John
*Forstead. The home of the Giants. A place of snow and ice, specifically deep into the mountains. Some time ago, the crew arrived here, of all places. For now, they were wanderers, checking out different jobs. They all have been traveling for quite some time now, even purchasing a light sloop to get around easier. While Sylvar loved being on a ship, one he sailed very wonderfully, he didn't like to travel too far from shore or for too long. That very much made him vulnerable and brought back the memories. Memories of the betrayal and the rage of his enemy. It would never be admitted by him or revealed to the crew, at least not now.* 

*Now, in this cold climate, there had been a rumor of a manor deep into the mountains. Tales told it was profitable, therefore catching Sylvar's interest. Since there was promise of riches, he volunteered to check it out. Alone. Leaving the crew behind for now. While they stayed in camp, far from the manor, Sylvar made his journey. The Deceiver left his horse behind, and Luna with Noctis since she seemed to like him. The cat did not like the weather much, and where he was going, she would catch unneeded attention if the manor was inhabited.* 

*The weather. Sylvar was not the biggest fan of the cold. Of the heavy snow sinking into the ground, or the occasional hail, falling from the sky. The only cold he liked was the caves he was born in or the cool nights on the sea. But, it was better than the un-bearing heat of the sun. The Drow made his way up to the rumored location of the manor, on a hill near the mountains. He didn't travel as himself, however. He traveled as a tiny black-striped squirrel. It was simply easier that way. He made quick progress, his destination soon coming into view. The squirrel quickened pace, approaching one of the outer walls, and scaling it for the easiest way in.*

— 
*The squirrel began digging, digging, and digging until he could squeeze under the house. From there, it was easy to get in. The being in disguise managed to end up under the floors and then found a way into the manor itself. The animal emerged from a small hole in the floor, where it was weakened. He was in what seemed like a large room with furniture and drawers. Sylvar wasted no time climbing up one of the structures and opening each drawer, searching for whatever valuables there were. He hadn't found anything yet and didn't hear anything or anyone yet. Considering the condition of the manor, he could assume it was inhabited. He would have to be quick. Very quick. If someone were to find the squirrel, it would look like it was searching for food.*
Sylvia
*The manor was large, far larger that outside made it appear. There were portraits of a tall slender woman adorned in crème and black with a black cat with piercing eyes all around the manor, all of which with a plate dating when the portrait was painted.*

*One of Eliza's maids was on the day shift, the most undesirable shift among her staff due to their shared condition. The girl wore a black and white dress with her hair in a tidy bun, the girls skin was void of color and her eyes an unnatural shade of yellow. She pranced through the hallways scanning the room and walls for any sign of filth, her heels making a subtle tap with each step she made. She raised a brow as a sound of clatter seemed to appear, normally she would disregard it as Bris chasing a mouse but the small feline was fast asleep in Lady Eliza's coffin. She began to scamper towards the unidentified noise.*

*Meanwhile Eliza slept sound in her quarters on the top floor, her cat Bris curled up in a ball next to her pillow. She slept in a white and gold coffin with elegant metal fixtures and accents that sat on an elevated platform in the center of her room. Suddenly the door of the coffin swung open as Bris scampered out of the room vocalizing as he ran, letting out a somewhat silly meow as he tunneled towards the delicious scent coming from downstairs.*

*This awoke Eliza, who was now groaning as she rubbed her eyes. Opening them just in time to watch her cat barrel out of her chambers. She chuckled as she stretched her arms above her head, letting out a gentle yawn before standing up and slowly following her rambunctious feline.*
John
*Sylvar was rather in a big hurry to find something of value, not stopping long enough before to look at his surroundings too much, therefore missing the portraits on the walls. This was the effect of greed. He wanted riches so badly, that it was almost like an addiction. His goal, was, to save money to eventually execute his plan of revenge, against the Phantom of the Seas. After finding nothing of value in the drawers, he moved on to another set. He attempted to be as silent as possible but his squirrel claws tended to scrape against the wood as he climbed and opened each drawer. It took a lot of effort since he was a small animal, adding to the fact that it took a lot of focus to remain as a squirrel.* 

*Finally, he found a necklace, which could be valuable. But as soon, as he grabbed it, he was alert of sounds coming straight toward him, beings coming from another room or possibly the stairs. Leaving the drawer ajar, he leaped off the structure and made a beeline for a nearby couch. Just as the cat and the maid entered the room, the squirrel could be seen squeezing underneath the couch to hide. Sylvar was quickly aware there was a person there, and a black cat, but it couldn't be Luna. He didn't get a very good look at the person. If needed, he could make a quick exit, to get away from the cat especially, but he needed an opening.* 

*It was rather cramped beneath the couch, but he didn't move. He waited, the necklace held tightly in his little paws. It would look rather strange for an animal to be interested in such an item. That, and he didn't entirely look like a normal squirrel. It was easier not to alter eyes, and therefore the squirrel's eyes were not like the average squirrel's. It already took so much focus and energy to be an animal.*
Sylvia
*The small vampire maid paused next to the entrance when she noticed Lady Eliza treading behind her. Workers of the Tenebrian manor knew not to come close to bothering Eliza before she has had her morning sip. The maid let out a laugh and Bris ran into the room heading straight for the couch but pausing to sniff the air.*

*Eliza entered the room with a smile on her face, always keen to entertain her fluffy companions shenanigans as it kept life interesting. Her soft smile quickly soured as she noticed the ajar drawer in the corner of her eye. She tilted her chin into the air, searching for that ever familiar scent she adored so much. Typically intruders are injured on their travel to her manor, which made it so easy to find them. Despite her efforts all she could smell was the faint whisper of rodent. She sighed and walked over towards the couch where Bris was eyeballing one of the cushions. She bent down and scratched the felines chin.*

