An Original Vampire Chronicles RPG

Each Breath Screaming

Thu, 02 Jun 2011 16:03:53 GMT

Who: Felix & Lusa (NPC)
What: In his search for Genie, Felix checks the afterlife first.
Where: Lady Amalia's Spiritual Emporium
When: Late evening, before this thread.
Notes: Placeholder for a Gdoc

Coming Soon!

And He Sang About What I'd Become

Thu, 02 Jun 2011 15:59:40 GMT

Who: Stephanie (soon to be Eudoxia) & Mael
What: Eudoxia's mortal form is wandering about New Orleans.
Where: Streets of New Orleans
When: After this.
Notes: For when Zen and Mael are done visiting.

Cold.

Though the air was balmy, Stephanie was cold. It was all she could think of, as she rummaged through the garbage can for another scrap of food, something to keep her going as she struggled from one day to the next. She'd been sleeping in what she'd assumed was an unspoken for stoop, but another bum had chased her off. Snapping and snarling in her face, spitting obscenities and raising a bottle threateningly, she'd darted away from him (small and quick, some of her few attributes) and taken to the streets once more.

The muscles in her belly quivered, aching for sustenance, but her brain was moving sluggishly. Her veins, marked with dozens of needle holes, longed for another hit, just one more, just to keep her going. Her daddy had kicked her out when he saw those - or had she run, berating them for their judgement? She couldn't remember, nor did it matter anymore. Stephanie couldn't even remember where home was.

The restaurant was bustling at the end of the dinner hour, but life continued on here long after dark. Careful to avoid any suspicious eyes that watched, waiting for any bums that they might need to chase off, Stephanie dug through the broken garbage bags that spilled forth still-warm left overs: noodles, some lobster shells, mostly eaten fish. Rolls where only a few bites had been taken, sauces long soaked into their dishes, and bits of napkins shredded everywhere. Beggars certainly couldn't be choosers, and she hadn't really eaten in days: any food was welcome, though constantly she glanced around, waiting for the next attacker who would try to steal her meal away from her.

There had been many, every available bit of space for sleeping or eating a battle ground that had to be fought for constantly. She could barely remember a time when she'd been well-fed, and washed, for that matter. Though she couldn't smell it any more, long used to the body odor she reeked of, she looked, at best, a street urchin. Long brown hair in knots down her back, her face covered with dirt and nails broken and bitten to hell, one might mistake her for a small animal digging through the garbage before they realized she was a girl.

Selecting a fish head with its spiny body still exposed, she carefully started to chew. The taste was atrocious, but thankfully her taste buds had long been seared away through one pill or another.

I'd Wait For The Sea's To Part To Be With You

Thu, 02 Jun 2011 15:36:39 GMT

Who: Eugenie and Felix
What: Felix finds Eugenie for the first time after he was brought back to life
Where: Eastern side of New Orleans
When: June 2, 2011 at 3AM
Warnings: NC17
Notes:
Progress: ~~Ongoing~~ Complete!

Eugenie had been in New Orleans for a few weeks at that point. She had gone to the theaters and seen many shows and even rekindled her friendship with the immortal Eleni. It had come as a surprise to see Eleni at one of the theaters, sitting there in her dark beauty and with that knowing smile that Eugenie felt Eleni must have always had. But Eugenie had welcomed the opportunity to see the vampire. Eleni had, after all, been made by Felix and seeing the woman alive reminded Eugenie that her brother was certainly not completely gone. And yet... and yet Eleni wasn't Felix. Felix was dead and gone while Eleni still lived. His blood lived in her, his magic, as it did in Eugenie. In the end, despite how much she did care for Eleni, Eugenie would gladly have Eleni dead if it meant that Felix would be alive. To say she simply missed her brother would be an understatement.

Eugenie had seen the different shows she had meant to see and her time in New Orleans was drawing to a close. She had a week to go before she would leave the city and had taken up wandering the city streets early in the evening, just after she woke. First she would feed to appear more alive but then she would stroll along the streets, looking at the structures around her and breathing in the humid air. It was both peaceful and lonely, even if Eugenie knew she could contact Eleni and spend time with her to erase some of the lonliness.

Despite that Eugenie would rather have Felix alive, she couldn't deny that she had enjoyed being around Eleni the few times they had visited with one another. Eleni was forever the observant one and knew that Eugenie was better off mulling over her thoughts. So they had generally walked together in silence, side by side, enjoying that there was someone there but not necessarily needing to speak.

This night Eugenie had nearly walked the length of the city. She was feeling particularly restless, probably because over the past few weeks she was beginning to feel more and more immortals coming into the district, so she decided to walk first, ignoring her hunger, and now as dawn was approaching she realized she needed to feed. She was on the Eastern side of the city, near the cheaper hotels and only the stragglers, drunks, and theives were out at this hour.

Eugenie was only in jeans and a white shirt, her long blond curls were in a braid down her back. She looked like the typical tourist and knew she could snag a victim easily enough. So set on finding such a victim she was barely paying attention to the other mortals around her.

I Am Hunting High and Low

Thu, 02 Jun 2011 03:00:22 GMT

Who: Zenobia and Mael
What: Zenobia see's Mael for the first time in hundreds of years.
Where: The route heading back to Zenobia's apartment
When: Shortly after Zenobia has left Marius.
Warnings: None
Progress: Complete!

Zenobia had left Marius with a kiss goodbye, a long embrace, and promises that she would visit him soon. She had a mixture of feelings as she walked along the New Orleans streets to the direction of her apartment and considered all that had come to pass during that evening. She was thrilled to see Marius again and it gave her a certain bounce to her step. To be around another immortal that was considered an ancient, one she knew and had the greatest respect for, just to have that companionship thrilled Zenobia. But there was sadness as well and Marius' words hung over her like a dark cloud. To think that she had traveled to America with the intentions of bringing Eudoxia back and now... now those dreams were dashed.

Still there was the smallest spark of hope that maybe, just maybe Marius was incorrect. Maybe the objects did exist and he just found it hard to believe. He was the sort, was he not? She found out as much through the tell-all's and his very own life story had been released. Marius certainly wouldn't lie to Zenobia but he could be mistaken. And for that small chance she continued on and refused to let herself fall into despair. She would continue preparing a place for Eudoxia with hope that the objects existed and if they did not, well, maybe it was time she made a fledgling.

As she drew closer to her apartment Zenobia was suddenly struck by the sensation that another vampire was near. Not just another vampire but another ancient one. She paused on the sidewalk, looking around and not seeing very far due to her short height and the stream of tall tourists about her, but she knew he was out there. Certainly a he and certainly angry. For the briefest of moments Zenobia thought, with a smirk appearing on her small face, that the feeling the vampire was giving off was similar to Mael's. Then her eyes grew wide. Mael. Marius had said Mael was alive. Could he be in the city?

She began to scan the crowd for him, moving her way between the mortals to try and bring herself closer to the vampire, but she still couldn't see him.

