Alan and Zakia made some witty exchanges and while Zakia declined the duel with a diplomatic answer Alan seemed to challenge for one. “Believe me sir, should you with to have a friendly duel to test your skill I would be happy to accommodate you later.” He said to the Outlander, but there was something strange about him, something that made his mind burn with an intense desire to strike out at him, the ring growing hot in the process.

Kaiden accomplished his duties in his usual manner of swiftness and subtly, “Well done my old friend, I believe that will suffice for services at the moment. The only other order I can give is that you sit and enjoy the meal with us,” he said knowing that Kaiden wouldn’t refuse such an order as he poured him a purified glass of blood, “I heard about your little encounter with Selina earlier from a few of the maids, I’ll have to speak with my dearest cousin about treating our personal vassals with more respect.” He said as he had a seat brought over for Kaiden at the other end of the table near Mars.

The ice lord entered, making a flashy display before taking his seat just in time for the toast. “I agree, a toast, to each of you men. May you efforts be fair and bare the fruit of your labors.” He called, adding under his breath, “but the tree be fruitless in the end.” He didn’t like the look of these suitors and didn’t like the idea of forcing his sister into marriage, a duty that should have been his if he had been fit for the throne now passed as unpleasantness to Isabella. He made note that Selina had already downed her glass, it could have been that she hadn't poinsoned all the goblets, yet that fact only helped to dispell her guilt. He would have to investigate.

Gabriel was surprised when asked about his glass by the other body guard, “I can assure you the impurities are not in this glass, however,” he picked up the tablet of toxins that he had formed after drawing them out and placed them in a glass of water, which turned black as night, causing him to frown. “Sister, your glass.” He said without awaiting permission to take the goblet and smell it, his eyes wide. “What do you think Mars?” he asked as he passed the glass on to her while pouring his sister another glass and personally draining the poison, it was too late to prevent exposure but he wanted to avoid panic for her, an increased heart rate would only increase the poison’s spread. He motioned to Mars to be silent as she observed the blood in her reaction and looked to Kaiden, almost telepathically tell him to find everyone that the glass had come into contact with in the palace and detain them, though it could have been that they had known each other long enough to be able to speak at a glance.

Selinia

Selinia watched the little fight of words between her cousin and these two suitors. It seemed like this foolish stand-in for a suitor would even go this far and show off his talents. Well, if he would kill Gabriel in the process, Selinia would be more than grateful. Her eyes wandered from one to another of them, enjoying the tension between them as Alan confessed to manipulate the show above them. Far more interesting for her seemed to be the man, Gabriel called Lord Zakia. He seemed to respect him in someway and from what she heard they were equal opponents on the field. Of course this would mean that he still would be far inferior to Selinia, just like her two cousin. None in the entire family could equal her, but they were just a pest, should she have to worry about all of them. Her eyes blurred for a moment, so she blinked, after she opened her eyes, it seemed gone. She still felt... unwell, but it could also be that disgusting appearance of a cousin next to her. This false smile of hers, hopefully she would choke on her own foul blood someday. Her head felt slightly dizzy as she listened to the flattering words of Zakia. She spoke to him, responding to his quite entertaining chatter.

"We will ..." She had to shake her head for a moment "...see about th(at)...."

She lowered her head quickly as she had to cough, some blood spilled out of her throat on the empty plate in front of her. Before she could say another thing, another way of coughs hit her. Even though she tried to cover her mouth with her sleeve, you could see small strains of blood all around it. She looked at it in surprise, she didn't seem to have expected that in any way. She tried to stand up. She knew what would help her know... fresh blood. She could her the blood rushing in her ears as her pulse went wild. She threw herself on the closest maid, the one that had replaced her handmaiden for this banquet. Desperately she bite down into her neck forcefully, nearly ripping the flesh out, as she drank from the blood. As soon as she tried to swallow it, another wave of coughs caught her and she spit the maid's own blood all over the deep wound in her neck. Finally she couldn't take it anymore, as Selinia passed out directly behind her seat.

Tuula’s eyes shot up when her and her sister were addressed by the suitor who had barged into Isabella’s room earlier that day. Oh dear, he was also the one Ela had given a nice shock to, hopefully she’d behave. Then again, Gabriel had said the threats were an unknown female and male, what if he was the male. This thought caused her to immediately be suspicious of him but she smiled towards him and nodded her head. “Good evening to you sir. I saw you earlier today but I must apologize I don’t recall your name or where you come from.”

The food was served as she continued to wait for an answer from Alexis and Areon made a flashy entrance which caused her to smirk. There was chatter everywhere and while her eyes were politely on Alexis, she was constantly sneaking glances at all the suitors trying to figure out who might be the threat. Areon must have seen the look on her face and he questioned if he could be any help. Taking a breath she readied herself to make some sort of excuse, after all she was sure that Gabriel didn’t want any to know if he had told them in confidence. “No, I can assure you everything is fine.” Giving him a grin, she turned back to Alexis as Isabella spoke to Areon.

"Sir," Melissa said to Gabriel. "I only said something because your wine looks blood red. Unless it is some form of wine I have never seen before, I never thought red wine was that hue of red. I apologize for getting all worked up..." Her words faltered as Gabriel's attention turned to the princess and a blind court official whom Melissa recognized as a bodyguard - probably as capable, if not more so than herself in spite of her obvious affliction. Suddenly one of the nobles began to cough up blood. She was drinking the same type of wine the Royal Family drank.
"Your highness, sir!" Melissa gasped. "Your wine!" Melissa resisted the urge to jump up, knock away the wine from the Royal Family, and shove her fingers down the poisoned noblewoman's throat. That was the blind guard's job. Yet before anyone could react, the noblewoman turned and attacked a servant, appearing to bite her like a feral animal. Melissa could have swore the noblewoman actually bit clean through the servant's throat and tried to suck on it before coughing again and passing out. Melissa's instinct was to leap over the table and assist the noblewoman, but again, the blind lady could do that. Melissa's duty was to her master. Fortunately, hers and Alexis' wine was the normal color. Still, Melissa reached into a fold in her shirt and pulled out a flask containing a special potion made by one of her ancestor's brother-in-laws centuries ago that would render her impervious to any known or unknown poison. She took a drop, then sampled hers and Alexis' wine.

