Woven Rings Of Destiny ( Continuation of The Family)

[Lady Talia]

Talia

"I'm 1456" Talia said to him with a smile as she lead him back to the table" Your name is Steel, right?"

He reminded her so much Roland it was quite uncanny. He did seem pleasant enough and didn't seem to mind her taking charge of him like this so all the better.

 

[Lethe]

Felix

Felix stretched, and yawned, adjusting his shades. The brightness of the computer screen hurt his eyes... and the gnawing hunger in his stomach was beginning to hurt, beginning to become physical nausea and dizziness. Felix knew if he didn't feed soon, he would go berserk, ravening for blood.

In the early stages, before he understood why such a curse had been inflicted on him, he had tried it. He had locked himself in a chamber of the Tower, without blood, for three days, urging the woman he'd thought himself in love with then, to watch over him without disturbing him, no matter what.

Felix did not remember much of the third day. He had passed beyond the raging, become more and more coldly magnetic as his need for blood increased. He must have used soft words and pleas.... when he awokened from his dark thirst, the girl lay on the stone floor, her throat torn open.

That was not when he had realised the truth of his punishment and his place on Earth. That came later.

Felix left aside his thoughts to return his concentration to the computer screen. He had searched for everything on Merlyn he could find on the library's database, after breaking in that night. Many legends tracked him to Cornwall and Wales. Going further back, there were stories that linked Merlyn to Scotland.

Felix anxiously thrummed his fingers on the keyboard. He had to find this book and destroy it before the others made the heretical use of it they planned. Already more of the kindred were appearing in London than there had been in much time. The feeding grounds, the natural territories, were being overrun and the human police were getting suspicious. Now would be a good time to leave town.

Felix grinned. Perhaps he'd leave a little surprise for any kindred following in his footsteps.

 

[Sweetp4u]

Aria

"Hello there young one, I am Dante D'Dontego, Count of Fulstan" I listened to his introduction and smirked.
"Yeah and I'm the queen of England." The woman Talia excused herself and moved off into the crowd.
I looked over at the girl he drug over here with him and shook my head, this one had no common sense to save his soul.
I said nothing, and when talia came back to the table dragging the guy behind her, I said nothing still.
I watched them all speaking and getting comfortable around each other, Talia appeared no more than 18, but I knew she was older than that. "1436" She spoke up and gave me the number.
I smiled, I should block her from my mind, but for now it wasn't bothering me.
I thought of Joseph and how old he was. Vladamir and Joseph were the only two left over two thousand years old. Vladamir had made sure he took out all the elders, hoping to gain control over the world.
I myself had only been a vampire now for two years, and Maggie a little less than that. I sat in my own thoughts, just wondering how Joseph ever made it this long without boredom setting in or insanity? Smiling, he had to be a little insane for marrying me.
I pushed my drink away and rose from my seat, "It was pleasant meeting you, do enjoy yourselves. It is time for me to go." I moved off through the crowd to a pay phone and called my room, waking Joseph in the process.

 

[Sweetp4u]

The Black Book of Merlyn

The book is twelve inches by twelve inches square. One the cover is a medalion with inset smaller circles. To unlock this book the rings are needed, but only in a certain set pattern. There are five possible holes for each ring to fit into. When in the right location the medalion will release from the book and the book is now open. The medalion itself has a large ruby in the center shaped perfectly round and the size of a marble.
The medalion is needed in the center pillar of the Alter of Stone for the fading light to shine through onto the stone bed.

ooc: This is for knowledge of the writers in here. All are linked rings, book and alter. Can't get to one without the other.

 

[Lord Kenshin]

Steel's eyes went wide, discovering her age was far greater than he expected. He smiled brightly, trying to remember his own age, and when he drew a blank, he frowned and sat down at the table absent-mindedly searching for this answer.

I know my own age.. Don't I?... This is strange.. I can't even remember my own name.. Such an embarrassment.

Steel's thoughts were troubling, wondering if the medallion had anything to do with this memory loss. He decided to just lie for now, until he knew for sure how old he was.

"1285" Steel spoke softly, the frown still creasing his features. "Yes, My name is Steel.. And your's?"

Steel waited patiently, a fake smile returned to his face as he continued to flip over the events in his mind, searching for clues or anything.

 

[Lethe]

Felix

The station at night was cold and grey. Felix sat there on a bench, shivering with his hands in his thin leather jacket. Sometimes he'd get up, walk the platform aimlessly, stare up at the sky, lit by neon and pollution, or drop coins into a vending machine for a sweet, caffeine-drenched beverage. He felt sick and ill-at-ease, suddenly in doubt as to his cause.

