The streets of Budapest were filled with voices echoing through the city. Every word spoken, every conversation held, was pertaining to the Valarious Family, and their fight to stop Dracula. Ceceli Layfette sat perched upon a rooftop, watching, listening for any news she could receive on the whereabouts of this horrid vampire, and the Family that could help her stop him. 'They might be able to help, but I don't want them to know my secret…I hope I can trust them' she thought as she leapt from building to building, silently making her way towards the little town of Varseria.
Ceceli reached the town of Vaseria by mid-afternoon. She tried to ask for directions, and look a little less foreign, but her French accent made her stick out among the Romanian voices. Someone behind her lightly tapped her shoulder. On instinct, she swung her arm around in an attempt to knock her assailant over, but they dropped to the ground, and swept Ceceli's feet from under her, knocking her to the ground. Quickly standing up, the assailant pulled out a gun and pointed it at her. "Who are you and what are you doing in Vaseria? You have no business here" said a tall, almost regal brunette. She was wearing riding clothes, like Ceceli. Before responding, Ceceli pulled back a few strands of strawberry blonde hair to clearly see this demanding woman. She knew who it was in an instant: Anna Valarious. "Your Highness," she began respectfully, "I am here to ask for you and your family's help to destroy Dracula." Satisfied, Anna put away her pistol, and offered Ceceli a hand. There was sorrow in her eyes. "I am afraid you have arrived too late; the Valarious family has been killed, all except for me." The princess sighed with remorse. "But since you know me, and probably my cause as well, why do you hunt Dracula?" Anna seemed very intrigued. Ceceli motioned towards a looming castle in the mountains, indicating her need for privacy. Anna nodded, and they both walked to the Valarious Manor in silence.
Once there, Anna led Ceceli into the armory, apparently wanting to show her ability to defend herself if necessary. Ceceli thought it was a good time to answer the questions at hand. "My name is Ceceli Layfette, and I have come to kill Dracula, because like you have experienced, he has massacred my family. My coven…" She was stopped short by the touch of steel against her neck, held by a very frightened Anna. "You lying Vampire, get out of here. You shall not end my family line, not here!" Anna screeched, pure fear and pure determination dripping from her every word. Ceceli realized the only reason she was not dead was so she could either explain herself, or confirm Anna's suspicions. "Listen, I am a vampire, but my father was human, and that makes me half human. I eat normal, human food, I can roam freely during daylight and I wish Dracula dead as much as you do" she panted. Truth was evident in her tone, incapable of a vampire of Dracula. Anna seemed satisfied, but kept her eyes fixed upon Ceceli as she returned her sword to its sheath.
Over the next few weeks, Anna and Ceceli became very close, keeping records of their days in a journal place above the mantle. Then one day Ceceli received a letter.
"Anna, I'm sorry I can't stay to help you handle Van Helsing. I heard he is quite a handful, but Roukai is very ill. He needs my help. I will only be gone for two weeks. Meet me on that day by the square at noon. I shall send a nameless letter and you shall receive it the day before." With that she departed to Paris, leaving her friend alone.