Alexis smiled at the twin who addressed him. "Yes, you were with the princess. I know I should say it to the princess, but I do apologize. A little nervous, that's all. My name is Alexis Soliarous. I come from the nation of Sierria; it's on a continent across the sea. Maybe you've heard of it. Anyway..." He was interupted by a loud noise, and turned around to see what it was. He shook his head a bit to clear his vision: he could have sworn there was an entire chorus line of men apologizing for a late entrance. Perhaps some of the performers made use of a hallucinogenic drug too. When he'd recomposed himself, the twin who responded to him was looking at him again. "Sorry about that. Started to freak out there for a little bit."Gods, that was a dumb thing to say. Hope I'm not turning red. Why should I be, the princess is too busy getting drunk. Her brother's offering her another glass. She probably wouldn't notice. But her friends might bad-mouth me more than they probably already have. Recovering himself again, he continued, "Anyway, I never met your aquantince, Ms..."

Alan glanced across at Gabriel as he spoke "It should be good, not many of my people get to claim they are what they are. We don't do things like this in the towns that hire us and so we don't waste our time on such things as 'who is the best', we normally just work by guarding the town, its insides and out. Just for a place to call home for a few weeks. Sometimes wealthy families will sometimes hire us, most of the time it is because they fear assassination and there has never been a success to anyone under our care."

He was cut off by Selina's coughing, if he actually was Lord Hunce he would of reacted straight away but as it was it took him until she was acting crazy to realize she had been poisoned.
He took a piece of parchment out of his pocket and held it up to the sky. As he looked at it parts of the paper burst into flame, once these flames died down it appeared Alan had 'written' a lengthy letter to someone in a language no one here would ever of seen before.
He rolled the parchment up before holding it in the shadows under the table and letting the shadows take it to his sister.

He stood up once was done and went to move around the table while he talked to Selina "You have been poisoned, don't worry, my healer will be here in a matter of minutes", he had actually made it halfway around the table before Selina collapsed, suddenly Alan was gone, only a silver blur as he 'appeared' behind Selina, caught her and the maid she had been drinking from and detached the two before lowering the maid down on the ground.
He held Selina as he become aware of the footsteps outside in the hall.

___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Bella had gotten up feeling quite refreshed. It was amazing what having a gods blood in your veins can do for you.
She sighed as she stood up, she was still confused about the dream which she had gotten that night. It was the only one that had stayed in one place and she actually remembered it.

Putting it out of her mind she walked off and had a bath letting the water finish the process of refreshing.

Once she got out she put on the same type of clothes she had been wearing previously before walking over to her bed, it was now she noticed the letter on it which she quickly snatched up and read. She had to hold it on her red bed sheet to read to properly but she got it done fast.

Taking a breath she walked over to her mirror and muttered three simple spells, one turned her hair light brown, one turned her eyes green, and the last made her skin look golden tanned. Taking a deep breath she stepped into the shadows and appeared near the doors to the banquet hall.

She stepped back again into the shadows and appeared behind Alan, she raised her hands and pure white light went from them into Selina and the maid at the same time that Zakia would start his magic.
Her magic was the one thing the twins had gotten from their mother. The only bit of holy magic that the twins knew.
As the magic hit Selina it renewed each and every cell of her body back to when it was formed, in a human this could be an extreme change, in a vampire it would have hardly any effect other then fixing anything that was wrong. The magic would act like the ultimate immune response with the whole body backing it to renew a body.

The two polar opposites in healing magic were likely about to make a show alright.

Mars leapt to her feet two of her swords drawn as Selina began to act with a bit to much desperation and violence then usually. “Lady Selina!” She said moving quickly to Selina’s side… though she’d otherwise enjoy this in thought form… she didn’t however want one of the royal family dying in her watch. She was about to invoke her healing magic when Zakia leaped over the table. “Tend to the immediate royal family… there is no reason to poison her unless the princess is aimed for death as well…” Mars reluctantly fell back and invoked her magic to draw out the toxins of the royal family if their was any Princess, Prince, //as I assume the King and Queen would want their children saved first.// then the Queen and King. //its aimed at neutralizing foreign toxins in the stomach and blood stream, it will not cure diseases though.//



Zakia had leapt over the table and shooed the strange sun vampire away. He pressed one hand over Selinia’s mouth and another over the maids gapping wound. “Eldist Jei…” He said slowly his hands erupting in pitch black energy as a violet column of light descended onto each of his hands blackness rose up each of the pillars, poison and wound a like was drawn from the Selina and the maid’s body. “Zatolen gives you the life which tried to escape you…” He said slowly standing up… certain people would see through his guise that such a spell did not phase him… but he was weary… he was not a caster… such magics made him feel as if he’d just wrestled with a dragon… and lost. The holy magic seemed to stop at the violet pillars flowing upwards along them until they vanished past the roof, Zakia grimaced as the holy energy burned his skin and now quite unhappy at the assault against himself. "So... the assassin shows themself..." He said turning towards Bella drawing his sword. "That must be the assassin... appearing from now where to attack me..."



Kaiden’s eyes widened as blood start to spill, the scent alone caused him to gag. If it wasn’t feeding… blood was a big no no… he swallowed back the bitter taste that tried the crawl up his throat. “Calm…” was all he said… his voice was hypnotic… and one couldn’t help but feel this suggestion was something they should do… it wasn’t a intrusive command like some would issue… but a calming reaffirming hand to point them in the right way… “Just… calm…” The second time one felt as if he had only said what they themselves were thinking… the first time was to implant the suggestion… the second was to reaffirm it as their own… the third time… and it would finish melding with their thoughts for now at least. “Calm…” the room for the most part seemed far to relaxed for royalty being poisoned. Though it was to keep everything orderly… Kaiden needed it himself to stop himself from emptying his stomach onto the floor.

