Haruka sat in the empty study, the only sound filling the room was the occasional turn of the page, or the light creak of the chair. Her spar with Rikichi, the one that happened about four days ago, had left more than just a mark upon her. It had sparked a curiosity within her, one that she wanted to get rid of because it involved him. There had to be more information on these deals that Nero made. If Hajime was not the only one, surely someone, somewhere, might have mentioned something about it, or perhaps mentioned something strange. Or perhaps there was more to it than what Rikichi had stated. She rolled out her shoulders, feeling the ache in her muscles still, even if her injuries had long healed. She turned another page, and sighed heavily through her nose.
"This is getting me nowhere," she stated, closing the book softly as she leaned back in her chair. She closed her eyes briefly, pinching the bridge of her nose as she released a slow breath. So far, she had found absolutely nothing regarding the deals Nero made, or any information on who these other people could be. She had originally planned on going to Nero himself and asking about them, but he might have taken it the wrong way and might have diverted her attention to something else. She had no intentions of being dissuaded, and she had no intentions of going to him unprepared. Plus, she wanted to know exactly what she'd be getting herself into if she did go straight to the man.
She stood from her spot, listening to the chair scrape against the floor before picking up the book. She placed it back on its spot on the shelf, and grabbed another one, taking a moment to glance out of the door before making her way back to the desk. "Perhaps, I am not looking at the right things," she mused quietly to herself. Maybe she wasn't reading the right materials, or perhaps she wasn't looking in the right direction. She let an irritated sigh escape her.
Lia had spent the majority of the evening in her room, trying to catch up on some sleep. Running around with Einar seemed to take a lot out of her. Since the prison break, sheād helped him with two break-ins and a supply run, her suggestion, to the outlying towns. Theyād provided mostly coin, easy to hide and most versatile in procuring whatever was needed at the time. If they were smart with how they spent it, it would last a while, and nobody would ever know it had come from anywhere but their pitifully-paying jobs. It brought her satisfaction, the work, and she could see why Einar did it. But she wasnāt a vampire like him, and her human body could only take so much before she was dead-dog tired. So it was several hours after nightfall that she finally rolled out of bed, throwing her hair into a messy ponytail and sliding into a very casual dress. It wasnāt like she planned on going anywhere tonight. The Council was in recess, and there were no illegal shenanigans planned on her end for a good week. Apparently, Einar had something else to be doing, though he was as vague with the details as ever.
It was weird, but she trusted him, so she didnāt ask too many questions. Yawning, Aurelia padded down the hall, in search of breakfast, before stopping at the library when she heard someone moving around inside. She was pretty sure Nero said heād be out all night, so that left only one person it could really be, barring a very weird intruder who liked to read. Still, if her month with the Vigilante had taught her anything, it was that even the strange possibilities were still possible, and therefore had to be accounted for.
Thankfully, she heard Harukaās voice immediately thereafter, so she smiled and opened the door to the room, finding her neighbor engrossed in some books, surrounded by a rather impressive stack of them. She had an air of frustration about her, suggesting that she searched for something she had not found yet. Well, Lia had been reading in this library for years, so maybe she could help. āWell, what are you looking for?ā she asked, leaning a shoulder against the doorway and crossing her arms loosely. She tilted her head to the side. āMaybe I can help.ā
Haruka rose a brow when she heard Aurelia, glancing over towards Nero's ward. "Maybe," she stated as she picked herself back up, yawning before making space for Aurelia. "There has been some interesting information that came to light about your, ah, keeper," Haruka began explaining. It was rather interesting information, and knowing Aurelia, she might have more information on it, so perhaps she could point her in the right direction. She motioned for Aurelia to come and sit next to her, moving so that there was enough room for both of them to sit comfortably by the table.
"A friend of mine spoke of Nero and an ability of his, or rather, deals that he makes. I am uncertain exactly of what this means, however; it appears that my father has formed a contract with Nero, and I am curious as to what it entails. I can't seem to find anything on the matter, and that is my dilemma," she continued, sighing heavily as she leaned back into her chair. It really was starting to grate her nerves that she couldn't find anything about it. "And I'd rather wait and put off asking Nero directly about it."
