Another Mercenary Among Merchants

[Aveilthé]

"Oh, thought I saw da dawg 'round here yuh know? Grown
attached to it, now I'm missin' it. Thought I saw da little
rascal in dat alley down by da church," he replied, clearly
trying to outsnark December. "Ya, an'way, I gotta girl to meet
at some redneck hotel so, I see ya 'round, Dec. Ver' soon, kay?"

Fortuné did not say a word for the longest of time. Now at the
edge of the lake he stood, looking down like a child being scolded
for broken china.

"There are reasons beyond anything you can understand," he
retorted, unaware that he had just contradicted Zayn. "I've lived
in Escavas for years. Living for so long made me learn to cope.
I've managed. I know you have, too. We're vampires. We're
immortal. I am not so afraid. And seeing this place," he gestured
to the dark walls and lightly dusty furniture, "you have lived here
for quite a long time yourself, dear brother. And how ironic
to have lived in the same city and unable to find one another."
He issued the last statement with such inaudability.

[Mama Z]

'Leaving was the only thing that kept me sane, Fortune.' He let out a sigh and sat back on his bench. 'I lived in these walls, knew everything. I thought I was in love with it, thought I would die with its music and the wonder it held. I almost did too, until I left.' He reached up, gently figuring the edges of the mask that he wore. 'What life is an immortal one if we spend eternity without a mind?'

The vampire licked his dry lips and stood up, 'It's been a long time since we've last seen each other. Why dont we leave? Do the things we wanted do together when we were younger? If not that then, lets at least go say hello to Mother and Father? Its been too long sicne I've seen there graves.' THe last part was added as if it was a side note, an aside to himself, really reminding him how long it had truly been.

[Felypsa]

“Dog?” December repeated, not buying it. Taro was trying to deceive her—but why? Mercenaries, she reflected gloomily, you can’t trust their friendship, because they’ll sell out before you can say “hot job.” Silly of me to think that Taro would be any different. She sighed. “Fine, go have fun with your girl. Can’t imagine how you’ve made plans so soon…” She retreated from the alleyway, motioning to Jolene to follow. She may not have liked the urchin very much, but at least she could trust Jolene not to sell out completely like her old friend had.

As soon as December was sure she was far out of Taro’s line of hearing, she swore profusely, a colorful collection of her opinions of Taro’s manhood, his relationship with his Dog, and the lengths he would go to for a bit of money. When she was done, she took a deep breath and let out it slowly, then turned to Jolene. “There’s only one thing I can do now,” she remarked. “Sell my services for free.” She spat out the word like it was a disease. “Come along if you want, but it looks like I’m going to have to make sure that those damn vamps don’t get their just desserts. Let’s go back to the mansion, and you keep an eye out for that willy-nilly sonofabitch bloody manwhore.” Of course, she was referring to Taro.

Boiling mad at Taro for selling out and at herself for being willing to work for free, December stormed towards the old mansion. Romance was clearly the furthest thing from her mind now. She wanted those vamps out, and by heaven, they’d be out, if she had anything to do with it.

~

“It is time to for God’s hand to lift up the fallen,” Father Hyde said to Rosaline, both of whom were still in the cathedral. “Rosaline, gracious servant of Our Father, please lead us to the damned who are to be saved.”

Rosaline crossed herself, bowed to Father Hyde, and stepped out of the church, her priest not far behind her. Even if Taro was still nearby, she would not have noticed him. She was filled with a sense of purpose, a glorious mission that she must lead. Her feet took certain steps through the plagued Escavas to the place in which her lover lived, waiting for eternal salvation. She was going to get her happily ever after, if it was the last thing she did.

[Aveilthé]

Taro sniffed once as December walked away. He didn't give her
a response, because he didn't want to tell her that she was right.
Suddenly his mind once more filled with all the money he would
soon collect. Rubbing his hands greedily, he then noticed Rosaline
walking out from the church. Quietly, he pursued her, making sure
that he kept his distance all the while, but still kept her within
eye range.

For the moment, he listened to Zayn with quiet thoughts. He
never had changed.

