A Family Divided

“NO! Absolutely not.”  I screamed so loudly that the walls shook,  “I will go after him, and if he gets in my way, I’ll make sure he’s not a problem.” Pandora slammed her fist on the table, “You will do no such thing to my progeny!  I will not allow Val to be harmed.”  I looked at her, “He’s out there right now trying to wage a war against the Draconians… you know David and I share a god damned sire! And not just any sire. But the sire to us all!  You are about to kill off her progeny without her knowledge or permission.  You don’t get the same right.”

“Fuck the laws! Va’lis is more than just my progeny by blood, he’s my son.  Marius!”  Pandora looked to Marius as if he had any sway with me, which he doesn’t.  I outrank him and outage him.  He sat there in silence. We all did.

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Taken, Again

As the fight with the Draconians continued, we knew that David now had first hand knowledge that Merida and the twins, Maharet and Mekare, had special powers that persisted through their transition into vampires.  This is something that was so unusual, but because this power came from the elements it stayed with them.  Of course, finding out that Merida came from Maharet’s mortal line was a shock to us all, most especially Va’lis.  My son, because that’s who we both — Marius and I — believe him to be now, has a severe protective nature over Merida.  Not only because it was the first he ever turned, but also they kind of grew up together, if you will.  Despite their tumultuous relationship, they found a very happy medium and celebrate their family now… especially because of the kids now.  As Merida and Armand have expanded their family, it has brought all of us such joy.

The evening of May 7th we were all celebrating another double year for Saphira.  Saphi grows twice as fast now as she is part dragon, so she’s moving along nicely in her development.  Marius and I took our happy butts home to Romanus Manor and Cherry took the kids back to Monticello for the night as they were spending the weekend with her and Va’lis. Val decided to stay and chat with Armand and Merida over a bottle or two or six of wine.  The laughed and told jokes… the three of them finally got along well enough to really enjoy the night.  Val finally decided to mozey on home and Merida decided to walk with him back to Monticello.  Armand stayed and like the dutiful husband he had become cleaned up the house and patiently awaited his wife to return for a romantic night alone.  So he waited…  And waited…  And waited.

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Blood and Darkness

The water pressed in all around us as I was dragged through and under it.

Light, lost in the murky depths, barely illuminated our bodies as for many minutes or hours I was carried off. Barely conscious, my mind focused on Naomi and Venora and my sister. Trying, trying to keep their faces strong in mind. The loss of blood and trauma however had different ideas, and the darkness came upon me strong once again.

In the lightless realm, the dreams came strong and fast.

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Recovery and Retaliation

infirmary-vamps-lairPandora paced back and forth in the infirmary of Vamp’s Lair where she was recovering from her wounds.  She had been brutally attacked by three very ancient, very deadly vampires.  She had held her own, but alas… they would have bested her, had it not been for Va’lis, Cassius, and Flavius.  They pulled her out in the nick of time, but they would be dammed to go home empty-handed. They went back in and risked the ancients summoning the rest of their ugly lot.  Against a pack of them, they would have all perished. But Pandora would not be leaving that dreadful mountain without Isonu. Isonu, who was good, just, and fair and so much a reflection of everything she wanted all her sons to be. No… her heart would not allow it.  And somehow they did it.  Isonu was now in my infirmary, recovering, but he had not regained consciousness yet.  This worried me. Worried her.

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A Razele Nonetheless, Pt. 2

the-mines-tokunoVa’lis summoned all his strength knowing I was not at full capacity. Using his Blood Magic, he was able to take out the youngest of them, which was a half-breed — how dreadful it must be to have your own blood incinerate you. Stefan and Illyana Draco would be much much harder.  This duo had been fighting for years together, they had it down to a science.  But luckily, I have the blood of Enkil in me… so even tired and half-drained, I’d still be one hell of a challenge!  They didn’t expect me to be so strong, the shock of my blows clearly adorned their faces. So they went after Va’lis… and well, me… sure come at me all you want, but you do not touch my family! With a ferocious hunger, I ripped through them as Va’lis used his greatest Blood Magic abilities to immobilize them enough so that I could rip their hearts out… one at a time.  Drenched in blood, we both pressed on knowing we had but minutes….  tired, and growing weaker and weaker by the minute — especially Va’lis whose powers draw on his own blood — but we couldn’t stop. We had to get Isonu!  A few younger guards accompanied by the Yomotsu came at us, we had to fight!

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A Razele Nonetheless

My eyes lit up at the sight of poor little Naomi cradled in her mother’s hands at Monticello.  I could sense the rise of Va’lis’ rage as he turned on his heel.  I demanded of Cherry to lock down the line in Monticello to get all the Razele’s in the house immediately!  I followed Va’lis out as he ported over to Zento.  We looked around and found traces of a fight just outside the city by the docks…  we followed it.

Finally, a large pool of blood that I could smell was Isonu’s greeted us at the edge of the south western shore. Va’lis stopped. “They’re gone… and took him.”  he said. “But he’s alive, right?” I paused for a moment, “Right? Va’lis.”  He stopped looking over the water, “Yes, I feel him still.”  With that, I started to strip to my bare necessities, Va’lis stood looking into the water, where you could see the traces of blood into the mist. He looked to me, “What are you doing?”  As I unbuckled my Gucci skirt letting it drop on the grass revealing my armor, “What does it look like I am doing? I am going after them!” Va’lis shook his head, “I am afraid I cannot let you do that.”  “Let me, Va’lis,” I smirked; he sighed. He knew he couldn’t physically stop me, “Go fetch Flavius, Cassius too.  I’ll need our elder vampires.” He just looked at me, as I walked backwards towards the edge of the water…. I disappeared into the water.

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Lanterns on the Water

Songbirds sang as the duo walked through the gardens surrounding Zento. The small childs laughter ringing clear as the crystal blue waters of the harbor while the man watched her with a smile. Alike and unalike they were as he placed each step carefully and with purpose, while she ran back and forth between the flowering cherry blossom trees and danced amongst the tall grasses.

They had been here for several days now, enjoying a relaxing time away from everything else. The girl’s mother had stayed behind, urging the two to enjoy themselves and come back once ready. And so they did, he taught her everything she would need to know once she was able to come to these lands on her own.

Isonu loved bringing Naomi here, to the lands of his birth. Still after all these years, it was where he felt the most at home. He would always serve Pandora and Marius, till the end of his days, but Tokuno still had its grasp upon his heart. He watched Naomi chasing after a crane, its call filling the air and startling the smaller birds out of a nearby tree. He began to scold her, but watching her smile and hearing her laughter brought a smile to his own face. She had gone through more than a child her age should, let her chase the bird if she wished. Just this once.

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The Tribunal of Marius de Romanus, Pt. 27

armand-in-a-suitI sat there in my seat with my elbows on my knees after hearing the verdict and sentence. The guards came to read my sire, my father his reprimands and statues before cuffing him. I heard Pandora, my sire-mother, yelling and screaming and Marius yelling back to her. Lestat stood there and when they turned Marius around he wrapped him a hug. I couldn’t even look at him. If I had I would have broken down. 

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The Tribunal of Marius de Romanus, Pt. 26

pandora-listening-to-verdictThe High Council came in and sat at their respective chairs.  Chancellor Gray shook her head once at our David and I knew.  I just knew.  I stood up and placed my hands flat onto the bulletproof glass that separated me from the forum; from him.  He looked up to me and smiled his usual smile, one that always made me feel like we could face anything.  My eyes started to rim with tears that I fought so hard to blink away.  They asked all parties to stand, and Chancellor Grimm read the verdict and sentence.

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