Castle Vankoryth

Zosimos's smile grew stale, but there was a glimmer in his eyes that wasn't there before. It was true, the meeting had been nothing but circle talking, and who knew who to trust anymore?

"Seeing as nobody else had any," He scoffed, "I was thinking you would like a hand in finding the responsible parties. Wolves or a secret society, I believed we 'narrowed it down' to. Do you know anything of the early days of the Detente, my kin?" They had run ins with werewolves back then. It was one beast in particular that all but broke them. Zosimos doubted anyone else bothered to remember those days, but they were there. They happened.

"I know enough. Various people have filled me in. The Detente lost a lot of members in one fell swoop, no?" It was all he could do not to chuckle. True enough though, Frederic couldn't blame them. Most of the original members were not meant for combat. Hence why, he guessed, they had a much more militant sector this side around. "I suppose I could ask about. See what I find. I take it I am free to continue my current life style however, during this investigation?"

It was a lifestyle Frederic had grown to love, and accustomed to. And he really didn't want to give it up, unless he absolutely had to. "And I can't promise anything, other than to try."

"Life style? But of course..." Zosimos's mind was already on other things. The "founding fathers" so to speak truly hadn't been much for combat. Interestingly enough the times have changed but the attitudes had not.

"Do let myself, or the others, know if you find anything. Be wary in your pokings," He added without heart. There were traitors about, but they had bigger fish to fry than one pair of loose lips that would surely reveal themselves in time. They always did. He smiled upon Frederic, seeming to be looking for what to say. After a few moments of silence, "Your efforts are most appreciated."

Testing.

Testing once more.

...

A sleek, black vehicle crunkled over dead leaves and cracked concrete through the gates of Castle Vankoryth. It came to rest at the foot of the sweeping grand entrance. The car popped open, and out poured Daemala.

After waiting barely a minute for her guest, she picked her way up the stairs. The giant doors of the Castle Vankoryth groaned open at her approach. She smirked and passed through without a moment's hesitation.

The castle was a display of it's own- certainly impressive in size and stature. It nestled within the Forbidden Thick, an especially dangerous part of the Cursed Wood. Despite some gargoyles being broken and others missing altogether, the gaps and breaks in the wall, the bends in the decorative iron, and the overgrown weeds and brambles, Castle Vankoryth was hauntingly beautiful.

From the vehicle strolled forth the cloaked man and his entourage at his side, he raised his hands palms upturned and sighed in content "Aaah such a beauty this is, we shall have to restore it forth with, lead on madame. Let us continue our business within." He said, he twirled as he headed towards the entrance and took in all the surroundings, following after his host in due course while his cloaked minions held open the door. He passed through and stepped within, once again taking in the exorbitant castle and it's decor.

Despite his pauses and studies he kept pace with Daemala, a notepad in palm and a pencil gently scribing across it's surface, taking stock and note of the castle and what needed to be done before the deed had even been sealed.

Daemala arrived back home, a strange sense of purpose filling her. There had been much restoration done, not as much as she'd have liked, but all the same the castle was no longer in the state of disrepair as it was last year. It simply looked old.

I enjoy old, thought the vampiress as she emerged from a shadow on the edge of the property.

The iron had been fixed. and there were no longer gaps and breaks in the walls. Some of the property had been preened, though the flora could still be considered unkempt. A small smile tickled her face as she crossed the yard and ascended the stairs. The doors, as usual, swept themselves open for her.

She had much preparing to do for an honored guest on the morrow.

This castle is huge.

Mac (also known as Michael, but he decided that he liked Mac better) looked up and around at the castle with a badly disguised mixture of awe and curiosity, admiring its stony structure. The castle seemed old as time itself, melding seamlessly into the ground and forest in certain areas and standing out starkly in others, looming up high into the sky, its three towers looming up like the three sharp, crumbly teeth. It looked majestic, like a prototype of every castle everywhere. If gloomy, forbidding castles were offspring, this was its parent, the one who had turned scary into an art form and created a "do not enter" sign with nothing but atmosphere.

Why were they here? Scratch that - where they even allowed to be here?

"Are we really suppose to be here?" he murmured to Zosimos, eyes scanning the area for signs of life. He had a sudden urge to pull his hoodie up to hide his face, which he quelled just as quickly. "Thanks for helping me out of the Forest, but..." he paused, signs of uneasiness welling up against the back of his mind. He looked at Zosimos seriously. "Where to next? Do we knock on the door?"

