PopeAlessandros

The Rebel Vampire

Well, calculating begins with base factors. In my mind slaves have only a handful of factors: Rarity, Skill Set, Trainability, and Lifespan.

In Joseph's case, he may be one of the more common breeds, but due to his age his skills are quite varied, and because he has been successfully hard broken for so long, he's also easily trainable. Also, he's immortal, which adds to his value decently, and because of the free reign Alexi has given him over the past several years and his station in the household, he has developed skills far outside the normal range for such a common breed, on in fact, slaves in general. So, on a scale of value to the public, he's only about a 5 out of 10(The work it would take to transition him over to a new family adding extra cost, hence taking away from his value a bit), but for people looking for the exact kind of slave he is, he's valued at at least a 7.

So publicly, he's a so-so slave, but to those who see more value in his talents and grace, he's a fairly decent slave. And because Alexi refuses to even consider giving him up, that just makes people more curious as to why. . . . .

Well, that's my math, what's yours? Oh, and I see less intelligent and/or naturally violent slaves like minotaur and were-beasts as the "Less trainable". Just so you know what I meant by that :P

When Realms Collide {AkiBlue & PopeAlessandros}

As Enasi scoots to the edge of the bed Seishu stretches out on his back and lets out a long sigh. With a faint hum he rolls this way and that, stretching out his muscles until his counterpart appears next to him with a hand out to help him up. With a bit of a sly grin he takes the red head's hand and pulls himself up, stealing a quick kiss before letting Enasi lead him to the door. 'I'll have to talk to my underlings and explain things carefully before they get the wrong idea over there. I'm not going to stop being affectionate just because we're in my realm, but it could lead to some confusion if I don't make this whole thing clear. After all, it's only going to last until the end of the war. . . .I may truly love him, but all they need to know is that our relationship puts them in no danger'

Once the door flies open the long haired guardian slips away from Enasi so that he can get his fill of his underlings before they leave. He doesn't let go of his hand however, his possessive streak making him feel needy. He watches with half lidded eyes as the little ones practically dance around them in excitement, at least until Crios pries him away from Enasi and drags him back into the room. Looking at the closed door curiously Seishu crosses his arms and raises an eyebrow. “Well Doc, you want a special good-bye or something? I'm willing and all, but won't your hubby get jealous?” Crios lights up scarlet and shakes his head furiously.

“Just, shut up for a second Night and listen.” Crios had been gruff with him before, but being told to “shut up” by the foxy doctor in such a tone drops the sly look off the guardian's face in an instant.

“What's up Doc?” he inquires, looking down as Crios pulls the belt filled with syringes.

Crios lets out a long breath and explains. “These are very strong infusions of positive energy, mostly tinged with healing properties, and these two on the end are mostly healing, and will knock him out when injected.” Seishu shivers at the intense level of positive energy but does not move away like his instincts tell him to. Noting the shiver Crios bites his lip. “I tried to shield them best I could, but I'm not sure what else to do. I'm sure this will make you and yours sick in this state, but I ca-”

Seishu nods and holds up a hand. “I got this.” Taking the belt gingerly he runs his fingers gently over each syringe. “Like the barrier around the room, I can seal in the positive energy here without tainting it. There. . . .” Once the barrier is in place he slips the belt on and covers it with a conjured sash. He smiles warmly at Crios. “That will keep me and mine safe.” With honest affection he reaches out and strokes the doctor's cheek with the back of his right hand. Crios lights up once more but accepts the touch with grace. Without a word he gives Seishu his once over, ending with his shoulder wound. Unable to help himself Seishu gives him a thank you kiss to which the foxy doctor swats him hard on the arm before opening the door.

Seishu chuckles and walks out, subtly making sure the sash is in place. To assuage any suspicion he'd conjured some of his regular clothes after the exam that way the sash would not look out of place. The thick black tights and black open chested poet shirt make him look like a man from the middle ages, while his bare feet seem to almost blend in with the white stone floor of the hall. Looking at them he decides that barefoot may not be the way to go, and an instant later there are black leather ridding boots hugging his calves all the way up to the knee. With a smile he slips an arm around Enasi's waist and walks along silently at his counterpart's side as they waltz over to the portal.

Once there he slips out of Enasi's grip long enough to noogie the little ones earning a string of giggles. As he slides back into Enasi's grasp he notices the sack in his hood and smiles. The smell coming from it denotes it's status as food, and the way it turns his stomach lets him know how jam packed it is with positive energy. With a casual stroke he gives it the same treatment as the syringes. Giving the little ones one last wave and a smile he steps into the portal after the general.

