Chapter 67: Uriel Septim VII


Leave it to Maxical to immediately jump to the wrong conclusion! The description of this first encounter with the Emperor is one that you should frame and keep in the old archives, mALX. It was fantastic!

The scene with Ocato was just as good. This chapter had the weight to match the auspiciousness (is that even a word?) of the occasion.

Chapter 68: Jackben Imbel

Now to recap, as the hours shrink before the Music Festival, you have Ocato scheming with Mankar Camoran. The Dark Brotherhood is bumbling around a suite at the Tiber Septim (one presumes). Gils is buying real estate in Anvil and warming up the old pipes (so to speak). Fathis is spending more time alone with day old cotton candy and his unsharpened sword. Janus is shacking up with the acerbic Jack be nimble and trying with everything in him to not fall in love with Maxical, even as he thinks he wants to kill her (something to which all of us of the male persuasion can relate!). There are several untended monkeys gallivanting with impunity around the Imperial City throwing feces at all and sundry. Agronak is somewhere stinking up the gutters in a dark cloak and hood with little bits of bear dangling from his fangs. And Maxical is at the center of it all, re-falling for Gils and wondering just how far off her birth papers are!!!

All caught up again!

Jack be nimble
Jack be quick
Jack sat upon a candlestick
And was therefore, shown to be gay.


I couldn't resist.... :meh:

@ Treydog - Thank you so very much Treydog!!! You chose my two favorite lines in the chapter to quote, and you got the same reactions to them I did writing them!! You ROCK !!!

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@ Acadian - Thank you so much Acadian!!! I spewed on your ED line, lol. I think the ancients are all going to be jockeying for position, feeling each other out to guage their competition. Thank you again for all your kind words !!!

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@ Destri - Thank you so very much Destri !!! Whew!!! You validated any hard work I did on that chapter with your kind words, thank you so much Destri !!! And - You pretty much got the summary down pat, lol.

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@ Foxy - Thank you so much Foxy !!! I almost made Seridur gay, but it would have put my word count too high, ROFL !!!!!!

*


Chapter 69: Janus And Jakben



******* Janus


Jakben used his fork to point at Janus before stabbing it into the rare steak in front of him.

“You better learn to use those powers of yours, Hassildor…or stay isolated in that castle. You’ll get eaten alive in this city by vampires that haven’t a tenth the powers you have, but they’ve honed them and are skilled in their use.�

“I’ve always suffocated it when I felt the vampire emerging. Smelling that blood, there was no fighting it. My fangs broke skin for the first time that day. How can I hone powers?“

“Let the vampire out. It gains strength each time you release it. Vicente’s is out at all times. He looks like a dried up slaughterfish, yet women fight over him constantly. The testosterone draws women like flies to honey. The scent gets in their nose and it’s ambrosia to them. The nature doesn’t just read minds, it manipulates souls without your lifting a finger…a mere thought can bring you anything you desire, your aura will carry the commands without even a spell cast.�

“Odd you mentioned the scent, Hal-Liurz said the girl raved about that after I left the room. She said it was…delicious. But letting it out…I don’t know. It was like a primal beast released, I had no control over it. It was impossible to force it back once emerged, and I didn’t want to find out the hard way what it was capable of.�

“You release it often enough you’ll garner control. You have to work with it, not fight against it…like riding a wild stallion. Keep a light touch and they eventually get used to your hand on the reins. Drag constantly on the bit and they will grab it in their teeth and bolt.�

“I sure don’t want to risk doing that here in the city, not with Uriel’s law.�

“Don’t say I didn’t warn you when Vicente takes her then. What a waste. Well, you said you didn’t want her anyway. So, when do you plan to go on the prowl for Countess Tig Ol' Bitties?�

Janus choked. “I thought I’d go out evenings and scout the women out.“

�You’ve got a good laugh, let the women hear it. If you’re going out, let me offer you the use of my cattle, you’ll need to feed first.�

“I…don’t feed.�

“You planning on wandering around pink-eyed and fanged picking up women?�

“I’ll wear the cowl…�

Jakben choked out a half-chewed piece of steak, then doubled over laughing. “I’ll wager your face will ache from the slaps before you return!�

“Surely men wear cowls here, the mages from the Arcane…�

“Not picking up women they don’t. You’ll see.�

“What’s the alternative?�

“Feed. You’ve been a vampire fifty years, you’ve never fed?�

Janus shook his head no. “The thought made me ill till I smelled the virgin blood. Then…instincts took over. I need the powers right now anyway to keep close tabs on a few people. It’s imperative I stay in control of this situation so I’m not caught.�

“You’re still thinking you’ll be able to take the chosen, aren‘t you! Do you doubt my word?�

“I have to try, it’s the only way to know for sure.“

“Stubborn.� Jakben shook his head. “Never fed, huh? Your power must be tremendous, I‘ll have to sleep with one eye open.�

Janus started to answer when he caught laughter in Jakben’s eyes. It was at odd variance with that rough, serious tone of his. Janus paused, wondering suddenly if there were other times Imbel was jesting when he sounded mad. The man kept his mind blanked continuously…it was impossible to get a read on him.






