Fantasy Hunter's Moon [IC] [CLOSED]

[Emperor Sagan]

"Quite so, Inquisitor, I'll see what I can find out while I'm out."

Aleister checked into his room under the name Johannes Engels. It was an alias and persona he had used on occasion while traveling, mostly in Daristein, in which he posed as a young law clerk. It was respectable enough that people would understand why he operated at odd hours, and generally left him alone. Sometimes people would actually come to him for advice on legal matters. He knew a fair bit on legalities, and he always gave his best advice - which always ended with a recommendation to see a more experienced lawyer. His more keen specialty was working with vampire-human relations, or more inter-vampiric workings. It was a rather thin line to walk.

It seemed Mariette had bought their rooms, and Aleister figured it would be best to get the woman a gift after all. He had already contemplated doing so to improve the woman's mood and show that he wasn't one to dwell on the argument they had in the woods those nights ago, though he was still rather miffed. Most importantly, he was running a little low on blood himself, and he didn't wish for the Countess to find her own stocks depleted any time soon.

Aleister left his things in his room and changed into his more usual attire. He'd have to stop by a tailor to fix his priest habit. He donned a cloak and pulled it up over his head, and before he stepped outside he enchanted himself with a little spell to ease the pain of light upon him. With the cloak on, and his white gloves, the discomfort of the light was simply that - a mild discomfort. That didn't mean he didn't keep to the smaller streets to avoid the open daylight as best as he could. The tall, unruly structures provided a rather benign and shadowy environment for one of his complexion.

The vampire stopped by the tailor first to procure some material for his gown, and then stopped by a glassmaker to procure a modest bottle with cork stopper. It had a slender neck and bulbous body, giving the bottle the look of an exotic elixir - had it not been empty. Which it would not be like that for long.

He found a small slaughterhouse and butcher shop near the outskirts of the city where they had entered, and he haggled with one of the operators to purchase the blood of a small lamb that was due for slaughter. The man was aware of what Aleister was, but a silver tongue and some convincing eased the man's mind. The little lamb was killed and drained of its blood, which Aleister used to fill his vials. He filled the larger bottle with lamb's blood as well. He knew the Countess preferred human blood, and perhaps he'd be able to procure some, but for now this would have to suffice.

With his satchel growing fuller with his 'grocery' items, he carried on deeper into the city to scout out some of the area and see if he could find a way to contact the local vampires, should there be any established society. He began to check the usual places where he could find them - near churches, galleries, and other places of high thinking. And naturally, some places of lower persuasions. Those were harder to check out in the day, but this was all routine for him.

 

[Infab]

Sazak smiled wider. "Not all demons are impulsive and violent like most think. Some are calm and quite calculating. As for why I told Ashwood's story to you, it was to show you the differences between the two of you. You seek to simply rule a vampiric kingdom. He seeks to enslave humanity."

Sazak took a sip from her glass once again. "Now...once the Duke is dead, I'll be in possession of Valeria's body and soul. The problem is...the moment that it occurs, it is very likely that the others in the inquiry will proceed to slay me. She has already informed one of you about the deal she made with me. Ethraeil. She plans to inform the rest of you at a later time. They will likely then turn their attention on you." she said afterwards. "...I know you want the ring. When you go to take it, they'll still have Theodore with them. He can use the sword to kill you. We'll both be dead."

"Now, I'm quite sure you can achieve your goal of a vampire kingdom. After all, you're a pureblood now. The most exceptional of my children." Sazak tilted her head, her eyes drifting back to Mariette. "...Everyone seems to forget that most of the afflictions affecting mankind were crafted by demons. We Princes of the Abyss love to experiment..." She grinned. "...How would you like to become far more than what you are? You've felt what that's like...and you've also seen what its like in Cassandra. The Romanov blood. Would you like for that to be permanent? Without those nasty side effects? I can certainly give that to you."

 

[K0mori]

Mariette froze a moment, as Sazak was so far deep within her conscience that the demon already had counterarguments to points Mariette hadn't raised yet. She had been implying that she would simply build her kingdom over a long span of time, as was her original plan before heading to Grimtham Isle, but Sazak correctly determined that Mariette had also been lusting after Adona's ring as well. The thought had crossed her mind, more than once, to quickly snatch the item away once Duke Ashwood was dead, and use it to build her kingdom more quickly... And moreover, she had even imagined the threat posed by Velin's sword, but Mariette didn't even fear Valeria with that accursed item any more than anyone else... it was the blade, not the one carrying it, which frightened her.

"Then perhaps," Mariette suggested, humorously, "I should kill Theodore at the moment they turn on you, ridding me of both threats before either can turn on me. Then, I could take the ring and run. Except, that would leave the sword behind, and someone would find it later and use it against me without a doubt..."