You Said Goodbye, I Say Hello

Wed, 01 Jun 2011 21:48:06 GMT

Who: Zenobia and Marius
What: Zenobia tracks Marius down for a happy reunion.
Where: Modern Times Bookstore
When: Closing time of the store
Notes: ~~This is a placeholder for a Gdoc.~~ Complete!

She had been in New Orleans for a week now. The apartment she had acquired was decent enough with only a small window in the bedroom which Zenobia had easily convinced the landlord to allow to be covered with a solid board. Zenobia had even gone so far as to getting a comfortable bed and drapes for the room, even if it was only to cover the window you could no longer see, it gave the bedroom a modern feel. Otherwise the apartment was empty and she certainly had little need for anything else.

Each evening, while the sky was still pink, Zenobia would wake and leave the apartment, searching for the perfect girl for Eudoxia to inhabit, as well as the blade that would allow her return. Only a week and she hadn’t found anything yet, just one female vampire much younger than she and plucking from that younger ones mind Zenobia learned that one of her oldest friends were close by.

During this balmy evening Zenobia took a break in her search of the object that would bring back her true love and opted to pay Marius a visit. She didn’t want to be bothered by mortals so she kept away from the bookstore until it was near closing time. Five minutes before the store was to close she boldly entered the establishment, hot on the trail of Marius whom she could easily feel within.

She made her way past the shelves and ignored the warning from the mortal attendant that the store was going to be closing shortly with a wave of her hand. The temptation to pause and look over the book titles was strong but her excitement to see her friend was stronger. Maybe the store would be closing for the mortals but surely Marius would keep the it open a little while longer for her. Or maybe they would depart and go somewhere more comfortable. Maybe they could find a bar and sit over untouched beers just like the thousand of years before when they had spent those few blissful weeks together.

Zenobia found her friend towards the back of the store and didn’t even attempt to hide her presence from him. Stopping before him with her long black hair settling around her shoulders and down her back in a black wave she looked up at him with a smile fearlessly displayed. “Marius,” She breathed out, barely holding herself back from lunging forward and embracing him.

He’d been sensing the presence of others in the city for some time, but this was different. This one was nearly as old as he; well, perhaps a few hundred years younger, but the age was markedly higher than the young woman he’d met the night before. And as he shielded his own thoughts from the prying fingers of others, he took care to leave their minds alone as well - so when the small, youthful figure came into sight, his tepidly blue eyes went wide.

“Zenobia?” The word was barely audible, and without thinking, Marius near dropped the book he’d been holding, instead turning to step toward her and take her in his arms. There was no need for permission, not in his mind - it was his little woman-child, the beautiful girl he’d found after...

But he wouldn’t think on that now. It was one of the less proud moments of his life, one of the blunders he’d made in his vampiric youth. Things he’d had to do to survive. But for now he wrapped the small girl in his arms, pulling her close to his stony flesh and letting his hands sink into that mass of black hair that he’d loved to stroke. She looked as Mael had said, all those years ago - no longer desiring to dress and move as a boy but dabbling in her own feminine qualities, and Marius found that it suited her so, so well.

The hug was barely enough for him; the still-beating heart in his chest fluttered, and he pulled back enough to look at her in the face, his mouth curved in a joyful smile. She had let out a girlish laugh as Marius grabbed hold of her and returned the hug as best as she could. Her small arms wrapping around his shoulders as she pressed her cheek against his shoulder while he bent down for her. “I had read that you were alive! I had picked it from the mind of another vampire in the city as well! But I had to see it for myself, I’m so happy to see you, Marius.”

“Come, come with me. I have apartments upstairs, Patrick can finish the closing of the shop,” he uttered, not waiting for her reply and instead lacing his hand with hers to lead her to the door that lead to the inventory room. She pulled back from him as he stood to his full height and happily grasped his hand as Marius whisked her up stairs to an apartment. The same steps, same space that he’d shown Eleni before, but with a little more decorum and politeness. As soon as he had her alone, just brushing the top of the staircase, he swept her up in his arms again and fed her a blood kiss, his excited reaction to her sudden appearance.

Zenobia barely had time to look over the room before she was lifted up by Marius and he was pressing his mouth to hers. Quickly she bit her own tongue, giving forth her own blood to show how deliriously happy she was to see him as well. Her small arms wrapping around his shoulders again and her eyes closed to the kiss before she pulled back, gently breaking the kiss, and grinned at Marius.

“Well aren’t you a sight for sore eyes.” Her own eyes had the twinge of blood tears as she smiled at Marius. For so many years she had been alone and now she was there with Marius. He was alive and real and right before her. “Oh, I’ve missed you Marius! It has been far too long.”

“It has, it really has been,” he responded in the same quiet tone, realizing that he was nearly ravishing her. He didn’t pull away, though, the taste of her blood on his tongue giving him an inkling of her memories - but he wanted to hear it from her, in her own words, in her beautiful little voice. Leading her further into the space, he brought her to the chairs, pulling her into a seat near his, keeping their hands laced.

“Have you fed? Is there anything you need?” His face mimicked his words, full of further questions he hadn’t yet voiced, and was instead wanting to play the part of the caretaker as he did so many years ago. Even when she obviously needed it no longer.

She scooted to the edge of the seat so that her feet could firmly touch the ground and she squeezed Marius’ hand with both of hers. “I haven’t needed blood nightly for years, Marius. I do believe that if it hadn’t been for you I would not have lasted as long as I have.” She took back one hand, motioning to her body as if to say, ‘See? I’m here still! And in one piece!’ Quickly she returned the hand to Marius and leaned closer to him.

“I don’t need anything right now, thank you,” She continued as she scooted closer to him again. It had been so long since she had the companionship of another vampire and even longer since she had seen Marius. She couldn’t help but want to be wrapped up in his arms and as close as she could possibly be. Now, with the added jolt of his blood making her even more energetic before, she could barely sit still. So much excitement that for a moment she had completely forgotten that she was looking for the object to bring Eudoxia back, but she could get to that later. Right now she was too busy reveling in being with Marius.

“And how are you, Marius? You’re doing well, aren’t you?” She tipped her head slightly to the side and her long hair caught the light of the room. She hoped he caught her implication, she had worried about him when she read of the death of the King and Queen and her heart had ached for him. She knew it would have been a heartbreaking event in his long life.

An arm curled around her waist, the other taking the liberty of cupping her chin for the sheer pleasure of touching her. The smile on his face tempered a little, though the happiness he felt did not wane.

“I am fine, my dear. Keeping myself as busy as ever, if that was possible. The bookstore’s business certainly gives me something to pore over each evening, and I have an art gallery as well. There is very little that I lack for,” he responded, each word true and yet behind it hid a little lie. That there was much he was lacking for, but it was the sort of thing that he had no control over. But it was of little consequence, that now he had all that he needed and was content for the moment.

“But what of you? I saw Mael a number of years ago, and he said that you and Avicus had disappeared. Where did you go?” He didn’t inquire after Avicus, instead interested solely in the dark haired beauty who was giving him her complete attention. He wanted to know all about her adventures, the sights she’d seen, to sooth any horrors she might have witnessed. Learn what had brought her out now, why she’d come to New Orleans, to learn if she would stay for as long as he wanted her to.

