A Mercenary Among Merchants

[Felypsa]

Rosaline could not take her eyes off of the marvelous gentleman before her. The words he spoke to her stirred her heart, and she felt nothing but pure joy. Passion filled her being, as she clasped his hands like a lover would. So emotional was she that she completely disregarded his warning that she was in danger around him. Yes, she was in danger: in danger of falling so absolutely in love that she could not bear to think of living without him. She wanted only to love him, and to be loved by him. Her dream was solidifying into reality, and she was up to her eyes in sheer bliss. “Tell me that you speak the truth,” she whispered, moving closer to him, eyes shining. “And I will be with you, I will be yours, always and forever.” She thought she heard lovely organ music from below, fitting the beautiful, perfect moment.



As December continued to run towards the lovers, Imi the owl sped up and hurtled towards them. December was not offended; she could see that Imi would get to Fortuné and the girl first. The mercenary checked behind her, and to her dismay saw that the authorities were gaining on her. She quickened her pace, and bolted after Imi with nonhuman speed. She left the authorities behind quickly enough.

She was still far behind Imi, though. The mockingbird-as-owl had caught up to the “lovers” and at the moment that Rosaline’s words of loyalty and love left her lips, Imi let out an earsplitting screech and raked her talons across the top of Fortuné’s head. Regardless of whether her talons struck true, she effectively disrupted the romantic moment. Rosaline screamed femininely.

December heard Imi’s screech and Rose’s shriek from far off, but she still had yet to catch up. This was good for Fortuné, for as soon as December had caught up with him, it would all be over. If he could fight off Imi, he still had a chance to escape. As December ran, she thought she heard organ music distantly, coming from the underground. She shook her head to clear it from distractions. She had to get there, she had to stop Fortuné from making his fatal kiss.

[Mama Z]

Fingers ceased to move as the sudden scream of a girl and a bird echoed throughout
the dark halls. Swiftly the figured moved from his perch, blowing out the candle that had
been used for his light through the adandoned place. Knowing the secrets of burnt down opera hall, he moved without faltering. He knew which exits were no longer there, and which were still and it didnt take him long to finally feel the cold night air on the skin of his face.

The gentlemens cape he wore fluttered noiselessly behind him as he quickly made his way over in the general direction of the couple and intruder. He saw them in the distance, both just shadows twined together and an owl fluttering about them in a disruptive manner. Zayn ducked behind a tree, silently pressing against it. He waited patiently, watching the scene much like a scene from his own beloved crispy home. Was it the bird that had startled her or something else?

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[Relairah]

The soft sound of feet hitting the earth could be heard right
behind December. Jolene had been following steadily ever since
December had left the old house in search of the vampire,
Fortuné. She had followed silently to a point, watching all that
had unfolded. Right now, she didn't much care if anyone else saw
her, or knew of her existence. She was quite curious, wondering
how all of this would turn out in the end, and besides, December
should've known she'd be tagging along anyhow. She had seen
the rather odd events back at the Pub, and had been quite
amazed at Fortuné's abilities with a violin...

She now quickened her pace, running easily just behind
December. She didn't care about the officials drawing nearer.
Even if one of them recognized her as one of the many thieves
from the market, they couldn't catch her... She was sure she
could get out of whatever situation she got herself into. She
understood what was going on only slightly. She had no idea of
anything of Fortuné's intentions. But, judging by the way he had
so hurredly ran away with the girl he had recently become
acquainted with, and with the way December was in such a rush
to reach them, she easily guessed this was nothing good... She
had no notions to ask about anything either. She had more fun
simply finding things out for herself. Raising her arm to wipe a bit
of sweat off of her forehead, she wiped her hand on her nearly
knee-length tan skirt.

[Aveilthé]

Brilliant emerald eyes flashed like soft candlelight in the darkness.
Lips were parted slightly as he leaned forward. All thoughts
were consumed by the presence of this young woman alone.
He wanted nothing more. Holding her shoulders like a hawk
clinging to its prey, Fortuné almost touched her lips.

