marseilles ♔ swallowing the pill til i breathed my last

[likedillinger]

We Carry On - Portishead

WHO || Dean, Rose, Gus, Ashley, Elijah [closed]
WHAT || The Knights head to speak with the Carmilla
WHERE || Marseilles, France
WHEN || Mid April 2016
HOW || Actionspam

Last fall, two Knights were killed in action while investigating a group of rogue vampires in Paris - Sir Dragomir and Sir Rast. While the vampires were brought under control, the mystery of who exactly killed the Knights remains up in the air, and to that end, Wynn has decided to establish contact with an ancient vampire known as Carmilla, leader of a vampiric coven of Elders who dictate the rules by which most nearby covens live in order to maintain their existence without bringing humankind down on their heads.

Also of interest to the assigned Knights is the strange abrupt departure of Sir Helen Magnus, who stayed behind in Paris and sent an unusual letter to her daughter Ashley that refused to explain what she was doing, but left the woman more concerned than ever.

Wynn has made arrangements with the coven, who have reluctantly agreed to meet with the Knights, and so a few days after their briefing, Dean pulls their rented vehicle up to the gates of the creepy manor where the Elders have at least agreed to rendezvous. While the grounds are well kept, there's an air of emptiness to the whole place.

Comments

[likedillinger]

[ her coy smile twists a bit at his words, one eyebrow rising.

"Your associates. Of course. Follow me." she turns from him, trailing her gaze across the rest of them as she does so, before heading for the staircase. everyone can make spot checks as they go~ ]

[bagsthem]

[Oh good, here we go into a potential den of murderers. It's fine.

Ashley keeps her eyes and ears peeled as they make their way after the two vampires (spot 20, listen...5).]

[littledhampir]

[Without so much as a smirk, Rose falls into step behind the Vampires. Eyes peeled as they move through the mansion. (Spot Nat 20, Listen 40.)]

[druidisms]

[ gus is on alert with all these unnatural fucks around. (spot nat 20, 31 total; listen 26) and mellie is snuffling her nose across the floor like a curious baby bear. (spot 26, listen 16) ]

[ofmyword]

[Elijah stays silent as he falls into step behind Delphine, glancing around occasionally but otherwise keeping his eyes locked on the other vampire. (spot 18, listen 28)]

[likedillinger]

[ while elijah and ashley might notice that the place is more than a bit spotless, gus and rose would pick up on the fact that there's nothing that indicates that anyone actually lives here. it looks... kept, but only for appearances.

rose can make out movement both further back within the first floor, meaning that not everyone is gathered upstairs, where they're being herded. she and elijah both catch some voices drifting out from behind the heavy wooden doors of the room that delphine leads them to - they catch snatches of something about "--bringing his companion with him, I do believe" and "--from America, yes."

delphine pushes both doors open, leading into a plush red parlor, that's quite spacious. the room has no windows, and there are six people already gathered here, arranged on the various furnishings: three men and three women. all of them would probably be able to tell that there are two who look more... human than the rest, not the least of which because the young man and woman have open bite marks on their necks, with no attempts to cover them. a woman with bright red lips and old hollywood hair watches them from a seated position, her arm sprawled across the back of the cushions. behind her stands a solemn looking vampire with dark features and an elegantly long nose. across the room, pouring what can only be blood into a crystal glass is a blonde vamp with an incredibly strong jaw and icy blue eyes, and sitting with one leg slung across the other, dressed in a dramatically punk fashion is a pale, dark-haired woman who sports a number of chains and piercings, standing out quite a bit from the rest of them in their classy attire.

they all cease talking when the doors open, scanning the entering group with casual interest or disinterest, as the case may be. delphine gestures airily to the two humans.

"Tell Carmilla they've arrived," she says, and without a word, they slink past the Knights to head out the doors, leaving them there with the five vampires. ]

[littledhampir]

[The presence of feeders isn't lost on Rose but if she happens to have any opinion on their existence? It's unlikely anyone in the room would be able to tell by looking at her. (WS 27)

With her features schooled into a mask of neutral, her gaze moves over the faces of each person assembled. The Dhampir tracking the exit of the humans with an infinitesimal raise of her eyebrow, trying to discern if they're here of their own free will or if somebody has been laying a brain whammy on them. (Spot 32, Wis 21, Sense Motive 28: IDEK what to roll/if it's rollable but there ya go.)]

[bagsthem]

[Ashley moves into the room, not hiding her displeasure at OPEN NECK WOUNDS not quite as well (will save 20), but they're not here to judge if the humans are willing, I guess. One thing at a time.

Her arms cross over her chest as she stays near the doors until she's told to do otherwise. She's not here to do any of the talking, after all.]

[druidisms]

[ hello gael garcia bernal. ]

Bonsoir.

[ what, this silence was getting on his nerves, someone had to say something. ]

[likedillinger]

[ rose wouldn't really think that they've probably been compelled into being here - it's not like they're sporting a particularly dazed look in their eyes or anything.

while most of the vampires don't do more than fix their attention on gus momentarily, the woman with the starlet hairstyle smiles and says: "Knights of the Silver Dragon. It's been some time since I've met one of your kind. Is Wynnefalshond as strapping as ever?" ]

[littledhampir]

[Well that alone would be enough to see Rose relax somewhat. She might not get why somebody would want to be a feeder but if it's anything like what she's seen before? They're getting something out of the deal too.

