descent and ascent

Araceli Falkenrath asks, "Did you want to speak now, Ambrose?"

Ambrose Roche says, "--Ah."

A glance is given towards Araceli, although before anything else, he remarks.

"--Yes, actually. First, regarding Elias. And.."

"After that, if things are ready, we could proceed with what we planned for a while."

His ascension, of course.
(Ambrose Roche)

You are now following Araceli Falkenrath

With that, Araceli led Ambrose away and into his own abode, much preferring the décor here in comparison to her official chambers. It was far more lively, and even if she were technically an 'undead,' that didn't mean she needed to act like it.

Making herself home near immediately, even if she had only ever been exposed to it for a night or so. Her time since then spent within the castle.

"That is right, yes. But first-"

If he didn't dodge her, she'd move in for a short peck of the lips. A loving, tender embrace, before pulling back altogether.

"I am willing to speak about mister Soleis first, and will answer any questions you have."

Araceli knew it would come up, especially after the public display earlier. Though she could only wonder Ambrose thought on the entire matter.

"I will be an open book."
(Araceli Falkenrath)

It is only natural that such questions would arise.

But when he'd led inside his abode, such thoughts swirl his head all too much- if anything, he wasn't entirely sure if he could really be at peace until he knew everything. But..

The sudden gesture of a short peck on his lips is reciprocated nonetheless- perhaps to her, it could look like she caught him off guard with it, as if he was amidst the thoughts of hesitation.

Yet it is dispelled.
For sake of his own clarity.

"--Of course."

A pause lingers on in the air. There, while he thinks of how to formulate his question, eventually he speaks out.

"... I realize you've been working for this."

"I also realize it must've been difficult to make the High Keeper go back on his oaths like that. But.."

What he also knows is that because it's difficult, it's not a thing she could easily do - there must be a very, very compelling reason for him to come.

"I know the hearts of men, Araceli. Of all people, in fact."

"They do not do such things unless they're not thinking clear - or a very compelling reason was given to them. Quite frankly, I don't think it's immortality, or allure of it - because he could've stayed for that the first time."

So naturally, it was something else.

"Why is he here?"

"What did you do to have him brought here?"
(Ambrose Roche)

Clarity which would no doubt be required, especially in a moment like this. Araceli knew it would come, in time, as all things caught up eventually.

Yet she did not feel guilty about it either. Merely... embarrassed, quite frankly at that.

"I have been working on this, yes. It-"

A pause, the words seemingly caught at the back of her throat. Whilst she was confident, she did not wish to hurt Ambrose.

She had never seen his feelings be impacted in a negative way... Did she truly wish to lose his warmth?

Would he abandon her?

"The heart of men is fickle, but it can be toyed with, Ambrose. I-"

Yet again unable to say it. Building her way in, only to crumble at the precipice.

"Elias and I had met a number of times within the sewers. We had built a rapport when he was imprisoned here within Asphodel."

"This was a time before you and I were involved, a time when you were with Annete."

Surely he could at least understand that. If she had been loyally with someone it would have never been an option, but she did what she felt best for the progress of her kingdom as a whole.

Even if it meant pulling on the heartstrings of the enemy.

"I seduced him, Ambrose. Not with immortality, but affection, romance, touch. It was enough to lull him into corruption, thus him coming here."

Relieved to finally say it aloud, but nervous all the same.
(Araceli Falkenrath)

"..."

Ambrose listened in quietly. As much as he remained poised and calm at first, there's something about this that turned him more and more worried- anxious by the growing minute, until it was revealed all along that they've met.

A number of times at that...

It's strange. To have this sinking feeling inside his chest- to think that he would even be feeling this way at all. Is it because he actually cares? It's strange, for when he's seen Annete with Vekel, he felt nothing - not a care in the world, despite knowing she moved on fast.

For his feelings grew cold to Annete.
But Araceli?

This affects him more than he thought. Images flood his mind- imagination that he wishes he did not have, for when he even thinks about those 'meetings'..

