[center][img]https://i.imgur.com/gLo8q0S.png[/img][h2][color=crimson]VICTOIRE BORDEAUX, THE BLOOD COUNTESS[/color][/h2][/center][indent][indent][indent][indent][indent][hr][/indent][/indent][/indent][/indent][/indent]The darkened castle resting in the plane of the supernatural was devoid of modern touch. Perhaps it was testament to the archaic beliefs of its owner, a reflection of her poor taste in design. It didn't stop the new guests from strolling up to its propery however, the White Masks and their guide closer than most would dare approach the wretched estate. However, someone else had adventured before them, little to their knowledge. Even now the mysterious stranger was entertaining the castle's owner, though probably not in the way she would have liked. Deep in the castle's throne room, the member of twilight held no patience for the vampire whore's deceptions.

[color=8882be]"I'll ask again, Blood Countess. You're holding a treasure that many would consider to covet of the world; this world, to be specific. Now you can either tell me where it is and I'll be on my way. Or you can answer to a...less patient authority,"[/color] said the [url=https://i.imgur.com/m3yu1Kl.jpg]youth[/url]. By now he was getting impatient, ironically, tapping a booted foot before glancing out the side of one large window. Even from this distance he saw the presence of newcomers and so turned back to Victoire lofting on her throne like a lazy animal. [color=8882be]"Answer soon because you have more people barging into your place."[/color]

[color=crimson]"Tis impolite to barge into other's residences and demand things from them without even explaning yourself. If you don't try to be a little more clear, I have no way of knowing what you are talking about. I own many valuable treasures, after all,"[/color] [url=https://safebooru.org/index.php?page=post&s=view&id=1787855]Victoire[/url] said as she reclined against her throne, resting her chin on a curled first while staring at the boy in a bored way. [color=crimson]"I'm not particularly invested in this realm so if you can convince me, I don't see why I couldn't indulge your request."[/color]

[color=8882be]"For a vampire, you're not a very good liar. At least, not to someone who has eyes on both the Court and their enemies,"[/color] the boy mused. [color=8882be]"There's a rumor going around for some time. Rumors that the self-proclaimed "victor of the Nexus" pawned a relic just before the last cycle. A treasure that may have been of high value, so to speak. I'm just here to see if those rumors are true."[/color] The boy walked as he talked, finding a stray pillar in the mesh of Victoire's overtly designed throne room, only to lean his back onto it and stare up at the bored host.

[color=8882be]"So, did you happen to steal something from the Court's experiment? A lie won't get you anywhere with me, vampire."[/color]

[color=crimson]"If you count the hearts of one too many fair—formerly—maidens as great treasure, I sure am guilty of it,"[/color] Victoire replied in a completely straigth-faced way. [color=crimson]"But, I may be able to recall other acquisitions from that place. Before I say anything else, what is it that you want with this treasure? You don't look like the collector type, judging by your appearance,"[/color] she added, shifting in place lightly.

[color=8882be]"Is it that obvious? Though someone as smart as you probably already figured I'm not here on behalf of the Court. Or the Unilysts,"[/color] the boy added, noting an iota of interest wafted from the vampire now. [color=8882be]"More like a personal project of mine but that's none of your concern. A creature who slinks in the shadows like you wouldn't understand the glory of a revolution. And what I do with it is also not your concern."[/color] Now it was the boy's turn to tilt his head curiously, looking over Victoire's form. [color=8882be]"So you admit you [i]did[/i] take something. It's really not nice to lie to your guests, Victoire."[/color]

[color=crimson]"One who hasn't been invited can't consider himself a guest, can he?"[/color] Victoired said in a jesting tone before flashing a fanged grin at the boy. [color=crimson]"That said, I may know what you are talking about, but why would I part with a memento from one of my beloveds?"[/color]

[color=crimson]"Unless, of course, you could offer something of interest for a trade. Making deals is something us demons are fond of,"[/color] she said, extending an open hand toward him and beckoning him closer with her index.

The boy's expression furrowed into a frown once the vampire basically confirmed the suspicions, no longer dancing around the subject. [color=8882be]"And why would a being like me make a deal with one so weak? I was trying to be nice by just asking you but it looks like you want more than you can chew. Though, I can give you two reasons you'd part with your...gift."[/color] The boy shook his head as if thinking to himself, unphased by the harlot's fanged smirk. [color=8882be]"Firstly, I know you're clever, Victoire. If not me, then another member of the Court will come hunting you for that treasure. They won't have the flattery of asking first too. And secondly...well, she might get hissy if you don't begin behaving."[/color]

At that moment the air in the throne chamber became warmer, denser while a low rumbling slightly shook the interior. What began as a low buzz soon became a large and humid animalistic hiss. The boy glanced up and assuming Victoire followed his gaze, she'd see the obvious problem she placed herself in. Something was crawling idly about on her cieling, but it was no spider or spawn of hers. It was a great serpent larger than any normal reptile, sliding by inversely without a sound until now. Black scales darker than obsidian coated its great length with a single purple streak racing along both of its sides. Despite its dormance, it was clear the snake was peering into Victoire, tongue idly flicking as uncaring eyes showed the vampire's reflection back at her.

