Teal eyes stared back at Jacqueline through the mirror, her own eyes of course, but she couldn't help but feel nervous. She was brushing her hair at two in the morning, silly, but true. She had woken up far earlier than she would have liked, but there was nothing she could do about it now. She pulled a painful knot out of her strawberry blonde locks and slipped out of her night gown, tightening the bindings around her torso to keep her chest looking flat. She slipped over to her closet gracefully without even trying. She grabbed the first dress she could find and slipped it on. Now usually maids were to assist royalty with tasks such as this, but she never liked it as a child and she wouldn't have it now. Espeically since her parents were generous enough to arrange her marriage. Not! She finished with her outfit and quickly left her room. Hopefully someone would be up at this time of night, cause she was dreadfully bored. She also wondered when the king and his little group would arrive. She had been here three days with her four friends. Making her way down the dark hallway was a scary act at night, the sound of her barefoot steps just creeped her out.

Sapphire sighed to herself, sitting down in the front foyer of the castle. Three days, no men. Unless you count the cooks and butlers. She liked this place already. But her paradise would end as soon as the king and his friends arrived. She only came for Jackie, otherwise she never would have said yes. She flipped the page of her book, changing her position against the chair. She was wearing pants instead of a dress, something unheard of in the world of royalty, but she couldn't sit this way in a dress, plus no one was usually awake at these hours. That too would change seeing as the king and his group were Vampires. She'd heard a few of her friends were scared of them, but she wasn't alarmed by the fact they drank blood and she could become a potential meal, but the fact that they were male did. She has been scared of men ever since.. 'no I mustn't think of that..' she reminded herself, rolling her eyes as she flipped seven more pages. "I hate thinking while reading..it makes it much harder to speed read.."

Manami struggled with the food store lock... again. Ever sence she came to this stupid castle she came and raided the food store in the kitchen every night. Of course the dang cook locked it but it was never something Manami couldn't handle easily. Apparently she had gotten a new lock. Pulling out a broach pin, Manami tried agian; this time with more determination. When the lock clicked open, she grinned with happiness. So much for the new lock.

Tugging out some bread slices, Manami decided to keep it at that. She wasn't really hungry anyways. Glancing down the hallways, she hurried towards a tapistry and stepped behind it. So far it was the only secret she had discovered, but that will change. Glancing around, Manami renewed her grin. Apparently there was only three ways to get into the old sitting room: Through the tapistry, through some bookcase, and behind a mirror that was set up in a dusty bedroom.

She flopped onto an old couch and laughed at the cloud of dust that came as a result. Manami was about to take a big bite out of her bread when she remembered Saphire was often up this late herself. But that brought in some more memories, ones that were more unwanted. The only reason she agreed to stay in the old castle was because Jackie and her other best friends needed her. However the castle wasn't that bad. If only vampires weren't comming too.

Walking briskly, Manami finally arrived at the front foyer of the castle, where Saphire normally was. "Whats up?", she asked and casually handed Saphire a slice of bread afer sitting on a nearby chair.

Sapphire smiled a bit, gladly accepting the bread from Manami, "Raided past that new lock have we my friend?" she asked with an amused tone, barely looking up from her book. She was rather fond of Manami, she was thoughtful and Sapphire liked that about a person. She took a bite of the bread, enjoying it a moment before swallowing, "Thank you. I can see that you're being kind as always." she grinned, lowering her book to her lap.

It wasn't often that Sapphire would give up reading, but for the girls who have helped her through their teenage years, she'd stop reading for the rest of her life if she had to. Brown eyes examined her friend, "The usual reading, you know me... You don't seem to have your appetite today, is something bothering you?" those were the words that came from the dark haired girl, aimed toward her lighter haired friend. She took a sip of water from a glass placed on the nearest coffee table. It was most likely a result of a past venture into the kitchen she herself made, "Manami..I...I've heard about..." she began, but decided not to voice it.