~*~*~*~*~

Lan and Ran make their way towards the concentration of positive energy landing on the sidewalk under the tree only moments after Finn told his sister to relax. Their energy had been low, out of respect and practice for when Enasi arrives. The plant sibling didn't notice them approaching until a moment before they landed and with a yelp Starla falls off a nearby roof. In a flash on reflex Lan catches her, setting her upright before returning to his brother's side. The dream minions look at him in shock for several seconds before he shrugs. “What, we're working together for now. I see no reason to let your own poor reflexes knock you senseless on an important night like this.”

Finn is unsure just how to take this rather backhanded explanation after the rather courteous act, but as his sister simply sticker her tongue out at them he decides on the lesser of two evils and doesn't respond at all. Instead he hops out of the tree and leads her over to stand by the portal. With one last harrumph she calls over to them, the brothers staying back from the portal least it make them ill. “Hey, you take good care of Lord Enasi while he's over there, you got that? If he's got even a single scratch on him, I'm taking it out of your hide in spades!”

Ran rolls his eyes while his big brother hides a laugh. “Understood.” the younger brother calls out, giving her an honest salute. The gesture effectively stumps her into silence until Harper appears and takes up a position on the other side of the portal, quickly followed for the guardians. Starla and Finn not at the guardians and step back as Seishu lets go of Enasi to greet his minions. Harper eyes Lan and Ran, assessing them the best he can before handing his guardian over to their care.

The boys salute and Seishu gives them a nod and a smile. Holding out his hands he waits until the brother's have take one each in their own and he moves in closer to speak with them privately. “I know you boys see it, as has any who has seen me together with him for more than a minute since I have been marooned over there. Well, maybe not all. I took those dream dummies a while to catch one.” The minions chuckle at that but fall silent quickly as Seishu goes on. “We need to make sure this does not make anyone feel unsafe. I know you guys understand, and I'm relying on that trust you have in me to aid the others. Understand?” That last word is spoken with authority and the brothers step back as one with a salute in response. Looking over his shoulder Seishu sports Harper staring and smiles. 'He can't help eavesdropping, can he? Eh, it's not like he can disagree' Lan and Ran stand at attention and wait for the order to open the portal to the designated spot.

A Bloody Murder

Okay, I gotta tell you, the part with the hankie? Had me rolling on the floor laughing :P I looooved it *Giggles* And. . . . .Nice f'ed up sister there. . . . . Nice and crazy. . . .I like the cute brother complexes, but the demented ones make it seem like Rei will have to kill her one day. . . . .Or we will have to marry her off. . . .But, anyways, nice character development :P

*Sends happy waves* Noooo be depressed, nuuuuuuu. . . .*Sends more happy* You feels betters :P

The Rebel Vampire

Eh, I think he would keep the boring name of the company. I see that name being chosen generations ago, and is now a household trusted name kinda thing. So despite Alexi's wackiness, I see that name fitting the main company :P Oh, and glad it worked so well into your ideas.

The Rebel Vampire

Glad you liked it, we didn't come up with a name so feel free to drop one in(Maybe something epic but sweet), and no worries, I'm not going anywhere :P I hope you don't mind Orion dragging Joseph around, it just seemed to fit.

The Rebel Vampire

Orion Williams makes his way through the pre-auction area like a fat leaf on the wind, stopping for only an instant here and there to comment or drop a joke into the waiting ear of sellers and buyers alike. Slipping in and out of conversations with the expertise of a man who has been working rooms like this is entire like, and indeed he has, he manages to makes his way around the room unimpeded several times before something at last truly catches his attention. “Well well well, seems like my dear friend Alexi is trying his luck once again. . .Man I want that vampire. . .'[/i] Orion would never actually do anything underhanded to obtain Joseph, but on more than one occasion he's tried to buy the slave away from Alexi, even going so far as to offering slaves worth three times as much as the vampire. However Alexi has turned him down politely each time.

“Such a good guy. . .” he murmurs, flitting across the room surprisingly nimbly despite his heavy set figure. He's not overly fat, but he has more than enough extra poundage to pass for a mack truck at a full sprint. Slipping to Joseph's line of view he catches the slave's eyes before waltzing up and giving him a friendly pat on the back. While he in no way sees non-magicals as equals, he's never seen any reason to treat them poorly unless they deserve it. “Joseph, good to see you again!” He openly glances down at the slave's wristband before looking him in the face again. “I see you're all alone today. Alexi too lazy to come again?” It is clear from his tone that he does not expect a response. He chuckles lightly at his own joke and waves a hand. “Nah, I know he'd be here if he could.”