"Brother, it is light outside, and I am cranky and exhausted.
I just... I want to stay right here." He looked down at his hands,
clasped tightly to his front. "Just go, if, however you can manage
to avoid the light. Once I rest some... I will follow behind." He
paused, falling silent, almost breathless. "Our parents' graves...
At that old cemetary? I didn't know they were burried there.
I shall meet you there at nightfall, then."

[Relairah]

Jolene glanced at December, becoming even more confused. Her
brows furrowed slightly, hands still clenched about the dagger that
she held behind her back. Her mind was working on a way to get
away from these two and to the vampires without looking
suspicious and being caught. She bit her lip, wincing slightly as she
tasted blood. 'Ow, guess I bit it too hard,' she thought to
herself. She said nothing even with her curiosity at the hell they
were talking about. Dog... whoever that was. She didn't much care,
but personally, she never had really had too much of a great liking
for dogs. Still, she didn't worry much about it. Instead, at
December's little gesture she followed her, listening to the words
she spoke.

"So, you're really going to kill the vampires?" she muttered softly,
not wanting anyone to hear her. She glared up at December with
her bright orange eyes, frowning faintly. With they way December
was talking she didn't know what to think. Sell her services for free?
Make sure the vamps didn't get their dessert? It all sounded like she
was going to put an end to them. She could be wrong, but
December was certainly not convincing her otherwise at this rate. "If
so, the only tagging along I'll be doing is helping you not kill those
damned vampires."

She sighed, stepping back slightly, still not wanting to be heard by
anyone.. especially the monster of a bastard they had just walked
away from. She hardly liked him from their first little meeting, and if
keeping an eye out for him was all December wanted from her... she
cut off the thought. She began to know what she was going to do..
or what she wanted to. "I'll keep a damn eye out for the bastard,"
she muttered under her breath to herself. 'An eye to make sure
that he doesn't team up with December and kill those two' She
turned her attention on December once again.

She moved toward the corner, peeking out. There was that girl from
before... and she noted Taro start to follow her from a distance. She
bit her lip again, tasting more blood. "Damn lip," she muttered to
herself, watching a moment. She soon noticed December storming
off in the same dirrection, toward the vampire's mansion. This didn't
look good at all. That stupid girl was leading one mercenary straight
there and December... she moved forward to December's side,
staring up at her a moment before looking ahead. "In case you're
too mad to have noticed, Taro or whatever you called him is trailing
that stupid girl from last night." She needn't say more, she knew.

Instead, she moved swiftly backwards, so that if December glanced
to her side Jolene would mysteriously not be there. She moved
around with only one thought in her young mind. She had to reach
the vampires before that stupid girl and the mercenaries did. She
had to warn them and perhaps help them. She didn't know why she
wanted to help them so much, but she didn't believe they deserved
to die. Her hands no longer held the dagger behind her back as
there was no need to and it was easier to move about with your
arms free. She still clutched the dagger in one hand and she figured
it might soon be of good use to her. Maybe it couldn't do a whole
lot, but it was of more help than her normal
daggers.

[Felypsa]

December stopped walking when Jolene spoke softly to her. The mercenary rubbed her forehead wearily. Why did she have to babysit such an urchin who was clearly missing the point? “Look, you,” she said to Jolene angrily, though she too kept her voice down, “if you actually think I’m going to kill those vamps, you’ve got your shirt in a knot. Bloody hell, why do I even bother doing good things for people?” She threw her hands in the air. “Everyone thinks mercs have hearts of stone, selling out for money. Well…we just witnessed that son of a bull and a whore sell out, but damned if I’m going to!”

She let out an exhausted sigh. “I work for money, but that’s not the only driving factor in my life. I don’t usually get involved in these things, but…” she hesitated. “I see good in people. I’m a mercenary, but not an assassin. I’m not mindless or soulless. Not completely, anyway,” she added with a harsh grin.

“So don’t you dare accuse me of going off to kill the vamps. I’m trying to help them get away from that maniacal blood-horny cur.” Oh yes, she was mad at Taro—no one duped a friend like that! “And I need you to help me because, heaven knows why, but I trust you. So don’t lecture me on something I’m not going to do.” To December’s chagrin (and, actually, some admiration), however, Jolene had all but disappeared by the time December finished speaking. Urchins, she thought, but not comtemptuously.

