Turn Of Events

Meanwhile, Blaine sat in a comfy loveseat in his sitting room, a deep scowl on his face drinking blood from a wine glass. Why he had to do this, he had no idea. He didn't much like the thought of turning another incubi either. He'd only tried to give Novus his own blood in hopes that it might save him. He turned Novus out of love and fear of his passing. Now he was being played like a pawn and he rather hated it.

Akuji stayed in the bedroom Blaine had given him to stay in, avoiding the vampire on purpose. He would've just shadow-phased away a long time ago, but the Prince had placed a mental leash on him, which prevented Akuji from shadowphasing. So, Akuji approached the window in his room and pulled back the curtains. Boarded shut...! But, there was a latch...Akuji managed to unlatch the heavy boarding and pull it aside. Now to get the window itself open, and he would be free, and away from this place.

Blaine, using his keen vampire senses to stay on the Prince's good side, heard the latch open. He was up the stairs in a flash. He flung the door open and glared at Akuji. "Yeah, smart move. You do that and my little one takes the blame for it. I'm a kind master when it comes right down to it. I won't hurt you. I don't understand why you want to leave so badly." Blaine inhaled and immediately sensed another, much older vampire on his property. He growled at the floor. "So many damn interruptions this night..." He looked up at Akuji and sighed, trying his hardest to relax around him. "Come downstairs. Please. Anything you wish to eat or drink it's yours. Just, please, come downstairs with me. I could really use the company right about now." It was true. Right now, he just wanted another prescence near him. He keenly missed Novus and he wanted him back. Sitting downstairs had been hard enough.

Akuji jumped, Blaine's sudden entrance startling him. His night senses were quite aware, but could not match the stealth of an older vampire. He went downstairs as he was told, and helped himself to some wine out of the icebox. Anything he wanted, hm...well he could use a full glass of this stuff....
Akuji was stressed as well, not quite as much as Blaine, but...he wanted to go home.

Blaine was restless. He paced the room, lost in thought. He stopped suddenly, his face turned towards the door. "Akuji...." He turned to look at him, "Do you feel anything? Something old.... Powerful?" He wanted to see if he could feel this vampire. Blaine had his worst suspicions as to who it might be. He only prayed to whatever entity was out there, watching over him, that it wasn't who he thought it was.
Outside of the Prince's House, a woman waited. She was short, about 4'9", and well-endowed by something out there. Her large breasts struggled to break free of the corset she was wearing and her rump was just barely hidden by the many ruffles of the English gown. Granted, it was black, and black was slimming, but her figure was just too perfect to miss. She wore a black lace veil around her face, concealing her pale-even-for-a-vampire face and her almond shaped, olive green eyes. Her hair, which was black streaked with blood red, was done up so all the black was pulled back into a fancy up-do that left a few ringlets falling out of it and left all the red to hang down her face and back in rings. She was ageless. Timeless. This was Alexis Diret, first vampire known to any civilization. Not only that, she had been the previous Princess of the vampires. She stepped down to Aydrien, letting him have his fun, and now... She sensed trouble brewing. She stepped out of the shadows and into light cast by oil lamps. ~Aydrien... Something is happening. I know what. I wish to hear it from you.~ With that, she simply walked into his house as if it were her own, her heeled feet making no noise upon the floor, her gown making the tiniest of rustles.

"Yes..."Akuji responded, his amber eyes scanning nothing in particular. He felt two particularly strong forces in the area, besides the Prince. It made him very, very nervous...oh how he wanted to return home. He turned to the nearest wall and literally dissappeared into a shadow cast by a tall chair. He was still in the room, but hiding.
Aydrien hissed quietly through gritted teeth. Demonic, and now Her? Aydrien was instantly very stressed-out, but did well in hiding it. He didn't want to be approached by her, but running would definitely not solve anything. So, he remained where he was, silently hushing a nervous Laepheus who still prowled the outside shadows.

De knocked on the door, which was immediately answered by Blaine. De whispered something, knowing Akuji was in the room somewhere. Blaine called out to him. "Akuji, Demonic and I need to speak in private. Please, don't leave. I'll make sure you are not harmed here." With that, he and De walked off into a separate room where De took his time in relaying the night's events and how Novus was in trouble.

Alexis made her way to Aydrien, the doors flying open silently to admit her. She obviously didn't open them as since her arms were still by her sides. She lifted her veil, showing her flawless pale skin which did little to conceal the veins running to the corners of her mouth, over her jawline, through her temples and over her forehead. "Aydrien... I demand you tell me everything." Her mere prescence dared Aydrien to deny her.

Aydrien tried his best not to cower before Alexis's intimidating presence. He remained sitting up straight, as royalty should. "I plan to train Novus properly, yes, but I also plan to use him as a channel for a second outlet for my power," the Prince confided, not daring to speak any lies to this entity. "He is a wonderful conductor for my power. With his help, I plan to defeat the Prince of eastern Europe and take his territory for myself."