***


“I’ll bet it’s that albino Khajiit, am I right? I’ve smelled her, especially when she gets injured in that Arena.�

“If you’ve smelled her…er…what has kept you from…taking her yourself?�

Jakben snorted. “Hunting in the backyard of the Palace? I leave those risks for amateurs like you. Don’t look for me to visit you in the dungeons when you’re caught at it.�

“It’s true, this is my first time…hunting.� Janus’s lip curled in disdain.

“Hassildor…you’re not cut out for this side of your nature. If I didn’t know she was your chosen, I’d advise you differently.�

“What do you mean?�

“The killing. The first time you’ve taken an innocent young life to feed your lust, the loathing for that side of you can hardly be lived with. You think you can control yourself and stop in time, but you can’t.�

“When that scent was in my nose…it took the guilt, I realized the possibility and didn’t…care.�

“But the scent won’t be in your nose when she lays dead. That’s when the human side of you has to live with what you’ve done. I almost took my own life more than once from the guilt; you‘re immortal and can‘t. It doesn‘t get easier, you’ll always loathe that in you that makes you weak…till you learn how to leave them alive.�

“How?�

“Take that from them first. It takes a while for the blood to change, when it does you have satisfied both your lusts and the girl lives. Unlike Seridur, I haven’t killed in years.�

“What does Seridur do? He must smell her too…�

“Seridur farms in some cave on the banks of the Rumare. It’s handy for him having the lake close enough to dump the bodies without being seen. If any happen to live he makes slaves of them and they guard the place.�

“Farming stops the drive?�

“No. It’s incentive to use willpower when the scent drives you mad. One still can’t come too close without danger. Seridur lost control recently and killed one in his backyard. It was witnessed, the idiot. Even a dog knows not to soil its own bed.�

“I’ve never liked him.�

“I think less of him than I do you, if that’s possible. But he’s not without influence in this town. He’s started a vampire hunting group, the idiots he’s hired don‘t know he is one.� Jakben snorted, then pointed his fork at Janus again.

“But Seridur sends them…and the legion…after anyone he feels is in his way; and as I said, he carries a lot of influence.�

“Thanks for the warning.� Janus nodded, surprising a friendly glance from Jakben…quickly covered by a sneer.






***


“Imbel, I’ve never dealt with anything like this before. I could no more control it than stop breathing. Is there a way?�

“You can’t fight the pull of the chosen. I couldn’t when I found mine. That’s primal, as powerful as it’ll ever get. I lost her long before you were born.�

“I’m sorry…�

Jakben waved Janus’s condolences away. “No point consoling me now, that’s long past.�

“You only get one chosen?�

“One is all you’ll need. Make yours and she’ll live forever, like you. My line is not immortal. She let me make her after we’d been together a few years. We had nearly 137 years of bliss when she was killed. To answer your question…when you lose one, your nature finds you another…but only when you are ready for it in here.� He pounded his cuffed hand over his chest. “I’m not wanting another…yet.�

“137 years…and no children came of it?�

“No, not that it’s your business. What is your obsession in finding out if I have a child? Are you planning to kill me and take over the mansion? Making sure no heir stands in your way of it?�

Jakben’s voice sounded querulous, but his eyes were laughing before he hooded them. Janus was startled once again by the discrepancy. How much else of what Jakben said had he been teasing about? He had a habit of talking with his back to one and keeping his mind blanked. Despite himself, Janus was intrigued and answered honestly.

“Curious. In all these years I never heard of a vampire producing get, just assumed it wasn’t possible till the other day, Lovidicus’s son.�

Jakben snorted. “Lovidicus, that loose screw. Never could stand him.�

“The son is worse, really unbalanced. But his powers far exceed Lovidicus’s. He used mind control from the womb…was powerful long before being made. Now…there is no telling what he is capable of.�

“You planning on producing when you bring Countess Bags O’ Fun back to Skingrad?�

Janus choked on a laugh. “No. I was just…curious if that was common or phenomenon.�

“Phenomenon? Oh, you will definitely fall on your face out there.“






***


Jakben slammed the Courier down in front of Janus. “You brought him here, didn’t you!�

“Who?�

“You know who, Lovidicus‘s brat! Did you bring him to distract from your actions?�

“Surely he’ll draw attention to himself and be blamed for any victim, especially after shredding that bear.�

“Think, lad! He’ll draw real vampire hunters down here! You couldn’t have planned that out carefully!�

“I planned to be gone before they arrived…�

“You! What about me? Your ‘brethren‘, remember? Soil up my backyard with that nut and a bunch of hunters…then leave your trash on our doorstep and slip back off to your castle? One problem, just one…you look for me to come visit you till the heat is off.�

