Into the Dawn (Closed)

[LOVE DOG]

[OOC: The following story deals with some [Mature] actions. You have been warned.]

Nearly two weeks were up, the state visit was nearing the time. The dawn was coming, the wave was coming, the monster was on his way. And on his way in true Count style, over the top is many ways. Having just arrived on ‘The Flying Monkey’, the only privately owed and operated Panzer Giant AAC, two days ago, the Count relaxed playing a card game with a few others. All of the right papers were signed, declaring the eighteen nation would support the Crown Prince Khaldun, if something happened to the Caesar on this visit.

As he played, ‘The Flying Monkey’ flew high above a fleet, flying the Dominion flag. The brown headed wolf, swords at it’s back, flew proudly in the wind. The fleet was part the massive fleet known as the Black Dragon, the Fleet of King Jedah, was lead by Fleet Admiral Silas Von Doom. Mostly anti-air naval ships protecting the flagship, UDN The Bloody Wolf of Atlantis, a Negaphoenix class battleship, and the Bismarck II class battleships and the carriers of the fleet. Maybe fifty ships sail today, a small number when the four fleets of the Black Dragon fleet came together.

A lone Rai Runner cargo airship flew to the right of ‘The Flying Monkey’, it’s size almost matching the Panzer Giant AAC. Two of the newest deigns of the airships that have come out of Timber Wolf Incorporated in the last ten years, both flew with great pride. The cargo bays of the Rai Runner full of gifts, unknown to the cargo bay workers as they make sure the crates and boxes were tightly secured.

‘The Flying Monkey’ bore on her deck and front the symbol of the Black Wolves, the sides of the bridge bore the flag of the Royal House of Wolf. Her weapons bays shut, hiding the 155mm cannons from view, loaded with Sabot rounds if the time for combat ever came.

In the Count‘s actions, he was showing off to this so-called Empress of All Vampires. A title that he only laughed at when he thought of it. Almost as bad as the title as the King of Kings of the Vampire Races somebody labeled him.

As the two airships and the fleet neared the Empire of the Dawn, the Veil was slowing coming into view. The strange magical thing that blocked out the sun, allowing the vampires to take over. Allowing the vampires to forget what the Sun was, a major threat to them all. Even one of the Count’s pet project, label Project ‘Daywalker’, wasn’t even getting close to find the cure for a vampire’s weakness to the Sun.

The bridge radioed down to the Count’s private camber, reporting that the nation was coming up. The Veil was in view, which was soon on the flatscreen in his room, using the camera on the front of the airship. He smiled, “Very well, radio ahead to the Empire’s naval vessels in their waters. Tell them the Count is coming.” said the Count through his comm. “Ask them, if the Flying Monkey is allowed to travel over their lands. Along with the Rai Runner.”

The Count paused before adding “Send a message to Silas, he and his guest should be with us, too.” With all the message being send out, the Count waited, smoking his cigar as he played poker.

[Aligeretha]

OOC: Sorry but I'm going to speed this up a bit.

IC: The Central Command of the Port City of Pelnor relayed the request from the Flying Monkey up the chain of command and received their orders within minutes. Both the Flying Monkey and the Rai Runner were allowed in, it was clear to the smarter military adjuncts that this had been anticipated.

The Rai Runner was expected to land either on the Flying Monkey (if it was appropriate) or it could land in one of the cities airports. The Flying Monkey would of course dock in the prepared space in the largest harbor of Pelnor.

Once all the luggage and other odds and ends and the Count and his entourage was formally greeted by the Empress's chosen representative (a female Royal Vampire named Diao), the Count and his chosen entourage and guards were taken by private limousines and a decent sized military escort straight to the city of Ephemerii.

Since the major highway from Pelnor to Ephemerii had been shut down in anticipation, the normally eight hour drive only took two hours.

The glorious capital of the Eternal Empire of Aligeretha was put on full display for the Count to see. The luscious glass and steel buildings shined in the strange filtered red light of the Sun. Safe light for all vampire kind, the city was built on the concept of a wheel, everything lead to the center of the city. A massive three thousand foot tower made of glass, metal, and black onyx.

The Blood Tower, the home of the Empress and the center of the Imperial Government.

As the limos zipped by on the prepared silent road, Diao explained some of the wonders of the city, the monuments, the art, the nightlife, the world class restaurants that served everything from food to real live humans right at the table. "Of course if that is not your taste, there is the new artificial blood." the ethnic Chinese Royal Vampire added as an afterthought.

The limos soon pulled up to the main entrance, the polished black marble steps that lead up to the glorious bloodstone doors. Diao then personally led the Count and his entourage to the entrance and then towards the proper hoverlift. "It's replacing the elevator all across the Empire." Diao explained as the floating platforms zipped them up from the ground floor to one of the highest ones, the formal Imperial Audience Chamber of the Empress.

