Adrian III

[18:10] A summons had gone out.

It had been an eventful few weeks in Achyon, for more reasons than one. But despite the chaos and frequent acts of war, Adrian had a plan to go through. And so a simple letter is sent via mail to a particularly greedy Drakanite.

Of course, it had been days since then, giving Katrin ample time to travel from whatever gold mine she had dug herself into. And so he awaits, sitting in the Cafe as usual. Before him is a simple set of tea cups, one for him and an empty cup sitting just across.

He had sent the message. All that was left was for the Drakanite to arrive.

If they arrived at all.
(Adrian)
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[18:10] Those frequent acts of war, sadly, had not netted Katrin much business. For some reason custom came further apart. Perhaps, as people were actively engaging in conflict, they had less time for the actual purchase of weapons and enchantments. Not that it stopped her from still trying.

The summons reaches her amid her many wanderings- for she hardly ever remained still, if she could help it- and then it's a course straight for Achyon and the familiar interior of Francisca's tavern.

She enters, having taken great pains to tidy herself for the appointment, and on appearing gives the nobleman a dry little smile.

"Good to see ya as ever, mister Adrian. Managed to find your letter. Those messengers are real impressive." She takes a seat in front of the tea cup across from him and offers the one who'd summoned her a nod.
(Katrin)
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[18:12] As she takes a seat before him, Adrian promptly pours up a cup of tea for her to enjoy. Immediately the room fills with the scent of fragrant herbs and spices, and one could almost hear the tea sizzling as the hot water is poured in.

"Indeed they are. Impressive little things, aren’t they? No matter where you are, the letter is sure to be delivered." He didn’t know who managed to develop such a method of mail delivery, but they were no doubt swimming in coin.

"Please, relax. I’m sure you’ve had quite a long journey to get here." And given her usually dirty attire, he had no doubts she was deep within a mine, digging for ores to sell.

"I’ve summoned you here today with an offer. An offer you can’t refuse." What exactly he meant by that, however, was unclear. It only added to the unsettling feeling he gave off, as his overly polite attitude reared its head once more.

"Would you like to hear it?"
(Adrian)
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[18:14] Katrin salutes Adrian, touching two fingers to her temple briefly as he pours the tea. Ahhh. Francesca's finest brews. She takes a deep inhale of the scent, far better than that of the dingy tunnels and seared metal she's grown so accustomed to.

"Really are. Sometimes I wonder how they manage it." That's something that might no doubt have an application in her own work. The artificer smiles and nods to the noble's cordial offer, easing back into the familiar chair.

Though as he mentions an 'offer', as ominously as is (in)humanly possible, she grows tense.

"Well...I'd wager ya got my attention now, mister Adrian. Let's hear it."
(Katrin)
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[18:16] "One of this countries greatest mysteries, to be sure. I wonder if riftmancy is involved.." It was a secret neither of them were likely to ever discover; much to his dismay.

"Well, my dear Katrin. I am glad I’ve got your attention, because this offer will only come once." Adrian calmly picks up his cup and drinks from it, before placing it back down with a dull tink. His eyes shift back towards Katrin, and an eerie smile soon spreads across his lips.

One could almost see the fangs nearly poking out, if she dared look close enough.

"Have you ever wanted to be something... More? To cast off the weakness and fragility of your current self? And more importantly..." He leans forwards in his seat, his gaze locked entirely on Katrins visage, watching every reaction she might make.

And for a brief moment, his eyes shine a deep red, before returning to their pale blue hues. Was it just a trick of the light?

"To ascend beyond what you are now? No more will people look down upon you, no more will they stand atop their false thrones and pretend to rule over you."

And so, his hand extends. And it was then that Katrin could clearly see. His skin was pale; incredibly so. Dark veins run just beneath the surface, and being this close only caused the eerie sensation in the air to grow more intense.

"All I ask is your loyalty. The same loyalty you’ve shown me since the first time we met. And in turn, I will make you into something better. Stronger. Faster."

And with that, he leans back in his chair, the eerie feeling fading, leaving only the awkwardly cheerful Adrian sitting behind.

"Or will you decline my gracious offer? Will you run away, fearful of what you could truly be? But know this, my dear Katrin. This offer is given only once. Refuse, and you will remain what you are now. Another Drakanite in a world that seeks to belittle you."

His hands fold together at his waist.