December sighed and moved on towards the mansion. She assumed a casual look, just a hired hand on her way to her master, so none of the Escavans would suspect. She looked just human enough that they left her alone. But some of them shunned her when a small bird came flying through the air and landing on December’s shoulder.

Though she was rejoicing inside, December merely cracked a smile. “Imi,” she greeted out of the corner of her mouth. “Nice of you to show—” But her bird was already twittering madly, and December could barely understand her. Something about Zayn and Fortuné leaving Escavas. Maybe going to their parents’ graves—wherever they were. December’s mouth set in a grim line.

This could be a good thing, she thought. If they leave in time—Taro won’t get to them, and I won’t have to confront my old partner-in-arms. But that good news was replaced by bad news, as Jolene came hurrying back, telling December that Taro was following Rosaline—oh, damn!

“Idiot,” December hissed under her breath, but whether she was referring to Rosaline or Taro wasn’t clear. Possibly both. She increased her pace, and whispered to Imi, “Get back there and warn those vamps that they’re in big trouble unless they leave right now.” Imi cheeped an affirmative reply, and swept off towards the mansion, turning into a miniature falcon for speed.

December, meanwhile, did not falter her steps, but she was walking quickly to the mansion. She could be a diversion and somehow distract Taro enough so that Zayn and Fortuné could get out of there. She had lost track of Jolene, but dismissed that; let the urchin take care of herself. Things were really heating up.

As Imi winged along, she thought she saw Jolene making the same route to the mansion. But Imi didn’t stop to chat. She flew quickly through the air, faster than any of the people trying to get to that mansion on foot. Before long she had returned to the mansion and was winding her way down to the underground chamber, hoping that Zayn and Fortuné were still there. She burst in, chirping at the top of her lungs, trying to get the two vampires’ attention. Usually only December could understand her, but Zayn probably could too, and even the foppish Fortuné could not miss the urgency in Imi’s voice. Run, flee, now—bad mercenary on his way, will kill you both—blonde girl leading him—December doing what she can—run, flee, now!

~

As Rosaline led the way, her face set in determination, Father Hyde paused briefly to glance behind him. He could not see the elusive mercenary, but he knew he was there. The priest nodded once and trailed after Rosaline, who was setting an urgent pace. She wanted her vampire to be cured as soon as possible. Father Hyde matched her pace. If both had been looking, they might have seen the street urchin, but there were many such children in Escavas. And besides, they were on the Lord’s mission: nothing could stop them.

Only once did Rosaline falter, and that was when she thought she had glimpsed that frightening lady from the night before. But the woman vanished, and Rosaline wondered if she had seen her at all. She hesitated briefly; was that woman a minion of Satan, sent to deter her from her mission? Father Hyde noticed Rosaline’s uncertainty, and reassured her with inspiring words of being God’s messenger, etc. That tided Rosaline over, and she continued the way with a sure foot. Again, Father Hyde checked to see if Taro was following them, but he could not tell…the mercenary was truly a master of his art. Father Hyde shivered, asked for forgiveness, but continued onward.

[Mama Z]

The vampire had been ready to responde, to tell of a plan he had brewing in his mind, but soon all that was forgotten as the screeching Imi came flying in. He watched her flutter about, continuing her chant. Something deep in his stomach churned and he looked towards the entrance to his room, as if seeing past all the darkness and towards the outside world. Too late, they had stayed too long. 'We need to get out of here,' He whispered, afraid his whispering may wake up the human senses as to where they were. 'They are coming for us.'

He had no idea that another mercenary was traveling with the small troupe, but he knew having Rosaline means she did not come alone. The girl had been scared witless (if that was possible with her smarts-or lack there of), coming back only meant she was brave enough to come with others. Besides, who else would travel here? It was supposed to be a haunted burnt down opera house place thing. Cheese.