The Chamber was decorated with elaborate paintings and sculptures depicting the official history of the Empire, it's wars, it's triumphs, it's most glorious achievements. In the center of the black marble floor was a massive fountain covered with statues that shot real streams of human blood high in the air, simply for the sake of it's beauty.

The vastly appointed chamber was filled with people, important Royal Vampires, Noble Vampires, a handful of regular Vampires, the Lord and Lady of Marmálos, the Fae Prince, the Chiefs of the Werewolf and Shifter Tribes. Then there were the Variants, a wide ray of beings, mostly human but all of them having some important gift or skill that earned them the right to live as full Citizens of the Empire.

But focal point of all it was the raised platform and dais in front of the massive glass windows that overlooked the city. The platform and dais were made out patterns of alternating black and red marble, the thrones of the Empress and her Imperial Consort were made out of black onyx and decorated with rubys and carvings of dragons.

The thrones were empty for a few moments before the shadows of the chamber seemed to come alive and swirl and twist until they reached the twin thrones.

Two figures took shape; on the smaller throne was a man, a Nordic god with long blond hair, piercing bright blue eyes, and a beauty that would put Goddesses of love to shame. His name was Dagon and he was the Imperial Consort of the Empress, a man who had moved from slavery straight to the heart (and bed) of the Empress in a matter of months. Dagon was barely a few months into his new undead life and his still undefined role in the Imperial Court.

The woman was a talk woman with solid black orbs for eyes, her long jet black hair flowed behind her like a waterfall, her pale skin shined like the brightest star, and she wore black silk robes that glittered with crushed diamonds at the hems. This was Ephemera, the Empress of All Vampires, she tapped her long blue painted fingernails on the arm of her throne in a pleasant pattern for a moment.

Then she spoke in a voice that was as glorious as the moon, "I give greetings to the ruler of the United Dominion, welcome to my realm. The Eternal Empire of the Dawn." the eyes of the ancient Empress seemed to sparkle in the twisted red light of the room as she finished her greeting.

The Empress then asked, "Do you need rest or perhaps something to drink before we begin?"

[LOVE DOG]

[OOC: Rats, I didn‘t even have time to get the Count dressed. ]

Before he left his camber, he made sure everything was in order. His black dress pants were still clean, holsters for his pistols. He smiled, bared crested in front of his wardrobe, the Imperial Dragons waited to be placed in their home. Burning Fox pistols, custom modified for the Count himself, the symbol of the Royal House of Wolf on the grip on each pistols, dragons on each side of the pistols slide. One of a kind modified pistols, costing three times the amount of a regular Burning Fox pistols. Placing them in one by one, making sure they were locked on place. Quickly put on a skin tight black t-shirt, the Count wrapped something on his left wrist, larger enough to hold a small dagger. A dagger soon was placed there, a dagger form his past, an SS officer dagger of Nazi Germany.

He then place on another holder, for Blue Angel, which would allow the katana to hang upside down. A weird way for the sword to be, but it isn’t the first time that the Count has wore it like that. The blade would be hidden underneath his coat, which he placed on next. The coat, a long white coat, had at the bottom of it were black and gray ghost flames, it’s sleeves almost covering the hands. The symbol of the House of Wolf, the dark blood red wolf image, on his right arm.

He sat down to put on a pair of white and gray snakeskin cowboy boot, sliver spurs on each boot, on his feet. As he sat, he ran a finger over the spurs, the silver biting his skin. An evil smile across his lips.

Standing up, the Count heads for the door, grabbing a pure white cowboy hat as he left. Placing it on, the Count was ready for his meeting with the Empress.

-----------------

Following the trip from his Panzer Giant via an Omega Light Drop, the Count and his party, which include the demon Dark Father Kurt, the meta-humans Trevor and Reaper, the High Elf Princess and Fleet Admiral Silas Von Doom, along with two soldiers of the WW Legion, boarded the waiting vehicles. The Rai Runner, staying in the air above them, not landing until they were order to do by the Count himself.

The Count only listened during the trip to the Blood Tower. A funny name for the Empress of All Vampires, he thought, She must be fun and boring person to be around.

The Count and his entourage finally made it to the Chamber, the fresh human blood heighten his senses. He scanned those within the room, mostly the vampires in the room, figure out what type of power ran through their veins.

Then she arrived, the Count’s eyes watched her lover appear before she did. As he took in her face, he smiled and a memory flash through his brain. He knew her from long ago, he smiled a wicked smile. Saying a word under his breath, maybe low enough for a vampire of her power to hear him. Caligula. He was there, a loyal Roman Legionnaire, a personal guard of Caligula.