She knew Manami never said it verbally, and she only heard it through a maid's rumor. It probably wasn't true anyhow. "The truth is..you know I'm not all that enthralled to have them over here either.. but Jackie is married to one of them. It bothers me most that, I don't know who we're handing her over to..." she stated with a shiver and lowly added in a whisper, "He better be a good man...if there is such a thing that is.." Her worry faded from her eyes. "But thats why we're here, to make sure nothing happens to Jackie, and get treated like Royalty." she said with a mischevious grin only her friends had the liberty to see.

Manami began munching on her bread happily, but everted her eyes when Saphire mentioned the vamps and their king. "Ya... I hope he's good to her...", Manami agreed softly, but grinned back at Saphire. "Or at least he better.", she added teasingly. "But you know I wonder...", Manami pondered while gazing up at the ceiling. "What are his buddies going to be like, and more importantly, are they jerks or not.", she fininshed, now looking at her friend. Although Manami could handle things like locks, secret passageways, and other challenges, she could not even think about vampires without freezing up a bit. If Manami couldn't even think about them, how the heck was she going to live with five?! Then Manami shook the thought from her head; deal with the impossible to avoid when they come, was her motto. It's not any use overthinking them.

She swallowed the last bite of her bread. "Other than that, nothing is bothering me!", Manami assured Saphire. Adjusting her chair postion a bit, she added," And these nights where we can roam the castle freely. I suppose they will be going out the window soon, sence vampires don't sleep and all." Still, that wasn't enough reason to stop her kitchen raids; it was nice to have a routine for once. "Will this be the end of Saphire's reading nights...?", Manami asked, her voice wistfull yet playfull at the same time.

She grinned at Manami, "Yeah, he better be good to her, remember how we scared the last suitor off?" Sapphire asked, her mind wandering off to better days, before their friend was involved in the politics of her country, "Thats what he got for being a womanizer.. I can't remember his name for the life of me.. we should ask Jackie later." She took another bite of bread, then frowned a little, "I don't care what they're like as long as they don't bother me or any of you." She stated with a edgy tone, one that meant business. She wasn't afraid of Vampires, infact, she'd slain one in the past, a newborn vampire, but still a vampire, "If they're smart, they won't mess with you guys.." She winked. She was afraid of males, but when it came to her friends, she could brave anything. How else would she have met Jackie? She stood standing infront of the royal gaurd for hours, she thought she was going to die of a heart attack until Jackie had called them off, "How long have you know her, you seem to do anything for her.."

Sapphire's eyes scanned Manami, then shook her head, "We shall roam as freely as we wish, I got you a present." She took a small box out of her jacket pocket and handed it to Manami, "It's a cross necklace, it might not work, I'm not exactly sure if thats myth, but even false security is comforting." she informed her friend, "I will be reading every night as I have been, if the vampires are smart, they will not bother me." she informed Manami, sitting back down where she was before.

Serena was brushing her hair when she joined Manami and Sapphire. She actually looked bored, an expression that looked odd to her lips. Almost always one would find her peaking around places with interest, or putting her eyes out to find any good-looking guys that passed. But in truth, there were no good-looking guys here that could perk her interest. All of the ones in this create big 'house of rock', as she liked to call it, were either butlers or cooks, and all were tons older than she. She gave a heaving sigh and sat in one of the armchairs, sideways of course, so her legs hanged over the armrest. "How can you people be so calm?" she groaned, combing through her golden locks with her fingers to get out any tangles the brush has missed. "I want to see the vampires already!" Serena had never actually been afraid of vampires; actually, she got along with them rather well. They were all good looking, usually manored to the ladies, and had that elegant air about them. She always wanted to be a little like that, stunning but strong, graceful but firey.