“I’m glad you’re keeping busy,” she replied with another smile before turning her face to his hand and giving it a peck of her lips. She dropped her head to briefly rest against Marius’ arm. She didn’t answer him right away simply because she was happy to have a moment of peace to be next to him. She had missed his companionship.

“Avicus and I traveled through out the world. I finally got to see other lands, not just Constantinople,” she began softly then sat up fully and looked at Marius once more. “I’ve been able to see so many libraries, Marius! Beautiful libraries over the past thousand years and I’ve read so many books! Avicus and I parted ways... but I’ve made it on my own. I took what you taught me to heart and survived.

Of course, Mael and Avicus taught me so much while we were all together. They were a great help and I miss them both. Unfortunately I don’t know if either of them are still alive after all that has occurred. I know Mael attempted to go into the flame after reading those books that Lestat published. Is he all right? Do you know? Have you seen him or Avicus?”

Despite how long she had lived there was still a certain childish way in her mannerisms. The way her eyes grew large as she asked the list of questions and tilted her head up to look Marius squarely in the face. The way she rested a hand on his leg, bringing herself closer to him even more, and of course the very youthful appearance she had. She looked at him imploringly and waited to see if he had any answers.

His thumb lazily stroked her cheek as he listened to her speak. His own head shook in response to her questions. “I have not seen them recently. Mael survived his attempted burning,” he quickly followed his previous statement with that admission, though the words were tempered with a little annoyance as though he were speaking of a frustrating child. “I believe he is with Maharet and a few others, though where they are now...” He shrugged to imply lack of knowledge. A smile continued to linger on his lips, excited by her mere presence.

“I’m glad he’s all right...” She commented quietly. “Avicus and I left him, Marius, we abandoned him and I don’t know if he would ever forgive me for it. But I wouldn’t ever dream for any harm to come to Mael.” She leaned her face against his hand, closing her eyes for a moment with a content smile on her face before she looked at Marius again. The brief blood tears from earlier, brought on by the emotions of this meeting, were already gone. Her eyes glittered like jewels and even more so with the added influence of her happiness.

“I imagine you might have lived in those libraries for years,” he curtailed the conversation back to the earlier topic, not wanting to see a worried or panicked expression on her sweet face. Surely others would make their appearance soon. “What places did you visit? So much time, you must have seen the world at large.”

“I’ve traveled the whole world, Marius! But so many libraries are opening and closing you have to act quick to get to them all. Although I prefer national and university libraries. The bigger, the better! I have lived in the libraries... essentially. I’ve lingered in cities until I’ve read all of the books in the library and then I move on. That’s probably a waste of the Gift, isn’t it? But you know I enjoy reading.”

Her mind turned to the objects she had read about and at first she thought it would be best to not bring it up, not right now, then she realized she had never kept anything from Marius. Why would she now? “Marius, I read about a group of objects once... they were powerful enough to alter blood drinkers. To make them stronger or to see the sun or to even bring back the dead... do you know anything of them?”

The change in topic put a confused look on his face, the smile on his lips disappearing gradually as he realized what she was speaking of. He gave a little sigh.

“I’ve heard of them. Zenobia, it’s nothing but a silly story, probably made up by some immortal who wanted attention, or was attempting to fleece others by pawning off their possessions.” He laid completely on his side, still looking at her, but his expression was stoic. The hand that had been on her face traveled to her hair, pulling gently, falling along the length of the black locks. “Please tell me that’s not why you’re here.”

“Oh...” she said softly, feeling as if her heart had plunged into the floor. She could feel all of her hopes of resurrecting Eudoxia slipping away from Marius’ words and she couldn't help but show her disappointment on her small face. She didn't want to upset Marius however he would know if she was lying. Frowning slightly she didn't move, allowing him to play with her hair and enjoying the sensation it brought, all before she took a deep breath to admit her secrets.

"Yes, that's why I came to New Orleans," She whispered as she lowered her eyes and stared at Marius' lap. "I had heard of the objects and I thought they were to be true… I wanted to see if they were and maybe use the objects if I could."

One hand was unconsciously winding itself in a cocoon of black, but his eyes continued to watch her expression. His lungs withheld another sigh. It made him a little sad that she hadn’t come to N.O. to see him or other vampires, but that instead she was investigating what was clearly a children’s story fabricated and kept alive by foolish hope. One might think that he, of all people, might believe in such a thing considering what he was, but Marius had always been ruled by logic. And logic said that the only reverse for their condition was death, or perhaps some sort of removal of the evil spirit that dwelt within them all - but even that would bring about a certain demise, for they had all lived long past their time.

“Where did you hear of this?” He himself had read of the legend in several texts, generally journals that he’d discovered had been owned by older vampires and gone into circulation as fictional novels. Gothic tales, they were called, and Marius could see some of them for what they truly were. Works similar in vein to what Lestat had published; did he really think he was the first to attempt to speak to mortals so brazenly?

Her frown deepened and she kept her head down, still not really willing to see what expression Marius had. "I read about it in a few different texts. The first time I came upon it was in Germany. It seemed so real and I had thought that maybe…"

She shook her head and let out a small sigh. Eudoxia had seemed so close, so very close that she could almost hear her laugh and see her face, and now she was fading away.

Peeking up at Marius she smiled faintly but there was a level of sadness in her eyes. "I hadn't known you were here as well when I made my plans to come to this city. It's a wonderful surprise to have found you. I had nearly lost hope of ever seeing you again."

That brought the smile back to his lips, perhaps a bit selfishly. He was glad she was seeing sense. “So much has happened here, and the city itself is quite welcoming. I was devastated to hear about the damage wrought by the storm - and helping to put the city back together again has been an involving project.” Slowly he began to loose his hand from the bondage of her hair.

“I truly thought I would never see you as well. After the events involving Akasha, I almost thought...” But he didn’t birth the words forming in his mind, and carefully kept them hidden from her. Those who had survived the massacre generally sought the company of others, came to find the new coven being built in New Orleans. Marius had had his hands full with his own fledglings, but all of his loves were never far from his mind.

“I can’t begin to express how relieved I am that you’re here.”

The sadness in her eyes deepened slightly, now mixed with the realization of what Marius had thought happened to her. She slipped her arms around his waist and hugged him tightly, pressing her head against his chest and squeezing her eyes closed for a moment. “But I’m here, Marius. There was no harm that came to me. I honestly didn’t even know it was going on, I was too immersed in books, I only had the weird dreams that were apparently so popular.”

She looked up at him, not breaking the embrace just yet, and continued to speak in her quiet tones. “Now that my original plans are foiled and I’ve discovered you are here, if you would grant me allowance to your city I would love to stay here for awhile. I have been alone for so many years it would be nice to have some companionship. If you’re willing to put up with me, of course.”

Had she still had the mortal flesh like she did when she originally met Marius a blush might have appeared on her cheeks. But time had changed her skin and made it as much of a pale marble as Marius’ and just as hard. Still, her cheeks maintained a slight plumpness, even if they were pale. She considered how things had changed since their first meeting. She had begged him not to abandon her, swore she would die without someones protection, and now here she sat completely capable of taking care of herself.