[color=8882be]"You've met before, right? In the Nexus I mean."[/color]

[color=crimson]"Ahh... Always being so unentertaining. So typical of your kind,"[/color] Victoire said in a disappointed voice after letting out a deep sigh. [color=crimson]"I was just about to give it to you anyway. But so be it,"[/color] the vampire said, summoning a carved wooden box containing the item the boy looked for after glancing upwards.

[color=crimson]"I'm pretty sure we could have found a middle ground that's ideal for both parties, but my dear Bastion will surely have to forgive me. I had no option but betray her love,"[/color] Victoire said in a dramatic manner as she commanded a shadow bat to take the box to boy. [color=crimson]"I hope you at least can make better use of it than I."[/color]

[color=8882be]"Oh, I'm sure you would have."[/color] No, he wasn't; in fact, the boy was pretty sure Victoire would have wormed her way out of any negotiation if her skin depended on it. But the staring serpent up above ensured there would be no escape tricks this time. Taking the box from the bat, the boy conjured a small reddish portal before placing the prize into it for safekeeping. The pathway closed just as soon as it was opened, the deal complete. [color=8882be]"Ordinarily that'd be the end of it. You got your life out of this deal so that's a pretty good gamble on your part."[/color]

All the same, the boy eyed up Victoire with a grin of his own. [color=8882be]"Of course, I [i]was[/i] part of the Court once upon a time so old habits die hard, as the saying goes? I think the worlds would breathe a little easier at night if the Blood Countess just so happens to disappear in the dark."[/color] The boy didn't need to make contact with the serpent up high; only a command was needed and thus given to end their "negotiations".

[color=8882be]"Juno, dinnertime."[/color[

[color=crimson]"So predictable,"[/color] Victoire said as the great serpent lunged at her from above. Before she could be devoured, the vampire transformed into a swarm of shadow bats, slipping out of harm's way. She retured to her normal form a few meters away while Juno was left with a mouthful of rubble (which she ate anyway).

[color=crimson]"I have no delusions of making it out of this situation. But, I'm sure that it would be uninteresting for you if I at least didn't try it, right?"[/color] the vampire said as she snapped her fingers, causing a gust of wind to extinguish the candles that illuminated the throne room and throw the curtains over its large stained glass windows, plunging the hall into a deep darkness.

[color=8882be]"Shadows don't impede a snake's senses. Especially mine; she prefers hunting in the dark,"[/color] the boy mused from his position. His own eyes seemed to glow faintly, the pupils have become more slit and reptilian. All the same, as his Vassal stalked the vampire, he noted the presence from earlier was getting stronger. That was because, while they were scuffling about, the White Masks had gotten closer and closer to Victoire's castle. But among them there was something else of interest, small like a card but no doubt interesting.

[color=8882be]"Killing you now is meaningless. Especially when this "you" is supposed to be data,"[/color] the boy sighed, raising a hand to halt his snake just as she was ready to make the vampire more than undead. [color=8882be]"But this was a good learning experience though. Now I know to just get to the point with dealing with the real you. Go ahead then Victoire, call in your monsters to deal with those kids..."[/color]

[color=crimson]"It seems like you really are a predictable kind. However, I guess that I can't look at a gift horse in the mouth,"[/color] Victoire said as the finishing blow she expected never came. Sure it meant she would be able to have fun in some other ways, so she couldn't complain, even if she was short of one throne to sit on. [color=crimson]"Very well then, go forward my newest servants. Have your way with these petty thieves,"[/color] she said, commanding the winds to open the curtains once more and summoning a great armchair for herself besides the crater left where her throne used to be.

Once she was sitting agian, she waved a hand, commanding her Servants to go welcome the new guests.

[color=8882be]"Are you sure you're not the predictable type?"[/color] the boy mused as Victoire went right back to lazing about. He took one glance at Juno, beckoning the snake forward before petting the reptile around its snout. [color=8882be]"You haven't eaten yet so I'm letting you have some fun. We have what we want now, one copy at least. There's no rush,"[/color] he told his Vassal before stepping away into another portal of his own. [color=8882be]"Find me when you're done playing,"[/color] were his departing words, leaving the great snake to do as she pleased in running rampant among Victoire's premesis.

Of course, there was nothing the vampire could do to stop her if she decided to continue snacking on the bloodsucker, even if she was just zeroes and ones. The pack of creatures heading towards the White Masks now were vicious as they were unseen. Because as they emerged from the shadows to barrel towards Marie and the White Masks, the group would find these monsters were insivible to the naked eye. But that didn't deter their hunger one bit.

With the freedom to roam around, Juno quickly found herself wondering what to do. She turned towards Victoire, coiling her large body around the vampire before licking her. However, the taste of death and corruption made her lose interest just as quickly. Leaving Victoire uncertain of whether she should be thankful or insulted that the Snake didn't feel any interest on her.

In fact, Juno may as well have taken a less than interesting meal if there wasn't something much more appetizing catching her attention in the distance. A smell of many sweet treats that made the snake's mouth water and guided her through the dark corridors in search of its source.

[center][youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zJQtWCVHWc0[/youtube][/center][hr]