A woman, middle aged in a business suit, came into the station, and sat down beside him, talking on a mobile phone. 'You keep breaking up', she was saying, and dialing again. Felix eyed her, nausea and hunger and torment making his head spin.

He had to feed. He needed to feed, but suddenly the careful moral system he'd built up to justify his actions seemed to be crumbling. Felix bowed his head, running his hands through his tangled dark hair. A headache was snarling and rattling in his mind like a demon.

'Are you okay?'

Felix lifted his eyes. The woman was leaning over, a concerned look on her face. She was charitable... good... the temptation was too much. Felix groaned and took her by the throat, holding her motionless.

'What...'

The words were almost a quiet sigh, as Felix increased the pressure on her windpipe, and bit into her neck. The rush of blood was euphoria, tainted yet made sweeter by guilt.

He let her fall and kicked the body between the sleepers, stepping on to the next train as though he had a place to go.

 

[The GrandMage]

Joseph

He'd been awake before she'd left. Eyes closed, he'd just enjoyed the feeling of her, so close. Then, she was gone. He'd opened his eyes, staring at the ceiling, and thinking. Deciding to follow her, no matter where she went, and protect her, no matter how little she thought she needed it. But he'd let her deal with Ray alone. Ray had changed, even when they'd last met, when he'd turned Aria. Ray had once been like a child, a little brother that had followed him around, the two enjoying battles and feeding. Now, he was an adolescent, searching for himself, pulling back into himself at the slightest touch to his feeling, building his supports to false truths, and being crushed under reality. Some vampires never grew up, no matter how long they lived.

He'd wondered about feeding, but he'd always been able to survive longer between them than others, and since he'd fed just last night, his hunger didn't stir from it's rest. Closing his eyes, he decided to wait for her returns when he picked up the phone, placing it to his ear.

"Hello, love. I do hope you have a good reason for leaving me alone, and you know you won't get away as quick next time I get you in bed. Anywho, what's up?"

 

[Sweetp4u]

Aria

"Oh don't go lecturing me already Love. I am down at the club, ran into some interesting vampires too. Ray has agreed to go, I am just getting arangements for our flight in the morning. Wondering if you wanted to meet me here and accompany while I hunt down something to eat?" I listened for his answer, watching the group on the other side of the club chatting.
Strange group of people if i did say so myself, course they were vampires, but that didnt matter.
"There is one here who says she knows about the book.."

 

[The GrandMage]

Joseph

He lifted the phone from his ear, staring at it for a minute. They'd been longer apart then he realized, especially if she thought,....He shook his head, and put the phone to his ear again. He gave a sigh intp the reciever, and stared at the ceiling.

"Hun, remind me to teach you the difference between lectures and thinly veiled promises of our sex life when I catch you alone again. And Aria, love, I wouldn't miss it. I'll be down there as quickly as possible. As for the book-it's really ruining the mood, could you please stop bringing it up when I'm thinking about my beautiful wife? See you soon. Love ya."

He hung up, and got out of bed, quickly getting his sword and coat before cleaning himself of blood and heading out the door to get to the club before she decided to go somewhere else.

 

[Sweetp4u]

Aria

Sighing I hung up the phone and shook my head, chuckling I walked to the bar and sat down to order a drink.
Always thinking with his hormones.. I smiled again and thanked the bartender for the drink.
The book was important, wether it ruined his mood or not. Perhaps we'd been apart to long, it felt a little different, but not so much so that I didn't still love him. Just different.
I sat watching the door until he came strolling in. My eyes caught and held his a moment before I moved over towards him.
Tiptoeing up I gave him a soft kiss in greeting. "Beautiful wife huh?" I smiled softly, tempted to drag him back to the motel room for some wild fun, but I restrained myself. I was hungry and needed to get some soon.
"Where shall we hunt Love?"

 

[The GrandMage]

Joseph

He put an arm around her waist, holding her against himself. He smiled, and nodded his head. "Yes, my beautiful, sexy, and far to worried about the fate of the world wife. And where ever you want to go is fine with me. I guess I could stand a guick meal."

He raised an eyebrow, nodding in the direction of the vampires. He could smell them, and even the way they held themselves cried out what they were. Of course, few could tell by sight. He knew none besides himself, with the possible exception of Vlad, who could.

"Not going to introduce me to your new friends before we run off? Just as well, give us more time to,...re-explore each other before we have to get going, right love?" He smiled suggestedly, slowly running his hand across her back before letting it drop to his side again, awaiting to follow her.