Aurelia settled into the spot vacated by Haruka, listening intently as the other woman explained her problem. She wanted more information on Nero, and the deals he might have made? Lia supposed she was right to be curious; sheād entertained many of the same questions herself for a very long time. She thought about it for a little while, then decided it couldnāt hurt to share what she knew. Perhaps between them, they would be able to come to some of the answers that had eluded her alone since sheād been old enough to know the questions in the first place. āI donāt know of any bargain with the King,ā she said slowly, ābut I do know that Vasilās interference does tend toā¦ change things. Iām not exactly sure what happened when he saved my life or how he did it, but I know itā¦ changed me. Iām still just a human being, but I can do things that other humans canāt. My blood has certain properties, for oneāI can heal people, for instance.ā Obviously, it wasnāt commonly known, because she didnāt need to give anyone else a reason to try dining on her.
āSo at the very least, he can do something that gives people powers, I guess, though I donāt know if itās always like mine or if it can be different. The King doesnāt seem like the kind of person who cares much about healing people.ā she made a face, then pulled another one of the books towards herself, flipping through it, then setting it aside with a shake of her head.
āIf you want my advice? Donāt just read his books. Look for the ones heās written notes in. Iāve seen some of themāheāll correct history books, for one, likeā¦ really ancient history. Not just before the apocalypse, butā¦ way before, like ancient Egypt and such. I donāt know if heās really that old or if he just knows a lot, butā¦ weāre most likely to get clues from the things he says himself, not the things he reads.ā If he really was that old, he may know more about some of these things than any author could ever hope to.
"That explains the chicken scratch," Haruka replied nonchalantly, turning another page in a book. Though, the chicken scratch was a bit more than that. It was neatly written, the notes, and legible for the most part. She had seen a few notes on the side of some of the books she read, however; she didn't pay them much mind. She thought they were just little side notes, things to come back to later on and read again, or something. Kiyoshi did that sometimes, but apparently she should have paid a little more attention to it. She rose a brow, however, at Aurelia's earlier statement. Human, but different? She turned her attention fully to Aurelia. There were certain aspects of blood, vampire blood, that could heal as well, but perhaps this was different.
"You're right about Hajime, he's not the type to heal others, but I can assure you, his blood does not contain the same properties. There are, perhaps, a few vampires who have healing blood, but for you, a human, to have such a thing," she paused, leaning forward so that her chin rested against her hands. "Perhaps you are right. If Nero is as old as you believe him to be, there might be something in all of his chicken scratch," she concluded, pulling back and grabbing another book. She opened it, turned a few pages to find notes here and there. Most of the ones she found were corrections it seemed, and she sighed softly to herself. The next book she grabbed proved rather un-eventful, as did the next.
"He didn't seem to give Hajime very many powers. It was also mentioned that there was a price to pay, to Nero. I do not know what it is either, but it must be a steep price to pay if one wants power. I wonder, what did my father give up to attain what he has now," she scoffed as she picked up another book. "Though I am curious as to what happened to you," she stated, glancing up from her book as she stared at Aurelia. "You said that Nero saved you, somehow, and you obtained a gift in the process."
Aurelia had chosen to spend her time going very carefully through a book on documented vampire bloodlines, apparently a subject in which Nero was clearly an expert. His notations seemed to follow the progress of various powers through different families, and occasionally a name was circled, with additional notes to the side about power mutations, or occasionally something like telepathyāusual bargain or side effect: pyrokinetic childrenāvolatile. It was at once fascinating and a little scary. If what this seemed to imply was true, then Nero had made about a dozen of these bargains in history, and every time, they had significantly changed the fortunes of the family involved, sometimes for the better and sometimes worse. The family with the volatile pyrokinetic children had vanished from existence, after another generation. The book didnāt say why, but it wasnāt too hard to guess, all things considered.
Interestingly, one line started fairly late, and the first person in it was marked as atypical bargain: servitudeācontractor of merit. The name beneath it was Sakuragi, Rikichi. āLook at this!ā She told Haruka, pointing to the entry. āIt looks like whatever he does, he made a bargain with Rikichi, and the price was servitude of some kind. It says atypical thoughā¦ and thereās no way thatās what he asked the King for. Vasil isnāt always kind, but heās not deliberately cruel like that, either.ā There was just no way he was the one making the King do the horrible things he did. No way at all. The note about Rikichi was intriguing though; sheād seen them together before, and they did not act the way a master and a servant didāNero professed disdain for keeping servants generally, even. So why have one? Was the normal price so bad that servitude was somehow a better alternative?