But now Sazak was getting to the point. Mariette could have Cassandra's unbelievable speed and strength without the mind-altering drawbacks posed by the Romanov blood. The demon seemed to want an alliance, to prevent the others from damaging his new "vessel" in return for such a boon. But Mariette forced herself to be critical. All I have to do is not seek the ring, she reminded herself. But then a darker thought crossed her mind. Even if I don't take Adona's ring, Camille is still coming for me, and all others like me. The others, evil bastards all of them, would want her to succeed. The Inquisitors will have their sword, and soon, maybe the Order of Velin will seek its use. There must be an answer for this.

When Mariette looked Sazak in the golden eyes of his vessel, the demon could plainly see that Mariette had abandoned the formalities and would soon begin to bargain. That meant that she had a price which he could definitely afford, and for the demon, that all but guaranteed a deal. "If I don't take that ring, then what happens to it? And what happens to Velin's sword? It gives me no reassurance to be as gifted as Cassandra if either of these things are floating around in the midst of humans who would seek to destroy me. Or perhaps you're after that ring, to use its secrets for evils far beyond Ashwood's imagination. I need reassurances- if I make a deal with you, then we are allies, mon ami. Now, and forever. You must protect me from Velin's blade.

"And another request, since you flatter me with such descriptors and I trust you mean to be generous in this exchange," she added with cynical wit, "I cannot build this kingdom alone. I will need the power to spread your gift to as many people as possible, to increase the size and power of our nation."

 

[Infab]

Sazak's grin returned to a simple smile. "Easily done. I can give you several options as to the method of spreading the gift." said Sazak, before finishing off her glass of wine. "I swear to you as a Prince of the Abyss that you will be safe now and forever as long as I live. You will be my ally, and you will have all that you could ever ask for. Velin's sword will never touch your beautiful flesh.

"All I ask is that you defend Valeria after the Duke has been slain. Then, you shall become a being far more powerful than any pureblood, and you will have my protection." Sazak gave her a nod in acknowledgment. "I'll even go a step farther...I'll make your gift last even after my death, should I somehow perish. To show my appreciation."

 

[EdwardDewey98]

After the fight in the delta, Jakob remained quiet for the rest of the trip to Grimsby. Once inside the city, he did as he was told and decided to name himself Sackarias Jefferson for his stay in the city. While the rest of the group looked for clues and investigated around the town, he decided to rest in his room for a few hours to process everything that had gone on. He set his hat and jacket on the room's table as he sat down on the comfortable looking bed. He then let out a sigh of frustration as he hid his face in his hands. He was tired, both mentally and physically. He was also angry and felt a harrowing feeling of sadness and impotence. Having lost two people he considered friends, and feeling unable to even save anyone in the different towns and locations that they had went through. He was now cursed for at least hundreds of years, with a beast inside that he could barely control.

Then the image of his wife and daughter crossed his mind. The thought that he wouldn't be able to see them again after this broke him, and he started to cry. He started sobbing loudly. Why does this keep happening? Why were the gods so cruel to him and those around him? Rosanna was a wonderful being, and Wesley was just a boy. Why are they being tortured for sins they hadn't committed? Why was he here in the first place? Was it because he was a sinner? Is this some sort of sick punishment because he killed all those people in the war? His tears and sobs turned to heavy breathing of despair. Even with Thiasis' help, he still felt lost. The same feeling he felt when he lost Abraham.

After minutes he spent crying alone, he decided to get up and grab his hat and jacket. He walked out of his room without saying a word and headed towards the local abbey. He waled to the open monastery that was used by both wandering priests and nuns. As he walked by, he nodded at some of them politely until he found himself standing in front of the melancholic statues of the Five. He kneeled down, holding his hands together. Hoping for some sort of answer to his questions. Something to help him understand why this was happening.

 

[K0mori]

Now the pot had been sweetened. Sazak took care to avoid mentioning his true intentions, which bothered her, but the thought of the kingdom she had long envisioned coming to fruition at last, with Mariette at the helm as the most powerful vampire of all... it began to gouge away at her ability to think critically. She began to think up excuses, rather than seek answers; in exchange for protecting a single vessel for this prince of demons, I could overturn centuries of persecution and elevate thousands of vampires to the status they once held as humans, or even beyond. I could form fraternal orders of my own to counteract these damned marauders that want nothing more than to see my head roll, and see my kind dragged out into the street to burn under the sun! I could do so, so much good, and I only need to ensure that Valeria's contract is carried out faithfully.

And if that's a problem, then perhaps Valeria shouldn't have made such a deal to begin with.

Mariette finished her own glass and then let out a sigh. "As you wish, monsieur. You shall have a loyal queen."

 

[Infab]

"I knew you'd make the right decision." said Sazak, with a grin. "You shall have a loyal ally, my future Queen."

