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Amaranthia
It had been far too long since she spent any time downstairs in The Dungeon, but she'd received a message from Amalea that she needed to talk to her. It sounded urgent, and Amaranthia knew very few would look for her in this place, at least anymore. The allurist was far too concerned lately with keeping the appearance of a human safe environment to frequent the downstairs. In fact, it'd been locked off as of late, so it was the perfect place to meet with her former club manager, the woman she'd left in charge of The Necropolis when Amaranthia had needed to take an extended hiatus from the city and establishment. Too many emotions ran rampant here, too much had happened, too many had been lost, and the Allurist had needed to recompose herself to restart.

Amalea
The red-head smiled softly as she entered The Necropolis proper, hood pulled tight around her face lest she be recognized by one of the patrons. She wasn't exactly on everyone's favorite people list and didn't really want to see the top floor turned into a blood bath despite being a neutral space. Heading to the back, she descended down to the Dungeon, her favorite part of the club. As she reached the floor, butterflies settling in her stomach. It had been sometime since she had seen Amara and the news she beared wasn't good; she had missed the allurist and wished better times had brought her here. She pushed back the hood as she came to the woman, shaking her red tresses loose. She hadn't changed much since having saw the woman last, save for the silver ring in her lip. "Evening, Amara. Thank you for this."

Amaranthia
Her eyes lit up seeing the woman who had been not only her employee since the beginning, but perhaps her first friend since returning from the shadow realm. Amalea had applied for the position of a blood doll, as Amaranthia had just opened up The Necropolis Nightclub, before she was aware that others had also returned from the Shadow Realm. "But of course, I always have time for an old friend. Please, come have a seat." She gestured to the other side of the booth, she would have pressed a kiss to the woman's cheek, but was unsure whether such familiarity would still be welcome upon the mortal. Though Amaranthia could see that the woman had grown greatly since the last time the allurist had laid eyes upon her. "You seem troubled, and your message seemed urgent. What can I do of service for you?"

Amalea
A gentle, small smile tugged at her lips at Amara's expression. She was the first vampire she'd met within the city and her only employer; the one that took a chance on a new arrival to the city. It made the reason for this visit that much worse, in her mind. She slid into the offered seat, hands clasped gently upon the table. "In a way, it was. And I am. I forgot there is no hiding things from you. What do you know of the zombies that roam loose in the city?"

Amaranthia
"They have wandered since the time Cobb splintered the fissure into the Shadow Realm, from which even I escaped. They have greatly increased in number, I have heard rumors they have made it beyond the enclosures the city officials once put up the contain them within the quarantine zone. Mordechai has cautioned me to remain within a few select places he considers to be secure, for my safety."

Amalea
She nodded quietly having learnt the lesson on Cobb and zombies from another when a lone one was found in the middle of the city some years ago. "He is wise," she commented quietly, her tongue lightly touching the piece of the ring inside her mouth as she thought. "It is not only zombies that roam free these nights. Did he not tell you on how they came to be beyond the enclosures?" To an outsider, it would seem as though she was stalling, but she was genuinely curious as to what the killer had told the woman across from her.

Amaranthia
"No. We do not speak of such things. We speak of how to fight, history, how to dance, and how to love." The last portion slipped from her lips, almost as a confession, her hand rising to them as she realized she'd spoken it aloud instead of keeping it within her heart and mind. It was perhaps her first confession of the feelings she was developing for the Killer. "Please..." her eyes plead with the woman to keep it between the two of them, before returning to the subject "He is teaching me how to defend myself, after so long trying to be neutral and all the pain it has cost me. He does not believe it is safe any longer for me to continue living the way I have."

Amalea
The slip from the allurist answered many of the questions that had been in the blood thief's mind. She smiled quietly as she shook her head lightly, "Secret is safe with me. Though it does explain how you are are familiar with him as I didn't realize you had known him." A slightly pained look flashed across her face for the briefest of moments, "It's not, even without the zombies. Paladins have grown bolder. And, honestly, even if it were safe, being able to defend yourself is an important skill, especially as a woman."

