[Transylvania] Castlevania

[Bloodedge]

https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4472/37785924001_4a022f5bb7_c.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/Zz1JLi)

Dracula's Castle, also known as Demon Castle or Castlevania, is Dracula's lair and symbol of his magic. It houses an army of his supernatural minions, and tends to collapse when Dracula is defeated. Yet, it is able to restore itself and reappears intact in later years, even when Dracula has not yet revived himself, if another member of Dracula's bloodline lives.

[Apollymi]

Within the halls of Castlevania, someone with the appearance of a crimson haired maid moved about the building. She seemed unassuming enough, but her once pristine white apron was smudged in blood. Beside her a bucket which seemed to contain a great deal of blood and in her right hand a still beating human heart. Her left contained a mop which she was using to clean up the rather gruesome display taking place. As the candle lit hall she stood in was rather coated in the blood of whatever poor human she'd been tussling with before this moment. Even so, the cutest little smile adorned her face as she leaned forward and took a bite out of the heart of this creature while its bones stuck up out of the bucket at her side and she, cleaned up the mess made by the 'attempted' escape.

It was, the night of the full moon, and it was to be expected that the cattle, had gotten a bit restless. But their desire to escape had all but been quelled by the immediate death of their leader. Such was the way of things around here, and this unassuming female had been the dispatcher of this escape artist and now she was enjoying the fruits of her labors, so to speak. while she did this, she allowed herself to wonder about the well being of her Master, who routinely also grew restless and had left the castle to amuse himself among the humans.

[Bloodedge]

The moon reached a 70 degree angle from the Earth's surface in the sky. As this marking of time came, Sorin Lothaire Phantomhive - current lord of Castlevania - returned to his home of 57 years. He seemed troubled... incredibly so. His night had been all but ordinary, and he'd only stepped out for the usual full moon feeding he tended to partake in. A journey down a candlelit corridor from the entryway saw him in wonder for how things had turned out the way they had. He'd met someone other than the victim of his feeding. While this was not too out of the ordinary, it was strange how close he'd come to sinning numerous times because of this person. Eventually, a slow trek brought him to a throne at the end of a conference hall of some sort. He sat upon the throne, crossing his right leg over his left and leaning his head against the knuckles of his left hand, which saw its arm against that of the throne itself. Narrowed eyes glowed with the violet hue of Sorin's irises while melancholy took full hold of the vampire. A discontented sigh preceded the first word he'd spoken aloud since parting with one Kasmina Dacian. That spoken word would be a name...

"Alina."

[Apollymi]

The name of the scarlet haired maid seemed to cause her to leave her work where it was, as she swallowed the heart of the creature she'd been eating. Within seconds she was appearing, via some form of teleportation, directly before a throne where her master sat. A black puff of smoke marked her entrance, as curiously enough, she hadn't known he'd returned home. In fact, she hadn't even expected him home before the sun rose, perhaps her own work had kept her too busy. Still she found herself giving the man a deep curtsy from the foot of his throne as she had a gander up and into those violet eyes of his. What she saw there seemed to cause some form of confusion in her. "Master, you look displeased. Was the night not to your liking?" she asked only hoping to make his day better, wondering if his outing to feed had not satisfied him in some way.

[Bloodedge]

A few seconds passed. In Sorin's mind, it seemed like a century had gone by between him calling his servant, and her appearing before him in her manner of choosing. Whatever the case, she was here now, and she knew something was amiss within moments. "Not to my liking would be an understatement," he spoke. His gaze had found itself on a billowing flame atop a candle to the left side of the room, from his own perspective. He seemed transfixed, but... this was simply his restless mind grasping at something to keep hold of and process. Another sigh escaped him when he realized more of an explanation was needed. "The feeding went as normal. I found some poor girl not long for this world, and I spared her of Hell on Earth. Nothing out of the ordinary at all."

His words were perhaps misleading, but not purposefully so. According to what left his mouth, nothing was out of the ordinary, and thus nothing should have been amiss. This was, after all, how he'd chosen to feed, and the occasional enjoyment he could get out of doing so. "I..."

Suddenly, Sorin choked on his very words before a statement could be formed. He'd never before been in such a tizzy. Now that he was, he had no clue how to maintain himself and prevent breaking down due to the thoughts consuming him. "I was seen. Maybe. This woman. I caught a glimpse of her escaping the alley in which I fed. I thought myself to be prying for the truth in appearing to her once more and testing her behavior, but... I was consumed, Alina. Words not my own took hold of my mind, driving me into a frenzy of simultaneous adultery and blood lust toward this woman!" As he spoke, Sorin's eyelids began to part ever so slightly. The reflection of the oscillating flame he watched danced across his eyes, adding to them a gleam rarely seen upon his visage. "Her blood, Alina. The scent of it was maddening. My own senses betrayed me in a way that made me believe I could taste it, and... it was the sweetest delicacy to ever grace even my imagination."

[Apollymi]

Alina's posture straightened soon after the current master of this castle began speaking. What he initially described was a night like any other where he chose to go out and find his own meal. The maid could barely keep the look of confusion off her face as he described what was his most normal of outings to almost perfection. Right down to his mercy killing of some poor almost dead soul. The man made being a vampire one of the kindest things she'd ever witnessed but...

A spark came to this woman's eye as he went on to describe events of this night which were out of the ordinary. He nearly choked on the words before getting them out, such was frighteningly unusual. The redhead was standing at attention, leaning in just a little as if hanging on his very words as she tried to summon the interest in this story. 'Maybe?' her eyes narrowed as his finally opened again and he described the sensation of being overcome with blood lust. Such a thing was quite common in the lower ranking vampires. Those almost feral creatures were generally enticed by any stray blood they came across. But for those who fed only when they wished to, to be enticed by blood as this young man was describing, that was something wholly different. 'I've never seen him like this before, how strange it must be for one such as him to possess such...' there was a pause in this maids thoughts as if she couldn't come up with the right word to complete her thought. 'Feelings.' was what she settled on. "My lord, forgive my candidness but your words imply that no harm came to this woman. One who managed to kindle in you a blood lust even I was unsure you actually possessed. If no harm was done, then surely my lord, should not be in such a state now?" she questioned, meaning to somewhat reassure the man that he'd done no wrong as his conscience probably needed. She also meant to leave him an opening to explain why this particular instance was such a major problem for him.

After speaking on that matter though there was something else which bothered the maid about the speech given by this young man. Knowing this was something which had happened to him, she could scarcely hold back the curiosity alight in her crimson eyes. If he didn't know whether or not this woman knew of his identity as a creature of the night, had he done something about it? "Forgive the question my lord, but this woman who enticed you so, did you rid her of her memories of this night to help ease your conscience?" the maid asked curiously. In all her years in this castle, she'd never witnessed this man in such a state, tortured by his own being was something she never really expected of the rather pious vampire she'd come to work for.

[Bloodedge]

"Hm..." Though Sorin's eyes had been slowly widening, they came to a sudden halt before reaching their limit. His brows drew together as this stop occurred, as the maid offered what she expected to be reassurance of some sort. It did not serve this purpose. "No harm was done. Everything proceeded normally, for the most part. What bothered me was that I had these urges at all. I've never lost my composure... but tonight, I nearly led myself into damnation." The more Sorin thought back to his earlier mental struggles, the more annoyed he became with himself. Was this what it meant to bear the blood of Dracula? No; that couldn't be right. Such a curse wouldn't rear its head now, so late in his life. There had to be something else afoot. Perhaps the answer was as simple as the blood within this woman having some special property he did not know of. One could only assume this to be the case.

Another query met Sorin's ear this day. This one pertained to his ability to erase the memory of the woman he'd met, or rather, the question was if he had done that very thing. Recalling the events, he was remiss to say he likely should have. "... I had every opportunity. For a time, I was almost certain she knew, and I am even more so now. I just... I couldn't. It took everything in me to get away from that woman without ending her mortal life. How I wonder what is happening to me now."

[Apollymi]

Alina watched as her master continued to struggle with his own actions. Though by the maid's own belief it was more like inaction, but her's was not to question this day. Her master, the purest vampire in existence, seemed to think he would have led himself into damnation over someone, which she found most preposterous. "Are you so sure it was damnation you were headed towards? Master, speaking freely, you hold yourself to abhorrently high standards for a mortal man, even the clergy are less pious. And your standards as a vampire, make most cringe by their very existence. Again, your urges were your urges and you conquered them, which by your own statements was no small feat. Perhaps, you should give yourself a bit more leeway than that, at least when considering things you haven't actually done," she offered. Knowing the man held himself to high standards was one thing, but... allowing him to wallow simply because he hadn't experienced his current set of feelings was a bit more than the maid could allow. This was probably why she was summoned in the first place. Still something about this man's speech bothered the maid, but she would hold on to that thought for just a while.

Sorin went on to answer her inquiry about the woman who might have had knowledge of his identity as a creature of the night. What he went on to explain was that he had made inquiries of the woman and was almost certain she knew. And even stated that he had every opportunity to rid the woman of the memories of him and the previous night events, and yet he hadn't done it. He claimed it had taken everything he had just to leave the woman's side without taking her life. This made the maid's eyes widen ever so slightly. If he wondered what was happening to him now, she could hardly know, but she supposed she had an idea or two about that. "Master, I must ask... if you didn't feel the need to erase this woman's memory of you, are you so sure she won't aim bring death and destruction upon you?" she questioned her master, but at this point she was mostly just curious about his motivations. Having never seen him in such a state, she could only do her best to help him get to the bottom of his own feelings, perhaps a few leading questions would help him find the answer he sought.

[Bloodedge]

"Of course, Alina," Sorin replied through a heavy sigh. "Had I not managed to resist, I surely would have drained that woman dry without so much as a whispered prayer beforehand. I could tell her soul was pure, and that act alone would be one of the greatest sins I could commit. Even at this very moment, confession awaits me." The vampire began rubbing the bridge of his nose with closed eyes, finding the annoyance of the earlier situation to be fading away. The annoyance of his present confusion, though, persisted. "Don't misinterpret my meaning, Alina. I am fine with the outcome of my efforts today. I wouldn't have things any other way than how they were, under the circumstances. Blood lust is unbecoming of me, though..."

Soon enough, Sorin's hand moved away from his face to allow him a straighter posture within the throne. Once the vampire's spine was erect, he draped both arms over their respective sides of the throne, and opened those deep, violet eyes once more to look upon the maid. His doing so preceded a retort to her most recent query. "If I were to be honest, I would say I am not so sure about anything. I have nothing more than a spark of faith, is all, but I suppose the answer will come in due time. Ah, yes... time." The simple mention of the word time had placed another thought in Sorin's mind. He had returned earlier than he normally did. It would have been his intention after the initial feeding to clear out some of the lesser, more feral vampires until sunrise, but his chance meeting had thrown him off quite a bit. "If it is no inconvenience to your schedule, I'd have my tea as early as possible. Sweeten it to death. The palette craves for nothing less tonight."

[Apollymi]

The news that her Master had almost succumb to the blood lust induced by a pure soul was shocking to Alina. She didn't think the man registered the innocent on his palette at all, especially given the types he chose to keep in his castle as cattle. The maid understood what he meant by confession but the idea of it was still rather foreign to her, given her own background. "Master, I still can't say I understand the concept of sitting in a dark room and telling someone else of the wrongs you think you committed. But if it helps you to feel better then as always I support your decision," the woman said as she offered another curtsy as was her way when she was feeling particularly pleased in her duties. This was no constant of her personality but she figured her tortured Master could use something a bit lighter as part of his day. It should also go without saying that she missed the irony of this statement as she was basically taking his confession as his demon servant right now. Her next set of words would be in answer to those spoken by Sorin as if to poke at his meanings. "Perhaps, it is unbecoming of you. Or perhaps it wasn't only blood which called to you?" the maid let the semi-rhetorical question hang in the air as if she didn't expect an answer. Instead she was content to allow the conversation to shift, and shift it did.

It seemed that Sorin the master of this castle had nothing more than a spark faith that the woman that had spied on him wouldn't simply try and have him killed for what he was. It was an interesting choice of words coming from the rather pious vampire who held faith in rather high esteem to begin with. Beyond this the idea that a pure soul wouldn't immediately ring all alarm bells about a vampire was curious as well. "The word faith used in the sentence is a rather clear indication of your leanings in the matter Master. Even if you are consciously not as certain yet. I will admit I find it strange that a pure soul wouldn't simply ring the alarm for the sake of all around her... it strikes a curiosity I cannot rightly reconcile," the maid went on to say. In the five decades of this man's life that she had served him, she found him to be one of the strangest beings she'd ever come across. Even so, the idea that anyone pure enough to make this man believe he would sin, also would have nothing to say about a vampire in general was an equally strange being by the maids own standards. That would have been just the kind of individual she would have taken contract with, were she not presently bound to the lord of this castle.

As their conversation progressed it seemed that he wished to have his tea early today. Such a thing would be rather easily managed by the maid, though she generally expected him back much later than his present appearance. "It is no inconvenience, my lord, I need only your patience for a few moments to prepare what you'd like. I'll bring the cakes as well, there are some here freshly made, that you might enjoy." she commented only to give that same effortless curtsy and disappear from his sight in a puff of smoke. She'd leave him alone for approximately 15 minutes, and when she returned it would be with tea, ready to serve. All manner of cakes and treats as well as a truly sweet and decadent dark tea steeped in blood and sweetened with fair sugar and sweet cream. It was truly the sweetest tea she could have concocted and was served in fine china for to help along the man's own tastes. "Tea is served my lord, I am sorry about the wait, it took me a bit longer to find the proper balance of 'sweetened to death'," she commented as those crimson eyes of hers flashed with devilish light.

[Bloodedge]

Alina expressed her lack of understanding for the confessions Sorin, and others of faith, took to be absolved of their sins. This much was to be expected. She was a demon of higher caliber than most, and thus had always been connected to Satan in some way, be it direct or otherwise. "Confessions are delivered directly to the Lord, Alina. By admitting to our wrongdoings, we are cleansed of our sins. I do not expect you to understand." In the midst of this discussion, Alina voiced her opinion in the form of rhetoric. What could she have meant by it, though? If it had not been the blood alone calling out to him, then what else?

There was much to consider about this woman Sorin had encountered. At this very moment, though, he preferred the idea of moving past this ordeal with a fine cup of tea. Soon after his request, it was brought to him with accompanying cakes to sate his apparent sweet-tooth. Surely this would serve the purpose of quelling him. As sugar-filled as it was by Alina's assertion, it had to match the craving he'd experienced earlier this night. He took the cup before anything else. "I'll live an eternity. I think I can handle a few minutes worth of wait for tea," he said while raising the cup to his lips. The first sip was one which would make most men turn their heads. Its bouquet was almost that of raw sugar, yet precisely what Sorin had requested. But, that's not all the first sip was; it was also the only sip. "Augh!" he exclaimed, immediately tossing the cup full of tea onto the floor before the throne. Something about it was infuriating. It just... wasn't a match. "How did I, for even a moment, believe I could substitute my craving with tea!? Mankind has nothing that could sate this thirst!"

[Apollymi]

Alina presented the tea to her Master with her usual amount of flair. And as he took up his cup she rose from her curtsy and moved to the side. This was quite interesting because she also got to watch as the cup of fine china flew from the man's hands and shattered on the floor. This was yet another angst filled moment for the man, one which she hadn't expected to see from him. Her crimson eyes widened just a bit as she found herself looking up at the Lord of this Castle. Though she knew she'd created this drink exactly to the man's specifications she also knew that with the thirst created by fresh blood and power, he'd likely not be able to get anywhere with mortal food either, even with the steps she'd taken to include less mortal food than normal. "I take it the tea wasn't to your liking, my lord?" she questioned rhetorically, only to disappear and reappear within a second cleaning up the mess which had taken place by virtue of the cup hitting the floor. The pieces were even assembled again on the cart as if by magic. After all, she couldn't have him breaking fine china so easily. As she bowed her head she had little to add. "Perhaps, master should give his senses time to clear fully. I imagine after encountering something so new your senses aren't yet ready to go back to the mundane that is... tea," she offered. If her own thoughts were anywhere near correct nothing but the one person he refused to give himself would ever properly satisfy, her Master. Perhaps she could talk him into allowing himself a bit more.

[Bloodedge]

"No... no, the tea was fine. I'll go mad if I try to use it as a replacement, though," Sorin replied. He'd had enough of this ordeal for now. There was hardly anything he could do, bar feeding on the woman plaguing his mind at present, to quench this thirst. That was not an option, though. He felt that if he did such a thing, he'd not only go to far, but be exposed to some form of drug he'd likely never experience again... and that would lead to him having this problem for the rest of his immortal life. Alina may have been onto something with her words. "You're right. I'll sleep on it, and hopefully this will be over by sunrise," he said. With that, Sorin would adjourn to his quarters, resigning himself to there until it was time to return to the throne and commune with the commoners he allowed into Castlevania to make requests of him.

Continue the story here (http://www.roleplayuniverse.net/forums/showthread.php?554-Sibiu&p=7290&viewfull=1#post7290).

[Apollymi]

As the dusk began to settle on the land a single true black horse and its rider could be seen making an approach to Castlevania. This horse unlike many which were black in color didn't seem to have faded at all, regardless of the fact that it spent all day out in the sun. It was aptly named Midnight and after having spent a while riding with the beast, Kasmina seemed to think it was best mare she'd had for herself in ages. The sun shown over this land causing large shadows to appear here and there, still the young woman didn't seem frightened, even as she looked upon the massive castle and wondered how the man managed to be within the city at any reasonable hour. She took in the view of this place in all its splendor, while she herself was dressed as usual, with her bonnet and hair around her face blown gently about by the ride she'd taken. Still after making her way to the front of this building, she dismounted giving the beast a calming pat on the face before she walked up to knock on the door of this giant castle. It could hardly be called anything else, given its sheer size. 'Christ in heaven, our entire house would fit through this door...' she thought to herself. Still she had come burdened with glorious purpose and she intended to see it through.

After using the knocker on the door, a thundering echo would be heard down the hall. This would bring forward, a certain red haired maid whom was always at the disposal of the owner of this dwelling. She was not presently covered in blood and looked like an average maid, the color of her eyes, had even become that of a simple darkened brown instead of the crimson they tended to be other times. "Good Evenin' Mistress, do you have some business with the master of this castle?" asked the maid after the large door had parted. This maid looked over the young woman with great dismay. She was used to the common folk who made themselves known here from time to time to beg favors of the master of the castle, but never had she seen one with such obvious good breeding as the lass before her standing here today. Beyond this the demon maid felt something strange from the young woman, she'd liken it to power but such things were unseen in humans, still it was an understanding she simply couldn't ignore.

Kasmina looked on with the same neutrality she seemed to always be capable of managing. "I need to speak with the Viscount Sorin Phantomhive. He has recently paid me a great kindness, and I simply wish to return the favor with the information I have come across this day. If he is willing our meeting shall be brief, I know he is a busy man," said this young woman with raven hair framing her face and rather piercing emerald green eyes. Her manner was one which the maid respected and as such she allowed the woman into the great hall at the entrance. "Mistress, if you might wait here for a moment while I go tell the Master who calls upon him?" she asked, seeming to need the young woman's name which she shared without thought. "Kasmina Dacian, and I will wait patiently here..." she said seeming easily able to keep to her word. A curtsy came from the maid but was soon enough dispatched as she headed to the left and once the door was closed behind her disappeared only to aim to appear at Sorin's side, wherever he might be within the castle, a curtsy already in place. "Master, the young Mistress Kasmina Dacian, wishes to see you. She claims to she aims to return a kindness you paid her, what should I tell her?" asked the woman of the vampire she was bound to.

[Bloodedge]

On this night, the vampire Viscount Phantomhive was seated upon the throne he'd returned to days prior. He'd spent the majority of this day dealing with the common folk who braved the journey to his castle. The path alone was treacherous on foot, and those who appeared making requests during the day were always rewarded by Sorin, in some way, with a reasonable wish of their choosing. In the recent days, he'd been named Count. Now, he commanded two centuries - some of which could be seen even now, taking up positions around the inside and outside of the castle.

As he sat upon the throne, Sorin swirled tea around the inside of a cup which he'd not drank from. He seemed less bothered by events from earlier in the week, but he'd still not consumed anything of any sort since the day he'd encountered Kasmina in the city. His violet gaze rose from the swirling fluid when his most faithful servant appeared before him. Looking upon her, he wondered what she could possibly need at this hour. Sunset was mere minutes away; no commoners were to be asking things of him now.

Interestingly enough, there was no person present to ask anything of him. Instead, someone wished to return a favor. That name... he could not mistake it. Sorin's eyes widened to their limit when he heard the name, and he felt an immediate skip in his eternal heartbeat. The shock saw him abruptly squeeze the handle of his teacup until it shattered, causing the cup to fall and spill tea over the arm of the throne. "Kasmina Dacian, you say..." he repeated. This was a curious event - very curious. What kindness could this woman think to repay, and what did she think she could do to repay him for it? Was it worth his sanity to let her within his reach once more? Could he contain himself if he did allow this? These were questions plaguing the new Count's mind, but he knew how perilous the journey here was... and how much worse the trip back would be at this hour. He couldn't possibly turn someone away and let them risk their lives to go home, having accomplished nothing.

"... Bring her to me."

[Apollymi]

The maid Alina found herself watching as her master dropped yet another tea cup at the mention of a woman. She could only assume that this was indeed the young woman who'd plagued him in his most recent feeding. She stared at her master and at the fallen tea cup and once again moved about via teleportation, fixing the teacup and cleaning up the mess in the matter of just a few seconds. "Master, that is the second time you've broken that teacup, would you like me to fetch some new china for you? Obviously that set is no longer to your liking," the demon maid commented absently. Her commentary though a bit terse was right about what would come to be expected of her. And beyond this, she could tell by his reaction that this was indeed the young woman who had driven his senses to their absolute peak. Alina would have wondered if he was alright with this, but it seemed he wished to see the girl and as such a curtsy would ensue. "As you wish, my lord."

While this happened, Kasmina found herself studying the decor of this particular entrance. She couldn't help but think it was impossibly well managed for such an estate and wondered how many times it existed. 'I must do this and leave, this man is strange but kind, so I think I'd prefer if nothing ill befell him,' she thought to herself, that same purpose still burning within those emerald green eyes. Even as this maid appeared before her now. "The Master will see you now, Mistress. If you would follow me," said the maid who'd come out of the same door, but didn't lead Kasmina into it. "Of course, many thanks to you..." said the raven haired lass which only caused the maid to offer a small smile and nod. Such a polite young thing, to walk into this castle knowing what her master was and still think only of pleasantries. As they walked she continued to assess this lass and decided on a couple of reasons why her master might have had a problem dealing with this woman as compared to others. But it was not presently her place to speak on it. Instead she took Kasmina down this formal hall way to the end of it, in which there was a large throne where the Count Phantomhive would be sitting without a doubt. "Count Phantomhive, the lady Kasmina Dacian..." said the maid before offering a bow and clearing the area, leaving this pair in the giant throne room alone. "Count? Congratulations are in order then. Pleasure to see you again, sir." offered the young woman who gave a curtsy upon this meeting but didn't forget the purpose for which she'd come.

[Bloodedge]

After permitting the entry of Kasmina, Sorin awaited her retrieval. In the meantime, Alina went about repairing the mess he'd made with the teacup. Her words were about the norm, but Sorin had nothing to say regarding them. His mind was presently occupied with thoughts concerning the arrival of this mortal woman. 'Why? Why on God's Earth would she be here now?' he wondered.

Soon enough, Sorin was watching the woman enter the throne room. Her introduction went as normal, provided by Alina. What came next, though, was a greeting from Kasmina that did not answer any of the questions in his mind. Still... Sorin remained courteous as ever. "None necessary. Good evening, Lady Dacian. What, pray tell, brings you to my castle at this late hour?"

[Apollymi]

This man was still as curteous as she'd remembered. Though she was aware of his life as a being who fed on people, she thought him a nice enough man to deserve warning of potential impending doom on his doorstep. She didn't seem at all concerned enough to warn the townsfolk of the vampire living among them though for whatever reason. Still, given her father's own greed she knew herself likely to be married off to the Vampire Hunter, and would hate to hear about Sorin's death over dinner one night in the future. "I simply wished to convey a warning to you sir, that there is a man here who claims to hunt vampires. Given what he offered my father, he will likely be my husband in the future. Regardless, he was ripe with information about them, and seeks the head of one which he considers to be powerful. It's probably you, and since you are a kind and righteous man, I thought you deserved the warning so that you might be more cautious in your night activities," she said the phrasing of her speech could simply not be mistaken. Beyond this nothing about the young woman seemed to indicate she was at all afraid of saying such things while standing right before this man in the privacy of his own castle where none would know if something happened to her. In all fairness no one knew she had even come here. So most would consider this even more dangerous, but Kasmina didn't consider it to be so.

She seemed to fully understand and reconcile the idea of this man being a vampire with the fact that he was also a kind and god-fearing man. Given his kindness to her she didn't want him to die to the man she'd likely end up married to. And by her own approximation if he'd simply wanted her dead, she would have already been so, she had no reason to assume he was a bad person, and all the evidence to support her ideas about his kind and pious nature. "I should clarify I mean only to return the kindness you showed me at our previous meeting, meaning not to pry or anything of the sort. I'd simply be saddened knowing that your death occurred if I didn't at least tell you of it as a possibility," and with that said the young woman again gave a curtsy and was quite content to leave this place and this man alone. As far as she knew her fate was probably sealed as far as her marriage was concerned, but she could be at least relatively sated by the knowledge that this man was at least being careful with his night stalking activities.

[Bloodedge]

Kasmina gave answer to his curiosity. She'd come on this day with noble intentions, aiming only to give him fair warning of a vampire hunter's presence in Sibiu. From an outsider's perspective, this was a reasonable thing to do... but only from the viewpoint of an outsider. She also thought to note that this hunter happened to be the likely victor among her many suitors. Sorin's left brow twitched to the point of elevation. "Your likely betrothed is a hunter, so you thought to warn me as payment for my... kindness..." he observed. "I wondered if you had seen what happened in that alley the other night. I am remiss to say your journey here was nothing but a waste, on your behalf."

As if to mark his words, Sorin rose from his throne for the first time this day. This ascension was gradual, as if he were mentally preparing himself for something as he rose. He was. In the vampire's mind, close proximity to this woman was a danger to his faith. He had to resolve himself while he still had distance.

When he finally stood erect, the lord of Castlevania began taking slow steps down the few stairs before the throne; he never reached the end, though. Before his foot reached the final step, Sorin's body faded into nonexistence. In the time it would take mere mortals to blink and process this disappearance, he appeared again in the same cloud of darkness, albeit in a new location. This was one of many powers at the vampire's disposal: Mistwalking. He appeared to Kasmina's right side, as if walking from behind her. Only then did he make footfall once more. "You know nothing of vampires, do you? Our meeting was the first encounter with the supernatural for you. You reeked of a mortal in disbelief that day. You questioned what your own eyes told you was an absolute truth. I spared your mind for this reason."

[Apollymi]

According to Sorin, Kasmina's trip here was a waste. She simply didn't agree and a smile crossed her face as she heard these words of his, if she meant to argue about this, she would do so in her own time, though it wasn't exactly her intention to tarry here for very long. But before she could even give light to the thoughts she was holding on to, the man stood, seeming to resolve himself before moving towards her, if she expected this movement to be normal, she was most surely surprised by his rather sudden reappearance in the space of a single step... no a single blink from the stairs of his throne to her right side. Her eyes widened in this moment full of wonder. 'I suppose that explains how he got so far in front of me before... I am remiss to say against powers like his my poor self has no hope,' she said thinking herself to be rather foolish for the gamble she'd taken previously. Even so, it didn't seem to her there was anything to fear here, and as the man went on to explain why he'd bothered sparing her in the first place she could only nod. "I don't know much of anything about anything super natural. The Vampire Hunter was content to tell me basic things that I might keep myself safe, but none of that seems to be particularly useful information when thinking of you... Besides, having such knowledge doesn't seem to fit very much with carrying about a normal life of any sort. And I'd have no reason to look into such things, other than to confirm my own suspicions about you," she commented seeming to have settled quite a bit, from her earlier state of wonderment.

According to this man, her mind was left in tact because she seemed to be disbelieving. If she thought this was the only reason he'd left her alone she might well be in for a loss of an afternoon or day on her own part. But, she thought better of him than that, and had evidence to the contrary to make him that much more amiable in her own mind."And you are quite right, I was in immediate disbelief, but I doubt it was really as you think it was. I could understand the idea of you being a vampire, after all I had seen that with my eyes. I simply had trouble believing you could simultaneously be something people whispered about being evil while being unnecessarily kind to me," she said her brows furrowing slightly. "Though I've come to realize you are simply a kind individual, regardless of what you are..." she said this sentence while twisting the ring on her right index finger with her thumb as she tended to do to avoid fidgeting in any noticeable manner.

All the while this interaction took place, behind the tall throne that same maid looked on with glowing crimson eyes. It seemed she was intrigued by her Master's reaction to this young woman, and wanted to see what he'd do with her in these moments. She didn't expect anything bad to come of this interaction, she simply wanted to know what he meant to do with her. Beyond what he mentioned of being flustered almost completely by being in her presence he showed no real sign of it at the moment. If she hadn't simply been aware that he'd not eaten since encountering this woman, she might even say that until she'd appeared she'd left his mind all together. 'She's at least a bit interesting... I do wonder why the Master wouldn't simply keep her around...' thought the maid, as she found it abhorrent as a demon that this man had no mate and no real companionship for the duration of his life so far.

[Bloodedge]

"Not knowing is what killed the woman you saw me feeding on," Sorin said as steps continued taking him past Kasmina. "She knew of vampires, of course, but her life was over long before she encountered me. Her late husband was turned into a lesser creature of the night weeks ago. With nothing left in this world, she collapsed mentally, and could not care for herself physically. I spared her from the sickness she could not have anyone else see to." His words were true. Those gleaming eyes of his could see the thread of life within mortal beings. When he saw that woman, he saw her crippled soul, and as he drank her blood, her wretched memories flooded his mind. This was what gave Sorin the thrill every full moon. Each time, his singular hunt let him feel as vampires were meant to, while retaining his sense of self from sparing the meek of their final, torturous days.

As Kasmina spoke to share her beliefs about him, he brought his steps to a halt. She was right to think these things. He was a creature of darkness, true, but he was just as easily called a harbinger of God's will. Such was the case with his father, but in a different and less-believable right. "That, milady, is why braving the journey to my castle was for naught," he said. The very next moment, Sorin was in front of Kasmina, reaching to slip the ring off her finger in no more than the time between two of the twists she'd been performing. He would hold this ring between their faces, brows furrowed upon his, as he spoke through the well-restrained desire to bite this woman where she stood. "A lesser vampire could not touch this. The silver alone would burn the skin, but this ring is much more powerful than that. Vampire Hunters fight with Holy Artifacts only because they are symbols of faith. This ring, though... In this ring is more faith than I've ever seen in a hunter. With this upon your hand, you could touch a vampire and set them aflame without even knowing what you'd done."

[Apollymi]

It seemed that with all hands being shown at present, Kasmina would be given the tale of the woman she'd witnessed this man feeding upon three days prior. She supposed if he was truly preying upon those not long for the world in the first place, then he'd truly done that woman a kindness by ending her life. She knew that people often took the deaths of their families rather hard, her father had almost been incapable of carrying on after the death of her mother... with this in mind she could only be happy that the woman wasn't left to feel such sadness. 'Ah, so... even when meting out death he did it as a kindness. Truly a man like this is far beyond a vampire hunter, even if he was found, I doubt anything negative would come of it.' with the extra knowledge she was given she felt more an more at ease. Which was strange because she hadn't known she'd been worried about him in the first place.

His words about the waste of her time in coming to this place made her smile just for a second. "I'd hardly call it that. I did get to enjoy a nice horse ride on the way up here, and a brilliant view of the countryside," such a thing was a freedom she hadn't properly enjoyed since her mother was alive and as such even if this man didn't need the information she'd given him, it was still a worthwhile endeavor for her to come here. Beyond this he went on to explain that her ring acted as a symbol of her faith, and even stated that it had more power than what he'd seen on a vampire hunter at any point. Her eyes widened as he held this ring up between them because it was at this moment that her secondary spin of it would have been occurring but instead her thumb merely met the flesh of her finger. "Items work based on faith, I hadn't considered that. Given the things you have said I suppose that is confirmation that you still have your own," she said seeming to think it strange, but this man was anything but ordinary in the first place. "This information, while useful does leave me to wonder why you are bothering to share it with me at all," she said as she held open her hand for her ring, after all it held great sentimental value to her, and was likely the only object she had any real amount of attachment to.

The maid behind the throne had her eyes widen at the movements performed by Sorin in these moments. 'Is he showing off... or trying to frighten her?' Alina thought. Regardless of the man's aim in this moment, the young woman in his company didn't show a single sign of fear, she didn't reek of any strong human emotion and he was quite right about the item she wore on her right hand. She'd likely never known any sort of fear for her life before hazarding upon him, because her faith had managed to keep all manner of evil away from her. But... Sorin wasn't evil, and thus she got a glimpse into that world in that moment. A strange case of happenstance had brought this pair into these moments and it made Alina wonder how this would end.

[Bloodedge]

"You're certain to die on the way back," he said following Kasmina's comment about the horse ride to Castlevania. The setting sun marked his words, as he discarded the minor disguise he wore in daylight. His already shimmering eyes gained an ethereal glow the same shade of violet as his natural irises, and the canine teeth within his slightly parted mouth grew to their full length as fangs. "The moon brings forth more than just vampires, Lady Dacian. The other creatures of the night won't care much for your protected silver."