“Of course! You are welcome anytime.�

“Don’t think that is reciprocal.�

Janus chuckled. “I don’t.�







***


“Hassildor, I gave my word not to poach on your chosen without your leave. Vicente will though, he isn‘t bothered with scruples either as vampire or man. He arrived early this morning. While you search for a bride you find acceptable, the chosen will be in danger by him. Where I would leave her alive, Vicente won’t. Since you stated you have no use of her anyway, why don’t you give me that leave?�

Janus shoved back his chair and stood as if challenged. “So that’s the catch? You let me stay here…for her?�

Jakben remained seated, busying himself with trimming a minute bit of fat off the edge of his steak. “Even though you’re rejecting her as mate…you still can’t take your own chosen, lad. But any of us can. She is up for grabs. I am gentleman enough to ask your…permission. Others won‘t.�

“You could have had her at any time, why the sudden interest?�

“Not sudden interest…sudden access. I don’t hunt in this city, too dangerous. You have the mage in your power, planned for him to bring you the girl. If you’re rejecting her anyway, you could have him bring her to me.�

“You were right, I have to learn to blank my mind.“ That’s when it hit Janus. “You used mind control on me to come to your door!�

“You needed a room. You can’t pick up women smelling of the sewers.�

“How long have you been reading my mind?�

Hassildor, you never leave Skingrad. I had to know what brought you from your lair. I gave you good advice about blanking your mind, it blabbed everything as you approached…probably what brought Vicente in. I’ve been upfront with you, given you sound advice…�

“You charmed me into liking you using your vampire powers! Why didn’t I realize that?�

“Some, but not that much…I have natural charm. Hassildor, the happiest time of my life was with my chosen. I’ve tried every way possible to talk you into accepting yours, you don‘t even want the girl. At least with me, should you change your mind later your chosen will be alive…her death won’t be on your conscience. You’ve no time left, Vicente and Seridur won’t wait for permission. They‘ll use mind control on you to bring her to them. If you don’t let that vampire out to protect her, you’ll lose her anyway.“

“You warned me about the one with lesser powers that would eat me alive…it was you!�

“Can’t say I’m not honest…it’s the nature of the beast, Hassildor. …Aw lad, don‘t leave mad!�




This post has been edited by mALX: Aug 4 2016, 04:54 AM

Sorry it took me so long but rest assured I kept up with your story (and on all the others too)

Love the changes you have made. So now 3 vampires are on the prowl? Interesting

It is chapter 69!!! Where is Damien???

Sneakers made his debut a couple chapters back...Uriel and some monkeyshines bumped Damien just a tad, but I'll send you the script for approval, lol. Er, I sent you a PM asking if ... I'll send another, because your answer will alter the segment a bit.

This post has been edited by mALX: Nov 2 2010, 03:55 PM

mALX, this was fascinating! What a wonderfully intricate and highly developed study of vampires you have created. It all makes wonderful sense now.

As far as your writing, my goodness, talk about using dialoge to its fullest! Not a bit of action (except to support the dialogue), nor a bit of story narration. Pure dialogue. Magnificent! I couldn't stop reading. Every time I came to one of your **** breaks, I was hoping you were not going to shift scenes away from the J brothers. I'm so glad you devoted a whole story to this wonderful conversatation!

Another one of your very best!

This post has been edited by Acadian: Nov 4 2010, 12:54 PM

With so much intrigue swirling around one small white Khajiit, it’s amazing she has not died several times over already!

Your delving into the culture and hierarchy of the vampires of Cyrodiil is a fascinating bit of creativity. It is also one of those face-palm moments- of course they would know about each other- now that you have pointed it out. Predators are always aware of other predators in their territory- especially those of the same species. Because those others are not only competition- they can also be the greatest danger.

The depth and darkness shows the degree to which your writing has matured- and yet there are still the moments of mALX humor which we all love:

Cf: “Countess Tig Ol Bitties” and “Countess Bags O’ Fun”

Then there is Janus’ plan to pick up women while wearing a cowl… Yeah, good luck with that. ‘Course, it sort of worked for the Phantom of the Opera.

I know how much you love comedic farce in your work, but you may be at your very best when you write about vampires. Imbel’s seduction of Hassildor was brilliantly subtle and wonderfully revealed.

This fascinating vampire subculture that you have created is worth exploring in an all new thread! You have Hassildor’s guilt and reluctance to expose his true nature. Imbel’s subtle machinations and underground farming techniques. Vicente is navigating the thin line of tolerance that his womanizing must strain with the Five Tenents of the Dark Brotherhood. And Seridur manipulates the Order of the Virtuous Blood to strike out at any who would threaten him. You have some brilliant possibilities here! (oops, sorry for recapping again)

@ Remko - Thank you so much Remko!! So good to see you back on here!!!

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@ Foxy - Thank you so much Foxy - and here he is !!!!!