 

[Sweetp4u]

Aria

"Would you like to meet them Love?" I smiled shifting a little as his hand ran familiarly down my lower back. His touch sending more electrical currents through me.
"There is no time for playing hun, we need to get things ready to fly out.." I walked through the crowded room over to the table and smiled at the group.
"Joseph, this is Steele and Talia, and a comedian. I just met this group tonight." I waited for exchanged hellos and then excused ourselves for a moment.
"Let's go love, I am hungry.."
I took his hand and led him out the club to the street. Looking up and down I had to figure out where to go for our meal? I picked up the scent of so many, picking one would be a problem.
"I think I should have settled for pizza.."

 

[The GrandMage]

Joseph

He gave little hellos, not really caring. He smiled as he followed her out, a little hurt that they wouldn't be getting any time to renew their passions before they set out on this quest of hers. He gave a small sigh, and hugged her close as he shrugged.

"Whatever you want, my dear, but you should get something to fill you up before we leave. I mean, since we're going tomorrow, why not just take on any couple that strikes your fancy, leave them somewhere where they won't be found for a few days, when we're long gone."

 

[Sweetp4u]

Aria

"Sounds good to me, lets find some meals." I wandered along the street until I spotted a couple walking ahead of us, heading into the park near by.
"There.." I pointed them out to him and began to follow. I moved quickly behind them grabbing the weaker female and jerking her into the underbrush. I heard her date startle and start to voice something but blocked it out. Jerking her neck to the side I sank my teeth in and wasted no time draining her until I was full. I healed the wounds and left a panting female in the brush as I stepped out to find Joseph.

 

[Lord Kenshin]

Steel exhanged a cold hello with this new stranger. He was still sorting things out in his head, wondering about everything, if it was real, if it was still going on. He frowned and shook his head, never raising his eyes to the man.

The couple left as quick as they had come, probally going to hunt. Steel couldn't stand not knowing all the answers, and was determined to find these answers before he hunted again, and if he didn't, he'd go hungry until he did find the answers. Steel stood, walking swifting out of the club, the crowd seeming to form a path as he walked. He exited the club and headed straight to his car, unlocking it with the remote and climbing in, speeding from the parking lot and down the road, stop lights and stop signs blurring by.

Steel's vision blurred with tears again as he saw his house come in view. The tires squealed as he turned sharply, leaning heavily on the brakes as he pulled into the drive way. He exited the car, not caring to lock it as he went into the house. He shut the door, leaving the lights out as he wandered out.

 

[The GrandMage]

Joseph

Blood, the vital fluid of life, spilled forth from it's great container of the body, and fed the body warped, giving life unto death, and freeing a warped soul of that which caused it hunger. And such feeding was done hidden, beyond the eyes of men, where that which was warped could hide in the darkness, and be spared the horror they infliced of souls whom were without warpage.

The man's body dropped, blood smeared around a wound which closed, Joseph's blood seeping into the man's body to heal his wounds and give him life. He shook his head, and met Aria. He gave he a smile, and pulled her close, his lips pressing against hers for a moment before he drew back, searching her eyes a moment.

"Not even a little fun before we have to pack? If we don't, promise me once we get where we're going you'll make a little time for me, okay? I haven't seen you in so long, I haven't touched you, or heard your sweet voice. LIght has been returned to my life, may I not bask in it's warmth, if only for an instant?"

 

[Sweetp4u]

Aria

I walked up to him, smiling as I kissed him back.
"I needed that.." I purred in pleasure of feeding and feeling whole again.
"Did you leave him alive?" I glanced down and sure enough he did. I smiled, "It was tempting to drain them but I am glad we didn't for she is pregnant. They need each other.." I took his hand in mine and began heading back to the Hotel room.
"I will take time Love, when we can relax and enjoy each other. And you are still in the dog house mister.." I teased him with a false stern glance.
"Just because I love you and you are my husband doesn't mean I have to give in.. You just have to earn that right" I teased further, I knew he would not like it, but it amused me.
Arriving back at the room I phoned Ray, telling him which flight and the time we would be heading out.
Sitting down I clicked on the television and sat watching infomercials.
"You know I have a feeling We should have talked to Talia and Steele more... Something about them just.. I dont know." I glanced down at him where he sat sulking on the bed.
I leaned over and kissed his neck softly, "I love you.."

 

[Lethe]

Felix

The London Underground had many miles of unused, dusty dark tunnels and railroad tracks, alleys and passages and platforms. A more efficent route was discovered. A track was begun but its budget ran out before it was completed. And some places were just forgot about altogether.

