John
Hyburns forest, known to many in Findara for being the largest in the kingdom, would soon nestle itself into the blanketed sky that was rising with the moon. Cool winds drifted gently between each tree branch, their moans and cries almost singing like an unspoken melody. While the night began, stretching out to the townspeople with twinkling stars and bellowing whistles from wildlife– A familiar face would appear from the clearing of the woods. 

The high elf was cradled in the shadows, covered in a baby blue robe with its hood slinking over her face completely. Lady Caleesi Scarleth was no stranger to the nightlife, oftentimes she preferred it. Hiding about her whereabouts however was something she held much regret for... And this night was going to be no different. Since the unexpected terrors of Sorevelle, the grandmistress had not fed at all. Her schedule was far too busy, her mind all too clouded. Before the summit however, the effects of her lack in consumption had begun to show– And that was far too dangerous in itself. 

Caleesi knew that she needed to take action before suspicions were to rise against her, the thought of her peers finding out about her vampirism... It would kill her. Just as the wandering star settled into the sky with great height, the elven woman stripped herself from her hood. Golden tresses poured down her back in wavy curls, like waves crashing at sea. Soft footfalls carried her silently through the maze of woodland, the high elves pointed ears alert and ready for any movement or break in the silence that wasn't her own. 
_ _

It had been an exhausting few nights of no sleep for Lady Scarleth, her veins lit, blood feeling as though it was on fire. Due to the cursed woman's nature of being a vampire, and her strict policies against feeding on human blood– and instead animal blood – her vamprisim affects her differently than others. Caleesi needed rest, just like any other mortal. The lack of tending to her needs only worsening her mental state. It felt as though each day she was shaking needles out of her spine just to get by, no mercy for the pain she endured. Yet even still, Caleesi held a certain kind of guilt for the events that had happened, the words from Princess Alithia still replaying in her head. 

"*Why was she left under longer?*" 

It wasn't as if the council woman had a choice in the matter. Though Cali couldn't shake the feeling of all those eyes looking at her, *Judging her.* Scarleth knew she held no candle to royalty, the only thing of use of her was her magic, not even her forgotten duchy could hold significance now. Nevertheless, the weight of trying to smooth things over held stiffly on her shoulders. Trying not to get distracted by second thoughts, the sorceress' bright, cerulean eyes caught movement in the shadows, the scent of a rabbit prancing under her nose.
 _ _

Soon, the eleven women's stance changed significantly. Moving through the thick forest with nimble grace, while also a predatory speed that remained unseen. Following the ruckus of the leaves, a hunger panged Caleesi's insides, pupils pulsing into fine slits. The witches of the north had trained her to become a hunter, and a skilled one at that. Wind flowed wildly through Lady Scarleths hair, rustling her white ivory dress in a billowing formation. In those moments, she felt free. Rid of the monster beneath her skin. 

Just as Caleesi had thought to be caught up with her prey however, a new scent found its way to her nose. It was one of alluring sweetness, wet and rich. Enough to make the grandmistress stop in her tracks, the thumping sounds of her dinner faded into the background. A groaning plea now filling her ears. Sucking in a sharp breath, Scarleths eyes grew wide. *Was someone hurt?* There was no time for questioning it, she thought to herself, pressing one soul into the dirt before taking off towards the smell of–

*Blood*. Blood was everywhere. The heavy scent of ichor sizzled at her nose. Wrapping itself around her throat, *Making her choke.* For a moment, Caleesi staggered, her hands balling together at her sides. Begrudgingly however, she forced herself to look upon the clearing in which a single man laid propped against an oak tree. His helmet shaking in his grip. "*Hel... Help me.."* His voice cried softly, a spoken whisper of clotted liquid stuck in his throat. The high elf felt a significant drop in her stomach, as soon as she made the decision to move closer, the sight of the poor man a massacre. 
_ _

In the dim glow of moonlight, flesh littered the ground. Entrails coiled and tangled around a gaping, open wound left on the side of the dying Findaran, though once he saw Caleesi, a weak smile appeared on his face. "*O-Oh thank you..*" The male gasped, his lips quivering with anticipation. Cali fell to her knees almost immediately, her palms hesitant to press against his torn up side. "Shhh," She whispered, the calmness in her voice a soothing wave. "Don't move, i'm going to get you out of here.." 

"*No.*" A hand promptly gripped the woman's wrists, and soon Caleesi was forced to look at the face of a heartbreaking soul. "*I just need you to tell my daughter... Tell Lilith I love her...*" Through a bittersweet smile, the old man patted Lady Scarleths hand, signaling his time to go. The high elf was taken aback by such a jarring statement, lost with herself and what to do. "*Just don't let me go in pain. Please... Finish me quickly."* 

Adrenaline was now pumping within the woman's blood, his free flowing body fluid stinging her hungry eyes. *He was wanting her to kill him...* How could she? He was clearly in pain, his time short. Caleesi knew this, her hunger roaring in the back of her mind. But to take a life at all... It felt wrong. Looking over the man's butchered body, red pulsated in her blue irises– her teeth screaming for release. Squeezing his hand back in return, a painful look twisted Caleesi's face. Tears swelling in her monstrous eyes. "I will... I promise." 