Evangerline walked quickly down the dark corridor, she hated the darkness. It seemed to surrounded her, stealing away the light. She knew the castle well by now, she had visited Jackie often after her parent died. She had been her only friend, until she met the others that is. She moved towards the light of a bright candle that sat on the table beside Sapphire. The light attracted her like a moth, she often found herself gazing into fires, the light reminded her of that night...No, she thought, I must not think about that night, yet fire always reminded her on the warmth of her fathers old study. She approached the group, they were all her good friends now, but she had not known them before Jackie. She had always been quiet, and she did live far from here, but now that she knew them all here fear and quietness had disappeared. She smiled at the group, "Is everyone awake?" she asked moving to a free seat and perching on the edge.

Manami was about to answer Saphire when Serena showed up. (almost as if from out of nowhere, as usual) She had a certain way of brighting up any situation. Then Evangerline a few seconds later. "Yaa...", she responded to her question. "It seems so, except for Jackie, who's probably already up if my intuition is correct." Manami added in a matter-of-fact way. Then she held up two slices of bread tantalizingly before her. "You guys want two eat too?", Manami asked cheerfully.

However Serena's remark about seeing the vampires bothered her. Did she want to get bitten? Knowing Serena, Manami decided it could be a possibility.

The sound of horse's hooves pounding lightly (if that were possible) against the ground interrupted the serene silence of the night. A number of horses, with riders astride them, rode towards the castle in the distance. In the centre of the group was the vampire king, Dmitri Vladescu, and around him were a group of vampires, each astride their own horse--his closest friends. Seated atop a massive horse that was nearly as black as the soft darkness of the night, to one side of Dmitri, was a tall, broad-shouldered young man--or so this vampire appeared to be. He was covered entirely--except for his face and head--by a suit of grandiose, silver plate armour, and strapped to the horse was a longsword and a helmet that matched the suit of armour in its majesty and intimidation. It was a set of armour well suited for Vincent Evin, a high ranking vampiric knight and friend to the king.

Behind tendrils of smooth black hair, being constantly blown into his face by the gentle breeze, a look of distaste was visible in Vincent's dark eyes, and a scowl was clear on his pale, thin lips. What was the reason for his irritation, his dissatisfaction? A simple, single word that so irked Vincent.

"Humans."

Shaking his head as the word slipped through his twisted mouth, Vincent spoke nothing more. As if he wanted to waste time amongst those pitiful beings! However, as one of the king's knights--and one of his friends as well--Vincent was prepared to accompany Dmitri even to be amongst humans. It annoyed Vincent that this was even necessary--why, he thought, should the vampire kingdom desire peace with the humans when (or so Vincent felt) the vampire could easily overpower and crush the human kingdom? The answer evaded Vincent. If not for his loyalty to Dmitri--and, of course, to the vampire kingdom itself--perhaps Vincent's ideals would have been in line with the more radical vampire factions. But he refused to leave the king's side--even as they rode to that hated castle.

((Thought I'd introduce the vampires since they have yet to make an appearance))

"I'm not hungry, I ate earlier," Serena piped up, putting her brush down on the coffee table and running her fingers through her golden hair. It was only moments later that she picked up a distant rumbling, and though it was quiet, it was almost irresistable to her. She was out of her seat at a second's notice and was at the window, peering out, forehead against the glass, eager to see what was racing towards them. Because of the blackness of the night she couldn't see exactly what was happening, but horses was what she was thinking. That made sense, because after all, there was a vampire king being escorte in their direction. "I wonder if they're good looking," she said absently, more to herself than the other girls.

Vlad entered the hall his rapier blade in its hilt on his waist, more for show of his statues than need. He was draped in a lush red silk noble robe, which flowed across his body. His long lush black hair fell in waves, racing down his silk attire. In his left hand was a small cane, that matched his steps making a slight tapping sound every time they struck the cold stone.