As Kasmina held out her hand to request the return of her ring, Sorin continued to stare. He was right in making an assumption about interactions with this woman earlier. Now that night had come, his urges around this woman were intensifying by a magnitude only comparable to their first interaction. To return the ring, he first took Kasmina's right hand into his left. His touch, once again, was as gentle as one would apply to a newborn child. His right hand slowly applied the ring to her forefinger while gazing into her eyes. "The Scotsman is the hunter? He won't make it. Your father will see you married to him, and he will die to the vampires in this area. It's a shame. You'll be left alone, and with child by a man you can barely understand the speech of. What a pitiful life you're fated to lead. It almost makes me want to give into the temptation I've had all this time... to bring your existence to an end here and now."

[Apollymi]

As the sun set, it seemed that the master of Castlevania didn't think it wise for the young woman presently in his company to return. In fact he marked it as a certain death sentence because of the other things which come out at night. "Well, at least the view was nice..." seemed to be all the young woman had to say about her impending demise. Other creatures of the night apparently weren't limited to vampires. Even so, that didn't seem to make much of a difference in the girl's life at the moment. Of course, she also thought that a problem of the future was hardly worth thinking about, as taking care of things immediately in front of you was always more pressing.

And as for things in front of her, there was this man, revealing himself properly as a vampire in all of his 'glory' so to speak. Kasmina, hadn't moved her eyes from his person, but she couldn't. Ethereal glow to his eyes and elongated fangs didn't seem to frighten her in the least. And though she'd held her hand out to ask for the return of her ring, it seemed he was content to take her hand into his own and place it upon her finger while looking her directly in the eye. Her breath was caught in her throat as this occurred and the act seemed so much more intimate than one would have assumed such a thing could be. A gentle flush crept up her neck, leaving her lightly pink for no reason at all really. And though the Scotsman had warned her against such an endeavor, she couldn't really look away, she was after all quite enamored but it had nothing to do with vampire powers. No, this was more about the kindness and care in which the man before her treated her, which was strange given the words coming from his mouth. There was so much tension between them she felt like it could snap at any moment, but she wasn't sure why such a thing existed. Still those emerald green eyes found themselves unblinking for several moments before she found the words to address the speech which the man made obviously from information within her own mind. 'Is it your plan to illustrate every power you possess as a vampire for me, Lord Phantomhive?' her mind begged this question as an immediate first thought to being probed for information, still their conversation was being carried on aloud and she felt no need to stop their discourse.

"I have entertained that series of events, as a focus in my mind all day. I had a very long horse ride to think about it, and see it as the most likely conclusion. It is a shame that I can barely understand what this man says, and that he will likely die leaving me alone with a child of his. Still, it's hardly worth more care right now than anything else," she said in a statement remarkably similar to how she'd chosen to deal with the idea that her father wouldn't allow her simple life's freedoms. She studied his eyes and face in this moment and found her lips giving the gentlest of up turns, it was almost a smirk, but it didn't quite reach the fullness required. "Also, I feel like I should express that though you may have thought of ending my life, or even still be tempted to do so now, I don't think you will. I already gambled with the idea of you killing me before, and you didn't when there was plenty of room for you to do so... but the man who won't kill someone and instead walks them home and protects them from the abuses they normally suffer, doesn't plan on killing that someone at all. You are far too kind and I can see it... even in those glowing eyes of yours." she finished this sentence while remaining within arms distance and staring intently at this man. One might think she'd simply gone mad, challenging a person obviously much stronger than her and the ability to kill her, but... she didn't think this a risk in the slightest. After what she'd witnessed of him, she could nigh guarantee her own safety in his presence.

The maid had gone completely silent, she was leaned into the back of the throne eyes locked on the pair before her. There was enough tension in this room that it couldn't be sliced through with a great sword, and she watched as this young human woman, seemed apt to keep tempting the Lord of this Castle. 'What will you do Master? Will you actually kill her...oooh will I get to eat her when you're finished. I haven't tasted innocent flesh in quite a while...' the maid licked her lips at the thought. Though it was only a passing thought, she knew her Master was least likely to fall into killing this lass just because she was here. He was sharing far too much information with her, for him to simply end her. But still... what could he be doing? This was what Alina wanted to know.

[Bloodedge]

Sorin dived into this young woman's mind, and remained within the confines of her subconscious until he received the memories he sought. At this time, he also read the thought Kasmina was having toward his invasion of her mind. "There's no reason to hide anything. These are my normal mannerisms," was his verbal reply to her thought. It was in no way his intention to demonstrate his mind-reading and Mistwalking abilities to this woman; this was simply how he operated when not concealing his true identity.

With the ring upon Kasmina's finger, and the invasiveness over, Sorin returned to his own mind posthaste, but continued meeting this woman's gaze. She had allegedly resolved herself to the fate of being wed to this Scotsman. More to the point, though, her belief was that he did not intend to kill her. She was right. He never wished to kill the pure, outside of times in which their lives had been truly reduced to nothing. His removed right hand soon found itself pressed gently against the left cheek of the emerald-eyed woman, and a fanged grin crept onto his face. "Of course, my lady. There is no way I would intentionally claim the life of one such as yourself. It would be an injustice done to the rest of the world if you were to perish. However... your blood seems to beckon me. The closer I am to you, the more difficult it is to resist these... urges. You drive me to sin, my lady."

[Apollymi]

Kasmina was soon made aware of the fact that this man simply tended to use his abilities while he wasn't hiding. This of course, made it no less odd that he was choosing to behave this way by now. He also made this statement aloud which let her know he had indeed had access to the thought which had presently been in her mind. Her eyes widened only lightly, but even so she didn't seem to mind this. Though it did beg the question of why he felt the need to operate around her in such a way, surely this shouldn't be something he just showed anyone?

Soon enough though the man allowed his hand to removed itself from her own. This was strange as his hand was soon replaced along her cheek. He went on to admit that while he didn't normally take the lives of the innocent. But apparently he had some issue with tolerating her presence. According to him she drove him to sin, or more or less he was truly called to her by her blood. She didn't understand this as such and confusion showed across her face as her brows knit together. Still, to be told such a thing by a smiling fanged man who chose to treat her so gently was quite beyond what she expected. "To say such a thing while looking at me in such a way, is quite confusing, sir," she said seeming to have no trouble meeting his gaze. Of course, this didn't stop the natural reaction of the slight reddening to the lass' face. 'If I am such an hindrance to him, what does he plan to do with me?' she couldn't help but wonder.

[Bloodedge]

The longer he stared, the longer his gaze was reciprocated. The reddening of Kasmina's face came during this little staring contest of theirs, specifically in the moments following Sorin's hand touching said face. There it was again. The smell of her blood struck his nostrils like a vengeful spirit meeting him with firm embrace. He couldn't prevent his nails from elongating in a way that resembled claws extending, but it was a simple matter to prevent anything more than the gentlest of grazes from these additions along the side of Kasmina's face. The glow in his eyes had now begun to fill with something akin to a red mist, and he could feel himself almost beginning to salivate.

Kasmina expressed confusion regarding his words spoken while his gaze found her in such a way. This was understandable. After all, Sorin himself had been confused all this time. "And what way, pray tell, is that... hmm? What do you see in these eyes of mine that twists my words so? I, too, would like the answers."

[Apollymi]

As Kasmina stared at this man she felt nails growing akin to claws where his hand met her face. There was no damage from his only a gentle grazing, though the sensation itself was unnecessarily powerful to her. His touch like silk sliding across her skin, which only made her further wonder what sort of fresh hell this man thought himself to be experiencing. As their staring intensified and she met his gaze with her own unblinking she saw the blood mist beginning to show more than the ethereal glow that she'd become accustom to in the moments prior. It seemed that the Lord of this Castle was quite confused by his own actions, and such knowledge was surprising to the raven haired lass who thought it was obvious. Perhaps that was why she found it confusing, that blush still ripe on her face she explained as candidly as she was able. Her lips parted and a single breath escaped her before she began speaking on what she saw in his eyes. "Sir, your eyes scream that you wish to possess me, in every sense of that word," she said rather simply. "To stare at me with that sort of intensity, while speaking to me about the hindrance my presence causes you, is utterly confusing," she finished. And true enough Kasmina was quite used to the wandering and lingering gazes of men, but his was so focused she felt like it could find her even if she disappeared right this moment. Was she to interpret this as desire or as him thinking of her as food. She was not sure...

[Bloodedge]

Sorin eventually found his fingers curling, as if his hand had taken a mind of its own and wished to drag its claws along the woman's face. He resisted this as well, leaving his nails to only poke at five points around the side of Kasmina's face. This occurred during her explanation of what she found in his gaze. What she claimed to take from it was not desire from his fangs, but from... well, everything else. It was an interesting thing to note, and more interesting yet to speak of. Still, the answer to Sorin's query had been received, and there was naught he could do besides accept it with a chortle. "Is that so? If that is the case, perhaps the answer to my problem would be naming myself one of your suitors. After all... even what the Scotsman offers pales in comparison to what I can grant."

[Apollymi]

Kasmina found her answer to this man to be accepted in relatively good humor. But as his fingers curled against her face she felt the tiniest of prickly sensations against her skin. In this moment she found herself holding a breath. That being said she hadn't found it in herself to move away from him, it was almost as if she didn't trust her own motor functions not to simply turn against her if she tried. But as far as she could tell, there was nothing supernatural occurring here. She wasn't allowed a moment's peace to resist such advances as she found her eyes widening at the statement that he should make himself one of her suitors as it seemed the easiest way to solve his problems. There was now shock in this young woman's face, as she hadn't even thought he'd say such a thing, much less to her right now. His claim that he could offer more than her other suitor was seemingly outlandish as that man was giving away enough land to fill the city, albeit in Scotland. Why any would give such for her she could not know but it seemed to make her pleased somewhere in the recesses of her own mind.

"If that is what you wish, I can scarcely form an argument against it..." she finally managed when she got over the shock of the statement presented to her by this man. Still she was left to wonder why he'd do this at all, if he was struggling between the idea of consuming her or having her adding himself to her list of suitors seemed to only be to his own detriment. Even knowing this in her mind, she could only be somewhat enthused by the idea, perhaps because she already knew of this man's kindness and found him far more interesting than any of her other suitors had been.

[Bloodedge]

The change in Kasmina's demeanor was quickly noted by the vampire. She reeked of shock, which could only have come as a result of Sorin's most recent suggestion. He'd spoken these words partially in jest, but he felt himself not very detached from the idea after sharing it. What he found disturbing, was the retort which came after the shock upon Kasmina's face settled. For her to claim she could not form an argument against his assertion... perhaps she didn't understand exactly what was at stake.

"You could, and likely should, my lady," he said. If she were to claim in all honesty that she could not speak against this, he would now certainly go forth; all he needed to know was that she understood what she would be allowing to happen. "You would give yourself to potential damnation, and the curse of immortality? You would also be one of few prime targets of every vampire hunter in the world."

[Apollymi]

It seemed something about her reply to his idea, had caused a shift in Sorin and Kasmina found this odd. She realized he'd likely spoken in jest at least a tad but it had been his idea, and not one she'd even considered at all before he'd said it. Still there was something about the man before her that she found uncommonly attractive and it wasn't his looks nor status as an immortal being. Instead she was blinded by the kindness and care he seemed to show for her and that made anything he had to offer worthwhile for her. Even so, she felt the need to explain at least a little of herself in this moment because she realized what he'd offered even before he properly explained it. "Sir, I did not make that decision without giving it full consideration. If my faith were so easily broken I would have been damned long before now," she said thinking of times when she was much younger and dragging her father out of taverns as he gambled away their livelihoods unable to cope with the death of her mother. Even if it wasn't her own actions that would damn her, she did consider the process itself might be harmful but that she'd also considered, in that moment much like many when assessing a situation, she twisted the ring around her index finger as a form of solidifying her thoughts.

"That as an aside, the Scotsman said that woman you fed on before could not be blessed but you are a pious man so I get the feeling you did that yourself. If her soul is safe I need not fear for mine," she said of the first part of his statement taking a solid and full breath before continuing to the apparent curse which he found immortality to be. "I am very young so I am not sure what sort of curse immortality could be. But up to this point I have lived my life as cattle with my impending wedding as sale and slaughter, so I feel it would be a rather easy adjustment. This is especially true with you to keep me company as such a marriage implies," she had to say. As for the commentary about being a prime target of vampire hunters she could only sigh. "Vampire hunters are hardly worth more care than all the rest... for similar reasons," she finished her commentary with a level of affirmation and the same look on her face that was generally present when she won a hand of cards. It seemed like she was resolute and trusting of the man before her, regardless of his status as a vampire, and happier with the idea of a marriage to him than anyone else.

[Bloodedge]

It seemed Kasmina had already considered the implications of having a vampire as a suitor. That she had done this, and still thought the endeavor to be something worthwhile, was pure madness. Could a mortal truly be so discontented with their life that they would so quickly throw it away in exchange for eternal damnation on Earth? Apparently so. At the very least, he knew himself capable of delivering a vampire's bite which would not link the victim's soul to Satan by curse. In the case of creating a vampire with said bite, though, the chances of that mattering were slim to none, given the virtually endless lifespan that would be granted.

"You speak in such strange ways to me. To live as a mortal... I've always thought it to be a thing of wonder. And yet... here you are, willing to throw away your mortal soul? How curious." As he spoke these words, Sorin used his right hand to push up on Kasmina's chin to lift her head and reveal her neck. Further words would be accompanied by him closing in on the flesh of her neck, until the words themselves would skip from his breath onto the woman's exposed flesh. He was so close then. At any point, he could have bitten Kasmina, but never did he do so. "Very well," he said, prompting the sudden opening of the castle's front gate, and the lowering of the drawbridge outside. "... Let us away once more. I would have words with your father."

[Apollymi]

According to the Count Phantomhive, Kasmina spoke in strange ways. But she didn't think herself strange, it was simply a logical progression which they were discussing. What wasn't logical however was what happened next, as the man who seemed to find strange the idea that she'd throw away her mortal life, used his hand to tilt her chin upwards revealing her neck as he moved closer and closer to it. Kasmina knew this man was still speaking but she could barely hear him over the sound of blood thundering up to her ears. She knew not where this reaction came from but his breath seemed to dance across her flesh as he spoke. "Choosing to walk a different path does not negate the start of the journey. I do not think I have thrown anything away," she said, and this was true, with a mortal life not in her own control she'd simply made her first decision all her own. But as it stood, she found herself a bit distracted by this man's proximity to her. This sensation was quite new to her, and very much unlike anything else she'd ever experienced, but it didn't not end in a bite nor anything else she expected. Just an apparent acquiescence to her wish and the opening of the castle gates as well as a lowering drawbridge. Apparently it was now necessary for the girl to go with this man to see her father once more, and with this news she was simultaneously happy and very much disappointed. After all she could have shared this man's company all day with no sign of her father and been quite pleased about the experience. "As you wish," she said only to follow this man by whatever method he chose back to her own dwelling.

Continue the story here (http://www.roleplayuniverse.net/forums/showthread.php?554-Sibiu&p=7328&viewfull=1#post7328).

[Bloodedge]

The next time both Sorin and Kasmina would be seen simultaneously at Castlevania would be the following Sunday evening. Sunset was quickly approaching when Sorin escorted his wife to and through the castle gates. A gentle smile was upon his face as he led the way through the castle. It was a long trek, but one Sorin had made many times, and could not formulate a single complaint about in this of all cases. "Alina, no more guests until further notice. Especially them," he said as he moved, knowing that his trusted maid would both hear his words, and know the "them" he spoke of. Eventually, the journey would lead the newlyweds to what had previously been Sorin's personal chambers. A large room contained a proportionally large bed, fit for the likes of a king. Any myths about vampires sleeping in coffins would surely be shut down by this sight alone, as the bed showed all the makings of royal design, all the way to its silken red sheets and gold headboard. "Welcome home, my dear."

[Apollymi]

As the newlyweds made their way to their home, a single order was given to the trusted maid of this castle. She was busy cleaning, but she found herself hearing the words of Sorin and chuckled just a little. 'Already home? And no visitors? That is fine I suppose, though I wonder if he'll finally get his appetite back?' she mentally questioned but she would do exactly as he wished and keep them, and the rest of the visitors to the castle away until such a time as her orders changed.

Kasmina on the other hand took in the sights which would lead her hand in hand with her husband towards their new home. Of course, was she moved she seemed to not have any problem with the long walk in this man's company, though she found herself wondering how she'd managed this journey alone the first time, even on a horse. Still as they made their way into the depths of the castle she soon found herself standing within a large bedroom which was easily three times the size of her previous room with a bed to match. She supposed in looking at the ornately decorated bed, the idea that Vampires had to sleep in coffins was a myth or perhaps it applied specifically to lesser beings than those like Sorin. "This room is astounding..." said the woman, who was still in her wedding dress and obviously looked as if she belonged in such a room, regardless of how different it was to how she was used to living.

[Bloodedge]

Shortly after their arrival to their now shared room, Sorin received Kasmina's opinion on the new dwelling. He'd expected as much, considering her previous living conditions, though far from common in their own right. His response had nothing to do with the room; Sorin instead stepped around to Kasmina's fore, placing his hand upon her cheek once again. "Then it should befit you perfectly, should it not? I daresay the room should perhaps be improved to match its new resident." As he spoke, Sorin gently rubbed against the side of Kasmina's face. He stared into said face all the while, looking somewhat longingly... and yet slightly remorseful at the same time. "I'm certain you know what is to come. Are you sure about this?"

[Apollymi]

As Kasmina looked around the room, it soon became obvious that Sorin only had eyes for her. After her commentary about the state of this place, she was soon met with the man taking place before her. His hand once again found itself upon the side of her face, which he rubbed gently, the commentary alone was enough to bring the lightest of blushes to her face, as if his compliments had feelings within them and she could feel those within herself. It was such a stunning reply she could not really formulate a response.

Of course, soon after the man was staring at her somewhat longingly but there was something else in his gaze as she met it. She might have wondered about that, but he soon spoke in a way which made her capable of connecting the speech to the feeling he obviously had. The question posed at the end of his statement as he gazed at her caused her brows to draw together, as if confused. "There is nothing I am more sure of than this," she said meeting his eyes with her own, seeming to have no problem doing so, in spite of her embarrassed state mere moments ago. When she thought about this objectively this man's kindness had saved her a great many things. If she could live forever with him and keep him happy, there was nothing she'd rather do.

[Bloodedge]

"You honor me with your words in ways you cannot understand, my lady," was Sorin's reply to this assertion. His hand halted its movements as words were shared between the two. If Kasmina was truly resolved to this eternal fate, he was not one to argue. She was, after all, his wife. The winding hair upon the right side of her head was swiftly moved out of the way by Sorin's left hand, clearing her already exposed neckline and shoulder entirely. His gaze fell upon the flesh betwixt her neck and shoulder, and with both arms, he brought her into his embrace again. It was a similar pose to what he'd taken just after they were officially wed, with his left arm around her lower back, and his right hand this time against the back of her neck to slightly tilt her head. As he closed in, he spoke softly against her flesh. "My bite is unlike that of other vampires. It is a pleasant experience from what I have observed, but my blood is powerful... and the transformation is never pleasant. You must be confined to our chambers until you have stabilized."

[Apollymi]

To be told she'd honored him in some way with her words was more than Kasmina expected her eyes widened but a gentle smile returned to her face, as she figured he would be assured by what she'd said. Given this the man moved in on her moving her hair to the side and exposing the flesh of her neck, which was all but left ready by the design of the dress she wore. He pulled her into his embrace once more, but unlike their first kiss at the church, this action went without audience, and thus felt more intimate. While he did this, he explained to her this process in a way which made her chuckle ever so slightly. There probably would have been more to such a reaction, if the feeling of his breath across her skin hadn't caused her to shiver against him in his embrace. "Spending nights after my wedding locked in my bedchamber is about what I expected from marriage," she spoke these words flippantly as she was occasionally prone to do a light jest, proving once and for all that she showed no fear going into this endeavor and felt comfortable and at ease in his embrace. She had some idea what to expect from this process and given that she felt she would be fine. And even if she wasn't, he was here to help her, and that gave her more faith that this would all work out in the end.

[Bloodedge]

During Kasmina's retort, Sorin buried his face in her neck. The smell of this woman's blood had been tormenting him for days on end, and he was now so very close to having it at last. The smell was driving him mad, and he could now feel even the vibrations travelling through her neck from her speech. "Worry not. I will do everything within my power to keep this from being a horrific experience. And, of course, to prevent another serial murder from a newblood. But first..." Sorin removed himself from Kasmina's neck instead of biting her just yet. He had one more thing in mind, and there was only one chance to go through with the idea. He faced Kasmina directly, and held onto either side of her face with his hands. "Before your blood... Once more, I would taste these mortal lips." With that said, he pressed his lips against hers. He could feel the fangs growing in his mouth as he did. The same could be said about the claw-like nails upon his hands, but he couldn't care at present. Several moments of this embrace followed, and these moments were filled with tension building throughout Sorin's body. For a moment near the end of this kiss, he became unable to prevent his mouth from gaping to bare his fangs in full.

[Apollymi]

Their embrace was one of constant tension. Even as Kasmina spoke, Sorin's face was buried in the side of her neck, she had no idea the issue he'd taken with her blood, aside from what he'd mentioned. But his furthered speech let her know that he expected some sort of issue from her transition to immortality. "I shall do my best to behave myself, but obviously I can make no promises," the girl said. Knowing only generally what to expect she couldn't guarantee her own behavior, there were too many things she couldn't account for, and even her gambling mind didn't like her own odds.

Regardless of this fact, since she had his word that he'd do his best for her, she cared little for the in between. But as he removed himself from her neck without a single bite delivered she soon found herself facing him. His words from this standpoint caused her green eyes to widen in wonder only to have his lips forced against her own. This kiss and this embrace were much what they'd been going into at the Church before they remembered their venue. But now, there was nothing to stop them. She kissed him and became engrossed in the activity for several moments. Feeling both the growth of the claws on his hands and even feeling the extension of the fangs in his mouth. Still there was no fear, only anticipation. When his mouth fell open she exhaled breathlessly, the warm air flowing from her mouth, in short shallow bursts as a flush built in her face. She didn't know when this bite was coming, but the anticipation was killing her. This feeling which seemed to build itself from the very center of her soul seemed like it was ready to burst forth. All she could do is wait...

[Bloodedge]

He could wait no longer. His mouth was open without his conscious mind's consent. His fangs were screaming in demand for Kasmina's blood, and there was nary a thing he could do to dissuade them. Before he knew this from that, so to speak, Sorin was once again approaching the woman's nape. His fangs were pressed against her bare skin, but they had yet to break it. He may have promised this woman the most pleasant experience he could manage for her vampiric transformation, but he had restrained himself from feeding too long due to her blood. He would have to savor this draining.

Slowly, the pair of fangs from the top row of Sorin's teeth burrowed past the barrier of flesh just between Kasmina's shoulder and neck. The breaking of skin happened so suddenly after pressure was applied long-term, that Sorin could basically hear the pop of it. Even with his bite being applied while avoiding any form of haste, it remained of the same quality it always upheld, if not greater. His bite was likened to a drug once the sensation of the initial "pinch" was gone. For some of his victims, it functioned as an opiate. Some saw it as a stimulant. Some even found an aphrodisiac-like effect from it. Whatever the case, Sorin received a high like none other he'd ever even imagined the moment blood touched his tongue. The imaginary taste he'd managed to have from the scent of Kasmina's blood earlier had done this experience no justice at all. His mind nearly blanked, holding itself together only by the desire to avoid killing his bride and denying himself this sensation for the rest of time.

Sorin boasted the ability to drain an adult human of all their blood in a matter of seconds. In this particular case, though, he seemed to be having the slowest feeding any vampire had ever attempted. The inhalation of blood occurred at a pace out-sped even by the sipping of the finest aged wine by a dandy. With the amount of blood found within the body, his feeding would certainly take many minutes. And... it had only just begun. Even so, Sorin had already been placed in such a mental state that his arms gripped Kasmina by the torso, the tension of his muscles having only increased as the draining began. He had started to imagine his sanity slipping from him by now... and that was perfectly fine.

[Apollymi]

Kasmina was feeling rather strange. Even as Sorin pulled away from her face and sank into her neck she felt that anticipation. She couldn't liken it to anything she'd ever experienced before but as her now husband settled in she could feel his teeth against her skin. The method of this was almost teasing as there was no bite, no pinch, no sensation to indicate pain which she mildly expected from the idea of someone properly biting her. And then just like the breaking of water over a dam, she felt it.

A pinching sensation was followed immediately by the breaking of unknown tension as Sorin sank his fangs into the flesh of her neck. The skin of this woman had caved with great ease, as had all the tension her body previously possessed. The idea that he thought his bite a 'pleasant experience' didn't seem to fully encompass the tingling tension free flowing sensation the girl felt from deep within her loins. It was unlike anything else she'd ever felt and as her blood began to flow from her body and into his mouth she felt this very sensation in waves. After the shock of the initial bite the gently parted lips of this lass produced a moan, like a quiet gentle murmur which crested with her. His bite wasn't merely pleasant or an aphrodisiac for Kasmina. No, his bite and continued feeling was akin to the proper physical release, which would have come much later in their night. This was no fleeting feeling but like that of a cup overfilled, and it was so good to the young woman, that she could have died this way and felt like her life was worth living.

[Bloodedge]

Blurred lines formed whatever thoughts Sorin may have had at this time. He was in a state of ecstasy, which willed him to continue draining the black-haired woman of her blood until there was nothing left. It took every remaining bit of his consciousness to remember that his own blood would have to eventually be used to replace what was lost, but his memory was serving him well at present.

Not a single drop was allowed to trickle from the fang wounds upon Kasmina's flesh; every little speck flowed directly into Sorin's mouth. He trusted that his warning would not go unheeded. Kasmina may have been feeling the pleasantries now, but only those who died of Sorin's bite could know only the first half of the sensation. Vampires were in a constant state between life and death... and becoming one required death itself. If Kasmina thought she could have died and felt that her life had been worthwhile, she would eventually see that come to pass. Every fiber of one's being had to die during vampire transformations, but the victim would never truly experience death. It would be, essentially... being banished from death while in the process of being obliterated over and over again. Sorin, though, would have nothing but a pleasant experience all along, and Kasmina would likely see the pain mediated so long as his fangs were within her. Only when his fangs were removed would true hell be placed upon her, but he was far from allowing such a moment. There was still much blood to be drank.

[Apollymi]

Kasmina had been warned properly that her transformation would be unpleasant, and perhaps this is why she was seemingly able to enjoy her bite to such a significant extend. Though the blood was being drained from her person as her newlywed husband literally feasted upon her, she could not argue against what she was feeling. If she was to suffer later, there was no reason for her not to enjoy now, and her consciousness would not allow her to even trifle with the thought of doing anything other than allowing rolling waves of pleasure to encompass her entire being.

But as this endeavor continued onward there would soon be obvious indications of this bloodletting process. Though it was quite possibly the most enjoyable thing the girl had ever experienced, as blood was drained from her person and devoured by Sorin, she'd become paler, that flush to her cheeks disappearing with every sip of her blood. The beating of her heart would begin to slow, thumping even harder as it tried to force what was left of her blood around her body to keep her from dying. As all of this happened the small murmurs from her voice would begin to disappear as she fell into the bliss of the bite and closer to what would have been true death. But... she didn't fear it, she trusted Sorin to do as he said he would, and make sure she didn't die this night, as such she was happy to drift on the pleasantness of these feelings until she could no longer.

[Bloodedge]

Sorin had begun to tremble. He'd truly gotten lost in not only the unfamiliar taste of this blood, but also the strange feeling which reached his immortal soul because of it. There was nothing but joy in the decades-old vampire. That is, until he came to realize there was so little blood remaining within the body of his wife. Sadness struck him then. After all this, it was nearly over... but still, this was only the beginning of something more. Eventually, Sorin continued sucking upon the woman's neck, only for there to be nothing coming his way. This let him know the feeding was done, and it was time to reverse the process. He did so by using his fangs to pump his own blood directly into the bite wounds. A slow pace was used for this; after all, he did not wish to overpower this still-human woman with blood of his caliber. This would begin the revitalization process... but would also begin the "long death" Sorin had been negatively looking forward to previously.

[Apollymi]

If Sorin was enjoying himself, Kasmina has enjoyed herself more than she thought she was able. Even as her heart beat slowed and those emerald green eyes fluttered to a close, she had not felt anything she felt she could not eventually feel better about. As they moved along in this process eventually her own blood would be all but gone and then... and she was allowed but a moment of peace.

It could not last.

As if by magic right before the moment she would have drifted off into a true state of death, she felt something akin to a tingle against her neck. It was the first feeling of sharpness she'd had since her bite and it was strange. This sharpness traveled from that point ever downward, and it began to fill her. Even slowly as her heart began to pick up pace once more. This warm and tingling sensation had started to become something savage. As she was filled every beat of her heart became something painful as if it intended to explode, implode or something akin to stopping but it did not. No as the powerful blood of Sorin flowed back into her veins, filling her with lurid pallor once more the girl's body slowly began to feel like it was alight. It was to her as if she had a fever, but it was much more than that. It was no simple warm head or face, or neck... No her entire body was aflame on the inside all caused by Sorin's blood as it tried to work on her. She could feel this with every fiber of her being, there was no dull lulling pain to ignore. Kasmina's entire body was on fire as he pumped her full of his own blood, it was as if she was being burned alive from within but her body wouldn't simply allow her to become ashes... it was torture.

[Bloodedge]

While he could not begin to imagine what the sensation of becoming a vampire was like, Sorin knew from the words of others that it was not pleasant at all. Different victims dealt with it in their own ways, but that did not change the fact that this was happening before him, because of him, right now. He couldn't be of help. At least, there was nothing he could do right at this moment. He had to remain vigilant and ensure that Kasmina's body was filled with blood once more, lest she be formed into a ghoul. Persistence was key, and Sorin kept it. The refilling of blood would take just as long as the draining had, though in this case, it was meant to take about this much time. Still tense from the conversion of Kasmina's blood into his own, Sorin intensified his grip, holding onto his wife's body as one would a long lost companion. It was all he could manage while he still bit her, aside from whatever soothing Kasmina managed to get from his fangs alone.

[Apollymi]

Had it taken this long for all the blood to leave her body? Kasmina's mind was working furiously as she burned from within. Somehow she felt it was likely much easier to die properly than it was to endure this agony. But endure she would, there was nothing else she could or would do. After all, she'd asked for this, to stay with him forever, she'd married him knowing this is what it would mean. That being said, that did nothing to ease her burning flesh. She felt so hot from within that she was almost certain she should be burning to touch, but still what she felt now was like she was being held ever so close. It was as if Sorin meant to anchor her to him, as if she would drift away if he let go.

If she remembered much of this, she'd have to ask him why this was the case. For now there was but the briefest breaks, as her body began to burn high feeling returned to the rest of her person, and she felt deeply what had to be the cooling wave of sensation much like the pleasure she felt before, something deep from the center of her person which could only have been caused by Sorin's fangs still buried deeply into her neck. At this moment, she knew not why he stayed as such, but a momentary relief from this burning was enough to ease the tension in her, at least a little. Enough to allow her to feel like there might have been salvation at the end of this tunnel of darkness... it was enough to allow her to keep her faith that this suffering would end eventually. Like a cool breeze on a hot summer day made the sun a bit less overbearing... she could tolerate this and all would at some point feel right again.

[Bloodedge]

Sadly, any relief given by his fangs would not last any longer than the initial draining did. Once the full amount of blood was able to circulate through Kasmina's body again, Sorin removed his fangs. The smallest trickle of residual blood escaped the bite marks then, trailing down the woman's collarbone. Before he fully pulled himself away, Sorin licked up this trail of blood until the holes in her neck began to seal themselves, which would serve as a sign of the transformation truly beginning. It was then that he loosened his hold, retreating enough to look this woman in the eye once again. "It begins now. There is no turning back."

[Apollymi]

Soon enough Sorin pulled away from her, though not before licking the wound and trail of blood left by his departure. And it was like that the calm and cooling effect of his fangs being buried within her flesh faded and she felt again as if she were burning from the inside out. By the time he pulled away from her, to look her in the eye, she was distinctly aware of his movements, her own eyes still closed as she found the words to express herself. "If we are being honest here, turning back was never really an option..." the girl murmured as her eyes opened. The wound on her neck had all but disappeared and her heart beat strongly pumping his blood to every corner of her person, facilitating this change into the undead. The first of other such changes to note, would be the shift in the young woman's eyes, which were no longer emerald green but instead seemed to have taken on a color similar to aged wine, a deep crimson the likes of which there was no earthly comparison.

At this point she regained control of herself on a more physical level, from the tips of her fingers up her arms she could feel everything. Even the slightest of movements seemed to exacerbate this burning sensation. It took all the mental strength the girl could muster to wrap her arms around this man's neck and pull herself ever closer. "My body is on fire, I know not how to resist this," she whispered to him, her throat feeling uncommonly parched. It was as if she was thirsty but from somewhere deeper than her stomach, it was if her soul wanted filling to restore the coolness of previous sensations. It felt as if there was nothing to extinguish the sensations. Even the gentle soothing of his fangs had been removed and the woman was left to feel all of herself changing molecule by molecule and it was as if each had their on nerves. How was she to cope with this thirst and this burning? It was driving her to madness.

[Bloodedge]

"My apologies, but..." Sorin's expression seemed just as dark as it had been when he gave his earlier warning of the transformation. With Kasmina's arms wrapped around his neck, he took hold of her sides with a semi-firm grip. He'd fed for the first time in many days tonight, but he'd only been able to enjoy the feeding as it happened. Now, he was stuck with the horrendous aftermath of his newly betrothed's suffering. She claimed she didn't know how to resist this burning sensation she had, and frankly, he had about as much of an idea as she did at the time. Before he spoke on this, he took hold of her face again. "I know as little as you, I'm afraid. I was born this way. I can only offer you comfort, my lady, and ensure no atrocities are committed during this transformation."

