Path of the Vampire forum

--The following transcript was a live chat roleplay--


<Zane Vermillion> Entering the building he makes his way up to the bar and moves to sit on the stool. Looking up he waits patiently for the bar tender to look his way and when he does he orders a dry scotch. He lets out a long sigh before looking around at all the patrons as if looking for something in particular.


<Elliot d’Artois> As per usual, Elliot could be found at the bar. If he worked himself, he saved money on wages. And besides which, he liked working. He liked lending his ear to those who needed it - he liked playing the proverbial bartender, to play therapist. He tucked his unruly hair behind his ear, plaid shirt rolled up to his elbows, as he approached the newest customer. "Dry Scotch, coming right up," he said with his prominent Australian accent. He found a clean tumbler and poured the drink, pushing it toward the guy. "Anything else I can help ya with?" he asked.


<Zane Vermillion> Running his hands through his hair he sighs a look of disspointment written on his cleanly shaven face. His hands move down then and fixes his grey dress jacket, pulling it over his chest more which is covered by a plain black cotton shirt. Looking up at the bartender he lets out a dry laugh before looking down into his drink. "Only if you know anything about vampires, ghouls, or ghosts." Reaching down he grabs ahold of the glass, starting his usuall nightly process and begins to drown himself in drink.


<Elliot d’Artois> Elliot tenses, his very-blue eyes steadfast upon the human in front of him. Undoubtedly human, for sure - there was a warmth attached to his body, rolling from him. And a very steady heartbeat. Elliot could almost see the blood pumping beneath his skin. There was a lack of visibly tattoos - so perhaps not a hunter. Generally a bleeding heart, Elliot was wary that this human might know more than he should. Not because Elliot would harm him - but because there were others in the city who would. "Why?" Elliot asked. "What is it you think you know about vampires, ghouls, and ghosts?" he asked, generally inquisitive.


<Zane Vermillion> Swirling his drink around in his glass, his attention still fixed on the liquid within he shrugs at the bartenders question sitting silent for a moment before letting out a long sigh and finishing the drink with one last swig. He puts down the empty glass then and pushes it forward. "Another please, on the rocks this time though. What I know about them? Pretty much nothing but I intend to find out. My father was vicously attacked by one and saved by the other. He was put in a mental institution though, everyone thinks he is crazy but I know differently." He looks up at the Bartender then and lets out a long sigh. "Pretty sure my father would of been silenced though if not for the authorities showing up just in time to scare the thing off"


<Elliot d’Artois> Elliot gave a nod. The thoughts swirled around in his head just as the drink had swirled around in the human's glass. He focused on those thoughts while he took the empty glass and filled it with ice, before pouring the scotch and returning it to the customer. He leaned forward, conspiratorially. "It's true. The only reason your father is safe is because everyone thinks he's crazy. If you know about these things, you don't go raving about it to everyone. You'll get yourself killed," Elliot said, sternly. Oh, he knew about the masquerade. He knew that he'd probably just breached it, and that those who'd hunt humans who knew too much would hunt him, too, just for giving it away. But he was stubborn like that. He loathed the system.


<Zane Vermillion> Taking the glass then he imediately brings it to his lips then and almost chokes on it as the bartender speaks. Bringing the drink from his lips he places the drink on the counter looking up at the bartender with wide eyes, his attention clearly away from the drink now. "I know I haven't had that much to drink yet, but.. Are you pulling my leg here? A little joke, this is the first time I have been to the bar.." He looks around the room again his brows furrowed in concentration before he sighs turning back to the bartender. "Well I don't see anyone who would want you to play a joke on me around... Why would I get myself killed though?" Questions and ideas start whirling through his head at that point, he leans onto the counter closer to the bartender.


<Elliot d’Artois> Elliot watched the guy closely. Somehow, over the past couple of years, Elliot had learned a thing or two. Enhanced empathy - real empathy, a heightened thing that allowed him to feel the emotions of those he was with. It wasn't a guess. He knew, for a fact, that this human was genuinely shocked. One could fake a thing like true emotion. Still, though. Elliot ignored the question - he could explain more fully later. For now, he needed to know what the human's intentions were. Elliot had people that he cared about, people he'd want to keep safe. He didn't go around breaking the masquerade, even if he didn't agree with it, because he didn't want to inadvertently involve his loved ones in a gripe that was only his own. "Let's say I could give you the information you want. What are you going to do with it? Why do you want it?" Elliot asked.


