A Meeting of the Minds

[Sage]

Most vampires were polite, at least to one another. They were also cunning, and political. Despite any curiosity they may hold, unless directly ordered to, most vampires would leave new arrivals alone until introduced in the presence of The Mother. But newborns were not subject to the niceties, and Edicius was already not your normal case. He had not cared for political and social maneuvering before his death, however recently, and he certainly had no taste for them now.

The door disappeared, more than opened. It was well-known to Anabel's children that the boy had been responsible for the mass destruction that had taken place on the foundation of the building, as well as the complete annihilation of Anabel's sitting room, as well as the dining room beneath it. He had never been a hateful person, rather left bitter by the constant letdowns in his mortal life, ending abruptly in the ultimate sacrifice he had paid for his dear friend Sophitia, which only ended in more misery and betrayal.

So when he invoked his newborn vamprism, and the enhanced senses it granted to identify the newcomer to the house, he thought nothing of broadsiding the door with his full force after it did not open on the first attempt. Once there was no obstruction between himself and what was supposed to be an empty room, his senses were assaulted by scents of burnt earth, dried blood, and the sight of a semi-conscious vampire near an open window.

His head drifted to the side, curiosity apparent. As much as he hated the creatures that had tricked him, he could respect that they were not the kind that would allow strangers to break into their home. If she was here, and had yet to be intercepted by Anabel's personal guard, they had likely already met. This made sense, as her own scent seemed to be absent from the range of his olfactory sense.

" What do we have, here? More foreign nightwalkers, come to confess their problems? "

[Skylar]

She could smell him before he entered the room. So fresh, still reeking of mortality in her mind, a smell that was never really pleasant nor pungent to her. He received no rise out of her as he burst into the room unannounced. In fact at first, she didn’t even turn to him. Not until his voice broke the silence she was relishing.

“I have nothing to confess child.” Her voice was so sultry and welcoming, and finally she turned to him, green hues seemingly burning through him. She canted her head slightly as she allowed herself to take in his features from head to toe. Although he appeared “tame” she sized him up still very much unrefined.

“What has brought you to me this evening?” From the time of her arrival she had been the center of attention, something that brought her slight discomfort. With her mind cloudy, lacking she felt too much had happened much too quickly. She only hoped that she hadn’t make any ill choices in her incompleteness.

She motioned toward an empty seat near her, offering him a place to make himself comfortable. Perhaps this creature could be a gateway of information on what was in store for her when she met the other members of this house.

[Sage]

Perceptive. Ed may have been a child in the eyes of his people, but he had been exploited as a warrior by adults for a reason. He was resilient, powerful, and perhaps as important as any trait, he was perceptive, able to understand and adapt quickly in tense situations. He applied this now, her eyes beautiful and luring, but they were burdened by a blankness that did not suit her.

" Nothing to confess? Oh, but we all have things are not proud of, and what we are makes us compelled to keep no secrets from the Witch. That means you are either very special, or can not recall. "

His words were dry, and full of sting. It would sound like an insult, as if losing one's memory could be a fault of their own. His own appearance was striking. He wore loose fitting clothes, ragged and covered in earth, nothing like the garb that vampire nobility usually wore. Bare feet were stained with grass, and he was equipped openly with devastating weapons, an odd thing for a child or a vampire in Anabel's house, either. Despite his abnormally pale skin, when he flashed his boyish smile, full of mischief and wrongdoing, they shone many shades whiter than his dusty epidermis.

" I am here because I was betrayed by the Witch and her minion, and am forced to stay here against my will. If you're here, I'm sure you've met. " Edicius was wild enough, but no more than other normal children. It was the resentment he had of what he had become that had given him the little control over himself that he had, an unusual trait in newborn vampires. He took her gesture as a sign to make himself comfortable, and so he did, leaping onto one of the wooden pillars that held up the canopy of her new bed, and after gripping it with his legs, he swung backward to hang upside down a few feet from her. His sandy brown hair hanging at odd lengths from his head, sapphire orbs not quite looking at her as he spoke in a bored, almost sarcastic tone.

" But none of this is important. Ask a question, get a question, give an answer to get one in return. And I have given you two. So you owe me; you wake up without your memory. Clean slate, nothing corrupting your judgement. What is it that you want to do? "

[Skylar]

As dry as his words may have seen, the sting he may have wished to cause to her seemed to surpass her. She shifted her weight in her seat, keeping eye contact with the male. She let him sing his song and dance, the corners of her mouth perked ever so slightly in a perfect grin, not quite malicious, not really cunning, but definitely not innocent.

