[Action]

[what_is_a_man]

The weather report had predicted a partly cloudy and mild day in Everglade. However, somehow the predictions seemed to be wrong as thick storm clouds began covering the city mid-morning. By noon, it would be difficult to tell it was even day, as thick as the clouds that hung over the city were. At about 12:30, it would begin to rain. But this would not be a normal rain. Thick drops hit the ground, filling the air with a vaguely metallic smell, and anyone who had any sort of light source nearby would quickly identify why.

It was raining blood.

Meanwhile, in Everglade's abandoned church, music could be heard. A piano could be heard playing a rather haunting tune as the blood storm raged outside. Within, several small floating candles lit the place as what appeared to be an old man hunched over the restored piano, fingers dancing over the ivory. He wore a cape that spread over the floor behind him disappearing into the shadows and a few shapes could be seen moving through just beyond the reaches of the candle light.

Comments

[scarlet_devil]

Remilia was quite okay with the clouds, unusual that they are, since they were so thick they were blotting out the sun. As such, Remilia decides she has no need for a parasol today.

And then it started to rain. At first, the vampire cursed her luck, glad she still had the snorkel looking symbol, but then the familiar smell of blood filled the air... It was blood, nice and fresh at that.

Is it any surprise that she starts giggling and dancing around?

[what_is_a_man]

As Remilia danced and played in the rain, a familiar looking maid could be seen following the young vampire. It wasn't Sakuya, but rather one of the Persephone that worked for Vlad. She kept her distance, with an umbrella raised, offering shelter should Remilia desire it.

She stayed quiet, but it was clear she had been sent by Vlad to see to Remilia's possible needs.

are there demon fetuses too? if so, one lands on her head

[scarlet_devil]

She knew the maid was around for some time, not much for conversation though, those demon maids...
These clothes will certainly need cleaned later, if that was at all possible, but right now she doesn't care.

And she continued to dance around until... something malformed and gross bounces right off her head. "Ack...! Ew, gross!"

[notquitedracula]

It took Soma all of five seconds to realize what was happening when the rain began. The most vivid of all the memories he had inherited with Vlad's soul were of the events leading up to and immediately following Lisa's death, after all, and the scourging of Targoviste was one of the most vivid even among those.

Striking out from Castlevania, he followed the flows of power right to the old cathedral. The sound of piano music from within told him exactly where to find the count - and even half covered in blood, he was going to have a little chat with the stupid bastard.

"Even with the word of your son, you cannot bring yourself to believe she's real?" he asks from the doorway.

[what_is_a_man]

Soma's power afforded him many allowances with Dracula and the Castle. However, with Vlad in the mood he was in, he wasn't really interested in the 'pretender's' sass. The song ended abruptly as he slammed the keys. A plethora of bats poured out of the shadows as they flew for Soma as if they were a single entity. Even so, Vlad did respond to the question.

"Four-hundred, twenty four years. Not a day goes by without her face burned into my mind. Even the most powerful of necromancy could not call her back, even Death himself could not reach her soul before it passed to the other side. There is no force that could bring her back. Whatever that thing is, its purpose is clear. Someone seeks to control me, and I will not be made a tool."

[notquitedracula]

"She went beyond where necromancy could reach her, and you know it just as well as I do. There are in this world exactly three people who know what she looked like, Vlad. You, me, and Adrian. Of those, you obviously wouldn't do so, Adrian would sooner stake himself, and having had someone attempt the same damn thing on me, I'm not about to attempt it myself. So get your head out of your demonic asshole, and face facts. This place knows no boundaries where time is concerned. Look at the two of us, for a prime example. What makes you think it couldn't pull the same God-damned trick with her?"

Soma lets the bats stream past, completely unconcerned. Those that do manage to get close enough to pose a problem find themselves repulsed by a barrier - a light one, but enough for this.

"If you won't believe me, then use your own senses. Meet her. Examine her. Surely you remember how, and the differences between a homunculus and a human."

[Action]

[mother_of_monsters]

[Dray didn't worry about the clouds, he liked to be soaked by the rain after ten years trapped in a prison without being able to do so. He was looking forward to it but the smell was the first sign that something wasn't quite right.

