Secrets

[MeloraBelikov]

Melora stood now, ready to unload about the entire situation. "She's a Blackraven regardless, and is therefore potentially dangerous. Also, she is a criminal. Not a murderer, supposedly" the word slid from her tongue with emphasis. All vampires had the potential to be murderers, after all. "But still, she followed Azura and I down a corridor for no discernible reason. I was just doing my job to keep him safe." Her hand found the silver of her pistol and held it, obviously annoyed by the entire situation. "If she is an outsider and the clan has no use of her, there's no information she could properly give us about the murderer of Azura's father or otherwise."

[Doctor]

Anshel almost lost his composure. Azura had turned to him, pervy expression and all, and the promising lips and eyes quickly turned strained as the king was very obviously trying not to laugh himself. Oh, that little Russian was in trouble. Melora remained serious as ever, reiterating the words of caution Azura offered. They would interrogate Rima, of course, but the nature of the questioning would be worlds different now that there seemed to be a consensus that she was not a malicious threat.

"Ms. Donavon, you will be kept in our custody until our investigation is complete. From there a hearing will take place." He said pleasantly. No reason to alarm her. "We'd like to ask you some questions. Just ask you questions," he emphasized. She wouldn't be bloodied under his watch, unless it was very necessary. "These gentlemen will escort you out while we finish the proceeding that was unfortunately interrupted." He clapped his hands twice, "Chop, chop," he said, and waved the back of his fingers in a dismissal. The guards lifted Rima by her arms, more roughly than was necessary despite his previous warnings, and she was ushered out into the hall, the doors closing behind her.

Anshel leaned back and played with a lock of his sandy hair, thoughtful.

"It seems," he stared at nothing while addressing the room, "we have an opportunity in the form of a very old Blackraven. I'll bring her back in a few minutes." He clucked his tongue and finally looked to his audience. "Let's finish our business then. Project Aksakov, as you all remember, was shut down about two decades ago. Ms. Belikov has informed me that Mrs. Belikov continued her research and development independently and that there are working prototypes in her family home." He spoke directly to Melora this time, "She, Azura Gallu, and I will go to her home and retrieve these items. Hopefully, through consultation with our friend in the hall, we can gain some insight into the tech the Blackravens may have used in the murder of King Sargon, may he rest peacefully."

Anshel's hand left his hair and now rested on his thigh, and with his other he gestured to the group elegantly, offering the floor. "Any other matters that require discussion?" He invited.

[AzuraGallu]

Azura, far too hormonal for his own good, watched the Blackraven being removed from the room before turning his gaze back to Anshel as he spoke. While he agreed with what he said, he hardly remembered the parts he didn't like being that he was so distracted with the man's hand. The one resting on his deliciously well-muscled thigh.
Talk about distraction. He was almost as bad as Melora. At least Anshel's hand was close to some place dirty. Azura didn't even have to move and the Huntress would basically be raping him with her eyes.
In fact...
Looking back over his shoulder, he saw that very look plastered onto her face. But this time it was a bit more graphic than rape. Her eyes were speaking of gouges down his back and hair being tugged nigh out of his head.
He rolled a shoulder as he looked away, hoping to relieve some of the tension in his body. And he succeeded, had it not been for the fact that his eyes went right back to Anshel's hand.
He sighed audibly, giving up until someone with enough balls to call him on it managed to drag him from his filthy daydream.

[MeloraBelikov]

Melora sighed as well, echoing Azura's. It was annoying to have her mind dragged out of the gutter by thoughts of going home. She hadn't been there since the murder, and going back didn't seem entirely appealing to her. She didn't respond to a word Anshel said or any look Azura had given her, instead distracted by her own worries about leaving. "How soon do we leave?" She wondered aloud, not to anyone in particular, more to herself than anyone else. The sound of her voice woke her from her thought induced trance and she looked to Anshel, waiting for an answer. She'd let the question slip, so at least she'd get an answer out of it.

[Doctor]

Anshel really wished Melora would cut out that vulnerability crap. It was making him feel for her and sympathizing with Melora was a very foreign, unpleasant thing.