His dark eyes scanned the room, searching for traces of this new queen, he rather enjoyed the idea. Humans in royalty? My what the scandal, or so was the word among the commoners. He himself was intrigued to find out if this held a modicum of truth, as what could be more humors than being married to a being that may try to have you for lunch? Indeed interesting enough to pull him away from a rather intense and delectable gladiatorial pit fight.

Stopping in the hall, with his right hand on his hip, and leaning on his cane lightly, a natural regal pose that Vlad adopted on instinct, he waited for a servant, maid, or whatever lowly little palace servant would come to take him to his destination, and source of his boundless curiosity.

Manami heard heard the words that left Serena's mouth that could only mean one thing: the vamps were here. Manami's head jerked up as the front door on the castle opened up. Before she could react, a black-haired man strode into the room confidently, wearing rich cloths reserved for nobility. The only comfort Manami now held was the fact that he wasn't Jackie's new husband; the man in front of her would've trampled her friend's pride to the ground within days.

Now the man was leaning against his cane as if expecting servants to come out and begin waiting on him. That made Manami chuckle on the inside, the servants all slept at night and would only wake up when dawn came. However, she still couldn't let this guy start off with an inflated ego like that. Seriously, Manami had to protect Jackie from people like him. So swallowing her fear, Manami raised an eyebrow and asked calmly yet slightly sarcasticly," May I help you with something?".

Vlad turned his gaze to the new voice that had interrupted his thoughts, turning his head towards the source of the intrusion he saw a young girl... human, a pity. Glancing her up and down, he nodded with a small satisfaction, easily pushing away and forgetting her rather crude tone.

"Why yes I believe you may very well be able to aid me, tell me where is this human to be queen.. this Jacqueline, she has aroused my curiosity, and I would so love to meet the one who has spurred such a scandal among the nobility. it is to be a most... enjoyable experience."

Enjoyable experience?! Holy cow! What was up with this guy?! Was he some sort of pervert? Oh well. No weirdoes like him gets to talk to Jackie without good reason. "I'm so sorry, but Jackie is asleep right now", Manami replied, her voice dripping with more sarcasm. "We humans do that you know", she added for effect. Although Manami's expression didn't give it away, she scared out of her wits.

Gulping a bit, she yawned then took a bite out of her bread, momentarily forgetting about the vampire. In that short time, Manami happily asked," Hey what's your name anyways?", without thinking. Then she nearly chocked on her bread. "Gah! Er..., umm, sorry, My name is, Manami!", she burst out, automaticly trying to make up for chocking in the middle of a conversation. 'Aww, dammit Manami, you did it now, he's seen through your act it's all over...'. she thought to herself, now in her own little world.

Sapphire glared a bit, "Vampires are not good looking. You're the right kind of MEAL for them." she stated matter-of-factly, trying to speak some sense into her friend, "Serena please be careful, out of the five of us..you're the most likely to provoke these...men.. for lack of better terms." she began, picking her book up when she heard the sound of a sword. She didn't dare look up from her book for anything, "And now it starts.." she muttered bitterly. Her eyes cold as stone on the poor book in her hands. She tried to keep the rest of her thoughts to herself, she didn't want to stir herself into anything she didn't have to, but as soon as Jackie's name crossed his lips, her brown eyes instantly flew to the man, glaring intently, despite herself.


"Don't state your name first Manami....it's polite for the male to do so first, remember?" she said arching an eyebrow, trying to make her expression look more polite. She barely wanted to trust this Dmitri guy with her, so she definately wasn't going to entrust her friend to a man she didn't neccessarily have to. She forced herself to stand up, and she walked over to Manami, her hand squeezing her friend's shoulder, hoping to reassure her, but partly to reassure herself.

Jackie froze at the grand staircase, she knew her human friends hadn't heard her, they were too focused on interviewing the vampire downstairs to do so. She listened into the conversation for what felt like forever until she heard him ask for her, why did he want to meet her? was he Dmitri? She shivered a bit, she wasn't ready for this, not at all. She slowly began taking steps backwards, wondering how well vampire's hearing was. Regardless, she kept her steps light and quiet, glad that Manami told him she was sleeping. She'd have to thank her later. She quickly ran once she got a little ways down the hall. Cursing herself for not being able to join her friends downstairs, or even face the first of many vampire's she'd come across in her lifetime.