[Apollymi]

A sigh left this young woman, the likes of which she'd never exhaled before. It burned, even her own breath felt like tongues of flame as they left her. And even as her new husband tried to comfort her, it seemed he had no real answers. According to his own words, he'd been born a vampire, and thus had never gained this experience and knew not what to do to stop this burning within her. She had to find the answer she needed an answer, and as she looked into his face while he held her, the raven-haired lasses mind was full of burning possibilities. If she was merely thirsty she'd drink whatever to cool herself, go for a swim of the summer heat bore down to hard. But what did one do when every part of their mortal being burned from within, how did one ease their own suffering??

'Blood!' her mind almost screamed this word at her, and she suppressed the desire to say it. Obviously she now had a full understanding as to how massacres occurred when this transformation took place in others. She'd do almost anything to stop this nagging burning sensation, this feeling of constant death which prickled along her skin down her throat and into the very soul of her being. She understood how souls were lost because at this time she'd give almost anything to simply make it stop. It was stirring her brain, breaking the cool facade which had taken her through the entirety of her life thus far. Surely there was something which could help this sensation, even an offer of minor respite would help this young woman preserve herself this day. She'd been eased at least slightly a few moments prior to this one, the cool breeze from within, the light at the end of the tunnel. These were things her husband had given her through the pleasure of his bite. Would it be wrong to ask for something more in this moment to ease her suffering? She thought this and looked into her husband's eyes her face moving ever closer to his, while her hands began moving about the buttons near his collar with untold deftness. "I need to ease this, and keep my mind. I wish to feed this burning sensation with my desire for you... can we do this... husband?" she asked, as the words left her mouth she gently sucked the bottom corner of her lip inside revealing a dainty fang had indeed replaced her canine tooth. Surely it wasn't terribly far-fetched, easing the burning of her body with someone else was her first thought. But instead of taking blood, she could make do with the sort of pleasure his bite had given her. It was just the sort of cooling sensation she required now.

[Bloodedge]

Whatever Kasmina needed at his time, Sorin was more than ready to assist. He stared intently into eyes which had taken on the hue of blood. Knowing this to be a sign of a transformation boasting great power, he wondered exactly what sort of havoc would be wreaked if she were to break loose. If he didn't know any better, he'd consider himself in this moment to be a potential victim for the newblood's hypnosis. Instead, it seemed he was to be a victim of something else. In Kasmina's state of torment, she reached out to his collar... or more specifically, the buttons which held it together. Her words which followed brought rise to his brow. "Desire, you say?" he questioned with a smile. Everything made sense now. These urges he'd suffered from the night they met... he'd known from the beginning that it was not bloodlust alone which compelled him. Now, with his wife in such close proximity, and her hands moving in such a way, he fully understood Kasmina's desires, as well as his own. "Such a strange way to approach the topic. But... of course. It is my sworn duty to you for the duration of our lives, after all." With that said, Sorin had to move forward only a few inches to press pursed lips against those of Kasmina.

[Apollymi]

At the mention of her desires, it seemed her husband was content to smile in her face. She was fine with this as her fingers, undid several buttons. She'd gotten all the way down to his navel a single finger dragging over flesh as she finished. But it appeared that he thought her way of broaching this topic to be strange. She didn't much care about that, given the fact that it was literally requiring the utmost concentration from her to not scream or try and run so she could do something about how parched she was presently. Still she couldn't help but allow a small smile to come to her as she looked this man in the eye and his face came ever closer to hers. His lips making contact with hers was the single most refreshing thing she'd experienced in the last few moments, it calmed the burning in her face as her eyes came to a close. 'Yes, we can do this...' she thought as both her hands found their way to the sides of his face, she found her nails and grown into small claws but she didn't care. She sank into this moment, trying to find the depth of this cooling feeling.

[Bloodedge]

Each moment in which his lips made contact with Kasmina's was followed by the lightest of retreats and a gentle brushing of his lips against hers. The hands against his face were growing claws; he could feel them granting small scratches to his skin. This was all perfectly fine, but the scent of Kasmina's blood was beginning to return. This forced the return of his own claws as he gripped her sides. He had to be mindful at this time to avoid harming her wedding dress, lest Madalina become infuriated, so he transferred his hands to the sides of her neck instead.

Sorin's chest had been bared by the efforts of Kasmina. With this being the case, he decreased the distance between them further. His bare skin pressed against that which could be seen above Kasmina's collarbone. At the same time, his lips left hers. Their new place was found upon her neck, where she'd previously been bitten. And with that... he sank his teeth into her once more.

[Apollymi]

There was repeated contact between the lips of the Count and the Countess. She'd bared the skin of his chest, and soon enough would find herself able to feel it by virtue of the openness of her top. The brushes of their lips seemed to be infuriatingly short. These moments were mildly cooling and seemed to tease the young woman but she didn't really mind as his flesh made contact with hers. She was gratified soon enough to have his hands on either side of her neck, though he soon regrew his claws, hinting to the lass that she was likely stoking his hunger once more. It didn't matter to her, in fact she'd welcome another bite from him as the sweetest of releases from the torment of this burning body of hers.

As if the thoughts of her inner mind had been heard, this man's lips left her own more permanently moving to the side of her neck. To the now perfect skin where she'd been bitten originally. His lips met her skin and it was as if a breeze moved across it. A sigh escaped her gently parted lips, and then it came. His flesh against hers, and then his fangs sinking into her skin once more, sending a wave of pleasurable sensation through her body the likes of which gave her the clarity she needed to feel past that burning. The raven haired lass moaned against his body as she felt that cooling wave wash over her person. If they did this, she could remain herself until the burning stopped. But she needed more of this, both her body and mind demanded it.

[Bloodedge]

As soon as Sorin bit into Kasmina's flesh, he felt a bit of the tension she had built up release through her shoulders. He could be of help, after all, at least in this way. He knew how his own bite functioned; if he only sank his teeth in deeper, it would likely do no harm. Sure, an extra pinch would come from the sensation of being bitten, but... he doubted that would be a worry of the woman. So, he did indeed push his fangs deeper into her; he didn't stop until he reached the point of applying pressure with his incisors. Sorin's hands were reaching to grab Kasmina's shoulders at this point, and he was working toward decreasing Kasmina's blood pressure to take the edge off. If he could manage to cause some small amount of blood leak from her body, it would be beneficial in the long-run.

[Apollymi]

Kasmina got the relief of this man's fangs sinking into her flesh, but it seemed she was in for more. Soon she would be receiving something more, as he sank even further into his bite. She was stunned a bit as there was another pinch, but she was less concerned with the physical aspect of this because the deepened bite did even more for providing her relief from this burning sensation. Of course, she had no idea what he had planned but as the burning was further eased she could feel nothing but faith that he'd take care of her. Soon his hands were closer to her shoulders, and she continued to experience the rushing coolness which was his bite while her body let off the addition steam which was this burning transformation.

[Bloodedge]

The progressing transformation seemed to carry some benefits for Sorin, which were manifesting themselves already. The blood he drew from this secondary bite - it was almost the same as the blood he'd drank from her previously. Even with the obvious difference in flavor and general sensation he took from it now, it remained leagues above any other blood he'd ever drawn from someone. The tension in his own muscles returned, channeling through his fingers. His tight grip would result in claws digging into Kasmina's upper arms, but again, he saw no consequences this time around. A brief, downward drag of his claws preceded their removal from her skin, but it also preceded his hands gripping the top of her wedding dress to pull it off her arms in a downward, ripping motion. The blood had begun trailing more regularly from his bite. It was Sorin's intention to bare the cleavage atop Kasmina's corset, sparing the dress of stains as blood trickled down her torso.

[Apollymi]

If Sorin received something from his work, Kasmina was unaware of it, but also fine with it. After all, if he was helping her keep her sanity it was fine for him to have fun with it. Something more akin to aggression came with his more recent motions, as she soon found herself touched by claws. At each point one of them made contact with her skin and additional dragging took place. And again she didn't mind. The pain from burning alive on the inside was far worse than anything her skin managed to feel. His aggression wasn't limited to her body either, as soon her dress was being dragged from her upper body to reveal the freshly made corset as well. She'd also note that blood seemed to be dripping from her person in various places, though that was somewhat relieving as her blood pressure seemed to be steadily dropping. This made it so that each beat happened with a bit less fervor, a bit less burn, it was relief, more than she could have hoped for.

[Bloodedge]

Sorin had his fangs deep within the woman's neck, but as the trail of blood reached the top of her corset, he removed his fangs and hands from her person. Dark mist surrounded his body, and that of Kasmina's, and Sorin suddenly seemed as if he'd phased through her body to reach her back. From there, he faced her rear. Fangs would not soon find themselves at home in Kasmina's neck again. Alternatively, the claws of Sorin did find a new place to explore, in the form of the strings which kept Kasmina's corset in place.

"Forgive my rudeness." In his trance-like state, Sorin's glowing eyes traveled down the string, and his right forefinger rose to the point of its tying. A nimble claw slipped itself into the knot, and a single tug undid said knot. A few plucks here and there pulled the string from its holding rings. His gaze observed the falling of strings which appeared longer with each movement his claw made. At the same time, the corset would become looser and looser, until a pull of his claw removed the string from its final hole and tossed it across the room.

[Apollymi]

That infinitely cooling sensation which occurred as blood dripped from the wound further down her neck she soon found her husband had ceased his biting. Instead the 'Mist-walking' ability he possessed had taken him to her rear, which was somewhat surprising to her, but she was still capable of real thought and thus fully able to process this man's apparent apologies for his rudeness. Her eyes widened as she peeked over her left shoulder at him as he worked on the corset at her rear. Surprisingly enough she could feel the loosening of this item of clothing, felt it even as it slipped down her skin with acute sensation which she hadn't known it to possess. She might have found this maddening or enticing, had she not been warming back up, albeit at a much slower pace.

"There is nothing to forgive," she mentioned as soon enough he'd completed the task of unlacing the corset which allowed it to fall from her fore while he tossed the string in another direction. She could hardly be upset about any of this, still she had the rather forward realization that she was now topless in front of this man, which brought a blush to her face, which she hadn't considered possible given the current state of her being. But it seemed Kasmina was enough herself to at least give a moment of thought to being even partially nude in front of someone for the first time.

[Bloodedge]

"If that is your belief, so be it," he replied. Even while not looking into the woman's face, Sorin knew of her blushing. This was far from the first time she'd done this in his presence. He could clearly smell the blood pooling in her face when this happened. The scent brought his gaze to her face without a moment of further hesitation, though he'd taken the view of her back in stride for its duration beforehand. "Empty the blood from your face, my lady. You've no need to feel something as trivial as embarrassment." As these words were spoken, his left hand reached up to touch the chin of Kasmina. In doing so, he held her head in its turned position and leaned over her shoulder to find her lips with his own again. This lasted no more than a few seconds before his withdrawal, which saw a thread of their blood mixture bridging their lips until it stretched thin enough to break between them. "You've regained your ability to speak. Good. I daresay I've missed your voice this past few minutes."

[Apollymi]

A smirk crossed Kasmina's face when Sorin seemed to readily acquiesce to her statement of the lack of apology needed for anything he'd done. Something about this man's rather accommodating nature, in conjunction with how nicely he treated her, seemed to make her an unreasonably happy individual. And such a reaction to him was developed and demonstrated even in moments such as this when the whole of her mind seemed to be aflame. It seemed that Sorin could tell she was blushing, which she figured probably had something to do with the way her blood smelled to him, even so the slightest of pouts came to her face, as she had no real control over how or why that happened on such a regular basis around or about this man.

Sadly, before she could protest and argue these points, Sorin tilted her head up toward him by her chin and they shared a brief kiss over her shoulder, which filled her with delight, and somehow managed to calm the blush in her face. When their lips separated she saw the small string of mixed blood between them, smelled it even but felt nothing of it until it snapped, leaving them appropriately disconnected once more. "Oh? I did not intend to be quiet for so long..." she said as she turned. Having been rid of most of her clothing already it seemed unfair to her that this man only had the buttons of his shirt undone. As such once she was facing him again, she began again her work of disrobing him as well seemingly without a care in the world, even topless, as tiny clawed hands aimed to slip him out of his shirts completely and she found herself staring up and into his eyes again a smile on her face which gently showed fangs. Her fingertips moving ever so gently across his exposed flesh, it was like she was feeling things for the first time and everything felt so different and new. She wondered then if there would be a major adjustment in all aspects of her life, feeling these new sensations as a vampire.

[Bloodedge]

"Worry not, my dear," he said whilst taking his right hand to the side of Kasmina's head, rubbing along her hair until he reached the point of her left pigtail. There was a certain amount of care he thought to take with this woman, most specifically now that he seemed to have broken his brief trance again. He had to keep his restraints in mind, though not nearly to the extent of times prior to their marriage. Post-matrimony, God's eyes were not upon them in the same manner as they were previously. Sorin had already taken advantage of this, and it appeared Kasmina was now to do the same. Over the course of the few moments following her turn to face him, he'd been rid of his overcoat and shirt. His scrawny-built torso was now exposed, and with a single step forward, that torso was pressed against the bust of his wife. "If it is my touch that silences your raging blood, then let that silence be filled by your voice ringing through these corridors."

The mingling of flesh these two were now locked into was a sensation to bring forth a new era of living for Sorin. As the heat from two bodies intermingled, passing from one person into the other, Sorin sighed. It was a sigh to mark his contentment. He'd spent many years cooped up in these walls, stewing in the lavish lifestyle of the wealthy and socially aloof. For the most part, he'd known only his mother, his servants, and various aristocratic individuals from across these lands. Thrill-seeking had led him to his regular full moon-night feasts on mortals, but he'd never imagined the embrace of a born mortal providing such comfort. As his left arm wrapped around Kasmina's bare midriff, his right hand rose from the side of her head to pull away her mob cap and loosen her hair all at once.

[Apollymi]

She was told not to worry as the man moved his hands about her face and to her hair. Whatever her was thinking she knew she'd know it eventually and as she rid him of this upper body clothing, he was soon pressed against her, sending the same cooling sensation against her skin that he always did. "As you wish," Kasmina found herself saying in reply to his request. Of course, before this point, she'd never once thought that she could want to enjoy her wedding or marriage the way she was presently. As far as she was concerned and for years of her young life, her wedding night would be something forced and shunned. But at present she found herself wrapped in Sorin's embrace, and enjoying every single second of it. A squeal of delight escaped her in a manner similar to Sorin's contented sigh, when she imagined her life, sold off to the aristocracy, she didn't imagine she'd actually be happy. Even now, feverish with powerful blood, she was exactly where she wanted to be. As her hair came down the giant curled locks seemed to unravel at their seams, loosening to closer to full length, as her mob cap was discarded. Her right hand slid up around the back of neck as she went closer for the kiss she desired now, while her left found itself wrapped around his thin body as well. She liked the sensation of their skin touching, of them being so close and she wished to experience this as much as possible, as the slightest of movements against his skin caused her body to feel new and different sensations.

[Bloodedge]

Though Kasmina's skin against his own warmed him over time, Sorin felt the plague of a chill stemming from his spine, and spreading across his torso and upper arms. This was an entirely new sensation for the vampire. He could not explain it, but there were tiny bumps appearing across his skin. This feeling was certainly akin to cold crawling across his exposed body, but his internal temperature remained intact. If he cared to note this change, it mattered not. Kasmina closed the distance between their faces, and Sorin was at the ready to respond to this motion as their lips met. He was sure to make this the longest kiss they'd shared thus far; others had been fleeting, but for this... he remained still with his eyes coming to a slow close. The strange chill which plagued him only grew more intense as the seconds passed. The sensation only resulted in his arms rubbing against Kasmina's back as they found their place to rest.

[Apollymi]

The moments of their lips meeting seemed to stretch on eternally. Kasmina found herself wrapped up in Sorin's arms feeling his skin pressed up against hers was almost divine. As their kiss stretched on she found herself lost in the sensation and in so doing was losing her well kept composure. She'd been so silent and patient before this moment, that the frenzy she seemed to be building up to seemed out of character. Her hand around the back of his neck spread out and pushed down as if she intended to enter this man through his mouth in this moment, and she did.

Her tongue slipping between her fangs and into his mouth as she desired to taste him, to overtake him even. Her mind had never held such thoughts before but at present she burned with the desire to possess him in every way she could. Kasmina was always in control of herself, as nothing else ever seemed to be hers to control, but in this moment, she'd push aside blood lust, and found herself desiring only the man before her. Kasmina to her credit hadn't known it was possible to feel this way but now that she did, she didn't want to let it go. 'More!' Her mind was demanding things of her and her body felt obligated to reply the hand she'd had wrapped around his body slowly slid down and around his hips finding itself soon enough at the front of his trousers.

[Bloodedge]

Something stranger yet than chills of the skin would befall Sorin this day. Kasmina's tongue found its way into the confines of his mouth in a ritual he'd not seen, nor heard of, prior to this day. Peculiar though it was, there was something more to it - something that could perhaps be called eroticism. This was surely something that could catch on, but it would not be addressed until Sorin finally pulled away. This retreat did not occur until the moment following Kasmina's hand reaching his trousers. When he spoke, he did so with eyes full of wonder for what had occurred here. "Your tongue dances around my mouth like an eel. So strange; what is this?"

[Apollymi]

Kasmina seemed to be quite engrossed in her activities. As such when the pair finally parted she was more than a bit surprised when she was addressed so directly. Surprisingly enough, Kasmina had never thought to do a thing like what she'd done before, so when Sorin pulled away and questioned her with much wonderment, she had no way offering a reply about her actions. A sigh escaped her but she didn't move her hand, no, instead she found herself tracing the skin around his trousers with her index finger. "If I am being honest, I know not why I did that... nor what to call it," she mentioned as she leaned forward and placed a kiss on his chest before looking up at him. "My mind is in constant frenzy and I had a passing thought I could possess you in such a way, so I did," she said seemingly having the explanation that it was nothing she had a name or explanation for, besides her own current state. Still as she looked up at the man before her she doubted that he'd disliked it in any way. "Would you like me to show you again?"

[Bloodedge]

The finger trailing along the flesh just above his trousers, in conjunction with the warmth of Kasmina's lips upon his chest, saw to the return of that strange sensation Sorin had experienced moments prior. Hairs everywhere exposed flesh could be found upon him were standing on edge. Though he did not know what this feeling was, he felt as if it was something pleasant.

Kasmina did not know of what she'd done. Whatever it was, it was something new and exciting for both parties to experience. Kasmina likened it to something possessive to use on Sorin, whereas he treated it as something of a thrill to seek more of. The question of whether he wished for her to show him again needed no answer. Instead, the male vampire leaned in to take Kasmina's mouth for himself, slipping his tongue into its confines this time. He would be trying this again, but now he felt Kasmina deserved the experience of being on the receiving end.

[Apollymi]

After kissing his chest Kasmina looked up at the man. And though she'd explained her part in this new interaction between them, he hadn't answered as to whether he'd enjoy being shown again. Instead her finger continued to trace right along the front of his trousers where she eventually came across the gently prickling hairs which accompanied this man's unknown mood. Such things could happen for a great number of reasons, but given their present predicament she'd assume they were her own doing and take some pride in that fact. Before she could voice any notice of this, Sorin was leaning into her, aiming to press their lips together once more, and soon after slipping his tongue into her mouth.

From this side the experience was completely new. If she'd originally felt that she'd been trying to get inside this man, to have him to herself in some way unknown to others. She now felt he'd done the same to her. As this tongue moved about within the confines of her mouth she couldn't help but sigh, it was so different it sent tingles down her person. Thrilling even to experience something so new, Kasmina couldn't have been more pleased. Her body reacted to it, a gentle prickle along her skin followed by the swell of a flush. She couldn't make herself pull away from this attention. No, she needed more, as his tongue danced around in the warm space which was her mouth, she allowed her own to gently move against it, prodding aiming to share the space, her mouth opening a tiny bit wider to accommodate the movements as she further lost herself in the combined taste of their mouth and this feeling of closeness shared between them.

[Bloodedge]

The strange ritual started by Kasmina, and continued by Sorin, suddenly became something of a waltz between two tongues. It was strange... something that could be considered the childish act of one unfamiliar with the typical meeting of lips, but there was something deeper to take note of about it. There was a level of intimacy in this that went undiscovered when doing the norm. Sorin's loins were stirred, and his very soul was aflame. His own lips parted after hers, taking the cue to permit easier access to both tongues into the other's respective mouth.

As this went on, Sorin found himself reaching out to grasp the woman's remaining garments deeply enough that his fingers were upon the inner side of her petticoat. A forward step would have his body pressed against hers in a way that suggested her stepping backwards, which Sorin intended to have continued until Kasmina reached the foot of their now-shared bed. He would see her seated upon it, should all things go according to his will, and would use newfound leverage to lean her back until he could pull her skirt and petticoat upwards in raising her legs, all to reveal more hidden secrets for his eyes to behold.

[Apollymi]

Kasmina would soon see the dance of their tongues evolve into something more. As there was now more space between their faces she found it much easier to slip her tongue into the space between them as she met Sorin with similar force. And if he felt inflamed by this moment, she also felt the same, delighted even as they progressed ever further.

But soon enough Sorin was stepping into her, and she could do nothing but take his cue. Taking steps ever backward without looking because she felt this man would not lead her astray. Soon these steps between their rather passionate kissing would leave her seated upon the edge of their bed with the man's hands rather astutely situated on either side of her hips, all the way beneath her petticoats. He leaned her away and then removed from her person all of these layers leaving her wearing nothing but the nicely stitched black tuttle lace underwear with the single zigzag pattern of white. The thigh high silk stockings which ended in white lace garters with red ribbons atop them, covered her legs. Such a thing would have the young woman lying back against the bed looking at her husband feeling absolutely vulnerable but also completely enamored, she couldn't look away, though every fiber of who she was before wanted to. Instead she found herself staring at the man before her.

[Bloodedge]

Sorin's view of the woman was momentarily obscured by the clothing articles he removed, as he rid her of them. After discarding the garments to the floor nearby, though, he was given full view of a pair of legs covered only by thin silk and garters. His attention was captured absolutely by this sight. These articles of silk did something toward accentuating the creamy skin his fangs once longed for. He now longed for this flesh in different ways, and it was well within the realm of reason for him to seek it this time. "Madalina has outdone herself once more, I see," said the male. His inspection of Kasmina's body gave him a few different angles of her form as he moved about, and this included the extravagantly crafted undergarments she sported beneath her wedding ensemble. Within moments of receiving this view, he hovered over her on the bed, supporting his weight with only his left hand against the mattress beside her head. When he spoke, he did so from a face mere inches from Kasmina's. "The mind does wander, my lady. You'd drive a man to insanity in garbs like that."

[Apollymi]

It would seem that her husband was soon transfixed, as he stared down at her it took him several moments to say anything. While this happened, Kasmina was left to look a bit astounded, wondering about his thoughts during this moment. They were soon voiced, in a commentary and praise of their seamstress' good work. Kasmina nodded her approval of this statement but before she could say anything Sorin was hovering atop her supported by one arm as he took in the full view of her person including her undergarments. Being watched under such an intense gaze, left the young woman nearly breathless as she couldn't resist the desire to fidget just a little under his watchful eye. Such movements were rather small and akin to squirming as if she could feel his eyes upon her person, though it wasn't an unpleasant experience it was well beyond what she expected. His words on the other hand garnered at least one reaction from her, which included a smile into the face mere inches from her own. "I believe that is the intention, dear husband..." the young woman said as she looked up at the man and moved her own head just the few inches forward to bring their lips together. Against the softness of the bed and with him in such close proximity she felt it was the best course of action.

[Bloodedge]

"Is it, now?" he asked as his right hand reached the cheek of his wife. The kiss shared between them then was fleeting, but it was immediately followed by more shared words in even closer proximity. "Would that be Madalina's intention... or yours, Kasmina Phantomhive?" This query was accompanied by another kiss, delivered this time by Sorin. Their parting this time came before Sorin letting his hand travel down Kasmina's body from her cheek. A single claw trailed down her neck, betwixt her breasts, and down her abdomen. Sorin skipped over the woman's undergarments to avoid tearing this eccentric item, and moved directly to the exposed flesh of her left thigh. This would be how he chose to unbuckle her garter belt from her stockings, one leg at a time.

[Apollymi]

A hand against the side of her face and a fleeting kiss seemed to please the young woman to no end. The first of the questions posed by this man didn't seem to require any real answer. It seemed quite rhetorical, but the next made the girl's eyes widen just a little. It was the first time she'd been addressed by her name, in such an intimate setting, and beyond that with this man's surname attached to her own. Something about the moment seemed to ooze closeness which Kasmina hadn't initially prepared for. Before the blush could even rise in her face, Sorin's lips were pressed against hers once more and she seemed fine to sink into this moment instead. When their faces separated once more, Kasmina gave herself the opportunity to answer, though on bated breath as Sorin let a single claw to explore her person. "Well, I would be remiss not to give all due credit to our lovely seamstress," she said as her breath seemed to catch and her skin broke out into a swell of goose flesh as his singular claw traveled down her person. "But I did put them on, even knowing it was a possibility, so I should take responsibility for that as well..." she said fairly evenly minded but she was still feeling the hints of arousal which never really seemed to drift very far away while the two of them were engaged in such a way. Something about this man taking off her clothes article by article seemed akin to him unwrapping a present and she was it. Kasmina seemed to enjoy this abundantly.

[Bloodedge]

"Well then... I suppose a descent into madness would only be courteous on my part, wouldn't it?" After disconnecting Kasmina's garter belt from her stockings, one may have expected Sorin to remove the latter. He would not, however, be doing this tonight. He did move farther down her legs, even seating himself between them in a way that left his face brushing against the inside of her left thigh while he reached out to discard the shoe upon that foot. This process recreated along the other leg, with the interim allowing Sorin a moment to smell the innocence upon this woman. Upon removing the second shoe, he only felt natural kissing the inside of her thigh as his hands trailed back up her legs. All the while, he looked through the corner of his eye to keep his gaze upon the face of the transforming woman.

[Apollymi]

Kasmina was being undressed by this man, and it somehow seemed like a strange form of teasing. Even so, she could not protest the treatment and as the man settled between her legs she found herself propping her upper body up on her elbows so she could see him rather easily. His words about his own apparent descent into madness being a courteous response to the intentions presented by her clothing made her eyes widen. "I can not form an argument against the logic," she mentioned as Sorin removed each of her shoes and she was blessed by the strange sensation of his skin against the minor exposed skin of each of her thighs while she still retained her stockings. It seemed by his own actions these would remain in place not that she minded. They offered her quite the interesting contrast of sensation as his hands made their way back up her legs and he kissed the inside of her thigh. This action brought a gasp from the young woman, and an immediate tingle all the way up her body. Such a strange action to cause this sort of reaction but as she looked down her person she locked eyes with Sorin, becoming transfixed with the sight.

[Bloodedge]

Sorin had no particular plan in mind for this endeavor. All he thought was to progress it by whatever means came in the moment, and presently - with his lips upon Kasmina's inner thigh - something came to him. She didn't seem crazed by the blood in her veins at present, but his thought and action was to open his mouth once more, and dig his fangs into the flesh of this thigh he'd been so close to. The bite was brief, but was certainly meant to draw blood. Only after he retracted his fangs did Sorin grab hold of the woman's undergarments and begin the process of sliding them down her legs as well. "Here's to eternity, my betrothed."

[Apollymi]

Kasmina watched as the man's lips pressed against her thigh, and though the movement itself had caused a somewhat instinctive reaction in the young woman, what happened next would cause a much more obvious reaction. As Sorin's fangs sank into the flesh of her thighs, Kasmina was left with a sensation which immediately felt her arousal go from where it was to peak in only the contact of his fangs in her flesh. The bite itself held that edge of pinch but soon after it was nothing but bliss. Her body would release all tension and soon after her eyes would slide to a close as her head fell back and a moan fell from those gently parted lips. A fresh flourish from this man's fangs was about the last thing she expected but just the right amount of cooling to let her feel as if there was nothing which would get between her and the pleasure she sought in her husband. Her next words would be breathlessly panted as Sorin aimed to remove her undergarments from her person. "To eternity..." the idea of forever had suddenly grown longer, but if this was the sort of attention she had to look forward to, Kasmina couldn't complain in the slightest.

[Bloodedge]

As if speaking the word eternity had damned him, Sorin felt as if eons passed by between the moment he took hold of Kasmina's undergarments, to the moment they were finally removed from her person. Just then, though... there it was. Right before him was a precious flower, never plucked, never sniffed. It was his for the taking, all toward the goal of a bouquet consisting of a single rose... or in this case, a lilac. All he had to do was claim it.

Standing, Sorin rid himself of the rear-buckling belt he wore, and soon after, did away with his boots and trousers. They were nothing more than a hindrance at this point. With his own garments tossed aside, Sorin bared erect manhood ready to find its home at last, as he once and truly claimed his wife. He once again took his place above her on the bed, breathing in a slightly heavier and hastier manner from his own excitement in this precious moment. "Let us join at last," he said whilst wearing a wide and fanged grin, mere breaths before his hardened groin found its place at the cusp of Kasmina's chasm of romance. His right hand steadied his already twitching member, granting him the leverage to enter the embrace of her undercarriage as he slid himself forward.

[Apollymi]

The next passing moments happened slowly enough to be an agonizing wait for Kasmina. As her undergarments were slipped from her hips and down her legs soon to be discarded she viewed her newlywed husband in a way she never had before. This moment was surreal, as the first and only man to view her so completely naked happened to be doing so right at this very moment. The look upon his face when her complete nudity was finally reached, seemed to only build upon the moment. And soon enough he was standing again.

Sorin's movements to Kasmina seemed to be rather hasty and excited as he discarded the rest of his own clothing seemingly without care for it. She saw him in his full nudity within just a few moments, and seemed to gasp at the vision. She had never seen a grown man so fully nude before and though she understood that they could join together in such a way, she hardly had any idea of how it actually worked out. Ah, but the time for practice was rather quickly at hand, as her husband retook his place atop her and she was left to stare up at him in wonder. The fanged grin which was set upon his visage set her at ease, as she relaxed into his embrace she felt the gentle prodding of her undercarriage by his hand guided member.

The words of her husband made her look into his face in this moment, only to feel the final push which would slid him home within her. "Aaah..." a moan escaped her body to feel this new sensation, one she'd never known before this moment. With the warm pulsing of this young woman she could feel within every detail of his silken member. Her own body fully accommodating this with neither pinch nor awkward discomfort as she was told to expect. Perhaps all previous forms of bite which let her feel cooling relaxation in the moments prior to this one, had fully prepared her. Or perhaps this was simply less painful than anything else she felt tonight. Regardless, she couldn't bare it a second of thought as this feeling of the two of them binding their bodies together in such a way, demanded literally all her attention.

[Bloodedge]

Sorin inserted himself, and felt as if he belonged upon doing so. This was clearly the best way to spend their wedding night, and the exchange of guilty pleasures seemed to have done wonders toward calming Kasmina's transformation as well. One would almost say at this point that there was no need to even go this far. Just the same, Sorin's response to such a claim would be that there was just as little reason not to go so far on the night of their wedding and Kasmina's, in a way, "funeral."

Accommodation was top-notch, as far as Sorin was concerned. His entry was far easier than his imagination led him to believe it would be, but this did not take from the pleasure of the moment. In fact, the pleasure he received from entry was far greater than what he had in mind. Not one to tarry, Sorin began to move his body to and fro by the efforts of his supporting arms and legs, allowing him to glide his manhood along the same pattern within the confines of Kasmina's core. Sorin had always been one for thrill-seeking, what with his moonlight feedings in the outside world and all, but this was something entirely new. A fire was lit within him. Romance was something he'd neither sought nor expected in his fifty-seven years of living in this world, but now that he'd tasted this small sample of it, he did not understand how he ever lived without it. It was a drug. Moving himself in such a way, and looking into the face of the woman he now called his wife, he felt all the worries of an entire mortal lifetime in nobility, all the concerns of the son of Dracula, burn away in his soul and scatter their ashes to the wind kicked up by his very movements. Bliss was the sole descriptor that came to mind...

[Apollymi]

Kasmina felt as if her entire body was alight once more. But it wasn't the insatiable burning of the new vampire blood, or the crazed burning of her transformation. No this was the blossoming of affection as she stared into her husband's face and felt him moving within her person. This amount of intimacy and this level of closeness wasn't anything like what she'd ever expected. Marriage was so likely to be forced in her case, she hadn't considered that it could ever be something she was actually interested in. But now in the heat of the moment she could not bring herself to look away. Her mind was filled with images of him and her blood no longer boiled but her skin flushed as her husband did his work. If this was what she had to look forward to for all eternity, she could do nothing but enjoy it.

"Sorin..." the young woman whispered this man's given name in a moment of passion as her eyes gently fluttered to a close. She was getting lost in the passion of this moment. Her hips moved against him gently as she felt that cooling sensation building like it hadn't before. Her entire face tingled with sensation and blood pounded in her ears. She could scarcely believe she could be this engrossed by anything. A full flush hand in a card game while betting her life's savings against three other players held less pull for her than the gentle stroking of her husband's manhood within her.

[Bloodedge]

While Kasmina thought she would never have interest in marriage due to it being a forced endeavor for her, Sorin simply never considered it being an option for him at all. He'd spent a large amount of his recent life around mortals, but never had one appealed to all of his senses in such a way. This alleged descent into madness was one he would gladly accept again and again, and given the circumstances, he surely would be doing so.