It makes him sick.

Almost instinctively, he shakes his head. Perhaps he was simply assuming a lot- and deep inside, he actually hoped that was the case. His feet take a step back, despite the injury he's sustained earlier. Something about it felt..

Wrong.

"--Araceli."

"Be honest with me. How far did it go?" Does he ask to have a peace of mind? To prove these images inside his head wrong?

"A mere touch? A kiss? Or... a night together, even?" The last clearly implying what exactly that means. Even then..

He looks at her, expectantly. There's an attempt to remain entirely poised and calm..

But his gaze has difficulty concealing the storms within his heart.
(Ambrose Roche)

While Ambrose did not communicate his innate feelings to her directly, she could see it in his gaze. Her own piercing reds not averting, rather staring upon him intently as he took a step back.

If she could go back she would, yet in this moment the only thing she could do was live up to what had transpired. To take responsibility for it all.

As Ambrose was not the only impacted, but Elias himself as well.

"A kiss, a touch, and a... night together, yes.

The latter of which was uttered in a whisper, though still audible to Ambrose. Before he could react, however, she continued.

"But you have to understand, Ambrose... there was no love, no romance, at least not from my part. It was akin to my fling with Lando, and only meant as a means to secure Osrona's technology."

A way to twist Elias into coming to Asphodel as well. Though she knew well enough... if she were in the same position?

She might be devastated, even if it occurred prior to their relationship.

"If I knew then what I know now I'd have never toyed with it. I'd have never pursued anything, because my heart belongs with you."

A pause, breaths measured and slow.

"I love you, not... not him."

Would he care though? Would he simply leave her like he did Annete? Would his anger consume him?

"I am sorry, truly."

None had ever gotten her to this point prior. As a Queen... to beg for someone else's forgiveness. It was an unbecoming rarity that would only ever be witnessed by Ambrose himself.
(Araceli Falkenrath)

It's strange.

To think that for the first time he might be this close to slipping- a prized master of dark, arcane arts, yet one that finds himself flooded with whispers and the countless thoughts of an ever growing twisted intent.

His gaze is off.
His ear twitches.

It is during the times of emotional instability that the innate dark corruption has a chance to surface, against the waning willpower- it is a fight within, one that he wasn't entirely sure that he would win. Even then..

The first sign manifests.

"--I'm stupid."

"Why did I even stop Vekel? He would've done me a service..."

Such signs could be worrying. There are little things to unhinge Ambrose, but an impact like this might as well do it- but from the growing animosity, what surfaces is..

Anguish.

"... Am I just another notch under your belt?"

Realization sets in- twisted, and likely influenced by the ever growing whispers in the back of his mind. A pitiful sight.. for someone who has claimed to master such arts, and yet begin to grow influenced by them.

But could it be helped?
At times, Ambrose cannot save himself from these.

"If you were willing to go that far with him, even if he's just a toy.."

"Am I just.. another heart to be toyed with?" A single hand is raised- if only to rest upon his own features. Almost as if.. to hide away from the world. From everything.

It's difficult to fight off these ever growing, sickening thoughts. So much so that he didn't even know what to do with himself anymore.. nor he knew what to think of it.

He isn't sure if he can save himself anymore.

But.. where his hand was briefly raised, it soon slides down. What emerges is a defeated look- yet one with a lingering smile.

A weak, tiny smile.

"I just... don't understand.."

"Why? If you wanted something from me, you didn't have to.. crush me like this, you could just.."

"Ask for it.."

The worst of the thoughts appear. The thoughts of merely being another toy, another manipulated man.

How the tables turn for him.
(Ambrose Roche)

"You aren't stupid."

Spoken in blatant fashion, her gaze fixated upon him in entirety. There was none other that mattered, especially in a moment like this.

She'd never imagined she'd see him so vulnerable, so distraught, and it pained her.

