The Heart of Chaos [Castlevania crew, open]

[notquitedracula]

[Somewhere in the eternal night, a bell tolled the midnight hour. From on high the tone swept down, down, through the towers and halls, through stone and steel and earth, disturbing the fitful slumber of a thousand thousand horrors and creatures of the night. A veritable cloud of bats took wing, emerging from all around the ancient castle to swarm around the master's throne room, perched high atop its tower.

As the last bell tolled, the flock dissipated, keening a note of grief as one. The Master was gone - the throne sat vacant. The very earth beneath the castle trembled with his departure, returned whence he came by the whims and vagaries of this world.

But the castle did not fall, as was its wont when he was vanquished. Its walls held firm, its towers unbroken, its dungeons and halls and secret places still whole. For somewhere close by, it sensed another - the interloper, the one who refused to embrace himself. He would do - until such a time as the Master returned, he would do.

Chaos whispered in the night, and the castle changed - the shadows lessened, the crimson patina of anger and hatred washed away by a flood of silver moonlight. The moon above the castle revealed from behind clouds was no longer scarlet, but silver - a reflection of the state of the master's heart.]

Comments

[singinghuntress]

[Something was amiss. Rip just knew it as she came for a visit to the castle. The familiar red skies were gone and there was just something off about the castle and the land.

She'd ever seen it bathed in silver moonlight before. As beautiful as it was, Rip felt an ache in her heart.. Something changed. She just didn't know what yet as she made her way towards the castle to find out.]

[notquitedracula]

[Other things will become apparent as she proceeds into the castle. Although it feels a great deal warmer - more homelike, for sure - it also feels empty somehow. The new master's grasp of its power, and his command over his own power, for that matter, is far less than that enjoyed by Vlad. She'll notice that there are far fewer of the castle's normal denizens about. No skeletons wandering the halls, no zombies, no ambulatory suits of armor... none of the night creatures that normally have free rein. Some few wargs, the giant wolf-like creatures, lie at rest in the courtyard; ravens and bats, certainly, can be seen all around. The odd Persephone, the castle's cadre of demon maids, can be found dusting a portrait here, vacuuming a carpet there.

But the vast majority of the place is quiescent. Rip will find her footsteps leading her toward the banquet hall, where of late Vlad had shared evening meals with his makeshift family... but he is nowhere to be seen.]

[singinghuntress]

[As she journey's on, she's taking note of each and every change she's seeing. How it's both warm and inviting and empty at the same time. It almost reminds her of.. Rip pauses and shakes her head a bit before drawing in a deep breath and continuing on. Right now was not a time to drag up old past memories.

She took care to note that a lot of the usual night creatures were missing. Or, at least not wandering like they normally would have. She walked right past the wargs though, she stopped to pet one or two of them before continuing on. Obviously, they didn't scare her. Rip used to hunt those very creatures back in her 'old days' before arriving here.

But, once she reached the banquet hall and saw how quiet it was, she paused.. worried. Vlad would have appeared to say hello to her by now. So, why was her father missing? What was going on?]

Hallo? Anyone here?

[notquitedracula]

[The table stands mostly empty, with no meal laid out for the family. The candles are lit, though - and by their light, she can see that one chair, facing away from her, is out of line with the others. A bit of white can be seen around the side - who in this weird family favors white?

The answer becomes clear as she approaches - it's Soma, with his elbows on the table and his head in his hands, fingers buried in his own hair. He looks... kind of awful, really, like he's fighting off a massive headache or something. Judging by the half-empty bottle in front of him, there might be more than one reason for that.

On hearing her call, he turns slightly - not far enough to see, but at least presenting his ear.]

Is... is that a real person I hear, or the castle making a fresh attempt at driving me mad?

[singinghuntress]

[Soma? She pauses in her advance to study him, noting the bottle and how much he looks like he's been through hell just by sitting there.

Rip frowns a little as she continues her approach.]

Definitely not zhe castle. I'm very real.

[She manages to move in close to him before stopping and reluctantly leaning against the table.]

Soma, vat's going on? Vhere is fazher und vhy iz zhe castle trying to drive you mad?

[notquitedracula]

Vlad. He... he's gone. The throne sits empty, and it's trying to make me take the burden.

[He looks up at her, finally, and she may be startled to note that he appears to be crying blood, at least from one eye.] I can't take the castle, but... I can't let Remilia and Flandre go homeless, either. Nor you, nor Adrian, nor Sakuya... I cannot simply let the heap fade into the aether.

[And this is the image of a man torn. By birthright the prince of shadows, by blood a creature of the night, by heart and soul... a good man, who must make a terrible choice.]

What do I do, Rip?

