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Post by Christopher Saunders on Jul 17, 2010 20:36:38 GMT -8
“You’re behaving like a prat.” Serena sighed, but managed a devilish smile at his look.
“How do I fix this condition?” He flashed a fanged smile.
“Mmm…” Serena trailed off.
No less then five minutes after Selena had lead Christopher off like a puppy on an invisible leash toward the library, a deafening explosion collapsed to western wing spire in a massive eruption of heat and flames. Screams rang out, and Christopher immediately leapt away from Selena, (they still hadn’t quite reached the library), and bolted right down a hall… to look over a pile of crushed home. The black smoke was already curling up from the wreck.
“Sir!” A Guard jerked him back from the edge.
"Who was in that side of the house?" Chris demanded, voice laced with power and authority. The Guard began to shake his head, and reached out as the Lord peered out once more.
"Some servants." The Guard said reluctantly, then recoiled, at the Boy Lord's grimace.
"Are there any chances that there are survivors?"
"None, it appeared the point of origin was the ground floor."
He ran his tongue over suddenly dry lips. "Who's been here?"
"I don't-"
"Then get me somebody who does." Chris snarled.
An attempt at him, had killed easily... what? Ten, twenty servants? Guilt nawed at his resolve. Who ever had planted it was not going to toy with him, in his home, with his servants, this easily. That cold revenge that had taken over him was suddenly back, and changing him into an even more ruthless leader then his Father had been.
Another Guard approached him. No, not a Guard, a frazzled, terrified looking redhead. Serena. "You wanted to know who'd been to the Citadel today?" A nod for reply came, but nothing more. His green gaze was withered, aging years before her eyes. "Two people actually checked in at the gates. Azura Gallu, and that Hunter..." Glancing at the clip board, she read the name quickly. "Anshel."
“I know you have contact information, give it to me immediately.” Chrisopher said, turning to face her at the unnatural vampiric speed. Had the Gallu done it? Somehow he seemed to be the type to enjoy power, and throwing it around. Or the least likely. Anshel. His Father had considered him a friend, Chris himself considered a friend even after the first meeting in years. What if he had decided that it might be easier to deal with one less Vampire Clan? That certainly was possible for a Hunter. Anything seemed likely: no name had been listed, only the phrase 'accomplice' had been used.
Serena tapped his shoulder, then took his phone from his grasp before he could snap it in two. It was rare for him to get this upset, but it was indeed dangerous. Frenzy was dangerous. It was something she'd only seen happen... once, and that was about twenty years ago. That was one thing nobody besides Chris, She, and his parents had known, or still knew, he had the ability to use. "And please calm down." She added in the most soothing voice she could manage.
“Anshel.” He said into the phone, voice tensed. It had been several minutes since the blast. “The bounty on my head has just been confirmed.” Time to drag them back to find out.
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Post by Doctor on Jul 17, 2010 21:04:51 GMT -8
Anshel was just about to call Melora, grateful for the fact Council members were given the freedom to withhold their caller identification, when he was startled by the roar of an explosion catching up with their vehicle. The boom was swiftly followed by a tremor that ran through the roadway, flowing through the metal frame of the town car, causing their cabin to shake fiercely. His phone tumbled out of his hand as he was thrown forward by the force.
Stable now, Anshel's heart had plummeted down and was throbbing wildly in his stomach. That was undoubtedly an explosion. A large one. And there was only one landmark behind them.
He couldn't remember the last time he was so relieved to hear pop-synth blaring from his phone. Somehow, the damn thing found it's way into his hand and proof of Christopher's survival greeted him on the other end.
"I'm turning back. Keep your guards close."
With the phone cradled to his ear, Anshel leaned past Azura to smack his hand against the partition. "Turn us around, now!"
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Post by AzuraGallu on Jul 18, 2010 22:05:12 GMT -8
Azura got off the floor board and sat in his seat, eyes narrowed at Anshel. "The explosion was at the citadel?" He winced, hearing the distinct screech of metal upon metal as what must have been part of the spire twisted and fell, buttresses useless against the force of that explosive impact.