“Thanks for the welcome, Empress Ephemera.” said the Count, the Dominionites quiet, only watching their lord. He moved a few steps closer, still watching Ephemera. “Rest, no. We have had enough of that.” He moved, leaving his entourage behind, moving at speeds that maybe Ephemera could track, stopping within the front of her throne.

“Ephemera, tell me something.” he said, a few feet in front of her. His hat hiding his eyes, the shadows darken his face. His voice lowered to whisper. “It’s been a long time, but your eyes are the same. You’re like me, but you are not like me.” he said, pausing his eyes widen as the smell of her blood reached his nose. “My child,” he said, a smile on his lips. “the rumor about you are true, you’re almost my equal. Can you do something for me?” he asked.

“Tell me something, do those others like yourself survive to this day?” With that question, the Count’s reasons of being here wasn’t for a simple state visit. Whatever it was, the Count was going to have fun with it. One thing for sure was that the Count was testing her for some unknown reason.

[Aligeretha]

When the Count whispered the word, "Caligula.", Ephemera took in his scent and she recalled something quite stunning, "So I wasn't the only immortal manipulating that lovely boy." Even now after all this time she still thought well of that deranged lunatic.

When the Count ran up towards the throne, the only person who could follow it was Ephemera, even the most powerful and ancient Royal Vampires couldn't see anything beyond him being in one space and then another without any movement in between.

Something only the Empress had been known to be capable of, until now.

The various Imperial Guards didn't even have time to react and couldn't once the Empress formed a small hand sign that told them to hold their fire.

The only person who had a prayer of going toe to toe with this being and winning was the Empress.

Then he asked a question that no one had ever dared to ask her, he asked her about the whereabouts of the others. The Thirteen.

Instead of speaking out loud, Ephemera smiled slightly as she used telepathy instead.

"Those you speak of, the Thirteen I have learned recently that they are all alive. Their messenger, my brother, told me that they plan to see me soon.

Then she showed him a mental image of her brother Bishop, a small child with straight jet black hair and eyes just like Ephemera's.

"That's not his original name by the way." the Empress spoke aloud for the first time, stunning the various courtiers who could sense what was going on but knew better than to dare to snoop.

The Empress then turned her head slightly to gaze upon Dagon, who had spent the entire time staring at the Count, his hands clasped tightly in his lap as if to keep from strangling him to death.

"Caesar this is my Imperial Consort Dagon, Dagon this is the ruler of the United Dominion." Ephemera said formally introducing the two.

[LOVE DOG]

“Ah…Dagon, a young one from what I see.” said the Count with a smile. “Nice to meet you.” His eyes matched Dagon for a few second, a hidden flame showed for only a second. His smile grew larger, watching the vampire’s actions.

What does he think he is? His lover could fight me, but him. That’s joke even with his lover’s blood flowing within him. He thought to himself.

Walking back towards where his entourage were standing, he spun around to face the Empress once again. “I and Kurt would like to have a talk with you in private later, away from your Imperial Court. A talk between three ancients on a number of things.” he said, a smile on his lips. His eyes turned towards the direction of the Lord and Lady of Marmálos, and the Fae Prince. “Dame Phoebe Black would like to visit Marmálos, if she is allowed to.” he said, addressing them and not the Empress on this matter.

Phoebe, wearing a dark green leather dress, only smiled at the other elves. Silas, in his United Dominion Naval uniform, held her hand as he watched the Empress.

“Now,” the Count started again, turning back towards Ephemera. “I bet you’re wondering about a few things that your men report about their time in my nation. Yes, my own young son is a hybrid of a vampire and a werewolf.” He paused, allowing time for that news to move around through the Imperial Court. “And if Drake was good enough, he would have also told you about what my new bride carries in her womb. A hybrid of a vampire and a demon. Unknown what these two could do.”

As the Count finished, Kurt, dress head to toe in a black suit, eased to his side. Moving as closest as he could, the Ageless One whispers something to the Count in tough that maybe none of the people in this room, be they Dominionites or from the Empire of the Dawn, would know. An ancient demonic language that was last known four thousand years ago.

The Count smiled, watching Kurt place a small round disk the size of a dinner plate on the floor. The disk black and gray in color. “It’s not a bomb.” stated the Count. “It’s the newest product of TWI, the holoX.” Kurt pushed a button, which turned red. Within a few second, the holoX was coming to live. Displaying a light blue image of an APC, only half of the size of the real APC, a Master Hound APC. “As a gift for me to you, twenty-four of Master Hound APC waited to be offload from the Rai Runner. Along with two black 2010 model BMW M5, G-Power Hurricane M5 editions .” The holoX changing to the image of the car. “Along with few other things.” he said, pausing as the holoX was turned off.