[Aveilthé]

The man-giant held his breath as he stepped carefully, keeping
his pace matched with Rosaline who was about a yard away.
His mind was set, the pieces on the chessboard was ready.
His regard for the priest went unnoticed. Taro was nothing more
than a predator ready to sink its teeth into prey.

Fortuné moaned, cringing at the obnoxious sound that Imi was
making. He steadily felt his heart beating faster, like the
suspenseful drums sounding at the calm before the storm.

Once again, the hapless vampire's mind was working in two ways:
fight or flight. "Where would we go?" said he, still groused by
Imi's frantic warbling. "Surely not out in daylight, as I continuously
remind you about! What can your genius mind do about that?
Unless you have somehow developed an immunity against
daylight, vampires cannot walk about outside while there is
sunlight! Or unless if you've been stuck down here all these years
and never have been burnt by its baneful light!"

Fortuné then suddenly realized that his brother "being stuck"
might have been true, due to Zayn's eccentric and unfortunate
predicament with his face. The poor fellow had it worse than Fortuné.

[Felypsa]

December paused once, looking out at the mansion. It looked so very different in sunlight. Last night it had been intimidating, full of dark secrets and mysteries, but now it just looked…old and decrepit. Falling apart, a once-beautiful house that no one took any notice of now. Well, no one but those out to get the vampires inside. Reminded of her mission, December shook her head and headed towards the entrance. She stayed close to the shadows, glancing behind her frequently, hoping she didn’t see Rosaline.

Every mercenary knew how to hide in plain sight. They may not be as skilled at it as assassins, but that was like comparing a chameleon to something truly invisible. No one would notice December. Unless Taro…but no, he was far enough behind. Beside, he didn’t know she was involved in this, so he wouldn’t be looking for her.

Stealthily, December finally entered the mansion. But now that she was in, she wasn’t sure what to do. Should she go find the vampires, assuming they hadn’t left yet? Should she station herself at the entrance and try to prevent Rosaline from coming in? But no—once Taro saw the mansion, he would sneak in some other way. December would be wasting her time over Rosaline. Find the vampires, if they are still here. Suddenly December was struck by a horrible realization, a vitally important detail she had forgotten: vampires could not walk out into the sunlight.

December stood still for a moment, silently berating herself. How could she have forgotten? What a fool she was! But she did not wallow in regret for long; she took action immediately, whistling sharply. If Imi was anywhere within hearing distance, the bird would find her. In the meantime, December headed for the stairwell where she had last seen Fortuné. She hurried up the stairs and scoured the rooms. But to her disappointment and frustration, she could not find them.

I’m wasting time! she thought. I have to find them before the others do!

Imi did not hear her friend’s urgent call. Instead, the bird lingered, trying to learn what Zayn and Fortuné would do, for Fortuné had certainly raised an important point. Imi flapped her wings and tweeted urgently, encouraging them to think of a solution soon.

~

Rosaline had to stop for a minute for rest, for the winter sun was bright and burning, and she was tired. “We are almost there,” she said, reassuring both Father Hyde and herself. Finally, she picked herself up again at her priest’s urges, and continued walking.

She stopped as soon as the mansion came into sight. “That’s the place,” she said quietly, pointing. “That is where they hide, awaiting salvation. That is their hell. But we will give them heaven.” She smiled at Father Hyde, a smile full of conviction. The priest winced to see how deluded the girl was, but nodded in return. After a moment, Rosaline continued walking towards the mansion. She also noticed what December did: in the sunlight, it was not nearly as scary. But where December saw something old that had once been attractive, Rosaline saw a worn-out demon ready to take the path of righteousness and finally be saved.

[Mama Z]

'I realize that,' He commented wryly, come now he wasnt that stupid. 'There are still many well hidden places within these grounds.' He moved towards a curtain type object and moved it just slightly, revealing a broken down door. 'We can hide away from them and the world.'

[/color][/size]

[Relairah]

Jolene had heard December's words before, about how she wasn't
an assassin and she didn't just have a heart of stone. Jolene
understood this, and hadn't expected December to be so anyhow.
After all... the other was half-seraph. She had heard that some
seraphs had begun to take a rather evil side, in fact she believed
that demons themselves were fallen seraphs... and yet she had
seen the good in December's heart and knew better than to believe
December would ever be such scum as to sell out for money.