Isabella stood up slowly, holding onto the edge of her chair, "I'm fine...please worry about my parents and Selinia, I just need to excuse myself for a moment." she replied to the party at the grand table. She slowly walked off, her grace was as good as ever, but to her she felt tired and weak. Her legs felt like jello as she went to the womens bathroom, her hands gripping the sides of the sink as her vision blurred in and out of focus. Her head was spinning and felt like it wasn't attached and her insides felt like they were about to explode. Her breathing was irregular and quick, each breath causing her chest to sting with pain as if she'd taken a stake to the heart. She hadn't needed to breath one in her immortal life, but the pain was too much to handle, she couldn't help but gasp for air. She eventually fell into the floor, not dead, but unconcious. The poison wasn't deadly enough, seeing as she'd secretly fed not long ago, but the blood in her body was thining, making her dizzy tired and weak to the point of not being able to function properly. She didn't want to worry about about her, but she ended up making it worse obviously. She slipped into a dream from when she was a small child, when her brother first left to become a noble and fierce warrior. She'd cried for hours that day, and countless times more since. She was a much smaller form of herself now, splayed out across her bed, but something was wrong, in the dream, Gabriel had died, this couldn't be right. He was just at the banquet. She mumbled softly on the bathroom floor, nothing audiable however.

((Sorry if this ruined plans, but Isabella has a fear of appearing weak and helpless, she'd rather experience it alone and by herself. Anyone can find her or pursue her. Seeing as she showed signs around the same time as Selinia. I planned on the two staying the night in the infirmary, just in case they weren't well yet. It'd be interesting.))

Gabriel saw the actions around but kept calm, his parents were not reacting so far, and Selina was a strong young vampire, she would survive this with the help of the others. Isabella began to move strangely and his eye turned a deep violet as he watched, his blood boiling. He clenched his fist as the ring burned; he could do nothing at the moment. Alan had moved swiftly, but not beyond his sight, to be blunt the man had been easy to track with his blood flowing. Most vampires might have seen a blur but since the man had moved as fast as Gabriel he could and Gabriel’s royal blood allowed him to follow the man’s body. He stood himself, an attendant coming over to him in a panic however he waved them off, the poison absent in his system.

Gabriel looked to his father and mother, concentrating as the ring began to glow and burn his skin, he could see their blood, see the age and disease that was ravaging them, and see the poison in their bodies. He compressed the toxin in his mind, the actual toxin beginning to solidify in their stomachs as he manipulated the toxin itself. He had attempted to do the same with their illnesses but he could not do it. Now however he closed his eyes, most likely seeming very tense and strange to those on the outside. He vaguely heard Isabella excuse herself when he finally finished isolating the toxin in their stomachs and forming it into two round balls. Before he finished he shot the two orbs up their throats, causing them to spit out the concentrated Poison in amazement.

Gabriel couldn’t stop to be sure they were fine, he had to let the servants do that as his eyes turned a glowing red as he unleashed his full might of the blood within, though he felt the thirst coming over him in a wave. He saw Isabella leave and go down the hall and moved. To those who were Vampires or trained they saw a trail of afterimages as he moved in one swift motion, exiting the room at the speed that matched and possibly surpassed Alan’s in his now empowered form. He found her mumbling on the floor in the bathroom and his rage and eyes faded back to their azure blue.

He moved her to lay across his lap as he concentrated, the ring glowing red in the heat from its constant use. He moved the toxin into her center, solidified it, and then drew it out as he had form his parents, letting the black orb roll on the floor as he lifted her face to his. “Wake up Isa, come on.” He began lightly smacking her cheek to bring her around. Wake up.” He prayed. As she was unresponsive he picked her up and turned to the sink. He let the water flow and placed her head under it. “Isa, wake up this instant or all your potential husbands are going to know about your imaginary friend Bobo.” He threatened.

Elaina leaned back in her chair trying to keep up with all the conversations and new people since they entered the room; but was failing miserably. With Gabriel’s words from before floating through her mind, she couldn’t concentrate on much of anything else and was surprised when she heard a familiar voice and her sister talking. Looking to see that it was the man who barged in on the princess earlier that day, she couldn’t help but feel a bit annoyed still at the memory; but she was suppose to keep an eye out, and that meant being civil and learning more about the suitors. With a crude plan to simply let her twin do all the talking so she wouldn’t have a foot-to-mouth moment, Elaina was caught completely off guard by the sudden passing out of Selinia and the reactions of the rest of the royal family. Everything happing so fast and barely catching a glimpse as Isabella excused herself and Gabriel left after her, Elaina’s thoughts started to finally catch up to the excitement and she once again grabbed her sister’s hand and ran off.

“TuTu, we have to find Isabella. That stubborn fool was probably poisoned to and ran off!” Running down the hall and thankful she wore flat shoes, Elaina tried to think of where their friend would have went. Isabella was stubborn about appearing to need any kind of help…and it she was feeling sick… “Bathroom!” With a worried glance at Tuula and running off again, the twins burst into the nearest women’s bathroom; luckily to find Isabella and Gabriel…and unlucky that Isabella was unconscious. “Isabella!” terrified that their friend was unconscious, Elaina ran closer and looked between the two siblings.

[[ sorry for skipping so much of the banquet, if I missed something please let me know and I can edit it.]]