"Ambrose, I-"

If he weren't to deflect or dodge, she'd move forward in rapid fashion, before pulling him in for an embrace. Both hands set atop either side of his shoulders, and simply resting the left side of her head against his chest.

Her skin cold to the touch, yet the action itself warm in nature.

"I love you."

Spoken in a pleading tone, wishing only to bring him back to his senses. There was no desire to hurt him, and for this she felt an immeasurable degree of guilt.

He did not deserve it, not when he had been nothing but kind and sweet to her.

"I don't want anything from you, even if I do need you." Since a future without him was one she didn't wish to envision. "I need you to be by my side, as we promised... for eternity."

Though she knew well enough that dark thoughts were plaguing him, envisioning what she had just mentioned moments prior.

"I love you not to manipulate, not to twist, but because I sincerely wish to be with you. Forever and always."

Her grip upon him loosening, before pulling back.

"Please.. forgive me."

Tears forming at the edges of her eyes. She could not remember the last time she had ever cried. Not even when her former husband had perished.

It was a foreign, near alien feeling. Such mental anguish only amplified by Cain's gift. She had never understood why vampires would desire to turn off their feelings before...

Not until now, anyways.
(Araceli Falkenrath)

Within these moments, there is a storm.

Both within his heart and mind. There is desire- for violence, to lash out, to feed into these dark thoughts and have no care in the world. To fall under this dark influence felt all too tempting, even if he knew that it would be wrong.

But..

His eyes close. When she comes to embrace him in such manner, for the first time, the gesture is not reciprocated; he simply stands there, his mind deep within a process that would do naught but suggest that he's going through a turmoil of inner strife.

Taming the dark was never easy.
Especially when it's so readily fed.

Such words could bring about re-assurance, but in this case, they barely do that. If anything, it is something that served to only feed into this situation inside of his mind, something that he wasn't entirely sure of how to deal with.

In his mind, only a statement of the past lingers.

Ambrose, you are a silly man.

And maybe he is. For not anticipating this to happen, for not knowing what he signed himself for. After all, there would be no way that Araceli has never done this..

That it wouldn't hurt him.

"--I am not angry at you."

There, his eyes finally open- but his hands carefully extend to grasp hers, and slowly move her away from himself. He was...

Not ready for this. Not yet.

"I'm just... disappointed. In myself, I suppose."

For what reasons? He chooses not to elaborate. Even then, following such silence, there's an eventual remark towards her.

"... I think I'd rather just proceed with my ascension."

It's sudden, but spoken surely for a reason.

"And.."

"A time alone after."

His gaze is solemn, and his voice is eerily calm. Even then, a single remark follows.

"--Please."

Odd...
(Ambrose Roche)

The warmth had not at all been reciprocated, and it is something she could feel. How she yearned for him, and yet he was merely stepping backwards... further and further away from him.

It was not something which she could allow. No... she would not have it.

Her fists balling momentarily, before taking a few deep breaths, calming herself.

"No."

It was a simple, blunt response.

"I will not turn you, not like this."

It was not at all what she had envisioned. A time that would signify the beginning of their eternity together. Yet now, more than ever-

It was not guaranteed.

"Your emotions will be amplified, I will be connected to your mind, Ambrose. You will feel an innate obedience towards me."

All spoken in a single breath, Araceli evidently disturbed by what occurred. Yet if she were to turn him in this moment? It would merely amplify his anger, as well as give her bits and pieces of his thoughts.

Did he truly want her parsing through his mind? Especially when he appeared guarded about it. Disappointment not only in himself...

It surely had to be with her too, yes? It was not a betrayal, no, but it was still something that would impact his mentality to a profound degree.

She was willing to give him space, at the very least.

"I can give you time, give you space, but we won't be doing this until you have come to terms with things... until we have spoken through it."

"I want this to be done on better terms."

Even if he ultimately decided to disregard her and their relationship... though, part of her felt like she might not.

