VATROU

War Never Changes- A Fallout RP

I hope to get my sheet up sometime soon, maybe around Wednesday. We'll see on that.

Create-A-Hero: A Superhero RPG Season 2- New Horizons (Closed)

Might scrap and rethink how Barron's post will be. Might need to tackle these changes one at a time.

Create-A-Hero: A Superhero RPG Season 2- New Horizons (Closed)

Live HOUND!!

Create-A-Hero: A Superhero RPG Season 2- New Horizons (Closed)

And

In

Bloody Hugs for Everyone!!

As Eva looked at her phone the time flew by night fell over the city, she needed to be awake for Pacific Point’s clean up in the morning. And this jaunt with Van Helsing was exhausting, still she made a new contact even if he was a dick. Who abandons the girl to fend off wave after wave of attackers. But people had begun to gather to deal with this new threat and it helped put her mind at ease. Before leaving she peered into her old room, left as it was covered in sheets to preserve what was inside she felt her bed and turned to flick off the lights before disappearing through a portal.

-- Afternoon of the Next Day --

Eva’s hands felt grimey, as it was a city wide cleanup she dictched her costume or hoodie and let herself blend into the crowd as she helped out, she was overwhelmingly tired and had received some sort of energy drink from Merlin, which made her peppy. She mentioned some side effects but neglected to share what they were only that they wouldn’t affect her. Rinsing her hands off Merlin sat on her shoulders diminutive and as condescending as ever.

”There’s something I’d like you to check out, an odd anomaly over at the museum of history.”

Eva rolled her shoulder to indicate that Merlin was still quite heavy despite her size.”Again. I heard there was kerffulf-- a thing the other day.”

Merlin chuckled at Eva’s attempt to use a large word. ”Well yes, they might be related. Excalibur always had sway over magic and supernatural beings, it might be attracting more attention from the mystical side of things.”

”Great.” Eva said as she ran her wet fingers through her hair, ”Can I rinse my hair first?” Merlin leaped off her shoulder and vanished leaving Eva standing over a hose. After twenty minutes Eva had left onto search for a door that she could quietly warp to the museum with and finding one without scores of people mulling about was difficult, the people took pride in their city and it’s clean up but she did find one and slipped away into the women's restroom of New York's famous Museum of Natural History. As the door opened she could hear faint screaming in the background and as she ran towards the source she noticed a girl exposed buck naked and all standing over broken glass as she examined the exhibits trailing a bit of blood from a nearby guard.

Eva stopped, modesty was either lost on the girl or that she somehow caused all this.”I. Um.” With her hood pulled over her head and finger raised Eva struggled to bring words to this situation. ”Is um, being nude your thing. Not that I’m judging, but here we call that jailbait.”

Katarina whirled around, her sword pointed in the direction of the newcomer. The stench of the Grail was about her, permeating her every movement, oozing from every pore. And at the girl’s side was the most disgusting thing of all: the sword of King Arthur, Excalibur. Katarina seethed as she regarded the newcomer with hate-filled eyes, only softening when she saw the relative youth of the woman in question. ”Well now, it seems I have attracted the attention of the Grail Knights already… Don’t mock me with your feigned lack of knowledge, girl! Your order is to blame for my current state! Your scion, Henry of the House Plantagenet, sought my destruction on the fields of Neuhausen, and he almost succeeded, his hateful fires burning away at my very soul! So don’t come to me asking why I stand here as I am, for you should already know the answer!” Katarina turned and walked a couple of paces towards the girl, the broken glass crunching underfoot and Thirst ready to strike at a moment’s notice. [color=921111]”And what brings your kind crawling from out of the shadows? Did you have advance notice of my awakening? Did your order seek to have me awakened prematurely so you could finish me off once and for all? I will not relent! I will never yield to you or your masters, do you hear me?! [b][i]NEVER![/b][/i]” The final scream shook the foundation of the building itself, almost seeming to tear at the boundaries between the mortal and the immortal. It sent shockwaves blasting out in all directions… just as her final anguished scream had knocked Henry away from her in the Fall of Neuhausen, as he had King’s Guard held over her heart, ready to strike and finish what remained of her miserable existence. Part of her wished she had simply allowed Henry to strike home… perhaps it would have been a fitting end to the Red Countess, instead of lingering on…

Eva’s face squinted and stretched as the young girl ranted. ”Order, Newhousen. I. Wait what. Could you use, umm. Smaller words. I caught Grail, Knight and Henry.” As the girl angrily went on ignoring her comment whilst in the middle of her hate filled rantings went on to throw Eva off her feet and careening into a nearby wall. As she picked herself up she began to pull Excalibur, ”Okay, clearly not being friendly. Well at least you're a naked girl and not a old dude, I don’t think I’d be able to close my eyes without night terrors waking me up. Now I’ve got two requests, one please clothe yourself, and two give up quietly, I’m sure we can find a nice juvenile rehabilitation center.”

