Let the Symphony Last for Eternity
Written By: Lady Lunar Phoenix
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Camilla sat at the long table directly outside her Lords' chamber, trying to think of where she would find Shaft in the castle. She was above chasing some foolish human around the Castle when she could just enjoy the view from their Lords' elevated chamber. Though she probably 'could' or 'should' send her newly acquired pets to ferret out this new bothersome wrench. Thus she let her gaze pass over all the elegant furniture, the table and chairs, the expensive rugs and paintings.
Dealing with traitors was always a messy business, one she wanted no part of. But her devotion to her Lord and Master meant sacrifices from time to time. The jealousy of those who could never aspire to the levels of power that their Lord had was not even worth pity. She slid her brightly red colored nails down one of the lightly pink ruffles that adorned her dress as she thought about it. Flushing out that traitor was taking longer than she would have liked, taking her from her own castle and Laura was left so terribly alone.
For a long moment she pondered if she should write about her current adventures in their Lords' Castle? When the summons had been issued there had been nothing more than an invitation to a game of Cat and Mouse by their Lord. She regretted that she didn't bring her dearest Laura with her, the lovely young thing must have been going crazy back home. But absence made the heart grow fonder some would say and though she agreed, just thinking about it gave her a headache. Why 'would' Camilla willingly leave Laura back in Austria when her Lord summoned her to the Castle?
Her Lord was never particular about Laura's presence, and she knew that Laura would have liked a change of scenery. The number of times she was able to host a proper cat and mouse game for Laura to indulge herself in had been woefully few and far between. There was a rich vibrant world that they could explore and often did. So what was it about 'this' time that caused her to leave her dearest home alone?
"My lady?"
Camilla looked at her newest pets, sure that Laura would be delighted when Camilla returned home with these nicely built boys. One silver haired, the other black, both of firm bodies, one who liked whips the other swords. What was there 'not' to enjoy with such new toys, new fresh vampires to 'protect' the ladies from any potential hunters. The idea of sitting back in one of the balcony seats of her home and the pair watching these now turned vampire hunters slay their fellow hunters. The carpets becoming soaked in their red rich blood. The cries of pain, the sweet sounds of lips on flesh sucking away more blood...
It was enough to make her lust burn.
Making it more difficult to focus on her two new pets or focus on the fact that they were speaking to her, seeking her attention. But behind her towered the twin doors that led to the Master Chambers of her exulted Lord and Master. For that she forced herself to ignore the pleasure of her thoughts and focus on the world itself.
"My Lady, shall I fetch you a drink?" The long, raven haired former hunter asked, his eager hunger to please her was most certainly amusing. She hadn't the pair long enough to care about remembering their names, remembering them by their hair color more than anything else. They had been in the Castle, lost and confused when she found them and made them her own.
"'Fetch'? You're such a thoughtful puppy," she purred pleased at how submissive he was to her power. She tilted her head to the side so she could look up at him from the corner of her eye, flourishing her hand for him to kiss. Which he did without question, nor bucking at being referred to as a 'puppy', taking her hand in a gallant fashion before placing his own lips against her skin.
It must be nice to have so many would be hunters to come to the Castle, just turn a few over and you have quite the guard patrol, or an entertaining show in the Colosseum. It would have been a lie to say Camilla wasn't interested in such a sport at her own castle. However; unlike the ever shifting Castle of her Lord and Master, Camillas' would require heavy, manual labor. Which meant construction, regardless if it was internally placed in her home or outside. Noisy, dusty, construction near her lovely castle, disturbing her and Lauras' slumber.
Though a Colosseum 'would' be an entertaining way to get rid of the less attractive hunters she had collected over the years.
At least these two were nice on the eyes, as they suddenly brandished their weapons and rushed between her and the large doors between the dining room and the Master Chambers. It was adorable, turning to watch them standing there, one with a sword drawn, his coat rippled beautifully down his body. It disguised his build like a snow over a field hiding the treasures that lay below. Even the silver haired warrior in his standard shirt and pants combo, his clothes not disguising in the least that he was built for fighting. Or hunting vampires considering the vials of holy water, and other such paraphernalia, even using a whip as though he was a Belmont.
The curves of his strong arms, the way that the fabric stretched in all the right places to reinforce that this was someone who fought. From the back, now that she thought on it, the pair could be mistaken for a warrior and wizard combo, if one didn't notice the sword in time. Two strong, supposedly, warriors who decided to become vampire hunters. More muscles and less brains if ever she saw a pair, and she had seen 'many'. Though their tight formation proved that they weren't 'completely' stupid as they clearly picked up on 'who' had arrived.