[Aligeretha]

Ephemera smiled as the holographic device showed her the images of the various gifts that the Count had brought her. "How lovely." she said once the device was switched off. Her hand seemed to flutter for a moment, then one of the many mindless servants of the Blood Tower came forward carrying a black box covered with a white ribbon.

"This isn't a bomb either." Ephemera said without irony once the servants made the climb up the dais stairs seem effortless.

The servant then set the box down in front of the Count and then removed the ribbon and the top of the box to reveal two rather strange objects.

One was a small plastic container that looked like a bottle of high end skin cream, the other was a holographic disk similar to the one that Count had used but less advanced.

"The bottle contains a chemical enzyme that, when placed on the skin will allow any vampire to move about in sunlight for three days." The Empress explained.

"The mini holovision contains all the information you would need to create a Veil for your own nation, if you wish." Dagon finished explaining for her as she waved a servant over for a goblet of fresh blood.

[LOVE DOG]

The Count cocked his head back at Kurt following what was said by Dagon. The United Dominion could have a Veil of her own. It sounded to good to be true. Kurt walked over to the gift and study them, placing the vampiric sun block bottle in his coat’s pocket before picking up the mini holovision.

“You know how to make a vampire happy.” started the Count, staring at the Empress before taking the goblet of fresh blood. from the servant. He smelled the fresh liquid, his eye widening as the smell enter his nose. “But I am shocked that you would just hand over something like the Veil without anything in return.” He paused, smelling the blood again, using his nose to see if any sliver was in the goblet. The Count wasn’t just a vampire, he was meta-human also. He knew the smell of sliver, along with a number of other metals.

[Aligeretha]

The Empress paused with a radiant smile as the Count sniffed the blood, as if he was afraid of poison. "Well I'm not handing it over for nothing..." She paused as she gave him time to enjoy the flavor of his little drink, "But we can discuss that in private."

The various members of the Imperial Court were balancing their attention spans on the conversation between the two ancient vampires and their own quiet discussions. One of the more interesting Variants in attendance, a chestnut colored Centaur by the name of Atheos Elcar seemed to be getting into a disagreement with Diao.

At the same moment the Lord and Lady of Marmálos were having a quiet conversation with Phoebe, "You should first see the capital of our realm, the city of Fëacaras." Silmarlia, the Lady of Marmálos explained. "Like all of our cities it is built in the trees, unlike the other elven cities of our realm, the Fae of Fëacaras have used their unique gifts to warp the fabric of reality to create pocket universes in the city to give us more room to expand without damaging the forest."

[LOVE DOG]

“Yes, it will be better to discuss those matters in private between you, me and Kurt.” said the Count, making sure to declare that he want to have the talks with the Empress and by herself and not with her pet lover watching what when down. His eyes scanned the court, stopping on something that he heard exist during his time in ancient Greece. “A Centaur, huh?” he said out loud, surprise that he didn’t see the being before. Looking back up at Ephemera, he asked ’What races are part of your empire? More about this people know as Variants.”

Phoebe smiled at the foreign elves in a friendly matter, listening them talk about their realm. “Sounds lovely. Your cities sounds like those the wood elves of the United Dominion have. Better then the underground cities of the dark elves.” she said. “I have heard rumors that your realm is the other place where the tree are alive, their leaves still green. It this true?”

[Aligeretha]

The Empress smiled and said as the Centaur and Diao broke off their dispute, "His name is Atheos Elcar," the Chinese Royal Vampire moved into the background as she gave him one last dirty look that promised that it wasn't over.

The Empress continued to explain, "His people once dwelt in the forests of Lyros, a place now under my dominion, when the Veil was unleashed and the Empire was consolidated the forests withered and the surviving humans wiped out all but three of their tribes."

Atheos bowed his head in sorrow and shame at what had been done to his people as his sovereign explained his people's history.

"Those tribes sought my protection and I granted to them, now the Centaur live in the Empire as Citizens, they have created artificial domes in which new forests grow in false sunlight to better enjoy the natural world. In order to help their numbers grow the Imperial Government has been assisting them with their breeding programs to help increase their numbers."

The Centaur then looked back up upon Her Imperial Majesty and then his deep harsh voice rang out through the Audience Chamber, "With the help of the Empress my people have found a new path to honor and glory. With her help we gained a measure of revenge upon those who tried to exterminate us." Then Atheos formed a cruel smile on his face that made him seem even less human than before, "And with her help we will destroy all those who would seek our extinction."