Sazak examined the glass in her hand for a moment. "You're probably my favorite of all my children. I did have another, but she's currently slaughtering Daristein's soldiers and other inquisitors in the highlands right now. That's why your little inquiry hasn't had any help against the Duke." she commented with a chuckle. "Vampire and werebeast hybrids are always a bitch to deal with. Maybe you two will meet someday?"

She then extended a hand to Mariette. "To seal the deal, of course. Far simpler than signing a contract in blood, and less...well...fun than some of the other methods. Still, it gets the job done." said Sazak, with a smile.

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As Jakob quietly prayed to the divine, seeking any form of guidance or response in general, the others in the room decided to depart to leave him in peace. The room grew quiet. After about five minutes of silence, a voice eventually broke it. "A werebeast praying to the Gods...that is, indeed, quite an unusual sight." said the voice, coming from Jakob's right. As Jakob opened his eyes and looked over, he found himself gazing upon a man glad in golden armor. Well...it APPEARED to be a man. Perhaps a woman? They were quite androgynous. Long blonde hair flowed down off their head, emerging from beneath their bowl shaped helmet and running down their armor a fair distance. An odd veil like chain mesh hung down in front of their eyes, made of silver. The mesh prevented Jakob from seeing the eyes themselves. They wore a long white cape, trimmed in gold, which ran down and touched the floor behind them. On their hip, some sort of sword with a pearl handle.

Their form appeared to have a faint glow to it, quite clearly indicating that they weren't human, and their presence seemed to bathe Jakob in a kind of warmth.

 

[EdwardDewey98]

Jakob kept doing what he was taught back in the old days, remembering the classes of theology. The different psalms and pages. But his distance with the Gods started to show as he barely managed to recite them. While he believed in them, after the death of his son, the only God he had ever cared about was Thiasis. He was losing his hopes that any of the Gods would respond, but then the rather soothing voice of an androgynous figure talked. He opened his eyes and looked to gaze upon a beautiful being. He couldn't recognize them at first. He thought for a second that Undite herself had decided to show herself to him, but he quickly realized that it couldn't be the goddess. Eventually, he figured out that what was standing before him was an Angel, the servants of the gods.

He couldn't believe it. He was expecting words from the Gods, not an Angel. He spoke up to the being that commented on him. "O-Once, this werebeast was human, y-your grace." Jakob bowed to the graceful being. "I'm quite sorry, your grace. I did not expect an Angel to speak to me, so I'm a bit surprised." He gently raised his head. "I'm seeking counsel, your grace. I've been led here in an inquisition, yet I cannot help but to feel hopeless. Two of my friends have been taken away. I care greatly for both of them." He kneeled in front of the angel. "Please, your grace. I need guidance now more than ever."

 

[Infab]

The angel gazed down upon Jakob with a look of indifference. "Yes, I know. The dullahan and the vampire. Both are still alive and well. Does knowing that comfort you, mortal?" stated the angel, their voice bearing a sort of reverb. It was as if it were two or three voices speaking at once. "I believe that you have been contacted by Lord Thiasis, correct? It took three of my kind to channel that dream into you. I do hope that you re grateful for that, as we usually do not interfere in the affairs of lesser beings. He gave you the information that you need to deal with your...affliction."

 

[EdwardDewey98]

Jakob was perturbed by the Angel's apparent indifference to his friend's predicament. He looked at the being perplexed and rather sad, but he was confused mainly about 'the vampire' that the angel mentioned. It didn't take him long to connect the dots. His eyes opened up and quickly he was filled with rage. What had that wicked woman done to the poor young man?! He bowed to the angel again. "Of course, your grace. I am thankful for the dream and for the information." He then looked back up at the Angel again. "But please, I just don't know what to do anymore! I keep trying to help my friends and save other people...and I keep failing!" He looked down with resignation. "And what happened to Wesley? I need to know! You said he's okay but I cannot imagine how traumatic it must have been for the young soul."

 

[Infab]

The angel sighed. "Death is a natural part of life, and there are some people you cannot save. Grieve for them, then focus on the ones you actually have a chance to save. That is all you can do, mortal. We beings of the divine will deal with the deceased. Their souls will be taken care of, and they will either reside in paradise or the dark abyss." said the being, before placing a hand on their hip. "As for your friend Wesley, he is perfectly fine. In fact, he willingly chose to be turned into a vampire and is now in a romantic relationship with the vampire that turned him. A pity, really."

 

[EdwardDewey98]

Jakob knelt there, the thought of the angels taking care of those departed bringing some peace to his soul. Still, he wished that this graceful being could express SOME emotion. Nevertheless, his eyes slowly opened as the angel mentioned Wesley's name. "He did...what?" Jakob slowly got up again, his eyes looking directly to the angel's silver veil. "He...did...WHAT?"