The feeling of her little arms winding around him reinforced the fact that she was indeed there, and the smile grew a little wider. “Of course, my dear. Of course. Do you have somewhere to stay? If not, I can help you find lodgings,” he would even offer to let him stay with her, if she so desired, but he wasn’t going to press from her the freedom that had been somewhat unfairly given to her all those years ago.

For a moment he truly wondered what she meant by her plans being foiled, and his mind went over the objects spoken of in the legend. But he did not ask, he did not pry into her mind, even though it would have been so easy. Instead he waited to see if there was anything he could do for her - to help her, and also to make himself feel useful.

“I have an apartment,” She perked up as she said this, smiling at Marius, as she sat up and let her hands slip down to his sides. “It only has a bed in it though. Maybe you could help me make it fancy like what you have here?”

She took a moment to look around her at the books that she wanted to peek at and the cushioned chairs. “My apartment is quite empty compared to yours. It does the job though…” She looked back at Marius and smiled proudly, looking for his approval although she had sought no ones for years. Suddenly she needed to know from Marius that she was doing things right. A little bit of positive reinforcement while her heart was still aching due to the news that the objects didn’t exist. Well, she was still going to gather as much material about them as she could and figure out where the story had been created.

He was impressed, and quietly proud, that Zenobia had managed all of these things for herself in such a short time. The expression showed on his face, and he favored her with a small kiss on her forehead. “Wonderful! And I would love to help - I have a gallery a few streets over, showing you the artwork would be a pleasure. There are many shops in the Quarter, several of which would be more than happy to help decorate your space.” Allowing himself to bask in the simple happiness of being proud of one he considered almost his own fledgling, he almost forgot the niggling concern in the back of his mind. But the question was asked, regardless.

“So tell me, my little one,” he started in a bemused tone. “If these magical artifacts worked, what would you have done with them?”

Immediately Zenobia lowered her gaze and brought her hands to her hair. Pulling at the long locks she allowed them to fall down the front of her chest, the ends pooling onto her lap as she gathered her will to admit her intentions. “I had read that there was an assortment of the objects. Different ones that had different powers and one that could bring back the dead… You could take a life with the knife and in turn give a life. Almost like what we are capable of doing with our fangs and our blood. I… I wanted to see if the knife worked…”

She looked up at Marius, silently begging him not to ask her any more. He knew very well whom she would bring back and he had already upset her hopes and dreams by telling her the objects weren’t real. She didn’t want him to continue the upset by growing angry over her original intentions. He had to understand that he had loved Eudoxia greatly and yes, it had been so many years, but no she could not forget her.

The amusement on his face died with the implications that came through in her words. It was quite obvious who Zenobia would want to bring back, and he was equally torn between guilt and anger. The first due to it having been his actions that stole her maker away from her, but also that the creature had attempted to kill him first. He’d acted solely in self defense, of both himself and of Those Who Must Be Kept. Even if such a being could be brought back to life... Well, Marius was firmly of the opinion that such a thing should never happen.

“Zenobia,” he started, quietly, trying to suppress his anger, “I very much believe that bringing her back...would be a very foolish thing to do.” He scrambled for reasons beyond his own pride’s excuses. “She’s been gone so long, do you really think she’d adjust well to the modern age?” Do you really think she’d let a slight like murder go unrepaid? That she wouldn’t immediately be the greedy and manipulative creature that she’d been so long ago? It was certainly true that Zenobia could not see the darker side of Eudoxia, or simply refused to. Marius himself had once been ensnared by Eudoxia’s beauty and intelligence, but all of that had been destroyed by Akasha herself. By Akasha’s whim - perhaps everything, all of his faults, could be laid at the Mother’s feet.

“Please, put this out of your mind. In the coming days I’ll take you to the gallery, and we’ll furnish your quarters exactly how you want. And you may take whatever books you like from here, consider it your own personal library.” He hoped that these doting gestures would help to move her mind away from the thought of potentially resurrecting Eudoxia, but the subtle thought that she would not be so easily swayed moved underneath everything else like a serpent waiting to strike.

As Marius listed the reasons Eudoxia should never be brought back Zenobia felt herself grow numb. She placed her hands on her lap and stared at them, feeling as if she was being scolded, but she couldn’t bring herself to really say anything back. Eudoxia had always been sweet to Zenobia, if a little possessive and controlling, but she had loved Zenobia more than anyone else had during her short life. She had protected her to the best of her abilities, given her literature to read, and dressed her in fine clothes. Her existence with Eudoxia was something of a dream compared to her mortal life and she owed it to her maker to bring her back. Well, if the objects had existed she would have…

She would had helped Eudoxia learn to live again and made sure she was happy, not angry, but she knew that if she said this to Marius he wouldn’t believe Zenobia and assume she would fail.

While Marius offered his help to Zenobia she continued to look at her lap. If the objects had been real nothing Marius could say would change her opinion. But hearing his dislike of her plan still stung. And yet, Zenobia realized that Marius was making a peace offering of sorts and she couldn’t deny him. Looking up at him she gave a short nod and smiled weakly. “So long as you help me pick out the most beautiful artwork,” she said quietly as she brushed a strand of hair back from her face. “May I come and go from here as I please? You have so many beautiful books, I would love to read them all.” The talk of books brought a small spark to Zenobia’s eyes however the disappointment was still obvious on her face.

“Of course,” he responded, feeling that the discussion had been put to bed. “As I said, feel free to use it as your personal library. I’ll tell Patrick to assist you in any way you might need. He’s quite amazing, actually, his mind is almost like an encyclopedia.” He was unsure how Zenobia felt in regards to essentially having human servants around, but Marius had grown to like it. Patrick was an asset, and his handling of the store left the immortal more free time to busy himself with other projects.

He put another hand to her face again, cupping one plump cheek. “You are perfectly welcome anywhere you please, my dear. Anything you might need, you only have to ask and I will be more than happy to get it for you. But you’ve become so capable yourself, I’m sure you won’t even need me.” The last bit was said in a teasing manner, wanting to see a smile on her face again, wanting to be reassured that he was important.

“Then Patrick and I have something in common,” Zenobia teased lightly. Even as a mortal she had a photographic memory and could quote anything after having read it. She appreciated any mortal who had the same abilities as she.

She couldn’t help but smile at Marius, leaning her face against his hand once more and closing her eyes partially. “I’ve learned to survive but I could never deny some help from someone so knowledgeable. Don’t brush yourself off, Marius. At the very least, I need your companionship. I’ve been alone for too long and I miss being around others.”

She pushed her sadness aside and reached forward again to embrace Marius. She brought her lips to his, giving another brief blood kiss before pulling back and looking at him with a grin. “And so we’ve been brought together again in a new age and a new city. I’m sure this will be just as exciting as the last time we were with one another.”

Introductions

Wed, 01 Jun 2011 05:09:58 GMT

Who: Marius de Romanus and Eleni Firenze
What: Eleni introduces herself to the de facto leader of N.O.
Where: Modern Times bookstore
When: Shortly after nightfall
Warnings: None

The gentle scent of paper, the soothing touch of leather bindings - if one had to be trapped for eternity, Marius would not begrudge a bookstore being his jail. He was currently in the midst of organizing some new acquisitions for his business, tucked quietly away in one corner of the store.