"So choose wisely, my dear. For the clock is ticking."
(Adrian)
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[18:19] Adrian, with his courtesy and appearance of wealth, was one of the few she did not correct immediately on gut instinct when he calls her 'Katrin'. No sense in correcting a good customer, and one that's been fine with allowing her to sell out of the cafe.

Those teeth. They're becoming more of a frequent occurrence to see for her. And the people of this very cafe had been less than subtle in her presence a great number of times. It had simply been in her professional interests to not ask too many questions.

At first, she frowns. Her brow knits and un-knits as the artificer considers his words. Her slit pupils remain resting on the dark veins that run just under the surface of his alabaster skin. A chill hits the air and strikes her.

Whether he intends to or not, he poses his offer well. A little too well. There's a pall of silence, then broken by her words.

"If I accept it. Will ya own me or my soul? Or do I get to keep those?"

She did not care to remain her. She did not care to remain a Drakanite either, but that was no one's business but her own.

"I'd like a lil' more detail, mister Adrian, if ya please. Any merchant worth their salt likes to know more of what they're gettin' into."

His gracious offer, such as it is, is not written off outright.
(Katrin)
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[18:22] "I’m sorry, your... soul?"

There is a brief moment of silence before the man begins to chuckle. This continues for a solid minute before he reaches down and takes another drink of his tea.

"My dear, I have no desire for your soul. I wouldn’t know what to do with even if I did." He seems almost surprised she would ask such a thing. It almost made him wonder what she had gone through before arriving here.

"Please, I was not aware you were good at humour. But no. I am not, nor will I ever, be after your soul. Heh, what a concept." His hand waves, as if to dismiss the very thought.

"I’m certain you’ve heard the rumours circulating this little slice of Avalon. Of how predators lurk within. Well, my dear, all rumours have a nugget of truth. What I want is not your soul, but the very blood that courses through you."

Was this some attempt at a metaphor?

"And in exchange, I give you the blood that courses through mine. A give and take relationship, one might say. A mutually beneficial deal in which we all walk away happy."

And in his case, full.

"And as promised, you will evolve into something far greater than what you are now. That, my dear, I promise you."
(Adrian)
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[18:23] "You laugh, sir, but I had something out in the east jungles offering me a deal for my soul. Didn't sound comfy to me." Though it had been tempting. Sorely so. A chance to be remade, to be given what she needed to fulfill her aims- whatever those might be- was a boon hard to pass up. Yet the price had been steep.

"...I've heard some, sir. Yeah. And the folks in this cafe haven't been real quiet when they mention their, uh...'feeding'." While she hadn't asked questions, Francesca's denizens had unwittingly provided answers all the same.

"Blood for blood. It for tat. You get a meal, I get... power? Smarts or cunning or something like that? And evolve into...what?"

So far he's been polite enough to answer questions. And, ultimately, hasn't asked for much. When it's less than a soul, her immortal being given to another in the hereafter, of course it seems cheap by comparison.
(Katrin)
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[18:26] "Ah. A denizen of the mire." He knew of the jungles to the east, and he also knew of the creatures that lurked within. From the mindless ogres to the manipulative Nethradrin.

"You were right to decline his deal. Unlike mine, that creature is full of false promises. A lie to ensnare your soul, and leave you it’s slave. A terrible fate, one many have fallen to." Though strangely he had never encountered one himself.

"It won’t be immediate, mind you." Adrian adds, seemingly answering her questions without hesitation. "But yes. You will gain power, more than you ever could imagine. In return, I take my fill. Not enough to leave any lasting injuries, but enough to sustain me.”"

It was certain that very few had yet to piece together the true purpose of the cafe, and given the recent decree there was less of a reason to keep his facade.

"You will turn into what we call a ghoul. A stepping stone into something greater. It will take time, but you will reap benefits very few on this continent will ever know."

His hand extends towards Katrin, and the overly friendly smile remains on his face.

"So. Do we have a deal?"
(Adrian)
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[18:28] Katrin grunts softly. Figures. The deal had seemed to good. The creature's voice too... calming. Adrian at least seemed honest. She knew him, she knew his people, had dealt and treated with them already.

This was ultimately another step among them. Nothing more.

"No. Nothing good comes immediate. It's not like I'm using the stuff anyway."

There were benefits. And if it came to be there weren't any after all? There was nothing so binding as a soul tying her to any kind of damnation.