His guards were still there preparing to leave, the though causing their King to sit on the edge of his seat in worry. Granted, they were only four in number, but they were still important to him, as was each and every clan member.
Nervously, he snapped his fingers, producing a small flicker of flame between them, sparks flying and dying on his suit pants. His eyes shifted out the windows to where they'd come from. He hoped it wasn't as bad as it sounded, but got the sinking feeling that it was worse.
Upon their arrival back at the Citadel, Azura pushed open the car door and hurried outside, nearly tripping over himself in haste. To his relief, his guards found him immediately. Apparently they'd been waiting for his arrival back. They knew him far to well.
After several assurances that they were all ok Azura's leader-like nature kicked in and he stepped into the building without a moment's hesitation, much to his guards' dismay.
"Let's go, Anshel!"
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Post by Christopher Saunders on Jul 18, 2010 22:22:55 GMT -8
“Calm down.” Serena hissed. “Or I’ll be forced to make you wilt.”
“Don’t tell me to calm down.” He snarled back. “I need my fire manipulators outside now.” Chris was passing out orders even as he was descending the stairs, and briefly he moved to walk on the ceiling when a group of Guards shot past. “The fire users need to dim the flames, and absorb as much of the heat as possible before the remaining structure catches alight. And if you might, get some water manipulators. I can’t think of any, but they’d be helpful to drench the embers to keep it from relighting.” This barking of orders was the only was he was keeping himself sane. Frenzy would be the worse possible thing now.
Surprisingly, and contrary to appearance, Serena could move quite quickly in heels, as she demonstrated when zipping off. She blew by Azura, ignoring the one she disliked tremendously.
Chris exited the hall, and turned to the sight of Anshel and Azura. “I need to speak with both of you immediately, and this is urgent.” The energy alone, the coiled spring of Frenzying power, was begging to break loose. It was nearly over-bearing practically crashing around him in waves. Taking a stance in front of them, he rather closely resembled his Father. “What time did both of you arrive?” He started, not waiting for them to begin. They were his only suspects for the moment.
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Post by Doctor on Jul 18, 2010 22:38:54 GMT -8
Anshel dodged the Moroi storming through the halls, taking positions, organizing themselves into a force of order. The tower of smoke reached high from what remained of that wing of the Citadel. The smell and heat were engulfing.
Christopher dictated with clear demands and firm voice, Anshel observed. He did remind him of Steven, but Steven never did look this harrowing. The old Lord had a temper when the situation called for it, yes, but there was something that hung in Christopher's air that made him want to keep a good distance between them. They'd been apart for decades and Anshel didn't expect to truly know him anymore, but there was no sign of that carefree boy now. He never thought a time would come when he would have to size the boy up, but here they were and Anshel was keeping vigilant for threatening signs.
Pulling his phone from his pocket again, Anshel checked the time - a watch would have clashed with the lines of his structured sweater.
"Around two."
He looked over to his companion. "Azura? You got here a little before me. Did you see anything suspicious?"
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Post by AzuraGallu on Jul 18, 2010 22:48:24 GMT -8
"Noon," Azura replied, taking a step closer to Anshel. In fact, he was partially in front of the Hunter, his body subconsciously attempting to make some kind of shield between the clearly distressed Lord and his friend. He was reading into the man's stance, who now looked more like a leader than ever; someone even Azura could take seriously.
Eyes roamed the space around them covertly, looking for any outlets of escape in case Christopher decided to let loose on them. Of course, his first course of action was to get the Banglaire diplomat to safety. If he couldn't save himself, he could at least save a chance he'd have at getting his clan the safety they deserved via the proper channels. And in that very moment he realized, crooking his fingers to prepare himself should such a thing come to pass, that he would die for his clan.