Yet, she hadn't really meant what she'd said in that way. In fact,
she was simply questioning as that had been what it had appeared.
Still... she reminded herself that appearances were sometimes
deceiving. She had disappeared about when she was talking about
trusting her, a smile having worked its way onto her lips at such
words. So... it wasn't hopeless for her afterall. Someone did trust
her. But, she kept her mind on her objective, which apparently was
the same as December's, silly of her to think it wasn't.

She had arrived at the old mansion a little while before December,
not really paying attention to its difference in the light. She didn't
really care. To her, it was all the same... an old, pretty much dead
building where two vampires were hiding out. She hadn't hesitated,
but had instantly gone in, searching for the vampires. She had
hardly any idea of where to even start looking, however...
something happened. She stopped a moment, mostly because she
was trying to decide where to go to look but also she wanted to
catch her breath a bit. She figured December would be there soon...
she wasn't that far behind her, but she didn't worry about it. She
was becoming intrigued with something. She could hear the sound
of voices... faint, but seemingly above her. And... she was beginning
to realize that she could smell faint scents that she hadn't noticed
before, and they were growing ever stronger with each moment.
Scents of different things that had been and were in the mansion.

She looked up. It was more evident. She could definitely hear voices
above her. She hurriedly scrambled up the stairway, pausing a
moment to listen and then moving forward once more, listening as
she now could hear the voices louder and louder, until she was sure
that she was standing right in front of the two vampires. She moved
into the room in which they had only just before been playing music.
She stopped, speechless, unsure of what to say or do next. So
she'd been right. 'Weird...' she thought to herself. She hadn't
noticed before when Imi had passed her on her way to the mansion,
but she now saw the bird. Perhaps the bird had already told them
about the urgency to leave. And yet... she had come in right when
Zayn was pointing out that someone had a good point and was now
revealing the broken down door.

"Wait! Uhm," she paused a moment, then pulled herself together.
She had to tell them what she wanted to. "Are you sure you can
evade them in this mansion entirely? And... do you want to know
who exactly is after you? Well, if you do or don't I'm going to tell you
anyway." She paused, turning toward Fortuné. "Rosaline is coming
this way with some priest and is stupidly bringing a mercenary with
her. It's not December. It's some big guy who is someone from
December's past... I think... and he's following her from a distance.
Please tell me you're not in love with her anymore. She'll lead you
straight to your death." She paused once again, glancing at Zayn,
"December's almost here... unless she's here already. She wasn't
far behind me."

She hoped that she hadn't made a mistake, but she thought it was
all she could do. She turned, her ears twitching as she heard
something moving toward them. She could hear footsteps. 'That
better be December... if its not...' but she didn't finish her
thought. Instead, she began to move back toward the entrance to
the room. "I'll be right back. Don't wait for me." With that, she
slipped out of the room, moving back toward the stairs. She saw
December almost immediately after leaving the room where Zayn
and Fortuné were... or had been... and a look of relief covered her
face at the sight of the mercenary. "December, come on, follow me,
quick." She didn't give the other time to respond, only grabbed her
hand and began to swiftly move again. "I think they want to hide
somewhere in the house," she said, half to herself and half to
December.

It wasn't long before she'd lead December to where Zayn and
Fortuné were, along with Imi and she entered. She wasn't sure if
this was right, but at least she could help them whether they
escaped or hid. If they decided to hide... she was silently forming a
plan of how to distract whoever came after
them...

[Aveilthé]

For the first time, the man-giant's gaze fell upon the massive estate.
It was a kind of a public house of sorts, but it was hard to tell;
it was destroyed by perhaps flame and in some cases the windows
were boarded up, yet there were holes in them to suggest past
robbery. Taro didn't understand how someone would attempt
to rob a deserted place. Or was it?

It looked much like a haunted house than anything to Taro.
He remembered childhood stories of hauntings. The thought of
being a part of something scary actually lightened his mood
tenfold, for he was not your usual 'scared-of-anything-unusual'
sort of guy.