"Find it for mommy won't you?" *She said in an endearing tone, just by how she spoke to the cat it was apparent how much she loved him.*

*Bris quickly shoved his head into the cushions squeezing towards the squirrel, the scent getting stronger and stronger until the cat grabbed onto the squirrels scruff, pulling it from the cushions and plopping it on the ground at Eliza's feet*

*Eliza smiled before uttering*

"Such a good boy" 

*She then frowned at the sight of the squirrel, it was striped and resembled something you would find in a warm forest rather than snowy mountains. What added to the peculiarity is the scent of its blood, due to Bris grabbing the rodent with his teeth Eliza could smell the faintest amount of blood but for some reason it smelled much tastier than squirrel blood, comparable to an elder elf. She examined the rodent more, noting it's unusual eye color before nudging it with the toe of her heel.*
John
*Sylvar held his breath, trying to get as far away as he could from the cat that approached the couch. That was the downside of being a small animal. It left him open to be prey for bigger predators. It wasn't fun at all, but he couldn't change forms now, not without reverting to his original form. From his position, he could see someone entering after the cat, but he couldn't tell who they were. He couldn't tell it was not the maid, at least, not yet.* 

*However, when Sylvar heard the voice, he began to feel a bit nervous. He couldn't help but notice how she spoke to the cat. She adored him. Sometimes, Sylvar spoke the same way to Luna. She was a comfort for him, especially after what happened to his family and on board the Broken Melody. He braced himself, much preferring to run, but he wouldn't be fast enough with the cat around. The Drow knew well enough not to underestimate cats. He knew fully well what they were capable of. Soon enough, he felt the cat's teeth bite into the scruff of his neck. It hurt, very clearly by the squirrel screeches he made. When in animal forms, he couldn't use his regular voice.* 

*As the cat pulled him out through the cushions, he dropped the necklace, leaving it beneath the couch. If all went well, he would retrieve it later. After being dropped at Eliza's feet, he froze, looking up at her. He was making it seem he was frozen with fear. A bit of blood oozed from his scruff. That would only make it harder to change back, with any slightest injury. Sylvar took one look at the woman's eyes and decided she wasn't human.*

— 
*Sylvar's squirrel's eyes were basically his own, a bright yellow with reptilian irises. It wasn't normal at all. As Eliza nudged him with the toe of her heel, he jumped back a few inches, trying to play off being a frightened squirrel. When actually, he wasn't that frightened at all. He avoided the cat as best he could, soon moving to climb up the couch, as an attempt to find somewhere else to hide. He wanted to escape. He couldn't blow his cover.*
Sylvia
*Eliza's eyes carefully focused in on the rodents irises, peculiar to see a mammal with reptilian eyes. With a sigh she bent down, scooping up her cat and cradling him in her arms lovingly. Eliza was an intelligent woman and in any other circumstance she would smell the aroma of Drow blood in an instant, although the combination of interupted sleep and the distraction of two adorable critters in the same room had her off her game*

"No need to run my small adorable friend" 

*She said as she gracefully stepped towards the rodent. Due to her airy nightgown she almost looked as it she glided towards him. Now that she was closer to the creature she took another glance at its features and began to put the situation together. The scent of Drow blood was unmistakable at this close of distance. She extended her left arm and dragged her finger across the squirrels bite wound on its scuff, licking the blood off her finger. She popped her lips before taking a step back and tilting her head to the side with a peeved look in her eye.*

"Would you prefer some privacy while you get decent, elf?" 

*She spoke with irritability, she wouldn't much preferred it to be an actual squirrel, at least then Bris would've gotten a snack*
John
*With Eliza scooping up the cat, that gave him the opportunity to escape. But the issue was, where would he go? Beforehand, he had not explored the manor very much. This was the first room out of many that he had been searching for. The only way out was the way he came, from his knowledge, so far. He froze again when she spoke, looking at her very carefully. Had his eyes not fooled her. Did she think he was a squirrel? Those questions were soon proven wrong.* 

*Before he could think about what to do next, he watched her glide toward him and extend her arm out. It took Sylvar a moment to realize what she did, taking his blood... And tasting it. That gave him the suspicion she was a Vampire. Before now, he'd never met one. Watching her expression and reaction, he seemed to look down when she asked the question. Elf. That was a new one. People didn't take him as an Elf unless he actually looked like it.*

— 
*In response, Sylvar hopped off the top of the couch onto the middle of a cushion. It took a moment, but it was strange to see what happened. Sylvar began to transform, until, in the blink of an eye he was a 6'4 Drow sitting on the couch, crossing his legs. The eyes were the same. He had a dark obsidian skin tone and long white hair that was braided in particular sections. Sylvar looked up at her, his hand immediately going to the back of his neck. He could feel the cat bite marks. A few drops of dark crimson blood were left on his fingers. As he suspected, the minor injury transferred. A weakness of his, unfortunately.* 

"Don't get me wrong, I adore cats but that was not appreciated." 

*He was scowling, looking at the cat as he spoke. The Drow was decently dressed, in the clothes of a traveler. He wore a dark blue cloak over his clothes. At his belt, two swords were sheathed there, as well as several knives. He carried a satchel as well.* 

"I do say I make a very good Elf, but alas, I am not one. Thank you for offering privacy, my lady, but it is not needed," 

*Sylvar said, in response to her question in the first place. He spoke in Modern Imperial, and there was no hint of any accents.*