Continuous gradual diving into this woman's nether eventually resulted in the whisper of his given name. Sorin bared his fangs once more upon hearing this. Such a simple word, spoken in such a way, in such a moment, was like a calling to the immortal soul within him. It was a call he had to answer. As if he wasn't doing so with his body already, Sorin reached out to cradle the woman's head and lift it to meet his gaze even more directly. "Yes, dear Mina?" he asked, wearing another grin which bared his sparkling fangs.

[Apollymi]

Kasmina was lying beneath her husband being stroked to near madness. Every movement kindling the flames of her inner self and the pulsing pool of coolness filling with each motion. It was as if she was filling a cup, drop by drop with the coolness of water and the thickness of honey. It was smooth, refreshing and all consuming, just waiting to be tipped over to wash her in its cooling sensation. When she'd whispered his name, she hadn't expected a reaction of any sort. In fact, it'd simply been what had been on her mind as he moved within her. But as she opened her eyes she saw bared fangs and squealed with delight as he cradled her closer to him and she looked up into his eyes and was entranced by them. Of course, this moment of closeness would only be further marked by him questioning the use of his name, more accurately by speaking the shortened version of her given name.

This was the thing she called herself within her own mind, to hear it from him, in this moment of passion made her expression soften and caused her to look up into his face with adoration. Her body reacting to the sound in a way it never had before, by pulsing and tightening within as if just the sound of his words would be enough to bring about the end. And it did, as if that cup had finally been pushed over, that cooling sensation leaked thick across her skin as she tingled from the feeling below her waist. She now knew for certain what the sensation of his bite could be likened to, as well as the undeniable attraction to this man, who was now her husband. "Aaaah~, You drive me to madness," she started a breathy sigh leaving her as she leaned up to kiss the left side of his face and then the left side of his neck. "Calling my name like that. And treating me so..."

[Bloodedge]

'Madness?' he wondered mentally, thinking it funny that she'd chosen such a word to describe her existing state. He had felt this way in his own mind moments prior, for the same reasons, but it was a feeling more welcome than any other. As the woman kissed his face and neck, his eyes traveled to keep track of her face's movements. He did not wish to lose track of the face he'd been watching so intently all this time. "Then join me, and let us be lost in madness for the rest of time," was Sorin's whispered retort. He immediately resorted to reaching a greater depth than he had before. He sank deeper, not into madness, but into bliss... and he wasn't quite sure what the difference was anymore.

[Apollymi]

Kasmina was subjected to the continued movements of her husband, even as she kissed his face and neck. It seemed the pair of them were content to continue as they were, but she sound found him voicing a reply to the words she'd spoken. As she fell back against the bed once more, his renewed movements within came with a whispered statement of their shared descent into madness. "Well, when you offer so nicely," she moaned as he reached a greater depth within her, causing a pause in her sentence as she wrapped herself more securely around his person claws leaving scratches along his back as she did. She'd never felt like this before and at this depth what was coming was something very unlike what she'd experienced before. Shallows they were by comparison to the pounding depth within her now filled by her husband.

[Bloodedge]

Acceptance was what he received from Kasmina's next response. The hand which cradled Kasmina's head once again shifted to move her face against his once more, as claws were felt scraping along his back. He kissed her lips yet again, allowing his own eyes to close as he thrusted deeper yet. He felt now as if he was continuously diving into a pool he could not swim out of; all he could do was sink deeper. He did sink in the end, but it felt more like floating. "I would offer again and again," he said, speaking directly into the woman's face.

[Apollymi]

Kasmina soon felt the warmth of Sorin's caress upon her face before their lips met once again. This dance between the two of them was passionate and deep and so full of many new and thrilling things for them to share in their now eternal life together. She could sink into this blissful feeling and love it always. And as he moved deeper still her voice would come in a moaned whisper. "For you, I will always accept," she murmured a she looked into his face once more. She'd never know what she'd done to deserve this man, but she was quite possibly the happiest she'd ever been in these moments. That pleasant feeling seemed to be ever present as her arms moved around Sorin's back and she closed her embrace upon him. She wanted to feel close, needed to perhaps, and in so thinking would move their lips back together as they shared martial bliss.

[Bloodedge]

Not only did the physical sensations Sorin received from this lover's embrace stir his loins; Kasmina's voice in his ear drove him to madness with every spoken word. The close embrace they shared warmed him to his very core, and sparked a fire within him the likes of a tavern's hearth in the dead of winter. Lips constantly rubbed against one another, swapping small quantities of saliva, and even smaller amounts of residual blood from Sorin's earlier bites. The proverbial pool Sorin dove into was seeming to have no bottom at all... but, something else did.

Soon enough, Sorin encountered the absolute depth he'd be capable of reaching. He discovered this due simultaneously to his shaft filling every ounce of itself into her being, and his end finding hers. In this moment, it was as if he'd gone through the simple process of donning a custom-tailored suit, or making use of a key made to open one specific lock. It was perfection.

[Apollymi]

As a pair they continued to meet on and on. Kasmina herself was lost in sensations. Where their bodies met there was nothing but pleasantries, from lips lightly reddened by constant contact, to the peaks of her breasts rubbing against his chest, her arms over his shoulders her legs around his back. All of it was a rush, a wash, and outwardly delightful. But then there was a moment, one in which it seemed like their bodies could get no closer, when Sorin reached his absolute limit within her and their bodies met face to face, chest to chest, and interlocked at the loins. There was something more to this, as it seemed that they were meant to be this way, as both ends were found simultaneously and the depth reached inside her could be no further. She felt him brush against the bottom of her and it brought a sigh from her parted lips. She hadn't the words to express this feeling but it was supreme.

[Bloodedge]

Lost was Sorin to the goings-on around him. His blood was boiling to such an extent that its heat radiated outward from his core. As this sensation built up within him, so did a strange, tingling sensation within his loins. From this newfound depth he'd reached, Sorin steadied the pacing of his thrust to a constant, repetitive motion. The way Kasmina's legs had wrapped around him gave the male a point of limitation in his withdrawal, and of course there was the natural stopping point forced upon his forward movements. Though these could be called limitations, they gave him the means of a perfected moving cycle - one he would continue making use of for an undetermined amount of time.

[Apollymi]

With the passage of time and the lingering strokes of Sorin, Kasmina would soon be finding the end. That ever building tingling sensation which had spread throughout her entire body, brought a blush to her face and let the sensation drain from the tips of her fingers and toes. As the motions of Sorin continued her breaths would more steadily become labored and her body would begin to tighten around her husband, forcing each movement to become more and more labored. As it continued she was maddened near to the point of frenzy as she let out a sigh and relayed how she felt in this moment. "Sorin, I can not resist..." a moan would escape there after and her body would tighten even beyond what it was. The proverbial cup had run over sending a crashing wave of release throughout this young woman's body, nectar leaked from her nether as she claimed this sweetest of flourishes with her husband buried deep within her.

[Bloodedge]

Sorin kept a close enough proximity that he seemed to have intentions of absorbing the labored breaths of Kasmina directly into his own face, while delivering his own. Unsavory though it may have been, he felt some previously unknown amount of intimacy from it. Conveyed feelings were met by a deep stare into Kasmina's crimson irises. Sorin felt himself reaching the peak of the mountain called ecstasy, as some incredible form of pressure welled up over time within his groin. He knew the time had come. "Resist no longer. Join me in bliss, dear wife," he said, as he let loose any resistance he may have had. His upper body tightened as he unleashed the tension of his loins, and with it, the seed of his family jewels.

[Apollymi]

Almost as soon as Kasmina had spoken, her husband was encouraging the release already on the horizon. He seemed to have one ready for himself as, he met her gaze with his own which seemed to penetrate her very being. Their closeness in the moments leading up to this was almost incomprehensible. As he spoke to her of joining him, his own tension released, and she got the feeling of being filled from within to add to the litany of sensations she'd been exposed to this day. Her eyes widened and she felt the incredible feeling of relaxation which came along with their shared ecstasy. It was all she could do to simply enjoy the moment and as she regained her breathing and her heart rate slowed to a more normal pace, she released her hold upon him, but not before offering one last meeting of their lips. And as this happened her legs and arms would loosen their grip upon his person allowing her to fall back against their now shared bed.

[Bloodedge]

Sorin's tension left him all at once, momentarily leaving him in a minor state of weakness. His recovery came soon enough to prevent him collapsing onto his wife, and with his bearings mostly regained, he extricated himself from her person. This removal allowed him to leave their bed as well. A strange feeling befell him the moment this happened. The ability to use his legs nearly escaped him, but it seemed to be nothing more than a fleeting sensation. Moving on, he began to don the clothes he'd previously discarded, finding them sprawled out across the bedroom floor. "Forgive me for abandoning your side so suddenly after the moment we've shared, but I would strongly suggest not sleeping there. We should retreat to the lower areas of the castle"

[Apollymi]

Kasmina's whole body rather suddenly began to tingle once more. Given this she barely had the idea to notice that Sorin was at once above her and then gone. This did not bother her in the slightest as soon enough he was back, and gathering clothes to dress himself while also claiming that she should not sleep here, and that the pair of them should retreat to areas further in the castle. Her brow raised slightly but she moved towards the edge of the bed with unseen grace. "I suppose since you ask my forgiveness I have no problem giving it. I do not think I want to sleep anyways, and I do feel strange... where are we going?" she asked, seemingly fine to busy herself with this while she dressed.

She too was moving about for articles of clothing, mainly all of the things which belonged under her general clothing. Her thigh highs were still in place, so she only needed garters and the like, she also donned her perfectly sewn underwear once more and appiled her corset back to her person re-lacing it with a string found somewhere else in the room. All done without the use of her hands, something she'd yet to notice herself. Regardless of this, she picked up her wedding dress but did not place it back on her person. Instead she walked towards what she assumed was a rather large closet and found herself within it with all of her other attire. And she'd dress as she normally did. Finding herself dressed similarly to how she always had only with a much higher quality of material and several small adjustments such as laces and other bits added on. She'd also return her hair to the state it'd been in during their wedding along with a little lace mob cap while returning her wedding dress to the closet never to think much about it again.

[Bloodedge]

In the time it took Kasmina to rise and begin dressing herself, Sorin donned all he needed to. He fastened his cuff links while watching the woman dress through the corner of his eye, and what he saw took him aback. It had already begun. The newblood vampire Countess managed to catch up to his natural speed of robing, and she did so while not making use of her hands. If anything was to be considered a sign of the transformation taking hold, this was it.

"... Indeed. We must make haste," he said. Seeing this development, done so soon and so mindlessly, he knew the time had come. Kasmina was to be the most powerful form of vampire via her transformation, but this moment of stability had to be maintained and locked in. Immediately after he made the urgency of this matter known, Sorin began leading the way to the lower castle. "We shall go to the catacombs. You now experience a state of stabilization in your change. If we don't get you bound to a coffin right away, your human body will be destroyed by its own power before the transformation finishes."

[Apollymi]

By the time he spoke of urgency, Kasmina had returned shoes to her feet and had them buckled. She looked very much like her usual self though her husband seemed a bit more on edge than he had been a few moments prior. She figured his urgency had something to do with her, as all things that she'd seen unnerve him seemed to do, with this in mind she followed as he led deeper into the castle and listened to what he had to say. "Oh, well that does sound dreadful..." she said rather easily keeping pace she followed at his side to their apparent destination within the catacombs. "Just so we are clear, I have to sleep in a coffin do I not?" she asked, figuring that this bonding would take place in that sort of manner. Though she was afraid of very little, Kasmina couldn't honestly say she excited by the idea of sleeping in a coffin. Though if it was this or death, she'd obviously take it, she also trusted that her husband wouldn't lead her astray. With this in mind, she would do whatever was necessary to preserve her immortal life with him.

[Bloodedge]

"It is a horrendous occurrence. I've seen it happen to someone bitten by my mother. Though it does not kill... not having a physical form is even more maddening than the idea of living alone for an eternity." These words were spoken by Sorin as he led the way through the major corridors of the castle. All the while, a veil was lifted from their surroundings. Castlevania had always been a place filled with scientific developments yet known to the rest of the world. The walls revealed torches which looked as if they'd lit themselves with lightning. By the time they reached areas of the castle below ground level, something else strange to become visible would be brass tubes of some sort along the walls, funneling heated water into the upper castle.

Soon enough, Sorin stopped in a great, open hall, similar in size and decor to that which held the throne upstairs. Instead of a throne here, there was an open podium at the end of the red carpeted walkway. The newlyweds' approach saw the opening of the floor, and the rise of a stone coffin from this opening via machinery. "At least this once, you must sleep in the old way. I will join you until the time of your waking. Alina! Is her coffin ready?"

[Apollymi]

As they moved through the halls, Kasmina was recounted a story of what happens when an immortal doesn't properly stabilize. Apparently, this was not a fate to wish upon even ones worst enemy. As such she was rather happy there was such urgency in their current situation. This of course did not stop her from looking around and seeing all of the things her mortal eyes had never seen before this point. "Truly I would not wish that upon an enemy," she stated of this existence without a form. "Even so, I cannot help but notice these strange lights. I will require an explanation for this when time is less of a pressing matter..." she said as she marveled at these things as they passed.

Moving right along they were soon within a large chamber which seemed to mirror the throne chamber above. And up from the floor at the end of this came a large stone coffin seemingly made for Sorin. After he mentioned the name of the maid known as Alina the crimson haired woman appeared with her standard glowing crimson eyes to answer his question her body already in a curtsy where she appeared. "Master of course it is ready," she said as if cued by her words another coffin emerged from the floor also mechanically and seemed to match the girl one. They would move in tandem until they settled side by side within close range of each other. "Do either of you require anything else before you sleep?" she asked seemingly more than willing to serve. The statement that she had to sleep in the traditional vampire way at least once, she figured it was a small price to pay for an eternity at his side.

[Bloodedge]

"I would gladly respond to any queries you may have," he replied. He figured there would be some wonder about the technology present within the castle, but since Kasmina pushed off her own questions for a later time, he felt no need to go on with any explanations now. It was more important that they go on with this hibernation process anyway.

The appearance of the demon maid in person made Sorin realize he'd yet to properly introduce the pair of women who both had such importance to him. Before going ahead with introductions, though, he addressed the redhead directly. "Thank you; I suppose I didn't need to ask. And, no, there will be nothing needed other than a couple of introductions," was his response to her. With that said, he was free to go on with introductions as planned. "I'm certain you can smell it already, but for general purposes... Kasmina here now shares my blood, and should be served no differently than myself." Prior to the second half of Sorin's introduction, he held out a hand in gesture toward the maid. The previous statement had been given only as a formality, but the following information was quite important, he thought. "Dear wife, meet Alina... of the Ninth Circle of Inferno."

[Apollymi]

The idea that her husband would gladly answer her questions caused a small smirk to come to Kasmina's face. This sort of appeasement wasn't something she was used to from the men in her life, and given this she was still in a state of awe. This would only seem to expand as introductions of a more formal nature were made between Kasmina and the maid of this Castle. The latter of which simply turned her attention to Kasmina and offered her nothing but respect. "But of course. There are no thanks needed Master, and it is a pleasure to meet the Mistress. And I'll more than gladly serve her as well," she mentioned looking up from her curtsy with glowing red eyes. "If I am being honest, it was previously the case that I served nice couples," she said these words and it was baffling, but Kasmina herself was stunned by something else. The introduction.

"The Ninth Circle?" this came out a question and there was nothing but obvious shock in the face of the new vampire. "It is a pleasure making your acquaintance, but I must say I am surprised. How does one even make that sort of drastic change?" she asked wide eyed. Kasmina was well and truly confused, to go from serving or even living in the same circle of hell as Satan and all betrayers to being the maid, of a lone vampire with a soul was a bit extreme, even by her own standards. It seemed that the maid was a bit taken aback by the woman's candidness but simply smiled through it. "The pleasure is all mine. To answer your question... it is quite the complicated tale Milady, I am quite stunned by your open curiosity. In the interest of time, I will say... it was betrayal," she said a smirk forming on her face. "Though to be honest, this is exactly the sort of thing I had coming. Regardless, have no fear. Know that you will be served as the Master has been," she said with a chuckle. "You need only speak my name," this statement made Kasmina's brow raise, but she'd heard Sorin speak this woman's name twice now. She could only assume that she was capable of responding to her own name at a great distance. Such a thing was rather strange but technically invaluable in a servant.

[Bloodedge]

"Betrayal may be one way of putting it," Sorin spoke following the brief explanation of Alina's servitude to him. He couldn't quite agree with the term, considering how they had come to know one another in this eternal contract, but the demon was free to see things in such a way if it set her mind at ease. "I would sooner call it a misinformed business transaction," he concluded. Sorin's following actions involved him stepping toward the twin sarcophagi. His arms spread apart, causing the lids to these coffins to remove themselves from the containers. Claiming his coffin to the right by walking to it, he gestured toward the opposite coffin. "Your resting place, my lady."

[Apollymi]

A smirk crossed the maid's face. "You would see it that way Master, a simple bit of misinformation. The point still stands, I won't get to consume the soul I thought I would, which is what these deals are about, but... I can't say I'm unhappy in the meantime," she said as Kasmina stared in awe. It was such a strange thought, that this woman was in fact a demon from a lower circle of Hell who happened to have been tricked into a contractual obligation for a vampire who couldn't lose their soul. She could only smile at this thought as she made her way to the coffin pointed to by Sorin and Alina gave a bow. "I will leave the Master and Mistress to their rest, call upon me if you require my assistance," she said only to lower herself and then disappear from sight.

The coffin to the left was apparently for her, and she soon approached it given it was already open found herself inside it with a great deal of relative ease. It was lined in velvet and softer than reason would allow her to think about. Surprisingly enough she figured she'd enjoy her time here, though she couldn't say she much liked the idea of sleeping in a box for any great amount of time. "Goodnight, Sorin," she managed as she situated herself. If nothing else were to happen she assumed her husband would close this box for her, though she thought about it, she could likely do it herself.

[Bloodedge]

"As always, Alina." The demon maid was soon gone from sight, and Kasmina was quickly taking to her coffin. As she adjusted to the sensation of being within a vessel for the dead, Sorin took an additional step toward his own coffin. Though she may have been expecting something from him by way of sealing her coffin, he knew it to be unnecessary. The vessel was unclaimed, and crafted for the sole purpose of bonding with a vampire host; it would seal itself. "One to you, as well," he said while positioning himself for rest in his own coffin, which began to close the moment his eyes closed and his arms crossed over his chest.

[Apollymi]

Kasmina smiled as she closed her eyes, her coffin closed as well. She didn't know whose doing this was, but she supposed it didn't matter. With her eyes closed the restful sleep came rather easily and her consciousness was allowed to wander quite a bit while her body bonded with her coffin and finished her vampire transformation. This would leave the raven haired lass, to hours of sleep, uninterrupted. But, the dreams of another would be bothered instead.

Whatever dream Sorin would be having would be interrupted within a few hours of his sleep. Whether it a state of pure blackness or some other variable state, a woman would appear just out of his direct line of vision. Most saw her dressed in all black, with raven tresses falling down her back. But any who actually knew what she looked like would see the deep blue tints to her random layers of cloth and lace. They would see the intricate lacing of pairs of gloves as she held a fan over the lower half of her face hiding a large fanged grin. Her eyes a deep crimson color pierced most. But her appearance seemed to be somewhat casual, she didn't seem bothered by anything at all. There was something about her though, which seemed.... foreboding at best. Still her voice would break the silence of a dream world, like a chiming bell. "Oh, to find you sleeping at a time like this..."

[Bloodedge]

For only a matter of hours, Sorin was in a state of unconsciousness. His mind placed him in an open plain under a moonlit sky. The green grass of these plains was kissed by a light dew; it was also sat upon by the rear of Sorin himself, who stared into the open and starry sky. He never dreamed of much, nor did he ever sleep much. The deepest reaches of his mind were filled with only the sound of a gentle wind wafting the trees of a forest which surrounded Sorin's virtual oasis.

Something was strange about this usually normal sequence. There was a presence not his own in his mind, and it was very much a consciousness of its own. He had felt this presence before, but he never imagined having it within the sanctity of his own mind. "What impeccable timing you have. Good evening to you, Lady McDermott," he said. His eyes parted from the stars just then, though a bright, violet gleam remained in them as part of his eyes' natural appearance. This gaze fell upon the black-clad woman who'd invaded his subconscious so brazenly. He could of course see through the shadowy veil she normally upheld, and thus always viewed the blue hue of her ensemble. "And what, pray tell, brings Andais the Dreamwalker into my mind this night? I have no business with the Convocation, but I do not believe you would do me the honor of a visit so casual in nature."

[Apollymi]

The woman looked around this dream space as if interested in it. She thought about it more and she'd never actually managed before this moment to enter his dreams. He slept very little and she usually didn't have the sort of business which would allow her to invade here. "What a calm mind you must have... dreaming of nothing but the night sky, forests and green grass," she commented in an offhanded manner. She was much more used to the minds of mortals, afloat with things of their imaginations. Full of the unreal and things they thought frightening... full of things which pleased her to watch. Such a space was almost boring to her, and likely would have been if not for its newness. Still, this was hardly the time for her wandering thoughts, she was after all here on business.

"And good evenin' to you Sir Phantomhive," she said seeming to find it amusing. There was a hint of an accent in her speech. It was as if it were mostly lost somewhere else, buried in the isles of Ireland. But certain words were always a bit easier to hear her origins in. She smirked as the young man before her, commented that he doubted she'd come by for a leisurely visit. "Oh, don't believe for a moment I wouldn't pay the mind of someone a casual visit. Admittedly, I usually don't find you while I traverse the minds of others," she mentioned, knowing of the man's sleeping habits by virtue of their lack of contact in this way. "Though, I'd be lying if I said I looked into the dreams of other immortals often. They don't fear much, and since I generally don't plan on eating them, it is usually unnecessary," she casually explained still as if her feet didn't touch the ground she found herself directly in front of him looking down past the fan which she closed in an instant. "You know as well as I do, you now have business with the Convocation. Even if you didn't before..." she said somewhat cryptically. Tension and suspense were quite part of her mystic, she couldn't give away all she knew, without first seeing what this man would think of her visit on behalf of the Convocation.

[Bloodedge]

The lightest of chuckles escaped Sorin when this dream-invading woman commented on the state of his mind. "Perhaps all could dream in such a state, if only they could escape the horrors of the world we live in for a moment." This comment was given to the woman named Andais as Sorin rose from the ground. Her approach came just before the end of his ascent, but her state of levitation warranted a bit more from him. He, too, ejected himself from the ground to hover with this woman and meet her gaze directly.

Indeed, he knew the Convocation of Vampires would have words with him. On this night, he'd done an unspeakable thing that the master vampires of this land would surely not overlook. The worst thing was that he knew exactly which vampire would have known, and thus alerted the Convocation. "Surely you mean to say the Convocation has business with me. Unfortunately, my hands are tied at the moment. I find myself quite busy ensuring that there won't be another abomination in our midst. You and the rest of the Convocation should understand this."

[Apollymi]

"But that would make dreams less fun to visit..." said Andais who had a rather obvious interest in the state of the world. She seemed to enjoy the terror which plagued people as they slept. For whatever reason she had no problem with these calm states from immortals but... from mortals they would likely only serve to put her on a diet. Regardless, the point of their general musings and the pleasantries of their conversation would soon be over. In fact, as Sorin shifted he'd soon be found meeting her gaze at his fore and explaining why he had yet to move to meet the Convocation of his own accord.

"No, I meant it as I said it. You have business with the Convocation," she said seeming to find it odd that he would go on to phrase his statements in such a way. "Obviously no one wishes to see another abomination. But..." there was a pause as she unceasingly met this young man's gaze. Whether or not she personally took issue with anything done today wasn't entirely obvious, and with Andais such a thing never was. Two hundred years living in the old courts of Europe had made her good at hiding her own interests. "What you've done here today, seems to have made some of the older ones nervous, I can sense it rather clearly... the anxiety which borders on just the wrong side of fear..." she said. "If you are sleeping at a time like this. Your sired one must be almost ready, correct?" she asked rhetorically. She knew the answer because she could just as easily slip into the dreams of the one next to this man as she had his own. She might have already done so out of curiosity. "You'll have to explain yourself, and bring her with you." Andais' statement was a casual slip of the tongue, knowledge of the one who rested directly beside Sorin at this time, binding herself to a coffin. Powerful enough to indeed have caused a stir among the Convocation of Vampires.

[Bloodedge]

"You are free to make whatever implications you like, but it does not change the facts," Sorin replied. As far as he was concerned, he had no reason to approach the Convocation. On the other hand, the Convocation obviously took some issues with what he'd done. Whether they wished to do something about it, or seek clarity, was a matter up for dispute at the moment.

Sorin found himself wondering if Andais had invaded his wife's dream prior to his, but that was a matter of little importance at present. Andais knew of Kasmina's progression into true vampirism, which meant the Convocation as a whole knew. They apparently sought to have Sorin and Kasmina appear before them to explain the situation. What an annoying bunch they were to deal with at times like these. All they aimed to do at this point was prevent having a second Dracula to deal with - someone who would reign supreme over even the other master vampires of Transylvania. Now that there was to be another vampire of Sorin's status, with the blood of Dracula within her veins, there was double the threat. "You say I must explain myself. Tell me, Andais... is that all the Convocation desires?" he asked, looking unto this woman with utmost skepticism fueling his gaze. He was powerful in his own right, and Kasmina would be as well; however, the entire council of master vampires would be something even they could not outright deal with if they chose to have one or both of them eliminated. Sorin would not walk into such a situation unless he felt it could be handled appropriately.

[Apollymi]

"I do not make implications," Andais mentioned. She had no problem meeting this fierce gaze nor did she really care for the meeting being called by the Convocation. Their power balance was rather delicate and it was obvious that another Master Vampire could tip the balance in any direction. Still getting this man to agree to appear before the Convocation was somewhat difficult. The woman would sigh her gaze unwavering as she explained the situation at hand.

She could of course understand why one would not want to simply appear before an entire group of Master Vampires especially if they were out to get you. "Oh? You worry do you..." she said seeming to have come to this conclusion. "Your new sired one is powerful enough to have stirred the Convocation," she said knowing this as fact. "That fact alone is reason enough for this..." she paused seeming to think of a word to want to use. "Caution." that was what she chose, but she'd also been sent out, and given the kinds of conversations had between all in the Convocation she had known this to be a possibility. "I mentioned that I would not come when summoned with a new sire if called in such a manner. That it might have looked a bit like a call to an execution or worse..." she said without giving away whether or not she felt pity for this plight created by Sorin. "Even so, it isn't as if all of the Convocation calls for execution. No one as even offered it as an option. This is a life of politics, no threats were made against you, or even your sire," she commented in the same way she always had. Something about this man's glare at this point was almost frightening. "Admittedly, they probably would not have cared, if you'd created her as her master. They would have thought of it as you becoming a 'proper' vampire."

[Bloodedge]

"You are also free to have your own beliefs regarding these matters, my lady," he continued. This discussion between vampires within Sorin's dream world had quickly grown into something of a standoff. Each stared with gazes unwavering at the other, and each came with their own views regarding the original message/topic. Even so, things seemed to be progressing in a civil enough manner to ward off any hostilities. Sorin especially did not intend to have a battle of any sort occur here, in the space where Andais would have an obvious upper hand.

From the sound of things, there would be nothing to worry about by way of an execution or anything of the sort. This of course came with mention of there being no issues in the case of Sorin making a vampire and being its master, but that was not the case, and he would not have had it be so. "Very well. I suppose an execution would have been best done here and now, if anyone were to do it. Perhaps the council should be more frightened of its speaker's abilities. I will appear before the Convocation when the lady wakes; no sooner."

[Apollymi]

It seemed the civil stand off between Master Vampires would continue to be such without escalation, not that Andais expected that anyways. Sorin was never in her approximation the type to pick a fight and though young the state of his mind was such that she could believe at least he wouldn't act rashly about anything. His commentary about the fear of the council related to her own abilities made her smile and the accompanying chuckle was a melodic happy sound. "I do not think myself so frightening a person. Though I suppose it would be rather scary to think you wouldn't be able to sleep peacefully at any point. No matter..." she said seemingly pleased by the understanding that she could basically do as she wished with any of the Master Vampires while they slept and that likely being a reason she was respected among them and even sent out to speak for them, even when she didn't share their opinions.

"But they understand my power and reasoning and they don't necessarily understand yours. Thus... anxiety on their parts. Though I will admit to being a bit curious, I find nothing here warrants any sort of threatening behavior," she said, making one thing clear now that the young man had agreed to show up to the meeting he was called to. "She does not need to wake, because there is currently no neutral ground I've been called upon to secure the venue and all members for this meeting," said Andais as she thought about it more. "My territory in this way is the most neutral. If you'd like, before the meeting is called, we could walk together into your sired one's dream that you might explain this situation to her. Her mind is surprisingly calm for one who was so recently human. This power of mine alone can be less than welcoming if you aren't prepared to deal with it," Andais offered. A strange favor from this vampire, but she'd already seen what was to see here and still had to do what she needed to do regardless. If they were to have this meeting in a shared dream space regardless connecting the dreams of two people resting side by side was hardly anything other than child's play.

[Bloodedge]

As they continued to converse, Sorin's eyes narrowed over time. Surely this woman had to be fully aware of how much power she held over other members of the Convocation. If she were to seize control from the group, there would be little to nothing any of the others could do to stop her. Personally, Sorin was a bit surprised she'd not done such a thing already, considering how the council's members tended to operate. "And the Convocation believes they need understanding of what I've done. Of course. It would be a shame to have the son of Dracula decide to take control of Transylvania a mere seventeen years before his return."

The Convocation was apparently now without a proper meeting place. Since they had no neutral ground to call their meetings, they were resorting to Andais' ability for the creation of one. "You're connecting the dreams of others now? How frightening," he said. Sorin brought himself down to ground level, sighing as he made footfall. At the end of the day, this was hardly something he could avoid. "... Very well. Build your bridge, Dreamwalker."

[Apollymi]

Andais continued to float seeming to find this to be the proper way to move about, though she did so, only a mere hair's breadth above the ground. It seemed that Sorin took issue with the idea that the Convocation wished to know what he was doing so close to the time of Dracula's revival. "Yes, they need to know. Those are their words, I did only agree to come here to sate my own curiosity after all," she said seemingly amused by this endeavor. As Sorin lowered himself to the ground he mentioned that her ability to connect the dreams of others was frightening and then went on to claim she could build her bridge if she so desired. "Connecting dreams is a game. I've done so for amusement on more than one occasion," she said with a chuckle. And then she did exactly that. Moving no more than three steps forward, the edge of Sorin's dream began to bleed into another, the grass became paved stone and by the third step moved forward to the door of a large tavern. Noises could be heard from inside and it was simply something entirely different from the forests and plains of seconds prior. But such was the nature of travel within dreams.

Within said tavern sat in a high backed chair at a table, by the hearth one would find Kasmina. She was currently engaged in a high stakes card game, with people she created in her own imagination. The face of Hendryck and a few of the other baron's children were peppered around the table, and all of them sweating bullets. A grin was on this girl's face as she looked at her hand then back at the table. "You should fold... there is no chance of you winning here..." she said seeming to be amused. "You are always like this and you always win..." the man said placing his hand face down on the table and admitting his defeat. "And yet you still play," Having already been privy to the kind of dream the girl was having, Andais found herself within the tavern once more watching the game at hand. "It's rare, to see someone create such a scene. Your new sire is quite interesting," was all the elder vampire had to say on the matter.

[Bloodedge]

Moments after clearance to blend the dreams had been offered, Andais forged the bridge between his mind and Kasmina's. Suddenly, the Count stood within a tavern the likes of which one would find in Sibiu, near where he first met the woman that had become his wife. Now that he thought about it, there was the scent of a tavern overlapping the smell of her skin when they met. "A tavern? That explains much," he commented nonchalantly, taking steps to traverse the spaces between the tavern's tables. Soon enough, he was upon the table at which Kasmina sat. A card game was in progress, but one male pitted against the raven-haired woman chose to bow out of a hand. In this moment, Sorin understood much about that fateful night nearly one week ago. "So, this is your nighttime activity of choice? It is no wonder you were in such a calm state while being in the presence of a vampire. You gambled on your life that night. Come. This world is no more than a dream; the Convocation of Vampires wishes to speak with us."

[Apollymi]

As Kasmina looked to the boy she played cards with another man approached her table. She gathered her winnings but couldn't even offer another hand. He was of course utterly familiar to her but the surprise on her face couldn't be kept at bay. It seemed her husband would interrupt her dream, to tell her that the Convocation of Vampires wished to meet with the pair of them and explain to her that she was presently in a world she dreamed up. "It didn't start off as an activity of choice, but I've grown to enjoy it more than most others..." the girl said of her apparent gambling in taverns such as this. "And yes, there is a certain amount of calm one retains if you wish to be good at games like this, applying such things to our first meeting helped me carry on our conversation as two normal people," she mentioned, though it didn't much matter as she'd been safer in his presence than in the presence of any other.

"This is my dream. Of that I am certain... but what is a Convocation of Vampires? And not that I mind the company, but how did you end up consciously within my dreams?" she asked seeming to find it strange but offering her hand to clearly go wherever this man would lead. All the while Andais watched on in abject curiousness as this man spoke to his recently wedded wife. Unknowing of that fact but watching this pair speak to each other in quite a familiar way. And while she watched she created an alternate dream space. One which would house the Convocation, a room with several seats around a large stone table which were round and shrouded in darkness, all hidden behind one of the tavern doors to make for easier transport for all of them. The rest of the members would be summoned to this room as well, sometime in the near future.