Perception, you see, can be altered.

Special. She considered herself to be special, for many reasons, even if they were not on the tip of her tongue. “Perhaps both apply to me.” She pulled her legs beneath her, allowing herself a bit more comfort, yet all the while her face still held true to felicity.

And still his actions received no rise from her. She merely watched as he tore at her bed, hanging upside like a bat in slumber. However, she would amuse him, play his game. As unrefined as he was, his company was entertaining. “I wish to know who I am. Why I am here.” She reached up and ran her hand along her lengthy coal locks. “As for the witch you speak of, I am unsure that I have met her. In fact, I’m not sure who all I have met. Aside from Eijin, the rest seemed more worried about their duty then to be hospitable.”

She ran her tongue across her lips, raising a brow slightly as she thought for a moment. “How long have you been here child, and what is your name?” Simple requests, but calling him child seemed demeaning to her in may ways, a name was always more appropriate.

[Sage]

His brow furrowed, and his sour look deteriorated further into a type of frown. He was disappointed that she was not feeding into his game, but not altogether displeased with having an untainted mind to converse with, free of Anabel's taint.

To want to know who you are, how boring.

He could only relish in the opportunity to have a clean memory. Undoubtedly he would attempt to carve out a new existence rather than trouble himself with the old, but who knew how they would react in such a situation. He could only pray to whatever governing deity this hand fell to their knees for, hope for a chance to forget his past.

" The Witch's name is Anabel, and while she is capable of changing her visible self, you may recognize her by the groveling horde constantly bootlicking at every available piece of earth near her. " He gave pause as she continued, and smiled a callous smile. " Yes, they are quite fond of their feigned duty and responsibilities. That would be The Guard. They are human and for the most part, have little love for our kind, but at least you can trust them to protect you for fear of their betters. "

Ed hung from the bedpost casually, dangling his arms now to the floor, where he scratched idly at the glossy finish on the floors, scrubbed well by servants. Names and titles, like most everything else bored him greatly, as he had lost a lot of the starry-eyed, childlike wonder that tragedy had stripped from him. As it turned out, there were no knights in shining armor, and noble families who were great and generous. But he stayed true to his game, and answered her, expecting an answer in return, or several now, afterward.

" My name is Edicius. I've been in Kalmarden for three days, three nights. I was turned my first night here. " Edicius' eye caught sight of the thing around her neck, bearing a slightly-worn 'A'. " I take it that's for your name. Can I see it? I'm attuned with the earth, can probably tell you what it's made of. Who knows, it may help your memory if I can tell you where it was made. "

[Skylar]

As the name Anabel rolled of his tongue she glanced at him quizzically. Anabel was referred to earlier as the “Mother” of their kind. Whatever that meant, it was obvious that this creature disliked her. She nodded at his words and extended a hand toward him. “I do not recall my name, but have been renamed, least for now, Angel. It is a pleasure to meet you Edicius.”

Were he to come to shake her hand, he would have to move closer to her, least this was her hopes. “As for my necklace, I would assume that it is for my name, but again, I do not know for certain. But please come, touch it." She pulled her hair back from the flawless flesh of her neck, leaning toward him so that he may touch it if he wished.

Her voice would fall beyond a whisper. Being certain that no creature, no matter their prowess, could hear her words save for Edicius. The moment her eyes locked to his, her lips began to move. “I am sorry that they have taken from you that in which they cannot give back.” She allowed her eyes to linger on his for a second, wanting to make sure if ever a time there was for perception to be shadowed, now was not that time. Her voice now returning to normal, she continued on with the game... “What is it you wish to do with your life now Edicius?”

[Sage]

It was true that she would have likely not heard anyone speak ill of Anabel. The humans loved her, for they knew not what she was. The vampires adored her, and wished only for her favor in return, and the Lycans respected her, ancient and powerful as she was. But her powers could not dissuade Edicius' opinions, she could only twist him by making promises. Promises of freedom, or of violence. Easier than that, she could sic Kraven on him, to torture him mentally until he submitted as she had done previously.

" A pleasure, is it really? Must be my sunny disposition. "

Edicius released himself, and as gracefully as any vampire or feline righted himself before his feet found the floor soundlessly. Edicius closed the few feet between them and quickly snatched up the thing in his hand, mumbling as he closed his eyes, so that he could feel the substances of earth remaining in the trinket, however refined. She would have at least some sort of clue momentarily.