Ephemera smiled at this sign of unasked for loyalty and replied with a voice dripping with pride, "Yes and with the mighty Centaur and all the races of the Empire at my side we shall create a paradise where magic will be free from fear of the ordinary."

The resounding cheer from the entire Imperial Court at these words made the ancient being on the throne seem even more radiant than she had before.

"Gods above I love her." Dagon thought to himself as his eyes drank in nothing but Ephemera's beauty.

"Usual standard line, perhaps a bit showy but Caesar must see that I have my people's love, not just their fear." Ephemera calculated in her darker lines of thought.

Once they were done with (for them) mandatory cheering at these words, Valandil and Silmarlia continued their conversation with Phoebe.

"Yes it is true," Valandil replied to Phoebe's question, "The forests of Marmálos are the only place in the Empire where green things still grow." The elven man then laughed ruefully to himself and then added much more quietly, "Except for what is grown in the domes and underground hydroponic farms that the Autocrat uses to feed those who can't drink human blood or consume their flesh."

[LOVE DOG]

The Count clapped as the room quieted down, Kurt’s eyes stare at him. He knew this man, the myth and the legend that was Count JWolf, so he only hoped that one side didn’t show itself at this time. But that wish wasn’t granted.

“Good show, your people love you.” said the Count. “But you see, madam, your empire isn’t really the only place that magic will be free from fear of the ordinary as you said. I have scanned this room a few times now, finding out that they will only one free human here.” He paused, his eyes scanning the room. “And that free human came with me, to a land that humans are used a food and a playtoy. How anything you declare be free within your empire?”

“I only know of a few places where your statement could be true, one in the nation I left to come here.” said the Count, Kurt placing his right hand on his shoulder, hoping to stop him for whatever he was doing. Using his left hand, the Count brushed the demon’s hand off his shoulder. “Only one place where both humans and non-humans are free to anything. A safe haven to all race, be they Homo sapien or Homo lupus or Homo nosferatu or whatever they are classified as. Your empire is a long way away form being this paradise as you called it.”

He smiled, the meta-humans flanking his sides, eyes scanning in the court. “I think we both have shown off enough today, my frie…equal,” he started, making a point that she was still factor of being an ally, but not really his equal as he still had more bags of tricks up his sleeves. “Dismiss your court as I have a feeling they don’t want to be here. If they have saw one ancient vampire, then whom needs to see another one? What do you say?”

Phoebe’s eyes locked on the Count, before moving back to the Lord and Lady. “Growing things in hydroponics farms isn’t really the works of natural, I can’t way to see the forests of Marmálos. Feel the magic flowing there.” she said, almost sounding a little child on Christmas morning.

[Aligeretha]

Ephemera rose from her throne for the first time since the audience began her face as calm and serene as the sea, she then made a slight hand sign that everyone saw but was meant for only one person.

A rather tall, majestic looking three thousand year old Royal Vampire moved from the collected mass of the powerful of Aligeretha and walked up the dais until she reached the third step from the top.

She then turned to face the entire Court, her well defined face made her seem like a peacock among lesser birds, "The formal session of the Imperial Court is now ended by the Will of the Empress!" her lovely voice echoed out across the entire chamber without any sort of amplification.

This was Rose, the Speaker of the Will of the Empress, who despite her connection to the now destroyed Reneist faction had weathered the political fallout and was still a powerful figure in the Imperial Court and Government.

The various persons in the room began to move towards the doors, those with the skills (or those who brought servants who could) teleported from the Imperial Audience Chamber. Once the chamber was cleared, there were only the Imperial Guards, the Count and his entourage, and briefly the Left and Right Hands of the Empress, Zerenski and Mariska who were given a few last minute instructions before departing by the paths of magic.

Dagon stayed a moment and began to whisper, "Love, don't face these men alone."

The Empress cut him off with a stern look and whispered back, "Don't fear for me, I shall be fine. You should consider going to our private chambers, I have a surprise for you."

Dagon stayed a moment longer to steal a kiss from his goddess before removing a strange blue stone from a hidden pocket in his robes and closed his eyes. A moment later he too teleported from the room.

Now that the entire chamber was cleared the Count could better see the Imperial Guards and the one Royal Vampire who had stayed, as required by Ephemera's secret orders.

She was a statuesque blond vampire that resembled the Renaissance portraits of Aphrodite. In life she had been a powerful witch, now in undeath and despite being merely seven hundred years old she was the most powerful magic user in the Empire short of Ephemera herself.

This was Alexandria, the Grand Witch of the Empire.

The Empress introduced the Grand Witch and the Count without further explanation and said, "Now we may talk frankly."