<Zane Vermillion> Zane just sits there shocked, looking back to his drink he takes another long taste of the scotch. The icecubes seeming to draw his attention then as he just stares at the floating bits of ice. Not quite sure what to do or think at the moment he gives his head a little shake in attempt to come back to his senses after the man asked him a question. Looking up then he furrows his brows a confused look written on his face."I don't... Know.. I just wanted to know that my father isn't insane.. He was attacked and saved by a vampire so I don't know what I will do.. Part of me is angry and part of me is thankful. I just want to know the truth and to find out more." He sighs and then looks back at the drink really not knowing if the man is playing him a fool now or really knows something. He picks up the glass and twirls it around again, lost in thought. What if it's true, what does he do then.


<Elliot d’Artois> Steal leaning forward, Elliot spared a glance left and right. He wanted to make sure they weren't being watched; he wanted to make sure that their conversation was a private one, and that everyone else was minding their own business. It wasn't particularly busy, and there was no one around. No one close enough to hear, anyway. "Truth?" he asked, again turning his stern, blue eyes upon the customer. "Truth - your Dad's not insane. Vampires are real, sure. And they are very protective of their secrecy. So if you - a regular human - started running around telling everyone that you'd seen something to prove the existence of vampires, there's a very high chance you'll be hunted down and slaughtered. Just like I would be, if they were to find out I was telling you anything," Elliot said with a small shrug. And then he laughed. "I'm only telling you because I'm a nice guy. But if you go ahead and start telling everyone what I'm telling you - and that I told you - I might have to kill you myself," he said. He was still smiling, but he was also deadly serious.


<Zane Vermillion> Staring into his glass he listens intently to the bartender. Sudden realizations and some of his countless questions being eliminated as the new information brings things into the light to him. He takes off his jacket nervous and slightly scared he places the clothing on the back of his chair before clasping both hands around the drink. "So you are saying I am lucky you were the first to learn about me. Well.. Still now I know more it will only want to make me delve deeper.You can't just leave me like this.. So I want to know more about this other world... Could you perhaps teach me? That way.. I don't have to die if I come across one of those vampires that tried to kill my father."


<Elliot d’Artois> The smile remained on Elliot's lips. He had questions, too. He watched as the other removed his jacket and made himself comfortable; could feel the nerves and the fear reverberate from him, could hear them like that high-pitched whistle that only dogs could hear. Good. Afraid was probably the smart way to be. Curiosity, however, could only lead to trouble. "I don't know, mate. If they want you dead, you're dead and there's not really much you can do about it, unless you know specifically how to kill them. Is that something you would do? To take revenge on what happened to your father? Would you go on some rampage against vampires?" Elliot asked.


<Zane Vermillion> Leaning against the counter he reaches for the cold glass and brings it to his lips taking a light sip, being careful with the drink now. He doesn't want to get wasted and forget this. He listens then word for word coming from the man's lips as if in slow motion, each word bringing new understanding. When the man is finally finished with his question he closes his eyes and gives his head a slight shake. "No, but it does bring some comfort knowing that my father isn't insane.. Also revenge? I wouldn't know who to blame not all vampires are bad.. Or else why would my father have been saved. No.. What I want now is to learn about this new world I have been introduced to... Wait.." An obvious quiestion comes to mind and he gives his forehead a little slap for being so stupid and not asking it before. "How do you know about all this?"


<Elliot d’Artois> "I'm a bartender, I know everything," Elliot joked. But nor could he lie. He wasn't capable of lying. He narrowed his eyes in thought, crossing his arms over his chest. He spared another glance for the bar - the other employees were taking care of the other customers. He didn't perceive any threat from this kid - and besides which, he knew he could very well take care of himself should anything untoward happen. "Why don't you come upstairs? We can talk in private," Elliot said. He stood, and gestured with a nod to the door near the back, near the toilets.


