air begins to warm to a suffocating degree as they bare fangs with their anger. You try futility to bury yourself further into the couch as the more depraved yet distantly familiar expressions morphed their face. “I finally find you after ten years, the least you could do is listen to me!” They hiss, and despite being smaller than you it's like they are looming. “Please $name, I know you've never been good at listening and are stubborn as an ass but it's me! I'm $M, how is that so hard to believe!?” The vampire is in tears, tears that spill into your exposed skin. It stings, like oil jumping out of a pan, but you can only stare at their face above yours as they beg for you to trust their word. [[Next|9A]]

You felt paralyzed, this was too much. They looked too much like $M when they had enough of your more troublesome antics. They called you an ass, a lot of people did, but $M only ever did when your hurt them. They knew things, they knew Victoria. Why would a random vampire know her? “Please, what do I have to do to prove myself,” they heaved. “When's my birthday?” you asked shakily. They looked distraught at your words as they seem to panic. “Your birthday- you never told me that. Did I forget, it hasn't been that long. I swear you haven't told me, ask something else,” they plead once more. “I tell everyone a birthday, the only people who know the real one are my parents but they're gone now.” Their face falls further. “I never told $M a fake day though. I hate lying to them... to you.“ Their frantic eyes focus, as the slits that had become their pupils dilate. “I though it was because you thought I was a fairy trying to gain power over you.” They say skeptically, hopeful but terrified. “That too,” you'd honestly nearly forgotten about that bit. You laughed bitterly. “You really are $M huh?” “You don't sound too happy about it,” they smile but their voice sounds pained. “Why would I be, you're a vampire. I failed you, I thought you died and I didn't look for you. You could have been normal instead of a monster if I'd pushed to keep looking.” You furrow your eyes and glare at the ceiling above. “I failed you, and your ruined!” “I'm not ruined,” they flinch. “I'm still me.” “For now,” you growl. “How long until your loose your humanity $M, you know how that goes. You've eaten people already if you're still alive!” You falter, they've eaten people! How many people have they killed. “How long have you been a vampire?“ “Seven or so years,” they answer anxiously. “Please $name, I had to do it. I had to turn- it was either that or die!” “Why didn't you die then?!” You yell, you almost regret your outburst from how their face falls. But you won't deny it would have been better if they had chosen death instead of becoming a beast of the night. “Why did you choose this instead of being dead.” “You want me dead?” They look about ready to break down again. “I became like this so I could see you again!” That stops your thoughts in their tracks. “No, I dont but..." your anger fizzles out as guilt makes itself known. "You became a monster just so you could see me again?” They nod frantically, you see them searching for more words to help their case. “May oblivion welcome me with open arms, why would you do such a thing for me?” They look confused, as if they couldn't fathom why they wouldn't go through such drastic measures to see you again. “Well I wanted to see you again, I swore to be by your side until the day you died.” “That was when you asked me to train you to be a hunter so you could tag along with me.” You couldn't help but stare in astonishment, they said such things with such ease. You don't think you'd ever consider doing the same. “It's not that different, I'm just keeping my word in a different way,” they carefully take your hands into theirs. You feel the tremors coursing through they body as they hold your hands to their chest. They stare at you through unfocused, wild eyes. You can hardly see the gold of their irises, only the black expanse of their blown out pupils. “It's very different, and I don't think I'm worth going so far,” you mumble as you shift in your seat. “I mean, your eyes are really intense right now, how many people did you even eat to sustain yourself this long?” If $M had really been a vampire for seven years, there's no way their eyes should be that bright. Vampires like that were ancient, usually sires of clans from what you've been taught. You can only imagine how many people M would have had to tear through to get to this level so quickly. “I'd give up much more to keep you in my life.” Their eye twitches and they smile as their hold on you tightens. “Not that many people, I only feed when necessary.” You nearly roll your eyes, you doubt it. Fledlings were always the most ravenous, and despite their frenzied eating habits they didn't suddenly gain the power of ancient vampires. “The sire of the Acadia clan kept me alive out of misplaced fondness, I kept him... company let's say. He turned me so I would stay at his side as his second in command one day, he trusted me.” They laugh anxiously. “And I ate him.” “Excuse me?” You try to pull away, unnerved by their odd demeanor, but their grip held you in place. You know occasionally sires of clans fought, but to kill each other was near impossible. They rarely bothered to do so and had their lackies fight things out, yet here M was saying they'd managed that somehow. $M was not one for lies, and they spoke with such conviction that you had belive them. What kind of power had $M hidden from you to accomplish such a feat? What posessed them to attempt such a thing in the first place? Perhaps they had lost their senses in captivity, you don't know but the knowledge of the deed shook you to your core. “I'll tell you the details on that later,” they push forward with the same unpredictable look in their eyes. [[“I have a proposition for you.”|10]]