"Knock?" Zosimos suppressed a grin as he strode across the not-so-well maintained lawn. It was true, the castle was huge and foreboding. Dare he even say frightful. It was just as he remembered it, but better. Some things had seemingly been fixed! He couldn't help but wonder by whom?

"Do you ever knock on the door of your own home?" He asked Mac as he glided up the staircase and to the doors, which did not open on their own for him. Zosimos frowned. This was a first. Was he gone that long? Did someone else take up residence here, that wasn't of his blood?

There he stood, facing the door almost completely dumbfounded, when suddenly there was a solid creak. The door was being unlocked from the inside. If Zosimos breathed, he would have held his breath. Still he stood like stone, waiting to see what happened next.

"You!" Came a shrill female voice from just inside the door, and suddenly the thing flung open.

"What the hell are you doing here?" A tall, dark haired woman as pale as the moon stared down her nose at Zosimos-quite the task as he was slightly taller than she. He balked, but did not falter.

"What the hell are you wearing?" Zosimos snapped back, smirking at her pastel colored tea attire. Last he checked, she wouldn't be caught alive in anything other than jewel tones. Her jaw dropped at his comment, revealing for an instant her fangs, before she noticed the stranger standing behind her long lost kin.

"Forget not your manners," She intoned at Zosimos, breathing deep and closing her lips into a smile. The same smile Zosimos had earlier. A smile meant to hide the bits of monster which sat within their mouths: their fangs. She smoothed the front of her garment, sidestepping Zosimos with a glare and resting a much more pleasant gaze on Mac.

"Welcome to the Castle Vankoryth, I am Daemala Tauvyr. It is a pleasure to have you, and just in time for tea!" Daemala offered Mac a light curtsy before shooting yet another glare in Zosimos' direction. He simply laughed.

"I dunno, maybe," Mac replied casually, shrugging his shoulders. For all he knew, he might have started singing a love ballad while strumming a guitar whenever he came across his own house door before entering, thanks to a voice-activated lock. Or paint the whole thing a different colour before unlocking the door with a normal key. Or smash it down with a hammer every time he chose to leave or enter. He didn't really know.

Mac had a feeling that it was none of those options, however. Also... This is Zosimos's house? Wow. Impressive.

Following Zosimos up to the doorstep, Mac waited quietly as Zosimos tried to open the door. He was just about to suggest knocking again when the door swung open, revealing a tall, pale woman with dark hair that was almost as tall as Zosimos, causing Zosimos to baulk. Mac looked on with interest as they chatted, bantering with each other in a way that indicated familiarity. Was she his cousin? If she was, she did not seem pleased to see him.

Then her jaw dropped, and even if it was only an instant, Mac noticed her teeth. Two pairs, but they were curved and sharp like the teeth of a carnivore ready to bite down. Mac's eyebrows creased minutely together in puzzlement - why would someone have teeth like that? - when the information slotted into his brain, almost like the information had been unlocked at the sight and was downloading into his head like a file into a computer.

Fangs. That was what they were called. And a human with fangs meant... what, exactly? The word was on the tip of Mac's tongue, but he couldn't quite remember. And did those fangs even exist? He had only seen them for an instant, after all. It was entirely possible that he had mistaken normal teeth as sharp.

Well, it didn't matter. Zosimos had lead him out of the forest, and the two of them seemed friendly. It would not be good if Mac returned their goodwill with suspicion. Practically ungrateful, really, and Mac was happy to be out of that forest and into civilisation.

"A pleasure to meet you too, Miss Tauvyr," he said politely, bowing lightly. It seemed the right thing to return the curtsy. "My name is Michael, but you can just call me Mac." He straightened and gave her a pleased smile, adding, "Tea sounds great after wandering through that forest, thank you. And your dress looks nice." He didn't really get why Zosimos was laughing at a good dress. Elbowing him gently in the side, Mac gave Daemala a light smile, humor lacing his otherwise serious tone, "Ignore him, for he knows not what he says."

Oh? Where did Zosimos find this treat of a mortal, Daemala wondered to herself locking eyes with Mac after formalities. True courtesy was refreshing, she only got the cracked facade of it in these trying times. Comfortless were interactions with everyone and anyone!

"Why thank you! A true gentleman, you should take notes Zosimos," It was impeccable how fast she could slip between tones. Daemala regarded Zosimos and her gaze melted on him like hot glass. He simply smirked at her and made a move passed.

