[2259] The Underground

*Constructed deep underneath the Mosaic City, resided a mansion which was home to Klaus Sulez and his mob of sired vampires. Though few knew of its whereabouts, many of the City's inhabitants were aware of its rumoured existence, to which it was often referred to as the "Underground." Klaus and his companions, his favourite of which being Orion Xern (who he renamed Joseph Sharpton), were known outside the City as a ruthless vampire mob. The City's inhabitants however, thought Klaus and his companions as elite members of society, known for their generousity and voluntary service. As Klaus and his sired men mostly kept to themselves, there was a sort of exclusivity and mystery surounding their group which some outsiders thought to be exciting. Little to public knowledge, the Underground was not all what it appeared to be. Order was maintained by Klaus' cruel and unusual punishments which he would inflict on his companions should they fall out of line. Blood feedings were strickly reserved for outside travellors and/or prisioners which were stored in the deepest depths of the mansion known as the "cellar"; under no circumstance was a local to be fed upon. When the Underground is not catering to the City's needs, they busy themselves accross the galaxy in search of information, weapons and/or prisoners that could be used against their enemies (Klaus' enemies), the priority target of which being Overlord Boron.*

Echo:

I was so overwhelmed.

I had no IDEA how I was supposed to behave.

I would have proposed home school if I was not so freaked out about this place.

I respond to his lecture with a pained smile and do not say a word.

Klaus:

I open the door for Joseph with my mind.

"How is the little bat?"

I ask while repositioning my face mask in the mirror.

When I turn to see Joseph's I smirk a little guessing he did not appreciate the feathered one much.

Shame..

Sebastian:

I lead Meredith to our table that the peacekeepers have thoroughly secured in the hopes she would not be disturbed. There was an asssult attempt apparently. Some depraved refugee from the overlord's land no doubt. 

 Masks and beads draped across the massive buffet prepared, honored seating arrangements both away and above the dance hall. 

My castle's court  of bisnuess and intrigue had been transformed yet again.
 
"Can you believe its been 10 years, since everything happened.."

I regard not just thinking of the massive death toil at the volcano but also her mission at the Xern station, how it resulted in the demise of Beolan and the Neoplanet both. 

Everything changed quite quickly without the Neoplanet the only saving grace was the Overlord had been gone or we would not have had time to rebuild up this far.  

It was not public knowledge - outside Klaus - that he was healed at last. I planned to tell Meredith tonight, though I wondered her reaction having given so much of herself in the fight already.

Meredith:

"10 years?"

I repeat stunned.

Was it really so long ago?

I try not to be rude and look back at the King in thought.

"Well this is an excellent way to spend the anniversary and I am truly honoured by your invitation."

I give him a playful curtsy as a formality.

 Bash's mask to play up the 'Starker' role

 Blythe's mask, molded after Shard wings get too Bash for giving her the silent treatment.

Klaus:

I try not to smile at his amusement.

"I suppose one of us should give the locals something to talk about."

With any luck the events of tonight's social will distract from the most recent attack.

(Russia) "Your carriage has arrived."

She announces from the doorway, clearly pleased with my costume.

I avoid eye contact with her and lead the way to the carriage, glad to be out of the mansion for awhile.

Meredith:

I blush at the King's very kind compliment.

It was hard not to be starstruck by such an important figure.

"Well, I must not keep you. I am sure you have other very important guests that require your attention."

I laugh a bit nervously like a school girl wanting very much to dip my head into the punch bowel and die there of embarrassment.

Sebastian:


I smile sadly at Meredith trying to get rid of me already.


"I'm sorry to be such a  inadequate escort for you tonight. I'm sure you would have had a better time with your boyfriend but as he could not make it this time. I can only try to lighten the mood."


I get up from our table to give her space as she requested and find myself outside to greet the oncoming carriages. 


It was so dreary to be back 'to the stone age' after the high of the NEO

Meredith:

The king takes what I said so very wrong and I follow after him feeling horrible.

"Bash!"

I call out to him.

I should have stayed quiet I am better at that..

"Please, that is not what I meant at all."

I approach as another dark carriage enters our scene.