The homeless wandered through these places, sleeping in deserted stations and sitting for hours in the darkness. But there was a place they always avoided, the T-junction of three railroad tracks, all disused since the Blitz. The darkness and desolation there seemed... alive, tangible, and terrifying. And those who had wandered near there often did not return.

Felix stalked through the tunnels silently, to any observer merely another pale, starved boy of the streets, waifishly beautiful and beautifully forlorn. He reached the junction, the place he called home these days, and lay, arms crossed behind his head, on a ruined mattress, its springs sticking out from its ruined body like the teeth of a dragon.

Felix spent most of his time lying on the torn mattress brooding, between hunts above in the crowded surface world's clubs and streets, and hunts below along tunnels and through near-empty stations. The tunnels and the darkness gave him the sense of loneliness and despair he craved, yet dreaded. It had not always been that way, although his memories of a life beyond his subterranean, haunted existence seemed to fade more and more with each day, with each life he took to sustain his own undeath, in the name of the Lord.

He had been an orphan, brought up in the Tower of London, a wild-haired, wild-eyed pale lad playing under gallows and running through dusty rooms where men met slow death. His parents had been traitors, killed by the executioners. He had seldom given them any thought. The executioners, the guards and the Beefeaters, they were his real family. They had all watched over him, brought him up in the ways of Christ. They had been religious men all. Who would not be, living in the shadow of death?

His youth had been in the days of Henry Richmond, who had seized the throne and slain Richard, though the struggles for power seldom affected the lives of the serious, grave men who worked in the Tower of London. Felix even vaguely recalled the Princes, whom Richmond had had slain, even though apologists like Shakespeare later pinned the blame on Richard III. The little Princes had been dressed in satin and silks, and Felix had shown them the bloodstain where the last Lancaster had been executed. Afterwards he'd recieved a lecture from Tollman about mingling with those above his station, and he had never been allowed near the Princes after that.

Felix shifted on his uncomfortable bed. He did not like to think of the past, think of what had happened to him. He thought instead of the Book of Merlyn, tried to rage against those who defied God's will by reversing the vampires' punishment. It was somehow harder now than it had been the night before, talking to that fool of a vampire, so clearly a damned soul and so clearly looking for unmerited redemption. Felix wondered if he would be strong enough to resist temptation when the time came, temptation to return to that world above and live a normal life, die a normal death.

But that would be the ultimate betrayal of God, undoing everything Felix had ever striven for for a selfish need. He could do it, Free Will permitted him to make his own decisions, but by doing this, joining the other vampires in their quest for redemption without its cost, he could be damning humanity forever by removing the evil it had to strive against.

Felix tried to pray. He had not done so for a long, long time, not since he had realised, or thought he had realised, what his purpose was. The position came awkwardly, and his hands seemed to knot around each other rather than join. Felix whispered into darkness.

'Lord, what would you have Thy servant do? Should I destroy this Book? Destroy those who seek it? Or... is it true? Is this Thy mercy? Can I finally... be free?'

The only answer Felix recieved was the distant drip-drip of water falling somewhere in the darkness, a sound like pain.

 

[The GrandMage]

Joseph

He sighed, an started pouting at her as he reched out. Pulling her from her seat, he dragged her over to himslf, hugging her close. He pretended to be hurt. "I don't know. If you'd rather talk about people we don't know and watch infomercials while just giving me a kiss on the neck, I'm not sure you love me. I mean, I've been searching for you all this time, and all you ever think about or look for is that silly old book. I have to earn the right? At least I'v been looking for you and not worrying about a book no one else can find falling into the wrong hands."

He hugged her tight against himself, silencing her replywith passionate kiss. Holding her lips in his for a moment before slowly letting go, his warm breath running across her lips as their bodies pressed together. "I mean, you could at least kiss me properly, or come here ad cuddle,...."

 

[Sweetp4u]

Aria

Smiling, I tried to comment again and he just covered it up by kissing me senseless.
"Oh no, cuddle is what you get for now. Nothing more, we have a job to do and I am not going to let you melt me all over again with no punishment for taking off.." I curled up against him, laying my head on his shoulder and just closing my eyes to rest.
"It's been a long time it feels like since we were alone together, able to just sit and hold each other. I missed it." I glanced up into his face and kissed him once more.
"We need to get packed and get going, I think we should meet with Talia and find steele.." I glanced up at him and chuckled, "Stop looking at me like that! You'll get your wife all alone and sweaty in time. Big baby.." I kissed the tip of his nose and got up off of his lap.
Pulling out my suitcases I began to pack up the things I had in the dresser since my arrival.
"Did you kill Vlad?" a question I had been dreading to ask but wanted to know.." Never mind I recall you saying something about him, and it wasn't past tense. Think we'll ever be rid of him?" I questioned softly while I packed.