Her expression eases. Katrin offers him a half grin and takes the hand to shake. The agreement is sealed.

"Sounds you have yourself a deal, mister Adrian."
(Katrin)
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[18:31] And so the deal was struck.

All that was left was to collect the payment.

Adrian's hands clap together excitedly, and the eerie grin that was always present on his face only grew wider. "Excellent choice, my dear. Excellent indeed." With that, Adrian stands up from his chair and gestures for Katrin to approach.

"Come, my dear. Come closer, so we may forge this pact properly."

All the while, fangs began to protrude from the corners of his mouth, and red eyes filled with hunger seemed to focus entirely upon her every step.

And so he stands there, his hand extended for her to grab.

It was her last chance to run, for the moment she takes that step towards him. There was no going back.
(Adrian)
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[18:34] Normally Katrin prefers to seal her deals with handshakes. That doesn't seem fitting here. She flinches as the nobleman's grin, somehow, stretches even wider across his face.

Approach she does. Hesitant. Sluggish. There are rumors of their 'feeding'. None of it sounds pleasant. At all. And each step seems to make his predatory focus narrow. Instinct bids her to go the opposite way.

She flies in its face, rises from her chair, and stands before the ravenous beast.
(Katrin)
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[18:45] The moment Katrin moves closer, the beast lurking beneath finally took hold. Adrian's hand moves forward at astonishing speed, grabbing hold of Katrin's arm and practically dragging her into an embrace. His strength was unnatural, and even Katrin would find it difficult to break from the vice-like grip.

His lips part, revealing the full horror of the fangs that was normally hidden, and before she could react those very fangs are plunged into her neck.

munch.

The moment the fangs pierce her neck, there is a sharp pain that shoots through her entire body. But just as quickly as the pain emerged, it is replaced with a strange euphoria as his own blood begins to mix with her own. With each passing second, Adrian continues to drink. And with each passing second, Katrin finds her body growing weaker. Colder. It was clear that Adrian was stealing the very life from her veins.

And just as quickly as it had begun, Katrin finds her released from his grip. What stares back at her is no longer the well mannered noble. His blood red eyes remained fixated upon her, and blood still dripped from the corner of his mouth.

"So... Delectable. Such greed, such fear. An exquisite taste I've rarely had the chance to savour." And with that, he steps towards Katrin. A knife is produced from his belt, and he wastes no time in bringing it across his flesh.

The knife cuts through his skin with ease, causing a small pool of corrupted blood to begin pouring out. The Vampire kneels down to the injured Katrin, and holds his wrist towards her.

"Now drink."
(Adrian)
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[18:46] ** Adrian has inflicted an injury upon Katrin. ("Vampire Bite", "Puncture wounds congeal with distorted energy, resonant with depraved power that keeps the infliction from fully closing. A poison spreads in feverish decay throughout your body that harshly hinders the healing process.", "Temporary", "") **
[18:52] The hand comes forward and snaps about her arm. She lurches forward against his grip. If it's a hug, it's not like any hug she's ever had. The moment she sees those teeth flash she feels another instinctual urge to turn tail or, much more faintly, to fight back.

She shoves it down, like she does many of her instincts; it's not as if she can go anywhere. He was smart to have her grabbed before opening his jaws wide.

Katrin cries out in pain as points pierce her neck with deadly efficiency. It's brief, however. A strange, cold calm washes over her. Any sense of urgency drains away with her life blood.

Greed. Fear. Indignant, impotent anger. There's apparently a buffet for the red-eyed beast.

Dazed, weakened, the artificer pauses only for a moment. She's paid the price, now to get what she's owed- however strange it might be to acquire it. Her hazy eyes focus on the dark blood.

Katrin drinks. And she drinks deep. Life was lost, and now new, stolen life floods her in its place. Her eyes snap open wide as soon as it hits her tongue. The cold in her extremities fades and her heart begins to ramp up.
(Katrin)
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[18:52] ** Katrin has inflicted an injury upon Katrin. ("Blood Withdrawl", "The world is cold. You feel dry. Hollow. Nothing but bitter, dangerous anger. Your heart feels like it runs on empty, and sometimes givew an irregular twitch. Your throat feels unbearably, miserably scratchy.", "Permanent", "") **
[18:52] ** Katrin has inflicted an injury upon Katrin. ("Blood Withdrawl", "The world is cold. You feel dry. Hollow. Nothing but bitter, dangerous anger. Your heart feels like it runs on empty, and sometimes givew an irregular twitch. Your throat feels unbearably, miserably scratchy.", "Permanent", "") **
[18:58] The euphoria that the blood grants is unlike any other Katrin would've ever experienced. While the blood itself is cold; unnaturally so, it grants a rush of unmatched euphoria that would forever change Katrin on a fundamental level.