"Welcome home indeed," Regarded Zosimos to his younger kin. He barked out a laugh and slipped past Daemala into the castle. Her response was a click of the tongue. He was an annoyance to her, and a powerful one at that- but no matter to her. All her attention suddenly turned to Mac. Daemala smiled and gestured grandly towards the interior of the castle, recently refurbished and furnished with dead roses. Though everything was strikingly dead, it held a certain life. The stairs to the second floor, however, emanated truly bad vibes.

Daemala smiled that wide eyed, closed mouthed smile. She held out a cold, porcelain hand towards Mac, and asked in her liquid lead voice, "Let's get settled, shall we?"

"Thanks," Mac took her hand delicately, surprised at the cold touch. It felt almost as cold as a corpses hand. More warning bells were ringing in his head now, and he knew it had to do with the fangs and the word he couldn't remember, but he had no clue why. Shoving it away, he continued, a bit unsure if what he said would offend, "Zosimos is a nice person, though. He helped me out before, so he's not that bad."

The warning bells got louder when he followed them into the building. "You have a very nice place," he said politely, admiring the decor. The roses were dead but perfectly preserved, and the colours were tasteful and not too blinding. The stairs leading up to the second floor was sending a chill down his spine, though, and he made note to stay away from there. "Lilies might look nice mixed with the roses," he muttered thoughtfully, tilting his head to the side as he tried to picture it. Dead lilies, of course, since everything was dead inside there, but it'd add to the life in the place. Suddenly realising that what he said could be taken as rude, he explained somewhat apologetically, "Lilies and roses fit well together. Uh. Where to next?"

Mac wondered vaguely if they would be sent to the kitchen to eat. The chocolate bar had felt like he had eaten it ages ago, and the energy it had given him was starting to run out. Food would be nice, but he would visit all around the house if they wished, seeing as he was only a guest. He did not want to impose on Dameala and Zosimos, who had invited him, a stranger, into their home so easily.

"Indeed."

Louis stepped in from behind the two right out from the shadows that the interior of the castle naturally provided. The man was as pale as marble but seemed equally as lively as Daemala and Zosimos though unlike them it seemed he was a bit more fixated upon the man who was with them. The very natural order of things that would have come surely didn't and with that Louis composed himself and smiled at the hostess.

"You offered a moment of tea earlier. Am I to assume that this is a good time?"

Room of Reason

Leading off to the south from Castle Vankoryth's Entrance Hall via a heavy, wooden double door, is the Room of Reason. Inside the room cuts away from the more polygonal layout of the rest of the castle to become almost perfectly circular. The walls are lined with various tapestries and the only window, little more than an arrow-slit, is often covered by a miniature pair of crimson 'curtains'. The centre and main attraction of the room comes in the form of the large, round table carved from stone that sits in the middle. With enough room for perhaps twenty people to sit around the outside; and each would get their own chair fashioned out of oak and decorated with a slim, bold-coloured cushion.

Zosimos could be heard laughing mockingly from the Room of Reason. Daemala rolled her eyes and turned to Louis, giving him a slight curtsy in greeting. He was right on time. Though did he have to slink about as such? She tried not to let it bother her. This was, after all, their home.

"Perfect timing," Daemala said to Louis, "We were just about to get settled, and with another guest. Mac," she gestured towards the mortal, "is an honored guest of Zosimos's." There was something in her tone that conveyed almost a protective sense over the mortal.

"Lilies," She said to Mac, strolling south towards the Room of Reason, "Would be a perfect compliment. We shall order them tomorrow! Shall we?"

"I see Daemala's been working on the facade," Ulrich noted, taking a moment to stare back at the castle. Some of the gargoyles had been restored. Much of the rubble had also been cleared. He hadn't noticed it earlier, what with rushing from sheer panic to check that the basement was locked.

Lightning flashed overhead and forked across the sky. Thunder exploded like bombs. Rain fell in a raging torrent. This had got to be one of the worst storms he'd ever had the misfortune to get stuck in as a hiker. And to top it off he was lost. The lightning threw some rather creepy looking shadows too. His strong legs and generally healthy body carried him towards an old castle in the distance. He finally made it, taking off his shirt to wring it out, exposing his defined chest and abs in the process. Hope whoever lives here won't mind admitting me in a half-undressed state, thought Gregory O'shanahan as he knocked on the huge wooden door.

Meanwhile, Akio had just finished taking a nap, had gotten dressed, and was currently expanding his knowledge of the area by doing a bit of exploring...which might explain why he had a flashlight. But in truth, he was wondering if there were any snacks around. He had his own supply of snacks of course, but he wanted to use up the snacks that everyone had access to first.

He had made an example of that first intruder, and made sure the rumors circulated, so everything should be fine.

"Master Akio".