The commotion had caught Alexis' attention. Poison!?! What the hell? This is bad. Way bad. He watched everyone cluster around the fallen noblewoman, and the servants run around in a panic. Then he saw the princess excuse herself and leave. He spotted her stumble, and got up to follow. He barely reached the door when suddenly a streak of white, like dust blown by a gust of wind streaked past him. Alexis was checked against the threshold. A noise like a bullwhip being cracked resounded a second later*. Alexis staggered in a daze for a second.
"Mr. Soliarous, sir!" Melissa said, running to his assistance. "It's okay, our glasses weren't poisoned."
"The princess," Alexis said, regaining control of himself. "She looked kinda funny."
"Fuck! She drank from a poisoned cup too! I hope to all the gods she's throwing up right about now. She may have a chance." The two ran in the direction they last saw the princess. They found her in a bathroom, cradled in her brother's arms as he poured water over her head and pleading with her to wake up.
"Oh crap!" muttered Melissa. "Mr. Soliarous, here." She quickly removed a second flask from her clothing and a syringe. "Fill this up about four milliliters! It's my great-aunt Mai's omni-dote. I'll explain later. It should neutralize the poison already in her bloodstream." Handing the flask and syringe to Alexis, Melissa entered the bathroom.
"Prince Kuran, sir," she said. "Here, let me help. Hold her mouth open. I am going to stick my fingers down her throat and try to induce vomiting. Hopefully I can purge her system of the poison. My master is preparing an antidote as I speak." She ignored the arrival of the princess' handmaids.

((I'll assume Gabriel is moving faster than sound, generating a sonic boom))

Alan snarled at Zakia "Put that useless stick down and shut up." He completely ignored Zakia's 'Useless stick' and moved around him, he still held Selina who he now placed in a chair before he turned back to Zakia "That is my sister you are calling a assassin, if I had a gauntlet I would slap you around the face with it and kill you in the dual that would follow. But since I don't we will sort that out another time. I think we have bigger problems then you being stung by a little bit of holy magic, so shut up you weak piece of shit and do something useful." With that Alan turned around and had a few none to please servants grab Selina and take her to the infirmary, before he jumped over the table. He waited for Bella to move into the shadows before he took off making Gabriel look like he had been walking, as he moved he manipulated the air to stop the sonic boom as he broke the sound barrier. As he arrived to where everyone else was he watched his sister appear in the shadow.

He gave her a smiled as he noticed Alexis who he moved to talk to, as he walked up to him he gave him a look that said what he was about to. He couldn't stop himself "Do you believe us yet, and you might as well put whatever that is away, more powerful magic is at work in helping her. All we can do is give her some space."

______________________________________________________________________________________________________________

If Bella was phased by having a sword pointed at her she didn't show it. That would be because she wasn't but she still couldn't help but smile as her brother went off at him, he truly was a good actor.
When Alan mentioned her being his sister she simply waved her hand in front of her face and took the enchantment off, her hair darkened and curled slightly, her eyes went back to their normal colour and her skin faded back to its natural hue.
She did not speak but simply stepped back into the shadows as Alan looked to her, as a shadow she followed his movement and appeared at the toilets.

Bella nearly laughed as she noticed that Alan wouldn't have felt comfortable with going into the toilets, she smiled and walked in past the slowly growing crowd.
She sighed when she heard what one woman said "You have to be kidding me." She mumbled before laying a hand out and sensing Isabella's health, it was good and all traces of the poison were gone, she frowned before spotting the ball which she picked up.

Glancing at the ball she held it to the light to study it before looking at Gabriel "Did you do this?" She asked only mildly interested "She is free of any toxin now, all she needs is a rest, I suggest you take her to the infirmary." She didn't say this as a suggestion more like an order or a statement.

((Don't take Alan's speed literally Elrith.))

Before Tuula could answer the prince, immense panic broke out as Selinia passed out and Isabella soon excused herself mentioning she didn’t feel well. What in the world was going on?! Once more her mind barely had time to react before Ela drug her along to follow their friend. They paused for a moment before Ela blurted out bathroom, that must be where Isabella is! They soon arrived and Tuula covered her mouth in shock at seeing their friend on the floor. “Oh dear.” The commotion continued as the humans arrived, attempting to help her with human methods. The crowd became even more dense as Alan and Bella showed up declaring Isabella would be alright but she only needed space. Tuula nodded to them and took Alexis by the arm gently. “Please, let’s move out of the room and allow her brother to tend to her.”

“My… useless stick…” Zakia said with a smile. He closed his eyes for a moment the blade pulsating a almost colorless silver… its presence made the twin’s demon side’s squirm. “With the right spell… it becomes a demon slayer… and with another it slay gods(He means a Holy or Divine bane)… and if I wished… far as you should be concerned in a battle… I would win… I would twisted your worthless form upon my blade, twisting it in your very soul… a torment not even a thousand banshees screaming in your ears… and locust and scarab beetles devouring your flesh wouldn’t be so unpleasant as what I will do to you…” He said it with certain tone… that those overhearing it could only place it as encouragement. “Now I know… and you should know… no one… will stand in my way… no one shall so much as dare -stand- in my path… for if so… I will cut them down… capture your immortal fiendish soul and show you true hellish torture…” He said looking towards Bella. “You… however I may spare your life should it come down to it… more then pretty enough… of coarse… you don’t seem the type to surrender as such… it’ll be a waste of a pretty face then… now you may take your leave… if you so much as speak of this… I will rip out your tongue and plaster them to your foreheads with your entrails… I hope that is clear.” He said with a smile. After the demon boy had walked away Zakia lifted Selinia into his arms, some of the servant girls still dangling before letting go. He walked out of the dinning hall taking Selinia back to her room. Here he made a quick chant which would block out eavesdroppers and entering the room from anywhere besides physically walking through the door, which he barred. He took forth the scroll he had been given earlier by his master he had taken a glimpse of it while he changed. It had caught him off guard… it was a spell that would truly charm its target… yet whom it was addressed to… was what caught him off guard. What fiendishly delightful plots had come to mind… “I sleep to dream of you, and upon my wings I wonder who. Shall ever bless my heart, for it breaks when we part. So listen dear Selinia dear, within my arms you have naught to fear… be they demons or be they fiend, of you they shall not so much as scheme. Thus I grants you this respite, awaken to your loves might.” He spoke slowly the scroll turning to dust as black stars rained down upon Selinia. Her heart would hopefully be softened by the spell… until she awoke he sat quietly against the door it was time he took matters into his own hands… no one… no one stood up to Zakia if he didn’t wish them to.