 

[Infab]

The angel simply tilted their head. "Wesley chose to be a vampire. Cassandra, the vampire whom besmirches the name and uniform of the noble Inquisitor, turned him. He now is in a romantic and sexual relationship with her." responded the angel.

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​

As Camille lay on her bed, she eventually drifted off to sleep as she gently let her rapier rest on her chest. She was tired, having not had proper rest in several days. The comfortable bed compounded onto that. Soon, she found herself standing in the middle of a town square. It was night, but the area was well lit with the various torches being held amongst a rather large crowd. Most of the crowd seemed to be made up of knights and other types of soldiers. They were all wearing similar types of gear and helmets, though all shared the exact same mark on their chest. The same mark was on the sword that Valeria had retrieved from beneath the tree in Porthcrawl. The mark of Velin.

They were all facing a large wooden platform at the end of the square. Upon it stood four people: two other knights exactly like those around Camille, a man clad in ragged clothing, and a female knight who looked far more brutish and muscular than the knights around her. Her helmet was far different, with two large horns that jutted from the sides while red hair poked out from under the sides and back. In her right hand, what appeared to be a bastard sword. She turned and faced the crowd, stepping over and holding up the sword. The crowd called out something, shouting it only once and lifting their own weapons into the air.

Once the group quieted back down, the woman spoke. "MY SONS AND DAUGHTERS OF THE ORDER." she started. "I bring before you a despicable creature of the night. One of the many parasites that continue to plague the many kingdoms of Adonia." She then stepped aside, and let the group gaze upon the vampire, whom had been bound to the floor of the platform with silver shackles. "Now, you may ask...what makes this single blood sucking abomination so special? Why single him out instead of disposing of him promptly?" she then continued. "Well, my sons and daughters...this vampire is actually a member of ROYALTY! Count Cadiou of the Kingdom of Catanach! Some of the very members of your governments could be supernatural, parasitic scum!"

Some members of the crowd booed. "He claims to be a 'good' vampire! HAH! I only know ONE good vampire, and you are not her." said the woman, almost spitting the last statement at the vampire. "You have used your citizenry as CATTLE for decades, Count. You have fed on the blood of humans, and you have brought this verdict upon yourself. Your royal title will not save you, as I am above your government. You will be punished for your despicable ways, and I will be the one to grant you your just punishment! DEATH BY BEHEADING."

The vampire struggled against his chains, as the woman lifted the bastard sword to her shoulder. The members of the crowd shouted again. What came next happened rather swiftly. There was no pause, as the woman gripped the sword and lifted it over her head before swinging it downward. The vampire's head was cleaved from its shoulders, and rolled off the end of the platform as its body collapsed to the floor. The crowd cheered again. This time, Camille could understand them. They were shouting 'JUSTICE'.

When Camille blinked, the crowd vanished. All but the woman on the platform, whom looked towards Camille. "CAMILLE GIGUERE." yelled out the woman from upon the platform. Her voice was loud. Thunderous, even. She then motioned for Camille to approach with her hand, as she let the blood stained sword rest on her shoulder. "Come to me, Raven. So that we may speak." said the woman.

 

[Dmaster]

Camille was not sure what to think as she found whatever consciousness she had slipping into something that was abnormal. While she may have experienced a few out of the ordinary dreams on this trip, she was attributing them to the stress and breadth of their mission rather than some other kind of circumstance. It was hard to place, yet dreams such as this did not operate as normal, not playing on the sort of automated or on-rails experience like a normal, restful sleep may provide.

This scene was not something that she was too unfamiliar with, though as she brushed past several members of the crowd she looked puzzled and somewhat annoyed. A public execution was often so exhausting with all of the shouting and excitement for just a little swipe of violence at the end, something that the huntress did not pride herself in attending or even conducting. Her kills were always presented to the officials in the same way, their severed head and location of the estate they resided in passed off before she moved on to conduct her morbid work elsewhere. To Camille, those duels she forced her targets into were their chance to go out with dignity. Affixing them to gallows and just killing them when they had no other means of defending themselves or whatever warped ideals they clung to in their affliction had no honor, and it was also extremely boring as a result.

For that reason she stood motionless as she looked up to the spectacle before her, quite confused over why she would be dreaming of something such as this. Hearing the story of this royal vampire and his crimes did get a smirk out of her, but not much else. As everyone around her shouted for justice and seemed jubilant over the vampire's ultimate fate, she looked around one last time before they were gone in a blink. When her name was called her eyes went wide, utterly blown aback by the woman's thunderous voice before she squinted and started to step forward in the expanse of the dream. With a few steps she made her way up to the platform, looking the figure up and down as she tried to place who she was in the presence of. Not being very religious, it should have been obvious that this was Velin, what with the judgement and justice talk going on. Yet Camille did not think she would ever receive a dream such as this, or if they were even possible.