[Bloodedge]

"I see. I believe I would enjoy hearing the tale of how this came to be. But, for now, we must away." With Kasmina's hand offered, Sorin reached out to take it and lead the way. As he began his trek, a question was offered regarding the identity of the Convocation of Vampires. Along with this came another question, that being how Sorin entered the sanctity of her mind during this dream. "The Convocation was once a great power within Transylvania. In Dracula's past life, the Convocation served as a council of Master Vampires who answered to him. Each Master Vampire possesses a 'territory' over one of the cities in Transylvania, which is about normal for a vampire of great power. Since Dracula's territory was claimed as all of Transylvania, members of the Convocation served as envoys to enforce his reign. They now function as a governing body over vampire-kind in Transylvania, until Dracula returns to rule over them again. Their fear is that I will take Dracula's place before that day."

Sorin's movements never ceased for the duration of his speech. As he approached an exit to the tavern, he gestured toward the closed door. His assumption was that it would open to reveal the room in which they were to have this meeting, and such a thing would also give sight to Andais. "It is not my doing that places me here. Andais McDermott, the Dreamwalker. She is the Lord Vampire of Clus; it is her power that connects our sleeping minds now."

[Apollymi]

A smile crossed the young vampires face as her husband spoke of wanting to hear of her previous adventures. It was quite strange, but Kasmina took a great deal of solace in knowing this man held interest in her life, it was more than she'd managed from her father since her childhood. But alas this pleasantry was soon neglected for an explanation to the pair of questions the young woman asked the man about his arrival in her dream space. As they paused before the tavern door they spoke of these things but there was one remaining question. "This day flows with information of things that are passed along as children's tales. Is there a reason they believe you intend to take over for Dracula?" she paused not coming to any immediate conclusion regarding this information. She also seemed to simply accept the existence of the Convocation. In her own mind, every society needed a government to function, it just so happened that Vampire kind had one which functioned specifically over them. Though she figured this would include high tensions when their leader was no longer with them, she wondered why it wasn't simply the case that someone else had taken over.

There was also the matter of the Lord Vampire of Clus, who had within her the ability to simply connect the minds of people in dreams. This power was already the slightest bit frightening, and seemed the sort of thing no person should possess at all. The look on Kasmina's face held this notion if but for a second before she simply wiped it away and let the calmness which was the general state of her mind when she was doing things return. She had no idea that vampires could possess such abilities, and the thought lead to series of questions in her mind that she quieted for the purpose of continuing on in this moment. As the door opened Kasmina caught sight of this Lady McDermott and the room which was organized for the purpose of their 'meeting'. The table around them curved around them leaving seats for the other Convocation members and in the middle were two throne like chairs for these two to sit in while they faced the Convocation. As an aside Andais herself was seated at the center of this table, as its creator and the obvious mediator of this group. "You could have taken a few more moments... there was no need to rush," she said seemingly amused as her eyes moved over the young couple before her.

[Bloodedge]

"Ah. Forgive me. I wasn't clear before," Sorin said as they approached the door and awaited its opening. A week prior, this woman had been in disbelief of vampires. She had no reason to know the truth of Dracula, and thus his lineage. Sorin felt he was now responsible for explaining himself, and the Lord of Darkness' existence. "You see, Castlevania is the home of Dracula. Fate would have him return every hundred years to 'cleanse' the world of mankind's sins against themselves. Some agree, some don't. The reason I exist as the lord of the castle is simple. My true name should be Lothaire Phantomhive Tepes, son of Vlad 'Dracula' Tepes. By mortal standards, I am another Dracula, and you, Draculina. We are the reason for the Convocation's nightmares until Dracula himself returns next."

When the door opened unto them, Sorin looked into a council room with Andais at the center of the Convocation's seating arrangements. Seated to her left was a young-looking blonde with two very long ponytails, a sharp red gaze, and a Gothic Lolita style of dress that was black and red in color with inverted red crosses upon it. Four other chairs were present in this arrangement, but one remained empty. To the younger one's left, there was an elderly male with a long, grayed ponytail kept in place by a pink ribbon. His ensemble was that of a butler, but there was a more regal air about him, just as there was an incredibly mature aura coming from the child to his right. The middle chair on the opposite side of Andais was occupied by a muscular blonde male with an orange glow in his irises, and a well-groomed mullet atop his head. "A few more moments would be unnecessary. I would see this over sooner, rather than later."

[Apollymi]

While Kasmina was filled in about the nature of her own creation, as well as the lineage of her husband, the other two council members appeared and took their seats. Beside the man with his blond hair a woman with hair white as freshly fallen snow. She looked youthful appearing to be around the same age as Andais, with a full figure and fangs which protruded over gently pinked lips. She wore a courtly dress made of red velvet which seemed to make her crimson colored eyes vibrate with their hidden potential. Around her neck, a rosary missing its cross and held together by a strip of leather. She seemed altogether bored and lacking in amusement. The last chair which was filled had seated within a blonde girl, barely blessed by puberty. Her short hair hidden beneath a bonnet, her clothing the smock of a child with white accents and lace. Little red ribbons seemed to be applied at various intervals to her person, long red nails graced her tiny hands as she allowed her small chin to rest in the palm of her right hand as she leaned against the table.

Having a look at all people present while, speaking to Sorin of the information he'd just given her. Kasmina was a bit stunned by this man's lineage, but it did nothing to detour her thoughts of him. He was the son of the famed Dracula but nothing one would expect of upper nobility or a creature of the night. Given this she had nothing unpleasant to say nor did she express much of any shock about the situation at present, taking all of it in stride as it changed nothing for her. "One cannot choose their parents, so that seems little to no reason to cause nightmares in people who have lived generations. Though even the 'cleansing' of mankind..." she said, in looking at this table of vampires though she supposed, age alone didn't always lead to logical thoughts. Her own father was proof enough of this, and with that in mind, she had a fairly good idea of the conversation which was about to happen and prepared herself for it mentally. "Well, at least I understand now... shall we?"

In reply to Sorin, the vampire currently at the head of the table only nodded. She'd taken her seat without any real fuss and with the rest of the council properly situated there was little to no reason to hold up this proceeding. She waved to the two seats present before them and spoke. "Then you may both have a seat. I did bring you here, but there is no reason this should be uncomfortable," she said, for a woman who plagued people's dreams and nightmares, she was not without common courtesy. This meeting of the Convocation was hardly necessary by her own thoughts, but it would be a good opportunity to see where the rest of the group stood as far as their ties to Dracula. "I've done as the Convocation asked and acquired Sir Phantomhive's presence along with that of his newly sired offspring. I would request the Convocation's members ask their questions in a calm and respectful manner," were Andais words with her eyes captivated by the pair before them.

[Bloodedge]

"Let's," was Sorin's reply to the woman. A simple gesture of both arms was meant to lead her directly toward her chair. Only after Kasmina sat would Sorin do the same. They were in for some level of annoyance, but with Andais as the Convocation's speaker, Sorin found himself wondering exactly how annoying things could become here. This was a world of her design, but there were sure to be members of the council who weren't very interested in acknowledging hierarchy of any sort, bar that of Dracula.

When the floor was opened to the members of the Convocation, the first to offer a query was the red-eyed blonde to Andais' left. She spoke in a voice that was as dainty as she appeared to be, but the essence of her words reeked of an old tongue. "This girl smells of a pureblood. Your blood. Did you not become her master?" she asked. "Of course not," Sorin replied quickly and clearly, casting his gaze upon this individual with an amount of due respect not shown to the others previously. "Forgive my failure to mention, but I was quite preoccupied with the queen's arrival. This is my wife."

[Apollymi]

It seemed that Sorin also knew and understood the amount of annoying their meeting for this evening would be. He likely had more of an idea of it than Kasmina herself. Still the young woman with springy drill pig tails took her seat at her husband's offering. Such a seat was taken with an unknowable bit of grace her back straight legs crossed at the ankle and hands resting in her lap. If she was going to be the spectacle of the day for the second time she thought she might as well treat it as she had the first her gaze not bothering to move very much about the room, though she seemed to be looking at nothing in particular until of course her husband spoke. When he did, her gaze shifted to him at her side and she took note of the amount of respect he granted to the small blonde seated upon the Convocation.

Still the murmurs of several Convocation members would come at the mention that the black haired girl seated next to Sorin was his wife. Eyes widened immediately and cold gazes would move over the young woman. Andais found herself covering her mouth with the fan, this was beyond what she expected and she'd been inside of both of these people's minds rather recently. The white haired woman seemed to be amused by this information, and the other blonde young woman scoffed at the news. Obviously, these people didn't form these sorts of relationships so they couldn't have cared though several of them would have had them in life. "I didn't know you married. Congratulations," Andais said still apparently amused though she knew others wouldn't be too happy about this news. The other blonde young woman shifted with her own distress like a petulant child about to tantrum. The white haired woman seemed to chuckle just a little. "No invitation for the rest of us? I'm almost disappointed," she managed but it was unclear in this moment whether she actually cared or not. "Who cares if they are married? That isn't really a good reason to just up and make another one of us..." these were the words spoken by the blonde dressed like a child.

[Bloodedge]

This news of a marriage between the vampires here struck a nerve within all present somehow - even the pair of males on the Convocation. None were stricken more than the blonde who'd offered the first question, though. She seemed upset, even downright appalled by the thought of this. Even so, she remained silent for several moments while processing this information. Sorin took a moment of general silence to respond to the others. "Many thanks, Lady McDermott," he said first to the speaker of the Convocation. Afterwards, his gaze fell upon the white-haired woman. "My apologies. I'm afraid, though, one such as yourself would not have been able to attend, invitation or not. As for another of us," he continued, addressing the other blonde female in the room. "I don't believe we can be called similar. Of course, I mean not to offend."

The men of the Convocation seemed to have nothing to say. Most specifically, the muscular blonde vampire was totally indifferent, by the looks of him. The elder man merely showed signs of disagreeing silently in his visage. "No!" Suddenly, the voice of the first questioner resonated throughout the dream room. It happened in the same moment she stood and slammed her hands against the table at which she sat. She was not simply infuriated by this marriage, but outright opposed to it. "I refuse to accept this! Nearly five decades, and you decide to wed some... some... some harlot from the streets!? Moreover, you give her the blood of Dracule! Do you have ANY idea what you've done!?" The coming of her tirade's end marked the closing of Sorin's eyes, which accompanied a sigh. He'd seen this coming, but he'd also hoped the intensity would be toned down a bit from what it was now. The Count of Sibiu seemed to need a moment for the sake of composing himself.

[Apollymi]

Andais found this whole room to be full of an emotion she couldn't quite understand. It wasn't the earlier fears she'd sensed from some of the members as they noted the powerful being created by Sorin. No it was something entirely different. As Sorin went on to answer inquiries it seemed that the white hair, had her brow raise inquisitively. "Really? It isn't as if I am bound normally. I can go where I wish when I wish, except...." something donned upon this woman, and it made her eyes widen. "You married in a church?!" it was almost an accusation. Of course she wouldn't have put it past a man like him to do such a thing. Still, it seemed a bit rude to not invite what was essentially your family to your wedding.

The other blonde haired girl seemed to be incapable of speech before the outrage of the more appropriately dressed blonde came into the forefront of the discussion. Her palms hitting the table seemed to draw all attention towards her as she went on to berate Sorin's actions and his choice in bride. Andais covered the smile coming to her face with the fan she kept for just this purpose. She didn't much care for this situation but knew well it was the most likely of reactions from this woman concerning Sorin's actions.

Kasmina on the other hand held the blankest of faces without even the slightest of twitches as she was spoken of in such a way. If nothing else, dealing with her father had made her perfectly capable of hearing other people's opinion of her and retaining the cool demeanor she was known to have regardless of how she felt about the situation. Still, there was something quite interesting afoot, as her own observation of this situation hinted at the idea that only three of the people present had anything disconcerting to say about what had already taken place. The grey haired male, and the two female blondes. Though admittedly the one with the pigtails who spoke to Sorin in such a way was obviously way more invested in her anger at this situation than the other blonde girl who seemed to just be annoyed by the potential toppling of their power structure. Kasmina was nothing if not curious about this woman's anger in this moment, because it seemed to be misplaced, but Sorin deferring to this woman made her wonder their relationship to make it thus.

[Bloodedge]

Soon enough, Sorin found himself able to formulate a response to the blonde. Once he had it in mind, he opened his eyes and met the crimson gaze of the blonde. "Of course I am aware. I am no less aware than you of the situation, but the implication you are making is of a situation that will never matter. Dracula will return simply because I live. Or... is it the child itself you worry about now?" When this question was asked, the blonde seemed taken aback. Hands that were pressed firmly against the table lost a small amount of their impact in a moment of shock, but the force was returned by the fist of the elderly male to the blonde's left. "You will watch your tongue, boy! You have no ground to stand on here," he spoke.

Of all the nerves that had been stepped on this day, Sorin's had not been among them. That is, until these most recent words were spoken to him. His brows drew together, and his voice became accompanied by an air of distaste. "If I have no ground to stand on, I assume you've taken to a life at sea, Sir Wolff. When did it become policy of the Convocation to defend one another in civil matters? Did your beloved Dracula not instill in you a sense of equality when he allowed you onto this council, or have you simply begun taking your pledge of loyalty more seriously over the past few decades?"

"This is going nowhere." At long last, the final of three males in this room spoke. Though he'd seemed apathetic up to this point, he of course had his own opinions. "This pointless dribble will get us nowhere. Does this girl even know what's going on here? If we don't know her intentions, there's no point to this meeting!" At his words, the two angered individuals within the Convocation fell silent and returned to their seats, albeit reluctantly. "Forgive the rudeness of my colleagues, young lady. Allow me to introduce myself: Dragomir Petrov, of Alba Lulia. Accept my welcome to the life of the nightwalkers." This moment was one Sorin chose to use for the sake of addressing the white-haired woman he'd spoken with briefly at the beginning of this meeting. "Ah, forgive me. Yes, we were wed in the Great Church. I would have of course invited you if it were a more... unholy ceremony."

[Apollymi]

As the argument took place with the two most obvious of their opposition, Kasmina watched the reactions of all present. It seemed that Sorin had indeed already known of the problems their marriage and her creation would make for him, and his arguments were prepared enough to knock the wind out of the blonde young woman's sails. This of course didn't seem to detour an older male from coming to her aide and even trying to silence Sorin himself, but there was yet another comeback from her husband. This one laced with more venom than she'd even seen directed at her own father. But if she was shocked by this occurance her face did not show it, though Andais herself had trouble stifling a giggle at the old man's expense and quickly turned to face front, her fan still covering a grin dotted with obvious fangs. What she could not hide though was the amused light within her eyes.

But just as this entire thing would have bubbled over, the final male in the room chose to speak. Pointing out the fallacy of present conversation and the fact that aside from Sorin and Andais none had bothered even trying to address the young woman seated at his side. This was a rather interesting turn of events for Kasmina, as the amount of apathy his face showed had previous led her to believe that he would remain quiet for a while longer. The smallest of upturns in her lips would cause a smile to cross her face and mark her as at the very least understanding she was being spoken to at long last, as she diverted her attention from the group at large towards the blonde male who'd named himself. She was quiet for a few seconds longer than necessary. "Forgive me, I was a bit stunned. I was not actually expecting anyone to speak to me directly. It is of course a pleasure to make your acquaintance, Sir Petrov. My name is Kasmina, many thanks for the kind welcome," she said purposefully not making a further extension of her name. This seemed to serve as a moment of reflection for the other women in the group. At least two of which had no issue making an introduction.

The white haired woman spoke up after Sorin confirmed that he'd indeed married within a church. Though it was no mere side church but one of the greatest magnitude and splendor. She could hardly be upset such a venue wouldn't allow her entry. "Well, I would normally have more complaints to lodge, but that is quite the impressive venue. It's nice to meet you Kasmina. I'm the Countess Elizabeth Bathory and I control Hust. Congratulations on your recent nuptials," she mentioned her crimson eyes turning to acknowledge the girl who looked a bit stunned. This was a name she knew and it was quite notorious. "I am sure, Sorin already introduced me as well... I'm Lady Andais McDermott of Clus," said the woman who's fan finally lowered. "Of course, it's a pleasure to meet you both as well. And thank you." From what she understood the other people at this table also controlled different areas of Transylvania, but the girl was not one to push for further information before it presented itself. She assumed there were real questions to be asked of her at some point in the near future, and as such she would wait for them as well.

[Bloodedge]

"If there is a point to be addressed here, perhaps introductions should be considered a waste of time as well, Dragomir," said the elderly man once three of six council members introduced themselves to this newblood. He and the blonde girl seemed utmost disgusted with most of the Convocation at present, and they both thought to move this along. "Quite," added the physically young woman. "Speak then, girl. What sort of mind do you have to call yourself a vampire now?"

These words did not sit well with Sorin, nor did Dragomir take a liking to them. The latter of these two males spoke again, once more in disagreement with the actions of his peers. "Did neither of you hear them say they've been wed? It should be obvious why the girl has become one of us. The information we seek should be whether she even knows what sort of atrocity we claim her to be." Of the three most recent speakers, this man had offered words filled with the most clarity. Sorin respected this, even though Dragomir was not among the favored council members list due to the elder vampire's methods outside of this meeting. Sorin offered his own response, both to address concerns, and clarify for the "newblood" of current topic. "The Convocation of Vampires, formed to extend Dracula's rule over creatures of the night into Transylvania during his second life on Earth. There is a difference in opinion in the Convocation as to whether Dracula's return to power will be a boon or a bane, but all vampires - including the entire Convocation - fear the existence of something more powerful than Dracula. A Master Vampire is created with a power derived from their very soul. A born vampire, however, may also inherit powers from either of its parents... or both. If one were born of Dracul blood between two Master Vampires, it would undoubtedly stand on a pedestal unreachable by any other creature."

[Apollymi]

Kasmina found herself looking at this crowd of people, and the amount of animosity and disgust that came from the grey haired man and the blonde young woman were almost palpable. Both seemed to want to know what Kasmina's intentions were, but neither of them seemed to realize the very simple reason behind her creation as a vampire. Unsurprisingly to Kasmina, the man who'd spoken to her first seemed to be the one to point out the fallacy of their logic, before her husband went on to explain the depth of what was actually being discussed here. Her earlier understanding seemed to blossom into a full view of the picture painted in a singular moment of enlightenment. At this point a grin crossed her face and showed the dainty fangs of her mouth and her smile became a giggle or two. This seemed to stir finally the other blonde who took offense to the sight.

"What? She's laughing at a time like this... why are you all so content to let this stand, where are your backbones?" she directed towards the three members of the Convocation who seemed to have no problem accepting the coming of the raven haired young bride. "If I have offended, sincerely I offer an apology, but how can you not find this laughable?" asked Kasmina who seemed to have the most sincere problem with the situation she was presently experiencing. "From my perspective, I was married at noon. I've been a vampire for all of five hours and spent the last three of those sleeping. Only to be stirred from what was a very normal dream to be called to explain whether or not I lust after power and intend to have children to displace people I did not even believe existed until a few days ago. It is preposterous," she said this caused a chuckle from both Andais and Elizabeth the latter of whom spoke up again. "That is a fairly valid point. They are newlyweds, seemingly happy ones. That's about the best reason I've ever heard for someone becoming a vampire," Elizabeth said as she shifted her view to the other blonde who'd been angry at the laughter only to frown slightly, sit back and sigh apparently accepting that they were asking a rather difficult set of questions to someone who was by her own approximation just barely a vampire at present times. The blonde woman who seemed most disgusted by Kasmina's creation would finally be looked upon as the young woman explained herself as best she knew how. "For the sake of clarity, I do not lust after power, Dracula's or anyone else's. I find the idea of having a child simply to secure a power structure or displace one to be an affront to that child's creation and future desires. All I intend to do, is spend my now extended life in the company of my husband and that is meant as no affront to anyone."

[Bloodedge]

"Let what stand? Laughter? She could easily be laughing due to your state of dress, and I'd think no less of her for it." This seemed to be all Dragomir had left to say. Kasmina's words alone hinted that this meeting was virtually pointless in the end. As one who did not look forward to the return of Dracula in any positive manner, Dragomir would not have minded the idea of these two intending to seize power over the vampire lord. Such a thing unfolding would simply handle one of his only problems in this world.

Sorin's mouth was ever so slightly agape when his wife shared her thoughts with the Convocation. His gaze had shifted to her, and his brows rose as a moment of clarity swept over him. By the time she finished speaking, he could do nothing but smile and shut his eyes. A chuckle of his own escaped him, but it had nary a thing to do with the discussion at hand, and all to do with his new wife's closing statement. "I could not have spoken the words better, or perhaps even as well. Does this please the Convocation? You know now that we have no intentions of bringing forth the Calamity Child. I take it we are free to leave now?"

[Apollymi]

Andais' fan was rather securely over the bottom of her face, as she was once again forced into hiding obvious laughter, this time at the words spoken by Dragomir about the state of dress chosen by one of the members of the Convocation. "Bugger off, Dragomir!" these words came from the petulant child of a vampire who sat on the Convocation who'd been mad, and only made further upset by his words. Though she had nothing else to say. The girl's words about her intentions seemed to make it so that they had no right to interfere with her newly eternal life, and with that in mind, she was already bored of the situation. A quick glance from Andais to the rest of the Convocation would let her know if they needed to stay any longer. Of course, a look to the young blonde at the other end of the table and her flippant wave off let her know she didn't care much more.

A final glance towards the blonde young woman and the grey bearded butler would be the last if any descent, though she couldn't imagine the pair of them having any arguments left having heard the words from the young woman's own mouth. "Assuming no one else has anything else to say... you are both perfectly capable of leaving, out through the doors you came will lead you back through your respective dreams. Pleasure seeing you both," said Andais as her fan finally came to a close and she revealed a fanged smile of her own. And just as this meeting had randomly started it was also apparently over. Kasmina had a small smile on her face as she turned to Sorin. Figuring if they were going back out, they'd do so the same way they'd gone in, together.

[Bloodedge]

Permission to leave had been granted, under the assumption that no other members of the Convocation had words for the newlywed vampires. The female blonde, and the old man who'd sided with her, managed to do nothing but shirk the situation as it had unfolded. Sorin stood and bowed with a hand crossed over his chest, paying special attention to the Convocation's chosen Speaker in his farewell. "We shall take our leave, then. I wish you well in your individual endeavors, Lords and Ladies," he said. It was then that he turned toward Kasmina with his right hand offered to the woman. "Well, my lady... the time comes to complete your final rest as a human, and your first night as a vampire." If Kasmina were only to take his hand, he would then lead the way through the door they'd used for entry to this place. As such, he would return to the world of his own dreams.

[Apollymi]

Sorin stood and addressed the Convocation, smiles were present on the faces of the two females who enjoyed his presence this evening, while the last scoffed but had nothing else to say. Kasmina soon enough found herself reaching for the man's extended hand taking her leave of this place with her husband, with the same energy she'd used to enter. There was a small smile on her face as she turned the ring on her forefinger with a bit of surety. "Oh? I look forward to it," said Kasmina. As they walked back they were sent back to their individual dream states and Kasmina returned to the card game that her mind would use to handle itself for a great deal of time. At the very least a sound sleep would be occurring for the rest of this night until such a time as she would wake.

But in that time, around high noon, one portly older gentleman with a ground face and slicked back black hair would appear at the doors of Castlevania. He was Costel Dacian, a Baron of Sibiu, he was also the father of the newlywed Kasmina Elise Dacian Phantomhive, and he was in need of some of his daughter's time. He thought he'd given more than enough time for the newlyweds to consummate their marriage, but now, he needed his daughter's influence to help him out. The night of their wedding he'd gotten into a bit of gambling related trouble. Surely his daughter could help him out with his business arrangements now that she'd had time to get over the anger she'd possessed at him a few days prior to her wedding. Had he known she was courting the Viscount Sorin Phantomhive, he'd likely have nudged them closer together.

Regardless... a bit of alone time with his daughter should fix his problems. And thus a knock on the door would ensue. It would be answered by none other than the maid Alina who wore the brown human eye instead of her normal crimson ones. "My sincerest apologies my lord," she commented staring at the man after opening the door. "But the Count and Countess aren't receiving any visitors at this time. No exceptions," she said which made the Baron Dacian look astounded. This woman hadn't even asked him any questions, simply assumed he wished to see the people of this house. "Do you know who I am, I am Baron Costel Dacian, and I need to see my daughter, urgently. It is a family matter," he said seemingly upset. This made Alina look at him, she suppressed the desire to snarl at this man and wondered how such a man had created one as stunning as her new Mistress. "Be that as it may kind sir, I will relay that message to the Master and Mistress, but they are still not taking any guests," and just like that the doors would shut before the man who'd continue to bang on the door as she disappeared into the catacombs. "Master, there is an annoyance at the door, and it is unlikely he will go away any time soon. I assume you don't wish me to eat him," she said at the side of Sorin's coffin, where she'd reappeared. It seemed to be a bit early to be waking the Lady Kasmina.

[Bloodedge]

Sorin was of a mind to sleep until his senses alerted him to Kasmina's waking. It seemed, however, this was not fated to be. Costel Dacian was once again proving to be a thorn in his side - more so than he had been previously. Alina standing next to his coffin caused the young Count to stir within. Only a matter of seconds passed before the coffin's stone lid shifted to the side of the vessel, falling onto the ground. Sorin levitated from within. His eyes remained closed as he rose into the air, both arms crossed over his chest even while his body shifted into a vertical position. His senses told him roughly how many hours it had been since he slept, and it was a relatively short amount of time. "You've woken me for an annoyance?" he asked, though his ears could hear the continued knocking at the castle's entrance.

Something of a sixth sense activated in Sorin, acting in a manner akin to sonar. Through each knock, he gained a clearer picture of the body standing outside the castle. He recognized this form upon visualizing it with his mind's eye. It was annoying indeed. His voice escaped him once again, and it did so in a manner that suggested this as a tiresome turn of events. "Baron Costel Dacian. He's come all this way, and for what? I will see to this," he said, looking briefly toward Kasmina's coffin. "She seems to have taken to the blood very quickly. To be born mortal, and to have such a powerful soul. If she'd been a Belmont, I believe I would have been slain long ago."

Sorin would see to the Costel matter right away. His levitation brought him slowly to the ground, but when he made footfall, he did so suddenly at the front door. The door opened then, perfectly between two knocks upon it. It was then that Sorin looked upon the black-haired Baron with his usual, glistening violet gaze. "Good afternoon, Baron. Is there a matter I can assist you with?"

[Apollymi]

Alina lowered her curtsy just a bit. "Normally, I wouldn't have bothered you Master. But I assumed this was the best course of action. I shall stay by the Lady's side until you return," mentioned the demon maid as it became obvious that Sorin would be going to deal with the nusience which was Baron Dacian. She found herself looking towards her Mistress' coffin as her master mentioned the strength of the young woman's soul. A smile came to Alina's face in this moment as she found it to be very interesting information. "Oh? The Mistress is so intriguing. I have a hard time reconciling that thing outside is her father..." she mentioned seemingly in awe of the young woman while not moving from the spot.

Sure enough the Baron's knocking continued. He'd worked himself into something of a fervor. His face reddened and his arm tired. Knocking against this door but between two knocks rather suddenly the door opened and he had to stop his fist from making contact with Sorin's body. "I... uh..." he was stunned there was no obvious sound from behind the door. He'd not known what to expect, but he didn't expect the maid to so rudely disappear before. "I was told you weren't accepting visitors. I need to see my daughter, it is a matter of utmost urgency!" he claimed after lowering his hands to his sides. Of course, this matter of urgency, was that he'd gotten into a betting war with the elder Hendryck and needed his daughter to smooth over the debt with the younger Hendryck. This was of course, something Kasmina was always capable of, and he had no idea how the girl ever managed to pull this off. But on the rare occasions after his second marriage that he'd managed to get into this kind of trouble, his daughter had managed to bail him out of it. This was not something he'd readily admit to his daughter's new husband though. It was already obvious that the man didn't like him very much, and there was nothing he could do to change this now. And it was a matter of urgency as the Hendrycks always called forth their debts within a short amount of time, though they were also just as forthcoming with the payments.

[Bloodedge]

There was one thing Sorin had not been made privy to upon his waking. Costel sought the attention not of Sorin, but of Kasmina. Whatever he wanted was something he was content to call urgent, but from Sorin's understanding, there were few things that could be considered urgent matters as soon as this, the day after the wedding Costel hadn't even bothered being present for. Sorin was quite disappointed by this thought alone. "She seemed happy, you know? Perhaps you could have spared her your ego for the sake of sharing a moment of joy." He wasted no time explaining himself upon saying this, feeling as if explanations were unnecessary at this point. Still, Sorin could not bet on the chance that his wife's father truly had an important matter to bring them. He turned away from the Baron, but left the door open and beckoned for the portly male to follow suit. "Very well. Come, Baron Dacian."

Sorin's path took him to the room in which his throne was situated, even though illusions had yet to be put back in place to hide the incredibly advanced technology present in Castlevania's lighting and other such fixtures. In his absence though, a second throne had been placed at the end of this great hall. The Count of Sibiu took a moment to admire the new look of the room, then seated himself in the throne to the viewers' left to address the Baron's concern. "Kasmina is somewhat... occupied at the moment, I'm afraid. You will have to take up your matter of urgency with me."

[Apollymi]

There was much that Sorin apparently didn't know about this situation, but he seemed content enough to bring attention to the fact that the Baron Dacian hadn't attended their wedding. This was in fact, true, he couldn't drag himself from his study, and when he ran out of liquor at home he instead drug himself to a tavern. While there he heard from everyone present about the grand spectacle about the wedding of his only daughter. How beautiful she looked, how happy she was, how stunning the moment of their official wedding had been. It was all rubbish, it sent the man into a further depression which he hadn't been able to explain. "I have heard. The whole town was talking about it, my wife told me. And even Cosmin seemed to think something of it, not that he speaks yet. I am already regretting that I didn't attend," the man said. And though these words were fatherly and somewhat caring they weren't meant in the same fashion that most would assume. Costel figured if he'd actually attended the wedding he wouldn't have found himself in the Taverns losing bets to Hendryck and having to come up with payment or risk losing what was left of his. But that didn't really matter.

Soon enough Costel was within this building and left to look around in awe. He'd never seen anything of this size or magnitude. With his daughter living in a place like this, he could imagine she could afford anything she wanted. Fixing the matter of his debts would be an easy thing, and she was giving enough that he wouldn't have to worry about anything. Strangely enough, the lightning in this place was rather different from what he was used to... but to him, that only reeked of further extravagance. 'Those lights are unlike any I've ever seen before. I wonder what else I could get out of her before she has her own kids...' he wondered. Cosmin had already been taken care of by this Count who wouldn't go back on his word, but obviously it would be left to Kasmina to look after her father since her husband didn't like him very much. As they entered the throne room, Costel took a few steps towards it, noticing the secondary seat which would obviously be for his daughter. "My daughter is occupied? With what? It's after noon..." he was disgusted by the idea of his daughter not seeing him. And about having to explain himself to her husband. "It's really much easier if I speak to Kasmina directly. No offense intended of course, but this is a matter only she can see to. It pertains to her friend Hendryck and only she will understand what needs to be done," he explained gently urging and even aiming for politeness to get the face of his daughter instead of her husband this day.

[Bloodedge]

It became apparent to Sorin that Costel was privy to the science filling Castlevania, but that didn't particularly matter. What did matter to him was the thoughts in this man's mind. Even with his daughter married away, this man sought to gain profit for himself and the toddler of his household. That he would disregard the well-being of his firstborn was atrocious. Still, Sorin wished to hear the Baron's plea. The Baron himself, on the other hand, wished only to discuss this matter in private with his daughter... something Sorin could not allow.

As Sorin's head rested against the back of his left hand, his right leg crossed over his left at the knee. A sigh passed his lips into the outside world. "My sincerest apologies, Baron. There is nothing that can be done. The lady cannot be seen at present, no matter how badly you wish to see her. If this matter is truly one of utmost urgency, I would ask that you either speak with me now, or return in a few days to address Kasmina. I assure you I will treat you fairly, if that is a concern of yours."

[Apollymi]

It seemed that Costel would not be taking well that his daughter could not be seen presently. "Cannot be seen? For three days?!" it was outrageous. 'What has this fiend done with my daughter?' he questioned. Even though he wasn't much as a father to his daughter, he didn't like the idea that she could be dead or worse... beyond this the words of the Vampire Hunter also drifted in his mind, and such information let him know that there were things far worse than death for his daughter if she was caught up in anything dangerous were to occur here. "DAUGHTER!! KASMINA!!! I AM HERE I WILL SEE YOU NOW!!" her father would go on to shout as if a petulant child told he could not have something he wanted. Such distress had it come from a place of true caring it might have been understandable.

Unknown to Costel his daughter was indeed unable to be seen, because she was within a coffin. But as her consciousness stirred for the first time the lid of her coffin shifted. Alina stood at the side and waited for the woman to come out. And she did, in a rush of energy and the entire stone lid being shoved to the side. "I can smell him from here. If I had an appetite, I've already lost it. Am I really not allowed to enjoy the early days of marriage without interruption?! I can hear him from here, tantruming like a child," the young woman scoffed her eyes still closed as her body floated towards the ground where her feet would eventually make contact with the floor. Alina took to her curtsy and spoke to the woman. "Good mornin', Mistress. My apologies, I assure you it was the Master's intention to be the first face you saw. But the Baron Dacian said he had an urgent matter to discuss with you, and would not leave until he spoke with you. I imagine the Master is trying, and failing at getting him to see reason in this matter," filled in the maid as she watched the newborn Vampire get her bearings together. Finally the young woman's eyes opened and widened only to immediately close. "So much light... my head hurts... disgusting. There is hardly anything you should apologize for, if anything my father should be apologizing for waking me from my sleep. But... I should just go see him. It would be a shame to leave Sorin to deal with my unruly father," she said of her father, knowing such a headache shouldn't be her husband's to deal with. As she moved though, Alina appeared in front of her, and bowed. "The Mistress is too kind. If I might, I will transport you directly in just a moment, but... your father is mortal, and your eyes, pretty as they are will give you away," she mentioned seeming to think such a deception would be within the woman's line of thought.