It was then that a distant noise caught his attention. He whipped
his head around, still holding the young lady. Just then, something
sharp like talons grazed his scalp, causing him to cringe away
from whatever got to him. Feeling somewhat dazed and
confused, as if one waking up from a deep sleep, he saw
December then running at an impalpable speed. "Ne... uhh..." he
gibbered, his mouth gaping open awkwardly. It was then in the
thickest part of his brain that he remembered hearing the young
girl in his wake scream - that was what perhaps incited him to
gain moral consciousness, not to mention the phenomenal
cut on his head that abetted his rousing. He lifted up his hand
and felt two deep cuts there. When he lowered his hands to eye
level, he noticed dark crimson blood that was his own.

Suddenly everything seem to speed forward. December was
catching up to him - and he can't let her do that.

"We must leave, now," he growled darkly, taking Rosaline's hand
once more, though of course if she was willing to go with him.
With a few seconds to think, he swept his head
around and noticed a yard or so away from where they stood,
an elevating, though once perhaps a luxurious-looking estate of
some sort. Without really granting perception to the charred
place, the vampire boisterously fled with the girl and dashed
inside the place to hide. Which was, indeed, a bad idea.
Fortuné was not always the brightest candle in the lantern.

[Felypsa]

A most romantic moment, ruined! Rosaline decided she hated birds. The owl that scraped Fortuné hooted at her, startling a scream from her. She turned to her savior, and found to her shock that he was bleeding—the thick, dark blood seeped from the cuts on his head. Horrified, Rose froze, but willingly went along with him when he tugged her head. She didn’t even pay attention to where they were going…she just wanted out of the place. Away from that crazy bird. Rosaline let herself be pulled along by Fortuné, a lifeless doll.



December nearly cried out out of sheer frustration as Fortuné avoided her yet again. The more he evaded her, the angrier she became. She watched with great satisfaction as Imi drew blood from Fortuné’s head; it was almost as good as if she had done it herself. She was unaware that Jolene had followed her this far, and hardly cared. She had nearly caught up with the “lovers” when they disappeared into the large, abandoned estate before them.

Imi had opted to stay with December, for if she had followed them, she would have gotten lost and that would have accomplished nothing. The mercenary understood. She nodded to her mockingbird, saying “Thanks, Imi. That was good. But now we’ve got to dive into this place…” She motioned to the old, eerie-looking estate, and grimaced. “Not my first choice. I wish I had some light.” Still, she was undaunted, and entered the great house, the softly-glowing Seraphim being her only shield from total darkness, but not enough to light the way.

“I’m gonna need your night vision more than ever, Imi,” December said softly to her companion. “I don’t like the look of this place; who knows what’s lurking in every shadow.” Imi hooted softly and turned into a small bat, pinging her way around the house. December shook her head; they couldn’t have gotten very far. Unless Fortuné can somehow see in the dark, they’re just as badly off as we are. What an idiot. When I get my hands on him…December didn’t finish the thought. But obviously, whatever happened, Fortuné would not like it.

The half-seraph, with her bat friend, continued to explore the expansive house, the floorboards creeking ominously beneath her feet. For some reason, December remembered the organ music she’d heard earlier, and wondered irrationally if it had come from this place. But she shook her head to clear it from such ridiculous thoughts; who would be playing the organ at this time of night, in this old place?

[Mama Z]

Standing pressed against a tree, he watched as one form after another moved past. Eyes blinked slowly and a curious frown came to his face as the drew near and disappeared one by one into his home. What were these four up to? He noted that three were women, one man. Prehaps, a kidnapping? No, there would have been a struggle already between said man and one woman. Like a shadow at dusk, he melted from his spot against the tree, and with swift hace made it towards his beloved Opera House.

With ease he slipped into the entrance in which he had slunk from. Stopping inside briefly before taking a left, and heading up a flight of steel stairs. Pushing open what appeared to be a piece of the wall, he headed down a hall way. The ceiling in some parts had fallen down and in others puddles of waters danced across the floor. He paid no heed to either of these. He had to get those who entered out. This was his sanctuary not theres. They had no reason to hide within these walls. After a moment or two of running, he came to a ladder, just to the right. Swiftyly he climbed up it, and pushed open a trap door. He was now in the parlor underneath the stage. Surprisingly he was able to stand up fully without having to hit his head on the underside of the stage.

Here he would wait, his breathing slightly quick from the maneuvering but he had to wait and see where they were at. Most likely, if his calculations proved correct, they would end up here, if not, it wouldnt take him long to seek them out.