"You know of me..? How odd. To what do I owe this conversation, madame?" she asks, hands resting on her hips. One might assert that she was not the least bit intimidated, what with this being a dream and all. Yet at the same time the marquess was not one to outright show fear or hesitation if she could help it in the waking world, so perhaps there was no ulterior reason to her casual nature.

 

[Infab]

"You will address me as Lady Velin, not 'madame'." stated the woman rather bluntly, as she lowered her sword and drew a cloth from a pouch on the back of her waist. She flicked the sword, slinging droplets of blood across the floor of the platform, before cleaning it the rest of the way off with the cloth. "I believe that my status as a god has granted me the right to be referred to by name." Once she was satisfied with the cleanliness of her sword, she put the cloth away and let the sword rest at her side. Still firmly gripped.

"Now, as to your question, yes. I know you. Or at least of you. I am not yet awake in the divine plane. Only in a state of twilight." she then said, looking back to Camille. "You were one of two people in the inquiry on...Grimtham Isle that I could speak to. The other is a vampire. A pureblood at that. Disgusting creatures. It infuriates me that such abominations still plague the land hundreds of years after my departure from the realm of mortals."

Velin then grunted, letting the sword rest on its top before her with her hand on the pommel. "Now...a member of my Order, and of the inquiry you are part of, has taken hold of my executioner blade. The weapon alerted me to its use. Yet, I sense the blade has not tasted blood. Why is that? Did she hesitate or was the creature dispatched?" asked Velin, gazing upon Camille. "And why are there two vampires with the inquiry? And why is one of them a damned priest?!" The last statement she almost spat out, her voice growing in volume to its thunderous level. "Then there's the Lich, and the werebeast...AND OF ALL FUCKING THINGS, A DAMNED DULLAHAN!?" The tone of Velin's voice had shifted to intense rage.

 

[Emperor Sagan]

It took a little while, and some asking around, but a rather kind vagabond sleeping amid some rubbish in an alleyway ended up being the most helpful source of information Aleister had come across in his searching. The man seemed to have been a veteran of the previous war... or a war before that. He had a dirty white beard, his uniform was tattered and the metals long torn off (stolen or sold, he couldn't tell), and the man's left leg had been amputated above the knee. The homeless man still had his kepi cap, which was in as poor shape as he was. He was missing most his teeth and spoke in a rather heavy lower class accent, but he was forthcoming enough when Aleister ended up crossing through his alleyway.

"Yer lookin fer' the Purple Rose. Near ol' Bennet Square," the man murmured. "Vampire fellers... always lurkin' 'bout those parts. Same with them... opium sellers 'n smokers."

Aleister eyed the man, sad to see such a fellow in sorry straights. He reached into his coin purse and deposited a handful of coins on the ground beside the man. "Clean yourself up. Find some food. Go to the church, ask a cleric or abbeyman to help you find some work. There are youth in need of skills that you elders know of."

The man quickly scooped up the coins, eying Aleister through a mop of dirty white hair. "A-ah.. thank ye, sir. Of course, sir." The vagabond tipped his cap several times, and Aleister nodded before hurrying off. Hopefully the man would be able to turn things around with the coin he gave him... and not spend it all on drink, women, or opium, since it was in town.

A little more back alley searching yielded the symbol of a purple rose, painted on a brick wall. He followed the symbol into an alley that... was clean, but made to look otherwise. There were rubbish crates and pallets stacked purposefully near the ends to make the area look more out of use, and not for pedestrians, but he weaved through them and saw the same bright purple rose painted over a doorway down some steps. An underground location. The tall buildings in the tight alley made it so even in the noon sunlight would barely reach the bottom here.

Aleister knocked on the door. A moment later, an eye slot opened up. On the other side were two bright red eyes, staring back into his own. "Password."

Oh... of course, he thought wearily. "I'm a visitor, new in town. I'm here to make introductions. My name is Johannes Engels." There was a moment of silence. The slot closed, and the sound of a latch was unlocked. Aleister looked inside and stepped in.

Blocking the way much further was a rather burly and squared vampire, a man with long combed back brown hair, a rough jaw, and large arms. He looked more like a sailor than anything else. From what he could see, the Purple Rose was a mix between a tavern, opium den, and some exotic Eshax parlor. The entire place was relatively ill-lit, like many places of the sort, but vampires did not need much light. The place seemed mostly empty, aside from a few shaded figures in dark booths lighting up pipes. There was a stage on one end of the establishment that was currently deserted, and a bar on the opposite end, with real alcohol and openly displayed bottles of blood along the wall.

It seemed he was making contact with the lower rung of the society. Really... it wasn't so bad.