At this moment the Lord of Marmálos was speaking to Pheobe and her companion of some of the artistic achievements of the Marmáli while the Lady was quietly talking into a cell phone, making adjustments to their travel arraignments to the city of Fëacaras so that the Dominion Elf and her companion could join them.

[LOVE DOG]

As the Empress had her speaker clear the room, the Count took the time to divide his guards up a little. Ordering the two werewolves, the WW Legionnaires, to travel with Dame Phoebe and Fleet Admiral Silas. The main reason is both were royal to their races. The Count didn’t need the High Elves in panic if something happened to their princess on his watch. Also if anything happened to Silas, he couldn’t afford to have the uproar of what the Greek Kingdom would do when one of their royal house was killed under the watch of the Count.

As the two werewolves moved to hover around their new mission, the Count ruined to watch the court exit form his view. He didn’t even hear Phoebe and her party leave, but they were gone, too.

He scanned the room one last time, seeing that the room was almost to himself and the empress. That is if he didn’t count the Imperial Guards and the two Black Wolf Elites. Trevor, whom stood close to seven feet eight inches, only watched the Imperial Guard as his smaller counterpart, Reaper, did the same.

“Before we get started…” the Count paused, a half evil grin on his lips. “That Chinese vampire whom corrected me, disrespected me in a way, will you do something about him? Don’t kill him, make a point to him, don’t cross an ancient.” He paused again. “It’s been a long time since I saw a Chinese vampire.”

“To the point, what do you want me to do to get the power that is the Veil?” he asked. “Everything has a price and you don’t know my nation that good enough to just hand something over like the Veil.”

[Aligeretha]

Ephemera replied in a cool, serene tone "A couple of things..." she paused for a moment as a kind smile formed on her face, "A formal alliance between our two glorious nations."

Then the Empress did not speak with words, but her voice emerged in the Count's mind as clear as day, "You of all people should know the difficulties that emerge when a Vampire of any age seeks to have a child.

During this she also proposed out loud an exchange of ambassadors between their nations, nothing on her face betrayed the disconnect between what her voice was saying and what she was whispering in Caesar's thoughts.

"My Empire needs an official heir in order to cement the stability; currently if I were to die today the Empire would most likely rip itself apart with various factions fighting for control. Poor little Dagon would be kept around as a figurehead for the length of time it took one faction to solidify their base before they disposed of him."

The Empress then made her face as smooth as glass, the one-sided telepathic conversation continued, "So let me be blunt, the true price for the Veil is your help in my conceiving of an Imperial Heir to my throne."

[LOVE DOG]

“A formal alliance between our great nation.” said the Count, looking eyes with the ancient female. As he listened to her words in his mind. He continued talking to her like thinking was up. “Can’t work, as the founding nation of the Dominion Commonwealth, being allied with a nation that has slaves would give the Dominion Commonwealth a bad name.”

”Ah, I see, you want my seed.” said the Count telepathic, which even he forgot that him being what he was that he could do it. He knew Kurt had this power, which he could bet a million Blood Credits that the Ageless One was listening in on his thoughts right now. ”If we do this, it will have to be my way. Your lover boy has to be there, my queen. Destroy his mind after for all I care, but he has to be there when this happens. And the child will only have the right to your throne. Understand?”

“You see, for a formal alliance to work between our two nations, your humans will have to be freed and treated a first class citizens.” said the Count, pausing for only a few seconds., with a smile on his lips. “And maybe if that happened, a place for your nation will be opened up in the Dominion Commonwealth.”

"And I wouldn't hurt your lover boy too much. Enough to make a point."

[Aligeretha]

Ephemera allowed a vicious smile to form on her lips as she said, "Then perhaps an informal understanding between our two nations then? After all there are not that many lands ruled by vampires, and many would be more than pleased to see our mutual destruction."

At the same time as she spoke, the unspoken conversation continued, "Ah, someone has a taste for the sadistic, was it because Dagon looked at you funny? No matter, my pet witch can keep him quite and watching for however long you want Caesar."

During all of this, the pet witch Alexandria had been following everything as best she could. The Grand Witch of the Empire was not a natural telepath; instead she found it easier to follow people's emotional states instead. During the spoken conversation it had been quickly clear that the Empress and the Count were using telepathic arts since their emotional states were not aligned with what was being spoken.

"Well... this is getting a little more interesting than I thought it would be." the blond goddess thought to herself as she felt the Empress's confidence as she rose from her throne and seemed to teleport to within a few feet of the Count.

"Would you like to discuss things further in a more private setting?" Ephemera asked of him.

Alexandria then looked at the demon man who had come with the Count, "He's quite powerful, but why... Oh his role is like mine right now, a useful companion and possible distraction in a fight."