He was hidden from sight to most customers because of shelves and walls, but his supernatural senses allowed him to remain aware of the comings and goings inside his place of business. The early evening hour still saw a good amount of patronage, but the blond expected such attendance to slough off as time passed - though New Orleans stayed awake and aware into the wee hours of the morning, few of that particular population counted themselves book enthusiasts.

No, instead Marius would expect a different sort of customer, though perhaps visitor would be a more applicable term. He’d been sensing them on the outskirts of the town, a few others daring to come in closer. All of them moving slowly, carefully, as ones who had lived to such an age did with everything - the cautious were the survivors. Lifting one book, he flipped it open to the first page, pale blue eyes scanning the words with half-concentration.

Eleni had observed the store from across the street for quite some time. She waited there, lingering in the shadows and unseen by the mortals, until she noticed a lull in the customers of the bookstore. Still, she had prepared for this adventure amongst mortals. Feeding well as soon as she woke in the evening her flesh as still warm and her tanned skin noticeable. She looked almost human if it wasn’t for her floating moves and sparkling eyes. Aside from feeding she had also dressed in comfortable flats and a black sundress of sorts. Her hair was loose and scattered around her shoulders but she pushed it back from her face as she stepped into the bookstore.

It was quaint and a place she could enjoy but she hadn’t entered the store to browse; she was on a mission. Moving cautiously past the bookshelves she paused when she felt the immense power of who she had been looking for and felt a little bit of her determination drain from her. She could see him just slightly but still she would have to walk around a bookshelf to see him fully.

The fact that he didn’t glance up was not to be taken as a slight; instead, he was allowing her to choose when they spoke, when the interaction began. Being one of the oldest and most powerful vampires, Marius knew that he had something of a disturbing effect on younger vampires, especially those who might fear his kind. Her peripheral vision took in her seemingly sun-kissed skin, the dark hair, the facade of life that flowed through her - he had none of these things, and instead made sure to stay in the backdrop of most scenes, ever the observer.

But now she had crept closer, peering at him like a child observing an adult, trying to learn some hidden thing. The image made the corner of his mouth quirk in response, and he closed the book softly.

“Please don’t be frightened. Welcome - is there something you need assistance with?” His voice was low, almost too soft to be heard, but for someone like her with supernatural senses, the words would be all too clear. The book was gently placed back amongst its brethren, and the hand holding the volume tucked into a pocket of the slacks clothing him. His attire was that of casual business man, collared shirt and pants, hair clipped short for simplicity’s sake. Except for the fact of his too pale skin and strangely colored eyes, he could have easily passed as any other bookworm enjoying its natural environment.

“My name is Marius,” he added, a smile coloring his features and attempting to set her at ease. Politeness was ever a fault with him, though he could not say that it wasn’t necessary.

Eleni let out a sigh and felt herself relax slightly. However, she was still on edge, still cautious, and she doubted she could ever be otherwise around this man. His power was nearly intoxicating but his welcome was appreciated and had the result in comforting Eleni in a way she assumed he had intended.

“It’s a pleasure to meet you, Marius. My name is Eleni,” she replied quietly, her English still holding the little bit of a musical quality from Italian being her first language, then gave a small nod of her head. She paused again and glanced about the store before turning her dark eyes to Marius once more. “You have a lovely little business here. It must do well with so many tourists coming to the area.”

She gave a small, almost secret smile and brought a hand up to run through her hair. “I apologize for bothering you while you’re at work but... I felt that I should introduce myself. I know any vampire that enters New Orleans could be seen as a threat and, well, I didn’t want to hide from you.”

His gaze held hers, the smile unwavering. “I don’t claim to own the city, my dear. Unlike others I’ve met in my past, I will not deny sanctuary to any who seek it here - except those, perhaps, who would promote violence.” Moving from his spot, looking much the statue come to life, he moved further into the bookstore with the expectation that she would follow. He passed by the counter, giving his manager, Patrick, a nod before moving into an inventory room that would give him and Eleni more privacy.

“And yes, the bookstore is doing well, though there’s no need for it to turn a profit. What I’ve acquired over the years is more than enough to sustain it for years to come.” Coming to the end of one stack of books, he stopped and turned to face her once more. “Now that I think on it...are you not the Eleni spoken of in Lestat’s books? The one from the theater, in France?”

Eleni drifted after Marius, following his lead although still feeling cautious and as she walked her eyes took in all the different books in the store and landed on the man behind the counter. She gave him a small smile before continuing on. She listened to Marius, taking in what he had to say, but it was his mentioning of the theater that caused her to look back at Marius.

“Yes, that would be me,” she replied and smiled again. “I’m surprised he could recall all of the letters I had sent him, nearly word for word. And you, the infamous Marius whom he wrote about. The maker of Armand.”

She said this with caution, not wanting to offend him in any way, but it was hard to ignore that the both of them had connections with each other.

Marius nodded at the mention of his Amadeo, the thought of the boy (could he really even call him a boy any longer?) making the smile on his face deepen for a moment. The blond would always choose to linger on the happier memories between him and his auburn haired boy, instead of recalling that not too long ago they’d fought, because Marius had turned the girl Sybelle and the boy Benji in hopes of creating companions for his beloved. All it had done was push Armand further away, but Marius dismissed such thoughts from his mind.

“Lestat has an impeccable memory, as do we all after receiving the Dark Gift,” he replied. “It makes me glad to see another of our kind from so long ago still living, considering recent events. If you don’t mind the inquiry...are you aware of what’s transpired?” Of course he was referring to Akasha’s attempted genocide of both vampires and humans, and everything that had occurred therein. How so many of them had been slain, how the queen had eventually been defeated. Thinking on these past events brought Marius so much pain that he chose to box up the memories, but it was a rare night when he did not think that he needed to visit Those Who Must Be Kept’s shrine, that he needed to clean or polish or paint, or did not recognize the keening in his heart as an ache for the loss of a loved one.

All of these thoughts were kept carefully behind a curtain - Eleni was no where near powerful enough to read his mind, but his face also gave no clue as to what he was thinking.

“I don’t mind at all, feel free to ask me anything, Marius.” She looked around her and took a step closer to wall, leaning against it lightly and looking down at her feet as she continued on in hushed tones. “I’m aware of what happened however I only discovered it a few years ago. See, I slept through it all. I crawled into the earth and slept while everything occurred. I found out the details through the books Lestat had written only a short while ago.”

She looked up at him, her eyes searching his blue ones for any type of secrets he was willing to give away. Her look was intense for a moment while she slipped into her memories. She had woken and been so clueless, had felt so empty. Usually she could feel and hear the other vampires of the world but it was nearly silent. When she read Lestat’s book she had been filled with obvious horror as different vampires she had once knew were picked off by that blood-thirsty queen. Laurent and Felix, the others unmentioned, it caused her to wrap her arms around her in this present day. All that had happened and she had slept through it and for that she felt something akin to shame. “I’ve come to New Orleans hoping to find out more about that time, actually.”

