Post by MeloraBelikov on May 30, 2010 15:04:43 GMT -8
The council members sat in a row aside a long table decorated more carefully than a cat walks across a fence. Each item on the table, the cloth, the chairs beside it, everything had a specific meaning to the court. The table was low to the floor to be at the level of most of the council members, who sat on lavish pillows strewn about the floor. The only person seated in a chair sat in the very middle between the rest of the council members. He was the judge. Fabled to be able to see a persons inner most thoughts and truest self, he spent much of his time deciding which vampires were guilty and which were innocent, but for today, he presided over meetings with the most skilled Banglaire hunters. And here entered Melora, a twenty something and one of the most skilled hunters of her time. You wouldn't know it from the way she clumsily stumbled over each pillow as she made her way to sit before the council.
The only time a hunter sat before the council was either to be stripped of their title or to receive a special assignment. Melora knew of her status among the court, she knew there was no way she would ever be stripped of her title. Still, she fidgeted, tugging her hair and clothes which were as carefully decorated as the table in front of her. Upon reaching her destination in the room she forced her hands to her sides and kept them there. An unfamiliar face sat at the very far end of the table smiling. Her three piece suit looked terribly out of place mixed with the highly decorated room. She rose to her feet beside the table and walked to Melora, greeting herself in Russian as a translator. As if she needed one. Still, Melora extended and soft, elegant hand, adorned with all sorts of jewels. Her translator, Polina, took her hand and turned it with hers, so that their hands touched at the palms and Melora's was on top.
Formalities aside, one of the council members stood and outstretched a hand towards Melora and her host. "The Council of the Banglaire Court recognizes Melora Anya Belikov of Russia." "Совет Banglaire видит Melora Anya Belikov от России", parroted Polina in a horrid practiced accent that Melora had to actively stop herself from cringing at. "Please sit, dear" the council man finished. "пожалуйста сидите" followed his parrot, and both ladies were seated, nestled in the multicolored silk pillows.
Council men introduced themselves one by one, each of them with long extravagant names, each of them parroted by their pet seated beside her. A few times Polina stumbed over a word or mistranslated what was said, and in each case Melora was ignoring her anyway seeing as she spoke fluently in English. Still, being that she was Melora Anya Belikov of Russia, process called for her to have a translator. And occasionally process took priority over common sense.
Finally, the judge in the middle took his turn, meaning she would soon find out why they called her here. He stood, swaying a bit as he made his way to his feet. He pulled his hood from over his head to reveal his aging face, silvery long hair, and yellow eyes. The legend passed around by kids training to become hunters was that this man, known simply as The High Judge, was once a vampire in his youth. The story told of a young man named Dempster got himself involved with Vampires, believing them to be capable of good and bad, just like normal people. While traveling in Spain he fell in love with a vampire named Amada, who turned him so that they may live together forever. Hunters came and killed Amada, and Dempster, at a loss of what to do, gave himself to the gods with one plea; that he would give his immortality if they gave him the ability to protect vampires like his dear Amada while bringing the vampires who gave them bad names to justice. The Gods then took him, stripped him of his eternal life and power, then dropped him back into the world with the purpose of leading the Banglaire.
The aging man of at least 130 years addressed her directly in English. "Melora, you are young, beautiful and even famous, yet not only do you shine as a person, you shine as a hunter, and you consistently bring in your assigned targets in a timely manner. You truly are a jewel of the Banglaire." His words rolled over in her mind, such words of praise from the judge were uncommon. In response she bowed her head, taking in the compliment. "You shall become even more of a hunter as time continues, perhaps even take a place upon the council," he continued, and murmurs came from the council members on either side of him. He waited for them to subside before continuing "As such, we have a new assignment for you of the highest priority. Please be assured that my blessings are with you as you complete this task. Do you accept?"
This was her cue. Melora stood and bowed to the judge and his council. "Да. спасибо к вам судья." The translator parrot mimicked her now. "Yes. Thanks be to you, Judge." He smiled at the words.
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When Melora left she received a heavily adorned envelope with her name on it written in gold script. In her room she changed from her silk traditional Russian dress fir for royalty and slipped into her day clothes, simple nice jeans and a lace black shirt with a pair of red heals. The court attendant assigned to her hung her dress up in a closet with some of her other traditional court outfits, then brought her other belongs to her, including something she didn't come in with. "This," the maid explained, handing her the piece of paper "was dropped off for you. Your presence is requested in Las Vegas, Nevada. They've sent a plane ticket for you as well. As you requested, your driver is outside waiting for you."
"Thank you, Nina." Melora extended her hand to the woman, who touched palms with her and faced her palm op so that Melora's was on top. "I look forward to returning. Please take care of yourself. I may be away for a long period of time before I return here." The woman nodded and Melora turned. She made her way to the front entrance, heals clicking on the marble floor beneath her. though she had been offered to live here a million times, she declined each time, and walking down the hall reminded her of why, the court was much to cold a place to live. Finally she walked out the front doors and into the daylight and the lavish garden in front of the court. Hunters from all places wandered the garden enjoying it beautiful seasonal flowers. They were all dressed in traditional clothing of their countries. Melora looked around and made a mental note of everything around her, surrounded in beauty before leaving. The, she climbed into the car waiting for her at the gate and away she went again, this time to Las Vegas to make one of her many appearances before the media. For Melora, work was never done. She sighed to herself as she pulled a cell phone from her bag, dialing the number on the paper in order to assure her hosts that she would be attending tonight's event.