Amaranthia
The allurist nodded an acknowledgment of the woman's promise, relief falling across her features that so often betrayed her truth of emotions. Her brow furrowed as she saw the pain upon the woman's face, "Has it returned then to the days of the first Ottomon Empire? Have the people once more lost their minds? Turning to rape, and pillage rather than diplomacy and reason?"

Amalea
She was glad to see the relief grace the allurist's visage. She would hold that secret until the woman chose to reveal it. Her head shook lightly, "Men of this age have been known to take what they want by force since you first returned from the Realm. Some do not take no for an answer and some just believe it is their right. Aside from the rapists, there are also muggers and other criminals."

Amaranthia
She wrinkled her nose in disgust, she was in support of dominant men, and women for that matter, but one did not take those things by force, only by consent. "I see. Has something such happened to you? Do I need to destroy someone? Or rather...ask Mordechai to help me destroy someone..."

Amalea
A small smile was given at the woman's protectiveness. If only that were the case, she sighed, shaking her head lightly. Ever so quietly, she replied, voice barely a whisper, "He'd be more likely to destroy me." She left it at that as she looked up at the woman, a single deep breath steadying her nerves. "It would be better that it had, in all honesty. I could live with that." She shook her head, "The rift is expanding... the zombies and other creatures running rampant due to it. And me the one to blame for it."

Amaranthia
The allurist found her emotions flaring up as her dear friend claimed Mordechai would destroy her instead, anger that someone would hurt the female, and loyalty to both parties. She simply couldn't allow Mordechai to hurt Amalea, no matter what had happened. She was mortal, she wouldn't come back. She would be lost forever, forever cast into the Shadow Realm. The very idea was terrifying to the allurist. While the woman may have put them at risk, closing the rift would also have placed them all at perhaps an even greater risk of being forever trapped. And anyone who knew Amaranthia, the first to rise from that fissure when it came to part the realms and join them as a bridge between the two knew was that Amaranthia was absolutely petrified of being trapped once more within the Shadow Realm.

Amaranthia
"Whatever you did...we can fix it. And I'm sure Mordechai will listen to reason. Let me protect you...I may not be much, but there are certain...things I can do." Her first instinct was to take the woman beyond her will, to tun her right then and there to protect her. To preserve her life, for surely they would be coming for her.

Amaranthia
"I can save your life. If it comes to it...I would."

Amalea
Amalea's nose wrinkled slightly as she sensed something amiss; she just wasn't sure quite what the source was though reason would suggest it was the allurist. Though, why she wasn't sure, given the woman's next words. What had she said that had struck a chord? She shook her head slightly, "I talked to him earlier this week and I have to admit I was surprised to leave intact. Mostly." There was a soft sigh as she continued, "I'm not sure there's currently a way to fix it, beyond containing the damage wrought." It was then her brain processed what the allurist was offering leaving her only one question, "Why?"

Amaranthia
"Mostly? What did he do to you?" Concern lit her eyes, and she furrowed her brow. "There's always a way. If surviving in the Shadow Realm for centuries taught me nothing else, it taught me that there is always a way. And because I love you dear one. Because you are family to me. And the idea of you trapped forever in that place, is terrible. I would rather force you to live like me, than let you be condemned to that existence."

Amalea
A single finger reached up to tap on the silver ring gracing her lip. "There's some lore behind it, but it's meant to be a reminder of the debt I owe him, Ariadne and others." Her nose wrinkled slightly, "Badge of shame, is what he called it." She nodded quietly, "There's a way...kill the ancient and the expansion should stop, but I doubt we'll see her emerge from her lair for some time." She blinked before staring at the allurist. Family? She thought of her as family; the revelation was striking especially given the atmosphere in the city currently. Though, she could understand and appreciate the reasoning. She shook her head lightly, though, "It's a dangerous proposition... to be connected to me in such a way right now." It was true and even know she knew that some were keeping their distance. "If it was necessary..." she shook her head, "perhaps but now? Even with everything I'm not sure about making the transition to vampire."