It would have been all too easy for Marius to reach in and pluck out her thoughts, to read her mind and discover exactly what it was she knew and what she might have been hiding from him. But he sensed no lies from her, no air of deceit. Of course, there were those that cultivated such an appearance, struggling to hold up a facade with which they danced through their mockery of life in order to take others by surprise. But this Eleni, as he recalled from Lestat’s words and simply from his own observations now, did not fall into that category. And regardless, Marius still would not have abused his powers so - he considered it a grave insult for someone to invade anothers mind in such a way. He had far too much respect for others of his kind to ever treat them so.

“I would be more than happy to answer any questions you might have, my dear. Have you fed this evening? If not, I would suggest that first, and then we could retire to more comfortable quarters.” Generally Marius knew it was not intelligent to broadcast one’s sleeping place, but he found it far too comforting to keep his living quarters near the bookstore. There were apartments above for receiving callers, but during the day he slept below, in the earth. He knew he was too old and too strong for most of the still living vampires to ever cause him harm.

“I’ve already fed, thank you,” She replied with a nod and a smile. “But a place to sit and talk would be lovely, if you’re able to leave your store for awhile. Although I do think the gentleman behind the counter would be able to handle things.” Her eyes twinkled and she let off an air of polite composure. “I do have quite a few questions and I hope you will be able to answer them for me. I would appreciate it greatly.”

The longer she spoke to this ancient one, the more comfortable she felt with him. He wasn’t going to harm her unless she made it necessary, she could tell by the mannerisms he had and the vibe he gave off. Generally she was good at reading people, vampires included, and just because this man was so powerful she suspected she could still read him well enough. Still, she would remain polite and keep her barriers up, as she did with everyone she met. Eleni ran a hand over her bare arm and glanced down, frowning as she noticed the nearly human glow from feeding was already lessening. She never had the heart to feed on mortals constantly to maintain her Italian tone but that was not to say it wasn’t a temptation.

Marius nodded, his expression settling for a benign one as he held out a hand toward a staircase that ran to the upper apartments of the building. It was one of many that he now owned in New Orleans - this one’s prime location made it perfect for a shop of sorts, and the only choice for Marius had been either a book store or an art gallery. The gallery had ended up a few blocks over, in a more downtown area, but both served his great passions admirably. Once Eleni was climbing the stairs, Marius followed after; he hadn’t yet fed that evening, nor would he. He’d found that with age came not only strength, but less desire for the rich blood of mortals. He still enjoyed feeding, but found that he could go for longer spans of time without and he used this ability to its full extent.

“Please, make yourself comfortable,” he said in the same quiet voice as they entered what seemed to be a loft. At one time it had been a small apartment with several rooms, but Marius had had the walls removed and the whole place redone to expand the small space as much as possible. A small sitting area was off to the left with plus chairs around a low table - the other half proffered a desk and several bookshelves holding antique looking volumes, probably anything more expensive than was for sale downstairs. Upon closer examination, such titles would prove to be Roman and Greek in origin, in their original languages. Several copies of Ovid’s poetry lined the top shelf.

“Thank you,” she replied with a nod before taking a seat on one of the chairs that circled the low table. She brushed at the skirt of her dress and crossed her legs at her ankles, tucking them to the side of the chair, and allowed herself to look around the room. It hadn’t been that long since she had emerged from her sleep and she hadn’t become attached to a place yet. But looking at this room, seeing that it was lived in with Marius’ belongings here and there, she suddenly felt a longing to try and settle once more.

Settling into a chair and crossing his legs, Marius steepled his fingers in a relaxed pose. “What would you ask of me?”

“Well, as I mentioned, I slept through all that had occurred,” Eleni began as she turned her attention to Marius. “I hadn’t any idea what was going on other than the dreams of the twins that Lestat’s books mentioned. I’ve read through all of the books and I understand that, at least since the last publication, he, Gabrielle, Armand... they’re all alive. Is that true? See, I’ve been rather alone for many years and I was hoping to find companionship once more. Not only that, but to just know where all of my old friends are.”

And she wondered something else as well, but she would keep that to herself until the moment came for her to ask Marius. For now it would be one thing at a time.

He smiled, though he hadn’t truly done so when Lestat’s books had come to hand. As much as he enjoyed the Brat Prince’s company, there was a certain arrogance that Marius could never forgive. Namely of taking the secrets the Roman had told him and spreading them around to the world at large, and thereby waking the Queen...

“For most intents, yes, what Lestat spoke of is true. The few of us that survived - Gabrielle, Armand, Louis, and others - took shelter amongst each other for a short time. Then we were torn apart, as seems to occur naturally among our kind.” Though his gaze never faltered from hers for am moment, he silently remembered his last interactions with his two beloved fledglings, and quietly wondered where they might be now. If they were on their way back to New Orleans.

“We had become the New Orleans coven, I believe Lestat called it. Living here, in this fine city - trying to piece together what Lestat saw on his adventures with a presumed devil. Until, that is, the hurricane struck,” he continued, laying out the details as quickly as he could. “Hurricane Katrina. Everything was flooded, nothing was safe; nothing we had time to prepare for. And so all left. They are...scattered around this world, now.

“But I have offered an invitation,” he added. “Trying to lure them back here, rebuild what we once had. Seek companionship, as you mentioned.” For so long he’d been without others - even the short time he’d had taking care of Daniel passed all too quickly. He longed once more for others of his kind, and now his attempts at pulling them all back to Louisiana seemed fruitful, at least with Eleni’s appearance.

“Ah, so there my very well be more of our kind returning to the city,” Eleni said quietly as she inspected the cloth of her skirt. Realizing she was being rude she smoothed out the material over her lap and looked back up at Marius. “I understand the need to separate after awhile. When I left the theater I existed on my own through all of these years. Now I feel it’s time to socialize with others. I feel the need deep down within me.”

She smiled faintly, hoping Marius understood, although she felt so young compared to him. What was a few hundred years in comparison to what he had seen and lived through? She glanced around the room again then brought her hands to her hair, gathering the long curls and letting it drape down the front of her chest. “I have one other question that I do not know if you would necessarily be able to answer. It’s about the... Queen? I’m sorry, but I am unsure of what I should call her. The Mother, the Queen...? What would be appropriate?”

“She was...our mother. I believe The Mother would be appropriate.” He responded with a perfectly straight face, something that wasn’t a feat for him in the slightest. And yet speaking, thinking of Akasha (something he rarely went a few moments without, one of many in the long cascade of faces whom he would never forget) brought that ache again, that dull pain in his chest, of love and of betrayal.

Folding his hands, Marius tilted his head. “And yes, I know what you mean by the need of company. One can only go for so long before one craves outside stimulation, some fresh aspect of the life we once had. This bookstore serves that purpose for me, as has such a thing for a long period of time. Perhaps you would look into such, if you were inclined?” It was a good idea, to have some source through which a vampire could constantly update themselves with the current age.