"Pending any disasters, we'll be leaving as soon as possible. Tomorrow night." His voice had softened not of his own accord, like he was comforting a child or a bunny and it grossed him out.

That icky feeling left and was replaced by a dollop of confusion when he checked in on Azura... who kept glancing at his crotch? Anshel looked down at himself and back up to his friend. The king was shifting, like he was trying to readjust himself in his pants. Was it true? Was their a being in this world hornier than himself? Hallelujah. Silent affection was bursting from his heart and he was sure the delight was shining from his face.

Anshel tried very hard not to giggle at his friend when he addressed him, "Azura, you seem to be distracted. Is there anything I can provide you before we bring Ms. Donavon back for questioning?" A prostitute and a broom closet maybe?

[AzuraGallu]

Azura's head slowly raised itself aloft, normal posture regained as a very slow smile spread across his lips.
"A great many things, but it appears we don't have the time." he replied, a slight waggle of his eyebrows clearly evidenced even as far off as Anshel was from him.
He would have distracted Melora from her depression with his completely inappropriate behavior, but he was being far too selfish at the moment.
He wanted Anshel all to himself.
That thought had him licking his lips involuntarily, sliding his fangs over his tongue as his mind wandered further into the gutter than it was normally apt to. Which in itself was frightening.

[MeloraBelikov]

Melora looked them both over, seeing their eyes locked in a lustful gaze. All she could think to herself about this was Damn, I need to get laid on my next trip. She slid her fingers through her hair, shifting in her seat.

Then, she cleared her throat. "If we will be going that soon I ought to be getting ready. May I be excused?" Melora was getting moody and it was obvious. The new vampire intruder as well as the looming terror of being dragged all but kicking and screaming back to the home where the walls were still covered in blood was taking it's toll on her attitude.

[Doctor]

Like a fucking mirror of himself, that vampire was. He buried the giggle that wanted so badly to be set free.

It took everything he had to speak without licentious inflections, "You are our guest, Azura Gallu. When time allows, I will see that your needs are met." Anshel did not want to look around, unsure if he succeeded and not wanting to see his peers gaping in horror and shock for once in his life.

The happiness in his face and pants were blunted considerably as Melora asked to excuse herself. Damn her. Damn her and that wilting voice and that stupidly sad expression on her face that made him want to hug her and tell her it would be alright. He was starting to feel very much like an asshole for forcing her to revisit such a hurtful place despite the necessity.

"Of course, Melora. Take what time you need." There was that softness in his voice again. Ugh.

Anshel shook away that feeling and fixed himself back into his previous attitude - highly amused, kind of horny, and ready for business. He made a show of wetting his lips with his tongue for good measure and brought his fingers up to form a loud whistle.

Rima was promptly brought back inside and led to her chair.

[Rima Elaine Donavon]

After listening to her sentencing and others’ comments, Rima had to hide a smile. At the comments at least. So the Gallu, Azura, had heard of her. His idea of her reputation had been right on. Art circles with the humans, and yet a cat burglar when she needed to add something to her collection… or retrieve something she had previously sold… Even that little Huntress Melora had been spot on.

Yet just like that she was ushered out of the room. She could hear the faint whispers of thoughts. Sexual, provocative, and explicit. Rima wrinkled her nose. ’Could they at least learn to stop practically shrieking them?’

After remaining outside for several minutes she was lifted and brought back in, silently cursing the humans which held her. Rima reminded herself, rather grudgingly, that if she were to handle these humans in such a way (and she had before), that they would probably break.

Settling herself in her seat for the questioning, Rima rested her elbows on the arms of her chair, daintily lacing her fingers together and resting her chin on her hands.