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[Aveilthé]

Almost complete darkness enveloped the two as Fortuné took
Rosaline into the unknown. The vampire never really knew of this
place; he completely disregarded it. For what was so important
about a burned estate? At least it wasn't burned to the ground.
It would make for a good hiding place, and would seem the
least likely ground for December to discover the refuge of him
and the girl. Poor Fortuné was fooled.

Within these charred walls, the unfathomable individual
prowled unnoticed; and indeed, with Fortuné's curious sixth
sense, he could not designate any presence other than himself
and Rosaline. He was scared out of his wits to be found.

The vampire slowed to a halt, holding the girl's hand delicately.
He would try pulling her close to him, though gently, of course.
All that could be heard from him was inadequate breathing.
After a few moments, Fortuné's brilliant green eyes focused
on his surroundings. With what little light that permeated
through the toasted walls, the vampire can see his surroundings
almost as clear as daylight. Indeed, he could see in the dark -
better than what any normal human being could see. With that,
Fortuné led Rosaline down a long, dark corridor.

[Felypsa]

Rosaline was too frightened to say a word. She had always shunned this dark, burned estate. She knew of rumors that circulated…rumors that this old house was haunted by unearthly spirits. Rosaline, who was truly Escavan in that she disliked anything unnatural, shuddered fearfully at the mere thought of something out of the ordinary. Yet she was so hopelessly and foolishly in love with this gentleman, whose name she did not even know, that she trusted him completely. She placed her life in his hands. His filthy, bloody hands. If only she knew…struck silent by fear, she allowed him to take her along, too preoccupied with her surroundings to notice that Fortuné walked through complete darkness unhaltingly.



With each passing second, December’s patience got shorter and shorter. It was all she could do to keep from slashing mindlessly through the walls to find Fortuné and his captured victim. She stopped for a few moments to regain her calm, meditating silently in the way that her father had once taught her. Only once she was cool and collected again did she continue her search through the eerie place.

She couldn’t shake the feeling that something dark was here, a creature of the night apart from Fortuné. Somewhere, she suspected, Jolene was following, but December didn’t spare any energy worrying for the girl. So there was someone else here…the only question was, was it sinister or a friend?

Led only by the wavering blue-white light of her sword and the echolocation of her bat companion, December hesitantly made her way through the old charred house. She swept away the cobwebs that must have been accumulating there for decades. Once she accidentally bumped into the wall, sending a giant portrait crashing down on the floor. December was unhurt, but she winced at the sound. If Fortuné was anywhere near, he would know where she was. Not to mention the nameless entity…

December was standing before a door that was locked, but the lock was so burnt and rusted that it fell away at her touch. She peered into the room as Imi winged her way into it. A few pings let her know that Fortuné was not in here. Yet December was strangely attracted to it…as if, somehow, this was the right way to go. She hesitated. After a moment of deliberation, she followed her intuition and went in. Who knew what she would find? The room was deserted, but there was perhaps more to it than met the eye…a way that led to the other entity’s residence, maybe?

[Mama Z]

At first, he had thought they had left. It was indeed dark and the place did give off a feeling of ghosts. But he had heard something massive fall, its sound echoing heavily through the burnt halls. He flenched slightly, if that was the picture he was thinking of there would be indeed hell to pay. Molding himself out of the shadows, he had to pause briefly as he saw somethign move by his line of sight.

His face remained passive, if not a little irked looking. He jumped over a timber piece, then ducked under another one. He couldn't let either party find his music room. Only three had seen it and now they were long gone, no other could see it. He couldnt be caught. He headed out the main hall and turned to peer at the maiden from behind, clear eyes narrowing dangerously.

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[Aveilthé]

Fortuné slowed once more, rather tired now. Day was
approaching. Even vampires had to sleep, and of course,
he did not fare too well with daylight. And seeing as there
were many large holes in the ceiling, sunlight would cast
down perfectly and torment his being unless he didn't find
a darkened shelter.

He turned to Rosaline, where only soft moonlight would cascade
over the pair. Taking her hands, he would look down upon her
with intense green eyes. He mumbled, "Forgive me... I truly hope
that you are not afraid. I fled, away from them... her...
There is... something about you that I am rather intrigued by.
You do not know much about me, and quite frankly I know
nothing about you..."