Leaning forwards, Caleesi whispered a blessing, and closed her eyes. Now all she had to do was take a bite...
|| Song: Good to be alive by PVRIS |
Amy
From the shadows, just out of Caleesi's vision, a man stood with his hands in his pockets. Donning an elegant suit of red and black, Ruvyn watched the entire thing with interest, specifically in the woman. The smell of blood enticed the young vampire to draw closer to its source, upon which another individual arrived. A high elf woman with porcelaine features out at this time of night? It was strange, and Ruvyn would need to keep his wits about him. For all he knew she had done this to the man. While he had intentions to feed, he'd not do so at the risk of his own life.

Asriella would resurrect him just to kill him again if he made such a mistake.

Nevertheless, Ruvyn remained silent for the time being, instead choosing to silently watch with curiosity in his vermillion eyes. He could only see her back for now, but hearing the man gargle out a plea caused Ruvyn to squint his eyes slightly. Making promises to a dying man was strange, but Ruvyn wouldn't judge her for it. He knew little of the situation, and would remain out of sight until he had a better understanding. Tilting his head back slightly as he watched, Ruvyn's eyes quickly widened when he watched the elven woman lean down in a pose the vampire knew all too well- she was biting the man.

_ _
Ruvyn's eyes darkened. She was another vampire, and a much larger threat than he had initially realized. Perhaps he could fight her off, take the meal for his own, but something was off. Why was she crying? Was this not something she regularly did? Obviously this kill was not hers, but a meal was a meal. Furrowing his brow in contemplation on what to do, Ruvyn stayed still and quiet for a long moment before finally deciding. The smell of the man's blood had grown too enticing, so with a silent sigh Ruvyn finally stepped out of the shadows.

For the time being, his mask was upon his face. It made being spotted much easier to escape from, and no one would ever be able to recognize him in normal circumstances at the side of Asriella. It also allowed him to feed without feeling as though it were he who was doing so. The mask was the vampire, not Ruvyn. At least in his own little fantasy of *Coping* With his affliction. Staying at least two dozen feet away from the woman and man, Ruvyn kept his hands in his pockets. The mask upon his face was mangled and terrifying in its own way, a large opening revealed Ruvyn's mouth and left eye, the red within it as plain as day.

Teeth lined the top and bottom of the opening, leaving a sick visage before the elven woman. It was not his intent to scare her, but if she was a threat perhaps doing so would be best. It would leave Ruvyn with a meal if that were the case. Still, she did not know he was there, and so after carefully assessing the situation, Ruvyn finally opened his mouth to speak.

"It's dangerous to be out this late in the forest, you know."
John
*But she had done it.*

Every voice in her head had screamed and shouted, the morals Caleesi prided herself on so much, all crumbled at the twisted plea of a dying man. Once the vampires' lips touched the pulse of a warm neck, it was as if the world had stopped turning. And Caleesi herself was no longer in control... Bladed fangs found flesh, and there, in those fleeting moments was hesitation. Through biting sobs, Lady Scarleth fought herself profusely before ultimately deciding to pierce into it. The soft warmth giving way like a ripe melon. A forbidden fruit, filling her mouth with thick, tangy blood. 

At first, the bite was gentle, and the human in her got some small sense of comfort in knowing that perhaps this elder would die a peaceful death. However.. The vile monster in her simply couldn't care less, not as long as the sweet, dark crimson fluid continued to flow down her throat. Pumping her full of stolen life and vitality. Shuddering, the woman's grip upon the male grew deeper, and soon Caleesi lost herself to the one thing she swore she'd never become.

Gulping mouthful after mouthful, reveling in the strength and life that filled her veins, jolted her limbs, and granted her the restoration of her powers once more. The dying elf gave a single, small exhale as the light would soon leave his eyes, his body growing limp as strong arms supported more of his weight. But even when the sorceress knew that enough was enough, Cali couldn't bring herself to let go. Like an animal gone savage, the high elf sunk her teeth in deeper. Sound of ripping flesh and gurgled breaths drew heavy, and soon Lady Scarleth took until there was nothing left to take– Finally exhaling the breath she held for so long. Dropping the corpse to the ground. 
_ _

Falling back in sudden realization, Caleesi's face grew paler. A troubled noise escaped the woman's throat as she tangled her fist into the wet grass, specks of blood coating the blades. Cali hadn't noticed any movement around her within the forest. No shuffle in the leaves, not even a twig snapping under the pressure of weight harboring into the clearing. So, when a voice of unfamiliarity struck her eardrums- *The high elf shivered.* It was then that her instincts would kick in, a bright purple glow formed within the bloody palm of the sorceress as she cut her fist out in front of her– Scanning the midnight grove. "*Don't come any closer!*" Caleesi warned, the tremors in her throat giving away the fear that shackled her. 

