[Action for Everglade]

[what_is_a_man]

[It had been a trying time since returning to this place for Vlad. With the appearance of his son, and the wielder of the Vampire Killer, he'd been far more tense than usual. Couple that with Lisa's arrival as well, and the Spirit of Chaos being more chatty than normal, and Vlad was struggling to keep his mind his own. Even as he waged his war on humanity he'd always kept his mind about him, even if the Spirit whispered guidance to him. Now though, he was struggling to maintain himself.]

[As such after dusk, Vlad took to the streets of Everglade, but not in his normal regal garb. Instead he took the form of an ancient man, small, wrinkled and bent, wearing a nondescript brown robe with a rope tied around a few vials of various colored potions serving as a belt. He needed to put some distance between him and the spirit for the moment, and would gladly keep up the charade should anyone approach, but to those with senses for such things he would not hide either.]

Comments

[singinghuntress]

[Rip had been wandering Everglade when she felt something very familiar brush against her senses and altered her course to follow the feeling right until it lead to an ancient old man wandering the streets.

Rip pauses for a moment before quietly approaching.]

[what_is_a_man]

[Of course Vlad senses Rip tailing him, but he's too lost in thought to really pay any notice. The whole situation with the Belmont, Adrian, and Lisa had him feeling more than a little torn. He simply continues walking, fingers idly tapping at the vials secured to his side.]

[singinghuntress]

[It really didn't take her long to realize who she was tailing or realizing that he was really lost in thought..Rip kept following her father for a few more moments before moving up beside him to walk along with him.]

It looks like zomething veighs heavy on your mind, Fazher.

[what_is_a_man]

[At least with Rip, not many would immediately know the relation so he's not as pensive about her using the term as he would be for others...]

Many things are, actually. I apologize for not saying anything but I needed to clear my head.

[singinghuntress]

[Not many would make the immediate connection between her and the old man she was walking beside at the moment. Any one who saw them might not even take a second look.]

Of course...Und perhaps it vould help to talk about vat is on your mind? At zhe very least it might help organize your thoughts.

[what_is_a_man]

It is... difficult to put into words.

[He sighs.]

The spirit of the castle has been... loud. The heart of the castle is a being of pure chaos, it draws its strength from me, and I from it. However... this feels... different. A foe that died 400 years ago wielding a whip attuned to me, Adrian lingers in this place as well... and the spirit wants blood. Belmont's blood.

However... I do not wish to drag you and your sisters into our war and the spirit is... not happy about my decision.

[singinghuntress]

[She listens while keeping pace with him. That's quite a bit to take in and think about. ]

Zhen you are at odds vith zhe castle right now. I don't blame you for not vishing to drag us into your var und I appreciate zhat you don't vant to. I may haf been made for var, but, it's not vat I desire anymore.

[She sighed softly.]

But, iz zhere anyvay to appease zhe castle's spirit vithout bloodshed? You said it vas a being of pure chaos, vell... Give it zomething else it vants? It's alvays vorked on me.

[what_is_a_man]

And what do you give an incarnation of chaos, who's very existence is a contradiction. It wants everything and nothing. Simply baking it a pie isn't going to appease it.

[He sighs, realizing that probably came off a bit snippy but just brings a hand to his forehead.]

It is as much a part of me as my own arm. I know what it wants, and right now it thirsts only for pain, suffering, and above all, blood.

[singinghuntress]

[At least she didn't take offense to him being snappy?]

Zhen if it's zhat much apart of you, zhen it's probably feeding of vat you vant.

[She glanced towards her father once more.]

So, try feeding your desires und seeing if zhat helps? I mean...being fully fed does help me keep my own insanity und chaos at bay?

[what_is_a_man]

Were it simple blood I fed on, it would be a simple thing. However, what the castle craves is war.

Chaos for chaos, as it were.

[singinghuntress]

[She paused for a moment...That was a craving Rip understood.]

Zhe call to var is a strong one. Zhe scent of blood in zhe air, zhe sounds of zhe enemies screams.. Weapons clashing und gunfire raging.

[She shook her head for a moment, dashing away the images of war that Rip knew so well and craved herself. Rip had just learned to control it the hard way.]

It's intoxicating.. a beautiful symphony.

[There was a soft sigh.]

Sounds like zhe chaos of my vorld vould haf been more zhan enough to satisfy zhe castle if it vere zhere.

[what_is_a_man]

Unfortunately, the chaos of your world is contained in your world. Here, any war I may call for would simply reflect poorly on your sister.