Grinning darkly, he attempted to slide behind a rather thick black
lamp-post so that he may go unnoticed. He understood that this
was Rosaline's destination. Quietly, he would wait until she
and Father Hyde were inside of the house before pursuing them.

The vampire whipped around as the young street-urchin entered
the scene, almost just like Imi had done. Immediately, Fortuné
felt his jaw lock but his heart had oddly calmed, almost unhumanly.

Though he felt his blood run cold at that moment, he attempted
to calm himself; for at that second he didn't feel like himself.
First of all, it was late into the morning; he was cranky and wanted
his beauty sleep. Secondly, as he possessed no feelings whatso-
ever toward the street-urchin, she was in danger around him,
especially Zayn, but was safe enough due to her condition
that he did not understand. Because of this, Fortuné couldn't touch
her. Her blood was also not full human. He could sense this, the
same as he first sensed December's blood containing something
other than human.

When he wanted to speak, she had left as quickly as she had come.

"This has all turned too topsy-turvy for me," Fortuné rumbled,
folding his arms and striding after his brother. He took one look
back, as if expecting someone else to pop in. Letting his gaze
fall once at his brother's violin left by the lake, he turned to face
the front again and was preparing to follow Zayn into darkness,
albeit reluctantly.

He thought about Imi and privately thought to himself to thank the
bird later, perhaps. He didn't feel all too happy to be leaving
the silent domain, for reasons known to himself at the moment,
but for Imi's efforts perhaps it was best he should be glad.

[Felypsa]

December had sat down on a very dusty but fancy chair, trying to gather her bearings. Where would they be? she wondered. Unfortunately, she didn’t know this mansion very well, and she hated the thought of scouring it up and down looking for two elusive vampires. How Imi finds them so easily, I’ll never understand…hopefully they were able to get her warning, at least. Sighing, she got up, resigning herself to going down to the ground floor again. Maybe she’d have a chance to intercept Taro down there…

Just when she was about to go down, Jolene appeared. Before December could demand what she’d been up to, the urchin grabbed her hand and began leading her through the mansion, claiming to know where the vamps were. She’s either drunk or crazy. How could she know…? But December didn’t voice aloud her doubt, though she did snatch back her hand instantly, choosing to follow Jolene in a more sophisticated, independent fashion.

They went underground. Figures, the half-seraph thought. What better place for a vampire than below ground? But then she chided herself for being unfair. Opening her heart to be on the side of creatures of the dark rather than a fellow mercenary was hard. She wasn’t used to such nonsensical compassion. Am I here to prevent a murder, she wondered, or am I simply causing many more of my own? Keeping vampires alive was dangerous…but she couldn’t have doubts now.

When Jolene and December came to the room with the organ (December wished she could have stopped and admired the beautiful, if ancient, instrument, but there wasn’t time), the vampires were just vanishing into the secret hideaway Zayn had known of. December almost called out to them, but checked herself in time. She bent down near the opening, whisper-shouting through the curtain.

“That blonde fool is coming, and she’s bring the bastard sell-out of a merc, an old colleague of mine. He’s a bloodhorny beast who loves only two things: fighting and money. When he gets both, he goes practically berserk, but in a cold, calculated kind of way. I’ll be here to make sure he doesn’t find you and get you, because if he does, he will destroy you. He—”

She was cut off by her own companion, Imi, who as a snowy owl hooted so suddenly and seriously that December fell silent. In the silence of the room, December could very faintly hear the sounds of people upstairs. “What are they saying?” she asked Imi. The owl listened and hooted softly back to December. But she had heard it too.

“Fortuné! Fortuné! My love, I have come to save you at last! Fortuné, come to me, please!”

Rosaline was not being fake; she was earnestly calling her lover with a passion and desperation that was so raw and real. And disgusting. She had just entered the mansion, crying out to the seemingly empty house in hopes that Fortuné would hear and come to her. Behind her, ever silent and steady, was the priest who was to perform the “exorcism.”

“Fortuné! Please, if you do not come, the devil will get you, and all will be lost! We can never be together unless you come! Oh, Fortuné, Fortuné!”