[singinghuntress]

[She becomes completely still upon hearing that Vlad is gone. He's left before but, this.. this feels more permanent. And it's frightening, especially when Soma looks up at her and she sees him crying blood.

She know's he's a good man and She's also aware of what the castle is supposedly like from talks with Vlad. After a moment she takes a seat next to him, still studying Soma and she honestly didn't have a good answer for him.]

I don't know. I doubt zhe castle vould accept anyone else az its master or I vould say, make zhem do it.

[notquitedracula]

[He shakes his head, no. The castle definitely wouldn't take anyone else - except maybe Alucard, but the elder dhampir has made his own choice on that matter abundantly clear before.] I couldn't ask someone else to take that burden, Rip. Not knowing... what I know.

{He takes a deep breath and wipes at his face with a napkin. Definitely blood.]

I have a choice to make. And it's not just about me anymore... I'm sure Remilia could manage on her own, but Flandre... she needs this place.

[singinghuntress]

[She nods a little, already figuring that was the case when it came to the castle. Part of her thought of volunteering but.. Again, she doubted the castle would accept anyone else.]

Zhen it sounds like you've already made your choice.

[She's quiet for a few moments.]

But, really think about vat you are doing, Soma. Zhis place could drive you mad if you're not careful und insanity iz never a pleasant state to be in.

[notquitedracula]

I... think I have, yeah. I'm just not sure if I, or anyone who knows me, is going to survive it.

[He sighs, sitting back in the ancient chair as one hand goes up to cover his eyes again.]

I have to tell the others - I have to tell everyone. I don't even know who all he associated with - just that he had his small found family, and the few others from our world. And I'm not stupid enough to assume I can handle this alone. I've seen where that level of hubris leads - it's not pretty.

[prismaticdestruction]

[It isn't long into the tolls that the smaller vampire starts roaming the halls. At some point, Flandre seemed to sense that something was wrong, or that someone was missing. Of course, there wasn't the dare of voicing it just yet.

So the soft chiming of the crystals was the only hint that someone was up and wandering, and she's rubbing at her eyes. A good sign that she had been sleeping and something woke her. But until she figured out what was going on..she wasn't heading back to bed.]

[notquitedracula]

[Flandre will find the halls more empty than usual, cleaner, and brighter, with the shadows cast by the usual crimson moon pushed back by softer silver.

Her wanderings will lead her toward the throne room, by a path shorter than should have been possible from her room. What she finds there is not Vlad, in his usual place on the throne - but Soma, staring at the empty chair from the bottom of the steps. The soft chiming of her wings draws his attention, after a few moments of reverie. He smiles at her, but the sadness in him is plain to see in the bloodstained tear tracks down his cheeks.]

Hello, Flandre. I'm sorry if the castle or I woke you...

[singinghuntress]

Vell.. I'm sure ve can survive.

[She watches him sit up and cover his eyes while she leans back in her chair, just thinking.]

I'm not sure vho fazher vas associated vith, only zhat most people knew his name. Az for us, I'm sure my sisters haf noticed zomething off already. I noticed zhe moment I stepped through zhe arch.

[Soft sigh.]

Vell, at least in zhat vay, you're smarter zhan he vas. I can do vat I can to help if you vish.

[notquitedracula]

I'm certain Flandre and Remilia have already noticed something, as well - but I can't be sure what. Sakuya almost certainly is aware he's gone - she's frightfully perceptive and incredibly effective at her job. Even if she hasn't already, though, I'm certain it won't escape her notice for long.

[Slowly he lowers his hand from his eyes, not having accomplished much more than smearing a bit of blood around.] I would appreciate the help, Rip - but you're not the only one I need to ask. This concerns all of us... so we all need to speak our minds on the subject. Even Adrian.

[innocent_royal]

[It doesn't take her long to realize it, the emptiness in her life as she can't find Soma at their apartment or at Cloak & Dagger. She can only assume something must be up, and therefore the next place he is likely to be is...

Anastasia arrives at Castlevania on Nightmare, the fae steed seemed quite pleased to be in a familiar setting, though less so for the reasons why Anastasia came. Though she is not entirely welcome, she has certain connections that allowed her presence to be tolerated, namely the fact she wields dark and destructive magic.

The young woman dismounts and proceeds into the castle with determination, looking to find her other half. The claps of her heels echoing through the oddly deserted halls, sensing a tug in her steps that she hopes is leading her the right way.]

[notquitedracula]

[The halls of the castle echo with her footfalls, very nearly devoid of life and unlife both. Some of the decorations are rather stunning to look at, as she passes - masterwork paintings in frames of gold, intricate tapestries, murals of battles and scenes from classical literature and depictions of the Fall of Lucifer, statuary that wouldn't have looked out of place in Ancient Greece - the place is a treasure trove of art.

