Don't Want to Forget How it Feels, {M} LimesyxSpotty

[Spotty]

"You saved me, I...want to reward you," the voice was quiet, but the firm, stubborn undertone was unable to be masked. Though she may have been young, she knew what she wanted...she was Vaine's daughter, after all.
"Thalia...if this is a joke..." The male's voice nearly stopped her, but she merely shook her head in response, moving to crawl onto the bed with him. Did she look like she was laughing? The severity of her proposition was nearly frightening in its reflection on her perfect features.
What Daddy would think? What would happen should Merewen ever find out? The answers to those questions, she didn't care.
She wanted him to herself.
She needed him.
Vincent was the only one she could...

The visions never ceased to repeat themselves when she closed her eyes to rest. It was in these moments that she finally understood the years when Alaric -- her father -- had refused to sleep. The ache and pain of the waking moments, was null in comparison to the dreams. And could they be classified as dreams? The visions served as everlasting reminder of the one that she had lost.

Thalia remained faithful to Vincent. Perhaps not always in body, but no one could claim her spirit like he had centuries ago. And though he was gone...she would never forget his chiseled facial features, etched deeply into her mind, and so vivid...she could feel them in her cold fingertips. She could feel him near...and sometimes, within a stray gust of wind, she was sure she could smell him. Often, she was afraid that she...had become as Merewen had, but she could always rely on her father, to understand just how she felt. Like Alaric, she had been blessed -- and cursed -- with the fierce loyalty and devotion that came from truly loving only one.

Her thoughts were interrupted soon after, a sigh escaping her rose lips as the eerie singing threatened to continue again.

"All around the mulberry bush..."

"Shut the fuck up!" Came the hissed reply, the male's voice decidedly harsh and...on edge.

"Daddy...." The female...child's voice? No, it wasn't a child, though her voice may have been gentle and adolescent. Her appearance and the glossiness of her eyes betrayed otherwise.

"Would you stop?" The finality of the last voice caused a practically audible intake of breath. Not a single individual among the group dared to cross the male stomping before them. The second voice, that of a male, fell back, grumbling bitterly under his breath.

He brushed a lock of hair from his face, considering poking his tongue out at the male that led them, but was stopped by a gentle hand on his shoulder. Jordanes, while no longer fearing of Alaric, did not want to see his son and the violent male suffer another altercation. Everyone was on edge...but Jordanes acknowledged that despite the feelings and thoughts he must be having, it was nothing compared to the grief that was etched on Alaric's cold expression.

"Just ignore her," Jordanes advised Eros quietly, taking up post by Merewen's side. Admittedly, he was still uneasy nearby the woman -- who, as always was carrying one of her haunting, porcelain dolls -- but...with Alaric's poor mood, he accepted that someone needed to take up the task of watching her. Hesitantly, he laced his fingers with hers, doing his best not to flinch away from the eerie smile he received in response, "We're going to see, Mummy, aren't we?"

He nodded in response, feeling his own throat tighten.
Unlike Thalia and her various...affairs, Jordanes could have no other being; vampire, mortal, or otherwise. He found other women attractive, but...none could compare to his delicate Isis. And so, he continued to be haunted by her presence, to the point of frequently conversing with her as though she were beside him always. Like most of that lingered in the realm of the insane, Jordanes..found this behavior to be completely acceptable and normal. He spent his time...trying to reach Eros. Without his sister, Jordanes knew his son had been troubled. And while he had matured into a man, Jordanes knew that Eros, with his quick temper, and sulking ways, was missing a vital part of himself.

"There it is."
The sentence caused the group of five vampires to halt in their tracks. Thalia's voice had quavered with the announcement...and she reached towards a nearby tree to steady herself and the feeling of her knees going out. The castle stood before them, just as it had ...how long ago had it been? Not one of them could be sure, as Merewen argued it had only been yesterday, while Thalia claimed it had been an entire other lifetime. They continued to stare, different expressions settling over each of the individuals, but there was a common thread among them...each was filled with indescribable pain and grief.

It could only have been a handful of minutes, but the moment lasted for a short eternity, each of the vampires' gaze unblinking on the castle before them. Finally, the sound of footsteps broke them all from their trances as Eros stepped forward. If they were going to do this, it was to be done. He recognized the various mystical barriers before they had been reached. As such, he had taken it upon himself to cross. It was a charm that Vaine had been notorious for, well, and the mages that had perfected the magical knowledge, but Eros recognized the ward for what it was...only those of blood descent could cross. Temporarily, the passage of others was permitted. Thereby providing the means to allow the rest of the group to cross.

Again, the group of five found themselves paused at the front of the castle.

Thalia was quietly weeping, her hands slipped around her waist, gingerly touching the modern wear that she was clothed in. It was traditional of Vaine's line to dress in the impractical ways of the old ones, but...Thalia had found mortal clothing to be more comfortable and beyond that, a sort of escape...at least temporary.

In fact, all of the individuals seemed to be modernized versions of what they once were. The women in jeans -- much to Alaric's chagrin and displeasure -- and the men's hair short, save Alaric and is still long kept hair. He dressed professionally, the only modern sort of clothing that resembled anything he had ever worn in lives past.

Jordanes retracted his hand from Merewen's in favor of placing it in on Eros' shoulder. The younger male frowned at the castle, arms folding across his chest. He couldn't understand why Thalia would sob of all things, but he was in no place to voice his concern. Like the others, he was..in too much shock to do anything but stare...and entertain the occasional bitter thought.

Merewen moved to Alaric's side, slipping her arms around his waist, and nuzzling her cheek into his neck. "Mummy will remember you, you'll see. You'll see." The few words were murmured, giggling mixed in with the bizarre woman's speech. She began to purr when Alaric lifted his hand to brush a lock of hair from her face. Whatever thoughts he had of the matter, they were kept easily behind his always stern and harsh exterior of his expression. There was only one other individual on this planet that was capable of seeing past the cold... but had it been too long?

It was Jordanes that broke this second trance, making his way to the castle door. He knocked with as much strength as he could muster, though feeling defeated in that..the small knocking could in no way announce the importance of their arrival. Who would it be to come to answer the unsure knocking? Selfishly, and foolishly too, the male vampire willed for it to be Isis. If only...he could see her once more.