" You do not need to be pleasant with me, if it is not your wish. I assure you, most are not, and there is nothing to be gained from it on your part. It is...uncomfortable. " He paused, considering her question. " It does not matter what I want now, I'll decide that if I can get away from this place. But what about you? Why do you default to being nice? Perhaps before tonight you were a horrible tyrant, your very name invoking fear and ill-maintained bladder control. More importantly than that, if you find that you were different then, than you are now, which life will you choose for yourself? "

Edicius opened one eye, carefully examining her face as he drew slightly closer to her, nearly done with his inspection of the treasured thing he held now, pulled taught against the back of her porcelain neck. " If you find that the old you would have been traumatized by speaking idly with a wretch such as me, will you be absolutely horrified, and seek my execution on principle? " Ed was nothing short of amused as he closed his eyes again, concentrating on his task.

[Jen]

“You are no Wretch, Edicus.”

Anabel smirked idly as she leaned against the doorframe leading to the balcony. Her sky blue eyes were twinkling with amusement as she uncrossed her arms and straightened her body. The most notable feature for her at present was her lack of guard and her lack of attendees.

Ana stepped into the room wearing nothing more formal than an exquisite pair of dark green trousers and an off white shirt. Her features were soft and supple, and her movements more like a lithe and sated huntress. It was obvious that she had washed, her blonde hair pulled back into a bun. Not a strand of hair was out of place on her head and her appearance was immaculate.

Before Edicus could go anywhere, Ana would be next to him. Before the boy could escape her grasp she would twine her arm around his shoulders.

“No one would refer to you as a wretch in any house of the damned. Unless of course they were demons.” Ana smirked and glanced at her newest house guest.

“I trust you are well? Have you fed? I do apologize for Eijin, he didn’t give me time to make certain that you were alright.” Ana perched on the arm of a chair and watched the new Vampire carefully. Every part of Ana’s demeanor was indicative to comfort and ease. This child didn’t scare her or bother her – which was a good sign.

“I do hope that we can help you with your memory. You might be of service to me if you were to know of anything that was going on abroad.” It wouldn’t be long before Ana was once again swarmed by her attendees and guard. It wasn’t safe for the progenitor of the race to be alone, or so it would seem. However, for a woman several thousand years old, and the very first Vampire and God touched as she had been…one would think she knew a thing or two about self preservation.

“You wished to be called Angel?” Ana glanced at Edicus and tilted her head slightly. This was a dangerous woman to associate with for the sheer fact that if she was displeased there was often no way to change her mind.

“How is the rebuilding of the foundation going, Edicus?”

[Skylar]

“I would have to agree with your presumption Anabel.” Her eyes did not waiver from the child. “You are in fact, no wretch in my eyes Edicius, and if in truth I would have thought that in my former mind frame, perhaps I would not like the person I was.” Kindness, manners, it all seemed to come naturally to her. She was not putting airs on for this boy, nor for anyone for that matter.

“I am being pleasant with you, because you have been with me. Our conversation has been entertaining, and I have enjoyed it thus far, and not because I look to gain anything from you.” She smiled to the boy and nodded gently to him. “If this is the end of our visit, I look forward to the next.”

She averted her eyes toward the woman who now sat upon the arm of the chair. “I am indeed well, and fed. As for Eijin, he saw to it I was comfortable, he was very hospitable. Thank you for inquiring. It was his idea to rename me Angel, for the A adorned on my necklace. It will suffice.”

She lay her hands upon her lap and sat silently after her last words. The feeling in the room became heavy, and weighed upon her entire body. Not a word she had spoken was cross or disrespectful, and she held herself proudly, even as she sat.

[Sage]

Even though it might appear a simple gesture to brace Edicius as she did, the force she exerted was great, and try as he might to flee the sight of her she would keep him firmly in place. He was certainly very out of his element, and nervousness about him as he fought with the uncomfortable feeling of being closed in, trapped by the pair of chatty vampires. He felt heat rise in his normally icy face as he looked away, and to the floor in embarrassment.

" Speaking lies aloud, with bold confidence, do not make them any truer. "

He had always led a cursed life, and it was no more apparent than recently with the happenings on the ship and in the very house he called his now. He was a filthy murderer, and now a nightwalker, and wretch was among the kinder things he had been called by anyone not in this particular room. He had made his deal with Kraven, and so obey he would for now, and that meant continuing to fix the house he had nearly ruined.