By now, the magic projecting from her appeared in runic symbols; easily noted as a defensive spell from the school of abjuration. Beneath the violaceous hues, crackles of lightning boiled together haphazardly. A violent stir of unpredictable magic; ready to strike if need be. It was safe to say since the summit that Lady Scarleth was affected by the overuse of her magic. The need to recharge and ground herself once more far more apparent. But now... Now she had something far worse to worry about. 

As the stranger ominously wandered forwards and into the clearing of the moon-kissed forest forest floor, he would no doubtably see the startling sight of Caleesi– Coated and cemented in shades of running crimson. The bright red fluids splattered against her pure white clothing, trickling down her forearms and to her elbows to where the drops would then dirty the ground below. Tears *Burned* The corners of the she-elfs eyes. Even in their monstrous state. Pain was all that was written upon her face. "P-Please.." Scarleth stammered again, eyes bolting around the blurry strangers frame. Blood spilled from the woman's mouth as she spoke, and through a quivered lip, Cali pushed forward. "I-It wasn't me, i didn't mean.. It wasn't me.."

_ _
Barely able to get solid words out, the sorceress could be seen trembling beneath the weight of her wrong-doings. Now that someone had cornered her in this mess, it was surely only a matter of time before her secret was out, and her job– better yet her life, would end along with it. Frozen with a panic, Scarleth nearly doubled over. '*What if he just kill him'*? A voice sparked in her mind, '*Make it look like an accident'*? Another chimed in. *"He'll just run and tell...'* 

By the look of him, this man *Did* Seem frightening. Though she was not an active visitor of Findara's kingdom, she didn't see many masked individuals with such horrific faces. Hairs stood on the back of Cali's neck as he drew closer, causing her spell to broaden. However the voice that spoke from such a devilish disguise didn't match the appearance– It's calm and almost endearing tone striking her with somehow more fear than she expected. 

"This was an accident.."
Amy
The young man watched on in quiet curiosity as the woman tore the man open to feast upon his life. Tilting his head ever so slightly as she finally let go of the long dead man in her arms and fell back, Ruvyn simply watched. Well, that meal was long gone. Part of him was tempted to leave and not play with whatever this situation was, but the vibrant purple magic that quickly appeared in the terrified she-elf's hands pulled him back in. As plain as day Ruvyn could see the woman trembling. He had noticed how gentle and worried she was for the man before tearing him apart, which for all he knew was a ruse to be able to do so to begin with.

"Abjuration." Ruvyn muttered in a calm and quiet manner as he inspected the magic within the woman's hands. Now Ruvyn was no sorcerer, wizard or warlock. In fact, he had no magic whatsoever save for the damned abilities being a vampire came with. No, Ruvyn was skilled with a blade. Against a fellow vampire who could use magic however and Ruvyn just knew he was outmatched. A calm discussion would be required to get anywhere this woman. Force could leave Ruvyn injured or worse, and Asriella would surely be upset with anything more. The sudden surge of adrenaline and energy from feeding clearly had an effect on the she-elf's magic, and while Ruvyn was weary to come close his feet remained firmly planted in the soil.
_ _

The smell of blood begged Ruvyn to come closer, but as he peered past the woman to the man in the dirt he quickly came to the conclusion that cup was empty. His veins were dull of color as was his skin, and even that had sunken in to reveal the bones beneath. Clicking his tongue with disappointment, Ruvyn returned his blood red gaze to meet the woman's who he now realized had begun to cry. A pit grew in Ruvyn's undead heart, his brow furrowing in contemplation. Perhaps her friendliness to the man wasn't a ruse. Perhaps she... Was as unlucky as Ruvyn had been once upon a time. Even still, living in Prythian taught Ruvyn men and women alike knew just what strings to pull to get their way, tears and all.

The she-elf almost looked like she was the victim of a vicious attack, not the attacker herself. The blood coating every inch of her front still managed to call Ruvyn closer. If it were Asriella, Ruvyn would have more than one meal before him, but as those thoughts entered their mind and the visage of his partner gave way for the she-elf, Ruvyn's eyes darkened once more. The sorceress's words still managed to tug at Ruvyn's heart, and finally he spoke once more. "You may lower your magic, I intend to do you no harm unless you do so to me." Ruvyn debated on removing his mask to calm the woman, but for now he'd keep it on. For all he knew, this woman was a noble and would turn him into the guard the moment she had the chance. One well-aimed enchantment spell could easily turn Ruvyn into the next body upon the town's pyre.

*Asriella would likely burn the town to the ground however.*
_ _

"If you believe I intend to turn you in or report you, you can calm your nerves. I have no intention of putting a fellow vampire in Ygdramen's path." Slowly but surely, Ruvyn finally began to move forward. He was tentive in his movements, and Caleesi would be very aware of the blade at his side which his hands stayed well enough away from. If Ruvyn had any intention to attack, he would have used his enhanced speed and strength. As it stood, he appeared to be a normal man offering help. This entire situation was a gamble and Ruvyn knew it, but something drew him to help her. He prayed to any God that would listen to spare him of some sort of ruse the she-elf may have had up her sleeve.