He looked up, sniffing the air and with his ears cautiously lowered. No long after the Eidion let out a high pitched sound, a mix of a scream and a hiss, when the blood fell on him. He ran for cover, fur standing up and quickly getting stained with red, and ended inside the first building he could find. That was, of course, the church.]

[Action]

[what_is_a_man]

[The church was silent for the most part, aside from the sound of the piano echoing throughout the building, beckoning Dray further in. The light was dim, but the smell of blood in the air agitated the shadows that skirted the radius of the candles floating throughout the building.]

[mother_of_monsters]

[At first Dray is too busy shaking off the wetness of his fur, much like a big dog would. Alas, he's still covered in red patches all over. He lets out another annoyed his, rubs his face and looks around.

Even if there were no candles, he wouldn't have trouble seeing in the dark. But is the fact that the candles are floating is what gets his attention and his ears twitch. Eventually, his gaze falls on the figure playing the piano and a shiver runs down his spine. He doesn't approach the man.]

Sir...? Do you mind if I stay here for a while? Outside it's....well there's no good way to explain it. It's raining blood.

[prismaticdestruction]

[Flandre had been out and about on her own- as she tended to do a lot more recently. At first when things started, she ducked into a near by building. Running water was not her friend and boy did the young vampire know it! After a moment she would peek out as she didn't feel weak...and brightened when she finally figured out it was blood!

Almost identical to her sister unknowingly, she heads out into it, dropping her parasol behind her and happily running and dancing about. Not much could really bring her down at the moment.]

[what_is_a_man]

[Like with her sister, there was a Persephone with an umbrella nearby just in case she was needed. But for now, she let Flandre play.]

[prismaticdestruction]

[It took a moment for Flandre to notice the Persephone, giggling and really letting the blood soak in. Thankfully her clothes were less noticeably red as her main color was red but she'd definitely need to change later. Her hair was even changing as her hat fell off at some point. Once she noticed, Flandre stopped dead. Wings pulled close and the joy turning into hesitance.

She was still slightly on edge after the roar, no offense meant.]

You found me...Why? Is everything okay...other then the big scary roar?

[finaltoccata]

[There had only been one time before that Alucard had seen clouds such as these, and as those drops began to hit the ground, it only reaffirmed those fears. He had only ever seen this in Targoviste, and if this was allowed to continue, then this city would be in danger just as Targoviste was.

Alucard would not allow that to happen again.

A flash of red surrounded Alucard, and the blood would begin seeping into his clothes and skin as it hit him, leaving no mark or trace of it ever being there. With Dark Metamorphosis in place, he would make haste to find the source of this spell and once that haunting music began to fill his ears, he knew just where to go. Of course he'd chosen the cathedral that Alucard had been hiding out in.

He stepped into the church, stopping as his heels clicked against the marble floor. His hands would not make a reach for his sword, it remaining firmly in its sheathe, while his demon familiar fluttered into the church behind him. The demon shook off the blood that collected on it, while Alucard's gaze was piercing into the darkness before him. The Castle wouldn't keep him from Dracula this time.]

Father. What is the meaning of this?

[what_is_a_man]

[Vlad slammed his hands on the piano, bringing the song to an abrupt halt. Silently he wished Death could have intercepted Adrian again, if only so he didn't have to justify himself to his own son once more.]

You have seen for yourself what was brought into my castle, and you ask what I intend?

[There's a low growl as he starts the song once more.]

Targoviste had a year. I am not going to be quite so lenient with this place.

[finaltoccata]

[So that is what this was about. He was unphased, having taken the time to learn more about the world they were in, and eventually learning that the dead could truly be brought back to life here.]

What I have seen brought to the castle was my mother.

[He was curt, but kept his calm. His father didn't frighten him, but if this was how Dracula was acting towards Lisa, then he was concerned for his mother. He would avoid fighting him this time solely for her sake, but he will not hesitate to do battle with Dracula a third time if he intends to harm Lisa and the citizens of Everglade.]

I would have expected you of all people to recognize that. Yet you would punish another innocent city when this world has allowed you to see her again?

