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[img]https://i.imgur.com/ONchJfH.png[/img]
[img]https://i.imgur.com/QTleDb0.png[/img]
[img]https://i.imgur.com/2etMrVH.png[/img]

[youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qj0boS-gQTY&list=RDqj0boS-gQTY&start_radio=1[/youtube]
[color=#FFFDD0]TIME:[/color] Evening
[color=#FFFDD0]LOCATION:[/color] The Gossamer[/center]

Lucian listened intently, interested in Torvi’s story. The idea of being left alone like that in the cold when young left a cold feeling in the back of his chest. He couldn’t even imagine what he would have done in that situation. He couldn't imagine his mother even allowing it. It gave him a small pause to reflect on how comfortable his upbringing had truly been. 

Regardless of his own feelings, he turned to look at Kilian as he was given the floor to speak. He nodded along as Kilian started, already feeling all too strongly about it. Would he have worded it the same way? Probably not, but he still agreed. He listened to Kilian’s choice words about the queen and king, blinking in mild confusion. Sure, Kings and Queen had their issues, as all people do, but from his stance, what Kilian was beginning to discuss could be grounds for war for someone of his station. He had to play this carefully. 

Lucian watched Kilian slide a file over to him. Tentatively, he reached for it and opened it to read while he listened. It already had his blood boiling. Once again an image flashed of that figure behind his wife and he couldn’t help but overlap this person with them. The anger seeped through him like a poison, thick and low. This was the kind of person who had taken his life away. It took no small amount of effort to remind himself who this person was. A Prince. As much as he agreed, wanting to punish him, he knew doing so publicly would be more than just risky for him. It could constitute an act of war if he wasn’t cautious. Still, Lucian was tired of sitting and waiting. Inaction had killed his wife and he would not allow it to continue. 

[color=slategray]”What’s the plan then? I agree that the stability of the throne needs to be considered at all times. Unrest will only lead to more chaos and violence. There is no need to give them a martyr or a cause to rally behind.”[/color] Lucian asked, looking from Torvi to Kilian. [color=slategray]”How do we plan on bringing him to justice without causing more strife for the kingdom’s people?”[/color]

Torvi leaned forward, her gold-embroidered sleeves shimmering as she spoke with the cold precision of a huntress.

[color=#9D7A80]"The plan for Callum must be delicate. As you say, ve cannot risk a martyr. However, rot is... unique,"[/color] she began. [color=#9D7A80]"He has abandoned his usual vays, acting as a pompous prince, but his aura tells the truth. It is red, the color of pain and destruction, vith edges bleeding black vith corruption. It pulses erratically, but the most critical part is it is obscured by smoke. Smoke suggests possession, or something hidden vithin him. A Prince who loses control of such power creates a crater vhere a city used to be."[/color]

She paused, her expression darkening as she brought up the second name.

[color=#9D7A80]"Then there is Lady Violet Damien. She vas gone for a time and has returned... changed. She is deathly pale, her eyes now a vicked red. Her aura is buried under a thick fog that renders it almost unreadable. It is a catastrophic marker. One theory ve hafe is she may hafe been turned, though ve lack the proof to move just yet."[/color]

Torvi’s golden eyes remained steady, but she turned slightly toward Kilian, her posture tightening.

[color=#9D7A80]"Howefer, I can confirm there is at least one vampire on the loose in this city. I found a body last night, discarded in the shadows. The killer vas clever. They gutted the man to make it look like a simple mugging gone vrong or revenge on someone. But there vas no mess, Kilian. Not nearly enough blood on the clothes for such a vound. The man vas drained dry before the blade ever touched him."[/color]

She looked back to Lucian, her voice dropping to a low murmur. [color=#9D7A80]"To avoid the strife you fear, I beliefe ve must isolate these targets and verify the corruption behind closed doors. Once ve hafe filled you in on the others, ve can discuss how to lure a Prince into the dark vhere a monster can be dealt vith vithout the vorld ever seeing a body."[/color]

[color=RosyBrown]“Torvi and I are of one mind on this matter, and that leads me to our third and final member of the dossier.”[/color] Kilian explained as he reached forward and turned the page of the file he had presented Prince Lucian to its final pages. [color=RosyBrown]“Lady Charlotte Vikena, future Duchess, witchblood abomination. This one is especially curious to me.”[/color] He admitted, leaning back in his chair and crossing his arms. 

[color=RosyBrown]“Her aura indicates dormant powers. Not only is she clearly from an arcane bloodline, but there is something more there. I can feel it. She has the potential to be a [b]real threat[/b], and I have decided to manage this one personally. Soon, I will be making a house call to the Vikena estate. It is time Lady Vikena and I get acquainted.”[/color] A sick smile crossed his already intense face as he relished in the thought of their meeting. [color=RosyBrown]“This will be our first move, and once I have dealt with…”[/color] 

Kilian’s words came to a sudden halt as the attention of the table was pulled elsewhere. A groan, long and ungodly loud, came from one of the nearest tables across the room. Kilian’s eyes locked onto the culprit, his head tilting like that of a confused dog as he took in the sight of them. His jaw fell open, confusion sweeping over him as the strange…[i]person[/i]…at the table twirled their [i]obviously fake[/i] mustache insanely and awkwardly lifted a pair of opera binoculars to their eyes…pointed directly towards Kilian and his guests. 

[color=RosyBrown]“Is…Is that a fucking woman in a mustache?”[/color] Were the only words he could manage as his brain fully malfunctioned at the absurdity he was witnessing

He listened quietly. He could feel his gut wrenching and churning at what he was hearing. Fear washed over him like a cold breeze. If what they were saying was true, then there were far more evils in this world than he knew. Far more. And they were far up the chain, people he couldn’t touch without consequence. He wasn’t sure what he’d been expecting but it certainly wasn’t nobles or royalty. He also didn’t want to consider what the term ‘turned’ meant. 

His gaze shifted to Kilian as he spoke of visiting Lady Charlotte before shifting back down to the girl at his feet. He wouldn’t.. Right? But if she was… He could feel a headache coming on. He wasn’t sure why he expected this to be black and white but it was rather muddied, wasn’t it?

Lucian’s brow raised as Kilian trailed off. He turned his head behind him and spotted her. Lucian went through emotions quickly. First shock, as his eyes went wide and his mouth dropped a little. Then, it shifted into something angrier, brows furrowed and hands gripping the seat a little too tightly. He might just kill her. 

Lucian turned back quickly, a look of frustration on his face as his lips pressed together in a tight frown. [color=slategray]”Please… just ignore her.”[/color] He spoke quietly. [color=slategray]”I’ll… be right back.”[/color] He added after a short pause and got up from his chair. 

He made the relatively short walk over to her table and sat down, an unimpressed look on his face. [color=slategray]”Good evening sir. We couldn’t help but to see that you have been watching us rather closely. Can I help you?”[/color] He asked aloud, blinking expectantly at her.

[color=slategray]”Because if you don’t say no and walk away, I think I might just have a heart attack right here.”[/color] He whispered angrily as he leaned in closer to her. [color=slategray]”[i]What[/i] are you doing here Marina?”[/color][/color]