Now in front of the woman, Ruvyn extended his gloved hand to help her to her feet. Now closer, the she-elf would be able to see a bit more behind the mask. Clear, pale-olive skin, dark red eyes and a gentle look upon his face. "If he was dying already then the Gods should thank you for ending his life painlessly. I'm sure even Kamara herself would prefer you feed on an already dead man than a child, don't you think so?" Whether the she-elf took his hand or not, Ruvyn would dip his head slightly in greeting. "Ruvyn."
John
At the mention of lowering her shield, Caleesi became puzzled. Even through her tear blinding gaze, those baby blues narrowed in a painfully innocent and bewildered manner. The tension this stranger had brought her was undoubtedly strong. Anyone in their right mind would have a right to fear someone of his stature- with a mask of nightmares, and burning red eyes that surely haunted Lady Scarleth. With a fist still squeezing her magic tight, Cali had no intention of letting up anytime soon, the risk of being tricked far too high in her mind. However.. The following words that echoed out from the male's lips caught the she-elf off guard once more. 

Chills evaded the woman's skin the moment she heard the words *Vampire* Slide from his tongue. Soon, a sickening pit clawed its way into the grandmaster's stomach, the salty, gritty sensation of blood still pooling in her mouth becoming more apparent. It nearly made her gag. "*Don't call me that.*" Caleesi blurted out sharply, sucking a shaking breath through her teeth. Perhaps it was the fact that a monster she spent years running from was now standing before her once again, reminding her of her past. Or perhaps... It was the blatant fact she turned into one herself. 

The sorceress shook her head in contemplation for a moment, shutting her eyes tightly to avoid looking at the violent, bloody mess that decorated herself and the forest floor. Before long, the high elf finally did away with her magic; it's purple and blue light crackling into a dim hue before dissipating completely. Caleesi's lips quivered once more as she opened them to speak, however, it took her a moment to find the strength to remotely pronounce her words. "I was never supposed to end up like this... I was never supposed to be a monster." 
_ _

Breathing in faint succession, the vampire's mind began to race. She knew better than to let her walls down within her mind– not knowing if the stranger would take advantage of her vulnerable state. In those moments of despair and reflection, one thing became clear. Caleesi couldn't get caught. She couldn't let anyone know about this night- about what she had done. When the male extended his hand in an oddly, friend-like gesture, Lady Scarleth darted her panicked gaze up towards him. Still ever fearful at the face staring back at her. She couldn't trust his intentions to be pure, nor would she with anyone if they had found her like this. So, with a heavy heart and forced swallow, the she-elf dug her fingers into the wet grass before finally pushing herself up off the ground. 

She watched Ryuvn intently for a good long moment. Eyes rapidly darting between his silhouette, scanning every inch of anything out of the ordinary. Even with a dead heart sitting inside her chest, it felt as if it were going to beat out of her chest. Caleesi's lips twisted reluctantly as she came to the conclusion that his actions appeared genuine, though for whatever reason? She couldn't tell. Now that he had shared his name, Cali knew she had to act fast. It would look suspicious if she didn't introduce herself back, and the last thing the female wanted was another traumatic event with a vampire. 
_ _

"Grace." Scarleth lied through her teeth, hoping that Ryvun would believe it. Though it wasn't as genuine or deep, the sorceress bowed her head in return. A stifled sniffle coming from her running nose. Tears still glistened in Caleesi's eyes, no matter how hard she tried to push them back in. From time to time her gaze would travel to the elven man lying silently on the ground, and sure enough, the burning of her throat would ensue. Guilt and remorse was written all over the poor woman's face, but there was nothing she could do to reverse this evil wrong-doing.. 


"He asked me to, as crazy as that is to believe. I just couldn't stand to see him suffering... But i can't, i just can't believe i did that.." Another shaky sigh wavered in Cali's tone before her eyes lowered to the ground. "I can't go back to the way i was before after this.." 
||
Amy
Ruvyn watched and listened quietly to the woman, her words striking him as eerily familiar. When he himself had first turned, there was a terrible regret that rest in his chest for years and years- far too long for any mortal to deal with, even an elf who lives half a century. It hit far too close to home, and caused a tinge in Ruvyn's chest and a lump to form in this throat. Swallowing it however, Ruvyn shook his head a bit. "I denied what I was for many, many years after I first turned. There were times I even tried to end my own life. After all, who would want to be saddled with immortality if a thirst for blood came with it?" Ruvyn retracted his hand when the woman refused to take it, before shoving both into his pockets.