Of course, he wasn't the only one that was wishing it to be someone or another. But whichever of their lovers, siblings, friends, or...even the chance that it was someone they didn't know at all, they would be forced to wait.

[Lime Green Silk]

<sub>Father would be absolutely furious if he found out about this. Isis shivered softly at the delicious feel of the immorality of what she was doing as she leaned down to press her lips firmly to the stunned, strangely comforting man below her.
Briefly, as the kiss intensified, she wondered how this had happened--how she, the good child, was the one that was committing unspeakable acts with a complete stranger in the middle of the woods, like a common whore...



...Yet, for all the suffering that had followed, the troubles and sorrows that arose from her rash actions, she would do it again. Nay, not just again, but a thousand times over, it was worth it so.

"Mother?"

Isis's eyes opened, and she looked at her youngest son with a sad smile. "Mother." Her child--no longer a boy to cradle and coo to, but a man to be respected, but he would never cease being her son--was now reproachful. He frowned faintly at her from over the rim of his glass goblet, taking a sip of his blood-wine before continuing. "They aren't coming back. You need to surrender this...wish, that they will return and fix everything. It won't happen."

How she could persist in her determination that they would come back, he would never know. They had left his family, shattering the hearts of the remaining ones; Vincent's mind followed a while later. Vincent had been his father, as far as Adonis was concerned; the one who had helped create him was never there. Vincent had been a hundred times the father that he had been.

"Addie, Addie..you should know better by know. Let the poor woman have her comforts."
The smell of smug satisfaction that always hung around the new male that entered hit Adonis first. He turned in his seat, just barely enough to see him. Black hair--decidedly shaggy--with blue eyes that made him quite popular at the coven he half-lived at; with a shirt that could be buttoned up but was not. His thumbs were hooked in the belt loops of his jeans, a smug little grin on his face. The drawling tone to his voice was very much different from Adonis's crisp, somewhat old-fashioned English, and Isis's soft, song-like, very much old-fashioned English.

"You only say that because the one time you tried that with your own mother, Vaine put you in your proper place before you got the words out of your mouth," Adonis laughed, setting his goblet down and ruffling his uncle's hair as he passed.
"That is not a bad idea--I may try it if you persist," Isis murmured, a little grin on her pale face.
Grinning as well, Zeus plopped down in the armchair next to the loveseat. He reached over to lightly punch the other man's arm.
Soon enough, it has escalated into a wrestling match between the two, which was only stopped by a knock at the door. Zeus leapt to his feet, chest puffing out slightly. "I'll get it. It's probably for me--Anna or Saer. Layna? Meer, maybe.."
Eyes rolling as Zeus wandered off, Adonis smirked slightly at his mother, who gave a little smirk back. "Braggart."
"You are not, then?"
"Perhaps a little.."

Zeus ran his fingers through his hair, checking it for a moment in the glossy wood of the door before opening it. He frowned a little as he took in the group of people, and he blinked slowly. "Do I..?" he paused at Alaric, and drew in a sharp breath. "Well, I'll be damned. Speak of the devil and he shall come, indeed.." He held up a finger, and twisted back around, raising his voice just a touch. "Ad-o-nis! Go get Vaine--now! And Jocaste, if you can find her."

Behind Eros, there was just a streak of white, and then Jocaste was there. She linked her arm with her twin's, and leaned her head on his shoulder. "You're back. What took you so long?"
Zeus looked at her in shock for a moment, meaningless syllables escaping his somewhat gaping mouth for a full minute before he shook his head slightly. "Uh..uhm. Come in--nothing much has changed in the castle...Vaine refused to let anything be done but touch ups, refurnishing, and replacements." Still very much shell-shocked, he lead the way into the sitting room where Isis was.

"She said that 'He can come to her, preferably on his knees and with roses clutched in his hands, begging her for forgiveness.' Heh.." Adonis spoke as he came down the stairs, shaking his head slightly.
Then, he saw the visitors.
Furious, he moved forward--how dare they simply appear again, after all this time!--and then his sister's eyes snapped open. Her lips drew back in a snarl, her arm tightening in a clearly protective message to him. Hurt, Adonis stepped backwards. "Don't. They might leaved again; I missed Ero and Daddy too much to let you scare them off."
Pain flashed across his face as Adonis turned on his heel and vanished upstairs, to the room he was staying in for his visit.

Meanwhile, Isis has risen to her feet. She trembled slightly as she slowly walked to Jordanes, her hand rising to stroke his face gently. She drew in a sharp breath, and pulled her hand back, like he was made of sunlight. Something dark flickered across her face then. Far faster than a human could have tracked, she drew back her hand and slapped him as hard as she could across the face. Despite her small size and his being a vampire, it had to have smarted.
"That..that is for taking my son, breaking your daughter's heart and her mind, and never knowing your youngest child. It is also for abandoning me without a word, leaving me to raise another of your children by myself, and for being gone for so damned long with no word whatsoever."
Her voice was shockingly cold as she spoke.
But, then she closed her eyes, and pressed herself firmly against his chest. "If you so much as think of doing it again, I will simply have to hunt you down and kill you myself. At least I'll know where you are." She wrapped her arms around him, voice much softer than before as she continued. "I missed you, Jordanes..my love."</sub>

[Spotty]

Alaric's gaze appraised the male vampire at the door, irritation further dampening his mood. While recognition threatened the back of his mind, he could not fight the wave of jealousy that washed over his form. This was supposed to be his home, not...this...filth's. Of course, he had given up that claim long ago with the abrupt abandonment with this place, being back here...brought back too many bad habits.

The streak of white gleaned an irritated snarl from the male vampire standing to Alaric's left.

"How many times do I have to tell you not to do that?" Eros grumped, unlacing his arm from Jocaste's. How many years had it been and she still seemed to not respect -- or acknowledge -- his expansive bubble space? Of course, while his speech was bitter, something flashed through his eyes momentarily as he folded his arms across his chest. The youngest vampire of the odd group regarded his twin with a mixture of bemusement and dislike, but... something else seemed to win out and he reached forward, tugging roughly on a lock of her hair.

