Vanessa

[22:53] "Thank you Nevermind." Vanessa said as their drink were served. She looked over at what Seifer had brought himself and then simply shrugged. The hostess picked up his drink and then nudged her head in the direction of the backroom up the stairs.

"We'll go speak there then."

Off of the stool she went, and once again Lady Vanessa disappeared into another, quieter meeting.
(Vanessa Sova)
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[22:54] Vanessa sets both drinks down on the table.
(Vanessa Sova)
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[22:54] Vanessa Sova asks, "So what is it?"
[23:01] Led in the backroom with a near stranger in the middle of a ruthless, oppressive Empire's foothold on Esshar. Seifer surely knew how to pick his bad situations. While he was already surrounded by horrible ideas the young student made the decision of being forward, allowing Vanessa to handle the drinks while he showed honestly.

"I sought you out to speak of fanged nocturnal monsters."

That was one way to put it. Shifting upon his seat to better face the woman the blue-haired one's right hand rose up, adjusting his glasses.

"I don't seek to hunt, however, I merely want to learn more. To understand what matter of... living being they are."

Green eyes lock upon the kaleidoscope everchanging heterochromic mysteries.
(Seifer Gardios)
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[23:05] Vanessa stared on, and with Seifer's questions she blinked. The hostess had picked her glass up to drink only for his words to cause her to pause, and slowly she set it back down. Arms came to a cross over her front and an eyebrow quirked upward before she asked what should have been a simple question,

"And what makes you so interested in them?" He didn't frequent Achyon, nor did the boy travel much on what was now the 'safe' side of Esshar for her, which meant he might not be the most trustworthy person in regards to such things.

"Are they calling me one of those in Osrona? A monster who came to kill the old Geztelle?" She asked, maybe if only to see what his answer might be.
(Vanessa Sova)
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[23:14] "I've journeyed across Esshar to find answers of my own all to reach goals of my own. Though more than a method to resolve my issues I've found a certain... wisdom. From even the most despicable of beings, mind you. I've settled upon the fact that harmony is the key for our world to avoid crumbling unto itself. Unnatural, foul magics that tear into space so aggressively have led to noticeable changes in Esshar; from the Dreadwoods to the Shadowmire it's plainly obvious that the mistreatment of the physical realm causes beings like Nethradin, headless knights, and massive barbaric monsters to slip in, to gather, to unite."

A small shrug is offered alongside a smile. If he had a drink of his own that hadn't been served to him he likely would take the time to take a sip. He was thirsty after speaking this much and waiting this long. His mind retrieved its bearings as he followed this ideal of his further.

"I don't believe cutting down those so-called monsters is proper or beautiful. The unnatural should find a peaceful rest. Those who do not belong should be sent back home. Those who need redemption should be healed of their vices. Each and every single being is born with good in them— that's what I believe."

It was a long explanation, yet he knew he would have her attention. Where else would she look? She hadn't even been able to seize her drink due to his bold approach.

"In short? It is what they call you. Out of those who were identified as such you were the one I knew best - that isn't much I know - and seemed willing enough to... discuss.

If that's your nature, then I'm sure you'll realize I'd rather help with your troubles than further them."
(Seifer Gardios)
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[23:23] Vanessa listened, and for a long time she just stared. But as Seifer continued his explanations Vanessa's kind smile returned. It started warm, that usual smile that the hostess wore, until a light giggle escaped her lips, followed by a louder laugh.

She continued laughing as if she had heard some kind a joke, and with a shake of her head, Vanessa said, "Wow. I knew Esshar was filled with fools, but I never imagined the bottomless amount of naivete that just came out of your mouth."

Vanessa downed her drink and then slid the glass across the table. She pulled the one that Nevermind had poured for Seifer toward her, as if to take it away from him, but didn't drink.

"You want to help me." Vanessa's mocking grin remained as she continued shaking her head. "That's touching, it really is. 'The unnatural should find a peaceful rest.'" She mimicked his wording. "'Sent home.'"

With a shng! Vanessa's scythe, new and untainted by any blood, came off of her back, its curve just barely sang across the surface of the table.

"Did you think approaching me like this was going to teach you something insightful? Did you think telling me that I should die would go over well?" Vanessa slowly began to rise off of the chair, and her golden hair lifted around her ever slightly.