"Try as you might, you are what you are- and you must live with it unless you have the stomach to kill yourself, or allow yourself to be killed." It was a harsh reality, but one Ruvyn himself had to come to terms with. If not for Asriella, he'd be in Infernum by now and happily so. The way Caleesi spoke and how shaken up she was struck Ruvyn as odd. She must have been recently turned, surely? No vampire years after turning acted this way, at least not any that Ruvyn had met previously. Although most were assholes, now that he thought about it, not innocent she-elves regretting every decision in their life that led up to becoming a vampire. Eyeing the woman curiously, Ruvyn's red eyes finally met hers.

_ _
"Tell me Grace- before you turned were you a vegetarian?" It may have sounded like a backhanded question or one dripping with sarcasm, but his eyes would tell the she-elf he was entirely serious in his inquiry. "By the looks of you, you are of noble standing or something close to it. You must have indulged in a feast or two that filled your belly with mutton, venison, beef- am I incorrect in that assumption?" Ruvyn began to walk around Caleesi, his eyes moving from her to the man on the ground. Putting out his foot, Ruvyn gently nudged the man as he spoke, his hands still shoved into his pockets. "This man was dying. You were hungry. If he were a stag on it's dying breath, would you have put it out of it's misery and fed all the same?"

Removing his foot from the man's corpse, that undenying hunger was aching in Ruvyn's belly, but he ignored it with great poise. He was skilled in going hungry for extended periods of time, only because of Asriella. She kept him fed, in check, happy. Looking back up to Caleesi however, she'd see that familiar look in his eyes- one of hunger. Nevertheless, he remained calm and unmoving as he finished speaking. "If it's all the same to you, I would have made the same choice you did. No sense in eating yourself up over a dying man you finished off." His words, once again, were harsh, but perhaps the exact words Caleesi needed to hear from one of her own kind.
John
When Ruvyn's words struck her ears, Caleesi's face went rigid with a twitch itching at her jaw. She'd never say aloud, but even she too had contemplated death many times over before moving into the Alynthi castle. Now, having an immortal before her voice his same growing pains, it was as if the she-elf was being forced to relive her past all over again. The sorceress hung her head low, a wave of guilt and shame set aflame beneath her feet. *Was this truly the only option?* Surely it couldn't be. After all Lady Scarleth had done, accomplished. Surely there was more to come before she kicked her own bucket... 

*Right?*

 Alas, Caleesi couldn't do much thinking when a predator was stalking mere inches from her. His eerie mask had unsettled her so much, that there was no disconnection between it and the mystery face behind it now. Cali's hazed mind meshing the two as one, if only to calm her fears. Even so, Ruvyn's intense stare kept her from daring to look at him fully. The glow of crimson hues burning into her peripherals. Yet, when this vampire spoke, it was as if he was soothing her soul. A tone of soft infliction, even if it held heavy, harsh truths. 

 Caleesi had almost forgotten of her sudden name change when Ruvyn addressed her as such. It had taken her a second longer to acknowledge it, though, the high elf was certain that it wouldn't have been accounted for. Upon the question that trailed off his tongue however, Lady Scarleth found herself almost angered. A rush of heat simmered along her pale cheeks as she answered, "*No*." Because he *Was* Right. She had plenty of feasts throughout her life, and being a vegetarian wasn't something Cali would have ever considered until after she was turned– if she could even call herself one now.
_ _

Ruvyn began to prowl around the she-elf, his movements strong yet refined, like walking on air. As he circled her and the decaying corpse, Caleesi's body tensed with every step. Her eyes forced to track his own. But when the vampire shifted his gaze to inspect what lied on the floor, what words poured from him next left the Grandmistress speechless. "I..." Cali began, her mouth running dry as cold air filled her lungs. It sounded barbaric to imagine a *Person* The same as roadkill. But with how easily it was for Ruvyn to say it– let alone mean it sincerely, the high elf stopped a moment to truly contemplate it. 

 What she was doing now was no different. Ending the life of dying animals in return of salvaging their blood. By no means would she kill an innocent, living creature, but at the end of the day... Was it all the same? Those pale azure eyes shifted towards the perished elder, his eyes closed, a small curve of peace on his lips. But it all felt wrong. So, so wrong. "There has to be some other way to survive without living this way." Caleesi said finally, "I just can't make sense of taking a person's life, even if they were dying." Shaking her head to avoid the guilt, Scarleth turned away from the corpse and took a breath. Blood was still consuming every sense in her body; through her nose, tangled on her tongue. Even the sight of it still clinging to her skin. Having enough, the elven woman yanked off her cape and scrubbed her hands clean as best she could, even scraping the corners of her mouth. It wasn't going to get rid of her shame, but at least having it out of eye sight was enough for now. 

"Tell me, Ruvyn, are you happy with the life you live?" 
_ _

Silence stretched across the trees as Cali's words sank in. She slowly began to turn around, those golden strands of hair spilling from her face and shoulders, allowing herself to be seen fully. The she-elf forced her gaze upon the vampire even if it shook her to her core, observing him for any hint of a person behind the lacking appearance he gave. "I assume you hide yourself because you are afraid of what you are to the world, what they would do to people *Like you*." Gesturing to his mask, she continued. "How can we accept ourselves if we hate our own appearance? Surely you have some sort of hindrance in your life."
||
Amy
Ruvyn grew eerily silent as he listened to Grace's words, his eyes never leaving hers.