<Zane Vermillion> Closing his eyes he looks down at his drink once more, nervous and scared by the bartenders last question he rubs his eyes, thinking for a long moment. If he follows will this man have him taken out, would he tell him all of this if he just intended to end his life. Was this all a big hoax and in the other room is all of his past friends laughing and giggling as they watch this on some hidden camera. Giving his head a shake he leaves those thoughts behind and downs the rest of the drink. If there is even the slightest chance he has to go. "Sure, lead the way.. I really hope what you are saying is true. I have been looking for so long."


<Elliot d’Artois> Elliot doesn't really know whether he intends to tell this guy everything. He probably will, though in the end what good is it going to do? Maybe it'll just make this guy's life a little easier, make him sleep a little better. And that's a win, right? Elliot stopped just in front of the door, his 6'6'' frame almost as tall as the door itself. He offered a hand to the human. "Elliot Lancaster d'Artois, by the way. If we're going to have a deep and meaningful we may as well introduce ourselves," he said.


<Zane Vermillion> Taking his Jacket he throws it on before following the man, standing up he realizes just how tall and intimidating he really is. He gulps a bit certain that the end is going to come as he follows stopping when the man stops he flinches for a split second as the man sticks out his hand before realizing the intention. Reaching out with his own he gives Elliot's hand a firm shake before laughing a little nervously."I guess... My name is Zane Vermillion. I guess I should thank you for.. Not killing me." He says the last bit and looks closely at the man's face seeing if he will give anything away that might mean turn tail and run as fast as he can.


<Elliot d’Artois> The fear is still very prominent in the human; the joke that was on the tip of Elliot's tongue fizzled and died. Probably not best to ask him why Elliot would kill him in the middle of a crowded bar that he himself owned. That would not be very smart. Instead, Elliot laughed and opened the door that would lead upstairs. "Nice to meet you, Zane. If you stick around, you'll realise I'm really not the killing kind. Unless you really piss me off," Elliot said. Even then, he liked to give second chances rather than kill needlessly. He had to be so angry as to have lost control to kill someone. And afterwards would only kill himself with guilt. He began to ascend the stairs; the second floor was a backpackers hostel, divvied up in a modern way with a kitchenette and a lounge area, with beanbags and large armchairs. Elliot gestured to one of the armchairs. "Seriously not going to hurt you. Why? Because you say one vampire attacked your Dad and the other saved him. I'm the kind who'd have saved him. Not sure I can take the credit this time, though," he said.


<Zane Vermillion> Nodding slowly as he is lead up the stairs listening to the man his fear and tension grows. He stops and looks around the place a perfectly quiet place for the man to off him if he chose to do so, but when he is offered the chair he lets out a long sigh and sits down on it. Sitting down seeming so simple and what others take for granted the gesture is enough to releive quite a bit of his mental and physical stress. "Yeah.. Well the fact that you didn't kill me as soon as we entered the room proves that at least. Sorry.. I am pretty wound up right n..." He stops sudden realization striking him. Did the man just say he was a vampire? Suddenly the fear rises up again threatening to overwhelm him his vision clouding close to passing out he whispers lightly then. "I should of brought a drink up... You are a vampire?" His breathing grows abnormal and he starts to choke up a bit.


<Elliot d’Artois> Again, Elliot laughed. He probably shouldn't have - but lately he'd begun to shun his depression and return to the personality that he knew best; the man he'd always been. The one who found it easy to laugh, and who liked to have fun. The one who detested drama and avoided it like the plague. "Okay, okay..." he said, laughter dying down though the crinkle of amusement remained steadfast in his eyes. "Calm down. Don't make me regret trusting you," he said. "Yes, yes I am. I drink blood and I can't go out in the sun but I'm still human, underneath it all, and I'm not going to hurt you," he said, reassuringly. He held out his hands, palms up, placating. He legitimately didn't want to scare the guy.


<Zane Vermillion> The laugh shakes him up inside a bit but then as he is reassured he shrugs off his jacket letting it fall on the chair behind him and leans forward clasping his hands together. A long moment passes as he sits there silent trying to chose one of the many words floating through his head before he just opens his mouth and speaks. "Okay, so you drink blood and are a vampire but won't hurt me. So.. What now? How do I learn, what do I do or say?" He gulps and then lets out a long sigh to calm himself down further, quite a bit of his fear dissapating making room for his thirst for knowledge on the subject at hand.