Her lips flicker in an amused grin, chin lifting so she can focus her attention on the woman who spoke.]

I'd say time's been good to him. [Which is about as close as Rose was going to get to a 'yeah, he's still hot' in any room.]

[druidisms]

You know how it is. He imports French moisturizer.

[likedillinger]

[ she smirks at that, eyes glittering with amusement.

"I imagine he does miss this country. The Knights were stationed here, once upon a time, you know," she muses. ]

[druidisms]

I'm not surprised. Rumor has it he recruited Joan of Arc once upon a time. [ brb making friends with hollywood vampire. ]

[bagsthem]

I don't think that's really what we're here to talk about.

[Ashley crosses her arms over her chest before she glances toward Elijah to get the ball rolling on the conversation they're supposed to be having. As in not discussing who Wynn may or may not have recruited.]

[ofmyword]

[Elijah just kinda glances at the feedbags with disinterest and the squadron of vampires get the same level of respect :')]

No, but as we're still waiting for our esteemed host, there's no harm in it.

[Besides, it's kind of nice to see that vampires loving gossip is apparently universal. He's also gonna keep an ear out for the sound of anybody returning to the room. (listen 34)]

After all, we wouldn't want to be disrespectful.

[Says... the dude who considers himself above every other vampire in the room.]

[likedillinger]

[ "Of course not, darling," Delphine adds breezily, gesturing to the blonde man. "Victor, aren't you going to offer our guest something? Speaking of manners."

Victor takes a sip of his own, studying Elijah for a moment, before he turns back to the table. "I thought that perhaps he had brought his own."

Dean takes a second to process that, before cutting a double-take between him and Elijah, turning to Delphine to add defensively: ] Oh no. I am nobody's freaking Juicy Juice.

[ofmyword]

I'm afraid not, and [Glances at Dean out of the corner of his eye after his little outburst.] you're not my type.

Don't trouble yourselves on my behalf.

[littledhampir]

[Rose bristles at the suggestion that they were there to be Elijah's feeders but at least she manages to keep any response to herself. (WS 27)

Interjecting before Dean can respond.]

We wouldn't want to take up too much of your time anyway. [Her head canting as she considers the Vampires present, as if trying to connect what she'd heard with one of them.]

It sounded like you were expecting somebody else?

1/2

[likedillinger]

[ Delphine shrugs a bit dismissively.

"We didn't call court here only to deal with this. After all, hopefully this won't take long." ]

We can hope.

[bloodqueen]

[ the beginning is the end is the beginning - smashing pumpkins

elijah hears the approaching steps from beyond the door well before they reach it, and the two feeders pull it open, their eyes dropped to the floor as if out of respect for the vampire they are escorting. or a certain degree of fear, from the tightness in both their frames. even the other vampires straighten up, gus' new friend even rising to her feet, although the pierced woman remains seated.

the woman who walks in isn't particularly tall, although her heels give her the perfect impression of being so. she sports long dark hair, nearly black eyes, and full red lips, a tight black dress revealing every inch of her many curves (and with his crit failed will save, dean apologizes for how he's likely staring rn, rose). a large ruby glistens at her throat, and she moves with an ethereal grace that surpasses even the others gathered. what's more, she exudes an unsettling presence and anyone who doesn't make a DC 25 will save will be slightly thrown off by it, taking a –2 penalty on attack rolls, saves, and skill checks for the time as she slowly rakes her gaze across the lot of them.

delphine lowers her own head respectfully to announce in a much less glib tone: "The Carmilla."

carmilla steps within and stands in front of the other vampires as she surveys the knights before addressing them, even her voice commanding, dark smoke and glass. ]

It's been some time since the Knights have sought a direct audience with our kind. I admit to being curious, and for that, you've earned as much, but I would advise you to make wise use of the moments I've agreed to spare you.

[littledhampir]

[At least if Rose has any desire to send an elbow between Dean's ribs, she's able to resist, as well as remain unaffected by the presence of the Vampire Queen. (Will Save 27.)

Rose instead tracks her graceful movements as she sweeps into the room, her gaze shifting from Carmila to the the pierced woman, lingering there a moment before refocusing on the newest arrival while she waits for Elijah to get the ball rolling.]

[bagsthem]

[Ashley, meanwhile, is unnerved af (will save 8), and gives the vampire a wide berth as she comes through the door, staying rooted in place as her eyes cautiously watch her move through the room.

Nope.jpg, basically.]

[druidisms]

[ gus seems utterly uninfluenced by the woman's presence (will save 37), though his eyebrow arches slightly, almost like he's impressed by her apparent youth. get it, girl. mellie cowers behind him, nosing at his legs with a faint whine (will save 21) until his hand brushes over her fluffy head. ]

[ofmyword]

[Elijah is just barely able to remain unaffected (will save 26), which will probably have some hella confused later because he's an original wtf. That being said, it's hardly his first rodeo with another powerful vampire sooo.

He meets Carmilla's gaze, a smile on his face and relaxes his posture. No point dancing around the issue so let's jump right in.]

Several members of our order were attacked in Paris last year. Given the code you've all agreed to live by, I don't think I need to explain how this could affect each and every one of you. You have answers, we don't want to waste anybody's time, I'm sure we can come to a mutually beneficial agreement.

[Because expecting answers for free is the worst idea ever. (diplomacy 31)]