[He sighs, hunching a tad more.]

I do not know why she found it necessary to lead the ignorant cattle, but I will not hinder her.

[singinghuntress]

[She nods slightly. He was right of course. The chaos and war of her world was there and there was no getting to it. Not unless Rip wanted to open an Archway and she really.. really didn't want to do that.

Rip had no desire to see her home world ever again.]

Perhaps she's done it to try und bridge zhe gap between us und zhem.

[She shrugged a little. Even Rip had to admit she did a little of that on occasion herself...]

But, I still don't zhink zhe majority of zhem are vorth zhe effort. A few proven ones, yes. Zhe rest not so much.

[sonofdracula]

[ It's been some time now since the dhampir has arrived within this world and a little while after he had visited the dream docks and learned of what it is that he will return to whenever this place decides to release him. As such, the dhampir has mostly kept to himself... really nothing out of the ordinary there. However, while he's spoken with Soma about his father and things related to him, he hasn't yet, since arriving, sought out Vlad.

That is... until now.

The disguise is nothing that he can't see through and, for a moment, he stands there a little ways from him, staring and wondering just what it is he means to say, let alone how speaking with his father would even go. His mother is still here, far as he knows, but his father... there is still grief within his heart over what he has seen... over what he knows he will accomplish.

So, it's after a moment that he approaches Vlad from behind, sword at his side as always, though he has no intention of drawing it... should his father give him reason to, however, well. He prays that he doesn't. ]

Father.

[what_is_a_man]

[Adrian. He'd sensed his son's approach but had hoped the disguise would keep Adrian from identifying him quite so bluntly. As such, Vlad just shot a glare reminiscent of when the dhampir would sneak into the alchemy lab as a little vamp.]

I would appreciate it if you would at least wait until we are out of the public eye before we speak, Adrian.

[He sighs, jerking is head toward a darkened alley that he starts moving toward.]

My presence draws unwanted attention from the common folk that I would rather avoid at the moment.

[sonofdracula]

[ Well, he can't exactly say he's surprised with that. However, after a moment of... not quite hesitation but... something else, he follows after him. ]

You've known of my presence here for some time now.

[what_is_a_man]

[Once concealed in the shadows, Vlad drops the disguise, growing into the form Adrian would be more familiar with.]

Yes, since my return actually. I'm aware of Belmont's presence as well. There are few things in this place that escape me, Adrian. This should not come as a surprise.

[Vlad slumps against a nearby wall looking far more tired than normal.]

[sonofdracula]

It doesn't.

[ At least he will be honest with his father in that regard and while there is a touch of concern which flickers over his face at the slump and tiredness which clings to his father, he remains cautious... aware. ]

You haven't sought me out.

[what_is_a_man]

And what would have happened had I sought you out? The first time I saw you since your mother was taken from us was in the company of a Belmont, coming for my head, and the second you came alone, sword bared and cutting down any that stood before you.

[There's something of a mix of annoyance and pride in his voice. Even as annoyed as he was, he was proud Adrian had become such a skilled warrior.]

I was not under the impression such a reunion would be met with tea and crumpets.

[sonofdracula]

[ But I'm still your son is what a part of him wants to say and yet... there is still the realization that his father died some time ago... leaving behind the shell of a man he looked up to and loved. ]

I kill you.

[ He says that, softly. ]

Outside of this world I do. [ And it pains him to. ] I do not want to commit patricide within this world, father.

[scarlet_devil]

[ A lot of bats out tonight. Some of whom seem to be... watching? Well, Remilia can see through their eyes as these bats are extensions of herself, and what she sees is someone that appears vulnerable, so she will be keeping tabs on the area. ]

[what_is_a_man]

[Vlad is familiar with the tactic and decides to put Remilia's worries to rest regarding his vulnerability as with a glance toward one of those bats, she will feel the line of vision turning back on her, which should make it clear just who he was.]

[creator_of_the_daleks]

[A most hideous and bizarre being of equally ancient appearance will he encounter, gilding along in some sort of chair without wheels that takes the place of where his legs should be. The eerie light of his artificial eye cast directly on the disguised vampire lord like a probing spotlight.]

Would you perhaps be kind enough to direct me to a place called Haunted Eatings, my good apothecary?

[what_is_a_man]

[Such appearances were not only customary to Vlad but rather the norm. There was a small chuckle as a withered hand pointed off into the distance.]

Alchemist, actually. I tired quickly of simple apothecary work.