Looking around the room he sweeps hi arm out to indicate the room on the whole. “Quite the selection today. Got some new stock in last night. Sold off a few of my more interesting catches already.” Looking out of the corner of his eye at Joseph a sly calculating look come to his face. “I fact, I got in something very interesting, and I have a few people already ready to empty their bank accounts over it.” He chuckles again, pressing a hand against the vampire's back briefly to indicate he wants the slave to walk with him, the other coming up to motion them forward. Not waiting to see if Joseph is following he starts walking, talking just loud enough for the other to hear.

“Yes, a lot of buyers, and some really good families too. The Alvanies, the Russets, all with an eye on this one. I planned on showing it to Alexi first, but it came in late last night rather than in the afternoon like it should have.” He glances over his shoulder, still looking rather sly. “But, Alexi is such a good friend, and this is right up his alley, so I told the other buyers they had to wait until he saw it. I can't make them wait too long, so I guess you'll have to do.” They move through a couple swinging doors as he talks until at last they arrive at the top of a set of stairs and head down into the basement holding cells. A few large non-magicals sit in their cages, most looking quite disheartened in their shackles and other control devices. Williams walks in silence now, the nice blue lights on the walls making the walkway between the cells glow pleasantly.

It isn't until they reach the last cell on the left that he finally stops and turns. Facing the cell he looks over at Joseph and motions for him to get a closer look. “Don't get too close though, it's got a decent reach through those bars.” He says with a smile. The light from the walkway illuminates the ten by fifteen cell relatively well, but at first it looks rather empty. Then in a corner of the ceiling a shadow moves and with a rustling noise the slave in question rushes down the wall, leaping the last couple feet so it lands on all fours in the middle of the cell. The magical looks mostly human, it's bright green eyes staring out at the two men. It's long canines catch the light as it snarls at the two of them, it's tattered clothing hanging off if him like rags. On it's back are wings that resemble dragonfly wings, the tips dragging slightly on the ground as it stalks towards the bars.

The young magical appears a little younger than Uwin, in relative human years, it's thick red hair settled like a mane against his back and framing his face. Crawling closer and closer to the bars, once he is in striking distance he leaps on the bars and lets out an almighty howl before leaping back and crawling up the back wall, his low growls echoing around the room. Despite his animalistic action, it is clear from his eyes that he is not a simple beast, a kind of intelligence that is unmistakable. Williams does not flinch back when the boy attacks the bars, his smile still in place as he waits for the vampire to say something. 'I know Alexi would recognize this one right away. They are so rare, and he's wanted one for years. I even told him that I'd have something he wanted today at the latest, and he still didn't show. . .I wonder what kept him away. . .'

~*~*~*~*~

"Master Alexi. . .Master Alexi, we're almost home. . .”

Alexi's eyes slide open slowly, the short nap almost doing more damage than good as he wakes to the odd sensation of unease and confusion. Taking a deep breath he looks to the source of the voice and meets Uwin's worried gaze I the rear view mirror. He gives the young slave a warm smile before sitting up carefully. The familiar feeling of the sleek leather back seat and smell of the air freshener brings him back into himself and he gives his driver a questioning look. “Thanks for letting me know Uwin. . .What is wrong? You look concerned.”

The elf shakes his head and look back to the road. After a minute however he speaks up. “You, looked like you were having a bad dream Master Alexi.” He swallows hard, wondering if it is best for him to go on. He thinks about it only a couple seconds before the worried words tumble form his lips. “You've slept in the car a lot over the years, and it's always been the same. You never make a noise or move, or any of that, but this time you sounded so upset, and I could see you flinching every now and then, and shaking, and I. . .” He falls silent as he spots his master still smiling and sighs. “It's none of my business really. Sorry Master Alexi.”

Alexi lets out a sigh of his own, glancing out the window as they pass through the front gates. “Do not worry Uwin, and I thank you for your concern. Things have been rather hectic lately, and I did not sleep all that well last night. I also think I may be coming down with something, but I should be fine.” Uwin nods, accepting his master's words without question and smiling back at him as he parks the vehicle. Hopping out he runs around to open the door for Alexi, giggling slightly when the human ruffles his hair affectionately. The slave owner knows he has to be more careful from now on. Not all of his slaves are so trusting. Uwin sets to work arranging for the car to get cleaned, watching out of the corner of his eye as Alexi makes his way carefully inside.