[redcinemareel]

[DANCING WITH MARCO]

[What else would Grell do during a storm such as this, one that she's never seen during her centuries of being a reaper, or even as a human? Dance, of course. The color was her favorite, and the preferred choice of material to paint things and people with. Yes, this is definitely a lovely experience, and wore something special for the occasion.]


[AT YE OLDE CHURCH]

[Some time after the dance, Grell actually goes around town to check on the residents. Most stayed indoors, thinking the rain a bad omen. Almost all of them avoided Grell, because she was covered in blood. Eventually the tune of soul haunting piano music catches her attention, leading her to the abandoned church. She knows this is now under the ownership of Gale, but she couldn't imagine him playing the piano during a time like this.

Stepping inside, her shoes could barely be heard above the music, at least to her own ears. Her green eyes widened at seeing Dracula at the bench, playing the instrument, surprised to see him outside of his castle. Grell doesn't interrupt his playing, opting to wait until the song finished, or until he notices her presence. Either way, she's enjoying the atmosphere, leaning her back against a wall with her arms crossed over her chest and eyes closed. It goes well with the conditions outside.]

[fierybluebird]

[Otherwise sane and normal people would not take this opportunity to tango with their wives.]

[Luckily, Marco was neither sane, nor anything close to resembling normal.]

[AND SO THEY TANGO.]

[A better day was never had.]

[redcinemareel]

[Except their wedding day.

The tango. One dance she can do blindfolded. Dips, twirls, the whole nine yards is what gives Grell life. Plus, anyone can notice she has a strap around one of her thighs. It looks plain on one side, but the other is hiding a silver dagger.

She'd shed Marco's shirt if it weren't for the fact that she would just slip off him. Blood doesn't let people have good grip. If she scratches him, then they would be committing indecent exposure after a while. Because they're sadists/masochists.]

[what_is_a_man]

[For a long moment, Vlad ignored Grell before starting to repeat the piece.]

Can I help you, Sutcliff?

[redcinemareel]

[It's been a very long time since anyone has addressed her that way. She opens her eyes slowly and straightens her posture a little.]

The lovely music brought me here, and I'm enjoying it, along with the weather. I won't need help with that, surely. However...

[Something about the atmosphere tells her that it may not be an opportune time to ask, but she really needed to. She taps a blood stand finger against her arm.]

There is a dire situation I'd like to discuss with you, yet this may not be the best time for it.

[im_gonna_heal_u]

Could she just work at Everglade in peace? Ever since she had been drafted into Castlevania, Konoka had known nothing but terror, annoyances, and people messing with her. So suddenly feeling rain that wasn't rain, but blood, had her scrambling inside this church with her Pokemon instead of getting back to her store. She hadn't expected running into blood rain of all things, but yet another Everglade oddity had happened to her now.

...or was it really Everglade?

She now heard the haunting music, and that made her venture further into the church. "Hello...?"

[what_is_a_man]

Dracula didn't bother showing any outward sign that he had noticed Konoka's entrance, simply continuing playing the piano. After a long moment, however, he did speak.

"So, was it fear, misplaced bravado, or coincidence that brings you to me this day?"

[im_gonna_heal_u]

Ultimately, while she first saw Dracula at the piano, it was ultimately the voice that brought her to recognition. She froze.

She decided, however, not to roll over in terror, even with all of her nerves screaming at her to do so. Even so, her voice was low while she recognized him. "Dracula."

She crossed her arms. "I would have guessed coincidence before I recognized you... may still be. I doubt you remember me from my stay."

[sakuya_izayoi]

Another sound joined the piano after a time. Something low and resonating. Haunting and strong. The maid had brought her violin, playing along with Dracula's tune. She let him lead the melody, adding flourishes when she could and allowing her bow speak in the stead of her words.

Accompanying her was the smell of blood and food. Her main reason for showing up must have been to bring the great vampire a hot meal.

The creatures in the shadows would know better than to threaten the devil's maid. She had been attacked before while playing. Even with her hands apparently full, the knives would still come.

[what_is_a_man]

For his part, Vlad made no move to interact with the dinner that had been prepared. He was far too absorbed in the music to really care about anything else. However, the creatures that lurked in the shadows did come to inspect the meal, and any daggers thrown at them would be intercepted by ghostly skulls. A non-verbal indication that they had permission from the master.