 

[The GrandMage]

Joseph

He set up on the edge of the bed, watching her pack. He shrugged, looking off. "If we're lucky, Erika will stay in that coma she's in. With her like that, he'll never pull himself away to lead another attack. Right now, no doubt, he's still there. I guess we can only be grateful for the luck of her being in the state she's in."

He sighed, and turned, lying face-down on the bed until she was finished. He stood up, watching her a minute before hugging her close again, and kissing her cheek. He stood back, and smiled. Then, he rolled his eyes and sighed.

"Alright, let's go break the romantic mood of the next week, and go invite total strangers to come along with us. Or better yet, you invite them, and I'll go get my things. By the way, what are you gonna do with the blades? You'll never make it on the plane with those."

 

[Sweetp4u]

Aria

"Shit! I didn't think about that. I know! I will crate them up as antiques and ship them over. That works huh?" I smiled kissing him softly. "Alright I will go invite total strangers to join us and you be ready when I get back so I can cop a feel before we board the plane.. Always wanted to join the mile high club.." Winking with a saucy grin I was out the door and on my way to the club once more.
Hopefully one of them would be there still.

 

[The GrandMage]

Joseph

After she left, he pressed his hands together, falling to his knees and mouthing a silent prayer. For although he'd lived nearly a millenia for each year they'd been apart, He'd never been for long without sex before, except for the few years after his changing, when his family's death had been heavy on his mind.

Getting to his feet, he checked that his sword was free in it's scabbard, and moved out into the night. A large fruitbat, the biggest of Joseph's 'pets', Roland. He had taken to naming all fourteen of his small colony of bats after vampires he had known, especially those who had based away. After a while, he came upon the SUV he had been driving of late. His car, his old car, had unfortunately been destroyed in the war, and would need replacing.

He grabbing his bags, a large case, and an animal buggy, putting a finger to Roland's mouth and thinking a though loud and clear as the vbat bit him, taking a few drops of blood before racing off to gather the others. Joseph went back to the room, putting his two bags with hers, and put her weapons in the case before going downstairs. he gathered the bats in their cage, and put them back upstairs. Going downstairs again, he wandered off.

After a few 'dealings' with some people on the 'less clear' side of the law, he got their things delivered, and made it back to the room just in time to catch Aria as she made it back.

 

[Sweetp4u]

Aria

I went back to the club and seen Talia sitting where I had left her.
"I am leaving tomorrow, but I would like to talk to you and Steele once more before going. And if you are interested, coming along with us. I don't have time tonight to sit and give you reasons why to go.. So if you are interested, this is where I am staying." I handed her the card with the room number on the back and my name. Turning I excused myself for the interruption and went back to my Hotel.
Walking back inside I noticed Joseph had been busy while I was away.
"All packed and ready to go Love?" he looked a little peaked to me, I wondered what was on his mind. Or should I even ask. Smiling I knowing smile, I went into the bathroom and stripped down. Climbing into the shower I washed and dried. Wrapping into a Hotel towel, which was patheticly small in size, I came back out.
"I left them a note, hoping Talia and Steele will stop by here and speak with us before we leave in the morning." I glanced down at the cage.
"You know Rolland doesn't like being caged Love. Why not let them out in here for a little while?"

 

[nightray]

Ray

I frown as I look down at the phone after hanging up. I shake my head looking at my duffel bag. I shake my head as I walk back up stars and find a crate. I carefully pack my swords and dagger away raping each so they won’t be damaged in mid flight. I then carry it easily down stars and out to my truck setting it down in the back. I throw my defile on the passenger set. I walk back in side and sit on my recliner to take a nap before I have to be at the airport.

I wake up looking at the time seeing that it will be another four hours before the plane is to take off. I get up stretching and walk out to the truck not bothering to lock up behind me not rely expecting to com back hear. I get in and sit watching the ocean going over why I’m doing this agene. I glace at my watch and realize that I’ve been sitting for ten minutes or so. I shake my head and tern the engine on and pole out tearing of in to the night making my way to the airport.

I park my car and watch the air plains land and take off for a few minutes, I sye then slide out of the truck with my bag. I grab the crate holding it on my shoulder as I walk in. I set it down for the ticket person to check in. I give him my name and he looks it up saying “hear you are going to London.” I nod saying "I gess I am."

I tack my tickets and my bag heading in to the terminal I pass through the metal detector having to take of my boots on the other side sins the steal in the tows set of the alarm. I them find the gate and take a set waiting for the plain to com in and for area.