The only time a hunter sat before the council was either to be stripped of their title or to receive a special assignment. Melora knew of her status among the court, she knew there was no way she would ever be stripped of her title. Still, she fidgeted, tugging her hair and clothes which were as carefully decorated as the table in front of her. Upon reaching her destination in the room she forced her hands to her sides and kept them there. An unfamiliar face sat at the very far end of the table smiling. Her three piece suit looked terribly out of place mixed with the highly decorated room. She rose to her feet beside the table and walked to Melora, greeting herself in Russian as a translator. As if she needed one. Still, Melora extended and soft, elegant hand, adorned with all sorts of jewels. Her translator, Polina, took her hand and turned it with hers, so that their hands touched at the palms and Melora's was on top.
Formalities aside, one of the council members stood and outstretched a hand towards Melora and her host. "The Council of the Banglaire Court recognizes Melora Anya Belikov of Russia." "Совет Banglaire видит Melora Anya Belikov от России", parroted Polina in a horrid practiced accent that Melora had to actively stop herself from cringing at. "Please sit, dear" the council man finished. "пожалуйста сидите" followed his parrot, and both ladies were seated, nestled in the multicolored silk pillows.
Council men introduced themselves one by one, each of them with long extravagant names, each of them parroted by their pet seated beside her. A few times Polina stumbed over a word or mistranslated what was said, and in each case Melora was ignoring her anyway seeing as she spoke fluently in English. Still, being that she was Melora Anya Belikov of Russia, process called for her to have a translator. And occasionally process took priority over common sense.
Finally, the judge in the middle took his turn, meaning she would soon find out why they called her here. He stood, swaying a bit as he made his way to his feet. He pulled his hood from over his head to reveal his aging face, silvery long hair, and yellow eyes. The legend passed around by kids training to become hunters was that this man, known simply as The High Judge, was once a vampire in his youth. The story told of a young man named Dempster got himself involved with Vampires, believing them to be capable of good and bad, just like normal people. While traveling in Spain he fell in love with a vampire named Amada, who turned him so that they may live together forever. Hunters came and killed Amada, and Dempster, at a loss of what to do, gave himself to the gods with one plea; that he would give his immortality if they gave him the ability to protect vampires like his dear Amada while bringing the vampires who gave them bad names to justice. The Gods then took him, stripped him of his eternal life and power, then dropped him back into the world with the purpose of leading the Banglaire.
The aging man of at least 130 years addressed her directly in English. "Melora, you are young, beautiful and even famous, yet not only do you shine as a person, you shine as a hunter, and you consistently bring in your assigned targets in a timely manner. You truly are a jewel of the Banglaire." His words rolled over in her mind, such words of praise from the judge were uncommon. In response she bowed her head, taking in the compliment. "You shall become even more of a hunter as time continues, perhaps even take a place upon the council," he continued, and murmurs came from the council members on either side of him. He waited for them to subside before continuing "As such, we have a new assignment for you of the highest priority. Please be assured that my blessings are with you as you complete this task. Do you accept?"
This was her cue. Melora stood and bowed to the judge and his council. "Да. спасибо к вам судья." The translator parrot mimicked her now. "Yes. Thanks be to you, Judge." He smiled at the words.
------------
When Melora left she received a heavily adorned envelope with her name on it written in gold script. In her room she changed from her silk traditional Russian dress fir for royalty and slipped into her day clothes, simple nice jeans and a lace black shirt with a pair of red heals. The court attendant assigned to her hung her dress up in a closet with some of her other traditional court outfits, then brought her other belongs to her, including something she didn't come in with. "This," the maid explained, handing her the piece of paper "was dropped off for you. Your presence is requested in Las Vegas, Nevada. They've sent a plane ticket for you as well. As you requested, your driver is outside waiting for you."
"Thank you, Nina." Melora extended her hand to the woman, who touched palms with her and faced her palm op so that Melora's was on top. "I look forward to returning. Please take care of yourself. I may be away for a long period of time before I return here." The woman nodded and Melora turned. She made her way to the front entrance, heals clicking on the marble floor beneath her. though she had been offered to live here a million times, she declined each time, and walking down the hall reminded her of why, the court was much to cold a place to live. Finally she walked out the front doors and into the daylight and the lavish garden in front of the court. Hunters from all places wandered the garden enjoying it beautiful seasonal flowers. They were all dressed in traditional clothing of their countries. Melora looked around and made a mental note of everything around her, surrounded in beauty before leaving. The, she climbed into the car waiting for her at the gate and away she went again, this time to Las Vegas to make one of her many appearances before the media. For Melora, work was never done. She sighed to herself as she pulled a cell phone from her bag, dialing the number on the paper in order to assure her hosts that she would be attending tonight's event.