He accepted Zeus' offer with a nod, walking towards the castle, and...taking Jocaste's hand as an after thought. However, the keenest of observers would have noted the hint of a smile that had crossed his lips.

"She said that 'He can come to her, preferably on his knees and with roses clutched in his hands, begging her for forgiveness.' Heh.."

Alaric's eyes narrowed at this announcement, hands clenching into fists at his side. Damn that woman. His fury continued to climb by the moment, causing Merewen to shrink away from him. "Damn that bloody woman," the man muttered under his breath, moving past his group, in addition to Adonis and Zeus without a word.

Jordanes hadn't realized that he had been holding his breath. He didn't need breath, so this was no inconvenience, but...the human habit had returned to him in the moment. Isis looked...just the same. There was something worn and pained in her face and reflected in her eyes, but he felt that his own face must look the same to her. Each of them had ached for this moment, but...Jordanes wasn't...sure what to do. He blinked down at her as she paused before him, hesitantly moving his hand towards her.

A gasp escaped his lips when he was slapped, moving backwards several steps as though he were a wounded animal. This...had been a mistake. They shouldn't have returned here, to...harm them all further. These defeatist thoughts ended as soon as they began for Isis, his Isis, had thrown herself to his chest. Instinctively he moved his arms around her, locking her to his person. He pressed his cheek to her hair, just...appreciating the scent of her. Words couldn't be summoned for the longest of moments, and while he nodded in response to her own murmurings, he couldn't bring himself to...spoil this moment with speech. Lifting his hand, he ran his fingers through her hair, shaking in an effort to control...the overwhelming emotions that assaulted him.

Thalia had jumped when Isis struck Jordanes. She was not shocked to see her sister behave in a violent fashion -- they were vampires -- but...Jordanes was like...some wretched puppy. A small animal that was...weak. She forced her gaze away from the pair, feeling that she was intruding on their moment. Thalia and Isis would have to speak later...something she both craved and dreaded. The twins were both different in appearance and personality....and never famously got along.

These previous thoughts had served as a distraction for the very serious manner at hand. No one...had mentioned Vincent. The feeling of dread in the pit of her stomach only continued to knot as Alaric disappeared into the castle after Eros and Jocaste...and she was very much alone with strangers...and Merewen.

"Something is not right..." Merewen murmured to her doll, touching the tape that covered the porcelain thing's mouth.

The madwoman's comment further caused her panic, but not trusting her voice, she could only stare at first Adonis and then Zeus. In a spurt of bravery, she did not truly feel, the vampiress flashed them a glare, "And where is Vincent?" The words were spat, lip curling into a silent snarl. How dare they treat her like some..common wretch! She was Vaine's daughter, the spitting image of her, and some claimed even more beautiful than her mother.

A sickening chill crept down her spine as Merewen began to giggle.
Something was not right...







He would not go to her on his hands and knees.
And he would not bring her bloody roses either.

That insufferable, god be damned woman!

Finding the room where she, no doubt, was waiting with in a rage, had been a simple enough task. The bedroom they had once shared was just as he'd left it, well...the door anyway. Whatever was inside, only the next few moments would tell.

Without warning, he opened the door, crossing the threshold of the room, and shut the door behind him. He folded his arms across his chest, his expression unwavering from the absolute fury he felt. He told her he would return. It was much later than he expected, but here he was! That counted for something!

"You want some cheap trinket, Vaine?" He hissed to the room, waiting for the woman to make her appearance. His gaze lingered over the area, snarling out of anger, "Why didn't I think of that? I always enjoyed having those items flung back into my fucking face!"

It wasn't the greatest of apology speeches...

[Lime Green Silk]

<sub>Jocaste smiled at her brother, a serene look on her face. Her brother was back, and so was Daddy--everything was right again. "Ero, come--I've been spending my time without you in many ways. I have so much to talk to you about!" Beaming now, she attempted to drag him out the door, and paused to glance at their parents. "They aren't going anywhere. We never did, at least.." She sighed, and shook her head slightly. "Why did you go? I know I annoyed you, but surely not so much as to just..of your own will--and with no warning.."

Zeus's many dreams of a wonderful father who was simply misguided crashed the second he saw Alaric. This was his father? This foul-tempered man, the one who his mother had claimed was a knight in days long ago?
No..it couldn't be.
His gaze turned to his sister, and he felt nothing but pity for her. "Thalia...no; sister." He rested his hand on her shoulder, swallowing thickly. "Vincent is--he's not here. He's alive, in a sense..but his mind is gone. He's nothing like the man you know. Or I knew. He's changed so much. He's a monster now. I'm sorry.." He looked away with a pang in his chest. "There was just too much that happened to him. It broke him."

Isis nuzzled him softly, and looked up at him, a sad little smile on her face. "..Sit. I need to be closer to you, Jordanes." Her fingers trailed over his jaw, a soft humming escaping as she did so. "I need to know you are all here. Your mind..I do not trust that madness has not befallen you."

"You should know damned better than to enter a lady's room without knocking, good sir." Vaine's voice was dry as she lounged on her chaise. With a sigh, she closed the tome she was reading and set it on the table beside her. "But I shan't expect anything less from the man who left his fiance to rot." Bitterness crept into her voice--and, upon looking at her finger, there was the ring that he had given her so long ago..exactly the same as it was when it was given to her.
"I think you have gone back a few steps, Alaric." She rolled onto her stomach, a sigh escaping as she looked him over. "Mm. Very nice...I must admit, I have seen sense. These modern clothes are far better." Though, as was the usual with Vaine, she was wearing something that few in their right minds would wear on a normal day. Bright red silk, with a very revealing neckline and a long slit up the floor-length skirt. "I knew you would be infuriated by that demand. You never were one to man up to a challenge. Tell me, have any of your recent conquests worn anything like this? I know you have had them. None of these modern men are quite to my taste--and my damned descendants have snatched up all the decent, old ones. Oh, surely you have heard in your travels..?" She stood up, a far too innocent look on her face. "Isis's youngest--Adonis, you would not know him--he found his soulmate. A werewolf." Disdain dripped from her voice at the word, and she paused in front of him. "Useful, I suppose, in that he had thirteen children in four pregnancies with her. Most of them have children, and so on and so forth. My blood goes through quite a many influential people, you know." Her fingers closed around his tie. For a moment, it looked as though she was going to yank it. Instead, she merely straightened it, and walked off. "But, you already know that, right? After all, infallible Alaric surely keeps track of all the exploits of his family, and all of his brood. Or, well, all two of them at least. That I know of..any more additions to the family tree that I should have Jocaste write down, dearest?"</sub>

[Spotty]

Eros glanced down at Jocaste as she spoke, his brows knotting together. They were sworn to silence, whatever it was that had called the five away, and while he yearned to tell his twin, he was bound by the oath Alaric forced them to take.