And while It was not a deal that claimed her soul, it would mark her as his thrall for the rest of eternity.

Which is what he wanted all along.

After a short time, the arm is ripped away from Katrin, and soon the incision knits itself back together, as if it had never existed. All that's left is Adrian, grinning at the dazed Katrin.

"Was it not everything I told you? Do you not feel the power flowing through your veins? The euphoria?" He kneels down before Katrin, his eyes slowly fading back to their dull blue hues.

"Welcome to the world behind the curtain, my dear. Welcome to your new existence."
(Adrian)
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[19:05] He had promised her change. And she did still have her soul. He hadn't necessarily lied...Though perhaps it wasn't impossible that the nobleman- the vampire, to call him what he truly was- glossed over a few unpleasant truths.

Truths that would be found later, with the come down. Now? Now Katrin has not a single regret, a single care or worry, on her mind. She drinks greedily from the limb all until it's torn away from her with the utmost reluctance.

And when it's gone? The artificer licks her chops, her fingers, for every last drop as she shivers and slumps down to the floor. Before answering she takes a deep, shuddering breath.

"Holy Hell. That's...I ain't felt nothin' like that," she mutters, still searching for stray droplets while regaining some semblance, a few shreds of her wits. Her mind and her heart run a thoroughbred speeds.

"I like it. I need...I need morea' that. It feels.Amazing." Katrin nearly cackles with the words. "Feel like I could...I could kill a gods-damned DRAGON!"
(Katrin)
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[19:06] Valerian Ivanovich says, "-"
[19:12] "There is little that can match the euphoria. Very little."

It was a truth he knew fully, as he too had spend quite some time as a Thrall. Every drop was like gold. Each drop brought euphoria that couldn't be resisted. It was a heady drug, one that Katrin had now experienced first hand.

"And don't worry, my dear. You will get more, as promised. As I feed on you, I will take my due. You will never go without a supply." While she might still have her soul, it's likely she lose something much more important.

Her humanity.

Adrian does begin helping her to stand. "Easy now. The bite will take time to heal, despite how you feel. You might feel like a dragon, but those wounds will hinder you, for a time." An unfortunate trade off, one he conveniently forgot to mention.

"Aren't you glad you accepted this deal, my dear?"
(Adrian)
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[19:16] There would be more. Not now, maybe, but there would be more. It makes the current high, that bliss and rush of power, that much more sure and comfortable. It might wane. But not forever.

Katrin rises with the help of Adrian, though still dazed, and dizzy, and grinning as wide as she might possibly grin. The shallow points of her teeth, however, have no chance of matching the noble's grim rictus.

"'Course...yeah, yeah. Doesn't mean I'm not gonna give whatever gets in front of me next what for," she says with another heady laugh.

"Oh, I am. A deal's a deal, mister Adrian. And one I ain't regret."

Yet. Besides. What was a little humanity in exchange for this?
(Katrin)
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[19:20] Whether or not she held regrets, it was far too late to dwell on them now. Vampiric blood now coursed through her system, and short of a massive intervention, there would be no escaping her fate.

"Of course. Now, go get some rest. Or mine. Or... Whatever you wish." After all, it's not as if he could stop her if she insisted on going out to sell her wares. It was, however, still a word of caution.

"This is just the beginning. You will see in time, that I promise you. You shall see in time..."
(Adrian)
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[19:23] Regrets would come later. With the withdrawals, most likely.

"Right, right. I got a lotta' work I can do. I got all these ideas all this...all this energy, hahaaa! Gotta' make good use of it," she rambles, scratching at the puncture wounds on her neck.

"Gonna hold ya to that promise, sir. Ya have a nice, nice day."

The artificer gives him an overly enthusiastic bow, one that threatens to topple her over, before wandering and out and on her way for...whatever mayhem she might get up to high as a kite.
(Katrin)