Katarina was incredulous, and yet interested at the same time. She claimed she knew nothing of the Grail Knights, and yet at the same time she held the blade of King Arthur in her hand - which she noticed was now drawn, by the way - and she had an aura of the Grail about her very being? What was this, some sort of freakish test? Was this some sort of trick? ”So. You claim you know nothing of the Grail Knights? And what makes you think I’ll believe that when you have, there in your hand the most powerful blade of their order, sitting right there drawn and ready to strike? How naive do you think I am, Knight? Just because I have the body of a teenage girl does not mean I have none of the aptitude that befits a woman of my age - you Grail Knights of all should know that. But then… how could you not know who I am if you aren’t a Grail Knight…” Katarina shook her head, her head aching slightly from the backlash of her scream. She looked back at the girl with a snarl, one hand on her hip without a single thought as to her modesty. ”Your presence here confuses me. Who are you, and what do you want?! Speak quickly, before I lose my patience with you.” Katarina decided that she would at least try and work out who this intruder was… maybe see if there was truth to the girl’s claims. And if not… well, Thirst would drink deeply tonight.

With her footing squarely centered Eva tilted her head in confusion.”Are you alright? Got all yer marbles yeah. Last I checked the Grail was only in one person's hands Indiana Jones and I’m not taking that one seriously as he’s an actor. Though that begs the question how you know of this sword. You’re like what, fourteen. Why come and destroy things in a museum just cause you’re some history buff. Look, I’m Pendragon, I’d say it’s nice to meet you but, I’m awfully confused here, maybe we can put our swords away and meet those really nice people in blue, I’m sure they have snacks.”

As Eva attempted to calm the Old World Vampire thinking she was merely a confused troubled girl no older than her younger sister she had no way of knowing just who it was she was speaking too nor how condescending she sounded considering the difference in age that was until Merlin appeared behind her in a puff of rather colorful smoke. ”I was going to watch and be amused by your antics, but this was getting painful to watch. If I’m not mistaken, you are Katarina Ilse Maria Gräfin von Rysech correct? I hoped so. I met you once, or a different you. I am Merlin the Boar's Sin of Greed, from a world where technology ceased to advance. And Dear,” Merlin turned to Eva. ”She isn’t a child. As for this one Katarina. She’s an imbecile regarding legends and beings of power. And while she is most certainly King Arthur's Heir, the apple fell a few hundred yards away from said tree.”

”Standing right here! Could you not in front of the girl who may or may not be a bad guy.”

”Ahahaha yes… so the mystery begins to unfold. It all makes so much sense now, thank you!” Katarina nodded to herself and then lowered her blade. The girl was telling the truth after all, though Katarina was still slightly irked by her manner of address earlier. Yes, she was still but a teenager, but did everyone have to treat her as though she were a child? She once ruled a vampiric empire that rivalled that of Vlad Tepes at his height, and people still insisted on talking down to her… However, the appearance of the spirit and her use of her full name brought a smile to her face. She nodded again, and then looked back at the young woman. ”You’re the scion of Arthur Pendragon, are you? Explains the sword, for one thing, and your little spirit helper there seems to be the brains behind this operation. Tell me, Merlin, did you arrange for this little visit to happen? Your sorcerous energies working their little cogs to twist the skein of fate? Or did you simply just teleport her here once you learned of my awakening? Whichever way, it matters not, you’re here now. It’s fine.”

Merlin smiled.”You may actually owe you’re awakening to Excalibur. I know only scant details of what happened in this world but it is quite ironic that Excalibur’s magic to awaken sleeping magical energies is what could have revived you yourself.”

Eve bent up her wrist looking at Excalibur.”Stop waking things up. I don’t need anymore magic bullshit. Why are you even here, you helping or making things worse so we fight?’

”Who knows, maybe I was curious, perhaps I wanted to speak to the Red Countess at least once.” Merlin smirked.

”Red Countess, sure. Something tells me it isn’t cause you like red flowers. Look, however grand you were before, you can’t go around killing people unless you want to be a bad guy. Or a certain newscopter destroying mech pilot. Short version, don’t kill please.”

