[X] Seek the girl
-[X] Engage her in conversation
--[X] Have her brought before you. Use Hermit Purple to reveal her heart's desire. Inquire about it and offer to aid her in pursuing it in return for her service. Allow her time to think about our offer while we move to our new base.
The first thing I become aware of is the smell of burning incense.
As soon as I recognize it, a dull pain begins throbbing throughout my body, as if I had been beaten down relentlessly. It continues spreading, and suddenly I realize just how very stiff I am.
"Hnngh…"
It's really annoying. I'm sore all over, and my body doesn't seem to obey my commands as I try to move it. Is this what a hangover feels like? I had turned down the offer for a drink Squad Leader Alba had made….
Wait.
I struggle a bit more, feeling my surroundings and sink further into deep, soft cushions. As if I'm laying down on a couch. I stop and pause, trying to remember the last things that happened before I wound up here.
Sub-Leader Gentles screaming something about a thrall. Squad Leader Alba turning on everyone. That…damn monster turning us against each other and even somehow fighting off Fraga! Everyone…did everyone die?
This was supposed to be my first mission as an Executor, and now I'm the only one left?!
This is just…too unfair…
There's a soft rustling sound, like paper being lifted, and I snap back to focusing on it. There's someone there.
That vampire, he seemed really weak for a Dead Apostle. But for some reason, he had incredible battle power. Like…*us*.
I wonder what kind of person he was, before he became a monster?
"Take your time, Ms. McRemitz. I was unnecessarily harsh with you in the heat of the moment. The pain will likely be more manageable after the incense has had a moment to help dull it."
Another rustling sound. Is he reading a book?
Focusing on the sound, I will my heavy eyelids open, agonizingly slowly. There's not much light, even as I can tell that I've been out long enough for it to be daytime.
A page turns, just out my sight.
I turn around, finally taking in the sight of the room around me. A darkened study, with curtains drawn against a window. This one's different from the place where we had…lost against that monster. I look around, blinking in order to adjust my eyes to the lack of light.
I hear the sound of paper rustling.
I turn towards the sound, seeking it's source. In the corner of the room opposite me lays a pair of high backed chairs. The closer one with it's back to me, and I can barely make out the shape of unkempt blond hair poking above it. And placed carefully upon the other is…
"…Fra-ga…?"
My sword and it's sheathe lay nestled comfortably within the high backed chair opposite of that person.
Another page turns.
I move to stand, feeling the weakness in my limbs even as the pain seems to dull. I resolve to use a rune of healing on myself later on, once I'm out of danger. As I find my feet, I begin stumbling towards the two chairs, my legs gaining strength with each stride. Until I stand next to the figure seated in a chair, poring over a booked wrapped in aged leather.
I stare at him for a moment, as his eyes continue scanning the page before him, ignoring me.
The book slams shut, the sudden sound catching me off guard.
"Please. Take a seat." The creature says, gesturing towards the seat with my weapon and it's sheathe. With a stiff nod, I do so, carefully placing Fraga back within the tube. But leaving it open. The vampire's eyes follow the motion, watching my wariness with something that seems almost
approving
I turn towards him and stare at the enemy before me. "What do you want?"
The monster smiles, shrugging almost imperceptibly, "Many things, Ms. McRemitz. None of them possible at the moment, however. I, Dio, am actually here to find out what
you want, given you magicians invaded my home last night."
I grit my teeth at his annoyingly casual, almost condescending tone, "This isn't
your home!"
He simply keeps up that enigmatic smile of his, "Isn't it? It is mine by virtue of wealth, of power, and of law. I purchased this domicile. I defended it from those who attacked me. And my own name, is, literally, on the deed to the property."
"That isn't what I meant!" I shout back angrily, "You're a monster! Who preys on innocent people! You kill humans as if we're nothing but food. As if we're nothing but snacks to you, vampire!"
I rage at him, infuriated by his small, unyielding smile. I glare at him, as he calmly places his book down on a table between us. A table which I just noticed has a glass ball set upon it.
"Ms. McRemitz," The vampire says, with the weary voice of a man who has seen many things, "People are not merely breads to be eaten." He looks up at me, smiling sadly. He stands up, and walks towards the covered window, his expression never changing from that sad, pitying look.
He opens the curtain, standing in the shadows as slightly diminished natural sunlight leaks through, illuminating the room.
"I did not ask to become a vampire, Ms. McRemitz." He pauses, holding up his right hand, inspecting the skin, "In fact, until just today I, Dio, had never heard of these things called 'Dead Apostles'." He glances to the side, staring longingly at the sunlight, "All I know is that one day…" He thrusts his hand out, and I watch in fascination as it begins to smolder before my very eyes, "The sun became my enemy, and that I needed to drink of the essence of human beings merely to survive." The monster before me watches his flesh burn before him, with a complicated expression. After a brief moment, he withdraws it.
I can still smell the scent of burning flesh, even through the incense.
"I did not wish for this, Ms. McRemitz." The creature before me closes the curtains gently, drowning the room in darkness once more, "I do not ask for your consideration, either." He begins walking back slowly, "I simply wish to live my life." He begins to sit, stretching languidly as he does so.
"So?" I reply, summoning my anger, focusing on it, "What about me? My comrades? You expect me to just believe you want to be left alone after you enslaved two of them and killed the rest?!"
The vampire simply dons that same sad smile as before, "Ms. McRemitz, I wish to survive. And I can not do that if I am constantly chased by those who mean me harm. I was a wanted man long before you and your comrades came to put I, Dio, down like some kind of an
animal." His gaze shifts, seemingly focusing into the distance, "I am only employing their services until I am certain I will no longer be hunted. They will be released the instant I am certain of my own safety."
I scoff at the obvious lie, "Oh? And what's to stop us from just bringing the Association down on you, Monster?"
Dio simply smiles, "I am looking for comrades, not slaves, Ms. McRemitz. I intend to compensate your friends by assisting them as well. The same way I, Dio, will be aiding you." His hands grasp one of mine as it starts shaking uncontrollably.
His hands are cold, but surprisingly gentle.
"Now, Ms. McRemitz, let I, Dio, help
you."
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A.N. Next update will be featuring Dio finally catching that plane out to the U.S.
Unfortunately, you guys didn't roll quite highly enough to see the specifics of how that crystal ball reading played out. Needless to say, though, it was successful enough for your purposes. Also keep in mind that Bazett is still a young teenage girl during this point in time.