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@ Acadian - You ROCK !!!! Thank you so very much Acadian !!!!! That has to be the most awesome comment you've ever left me, I may frame it !!!!! WOO HOO !!!!!! I appreciate that so much !!!

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@ Treydog - Thank you so very much Treydog!!! I appreciate that so much !!! I had the same idea you did, they are predators...hunters. There had to be a hierarchy and awareness of each other. I think I learned that watching "The Lion King" or something, ROFL !!! Thanks again Treydog !!!

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@ Destri - Thank you so much Destri !!! I came to like Jakben in writing his part. He didn't take over the keyboard, but his personality came across as the typing went on. He may be a vampire, a rogue...but I liked him. In game he is overly meek till he attacks, and then his powers are in your face. Very controlled and cunning. I was trying to get that across, especially in this upcoming chapter. Thanks again Destri !!!!! You ROCK !!!!

*


Foxy has graciously agreed to co-write this chapter, employing his character Damien "Foxy" Reynard to assist Maxical. Foxy has written or approved all the parts for Damien Reynard and his agent Sneakers. I hope you enjoy it as much as we have writing it.




Chapter 70: Jakben and Seridur




******* Jakben Imbel


“Oh, it’s you.� Seridur gapped the door.

Jakben eased in, nodding his head at Seridur‘s bodyguard. “Cylben.�

The bodyguard gave no indication he’d heard by even a flicker of change in his remote expression.

Seridur signaled Jakben to silence. “The hunters are in the basement.� He whispered, then pointed to the ceiling.

Jakben moved silently up the steps. Seridur followed, signaling his body guard.

“Cylben, make sure we aren’t disturbed...or overheard.�

Cylben positioned himself at the bottom of the stairs, planting his feet as if ready for battle.

“What have you done about that witness that saw you kill the girl?� Jakben poured himself a glass of wine and settled into a chair.

“Roland Jenseric? He’s disappeared, left the city. I told the guards I witnessed him turn into a vampire and attack the girl. They’ll kill him on sight if he returns. Everything was under control, then that idiot Gilen…and you can be assured he’ll die for this…requested help from some hero-type to search for him! Now I‘ll have to kill the hero, and can‘t do that here in the city!�

“A hero! Is he a vampire hunter?�

“He killed a few feral vampires, got a reward and a swelled up sense of his own importance from it. Do-gooder!� Seridur sneered before continuing.

“Now, tell me. Were you able to get the young chub to feed?�

“No, not a drop. He said the thought churns his stomach.�

“Drat! I was hoping we could weaken his power with the feeding.�

“That’s what I hoped as well. “ Jakben’s voice held a distracted note.

“What’s eating you, Imbel? We’ve got to strike while these crowds are here, we may never get another chance like this! I’ve never seen the guards so distracted and lax!“

“What’s eating me is something his mind neglected to blab on his trip in; this girl is his chosen.�

“His chosen! Are you sure?�

“Positive. It’s writ’ all over him. He denied it first, then admitted Hal-Liurz saw it in her Hist tea grounds.�

“Drat! This is getting too risky. What about his powers, did you get a read on them?�

“His arsenal dwarfs anything I‘ve ever come across. His power has to be tremendous not feeding in fifty years. From something he said about the girl smelling his aura, his testosterone levels must be through the roof. He’s powerful alright, and there’s no telling how fast his vampire moves. Worse, he has no control over his nature. He will be extremely dangerous when riled, may as well sign your own death warrant.“

“Well…I’m out then. You do what you want.�

“Swear it if you’re serious, Seridur. I don’t want to take all the risks only to find the Legion or your vampire hunters at my door because you think I’ve stepped on your toes.�

“I only meant I won’t fight him. If you get him to bring her to you I still want a share of the blood!�

“He won’t bring her to me. He left mad at the suggestion.�

“You asked him? You idiot! Why didn’t you just control his mind?�

“Because it’s his chosen. That vampire is going to come out to protect her, and I don’t like those kind of surprises. I would have otherwise.� Jakben shifted uncomfortably.

“You’re too honest, Imbel. It makes you soft, and is quite irritating at times like this.“

“Honest! Hardly.� Jakben snorted, staring unseeing down into his wine glass.

“Don’t tell me you genuinely liked the lad!�

“He was…tolerable. It has naught to do with the lad, just…“

“What? Not your aversion to taking another‘s chosen because you lost yours?� Seridur’s lip curled disdainfully.

Not even a flicker of an eye gave away the rage that surged through Jakben at Seridur’s tone and words…one day, but not today…

“No…it was seeing him following his chosen. It brought memories. Nothing compares to the feel of that hunt. It brings out everything within you, powers you never knew you had…you are a god staking claim on her, bringing her to your lair. I’ve never even thought of replacing my chosen before, what we had together could never be matched. But…I don’t know, maybe it’s time to let go my grief…let my nature choose another for me.�

“It‘s all romantic drivel if you ask me. I‘m perfectly fine, and I’ve never had a chosen.� Seridur spat in disgust.