Katarina bristled as she watched the girl once again try and lecture her on how to behave… Yes. She killed a guard. Perhaps not the *best* way to open her new Reign, but in her defence, they did aim guns at her. They could have opened fire on her, for all she knew. Her muscles in her arm tensed as she was about to raise Thirst against the girl once again, but she held off on that for the moment. She shook her head and spoke up. ”In my defence, this… mortal… was about to fire upon me. He had a comrade, similarly armed and similarly garbed, and I attacked before either of them could attempt to harm me. I say attempt… largely because I have been shot before, and it didn’t have much impact aside from leaving a large… what do you call it in English, a bruise? Yes, a bruise.” Katarina snickered and walked a couple of paces closer to the girl and her spirit companion, barely six or seven feet away by now, her sword now hanging loosely from her arm at her side. Blood stained the underside of her feet as she walked through the broken glass and pools of red that littered the beautiful marble flooring of the museum. Almost a shame really, to stain such beauty with the animalistic fury of the Blood Kiss. ”You intrigue me, Pendragon. You intrigue me greatly. As to the benefit for us both, I’m yet to work that out, but… you most definitely have piqued my interest in you. And as for you, Merlin...” Katarina looked over at the spirit, ”You disappoint me in your material form. I expected you to be taller.” She giggled.

Merlin held out her hand as a force went up around Eva, a repulsion field of sorts. ”Terribly sorry but I cannot allow you to step closer. I have need of this one. However perhaps we can, come to an agreement. You seem to be without resources, clothes to garb yourself in and unaware of the laws this modern world requires it’s honest citizens to uphold. A favor for a favor and we might be able to help each other out.”

”Wait? Help her, she still killed someone, am I not supposed to bring her in for that? We just let her go and give her stuffs.”

”Your first duty is to the magical denizens of this world, helping them cope with modern life and protecting them and humans from endangering each other. Tell me. What human Jail can hold a powerful necromantic Vampire without bloodshed?”

”I. Well. We have Villain jails.”

”We can end this without further conflict, and hopefully set a misplaced Old World Vampire on a new path.”

”I. Don’t know about this.”

”You’re not the only one, Pendragon. Don’t try and take me for a fool, Merlin. I know you need this girl for something, and I know I won’t much like it. If Excalibur did arouse me from my slumber, then it makes me suspicious of you already… perhaps there’s a plot of yours that you’re engineering. And perhaps… well, I have little chance of receiving assistance in any other manner.” Katarina looked back at Pendragon, a pensive demeanour about her. ”We’ll have to swallow our prides, daughter of Arthur. My apologies if I give you nightmares for the next few days from the… unique manner of my appearance. Lead on, Merlin… and I will warn you now. I remember much from the Liber Necronomica. And I know how to use it.”

”How quaint. I remember that book it’s spells were; childish.”

”Fitting for a child to use, I suppose?”

Create-A-Hero: A Superhero RPG Season 2- New Horizons (Closed)

Looks like Barron might have to make preparations soon. He and his wife are up against the world. Huehue. I might have to have back ups for his back ups.

Create-A-Hero: A Superhero RPG Season 2- New Horizons (Closed)

And

Shadows of Arcadian

Ben’s form paced through the back alleys and hidden corners of New York City. His mind struggled to rein in the panic sensation he was locked in, his instincts spurred on by some unknown source. A dark tongue lolled at the edge of his muzzle, sided by two white and dangerous looking canines protruded from the dark lip and gums. The werewolf’s breath misted the air with each pant as his blue eyes scanned the shadows about him. His black nose twitched and inhaled, drinking in a faintly familiar scent that stirred a hazy memory.

Cautiously, his expression scrunched into suspicion causing him to edge carefully forward at first. His telepathy rang out into the darkness toward where he scented the figure lurking there, waiting patiently for him to react to its...no, his presence.

“Who are you?” His words were almost foreign to the wolf’s mind, yet they felt apart of him and accurate for what answers he wanted.

There was a depraved glare, his feral eyes narrowed onto his freshly made Pup. He had transformed earlier than planned probably due to whatever magical device that radiated throughout the city days ago. However the Boy happened to be didn’t matter, finally one of his victims comes into the fold. “Boy, I am your Alpha. The first, Arcadian. And you my fledgling child are one of many who will soon join me. Obey my will, for now you shall fight those who oppress us, and my Pack.” His smile widened baring his broken teeth in a crooked grin.

Arcadian outstretched his hand offering the young Benjamin scraps from his last meal. As a body lay further behind him mutilated but still recognizably human.