Araceli loved him more than he could ever imagine, and moreover-

She could not envision him living an eternity without her.
(Araceli Falkenrath)

It's an odd thing to witness.

To see the Queen... anxious. Disturbed. Bothered. It is not something that he had expected to see in his lifetime, let alone something that has been guarded behind such an imposing exterior most of the time.

Yet, there's a tiny smile on his face.

"You're afraid."

"Aren't you?"

He warned her before - he knew the hearts of men and women alike. And there, she was displaying naught but fear; the fear of losing him in that very moment.

"You're scared that I'm not telling everything, that I'm actually angry at you... that I'd want to leave you." He falls thoughtful for a moment.

In her shoes,
how would he feel..?

"--But you shouldn't be."

There, a single hand reaches out towards hers; of course she could simply decline it, but he takes a hold of it. That, however, is the only extent of the affection that he would show. For now...

"You were truthful to me. You decided to tell me everything.."

"Even if you knew it would hurt me - and probably you as well. I appreciate that honesty."

"Which is why I'm not angry at you."

As for his disappointment in himself, these emotions that would be amplified? For a moment, his gaze trails off, thoughtful.. but eventually, a remark follows.

"You shouldn't be worrying about what I feel regarding myself either." His voice sounds more confident. More... collected.

"It's fine, Araceli."

"I want this."

"And if it means that our minds will be connected, then... all the better." He had no fear in revealing what lies beyond. If anything..

"As a matter of fact.."

"I think... I think that I insist on doing it now. If our minds would truly be connected, if there is love that you speak of.."

"I want to see it."

To step beyond. To fully open himself to her... it is something that he would not be afraid of doing, something that he's all too ready for.

But what about her?
(Ambrose Roche)

"I am afraid. I don't want to lose you."

An open admission to Ambrose, Araceli deciding to be completely open rather than conceal her feelings. Even if his reaction came across as more warm, she knew that he was still troubled deep within.

Thoughts which would make themselves blatantly clear while he ascended.

"I don't want an eternity without you."

Words that she never thought she'd speak before. She had always been selfish, and to a certain degree she still was, but could she truly continue forth after experiencing such happiness?

One that she had only found within his embrace.

"I was honest because I love you, Ambrose. And-"

A pause, before shaking her head.

"I am worried about you. More than you could possibly imagine. I don't want you to think ill thoughts about yourself. I worry because I love you."

His hand taken within her own, not at all declining it. Any sort of touch highly sought after, the warmth of his hand keeping her rooted to the conversation.

Enough to parse through his words, to discern his feelings, to know that if she were going to bring him to ascension it would happen now.

"I will do it. But-"

It still wasn't what she had envisioned. It was by no means the grand display of love and passion, but rather... something far more bleak, and she couldn't help but feel guilt for it still.

Was he simply trying to play her, now? Would he take her gift and leave her in the dust, out to dry? Would he give her a taste of the medicine which she had given so brazenly to others?

Doubtful questions running alongside the forefront of her mind. A deep breath for clarity, before relenting altogether.

"Very well, let us... let us do this."

To see him die and returned to her, but this time as a vampire rather than the human he was. It was very the last time she would feel the warmth of his body, as his skin would be cold to the touch afterwards.

She could only hope the warmth remained in his heart, however.

"Are you prepared? To die and return? I will walk you through it."
(Araceli Falkenrath)

There were still thoughts lingering about it all..

Was it truly real? Were her words genuine, despite having likely lured many men to herself in such manner in the past? Truth be told, the longer that he thinks about it... the less that he wants to know.

Elias was likely just one of many.
But if what she says is true..?

"I know. But.." As much as he wanted to believe that she truly loved him..

"There's only one way for me to be entirely sure."

But.. what may come as a rite of ascension, at the same time, there's something that he wanted to request - something that she may even find strange.

Yet he asks.

".. remember when I said that the Collective can add another at the height of their emotion?"

"I believe that time is now." Fear. Anxiety. Anguish. And... love. It's a strange combination, but one that could not get any more potent.