"Ah... of course. What do you suggest?" she asked Alina who smiled. "A minor form of illusion magic, should allow you to visualize your previous eyes and have them appear that way to all around you until you choose to change them. It might take a few moments though..." she mentioned. Such a thing was hard for some to pull off, but given how easily the young woman had become a vampire, Alina figured she could do this with the greatest of ease. Kasmina closed her velvety red eyes once more and gave her thoughts over to concentrating. After a moment when she opened them again they were the emerald green of her mortal self. "Will that suffice?" she asked... Alina looked at the young woman and nodded. "Yes, Mistress. A perfect match to the first time I saw you..." she said before holding out her hand for the woman so that she could teleport her just outside the door. But as Kasmina touched her, those now green eyes widened once more, as she pulled her hand back. "What sorcery is this?" she said seeming to find something strange in her perception of this woman's skin. "One step at a time Mistress... I can hardly say what it is you are feeling now. The Master should be more helpful," she said. Kasmina went on to touch the young woman and immediately find herself outside the door to the hall like chamber. Her father's voice still echoing about the room. "The Countess Kasmina Phantomhive," announced Alina as the doors opened to reveal the pair of them. Her father immediately stopped and turned walking towards her. "Father, yelling like a petulant child is hardly becoming," she said as a greeting which made the man pause as his daughter walked past to take the seat at Sorin's left. "Good morning, husband. My sincerest apologies for leaving you to deal with this... I had a bit of trouble waking properly," she offered with a gentle upturn of her lips.

[Bloodedge]

"Yes, three days maximum. I would see a messenger sent to you otherwise," was Sorin's initial response to the Baron. He understood that a three day wait was somewhat ridiculous, but it was also ridiculous to demand entry to the home of a Count, only to then demand personal audience with the Countess. Father or not, this was a level of disrespect Sorin could hardly tolerate. Even worse was his outright yelling for the woman's attention. "Baron, I've had enough of this outrage! If you insist on such insolence, I will have you removed from the castle immediately!"

Just then, Sorin's ear twitched. Dealing with the Baron had dulled his senses to the waking of his wife, but even with that being the case, Alina had now called an introduction to court for the vampire Countess. This introduction allowed the woman to enter in all her glory and radiance as Sorin recalled from the night before. She even went on to seat herself on the appropriate throne next to Sorin's. "And the best of mornings to you, my lady. I should be the one to apologize for your late waking. I'm certain the conditions for sleeping are quite different to what you would be accustomed to..." Sorin rather quickly adapted to speaking in this form of code to offset the ear of listening mortals. He didn't linger long on this exchange, choosing instead to divert his attention briefly to the Baron. "Congratulations, Sir Dacian; you've successfully disturbed my wife with childish dribble. I hope this matter of yours is truly worthwhile."

[Apollymi]

It seemed that the Baron Dacian would have been content to argue but soon enough his daughter appeared before him. The radiance of her seemed to be something he'd never seen before, she was quite enamoring. Now he was wishing he'd seen her in her wedding dress the day prior to this one, not that it mattered much now. As he'd been effectively shut up, Kasmina took her seat and found it comfortable enough but was quite distressed by something else, she could hear everything see everything and looking directly to her father didn't make this any better. She blinked her eyes and soon found her head resting against the side of her hand. "That is hardly anything to be apologizing for," she said before directing her gaze to her father. "You on the other hand, are entirely too loud and much too worked up, father. Especially when you consider that you couldn't even be bothered to leave your room for my wedding..." she said. The Baron's eyes widened and he managed to look like a sheepish child.

"Yes, daughter, my... sincerest apologies. I would not have disturbed you today but the matter could not wait. If you would not mind speaking to me privately for just a few moments," she said aloud. 'Ugh, I can't believe I'm apologizing. How desperate I've become.' he tsked in his mind, disgusted with himself. Kasmina turned up her nose. "You should be disgusted with yourself. Asking a man's wife for a private audience. In his castle, after making such a ruckus, even as my father you should feel ashamed. The audacity is astounding. Say what you need to say already... I doubt it's worth waiting for," The Baron Dacian was completely taken aback. 'I didn't think I said that aloud...' the thought of his commentary. "Daughter... I... Kasmina... I just..." he tried to put together another sentence after his original thought, but he was so caught off guard he could hardly manage. It would be during this time that Kasmina's face would retain a certain level of blankness. She was trying to figure out what was going on with her person and trying to sift through a lot. Perhaps this was why she didn't need to be bothered right now. But she was far from caring about it further at this moment. A few more moments speech could and should get rid of her father.

"I need you to speak with Hendryck," he said not speaking on the matter further. Kasmina knew what this meant, but didn't like the idea that her father was skirting around admitting his shortcomings in this moment. "Hendryck? I won't do it." she said calmly. This made the Baron's eyes widen, and he immediately began to panic. His body flushed with a cold sweat and he began to plead with a great fervor. Forgetting even that it was his hope to avoid speaking about himself in front of his son-in-law. "But... if you don't I will lose three months profits and 90 percent of the farm. I... bet it yesterday in the game. Hendryck listens to you..." he finished which caused Kasmina to scoff. She managed to look only mildly bored, instead of infuriated. But in her head, was a different story. 'Christ in heaven, grant me strength. Stay my hand and heart against these unholy thoughts.' she prayed to keep herself from wanting to murder her father as she twisted the ring on her finger with her thumb. "You made a bet like that... and you think I can fix it." and after that, laughter, the young woman couldn't help herself. She'd seen this situation far too often and knew far too well it was exactly what her father expected. In this moment the Baron Dacian had all but forgotten about Sorin's presence as he stood with his eyes transfixed on his all but hysterical daughter.

[Bloodedge]

The lord of the castle sat and waited patiently for this meeting to move on to something of importance. Kasmina seemed to take the same issue with the Baron as Sorin himself, considering his method of approach and intentions of a private audience with the Countess. Even if Sorin wanted to allow this sort of thing, the timing of his wife's transformation meant he couldn't. He was proven right when she replied to words that had not fallen from the Baron's mouth. Sorin's eyes widened immediately, then shifted to the woman at his left. 'It's as I thought. You've not been awake long enough to adjust. Focus, my dear. Some words you hear may not have been spoken aloud.' The words in Sorin's mind were spoken with the intention of them reaching the subconscious of his wife. Though he'd never sired a vampire before now, he knew how vast the differences between mortals and ones such as themselves were, and Kasmina was sure to need some time to adjust. Intending to do away with this meeting, he spoke directly to the Baron. "Sir Dacian, you seem to be misinformed on how the court of Castlevania functions. Those in need may come here with requests, but bad decisions made by the wealthy have never been my concern. I would ask you to leave now, that my wife may rest her weary mind."

[Apollymi]

Kasmina heard the words of her husband in her head, and in this moment they felt like silk against her mind. She fought the desire to nod but shifted her gaze to him and acknowledged she'd heard him. It took a great deal of her focus to avoid answering any of the other words in her father's mind. "But but... Daughter!" the man continued trying to appeal to the young woman. "Three months pay and 90 percent of the farm.... is so much, your husband does not concern himself with us. But would you..." he was inclined to mention her young brother and stepmother as he tended to do to appeal to her but Kasmina held her up hand to stop his speech. "Father you should stop speaking now and leave, because what you are about to say would make me speak to you in a way one should never speak to their parents. Excuse yourself please..." she asked as politely as she was able. 'Umph, this vile fiend has turned my daughter against me!' his mind shouted seemingly outraged. But without even an utterance of goodbye the man left the room and was escorted by Alina back out of the front of the Castle. Kasmina's eyes closed and she exhaled a breath she hadn't known she was holding. 'Thank you Lord for the strength to carry on. Amen...' the prayer whispered in her mind was sincere and heartfelt and it would be very obvious how the strength of this young woman's soul had developed to such a level. "Though I do not believe in bailing my father out of his debts, in the past, I had not a choice. Not doing so would have ended way worse, for myself, my stepmother and Cosmin. If it is not asking too much, could you see to it, that my stepmother and brother are fed while my father suffers his incompetence."

[Bloodedge]

"There you have it, Baron," Sorin chimed in at the end of Kasmina's speech, and the beginning of Costel's departure. "As a favor to yourself, I may suggest steering clear of taverns and card tables. There will be no help for you here," he concluded. It was a downright pity to see the father of his wife in such a state, but he frankly felt nothing of it. The Baron had brought this upon himself and his house, and the latter deserved neither the misfortune nor the man who sowed the proverbial seeds.

Once the Baron was out of his sights, Sorin shut his eyes. A prayer in his thoughts went out to those who had to deal with Costel Dacian. "I pity those who see misery at the hands of the Baron, and rejoice for those who find some form of mental salvation from his transgressions. I will personally see to it that the child and his mother lead a life of happiness by whatever means I am fit to provide. May my prayers reach their hearts and minds, that they may not be driven mad by Baron Dacian in the meantime."

Continue the story here (http://www.roleplayuniverse.net/forums/showthread.php?554-Sibiu&p=7507&viewfull=1#post7507).

[Apollymi]

The night after her initial transformation, and after dealing with her father's rather pitiful plea to be saved from his gambling troubles, Kasmina sat by a fire in a rather extravagant looking sitting room. A deck of cards in her hand which she shuffled with untold grace, as her fingers moved over the cards she found herself smiling at the thought. She'd once hated playing this game, she hated having to save her father from his mistakes for the sake of her own continued happiness. But here she was, rather happily shuffling this deck of cards. "I must thank you for acquiring these for me, do you know how to play?" she asked. There was something rather devilish in her appearance. As if she was tempting someone with the offer of a game. Whatever the case the young Countess could hardly be called unhappy even in such a regular moment as this. Her wedding had been beautiful. The night after engaging, then annoying. The morning after filled with her father's annoyance but all the time since nothing but happiness filled her. She could get used to this level of comfort and lack of worry in all things.

[Bloodedge]

In a chair on the opposite side of the fireplace to that of Kasmina, Sorin sat with his legs crossed and his hands clasped together in his lap. Since he faced the woman, he let his gaze remained fixed on her while she shuffled the recently-acquired deck of cards. It was an interesting thing to watch, but Sorin was soon asked if he knew how to play. "Think nothing of it. If it is something you truly enjoy, it is my pleasure to see to your ability to continue the hobby. I myself have never played or learned to play, but I am certain you would be an apt teacher."

At about this same time, a human soul approached Castlevania. Gregor MacLaird, the Vampire Hunter from Scotland who'd previously been a suitor of the Countess Kasmina, approached the castle on the back of his trusted warhorse. He did not stop upon reaching the gates. No, instead he continued forward, brandishing his holy broadsword to shatter the wooden gate in his way. This allowed him to continue riding through the castle. "Phantomhive! Face me, ye bloody vampire!"

[Apollymi]

The cards in Kasmina's hands kept moving for several seconds, each time they mixed together she changed their formation and did so again. "It is truly something I enjoy, and I take no issue teaching you this game. I dare say it will be more enjoyable this way," she said with a grin coming to her face which revealed the fangs in her mouth. "The man who taught me to play, says this game is 90 parts skill and 10 parts luck," she said as she prepared to deal a hand to both of them, but before the first card left her hand to land in front of the man before her, she heard yelling from the castle grounds. Her eyes widened as she recognized the voice and accompanying accent. "Christ in Heaven, why? Just... why?" she asked of God and the universe at large. She'd been married no more than three days and she'd already met the Convocation of Vampires and now was dealing with a known Vampire Hunter interrupting what would have been a fun and normal card game between her and her husband. "That sounds like the Scotsman, he seems upset," she managed her face becoming rather stoic in this moment as if she was already playing the game for which she'd paused dealing cards. "A small intermission in this lesson, then?"

[Bloodedge]

Sorin was reaching out with the intention of claiming the cards that would make his hand. An interruption was fated to occur, though, and by the hands of none other than his former "competition" for Kasmina's hand in marriage. Apparently, knowledge of Sorin's vampirism had somehow reached the Scotsman's ear. How, he did not know... but he would have to find out. With that in mind, Sorin stood and sighed. "I suppose an intermission will be necessary, yes. It seems you have no fear for this encounter. Let us embark on another lesson of sorts, for now. First... Mistwalking. Envision your goal, and move as normal. With only a small amount of focus from a vampire of our caliber, our innate magical abilities can easily carry us great distances. Let us meet in the hall," he said while taking a single step forward, which transported him to the entry hall.

Gregor extricated himself from his horse just in time to see the lord of this castle standing before him with glowing eyes - eyes only a vampire could possess. "I knew it. Ye took the Baron's daughter for yer sick vampire needs! Ye shouldnae have done that; now I'm gonna slay ye!" Upon hearing this proclamation, Sorin raised a brow. This man had certainly been misinformed as to the nature of his marriage, but he seemed the type to try slaying any vampire he could. "You're going to slay me? And on whose authority have you entered a Count's domain with such accusations?"

[Apollymi]

A smile came to Kasmina's face as her husband agreed an intermission should be necessary. But beyond this point it seemed that the Scotsman's interruption would be nothing more than an opportunity for Kasmina to explore her vampire powers. "To be honest, there was never much I feared in the first place. If there is something I should fear though, be sure to let me know of it," she explained. Only to have him instead explain the idea of Mistwalking to her. Such seemed to only require her to think of her destination and take the step forward before she'd find herself there. She nodded her agreement to meet him in the entry hall. "I will meet you there..." she said as he left. She took a moment to envision the entry of their home and used her new magical abilities to move herself there. Upon taking a step forward she would find herself in the hall a few steps behind Sorin though she casually stepped forward to be at his side thereafter. Given her enhanced senses, she'd even managed to hear the accusation flying from Gregor's mouth. "Sick vampire needs?" she questioned this particular phrasing with a raised brow her hands clasped together before her. She could only wonder what information he'd received to get him here.

[Bloodedge]

"On the authority of man! Your kind ain't deserving of a thing called respect. I came to kill ye, not have a chat!" The Scotsman was outright repulsive at this point. Sorin had recently only seen such blatant disrespect by one person, and that was the father of his wife on the previous day. "How rude. Even lesser vampires refrain from entering a home without prior invitation. What does that make you equivalent to, I wonder?"

Gregor's sword was already drawn. He cared not for further talking to this creature of the night, but the sudden appearance of Kasmina alerted him to a more important matter. "Took her as one of yer camp, did ye? Despicable. It's a cryin' shame I'll have to kill the hen as a result of killin' you, but I do what I must." With that said, Gregor began the charge toward Sorin, while the latter looked on in confusion. "... Hen?" he questioned. A lunge of the hunter's sword met thin air, as opposed to its target of Sorin's heart. The vampire had shifted to his rear before one could even blink. 'Alina!' he exclaimed in his mind, expecting the demon maid to hear his call and bring forth his sheathed long sword. Her doing so would result in Sorin holding out his right hand, and telekinetically pulling the sword from its sheath into his open hand, which would then close around its handle.

Gregor realized his assault on the vampire had been for naught, but before his mind could even finish processing the fact that Sorin no longer stood before him, his rising blade was met and halted by Sorin's from behind. Only then did Gregor realize where the vampire had gone. "Your earlier rudeness aside, I would ask that you please not refer to my wife as poultry." Suddenly, Sorin withdrew his blade and channeled his energies through it. The weapon gained an ethereal glow as he slapped Gregor's arm with its flat end, launching him aside for the time being. The redhead hit the ground with a mighty thud. He knew already how he had underestimated the power of this vampire. He could not win this through combat alone. "Stronger than a wee Ghoul, eh? Then I leave ye in the Lord's hands," said Gregor, who went on to retrieve a bible from within his tunic.

[Apollymi]

Alina whose name had not been spoken aloud appeared behind her master with his sword in her hands. "Many pardons Master, I went to fetch it as soon as this one made his presence known," she managed before she disappeared from his side and took instead the position at Kasmina's side. Kasmina found Gregor's mention of what would happen to her as a result of Sorin's supposed death to be eye widening. "That sounds like a horrible thing to do to someone else. He believes if he kills you it will result in my death as well?" she questioned. Though her eyes were intently watching the movements of her husband as compared to those of his supposed vampire hunter. In this moment Kasmina now completely understood why Sorin hadn't been the slightest bit worried by the information she'd come to give him the night after meeting this man. 'Obviously he had nothing to be afraid of in the first place,' a small smile crossed her face as she watched and saw that after being outmatched physically, it seemed that he wished to turn to the words of god to help him defeat the man. Kasmina continued to watch but Alina opened her hands and offered her the sheathe of Sorin's weapon. "Forgive me Mistress, but such words give me a headache. If you'll excuse me," she offered which made Kasmina nod. "Of course, Alina. Thank you," she said as accepted the sheath of Sorin's weapon to go on to watch what would come next as Alina disappeared instantly.

[Bloodedge]

"A truly sired vampire is tied to its master. Kill the master, and those who serve them die as well. Such is the case for vampires of a... lesser quality," Sorin said to give clarity to his wife. In the meantime, Gregor sheathed his sword and held out a cross half the size of his large torso. It was aimed in Sorin's direction, and the Vampire Hunter used it as a catalyst for the bible's holy power as he chanted his prayer.

"Christ lives. Christ reigns. Christ will protect you from all evil. Demons, cursed and excommunicated for dishonoring God by your wretched deeds and names!" As Gregor's prayer took place, Sorin smiled and stepped forward. He tossed his own sword to the ground, knowing he never really needed it from the start. "A paladin's prayer? Something like that holds power that may be even beyond your faith, Scotsman," he said during his approach. "Mesias, Emmanuel, Sohter, Sabahot," In the midst of Gregor's prayer, just as the light of God emanated from the cross, Sorin did something which made the Vampire Hunter's eyes widen to their limits.

He joined the prayer.

"Agios, Inchiros, Athanatos, Jehova, Adonai." The words were spoken simultaneously by the two, with Sorin's voice beginning to pass his lips before Gregor's. The vampire knew this prayer, and both his knowledge and understanding exceeded that of the hunter. Gregor fell silent not because of this, but because Sorin's hand fell upon the cross, filling it with his own faith in God. Even with the hunter silenced, Sorin continued.

"Wherever these names and those loyal to God will be, we will be able to siege the initiative from you! And we will bind you so you may never have power through calamity. Nor will you, using some form of witchcraft or spell, ever bring harm to Him. You won't hurt His spirit nor His body. Amen!" The moment he spoke the word "amen," Sorin's faith exploded through the cross, sending a wave of holy light throughout the entry hall and a great deal of the rest of Castlevania. Gregor was in disbelief. For a vampire to have faith at all was unbelievable, but this one easily made use of a prayer that even his faith barely allowed him to utilize. This was impossible.

"Understand, Vampire Hunter of Scotland, that your faith has no power over us. My faith in our Lord is unwavering. Perhaps Transylvania was not the place you should have moved to. Other vampires local to this area would kill you where you stand after showing such weak faith."

[Apollymi]

"Ah, that clarifies things then," Kasmina said. It was obvious by this line of thought that, Gregor had yet to face a vampire of the caliber of those who were members of the Convocation. He was rather ill-prepared to deal with one as distinctive as Sorin, what with his ability to resist religious things mostly through the retention of his own faith. Such a showing of this faith came very soon, as Gregor started a prayer which he apparently barely had the faith to use.

Kasmina had never heard this prayer before, but was completely unaffected by it. If anything she felt the warm enveloping light of God as she always had with no harm to her physical person and no actions taken other than crossing herself and a single utterance at the prayers completion. "Amen," at its completion. Such was her way whenever she heard a prayer, but she also took the time of this prayer to notice that Sorin had his hand on the cross which was held by the man who'd come to kill him. "So, for the sake of clarity, he came here to kill you... but has less faith in God than you do," she summarized the event which had taken them from a leisurely activity. "It's no wonder you found me coming here to speak with you to be wholly unnecessary," the Countess said seeming to find this whole thing to be ridiculous. "Why did you come here, Baron MacLaird?" the young woman asked, genuinely curious about the reasoning that would drive a man to walk into what could have been a death trap for him regardless of the vampire he would have found here today.

[Bloodedge]

Gregor was virtually speechless. A vampire, the thing he'd sworn to remove from the face of this planet, had made use of the one thing he'd always thought them fatally weak against. He found himself wondering if the god he believed in even existed anymore, if that existence was ever real to begin with. Sorin could sense the wavering of his faith, and thought to clarify a few things for the man. "That is why your power is lacking. If you choose to fight using faith, how do you think God will react if something like this is enough to make you question Him? Our God is not so fickle as to forbid someone like me from believing in Him. Keep that message with you, hunter."

Sorin removed his hand from Gregor's cross, and walked away from the man. In the meantime, Kasmina questioned his arrival here, prompting Gregor to look her way with judgement in his eye. "I... I don't understand. Sorry, wee hen. I came here to save you from a monster so you could go back to your old da. We thought ye were entranced by this creature, but... you're a creature too. Either way, if it'll take a stronger faith than mine to kill you lot, then a stronger faith I'll get!" Upon saying this, Gregor made a quick reach for the reins of his mare, which he intended to use for a hasty escape of this castle. He would be sure to return one day, but he knew now that he could not do anything about this sort of vampire presence alone. He needed help, and more importantly... he needed understanding.

[Apollymi]

It became obvious in the passing moments that Gregor was questioning his faith. It was apparently incomprehensible to him that one such as Sorin could use faith, stronger faith even. Sorin had nothing but a lesson in store for the man about the nature of faith which was surprisingly a nice thing to do, considering the man basically stormed his castle in the hopes of killing him just a few moments prior to this one. Beyond this lesson though Gregor was soon looking at Kasmina and she met his gaze unwaveringly despite the judgement found there, in so doing as he answered her question, she looked into his mind and saw the conversation in the tavern with her father which had led up to this particular ride against Castlevania. The young woman stood, wanting to be shocked by the information but more or less annoyed. She held herself startlingly still as she took a deep breath and watched as the Scotsman rode off, apparently going to find his faith. When she spoke again it was after Gregor left. "The Baron MacLaird was apparently swayed by a story fed to him by my father about what a fiend you are. His words about you, led that man to believe you'd bewitched me, so he thought to free me from your control and send me back to my father," she said very calmly, though she'd still not moved or opened her eyes. But her thumb was spinning her ring around her finger as she fought not to move. She did this mostly so she wouldn't immediately move to her father's house and rampage while there. She prayed for the strength to forgive and to maintain her calm, but she was utterly furious, and beneath that very disappointed in her father.

[Bloodedge]

On his path toward Kasmina, Sorin willed his sword to rise from the floor and enter its sheath. Once that was done, he held out his left hand to request its return by Kasmina. "Holy and Unholy powers are ours to command as we wish. God forgives, so long as you remain loyal to Him. Trust in me, as well; I will never lead you astray. Keepe Faith Till Death," he said, reaching out with his right hand to touch the left hand of the female vampire.

Of course, Sorin was also privy to the fact that Gregor had been sent by Costel Dacian. He had at least made the assumption the moment he discovered who it was invading his castle. Kasmina didn't seem to be taking this knowledge well, and he didn't blame her for it. "Worry not, my dear. All will be made well. Tell me, though... do you believe this was also done for the sake of your brother?"

[Apollymi]

With Sorin's approach, Kasmina's eyes opened, if not for his physical presence, then because of the weight of the sword now in her hands, not that it felt like much to her. With his left hand open to accept his weapon she placed it there, the turning of the ring on her right hand coming to an end as she made peace with the nature of her father, while listening to Sorin's words about the nature of their pairing as beings. "Of course, my faith in God does not tarry and I trust you completely," she said this much should of course be obvious by how she chose to act around him. Though she was still ill at ease about her father, Sorin reaching out to touch her own seemed to make her feel a great deal better than she'd managed to feel previously. She took one final deep breath and exhaled seeming to release tension from her person as she did, before looking up and into Sorin's eyes to answer his question. "I do not worry that all will be set right. But on the matter of my father and what he may or may not have done for the sake of my brother..." there was a pause but there was nothing but honesty to come from her in these moments alone with her husband. "I am remiss to say it is doubtful, that this was purely a selfless act. I can not be sure of my father's intentions, he is quite obvious in the child he favors. But my brother is already taken care of, he knows this as fact. This just seems spiteful because he felt slighted that I would not simply bail him out of his agreement with Hendryck," she mentioned of their previous meeting with her father. "Not that I ever truly did that in the first place. He probably sought to benefit in someway," she said, never one to underestimate the avarice of a man like the one who raised her. She wouldn't be surprised to find out the thought he could get something out of the potential death of her husband for himself.

[Bloodedge]

"... I see." Sorin understood all he needed to. In all his years, he'd never met one so taken by the cardinal sin of greed as Baron Costel Dacian. For him to be called a Baron, a father, a man of the church... it was all absolutely ridiculous. Sorin was no man of hatred, but he felt a strong distaste for his bride's father. If he wasn't stopped, how far would he go? If anything, Sorin felt as if he'd rescued his wife from an existence filled with this man's influence, but the Baron continued even now. She did not deserve this mental strain. "If that is the case, may the Lord give me the strength to restrain myself once more. This all ends tonight." As Sorin spoke, a conjured wind blew through his hair and clothes. A stronger form of traveling than Mistwalking was upon him, and he used it to teleport himself away, to the Baron's home. He would have words with the man, and the outcome remained unknown even to him.

[Apollymi]

Kasmina watched her husband's face in this moment. It seemed his understanding was exactly as he wanted it to be. Of course, she wouldn't lie to him about anything, but she felt plaguing him with her family's problems was probably unnecessary. But before she could say anything else on the matter, her husband conjured a great wind and disappeared from her sight. A sigh escaped this young woman as she thought about how fast her husband had moved from this place and what the statement that this would end tonight had to mean. "Alina," she called for the maid and the young woman appeared at her side, curtsy in place crimson eyes glowing. "Yes, Mistress?" she asked awaiting for a command. "I'd be right to assume, that after finding out that my father sent a Vampire Hunter here to kill him, with no regard for my safety, probably for his own greed, Sorin would go see him, yes?" she asked as if she already knew the answer to this question. There was a gentle upturn to the demon maid's lips as she answer. "Of course, Mistress. Would you like to go to him now?" she asked figuring this woman wouldn't leave her husband alone to deal with the problem. "Of course," and with this statement Alina would reach out for the young woman's hand and once she took it the pair of them would disappear from Castlevania, to the Baron Dacian's farm in Sibiu.

Continue the story here (http://www.roleplayuniverse.net/forums/showthread.php?554-Sibiu&p=7536&viewfull=1#post7536).

[Bloodedge]

Roughly one hour after their departure, Sorin's teleportation saw to the return of Kasmina and himself to Castlevania. Hand-in-hand, they appeared in what had once been Dracula's study, filled not only with books of all sorts, but with alchemic devices and unknown technologies as well. Within this one room were tools which dwarfed the likes of the "self-lighting torches" upon the castle walls; there were many strange beacons and spheres, gears and elements... all sorts of things upon tables and individual stands of various persuasions. Many of the items seemed magical, and many were. Of course, Sorin had brought his wife to this specific location in the castle for one very specific reason: to explain and advance her abilities, and to spare her of her current "illness" as a result. "Apologies, my dear. I let it slip my mind that teaching you about Mistwalking would have this effect on you if I did not follow with the proper knowledge of your new physiology."

[Apollymi]

As they arrived at the castle hand in hand, after a very strange evening out and about, Kasmina got to look around a room she'd never seen before. It was full of marvels and wonders the likes of which her eyes had never seen before. She became infinitely curious about all manner of these things, and found herself scoffing at her husband's apology. "I accept your apology, but there is hardly a need to offer it. I expected some level of strangeness when I accepted this as the next step in our life..." she started as she kept her attention split between this man and taking in all the sights this room had to offer. "More pressingly... I remember my earlier inquiry, forgotten from days ago... these lights are astounding! Tools and instruments the likes of which I couldn't have imagined. With this wealth of knowledge it is a wonder any focus is managed," she said with emphasis about her current interest. Her current 'illness' and new physiology all but forgotten to her already. She could learn about herself anytime, but... all of the other things she had to learn about were also equally if not more important to her.

[Bloodedge]

If Kasmina expected such occurrences to follow vampirism, Sorin thought she could also expect the future happenings. In the moment, though, she seemed less content to receive the development of self than she was to speak about the advancements in technology within Castlevania. "Ah yes, of course. These are tools of science," he replied. Releasing the female's hand, Sorin took a few free steps around the immediate area, turning in different directions and observing the various items strewn around. "Dracula lived a very long time. Life beyond the mortal limits allows many developments to take place. The lights you mentioned probably won't be invented by mortals for decades to come, given their current advancements. Imagine the ability to capture lightning, and place it within a closed lamp. That is essentially what happens."

[Apollymi]

Kasmina soon was given an explanation to her question without much hesitation or thought. This was exactly what she wanted and when the creation of these lights were explained she was astounded, both by the longevity of Dracula and by the ability to apparently capture lightning within little glass bulbs. It seemed preposterous but she was looking at them right now and could hardly deny their existence. "That's astounding, truly... though admittedly I do not know whether to assume he was clever or that he was simply beyond finding amusement," she said of Dracula and the apparent developments he'd made many years before other mortals would find the ideas. She supposed that made sense of course, longer lifetimes would break the limits normally imposed on creativity defined by the times. "Science seems like it will be interesting to follow for quite some time to come," Kasmina mentioned thereafter, but she was not one to tarry when she could remember why she was here. "Now then, what else needs explaining," she gently prodded as she moved forward taking up a place beside her husband as she was quite sure he meant to explain other physical changes she'd go through as she adjusted to immortality.

[Bloodedge]

"If there is one thing Count Dracula can be given credit for, it is being exceedingly clever. Still, there may be a bit of the latter at work here," Sorin said as his wife took a side to him again. Now that her curious mind had been somewhat set at ease, she showed interest in the more immediate developments of her existence as a vampire. There was much ground to cover, though most of it would simply come with time. Most pressing was the clarification of her body's movements. If she remained unaware of her own abilities, she would continue to suffer, and he couldn't have that.

Sorin moved toward a very specific item within the study; it was a scale model of the adult human skeletal and muscular structure. Upon reaching it, he gestured toward it with his right hand to draw the Countess' attention. "There is an interesting difference between the bodies of humans and vampires. You've seen the strength boasted by one such as us, and you've tasted the power of Mistwalking. The two are one and the same. Look upon this mortal body. Bones hold the body's integrity, while the mind sends messages to the muscles to move bones at their joints. The human body is limited by itself; the strength of a muscle against the bone it moves is impeded by many things, including the weight of both. So... what is missing? A normal vampire is physically no different from a walking corpse, yet their strength and speed far surpasses mankind, and their bodies do not decay."

[Apollymi]

It seemed that a combination of things was responsible for the work of Count Dracula, which Kasmina expected to some extent. It was not beyond reason that a man like him would be capable of creating much in his spare time because he was both clever and without the ability to find amusement. With this in mind she was able to move on to the more pressing point of their current placement, finding out about herself as a vampire. A small smile came to her face as Sorin began to explain how bodies worked in general for humans and likely all living beings. When he went on to explain the differences she'd experienced between her human self and her vampire self it was left up to her to hypothesize why such a thing would take place. Kasmina was many things, including the child of a governess, her mother had always been quite proud of Kasmina's aptitude and such a thing would soon be shown.

"Well, given what you've said, removing mind and body from the equation only leaves the soul as the main force left to differentiate between a vampire and a human," she said rather easily. It was obviously the only real difference left, and the only thing that Sorin hadn't managed to mention in his previous explanation. The power of one's soul would make a lot of sense as to why vampires retained singular looks, and were impossibly stronger against people of even greater mass. In her own and Sorin's case faith would also be added in, but she figured that part of the lesson would come a bit later, and with that she was fine. She found herself smiling at her husband waiting for confirmation of her assumption. She wondered if getting used to the strength of her own soul was something she'd have to do, to be able to move without feeling dizzy. Or if it would be a matter of her conscious decision to move with her soul, or move as her body intended to do naturally.

[Bloodedge]

"Exactly that," he replied with a smile and a glance at the woman. A wave of Sorin's hand created a visual effect surrounding the model, aiming to replicate what skilled vampires would see when viewing the soul of one lesser than themselves. "With our abilities, we can see the souls of man and beast. It was discovered long ago that this was because our own souls are the source of our powers. The spirit is a mighty thing, you see. Without a body to restrict it, it can do many great things. What you see here is an example of a lesser vampire - one that requires blood to keep itself bound to this world. The body is nothing more than a corpse that the soul latches onto. When exposed to the light of God, or sunlight in mortal terms, the accursed soul of a vampire is cleansed. That is the reason most vampires burn in the sunlight."

As he spoke, Sorin exemplified his words by having the soul visualization appear to combust spontaneously. This was accompanied by the illusion of the mannequin burning as a result, but all things returned to their normal appearance soon enough. It was then that he moved the image of a soul away from the mannequin, leaving a trail behind it that remained linked to the body. "You needn't worry about that, though. We are of a different quality. Our souls remain within our bodies as they did when we were mortal, allowing us to manipulate our physical and metaphysical selves independently of one another. Since they remain bound to one another, though..." A simple application of telekinesis allowed Sorin to shatter the mannequin into so many small particles that it soon took on a mist-like appearance. These particles followed the trail back to the soul, and recollected into their original form where the soul stopped. "The soul and body are shaped as one. They can be moved together to amplify our physical powers beyond that of men that use only the body, and beyond that of our feral brethren that use only the soul. In the case of our more mystical abilities, we are able to extend our spirits beyond the constraints of our bodies. What you see here is Mistwalking, which moves at superhuman speeds by traveling with the soul alone. Our bodies are destroyed in the process, but the link between the two has them meet where the soul lands. Because of the soul's memory of its vessel, the body is able to reform itself in an exact likeness."