“A proposition?” you parrot, eyeing them cautiously. The last few moments have been so strange, how much stranger could it get? “What is it? You watch as $M pulls away from you, propping your against the couch carefully before taking a moment to take in a deep breath. The stiffness of their body melts away and any emotions from moments before melts away. The mask of the cool and collected vampire you first met returns. “I wish to turn you $name, so that we may stay at one another’s side.” They catch your gaze and hold it, burning into your very core. “What...?” You cannot believe what your are hearing right now. “You want me to just- just throw it all away?! Listen, I get you had your reasons but I-” you stumble over your words until all that comes forth is a mess of noise. $M simply stares, their face unchanged. “The choice is yours dear, I will not force anything on you. It does not have to be now of course, though it would be a miracle if you survive once the spell wears off.” They do not say it maliciously, it was simply a fact. “$M, please, ask anything else. I love you but to be a monster, the same ones that took everything from me- from us- would be too much to bear.” You beg, and their gaze softens, for a moment you are hopeful. “I know how difficult it would be, it was hard for me and I cannot imagine how much worse it would be for you. It is a selfish request, and I would not fault you for declining.” They sigh shakily, giving you a watery eyed smile. “I just want to have you at my side, I could protect you this time. As you are we would be enemies, and you would die so much more easily.” You didn't want to be enemies, not when you just got $M back. They aren't the same, they are strange and monstrous now, but all the same you want to be at their side. But you'd be on opposite ends of a long standing war, you'd kill vampires of $M's own clan, and they couldn't just stand by and let their numbers dwindle just for you. Maybe $M wouldn't kill you, but they'd surely kill other hunters and innocents. They already have, the swarm still in the castle certainly has. The choice is difficult but you... [[You accept]] [[You decline]]

You tremble as you make up your mind and nod. “I'll do it.” The words are like acid on your tongue, but you swallow it regardless. As much as it would pain you to set aside everything that you've worked towards since birth and turn your back on the defenseless, to turn your back to $M would hurt much more. They sigh in relief, their bright eyes glossed over with moisture as they move towards you again. Enveloping you in a careful yet firm hug. “By the old ones,” you feel them shaking against you. “Thank you, I am so sorry but thank you.” A dry chuckle escapes you and you leans your head against their shoulder. “Just know you signed your self up for the clingiest $title imaginable. I won't be loosing your twice.” They snicker, “Oh please, as if you weren't already that before darling.” They sigh in content, pulling back with a grin already on their face. They eye your neck hungrily, licking their lips. “Now, shall we get down to business?” You hesitate a moment but nod, “Don't bite too hard okay? I'm still sore from your swarm.” You crane your neck, your eyes squeezed tight in anticipation. [[Next|Vampire Ending]]

“I'm sorry $M,” you tear your gaze from them. Guilt eats away at you, but you to turn away from what you were born to do and the helpless masses for one person would be a far greater guilt. You don't think you'd be able to live with yourself if you did that. And you'd certainly have to eat those who you swore to defend if you wanted to live at all as a vampire. “I can't do that.” $M watches your quietly, their eyes damp eyes blinking for a moment before they nod. The softness in their gaze hardens and they stand up leaving you where you were. “I understand, if somehow you live the offer will always remain. And I do hope you live.” Their eyes drift towards the ground as they prepare to depart. “Just promise me if you survive you'll actually live your life, I've heard how reckless you've become with your life on hunts. Take care of yourself please, and make some friends. Maybe find somebody else who can love you. Even if I cannot be in your life I hope you will have a good one.” Those are the only words you are offered when whatever magic was sustaining you leaves entirely. The full force of the pain returns in an instant and your vision is colored with bright light as you finally succumb to your injuries. [[Next|Hunter Ending]]

You feel their warm breath against your neck as they linger, delicate hands holding you still. Their tongue flicks out, running along your skin before you feel a gentle gnawing. In an instant their fangs break skin and you hiss. Instinctually you push against them but they hold you still. You are used to the sensation of blood being drawn from you, but this was much the opposite. You felt something flow into your empty veins, burning as it went down like a poison. Eventually you breath as the burning fades, you feel ill but the pain was gone. $M dislodges themselves from you, “That should do for now, you did so well.” You gripped at $M's shirt, your can't help but wonder if your grimy hands had ruined the pristine silk. “For now?” you shudder as you lean into them. “Of course, I said I'd protect you didn't I?” They smile longingly, “I will make you everlasting if I must, nobody will ever separate us again.” “Right.” You laugh tiredly, not really understanding what they meant but you didn't have it in you to care. As long as $M was with you, anything else was secondary.

You return to the waking world with a gasp, still propped up where you were left dying. Your eyes race around the room and you find it as it was before, if not a bit dustier. The cracks along the decaying wall remains, the sun filtering through the moth hole ridden curtains. But your eyes land on a travel sack a few feet away. It wasn't yours, you think the swarm ripped that to pieces in the frenzy. But on top of it rested your twin blades. You stare in utter exhaustion and disbelief before pulling yourself together. You crawl toward the bag and find some of the items ripped off of you, some food you definitely hadn't packe and a new travel cloak. You pull at the cloak to inspect it, you think you've seen it before but your foggy mind offers nothing once more. It's not long after you get some food down you are on the road once more, as always. But after a night like that, you don't find yourself wandering to the nearest hunter's fortress like you usually would. You don't know where you are going just yet, and you simply let your feet take your wherever the wind blows. Perhaps they would lead you to something to make your forget that encounter ever happened.

<> "Name's <<cycle "$name" >> <<option "D'Angelo">> <<option "Diane">> <<option "Dante">> <</cycle>> ," you reply quietly. <> [[Next|B1]]

<> “You aren't <<cycle "$M" >> <<option "Malik">> <<option "Malika">> <</cycle>>!” You use what was left of your strength to fight your way out of the monster's hold, through your valiant efforts you only end up a pained pile on the floor as you tumbled of the seat. The vampire simply looks down at you, not moving an inch. <> [[Next|6B]]

<<set $name to "null">> <<set $M to "null">> <<set $title to "null">>