"I want to take a part of you, to keep with me forever. The Collective will do it on its own during ascension - it will be painless, and it's likely you won't even notice it." Unless, of course, she chooses to resist.

"But you're not obligated to agree to that."

The reasons to such may be evasive- for as far as anyone knew, the deep and dark arcane arts had many mysteries to them. Perhaps he wanted to envision more, but..

"Otherwise.."

"I'm ready."
(Ambrose Roche)

An immortal who had existed for centuries, a woman no less. There had been conquests, escapades, and sadness, but there had never been true, genuine love.

A love which she felt existed with Ambrose, more intense than anything she had felt prior. She knew without a shadow of a doubt that if he were to leave her... she would be broken.

A cold, apathetic vampire like those on Apropriya, the kind who had flipped the 'guilt switch.'

"I will submit, to both having you ascend, as well as taking part of my essence during such."

Something that came without hesitation. In this moment more than ever she simply wished to prove herself, to prove to him that her love was unending.

That she had no thoughts of any others in addition.

"Now.. come."

Were he to not resist, she'd lower the two of them to the floor, having him rest atop her lap. It would be far better than having him collapse after his death, after all.

A more personal, intimate embrace, having his head rest on her lap as she glanced downwards.

"You will drink my blood to the point of death, Ambrose. You will desire to stop, but I will force you. It will be painful, and not at all pleasant."

A fair warning, waiting for him to signal his readiness.

"Let us begin."

The process was quite simple in her regard, at least in comparison to what he was about to go through. Rather than letting the Collective slit her wrist, she utilized the dagger she carried with her. A clean cut horizontally across her right wrist.

"Now drink."

Held to his lips, this moment alone emotional, as she was very much killing him. There was no guarantee that he would be accepted by the gift.

There was a possibility he would awaken only to die mere moments later.

"Very good."

Her left hand keeping his head in place, ensuring that he did not fidget as the blood poisoned his body, stopping both organ and heart function in a slow, painful process.

Vines sprouting forth to keep him rooted in place.

"Mm."

Worried... though only time would tell if he would survive the transition.
(Araceli Falkenrath)

Araceli Falkenrath channels scarlet, depraved energy into Ambrose Roche...!

Your heart stops. For a moment, your feel cold, dry, empty as your soul is taken by the Curse of Cain- and then, power. Pulsing through your veins, what was formerly your master's strength is now your own.



Ambrose Roche writhes, their skin going ashen!

Ambrose Roche has their eyes flash crimson for a moment, as fangs jut from their mouth!


It made him wonder..

Just how exactly this experience would be? Is it something that he would feel extreme pain with, or is it something akin to a bliss? Is it something that he would regret forever..

Or be eternally blessed with?

Such thoughts course through his head, for they would be the last moments on earth as his living, breathing days. With her agreement to have her essence taken, a single nod follows.

The Collective manifests.
It watches, waiting.

"--Thank you."

There, in silence, he already lays down- secured firmly in her arms. The procession of this would be no doubt unforgettable in many ways, and for the last time that he looks up..

There's only a smile.

Something re-assuring, amidst this turmoil. Something that was warm, despite the cold procession shared between the two. Even then, while he continues looking up, one last mutter escapes his lips.

His last words before his death.

"I love you."

And then.. he's fed the vitae in excess; it becomes an effort to ensure that it is held in, that he would not find himself simply trying to fight back. There's certainly a want to do so..

For as much as he continues to imbibe, it becomes a deadly action that would see him perish- an action that would see his body begin to writhe, almost as if trying to reject this out of instinct to try and survive, but..

Eventually, his body succumbs.

To this dark- to the ever growing flashes of crimson upon his body. There, it takes him over in the manner unseen before - in the manner that could only be described as something overwhelming, something sickening, something deadly..

Yet..
His eyes jolt open.