Alexis laughed at this notion. "Oh yes, by all means you can try, Aydrien. But as to how far you'll get is a different story entirely. I cannot and will not let you do this to Novus. He's far too young and completely incapable of fighting you off from this. It is our creed, as honorable vampires, to never feed on those that have no chance of fighting back. We do not harm innocents, nor do we use those of a lesser power to further our own powers. You are a Prince, Aydrien. A Prince! Show some respect for your kind." She looked at him with disgust.

Aydrien scowled slightly at the point Alexis had made. There was no point in arguing with her...if she wanted this to end, it would. End of story. "...Your wish is my command...." he said simply, even though he inwardly grit his teeth.

Alexis smiled. "Good. You should know better Aydrien. You're already the ruler of a powerful land. Why try to spread out to a place far away so you have more trouble controlling both lands? It makes no sense. That's why I only rule over Africa." Her accent was indeed Egyptian based. Technically, she was Macedonian, but she preferred living in Africa, much like Cleopatra did. "I'm glad we had this talk. Now... you must excuse me, I have to attend to the young one. He needs to know that he is safe. I will remain in the area, just to make sure you won't change your plans." She left without another word.
When she arrived outside of Novus's door, she knocked, for once, and waited calmly. She even bore a small smile.

Because Aydrien craved power, that's why. It was like a drug to him. Now that his plans seem ruined, he stalked off to his bedroom and happened to glance into the mirror. His mother's eyes...that's what his eyes reminded him of...the shape of them, not the color. And Alexis sounded an aweful lot like his mother, his mother...which he had killed so long ago, along with his father. It had been an accident, but at the same time, it wasn't.
Novus quickly pulled his hand from a shadow on the wall as he felt that very, very powerful presence approaching. He had just been admiring a painting on the wall....when his hand had suddenly passed through the shadow. Fascinated, he had wanted to explore this more, but was cut short as Alexis knocked.
"Come in..." he said, mustering some courage into his voice, but it wasn't enough to really hide anything.

Alexis smiled a little more before entering. "Oh, my dear... Practising shadow phasing already?" She had apparently felt this small display of power and felt compelled to ask, even if he didn't know what it was already. Alexis had a small ability to do the same, although she didn't need shadows to disappear completely.

"What...?" Novus inquired, then blinked. "Oh...is that what that is...? It kind of scared me at first..."the young one admitted, sitting down upon the bed. His startling ice-blue eyes studied Alexis with intense curiousity. He didn't even realize that he might have been rude.

Alexis smiled and even giggled a little. She wasn't offended in the slightest. "It's nothing to be afraid of. In time, you'll be able to do that without a second thought, only you will be able to make your whole body melt into a shadow." She sat a few feet away in an armchair, holding herself regally. "Now... I'm sure you have probably never heard of me. I am Alexis Diret. The first, original vampire and Queen in Africa. I came here because I felt that Aydrien, your Prince, may have been trying to go against our ways. Something I'm sure he'll never teach you are our laws. We never, ever feed from the innocent or those totally incapable of fighting back. Neither do we use others to amplify our own power, especially those that are nearly incapable of fighting back. What Aydrien was about to use you for would have been treason and I do not have the time to try to find a new Prince for this area." She was completely honest. She truly didn't have the time, nor the will, to search for a new ruler in these parts.

"Nice to meet you," Novus told the other, very sincerely. "..so, are you going to take me away from this place? Can I go back to Blaine...?" Novus inquired, leaning forward as if he couldn't wait another second for the answer.
After a few more minutes Akuji peeked out from a shadow in the floor. Feeling safe to come out, he lightly rose up and out of the shadow, then landed solidly on his feet.

Alexis smiled at him. She tilted her head as if she were considering the options. "I think that it's best for you to stay here. For one week. After that, I'll make sure to it that you are returned to Blaine, safe and sound. If your lessons are still not accomplished by then, my consort, Mardian, will be your tutor. He too is a Diabolizer, and a much more... feeling one than Aydrien. For the time being, however, I will remain in the area, to make sure that Aydrien doesn't try to run off with you or that he doesn't try to use you against your will. If you should ever feel uncomfortable, all you have to do is reach out to me. Even if you can't feel a complete connection, I will still be able to get to you."

Demonic, having explained all he could exited, Blaine following him for a ways, stopping about halfway to the door. His hands were deep in his pocketed pants. He looked like he was lost in thought and that each passing thought only made him angrier.

Novus nodded, already feeling much better about his situation. But he still looked a little concerned. "But why can't I just go home now...? I really don't want to be here any more..." he pointed out, then looked downwards at the bedspread. They hadn't been seperated for long, but Novus already missed Blaine terribly. So terribly that strangely, it made him hungry.