"Look at you; a young bright mind who will someday hunt my kin. You're nothing but a weed waiting to be plucked." She took in a big breath and said, "You have two options, young Seifer. You can help me by submitting easily, or you can help me by giving me a bit of hunting practice."

"You have about three seconds to decide."
(Vanessa Sova)
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[23:34] Are they calling me one of those in Osrona?

From feeling offended to admitting the nature of her sins. It seemed Seifer had painted the warm and kind café owner in the wrong light. Completely so. The scythe that was pulled forth with such confidence further increased the threat he felt upon realizing the kind of horrible mistake he'd made coming here.

Ethric was right. It may have been too dangerous to do something like that. It was a good thing he'd pushed away those who truly worried for him; what if they were here to see him meet an untimely end like this one?

A soft sigh escaped the young one's lips and a hand reached up to push his glasses, adjusting them as he peered towards the woman who's patience had run thin.

"I'm afraid I can't afford that."

His words were soon followed by the sound of him standing up, too. A hand reached up to removehis glasses while the other reached for the blade slung over his back, drawing it and preparing for what felt inevitable at this point.

Insight. New information. As much as the woman had put down the very goal of his visit she seemed to have hardly realized how much information she'd provided him with. Not only did he have confirmation of her nature, but now?

He knew all too well that her existence itself was foul, not unlike the monsters he sought to help as much as possible (within reason, of course).

"I don't suppose you'll hear me out any longer."
(Seifer Gardios)
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[23:39] "Hm, a fine choice." Vanessa cooed. He had chosen to give her a challenge, something the vampire hadn't yet found on Esshar. With how readily she moved, it was obvious that she wasn't too concerned with her secrets being known. She had revealed them the night the attack on Geztelle had taken place anyway, so rumor would soon turn to fact whenever someone like Seifer met her face to face.

For all of his kindness that he had offered Vanessa while she was hosting the House of Wonders, all the Lady seemed to see him as now was a quarry, a target to be felled or maimed.

There in the backroom of her own club, she aimed to keep him from getting out of the door, and part of her was all too happy that he had chosen to fight instead of an attempt at fleeing.
(Vanessa Sova)
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[23:46] {Lost Dangerous RPB against Vanessa Sova}
[23:46] ** Vanessa Sova has inflicted an injury upon Seifer Gardios. ("Temporary Injury", "Temporary Injury", "Temporary", "Duration: Medium (4 days)") **
[00:01] Vanessa launched herself forward, first with a spin, and then in a surge of blood and corruption that fired forth at the young swordsman. The table overturned with her momentum as a number of the furniture toppled over all around. Blood continued to burst outward from her form, but instead of splashing everywhere in some intimidation tactic, each branching piece of the thrown ichor turned into a cruel lash that came down on Seifer.

Slice after slice was cherished, if only because this was the first time the vampire got to use her newly crafted weapon, and though she had half expected to easily cut the boy in two, she was instead met with some resistance. For all his naivete that she had pointed out, her knew how to fight, and while the shock might have disheartened some, Vanessa was all too happy about it.

"Finally." she said as her curved blade clanged into his sword. "Finally ONE of you Essharans shows me what you can do!!" Those she had hunted so far had been nothing but sport. Vanessa may have been better off hunting animals than the insects that had crumpled against her. At least this one had promise.

After a cut to her arm drew some of her blood involuntarily, Seifer was sure to witness the odd phenomenon that was held within her veins. Black and ink like fluid mixed with Vanessa's actual blood, and it became clear as to why the longer the fight went on. Occultism had seeped into her form so deeply that it had infected her heart, and where some of the droplets that her magic didn't catch fell to the grass, a the singed hiss of acidic material burning matter away confirmed that it was terribly venomous as well.

Those whips were made of the very same material, and with each blow, whether by whip or by thrown volley, Seifer could feel the poisonous corruption eating away at his clothing, armor, and skin wherever it landed. To make matters worse, Vanessa had finally found a quarry to attempt her theory on. While each splash of Seifer's own blood soared through the air to mend the wounds that had opened on the vampire's body, Vanessa extended her hand toward the teen, and there he felt it;

a tug on his inner ghost.