"Who sent you?" The vampire bouncer grunted.

"A homeless veteran, two or three blocks from here. One leg. Lives in an alley," Aleister explained. The bouncer cocked a brow and grunted again, scratching his chin. "Old Hooks? Feller stops by from time to time, if he's who I'm thinking of."

"Unsurprising," Aleister replied a touch dryly. So much for the coin he gave him. "Anyways, I'm visiting in town for a few days. I wanted to make introductions, as is expected. Is this an open city, or do you have a matron or patron?"

"Mister Devonhall runs the society here. This here is one of his joints," the man explained, closing the door and eying Aleister. "Yer a bit of a fancy lad to be traveling this shite hole."

"I'm a well traveled man. I can assure you, I'm not here entirely by my own say. I'm sure you are aware of the trouble about Porthcrawl and the like? Some villages not far from here have been wiped out. Necromancy and dark magics."

"Aye, so words gotten around a bit. Devonhall's been debate'n on how to weather the comin'n storm. Bad business, it be."

"Quite so... is it possible to speak with Devonhall whenever he arrives?"

"Won't be till' ten o'clock. Place doesn't fill up till' then. Devonhall is a good man, sociable. You can see him then."

"Ah... quite so, sir. I appreciate it. I'll probably return around then. What is the password, might I ask?"

The man eyed Aleister over again, gauging him if he was trouble or not. "Its a phrase. 'Hurrah for the 92nd.' Devonhall sponsored some lads for the regiment during the war."

"Ah... a patriot, like all good men. Excellent, sir, I most appreciate it," Aleister said with a nod, but he glanced towards the bar, where a red haired woman - another vampire - was leaning on the counter, watching. "But I think I may have a glass while I stay for the moment...."

 

[Viper Actual]

During the journey towards Grimsby Galina remained quiet. There wasn't much to say really. To her it felt as if the inquiry took one step back for every two steps forward. Whatever it is that the Duke had planned it was obvious that the battle against him would be an uphill one until his demise. On the approach to Grimsby things started to feel a little bit hopeful as the city was not in ruins and the citizens were alive and well.
Galina made sure to secure Boris in the stables and paid the boy tending the horses extra if he could freshen up her horse.

Afterwards Galina made her way to her room. It had been a long and tiresome journey so far. Hopefully a good five or six hours worth of sleep wouldn't hurt their progress too much.

Galina made sure to lock her door before undressing. She removed her coat, boots and riding pants. Her tunic was still on alongside her undergarments. Sitting down on her bed Galina yawned. A quick glance to her right confirmed that one of her handguns was in close proximity while her rifle and crossbow were standing next to the bed.

She laid down and before she knew it she had drifted off to sleep.

 

[Dmaster]

Camille was conflicted when she was told just who she was speaking to, not sure if she should be honored or insulted with the deity's tone or manners. Even still, a god has earned their keep and may ask to be called whatever they desire. "Lady Velin, then." the huntress stated, doing her best not to rise the goddess' temper further.

Yet it would seem doing so required little to no input on her part, the situation causing Velin to grow ever angrier as she described it. "It is certainly ridiculous, but I shall do all that I can to explain." she begins, shutting her eyes to collect herself. "The Senior Inquisitor of this mission saw it best to employ those creatures. Perhaps to better our chances, though I have been against their inclusion since the very beginning." Camille affirmed, starting to bring her arms up over her chest to cross them as she openly complained. It was true she aligned her views with the goddess to some capacity, but she wasn't allowing such opinions and thoughts to jeopardize their goals. "The lich is a rather sorrowful being, despite his immense power I do not see him as a threat currently. The werebeast was recently turned and is coming to grips with that, though I shall end him without hesitation should he display signs of going feral. As per his request, I might add. The dulluhan, as much as her existence angers you - has stayed behind to do battle with one of their kind, last I saw." She relayed this information flatly, tone not wavering and rather distant as she spoke on her allies truthfully and more like bullet points rather than companions. Though considering how... irritable Velin had been she was mainly doing this as a cautionary measure.

"That leaves the vampires... The priest I must say is genuine in his conduct, and I owe both my life and humanity to his efforts. He did not have to act the way he did to me, especially with how open I had been about my distaste for his kind and yet... he still did. It is a pity, for he still seems to be the man he was before turning, at least in most ways." Camille admits, shaking her head solemnly. "Yet him losing himself is only a matter of time, but a problem that I will not be around to witness. The pureblood? She is a wicked, vile creature that threatens my homeland, and she has already made an attempt on my life. They were a mere vampire before joining us, but fraternizing with the Duke has made them a pureblood." The Escarian huntress brings her arms down and looks to the floor of the platform, clenching her hands into fists. "I do not care for how powerful they are, they have proven to me that they must die for the good of the innocents in my homeland."