Ben whimpered when the voice penetrated his head. His ears pinned back and pressed against his skull, his eyes never left the Alpha. Blood reached his nose, a pungent and iron one, causing him to narrow on the body hidden behind Arcadian. A young woman stared at him with fogged over eyes and a blank expression on her face, her torso ripped in several places and blood stained the pavement. His sight flipped over to the Alpha’s claws, deep down sensing in dread where the fresh meat had come from.

The pup moved forward on all fours. His wolfen mind curious and obedient, unbothered by the known facts he was about to become a cannibal, in a slow gait.

Deep inside was another matter as something strange and bizarre stirred. Benjamin’s human mind began to claw his way through a thick slumber and race to the surface, desperate to stop this. Every few inches he gained, he slipped back several feet causing the human boy within to scream at the young wolf’s stupidity.

Suddenly the wolf came to an abrupt stop just a foot from Arcadian, anger and fear swelled in his chest. His lips pulled back revealing his teeth once more then let out a deep, throaty growl at Arcadian.

Arcadian teased the boy, dangling the fresh meat even closer. “Come boy, eat your fill, and give in. I want your Obedience, your ferocity.” He spoke as the earth beneath him began to rumble. Arcadian was thrown off balance as pillars of twisting churning blood broke through the concrete and asphalt lashing out against him. “No, No No!! Not you. I covered my tracks, you could not have found me.” Throwing Arcadian to the ground as debris fell from the sky attempting to bury him.

Ben yelped, the sound echoed through the night sky, when his feet left the ground and he hit the adjacent wall causing him to crumble. His head shook from the impact as he tried to focus on the source.

”Well.” Barron said as he stepped down the blood rising into the sky. ”I can find you, and I will. Not much you can do but DIE!” Barron yelled as Blood whipped around Arcadian who leaped and lunged out of the way. ”Haha! Been holding back too long, nothing like a good and brutal slaying to lift my spirit. Plus, I saved the Pup here from munching down on Human, didn’t anyone teach you not to take candy from a stranger?” Arcadian began Wolfing out Mid Air as he deftly dodged strike after strike, but as he ran and prepared to attack the ground around him began to disappear. Blood disintegrated each strip of road, each wall it came into contact with stripping away the high ground with each passing strike.

Ben rattled his head once more as the titans clashed around him, the daze fading finally. His hunches raised and his head lowered with a feral growl at Barron. Muscles coursing with adrenaline, his body rushed at the elder vampire’s back before he slammed both back paws down and shot into a lunge at the head. His teeth widened and glistened in the bright moonlight while he sailed forward.

Barron felt Benjamin pounce on his back ripping out a sizable portion of flesh away, the weight shifting his body off of the pillar he stood upon. But instead of falling the blood rushed to meet his misstep. ”Really. Gaagh. Guess what they say about Alphas are true. You really think that’d wor.. work.” As Barron scanned the street, Arcadian had fled. He used his pup, Ben as a distraction and in his fully Wolfed form could be miles away by now. Barron with a hand created out of the same destructive blood smacked Ben who had landed with his prize into the ground like swatting a fly.

The street beneath Ben crumbled, his body flattened slightly by the impact. Blood poured from his muzzle and leaked into the spider webbing cracks while he wobbly rose back to his feet. It seemed his joints and bones had withstood the damage though they likely won’t stand another blow like that without breaking. Anger and fury at the attack fed his core causing him to climb from the small crater he had made, each step painful and rattled his nerves into screaming to lay back down.

Barron rubbed his back, feeling the gash left behind by the wolf boy as his arm extended and the blood from his torn flesh responded to his own returning to where it came breaking into crystals and floating back to his own body.

”Oh come now. I didn’t hit you all that hard, look. Your Alpha is gone, his influence wanes. Surely you have some Human thought left in you. I saved you from yourself, if you wish to continue we shall. But clearly this isn’t a fight you’re ready to take.

Still staring at Barron, the wolf continued to snarl deeply. He could barely stand, let alone move and fight yet his spirit and pride refused to let him stay down.

‘You… attacked, Ben whimpered, his mind uttered the sensation on accident rather than intentional, Pain...

”And you ruined an expensive suit, I mean. This is designer, made to protect from ultraviolet rays. I liked this suit. Plus you’ll live. All you need is a proper meal. One without human flesh. I’m not about to let you have me, and no more of my suit so.” There was a torrential downpour; blood rained from the sky all around Ben as it wrapped and chained him down squeezing the Boy’s bones as they began to pop and crack. Barron kept the pressure, enough to injure Ben, but not enough to kill. At least that he was sure of, although it would be uncomfortable. And Barron would likely have to ship the Boy to his friends. Though the thought annoyed him, it was why Ben had a Bodyguard and Babysitter after all.