"Maître Akio".

"Akio-sama".

Three maids, of three different nationalities, approached him. He considered just how this might make him look, but he shrugged it off. Unlike those protagonists in web novels, he did not mind being called master.

"Yes, what is it?"

"Master Akio, you should remember to take a bath soon. Its not anywhere close to an issue yet, but wouldn't it be best to prevent it from ever getting close to one?"

"Maître Akio, you no longer need to look for food. As requested, I have once again made you French cuisine to show my appreciation".

"Akio-sama, there is a mortal at the front door".

That last one caught his ear. Mortal, at the front door? Intruder? Bounty Hunter? Someone here for revenge? Whatever it was, it meant fresh blood for Akio. So much so that he made a sharp turn and went straight into the main hall and towards the front doors, swinging them wide open.

"Hello! Did you knock?"

He was a little surprised to find the palest-looking kid ever answer the door. Poor kid looks like he could do with a little Vitamin D, he thought to himself. "Uh, yeah. Sorry to bother you guys so late but it's rainin' cats 'n' dogs out here and was wondering if I could take shelter here?" he asked politely.

Akio was a bit surprised when he saw the man and heard his reply. Could it really be...some random hiker got lost, wandered into the Cursed Woods, and got deep enough to find his way to their castle?

Akio found it more likely this was an act, an attempt to deceive them. But, he didn't want to give people the idea they were vicious killers who attacked normal people on sight. It was possible he was even unknowingly lured here, and that attacking him was the trap. So, Akio decided to just go with it...in his own way. But before he did...

"Master Akio! Don't keep the doors open too long! You will catch a cold!"

Three of his own personal staff, the three maids that had breathtaking looks, came up behind him with their eyes focused on him. They noticed the man, but as Akio was their master, they would not talk to him until Akio sent him away or invited him in.

"Alright, fine. You can come in for now. But, you do know this is the Cursed Woods right? How the hell did you get lost here if your a normal hiker?"

"I don't normally but something about that storm messed up my GPS. Not even a normal compass would work. It's also raining so much I thought I'd have to start swimming," said Greg with a chuckle. "Wait a minute? Cursed Woods? Good name for it I suppose....that lightning sure threw some strange-lookin' shadows. And thank you for your hospitality. I give you my word that I mean no harm."

Akio was a bit shocked. The hiker had no knowledge of the cursed woods, infamous for hosting vampires, werewolves, and all sorts of supernatural and magic?

However, Akio's attention finally returned to his hunger.

"It should be all fine...I will just collect a fee though..."

And then, Akio went to bite right into his arm to start drinking blood. Meanwhile, the third of the rediculously gorgeous maids serving Akio who looked like a young boy stepped forward.

"Allow me to explain. The Cursed Woods is full of strange, powerful, and dangerous supernatural creatures and phenomena that make it difficult to traverse without power, resources, and/or experience of your own. The fact you reached here makes you rediculously lucky, and Akio-sama is a vampire capable of ensuring you survive it. Simply put, without help, the likelihood of you dying is high. This is not only the fee for letting you in with that appearance, but also so the beloved, blessed, great Akio-sama will help you with what you may need, whether it is escort, or if you so choose, becoming a Vampire like the great Akio-sama".

"OW! What the---?!" he exclaimed in shock. He deliberated his options. Evidently normal humans couldn't traverse this domain unless they were extremely lucky (and not afraid of much). And he'd rather be able to traverse this domain under his own power without needing to be escorted so that left becoming part of this strange coven his best option. Not to mention it could be a way for him to play a Batman-like superhero that prowls the streets at night taking care of the thugs that also prowl at night. He'd have to adopt some personal ethics though. Number one that he'd never sire a kid like a very psychotic one must've done to the kid currently siring him. And how weird is this? Being sired by a little kid? he thought to himself wryly. Spending a possible eternity with such beautiful women around couldn't hurt either, he thought with a grin. "I choose to become a vampire," he said decisively.

Hearing that, the blood sucking started to greatly escalate as more and more blood began to leave the man's body. After all, it's not like he would need it anymore. Of course, technically speaking once Akio did the siring part, he should become the same type of Vampire as Akio, but mutations sometimes happened so it wasn't set in stone.

Right as he felt he might pass out or even die of blood loss, Akio finally did the siring part. Once that was done, he finally released Greg's arm and began wiping his mouth while looking satisfied.

"Sorry it took so long, didn't want to waste anything. Ah, my name is Akio! Akio Revela! And welcome to Castle Vankoryth, home of the vampire organization referred to as the Detente".