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Post by Christopher Saunders on Jul 18, 2010 22:59:59 GMT -8
He began to pace, agitated. An hour for Anshel, three for Azura. Had either been left unattended? Yes. Chris cursed his irresponsibility. Hell, come to think of it, ten minutes would be enough to lay an already prepared explosive, and maybe five to properly set a timer to detonate the thing. Another thought came into play now: they had been alone together. Was it possible that the two had collaborated? A tiny voice in the back of his mind suggested that they might not be to blame, however it was quickly crushed under a tumble of thoughts.
He. Had. To. Stop. That. Course. Of. Thought. Now. The results if he couldn't rein it in would be a disaster. It would be immensely easy to lash out and literally remove somebody's head from their shoulders if the composure was shattered.
“When, and for how long were both of you left unsupervised by my personnel?” He asked again. Tendrils of the coiled power seemed to remain heavy in the air.
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Post by Doctor on Jul 18, 2010 23:11:11 GMT -8
"Look, Christopher," Anshel eyed the man warily and unconsciously moved further into Azura's protective shadow, he was thankful he wasn't here alone. Stupid angry vampires and their stupid inhuman strength. Turning into a demon, he felt, was always a bit undignified and terribly inappropriate at a time like this and that left him vulnerable. Why the fuck did he get into politics again? Assassin was a much less dangerous job.
"We were alone for maybe thirty seconds. You walked down to meet us right after we met. You had people right there. I swear to you, we had nothing do with this." He was speaking from behind Azura's shoulder now, because the threat pouring off of the boy was palpable. He kept his voice firm and honest. Soothing tones may have worked when the boy was six, but he felt it wouldn't be welcome now.
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Post by AzuraGallu on Jul 18, 2010 23:20:42 GMT -8
Azura would have laughed at Anshel if the situation wasn't so tenuously woven around them. One wrong move and this forced peace would be over.
"Anshel is correct on his part, though I was here alone a bit longer. However, if you should listen to anyone, it should be your assistant. The pretty red head. It seems she's able to see things you miss."
He held out his hands to his sides, slightly away from his body; palms up in an effort to seem non threatening. "The Gallu and Moroi have been peaceful, allies for hundreds of years. Our fathers were good friends. Do you honestly think I'd sacrifice the support of the only other clan who can tolerate mine when war is looming over us?" Like the stinking hate that's rolling off of you, he wanted to finish.
Funny how he managed to find and grasp his political tact when he desperately needed it. God knew what would happen if he walked in and acted like his normal self. He suppressed a shudder. He likely wouldn't be alive if that were the case.
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Post by Christopher Saunders on Jul 18, 2010 23:47:08 GMT -8
Anshel sounded oh so honest… Christopher still needed to calm down, inwardly deliberating. Resting the knuckles of the index and middle fingers of his right hand between his eyes, he rested the thumb of that side on the right nostril, inhaling through the left, then releasing to cover the left and inhale through the right. It was a sort of ritual that could calm him, quite useful really. Slowly, but surely, the Frenzy had been beaten back down, but would definately be back faster and harder next time.
“Tullio went to far with his plans.” He murmured, almost inaudibly. His teeth ground together, tearing at the skin of his gums. In turn, his breath smelled of blood when he spoke.
“Azura, I agree. I do not want our Clan ties broken. But realistically, if you were under attack, with a bounty atop your head, wouldn’t you be suspicious of every living creature that had been on your property, or otherwise?” He sounded calmer, but still deadly focused.
TO Anshel, he breathed a moment more, then addressed the much older man. “As well as for you, you want the best for your people. I can tell.”
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Post by Doctor on Jul 19, 2010 0:01:21 GMT -8
Anshel let his shoulders relax a little. Well, he lucked out didn't he?
"You're my people, too, kid." He eased himself out from behind Azura's broadness, but stayed shoulder to shoulder. A force of two. He loved Christopher and liked to think the best of him, but that didn't mean he'd ignore hundreds of years of experience that told him people would turn on you in a second. Even those you loved.
However, the closer in proximity he was to Azura, the safer he felt. The king's vicious temper would have made most apprehensive, but the last time he berated the vampire for it he'd been trying to drown the women who would turn out to disembowel him later. If he was going to rely on anyone's protective instincts right now, it would be Azura's.