She soon straightened up yet again, looking through Velin. "Your sword is a recent development. We have just unearthed it days ago and aim to use it on Ashwood to save Adonia. The Senior Inquisitor is hesitant to use it on other threats, though."

 

[Infab]

Velin listened as Camille explained things, leaning forward a bit and propping on her sword's pommel. She seemed to calm down slowly, as she took in the information. "All of them are threats. The two vampires, lich, werebeast, and dullahan. The dullahan especially, as the dullahans were created by that bastard Adona to specifically kill my loyal sons and daughters in the Order." she said, shortly after Camille finished. "If the dullahan is not dead, she must be slain as soon as possible. The same goes for the pureblood. If the lich is truly sorrowful, then he may be allowed to repent for his wicked ways."

Velin straightened up. "As soon as this 'Ashwood' is slain, the Senior Inquisitor must turn the executioner's blade on the dullahan and pureblood. Then, the sword must be returned to the Church. They will see that it is hidden once more. Afterwards, you may deal with the other vampire, and werebeast as you see fit. I personally would have them slain to make sure that they do not become future threats to the public. Especially the vampire priest. He's using the garb of a holy man, and potentially feeding on the blood of humans. Its a crime against the Church."

Velin then sighed. "I'd love to speak to this Senior Inquisitor in person, so that I may understand what in the black Abyss possessed her to recruit abominations. Has the Order become overly lax in their training since I left? And since when were the scholars of the Order let into the field? I sense there is another Order member with your group."

 

[Dmaster]

She nodded her head intently in agreement, Velin's plan of action was quite solid even if the motivations were entirely black and white. Yet if there was one member of the inquiry that knew the risks associated working with such creatures, it was Camille. "As much as I agree you will find that my hands are quite tied. While I would like to erase every single threat in the inquiry itself we are constantly attacked by beings far worse than them. Even then if I were to begin this task the others would turn on me soon after." she states.

Camille did not know much of how the Order was meant to operate, but given that Valeria had accepted most anyone that came for this mission she was finding it hard to believe they were anything but lax. "Are you speaking of Theodore? I am almost certain that he is here on his own volition." the huntress says with a shrug. "And for how the blade will be used beyond Ashwood... I am very doubtful Valeria will use the weapon to its full potential. And considering how she sympathizes with the afflicted of the group, I do not personally see her returning the blade to the Church. I have tried my best to remain professional and vocal about such continued foolishness, even have had my life threatened by the pureblood, yet they simply call me insane."

 

[Infab]

Velin stared at Camille for a moment. "You seem to be the only one in the inquiry with actual brains." she finally said. "You are a hunter, correct? You protect humanity from the undead and supernatural which threaten it. You let nothing stand in your way of that objective. Valeria is the same as you, but serves as a member of my Order. If Valeria does not kill the dullahan or pureblood, then remind her of her duties to me. The oath she swore when she entered my service. The dullahan and pureblood are to die, do you understand?"

Velin's gaze didn't waver as she continued. "If Valeria still does not perform her duty, then you cut her down. She will be deemed an accomplice to the abominations that plague the world, and will forfeit her right to be called an Inquisitor as well as her right to live. You then give the blade to Theodore. The scholar can use the weapon, as he is a member of my Order." She then lifted the sword up, and let it rest on her shoulder. "If the others should get in your way, you cut them down as well. The abominable parasites that prey on humanity do not deserve to live, and neither do those that defend their right to feed on you."

 

[Dmaster]

The huntress twisted her mouth as the ultimatum was laid out to her, though she was free from the oaths that inquisitors such as Valeria had made. As a freelance hunter Camille had the ability to choose which battles were worth fighting and dying for, and frankly killing her allies over Velin's personal biases were far at the bottom of her lists of concerns. Having supposedly the most brains in the inquiry could only get her so far. "I can promise you the death of the pureblood, as our paths are destined to cross even after this mission is finished. Though I am woefully unprepared to do battle with a dullahan. I have no weapons of gold to properly combat her." she says after some silence.

"I could perhaps kill Valeria as well should she fail in her duties, though I see her problem as one of incompetence rather than malevolence. Unfortunately as much as I would like to slay everyone that will oppose me on that front, I find I am terribly outnumbered when it comes to who lets feelings get in the way of reason." Camille looks down at her shoulder, where the bite wound she suffered would be if this weren't a dream. She squints down at it in a mixture of disgust and conflict, knowing that she couldn't muster any reason to kill Aleister as of right now. "These past few days have taught me that I am not as strong as I need to be. Even though I put all of myself into training, into being the best hunter who has ever lived, I cannot fight all of them at once. Not without risking my life... I do not hesitate out of fear, but the people of Escaria need me to live. I am one of the few people there who can keep them safe."