In times past, Marius had used his home, throwing lavish parties and feasts for his mortal guests where they could dine and talk into the small hours of the morning. They would nearly live in that house, while Marius took his rest elsewhere, only to return once night fell again. He remembered those times fondly, simpler times when he’d spend entire nights painting and repainting walls, discovering the shock of painting Pandora into each portrait, attempting to undo such a thing and finding it was all he could replicate.

“Or if you simply require lodgings, I could be of assistance there as well. You are more than welcome in this bookstore,” he added, not wanting to seem presumptuous in what Eleni should do with her time.

“If you are willing to help me acquire a place of my own, that would be greatly appreciated. I’ve had a small hotel room where I’ve kept changes of clothes but nothing permanent,” She replied. But the question was still itching at her, the one that she was not sure Marius knew the answer to. “Marius, when the Mother took to the skies and destroyed so many of us... she traveled from place to place, seemingly trying to get rid of any of the young ones aside from those Lestat directly cared for and those too old to be destroyed by her power. But... I was untouched. Surely she knew I slept in the ground. Surely she could sense my heartbeat. I had been mentioned in Lestat’s book and she destroyed other members of the theatre. Why was I spared?”

This had all come out in a rush and as that final question slipped out of her mouth she sat back, feeling surprised that she had exposed her question so quickly and nervously. It had been something she had wondered about since she had woke and Marius must have been one of the few remaining vampires in the world who could... maybe... answer his question. She felt tempted to apologize to Marius for blabbering as she did but felt he would brush it off, there were better things to be concerned about then someone like she rambling at the mouth.

It was quite a question. True that, surely Akasha could feel and know each of her children, where ever they might be hiding or sleeping or waiting - and yet Akasha’s mind had been so scattered, so twisted that who could truly know her intentions?

“That I do not know, my dear. Perhaps she did not find you wanting as she did the others; perhaps she merely overlooked you. I would not dwell on such a thing, instead be glad that you were not destroyed and look to make the most of the time that has been given to you.” Endless as that time may seem, he mentally added, his thoughts carefully guarded. Marius was unsure if Eleni wanted to die, if she had been looking for a swift way out that would cause her mind no trouble. If that were the case, he still had no answers for her.

“As for the lodgings, I have several buildings, many that retain specially built and fortified basements. They have hidden openings, though I doubt many here would think that a house would contain a basement because of the swampland. I can give you descriptions and locations of each, and you can choose which you’d like.”

She frowned slightly, she couldn’t help the reaction. She felt at times guilty that her friends had died while she lived. What had made her so special? But Marius’ words were comforting in one way or another. The mention of time made Eleni think of her own time. She missed mortality the longer she lived. She craved for the warm sun on her skin and for that skin to be the olive skin tone that she had maintained as a mortal. But she was simply too much of a wimp to end her life. No, she didn’t want to die, she wanted to live.

“Please, tell me of your locations. One with a basement sounds lovely.” The implication being that she would sleep during the day in the basement, close to the house, with Marius knowing. It was dangerous to have vampires know where you spent your daylight hours but Eleni knew very well that if Marius wanted to end her existence he didn’t need to go through such lengths as finding her while she slept. “Aside from socializing I’m not entirely sure what I would do in this city. Maybe one day I could manage a theater again,” she laughed slightly at this idea. It was one she had thought of many times however she wasn’t quite sure she could do it without Armand’s help and Nicolas’ insane plays.

“That would be quite an addition,” Marius commented. He’d never seen the Theater des Vampires, had only read of it in Lestat’s books, but privately found it a gross display of power. He could see the appeal of it for someone like his Amadeo, who was too infatuated with the ideas of godhood and the need to believe deeply in some fanatical religion, but he himself did not care for such things. Some might not call him a Roman in that respect, but Marius had always walked a different path than most. Rising from his seat, he approached the desk on the other side of the room and removed from a drawer a series of papers; most things in this day and age were done digitally, but a few centuries old vampire was hard pressed to let go of a love of paper and parchment.

His movements were slow, for an immortal, but if a human had been in the room, their eyes would have found his pace frantic, almost as though he were teleporting from one side of the room to the other. Marius had taken long hours to coach himself in patience, to act as much the mortal as he could, and still he found himself falling into certain habits that marked him for what he was. The papers came to a rest on the low table amidst the chairs, spread out to reveal maps and pictures of the various lots strewn about the city.

“There is a rather picturesque Victorian,” he started, pointing to a corner in a residential area. “Or if you prefer a business district, better for the activity, there is a building similar to this one over here.” He realized how much trust he was asking Eleni to place in him, but surely if she was agreeable to the offer she must not fear him. It secretly made him happy to find that others did not see him as off putting or terrifying; too much did he enjoy the company of others, and he would be greatly saddened by the image that he struck horror into the hearts of others.

Eleni scooted forward on the chair although she had no need of this because of her powerful eyesight. Brushing her hair back again and hugging herself she looked over what Marius had presented to her.

“Hmm, I don’t need anything very extravagant. I’ve only collected a computer since awaking and an assortment of clothing. Of course I could make the place appear to be lived in with furniture but that’s something that can be handled easily enough. Something small is perfectly fine, although I do enjoy the idea of being a little bit further away from the city. It seems more private that way.

“What do you suggest, Marius? These are your properties, I’ll accept anything you are willing to offer.” She turned her face to focus on him directly, if she were to look away now it could be seen as a moment of weakness, and she wanted Marius to understand that she honestly would not try to step on his toes while visiting the city and she was speaking to him with something similar to trust.

Giving a nod, Marius flipped over a few pages to pull out a small warehouse building near the outskirts of the town, in a shipping district near the docks. “Perhaps this would be more to your tastes? During the day business is conducted as usual, but the grounds are void of life after dark. You would be free to come and go as you please, with no one to worry about.” The space wasn’t terribly large, fitting almost exactly to the size of the warehouse above it, but it would more than suffice for an immortal.

That and feeding in the area would be simple; if she ended up killing, all she would have to do would be to drop the body into the nearby body of water to dispose of it. Though Marius had certainly thought of these things, he hoped that the immortals who found their way here would take care in their feeding, and kill as little as possible. He had always found the Little Drink to work perfectly well, even for someone as old as he.

“I can also assign a security watch, if you like, to keep an eye on it if you like. I know most of us dislike having humans afoot, but I’ve found them invaluable.”

She looked over the papers, carefully avoiding any physical contact with Marius, “A warehouse? Is the warehouse itself used or just the surrounding area? Would I be able to make myself a little home there?” She looked up at Marius then succumbed to a small laugh. “I apologize. When I woke from my sleep I took a tiny cottage near the sea in Ireland. It was completely removed from the towns in the area. But... it was my little home of sorts. Although I didn’t stay there long enough to really make it my own. I mainly used it for a place to sit and read about what I had missed in the world while I slept. So do forgive me for getting a little excited about all of this.”

The possibilities were endless. To have a place of her own, a place to hide away, and yet something removed from the hustle and bustle of mortal activity so that she couldn’t come in contact with any curious onlookers. She wished she could just pick up her little cottage in Ireland and place it in New Orleans because she did enjoy the place. It just wasn’t in the right city.