Harukaās statements drew her out of her thoughts, and she smiled slightly, a bit of melancholy at the edges. āI never knew my parents,ā she said softly. āWho they were or what they did, even where they came from. When Vasil found me, I was dying. I wasnāt more than three, maybe, and Iād been attacked. He could have left me there, but he didnāt.ā She paused a moment, pursing her lips and lapsing into thought before she continued. āWith me, there was no bargain. Iāve never had to give him anythingāand heās been very clear about that. He doesnāt seem to want me to feel obligated. Itās nice in one way, because Iāve always been free to do as I like, butā¦ sometimes, I wish he was a little moreā¦ I wish he would show me that he cared what happened to me.ā She snorted, shaking her head at herself.
āI know he does, but heās notā¦ he doesnāt express things well, I think. It must be harder for him to feel, than for other people. It makes him seem colder than he really is. I don't know why he makes these bargains or what he gets out of them, butā¦ but I donāt think heād be upset with you if you just asked. He might even tell you what your father got, and what he paid.ā She hoped Haruka wasnāt thinking of trying to make one, or if she did, that she at least knew what she was doing. Vasil might not be cruel, but he was very clever, and had no issues using that capacity when he desired to.
Haruka glanced up from her book when Aurelia found something. Rikichi...made a deal? That explained how he knew about it, but his price was servitude? She didn't take Rikichi as a servant type, and from what she remembered, she didn't recall Nero ever having a need for servants. Perhaps their deal was a little different. She should ask him about that, thought it would be best to go to the source. She blinked slowly when Aurelia began describing parts of her childhood. From what she saw, and the way he responded when she first came to him, Nero did care a deal about Aurelia. He might have cared about what happened to her as well, however; she couldn't say for sure if he did. She sighed softly, leaning back in her chair as she regarded Aurelia.
"I am sure it affects him in some way. Some people are not very good at expressing themselves, but I do believe he does care, in some odd way, about what happened to you. It is why he protects you," she replied, shifting her gaze towards the door. Perhaps she would take Aurelia's advice though. She could go ask Nero herself, and now that she had enough info, or so she'd like to believe, it wouldn't be so awkward. "It would be interesting to know what Hajime received. One of the terms on the contract they formed was that Nero couldn't kill him, or something of that nature. And Nero could, apparently, kill Hajime. Shame really, he'd be doing the world a favor," she stated, sighing a bit harshly.
"Thank you, Lia, for helping. I have found some information about these deals Nero makes. I think I may go have a talk with him, soon," she spoke, a soft smile gracing her lips before it turned into a smirk. "So, what treason has Lia planned as of late?"
"This is getting me nowhere," she stated, closing the book softly as she leaned back in her chair. She closed her eyes briefly, pinching the bridge of her nose as she released a slow breath. So far, she had found absolutely nothing regarding the deals Nero made, or any information on who these other people could be. She had originally planned on going to Nero himself and asking about them, but he might have taken it the wrong way and might have diverted her attention to something else. She had no intentions of being dissuaded, and she had no intentions of going to him unprepared. Plus, she wanted to know exactly what she'd be getting herself into if she did go straight to the man.
She stood from her spot, listening to the chair scrape against the floor before picking up the book. She placed it back on its spot on the shelf, and grabbed another one, taking a moment to glance out of the door before making her way back to the desk. "Perhaps, I am not looking at the right things," she mused quietly to herself. Maybe she wasn't reading the right materials, or perhaps she wasn't looking in the right direction. She let an irritated sigh escape her.
Lia had spent the majority of the evening in her room, trying to catch up on some sleep. Running around with Einar seemed to take a lot out of her. Since the prison break, sheād helped him with two break-ins and a supply run, her suggestion, to the outlying towns. Theyād provided mostly coin, easy to hide and most versatile in procuring whatever was needed at the time. If they were smart with how they spent it, it would last a while, and nobody would ever know it had come from anywhere but their pitifully-paying jobs. It brought her satisfaction, the work, and she could see why Einar did it. But she wasnāt a vampire like him, and her human body could only take so much before she was dead-dog tired. So it was several hours after nightfall that she finally rolled out of bed, throwing her hair into a messy ponytail and sliding into a very casual dress. It wasnāt like she planned on going anywhere tonight. The Council was in recess, and there were no illegal shenanigans planned on her end for a good week. Apparently, Einar had something else to be doing, though he was as vague with the details as ever.