Klaus:

"We both need to play an interactive role in this event. It is important that we speak to each guest, sway the rumours of the attack if need be. There is alot of cleanup to be done and we don't want anything coming back to us."

I exit the arrange as it stops and catch an old familiar scent from very long ago.

*pauses for only a moment before continuing inside the building.*

Joseph:

Klaus lectures me in doing what we always do. 

((I'm not a newborn, you don't have to tell me that.)) I playfully bicker back finding this all so repetitive as we go down that red carpet. 

Of course Klaus gets all the looks, wearing the most striking mask. 

Many masked eyes were on him, perfume was heavy in the air to aid in the whole mystery of the masquerade.      

He will win the contest again no doubt. 
 
Of course after nearly 20 years you kinda know whose who.

Blythe....

(Women in yellow feather mask): "... your costume is really too much, not every part of your body needs to be covered you know? You wearing a cup too?"

"Wouldn't you like to know.." I say muffed in my bulky mask.

She was only talking to me to fully illustrate ignoring Klaus her newest tactic.  

Like he cares..
  
"You can all mock my over precaution but you haven't seen plague like I have." 

I look over at the Nustra-Voleung royals who came in from a stunning armored ship.

 I didn't trust those blue moon demons that plagued their planet,  the prince had one as a pet and dared to bring it inside like it was a person.

 It was even in a suit. 
It sniffs the air smelling magical hair

((We should blame the attack on that animal, they wont stop looking till they find someone after alll...))

Klaus:

I raise an eyebrow at Joseph's response (not that he could tell).

((Perhaps you could try humoring Blythe on my behalf?))

I smirk, not quite sure how I upset her this time.

She knew too much of us to disregard her loyalty.

I could not afford any more drama within the Mosaic City.

As Blythe and Joseph mingle, I scan the room for anyone of significance.

Joseph notes a target for the attack.

((Unfortunately they do not match the description.))

I respond darkly, before stealing a glance at Blythe in order to play along in her little game.

If this inspired an open dialogue, I was willing to play along.

((We should split up.))

I suggest as the two of us together was causing more unnecessary presumptions than I cared for.

I approach a young lady off to the side that smelt absolutely radiant and whispered something provocative in her ear.

She giggles and I maintain a flirtatious disposition to keep my audience guessing.

Joseph: 

((What did you say he looked like?)) I ask intrigued what sick little story he crafted this time. 

They just get worst and worst don't they. 

Blythe backs down from me as soon as I bring up the plague that 'killed my family' it was always a good way out of a conversation. 

(Blythe): "Awe Joey.." She pats my gasmask with mock pity and leaves me alone.

I humored her enough I think. He didn't say fuck her. 

Klaus wants to split up so he can play the perplexing bisexual to his audience as he finds a girl to mess with.


*feels awkward without him and sits across from the Valerian royals.  They always make me feel better about my life*

Sebastian:

I inwardly cringe when Meredith goes after me. It made me feel even more wrenched creature then I was. I was cursed in more ways then one. 

I wasnt an attention whore like Klaus  I didn't want her to feel bad for being honest with me.

 No one has ever been honest to me my whole damn life and no one would ever truly be now with me playing Starker. 

This is not what I wanted. 

I would have greeted Klaus first to discuss rather important things but I turn getting my whole being all tangled up again to address Meredith. 

"Mer its ok. I mean you were just speaking your mind.  I don't want you to be quiet .around me.. like I'm...we're friends.. I'm not just king..."

Klaus:

Joseph asks how I described the attacker.

I shake my head in amusement.

((An enemy we encountered a few missions ago, unfortunately a very plain looking specimen))

I listen in on my group's conversation and ask a few directed questions to understand the current thoughts/opinions surrounding the attack.

I leave them with a few closing thoughts before moving onto the next group of socialites and starting all over.

*Turns and sees Joseph sitting at a table.*

((Orion I told you to be interactive.))

I use his real name for my scold.

(Tiberius) "You need to respect my soldiers Kallipso, they are here to help you."

Kallipso laughs humorlessly already looking like she had a couple.

(Kallipso) "Your soldiers have no boundaries, how ever are my scientist able to work!"

Meredith:

I tilt my head at Bash's distrust it reminded me so very much of my own.