She wanted to be more like Serena, to be able to welcome them with open arms, no fear, no doubt. But she was afraid, afraid for her people, afraid for her friends, and selfishly afraid for herself. What if they didn't plan on negotiating at all? What if this was all a plan to kill her, the last of her family capable of ruling..? She couldn't help but snicker to herself at what Sapphire had said when the man first arrived, but it also worried her.. "The right kind of MEAL for them.." she repeated, tensing up as she made her way back to her room, stopping not even feet before she got to her door.

Evangerline watch her new found friends, glancing at the vampire that stood in the entrance way. He was obviously not the man that was to marry Jackie, she was glad, he didn't seem to be he sort of person to marry orlike humans. She walked slowly to the others and looked shyly at the new vampire. Something about him was.....Strange. She hoped the other were not as intimating, but it might just be because she was nervous that she though this. She wondered if the comotion had woken Jackie, she hoped not. She glanced up the stairs, she wondered if she had time to go back upstairs, away from the new vampires that were arriving. She ws here now though all she could do was hide behind Manami and hope that the other vampires would come soon giving her an excuse to go upstairs.

"I take that rather offensively," Serena replied, sending a cold glance over to Sapphire. "Can I not be curious? I'm sure deep down you are too, but unlike me you keep it bottled up." She smiled her pretty smile, eyes lightening a little. "Cool down, Sapphire, we'll be fine." Her static gaze flickered over to the male vampire who had entered. Curiosity taking over, she lightly skipped over after Sapphire joined Manami. "Yes, names are rather important, so might we ask of yours?" Absently, out of habit, she twisted a strand of golden hair around her index finger, eyes innocently looking him over before meeting his own once more.

Vlad gazed passed both women to the stairs, deciding she was most likely up there, but he had all the time in the world. Turning his attention back to the girls, he tilted his head at their prudish behavior. How very unbecoming of a young woman.

Bowing his head he conceded to Serena "Indeed, I forget you creatures need sleep. You may ask, and I am inclined to answer. I am Count Vlad Von Carstein, seeing as how your... lady is ill disposed, I find myself without a purpose, and not yet ready to give up my search. Will you give me a tour of the castle, If you would be so gracious"

Vincent stepped into the castle, the heaviness of his steel boots creating a strangely muffled clash as their soles stepped onto the stone of the floor; the noise echoed somewhat before dying away as the vampiric knight stopped to survey what was around them. Beside him, to the left, was Count Vlad von Carstein--one of the close ring of nobility around the king; though, Vincent suspected, Vlad's manner of rising to power, and his current activities, were anything but noble, though that was of no concern to Vincent himself. His helmet was held under one arm, while his sword was now strapped to the back of his plate armour--a sword so long that even then it seemed just about to scrape against the stone of the castle floor. It was not, as may be thought by a human, meant to be intimidating--any true knight would know to keep his sword on his body at all times, even when meeting with...with these creatures.

At that moment, however, one of the girls there began to speak, and as Vlad responded the humans continued--the queen being nowhere in sight. The scowl returned to his face, as these human girls found it somehow appropriate to speak to the vampires in a tone unbefitting of addressing beings who were superior not just in rank but in all aspects. "Our names are of no importance to you," Vincent grunted. "We are here for one purpose, and it is not to be delayed here in this hall by a number of human girls."--saying the word with clear dislike. That was it--his distaste for humans had gotten the better of him, and he had spoken out of turn; that fact served only to irritate him further.

((Should we wait for the vampire king himself before continuing?))