"Later, Jocaste," Eros mumbled, allowing himself to be dragged into the castle.

It was unlikely that "later" would come anytime soon, not if things between Alaric and Vaine didn't smooth over. But, Eros wouldn't be bothered by that for now. "You haven't changed..." he murmured, glancing at his sister with a frown. "Do I need fear that you'll throw me into a wall?" Their fights had been...violent at times, but Eros held out the hope that they had both matured enough to put that past them.

"It broke him~" Merewen cooed, repeating Zeus' words in the only haunting, singsong voice she knew. Once more she giggled, holding her doll close to her chest. Thalia, that wretched, spoiled, spawn of Vaine that had taken her son from her was finally getting just what she deserved. Shaking her head from side to side, she murmured inaudibly to Aurelia, her blonde doll. "Vincent is broken, he's broken and gone~ pop! Goes the weasel!"

Thalia shook his grasp from her shoulder, moving away from Zeus as though he had physically stuck her. "No," she hissed in response. No. A glare was snapped at Merewen and her lunatic ravings, and she returned her attention to the castle. "Is he here? Is he..." Where had he gone? His scent...was missing. And beyond that, it was clear it had been missing for a very long time. Shaking, she moved away from Zeus and Merewen, silently pleading for the wave of numbness to return.

"...where is Vincent?" Her voice sounded foreign to herself and she dared not make eye contact with Zeus, her brother. Instead, her gaze was fixed on the castle, forcing memories of the time...when she was a child. And this now...unfamiliar place was hers.


Jordanes, as though very much in a dream state, allowed Isis to lead him inside the castle, sitting as she commanded. Instinctively, his hands moved to hers, and he pulled her down beside him. He shook his head slowly at her voiced concerns, slipping his arms around her waist, and drawing her nearer. "I am here...Isis, I promise." He was afraid that his speech would break the spell of her perfect appearance, but he found that..though he had spoken, she still remained. Holding her tighter, he kissed her forehead in the gentlest of manners.

"Isis..."






Alaric flicked his gaze to the ceiling when Vaine began her tirade, folding his arms tighter across his chest to prevent lashing out at the wretched woman. He tensed at the first insults, but his rage didn't allow him the luxury of reacting. Instead, he listened to her entire speech, eyebrow lifting on occasion.

His other eyebrow lifted when she took his tie, throat tightening by reflex. He expected her to make the first move, to lodge the first act of violence...and so he was shocked by her calm, though perhaps cool, reaction to his entrance. Perhaps they'd both changed...

He lifted his hand, seizing her wrist as she drew her arm back to her person. Keeping his grip firm, and decidedly uncomfortable, he continued to watch her, not breathing, not offering response, simply staring into her eyes.

He wouldn't allow the comment of his behavior, nor the apparent...idiocy on one of Vaine's in staining her blood line with wereblood, those were arguments to be had later. The final question however, struck a sore spot, and Alaric threw her against the nearest wall. Before she could move, he'd seized both of her arms, pinning her to the cool surface, and not allowing her escape.

"You're mine, damn you," he released one of her arms in favor of slapping her soundly across the face, snarl overtaking his features, "And you know good and well, I wouldn't dare." And he wouldn't. Father anymore children? That...was inexplicably humorous to him, but...he wasn't laughing at the moment. "Though with your whore of a daughter, there were several scares." This was announced with a snort and he released Vaine, stepping away from her.

Oh he'd heard of Vaine. And he'd heard of her coven's ways, the closer he drew to this forsaken place, the more irate he had become. Bitterly, he began to laugh, lowering his gaze, and moving his hand to his face. "You bitch," he finally muttered. Did she truly believe that anything she could say to him could cause any of the pain that he'd felt all of these years for leaving her to worsen? She truly thought she was the only one to have suffered?

"Would you like me to leave dearest?" The word was uttered with extreme abhorrence, but it was nothing compared to the anger he continued to direct at the vampiress.

[Lime Green Silk]

<sub>Intuitively, she knew her question would never be answered. So, she contented herself with being happy that Eros was back, safe and sound.
"I've changed. I didn't let anyone hear me talk when you..when I knew you were gone. Addie was terrified of me for the first three years of his life, for some reason." A sad smile was on her face, as she opened the door to her bedroom. Framed paintings lined the walls, and stuffed animals were at home in a shelf on one side of her room. "..Stay away from him, Eros. He would like nothing better than to beat you to a pulp. He's hated you, father, Thalia, Audric, and Merewen for as long as I can remember. He may be our brother, but he only sees me as his sibling. And Zeus, but he's technically his uncle--they were born two days apart, actually." She blinked, and then shook her head slightly. "I've made my own garden, too. Vaine broke one of my legs when I messed with hers.."

"How can you be happy about that? He's your son!" Zeus looked reproachfully at Merewen, and closed his eyes at Thalia's words. "Thalia, listen to me. He's beyond broken; he's likely to kill you if you set foot in his twisted kingdom. I was there once, when he had a shred of himself still left. You have no idea how much he's been hurt..by you, by others." He opened his eyes, and ran his hand through his hair again. "..I won't stop you from going, though. You need to know who he's become, though. Are you sure you want to risk it?"