Amaranthia
Oh. It was only a piercing? That's hardly anything to worry about. The allurist's relief was quite evident upon her face, and as her body relaxed. "So...we find a way to lure her out. But that's a discussion that requires someone with far more military planning than me. I'm more...on the love side of that saying 'All's fair in love and war' If it becomes necessary though, promise me you will call for me." The woman gazed deep into her friend's eyes, one might even think she was subconsciously attempting to place a compulsion upon the woman, though she'd never do so intentionally. No, she cared far too much about freedom of will. She knew far too well just how shallow an existence without that freedom could be. "So, what are you going to do to combat the choice you've made? I assume you had a choice. Otherwise, you would not feel so...indebted."

Amalea
She smiled lightly as the allurist relaxed slightly; she didn't like seeing anyone tense. "She wanted to be left alone with her creations, so it will be difficult and time consuming, likely. I'm not quite sure if killing her is wise given it would only send her to the Realm she could return from, so it is going to require research as well, I think." She nodded quietly, "If it becomes necessary, I will, I promise. I truly have no wish to end up six feet underground for eternity." She was grateful for the offer and it not being forced upon her. Her nose wrinkled, "There was a choice... there were 5 of us who found keys and were called to see the ancient. Expand the rift was one, leaving it alone another. The choice ended up coming to me alone... as two died and two left. It's not as simple as that but the story is long." She sighed, "It wasn't the choice I would have made normally. Combating won't be simple... kill zombies, protect humans, repair damage..."

Amaranthia
She took in a slow inhale as the woman further explained, while she was a bundle of emotions, she also knew well how to use them wisely. "So you made a choice...that you wouldn't have normally done...but why?" She couldn't figure out why the woman wouldn't just leave the rift as is. "Did this creature control you? Did it threaten you?"

Amalea
"The creature did not control or threaten me as many think." She shook her head lightly, "And none believe me as to what I believe occurred anyway. To them, it doesn't seem to matter. They seem to either think I'm lying and trying to hide behind an excuse or I'm under the ancient's spell." She breathed out a deep breath, it was still a tough memory for reasons most weren't aware. "One of those that was there is one I considered friend. She was killed by another of the keyholders. Of my nearly seven years in the city, it was the first time I had seen an ally, or really anyone, die. I lost myself and felt like I wasn't in control after that. It sounds farfetched, I know."

Amaranthia
She closed her eyes slowly, nodding "Now that...that I understand. You are, after all...as they say 'only human'. It is hard when you have changed to remember that. As an allurist, the older I get the more in touch I feel with my own humanity. The more i remember what it was like, though I have the temperance of years of control to help me maintain balance. But, I suppose my question is now...do you stand by your choice?"

Amaranthia
It really was the ultimate question. It would tell Amaranthia how to proceed. She would not desert the woman, but she could not let danger come to her either. It would be a delicate balance, between the parties of those she held dear and loved.




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This thread was submitted via a live roleplay chat in the The Dungeon area. Participants and rewards were: Amaranthia earned 1861 RPP. Amalea earned 1827 RPP.

Amalea
The red-headed nodded quietly; she knew that most vampires didn’t feel emotions in the same way as humans did. Most didn’t even seem to see them the same way. In a way, she envied them and their ability to detach themselves. It would have made things much simpler, she knew. Did she stand by her choice? It was a fair question. It really was; she just wasn’t sure she had a good answer for it. All she could do was be honest. “I would have never made the decision to close the rift. It wasn’t an option presented, but I wouldn’t have taken it even if it’d been offered. For the majority of the time we conversed with the ancient, I honestly hadn’t made up my mind whether it would be wiser to walk out on the woman leaving the rift as is or to expand it.” She shook her head lightly, “I think at the time the one died, I had been leaning a bit more towards walking away. There was really nothing wrong with leaving things as is. I’m not sure there’s something inherently wrong with expanding the rift, either. However, the consequences of that action currently outweigh the potential benefit. Will those diminish and things be better? I don’t know. At the moment, I’m not sure I would have made that choice again knowing the immediate consequences never mind what future ones may arise.”