Alexandria then smiled to herself slightly and thought, "Well I doubt that's going to happen since the Empress is feeling quite confident about what she is about to do. I'm not sure she would feel that way if it came down to a battle between her and him."

[LOVE DOG]

“Your pet witch can deal with him after it is done. I want to see the horror, the anger, the rage in his eyes as I take you .And yes, maybe I’m a little on the sadistic side. He paused moving back to heard conversation. “True, many people still fear the vampiric race. Mostly form the tales of those uncivilized members of our race. An unofficial alliance, behind closed door, you defend us in our time of need and we defend you in your time of need.”

He smiled, looking over at the witch before staring back towards Ephemera. ”Midnight in your cambers, make sure the lover boy is there. The witch doesn‘t need to be there, that knowledge could be used against you.” in the unspoken conversation and back to the real world. He moved closer, closing the gap between them to foot apart. “A private meeting, nope, we don’t need that. I only ask one thing, allow me to have a better tour of your nation. What do you say? And I‘ll take a room in your Blood Tower, if it would make it easier.”

Kurt smiled when his eyes met with the witch, the power aura around him was out the chart then say the Count or the Empress. He knew more on the dark arts then most demons and maybe even Ephemera, too. Kurt would be more then a distraction in a fight.

[Aligeretha]

The Empress returned Caesar's smile and said, "Of course, but I do have one question." Ephemera then closed her eyes and a image appeared at her side of a man in the style of dress of ancient Rome with a face that was quite infamous among scholars of history.

Caligula.

"Which soldier were you when I met that lovely boy?" the Empress asked and explained further, "I recognized your scent when you entered the room but your face doesn't match my memory of you."

Alexandria did not react to the revelation or the question, most people in the Empire had either heard of (or even owned) the now banned human report on what little was known of Ephemera's past. Unlike those who relied in rumor, Alexandria had gotten the real story straight from the Empress herself.

The question did give her a small surprise, but it wasn't a major concern for her, after all Caligula was the past and the present was that she was a seven hundred year old Royal Vampire in a room with three different beings of extraordinary power and the best she could hope for it they chose to throw down was to teleport as fast as possible if she wanted to live for more than a minute.

[LOVE DOG]

The Count smiled, knowing that a question like this would have been asked. He pulled up a mental picture of his looks at that time, shoulder length black as night hair, a neatly trimmed beard. A solid black with gold trimming set of Roman armor, the chest held the image of two howling wolves, a deep royal purple cape flowing behind him. He put those images into the mind of the Empress.

“I wasn’t somebody that you would have met, but I saw you though.” said the Count. “I was known as Wolf or the Wolf. An assassin of our friend, the dear Emperor Caligula. Kill my first werewolves during that time.”

[Aligeretha]

Ephemera smiled at the Count and showed him in his mind what she had looked like then, a virtual goddess with (slightly) shorten hair then in a black dress cut in that time's most fashionable style with little makeup since her own natural beauty and pale skin was enough.

"And I was his personal Goddess." she reminded him, "The one who met him on Capri and secretly guided him and molded him into the perfect leader..."

Ephemera then laughed ruefully and finished with, "Too bad no one else saw it that way."

Then to change the subject she said, "My servants have already made rooms for your own person and your entourage in the Blood Tower, they are just two floors beneath my own."

The Empress glanced at Alexandria and Kurt and said, "Diao can take you and those you choose to take with you on a tour of Ephemerii." Ephemera then paused a moment and then added, "Unless you would like for Alexandria to do this for you."

[LOVE DOG]

The Count paused, even he was watching the looks between Kurt and the witch. “Diao? The Chinese smartass? Don’t think he’ll be the right person to give a tour of your empire.” said the Count, a half smile on his lips. Looking over at Alexandria, feeling for the first time what power run through her veins. “If you don’t care, I would like you to give the tour.”

[Aligeretha]

Alexandria gave the Count a polite smile and said, "Of course, just choose the people you wish to bring with you and we can get going." The Grand Witch then allowed a small amount of her power to flow through her, the teleportation spell fresh in her veins.

Ephemera then said quietly, "I do apologise Caesar but there are a few things I must attend to, I will catch up later." The shadows of the room seemed to come alive and slowly crawled up until they covered the Empress entireally, a moment later they fell away and revealed thin air.

Alexandria shook her head in amusement and muttered to herself, "She always has to make a dramatic exit."

The Grand Witch then glanced back at the Count and asked, "Are you ready?"

[LOVE DOG]

The Count backed up a little, Kurt eyed him. “If you’re teleporting us then I’ll sit this one out. I have never like teleporting and only use it when their our no more options.” said the Count. Kurt disappeared and reappeared to her rear on her right side. “It’s true, you know. For all of the years that I have known him, he has been that way.” said the Ageless One, his voice the same as it was at Castle Von Wolf.