Ben went down easily. His fur drenched and weighed down causing his already wobbly state to topple.The wolf snarled then snapped before he howled in pain. The edges of his vision faded into black before darkness consumed him.

Create-A-Hero: A Superhero RPG Season 2- New Horizons (Closed)

Pendragon (OOC Banner later, tablet doesn't do well with those.)

With a tiny army bearing down on the trio Dickens impaling the little soldiers as they charged using tentacles formed from his flesh Eva pulled him back and started to retreat."We nee-- to get out of here.” When Eva called to the stranger to run he had already taken off catching her off guard. "FUCK! The Bleeder ran off. Dickens! We’re getting out of here.”

The world around them was odd, Eva could see the borders of the world pillars crafted out of what looked like game boards as houses, shops and even castles lined the walls and ceiling as if the laws of gravity simply didn’t apply here. Being chased she didn’t have much time to stop and gawk, it was even more hectic than Game Genie’s ability to summon Video Game characters something she had looked forward to; wasn’t often one got to meet fictional characters and while she couldn’t enjoy their company save the time she spent with Voyager and Shovel Knight, it was still mostly fun. Eva wouldn't call herself a nerd, or even that much of a gamer shunning most genres but who can say they met Shovel Knight in real life. But as her train of thought completely derailed a black horse nearly jumped on top of her and Dickens the rider seemingly one with his mount as he drew blade. With a powerful overhead swing Dickens met the knight’s sword in his maws crushing the weapon, the knight paused and turned his head towards the castle. “INTRUDERS!” He yelled out with his dying breath, Eva watched as the others who were chasing her stopped and yelled the same thing in unison shifting direction and charging the Castle. ”Oh, okay. Creepy. Guess I now know where the other guy went.” Setting foot towards the menacing sky castle Eva gazed at how it floated there it’s gate always facing whatever side she viewed it from as a road rose to the sky to greet it. The closer she got the more opposition she faced, Dickens was utterly befuddled by the road beneath his feet, was it there as it twisted re-formed and spiraled onwards or was he just imagining it. Eva felt woozy, her head spun like a windup doll and as the road churned so did her stomach.”Nope, magic bullshit don’t toss my dinner.” Eva said as she wiped spit from her lip. ”I need some answers from the wanker in that castle.”

The denizens of this world fought her and Dickens back even though the road they stood on was a stable as a wet noodle, and slashing and stabbing living playing cards didn’t help Eva keep her lunch down. ”Right, break down those doors! We’re coming in like a raging train!” Complying Dickens charged and rammed the doors open bursting through Eva saw the stranger climbing to the top of a pedestal reaching for two spears. ”Dickens clear a space. AND YOU!” Eva shouted towards the well dressed buffon who had dumped her earlier. I have questions for you.”

“Oh great, punk rock is back.” Abraham said. ”As much as I appreciate the help I’m kinda not looking for a sidekick. Nice tryout though.”

Flipping a finger Eva spat. Fuck off. I’m here cause you opened a portal to a pocket dimesion thing in a mansion. One I am certain does not belong to you.”

Abraham scoffed. “Big words give you trouble? OH.” As a giant Chess Piece reached it’s hand out towards Abe grabbing his pants leg he kicked at it’s grip against the crowned giant. “Your Highness, I’m afraid I’m going to have to topple you reign.” Pulling out a shotgun a blast rang out echoing throughout the chamber, as the crown rolled towards the ground. “Bloody fucking Kings. And onto my prize!”

”Dickens. Attack.” Pointing towards the pedestal he whipped his tail smacking both Abe and destroying the pedestal which the spears sat upon. ”Big tail giving you trouble. NOW, Dickens Push the rest of them back, I need to have a few words.”

Climbing out of rubble Abraham coughed as he pushed himself clear while Eva jumped down. You and I need to talk. Why did you open a portal in Alistair Wahlforth’s Mansion, and what are these things?” Eva yelled as she stepped on one of the spears.

“First, while I did open a portal I wasn’t the one who placed it there. Alistair did, and this concerns the fate of the world girl, amateurs should go home.”

”Funny, I’m here cause the fate of the world is at stake. Why don’t we talk about that or I could stab you with a pointy sword. I’d think I’d know if the previous owner left something magical here.”

“Clearly not. Otherwise I wouldn’t be here, Young Mouse.”

”How, how do you know that?” Eva asked genuinely unsure, only a few of her closest friends and her Grandfather called her that.