Scarlet carpet over black marble takes the place of cold stone as the corridors lead her onward, making a direct path for her to the place - to the person she seeks.

As she approaches the chapel, she'll hear the somber tones of the great organ, playing what sounds like an elegy or perhaps a dirge. Certainly not a happy song of any stripe...]

[prismaticdestruction]

[Those sights put the girl on edge, even in her sleepy state. It's enough to get her to hurry up and look a lot harder for someone who could give her a clue. By the time she makes it to the throne room, one hand is held close to her chest, trying to hide the fact she was getting worried the longer she wandered about.

And then she sees Soma, a slight attempt at a tired smile crosses her face as she hesitates in the doorway.

It's okay..I couldn't sleep. What's going on? ...Were you crying?

[Coming closer since she really wasn't sure what was going on..although on edge now.]

[innocent_royal]

[A chapel is not what she expected, but the organ was ominous, melancholic, even. She slowly approaches until she can recognize the white hair to definitely belong to him.

Anastasia waits for a moment to speak up, and takes the first opportunity she has with a soft and caring voice, in a language he knows well and one she spent years learning, Japanese.]

Soma, watashi no saiai.
My darling.

[singinghuntress]

[She nods slightly, silently agreeing with his assessment of the others. All of them were smart enough to realize something was wrong and that Vlad was missing. It's only a question of what to do now.]

Fair enough. But, vill Adrian even come to zhe castle? I hafn't seen him around in ages.... zhough, I've also been wrapped up in vork so..

[She shrugs slightly, looking a little uneasy. And perhaps a little guilty she hasn't been around as often as she should be.]

[notquitedracula]

Without his father here, there is nothing to stop him. He made this place his home for a long time, after the first time they parted ways.

[Even Vlad wasn't sure how long Alucard had lived in the old heap after staking him, just that he left when Dracula rose again, an undead and undying mockery of his former self.]

I might even convince the Belmont to show up, provided Alucard can keep him leashed. I just... I'm not sure what to do first, honestly.

[notquitedracula]

A bit, yes. It's been... something of a bad night. [He smiles back at her, equally tired.]

There's something I need to tell you - you, your sister, Sakuya, everyone. Rip already knows... and it seems the castle is deigning to let me deal with each of you in turn. [He sighs, reaches up, and rubs at his eyes, flaking some of the now-dry blood away. He hasn't even really noticed it's there, which is surely not a good sign.]

Vlad... is no longer with us.

[notquitedracula]

[His head jerks up at her voice, his eyes seeking her out in spite of his momentary desire to hide. She didn't need to see him like this - not after everything they'd been through to make things even begin to work between them. It felt like a betrayal, on his part, what he was being forced to do by fate.]

Anya... I'm sorry. I should have let you know before I left, but... there was no time.

[The remnants of bloody tear tracks can just be seen on his cheeks. He scoots over to make room for her on the pew, staring up at the great stained glass windows. ... Which begs the question: Who was playing the organ?

No one, apparently, as it starts up again.]

[prismaticdestruction]

Did you get hurt?

[Because blood has a scent she knows all too well. She's focused on that for the moment before the next bit which stops Flandre dead. Dread was rising and washing over her.]

What do you...

[The question is silenced just as quickly as she could ask it. If this was before the little vampire was on the S.S. Thor? She'd just curiously ask what it meant. But...she'd been through this too many times. The childlike look in her eyes fades and her wings droop in a loud clatter.

Tears are forming in her eyes and her voice is suddenly flat, as if trying to protect herself. Not the best sign but..]

...People are leaving again.

[innocent_royal]

[Okay, that mildly freaks her out, but she is mostly used to it by now after working in Everglade for a few months.

She comes up the aisle and takes a seat beside Soma, but chose not to be the doting girlfriend for now until they had some time to chat.]

I understand all to well of it's something you needed to do. I was worried, however. Whatever the journey, I want to walk this path with you.

[sonofdracula]

[ One would think that losing his father more than once would be that which he has grown accustomed to, in a sense. But when the presence of his father had disappeared from this world, Adrian "Alucard" Tepes had been left feeling... so many things.

He ventures to the castle, a place that he himself had known as home when he was younger... and yet he does so in the white wolf form rather than the young man who was also a dhampir.

Quietly, he approaches the castle, a glance given to the silver moon and a howl coming to echo within the dark of the night and it somehow sounds... sad. Perhaps his own way of showing the grief that part of his heart feels.

But the wolf sits there outside the castle, staring up to it. Unsure on whether or not he wishes to enter, if the castle itself wishes for him to enter, or if he should merely turn away once again and run until he no longer can. ]