[AzuraGallu]

Knowing the feelings Melora was experiencing, and believing he'd heard more than enough, he cleared his throat, speaking over the others who filled the large room with the quiet din of their voices.
"If you don't mind," Azura commented, mood having mellowed exponentially, "I would like to accompany Ms. Belikov out. She doesn't seem entirely stable, and for reasons only known to myself, I see her as an investment, and do not want my things damaged. Mentally or physically," he added with a slight smile.
Of course he was referring to their blood agreement, but he wasn't planning on collecting. He was, shockingly, a little worried about her given her sudden somber attitude. All the time he'd spent with humans, he'd acquired some of their ridiculous emotional weaknesses.
With that admission he was unpleasantly reminded of the first and only time he'd ever been in love.
Visibly shuddering at the thought, he let his statement (clearly not spoken as a question) stand. But first, he would need to wait and see if Anshel deemed it necessary to even witness the extent of Rima's power.

[Doctor]

Anshel's eyebrows shot up in surprise. He'd assumed Azura would want to stay for the interrogation. The other diplomats he worked with were always keen to micromanage and dutifully supervise because of control issues or a basic distrust of Hunters.

His words were understandable enough, though. Vampires, despite being creatures that usually want for nothing, were fiercely possessive and territorial. If Azura had taken a shining to Ms. Belikov and laid claim to her, there was little he could do. His only option was damage control after whatever would happen in his absence, as always.

Anyways, Anshel was confident he could take care of the business with Ms. Donavon well enough on his own. Azura would be of little help as distracted as he was, to a point he might be a distraction himself.

He spoke surely. "Do as you wish, Azura Gallu. Should you have inquiries about the questioning later, please feel free to ask."

He focused now on Rima who looked quite relaxed and bored considering she was currently in the middle of a trial process. Once his companions left he'd perhaps find enough focus in his questioning to salvage something helpful.

[MeloraBelikov]

Oh how inclined she was to tell him to piss off. Everything told her that she didn't need help, that she would be fine, that there wasn't anything anyone needed to do for her. But if Azura wanted to follow her and help, there wasn't anything she could do to stop him, and she would need a distraction anyway. She quietly excused herself and made her way to the exit doors, opening them without a sound and closing them in much the same way. When they were finally in the hall, Melora let out the breath she'd been holding the entire time she made her way out of the room. Her fingers found her hair again, brushing it back had become a nervous tick of hers apparently.

She found herself desperately needing to break the silence in the hallway, but words were blocked behind the thoughts tangled in her head, unable to make their way to her lips. Finally, after a moment of consideration, words worked themselves through the mess. "I hope she has something useful to say for herself."

[Rima Elaine Donavon]

Once the Huntress and the Gallian Prince had left, Rima shifted herself. The faintest glimpse of the emotions under the shell came to light. Wisdom far beyond any human, and something almost like dread.

Yes, Rima knew that his would be hard to worm her way out of. It wouldn’t be easy to tell until after the questioning had taken place. Although it was pretty damn tempting to just go ballistic and escape. Those Hunters really did need to learn to handle their prisoners more carefully. Especially since some of those prisoners in question could bite.

“Ask what is needed.” She said, directing her voice at Anshel. Out of all the Hunters so far, Rima was going to choose to lean her favoritism toward him. He hadn’t posed any threats or aggression at her, yet.

Intelligence glinted in his eyes though, and that was a factor in her reasoning. He just didn’t seem like the type to behave trigger-happy.

[AzuraGallu]

Azura rose and gave a quick nod of acknowledgement in Anshel's direction before following Melroa out the door.
He remained quiet, not willing to get too friendly and say any words of comfort. No. He simply wanted to make sure she didn't do something stupid. She didn't really seem the type, but one could never be too careful with an expensive investment, and while he'd never exactly paid anything for her, blood was precious.
Clasping his hands behind his back, he simply walked beside her, offering only a small grunt of acknowledgment at her statement. If she chose to strike up a conversation, he'd try to provide ample fodder.

[MeloraBelikov]

She took to walking down the long hall without any destination in particular, just where ever her feet would take her. It had been in her best interest to leave before the interrogation, she didn't think she could be the least bit objective towards the woman seated in that room, practically taunting her by showing up everywhere. Speaking of vampires, she had neglected to make conversation with Azura up until now.

"Boring, isn't it? Court sittings are almost always the same." Her voice was low and unsure, grasping at threads of conversation hoping one would stick.