[@The Grey Dust]

[url]https://youtu.be/5zJJidE17Ks[/url]

As he stood, arms folded, glaring at the screen for its selective reporting, Mithias sensed the approach of his one innocent and gentle slave. Warm arms with coppery red hairs encircled him, to be covered by his own in front of himself, and he felt the subtle rise an fall of Lucan's chest against his back, a warm humans' breath against his shoulder. The moment was both touching and sad as Mithias realized he hadn't checked on Lucan in a while, long enough that the youth could polish a car or two, and that he poor man's will was even still completely not his own. 

His vampire body solid as steel, Mithias tried to soften and slowly turned to face Lucan. He hadn't asked for this favor, yet the only respose he could think to give was a kind acknowledgement. "Thank you, Lucan." 

The issue of the boy had heavily weighed on the vampire's mind ever since he had learned of Lucan's accidental enthralling. One young man, innocent and righteous, brave, and thoughtless of himself had rushed to a burning car and dragged Mithias to safety, saving his life when he would have been torched in minutes. And for that, he was repaid with a curse, his own life stolen away from him by the irresistable power of Mithias' particularly potent blood. Lucan would never again be his own man, in charge of his own destiny, for now all his thoughts were bent on serving his lord. It was an unfair trade. It was never meant to be this way. 

Much more subtly, Kathryn entered in, seemingly catching Mithias offguard in his thoughts as the two, master and thrall, were staring into each other's eyes. "Ahem, yes Kathryn..." Mithias stayed where he was as he answered her, still intent upon Lucan as he was coming to a decision about the boy. Kathryn had become very focused on her mission, almost irrationally so, but such was to be expected from a teenage, fledgling vampire with wild emotions. Her liveliness was actually refreshing. Mithias kept his eye on his red-headed hero as he answered, "The last time I spurrned a revolution, it started with some friends. We need to get in contact with the few at Soldier who I know we can trust and any ex-Elite agents that are still loyal to the cause. Cellphones, emails, last known locations, anything, and get them to regroup here. I've got a small arsenel in the attic, as I'm sure you've discovered, and then we'll at least be capable of making an attack with a surgical strike team. Deon Erickson has a lot of allies and had a long time to plan, but he made enough mistakes to get caught. If Dracula is still relying on him, then we should be able to find them again taking advantage of those same mistakes. I'm going to try to contact Sir Bedivere and find out what he knows. I'm... not sure where my old knight brother stands on the upcoming war exactly, but I'm sure he wouldn't be inclined to support Dracula. He wasn't a fan of Magnus."

Lucan stood motionless and quiet in front of Mithias, obedient while the "adults" spoke. Mithias looked from him to Kathryn, as if he should offer some form of explanation for why he was apparently just using this... attractive young man like some kind of pet. Kathryn hadn't even ever said two words to the boy. Was she embarrassed, or did she not even care what Lucan's deal was? Mithias took Lucan's hands into his own, alabaster-white ones and prepared his words. Not many were going to care about a lonely thrall, a single, mortal life, in the turmultuous time to come. Mithias owed a debt to Lucan, and on his honor, he had to repay it. 

"Lucan. Listen to me, and think hard on my words. You must know that you don't deserve what has happened to you. You've been enthralled by my blood, by no fault of your own and by no intention of mine. Now the dark vitality that sustains me has control over you, complete control, it seems, and you are no longer living your own life. You saved my life, and for that I owe you. I cannot simply abandon you to an endless obsession with trying to find me. It would certainly lead to your inadvertent death, especially with war on the horizon. Nor can I kill you and continue to live thinking I am still capable of any morality in this world. It must be your choice..." Mithias seemed hesitant, for he couldn't possibly have had enough time to consider all the potential consequences of this, but it was time. "I will offer you a new life, my life, as an undying vampire. Do not take this decision lightly, and do not look to me for direction. I will not make you to become hateful or suicidal by making this choice for you. It is only a gift, and one you must sincerely ask me for." 

"There is yet time to consider if you need to think on it. My offer will stand as long as we are both 'alive.'" He added, "Turning you, should return your self control."