Kaiden had remained at the King and Queen’s side incase they needed something. He glanced towards Mars whom attempted to move so his sight wouldn’t follow, she eventually settled by leaning over so she could hear and respond to any commands from her lieges. He was glad that someone actually was taking the downed harpy to the infirmary… he and he doubted anyone else wished to do so…

The banquet was pleasant for the first few minutes. Varnh merely sat back, sampling the dishes and watching the conversations. There was a great deal of tension, and more than a few dangerous-looking people. Varnh had the unpleasant feeling that this whole gathering of high nobility was going to end in a great conflagration of blood and death. It was unfortunate, really, and it certainly wasn't his sort of fight. He could only hope to be able to direct the worst of it away from himself.

The princess addressed him partway into the meal. He responded, "You misunderstand. I'm not bored, merely taking in the sights. Thank you for your consideration." He didn't need to address her further, as her attention was split among many sources. She was handling herself rather well, all things included.

Chaos struck as the banquet was wearing on. Poison, or Varnh was an insipid pup. The entire royal family, including the cousin. Varnh took the princess' exit as his own cue to leave, and slipped out amidst the confusion. He walked briskly back to his own room. This trip was going to be far more problematic than he ever would have guessed. He flopped onto the bed and went over what he had seen of the conversations of suitors and royal family members, filing away details and trying to unravel the web of intrigue which was surely backing the more overt actions at the feast tonight.

Isabella opened her eyes and coughed as she felt water rush over her, "Shut up about Bobo.. I just had the worst dream in my life. Thanks for waking me Gabe.." she snapped hoarsely then her tone became more sweet as she thanked him, "I'm alright, I just got tired." she added with ice in her voice, but her shaking limbs that held her up, "I figured out what it is..so don't worry..I'll be fine.." she gasped, "Do as she said..take me to the infirmary. I think someone caught on to what I was doing.." she laughed, but winced at the exersion of the effort, she looked at Bella, blinking curiousl as her gaze lingered on her for a moment..

She shook her head as she saw the syringe, "It's a blood thinner, he'd gotten out what hadn't already effected my blood stream....but it's useless to do any more." she swallowed hard, "I'm just going to be dizzy and weak for a while, if I was human I would certainly die however, thankfully blood pressure isn't as vital to vampires." She glanced over to the twins and forced a reassuring smile upon her face, "Looks like we won't be having our sleepover in my room tonight...too bad I was looking forward to it." she added with a sigh. She lowered her head back towards the sink and coughed up blood, tons of it, "Alright..I definately am not perfectly fine, but I'm not going to die...at least I don't think so." she sighed, blinking over at Ela and Tutu, "Do me a favor and you can pick any of my necklaces, besides my lace choker, and they're yours for keeps. Apologize to those remaining in the dining hall." she pleaded with her friends, "Then tell me whos left and I shall apologize to those when I'm well." Isabella's father was outside in the dining hall trying to reassure everyone that the family was the only ones targeted, and that there was nothing to worry about.

(I always get so far behind xD)

Several people followed them into the bathroom but he never took his attention off his sister, who finally responded. “Next time don’t fall asleep and I won’t have to use Bobo, or…” he leaned in to whisper her ear a more embarrassing secret so that only she could hear with a fiendish smile on his face. He let her down gently out of the sink and looks at her now dripping wet head which was soaking her dress. The water had washed out the potion and caused her head to go wild again in some places, “You know, you look like a drowned rat.” He commented.

Looking at the poison ball he asked Bella for it so that he could inspect it. “Whoever our guilty party is, they’re not very smart, a blood thinner on a vampire?” he asked almost laughing at the irony, “Besides don’t be melodramatic sis, this amount of poison could still be circulating and it wouldn’t prove fatal. This would be assassin is clearly either an amateur or doesn’t know much about vampires, least of all us royals, a poison like this would take ten times a higher dose to kill one of us fast enough to prevent traditional medicine from saving our lives.” Of course the poison would have worked wonders on his parents had it been allowed to spread, and as his sister coughed up a great deal of blood he rolled his eyes.

“You little sister,” he said as he cradled her in his arms walking her to the infirmary, “have not been eating like you should, and it’s making you fat.” He said as he walked her down the hall, the vision before him becoming slightly blurry. It had taken a moment of looking at the poison to realize that he had mistaken it in his own glass for iron, meaning that he was poisoned as well, but he had isolated the toxin in his own body, intending to remove it later after he had secured the others. One person in this family had to remain and at the moment the others were all coughing out blood. He would probably do the same later, but not now.

He lay her in the bed next to Selina, “Ironically, Selina is off the hook on this assassination attempt,” he said not sure if she was awake or not, “you, dearest cousin, wouldn’t have made such an amateur mistake as to use a blood thinner not based in silver to kill the royal family.” He said before turning to the doctor and handing him the poison ball. “Use a basic blood thickener.” He instructed, knowing that fresh blood could be toxic as well due to plague or any other nasty disease. He exited the room quickly, heading to his personal quarters where he spat out his poison ball and at least a liter of blood. His eyes turning a deep violet again as the thirst began to take him over.

“Damn.” He said as he reached under the sink to bring out a glass flask full of blood that didn’t have a cap but was a completely enclosed bottle. He broke off the top, a plume of purple smoke exiting the flask to show that no one had tampered with the bottle since he put the blood in it with the warning seal on it. Lifting the glass he scanned it for poison and began to drip the liquid nourishment into his mouth. It had been some time since he had actually fed and while this would help to curb the feeling he would likely find a willing donor in the palace later to drink from. That was the only thing that connected him and Selina, their thirsts. He didn’t kill when he fed and he always compensated the donor, usually with either gold or (if they work at the Palace) with an assignment as far from Selina as possible.

