resurgence

All roads lead back to this.

When Ambrose arrives, appearing much more different since their last meeting, his gaze trails up to Araceli. There were certainly changes abound for this one, but..

Some things never change.

"Lady Araceli."

"Could we speak elsewhere?"

Some conversations are not meant for a public eye, after all.
(Ambrose Roche)

"Of course."

The serenity of the Waystone served as the perfect location for the Songstress to perfect her craft. Glancing over sheet music, though soon returning it to her pack to shift full attention to the Roche.

She could only assume that it was going to be another private session, to which she hoped he brought payment.

"Very well, follow me."

Beckoning the boy forth, before preparing to make way into the Waystone itself.
(Araceli Vellier)

It's only natural that he would end up here again.

Still, while he's here, a rather uneasy feeling lingers in him still- after what happened the other day, it'd be better if he got respite from it as soon as possible. Nonetheless..

"I needed another... dosage." Of her- of the Cainite blood, obviously.

"And in turn, you could take mine again." Why, one might wonder? It doesn't take long before he already remarks.

"I was going to start practicing the rituals of peculiar magic." Of Occult- but part of him hoped that she would simply guess, rather than actually questioning it.

"And I could get all the strength possible - regardless of the source."

"Do you think you could provide?"

It's not exactly a lie- in fact, it's the truth. But is he telling everything?

That's another matter.
(Ambrose Roche)

"More blood?"

A quirk of her brow, as Araceli's head tilted to the right ever so curiously. Examining Ambrose from head to toe, before coming to a stand.

Pacing back and forth, her brow furrowed now in thought. A few moments passing, before pausing and facing the boy once again.

"I do not mean to scold you, mister Roche, but you must keep in mind that a large quantity of blood will be required should you ever be turned."

"I cannot afford to keep you sustained if you so carelessly throw away what I provide."

It would take far longer than originally anticipated.

"I understand the desire to fight, it lives within all of us, some to a more muted degree than others. However-"

A sigh, the vampire knowing that they were bound now.

"I will do it just this once, but do not expect me to give you more so soon. I still need to acquire some myself, after which you will be given some, as well as mister Shukun. I have discovered some potential blood sources, so it should be okay."

"Now, if you would remove your shirt."
(Araceli Vellier)

The purpose was not to waste blood.

But he could see how Araceli would see it that way. Truth be told, he couldn't even blame her that much for it.. but at the same time, he offers a recompense.

At the very least.

"I understand."

"My life is filled with danger, and quite often I expose myself to something that may lead to unfortunate effects - such as the one we're currently facing." Still...

"I do not mean to trouble you - I really don't. At this point, it's just a necessity." But..

"At the end, it should be worthwhile, once my power will grow."

Still, much like the last time, there's an exposure of his shoulder; an ample area for a bite, upon which he also remarks.

"And--"

"If you'd like, I could try to capture some people out there. Perhaps drug them, so that they remain unconscious and don't remember anything."

"Then, I can bring them here to be drained of their blood. After that, we can simply drag them outside and leave them somewhere." Surely it could be risky, but at the same time..

"I already have a disguise and a hideout where such things could be done. Simply keep someone unconscious to be drained and nothing more."

Unless Araceli was against it.
(Ambrose Roche)

First and foremost, above all else, Araceli seemed to focus upon the offering of blood. She too was low on sustenance, but that would be remedied in short order, hopefully.

"It is to Cain we gave thanks for this bountiful offering."

Fangs exposing themselves through parted lips, before leaning forward to sink into tender skin. The vampiric effect taking root near instantly, though it would heal with sufficient time.

No matter, with that out of the way, her attention returned to Ambrose.

"I think that is an.. interesting idea, and one I have heard prior. However, my opinion on it is that you should not take unnecessary risks."

"If you wholeheartedly believe that you can capture someone without wasting more essence, then I implore you to go for it."

Araceli could only trust his judgement in this regard, and hope that his youthful naivete would not squander more of Cain's bounty.

It was unlike the noblelifestyle, wherein she was always fed, but she had learned to make do.

"Mm. I will give you my blood, now."

Rather than cutting herself this time, Araceli instead offered forth her right wrist. He would have to learn how to extract blood one way or another, and the pain did not quite bother the woman.
(Araceli Vellier)

It's risky.

But at the same time, it's something that could not be ignored, for the sake of what's to come. Truth be told, he thinks that there may have been something for them all to actually get out of this, given the fact that there was always a need for blood, but..

"I'll be careful."

"I will not drag anyone anywhere unless I'm absolutely sure that they're unconscious and will remain so." He pauses.

"Besides... I'm an alchemist. I'm sure I could produce a drug that ensures they remain asleep." It shouldn't be that difficult, at least so he thinks.

Still, when the fangs sink into him, it's not an unfamiliar feeling. Quite on the contrary, he merely winces- his eyes closing momentarily, until they re-open and look up to her.

She presents him a wrist? Hm...

"--I suppose I should do that on my own."

But.. what comes next is perhaps unexpected to Araceli. What manifests before her is the dangerous, destructive nature of Occult- one coupled with the biomancy; the nature of toxins and nature magic alike. It flows to her skin - numbing the area, until the fine destructive potency is manipulated by him..

Like a skilled hand of a surgeon.

Carefully making a cut, until the precious vitae flows out; it is directed to Ambrose himself, and it is here that he feasts upon it. It was most certainly different than the last time she's seen him..

His power grows.
So does his mastery over Occult.

".. thank you."

He remarks politely after imbibing.
(Ambrose Roche)

It was a tricky and risky situation most certainly, yet all Araceli could do was trust in her subordinates, and hope that they did not put the entire group at risk.

Given Ambrose's youth.. it was worrisome, to put it lightly, but he seemed to have matured far beyond that of any other his age.

Perhaps as a result of his tumultuous youth, or some other reason.

"Remaining asleep would be ideal, but do not stress yourself over it. We can receive blood one way or the other. Speaking of-"

Araceli's gaze shifted towards the newly arrived Kasai, though not moving towards him yet. Instead focusing upon Ambrose, his proficiency over occultism manifesting before her very eyes.

He was not the first occultist she had known, even if she found the magic itself unpleasing to the eye.

"Good work. In Apropriya we try to keep our blood harvesting as unpainful and not at all violent. If we were to needlessly oppress the common folk they would rightly rise in rebellion, hence the reason why we normally do not call our prey ever."

Unless they were to do something to deserve such, anyways.

"Speaking of blood, however-"

Now shifting her attention to Kasai, before approaching the man.

"It is to Cain we gave thanks for this bountiful offering."

The vampire did not ask to partake of his essence, instead taking it for herself. Leaning in forth to sink fangs into his shoulder, should he not resist or try to stop her.


(Araceli Vellier)

Such steps are necessary to prevent anything unpleasant.

Or anything that could reveal them. Regardless, once they're all set and done, he merely gives her a nod- this would be very helpful in his endeavours.

"Thank you, Lady Araceli."

As for Ambrose? He had many other things to do.. and couldn't quite afford to just linger around for no reason. As such..

He begins to depart, headed towards the exit.
(Ambrose Roche)