genessia | 002: When Night Falls [Audio/Private Action]

[Audio, Public]

[Izanami had been exploring Genessia for sometime, but despite this, she'd come no closer to finding out the meaning of this world than she had since she first arrived. How annoying. For now, though, she needed to find work that would allow her to observe others here as best as she was able to. Perhaps that would give her the answers she needed...or at least, further her understanding of the people here, both humans and otherwise.

As it was, she decided, addressing the entire network by a video-link was not something that she was immediately comfortable with. Thus, she opened up an audio-feed, her voice that of her casual and androgynous disguised self.]

Hey. Anywhere hiring right now? I could really use a source of income.

[Action, locked to Dracula and the residents of Castlevania]

[After her conversation with Dracula three months ago, the Goddess had been intrigued by the offer of sanctuary within his halls. She did not desire his protection, nor did she share his utter hatred for humanity, but she had to at least see the place for herself.

...Besides, if he proved willing, it would be refreshing to have somewhere to stay where she didn't have to conceal her powers or identity. Perhaps she could prod him with more questions about humanity's motivations, as well. Their last debate had certainly been an interesting one.

And thus, she entered the Archway and waited.]

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There was certainly power in this place. Power that - as she expected - bent to the will of it's master. How many secret passages were there in this place, at any one time?

As he emerged, she watched him calmly with her blood-red eyes. "Good evening," Izanami replied, taking another sip of her tea as she took his seat. "And thank you for your kind welcome."

She kept up her usual illusions to present herself as human, but had given up disguising her behaviour. After all, she implied that she was not human in their last conversation, if nothing else as to who - or what - she was.

"I wished to speak with you regarding the offer you made... but prior to that, I don't believe we've been formerly introduced, have we?"

Edited 2015-01-24 20:13 (UTC)

Dracula just chuckles for a moment. "Indeed we have not, and for that affront, I apologize. I am Count Vlad Ill Tepes, lord of this castle, and patron of the inhuman. My fondness for those that humanity would shun out of fear has earned me many names, but the one they seem most fond of is Dracula, or 'son of the dragon' in my native tongue."

He taps his chest, and leans forward in his chair, something of a half bow. Before straightening, he pulls a goblet from within the folds of his cape, the rather distinct smell of blood filling the air as he took a moment to sip from it.

"As to your request, I see little reason to deny you. It is clear you are not human. In fact, if I were to hazard a guess, you may be a sibling of a dear friend of mine. I could not turn you down, in that case."

"A pleasure, Lord Tepes," in his domain, it seemed polite to use the honorific he did. Humans feared death, and thus, feared her...but it was not just humanity, she thought bitterly.

"I doubt you would be quite so willing to accept my request if you were an ally of his. We are not on the best of terms," she replied, "It is not only the humans who shun that which they fear, after all."

Still, for the time being, Izanami rested her hands in her lap, and lowered her head slightly in respect - a half-bow of her own. "I am known Izanami-no-Mikoto, or Izanami-no-Okami, Goddess of Death and Creation. I guard the souls of Yomi, our afterlife."

He smirked, almost knowingly so in response to her full name and title. "It seems my guess was not far off."

He took a small sip before smoothing out his cape. "I know not of your true sibling, but I am familiar with the name. My library has several books that touch on your history, but en Europe ruled by he formidable might of a narrow-sighted church, it is difficult for even one of my stature to get more detailed accounts from the other side of our world. That said, you are not alone."

He stood, gesturing for her to follow as the same passage he entered opened once again, though it seemed to veer off in another direction.

"If you would be so kind as to follow me, I have a feeling you might find the quarters I have in mind to feel more... at home than you might expect. They were tailored to the tastes of my longest ally and closest confidant in my world. He was simply known as Death; the image of what those in the West associate with the Grim Reaper is his face."

She relaxed, a little. At least he was no ally of Izanagi's.

"I was not aware the church had such a great impact within Europe," she admitted, laying down her now-empty teacup. "I've had less...exposure to the world of the living than I would have liked, until recent times."

When he stood, Izanami drifted over to him, feet no longer touching the ground. She would not admit it aloud, but the assurance that she was not alone here was a comforting one, after being sealed away by her brother for so long. Even in Inaba, Souji and his group had made it clear that she was no longer needed in their world.

"Please, lead the way," she said, considering his words, "That would explain how you recognised my power then... I'm glad to hear you were on such good terms."

"The Roman Catholic church holds almost complete sway over Europe. Kings are deposed because the Pope calls for it, and hundreds of thousands gave their lives in a war to reclaim the 'holy lands' from the 'heathens' that dared have a different view on religion than they."

As he drifted through the winding corridor, candles would appear to light the way into the depths of the castle. After some time, though, they reached what appeared to be a dead end before the wall opened up into a large cavernous room with ornate carvings of skeletons along pillars, each armed with a scythe.

"Death was the first to greet me upon my creation, and has been a staunch ally, vassal, and dear friend ever since. I think he would approve of my housing you in these quarters. They are yours to do with as you choose, and please, if you have need of anything, do not hesitate to ask."

He steps aside, sweeping his arm dramatically as an invitation for her to enter. "And please, do not feel as if you need to hide your true self in this place. If you are more comfortable in any other form, please, make yourself at home."

"How troublesome...I never thought the two sides of our world would be so different."

As they moved through the castle, Izanami watched the candles appear either side of them. The castle still warped around Dracula as they travelled, and as it did so, a small sense of unease started to grow inside her. He had given her no reason to distrust him, but the Goddess had no wish to find herself locked away again. "Do these walls shift at your will alone, or can all those who've taken residence here move freely within the castle proper?"

For now, though, she focused on the room that had just opened up before her. It felt strangely homely - comfortable - to her, in ways only a Goddess of Death could appreciate. "If you are certain he would not mind my intrusion," she replied quietly, slipping just into the doorway to examine one of the carvings. The fog followed her, spreading out and curling around the pillars. "It's beautiful...you both have fine taste. Thank you, both for the invitation and your hospitality, Lord Tepes."

She noticed the subtle hint regarding other forms... so he could tell she was shielding her true self with an illusion? Perhaps once she was in private she would return to her true form, but for the time being, she was most comfortable like this.

"Unfortunately, the castle walls move only at my behest..." He places a hand on the stone wall nearest him. "This castle is as much a part of my soul as anything here, and it bends to my will. There are other routes throughout the castle you can take, and the doors will only seal if you will them to. You may come and go as you like, I would never think to cage you here."

He offers a small bow, smiling to himself as she remarks on the decor. "It is an honor to have one of your stature living within the castle again. It was starting to feel a tad hollow."

002: When Night Falls [Audio/Private Action]

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