" It goes poorly, without tools or the use of my power. But if you will release me, I will go back to it. "

Edicius released the symbol from Angel's neck, still avoiding eye contact with either her or Anabel. " It is gold, mostly. It has been refined to much to reveal anything about from whence it came, but I can tell you it would have been made using a significant heat source. I know of only one forge on Kalmarden that could have made something so precisely, but it is entirely possible it is of foreign-make. Wherever you begin looking, I'd stick to major cities and townships, try to seek out Master Smiths and ask if they recognize the work. One such forge exists still in Xexoria, though I do not know if the owner still lives. "

[Jen]

Ana relaxed her grip on Ed, but still kept him within the circle of her arm. She didn’t hate the kid for his problems; she just recognized the use he would be to her. A frown creased her brow as she listened to Ed speak about Angel’s pendant.

“If you would like to begin your search in Kalmarden, there is a port town nearby that houses the major smiths of this island. If they did not create the pendant, then they may recognize the work of a fellow smith.” Anabel glanced at the window where she had entered the room and back to Angel.

“Take your time and rest. You are under my personal protection during your search. I will have my secretary write something up and put my seal on it. You are allowed to use it to your advantage while questioning in Kalmarden, and while questioning our kind. If you run into any problems or pockets of resistance to your search let me know. I can handle it personally.”

No one Vampire wanted Anabel VonHagen to handle a situation gone awry personally. Her decision was final and often times the end result was death for whomever involved. A case in the basement of Kraven’s home was indicative of that. Blythe VonHagen was well on her way to death by this point, and she had managed to stab Anabel even if it was a wound that no longer existed.

“I am glad to have found you Edicus. I have a question about your power.” Ana moved her arm so that Ed would be allowed to move somewhat, but she kept her hand on his forearm so that he would face her. He was, however reluctantly, one of Anabel’s newest favorites. Those within her household would resent him for that, and they would call him names, but they would never breathe a word of it to Anabel.

They might also be afraid that he would tell her. So long as the pair was at odds, though, they had nothing to fear.

“Would you be capable of using your power to help the farms of Kalmarden? I know that it is an earth power that you wield. I just do not know what the aspects are of this power. There have been some farms, of late, that have had problems with rock falls from the mountains and others that aren’t yielding a sturdy crop. Do you think you might be able to ascertain what the situation is and help?”

Ana was talking to him as she did one of her important contacts. In fact, she was treating him as a peer of her court. He was a favorite for a reason, even if he had acted out.

[Skylar]

Angel was not so ignorant to understand well and good that Anabel was more forcing herself on the boy. And with a smile spreading her lips wide over unnaturally larger, even for vampires, incisors, she retorted Edicius. “And calling someone a liar in their presences is rude, especially when they have been nothing but polite with you.” She leaned forward, breathing in deeply his scent, lids fringing on closure... “I may be many things, but a liar, I am not.”

There was a sharpness to her words. Not really hateful, but to the point that she would not be mistaken in what she said. Sitting back, she pulled her legs from under her and crossed them, once more placing her hands in her lap. Now, turning her attention toward Anabel, yet leaving a few passing glances for Edicius.

“I believe Eijin wishes me to join him on a trip to Xexoria. I think while there I will take advantage and look around, but truth be told, I do know one thing. I do not come from these lands.” It was said more matter of factly then anything else. The more she thought about it, the more she thought maybe Edicius was correct, or at least partially. Why worry so much about her past? After all, this is where she was now, and for some reason, some guiding force brought her here. Perhaps the fates were offering her something her kind already knew once in their lifetimes. Rebirth.

[Sage]

" So you would not call me a wretch, but I am to be rude. It's funny, but after what your kind...our kind have done to me, I find it hard to care about public opinion or politeness, you will excuse that flaw in my logic. "

Edicius flinched as he considered the consequences of his wording. It was true she had done him no wrong, and that he enjoyed being able to talk to someone whose head he was not plotting to rip off at some point or another but he was not one to stop speaking his mind. For fear of hurt feelings or threat of physical harm, either one. Not to mention the fact that he resented not even having a private thought any longer. When he lived in Sythinia, committing murder for meager coin, at least he could lie to himself in his head that what he was doing was necessary.