Alexis laughed lightly again. "I understand, Novus. Believe me, I would rather be with Mardian, and Mardian with me. It's a common bond seen with sires and sirelings." She paused to consider the options. ".... Well.... I honestly see more logic in your leaving now than I did before. Mardian would be more gentle with you now than Aydrien would be... But Aydrien would be very displeased with your departure..." She studied Novus for a long moment before continuing. "If you truly wish to leave tonight, I have to be able to protect you from Aydrien. For a time, and if you decide to stay, I would like for you and Blaine to come back with me to my lands in Africa."

Novus nodded. Yeah, the Prince would probably be very displeased indeed. Well...wasn't there something about the Prince wanting Blaine to Turn that black-haired incubus for him?? Maybe once Blaine did that, Aydrien wouldn't care so much about losing Novus. But Novus also didn't want Akuji to end up in his place. "What about that foreign incubus...?? Won't he soon end up here, trapped, like me?" Novus asked, looking a little concerned. As for the idea of living in Africa...Novus could barely imagine what that would be like. He really enjoyed the idea.

Alexis had a grim face for a split second. "That one hasn't been Turned yet. Come. We may have some time yet." With that she rose. Suddenly, she knew that she would look up to Novus when he stood. A thought she didn't really want to entertain, but she did anyways. Once she took her heeled shoes off, she would definitely look up to him, standing at 4'9" normally. "Reach out to him, Novus. See if you can break through to him. No doubt he has learned of Aydrien's intentions and he would be rather ... unsettled right now. See if you can calm him"
Blaine began to shake slightly as anger bubbled within him. The shaking grew in strength to the point where he finally had to sit to avoid falling. His hands shook as he held his face, bent over trying his hardest to calm himself. "Akuji... You have no idea why the Prince wants you turned so badly do you?"

Novus nodded, hopping from the bed onto the floor. Standing at 5'5", he was a bit taller than Alexis. He reached out in the general direction of Blaine's mansion, trying to contact Akuji and let him know everything would be okay. He managed to do this, calming the other a bit.
Akuji blinked, and shook his head. "...yes..why does he want me Turned so badly?? Please, I must know..." Akuji asked, his thick accent making his words a little difficult to understand. Then he tilted his head, as if listening to something.

Alexis smiled and nodded. She led him out, hooking her arm around his. Should they meet Aydrien, he would be dealt with.
Blaine lifted his head suddenly and slowly stood. This was too good to be true. ~Novus?~ "Akuji... He wants you Turned to further his power... I won't do it now, unless you want to be Turned."

They did not run into the Prince, because he had retired to his room. He knew they were leaving, oh yes...but knew he couldn't do anything to stop Alexis. He sulked in his room, beginning to miss Demonic terribly.
Akuji shook his head, almost frantically. No, he didn't want that. Didn't want it. He was about two hundred years old...and would live for quite a while yet. He didn't want something like being Turned screwing up his life. "No...I just, want to go home..." he told Blaine as best he could.

Alexis, smiling, led Novus out of the House, where she drew the veil back over her features. She looked up at Novus and explained, "My veins stick out too much and I don't wish to draw anymore attention to us tonight."
Blaine nodded. "I want someone to come and get you before you leave though. I don't want to have your demise weighing on my mind." Blaine sighed, obviously more relaxed. De had said something about heading back to the Prince. Maybe he could reason with him.

"Yeah," Novus agreed. "I did notice...but, you're still very beautiful..." he told Alexis, blushing terribly. He wasn't flirting, he meant the utmost respect.
"...Well thank you, but really...You don't want me to stay for too long," Akuji informed Blaine, glancing at the floor. His black hair was down, loose around his shoulders, and partly obscuring his slender, exotic face.

Alexis blushed slightly visibly underneath her veil. "Thank you, Novus." Blaine's mansion rose into view. "Ah look... We're almost there."
Blaine walked over to Akuji. He gently cupped his face. "I would like for you to stay here until I know I can get you back to your home safely. It's not a problem for me. I swear." Blaine was true to his kind and the vampire ways. He wouldn't just abandon Akuji to the wolves, so to speak.

Novus didn't even realize he was walking a bit faster. He was eager to get back, return to Blaine...have Blaine's protective arms wrapped around him.
Akuji nodded, looking into Blaine's eyes. For a split second his own eyes seemed to appear to be just like Novus's...but then, they were back to normal. Akuji didn't seem to realize at all that this happened.