"Now, now boys, I 'do' appreciate your devotion, however, it is merely my dearest uncle you sense. Now put up your weapons, lest he walks in here and slays you for your impudence, after all; we 'are' in his home." Camilla purred for her pair of would be protectors as she stood up from her seat. She dusted her hands over her dress, to make sure each ruffle fell just 'right' along her dress before adjusting her hair just in case. Normally sex appeal was greatly appreciated by males, but given her Uncles' relationship history.
It was just wiser to 'not' flaunt what she was blessed with, her revered Uncle expected a certain type of quality in the women who approached him. Well if one sought the status of family, like being allowed to call Dracula her 'uncle' for example. Any one else he was much more lax about, just accepting that it was who they were. Not so for family. There always 'was' the off chance that he would eventually try to settle a marriage for his traitorous son. Which, if that happened, would mean that his son was now a vampire given their relationship.
But if that was the case, it would be impossible to 'not' hope to elevate her status by marrying the lovely little offspring of their Lord and his wife. She and Laura could have so much 'fun' with the prince under their tender touch, which caused her to take such time to make sure she looked suitably regal and responsible. She approached the doors with her pets flanking her before the doors swung open once more allowing visitors to make their presence known to their Lord.
Leading one into a room with a thick, rich, wine red carpet that guided the eyes up to the right and towards the throne. A large skeletal face of demonic origin, an ill shade of green that pushed out from the wall behind it like warmed wax. The throne looked like a stake that was piercing the mouth of the monster the tip of the throne framed by the nasal cavity of that skeleton. From below where the jaw should have hung was the stern rectangular shape of the throne.
From the flowing curves of the skeleton to the sharp angles of the arm rests and seat of the throne, with the seat and back cushioned in crushed velvet like blue. Bunched up at the face was long red curtains that were pinned there and fanned out to the large pillars that stood at the foot of the dais, like arms stretched forth. While the base of the pillars were etched with images of demons facing the visitor of the room. Beside the deep blue of the steps that led up to the throne covered with only the rug that ran down from the throne like a thick, bloody tongue.
Indeed extending ones eyes even higher would show the Master Chambers were seemingly set up to look like a human or demonic skeleton was used in its construction. Perhaps even having the pillars serve as a type of crucifixion device holding the monster in place. The walls were darkly colored like the skeleton, there was another set of curtains that spread out from the throne as well and anchored by another set of pillars. The eyes of the skull occasionally seemed to shimmer darkly as though it was looking down at the visitor that came before the throne as well.
It was a formidable set up, one that Camilla didn't really care for, hers was not to cower anyone into groveling obedience. On the contrary it was designed to inspire desire and lust, from the artistic paintings that graced the walls leading to it, to the rich, bright colors that spoke of the sun and of life. Something that vampires could no longer partake in, but why feel denied of it, when paint could replace that lovely color?
Dracula was reclining in his throne, his eyes lost to thought as Camilla made her way into the room, exuding the elegance and inhumane grace that only a vampire could attain. Not a movement wasted as she lightly stepped on the rug, so much so that her newly made pets sounded like a pair of rottweilers at her side with their ungainly steps. Regardless of how threatening the throne may have appeared to a hunter or a normal human, she felt no fear.
Even her pets felt apprehension at the presence of their new Lord and Master, after all they were in the Castle originally to 'kill' this Vampire. True, they would no longer have that desire now that they had been reborn. But he was still a force that demanded respect and admiration, so the fear was certainly understandable. But they weren't terrified of him, willing to walk into the proverbial lions den for their mistress.
Such good honest pets.
Dracula saw her approach with all the bland interest of watching grass grow, but still, she minded herself well enough that he bestowed the right for her to call him 'uncle'. So he forced himself out of his current thoughts to focus on the young vampire before him. Not that he bothered to adjust his posture or such, lacking the interest required to make that physical movement. Only granting the two clearly newly made vampires a cursor glance.
"My Lord Uncle, how have you been?" Camilla asked politely as she reached the foot of the of the steps to the throne before curtsying deeply before her Lord and Master. While her two awkward young pets took cues from her and dropped into deep bows.
Dracula sat there watching the girl recalling that she was here to deal with the traitor in the Castle. But for the unlife of himself, he couldn't recall giving the summons so he had to ponder who did it. With the downfall of the Belmont Clan there really wasn't any natural challenge left for him to play with. There were hundreds of would be hunters who wished to claim the glory of slaying the Lord of Darkness. All were as much failures as to be expected of humans, none had reached the Master Chambers. Few had passed the front gates of the Castle given the monsters that Shaft had posted.