--The following transcript was a live chat roleplay--




<Elliot d’Artois> "What now? You go tell your Dad to quit raving about being bit by a vampire. You tell him to ... I don't know, admit to being momentarily insane, and maybe that'll help him get released. You don't tell anyone anything. You try to stay indoors at night, or in crowds. You get on with your life, because this kind of life if probably not one that you want for yourself," Elliot said. "What is it exactly that you think you should learn?"


<Zane Vermillion> Anger rises inside of him, everyword the man speaks about his father. Telling him to stay indoors at night or in crowds he starts shaking his head and grinding his teeth before he had enough of it. "No, I want to learn more. I want to learn to protect myself and not shut the door to this new world. Cower indoors? I can't do that, it's not who I am. I would rather die trying to be a part of this world then to be ignorant. My father will be there until the day he dies nothing I can say will ever change that. He was driven mad because of that situation and I am not going to let that happen to me. So you either teach me yourself, I don't care what that entails. Or I will walk out this door and find someone who will or someone who will kill me because I want to learn!." He lets out a sigh just realizing he yelled at a vampire and got angry he looks to the side and gulps the anger replaced by a sudden fear. "Please."


<Elliot d’Artois> Anger is countered by anger. As the boy yells at him, Elliot's teeth grind, too, the muscles in his jaw tightening. The mirth in his blue eyes is replaced by cold fury; Elliot is a man who prefers good nature and laughter, but he is a man who is home to a latent violence. He has strength that he himself has yet to fully realise or make use of. He took a deep breath that he did not need and straightened his own shoulders. "You want to learn just how inferior you are, as a human? I could teach you how to wield a gun or a sword, that's about it. You are one man against beings who are far superior. Your attempt to defend yourself would fail. You defend yourself with your silence. I don't like the way you're talking. I don't like the implications. You want to learn the weaknesses of vampires, and I'm not sure I trust you enough. To fully defend yourself you'd have to become one. And you really don't want that," he said. His voice was low. He did not shout. But his anger was obvious nonetheless.


<Zane Vermillion> Running his hand over his face, he rubs his forehead a headache giving birth inside his head. He tries to think but the pain is clouding his sense of judgement. He shrinks a bit in his chair, being called inferior gets his anger rising a bit before he realizes just how inferior he must be."Well.. You are right, I probably am inferior and you could probably snap my neck like a twig or just suck all my blood out of me until I am an empty thing nothing but skin and bones. But you don't know what I want and if the only way to not cower in the dark fearful of every living moment because I know what is out there.. Then I want to become one. I want to learn, I want to live in a world where I can feel rather safe even if it isn't... I would be better off then being a weak measly human who can't do anything but hide his life away in his appartment shivering in fear whenever night strikes. How do I become a vampire.. Tell me.. Please, I just want into this new world it's not something I can ignore... Put yourself in my shoes, I know too much now. What the hell am I supposed to do? I won't cower in fear.. Because if that is how we leave right now.. All I will do is go out and get myself killed. Save me. Please?"


<Elliot d’Artois> There's a flicker of dismay that dances through Elliot's eyes; a frown creases his lips as Zane pleads with him. Elliot's heart sinks, that familiar darkness creeping in at the corners. "You have no idea what you're asking for," he said, his tone now bereft of anger but still stern, even a little reassuring. "Nothing will be the same. You will never see the sun again. Anyone you know, they can't know what you are so you have to give them up, because it's the easiest way rather than to try to hide what you really are. And you have to hide what you really are, otherwise you will be hunted and killed. Even as a vampire, there will be those stronger than you are. There's a gang of them. They call themselves Tytonidae. They strut around and kill without mercy and without remorse. I know all that I can know and I have been this for over two years, now, and they could still take me out in the blink of an eye. There's a high likelihood that you'll never be able to eat again. Or drink anything but blood. Your life as you know it will never, ever be the same. Are you sure that's what you want?"