Alexis kept up Novus's pace, lengthening her strides and quickening her steps. She wanted Novus back with Blaine as badly as Novus wanted to get back to Blaine himself.
Blaine didn't miss this and it made him draw away, staring at Akuji's eyes in awe. Suddenly, he felt Novus's prescence. He tore his attention away from Akuji. "Stay here, please. I'll be right back." He turned and ran for the door, flinging it open and running out into the night. The wind carried Novus's scent to him and he hurtled down the hillside, running to his love.

Novus gently but hastily pulled his arm away from Alexis's, and ran as fast as his legs could carry him. Right into Blaine's arms he flew, burrying his face in his chest. He said no words, but his psychic touches all embraced Blaine as well.

Blaine took him in his arms and spun him around. He buried his face in his little one's hair. "God Novus.... Oh god how I've missed you...."
Alexis smiled at the display. A tall, red haired man walked up behind Alexis and wrapped his arm around her waist. He was thinner than most would have liked, yet he was slightly muscled. He skin was a deep tan, yet was a tad pale as if he hadn't feated in a while. Quite the contrary though, he had feasted quite recently, it was just taking a bit for his color to come back to him. He spoke, "Is that him, dear?" Alexis nodded. "Yes indeed. That is the little Novus, my Mardian. You'll need to train him please." Mardian nodded.

"I never want to leave you again!" Novus cried, his more childish side taking over as black tears flowed down his cheeks. He hastily wiped them away on his sleeve, but kept his gaze locked on Blaine's, his blue eyes almost swallowing Blaine down.
Akuji trotted to the window to watch the reunion. He slouched on the window seat, now feeling more alone than ever. He missed his girlfriend that he had accidentally eaten...and he missed his home in the far east. He was tiring of Europe, he had been there for almost 40 years now.

Blaine, holding Novus tightly, stared back with firey blue eyes of his own. He had his own tears of joy streaming down his face. He swooped down and planted a hard kiss on Novus's lips.
Taking her cue, Alexis formed an "OK!" face and led Mardian up to Blaine's mansion. Once inside, she looked over at Akuji. "Oh, dear... Your heart longs for many things doesn't it?" she asked Akuji gently.

Novus squeezed his eyes shut as he returned Blaine's kisses eagerly, passionately...his fingers gripping onto Blaine's clothing hard. ~Never let me go...~
Akuji blinked, and the hair on the back of his neck raised a little as the newcomers' immense power made him nervous. "No..." he replied, "not that many things."

Blaine kissed Novus back just as passionately. ~I won't my little one... I will never let you go...~ His grip tightened on Novus, nearly crushing him against his chest.
Alexis just smiled knowingly. "You are free to leave, my dear. There is no longer a threat against you."

Novus smiled broadly. It was a true smile, and could've been bright as the crescent moon itself. And as much as he didn't want this moment to end, it had to. He was starving. "Blaine...I'm really hungry," he confided, kissing his chin.
Akuji blinked again, looking slightly excited but confused at the same time. "But...Blaine told me to stay..."

Blaine nodded and, not removing his arm from around Novus's waist, he led him back up to the house. "We'll get you something to eat soon, love. Let's just... get you into some better clothes first."
Alexis nodded. "Ok then, we'll wait on Blaine to get back. I'll let him decide." She continued to smile. Mardian, not able to resist that smile, leaned down and pecked a kiss on her cheek before moving to sit on the couch.
Demonic, using his stealth, silently made his way back to Aydrien's room. He went unnoticed by a few guards and even made his way into Aydrien's room without a glitch. It was there, in the shadows, where he stood and waiting, wondering if Aydrien would be able to sense him.

Novus glanced down at himself, having totally forgotten all the crying he had done since getting dressed earlier. "Oh...yes..." he agreed, a little appaled at the huge black stains on his shirt.
Akuji nodded, then kept to himself in his little corner of the window seat. Even though the two seemed friendly enough, he still didn't feel that comfortable being in the same room as them.
By this time Aydrien had finished studying his reflection, and was now reclined on his bed, writing on a smallish pad of stationary. Writing to no one in particular...all he was doing was giving himself something to concentrate on so he didn't go completely ballistic on the nearest living things.

Blaine led Novus into the house where green eyes questioned him. "Akuji is no longer threatened, Blaine," Alexis said. "He's safe to go now." Blaine nodded in return. "Yes... Of course. Akuji... you'll keep in touch from time to time, won't you?" He would miss this one. He wasn't sure why exactly, but he would.
Demonic just remained where he was. He let his stealth down a little bit, again to see if Aydrien would notice him.

Akuji rose from the window seat, looking quite grateful to no longer be kept by anyone. "Thank you..." he told Blaine, offering him a smile. "If you ever stop by Japan, please contact me..." Akuji said, then nodded. Yes...he would spend the time to stop by later...someday. With that, he stepped through a deep shadow on the wall and was gone.

~~~~~
Alexis Diret (pronounced Dear-a) and Mardian belong to me.