“I dove through my grandfather's memories. Painted quite the picture.”

Create-A-Hero: A Superhero RPG Season 2- New Horizons (Closed)

Is Discord still acting up. Someone clearly shouldn't have gave it a shot of Red bull.

Create-A-Hero: A Superhero RPG Season 2- New Horizons (Closed)

DINNER WITH A BLOOD SUCKER

Location: Reeves Residence-Hudson Valley, NY
Time: Evening (around 6pm) to Night (around 10 pm)

---

White on white on white, with a black undershirt and striped shoes with a black trim. It was all Barron wore and all of it expensive, true white was a beautiful color and in his time in post apocalyptia true white was unobtainable always stained and no amount of abraxo cleaner could grant him that hue that absence of color it contrasted perfectly with red, like a self destructive symphony white was simply the best detailing every little speck of blood, spit and puss. He wore a blank canvas and on the off chance Arcadian attacked he’d become a living portrait of Arcadian’s death. Twas a entertaining thought indeed for him as he parked his rental car in the Reeve’s driveway. Flipping his phone out of his pocket he called his wife. ”Your voice is sweet nectar to my ears my rosebud, my wine flower m.”

“Dear, it’s almost time for your meeting.”

”Of that I am aware, I simply lost myself in your voice. Sadly I spend another night bereft of your touch, your smell, your enchanting beauty. But this is work, a task that needs to be done.”

“Yes yes. Make sure you step carefully, they must not know of our plans. Nor your involvement in other business.”

Barron kissed the air. ”We shall not be apart long. Once I’m done here, I have the means to find Arcadian. Sleep well. My love.” He hung up the phone and soon found himself knocking at the door. ”I hope I’m not too late, too ages to find a proper aged wine.”

Ben stood stiffer than like a mannequin in the dining room, his nose filled with the scents of past shimmered mushrooms, caramelized onions, and numerous other ingredients. The bad part, they were already warped up for tonight’s dinner save for the main course of beef wellington in the oven. Lorrie had made Emma go all out in preparing a great deal of appetizers and horvers, most already set out on the table, to appease their coming guest tonight. The display irritated Benjamin who brooded silently as he balled his fists at his side and allowed Lorrie adjust the shawl along his tuxedo. Her fingers slipped into the outside then straightened it several times, smoothing it over repeatedly until he was wondering if the thing would fall off.

When the ornate door knocker thumped heavily against the wooden door, the sound echoed into the foyer. past the large living room and made its way into the kitchen. Lorrie paused in her action and peered up, her eyes narrowed on the direction then turned to Daniel. The older man nodded once before he flashed his best smile and indicated for Benjamin to follow him. With a begrudging sigh, the teenager flipped on heel to trace his steps and follow in the man’s wake to the door.

Daniel was the one that greeted Barron, his hand pulled the door open and stepped away to allow their guest inside, “No, you’re a few minutes ahead actually. The horvers and appetizers are already set on the table, the entrees, main course and dessert will be ready shortly. How do you like your beef wellington, well done, medium rare or rare?”

”Oh, medium rare, I like the pink hue. Spacious Home you have here, could run a marathon in here. A bottle of Dom Perignon P2 1998, not my preferred choice; it’s a fine wine and all and considering I don’t know many good wine houses not a bad find. But I have better back in Vegas, though I’m more of a whiskey guy.” As Barron handed off the wine he continued rambling on. ”You know, I cook a mean wellington myself. Learned a custom recipe replacing a few ingredients for a shindig once and it was so popular with my wife I cook it now and then.”

Benjamin inhaled sharply, his eyes fixed on Barron. Something was familiar with the individual, but he couldn’t place why or how. His mind ached when he struggled to recollect the memory just ripping itself out of his grasp. A slight irritation nagged at him for not being able to understand what connected Barron to familiarity. Daniel naturally ignored his confused looked and the boy in general, making Ben painfully aware he had slipped into the background once more. In the past, it would’ve bothered him.

Now he was use to it.

Out of habit, Ben’s fingers slipped into his tie and subtly tried to pull it loose. Lorrie had fiddled enough with it that he felt a noose was suffocating him about the neck instead of something fashionable. He watched Daniel begin to kiss up to the power individual that had entered their home as the sight inwardly sickened him.

“Of course, I believe I have some New York Honey whiskey in the study,” Daniel said, taking the offered wine bottle gratefully, then turned toward Ben, “Benjamin, would you kindly get the whiskey from the study?”