Jakben’s mouth quirked, but he said nothing.

“We still have a chance if he finds that voluptuous bride he’s seeking and goes back to Skingrad.� Seridur stressed the word ‘voluptuous’ sarcastically.

“Are you forgetting Vicente is in town?�

“Vicente! When did he get here?�

“Feeding on that girl you killed has sapped your powers, Seridur. He arrived early this morning. I’m interested to see what young Hassildor does when Vicente poaches.�

“I can‘t fight Vicente, I‘ve fed! You’ll have to stop him from killing her before we‘ve had a taste of it.�

Jakben sneered inwardly at Seridur’s cowardice, but kept it from his voice when he answered. “I hope I‘m able. He uses chameleon and illusion.�

“That’s right.� Seridur nodded. “What about the mage Hassildor has in his powers, did you find out who it is so we can move on him?�

“No, not yet.� Jakben lied, then changed the subject. “Oh, hey! I had another break-in right before the lad showed up.�

“What is it they’re after?�

“I haven’t found out…yet. The guards said that last one was a known petty thief with a long arrest record. Someone‘s behind it, sending them. None of them have been Skooma addicts.“









******* Damien “Foxy� Reynard



Damien held the dossier up and waved it gently, not looking up till it was grasped and removed from his hand.

“How should I play it, Foxy? Eyja asked as she scanned the file.

“Ocato won’t want someone smart enough to figure out his own plans…but will seek someone bright enough to infiltrate the Mythic Dawn and discern what Mankar Camoran is up to. Do not try seduction on Ocato. His weakness is in one who worships him. Play it mildly businesslike, a little naïve…heavy on the praise. Read Ocato’s dossier fully through before infiltrating the Battlemages, I‘m sure you‘ll find an angle.�

Eyja was flipping through Ocato’s file with her eyebrows raised. “I see, I lack the proper equipment. How can I be sure he’ll choose me then?�

“Eyja, if anyone can play the line between bright and naïve it is you.�

“And we’re giving him a doctored report of my findings?�

“Which I will provide you with when you return with the genuine information.�

“Infiltrating the Mythic Dawn should be an easy task, but…how close will you want me to Mankar Camoran, Foxy?�

“His dossier is right here.� Damien held up another file. “He will be easier to get close to than Ocato. You will find Camoran is not averse to a pretty face…you will have no problems there.� Damien’s usually stern mouth flitted a brief, ironic smile framed by the full mask of black velvet.

Eyja grinned back. “Foxy, you old flatterer! What‘s the breakdown on Camoran?�

“He is intrigued by brains as well as beauty, but keep in mind…he is cunning, cautious. He did not gain his position of power without a great deal of intelligence. Be very careful in your seduction. Make him chase you, and don‘t be easily caught.�

“That role has always been my favorite, and I am very good at it…if I do say so myself.�

Damien gave another quirky smile. “Haven’t I been telling you these many years, the student has surpassed the master?�

“Any more compliments and my head will swell so big Ocato won’t choose me!� Eyja flashed her tom-boyish grin. “What about Hassildor, will Sneakers be taking over the surveillance on him while I’m gone?�

“No, I need him to stick close to Ocato. I’ll put another agent on Hassildor. You say he is at Jakben Imbel’s?�

“Yes, here is my updated report on that.�

Eyja paused when a cadenced knock sounded on the heavy oak door. She glanced quickly at Damien, her brows raised. “Isn’t that the code for the man watching Vicente?�

Damien nodded and gave her a signal. Eyja grabbed the files she was to review and slid silently into the connecting room.






***


The agent stepped into the room quickly, hurrying forward to Damien’s desk. Damien raised his hand without lifting his head as he flipped through files in his desk drawer. The agent came to a grinding halt and stood silently, waiting for a signal. Damien pulled a file from the drawer and opened it, scribbled something on the parchment inside; his hand still raised. Finally he pointed his finger at the agent.

“Go.�

“Boss, I thought you should know. The entire sanctuary of the Dark Brotherhood is here for the music festival.�

“Including Vicente?�

“Including Vicente. I didn’t have orders, but when I saw the mass exodus I thought it best to follow. They are staying at the Merchants, in one suite.�

Damien held his hand out without reaching, and the agent leaned forward and dropped his report into it.

“Get back there. Don’t lose him for a second in this city.�

“I won’t Boss…er…�

“Yes?�

“I don’t know if this means anything, but I saw several other men in cowls and cloaks as we were coming through the city.�

Damien gave him a blank parchment. “I want details. Approximate heights and weights, their demeanor if you caught it, and where you saw each. Take it across the hall into the last room on the left.�

Damien waited till the agent left, then made a discreet sound. Eyja slid back into the room, handing Damien the files.