"I would never lie to you Bash. I just, get in my own head sometimes and think that people are just being polite with me especially after-"

I turn away and try to hold back my tears.

"I can just be a bit insecure sometimes."

I turn back to him and smile sadly.

"You have been a very good friend to me through all this and I am so sorry for making you feel anything less than who you are."

I wander over closer to him and offer him my hand.

"Will you join me inside?"

Morgain:


I show up late but the King wasnt even in the castle so was I really? 

While all our civilized alien worlds were oh so feeling at peace under the 'true king' who 'broke the curse' the HUMANS.

 The HUMANS were gathering in organizational terms like no other. No more Boren to cull them down they have IDEAS dangerous ideas I saw in visons so many years ago. FINELY relevant.

The humans will bring about our whole downfall, what we all least expected. For I have seen the CCC organization's human preserving projects. cloning, experimental creations and statis technology to preserve and reanimate life. recreate their countries and culturally oddities. 

But no let everyone here in the free world think bloody Meredith is the last one! 

One day we are all going to be at their mercy, well maybe not ME personally. Dane willling... Everyone else... 

My perplexing curse of visons without clarify that can be so poorly misinterpreted as I stand before all of these sad little souls I have to SEE things about them all, warnings that would make no sense to even mention to them!

There was that freak Klaus in the over the top horns trying to be seen by all as always, I saw little purple twinkling orbs around him almost like little fairies kissing and running away shyly.  

There was 'our beloved' Princess Blythe harassing a young solider - Tully - near by hoping Klaus notices it. I think her tounge was in his ear, Good Heavens.

All I could see from her was Boron's blue fire all around consuming her in my mindseye.  I always have seen that since she was young, it never changed.

The young solider she was harassing looked a dark sickly blue between my eye blinks, I almost thought he was sick but it was just a visonsight. 

(Carry): "Hey buddy, you spacing out again?"

I blink up at him, since Raluca he changed in my sight now I always saw him dripping blood, even out of the mouth when he talks.

I always thought it showed his guilt about her but then his son has the bleeding condition.

It was distracting as I kept hearing  the wet drops.

"Of course, Don't I always?" 

I give him a hug feeling the smear that wasnt there.

(Carry): "Its been ..three years whatever are you working on?" 

I ignore my pet project to sabotage the humans process.

He would think it cruel, the poor helpless little sheep that Boron had been sluathering left and right. 
Little does he realize they will own us all as soon as they get the chance to breath freely. 

"Your one to talk, you hide on your little ranch. We both hurt the King's feelings didn't we dropping out? We both could..have been more supportive..for Sorin....."

(Carry): "Speak for yourself I travel out there monthly to see Bash, I dont have to live in court, Ezekiel is too sick for royal duties..."

"Dont you have two healthy children...?" I test how he views Ettie now that she was ..older...things should be manifesting...

(Carry): "Ezra is too young and Ettimay.....hey look at that!"

I see Carry going over to another fine young specimen in the room.

Jopspeh Sharpton.

I remembered his last name only because what I saw from him was the most intriguing to me on a personal level.

He had a glowing halo ring coming out of his forehead and whisking around his head almost like branching antlers of golden light..

I only ever saw Myra have the golden antlers though did it mean he was a Xern or a Xern of the like as going to kill him with the power?

......This is why I don't try anymore to understand it..

Though right now that looked rather... cluttered among the horrible outfit. His gasmask and googles went well and beyond the basic mask.

(Carry): "I have to say that is the most white death historical to the timeframe costume I have seen, you have my vote son."

"Me too, I love it! What do you call it!?" I clasp my hand together touching his shoulder. I peer over at the royals bickering.

He better get used to wearing a mask...
I think of Tiberius

(Joseph): *German accent*"Danke its called....Harbinger.."

"Oooooo!!" I exclaim in his ear jostling the chair a little bit in excite. 
 
                                                                         
*Joseph horrified his nerd outfit attracted all the old geezers he wishes to AVOID LIKE THE PLAUGE BE HAPPY KLAUS*

Klaus:

Joseph had drawn in quite the crowd, but how was the conversation?

I tune in finding it to be quite off topic.

This is why I repeat and repeat..