Suddenly, a crashing noise reverberated throughout the entire
hollow corridor. Fortuné held Rosaline close, as if shielding her
from whatever force caused it - it wasn't too far away.
"That would be her... why did she follow us... Can't she leave me
alone? It's none of her business what I do at night, she's not
my mother." He pretty much said this beneath his breath, as to
not let the girl hear him.

At that moment, Fortuné's eyes seem to light up again.
"December isn't the only creature lurking in the darkness...
I sense another unearthly presence here." He then faced
Rosaline. "All I ask is for you to hide somewhere... it isn't safe
with you about in the midst of these beings. I will explain
everything later..."

With that, Fortuné dissapeared into darkness, obviously in
the direction where the noise had been.

[Felypsa]

At last they stopped in their mad run. Rosaline held his hands and stared into his eyes, entranced by his face lit by the gentle moonlight cascading through the gaping holes in the ceiling. But he began to ramble on about her, and the tone of his voice more than anything else made her frightened. She squeezed his hands and whispered, “Don’t…we will learn about one another fast enough. I feel like I do know about you already. How in one night have we come so far? We’ll escape this, and we’ll become free…” But then he parted from her, warning her to hide. Rose was devastated, but before she could protest she was all alone with nothing but the moonlight. Frightened, she crouched hurried to the end of the hallway, where she found a set of stairs. Cobwebs were everywhere, but she grimaced and avoided them, crouching beneath the staircase. She prayed that Fortuné would come back for her soon…and end this nightmare to start the dream.



December let out a deep sigh. The noise of the crashing portrait was causing more mischief than she could have imagined. Already, when she entered the room, she sensed the presence of the nameless entity that lived here. Not to mention the fact that Imi was pinging wildly at her in bat form. Clearly, her winged friend also knew that they were not alone. December already had Seraphim drawn, but now she held it threateningly and turned around to show whoever-it-was the gleaming light of the dangerous weapon. “I know you’re there,” she said aloud, her violet eyes flashing. “There is no need to hide. Come out, come out. I mean you no harm if you mean me none.” She kept her sword angled just in case she was attacked suddenly. Imi swooped back and forth, using her echolocation to try to find the source of the disturbance. Neither of them knew that they were about to be joined by a third guest: Fortuné was coming too. December swung Seraphim in a delicate arc and the angelic blade sang as it whipped through the air. December spoke again. “Come out. Why skulk in the shadows? I am here, you are here…let me get a good look at you.”

[Mama Z]

'And what is there to see but the night, unless you can see through the darkness that shadows this place?'

The voice itself was a tuned tenor, easily breaking the heavy silence that had befell on the small room. But instead of coming in the direction in which December was facing, it seemed to come from behind her. He hadn't moved, but instead was gifted with another talent that had so easily tricked many. Ventrilaquism was an art that had been taught to him at a young age. He waited again, watching the sword move in a graceful arc. Zayn was reminded of a dancer almost, her poise was perfect for it at least.

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[Aveilthé]

OOC: Ooh, lookit what I found. A picture of Fortuné. Actually this picture's Lestat from some other version of... Lestat. Yeah. Foxie saw it too, and we thought it TOTALLY matched with the description of Fortuné just because of the HAIR, man. And the burliness and the WHITE POOFY SHIRT that I just love (more like obsess over, ask Hikaru). And the insecurity as portrayed in this picture. He looks scared out of his wits kinda, just like the situation in the following post below. Pictures will be switched off, because there's another one that just rockes my socks.

Edit: Tom Cruise... Interview with a Vampire. Huzzah! Thanks Zizzie.

The vampire swept swiftly through the corridor, his boots almost
not even touching the floor. Indeed he was fast, and being
a vampire, he was a creature of the dark and supernatural.

He found himself not too far from where December was
standing - and indeed, her voice was a bit loud, and forcibly
commanding. Not soon after did she speak, did another voice
call out, much more louder than December's:

'And what is there to see but the night, unless you can see
through the darkness that shadows this place?'

With that said, Fortuné skidded silently to a halt, his eyes wide
with fear. That voice, he thought, his eyes adjusting to
the darkness all around him. Hardly any light permeated through
the charred ceilings.

At this point, Fortuné felt downright disoriented. He did not
expect this. He staggered backward noisily, paralyzed with all
that he was hearing and seeing in the dark.

[Mama Z]

(Thats Tom Cruise in Interview with a Vampire..)

[Aveilthé]

OOC: Oooh... Tom Cruise...