Dmitri sighed as he walked in the castle, he wasn't too keen on the arranged marriage, but he didn't have much of a choice. He crossed his arms and glanced around the foyer before fully entering, there where four girls, though none of them where Jacqueline from the way it sounded. He shook his head as he entered the room, it didn't seem that the queen was there. So there he stood, next to Vincent as he listened to them speak. The human's manner of speech amused him slightly, enough that he smiled.

Vincent's comment, however, made him sigh in an exasperated way. He shook his head, he thought it best if they weren't always fighting, perhaps he should have shared that with his friend. He gave another small smile, "Please forgive Vincent, you must understand that this is all very new for us." He pleaded before adding, "It is a shame the queen is asleep, I would have liked to meet her."

He looked up at the stairs, thinking that must be where she was, though in reality he didn't much care. After just a second he turned back to the group of young women, "I am Dmitri, and you all must be friends of the queen, correct?"

((Bah, sorry for the wait on that.))

"Nice to meet you, sir, I'm Serena, and once everyone has arrived and is comfortable I'd be glad to show you around." The golden-haired girl tilted her head, only a flash of irritation in her eyes, though it was gone before anyone could notice. She nodded curtly to Vlad, knowing it was only fair to treat them with the kindest of fashions. But when another vampire approached she felt her jaw tense, annoyed by his words. "If you do mind, sir, this would happen to be our place of stay for the moment, so I do believe if anyone should be showed respect, it should be us. But don't mind me, sir, I'm just an insignificant human girl delaying and using up your time."

Serena's violet gaze flickered to another figure, and though he had not announced his rank, she knew he was the king. She dipped her head just as she had done for Vlad, maybe a little lower this time since this vampire was clearly a powerful person. "That would be right, sir, we're here to keep Jacqueline company while arrangements are made. If I may, my name is Serena, if you didn't hear prior to this point in time." She really, absolutely, positively hated being so curt and respective to these men, going by full names and titles and using big words, but if it was for Jackie's well-being then she'd do it.

Though she was having a tough time keeping her cool, she almost felt jealous towards the vampires. They were gorgeous, splendid, almost shining- not sparkling, just looking bright and full of life- in the lamp light. Serena continued to twist the strand of hair around her finger, hoping she looked just as elegant as they, though part of her doubted the fact.

Manami's head slowly turned towards the clank of armor. 'Even they wouldn't come here in armor...?', she thought to herself in disbelief. One of them did. Manami barely managed to hold off on screaming. The the guy was in full battle armor! What was she supossed to do now! Thankfully, her panic was put to a halt when another vampire showed up. He was the king, no doubt about it. Oh no! Evangerline! She would be more scared than Manami herself! Then the knight-guy made a comment that sent her temper flaring, automaticlly burning away any fear.

Narrowing her eyes, Manami decided not to give him a rude responce because of the king's apology. "Still.", she said distainfully." I think it would be apropriot to introduce yourselves, sence we will be living under the same roof." And without waiting for a responce, she whirled down a hallway, eventually out of their sight and into the tapistry room.

Sapphire glared at the second vampire, he was just getting under her skin in the worst of ways, "If he asks for our names, it is our right to know his also. PLUS your new QUEEN is a human, get used to it." She spat out angrily, following Manami. Her eyes fell to a third Vampire, one who by the way he stood and acted must have been the king, Dmitri, Jackie's husband.

"I'm Sapphire by the way, friend of the queen, and I apologize for my rudeness, your highness." She said as she passed Dmitri, a respective curtsy before continuing out of the room, "I welcome you, and I'm sure that Jacqueline would not mind you waking her, though I do warn you, she is rather jumpy and...well she doesn't filter her thoughts...if she says anything disrespectful she doesn't mean it, she'll apologize eventually." Sapphire added, her tone softening as she spoke about Jackie. She curtsied once more before heading up the stairs, "No one knock on, enter, or even try to get into the door with the cresent shaped symbol on it unless it is of dire importance."