*Shuffles on the spot in annoyance before entering his scene.*

"Gentemen, pleass give this man some air."

I chuckle at how my statement pared with his mask.

((What have you found out?))

 

Joseph:

I was trying to think how to ask about Ettie without it sounding creepy... but it always did..

I finely realize I could begin with the recent attack and maybe-

Klaus comes to my rescue.. 
Like I needed it. 

So much for splitting up. I felt so stupid at the satisfyingly feeling of relief at his presence.  

((I was working them towards the topic, but if you can do it better go ahead!)) I snap trying not to ..feel what I feel. 

(Carry): "So what are you supposed to be Klaus... Ben?" He says a little patronizingly while Morgain look his interest off of me to stare so crazily at Klaus.

I get up and feel my foot alseep from the metal padding and try to shake it off and get out of there half BLIND with the GOGGLES 

*trips into MER while trying to make a SMOOTH exit*

Meredith:

I smile at Sebastians response.

I was so grateful he understood.

When we go back inside our table seemed to be quite busy.

"I don't know about you but I could really use a drink."

I walk over to the "punch" table and a pick up a glass.

"Would you like one?"

I ask before someone bumps into me.

I fumble the glass but am still able to catch it before it drops.

That was close..

I turn around to see who it was.

All I saw was Goggles.

"Nice costume."

I chuckle

Klaus:

Joseph takes on a defensive tone.

I tilt my head unimpressed before noticing what Blythe was doing in the background.

............

I was about to wander over and get this conversation over with when I am approached by a few others regarding my mask.

"Carry, what a pleasure seeing you here. How are the children?"

I skip over his snippy comment about the mask before noticing the crazed look in the other one's eye.

"Have we met?"

I break the ice the best I can.

Sebastian: 

I smile at Meredith's idea to get a drink rather then return to the crowded table. 

"Sounds like a plan."

Once we get there a man in a full costume nearly made her drop a cup, she caught it with fast relexes.

"Nice save."

I say taking a sip out of mine and looking a bit peeved at the careless man.

I was rather... interested to guess who it was? 

All the other masks you could tell enough.. we all knew one another. But this costume it could be anyone...

(Joseph): "S..sorry uh ...Miss? Thanks."

He seemed to need a moment to recognize her.  Or he could not see.

"I have no idea who you are. Thats new."

I comment and take another sip finding myself drawn more so then before to Meredith's hair.

Meredith:

I do a mock bow for my audience when I am congradulated by my save.

The stranger was a mystery and I joined Bash in his curiosity.

"Yes, I think I hear an accent?"

I tap my chin thoughtfully.

"Are we getting warmer Goggles?"

I tease as we try to guess his identity.

Carry:

Unfornatenly Klaus scares off the costumed man before we can have a rich discussion about the plague.

I've been to enough of these things to see how this man operates and I found him quite shallow and fake. 

That might be hypocritical but playing people for a living is completely different then faking your real life that hard.  Trying THAT hard.

"They are all well, our town is less ..troubled. Your city is getting far to many refugees and its only half operational to begin with." 
 
The lack of sun is disturbing, vampires are probably running around left and  right..

(Morgain): "  I've seen you around..." he said shuffling his drink. "I'm Morgain Quince. You might be seeing more of me, the King needs a little assistance"

Klaus:

"Ah yes, our damn charity always gets in the way of things."

I mock.

The male known as Morgan Quince recognizes me and admits he has been tasked with assisting the king.

"How interesting, do tell? Is it regarding that horrible attack?"

Joseph:

I get a drink while they guess. The punch had some kick tonight at least.

This was a weird turn of events. But I think it counted as mingling?

This time I must bring up the topic Klaus wants me to push much quicker. 

"Yes I do...and it sounds like you do too. Its very pretty miss."

I try to sound more like Klaus to throw them off. 

(Bash):"Klaus?" 

"Noo."

I laugh a little in the mask, finding it a bit hard to do so.
It was going to be hard to bring up the attack in the middle of this so I do not.

Klaus:

"Perhaps the sick bastard liked to use his teeth?"

Shit! Should have told her it was an animal attack.

Morgan spits up his drink on me.

.........

I take out my handkerchief and wipe myself off as the two proceed with their secret conversation.

