[Action] Grief [Closed to Castlevania and Satori] cw:mild blood

[scarlet_devil]

[ Remilia Scarlet had been seldom seen of late, finding little reason to leave Castlevania. Only the arrival of a new vampire had drawn her out recently, for example.

How long does she plan on doing this? She isn't sure... but the alternative would to let rage overtake her and there's one too many vampires bent on vengeance here already.

Being in one of her 'I want to be alone' moods, she had been turning most people away. So good luck getting in. ]

Comments

[sakuya_izayoi]

There was a soft knock on the door, the audible sound of the maid's heels coming together following a moment later as she straightened up. She was a bit worried about Remilia... But, for the moment, duty came first.

"Lady Remilia. It's time for tea."

[scarlet_devil]

There's no response for a moment other than some sniffing sounds... Then after a few minutes, Remilia responds.

"This isn't a good time..."

[sakuya_izayoi]

Normally, Sakuya would walk away. She knew Remilia had been sad lately but she had been giving the little vampire some distance for awhile now. It was at the point Sakuya was starting to feel a little neglected as a thrall. It was not a need she could just ignore. Though it was not something she was just going to bring up.

Focus...

"Lady Remilia, please. This is your favorite. It will make you feel better."

[scarlet_devil]

There is also the little fact that Remilia had not 'eaten' as much as she should. There was a pause...

"...Put it on the tea table."

[sakuya_izayoi]

Sakuya stepped inside with an elaborate tray. She placed it down on the table before setting it. She had brought in several types of snack and set down a large and... empty teacup?

Before Remilia could ask, there was a flash of silver and the smell of the maid's exquisite blood filled the room. There was a shallow cut on her pinky, filling the cup as she lifted it and the saucer, carrying it evenly over to Remilia.

She sank to one knee by the vampire's side, clenching her hand to stop the bleeding when it was full to the brim, before presenting the 'tea' to Remilia.

[scarlet_devil]

The scent hits Remilia's nose right away, triggering the vampiric desire to feed... and given that she hadn't fed much lately, she has to restrain herself from poncing on Sakuya and taking the blood directly from her finger.

"Sakuya, I..." Gingerly, her hands shaking a little, she takes the cup and brings it to her lips, drinking the 'tea' without any delay. She feels stronger already...

[sakuya_izayoi]

Sakuya relaxed visibly as Remilia drinks, letting her finish the cup before flickering once more and placing a dish of cheese, crackers, and chilled meats on a napkin on the bed next to her along with a small cup of cut fruit. It was more of a small meal than a snack, really.

Sakuya didn't take the cup, but it was again filled, with actual tea this time, the maid resting her still bleeding finger on the rim to sweeten it further. At least until Remilia was ready to drink.

[prismaticdestruction]

[At some point later, there is a soft knock at the door. Probably expected because of how clingy Flandre had been recently. But the door stays closed after the knock. She almost expects to be turned away.]

[scarlet_devil]

[ Well, that all depends on who it is... Little sisters are more likely to be let in. ]

Who is that?

[prismaticdestruction]

It's me sis...

[Flandre sounds tired but being stubborn again. But for now, she is focused.]

[scarlet_devil]

Flan? You can come in.

[ Remilia is sat on her bed, rubbing her face in an almost childlike way. Not quite at her best... but Flan is allowed to see the softer side of Remilia. ]

[prismaticdestruction]

[Quickly, Flandre opens the door and slips in, just to make sure the door gets closed behind her just as quickly. She slows down after that, still trying to make herself look small. It takes just a moment for Flandre to take in this sight before heading closer so she can climb up beside her sister.

She won't ask the obvious question because even she understands. So there are arms pulling you into a hug Remilia.]

[scarlet_devil]

[ Indeed, once Flandre sits with her, Remilia allows the hug... hugging back after a pause. ]

[Video > Action]

[satori_komeiji]

Satori had noticed that Remilia had harbored some unusual thoughts, the last time they met. It seemed they'd been buried under her surface thoughts and rather well hidden, but any emergence of something that troublesome in someone she cared about was immediate cause for concern.

She tried contacting her by video, receiving no replies. Texts directed her way didn't seem to get much of a response, either. Perhaps it was the machine breaking down, or perhaps it might be what Satori was expecting - something had happened to her. Perhaps that's why Satori has done the impossible and went from Chireiden to Castlevania by herself. As a fellow monster (of sorts) she'd hardly be denied entry.

One more quick video message, just in case...

"Remilia, I've been trying to get in contact with you for some time and I've been quite worried. As someone who knows you quite well, this isn't like you at all. I'd...like to talk with you in person."

A pause.

"I'm just outside. I wouldn't walk all the way here if I wasn't concerned. But whatever's on your mind, I'd like to share that burden."