“Show Kurt and he’ll report back to me.” said the Count with a wicked smile. Kurt cocked his head to the side. ”Really? You don’t want me near, if something bad happens.” asked Kurt as he walked around to somewhat face Alexandria.

”I have my Elites. Now, go my old friend, be my eyes as I’ll need my energy for later.” said the Count.

“Very well, my lord. I’ll make sure that I’ll make a details report on Ephemerii and the other parts of the Empire.” said Kurt looking at the Count. He spun half way back towards Alexandria. “I’m ready when you are, my lady.”

The Count smiled, looking over at an Imperial Guard. “You! Name? And do you know where my room is at?” he asked, his tone somewhat a mix of friendly and commanding. "Long trip, I need to kick my boots off and relax."

[Aligeretha]

The Witch and the Demon

Alexandria drew the magic into herself and reached out and grabbed the demon's hand, a moment later they were no longer in the Imperial Audience Chamber of the Blood Tower. Alexandria let go of Kurt's hand and gave him a moment to get his bearings, they were standing on small metal platform with two different lines of small steps leading down onto a side walk in front of a massive iron gate.

The gate slowly swung open to allow a small limo with a small police escort to leave, in the distance one could see a rather large palace done in the style of the Winter Palace in Russia.

"This is the Palace of Black Snow," Alexandria explained to Kurt as she led him down off of the teleportation platform and towards their private limo, "It is on the outskirts of Ephemerii and the Empress uses it as her winter residence."

The Grand Witch then glanced to her left and waved her hand at the sight of the skyline of the city from the hilltop on which the palace and it's grounds had been built.

"Now normally on state functions like this there would be a rather long and dry tour of various monuments and the like." Alexandria explained as their driver got out the car to open the door for them. "However considering the... uniqueness of the situation I have another idea... After we see a couple of the required monuments I could show you the... wilder side of Ephemerii..."

As the Grand Witch stepped into the limo she asked, "What do you say?"


The Imperial Guard and the Count

The guard in question saluted and said, "Sergeant Urku Aleksandr, sir. I can take you to your rooms if you like sir." The Imperial Guard then glanced at the Elites that were with the Count for a brief second and then took some initiative to lead them back to the hoverlifts and punched in the code that would take them to the floor with the rooms that had been prepared for them.

Despite being the only person on the lift that was from the Empire the strange man did not show any sign of fear or discomfort. "No doubt that those "men" with that vamp have figured out what I really am." the half-orc thought to himself. Despite the extensive genetic modifications that had been done to Urku and others of his kind before birth and the surgeries that he personally had endured to give himself a more human look; the slight skin discolorations and surgical scars betrayed him.

No amount of makeup could cover up such things for those with good enough eyes, "Plus my scent and the fact that I'm much shorter than the other Imperial Guards might have something to do with it." Urku reminded himself as the lift reached their destination.

Urku then lead them down the hall to their destination, he opened the door and gave the Count and the Elites keycards for the door lock. "The rooms you have been given contain two bedrooms, two bathrooms, a kitchen, a living area, plus a master bedroom and bath for the Count's exclusive use. Your entourage will be given other rooms on this floor." The half-orc explained.

Without thinking about it, Urku's left hand moved over his right and began to play with his wedding band. "If you have any questions or requests you can contact the servants by the holophones in the bedrooms, living area, or kitchen." the half orc continued.

Once he finished speaking and asked if they had any questions Urku thought to himself, "Another couple of hours and I'll be back home with Davy, I hope he remembered to pick up some onions for that salad tonight."

[LOVE DOG]

The Witch and the Demon

Kurt smiled, looking at the Palace of Black Snow, wondering why these people name things like they do. First the Blood Tower, the seat of the vampiric empire and now a winter palace called the Palace of Black Snow. His eyes, his yellow eyes that had no hint of any type of pupils, locked with the witch’s eyes, slowly glowing a little brighter.

“A wilder side, you say.” he said, getting into the limo. “Sounds fun.”

The Imperial Guard and the Count

The Count smiled, watching the soldier play with his wedding band, but his scent was something need to his nose. Something he had smell in a long time, something that he had thought was long gone from this world. Was this man an orc? He asked himself.

“Sergeant Aleksandr, don’t take this as anything rude, but what are you?” asked the Count, as they look at the suite prepared for the Count. Trevor walked around the living room then moved off to the other parts of the suite, using his hyper-keen senses to find anything out of the place. “It’s your scent, son, you look human, but your scent tell me your something else.”