Her magic had latched on, pulling and pulling, as if she was attempting to yank it out of his very being. Fortunately for Seifer and much to Vanessa's chagrin, things such as this weren't so easily accomplished, especially on the first try. But she could sense it, she had felt her enemy's life essence within, something that went beyond blood and bone.

Despite the failure to pull it out Vanessa's fanged grin only widened, and in a flurry she closed the gap. Her Ecliptic scythe hooked right over Seifer's left shoulder, just enough that the point didn't actually sink in, but instead just left a long slice across the top. In the same instance, Vanessa's free hand gripped the boy's collar, and with a pull she tugged him inward only for her fangs to rip into his neck. She tore backward with a fury, and in her eyes the frenzy of bloodlust was clear as day.

It dripped from her lips, down her face and onto the floor. It almost seemed like she was wasting most of it, and instead stood to revel in the bloody shower she had ripped out of Seifer.

She laughed again, a laugh far more manic than the laugh he had heard before the fight began, and suddenly he was thrown through the air as if by a strongman. With a loud thud! Seifer hit the wooden floorboards of the club, and Vanessa licked at her now stained white gloves.

"Adversity, my dear boy," she said in that voice that was more a tune than an actual tone. "I believe in it, I truly do. Whatever wisdom you hoped to gain here, I hope you take one to heart."

Vanessa didn't realize it, but Seifer had landed near a section of the wall that had been cleaved away during the fighting. By his blade or by hers was anyone's guess, but a hole large enough for him to crawl through was available to him.

The vampiress leveled her scythe at him again and said, "What doesn't kill you makes you stronger. Words to live by." She let out another giggle, and it was clear she aimed to strike again. There was only the once chance to escape before a worse fate might befall the boy...
(Vanessa Sova)
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[00:24] This was nothing like the few spars he had. It wasn't even close or comparable to the wargames he took part in. The debilitating feeling that invaded his mind with each and every whip of tainted blood that struck him was overwhelming, all-encompassing. For brief moments it felt as if he should give up, as if he should give in and surrender right then and there.

Bend to her will.

This was power, by all means. On his long quest to find the source of it all the young, growing man was forced to face it in its purest form. It reached down to the very depths of his being with a clear attempt of reaping more than his physical form but the very fabric of who he was. How fitting coming from one who's mere existence harmed the fabric of the world surrounding them.

Blood spilled all over the broken furniture only for it to be further ruined by rushing waters coming from Seifer himself. Heavy breaths escaped him as he attempted to find a moment to rest, to think, to seize control of the situation again. Words escaped him, attempting to distract.

"Has no one told you that's no way to treat a customer?"

Alas his greatest attempt at giving him some space only resulted in a large cut, in her scythe firmly placing itself into his skin, piercing flesh and allowing the madwoman to close the gap between them.

Before he even realized it Vanessa's face burrowed itself against him, fangs sinking into his neck in one swift motion. A gasp escaped his lips, his free hand pressing against her in an attempt to pry her away while she fed upon him.

It burned. It provided an oddly comforting, illogical warmth on a deeper level, yet the puncture itself felt like he'd been dipped in acid for hours. As he reached up to try and cover the bite she flung him across the room, crashing through table and sofa alike before the moonlight glow shone down before his eyes from behind his back.

Trouble breaths, unsteady form, blurry vision. Bloodied hands pushed against the floorboards as she laughed, as she monologued and delved further in the very taint that carved at Seifer's very being. His left hand clutch at his side where D'noxa's spirit had left his mark, rising up to touch his shoulder where her scythe had drawn blood, and finally his neck where a new kind of proximity had been introduced to him.

He was not fond of it.

"If... that's the truth then—"

His left hand suddenly swiped across the air, producing no magic of its own and instead sending droplets of blood from all three of his bigger wounds directly towards the Vampire's eyes, aiming to blind her even if it were for but a moment.

"Maybe you'll regret this day!"

He leapt backwards, jumping out of the building with a massive trail of blood following in his wake, a mix of his and hers that would splatter all over the cobblestone outside while Seifer made a daring escape, now all too aware of how unsafe this side of Esshar may be.
(Seifer Gardios)