Amaranthia
So now she knew the other choice upon the table, to leave things alone, as is. No one could really know what the consequences would truly be, but chances are they would develop over time and the immediate consequences would be but a shadow of that which was to come. “That is all I would ask of you, is to be mindful the consequences of your actions. There is no immediate undoing, what you have chosen to rend but we will find a way to make it right.” It was big words coming from a woman who had very little in the form of physical prowess, her gifts lay more solidly upon the alluring of others to her viewpoint, whether it was through trickery or compliments. “I suppose the next question is…” she paused to examine the redhead, to look over how the woman had grown over the years she’d known her, to really see what had changed in these past few months, to see what effects time had chosen to rest upon her visage “what you plan to do now.”

Amalea
The red-head hadn’t realized she was holding her breath till she was forced, by nature, to breathe. Despite knowing the Allurist considered her family, she was still nervous about her reactions; her luck with family wasn’t always the best. She nodded quietly at the sage advice being given; she certainly would be mindful of her actions and their potential consequences going forward. It might mean seeking advice from those around her or walking away from a choice, but blind leaps couldn’t be afforded. Her head tilted slightly at Amara’s next words though she wasn’t surprised there were more questions. She wasn’t expecting the inquisition, but it was only natural. Her face flushed at the scrutiny as she felt the other’s eyes upon her though she knew not what was sought. Would she be found lacking? The eventual question was a bit of a surprise in some ways. A moment of silence stretched out as she considered her words, “Definitely get myself some professional help for my depression… what happened down there with losing myself scares me...I don’t want to do that again. It’s dangerous; it makes me feel like I’m not entirely safe to be around, honestly.” She shook her head lightly, “But that’s not what you were asking… I want to find a way to start to fix things even if it’s in small ways. Going directly after the ancient would be folly as sending her to the realm will only piss her off and make things worse. I’ve reached out to the people closest to me… so I guess that was the first step. From here? Do whatever I can to help things… kill zombies, do research on the rift and the ancient, open up more jobs in my businesses. I have the beginnings of a ‘victims/restoration’ fund being set into place. Eirene’s hospitals… things like that I guess for as long as I’m able.” She paused, leaving the ‘until someone kills me’ unspoken, “Do you have any suggestions?”

Amaranthia
Brows furrowed as the woman flushed, perhaps she’d been too forward? She had merely meant to be proactive rather than reactive. Too often in life individuals were reactive and ceased to hold control over their own functions at that point, let alone their own lives. As she spoke of her depression Amaranthia nodded, she knew that pain very well, there was a soft “Good choice.” so as not to interrupt the woman, but to also lend her support that she needed right now. “I can say you are most definitely safe to be around, and you’ve always been quite good at research, I can look and see if I can find anything about her in the records of the Old Code I have been able to find over the past few months. Your humanitarian efforts seem to show the direction you wish to pursue, and I believe that is half the battle you have before you now. But I’m quite serious, if there comes a time that someone tries to take the choice to live out of your hands, call to me and I will intercede.” The allurist held herself so very tightly at that unspoken threat to one she called her own. It would not do to let the woman know just how far Amaranthia would go to prevent yet another loss. She was selfish that way. It was a flaw, but one Amaranthia embraced perhaps too well. “I’m not going to try and punish you. You’re doing that enough on your own. I would like to hope that perhaps there is some advantage we can gain from this action...one that hides just beneath the surface.”