After a few moments, the vampire reached up to his head and unclasped the leather straps keeping his mask in place. Pulling it forward, Ruvyn revealed his face to the woman before. It was only something he ever did just before a kill- but Grace would be spared this evening. Before the sorceress stood a boy- barely a man. Perhaps he was turned in his late teens, but this was not the intelligent and articulate man Grace likely expected. There was still traces of baby fat on his cheeks, though barely visible because of his defined and sharp facial features. His eyes remained a terrifying red, but without his mask Grace would see the ruffled dark brown hair now barely trickling down into his face.

Ruvyn's eyes remained glued to hers, but there was a solemn look within them. The woman's words had some truth behind them. Ruvyn hated what he was, perhaps more than she hated what she was. "My life goes on for the sake of another. If not for her, I'd happily take that final step to Infernum. She saved my life, but made me what I am. She is my curse and my savior." Ruvyn's voice was quiet, a tinge of fear behind his words but barely noticeable. That once confident demeanor melted slightly, and was replaced with a terrified boy unsure of the world around him. Ruvyn's eyes fell to the grass, staring off as he spoke once more. "But I wouldn't have it any other way."

_ _
Ruvyn darted his eyes upwards once more to meet the woman's. "I wear my mask so that I don't take the blame for my killings." There was more meaning behind Ruvyn's words than just avoiding detection from vampire hunters or the law. If Grace was as smart as Ruvyn assumed she was, he knew she'd know what he meant. "I also try my best to target individuals who deserve to die. I'd never harm a child or a mother or a knight. The bastards who'd hurt those people however make fine meals." Ruvyn clasped his mask to his belt before crossing his arms over his chest. "Neither of us asked to be this way, that much is clear. But we can learn to live with it or spend our eternal lives hating ourselves and stewing in misery."

"Why not try to make the best of what you have while you have it? After all, you'll outlive most you meet anyways." Ruvyn's own words brought on a sense of sadness. The thought of outliving Asriella caused his heart to crack slightly, the desire to rid himself of such a thought increasing.
Donna
While the uncomfortable silence began to torture them both, Caleesi stood there, frozen in place. She couldn't make out the vampire's emotions behind his petrifying mask– those beady crimson eyes piercing into her soul an inch deeper with every passing second. Was he displeased with her words? Angry perhaps? Lady Scarleth had half a mind to flee in those moments, but before long, her eyes began to widen as Ruvyn unveiled his face... The act was unexpected, and the contrast between his appearance and the ominous aura he held was startling. Taking in the sight of the boy before her, his red eyes mirrored her own vampiric nature. Caleesi couldn't help but feel a strange mix of emotions—confusion, surprise, a tinge of empathy for the young vampire. 

 Ruvyn looked just like her, *Young*. The grandmistress was turned in her new found adulthood, and now holds the baby face of her late teens because of it. While many could pass it off of her good genes as an elegant high elf, it frightened Caleesi to think of excuses when she inevitably outlives her peers... Nevertheless, the male before her likely shared a similar fate as she, and as Ruvyn spoke, the hidden councilwoman listened intently. Her initial fear giving way to a newfound understanding for him, and maybe even vampires themselves alike. 
_ _

She recognized the pain and conflict in his words, a reflection of her own internal struggle. The revelation that Ruvyn's existence was intertwined with the choices of another, much like hers, resonated deeply within her. Cali's gaze softened as he confessed the complexities of his existence, the internal battle between hatred and acceptance. A shift settled upon the she-elf's face, her pale, moonlit eyes puddled with a lining of tears. Her lips pulled down in a frown that matched her sorry brows. Never in a million years did Caleesi think she'd sympathize with the likes of a monster, in her own mind. But now the shrouded veil was lifting from her stubborn eyes, and there under the night sky, in the middle of the sleeping forest, two souls shined. Reflecting one another perfectly.
_ _
When Ruvyn spoke about wearing the mask to avoid blame for his killings, the sorceress nodded in understanding. A chill brushed past her neck, almost like a whisper of wind that crawled through her messy blond hair. One way or another, Caleesi could empathize with that simple truth. The weight of their immortality, the burden of the choices they were forced to make, became increasingly evident. Her mind pulled her back into the haunting memory of her turning. The agonizing pain she felt– to feed. That night, Caleesi fought her inhumane urges and instead allowed them to fuel her revenge, killing the vampires that cursed her to a life she did not want. 