It was weird, but she trusted him, so she didnāt ask too many questions. Yawning, Aurelia padded down the hall, in search of breakfast, before stopping at the library when she heard someone moving around inside. She was pretty sure Nero said heād be out all night, so that left only one person it could really be, barring a very weird intruder who liked to read. Still, if her month with the Vigilante had taught her anything, it was that even the strange possibilities were still possible, and therefore had to be accounted for.
Thankfully, she heard Harukaās voice immediately thereafter, so she smiled and opened the door to the room, finding her neighbor engrossed in some books, surrounded by a rather impressive stack of them. She had an air of frustration about her, suggesting that she searched for something she had not found yet. Well, Lia had been reading in this library for years, so maybe she could help. āWell, what are you looking for?ā she asked, leaning a shoulder against the doorway and crossing her arms loosely. She tilted her head to the side. āMaybe I can help.ā
Haruka rose a brow when she heard Aurelia, glancing over towards Nero's ward. "Maybe," she stated as she picked herself back up, yawning before making space for Aurelia. "There has been some interesting information that came to light about your, ah, keeper," Haruka began explaining. It was rather interesting information, and knowing Aurelia, she might have more information on it, so perhaps she could point her in the right direction. She motioned for Aurelia to come and sit next to her, moving so that there was enough room for both of them to sit comfortably by the table.
"A friend of mine spoke of Nero and an ability of his, or rather, deals that he makes. I am uncertain exactly of what this means, however; it appears that my father has formed a contract with Nero, and I am curious as to what it entails. I can't seem to find anything on the matter, and that is my dilemma," she continued, sighing heavily as she leaned back into her chair. It really was starting to grate her nerves that she couldn't find anything about it. "And I'd rather wait and put off asking Nero directly about it."
Aurelia settled into the spot vacated by Haruka, listening intently as the other woman explained her problem. She wanted more information on Nero, and the deals he might have made? Lia supposed she was right to be curious; sheād entertained many of the same questions herself for a very long time. She thought about it for a little while, then decided it couldnāt hurt to share what she knew. Perhaps between them, they would be able to come to some of the answers that had eluded her alone since sheād been old enough to know the questions in the first place. āI donāt know of any bargain with the King,ā she said slowly, ābut I do know that Vasilās interference does tend toā¦ change things. Iām not exactly sure what happened when he saved my life or how he did it, but I know itā¦ changed me. Iām still just a human being, but I can do things that other humans canāt. My blood has certain properties, for oneāI can heal people, for instance.ā Obviously, it wasnāt commonly known, because she didnāt need to give anyone else a reason to try dining on her.
āSo at the very least, he can do something that gives people powers, I guess, though I donāt know if itās always like mine or if it can be different. The King doesnāt seem like the kind of person who cares much about healing people.ā she made a face, then pulled another one of the books towards herself, flipping through it, then setting it aside with a shake of her head.
āIf you want my advice? Donāt just read his books. Look for the ones heās written notes in. Iāve seen some of themāheāll correct history books, for one, likeā¦ really ancient history. Not just before the apocalypse, butā¦ way before, like ancient Egypt and such. I donāt know if heās really that old or if he just knows a lot, butā¦ weāre most likely to get clues from the things he says himself, not the things he reads.ā If he really was that old, he may know more about some of these things than any author could ever hope to.
"That explains the chicken scratch," Haruka replied nonchalantly, turning another page in a book. Though, the chicken scratch was a bit more than that. It was neatly written, the notes, and legible for the most part. She had seen a few notes on the side of some of the books she read, however; she didn't pay them much mind. She thought they were just little side notes, things to come back to later on and read again, or something. Kiyoshi did that sometimes, but apparently she should have paid a little more attention to it. She rose a brow, however, at Aurelia's earlier statement. Human, but different? She turned her attention fully to Aurelia. There were certain aspects of blood, vampire blood, that could heal as well, but perhaps this was different.
"You're right about Hajime, he's not the type to heal others, but I can assure you, his blood does not contain the same properties. There are, perhaps, a few vampires who have healing blood, but for you, a human, to have such a thing," she paused, leaning forward so that her chin rested against her hands. "Perhaps you are right. If Nero is as old as you believe him to be, there might be something in all of his chicken scratch," she concluded, pulling back and grabbing another book. She opened it, turned a few pages to find notes here and there. Most of the ones she found were corrections it seemed, and she sighed softly to herself. The next book she grabbed proved rather un-eventful, as did the next.