[Audio > Action]

[scarlet_devil]

Had she not come, Remilia would had ignored the message again... but since Satori came all this way, she could at least reply...

"Satori... Okay. Come in."

Re: [Audio > Action]

[satori_komeiji]

Once invited, Satori didn't take too long in hunting down her...girlfriend (the word was still too hard to say all at once, even to herself.)

"Alright, I'm on the way. しつれいします."

The video feed clicks out and within a couple minutes, barring getting a little confused here and there, she's made it to Remi's room. She's quiet and careful, considering that the emotions Remi was displaying were highly irregular. That is to say, ones she hadn't noticed before. She let another silence pass, giving her a moment to get used to her presence before she spoke, moving a little closer. But not too close.

"...Remilia, that look doesn't suit you. You should leave the gloom for the rest of this place." She moves closer still to Remi's side, too worried to leave it for long. As for her small attempt at dry humour, Satori quickly brushed it off. Her voice held an air of apprehension, but felt closer to a very reserved form of concern. "Ah, I'm sorry. While we have the time, I'd like to do what I do best and listen. No matter how you'd unburden yourself, take comfort it's between us."

[Audio > Action]

[scarlet_devil]

Castlevania itself might had made the trip shorter, but the castle was still chaotic. Remilia was of course still inside, sat on the bed.

Another emotion surfaces when Satori is near... Love. She was quite unsure if Satori could understand. As far as she knew, a youkai didn't usually have parents, or step parents.
"Satori... I wish you could have met her..." Remi might benefit from more closeness...

[Feels Intensify]

[satori_komeiji]

Satori eventually takes Remi's hand. It's a strange feeling, trying to comfort her while she felt so broken. But the vampire needed this, right now.

"Familial love. Perhaps the feeling of loss and longing. That one's familiar to me. Humans feel deep attachment to those who raise them. Youkai too, if they choose to birth one-another rather than simply arise from nothingness into being."

Another pause as Satori's hand clings just a little tighter, just to let her know she's there. Her voice took on an almost relaxing quality, a very gentle hypnotic effect released from her third eye as an attempt to calm her further. It might not work, but her soothing tone of voice might easily help that along.

"The way you think, the more I wish I could have. I've only really felt such things before I cut ties and left home with my sister in tow. Please, I'd rather not feel such warm memories and mixed emotions but experience them. It won't be the same, but Satori youkai value stories of all kinds. Tell me of her, so I can know her through you."

[scarlet_devil]

"I was once human myself. So was Flandre." There's a small spike of fear regarding her sister, of what would happen to her if she left too.

Lisa was in her thoughts, as was the fate she returned to. A fate that caused not small amount of grief and rage. And it was a deep, dark rage hiding under that grief... at least until Satori's ability calmed her.

"Maman... her name was Lisa. She was very wise... and very kind, and there was no limit to her love of others. She even accepted Flandre and I as daughters." And then her time with her was cut short.

Sorry this took so long!

[notquitedracula]

[From outside her room, a little ways away in the castle, Remilia might catch the somber whine of a violin. Whoever's playing it is good - good enough they could probably make a modest living at it - but the instrument doesn't seem to be in great health. Almost like it's been locked away in a cabinet somewhere for a hundred years or so, and not well maintained in that time.

Still, with a careful hand, the player coaxes it back to life, drawing tones out of it that it surely hasn't given voice to in quite a long time.

Does she want to come investigate?]

[scarlet_devil]

[ It takes a few moments to make herself more presentable before she even considers leaving her room...

Eventually, her curiosity has her leaving the room. ]

[notquitedracula]

[It takes whoever was working on that poor violin several more minutes to get it fully tuned - long enough for Remilia to reach the room they're playing in, even after taking time to get presentable.

To no one's surprise who can read a journal name, but probably to Remilia's, it's Soma. He's never demonstrated any musical talent in Genessia - particularly not in the castle. But there he stands, with a rather ratty looking one on his shoulder, and a bow with half its strings sprung... and he starts to play.

Of course, he's not nearly as good as a true professional (like the one in that link). It sounds like he's got a lot in common with the violin he's playing - years of rust and ill treatment. But the violin yet has a ghost of its former glory about it; with proper care, it might even prove serviceable.]

[scarlet_devil]

[ Soon enough, there's a soft knock at the door... ]

[notquitedracula]

[The music stops after a moment more, and finally the door opens. Soma's wearing something other than his usual attire for once - it looks like he might have raided Alucard's closet, actually. He certainly looks different.]

Remilia. I'm sorry if I disturbed you...

[scarlet_devil]

I didn't know you could play.

[ She enters the room, curious. ]