Once out of the garage and into the house proper Alexi does his best to stand up a little straighter. 'Can not have them seeing me gimping about like an invalid' He hums a tune softly, the emotions flowing through him seeming to calm as he goes slowly over his plan, poking and prodding at it to check for holes. As none seem to present themselves his confidence counteracts the depressing emotions and he manages an honest smile as he reaches the door to his room. Checking to make sure there are no slaves around he slips into the room, propping himself up against the door after it closes. His smiles stays in place as he looks around the room for his “guest”.

The Rebel Vampire

No problem, I liked the post, and I'll get up my own reply tonight.

When the Roar Falls ~ PopeAlessandros x Raafling

Viltez hops from foot to foot with a goofy grin on his face at the compliment, however he regains his composure as Aryx goes on to instruct him. Planting his feet he cocks his head and listens, nodding in response. His tail comes up to rest on his shoulder, the blade settling against his chest while the bulk of it wriggles back and forth behind his back. 'I can feel when it moves, it's not li8ke it's some alien thing attached to me. . .But I get what he means. It does what it does, and because I have ignored it so long I think such little details about the feel of it have become unrecognizable to me' Holding his hand before his face the halfbreed opens and closes his hand.

'I don't think about wanting my fingers to flex and move, they just do it. I need to pick something up, so my body complies. My tail has only ever had the order to sit still and do what it wants, spending all it's time out of my conscious mind. As a child, you have to think hard to get your body to do what it wants, and with my tail, it's like I’m a child again' Closing his eyes he concentrates on the appendage. “I recognized something earlier. When I got upset, my tail struck out. When the cones were in danger of hitting me, it attacked them or knocked them away. When I was curious about my reach, it reached out and grabbed one.” He speaks in a soft voice, his breathing even and his tail falling still as he focuses on it. “It reacts, to how I feel.” A faint flush finds it way to his cheeks but he ignores it in hopes that his guest will as well.

His tail slides off his shoulder, slipping all the way to the ground where it lays limply as he calms himself down, his body relaxing and his feeling serene. 'If he takes that statement for the full extent of it's implications, he may understand why I was so embarrassed before about my tail. I know I am desperate to keep him around. Someone, anyone, whom I can be myself around is someone I feel loath to part with. And the way he teases my tail, and the way it makes me feel. . .' He cuts those thoughts off, his cheek reddening a touch more while his tail twitches. When he relaxes once more, his whole body still, he opens his eyes and smiles at Aryx. His tail comes up, slowly slithering back and forth in the air. Suddenly, out of nowhere he says, “I want to play. Let's play catch!” His tail comes up to arch over his head. “If it works off my feelings, like I think it does, we should be able to play with it acting like a third arm. He spreads his feet a little wider and holds his hands up, waiting to see if his guest will comply.

When Realms Collide {AkiBlue & PopeAlessandros}

Rue finally manages to let all the positive energy surrounding his home seep in, dispelling all the remaining discontent left behind from the upset earlier in the day. With a smile and a groan he rolls a little too hard and falls out of bed. He giggles aloud as his wings catch him before he hits the ground and with a happy shout he shoots out of his room, calling out a good-bye to his mother as he rockets towards the palace. 'It's almost time, I can feel evening approaching. Mister Seishu is going to be so happy! He gets to see his kids, and I bet they are going to be more happy to see him than Rasha was when he first met Mister Seishu This is going to be so amazing for all of them. I do feel kinda bad that Lord Enasi is going to be in a place that makes him slick like this place makes Mister Seishu sick, but I know Mister Seishu is going to make him as comfortable as possible. He thinks Lord Enasi will be safe there, so I believe him!'

As he rockets along, thinking his many thoughts, the rest of the gang slowly converges on the hallway outside the Nightmare Guardian's room. Inui and Rasha show up soon after Harper, their hair still wet, and Inui giggling at something the trickster had just said. The general rolls his eyes at them but smiles, batting at Rasha when he turns into his feline form and leaps up on the rabbit man's shoulder and shakes off playfully. The plant siblings arrive next, watching with wide smiles as Harper is now chasing around the little cat thing, one of his important keys dangling from his mouth. Crios and Cho split as they enter the palace, Cho skipping off to grab the snack he mentioned, it having finally set after several hours in the fridge, and the doctor racing off in a burst of flame to the medical wing for the syringes. The young doe doctor looks a little startled but helps him quickly load the belt with the solutions before he gives her a brief smile and races off towards the others. He and his lover arrive together just as Harper manages to catch Rasha without knocking anyone over in the process.