[Apollymi]

It seemed that Kasmina was indeed correct in her assumption that powers of the soul were indeed at play here. Sorin went on to explain how soul based abilities in vampires worked. Such an explanation came with visual examples as well, leaving the young woman staring on in awe as she tried to be completely attentive to the information being passed along in these moments. She now at least knew that lesser vampires could be set aflame by the sun, something she was privy to because of her interactions with Madalina but there was no solid reasoning for this before. Beyond that, it seemed that such a thing was little to no worry for them, as their soul was still housed within their bodies, as it had been when they were alive.

During this long explanation, Kasmina nodded her understanding a hand finding itself placed under her chin as if she was in deep thought. He went on to provide her another visual example, this time of Mistwalking with a more proper explanation of what the activity was, which was interesting given that she'd already shown herself to be capable of it. In the meantime she allowed her thoughts to wander a bit and came to a succinct conclusion about her most recent bout of dizziness. "Ah, so the world will shift within my own vision if I move either my body or my soul unconsciously of the other. Well, that clears things up quite a bit," she said seeming to understand a great deal in only a short while. "Oh, is there a limit to how far one can travel that way, and have their soul still remake their body properly?" she asked purely as a curiosity though it seemed like it might be a legitimate problem to go too far to have the ability to reconstitute oneself.

[Bloodedge]

The completion of Sorin's explanation marked his choice to return the mannequin to its original location in the study. Kasmina caught onto his meaning as quickly as he expected, given her earlier assertion. Her mind even carried her to the thought of Mistwalking's limitations, which was a topic Sorin himself had yet to think of bringing up. "Quick to study. You'll enjoy this room, I'm sure," he commented while forcing the soul illusion to dissipate. "There is a limit to your range. You may only travel as far as your soul's strength allows. A sound soul dwells within a sound mind and a sound body. The greater your spirit's connection to your body is through this philosophy, the greater your distance. Someone like one of us can achieve far greater range than most others, I believe. Just be wary of one thing: All metaphysical abilities of vampires rely on using the soul, so if you find yourself wishing to make use of these powers during the day, they will be less effective. Well... that is what I would say to an average vampire, I suppose. We are a bit... different."

[Apollymi]

Kasmina found herself watching as the mannequin was moved back into the study and its illusion forced out of creation. It seemed her understanding of herself was proper enough to be recognized and her general curiosities enough to earn her a bit of praise, along with the idea that she would enjoy the study. "Of course I will, studies are always one of the most interesting rooms to be in. And I've never seen one as immaculate as this one," she said with a smile forming on her face. She'd leave her curiosities for now, as it seemed there was indeed some information to be provided given her own question. It seemed that the limit of one's range when using Mistwalking was dependent upon the strength of their soul. Such things made sense and given this she would not question it further. It was also mentioned that powers concerning the soul would likely be weakened during daylight hours for vampires, but it was likely this wouldn't apply to them for whatever reason. With this in mind she could at least understand the basic powers she possessed and how to use them most effectively.

"Alright, keeping my body and soul in balance will keep me from stumbling about while moving, and all strange vampire abilities I possess now or will possess in the future are connected to my soul. That makes sense I suppose, but in what way are we specifically different from other vampires?" she went on to question, outright there was the obvious problem that the Convocation had with her creation, and though she understood what outcomes they expected or were worried about she knew not the differences between lesser vampires and themselves, except what had been explained over the last few moments. With this knowledge she'd likely come to have a full understanding of what she needed to from this moment forward. While she waited for an answer to her question she thought consciously of the balance between her body and soul, in so doing she found herself capable of her normal movements without feeling as if the world was shifting. She used this newfound freedom of mobility to look around what book titles lining the walls and taking in the general extras of the study. While this occurred though she soon felt a very strange and nagging sensation from the very pit of her being, something akin to hunger but much stronger. At some point she'd close her eyes and take a deep breath through her nostrils the scent filling her nostrils not akin to anything she'd ever smelled before.

[Bloodedge]

"Chances are, you never will. I intend to keep it maintained and above the standards of mortals at all times. Castlevania has been so advanced for so long, it would be a shame to let mankind catch up to its splendor." Now that Sorin had given Kasmina the knowledge she needed to control herself, he stepped to her fore to look upon her. Her curiosities continued to show themselves, though all questions she offered were understandable and easily answered. Frankly, Sorin was quite satisfied with this list of inquiries. "The thing that makes us different from the others is the quality of our souls. A normal vampire is not a creature of faith. The fact that we are makes us capable of feats others could not even dream of... such as marrying in a church during broad daylight. God's grace does not harm us." As he shared this information, Sorin noted the strange behavior of his wife. A sharp increase in one's sense of smell was also a trait of vampires, so it was normal for a newblood to adjust to it along with everything else. In this case, though, Sorin was not entirely sure what the woman was experiencing. "What troubles you?"

[Apollymi]

It seemed that Sorin intended to keep the standards of this study and castle well beyond the norm of human society. This was interesting news of course, as she was more than a bit interested in everything. Curiosity was one of her better qualities and though she usually didn't let it get the best of her, she came to realize she now had all the time in the world, and very few responsibilities. It would be rather easy for her to find herself engrossed in something new. As their conversation progressed she also received the answer to her question of how their souls differed from others, and it seemed that they simply had a stronger quality of soul than others. They could enter churches, pray, be blessed, and probably a litany of other faith based activities, because they still retained their faith. Their souls were essentially without the curse more standard to vampires. A smile came to her face then, as it was quite relieving to know nothing about the general way her life or faith worked would have to change. This was quite an exciting prospect or at least it would have been if she hadn't been distracted by the scent plaguing her nose and the deepening hunger she felt within herself.

Her husband now at her fore she found herself opening her eyes to look at him directly, he asked what troubled her. She took a couple of moments to think about it, and wondered what it was, a step was taken forward and she inhaled once more thinking it over, and though he smelled delicious it wasn't him that smelled like food to her, well, at least not like dinner. "I do not think I am troubled," she answered calmly before subconsciously flicking her tongue over her fangs. "You smell of marzipan and mint leaves and while that is tantalizing beyond normal reason... something else smells like dinner," she said her eyes seeming to glow as her hunger became the most apparent thing in her life. "What is that?"

[Bloodedge]

The thing plaguing Kasmina was indeed a scent, but according to her, it was unrelated to Sorin's and not actually bothering her. Being born a vampire, Sorin had never experienced the first hunger for blood in the way newbloods did, so he initially had no clue what exact smell she was experiencing on the list of scents from within the castle. Raising his right hand, he touched the left temple of his wife's head. This allowed him to share her thoughts for the duration of contact. He could virtually pick up the scent himself then - rather, he did, and it smelled of steak left to rest before plating. The smell even seemed to be moving out of the location it was typically found in. "Now that's intriguing," he commented nonchalantly. "Dinner would be accurate. That would be the cattle. From the scent, I'd say this one is a murderer. The sin has seasoned the blood perfectly. I know this one... and he's escaping. Alina, though I previously permitted the consumption of those who've not yet gone too far once they escape, but could you perhaps settle for this one after his death? I'm certain you will understand."

[Apollymi]

It seemed her explanation was something unknown to Sorin at least initially, but soon enough her made contact with her left temple before he managed to clarify his understanding. Another sniff would occur as the young woman held some idea of where this smell was in relation to where she presently was within the castle. It seemed according to Sorin that what she smelled presently was an escaping prisoner of the castle. 'Cattle' which was by definition something to be kept and eaten at some later point. A smirk crossed Kasmina's face as it was further implied that such a thing was indeed meant to be dinner. "Oh? Sin, flavors people, murderers smell like steak. I suppose that will make it exceedingly easy to avoid killing someone innocent," she said seeming to have already made peace with what was about to happen. Alina whose name had been spoken would pop up in front of the pair. "Of course, Master, if the Mistress would prefer I can wait... it isn't as if I haven't eaten recently," Alina mentioned as Kasmina began walking towards the source of the smell she was experiencing. "That's gracious of you Alina. Begging your pardon, husband, but... I am starving..." she mentioned only to use her ability to Mistwalk to appear within the castle in front of the escape route of their supposed murderer.

She found a man who looked to be about average in his life, but upon taking a deep breath she was absolutely certain that this was the dinner she sought. "Stop," she asked of the man who looked up at her, meeting the crimson gaze that blessed the raven haired woman's visage, he was all but lost. She took the remaining steps forward and found him too tall to reach properly, she pulled on his clothes until he fell to his knees before her and she smiled all the while whispering a prayer. "Bless us, O Lord, and these, Thy gifts, which we are about to receive from Thy bounty. Through Christ, our Lord. Amen." she prayed looking into the eyes of her victim seeming to lull him into quietness. Strangely enough he seemed calmer now than he had been while he was trying to escape. And Kasmina had said the necessary prayer and moved the man's head to the side moving forward to press her now exposed fangs into the flesh of his neck, and then with a gentle flinch she'd begin. There was nothing else for her now, she drank this man's blood and it was like the best steak dinner she'd ever eaten. Each wash of warm liquid trailing from her mouth down her throat seemed to do nothing but delight her. In this moment she could see nothing else, there was only food and she would enjoy it maximally without the slightest hint of regret.

[Bloodedge]

"Indeed," Sorin said to confirm the woman's assertion. Alina's appearance gave him all the confirmation he needed that she would be well enough off, and that Kasmina was free to claim her first meal as a vampire. Her departure was sudden thereafter. A smile appeared upon the face of the Count; he'd not seen this since the seamstress Madalina. "I understand your words from days ago, Alina. Had I not taken this one to be my bride, I would not know this joy and... dare I say, fun." With that said, Sorin followed behind Kasmina. If his wife was to feed this night, he would be there to share her first experience. A Mistwalk carried him to the same corridor Kasmina had trapped the cattle in. From his landing point, he walked forward to approach Kasmina and her meal from the former's rear. He did not interrupt, but he did watch with an inkling of pride in the fact that she'd blessed this feeding without prompting. Even without interrupting per se, he chimed in at the end of the prayer. "Amen."

[Apollymi]

Alina managed to look a bit surprised. Her master spoke of fun, and it was in all honesty something she'd never thought she'd hear him say. The Countess Kasmina was obviously a great deal of good in the life of Sorin and because of this Alina was even more happy to serve the Mistress of this castle as well. A bow would be given before the man departed, assumably to follow his wife. 'Hm, she seems like the type to also pray over her food, I'll give that a few moments...' she thought absently choosing to wait within the study to avoid the headache to come from hearing the words of god.

Meanwhile, Kasmina got to work on her meal. If she noticed the appearance of her husband and his addition to her prayer, she said nothing. Her mind was buzzing far too quickly. It was full of this man's memories in addition to the sensational taste of freshly cooked steak. This was by far one of the best meals she'd ever consumed. And only when this man was completely drained of his life's blood did she stop. She'd then aptly lick her lips looking for any final traces of blood before finishing her prayer. "We give Thee thanks, Almighty God, for all Thy benefits, and for the poor souls of the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, may they rest in peace. Amen." And just like that her meal was all but done. The man she'd just killed departed with a smile on his face, she could only assume this was due either to the nature of her bite or the fact that she'd granted him a much calmer mind before his departure regardless, she crossed herself before calling for the maid. "Alina." she said which made said woman with crimson hair appear at her side, hand already on the fallen man's corpse. "The Mistress is too kind. I'll take this off your hands now..." she mentioned only to give a curtsy and disappear with the corpse. A moment after the woman's eyes were filled with nothing but joy as she looked towards her husband. "I feel like you were there quite some time... apologies, I was a bit distracted," she mentioned with a light-hearted smile on her face.

[Bloodedge]

"Amen," Sorin said once more - with closed eyes - as Kasmina prayed again over the finished meal. The Countess was generous enough to provide their shared maid with the corpse after it was drained of all its blood. Strange though it was, Sorin was somehow satisfied to see his wife fed in the way of a vampire, while retaining her righteousness. There was a smile upon his face that he could not rid himself of, even as his wife stopped to share words with him involving his presence during the feeding. "I've been here since a moment after you. I wouldn't dare miss this precious moment for my wife. What sort of man could I call myself if I did?"

[Apollymi]

It seemed that her husband had been present for the most of her feeding. She supposed such a thing could be considered quite normal and appreciated his smiling face. His words seemed to cause a gentle flush to come to the young woman's face as her eyes widened if only momentarily. She still wasn't quite used to the doting attention of her new husband and surprisingly enough, though she usually always knew what to say, did not really know what to say in response to him. "Well, even if you say that... I do not know what kind of man it would make you," she said thinking about it more. "Still, I am happy you were here," she offered with a large grin spreading across her face as she took several steps towards her husband before she pushed herself up on her toes and aimed to kiss him on the lips. If nothing else she was always astounded by the attention he payed her and as such he deserved all the praise in the world for it.

[Bloodedge]

"Nor do I, really, but I would rather not find out in this life," he replied. Whatever satisfaction Kasmina received from this exchange of ideals, he was unaware of, though it became apparent to him that some form of pleasure was taken in his words. His understanding of this came not from words of retort, but from the simple act of her approach, and the press of soft, puckered lips against his - which could only respond by meeting the form and effort.

Only a few weeks later, Castlevania was fated to receive another visitor. This one, however, was not one with the intentions of entering the castle - no, it was his aim only to observe. This strange man - with dark brown hair and a black cloak that seemed to have naturally formed around his body - stood atop the castle, looking downward at the entryway. He knew something was coming on this day, and he was rather interested in finding out how things would end.

[Apollymi]

At the entryway of Castlevania a couple of weeks after the marriage of Sorin and Kasmina, they had a rather unexpected visitor. The man atop their dwelling was not one they were expecting. Though to be honest, they likely weren't expecting anyone at all. But arriving via an ornate carriage was a woman who looked surprisingly no older than Sorin or Kasmina themselves. Instead of dark colored hair she boasted platinum blonde locks which were kept tamed underneath an ornate crown on her forehead complete with gold and cloth wrappings. Her entire wardrobe consisted of such but also looked like a nun's habit, if said nun were a woman of the night. It was open about the front down to her hips with only gold and bits of belt to hold closed the red and white bits of cloth. Even so, she had a baring which could only be described as regal and seemed not even the slightest bit displeased upon her journey. Whatever she knew of this castle, her visit during these hours was sure to be at least entertaining.

Even so, the maid of Castlevania found herself moving about. A gentle bit of teleportation had her outside of the Master bedroom. It seemed she wouldn't intrude there without being invited but knew only that the two people she needed to speak to were inside. "Master, Mistress. There is a visitor of utmost importance making their way here," she managed her body already curtsied. The Mistress of this pair, one Kasmina Phantomhive would be found sleeping her body curled up to another at this time in the morning, starkly naked.

[Bloodedge]

The adolescent male standing upon the rooftop had the blue gaze of his eyes set upon the encroaching carriage. This was what he had been waiting for. He had his own reasons for being here this day, but an opportunity was before him, and he couldn't miss it. 'You repulsive creature. Maybe this will be the day I claim your soul at long last,' he thought. Shortly after this clause completed itself in his mind, his eyes widened and shifted toward the castle itself, as if he wished to look through the roof to the interior. Something had reached this man's senses, and it was something he had not picked up on prior to the moment Alina appeared before the Master Bedroom. 'Andariel? Impossible. How did one of the Great Evils end up in a place like this?' he wondered. Perhaps this day would be even more eventful than he'd initially thought. This was a curious discovery indeed, and he now wondered if perhaps this individual had picked up on his presence as well...

Meanwhile, Sorin began to stir. Slight shifts in his body gave him the rather interesting myriad of sensations across his flesh, which had not even a semblance of cloth upon it. This was due to Kasmina being in the same state; his own waking saw to it that their nude forms were beginning to rub against one another. Though this quickly aroused his interest and physical self simultaneously, he knew this was not what had woken him. Their shared demon servant had come with note of a visitor. The way Alina shared this information was far from the norm for her. She never bothered Sorin about visitors until they were at the gates... except in one particular case. "Thank you, Alina. We are going to need a few minutes," he said to the demon, somewhat groggily. His eyes had long since fallen upon his sleeping wife's face, and never did they leave. He'd woken with his arm wrapped around her mid-torso, but it did not remain there for long. Once he reached an appropriate level of consciousness, he moved his hand to caress the side of her face, and saw to it that he was able to shift himself and place a kiss upon her forehead. "Life awaits us, my dear. It seems we must rise."

[Apollymi]

While the young male atop the castle was noticing a certain presence, that same presence was noticing him. 'Hm, what on earth is Death doing here now?' she wondered more than ready to go investiage this. Still she had her duites, and her eyes shifted upward as she stood outside of the master bedroom. But given she'd heard at least the voice of her master she knew there was nothing to worry about. "As you like Master, they are several minutes out as it stands. You have plenty of time, so long as you don't tarry," she mentioned. Humans and vampires alike were known to seek their pleasure in each other. This pair was married and seemed like the type to get distracted by each other physically, if left to their own devices. Of course, Alina had no problem with this, but the sooner they dealt with their next visitor the better. "Begging your pardon, I'll be going forthwith," and just like that she was gone again. A few moments thereafter she would be appearing on the roof to check on that which she'd felt. "Oh? I was right, what is someone like you doing here?" she asked seeming to find his appearance curious.

Meanwhile, Kasmina was beginning to stir, and it had absolutely nothing to do with the voices around the castle which she'd already learned to ignore unless there was a certain level of urgency. No, there was skin rubbing against hers causing goose flesh as she stirred more, aiming to achieve greater contact and further her arousal even in this slightly less than conscious state. Even so, it seemed her husband's eyes would be upon her as she opened her own and slipped her arms around him. She knew they were to wake now for something more pressing than their own physical needs, but her discontent at this thought was immediately quelled by the sensation of Sorin's lips against her forehead. "So I hear, if I am being candid I would much rather stay here with you, but I suppose it is not presently an option. That being said, this is by far the best way to wake up every morning," she said as she laid lips against the center of his chest wrapping herself around him to gently embrace his flesh if for but a fleeting moment. "Good morning, Sorin," Kasmina managed less groggily than one would have expected. The young woman's sentence finished and she loosened her grip to begin moving about the room, her full intention to get dressed so they could meet whatever visitor they had.

[Bloodedge]

The visitor's inquiry was answered sooner than he'd ever expected. The demon who'd caught his senses appeared quickly atop the roof on which he rested. There was a moment of pause taken by the male. Her question, though legitimate, was strange from one of her status. He looked upon the woman with crimson hair, sporting a raised brow upon his own visage. "I go where I please," he replied, perhaps in a slightly rude manner, though it was simply his very direct way of speech. "Of all the people to ask such a question, though. To see one of the Great Evils in the open world is something that takes even the likes of myself by surprise. Should you not currently be by the side of the Unholy One? My presence should not be nearly as shocking as yours, Andariel."

Within the confines of the castle, Sorin met the gaze of his wife and smiled. What a sight this was, first thing in the morning. "I would prefer the same," he said whilst looking down, peering upon the top of Kasmina's head as her lips touched his bare chest. His hairs stood on end for a fleeting moment, while his arm held the woman in its embrace. None of this was to last, sadly. Kasmina became the first to vacate the bed they shared. Sorin lagged behind in a way that left him sitting atop the bed and watching his wife move about the room. His gaze was wanting, but he knew the importance of a meeting Alina would preface in the way she had chosen to this day. Only one visitor was so deserving. "Wear your best. It appears we will be entertaining the queen this morning."

[Apollymi]

Alina was standing atop the castle having a conversation with the entity identified as Death. And though he spoke rather rudely, she didn't seem to mind in the slightest, in fact, she was more used to this than any other kind of speech. And she knew the being probably didn't mean anything by it. "Yes, anywhere you please and yet you are here," she said seemingly amused. Moving right along it seemed that he took issue with her being here instead. Going so far as to mention her ties within the Ninth Circle of Hell as well as what should have been her proper placement as such. The mention of her true given name made her eyes widen quite a bit flashing with unholy light, but still she smiled, choosing only to curtsy. "I haven't heard that name in quite a while, what a pleasure to hear it with such compliments attached," she said only to chuckle. "I'm presently being called Alina. The story of why I am here, and not simply at the side of the Unholy One, is a tale of complications. Which ends with me in service to a vampire with a soul, and his wife..." she said calmly. "I'd explain further but I do not have the time right now," stated Alina.

Kasmina found herself separated from her husband and moving around her bedroom. A small smile on her face as she appreciated that her husband would rather stay in bed as well. She supposed they'd gotten a lot of time to do as they pleased since dealing with her family, but still it never really seemed like enough. She paused catching a glimpse of the man where he sat in bed watching her before she continued about her way. "My best? Of course... not often one meets royalty," she mentioned. As she moved clothing about her person without the use of her hands. She began by choosing different stockings from her previous white ones, these of black lace with white and red garters. These slid up her legs as she walked around the room. She also chose the corset of inverted pattern from her original white instead of black, and tuttle lace underwear which were white with black stripes this time. Such she found herself rather easily stepping into pieces while others wrapped themselves around her. Even her corset laced itself with a single crimson colored ribbon. At the state of dress she currently possessed, Kasmina paused in front of the bed before picking the combination of clothing she wanted to wear this day, "You should dress as well, dearest..." she mentioned of his still seated status even as she dressed in such a way that implied that she didn't wish to finish. Even so, she pressed onward, adding a three tier black silk and white lace skirt with several decorative red bits. For a top she chose a plain white button up shirt with frilly lace and a high collar. With this she began the process of tying herself a red silk tie full of designs the likes of which had to simply come from the imagination of Madalina. Once these were in place she finished by choosing a black silk jacket with wide sleeves and lace up the sleeves. A pair of small red heels completed her look for the day as she made her way over to a vanity mirror to place her hair back into the style she'd come to like most, two giant swirling pigtails, and a white lace mob cap.

[Bloodedge]

"This is the place that pleases me most now. I am owed a soul," he said as his sights set themselves on a carriage in the distance. He seemed perfectly capable of viewing this sight from a distance far greater than mortal vision allowed. "It is also my time to collect a debt. This Kudlak you serve..." he said with a pause, referencing the vampire Sorin in a way vampires had not been called since the age of the first ones walking the Earth. "I know of him. He is bound to my stone, and must be proven fit to hold it. You call yourself Alina and claim to be in service of this creature..." His eyes met the demon once more. He boasted a less lackadaisical demeanor than he had previously; the time for business approached. "Have you severed your ties to take this name? If I must go through you to reach my goal, then... Well, I have always wanted to test my mettle against the Great Ones."

In the meantime, Sorin was forcibly snapped back to reality by Kasmina. He had allowed himself to enter a trance-like state while observing the woman. Truth be told, he could have remained sitting and watching her dress for eons, and for a time, he felt it would go on forever. Sadly, it all came to an abrupt end with the mention that he should dress himself as well. "... Yes, of course," he said as the final articles of clothing Kasmina needed to don were telekinetically slipped into place. It was a shame that things had to progress this way. Still, he rose to dress. From within the closet came a full ensemble of all white which fluttered around Sorin and fit to him as he walked toward Kasmina. Two steps saw him enter his undergarments and trousers simultaneously, while socks and boots slipped onto his feet as well. The majority of his outfit formed above his waist, starting with a high-collared shirt fit for an emperor, with buttons - for design only - even down either sleeve. A vest-like robe lay over the shirt, and over that was a much fuller robe with multiple layers. One could easily view Sorin as an Archbishop in this form of attire, so clad in white with gold trimmings. There was even a matching Balmoral bonnet to go along with it all. Upon his headwear and robes were interesting eye-shaped figures, each featuring a red gem of sorts at its center. The only space missing one of these gems was the one on his primary shirt, just over his sternum. By the time all was in place, Sorin had reached his wife at the vanity mirror. From behind her, he leaned forward, wrapping his arms around her lower midriff while his head hung over her right shoulder. From there, he viewed her in the very same mirror, and smiled. "Perhaps you may wish to change. It would be a shame for the queen to become jealous."

[Apollymi]

"Owed a soul? I don't think you are going to find one of those here... well... unless you are really fond of cattle," she said seeming to think no less of the statement than when it was actually made. To be honest the Queen was still approaching and whether Alina had things to do or not was left a bit unknown. "Kudlak? Death, your age is showing..." the woman mentioned in the snarkiest of manners. She couldn't help but giggle at the thought that this man could and or would use such an archaic reference for the beings now known as vampires. It seemed though that this man had rather suddenly gotten serious, at once, seemingly connected to the idea that her master Sorin should prove himself worthy of the possession of Death's Stone and the other that he planned somehow to move through her to get at the man below if he had to. "While I'd be more than happy to have that sort of stretch with you, I'm bound here by contract. And if you know anything, it is that I cannot properly fight you as such. That wouldn't stop me from trying though~" she said something happy in her voice but it wasn't entirely friendly just the same. "As an aside, the Master would see you in audience if you wished it so, he simply cannot do so right now, surely you know what is headed this way, and there is no way he'd jeopardize himself or his wife so there is no way I could do the same," she said in allusion to the present situation. She didn't understand why her master chose to entertain a woman like the Queen of Romania, but she could do nothing but behave herself while this happened.

Meanwhile, Kasmina was soon embraced as Sorin finished dressing and wrapped himself around her as she looked on in the vanity. A large grin crossed the young woman's face as she heard this compliment and found herself relaxing into his body. Her head turned to the side and she pecked his cheek with her lips. "Oh, such flattery so early... my head might swell with all of this attention," she said accepting this and knowing that given this statement she definitely shouldn't change anything about the way she was presently dressed. "And you look rather dapper yourself," she said having a passing thought that he also looked a bit like a chess piece, but that was only a passing thought. She didn't seem at all concerned that she'd soon be meeting royalty, but then again, Sorin didn't seem concerned so she felt no need.

"Ugh, why does one need such a long walk to their castle door," a voice could be heard as she stared out at the passing countryside. It felt as if she'd been riding forever since the castle came into view. There was a hint of impatience and yet she was still content to continue on.

[Bloodedge]

"Cattle?" he questioned. There was a thought which very suddenly crossed his mind, but he stored that away for just a bit later. It was made apparent by this demon that she could not combat him properly. As he was well aware of the raw power possessed by the Great Evils, he already knew this to be the case. In any other circumstance, Death would have expected his earlier words to result in an immediate battle, the likes of which would mar all of Transylvania before its end. When Alina drew attention to the approaching "queen" at last, Death looked toward the horizon, finding that the carriage was now quite some distance below the fine line where light met the very edge of the visible Earth. "Yes, of course. The atrocity herself will be upon this castle in a matter of moments," he said, showing obvious distaste for the approaching woman. There was no person on Earth he hated more. She was an affront to literally everything he stood for, and the sooner he found some way to rip her soul from her body, the happier he would be. For the moment, though, Death raised a thought that he had previously discarded. "What sort of Kudlak... or vampire, as mortals and the rest of you have taken to saying, takes audience with that thing while still keeping cattle in their domain? Is this not the same child of the Dragon who took my stone from the girl?"

The peck upon his cheek was responded to by Sorin leaning further forward, and turning his head to place a kiss upon her lips. "It was no flattery. I spoke only the truth, dear wife," he said as his breath swept across the neck of the woman. As much as he would have liked to remain, the queen's approach would have to be met. Keeping this in mind, he stepped away from Kasmina and adjusted his collar. Her returned compliment had not gone unnoticed. "Do I? It pleases me that you think so. I'm not certain why, but Madalina insisted that I have this in my wardrobe."

[Apollymi]

A smirk came to Alina's face but she'd speak no more about the cattle unless, Death was so inclined to ask. She figured it would do him a great deal to know the sort of man her Master was, but giving in all at once wasn't in the nature of the once great demon. Regardless of this point, it seemed that even Death took some issue with the being currently making their way towards the castle. Alina could only nod and mirror his discontent but for completely different reasons. "Atrocity? What a kind word to use, I've several in my head, but that one isn't among them," she also took issue with the Queen of Romania. Finding her to be an abomination among abominations. She came from Hell and that was nothing more disgusting than... the woman who approached the castle presently. At least, in Alina's own thoughts, beyond this point though the matter of the cattle within the castle had been brought up again, bringing into question the nature of Alina's master. "He is indeed still the son of Rachel and the Dragon. The very same one who managed to outwit The Maiden of Anguish on the terms of a Faustian Contract. He's the kind of vampire whose cattle are all murderers, scoundrels, and rapists. Guilt free, so as not to upset the sensibilities of the Abomination." she said with a nod of her head.

Soon enough Kasmina was being kissed upon her lips as her compliment to her husband and speaking of his flattery seemed to trigger something in him akin to playfulness. This of course, was all too welcome as she felt the heat of his breath across her skin, as he denied outright any attempt to flatter and called it merely the truth. He likely believed this himself and as such Kasmina could do nothing but smile in the moment after their lips parted. "If that is what you believe, I have no means to sway you..." she mused as he stood back seemingly appreciating the compliment she'd payed him moments prior. She grinned looking at him with awe filling her eyes as he mentioned that he enjoyed that she thought he looked nice. He also went on to explain that this was another of the outfits designed by Madalina who thought he needed it. "That doesn't surprise me at all. I spent quite a bit of time with her before, and she seems just a bit whimsical, though never without purpose," she said a small smile coming to her face as she stepped away from the vanity. "We're both dressed now, I suppose we should be off then," she said extending her hand to the man in hopes of being led to wherever in the Castle they planned to have audience with the Queen.

Meanwhile, the Castle gates were passed and the carriage carrying a woman dressed in all white and gold was stopping after what had to have been an arduous journey. "Oh, finally! We're here!!" she said clasping her hands together she bowed her head and prayed in thanks for her safe arrival to this place. Though she'd been more than a bit annoyed by the journey she seemed rather easy going about the trip at large.

[Bloodedge]

"I share the company of devils, sinners, and Satan himself. Atrocity is no kind word from me," was Death's retort. None could understand the detest he felt toward a creature such as the queen, but none had reason to. She was an immortal in her own right, similar to the vampires, but far, far different. Her immortality was a blessing from God. The original vampires, called the Kudlaks at the time, were released from the circle of Hell that spawned them, into the mortal world. Those who came after received the gift/curse in different ways, but all were connected to Hell in some way. For a creature to be of the same design to be created by the grace of Heaven was something Death did not tolerate. "Kresnik," he hissed as her carriage reached the castle. "A soul that will never pass through Limbo unless I claim it while it resides on Earth. It sickens me to even think about such an existence." Death's eyes were fixed on the ground below, where the queen's carriage was. Though prayer and other such holy things did not bother a technically neutral creature such as him, he disliked the outright worship on either end of the spectrum. He could feel this woman's prayer, and it was repulsive. "That Dragon child is not yet damned? How intriguing. Perhaps there is a way for my chain to bind the soul of that wretched woman. There may be a war, demon. Are you prepared for the obliteration of yourself that will come as a result? You've no more resistance to Faith, do you?"

When Kasmina spoke of Madalina's whimsical nature, Sorin hazarded a chuckle at the blonde vampire's expense. "She is most certainly that. I do wonder where she's gone, though. She should have returned to the castle by now," he surmised. With all that said, Sorin extended his right hand to take Kasmina's. His next steps would lead them down the castle, not toward the usual hall, but directly to the front gates. "We must be the ones to greet our guest at the door this time. Alina should not be in the presence of the queen."

Before the queen exited her carriage, a male figure emerged from within. He was a blonde man with short, spiky hair, who appeared to be in his mid-to-late twenties. Full golden armor adorned his body, boasting a gleam which made it look as if it had come down from Heaven. His stern face shot a piercing red gaze at the castle as he extricated himself from the carriage, but this gaze did not waver. This man took a knee next to the carriage door, holding out his left hand for his holy matron, while his right hand gestured outward. "My queen."

[Apollymi]

A smirk came to Alina's face as the man stated that 'atrocity' wasn't a kind word from him. She supposed knowing the sorts of things that got mortals into hell and that claimed the souls of demons she could see how that might fit. It wasn't her opinion, but at the very least she could respect it. Beyond this point Death seemed to clarify his abject hatred for the kind of being the Queen of Romania was. His word choice once again was startlingly old, but even so Alina, found herself only capable of agreeing. "Yes, the Queen of the Knight Exorcists is rather a disturbing existence, I can understand how that might cause some... negative feelings within you," she mentioned coyly. "Oh yes, so that your age may not continue to show... they are calling themselves Exorcists, if you are going to be moseying around the world at large I thought you might like to know~" she teased ever so gently. Beyond this it seemed that Death was content to think he might be able to kill this queen. And more so found some amusement in the fact that Sorin did not count among the damned. "No... they are not. The Master and the Mistress are both still owned by themselves, which is very intriguing," she said knowing this information and how it had unfolded first hand. "And I am remiss to report that I am indeed incapable of properly defending against faith. I used to laugh at it, take joy from the agony caused by those whose faith could not affect me, but..." she touched the center of her own chest as if something was amiss. "Without my heart I am no more than a mid-tier demon at best. Even the mustard seed of faith possessed by a scared priest caused me some level of annoyance. I am sure you understand."

Sorin and Kasmina on the other hand were now making their way towards the castle gates. As they walked the former quipped about their still missing seamstress. By virtue of the conversation, Kasmina assumed the young woman was likely a resident of the castle on a regular basis. "Oh? Strange, perhaps she's found something of interest," she mused. She'd found that particular woman to be whimsical enough that she might not have thought anything of seeking her own amusement while the newlyweds settled into married life. Sorin then explained that Alina wouldn't be making their introductions this day for some unknown reason. As they headed towards the castle gate Kasmina couldn't keep her curiosity at bay. "What about this woman makes it so Alina shouldn't approach?" she questioned it seemed like the sort of thing which should be obvious but didn't make sense. Then again, the only thing Kasmina had ever heard abut the queen of their country was that she was beautiful and lovely but none of that was any reason a demon should have to fear or not want to approach.

