Thread: The Shadow Stalks (Attn: Melissa And Dumpling) 1-24-10

"Hunting for something young Magister?" You hear a child's voice ask from behind you, followed closely by a terrible meow that sounds as though it's coming from a dying cat or at least one that had survived death more than once.

"Or someone, perhaps?" Turning you will see what appears to be a little girl holding a cat under her right arm, her left shirt sleeve hangs loose and empty at her side.

"These are dangerous times to hunt alone childe of Lucita y Aragon, childe of Ambrosio Luis Monçad, Childe of Silvester de Ruiz, Childe of Boukephos, Childe of Laza Omri Bara, Childe of the first Philosopher King Irad who was the third Childe of Caine." Wind howls down the street leaving the girl's words to hang ominously between the two of you. There is no emotion in her normally child-like and mirthful expression, only a firmness that says she is not guessing at the names she has listed but knows for a fact that they are who she claims them to be.

"Perhaps you'd like some company?" With that she will let her cat down onto the ground and he will run off into the night leaving the two of you alone to talk.

Romeo allows himself to form, appearing in a kneeling position infront of her his head bowed. His shadow a twisted contortion behind him, a manifestation of his twisted humanity.

"Indeed they are...but the shadows are my amour in these troubled nights. You must be Melissa, I am honored that you have graced me with your presence. It would seem my suspicions were correct, for imagine my surprise, amid the lowest depth of a kindred made hell, A casual observer gives input and guidance. Having never formally met, knowing my lineage all the way back to the first. Indeed my suspicions have been confirmed, a true master of the Jyhad..Again I am honored by your acknowledgment and for your time. "

"Jyhad?" She smiles. "I wonder if you know the meaning of such a word to me... or even to those you trust most. I assure you that no one's Jyhad is quite the same as anothers. What an interesting study that would make though..." she walks towards Romeo and comes to stand at his side, motioning that they should walk together while they speak.

"Trying to discern the Jyhad as others see it in a better effort to position yourself for safety and perhaps even power. That could consume some time for those in need of things to fill their years I suppose."

She shakes her head. "I am not like those you are use to begging time and favor of young man - and I respect that you have kept your word to me thus far so I am here as a matter of curosity as much as repayment of a debt owed. You saved me the effort of making sure the book got where it needed to go and what's more, you threw off those who would have hidden it away for their own masters who answer to masters of their own and so on into the shadows the true Jyhad."

"So... you have my attention, what is it you seek?"

Romeo stands and walks with her, his shadow flickering behind him on its own. It would almost seem that Romeo didn't even know he was doing it.

"As much as it wounds me, as a Lasombra, especially one of my lineage. I am here to offer myself in service. One of your obvious power of coarse NEEDS no assistance. I am afraid you have me at quite the disadvantage, as you know apparently quite a lot about me. I know very little about you. I know u pose as a Gangrel but are far more then that. That you are interested in preservation over destruction. These things lead me to believe that you can be bargained with to some extent. I offer the only thing I have to offer, loyalty and service. The prince...Maddalena...Her mirror breaks more and more every day, even now she is not the same woman I knew years ago. Her mind splits, and eventually the stress of her position will crush her under its weight and another of her minds will take over and she will be lost to me. I do not know if you have access to the power that can save her, I do know that you are more of an option then anything else i have seen. Some may not even be interested in saving her. All i know is, i went into that dungeon for her. Shed layer after layer of my humanity until it even now hangs as a thread, and did so willingly for her. The beast calls from my shadows and my service to her is the only thing that gives that string strength. And so all i can do is extend my loyalty and service to you in hopes for the knowledge, guidance, and power...That is what i seek..."

Melissa pauses and looks up to her companion. "Those who hide do not appreciate their secrets exposed to the evening air... even the shadows have ears, surely you can appreciate that Mr. Santos." If she is angry she isn't showing it, instead she seems oddly devoid of emotion when speaking of the topic.

She starts walking again and is quiet for a while before she decides to speak once more, "I find it refreshing to find a Lasombra whose motives are not all they seem on the surface and not entirely selfish... it has been a while since I saw a Magister concerned with the well-fair of their leige. You are a curosity worthy of my attention and note... for now."

Walking in silence for a bit longer, she seems in no hurry to answer your request, as if she enjoys either making you wait or is enjoying your company and is in no hurry to be rid of you. "There are those who can help Maddalena, if she wants it... and only if she wants it. She has but to ask for help when they make themselves known. I will speak in her favor to them... ask them to take the risk of revealing themselves to her in private but be assured it is not my decision to do so or not and should they do this for you it will be at GREAT personal risk to their continued existance that they bring her this comfort and stability you beg for her. Theirs number less than ten in all the world... rarer than the most precious gems or metal... more valuable than vitae itself... such are the myths I'd dig up for your leige young Magister."

"The price I will require for this service will be steep and perhaps she is not that dear to you. Let me ask, to remove any doubt, just how much are you willing to give for Prince Maddalena's sanity?"

Romeo bows in quick apology, realizing the error of his words. "Forgive me...this entire situation has made me lose my place..."

He listens to her speak, deep in thought, obviously weighing the question very carefully. He begins to speak but then stops, his shadow flaring, becoming distorted and gnarly.

"When we were in our prime, traveling Europe like the wind, i would have given anything to protect her. Many times i thought i would have to give my life. Now, my beast beckons from the shadows, a shadowy tendril around my neck, pulling me back as i even try to think of such a sacrifice. Travel to the ends of the world, to murder, steal, shed my own blood. All things my beast craves, and would gladly let me do, regardless of the reason. Sacrificing myself, it tightens its clutch, recoiling in self preservation. I could not say in all honesty that i could sacrifice myself for her, but short of that nothing is sacred or off limits."

Romeo lets his head drop, staring at the ground for a moment.

"She is as dear to me as the shadows themselves, she is the moon, the evening star. She is more dear to me then anything else in my life, but not more then my own life....That is what I am able to sacrifice...is it enough?"

"As dear to you as the shadows..." she says thoughtfully. "Very well, we shall give you the chance to prove that loyalty."

Stopping she turns to Romeo again. "I will come to you, once the deed is done and I will ask you a favor. This boon I will call on will not take your life, or even one you care for but it will be commiserate with the amount of trouble I must put myself to."

"You will know when it has been done because the evening star herself will tell you and then the number until I call upon you will be measured in nights not months or years." She holds up a finger in caution. "But be warned Magister, break your word to me or seek my demise to be rid of your debt and there will not be shadows deep enough to conceal you or your evening star from my wrath." She offers her hand.

"Do we have an accord?"

Romeo looks down at her a moment, before falling to a knee in front of her bowing his head.

"We have an accord, I am in your debt, and will answer any and all calls."

He lifts his head, looking her strait in the eyes. Slowly he reaches up taking her hand, placing his lips on it.