“One of them is Hassildor, another could be that Orc. It’s in my report, Foxy…I think he was made into a vampire in Anvil.�

“I agree. Get to the Palace as quickly as possible, I need to finish reviewing the report from Sneakers.�

“The part about the white Khajiit? That‘s Alix‘s daughter, isn‘t it?�

Damien nodded, giving her a signal to begin her mission. As soon as Eyja slid silently out, Damien moved quickly from his desk to the window. He gapped the curtains and waited, counting off the seconds he knew it would take before she would appear. She was precise…as always. Eyja turned when she reached the middle of the quad and blew a kiss to the window, grinning. Damien’s responding laugh hung heavy in the empty room. Eyja had grown to be so like her sister…how proud Cytherea would be of her.






***


The agent tapped his identifying code on the door and slid back into the room.

“Here‘s the report on those other cowled men, Boss.�

“I need you back with Vicente, your mission is to not let him out of your sight and keep me informed of his movements. Do you know all our contacts in this city?�

“Most.�

“Any of them you cross paths with between here and the Merchants, give them the signal to tell the others. I want everyone in for a briefing immediately.�

When the agent left, Damien leaned back in his chair for a minute pressing his hands together. He counted quietly to himself and then gapped the curtain behind him, verifying the agent was taking the most direct route to the Market District . He nodded to himself, then began drawing grids of the city and orders for the briefings.

As he worked, Damien’s mind pored over each bit of information that had come in; all the possible scenarios that could evolve from each item.

Vicente probably came for the music festival…but that didn‘t mean he was benign. No doubt Hassildor was here over Maxical…Eyja said Janus left immediately after Fathis Aren exited with Maxical. Why had Fathis brought Maxical to the castle? That was out of character. Hassildor could have Fathis under a spell…

Damien pulled the file for Fathis Aren out, scanning it briefly. The man was too smart, he would not have brought Maxical to Hassildor. He was definitely under spell. Damien made several notes on Fathis’s and Janus’s files, then rapped on his desk.

A slight figure gapped the heavy oak door and slid in, latching it behind her.

“Get me Arch Mage Traven.�


*

This post has been edited by mALX: Aug 4 2016, 04:56 AM

Oooh! This is like a master spy thriller! So much intrique and plotting and subversion! Look at all those vampires Maxical has wrapped around her tasty virginal tail! mALX, the Mistress of Plotweaving is hard at work! And it is always a pleasure to see our favorite spymaster! Oooh! - and Eyja! So far, I'm keep up just fine, I think.

Some maybe nits?
I would decide if you want boss or Boss and be consistent. I would go with Boss.

To me, this is such a wonderfully memorable description, that to repeat it within the same story almost made me go back to see if you had repeated the same paragraph twice. Even more so when I read the lines below:

Same as above. Even if you want to make 'cadenced knocking' a trademark of Sneakers, and 'counting then gapping his curtain' a trademark of Foxy, these actions are too cool and distintive to repeat in the same story in my humble opinion.

This post has been edited by Acadian: Nov 4 2010, 04:40 PM

The interaction between Jakben and Seridur was appropriately creepy, and continues to add to our knowledge of vampire lore. You also manage to quite effectively illustrate their personalities almost entirely through dialogue and Jakben’s thoughts.

And we also see the return of someone who will have a great influence on Maxical’s future- and whose life is about to become a lot more… interesting… as a result.

Malx....in life there are a lot of types of people. Stop being the intriguing one that we're all jealous of!

The allusions to quests we are all familiar with really made the entire scene between Jackben and Seridur come alive. I am still trying to decide whether all this fuss over the white khajiit is because she is a virgin or because she is Hassildor’s chosen. Either way Maxical finds herself unwittingly in the eye of the hurricane swirling all around her.

Damien’s reappearance was well worth the wait. I am so glad that he brought Eyja back with him, and I am even more glad that she addressed the hygiene problems that afflicted her the last time our paths crossed. Camoran and Ocato have NO IDEA what’s about to hit them!

@ Acadian - Thank you so much, especially for the nits! I like it much better since fixing them! - (tasty virginal tail? = SPEW! - said while hawking up furball) ROFL !!!! Thank you so much Acadian, you are so appreciated !!

***
@ Treydog - Thank you so much Treydog!! It means a lot to hear from you that their personalities came across!!! I know Jak is supposed to be evil, but drattit, I can't help but like him, lol. Thanks again Treydog, you are always appreciated !!!!

***
@ Zalphon - Thank you so much Zalphon !!! ROFL - although I doubt anyone is jealous, ROFL !!!

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@ Destri - Thank you, thank you Destri !!!! I think it's a combination of both depending on which vamp you are referring to, ROFL !!! Thank you so much, you are always appreciated !!!

*


Chapter 71: Darker Darkness, Lighter Light



******* Janus


It was dark, still hours before the music festival would begin when Janus left Imbel‘s mansion. He hurried over to the arboretum to find an area that would provide shade when the sun rose. One corner provided plenty; bushes, trees, and a canopy stretched across to a decorative arch.