“Yeah, sure,” Ben causally said then began to move off to right of the foyer, toward the double door room. His hand paused on the knob as he looked once more at Barron, trying to place the man, then opened a door to retrieve the whiskey.

At the click of the door, Daniel shook his head at the teenager’s reply and then adjusted his attention back to his guest. He held out his hand then gestured for Barron to follow him to the open doorway to the left, leading into the elegant living room, “Shall we?”

”Of course. Shoes on or off? Some prefer leaving shoes at the door to save their carpets.” Following Daniel’s lead he had a seat on one of the couches. ”Shall we chat then, your time as DA has been smooth. And a blessing to your family.”

“On, there’s marble flooring from here to the dining room. Only the study and a few other rooms are carpeted, which are easily cleaned and one of the reasons I fell in love with this place,” Daniel mentioned as he smiled, then placed the wine upon a wooden rack made for the purpose. The wood was decorated by carved ivy stems and leaves, giving a homely appeal to the usually otherwise plain red stained wood. His hand then reached for the cabinet nearby and pinched two facet whiskey glasses between his fingers before he returned to the couch. His head turned to watch Benjamin snap shut the door, his hand held the honey whisky in his hand, and edge toward the two now casually sitting on the sofa.

“I wouldn’t say smooth. A few cases have slipped my attention mainly because I have to determine which is more important and make difficult choices. Lorrie has been very understanding and supportive over the matter, through Benjamin seems unfazed by my role,” Daniel mentioned, brushing by the fact Ben didn’t just ignore his methods but outright disapproved of them.

Daniel smiled then reached to retrieve the liquor from Benjamin’s hands. The man held up one glass then filled it generously and passed it to Barron, not bothering to thank or address Ben. Already the teenage knew he had slipped successfully into the background. Not wanting to listen to the discussion between the two individuals, he started to shift toward the kitchen. A strange scent wafted over him causing the teenager to abruptly stop and his figure stiffen. A mixture of cologne, aftershave and… something else caught his attention as the boy continued to sniff the air. His head turned toward Barron’s direction, staring at their guest, and instinctively reacted.

“Benjamin, what do you think you’re doing? That’s very rude to get into our guest’s personal space,” Daniel’s sharp, unexpected reprimand jerked Benjamin into awareness over his actions.

He was literally hovering over Barron, about less than a foot from the man, and sniffing the air between them like some dog seeking a scent.

”HAHa, what you’ve never smelled cologne before boy? I’ll admit it’s a tad strong But I do like the smell it gives off. Really makes an impression at times.” Of course Barron knew why Ben took an interest in him, he did everything he could to cover his own scent but the Werewolf smelled a Vampire and no amount of cologne could change that. ”Still, space is important as curious as you may be I can always lend you a sample later.” Barron said playing off the young Wolf’s curiosity as best he could.

“No… you didn’t smell like that before,” Benjamin mumbled under his breath, his figure pulled upright once more. Confusion and puzzling thoughts worked themselves through his mind as he tried to recover his mistake, spying the opening Barron had presented to him. However his pride refused to use it as his father interrupted his thoughts.

“Benjamin, apologize. He’s usually well respected over personal space,” Daniel spoke, his words reflected how he bluntly ignored the fact his son was standing feet from them both.

“I’m sorry, I was trying to place the scent. It’s a bit too…unique to be purely just cologne. I only smelled it on three other individuals so far and I enjoy figuring things out on my own. That’s part of the fun for me,” Benjamin stated and tried to fight the growl budding in his tone.

”Right. Kids being kids.” Barron took a moment and could smell the wafting odor coming from the kitchen, with barely a sniff he could smell food coming out of the oven. ”Something smells good and this time it isn’t me.”

“It seems the Welllington’s likely done, shall we?” Daniel gestured toward the dining room.

~~|Little Time Skip|~~

Emma placed a beef wellington down before each individual, placed on a plate and steaming freshly from the oven. When Benjamin got his, he crunched up his nose in confusion when the scent hit him. Normally it would be making him salivate and eager to dig in, but not now. Thinking that the situation had began to affect him, Benjamin cut into his meat then placed a bite into his mouth.

The meat tasted bland and the texture was tougher than he remembered, despite the clear juices that oozed from it and onto the plate. His expression turned up into disgust as he tried to muscle through the meat and force it down his throat. He coughed a moment before he turned his head, careful to not draw attention to himself.

“Benjamin, is there something wrong with your meal?” Lorrie asked in concern, through Ben knew it wasn’t for his health she worried but the quality of the meal for their guest.

“Ahem, no. I just got it stuck in my throat and lost my appetite so may I be excused?” Benjamin explained, hiding the fact his stomach rumbled inside and betrayed him.