Melissa was relieved to find the princess alright. Her relief turned to shock when the princess barfed blood.
"Oh my gods! That is just sick! I think the poison's still in there. Maybe you really should take her to see a doctor. Vomiting blood is not a good sign. Now where's my..."
As usual, no one paid her any mind as the prince spirited his sister away down the corridor. She grunted. "Do they listen to the person who's trained all thier life to deal with shit like this? Of course not. Either Prince Kuran has lost it, or maybe the blind lady taught him well," she mumbled to herself. "I just hope they make it to the infirmary in time. I could have helped slow the poison down if Asshole had hurried the fuck up."

Alexis was startled when Lord Hunce appeared beside him. He accidentally overfilled the syringe.
"Damn you, Hunce! Will you cut that appearing act out! I'm trying to concentrate here. And now's not the time for your little games. Magic tricks my ass!" He calmed down a bit when one of the twins pulled him back. It gave him a chance to measure the solution. He was interupted again when the Prince exited the bathroom bearing his sister in his arms. She looked fine, all save for blood smearing around her face. "Ew!" Alexis gasped. "Is she quite alright?"

(I've been somewhere the past few days with no internet connection, Can I have a recap sent to me?)

Alan would have been laughing historically at Zakia's little speach if he had been there to listen it through, as it was both of the twins just 'walked off' half way through, Zakia's voice held no power over their minds.
Zakia was talking all about demons and gods, but not once the beings which the twins were, half devil/god, half angel. They couldn't even be called Demi-gods and warlocks had to be one of the closest to what they were, but still no cigar.

Alan smiled at Alexis "How about this, later we will meet up and I will pull a demon from the ground, would that have you believe me? Or maybe you would like to visit hell, its nice this time of year." Obviously he was joking about taking Alexis to hell, but the demon could be done without harm coming to the stubborn idiot.

He raised an eyebrow when the prince walked past and he leaned over to Alexis again "She is fine, she threw up thats all, like our food looks bad as spew, but vampires always manage to make it look melodramatic, being they spew other peoples blood everywhere." He smiled at Alexis no hint of joking in his voice, he didn't wait for a reply by the stubborn prince. As he looked at Alexis his eyes turned silver and his body started to glow, he waved his hand to the prince and was gone, simply a silver blur as he 'jogged' up next to Gabriel.

"Sir, is there anything I can do to help, my sister is the best healer of our people."

_______________________________________________________________________________________________

She passed the poison as he asked for it, was that a tinge of colour around his eyes, speaking of his eyes they looked slightly unfocused.
Frowning she addressed him "I think you and your sister should go to the infirmary." She smiled as he walked out the door seconds later.

She gave the bad mouthed girl a look that could make a ogre think twice (And since an ogre doesn't normally even think once....), she felt like slapping her hand over the girls mouth but for now she would joke. "Oh you right of course, we should have listened to you. It couldn't possibly be that some of us have trained several of your lifetimes in such matters." Her voice, if it had had any more sarcasm in it would literally started dripping of it.

((Would if I had the time Reika. I don't have the time.))

Isabella glared at her brother, "You say nothing about that.. and I realize I look terrible, you're not helping Gabe." she sighed, "And besides...who put me under the water..?" she growled, her head doing flips and turns again, causing her to close her eyes. She knew she was being dramatic, "Theres a reason I went off on my own, I know I'm dramatic and well I didn't want anyone to see..but you've made sure thats impossible for me now haven't you dearest brother? I'm not getting fat!" she said blinking at him as they wen't through the hall, "Gabe are you alright?" she asked, then looked over at Selinia. She knew the suitors had seen her at her worst tonight, which made her want to barf again, but she decided against it, "Sorry for suspecting anyone else." she replied softly, dropping her head. She really wanted to apologize for poisoning her, but she knew now wasn't the time. Gabriel would flip if he knew that Isabella was the one who poisoned Selinia, "Well I'm glad she is alright." Isabella faked, smiling at her brother. Isabella looked over at her cousin, "Karma's a bitch isn't it?" she laughed, taking a deep breath. She knew there was something wrong with her brother, and that she'd have to apologize to the suitors and their guests. She laid down in the hospital bed, wiping her mouth with a wet cloth that was placed on a dresser. She wondered if Selinia poisoned her and her family because Isabella poisoned her, no it couldn't be. If Selinia knew Isabella had poisoned her glass, Selinia wouldn't have drank from it.

(Will make it longer and more detailed later, but I gotta go out to pay bills)

Areon

Areon had continued to look at Tuula for a while after she responded to his question. It wasn't difficult to tell that she was indeed worried, her eyes suspiciously moved through the ranks of the suitors and their guards, just like her sister. Areon himself knew of nothing, so he just sat there, as he heard the princess speaking to him, about how she should call him. He looked back at her, his eyes examining her face. His slightly crystalline face appeared to gleam from the show above.

"Areon is just fine, Princess. I am not holding any titles I deem necessary to be spoken of."

The others were chatting like on any other banquet he had seen. There wasn't much difference to that of the villages, when they celebrated a wedding for example. There were only two slight differences. First would be that instead of someone marrying, everyone on his side of the table wanted to get married in the next few days, with the princess, of course. That meant that she had to deal with all the boasts and claims, the attention a young princess of such a country had to deal with. Areon grinned, things went a little different in the human villages of the Frozen North. A suitor usually battles everyone else without weapons or magic for the right to ask for the young lady's hand, well it could turn out like this here, only far worse. The second thing would be the the amount and variation of foods and drinks that were served. There seemed to be plenty, were the food in his home is rare for humans and other creatures. He watched the servants filled the table with nearly anything that looked edible. Areon himself didn't need to eat, but he thought it would be polite. The cooks of the kitchen had gone through all that work, so he took some fruits on his own plate. He thought about cutting them into pieces for a moment, but as he looked at his knife, he realized it was made out of silver. He just bit into the apple on his plate, without worrying about the etiquette much more, it's not like he knew any of it anyways.