Morgan confirms his involvement not being at all associated with the attack.

Well that is at least good news? I think..

I tilt my head not entirely sure what he does in general.

"Forgive me, what exactly do you specialize in?"

I endure their conversation a little longer for his response.

Meredith:

I tilt my head at the masked man when he compliments my accent.

I suppose I had one too to most people.

Unfortunately I was no closer to guessing his identity.

"Fine, keep your secrets."

I finally drink my drink.

Was this spiked?

I suppose I fill find out very shortly then.

"What brings you to the party Goggles? Are you new in town?"

Morgain:


"Who doesn't?" I joke to Klaus's rather personal sounding kink comment. 

(Carry): "Well I don't know what your generation calls it... but when I was the Hand of the King most species here are carnivorous that would classify as a feeding. Samples should have been been taken from the wound to determine the class threat level of the bite. Treating it as a rape case completely skipped those steps. I think I'll speak to the new hand about this....if you'll excuse me.." 

He goes across the way to Tamson, who Bash picked because he was Bel's son and closest to maybe not betraying him. But having one of Boron's grandchildren as the hand was not a good idea. He cant weld moonstone. 

If Boron is now a problem again, Bash is going to have to do something drastic. His weakness is his enemy's weakness. 

Alone with Klaus he asks me more of what I do. 

How sad the youth of today have forgotten me. Well I always get kidnapped for decades at a time...

"Well being on old King Sorin's elite team I am multi talented in many fields of the sciences and warcraft. I suppose I am best known forensics, pathology mostly with dead tissues..morage work... I guess I COULD look into the attack if it bothers you so much? I over heard you speak about it multiple times tonight. Was she a girlfriends or something?"

I move in closer to him thoughtfully and fight the urge to slap one of those purple things away. 

"I used to go to the scene of some horrible crime fresh enough and could get visual imagery right off a sample. If I tasted the blood I could see it clear as day in my mind like a flash. In my age my visons are even stronger but not as processed through a narrow enough lens. But the girl you say is alive and not dead? Then why not read her mind and it would probably be unproperly but if I licked the wound i would know just what happened.. no more questions asked."

Meredith:

I look at Bash wondering if he was ok?

He was so quiet and seemed somewhat distracted by something... on my head?

I pat my head starting to feel a bit light headed

Goggles was quite charming and surprisingly a local.

He did not recognize me though? 

"It is nice to know the TV has not worn out my face."

I ponder for a moment before our conversation takes a morbid turn.

"Yes, I heard about that.. neck wound too."

I get awkward.

"Reminds me of a book I read once about Xern vampires and their worms."

I put my glass down cutting myself off from the punch.

Klaus:

Mr. Fox left to investigate the attack further.

I curse not liking that at all.

I tune into my conversation with Mr. Quince and am even more mortified at the outcome.

It was apparent I had set off a series of events that only worsened our position.

Perhaps I better capture the girl, erase her memories and return her when her wound has fully healed.

I backpeddle trying to cleanup the mess I had made.

"I have no personal interest in the matter but I do love the gossip. Do not worry yourself with such trivial affairs Mr. Quince they are not worth your time."

I respond before leaving to go speak to Blythe next, hoping he would take me at my word.

"Blythe sweetheart, are you determined to ignore me forever?"

I interrupt Tully's tongue bath.

 Carry's mask home made from one of his Sanguinem kills. Orion will tell Echo all about how he saw his grandfather's skull shown around for sport. 

 Morgain's fancy mask, he would have went plague doctor but didn't want to be the bummer he knew Carry would do that for him. 


Morgain lied and DID bring 'Effy' because its a MASK party how could he not 
(Crazy Freakshow man Klaus & Orion ran away from with the redheaded gf)  She is not there or she'd be in jail

Hes walking around like this 

Morgian:

Klaus backs down at my intense response, he backs down HARD. I chuckle under my long nosed mask. 

This is interesting... 


"Alright Mr. Klaus, I'll be seeing you later..." I say in a tone of a challenge. 

I go join my spikey headed 'friend' . He was trying to figure out how to drink under that thing.

He cant...


I smirk flicking one of the spikes.  

((Go get me the girl from the latest crime scandle.))