After her prayer finished, the Queen's Knight an obviously golden armored fellow stepped out of the carriage before her and took to a knee, to lead her out. She found herself placing her hand within his as she made her way out of the carriage. "Oh? Always at the ready, are we?" the Queen asked, but it was obviously rhetorical. Still she waited because she knew the man she came here to meet would come to meet her at the gates. For whatever reason this was something she thought of as normal even though the lords of castles didn't often leave just to greet guests. "Thank you, of course," she went on seeming to have lost herself in thought, wondering what kind of woman had made the lonely vampire of this castle marry.

[Bloodedge]

"Exorcists? How quaint. I've encountered many followers of God who call themselves exorcists; my chain found them as easily as my scythe tore the soul. Those things are monsters." Putting his disgust aside for the time being, Death turned fully toward the demon woman. The confirmation about her masters' nature was all he needed to decide his plan, but it would not be pleasant in the long-run. Alina's claim of her weakness did not go unnoticed, either. If she was truly so crippled as to have only a fraction of her original power, she would be of no use against the likes of a Kresnik. As he looked toward the redhead, he opened his right hand at his side. Within it, a jet-black sword appeared in the shape of a Japanese Daitou with a manji-shaped crossguard, and a seemingly broken chain attached to its pommel. "If you are so weak, does the Prime Evil not consider you expendable? Perhaps it could be said that you would better serve the Chain of Fate. A Great Evil would be quite the boon."

Sorin led the way to the gates not by Mistwalking, but by traversing the castle's corridors normally. He figured the timing would allow such relaxation, since the queen had not yet reached the door. Kasmina questioned their maid's inability to be in the presence of the queen, and Sorin stifled a snicker. "For the same reason she left my sword in your care when we met with the Scotsman. Faith is a danger to demons as well as vampires, and there is no form of faith greater than her majesty. She is a creature not unlike us, but her power comes from our Lord. She wields the power to cleanse the soul of any unholy creature while barely lifting a finger."

"Anything for you, my lady." The gold-clad knight bowed his head as the queen took his hand. He did not raise his head, nor his body, until the woman reached the ground. When this occurred, he released his hold of her hand and pressed a hand against the armor upon his chest. He then made the approach toward the castle gate, choosing to be the one delivering the knock.

[Apollymi]

It seemed that Death took issue with all forms of these Kresniks and Alina could see why that would be the case. As a neutral entity it had to irk him at least a little that he was being cut out of a deal. She could even see how this might make him angry in some way. But as their conversation progressed and she admitted her own inability to combat the sort of faith boasted by this Queen, Death was content to apparently offer her something. Asking about the nature of her relationship with the Prime Evil as well as her potential expendibility. There was some idea that she might join his cause and in her current strength she'd likely be bound to him in another master servant relationship. Her eyes narrowed only lightly at this point and her hands moved up to rest on her hips. "No offense to you Death, but I've had more than my fair share of Faustian contracts gone wrong, this entire offer gives me a great deal of unease. As an aside, I think my current Master and Mistress are interesting, I am too curious to jump ship now, not that I could," she said which was likely a lot more understandable given her present predicament. "As for whether or not I am expendable. I wouldn't know, it's been a few centuries since I last saw the Burning Hells, nor have I spoken to the Prime Evil. I was... going through a state of rebellion, I doubt he knows what has occurred with me. Since I left my heart I've done nothing wrong, and I haven't truly died here... so he hasn't killed me himself, for whatever that is worth," she was content to have this conversation so long as it kept her well out of reach of the creatures below.

Meanwhile Kasmina was in for quite a shock, as her husband suppressed a snicker and then went on to explain the situation with Alina as well as the nature of this woman known as the queen. Her eyes widened as she kept pace with her husband but found herself staring at him incredulously. She remembered the incident with the Scotsman but she thought nothing of a demon not wanting to be in line of hearing of holy words. "So we're clear, the queen is like God's vampire, and she can kill the unholy with prayers and faith. And that... is perfectly reasonable," said Kasmina as flippantly as ever. Such a thing was beyond unrealistic but she'd seen what faith could do in such situations. As such she knew it could be used as a weapon but the idea of a person being the embodiment of faith strong enough to shake a demon from the 9th Circle of Hell was more than a bit surprising. "And we're going to meet this person," a smirk developed on this young woman's face as she thought about how preposterous such a thing likely seemed to someone outside of the pair of them. "I don't know how others don't think you mad," she concluded as they approached the front gates.

The Queen found herself standing beside her Knight who went on to touch his hand to his chest before he rose from his position to do something about the gate. She smiled at the fact that he was so willing to act on her behalf and found him endearing. "Anything? You know where we are, and you're knocking at the door," she said with a great deal of humor. "Anything, seems a bit paltry by comparison," she finished waiting to see what would come of this man's knocking. "Now, we'll get to see what the new Count has been up to in our absence~" she mused.

[Bloodedge]

As Death awaited the demon's response, he tossed his sword lightly into the air, and jabbed his forefinger into the link at the end of its chain. The sword was then twirled around said finger by its chain. It seemed Alina likened his words to the Faustian Contract demons made use of for ripening the mortal soul for a feast. Death chortled at the thought. In no way would one such as himself associate with such a thing. "Please. I have no use of the Faustian Contract. In your current state, you could easily be made into part of my army. You could even be returned to your former glory... or at least, your former power. If I could have one of your caliber at my disposal, I would discard all the rest," he said, knowing Alina was one capable of seeing the truth in the matter. In all actuality, the chain attached to his sword had a link for every soul Death had added to his personal collection. Though it appeared short, those who had sight from Hell itself could see the true length of the chain, which was long enough to have been wrapped around the world dozens of times over; one would be unable to follow it from one end to another in a mortal lifetime. "It appears you were not the only one going through a state of rebellion. If you've not returned, you may find things a bit... different. You'd have been purged by your brothers for acting as a lesser demon if a few changes hadn't taken place."

"Yes, yes, yes... and yes, of course," Sorin replied to he slew of questions offered in sequence by the woman in his company. The queen was many things, and cleanser of the impure was certainly at the top of the list. Luckily, Sorin never had to fear the consequences of impurity, and Kasmina was certain to be the same. When they were upon the door, Sorin made no efforts to hide his vampiric abilities. The door swung open without being touched for even a moment. Sorin bowed without a moment of hesitation, gesturing with his free hand to invite these guests inside. "Her Majesty Luminita Sanda Elisabeta al Romaniei. We welcome you and your knight to Castlevania."

[Apollymi]

Alina found herself watching the spinning of the blade attached to the chain link. After hearing what she had to say, it seemed that such a thing was a bit crazed as far as she was concerned, but Death seemed to have a bit of a differing opinion regarding the use of contracts, as well as Alina's worth in this situation. True enough, with her own power, Alina could see the length of chain actually attached to the end of the spinning blade and what she was was nigh endless. "Oh, well that might just be the most flattering thing I've heard in centuries... you'd give up all that for little old me?" she said seeming to take some thought in this. She was a demon after all, and thinking of the benefits to oneself was always important. Beyond that, if not contract then she'd remain bound to her Master and Mistress which was... surprisingly enough something she actually wanted to do. As she thought over this offer, more speech would come from Death on the matter of the Burning Hells, and it seemed that she wasn't the only one who felt at least a little rebellious over the last few centuries. "It wasn't just me then? Oh... perhaps a trip home is in order. If nothing else, a return of my power would be good for my current obligations. A small favor then, Death," she started as she paced about the rooftop with a hand tucked under her chin as she thought about things. "I do not know the states of the Hells, part of my contractual obligations means I cannot return to the Hells by my own magic without completing my contract. And I cannot complete my contract due to the nature of the vampire it is signed with..." she said. "Vampires..." she lightly corrected herself, knowing the contract applied just as much to the woman as it did to the man who'd originally taken it on. "If you'd be willing to open it up for me, that I might speak to whichever of my brothers is actually in charge now, I'd be more than willing to offer my help to you in your endeavors. The only thing I'd need besides that is the ability to complete my duties to the Master and Mistress, and I am sure my power would only help such a cause," she said curtly. "It is rather pressing though, I assume some kind of shift in power has occurred, so who is the Prime Evil?" she asked, this was most important. Her approach home could be welcome or ruin depending on the answer to this question. In her present state she could not return home on her own power. A trip home and a conversation with what was apparently one of the nicer of her brothers would likely remedy all problems and in addition, do something in line with helping deal with the exorcists who plagued the lands now.

Kasmina soon was given the answer to the many questions she'd asked revolving around the entertainment of the woman known as the Queen in their household. It seemed that their guest was indeed all the things Kasmina surmised her to be, even so, it didn't seem like it would matter much to her, considering what she knew of them as vampires and what Sorin had explained to her previously. Soon enough before a knock could be placed on the door, Sorin was opening it, stepping to the side to gesture a pair of individuals inside. It took Kasmina no more than a second to fall in line as well, offering a curtsy only to have a quick glance at both other parties. A man clad in golden armor and a woman clad in white but almost nothing at all. If she had anything to say about this she would not, but her voice wouldn't be necessarily the next one heard. "Oh! The Count Phantomhive, look at you... One has to wonder how you get to the door so fast, is this your wife?" she questioned as she walked up the steps eyes trained on Kasmina filled with joy and wonder and surprisingly enough to Kasmina she found herself meeting a red gaze much like her own. "She's... stunning. Oh, and not just physically either, the light of God graces her soul. I can feel her!" the Queen went on to say, grasping her heart as if she was stunned by the sensation. As her introduction had already been made Kasmina found herself looking completely and utterly stunned. What could she say in light of such a statement? And more over, had Sorin known this woman would react this way to her presence, the raven haired lass found herself looking to her husband as if imploring an explanation.

[Bloodedge]

"Rest assured, Andariel, that I would never undermine the power of a Great Evil. Such would hardly be a sacrifice, and the army would reform itself by your hand," spoke Death. He had always held the Seven Evils in high regard. Alina was no exception, even in her weakened state. He began stepping toward this demon atop the roof. When he was close enough that his spinning blade would pose a threat, he flicked his wrist to have the hilt return to his palm for a more orthodox fashion. This female spoke to him in a way most feared to, for the sake of their own souls. Granted, the Evils normally had nothing to fear from him. He had no worries, though. At any point, he could rip out her demonic soul and have her forged as a new link to the Chain of Fate attached to his sword. On the other hand... how interesting this was. He could almost laugh at the notion of escorting her to Hell. "I am Malthael, Angel of Death. I reign supreme over the realm of reality that is life itself, and you would ask me to be your chauffeur?" he asked, becoming unable to stifle the laughter in his lungs by the end of the query. "What an interesting woman Tathamet has produced. Very well; I shall humor you. Azmodan will be the judge of what befalls you this day." With that said, Death stepped aside and held out his sword. A slow, downward slash tore through the fabric of reality to create an ethereal gate into the depths of Hell itself. Once it was open, a great pair of white and wispy skeletal wings sprouted from his back.

Meanwhile, Sorin rose from his bow to view the queen in all her regal splendor. A small grin was upon his face all the while, and the holy matron seemed no more displeased to be present than he'd expected. If anything, she appeared surprisingly elated. Her mention of Kasmina brought Sorin to gesture once more, this time to the woman at his side. "Indeed, milady, I am so lucky to say yes. It pains my bleeding heart that you were unable to attend the wedding, but I understand. Allow me to introduce to you, the Countess Kasmina Elise Dacian Phantomhive... my wife. Mina, behold our holy mother."

[Apollymi]

A bit of a smirk came to the face of Alina. She was once again addressed by her given name, which was something she didn't readily expect. Death spoke to all as if he ruled them, and she supposed in a manner of speaking he did. Regardless, she had no problem with what he said and could only bow to the attention seemingly unbothered by the spinning blade. "Well, if a statement as such is to be made, I'll accept the compliment gladly," she said seemingly amused. Her question to Death seemed to send him into some kind of fit, one of laughter? Alina's left brow rose at the sound the man couldn't keep down at the end of his sentence. "Well yes, but, I wouldn't know if you'd do so, if I didn't ask?" Alina mentioned as if it was the simplest logic in the universe. The statement that Azmodan would be the reigning ruler of her side of hell made her brows furrow in confusion. "Azmodan?! I've been away much longer than I thought," she said thinking it strange that this particular brother of hers was presently in charge of anything. Soon enough the man turned using his sword to open the portal and even going on to sprout a pair of very interesting looking wings. "Fell out of love with the purple? Don't get me wrong, those wings are stunning, but I didn't expect to see them on an angel, even one so exceptional as Death~" she said stepping through the portal.

Meanwhile, Kasmina was stunned, by the mannerisms of the Queen who seemed to be about as normal as any other person walking the street if you put aside the way she was dressed and her armed guard. Luminita found herself staring from Kasmina to Sorin taking them in as a couple, her hand still clasped over her heart as Sorin expressed his sorrow that she hadn't been able to attend their wedding and was quite proud to call the woman at his side his wife. "Ooh?! This is good, you seem so happy, it's a pleasure to meet you, Mina. You don't mind if I call you that right?" she asked the woman directly, which also look Kasmina by surprise. "And it is an honor to meet you as well, your Highness. Please feel free to call me what you wish," Kasmina managed, though she was still quite stunned by this woman's lackadaisical mannerisms. The Queen's eyes widened quite a bit, it seemed this young woman though well bred by nature, was also quite lax, though maybe not as relaxed as the Queen managed to be in any particular moment. "Oh! You're really nice, Sorin you're so lucky! I'm happy for you both of course," she said with a smile. "Oh, before I forget, this is Alexandru Ungur, he's my favorite Knight," mentioned the queen of the golden clad man who'd come on this trip with her, before she immediately turned her attention. "So what will you call me?" she asked of Kasmina which made her eyes widen. "Your Highness, most likely," Kasmina started which only made the woman shake her head. "No no, that won't do. You aren't one of mine... surely you could call me something else, I hear just that all the time," the Queen mentioned. Her mannerisms dictated she likely expected something a bit less formal. "Nita then? Would that be agreeable to you, your highness?" she asked. The woman's eyes lit up immensely, like she was pleased by what Kasmina had said. 'What a strange woman this is,' Kasmina found herself thinking. It was unfathomable to her that a woman such as this was the holy matron of all, and beyond that, the person who could destroy anything unholy. Though there was certainly a childish innocence to her, so Kasmina understood that was all fair.

[Bloodedge]

"I'd have torn the soul from a mortal who dared ask me such a thing," he replied. A single flap of his ghastly wings lifted him from the roof, and left him floating just past the threshold of the gate. From there, he turned to face the demon Alina while holding out his left hand. Having noted the commentary regarding Azmodan and Death's own wings, he chose to comment before departure. "Azmodan's power has been drastically altered, much like my own. The Angel of Wisdom is no more; only Death remains. Come."

Back at the castle's entry room, Sorin was found viewing the knight Luminita claimed to be her favorite, as the blonde male bowed his head to the residents. "It is a pleasure," he said to them both. Though his gaze did not linger more than necessary to inspect this man, he replied just before looking away. "The pleasure is ours, Sir Ungur." The introductory chat between Kasmina and Luminita was going as well, albeit also as strangely, as one could expect from knowing the queen. As to not keep these guests standing in the entryway for the duration of their visit, Sorin began moving deeper into the room. While passing Kasmina, he offered a lighthearted comment of his own. "I'm sure you might think this strange. Worry not; the life of an immortal does wonders for the nature of an introduction. Now, treasured guests... If I may, I am certain our dear Alina has already left us tea to enjoy as we meet. Shall we convene in the dining room?"

[Apollymi]

"Surely you can't have become that bad? Or should I take it as a compliment that I didn't lose my soul for asking a favor of Death?" Alina said seemingly amused by the notion. Whether he meant this a compliment to her or not, she'd take it as such, finding the current form of death to be, much more interesting than she'd previously thought it. Since the man had floated into his opening and extended his left hand to her, she took it, choosing to leave this realm with it for a trip home. "Oh? New power for Azmodan? I hope he's still, him~" she said in reference to one of the preferred personalities of her six brothers.

Meanwhile, the Queen seemed to be in the best possible humor imaginable. "You're really sweet. No one calls me that, I love it!" she said to Kasmina who smiled at the statement. "I am glad, I could make you happy," the young woman said to the blonde now walking with them further into the house. Apparently, this woman was just done with the sensibilities of royalty and introductions. This would leave Kasmina in a state of confusion but her husband would soon paused near her to give her a comforting word or two. Having Sorin already greet the man Alexandru, she nodded in his direction as well offering a curtsy. It would soon be mentioned by Sorin that they should adjourn to the dining room for tea. This seemed to be exciting to the Queen whose eyes widened at the mention. "Really? Tea, already made, again? Alina is the one who made it last time, it was the best!" she said, with the last bit directed towards Alexandru. Having never met the maid before but she'd been mentioned on other occasions and as such she was familiar with the woman and her skill at making tea. 'She is, extraordinarily excitable,' Kasmina thought, given that this woman was very much an adult she wondered why she was so, but, that was fine. There was also a question floating around in the mind about the preparedness of their maid for her to have made refreshments before hand.

[Bloodedge]

"I would not expect you to understand. Being born in the darkness, one is unlikely to see the corruption of the light." There was nothing else to be said from the grim reaper, but it seemed Alina was ready to depart the moment she accepted his outstretched hand. As such, the angel now known as Death looked out into the abyss of Hell, and allowed the gate to shut behind them.

Sorin led the way toward the dining room, shepherding the others into said room upon reaching the door. Once everyone entered, he continued toward a long table at the room's center, boasting eight chairs on either side, and one on either end. Next to one end, where a teacup had been placed, he pulled out a chair while setting his gaze upon Kasmina. At the same time, the blonde male introduced as the knight Alexandru did so at the very end of the table - the opposite end - for the queen. From virtually halfway across the room, Sorin had words to share with the holy matron. "Why yes, of course. Demon tea is of a higher quality than anything found in this world. Alina's cakes are also quite stunning; I believe you were not able to have one during your last visit?"

[Apollymi]

Soon after accepting the hand of Death, Alina was given a statement to consider about the corruption of the light. It would give her something to ponder in the back of her mind, as the realm of Hell closed behind them and she left the mortal world, at least for a time.

Meanwhile Kasmina soon found herself being lead to a seat at the end of the table nearest Sorin, and to what would have been his left. She accepted the seat pulled out for her and sat with grace looking at the tea cup as if mystified. "Many thanks," she offered the man as she took her seat. A simple twitch of her nostril let her know it was absolutely perfect and she was quite pleased with Alina even in the woman's absence. The Queen Luminita was also finding herself seated at the end of the table, from all the way across the room nearly, Sorin was explaining that his demon maid simply made the best tea and this time there would even be cake. "You said that last time, I am still quite curious as to why one such as you, keeps a demon maid, but... if it's for the food I completely understand," the woman said light-heartedly only to immediately have more to say. "There is cake this time?! We are in for a treat, Alexandru!~" she seemed excited and unbeknownst to her, Kasmina's eyes had also widened at the mention of cake. She was in her mortal life, rather taken with confections of various types, and it had been weeks since she'd had cake herself. "I've never had her cake before," Kasmina managed to say looking to her husband with utter surprise on her face. Noticing now, several covered dishes about the table which were likely exactly the cakes he had mentioned. She found herself staring at the reflective surface considering what kind of confection could be within the one not out of arms reach of her person. Each of the place settings was also like this, with a perfectly poured cup of tea and an accompanying covered tray with a cake atop it.

[Bloodedge]

"Of course," was Sorin's reply to his wife. Once the woman was situated, Sorin took a seat himself. Doing so allowed him to look across the table and see the queen and knight seated as well. It was interesting to know quite precisely what the woman had come here for - especially with one of her knights in tow - but Sorin was nothing, if not courteous enough to allow one to state their own purpose. "It is not at all for the food. She is bound to my soul by her own misinformation, but... her ability speaks for itself as a lovely bonus. Now then, I might ask what brings you to grace our presence this day. First, though, would her holiness mind doing the honors? Your word would do much better than my own," he requested. Sorin had made no efforts to remove the cover from his tray, knowing well the visual quality of his demon maid's confections. Kasmina's shock was noted, but he was sure the general public of the room would be quite satisfied in a matter of moments. Sorin lifted both of his hands, folding his right hand over his left fist, and bowing his head for what he expected to be the queen's blessing. Alexandru thought it strange to see a vampire preparing to have tea and cakes blessed, but he supposed there were stranger things than anyone being careful about their salvation. To see it from a vampire who thought himself saved was in some way positive. Keeping this in mind, he also bowed his head for a prayer. "A treat indeed, my queen. It interests me... the places you bring me to."

[Apollymi]

Luminita found herself looking down the table at Sorin as he got around to explaining how he ended up with a demon maid and a smile spread across her face as such. "It sounds like you managed to trick a demon, which is apparently no small feat," she said with a chuckle finding this whole thing to be hilarious beyond all reason. Beyond this point it seemed that Sorin was fine with her blessing their tea for the day, and the Queen also had no problem with this, she looked up to discover that not only Sorin, but Kasmina as well had prepared for this prayer. Kasmina's head was bowed her hands clasped together before her as nicely as a child in Sunday school. The words of her own Knight also make Luminita smile as she bowed her head and spoke words of prayer over the food. "O Christ God, bless the food and drink of Thy servants, for holy art Thou, always, now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen." Her words seemed to radiate from her, spreading even further with holy light and blessing as she crossed the entirety of the table. Such an action left a warm tingling feeling within Kasmina, it left her stunned but uninjured though this was likely the most powerful feeling prayer she'd ever felt. There was a lightness in her heart she hadn't known could exist, from something so simple. It renewed her faith in life, not that it'd dwindled at all prior to this. "Amen." the girl said reflexively before opening her eyes. She wished to examine the food, but found herself looking down the table at the Queen who had reached to open her own dessert as well. After taking the top off of the dish she found the most perfectly put together and decorated cake she'd ever seen in her life. "This looks amazing!~" she chimed.

Before she began to eat she pulled this plate closer to herself. "Good, your interest is what I aim for, lest you start seeing the world without the shades of grey it is intended to have," the Queen said her words surprisingly full of wisdom and quite a deal older than one would normally expect to fall out of her face. Particularly when being aimed at her Knight who seemed to be older than her. Moving right along, she found her attention directed to Sorin. "I've known you for decades and I received an invitation to your wedding. I didn't even know you'd ever considered marriage. So my curiosity got the best of me and I had to come and see, and I didn't want to show up immediately, I felt like that'd be rude," she said rather simply about the nature of her visit. "I hope you don't mind Mina, being a spectacle is strange enough on your wedding day so I hear, but I had to know he was still himself," she said calmly. "But, I found you are not yourself, Sorin," she said looking and having a dramatic pause enter as she took her first bite of cake.

[Bloodedge]

Everything Sorin recalled of a prayer spoken by Luminita returned to the light as she blessed the tea and cakes. The light of God entered his body with this prayer, and he could sense it encompassing the table as a whole. When her prayer was done, Sorin's eyes opened, and his head rose. "Amen. Well-said, your grace," he spoke with a smile. It became apparent soon that the queen acted as some sort of guide to her knights - or at least this one - when they were in one another's presence. This was nothing out of the ordinary, and Sorin could at least hold out hope that there would be no corrupted Kresniks walking the Earth while Luminita was involved.

As Sorin was busy removing the cover from his tray, the queen spoke of her familiarity with him over the years. True enough, they had met enough times to each claim they knew the other on a personal level. With this familiarity, though, came the claim by Luminita that Sorin was no longer himself. This was apparently what she had come here today for the sake of discovering, and she had found some sort of difference in him between this meeting and their previous. "Grace, while I appreciate the consideration shown to our earliest days of marriage, I must contest this change you claim has taken hold of me. I am the same man now that I was when we last met."

[Apollymi]

After the Queen had a look at her dish, Kasmina found herself removing the top of her own. The Queen spoke something of an apology to her and it caused, Kasmina to look towards the woman and shake her head. "I do not mind at all, I am rather curious about most things myself. I understand," she said which made the Queen smile just a bit. Luminita realized that Sorin's wife had to be quite young, she still had a very fresh outlook on life, she wondered then how young but she supposed that question could wait for a while.

Kasmina stared at it for several seconds thereafter and wondered immediately how Alina found the time for such perfection. There were people who devoted themselves to the art of pastry making who would have done a worse job. The lady of this house, could soon be found taking her first bite, and though she was paying attention to all at the table it nearly fell away as she had her first bite of the most perfectly sweetened and moist cake she'd ever had in her entire life. 'She's the best!' her mind shouted this and she wished Alina was present that she might tell the woman how much she'd enjoyed it. Of course, she could just save this thought for later consideration, as the Queen had her first bite of cake and immediately became elated. "This cake is amazing!" she said seeming to be stunned that such a thing could be made by a demon. Perhaps this was why people fell into the darkness of Hell. Whatever the case, soon after this exclamation, Sorin was stating that he saw no changes in himself and this caused the crimson gaze of the Queen to shift, from the plate on the table to the young man before her. She sat down her fork and took a sip of tea before calmly replying. "I disagree, you are a vastly different man from the one you were a few weeks ago. It is something I did not really notice until just now, but your entire demeanor is quite different. You are engaged with life and happy, not simply going through the motions with the boredom of old nobility leaking from your visage. I was unaware you interacted with people aside from your charities. It is good to see you interact with your wife with light in your eyes," she said. "It's quite a commendable change," she said, speaking highly of the effects of family life this man seemed to be exhibiting. She didn't know Kasmina before but the girl also seemed enthusiastic and happy and that was something rather rare in modern marriages as well.

[Bloodedge]

Sorin may not have believed himself to be any different than he had been previously, but the holy queen opposed this train of thought. It was her claim that he was different from an emotional standpoint. Her words made his eyes widen, which was in fact an occurrence rarely seen in Sorin prior to recent weeks. Truthfully, his expression had been a stale one for five decades during his time spent in virtual solitude. Perhaps he was long overdue for this sort of change in his life. Now that it had been brought to his attention, he supposed he did feel incredibly different as of late. Who was to credit for this, if not the woman who'd so suddenly entered his life? "... Well, since you've put it that way, I suppose I have no choice but to acknowledge the change. I'll admit to being quite the lucky man to have found such a bride, so it should be obvious where thanks must go. I take it then, you are satisfied with your visit?"

[Apollymi]

The queen looked down the table after she'd finished speaking, and even at this distance she could see the man's eyes widen quite a bit. A gentle smirk crossed this woman's face, as she saw this. A chuckle would come from her as she enjoyed another bite of her confection. Before she could speak again, Sorin seemed to have settled upon some words to share with the group, and the Queen most specifically. "I am surprised you wouldn't have noticed it, but that is kind of amusing. I can't say I've ever seen you shocked before. It's refreshing," she mentioned, knowing that his wife was indeed deserving of much praise for this situation. "Of course, I am satisfied with this visit, I am always happy to see you. And even happier to see you happy. And of course I'm pleased to have met Mina, and not have found you in a strange state instead," she said as she finished her dessert. "And I can't turn down cake," said the queen in a bit of a joke which caused Kasmina to chuckle for the first time in several moments. One might have thought the shocked face of Sorin would have been enough to bring her away from her confection of choice, and though she'd noted it, she'd been the cause of such a look several times in the last few weeks. Given this she finished her plate before gently pushing it away from herself as well. 'Hm, I wonder if she worried about him more than normal when finding out he'd marry?' she questioned mentally.

[Bloodedge]

The surprise faded from the face of Sorin in due time. He took this return of his normal demeanor as an opportune moment to pick up his tea, and sip from it. There were no negative words from the queen, whether Sorin expected any or not. No matter the case, this seemed to have quickly turned into a very normal visit from the queen and her knight. Sorin had anticipated something more than this, but that didn't really matter now. "A strange state, you say? The mind wonders exactly what you expected, but whatever it is, I suppose I am glad to have fallen short of your expectations in this case."

[Apollymi]

The Queen gently slipped tea, the gaze of her red eyes shifting over this man as he seemed to be happy she didn't find him strange currently and wondered aloud about the nature of the strangeness she'd thought may have befallen him. "When one lives longer than a half century while retaining such youth and living such a solitary life style, it can become a burden. I worried for your sanity and your soul," she said rather plainly a small smile coming to her face. If she had something more to say, such a thought would be interrupted by the laughter of Kasmina. Such was so sudden the queen found her gaze shifting nothing but curiosity across her face. After a few seconds, Kasmina managed to pull herself together and explain what had brought about this sudden bout of laughter from her. And given the other situations in which she laughed, it should be a sign some interesting line of thought was to come. "I beg your pardon, Nita, but I just had the thought that not so long ago, I was quite distressed by the idea of potentially having to marry a man twice my age. To know that I over shot such a large number by my own hand is just..." she chuckled a little more. "Funny." she finished. The eyes of the queen widened in this moment. She hadn't considered the age of the count's young wife, but here and now she considered the girl was actually barely marriageable by age, and as such a considerable amount younger than everyone else sitting at this table. Her worries in life prior to this were exceedingly simple but, even so she managed to see the humor in the situation she'd escaped, this was an amiable personality trait. And besides that, there was a decent bit of undeniable irony in running from a fate and straight into it. She'd call that God's will, but that made it no less an amusing realization.

A giggle would escape the queen, and it would become a laugh much more serious than the woman would have originally thought herself capable of. Kasmina was charmingly infectious and quite witty, she could completely understand how Sorin had been engaged by her presence. "Oh, Mina, you are just a treat~" said the holy matron who hadn't heard anything as funny in quite a while. If she had any remaining worries about the well-being of this man and wife they were only dispelled further. There was so much light and happiness within this pair of individuals now, she could hardly think them to be anything but blessed in their union."Such worries are obviously misplaced, which is a comforting thing to know," she concluded as she drained her teacup of its contents. Kasmina watched this woman laugh as she finished her tea and beyond that the calm acceptance which came to her face thereafter. This was quite a confusing play of emotions across the queen's face and the raven haired lass wasn't quite sure what to make of it. But since she'd laughed and her smile remained she assumed she was happy. 'I do not know why I am the treat in this case,' the young woman thought absently.

[Bloodedge]

"There was no need to worry for my sake, your grace. Even if I were to lose my sanity, I would not allow my soul to falter." Sorin calmly went about drinking his tea, seeming to have no thoughts about consuming the cake upon his plate. He did manage to take up a fork and toyed with the cake a bit, sliding it around the plate. Kasmina's fit of laughter brought his attention to her, as he could see no reason for this to come so suddenly. When she explained this laughter, Sorin looked upon her with a raised brow. Her words did make sense. The irony of the situation she'd walked into was almost tangible, and indeed something worth having a chuckle at. "What an interesting thing to realize. Worry not; the years begin to blend together at a certain point."

[Apollymi]

"That is good to know of course, and it doesn't seem like your sanity will be going anywhere either," mentioned the queen as she finished her cake. Kasmina continued to enjoy her chuckle while she ate her own, it was nice to know that someone had worried after her husband a bit before she'd come to be his wife. The idea that he had friends was comforting indeed. After finishing her cake she seemed to be stunned, listening to her husband speak of how years would seem to run together after a certain amount of time. "I never really worried in the first place. I have you to keep me company after all," Kasmina mentioned, making special note to thank Alina when she returned for such wonderful refreshments.

Kasmina's eyes then moved about the table, to take note that her husband had yet to eat much if any of his cake, instead he pushed it around on his plate with his fork. She wondered if he was properly hungry at this point. Regardless, it seemed the Queen was satisfied enough with her tea and the company of this pair of vampires. She looked at the table and saw much care between this pair of people. And as such she would also be fine with leaving, "Well, I thank you kindly for the tea, and the company, but I wouldn't want to keep you too long," mentioned the Queen as she stood. She prepared to go with the same amount of whimsy she'd arrived with.

[Bloodedge]

Sorin's lips curled upward when his wife spoke. If she was content to have this outlook, who would he be to argue? All he could do was accept the thought, and move on. Speaking of moving on, the completion of the queen's confection resulted in her decision to leave the two vampires to their devices. Hearing this, Sorin rose from the table with the intention of escorting the queen and her knight to the door. Alexandru stood with his matron, taking her side without a word spoken - much like he'd been doing all this time. He had come here only as insurance, in case he was needed to eliminate a dark presence in this castle. Since there was no such task for him, he was content to depart with the blonde woman.

"You've nothing to thank us for, your grace. Your visits are always appreciated," Sorin said with a small bow toward Luminita. Since these guests would be leaving, the raven-haired male vampire began taking measured steps toward the front gate, intending to see them out himself. "Of course, we do look forward to seeing you again. Your faithful knight is also welcome in Castlevania."

[Apollymi]

The smile on Sorin's face seemed to make Kasmina smile as well. She knew he was often content just to take her words as she said them, and she always found this to be one of his more endearing qualities. Regardless of this fact, since the queen's knight had come to her side as she aimed to leave, Kasmina had moved to Sorin's as well, seeming to appear with him as he escorted this pair to the door. "Aww, I'm always imposing and you're always so nice about it," said the woman, as if she realized all present knew the reasoning behind her visit. She still smiled at the door as she got ready to leave. "That's really nice of you. I'll see you both some other time of course," she said as she saw them both. "Sorin, Mina~" she offered them both before moving towards her own carriage and within moments and likely with the help of her knight, she'd be shut into her carriage and off once more. "Until next time," mentioned Kasmina as she watched the departure. It seemed their day which had suddenly be started was also just as abruptly returned to normal, aside from the fact that their maid had basically taken the day off. Not that this was a horrible thought to Kasmina in the first place.