Relief made her sink against him, trembling softly. "Jordanes..why did you leave me? How could you do that so soon after you came back to me?" She buried her face in his shirt, crying softly. "You left me alone, and you took my son..and Adonis--gods, poor Adonis. You will never made it right with him. He has nothing but hate for you--for Eros, for Alaric..especially for Thalia. He blames her for Vincent's insanity."


Ingenious, to egg on the demented vampire like she was. She caught his hand before it caught her face, digging her nails into his skin.
"Oh, trust me. I never forgot. As much as I wished I could, that I could move past you, I couldn't. Not with your son down there. I should have kept those tales of brave, noble Sir Alaric where they belong; in the past." She straightened her dress when she was released, voice softer. "I guess my own damned wishes lead to his idolizing you. Oh, I wished and wished..and here you are. Brave Alaric, returning back after a thousand and ninety two years to nobly play pinball with his fiance. Did you run out of money, or did you just get bored?"
She slumped back down on her resting place, though she looked smaller than before. Much smaller, actually, as she tucked her legs under her, eyes on the view she so often saw as she spoke softly. "You raised Thalia. Not me. I barely know her."
Never, not in another thousand years would she have dreamed that she would actually consider that question.
"If you can manage to keep your slaps to verbal ones..then I suppose."</sub>

[Spotty]

Eros regarded the room from his peripherals, though his gaze remained on his sister. Unlike Thalia and Isis, Jocaste and Eros had always shared a very similar physical likeness. And so, as he could not find his reflection in that of glass or water, he judged what he had become on the lines that graced her face, that had changed in her eyes. ...when had they become so old?

A frown appeared on his own features when Jocaste offered her warning of Adonis. He wasn't one to fight, not readily, like Alaric, but unlike his own father, he would protect himself if the situation demanded it. "I'll stay away, so long as he does the same," he muttered the handful of words under his breath, holding Jocaste's hand all the tighter.

He tilted his head at Jocaste's final confession, lips twitching slightly. "A garden? Whatever do you need a garden for?" The distaste in his voice, was quite obviously teasing.


"Don't you snap at her," Thalia hissed at Zeus. The only person that was allowed to speak to Merewen so negatively was Alaric himself... so help the soul -- damned or not -- that broke that unspoken rule. And so, her remark had only been out of reflex. She held no real love for the insane woman, but she wouldn't listen to her whining should Merewen choose to turn hostile.

She didn't want to listen to Zeus' next words, but as he continued to speak, she had no choice. Fixing her eyes on the vampire, it was clear she could hardly comprehend his words. The only words that seemed to sink through her exterior was the simple, are you sure you want to risk it?

"Where is he?" she repeated forcefully, knuckles turning white from clenching her fists at her sides.

Pouting, Merewen slipped from the area, disappearing within the castle to explore the lost, but never forgotten place. Soon, her singing would be heard through all the halls, like it had once been so.


Jordanes continued to frown as Isis spoke to him. This...wasn't the way this was supposed to go. Through all the years he'd dreamed of holding his Isis once more...being grave had not been the theme of the reunions. Shakily, he lifted one of his hands, brushing away her tears.

"Please Isis? Not now..." He traced his fingertips along her jawline and cheek, continuing to frown at her state. He was...very pained to know that his son, the one he did not know, thought so negatively of him. But the many questions between them, the dispute to be settled with Adonis, it would be settled later...not now.

However he may have felt for Adonis' feelings on Thalia, he would not reveal. Not many held any real...affection for Thalia. And that had only worsened over the years. The spoiled, stubborn, wretched brat of Alaric's eye.

"Gods, I missed you, Isis." His arms tightened around her once more. This was how eternity was supposed to be spent.





He wasn't surprised that she caught his hand, nor did he react to her nails digging into his flesh. As before, he simply waited for her to be finished with her comments, not allowing the barbs to affect him visibly.

He continued to watch her movements, all too aware of how small she appeared. Had he swallowed his pride before storming the room, he would have sheepishly begged forgiveness, and pulled her small form to his chest.

Unfortunately, the damage had already been done.

Alaric snorted when she asked if he had grown bored or had become broke. He was neither of those. Money and wealth was a trivial accusation. It was clear all of the five had been taken care of effectively, and if he was bored...this was a strange sport to seek.

He didn't move to sit near her, instead he continued to watch her. His eyes flicked to the ceiling once more with her final remark.

Finally, after several moments of silence, he shook his head, moving his hand to press to his face. "One thousand and ninety-two years? ...how can it even have been that long?" ...the foreign sense of pain in his voice was...completely off track of the rage and lividness he had displayed before.

[Lime Green Silk]

<sub>"There's no telling. His hatred has been simmering for more than a thousand years, after all." She sighed, pulling him to her bed and flopping down on it. "Why not? I have nothing but time. More time than I care to have..if I could, I would not mind dying. If it were just me, and Mother didn't care for me so...and now you. Addie doesn't notice me anymore, not with his were-bride and his litters of squalling infants gnawing at his ankles." She sighed unhappily. "Nobody bothered with me--all alone in my garden. Mother was busy with grandchildren with varying levels of 'great' stacked before their titles. Vaine was being a recluse..Vincent cared, a little. Before he left with Zeus, that is. And then..just me. Not a soulmate to be found, either, not like everyone else in this family. This godforsaken, miserable family.."
She trembled slightly, tears misting her eyes. "You have no idea how lonely it's been, Ero."


He sighed softly at her demand, and spoke quietly. "It's a small island, about two day's travel from here on boat, once you get to the river. Island Erebus. He named his castle, too. Castle Thalia." He swallowed, eyes closing again. "Please, be careful. I want to know my sister in more than just stories."


"..Then make it better, Jordanes. Make me remember everything that faded with the years." She looked hopefully up at him, trembling more. "I have forgotten so much..so much of the good. Even a vampire's memory is not infallible, my love."