(Ephraim): ((You said I could enjoy the party if I came with you..))

"You did... now go...get what I want.."

((If Carry kills you, you weren't discreet enough...))    


I brought him because of the worms. There was a very.. difficult distilling process you could milk the worms fluid to not be infectious but give great benefits. Humans took it all the  time back in the day to live ubsene amount of time beyond their means. 

I thought it might help Bash with his madness curse.

Meredith:

"Yes?"

I respond to Goggles when his reaction takes a turn.

Bash gets very close to me and fills me in about Mr. Shapton.

I blush AGAIN trying not to think about his proximity.

"I'm so sorry Joseph.. that must have been very hard for you."

I blink away some of my own personal PTSD from the attack.

Joseph:

This is Klaus's sister...

I remember looking for her in all those orphanages with him, looking for a child.

 Then in this Starker world I am forced to live in she is some celebrity.  

The 'big three' became the 'two' after the attack. Now her fame was more 'the last human female'. 

Bash looked like he was almost going to kiss her as she sort of had a moment in her own head.

when I interrupt seeing her pity me... was a wonderful opportunity.

"It was, but ....I'm sure it was harder on you. You were so brave." I say with a inspired tone and semi wet eyes as I reached for her hand playfully.

"We should dance,it really helps to keep on living doesn't it?" 

Bash leans back in his chair embarrassed he tried to kiss her.

Meredith:

Bash draws near to kiss me and I almost let him if it weren't for Joseph's interruption.

I wince feeling quite embarrassed.

What has gotten into me?

Joseph calls me brave but I could not accept that, especially knowing it was his family on the other side.

He reaches out for my hand wanting to dance.

I look down a bit surprised at his offer but I take his hand all the same and let him guide me out to the dancefloor.

"It does."

I agree with him softly.

I did not know him well enough to understand if his words had another meaning.

I press further.

"I was on the ship when it happened. I never fought but.. I did have an encounter."

I pause.

"Were your family vampires?"

I ask thinking about the names contained in that book.

 Blythe:

(Anja): "Princess we are on duty and need to stay alert for the rapist on he loose!" 

Tully's partner was not happy I borrowed him for my own pleasure.

I know there is no rapist on the loose. Again Klaus was fucking up.

The poor goody goody Peacekeepers were trying to hard for nothing. 

Unfornatenly the ear trick did not capture Klaus's attention so it goes UNDER the punch table for a BATH.

*ignores his voice as Anja glares a Klaus knowing its HIS FAULT somehow*

Joseph:

I quickly realize from the questions she was dishing me that Bash must have implied I was a XERN by his careless words. Or maybe he did it on purpose... 

I glance back at the King never having liked him and still never will. 

I guess it did not matter, Klaus's sister was probably going to be his next collectable for the mansion and then she would know everything anyway. 

"N.no I was like..Ettie... you know Foxe's daughter. They fed on us."  I try to see if she buys that and give her a little spin because I was drunk and secretly enjoying this more then I should. 

"Do you know the feeders were mostly children and there was no evacuation for them when your attack happened... "

Meredith:

Joseph compares himself to Ettie and I look down sadly.

We were so young and stupid when we went out there, not fully understanding who all was involved.

Joseph spins me around and I complete the move in one fluid motion before gracefully returning back into position.

It has been awhile since I had danced like this and I had rather missed it.

Joseph mentions something else but I was not quite sure I understood his terminology.

"Feeders?"

I question.

"You mean others like you?"

I could not help but reach up and touch his face.

I wanted to comfort him but I could not. No words could be said to undo the damage that was caused.

I remove my hand and look down.

Klaus:

Blythe proceeded to ignore me and Tully was having quite the time of it I was sure.

I was not the same man I used to be and her actions did not fluster me like they used to.

((Blythe you have my attention.))

I pull Tully away from her whether she liked it or not.

"You are mad, understandably so, but my conditions were reasonable so this new tactic on your part I can only assume goes much deeper."

I switch back and forth to speaking out loud and inside her head because I can.

((It is not my intent to harm you and it never was.))

I state quite plainly.

"Should you speak your mind I will hear you, if not, I will assume nothing is wrong."

I leave her on my way to the dance floor.