[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

[what_is_a_man]

"There are others. Few, but others. I had portraits of her and my son commissioned shortly after he was born."

He was reaching at this point, but there were indeed a few artists that knew of the connection he and Lisa shared. "Tell me boy, have you ever met a homunculus?"

[notquitedracula]

"Others, perhaps. But none of them are here, or if they are, they have not made their presence known. And yes - I have in fact met one. A woman named Celia Fortner used one in an attempt to turn me into you. At a distance, the resemblance to my friend was absolute - but once I was close enough, I could see and sense it for what it was. A body without a soul, a mummer's farce. The woman in your castle right now... she has a soul. And it is one I recognize - moreover, one your castle recognizes. I've met her. She's real, Vlad. Whatever magic brings us to this place snatched her from the fire itself; she's covered in burns and her internal organs have taken damage, but she lives."

[what_is_a_man]

"Then you have not seen a true homunculus. A homunculus crafted and nurtured by a master can develop their own souls. Much like the maids that tend to Castlevania. A master alchemist can create a copy indiscernible from the true article. The only being capable of telling the difference is Death himself. Not even the homunculus would know it is a homunculus."

Using reason with a man who's ear is held by a spirit of chaos isn't very effective.

[notquitedracula]

"And how many master alchemists would you say there were in the world, between the time she was murdered and now? I'd say three. Maybe five, if you include those outside Europe. Of those, two wouldn't care, one was a Belmont using Gandolfi's notes, and one was you. That leaves one outside possibility. And, mind you, this is all dependent on our world; no one from outside would know what she even looked like, much less care enough to create a facsimile. You are many things, Vlad, but I never counted a fool as one of them. Meet her. If she is, in fact, a fake... then deal with it, and then find the person responsible and deal with them. I'll even help. Hell, I'm pretty sure Adrian would help - but even he believes her to be Lisa, and if there is one opinion I would trust on the matter, it's his."

He sighs, then. "And if you want Death's word on it... I have dominion over his soul. You can use it as a lens to examine her."

[what_is_a_man]

"If you truly think there were so few Alchemists in that time, you truly are naive to the world around you. Alchemy has a very strong following in the East, and even the new world in the West is highly interested. And that's to say nothing of the other worlds this place has brought in. Who's to say one that knew of Lisa has arrived here and got tutelage from an otherworldly mentor."

Soma you really are going about this the wrong way. "You speak as if you have something I don't. Keep in mind that all you have is only because I had it first."

[notquitedracula]

"Then why the hell haven't you used it yet? Are you that afraid that she might be the real thing? That your hands, stained by the blood of Wallachia, are no longer worthy of holding her? If it's an infallible litmus test you require, then ask her questions only you and she would know the answers to. The first words she spoke to you; the first time you kissed; the first names you considered for Adrian. There are a multitude of such questions, and only two people in this world or any other would know their answers."

He hesitates for a moment, then adds, "If you need a moment to think about it without the spirit of chaos whispering doubt into your ear, then here. Hold this. It will keep the spirit at bay." He offers a talisman, Eastern in design, lightly scented. Obviously made by a woman. Something... precious to him.

[what_is_a_man]

"The replication of memories and extraction of knowledge is an easy task for a sorcerer of middling skill. If they had the resources and knowledge to replicate her face, filling it with enough memories to pass as her would be a simple matter."

Vlad does not even turn to inspect the charm offered to him. He would not simply allow part of his soul to be blinded, even if it was actively causing him harm.

"And how do I know that charm of yours would not cloud my mind further? Perhaps this is the ploy you use to take my throne from me. On some level I would be impressed, however even you should know better than to profane Lisa's image. Then again, as you are so keen to insist, you are human. Nothing is beneath you."

[notquitedracula]

"You know as well as I that I would never even consider an attempt. She is as precious to me as to you, because I am you. My debatable humanity doesn't even enter the equation."

He returns the charm to its place next to his heart. "You will not listen to reason, nor will you act to determine the truth before jumping to the worst possible conclusion. Perhaps the world is right about you, Dracula. Perhaps you really are nothing more than a monster."

He turns to walk away, then adds over his shoulder: "This concert isn't over, Vlad. We've merely begun the opening movement."