Amalea
A hand reached out to squeeze the allurist’s as the red-head noted the furrowed brows. She wasn’t sure if it was something she had done or said, but it was a small gesture of reassurance. A small smile was given at the quiet comment; it was heartwarming to the blood thief that Amara approved of the decision to get help. It was a far cry from what she knew others would say of it. “Thank you,” was all she could say to the declaration that she was safe to be around. Of everyone, Amara would be the one to know that seeing how long they’d known each other. “I’m hoping the research yields something fruitful. I appreciate anything you think would help. Even if how to kill a vampire permanently is recorded in history, I don’t want to know about it unless it’s to burn every reference to it. That knowledge is too dangerous.” While she did want to find a way to kill the ancient, she didn’t want to make matters worse by releasing the secret into the world. She’d have to settle for luring her outside the rift and killing her there, if possible. She nodded quietly, “I want to be proactive in getting more positivity out there.” Sighing, “I’ve always worked in support of vampires. I’m not going to stop that even if most consider me worse than Cobb. That’s not who I am; I’m not willing to give that up. It’s worth the fight.” There was another gentle smile tugging at her lips at Amara’s declaration of needing to contact her should the worse happen, “I know and I will. It wouldn’t be a choice I’d normally make but I would prefer it to floating endlessly for eternity or whatever else occurs to a human when they die.” Her head tilted slightly as she considered the allurist’s next statement. Was she really punishing herself? It didn’t feel like it; it felt like she was reacting to the world around her and whatever was put her way, Silence reigned for the moment as she went over her actions, finally shaking her red tresses lightly, “I wouldn’t fault you if you did.” It was a quiet, but honest, admission. She had come into the meeting knowing it was a possibility; she wasn’t as naive as everyone thought. “It doesn’t feel like I’m doing so, just reacting, mainly.” A pause, “I hope there’s a ray of light buried close to the surface as well. But I fear it will get worse before it gets better.”

Amaranthia
“Isn’t that the way it always goes though? No? I’ve lived for a very long time, longer than I had any right to, and it always seems to get darker before the light. Even with a temporary darkness, such as the night as she passes under Luna’s gaze, it gets darker before the dawn.” The allurist tucked those onyx tresses behind her own ears, and leaned forward to press a kiss to the mortal’s forehead in an almost matronly gesture. “It will work out. Patience will serve us in this time.” A gentle tap on her shoulder, and the woman turned around to face James, her personal assistant, holding up a contract for her to sign.
“Excuse me Madame. I don’t wish to intrude, but the contract has arrived and needs signed promptly, as per the Fae representative. He was...rather demanding.”

“I see. Let me have a look…” She took the proffered document in her hand. It was short and succinct, but would produce the desired result, though the price was somewhat worrying “A boon to be redeemed in the unspecified future.” She murmured the asking price, “I suppose it could have been worse, and really it’s not like they could ask for my first born child…” a soft chuckle, as she looked back to Amalea. “On that note of positivity...I’m bringing back the Charity Auction. Would you be interested in helping with some of the more...tricky rituals? I’m a touch out of practice.”

Amalea
“It seems to be, yes,” she admitted quietly, appreciating the woman’s wisdom on the matter. She didn’t exactly agree with the sentiment that the allurist had lived longer than she had the right to; the wisdom of the elders was something that was sorely needed and she didn’t see being trapped in the Realm as living. Her eyes fluttered shut for a moment as she relaxed under the woman’s ministrations. It was a simple gesture, true, but more comforting than anything. “I hope so… I really do,” her voice was soft as she looked up to see the unfamiliar male.

She sat quietly as he presented Amara with a contract to sign though her eyebrow did raise slightly at the mention of the demfae. What on earth could the woman be dealing with the demifae for? The comments as the allurist read it piqued her curiosity nicely though she could completely understand the worry over the boon. Hadn’t she just done the same thing with Mordechai? Blood had sealed her contract, she knew.

The red-head perked up as the allurist mentioned bringing back the Charity Auction. She had adored being part of the first one and had sadly missed the second. It would be nice to involved this time. “I’d love to help out with rituals. I’ve become quite proficient in them and enjoy doing them. You know I’ll also do whatever else I can to help with the Auction too.” She paused, chewing on her lips for several moments. “Do you think it would be unwise for me to sign up as a contestant given everything?”