"He didn't seem to give Hajime very many powers. It was also mentioned that there was a price to pay, to Nero. I do not know what it is either, but it must be a steep price to pay if one wants power. I wonder, what did my father give up to attain what he has now," she scoffed as she picked up another book. "Though I am curious as to what happened to you," she stated, glancing up from her book as she stared at Aurelia. "You said that Nero saved you, somehow, and you obtained a gift in the process."
Aurelia had chosen to spend her time going very carefully through a book on documented vampire bloodlines, apparently a subject in which Nero was clearly an expert. His notations seemed to follow the progress of various powers through different families, and occasionally a name was circled, with additional notes to the side about power mutations, or occasionally something like telepathyāusual bargain or side effect: pyrokinetic childrenāvolatile. It was at once fascinating and a little scary. If what this seemed to imply was true, then Nero had made about a dozen of these bargains in history, and every time, they had significantly changed the fortunes of the family involved, sometimes for the better and sometimes worse. The family with the volatile pyrokinetic children had vanished from existence, after another generation. The book didnāt say why, but it wasnāt too hard to guess, all things considered.
Interestingly, one line started fairly late, and the first person in it was marked as atypical bargain: servitudeācontractor of merit. The name beneath it was Sakuragi, Rikichi. āLook at this!ā She told Haruka, pointing to the entry. āIt looks like whatever he does, he made a bargain with Rikichi, and the price was servitude of some kind. It says atypical thoughā¦ and thereās no way thatās what he asked the King for. Vasil isnāt always kind, but heās not deliberately cruel like that, either.ā There was just no way he was the one making the King do the horrible things he did. No way at all. The note about Rikichi was intriguing though; sheād seen them together before, and they did not act the way a master and a servant didāNero professed disdain for keeping servants generally, even. So why have one? Was the normal price so bad that servitude was somehow a better alternative?
Harukaās statements drew her out of her thoughts, and she smiled slightly, a bit of melancholy at the edges. āI never knew my parents,ā she said softly. āWho they were or what they did, even where they came from. When Vasil found me, I was dying. I wasnāt more than three, maybe, and Iād been attacked. He could have left me there, but he didnāt.ā She paused a moment, pursing her lips and lapsing into thought before she continued. āWith me, there was no bargain. Iāve never had to give him anythingāand heās been very clear about that. He doesnāt seem to want me to feel obligated. Itās nice in one way, because Iāve always been free to do as I like, butā¦ sometimes, I wish he was a little moreā¦ I wish he would show me that he cared what happened to me.ā She snorted, shaking her head at herself.
āI know he does, but heās notā¦ he doesnāt express things well, I think. It must be harder for him to feel, than for other people. It makes him seem colder than he really is. I don't know why he makes these bargains or what he gets out of them, butā¦ but I donāt think heād be upset with you if you just asked. He might even tell you what your father got, and what he paid.ā She hoped Haruka wasnāt thinking of trying to make one, or if she did, that she at least knew what she was doing. Vasil might not be cruel, but he was very clever, and had no issues using that capacity when he desired to.
Haruka glanced up from her book when Aurelia found something. Rikichi...made a deal? That explained how he knew about it, but his price was servitude? She didn't take Rikichi as a servant type, and from what she remembered, she didn't recall Nero ever having a need for servants. Perhaps their deal was a little different. She should ask him about that, thought it would be best to go to the source. She blinked slowly when Aurelia began describing parts of her childhood. From what she saw, and the way he responded when she first came to him, Nero did care a deal about Aurelia. He might have cared about what happened to her as well, however; she couldn't say for sure if he did. She sighed softly, leaning back in her chair as she regarded Aurelia.
"I am sure it affects him in some way. Some people are not very good at expressing themselves, but I do believe he does care, in some odd way, about what happened to you. It is why he protects you," she replied, shifting her gaze towards the door. Perhaps she would take Aurelia's advice though. She could go ask Nero herself, and now that she had enough info, or so she'd like to believe, it wouldn't be so awkward. "It would be interesting to know what Hajime received. One of the terms on the contract they formed was that Nero couldn't kill him, or something of that nature. And Nero could, apparently, kill Hajime. Shame really, he'd be doing the world a favor," she stated, sighing a bit harshly.
"Thank you, Lia, for helping. I have found some information about these deals Nero makes. I think I may go have a talk with him, soon," she spoke, a soft smile gracing her lips before it turned into a smirk. "So, what treason has Lia planned as of late?"