 But, was that a mask she wore? As she tore into their chest, ripping out their hearts with her bare hands. Or was the mask that she and Ryvun shared the one she wears every day? Around her friends, new found family, and most of all... Herself. Perhaps that line became blurred far too long ago.
_ _

The suggestion to embrace their existence rather than drown in self-loathing lingered in the air. Caleesi took a moment to absorb Ruvyn's words, her gaze dropping to the ground as she reflected on her own path. The encounter with the dying elven man, breaking of her own vow– it all flashed before her eyes. Rumbling her chest with shame. Despite the guilt, a seed of acceptance started to sprout within her. Ruvyn's words, though from an unexpected source, held a strange comfort. Taking in a deep breath through her nose, Lady Scarleth balled her fist tightly before letting the tension fold away with an open palm.
_ _
"I never thought I'd find understanding in us cursed beings," Cali admitted, her voice a mixture of vulnerability and gratitude. "You speak a truth that i've been avoiding for quite some time, Ruvyn. We're both prisoners of our existence, but perhaps there's a way to find solace in it. I never wanted this life, but maybe... There's a chance to make it bearable." Slowly, the high elf met Ruvyn's gaze again, her eyes reflecting a glimmer of hope amidst the turmoil. However, the tone that the vampire held implied a great deal of sadness, and Caleesi would be a fool not to notice. Her head inclined inward, a tipping of the chin much like a concerned friend; although she'd dare not be the first to get close, Caleesi murmured her next words with gentle hesitation. As she knew all too well how sensitive the topic was. 

 "What.. Happened to you?"
Amy
"Are you asking me how I was turned into a vampire?"

Ruvyn searched Caleesi's eyes for what her question was truly asking. After this, the two would likley never see one another again... So perhaps sharing his tale for the first time with anyone would be okay. Shifting the weight on his feet, the vampire let out a quiet sigh before shrugging. "To be entirely honest, my tale should be one for a fantasy story. It starts how all tales do- I was a simple farmer's son. I was raised to till the land, impregnate it with crops, and sow the harvest each year. My village was a small one, located in Gantrick." Ruvyn's eyes strayed away from Caleesi's. Instead, they looked upwards toward the moon.

"A monster came. One that destroyed everything and everyone I cared about. I had nearly died, but someone found me." There was both sadness and happiness at the mention of this mystery person Ruvyn spoke of. His eyes lit up, but his expression remained saddened. "I was on the brink of meeting Viviana herself when *She* Found me. The only way to save me was vampirism- the enhanced healing and immortality eventually brought be back to health, but at the cost of my sanity for a short while." Ruvyn's eyes fell from gazing upon the mountain until the rested on Caleesi. Soon, his eyes slowly turned from red to a greyish-blue- the color they were from birth.
_ _

He looked more human now, less like a terrifying, masked monster of a man. "For a while after turning, I was uncontrollable. She couldn't control me without using her magic, and our home became a battlefield- everyone was my enemy, *Everyone* Was my meal." Ruvyn was clearly but slowly getting worked up. Caleesi would hear his heart rate quickening, his breathing as well as it inhaled and exhaled sharply through his nose. "It took a long time- a lot of solitary confinement to grow used to what I was. Realizing that ***I*** Was now that monster that destroyed my home- only I was doing it to others." Ruvyn's eyes turned red once more, but his gaze averting to the grass. "Like I said, she was my curse and savior."

"If not for her... I'd likely have died. But now because of her, I wish she had let me." There was a faint crack in his throat, one his quickly disguised by returning his mask to his face. He was sinking back into that shell- and after a few moments of silence his voice returned to being calm, his heart rate lowered. "What about you, if you don't mind me asking."
Donna
Ruvyn's voice was like a velvet ribbon, unfurling gently in the thickened air. To a stranger, it sang to her like a familiar lullaby– Soothing and inviting. However, his words carried the pang of a knife, and Caleesi's body tensed ever so slightly as the vampire's story began to unfold. The sprawling forest around them seemed to fade into the background, the rustling leaves and distant cries of wildlife becoming mere whispers as she focused entirely on his reverberating tone. Inclining her head towards him, the high elf's eyes never left Ruvyn's face. Her steel blue hues searching for the lost soul that appeared to be locked away behind vibrant crimson skies. 

When he spoke of the mysterious savior who had turned him, Caleesi's own memories swarmed to the forefront of her mind. Her jaw stiffened momentarily, gaze dropping to the ground. It was hard — *Too hard*— battling with unwanted, and haunting recollections. The woods wailed in unison to close in around her, shadows growing darker and more oppressive. A chill ran down the woman's spine at the thought of Luthais– his breath heaving on her neck, ready to sink his teeth in – hastily, Cali wrapped her arms tightly around herself, seeking some semblance of comfort before pushing the thoughts further away.