Amaranthia
“I’ve got it in mind a way to protect those participating...and it’s in that little contract you just saw me sign. I plan to enlist the Fae to help me, and enforce the contracts this year. I think it could be just what you need, to get a little good PR going.” She smiled and winked at the woman. It had been intended to be a surprise, but well, things don’t always happen the way we plan, no? Sometimes, it’s better this way anyway, right? Sometimes we just need to go with the flow, and accept the turn that Fate offers us. Perhaps she talked to herself too much these days, but she’d been with only herself for company for so very long it was a hard habit to break. Truth be told, Amaranthia didn’t truly distinguish between those that were full Fae, and only had enough Fae blood in order to use their magic. The creature she’d bargained with was in fact only a demifae, though she wouldn’t have paid any mind to the differences. For Amaranthia, blood was blood. Just as she’d always be a Grigori, despite their betrayals and the pain they had caused her, if you had enough Fae blood to work their ways...you were Fae in her eyes. “And imagine the good you could do...I bet your time would go for a pretty penny, especially if they don’t know they can’t harm you.” She winked once more with a smirk upon those precious pink petal lips.

Amalea
The red-head was surprised to hear that the demifae would be enforcing all contracts; that certainly explained the open-ended price of the contract that the allurist had been reading. Amara was right, of course, it was what she needed; aside from the possible positive PR, it was a break from the ordinary. “I think you’re right… it is what I need, if only as a break from the crazy world around us.” It was certainly a calculated risk. She wasn’t naive enough to think that it wasn’t; not with a portion of the city out for blood. Bleeding, she could handle; it was dying that was the issue given that tended to be a bit too final in her opinion. Secure in the knowledge that the contracts would be enforced and an Eirene’s was likely to be cast over the club, she nodded quietly “I would hope so as I plan on putting my share of the monies into the victims’ trust. I think that’d be the best use for it.” She paused a moment, choosing her words carefully, “Temporary harm, I could handle, I think. It’s the more permanent types that I wish to avoid. I’m not unaware that there are some that will bid just to cause that harm. If it helps to start to heal things, I could live with it and it’s certainly safer to allow it this way rather than in an unprotected setting.” She shook her head lightly, “Proper boundaries will be set in my listing, I promise; I’m just not going to pretend that everything is sunshine and daisies. There has to be a compromise between what people may seek and what I can offer.”

Amaranthia
The woman nodded to the mortal, accepting her judgment. “I will do my best to ensure you are protected. Just...be careful. Do not let your guilt consume your better judgment.Learn what lessons you can the easy way next time dear.” The allurist pressed a kiss to the woman’s forehead. “I’ve got a decorator coming shortly, that will require my full attention to plan with, but you know you always have a place here.” Amaranthia began placing the ritual ingredients upon the ritual altar, following the instructions upon the parchment the demifae had given her. There were a couple that had been harder to find, but she’d managed to track them all down. Thankfully, the demifae had warned her to prepare her stores with the necessary ingredients before delivering the ritual itself.

Amalea
“Thank you,” she gave the woman a warm, genuine smile, knowing that Amara would indeed do so even if she hadn’t spoken of it. Amalea knew the woman was rather protective of her; it was endearing as she knew it was based on affection rather than some sense of duty. It wasn’t a matter of ‘you need protection just because you’re human’ but rather ‘I want to protect you because I care’. It was a difference the blood thief appreciated. She was human but that didn’t mean she was helpless and needed protecting out of duty. “I will be careful,” she commented softly as she slid out of the booth, “I’m hoping there is no next time for this sort of thing. The lesson was more than enough for a while.” She couldn’t help but smile as she thought of the Necro and the Dungeon. They had become a second home very shortly after she had started her job as a blood doll. There was a sense of belonging that still lingered in the walls. “I’ll be around more often,” Amalea promised brightly as she gave the woman a hug, “I’ll stop by in a day or so to go over which rituals you need help with and to see where else I can be of help.” Mindful of the impending company, she bounded up the stairs with plans to say hi to staff before leaving.