Janus chose a bench under the canopy to wait, grateful for the quiet and night air to sort through the events of the past few days. Imbel had been controlling him without him even realizing it. Those evenings he planned to go out and check out women had all been spent in conversation with Imbel instead. Wasted time he could have been selecting his bride. There had to be a way to block that mind control…but probably not without letting the vampire out.

As the crowds began to filter in, Janus began scanning them for likely candidates. Imbel was right, it was awkward after fifty years, suddenly approaching strange women to flirt…and in a cowl. His position as Count…this would have been so easy if he wasn’t a vampire. Now, approaching strangers and beginning a flirtation was suddenly an overwhelming prospect.

There was a delicate line between what is pleasing or over the line when you are lurking in bushes, covered in a dark cowl, and hitting on women you‘ve never met. Women obviously did not feel safe coming near him, they were walking in a wide arc around his vicinity. Being approached…even just saying good morning nearly got him slapped.

“Get out of here, creep!�

“Sorry, I thought you were a friend of mine.�

The only way to perk their interest with this dratted cowl would be to make sure they saw his signet ring denoting him as a Count.

“Here, let me help you with that.� He reached out the hand with the signet ring in plain view.

“Get lost before I call the guards pervert!�

This was not working.

“I’m here incognito…� He displayed his ring.

“Sicko freak! Guards!�

Janus scurried away, darting to keep in the shade.

“I’m a mage…� Janus showed the ring.

“You want to see some magic? Watch how fast the guards get here when I yell…�

“I’m a member of a deep religious order. We don cowls and capes as a symbol of…� Janus held his hand with the ring out.

“Cram it psycho loser, I gave at the office.“

Janus moved around till he saw a girl that looked to be in her twenties dancing in front of a band that was playing.�

“This band is very good…� He called, holding the hand with the ring up alongside his cowl in an assumed natural pose.

“Leave me alone weirdo, before I call my parents!�

This was not working. He was going to have to take Maxical now and come back…wait! There was a pretty blonde girl smiling and signaling him over!

“I’ve got a place nearby, fifty Septims for a little action… I’ll charge you less if you take the cowl off, it gives me the creeps…�









******* Maxical



The first day of the music festival was destined to be a perfect day. The early morning sun was surprisingly warm for this time of year and the azure sky promised it would remain beautiful.

There was a balance in me again, that limbo of indecision and feeling of hanging in a pending state was gone. Whatever I had to do for Akatosh, I’d have three years with Gils first.

The Courier arrived early, Hassiri had printed a retraction. He interviewed Tony, who now countered the suggestion that I stalked him and explained the one monkey’s unusual attachment to me.

The monkeys were captured as babies in round-ups. Normally, mothers of the young apes were left behind in Akavir. This particular monkey was extremely young and would not have been taken. They captured the mother because she was albino and would bring a lot of interest. She died recently, and they had no other mothers to care for that baby. It had immediately attached itself to me because of my white fur.

Tony went on to explain that monkeys in general will imitate anyone, and that is why they copied my actions in the Arena. I hoped that would end my run as ’Ape Woman’.

We left extra early that morning to avoid the crowds, but the Market District was overrun with people already.

“Owyn, I’m going to Fathis’s suite to talk to him until you need me.�

“Like I didn’t know that was coming.� Owyn jabbed me in the ribs like he was conspiring with me.

“Remember, come get me before contracts are signed so I can get Hassiri to cover it.�

As soon as we stepped in the door of the Merchants I heard my name called and turned my head towards the sound, scanning the packed restaurant area for someone that knew me.

“Hannibal!� I started towards him when someone stepped out from behind him. “Alix!� I nearly knocked Hannibal down pushing by him and threw myself into Alix’s arms crying.

“You two go on to Fathis’s suite, we’ll come get you when everything is set up.“ Jack waved me on.

“I’ve missed you so much Alix…I’m sorry I ran away from home.� I squeaked out through Alix squeezing me.

“I don’t care what we disagree on, don’t ever leave us like that again, not like that. Not mad. Maxical, have you been sick? You have dark circles under your eyes, have you not been sleeping?�

“Not well…I’ve been stressed.�

Alix stopped walking, glancing around to ensure we were private. “You want to tell me about it?�

“It’s too involved. It begins with Akatosh and the Emperor and ends with Fathis. I‘ll tell you…later.�

“Akatosh!� Alix looked stunned…then worried when I nodded. “Do you want to go somewhere and talk now?�

“I can’t let myself think about it right now, the promotion is this afternoon and I have to stay focused on it. Hannibal’s band could suffer if I mess up my part. I have to work all night tonight hanging billboards, I can‘t tell you any more about that yet either. We can talk tomorrow…there’s a lot I have to tell you, some of it you won‘t like.�

“Best tell me first before breaking it to S’Jirra then.�

“I agree.�

Alix held me tight for a minute, then led me up the thickly carpeted stairs to the suites. He opened the door to a huge suite, and immediately a squeal sounded. S’Jirra barreled out almost knocking me down, then squeezed me like a boa constrictor.






