Path of the Vampire forum

It was an interesting development, to say the least. Locryn listened as she pressed more into the wound on her thigh, ignoring the comments that were left in her head by Every. Insults and anger could be heard regarding the two remaining vampires in the room, both whom Locryn didn't know. She wasn't surprised to hear something about the traps that Locryn had stepped into. "It isn't as if you haven't done worse to me, Every." She spoke to the shadow quietly, knowing very well how she was heard, "What is it you call me? Cannon fodder on a good day?" There was a simple, "**** you, Locryn." in response that made her smile.

The man left, an action that had Locryn lifting her eyebrow. She dismissed the words that he spoke as there was a scoff in the back of her head before she drew her attention back to Amalea, the ancient vampire, and the other woman whom Every referred to as Ariadne in one of her tangents. She waited for both of the women to finish speaking, her attention returning to the ancient one on the throne. "I didn't know there were vampires that old." The thought lingered in her mind as she considered that she was asked to be bled for something if needed.

"Like a pig at a pig roast." She thought bitterly as she pressed more into her thigh. After a few moments, Locryn collected her knife and tore some of the cloth from the top shirt she wore, using it to fashion a bandage for the time being. She tested the weight more, frowning as she realized the wound was deeper than she'd first thought. She'd keep a scar, surely, if she survived this. She didn't miss the comment of, "This is so very near ridiculous" that she chose to keep to herself in the back of her mind.

It was only after the other woman had began to walk away that Locryn began to speak to Amalea, "If there's been a collaboration, there's an informed decision that will be made one way or another. I saw Every with that key, I saw how she left. I know she had her reservations, as you seem to, as well. The fact you're still standing here says something."

Locryn paused as she heard another retort coming out of Every that was ignored. When the tangent stopped, she continued, "I'm here because Every trusts you, and she didn't want you to be alone with the others. You can use me physically, or just yell at me until you calm down. But - I'm here. And I will not leave until you do." She frowned as she tried to consider what next to say. People were not her strong suit and the familiar appearance of being agitated was clear. She'd witnessed the way that Every would have meltdowns. Sometimes minor, sometimes major. Never were they pretty.

Usually, they ended up with someone being punched, or worse.

"To my understanding, you've been one of the known humans who vampires can depend on. She's talked about you," A motion was made to show that Every was still around and listening in, "And if anyone in this city knows how vampires work, it's you."

Warily, she watched the other woman holster her gun before relaxing ever so slightly. The immediate threat to their hostess being gone helped greatly allowing her to concentrate on the other ever present threats. While she still hadn’t made up her mind on what to do about the rift, she was quite set in not killing Theodosia. There really was no sense in doing so only to quite likely unleash a rather pissed off ancient vampire on an unexpected city. ”Perhaps. It’s been a trying night. But I do we discussed the possibility if her returning from the Shadow Realm if killed. And in quite a pissed off state, after the assassination attempt.” An eyebrow had risen at the woman’s reasoning. ”Please forgive me if I don’t believe that to be the entire reason for the attempt.”

Her nose wrinkled at the spray of blood that accompanied Ariadne’s nose breathing. Gross. It was next words that made her twitch in anger. ”You’re being rather obstinate in your desire to leave and maintain the rift that you seemingly cannot understand that my mind isn’t as made up as you and others have thought.” She shook her head, ”Funny how in one breath you speak of doing something to provide protection against the ancient and in the next you’re willing to leave a hindered human essentially alone with a being you’ve called dangerous. Those two things do not jive together. That she was willing to leave the decision in the hands of a human wasn’t really worth commenting on given the other. It was pretty clear to the red-head she wasn’t being thought highly of at the moment.

Explosives. Why the hell did everyone walk around with explosives? Never mind fight with them on their person. Perhaps it was the human in her, but it seemed like an accident waiting to happen. She nodded quietly in acknowledgement of the cache though she wasn’t likely to use them even if she decided to leave this place. Something told her that would be an ill-conceived idea.

Ignoring the guards, Locryn and their hostess, the blood thief tracked Ariadne’s movements with her eyes. She had learnt her lesson with Llangort and wouldn’t believe the vampire had left without seeing it with her own eyes. That the woman paused at the door for a time raised an eyebrow and would require some investigation. She’d learnt her lessons well this day on that.

Once Ariadne had made her complete exit, Amalea glanced around before addressing both Locryn and Theodosia, ”My mind is not set, yet. However, there is something I want to check before we continue.” She waved for the human to follow along, not willing to leave her close to their hostess without protection. As they walked to the door, she listened to the thrall’s comments, a small smile tugging on her lips. ”I’d prefer to reply mentally,” she replied quietly, still a good distance from the door, ”but someone took that and all my other powers away from me. That is what currently pisses me off most about this situation. I can’t get both of us out of here quickly if things go pear-shaped.” She motioned with her head to continue until they had reached the door. Her eyes scanned every inch of the area looking for anything out of place; she was fairly certain that Ariadne hadn’t stopped here just to rest.

Ongoing – Sensory Overload (RP Curse)
Locryn was ‘moved’ with permission of the writer

==========AUTOMATED POST==========

Amalea attempted to find a tough target, and was successful!