"Typical. You had no clue how long we have been waiting for you, do you? It has felt like ten times that, Alaric. I have been waiting nearly eleven centuries for..this. How pathetic. The great, almighty Vaine hardly better than the scum that she used to feed from. Tsk...how the press would lap that up like the twisted kittens they are!"
A bitter taste rose in her throat, and she hid her face in her hands. "I remembered the man that spent so long trying to raise me from the dead..the one who frustrated me, but I was ultimately happy with him. I craved that happiness every moment I was gone from him. Now the Fates play such a cruel joke on me, as to wrap him so much..I fear the Alaric I loved is dead, has been dead, and always will be.."</sub>

[Spotty]

The vampire refrained from further comment on the brother he did not know. He didn't want to upset Jocaste... and besides that, there was no use moping over something he could not change. Knowing though that there were likely to be many attempts on his life upon his return home put him in a further sulky mood, but he did his best to ignore that as well. He'd speak to Alaric later, when..things weren't in such a mess.
"Grandfather." Eros replied with a scowl, waving his hand in an irritated, albeit dismissive manner. This was the only explanation he would give of why it must not be discussed. Besides, that should say it better than any extensive explanation could.

Eros scowled at Jocaste at her final words, pulling away from her slightly. "Dear gods, Jocaste, you want to be miserable like all of the others." He waved his hand once more, this time gesturing towards the various other reunions occurring throughout the castle.

"You and I are the only ones with common sense." This was said definitively, his arms folding across his chest. "And I missed you," he admitted finally, regarding her for a moment. He didn't have to confess to the connection that went unspoken between them and so...he knew that they'd always had each other through all those years, even if it had been unspoken.


Thalia returned her attention to Zeus, forcing herself to focus on his words. Two days? And what was two days in the face of the centuries of hell she'd spent without him? She wasn't aware that she had flinched at the revelation of the castle's name, nor that any color that may have remained to her face had faded away.

Subconsciously, her lips twitched at his final remark, her gaze finally letting up from the bitter hostility she unfairly placed on the other vampire. "In that case... take me part of the way?" Her voice was hoarse, and still, she didn't recognize the shaking, pathetic creature she'd reverted to.


Jordanes couldn't help frowning still at Isis' reply. He pulled her closer, brushing a fallen lock of hair from her pale face. "You could never forget, my love..." With that, he pressed his lips to hers, kissing her in only the softest, gentlest manners that physical contact could allow. Because these actions were practically molded into their flesh...






.........
Admittedly, he knew he lost his temper. And he knew that he was very muchly in the wrong, but...he was not prepared from these latest bout from Vaine.

What in the hell was she talking about?

He stared at her, comprehending at least the latest part of her dramatic speech, feeling anger wash over him once more.

"And do you think, Vaine, that I haven't suffered in longing for you?" His tone was accusing, and while he had left, he hadn't been completely voluntary. "Do you think that I spitefully wished this on us both?"

He'd given up on being angry.
While both of them were this way, neither would listen to the other.

"How do you want me to fix this?" He posed the question quietly, fixing his gaze on his hands in silence. Always it came back to being something he had done to wrong her, a sin that he had committed, but this time...he didn't care to accept the blame like a scolded dog. He just...wanted this to be over.

"Do you want us to go?" He didn't think he could take Jordanes from Isis, nor Eros from his twin, but he honestly didn't know what else could end this. Thalia and Merewen could come with him, maybe...they shouldn't have come back at all.

Glancing from his hands to the door, a bitter snort escaped his person, "Or perhaps you'd prefer if I found roses and tried again?" While he was very dry in his speech, the sarcasm...was covering for something else.

They always did this to each other, didn't they? Would things between them always be bitter sweet?

In as sheepish of a manner that he could manage, which...truth be told, was not very convincing at all, Alaric moved to her side, kneeling on the floor before her. Without a word, he took his hand into hers, lightly kissing her palm, the inside of her wrist, and finally her fore arm.

"Tell me to leave, Vaine."

[Lime Green Silk]

<sub>"I don't know how not to be. I didn't go off on an adventure. I didn't go anywhere, Eros," she said sulkily, pouting a little.
She brightened a little at his admission, and snuggled up against his side. "I missed you too. A lot. Lonely, like I said..." She grinned at him, mirth in her eyes as she moved closer to him. "So..if you can't tell me about why and where you went..can I know some of what you did? Maybe not the important bits, buuuut..did you go anywhere exciting? Did you see anything fantastical?"


"Sure, sis." He smiled sadly, a sigh escaping his lips. "I take it you want to leave now? We have a boat on the river. It..actually might be for the best. There are people here that would gladly slit your throat. Or would, if their wives would let them."
"Hmnph. You all act as though I am a dangerous animal," Adonis said dryly, peering down at them over the top of the railing. "I can control myself. Even if I would much prefer some of them dead. Most of them, actually. My brother might be an exception, and Merewen doesn't seem to have broken a strong man's mind into bits. Maybe it will do her some good to see what she's done--"
"Adonis! Gods, are you really a thousand years old? You'd never know it from the way you act. Focus less on their wrongs, and more on learning from their mistakes. Thalia had little to do with Vincent's..decent."
Scowling, Adonis retreated back into his room without another word, leaving Zeus rubbing his forehead in irritation. "You'd never know he's older..gods!"


Isis's hopeful expression crumbled, and she looked down. "Maybe I have," she said softly, brushing her fingers over his neck. Swallowing, she peeked back up at him. "I think you might have, as well. Or have my tastes changed?" She frowned, suddenly not sure which of them was right. "You forget that sometimes I need something more than sweet, innocent kisses. There are times that I want to do things that would make maidens blush and avert their eyes. I've gone so long without you, and now...you just want to cuddle..? Nothing more?"



"You certainly have an odd way of showing it. You barge into my home, and then yell at me and throw me around after I want some small satisfaction. I thought you were dead. I was in mourning for you, you stupid, ignorant, foolish man! I have spent the last eight hundred years attempting to find a way to bring you back to me--and then I get..this! I should throttle whatever keeps us moving out of you," she snapped, folding her arms across her chest angrily. "Pah. You would probably take them from my garden. And they would be the half-dead ones. So, no; no roses." She sighed, looking wearily at him. "I want my Alaric back. The man that I watched pine for me for so long..not the fool who walked in my door. I am damn sick of all this pining and moping. I just want my lover back.."</sub>

[Spotty]

"Be grateful you have the luxury of not going anywhere." He countered, reverting to his typical, sulking demeanor. He settled back against her bed, deciding not to protest to her affectionate behavior. They had multiple differences between them, to make up for the physical likeness. Adventure? This...touchy-feely junk? Jocaste could have all of it and Eros wouldn't complain.