Tension started to rise as the blond haired vampire started coughing blood and than went to attack her maid. Areon was about to interfere as she already passed out and was soon surrounded by three others. Seemingly the same time did the princess excuse herself and left the room. Events started happening very fast. The prince seemed to use his ring in some way, as the cold around it got pressed away by the heat it emitted from the magic. The three persons around the blond vampire used some sort of healing magic on her, that seemed to conflict with each other. The conflict seemed to reach a physical level between them for a short amount of time. The twins and the prince followed the princess along the corridor, as did the two persons next to him. Both of them appeared to be human, but they looked... different even to him. Areon found himself caught up in what to do, there wasn't much he could do to help a vampire that wasn't done already, at least not here. Silently, but none the less quickly did he follow the others to the bathroom, the trail of magic the prince left behind was easy to feel. As he reached the room it was crowded by others, most likely the suitors, the twins and the princess' brother. Areon just came in time to see the princess wake up, he sighed in relieve. As he arrived he looked over to the twins, he could see Elaina close to princess and her brother, who seemed to be not as badly affected as the others, and Tuula just guiding one of the suitors out. As the prince carried his sister to the infirmary, Areon found himself checking the temperature of her. Of course he wouldn't find any on the skin, vampires were cold-blooded after all, but he couldn't find any in her blood, which meant it had been some time since she had fed. With the amount she had lost, she should have some quite soon. Areon would offer his, but he hadn't any that would pass as anything more than clear water. He looked over at that human and Tuula next to him, as he spoke, the calm smile ha disappeared from his face, as well as the joyful glittering.

"Her brother knows what he does. She should be better once she had... fed."

This might be why Tuula was so worried. It could have been any of the suitors it seemed, was all that Areon could think of at the moment. If they were about to escape, they would find a way to try that again. The prince seemed to have protected his whole family from that poison working far more worse, but how often could he? He leaned closer to Tuula, his whisper was carried by a slight cold cloud, sealed till it would reach her ear.

"I will go outside and prevent anyone from escaping. I would be happy, if you would help me."

With that he hurried outside, gliding over the ground quite fast. He hoped that he won't be to late and the assassin still in the castle. It seemed like the prince and the servants were much more proficient in finding such persons, it was their home after all. As Areon found the main gate locked, he guessed that the prince had already done something. Still there were those that wouldn't be stopped by a simple wall. Areon's figure disappear in a million particles, the moment he jumped through the window. Once outside these particles started to circle faster and faster, while spreading out around the castle. On their way, these particles collected the falling snow, the ice of every puddle, the dust of snow on the tree branches and formed all of them into this circle, till it was a few good meters away from the castle. It still spread outside, but the inner ring had stopped moving away. It just seemed like there was a heavy blizzard for miles around the castle, it would take a day for the fastest mortal to move across the area it covered. It was so much more of that, the magic within this storm was so build up and raw that it would overwhelm about any magic that tries to pass it, stopping it from working, if it wouldn't be to powerful for the magic of the world itself. Towns in that area were circled, though even they couldn't leave the borders of the city, or be caught in the storm. Areon was carried in the blizzard... no he was the blizzard, till it would be strong enough to stand on it's own.

---

Selinia

As Selinia had passed out, she could still feel two ominous powers raging within her. She wasn't a magician, so she couldn't define those two powers. Both tried to heal her, worked their way through her body, but as they met it was like a duel within her. The maid beneath her had been dragged away and taken to the infirmary, she would most likely been dead by the dose of the poison within her circulatory system and the amount of blood she lost to Selinia. After some time it seemed like both powers had taken into effect on her, she felt strengthened and relieved, thought still a little weak. She tried to rise, but her body wouldn't respond the way it should. She tried to open her eyes, but all she could see was blurred and unfocused. Thanks to the magic that had been applied to her, her body easily overpowered the poison and its effects within her. She closed her eyes again and was about to rise up, as she felt a pair of arms holding her. Would she been able to, she would have most likely have torn them off from the body they belonged to. She was to proud to have herself getting carried like a weak child, yet she couldn't do anything against it. Around her were the whispers slowly growing louder and louder, but she couldn't understand a word right now. She seemed to have lost a good amount of blood as her body tried to push the poison out of her veins. As she was getting carried to her room, she passed out again.

She slowly awoke in her bed, the thoughts in her head running wildly. She couldn't focus on a single one now, which was more urgent was a a feeling she had... Thirst. She smelt the other person in the room, before she would see him. She knew that he, and she was sure that it was a male, wasn't a servant. The servants would have long left, they knew what would happen once she would wake up. They weren't sure if the King's orders would matter much to Selinia right now. Now she slowly rose her head and sat back against the massive bed's headboard. She opened her eyes and looked at the person in front of her. Immediately did she recognize him, it was the man from the banquet... Lord Zakia. Slowly did the thought about feeding from him crawled into her mind. Indeed she as well wanted and needed to, but not him, not now. As she spoke, her words came out strong, though it was easily to perceive that it was just acting.

"L...Lord Zakia? Were you the one... who had helped me? Thank you."

Zakia’s face was broken by a smile. “My dear Selinia… my beautiful little serpent… I smell your ambitions… your desire to slay our own kindred and take their place…” He said pressing his fingers together every word he spoke felt heart warming, laced with compassion and passion. “You see my dear I offer you more then you would get from your own plots… you wish one kingdom… I offer you the queenship of three…” He said walking over to her with a seductive smile that exposed his pearl white teeth… his eyes a deep sanguine. “You will help me play cupid… trick the princess into wedding a lone heir to another kingdom… when they wed… Albakove and the other shall merge… and as your brother has so thoughtfully forgone his inheritance of the throne… that means… if your dearest cousin Isabella and her husband… happen to… die.” He said offering her a hand if she wished to stand. “Then… you would inherit it… and as my queen… you’d also hold the throne of Mercei… which after we acquire Albakove we will be with out a doubt the strongest empire in the north… you’d be the Divine Queen… not even the ‘High’ Queen would dare tremble with out your command to do so…” He said leaning in so his eyes were staring directly into hers, he cupped her chin. “So my dearest… isn’t it time these fools mortals see you for what you are… superior… in everyway. No more of your uncles pointless rules… when he is more blind then those with out eyes… he can’t see your merit… your innate divine right… how you were chosen before you were even conceived…” He said moving to one knee. “So Selinia… will you accept my offer… become the queen you were born to be… or continue to have your skills thrown away by your foolish family…”

Reika sighed softly and stepped just outside the palace to get some fresh air. She looked at the mountain peeks in the distance and frowned softly her silver hair framed her face as she untied it letting the wind rush through it a bit, it felt nice but nothing like home. She leaned against the castle wall and sang softly to herself not caring if anyone heard at this point, she had alot of thinking to do from now on.