In fact, as Dracula sat there, it occurred to him that this was actually becoming interesting. His son was in the Castle, which originally he thought it would be to challenge his father again. But now knowing there was a possible future version of himself already in the Castle, coupled with the notion that his son had met him. Not only 'met' but seemed to have a positive encounter, it was possible that his son had come in peace.
'If' there was a future version of himself in the Castle, Dracula was interested in how the future had turned out. There was also a possibly chance that this was a fake, and the Priestess was misled, yet at least she admitted she could be wrong. Granted he gave her a rather strict situation, in seeking out the young prince and this supposed future version of himself.
"I've heard some stories, Camilla, despite your summons here to deal with a possible traitor, there are two other things that I think you should know about." Dracula began, letting his voice be drawled with faint interest. Gauging her reactions and when he saw the calculated tilt of the head indicating she was listening while trying to appear modest and coy. Really? Did she think he 'did not' know about her... appetite? There was 'no' way he was going to mistake her for some young maiden, all the flowers or dresses in the world wasn't going to get 'that' to happen.
"Well, apparently my son has returned to the Castle, possibly in the name of peace. It also seems that somehow, a person claiming to be my future incarnation is here. The pair seem to acknowledge each other in a peaceful manner so I am interested in seeing the two of them."
Carmillas' eyes grew wide with surprise at the suggestion, her thoughts already whirling at all the possibilities. 'If' the young prince had returned in peace it would quite possibly mean that Dracula would start searching for a wife for his son. Also if, by some twist of madness, a future incarnation of the Lord was also in the Castle... Well, that would prove interesting, seeing what the Lord was like even further into the future.
"I've sent my Priestess to find the pair, I figure perhaps if what she has informed me is true, then I should start looking at potential brides. I would be most pleased if what she has discovered bears good fruit, perhaps I will turn her over as a bride for my son. Her or my Necromancer are both of good human breeding after all, so perhaps I will give him one as a gift." He announced nonchalantly, as he shifted ever so slightly in his seat. Just to watch her squirm with desire via the slight trembling of the lace in her rich gown.
"I see, so there is a traitor, your son, and a possible future version of my Lord Uncle in the Castle? What ever shall I do then?" She inquired, her voice light and modest as a contrast to her more sultry tones she was often heard using.
"Well that is up to you now isn't it? I would suggest your new pets should be given something to do, training if you will. Beyond that, well, the night is still young." He offered with a casual shrug, which was about the only dismissal he was going to give her.
"You are most correct, Lord Uncle, it would be a shame to let such well built specimens languish while we are visiting," Carmilla demurred as she dropped into another curtsy in a silent request to be excused. At his nod, she turned and walked away, her currently cowed pets following from behind. She'd send them to ferret out the Traitor, former hunters as they were, it would prove whether or not they were worthy to stay her servants. As for the Prince and the possible Future Lord? Well...
It would prove an interesting game this, Dracula wasn't stupid as to think that Carmilla would miss out on going after his son. Carmilla's tastes were for beautiful women, not men, and if she assumed that he would be fine with his son being the play thing of hers. Well that mistake was all her own than now wasn't it? But at least with her on the trail of the pair it would give Tera and Iris a bigger incentive not to fail. With a prize of immortality and being given to the Vampire Prince, if the boy wished to stay a Dhampire that would be fine. If he was home that was all that mattered to Dracula after all. But a bride would be nice, he liked to see his child settle down, raise a family.
Maybe, possibly, be ok with Annette? Because Dracula was pretty sure that it would be a cold day in hell before his son 'ever' approve of the relationship. He was pretty well ready for any and all drama that his son could display in fact. Personally he hoped that the youth wouldn't outright kill the girl for existing, but who knew how children think.
Besides, it wasn't as though he 'loved' Annette, but the truth was he was lonely. It was nice to just be able to take a stroll down the garden with a soft presence by his side. Death was nice to talk to, but really, sometimes he wanted a change in the script as it were. Someone who didn't always think in schemes or duty, who could enjoy the beauty of the night.
Though on nights like this he wished Leon had accepted his offer and became a Vampire, the Castle was virtually alive with different things to invest his interests in. Also he was fully capable of having a normal conversation with the man. A real one, where two people converse and one isn't trying to butter up the other for more power. Just a normal, average conversation between friends, who wouldn't want that? Well maybe a self absorbed idiot who could hold a conversation with a mirror and be satisfied.