Europa Hotel, Belfast
10 May, 2011
00:28—Father Kerrigan's Perspective
:-:
The midnight hour has never been more crueler.
A blood moon shining upon death-ridden soil: This isn't a world where one can find happiness and keep it.
Father Kerrigan thought he found it once. But this was a lie… A cruel lie: To believe a monster like the second Nightlord would *ever* care about him.
"That magician…saw right through me."
He has returned to his hotel room, but he doesn't plan to stay there. After what happened atop the Obel Tower, how could he remain in Belfast?
That was the second most humiliating moment of my life. In every way, that man made a fool out of me… How could I lose? Me, shamed by a mere magician?
The Nightlord will not have this. It's best to steer clear of him.
The necromancer reclaims his opaqueness, and takes a seat on his bed. He instantly joins his head with his right hand, frustrated and embarrassed.
"This is stupid…" He closes his eyes for a moment, trying to forget the sins he committed. But he can't… The number is too great. The extents he went to commit them…are too far. "—all those people, for nothing. Sometimes, I scare myself.
Am I *really* this small a man? To be so incapable: Have I lost my touch?"
His reflection is interrupted by the sound of leaking waterdrops… The sound comes from his hotel bathroom.
"—? Humph. How unexpected. Europa is costly.
One would think they'd hire better help. I'll make a complaint before I leave." Father Kerrigan stands from his bed and ventures to the said location, where he tightens the faucets therein: First, the shower, then, the bathroom sink.
A waste of euros. What the devil was I thinking?
Suddenly, the leaking returns…
—drip after annoying drip. From the shower, from the bathroom sink: Neither should be happening right now. The handles have been tightened to their limits.
"What poor maintenance this is. I shall take my leave."
Father Kerrigan motions to leave the bathroom, but…the door is shut, which isn't possible because he left it open when he entered the room. Furthermore, if it were to close, the door's rusted bolting would cause a creaking sound.
He didn't hear any creaking, nor did he hear the door shut.
Enjoying your getaway, White Album? A voice comes from the bathroom mirror, but it doesn't startle Father Kerrigan. It does, however, earn his attention.
He recognizes this voice… "Sister Coraline, why are you bothering me?"
The image of a nun dressed in an ultramarine habit appears in the mirror.
Upon her face is a mask quite similar to Sister Estelle's.
My apologies, White Album, but I've been sent to pick up where you left off. You're in no shape to continue, my friend.
"…Did the Nightlord send you?"
No, but it is a favor. I'm a charitable woman that cares for the elderly.
"Sister Coraline, you're twenty years younger than me. You, woman, are no less an 'elder' than I. And I don't need your 'charity'."
Ah, but I'm afraid you do. Father Kerrigan goes quiet, realizing the nun knows more than what she's letting on. The Nightlord plans to leave his chateau tomorrow evening. He'll be visiting his family grave in Transylvania.
Should he catch ear from one of our gossipy peers, he'd make a detour just to come see you. And trust me, White Album, you wouldn't want to meet him under such circumstances… It would be a most unpleasant rendezvous.
For a nun, this woman is insufferable. Mouthy little water witch.
"Do what you want, Sister Coraline. I'm not stopping you.
Besides, I'd rather avoid the Nightlord anyhow."
Oh? And why is that?
"Don't worry about that. Now release me from this room!" This is the first time Father Kerrigan has lost his temper with one of his own. It's shocking… For him to raise his voice to a nun: Surely, he's troubled by something.
…As you wish.
Sister Coraline decreases her sync rate, revealing the closed door to be nothing more than an illusion. So, this means he wasn't trapped at all… Sister Coraline was just playing with him, no doubt to lighten up his morning.
This woman… No matter the age, she's still playing games.
But I don't have time for her. I have some important things to take care of.
Important indeed.
Father Kerrigan has so much to complete before returning to Rutherford.
Finding Dead Motion is at the top of his list. If he doesn't return with them, the cleric would surrender to the fact that he lost against Yuvraj.
His sacred robes have been torn and bloodied. Personally, he's surprised: Sister Coraline didn't ridicule him, which is abnormal. Considering he looks a mess, people like her would jump to the occasion.
He enters the bedroom, closing the bathroom door on his way in.
"Bested by a lowly wizard… How mortifying! I won't let this pass."
Father Kerrigan focuses, increasing his sync rate to 25%. This causes a small portion of his ghostly reserves to envelop his body, and repair his wounds in an instant. After the deed is done, the souls return to his spirit.
All credit for this trick is due to "a-certain-someone". Yet another reason to feel bad about tonight… Seems like my life is plagued by regrets.
?
10 May, 2011
00:35—Sister Coraline's Perspective
:-:
Word is already spreading:
Father Kerrigan left to monitor Dead Motion's progression, but failed. The sibling headhunters have been taken into custody, and Father Kerrigan lost a contest against a person still considered "unallied" by the church: Yuvraj.
A few loose lips in Belfast reported his failure. Considering how gossipy the church is, this information is subject to change.
"Is he holding up well?"
In the darkness of an unknown room, Sister Coraline stands in the company of a dark figure lounging in an indoor spring. This enigma is intrigued by the nun's conversation with the necromancer, which was conducted through an enchanted mirror. She turns to answer the dark figure.
"He's upset, which is to be expected. It's a good thing you ordered our followers to keep their mouths shut. Should the Nightlord discover—"
"He won't, Cora. I made sure of it."
The dark figure folds its legs and lays its head back on a stone.
Bless his heart. He sure seems adamant about supporting the old boy… No, no, I don't have time to procrastinate.
"I must take my leave now. If you need me, I'll be at the old village."
Sister Coraline's straightforwardness lifts the enigma to its feet, revealing a bare and toned frame drenched in spring water. The nun it taken aback by this sudden gesture, especially since she's in the company of a church leader.
"Cora…"
"Yes, your holiness?"
"—don't be so hasty. Our spy has reported 'no activity' for a month.
If you wish to plan ahead, that's fine. But why spend a month in a ghost town when you can enjoy the luxuries of my mansion?"
The dark figure opens its eyes, revealing gentle blue irises.
Sister Coraline is well aware of how flirtatious her superior can be. But instead of acting insubordinate, the nun chooses to make an honest statement.
"My apologies, your holiness. That 'ghost town' is my home. I find peace there. It's a place where I can be…free.
So, if you don't mind, I'd rather spend time there."
I can't believe a man of his standard would make a pass at me. Then again, it's not a secret: His holiness is a lonely man. Honestly, I feel bad about leaving him alone here, but I can't risk it… I must leave this place at once.
"Suit yourself, Cora. Either way, I expect positive results from you."
The dark figure kneels and descends into the spring, submerging itself up to its neck… Sister Coraline turns away, unaffected by the figure's virile wiles.
"May God be with you, your holiness."
Seeing her leave awakens a cold feeling in the dark figure. In response to this, it submerges the rest of its body into the spring.
As Sister Coraline departs from the dark room through an adjacent hallway, her mind animates with uneasy thoughts.
I am more than just a daughter of God. I'm a priestess; a holy virgin. To think his holiness would behave so provocatively with me: Blasphemous!
I'm his disciple, yes, but I will not tolerate any foolishness. God's house is a house of worship, not carnal pleasure. Even when in the wilderness…
"—I will not falter. All must be cleansed, in the name of God."
It seems things will be "quiet" for a while.
But still…anything could happen, even in midst of silence.
:O:
:O: The BLOOD Saga: Night :O:
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