She wandered through the mansion, repeating her mansion, crying at the top of her lungs, while Father Hyde glanced around anxiously. The mercenary was loose in here, somewhere…and the end was almot upon them. He could feel it.

[Aveilthé]

Taro slipped inside of the great opera house, still in close pursuit
of the stoic Father Hyde and the dimwitted blondie Rosaline. A
broad grin spread across his face, his eyes furrowing (he didn't
have any eyebrows; he's completely hairless); oh he couldn't wait
to have his double-ended katana, Bloodfang, taste the vampire's
warm, crimson liquids.

In the dark of the house, he crept as quietly as a human giant
could as he followed Father Hyde. He skidded to a halt however
when Rosaline had yelled her little heart out to the hapless Fortuné.

'Thas' right, draw 'im in her', yew stupid little girl...'

As silent as a bat, Taro leapt into the air and grabbed onto
a broken rafter, and perched himself on the wooden beams. He
would stay like this unless Father Hyde and Rosaline dissapeared
elsewhere.

December then made her entrance into the dimly lit lair. Fortuné
turned around from the dark room, his face at first gloomy
then impassive, though surely December would not able to see,
because of the curtain dividing them.

"Oh, you're here," said he softly, his green eyes hard and
penetrating. He listened quietly, his expression unchanging.
"It's a mystery to me why you would come back to tell us this.
I thought you had left for good." A paused. "I'd ask why,"
he finished, speaking in a loud whisper back through the curtain.
His voice could not be heard anymore - he had finished speaking.
Suddenly,

"Fortuné!"

Scratching his head, Fortuné halted in his tracks before leaving
the curtain's entrance-way. "Did someone call my name?" he
inquired out loud, his voice obviously portraying confusion. He
turned swiftly and walked forward a few times.

"Fortuné! Fortuné! My love, I have come to save you at last!
Fortuné, come to me, please!"

Fortuné's heart skipped a couple of beats. "Oh, no, it's her," he
moaned softly. "I told her to never come here. Why, why did
she come..."

For a while he stood there, unsure of what to do. "I've got to do
this." Having his mind made up, he rushed through the curtain
quickly, trying his best to avoid December's gaze. For a split
second, he looked around the lair, attempting to find the best route
back to the top. To cross the lake, or through a small doorway...
so many choices! Figuring it best not to swim in a lake undoubtedly
full of dead bodies (knowing his brother, anyway),Fortuné
moseyed over to a small doorway.

"December," he called softly, "I... err... well... Thank you. I didn't
mean to sound churlish back behind that curtain. I appreciate
your warning, but... I have to confront her. Regardless of what
awaits me, I have to tell her..." He paused, his mouth hanging
open, then closed it again, then leapt inside the thin door and
out of sight.

[Felypsa]

December ignored Fortuné’s sharp remarks, though at any other time she might have gotten hurt and possibly angry. Now, though, she was too wound up and tense to bother. Rosaline’s calls were getting on her nerves, and she just wanted to go up there and behead the stupid girl once and for all. But Taro was up there. And the vampires were down here. Everything was under control…so far.

But then Fortuné had to be a complete dolt and actually emerge from his safe hiding place. Before December could do something drastic to stop him, he was already going up the stairs to confront his enemy. “Of all the stupid things to do!” she growled angrily. “Fortuné, get back here, or I’ll kill you myself!” This threat, however, failed, and December found herself in a very unpleasant situation.

“Bloody hell,” she muttered, running up the stairs after the stupid vampire. “Why me?”

Rosaline heard the approach of Fortuné before she saw him. Excited, she hurried towards the sound, unaware of the waiting mercenary above. Father Hyde, in the meantime, had begun placing candles and incense-holders all around the room. In preparation for the “ceremony.” He nervously struck a match and lit the candles and incense. Within a few minutes, the room would be filled with smoke and sleepy incense, making it hard to see or stay awake. The fumes had already begun to fill the room, but Father Hyde had smelling salts to keep himself awake.

If and when Fortuné reached her, Rosaline would throw herself at him, showering him with kisses if he let her. “Almost time, my sweet,” she cried happily. “Then we can be together, and you can be saved!”