***


Alix and S’Jirra filled me in on everything that had happened since I ran away, although several times we had to shout to hear ourselves over the noise of the band coming from Hannibal’s suite down the hall.

My instincts of one leopard to the actions of another were suddenly alert. S’Jirra’s mood changed from her normal to…assumed stealth…hunting information…detective. Oh no! She was going to try and pry into my private life!

The look on her face was forced innocence mixed with guile, plotting. Her movements were too staged as she reached for…a scrapbook? I saw Alix signaling her no. She ignored him. Oh no.

“This is all the Couriers that mention you, even the bad ones.� She opened it to the ‘Confessions of the Grand Champion’ right away…she had planned this.

“Look, my bad temper made front page news!� I pointed at it laughing, feeling the tension emanating from her as she honed in on one section instantly…how often she must have rehearsed this!

“I knew that would happen.� Alix grinned, quickly covering his signal to S’Jirra by pushing his hair back from his face when he saw me glance over at him.

Glancing around for some way to diffuse S’Jirra I suddenly noticed that I hadn’t seen Fathis yet.

“Where is Fathis? Still abed?�

“He was gone when we got up.� S’Jirra answered abruptly, obviously not wanting distraction from her purpose.

“Gone! Why would he leave early knowing I was coming?� All thoughts of S’Jirra’s plotting left me, replaced by a flash of hot anger.

My face settled into a scowl. S’Jirra glanced worriedly at Alix, momentarily bumped out of her role as detective.

“He probably thought we’d want time alone with you.“ Alix’s look was apologetic as S’Jirra resurrected her investigation, pulling on my arm and indicating the place in the “Confessions� article that said I was sleeping with Gils. Oh no.

I pretended not to notice, flipping pages of the scrapbook over her hand till I found the ‘Ape Woman’ Courier from yesterday. When I held the scrapbook up to show it to Alix, S’Jirra’s hand was effectively removed.

“Were you at this match when the monkeys escaped, Alix?�

S’Jirra gave an obvious glance at Alix. She may as well have held up a billboard tagging him to take over because she had failed in her mission.

Alix pulled me into his lap and squeezed me. “You should know I‘d be at every fight, Ape Woman! I bought S‘Jirra a stuffed monkey, too. She paraded around the booths with it hanging around her neck all day yesterday.“

“You were here yesterday? I was at the booths too…with Fathis. I didn’t see S’Jirra.�

How different last night would have gone if I had known they were here. I would have told Fathis to stuff his ceremony and spent the evening with my parents. Why didn’t he mention they were in town?

Out of the corner of my eye I saw S’Jirra, her arms flailing wildly like a flagman on a bridge, obviously trying to signal Alix. She had failed in her mission and was passing the baton of prying to Alix for him to do it. I was safe at last, Alix doesn’t like to get in the middle of these things. I relaxed, snuggling back against Alix as I hadn’t done since a child.

“Oh, were you there too, S’Jirra? That‘s a real good imitation of how the monkeys were acting...�

Alix snorted, and I felt him shaking his head no behind me. Good, he was refusing to help her.

S’Jirra stomped over, obviously resuming control of the interrogation. She squeezed in next to Alix and stuck the scrapbook in my face, pointing to the blurb about Gils and I being engaged. Her fingernail nearly cut an arc in the Courier below the part that described the 18,000 Septim ring I gave him.

Pretending not to notice is hard when something is shoved inches from your face. I nearly mashed my nose on the scrapbook turning around to face Alix…just in time to see him signaling refusal to help her. I hugged him and whispered in his ear, “Thank you Alix.�

S’Jirra was fuming. She schooled a look on her face that was so innocent it looked scheming as she nonchalantly brushed my bangs aside…obviously checking to see if my blue show was still blue.

“If I had known you would look I would have covered it in purple eye powder to fool you.�

Alix snorted, and S’Jirra looked like her head may pop off and blow around the room.

“S’Jirra…please? You’ve seen the proof I’m still intact, now can we just enjoy our visit together?�


*

This post has been edited by mALX: Aug 4 2016, 04:58 AM

You, my dear mALX, had me falling on me butt, holding my stomach in pain and making such a ruckus with my laughter, that I'd bet you'd hear it all the way from Asia. Even now as I'm writing this, I'm struggling...

Ha!

(suddenly turns serious)

Some words must be said, dear Resident Kitty. . .

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Hassildor's situation is sadder than a sob story! (doubles over in hysterical laughter)

Well, at least Anus (ooops) Janus the "pervert" doesn't do experiments involving rotting fish, a clipboard, a parked truck, and hookers paid twice the going rate just to get sniffed...