<Zane Vermillion> Closing his eyes he thinks upon what the man is saying, taking in all the information he is given. Carefully going over the information over and over again and remaining silent while he is deep in though. "Well, after my father went crazy all my friends who I though were friends suddenly showed me that they are not friends. So I really am a loner now. My father was the only family I have.. I don't have much money and the money I do have I spend on booze.. I don't eat well enough so that will be a blessing having to give all of that up. Even though I may be hunted it's still better that I will have a better chance to grow stronger so one day I might be able to... The drinking blood bit is the scariest part but... I think I can get around it if I can do so without killing people. I imagine that is possible because I don't really see dead bodies strewn out along the streets every morning or reports of it." He sighs and then closes his eyes leaning back into the chair. "Yeah it's something I want, being human has it's ups and downs but so does a vampire.. But at least being a vampire I can learn about this new world and learn to travel it safely. How do I become one, and where do I go to learn about this new world?"


<Elliot d’Artois> "You become one if someone chooses to turn you into one. They have to drain you, and then you have to drink their blood. They could easily kill you. There's got to be a certain amount of trust involved," he explained. He leaned forward now; he'd taken a seat in one of the armchairs, too. He leaned his elbows on his knees and made sure to speak slowly, clearly. "You can feed without killing people," he said. He didn't explain that he hadn't fed from an actual human in a while - he didn't think that needed to be explained, just that second. "There are also blackmarket shops that will sell you blood packs so you never have to approach a human. But there will be a bloodlust, and you will need to learn to control it," Elliot said. He was wary. Those who he himself had turned were hardly around, and he assumed it was because none of them saw eye to eye. It was almost as if, as soon as a person was turned, they immediately turned violent. They immediately assumed murder was the answer to everything. Kill them, they all chanted. Kill them, because they looked at me wrong. Elliot sighed. "What kind of man are you, Zane? Are you a good man?" he asked.


<Zane Vermillion> Letting out a long breath of releif that he wouldn't have to kill anyone or even feed on anyone if he had the money for it. That was the only problem he had with becoming a vampire. Just then that was it he made up his mind and wanted to become on. Standing up he stretches his arms over his head his limbs starting to ache from sitting and being so tense he visibly relaxes and speaks softly."Yeah, I am sure now. I want to become one and what sort of man am I? I am a good man, I don't like violence but have gotten into a few fights because some jerks just ask for it. Trying to mug me at one point and the other was because he screwed my girlfriend." A frown appears on his face at the last bit but dissapears."I will control my bloodlust if I even get it, I think I would literally die of guilt if I actually ever killed anyone."


<Elliot d’Artois> Elliot believed him, though Elliot himself remained seated. "I could do it for you. I could offer you numerous places to stay. A home. I'd like to tell you that I'd introduce you to a whole new family, but it's really not much of a family. You'd have me. And there are others who I trust and like who I could introduce you to. But I'm different. I feed on other vampires, not on humans. One specific vampire, who would probably kill me if I fed from anyone else," he said. "Feeding is kind of a... intimate experience, sometimes," he said, getting a little off track as he thinks of Pi and wonders where she is. Or what she would say to him, after she realised he'd brought home a stray. "So I can do it. But you still need to bleed out. Which is going to be very uncomfortable for you," Elliot said. Maybe he could scare the kid out of it. And if he still wants to stick around, then perhaps he could be given kudos for his determination. "Maybe we use the bathtub. Slit your wrists. And when you're at the point of death I'll feed you my blood. And you have to drink it, otherwise you will die."


<Zane Vermillion> Blinking a bit he looks over at the man, he really has to bleed himself dry... The man was honest thus far though and he is in too deep to turn back now so he decides he will do it. "A home and family of any kind.. Sounds really nice, I guess I will find out how intimate things are myself when I turn into one of you." He walks towards the man and then looks around the room gulping. "Alright lets do this, where is the bathroom?" He pulls out a kitchen knife he aquired from a shop that he keeps on himself incase a vampire were to attack him but then he looks down at the knife and sighs. "To think that I thought I could defend myself with this if a vampire ever came at me.. I can already look back and call myself stupid.. Really how stupid and shut in am I really?"