Her brother stood with her quietly a hand on her shoulder. "Rei..." It was another song their mother used to sing all the time, and he was surprised his sister got every note right, even though she usually did anyway. He smiled softly thinking to himself. She's just like mom, and dad mixed together, strong, intelligent and kind. But not afraid to go to war unlike me... She would to anything for our home.... I'm selfish compared to her....

Reika stopped and looked at her brother and smiled. "Shall we head to our room?" She said with a smile taking her brothers hands like when they were younger, walking back inside and up to the room they shared. Reika walked into the room and sighed softly, she changed into a nightgown taking off her choker and shoes setting them aside. Her brother also changed into his night set.

Gabriel walked calmly through the palace, having just reopened the gates again now that he had figured out who the poisoner was. It had taken him interrogating the people who had been in contact with the blood for him to realize that the answer was so simple. The poison was an effective one if it had been more concentrated and if the person had used a more direct delivery method, thankfully it wasn’t to be. He was once again in his relaxed outfit, his hair down and the earrings again hanging at his neck, his hunger was gone as he had managed to feed on two young women in the palace since then and his fangs had retracted as his eyes returned to their caring deep blue. It was funny that he had been forced to walk around with his eyes in their blood red state, as it made him harder to recognize to all but Zakia, how had only ever seen him with his red eyes indicating he was accessing his vampiric abilities.

He headed into the Infirmary, Selina wasn’t there having been in her room for some time, and only two handmaidens and the doctor remained by Isabella’s side. “Could you give us a moment?” he asked, thought they took it as an order, waiting for them to leave the room. He waited for any others to clear out save the twins, who he didn’t mind being there and they would know he wasn’t addressing them at the moment. (I don’t know where everyone is so I’m taking precautions to mention everyone)He then activated the ring, which began to let off a dull light, a light which banished all the shadows in the room, creating a seal to prevent any shadow magic users (that means you Alan) from eaves dropping.

Gabriel went over to the window slowly to pull back the blinds, the light showing in as he turned to his sister, “So, when were you planning on telling me it was you who spiked the blood in hopes of injuring Selina?” he asked calmly. The sunlight was warm, and he thanked his bloodline for being strong enough to stand in the sun and not burn, “Don’t be surprised, Isa, it’s not hard to figure out. The only other assassins that could have gotten close enough to try such an act are too experienced to have made so many mistakes.” He said bluntly with a glance to her as he pulled a chair along and sat in it backwards, placing his arms over the back as he leaned in to her.

“I’m not mad or anything, I just want to know why you did it? I get poisoning Selina, but what happened that made you poison the rest of us?” he asked, having thought out the whole event he knew what had happened to their cousin, It was no secret, but what had gone wrong so as to endanger their parents. He was lying about not being mad, he was fuming that she had put their mother and father in such danger. Sure she would be fine and of course he wouldn’t have any troubles but they were now in worse shape than ever before. By being so nice even though she most likely knew how mad he was he was scolding her in his own way, like he had for the past forty years of her life, always being there to offer criticism and advice to his younger sibling.

Selinia

Selinia's eyes followed the movement of Zakia. She watched his face, as he spoke, his convincing smile. At first she was surprised by his words. None would have seen through her so easily and soon, not even her own family had. The only, who came close to seeing her true personality, were her late parents, who sadly died in an "accident" later. Of course there was no way that you could connect these deaths to the young lady Selinia. Now that this man in front of her had seen through her, she should kill him right here, she could easily blame him for being the assassin, who tried to kill her now. Instinctively her hand wandered to her waist, close to the place where her dagger was hidden. Than Zakia continued to speak and she stopped in her attempt, thinking about his words. She was indeed entranced by the thought, to own not only Albakove, but also Mercei and one of the other kingdoms. Of course, she would finally be the ruler of the whole world, none could equal her. As the man stepped toward her bed, she rose a bit from it, looking into his eyes, as she listened closely. His plan sounded reasonable to her, even if Isabella wouldn't trust her, she could play her influence on the family. She rose from the bed, taking the offered hand, to stand next to Zakia. Smiling at the title she would attain, if she was to marry him. To others it would sound like a ridiculous step, to agree to such an offer. But she wasn't like the others, these foolish other noblewoman were much to obedient to their husbands. She grinned up at him wickedly, revealing her fangs, feeling his soft hands on her chin. Indeed she was most pleased by his words, charmed to say the least. She wasn't stupid, he only did this to further his own goals, but maybe that was what she found interesting on him. She still held her head up, as he went down to one knee, expressing her superiority to him. Her face showed a mix of arrogance and amusement, carefully hidden behind that curtain of manners. Her voice sounded excited as she replied to him.

"I will accept your most gracious offer, Lord Zakia. Together we will rid this world of the plague of my cousins, once she had married one of these foolish men. Say, did you already had someone in mind, who should be sold into the claws of the brat?..."

She slipped one of her hands into Zakia's, allowing him to place a kiss at it for a moment. Than she pulled him up and leaned closer, to whisper into his ear. Even now she could her the blood pulsing through his carotid artery, it was a tempting sound. She opened her mouth slightly, as if to bite him, thought she did not. Her voice sounded far more threatening than it did before, as her breath trailed alongside his neck and ear.

"But you should know that I won't be the one in your shadow... I am not like the others, so easily to be controlled."