Now, though, there was no reprieve. No staying up while his comrades slumbered and spending his practice time in the dark to clear his head or strolling barefoot across the earth, enjoying the sunlight on his face. Pain. It struck him again, the searing pain originating from the bulge on his shoulder blade which had become worse in the time he'd been asleep. He slipped out from underneath Anabel's thumb so as to refrain accidentally having her brush him and witness him drop the the floor in agony. Weakness was not something to be shared.

" What you've done to me, it's cut off a lot of the ties I had with the natural balance. My powers have been fluctuating less and less, but I can only assume I've lost my power to assist anything to live. The rockslides I can help you with, but I will likely cause more damage than good to farmlands. "

Edicius used the opportunity to be free of her grasp to bound toward the balcony, perching himself on the railing. " Angel, when you...get back. Let me know if you've found what you're looking for. " Edicius dropped backward off the building, and the sound of his thick skin could be heard sinking into what sounded like sand several stories down.

[Herald_of_Fate]

Eijin slowly returned to consciousness, aware of Anabel's return and that Edicus was near by the shifts and surges in air pressures brought on by their considerable presences. Rising, he stretched nearly catlike, feeling re-energized and suprisingly whole. He guessed, having not sensed Zazielio's familiar presence that the Sphinx had snuck off to hunt. Just as well, he thought musingly. Zazielio had a way about him that made him distracting when serious business needed discussing, constantly injecting telepathically into Eijin's thoughts. Not that Eijin minded, but he could afford no distractions in dealing with the Mother. Her own mental powers were monumental and he spent much energy in holding her out of his surface and deep thoughts. As he ascended to her chambers, he wondered if his closed mind led her to distrust him. The Ambassador was not foolishness enough to believe himself capable of ever overthrowing Anabel, not that the thought had even occurred to him. She was a necessary evil; her children needed the threat of her authority to keep them in line. The world would be much worse without her, vampires left to do as they wished, most likely hunting humans toward extinction. So though he did not completely agree with many of her policies, he served her to the utmost of his ability.

He knocked on the chamber door thrice, adjusting his blue traveling robes and cloak as well as his swordbelt before entering. He was all but prepared to leave to for Xexoria, save for gathering his Sphinx companion and Angel and checking on the status of the Guard regiment assigned to proceed him. Sokai lowered his head respectfully, bringing his right fist to his chest in a salute to Anabel. "Preparations are complete, My lady. I trust that Angel has informed you of my intention to take her along with me to Xexoria," he said, greeting Angel with his eyes. "I assure you no harm will come to her in my presence. And...there is another matter I wish to discuss." He hesistated, the suddenness of his request hitting him for the first time. "I wish to claim Angel as my bloodmate. Perhaps it is sudden but it would not be till the lunar cycle concludes and she agrees, of course. I know that I have shown no interest in others of your House but I...hoped you would think this fortuitious." He stood awaiting her response. He did not expect her to care. Or if she did, she would see it as fortunate, keeping Angel within her inner circle and solidifying her hold over the Killer of Four Winds, a weapon of great and terrible power. "I honestly wish for your blessing, Mother. If you so chose to grant it." Would she? And the biggest question was would he defy her if she did not?

[Skylar]

“Of course.” She smiled at Edicius. His logic, after all was not so flawed through the eyes of the person who lived it. Chaotic though he may be, she found herself entertained and perhaps even a little intrigued by him. Searching through her guarded thoughts, she only came back to the conversation at the sound of her name from the lips of Edicius. “Indeed I will.” And with that, he was gone...

The knocks upon the door did not steal her glance away from the now empty balcony. Only when Eijins’ voice broke the silence did she look up at him. She offered him a gentle nod and smile at his entrance, and listened as he spoke. With a raised brow, she stood, smoothing out her dress as she did so.

Clearing her throat, her haunting jade orbs met with Eijins. “If you will excuse me, I will leave the two of you to continue this discussion that should have probably have been started in peace as it were anyways.” She was a bit upset at the nonchalant way he brought it up in conversation. To her this was more then a big deal, it was a huge deal. Nor had she even the time to consider the possibilities of an agreement of disagreement.

With a slight bow to Anabel, and a moments pause to Eijin, she turned toward the door, but stopped. On a second thought, she headed toward the balcony. Fresh air sounded lovely, but there was something more in her head, something unclear. With one swift movement, she was gone over the edge.