<Elliot d’Artois> The dark hair fell over Elliot's eyes as he stood, too. He glanced down at the kitchen knife and shook his head. "At least you were a little prepared. At least it's not a wooden stake, because that **** would do nothing," he said. Before he led Zane to the bathroom, Elliot made sure to lock the door to the second floor. The last thing he needed was some curious patron to come in and witness everything. He then led Zane down the short corridor to the room at the back - there was a shower stall and a claw-footed tub. Elliot cleared his throat and gestured to the tub, before crouching down to retrieve a small dagger from his boot. "Don't worry. I have a large stock of weaponry - you can have your pick," he added.


<Zane Vermillion> He takes the dagger and tosses the kitchen knife to the ground, his hands trembling at this point. Thoughts coming through his mind then, he is insane about to slit his own wrists causing him to laugh madly. He takes his clothes off until he is standing in his striped boxers then not wanting to get blood on his clothes, and when he looks at them he laughs again shaking his head. He is about to kill himself and he is worrying about blood on his clothing. Sitting down in the tub he looks up at the man. "Is this really part of the process? Tell me yes and I will do it right now"


<Elliot d’Artois> "As far as I know this is really part of the process," Elliot says, truthfully. He cannot lie. He actually tried, recently, and failed completely. "So I'd prefer to stick to the process I know, so that we don't botch it up. I'm prone to heavy bouts of guilt and despair and I'd really prefer not to spiral down that hole again," he said with an honest smirk. He did not judge Zane for removing his clothing; Elliot knew what it was like, trying to keep a good stock of clothing. Zane would soon realise that there wasn't really any point. They were going to get ruined, and often. Elliot could feel the guy's fear, and again he tried to be reassuring. "I know it's strange, I know you're going to feel like you're killing yourself, but I won't let you die," Elliot said.


<Zane Vermillion> It was all he needed to hear, it wasn't some sick joke or whatever. If this was a joke, he would end up in the loonie bin for sure anyways and would rather die then go what his father is going through. Taking the blade in his shakey hands he gulps. "I hope this is sharp because I am so not sawing away at my hands." He laughs dryly before his eyes start to water fighting the instinct of self preservation before he digs the blade down into his tender skin at his wrist and slits it deep, grinding his teeth in pain he puts the blade in his other hand. Weak from the cut and blood all over his hand now, the shakng worse he fumbles failing to cut the other as the blade falls into the tub. Leaning back then his skin goes pale as blood pours out pooling into the tub and colloring his boxers red. Gulping he speaks shakily and weakly. "I can't get my other wrist. Please.. Help... I am going to die make it quick please.." Fear consumes him at that point, his will shattered as his eyes begin to water.


<Elliot d’Artois> Elliot had decided to go through with this and so he could not complain about the mess. With grim determination he crouched down beside the tub; he picked up the bloody knife and finished the job, creating a long slit along the vein of Zane's opposite wrist. The blood surges from the wounds, like bubbles from a fountain timed perfectly to his thudding heartbeat. Elliot waited until that thudding heartbeat got excruciatingly slow, the rhythm of it like a sad blues song. Only when Zane was on the point of death did Elliot use the same knife to cut a mirror wound in his own wrist, wincing only slightly at the pain. He then held the profusely bleeding wound to Zane's mouth. "Now drink, Zane. Drink it or die," he mumbled.


<Zane Vermillion> Bleeding out, almost dead his vision blackened. Passing out for a bit there with his eyes still open only to be brought back to reality by the bloody wrist offered to his lips. with no strength left in him he gently suckled at the blood. His lips dry, his body weak. Knowing he was going to die and this was it he drank and drank until he passed out his head falling to the side unable to do anything else.


<Elliot d’Artois> Every turning was different. Some passed out. Others writhed and squirmed in pain as their human bodies slowly died. Elliot himself had passed out after writing and squirming. But he'd had a few that he'd turned who done just this. Who'd scared the **** out of him because he thought it hadn't worked. He was confident enough now that it had worked. That when Zane woke up he'd probably have a killer headache and a killer thirst - but that he probably wouldn't wake up until the next night. Elliot cleaned the guy up as best he could before dragging his unconscious body up to the third floor where there was complete darkness, and safety from sunlight. Where they would not be bothered by anyone while the sun was in the sky. And Elliot would be there, waiting, for when the guy woke up.