Rue arrives last, pausing at the end of the hallways just to look upon his fellows as they commingle in a way that would have been highly unlikely if not impossible before is Seishu had never gotten stuck in the Dream Realm. Wrapping his arms around his middle he lets out a long sight, catching Inui's attention. The little nightmare minion smiles over at the hovering fairy, waving a hand in a 'come hither' manner and with a laugh Rue darts forward and hugs Inui. The nightmare minion has to be caught by Cho and Finn, the speed of the small dream minion making him stumble, but as the group busts out in a group laugh, no one faults the little guy for his enthusiasm.

~*~*~*~*~

Seishu lets out a sigh at the tone in his counterpart's voice as he replies to the instructions. He can not help teasing him all the more for it, causing Enasi to squirm more than usual. He easily thwarts the Dream Guardian’s attempts to escape, them being half-hearted to begin with, and for now, Seishu is content with at least this aspect of his world. The gathering storm of positive energy outside his room makes his smile grow even wider, and like a courteous boyfriend he settles down his touches, giving Enasi a chance to recover his normal pigments before they decide it’s the right time to pester the guardians.

The Power of The Fallen ~ PopeAlessandros x AkiBlue

Lifting the mirror one last time, he vaguely takes note that the job the little angel is doing is nearly finished, instead looking to those increasingly dark wings before wrapping the glass up and tucking it away into a deep pocket. “I need sound. I think. . .I think Gabriel would be able to help. He likes humans, and he's the one who makes the mirrors, but. . . .I'm. . Not suppose to. . .” He goes over his options as he leaves his office, locking the door and putting up the sign that he's gone for the day. His musing go internal, not wanting to be overheard as he walks down the halls of God's palace. 'I think one of his interns would be good. I think Jezebel has been around long enough to know what she's doing, but still new enough not to question a request from someone not in her department. . .'

Strangely enough, heaven is run more like a giant business than anything else. True, there are civilians, but all angels are expected to eventually get a job for the betterment of heaven and God's will. All are content with this arrangement, however there has been more than one joke made about how the most holy of lands seems to be nothing more than a monumental corporation. The marble halls and plush red carpeting here and there, along with the walls and ceiling filled with opening big enough to be flown through definitely do not make one think of a downtown office building, but as Fenrir passes from the medical wing into the mail hall the hustle and bustle of angels rushing this way and that could definitely give that impression.

He does his best not to draw attention to himself. He may be an archangel, but seeing as he no longer takes to the field he is easily overlooked, and few recall the days he was a soldier. Heading down a slightly darker hall, the stone shifting from white to a dark blue, he slows down and is careful to keep an eye out for anyone who may question his presence. There is a reason for the dark stone, but Fenrir can not recall. 'Something to do with the magic necessary for view earth' he thinks with a sigh, stopping just inside and stepping out of the way of a young angel who seems to have somewhere very important to go. He lets his eyes adjust before trying to find his target. It does not take long, there not being many people in this part of the castle.

The large dark chamber is filled with a soft music,t he walls covered with mirrors of varying size. From large enough o walk through to small enough to fit in the palm of your hand they glitter faintly every now and then. Behind the music there is a faint murmur of voices, and it doesn't take long for Fenrir to realize that most of the voices are coming from the mirrors themselves. Looking to the large vat in the middle of the room, filled with some sort of molten liquid used to make the mirrors, Fenrir spies the intern he was looking for. At his back one of the man sizes mirrors trembles, his proximity causing it to expect him to move through it to earth. For less than an instant he considers this, but thoughts of the wrath of God coming down on his head next makes him shudder and step away quickly.

~*~*~*~*~

When at last they come to the final line Kuro motions for Aoba and Dicxson to stand off to the side so the beasts don't collide. He'd heard what the little angel had said, but kept himself from replying because it sounded like the boy was talking to himself. Dani drops down to stand next to his beast, patting it a few times before moving to dissolve the harness made by his little brother. Kuro notices this and calls out, “Hey, Little Mouse. Would you like me to get these few spots you missed or would you rather do it yourself.” Dani hears this and stops, looking to Aoba for the answer while his younger sibling finishes up the final row and begins moving over to the three of them, the plow held casually in one hand.