His body struggles with it- amidst such moment, a link forms; an experience of a bond. There, she could see the flashes of his past life, of being a servant back in Apropriya - of one that has been taken from the Order of the Silver Sun.

The struggle, the slavery, and his rise to power..
Through the dark arts.

At that very moment, the Collective takes away from her- it gathers this potent essence, driven by the force of the powerful emotion, and yet..


There is always hatred.
Deep and dark..
To the Elders of Apropriya.


It follows with a vision of respite- one that could claim naught but the deep-seated feelings for her. That of genuine affect and love, albeit.. mixed with a tinge of hurt just lately. Even then, it has been pushed to the back.

For the most part.

"Aah.."

He's weak- when he awakens to this new world, to this new experience, it almost seems.. overwhelming to an extent, and yet he jolts awake.

It feels strange.

All too strange.

"--Was I deemed worthy?"

He looks down upon his own hands- still beheld to her embrace from where she turned him, he finally remarks, quiet and..

Shaken by the experience.

"I suppose I was..."
(Ambrose Roche)

It was not the first time she had sired someone, nor the second, but the third overall. Yet it was unlike the first two times, this occasion far more intimate in nature.

Watching the person whom she had such deep affection for dying within her grasp. His heart stopping, his bodily functions ceasing, only to return a few moments later.

Her breath bated, awaiting the time that would decide whether or not he was worthy.

"--"

A gasp of relief, before being flooded with both his thought and past. A history which did not take her entirely by surprise, given what she knew of him.

Her own thoughts were a myriad of worry, yet one things reigned prevalent above all else- her love for him. Not an ounce towards any else, but genuine passion for Ambrose alone.

His resentment towards the Elders of Apropriya was matched with her own. Believing them to be stagnant and without ambition, wasting Cain's blessing in entirety.

Not compassionfor humans, nor Soleil's Order, but a more personal hatred.

"I-"

Words caught at the back of her throat, though she could not help but feel happiness as he returned to her... without perishing further.

He had passed Cain's test, that much was made blatantly clear.

"Welcome back, Ambrose."

A smile, as both her grip and the vines were released. Tears rolling down her cheeks, before her right hand set upwards to brush them away altogether.

Relieved, exhausted, but most of all excited. Excited for what was to come, for what tomorrow would bring.

"You begin now as a child of Cain, as a vampire. What you sought after all those years ago."

Araceli cared little in regards to her essence being taken, or the fact he could more easily read her feelings. As it stood her true thoughts would be made clear to him.

That she loved him unconditionally, without desire for manipulation.

"I love you..."

Though as endearing as the moment was, he would most certainly begin to feel the effects. Amplified emotions, feelings, sight, smell, touch- all senses exaggerated to an abnormal degree.

It would be disorienting, albeit manageable.
(Araceli Falkenrath)

It's only natural that he would be feeling this way.

Disoriented, and uncertain of what it is exactly that he's feeling- such emotions were amplified, albeit they were manageable all the same. After all.. it's not like he hasn't dealt with any impulses before.

Such flood of emotion is not unfamiliar to him.

But.. to know that it was genuine, to be certain at last? There's a smile. A smile that could not be ignored, for it is something that showed more warmth to him.

Perhaps more than she'd even expect.

"--I'm glad."

"To be here... back with you."

Even then, such sensation was all too unfamiliar. His gaze shifted back to his own body, almost as if inspecting himself. The most prevalent feeling of all, however..

Was hunger.

"I know."

"It feels... unusual. It feels much more strange than I'd expect." Even then, a remark follows.

"... and most of all, I hunger now."

It's only natural, no? Perhaps he would even be able to find something out there, but..

"I think.."

"I'd like to take care of that." After all, the war that is ahead of them isn't going anywhere. As a matter of fact..

Now he has to ensure that he would be properly ready.

"We'll have plenty of time for each other soon."

Now that he's an immortal.. more than enough, in fact. They'll have all the time in the world.

Forever and more.
(Ambrose Roche)