He laughed softly, not at her but in own bemusement at his attempts to fit her requirements. “Please, don’t apologize. What about this, then?” Turning to another piece of paper, he pulled out another home, settled in another residential area but closer to the outskirts of town. It was a one story brick building. The lot around it was small, but the basement underneath crept out further than the structure atop it, giving a little more space than appearances showed.

“You could do wonders with it, I think, and it’s small. Near people though, and of course downtown isn’t ever too far away should you want company other than that of a mortal’s.” He offered the paper to her with a slim, long fingered hand, hoping that it was a little closer to what she was looking for. Of cottages, there weren’t many to be found in New Orleans, but if she had the funding and the wherewithal, she could certainly make whatever she wanted of this small building.

Eleni’s eyes glimmered as she graciously accepted the paper. She looked over the details as a small smile began to form on her lips. “Oh, this sounds lovely,” she whispered. Her voice was too soft for mortals to hear but still perfectly audible for Marius. A number of ideas filled her head as she pictured this little house. She could settle down and possibly make New Orleans a location she could live in. A place of her own.

“This is perfect, Marius. Thank you so much.” Her voice had begun with strength but quickly returned into a whisper as her attention went back to the paper she was holding. “I could have a gate installed, it’s nothing much but it would give the sense of separating myself from the homes around me. Oh, and I could collect different kinds of moon flowers to plant.”

Her excitement tempered off only slightly as she thought of all the flowers and plants she used to enjoy as a child. Sitting in the garden of her home and playing amongst the foliage. Well, she certainly didn’t want to play amongst flowers but she did miss seeing the ones that bloomed during the day. She let out a tiny sigh then turned her gaze back to the blond. “May I stay at this location, Marius?”

He honestly already considered it hers, but the fact that she asked for the property certainly endeared her to him. This lovely creature, with her birdlike movements and willow-reed thin figure, was enchanting beyond all description. What could have ever befallen her, to make her into one of those coven vampires? How could someone so gentle and polite become a Satan worshipper? But perhaps such questions were better reserved for another time - the curiosity burned in the back of his mind.

“Of course. For now, all these properties are simply standing, waiting for a use. If by giving it to you it fulfills a purpose, all the better. I’ll have paperwork drawn up to have it signed over to you, under a faux sale, and you can decide what name to put it under. If you like, I can give you the keys now so you might have somewhere to stay in the meantime until that is done.” Turning a smiling face from her, he quickly began to bundle up the remaining papers - again, a great show of trust between them both, one for her to accept from him a place to sleep during the day, and for him to show her his properties, but, again, Eleni seemed...harmless.

Marius rose, taking the papers back to their resting place in the desk. “I certainly hope that you’ll stay in New Orleans for some time, Eleni. I would certainly love to hear about your time abroad, and perhaps even your time,” he added, meaning when she was alive, “if you were willing to share such things with me. And I promise, not everything I hear ends up in writing,” he added with a chuckle, meaning his own book that he’d published under the same pseudonym as Lestat. The one describing his long life, the poor decisions he’d made and the things he’d loved.

Eleni smiled and got to her own feet, gripping the paper about the home Marius would be providing her in her hands. “I would appreciate the keys, thank you.” She moved away from the plush chairs and looked over the books on the shelves for a moment. “Our histories do entwine, don’t they?” She meant Armand but didn’t want to mention his name, sensing that it brought up some pain for Marius. But Armand had been her coven leader, he had given the order for her maker to find her, capture her, and make her into a vampire. She had lived many years as a captive to Armand’s ways and then eventually as a companion as they ran the theater. “I’ll happily tell you of my time, it’s the least I can do for what you’re providing me, and I’ve never really talked to anyone about my life.”

Other than her friend in the theater, Eugenie, and Nicolas. Whether or not he had ever listened was a different story. “I think I may stay in New Orleans for awhile. I like the climate and I’ve never had much experience with the south of this country.” She turned back to Marius and grinned, accidentally flashing her small fangs. “I’ll have to ask you for any pointers about where to go and what sites to see. You’re the only vampire I’ve met since coming here although I’ve crossed paths with another vampire. I believe she was an ancient like yourself and I quickly left her alone. But once I settle, I’m sure I could be a vampire tourist of sorts.”

Reaching into another drawer, he pulled out a set of keys labeled with an orange keychain. He knew quite well that Armand had known her, had possibly known her as a mortal, but he couldn’t fathom what role he might have taken - what was more, he didn’t know if he could bear knowing such things, but all in good time. Turning back to Eleni, he took a few steps closer to her and offered the keys, dangling from his hand. The mention of a female ancient made him prick his ears, always wondering if it was his Pandora, but he left that line of questioning alone for the moment.

“That would be a novel sight, a vampire tourist,” he responded, sounding out the words as though they were foreign to him. Once the keys were alleviated and in her possession, He took a step back to the side of the desk and leaned on it casually, looking at ease. “I’m sure I could point out a location or two, but there must be younger vampires, or even mortals, who would be better company and more versed in this location.” It wasn’t that he didn’t enjoy her company, but simply that Marius rarely left his bookstore to wander.

Despite the precautions he took, the lotions and oils he rubbed into his skin, the clothing he wore, there was always something about him that seemed to set off human’s awareness of what he was. Perhaps it was some defense mechanism, evolved over time to protect them from the vampire kind. Idle speculation, perhaps better left for another night.

“Well, if you ever decide to tour the city and would like a companion, please don’t forget me,” Eleni replied with a nod as she accepted the key. He looked too much like a statue to pass amongst mortals. Would this be how Eleni would look in a matter of years? Centuries? For her skin to lose even more of it’s color made her shiver. “Maybe I’ll run into that other vampire and she and I can be friends.” She gave a slight laugh and looked down at the paper Marius had handed her about the house with the smile still on her face.

She couldn’t help but think that the meeting went much better than she had thought it would. She had been terrified of Marius, observing him from afar for awhile now, and she knew how powerful he was. In fact, she still knew. But she felt that if Lestat had found a friend in him, she could too, and it was proven true. All in all, she was glad she had gotten the courage to approach this man.

Again he wondered who she might mean in mentioning the ancient, but he’d leave it for another time. Certain that Eleni would want to be off to inspect her new property, he motioned toward the stairs.

“Allow me to walk you out,” he said, again allowing her to take the lead in walking back down into the inventory room. As they threaded their way through the stacks of books and back out into the store itself, he found himself speaking again.

“By all means, feel free to stop in whenever you feel it. I’m usually here, or in my gallery on Royal Street. Andrei’s Gallery,” he added, the name instantly bringing memories to his mind but he was unsure that she would recognize the significance. It didn’t matter either way, regardless. “Patrick is the manager here, and generally knows my whereabouts - if I’m not in, he can be a useful resource.” Of course, many of the things he told Patrick were in a sort of code, if not outright lies. It was impractical to give a mortal such access to valuable information, but Marius trusted Patrick and the thought that no one would dare infringe on those the ancient vampire had given his protection to.

“Be safe,” he added lastly, watching her disappear out the front door of Modern Times.