 

[Infab]

Velin grunted. "You have all the strength, not to mention intellect, that you need to slay whatever is put before you, girl." she responded, bluntly. "Being a hunter involves risking your life. There is always a chance you could die. You know this." Velin then turned about, facing the opposite direction. "Numbers don't matter. Willpower does." she said finally, before strolling away towards the other end of the platform where a second set of stairs were.

A moment later, Camille found herself awake, staring up that the ceiling in her room at the inn.

 

[Breadman]

"I pay for my own stay." Theodore said as he refused to let someone else pay for his own rooming. It wasn't out of spite or anything. It was natural for him. The thought of someone else spending money on him never sat right with him. He left his own alias at the in. Sylvester Detrot. An old student's name. Long dead, unfortantely. One of the unlucky ones from that day long ago. As everyone of the inquiry departed for their rooms, so did he. After so much time, he had some privacy. He let out a sigh of relief after shutting the door behind him. He needed a bath. As the tub began to fill, he undid his belt and began to take off his clothes. As he took off his shirt, he pulled out a pellet from one of the pockets on his pants and tossed it in the bath. Bath bomb he called them. A bit of soap that would explode and make the regular bath into a relaxing bubble bath. To him at least.


Underneath the shirt, on his chest and on his arms there were wraps, hiding scarred tissue under them. He had gone quite some time without changing them and they had began to itch. He needed to change them after cleaning himself. Undoing the straps on his mask and taking it off was a relief, but also exposed his face to the mirror. A face he had grown accustomed to look at from time to time in order to clean, but still reminded him of that day and everything that went wrong. And how it was all his fault and no one else. The claw marks running across the eyes and down the cheeks. The strike that caused them nearly made him blind had it cut just millimeters too deep. Nose was crushed, but could function fine afterwards. The right ear nearly torn off. Upper lip was split from the strike and left somewhat mangled as it never healed properly. The explosion that arguably saved his life left it's damage on his upper body.

He got in his bath and sank among the bubbles. A formula that he had developed made them not only soothing, but the extract would help in getting rid of the smell while cleaning him. Replacing it with a much better sent to one's sense of smell. The same smell she liked so much. He shook his head to chase away those memories for now. He just needed to relax and catch his breath. Placing a towel over his head, he slid into the tub and closed his eyes. Letting out a sigh of relief.

 

[K0mori]

Her eyes flittering open gently, Mariette found herself resting on her bed at the inn again, the feeling of Sazak's vessel's smooth skin against her palm as the two shook hands lingering awhile until she moved her fingers. Merveilleux... she quietly exalted. From a lowly wine merchant and bloodsucker to queen in just two handshakes. She roused herself, and while her feet were sore from remaining in their boots while she slept, she otherwise felt refreshed and decided to retrieve the rest of her luggage. Greeted by the inn's proprietors, she was reminded that she had given the alias Violette Descoteaux, the name of one of the maids currently residing at La Cygne. Outside, the sun was quite high in the sky, and a quick check of her pocket watch confirmed that she had slept for around eight hours since dawn and it was now several hours past noon.

There was no sign of supernatural aura around her aside from those she had become familiar with; Ethraeil was in the inn's attic and both Aleister and Jakob were a few blocks away. She frowned. Rosanna was the one she cared the most about at the moment, as it was concern over her survival that kept her here despite her inclination to leave. Well, that, plus the deal she just concluded. Annoyingly, she would have to put up with their nonsense a while longer in order to protect Valeria. A devilish thought crossed her mind as she tried to think of things to do to occupy her time here- the other inquisitors were probably resting in the inn at this very moment, and it had been a while since she had haunted anyone. Given that this might be her last chance to do so for a while, she decided she would teach an important lesson.

At first she considered sneaking up on them by climbing the exterior of the building, as she had done many times in the past. Even seasoned vampire hunters often forget that their foes are awfully good climbers, and that they ought to lock their windows, regardless of height from the ground. But then another notion came to her. Long ago, when Mariette was first toying with dark magic, she had wanted to use her vampiric sense of auras to cast hexes indirectly, such as through doors or walls. She had failed many times, but had never attempted it as a pureblood to harness the acute senses she had been gifted with. That, she reasoned, will change today.

Mariette returned to her room at the inn and pulled out Undite's grimoire, then focused long and hard on Theodore's aura. After a long while of nothing but perfect stillness out of the man, Mariette figured that Theodore must have fallen asleep and that now was a perfect time for her ritual. Pouring out some blood, she closed her eyes and began her dark utterances: "Lost on the errant path of knowledge, envious little man, bewitched by forbidden arts... Vengeful spirits, show him the price one pays, the pain of those you seek to raise from death... show him the decrepit features of familial love, lost to the reaper... and found by an utter wastrel."