"Between Merewen's singing, Thalia's bitching and fit throwing, and Alaric's explosive rage, there wasn't much excitement to be had," Eros continued, grumping out. This topic of conversation was making him somewhat uncomfortable.

"I feel like a bunch of strangers have...taken over this place." Eros muttered, glancing towards the door, "...no wonder you feel so alone here."


Thalia nodded mutely, slipping her arms around her waist in an attempt to calm her shaking....and the sudden feeling of her legs wanting to give out beneath her. The dread had dulled, if only to favor the numbness washing over her.

The new voice caused her gaze to jerk upwards and she regarded Adonis with a combination of shock and outrage, though...something decidedly more hostile lurked within her eyes. He was treading on dangerous and shaky ground.

The smell of Werecreature was reeking on that one and she reflexively took a step backwards out of disgust. Glancing at Zeus, she started to make her way towards the river. She remembered, at least, where it was, and could accurately ascertain where the boat may be located. There was nothing she wanted to say to Adonis... and that battle could be saved for later.

"....bastard," Thalia mumbled under her breath. She didn't stop in her trek and very fully expected Zeus to follow.


Both of Jordanes' eyebrows shot up at Isis' proposition.
Of course, she...had always shocked him this way.
And he was slowly beginning to remember.

Moving his hand from her cheek, he placed it on her hip, moving her closer, and against him. His other hand moved to her neck, fingertips just barely ghosting her skin. "...I'm sorry, Isis..." he murmured as he continued to frown.

"There are many things... I want to do... but...." he whispered the words as he moved his lips to her neck, tasting her flesh there, "I was afraid of upsetting you, my sweet Isis." His hand moved from her waist to the edge of her neckline, teasingly sliding his fingertip across her soft skin.

"May I, Isis?"



Couldn't this woman give him any sort of break? He fought the irritated thoughts away, owning up to the fact that he may continue to deserve at least some of her frustrated speech.

"Vaine, please." He repeated firmly, pulling her hand closer to his person. "I...am very tired." And finally, he was being genuine. The frustration and rage that had brought him into her presence was very thin in comparison to his weariness. They had lived for so long and always, always something wretched happened between them. Their entire lives had been nothing but heartache and sorrow.

Raking a hand through his hair, he stood to his feet, sitting down beside her with a sigh, "Damnit all, Vaine, don't you see that the thing that keeps me moving is you?" And, he wasn't particularly interested in watching Vaine attempt to..throttle or otherwise knock herself away from him.

He pulled her into his arms with that, playing idly with a lock of her hair. "I missed you Vaine...more than I've missed anything in this wretched existence we've had."

[Lime Green Silk]

<sub>Zeus looked up at the castle before them, and swallowed thickly. It was still a good trek..for her. He wouldn't be making it.
"Bye, Thalia...I really hope you don't die. We might be friends. Maybe. Depending on if you're in a slaughter-on-sight mood or not that day; but still."
He hesitantly reached over, and squeezed her hand. "And I hope you can bring him back. We all miss him.."
He climbed back into the boat, and with another wave, he sped off.


The ruined throne room was a stark contrast to Vaine's immaculate castle; ivy and briar grew everywhere, the floor was cracked and broken..only the roof had been kept in respectable condition. "Your highness..there's a guest for you. It is not one of the ones you said were never to enter again."
Vincent raised an eyebrow, and glanced down at the various vampiresses and human women lounging around him on oversized cushions. They murmured amongst themselves--the food and the predators, chatting contentedly together. "Probably somebody that wants to be his toy."
"Ooh, new meat? They're so much fun.."

Vincent ignored them, and sighed. "Send them in. At the very least, there should be fun to be had in dismantling her." A cruel smile flickered onto his lips, as he waited for his fun to start all over again.



She shivered happily at his touch, parts of her coming to life that she thought would never have use again. "Please..I am yours. Do what you will to me. Jordanes." She kissed him deeply, her hands running over his chest. "So long..it has been so long; I forgot how much I enjoy being your lover.."



A smile curled onto her lips, and in a quick movement, she was in his lap, pushing him onto his back. "Good. Now that we have that settled.." She hummed, loosening his tie. "Did you know that you can get furniture reinforced? As delicate as this lovely piece is, it can handle white a lot of roughhousing, you know. My, I never had any idea how nice a suit looks on you...but, really, this dress is so..constricting. Would you kindly help me with that?"</sub>

[Spotty]

Thalia, while sadly, had laughed in response to Zeus' remark. She had taken a great amount of strength from his gesture, and fought the impulse to...beg him to stay. Thalia had been stubborn, she'd been spoiled and selfish, but...never had she been brave. For now, she was trusting her blind determination to see her through this...

The vampiress had found the castle to be...less than comforting. And even less of a comfort was the gruff hand that had seized her unexpectedly, shoving her through many halls and rooms until...she was left in a large room.

With disdain, she regarded the various humans and other vampires, keeping her chin lifted as they sneered at her. But soon they were dismissed, because she realized...she was face-to-face with him.

His scent...was tainted. And as Merewen had repeated over and over before she had departed...something was very wrong...

"...Vincent..." Thalia murmured, taking a step towards him, but...halting in the process. Something, perhaps it was the cold dread that had returned with a venges to her spine, commanded that she not move any closer.





Jordanes didn't need much prodding after Isis' words, for it wasn't a breath's moment longer before he'd pressed her back against the surface of the piece of furniture that they occupied.

"And when we're through, I promise you...you'll never forget, my love.."

His hands roamed her body, gently ghosting her flesh there, while applying pressure in the most sensitive of areas. Her clothing was tossed aside and he continued these actions, being passionate and thorough, while gentle as his mind commanded. He took her again and again, until his energy would no longer allow the continuation of the act. When they were through, he cradled her form to his person, idly toying with a lock of her hair.