Bingo. It had taken several minutes but finally she had found the camera that had been left behind. The light had happened to be just right to be caught on the lens, glistering back at her, drawing her attention. The red-head was rather grateful that it was only a camera; in truth, she had been expected a more advanced trap. She just wouldn’t have been able to easily disable one of those. This was simple, but she was going to borrow inspiration from Llangort’s earlier actions. Releasing her firearm from its holster, she drew it, placing the muzzle directly upon the lens. Only then did she switch off the safety and gently squeeze the trigger ensuring the destruction of the camera. The safety was reengaged before the gun was slipped back into its home.

”Much better,” she sighed. She turned back towards their previous spot, motioning the other human to join her. ”I was sure she left something just not what. I’ll admit to being relieved as to being such a simple device.” Her nose twitched as she walked. She’d almost gotten back to the spot she had been started earlier before the full weight of the task laid upon her hit her like a freight train. Almost as if she had been physically struck, she sunk to the ground. The dizziness. The trembling. The racing heart. She recognized the signs of an anxiety attack almost immediately; she had been no stranger to them for quite a period of time. It was another complication she really could have done without. Even her usual methods of calming weren’t available to her given her connection to her powers was still severed.

”****!” What a ******* shitty thing to dump on someone in such a manner. She wasn’t even going to get a phone-a-friend option out of the deal like that one game show. One breath. It wasn’t even just her little bubble of life that would be affected which she suspected was why there were originally 5 keys. Another breath. Yes, she could see both sides but that didn’t mean she wanted this situation. A third. Collaboration. Wasn’t that the word Locryn had used? Another. The red-head shakily pulled herself up from the ground.

It’s time.

The words floated through her mind though it was hard to say if they came from the mummy or her own mind. She turned towards Locryn, ”I know you were brought here by Every, just in case, but you do have a choice. If you prefer not to be a part of this, I understand. I think my choice is made. I don’t think it’ll make everyone happy but then neither decision would. Are you still willing?”

Ongoing – Sensory Overload (RP Curse)

She followed after Amalea, wincing slightly with each step. At the same moment, Locryn was relieved that the pressure and amount of pain created a bit of a numbing sensation. Her gaze didn’t catch the lens and she could only applaud the blood thief. Despite her rage, she seemed capable of making evaluations. A tilt of her head had her listening, waiting. "Do I even want to know why a vampire would need to leave something like that?” Locryn questioned once the device was dead and gone. In response, Every snorted, “Blackmail.” which had Locryn’s face twisting in confusion.

"Blackmail? Do vampires actually do that, Every?” The mental cough was all she needed to know. "I sometimes think she really needs new hobbies.” The pinch of her nose and the small smile began to fall as Amalea began to have a panic attack. Locryn’s concern mounted as she moved to set her hand on the woman’s shoulder. She squeezed, trying to get her an anchor to focus on. "Breathe, Amalea, just breathe.” She encouraged the red head. In the back of her mind, she could hear Every’s concern. Apparently the shadow hadn’t missed the exit either.

When Amalea calmed, Locryn offered her a hand up. Both a physical sign that she was there, and to try and hit home that she was there. "I am. I’ll admit I am nervous, but I suppose anyone in their correct mind would be, hm?” Locryn cast a glance towards the ancient vampire. It was almost terrifying, really, but then again, the majority of the vampires she’d met along the way so far weren’t much better personality wise. Even the weak ones were powerful and Locryn had the unfortunate luck of having a vicious one be whom she’d been hired to kill.

"With that being said, yes. I am willing to help you out.”

The red-head had been grateful for Locryn’s small reassurances and her aid in regaining a bit of her composure. Even if she really hadn’t been a firm believer in giving the woman a choice in the matter, despite being a thrall, those simple actions would have earned her one. If she had declined, she would have simply resorted to a plan B or failing that, plan C. Of course, she had doubted that such would occur after everything, but she wasn’t going to assume.

There would be enough of that later, she was sure. Seemed to be the way of most people within the city. Assumptions would be made; decisions bitched about. Yet very few would be willing to seek answers before casting judgement. It would be different if she had remained anonymous but she knew the possibility of that was likely a snow-ball chance in hell. There was likely a better chance of a zombie doing the Macarena at noon on the steps of City Hall than that occurring in her opinion.

She was sure the assumption would be that she was doing it for her own selfish reasons. That she had made a snap decision without considering the consequences. That she was giving into peer pressure. What most wouldn’t realize was that she had truly been waffling since the day the Administrator had made the issue known. The only real choice she had dismissed early one was completely closing it. Most of her friends and family were vampires; she wouldn’t want to risk condemning them to an eternity of hell in the Shadow Realm.

”Makes two of us, really. And yes, I agree, given the situation, I’d hope anyone with a half brain would be.”

Still it was time to put things into play. Slipping one of her blades from its hidden holster, she flipped it so the handle was available to Locryn to grab hold of; no sense in spilling blood early. ”Thank you. You’ll need this with the state she’s in. You’ll have to do most the work.”

She turned to Theodosia, ”Given the decision was left to me alone, I’m going to go partially with what the majority wanted and partially with what I believe best.” She gestured to Locryn to head towards the woman, waiting till she was much closer to continue. ”I hope that this blood is more pleasing to you than the bagged variety that was offered earlier.” She winced lightly as she watched the thrall slice her own wrist; that was still hard to get used to no matter how many times she had done it herself. Her lip was bit as she watched the drops of crimson liquid drip into the ancient’s mouth as she stood ready to react if need be.

Ongoing – Sensory Overload (RP Curse)