Lady Scarleth noted the way Ruvyn's iris's flickered from red to blue; the shift making him appear more human than the creature attached to the mask. It was heartbreaking. He had seen and felt the horrors of this curse just as she, and by the tale of his upbringing, perhaps the two were truly not so different after all. Biting at her bruised bottom lip, Cali's ears twitched at the mention of sharing her own story. She cut her gaze up from the blood splatters smeared across her pearlescent dress, past the departed corpse just feet away, and straight into the eyes of the man in front of her.
_ _

Silence swelled in her throat once more, her mind racing. She knew she couldn't reveal the full truth of how she was turned, the pain of her past too raw and personal, but as the depths of her crystal blue gaze searched Ruvyns own, Caleesi felt compelled to offer some sort of understanding in return. Slowly, her hardened stance eased, and her eyes, once guarded, began to reflect a glowing pool of empathy.
_ _
The Grandmistress stood bathed in the ethereal glow of the moon, her long blond hair cascading in waves down her back, catching the silver light with a ghostly shimmer. Her vibrant azure eyes, usually so striking, were softened by the tears that still brimmed at their edges. One final breeze whispered by until the night was still again. And almost unnaturally so. It was as if the forest itself was holding its breath, captivated by the exchange between the two beings. Caleesi could feel the chill of the midnight air as she opened her mouth to speak. But it was a familiar, almost comforting presence. A reminder of the nocturnal existence she now was forced to thrive in.
_ _
"I... Understand the torment of being turned against your will," She began, her voice soft yet steady. "A monster had come for me too... Except this one I knew. And he had company." 
_ _
There was a long pause as the she-elf's eyes flickered with the ghosts of her past. With the way the woman coddled her arms around her, it didn't take long for him to realize the reality Caleesi was speaking of. Her lips tingled in a quiver while shadows crept their way into her vision. Horrors coming to life inside her mind. "They took everything from me—my dignity, *My humanity*. In their cruelty, they turned me into what I am now. I became a vampire, but nothing is worse than being cursed to live with the memory of their atrocities."
_ _

Caleesi's pressed on, even as her gaze was averted from the strangers. Slowly, that sadness in her delicate expression bled into a scowl of pure disgust. Her fingers curling into white knuckled fists as she swallowed handfuls of her dress tightly. "When I turned, I knew I had become something else. I knew i was no longer the girl i used to me– the woman i spent *Desperate* Years to become. I was filled with so much rage and hate that night, and in my blind wrath, I sought violence." 

 "I hunted them down, one by one. Tore their hearts out with my bare hands, feeling a perverse sense of justice in their destruction. But that vengeance didn't bring me peace. It only deepened my torment." A broken sigh shuddered from the high elf's lips as she shook her head. It was clear that the actions she carried out as a newly turned vampire were enough to break her altogether, much as it would anyone. Light was vacant from Caleesi's face, her shoulders drooping with shame. 

"I've worn many masks since that night. Around my friends, my family, even around myself. I've tried to find a way to live with what I've become, to make this existence bearable. But it's a constant battle, one that I haven't yet won."
_ _
She had never truly said those words aloud, and now that they had left her lips, it was almost as if a chip had been roughly plucked from her shoulders. Swallowing the lump in her throat, the Grandmistress rose her head to meet Ruyvn one final time. Fear no longer lingering in her eyes. "In the end, we are both victims of circumstance," Caleesi admitted, her voice barely above a whisper. "But perhaps you're right in your view of things. We have to make the most of what we have."
||
Amy
Ruvyn stood silently as Caleesi's words poured out, each one a piece of her fractured soul. His eyes never wavered from her face. The forest around them seemed to push away, giving space to the emotions shared between the two. He could feel the weight of her story, the heavy burden of her past mirroring his own. When she finished, the silence between them was thick, almost tangible. He took a step closer, his presence both comforting and unnerving. His voice, when he finally spoke, was like the whisper, a soft caress against the darkness.

"You show so much courage in sharing your tale with me. You should be proud of that alone." Ruvyn paused, his gaze softening, the red in his eyes flickering to a deep, soulful blue. For the time being, they remained that way. "I've contemplated going on a rampage to find the mosnter who hurt me in such a way. I wish I could say I've bested my demons the way you have yours- but it seems you almost have remorse for doing so?" Tilting his head, Ruvyn seemed a bit confused. Why feel sorry for the bastards who hurt her?

_ _
The distance between the two had closed, but Ruvyn kept his hands in his pockets. "The past has a funny way of haunting us, even long after we've done our best to forget. If you let it eat away at you, you are letting those monsters you had slain win in the end, don't you think?" A moment of silence stretched between them, the forest holding its breath as if honoring their shared suffering. "In our cursed existence, we find moments of clarity, moments where we can see beyond the darkness. Your courage, your resilience, it speaks to a strength that goes beyond mere survival. It is a testament to the indomitable spirit that lies within you."

"Not to sound sappy, of course." Offering a devilish smile to break the thick air that had begun to permeate around the two vampires, it was clear the weight of the conversation had begun to make Ruvyn uncomfortable. Looking for a way to ease that tension, Ruvyn removed his hands from his pockets and began to stretch his arms. "Would you like me to help you in cleaning up this..." Pausing, Ruvyn shrugged unsure what to call it. "Would you like me to help you in any way?"