His arms fell under the table and tightly clenched it as he tried to fake illness. Lorrie glanced at Barron, who until a bit ago was locked in conversation with Daniel, then casually pulled upright from her seat. Her legs snaked about the table to his position and her hand lightly brushed his forehead for a fever. She frowned upon finding nothing then leaned into hiss a quiet warning into his ear, hiding it in a form of a kiss against his head side.
It took all of Ben’s might not to recoil and snap at the bitch’s face. His left hand tightened on his thigh while her words slithered in causing dread to creep into his very core.

“I don’t know what game you’re playing at, but you will not ruin this evening. Now you’re going to sit here and eat everything then you’re to excuse yourself, and head upstairs. If you try to come downstairs, you’ll find the door locked…,” Lorrie threatened then lifted upright, flashing another fake, motherly grin at Barron and Daniel. Her figure moved to return to her seat as she began to dig into her own meal, “I hope the wellington is suitable to your tastes, Mr. Vanderbilt. Emma’s an excellent cook, but I’ve been considering replacing her.”

Ben tensed at the subtle threat toward the housemaid and gave a scowl in his father’s girlfriend’s direction. Her lips pulled into a more wick smile as she folded her hands under her chin, eagerly about to listen to Barron’s next statement.

Barron had already had a few bites, while it was not as bloody as he would have liked it to be; mostly for the feeling of blood dripping down his throat it was still rather flavorful and worthy of a five star restaurant. ”It’s wonderful, I sample dishes every week to ensure our meals are gourmet. If I had to say though it would seem Ben is changing, you know kids these days every few years they’re liking food prepared a different way or become allergic to some common food. If it’s not the food it must be the tenderness.” Cutting a good piece away roughly the size of a broccoli. ”Perhaps he needs something a bit more rare, here see how this tastes to you.” Setting the piece upon the boy’s plate.

Ben stiffened. However it wasn’t because of Barron that he did, but when the scent hit him, his mouth salivated and his will fought against literally snatching the bloody one up instantly into his mouth. With a trembling hand, he managed to stab the bloody piece with his fork then quickly place it into his mouth. It was quickly downed in moments. A look of blissful enjoyment crossed Ben’s face as he let the chunk slide down.

Just as Barron thought, raw meat was best for a young wolf boy. Knowing he can’t just have Emma bring in raw meat he needed to convince Daniel and Lorrie it was properly prepared. And he smiled knowing just how. Sitting within view of everyone Barron didn’t need to move much as his eyes glowed red and burned into Emma, Daniel and Lorrie’s iries.

”Emma was it? Could you get Ben something RAW..” To a observer the question would be abnormal but to those dining all seemed more than normal as if they could simply not hear and see the obvious.

Ben stared at Barron’s statement, then glanced around the table. No one found it odd as Emma bowed and turned back to the kitchen, preparing the bloody raw wellington. When the rare meat came, his eyes widen and then instinct kicked in. He began to wolf it down at an alarming rate. In moments, the wellington vanished and no trace left save for some blood red streaks. The clawing sensation of hunger abated causing his eyes to look at Barron, confusion lingered in his expression, at what he had done to the individuals at the table.

“My, Benjamin you wolfed that down fairly quickly,” Lorrie commented causally then sipped her wine, “Well it seems you were correct Mr. Vanderbilt, he does like it rare. I wonder why you didn’t order it like that dear.”

”You know why Buffets are soo popular, people never know what they want until it’s placed right in front of them, that and they over indulge. Not the point though. People grow their tastes change and as a Casino Tycoon I must always anticipate what my customers want. It’s why my Casinos are so highly rated.” Placing a napkin down he watched as everyone began digging into their meal.

The rest of the dinner went off with much of an issue, each individual enjoying their meal without further incident. Ben finally departed leaving both Daniel and Barron to their business, though the fact the vampire was so close made the teenage werewolf unease. Grudgingly, the boy moved up to the top floor and out of sight shortly. Time passed as his face lingered on the window, pacing to and from, his tension growing the longer the minutes became hours. Finally, he spotted Barron bidding his farewell as he slipped into his car and drove off.

Casually, Ben looked to the digital clock nearby. It blinked in dim green at exactly ten pm, two hours before midnight and the full moon. It was going to be a very long night.

Create-A-Hero: A Superhero RPG Season 2- New Horizons (Closed)

The first part of a three parter, hope you scrubs enjoy it.

@DearTrickster

It still big. Man. Just thinking how much we actually wrote is quite daunting.