"I offer you my clan's assistance, of course. I can have people here tomorrow, even if you only need a few extra hands."
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Post by AzuraGallu on Jul 19, 2010 0:11:46 GMT -8
After assessing the area, Azura locked his eyes with Christopher's, his irises never once wavering. If he weren't standing and he were having some kind of out of body experience, he'd wager he'd mark himself dead for just how steadfast he was being. Then again, he got like this with those he needed to protect. His clan, Melora, or Anshel, all of them fell under the 'don't fuck with this if you like the way your face is arranged' category.
"No," the King replied honestly, albeit a little monotone. "I wouldn't be suspicious because they'd already be dead. This is where the Moroi and Gallu are different. We don't take prisoners. However, I can assure you my clan had nothing to do with this, Christopher."
He inclined his head to him, eyes still unblinking. Scare tactics usually worked back as well, and he was banking on that to get the Moroi to back down even further.
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Post by Christopher Saunders on Jul 19, 2010 16:03:06 GMT -8
A shiver skittered down Christopher's spine at a lightening fast pace, almost as though he had suddenly had a large barrel of polar chilled water dumped on him. He returned the intensity that Azura's eyes shown, though a little less. Scar tactics weren't his specialty, they could be, but only in Frenzy conditions or absolute fury. "I believe you, Azura Gallu."
His eyes flicked to Anshel. "I'm not sure how you could help at this time, but I am most certain it would be worth it if I explain what the helping would be for."
Directing himself back to both he added, "I also appologize for my accusations."
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Post by Doctor on Jul 19, 2010 22:40:50 GMT -8
Anshel found it ironic how much more territorial vampires were compared to weres. Azura, especially, grew attached easily, but the judge accounted that to his relative youth. Usually, the case was the older a super got, the more fully they realized attachment and devotion needed to be paced and spread sparingly if they hoped to keep sane after centuries.
Christopher was holding his own surprisingly well. He had to give it to him, the kid had balls. And looking from one to the other, pride swelled for both the youths.
Relieved to have reached the point of calm discussion, Anshel was eager to pursue that route while regards were still amicable. "No need to apologize," Anshel dismissed Christopher outright. He would have thought the boy stupid and far too trusting for someone of his position if they were met with anything less. Anshel slid his eyes towards Azura who was still holding his ground. Their ground, actually. Were Anshel a few centuries younger, he would have swooned. Judging by the vampire's stance, maybe Anshel had misspoken. "Well, no need to apologize to me anyway." That should correct things. "What do you need assistance with?"
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Post by Christopher Saunders on Jul 19, 2010 23:04:53 GMT -8
“I need to start from the beginning.” He glanced around, confirming that there wasn’t another soul besides he, Anshel, and Azura able to listen. With a small wave of his hands, and once his entire eye flashed a shade of pure emerald, vines and earthen material writhed and clawed its way in front of the doors: muffling their voices. It wouldn’t be wise to start a panic. “Tullio backstabbed my Father: he was their killer. I’d been tracking him before that’d even been confirmed. Until I met a friend in Canada who helped me to dispose of that scum after he confessed to the treason.” His words carried emotion, empathy, and compassion, yet also a pure, unadulterated hatred for the man in which he spoke of.
“I was left with this.” Turning his back, he slid off the button up, resting it over a forearm to reveal the full vision of his back. The angry burn scars still marred his flesh. Clearing his throat, Christopher continued. “I know he had help with that explosive. He was plotting, vile, many things, but he did not have the skill to plant, and successfully detonate it.”
Her ran a hand through his blonde locks. “His helper, accomplice, I don’t know who he or she may be, but they set off this bomb today. This is where I need assistance. My Clan doesn’t have the ties, nor intelligence, to Hunt the way you specialize.” He inhaled a breath, beginning to slip it back on. “Amongst my people, somebody is plotting. I need the Hunters, and the Gallians’ if there is a way, Azura, to root out these scheming vermin.”
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