"Tell me about my son, Isis..."




Alaric shook his head slowly, allowing Vaine's actions with a smirk of amusement. He recognized that expression of false innocence...and it took all of his willpower not to throw her backwards.

As commanded, he began to remove her gown, hands lingering in especially sensitive locations, while continuing to match Vaine's adopted "innocence" and feigning interest in her conversation.

"A lot of roughhousing, you say? That is...very fascinating." His eyes happened to be on her chest, the piece of furniture completely forgotten...as it was unlikely he had any idea as to what she was referring to.

[Lime Green Silk]

<sub>Vincent's smirk remained until Thalia walked into the room. It turned unto an expression of disbelief, and then one of fury.
The girls stopped their chatter, and crept backwards slowly, quickly vanishing into the hallways that lead to the throne room. Before they vanished, they looked with both scorn and pity on this new girl, who called their King not by what he was--their Master--but by his given name..
Well, she would be dead soon enough. Or wish she were.

He rose to his feet, his brown-red eyes holding anger as he slowly stalked forward. He spoke, but not kindly; his words were cold, and very clearly bitter.
"So, the lovely, wondrous Thalia has come to us! She has seen fit to grace us with her presence; a shocking sight indeed." He circled around her, inhaling her scent, letting it fuel his anger. "How absolutely astounding! Tell me, Thalia, what has brought you into my court? Have you decided that I was so much fun to break once, that you fancied doing it again? Or did you just come to see what you created? A monster..yes, indeed; and I've never felt more alive! No more sniveling, simpering, puppy-eyed Vincent. No more opening up to every common whore--oh, yes, you think I don't know what a well-fucked slut smells like, wife of mine? But that's alright. After all, every woman on this island was made so by me; I should expect no less of you. We were always..well, we were never alike. A spoiled, selfish, greedy bitch and a pathetic excuse for a vampire made quite the couple. I mean...look at who I was! I waited for nearly a Milena, ignoring the warnings of Vaine's wretched coven. I was right, too; here you are, returned safe, sound, and well-used to what remains of your husband." His rant grew louder and louder, until he was nearly shouting the words at her, his fangs glistening in the moonlight that streamed through the windows.
"Or..have you come to throw yourself at my mercy, beg me for forgiveness, and to take you back? That might be interesting. I've always fancied having a pet dog; I could even find a leash for you."



When he pressed her against the loveseat, she gave a soft gasp. His words barely filtered in, but when she did make sense of them all she could do was nod slowly; she didn't trust her voice.
And after that, only one word left her lips; his name. She cried it out again and again, until it was just one more noise he enticed from her.

She nuzzled his neck, eyes closed in sheer bliss. She had grabbed the blanket that was tucked under the pillows, and wrapped it around them. At his words, her fingers paused their trailing over his face, his neck, his chest.
"..What do you want to know, my sweet?"



Purring, she allowed him to go slow, taking the time to look closer at him in his formal attire. "Much better. We will need to get you many, many, many more suits. Or not." She tossed her bra aside--so much more handy than a corset!--and leaned down. "It would all depend on how good you are. You should remember how much I enjoy giving you gifts and treats, mm?" Her teeth closed delicately around his ear, nibbling on it lightly. She laughed at his words, and pressed herself against his chest. "Yes. I made sure it could handle my handsome, fierce knight. I do not enjoy the idea of loosing such a lovely piece to a tantrum. Or to the times when you get more than a little rough."</sub>

[Spotty]

The vampiress did not recognize this version of her husband. His voice was cruel and harsh, his words readily matching his tone. She was relieved that she hadn't moved any closer, but it was difficult to fight the impulse to scramble away from him. She didn't move as he circled her, instead keeping her chin set, her hands clenched tightly at her sides, and watching him from her peripherals.

When his speech cycled into shouting, what bravery and reserve she possessed fled her. She shouldn't have come here...not without her father, or Isis. Maybe even Merewen could have provided some means of help.

Her pride was bruised, especially with the repeated references to her indiscretions, and really, he would have done her less harm if he had simply dismembered her when she walked through the beaten and ugly doors to this wretched place.

"My husband is dead," Thalia replied quietly, taking several steps away from, not Vincent, but the monster that had taken him from her. The words caused her to flinch, but.. she knew it must be so. Nothing of her Vincent remained within this man...

She couldn't afford the luxury of breaking down into tears at that moment -- and really, she wasn't sure she'd ever be given that opportunity -- perhaps this monster would kill her and then she wouldn't have to continue living with the grief. How could she return "home", where Isis lived happily ever after, as did all the rest of their wretched, miserable family?

"I shouldn't have come here," Thalia breathed the words next, glancing behind her to look for an exit from this hell.






Jordanes adjusted them both to make use for the blanket, fitting Isis closer to his chest. He continued to comb his fingers through her hair, enjoying the feel of her silken tresses and the general closeness of their two bodies.

A smile touched his lips at her actions, though the expression was sad and somewhat distant. A part of him could not accept this moment as reality. Something...something was sure to go horribly wrong, wasn't it?

"Everything," Jordanes replied, his smile twitching into a grin momentarily. "What did you name him and why? What was he like when he was small? What of him reminds you most of me?" With each of the questions, he planted a kiss along her jawline.





It was very strange....to see Vaine in this attire, especially after so many years of being adamant that this place would never change. He knew that Thalia would find this a relief, for she had already began to complain of corsets before reaching the castle. The thought of his daughter caused to spoil the mood, so he placed it aside for now. They would have time to talk...but for now, that was the very last thing on his mind.

By now, her words were jumbled and lost in his mind, as he tossed aside his coat and shirt, kicked off his shoes, and allowed his hands to freely explore her body.

His eyebrow did lift at the mention of gifts and a snort escaped his person. He recalled a very, very different version of that account, but for the sake of keeping this encounter pleasant, he decided not to comment.

"Vaine?" He took a hold of her hair, lips twitching very slightly out of amusement, "Be quiet, mm?" Pulling her towards him, he roughly kissed her, free hand removing the rest of the troublesome clothing between them.