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Post by πΎππππππππ on Jan 5, 2018 23:47:30 GMT -5
πΎπππππππ π·ππππππππ : a vampire and shape-shifter role-play
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Post by πΎππππππππ on Jan 5, 2018 23:49:17 GMT -5
chaos isn't a pit. chaos is a ladder "Fear is for the winter, my little lord,
When the snows fall a hundred feet deep And the ice wind comes howling out of the north. Fear is for the long night, When the sun hides its face for years at a time,
And little children are born and live and die all in darkness While the direwolves grow gaunt and hungry And the White Walkers move through the woods.
When the world was old, and yet mankind young, the Sky God looked down upon Man and saw him struggling to survive in a world where the strong thrived, and the weak were dominated. He saw how man grouped together in an attempt to survive, and yet he saw how man still struggled. The Sky God took pity on Man, and so he reached out to grant Man a gift. He took Man's soul, and joined it with that of those who dominated the sky, granting Man the ability to shift between forms. Those blessed by the Sky God later went to inhabit the many Pacific Islands, and form the intricate cultures of the Polynesian world.
Sky God's consort, the Earth Goddess, also looked down upon the world and saw Man. She too took pity on him, and so offered her own gift. To those who roamed the lands, she gifted the souls of a variety of animals: of the great wolf, the mighty bear, the agile deer, the sly fox, the patient jaguar, the fearsome lion. Those blessed by the Earth Goddess went on to inhabit all the continents of the earth, and form countless languages and cultures.
And so the shifters were born, and the earth rejoiced.
---
More than a thousand years ago, mankind had just taken to forming towns and cities, and to a more sedentary life-style. It was among this time that sickness took hold, and crowd diseases found a foothold among mankind. It is from disease, from death, that we are born. Ysernia hemorasis. The Red Death. From death comes life, and we have thrived ever since. The disease ravaged us, changed us - made us stronger. Powerful. We are the predator - the hunter in the shadows, making prey the weak.
And so the vampires were born, and we rejoiced.
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Post by πΎππππππππ on Jan 5, 2018 23:49:47 GMT -5
many who try to climb it fail and never get to try again. "When the snows fall
And the white winds blow, The lone wolf dies But the pack survives."
Shifters were created by the gods of the Earth and Sky, when mankind was young and new among an ancient world. The Sky God looked down upon those he claimed as his people, who lived among the islands dotting the sea and gifted them with the ability of flight, merging their souls with those of the birds who roamed the sky. The Earth Goddess looked upon her people - those who roamed the land across the world - and gifted them with the souls of various animals. To those of the colder climates, such as Alaska, she gifted the souls of the might ice bear and the mighty arctic wolf. To those who roamed the wild, untamed forests of Europe, she gifted the souls of the mighty red deer, the forest wolf, and many other forest dwellers. To those who raced across the vast plains of North America and Africa, and navigated the dense rain-forests of Central and South America, she gifted the souls of the lion, the jaguar, the mountain lion, and the great black bear.
As stated before, Shifters were created - in their beliefs - by the Earth and Sky gods melding their human souls with that of an animal. A shifter's animal soul largely depends on their familial heritage - especially on the location their ancestors hailed from. Those with Pacific Islander and MΔori descent have the ability to shift into great birds, with the specific bird again depending on their family. One family, for example, would consist of Golden Eagle shifters. Another family might consist of goshawk shifters, and so on. Those with European descent have the ability to shift into forest animals, such as the great Red Deer, the polecat, the fox, or the Eurasian or Italian wolf. Those with African descent have the ability to shift into lions, cheetahs, leopards, and the like. Those of Asian descent have the ability to shift into tigers, various snakes, and other animals native to that area. Those with North American descent have the ability to shift into the great timber wolf, the black or brown bear, and other native species. Specifically those who can trace their lineage back to cold areas have the ability to shift into the arctic wolf, fox or polar bear. Those with South and Central American descent have the ability to shift into coyotes, jaguars, coati, and other similar species.
While most shifter tribes and societies police themselves, a Shifter Council rules over all shifters as a sort of governing body. The Shifter Council rules on territory disputes, tribe problems, and other major issues. Most minor issues are solved amongst shifter groups, and the Shifter Council is not involved. However, the Council has decreed some laws that apply to all Shifters:
1. Do not reveal your existence to the humans. To do so will result in severe punishment as decreed by the Council. 2. Do not harm a human unless your life depends on it. You are a Guardian to humanity, and that duty is of the utmost importance.
3. Do not attack a vampire unless your life depends on it. To do so would break the treaty and incur the wrath of the Council. 4. Mating is only permitted within one's species, unless one's fated mate is found outside one's species. Such a mating would have to be verified and approved by the Council and the shifter's alpha.
5. Protect and respect all life, as the Earth and Sky dictate.
6. Do not interbreed among the humans. Keep the bloodlines pure, and keep the integrity of your ancestors' legacy in tact.
Most - if not all - shifters believe in the idea of destined mates, in which the Fates, or the Earth and Sky, decide a shifter's perfect match. It's relatively accepted that one's mate is only found in one's species, but it is not necessarily impossible for a shifter's mate to be human. It it unheard of but not impossible for one's mate to be a vampire.
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Post by πΎππππππππ on Jan 5, 2018 23:52:12 GMT -5
the fall breaks them. "The world is overflowing with horrible things,
but they're all a tray of cakes next to death."
Vampires, on the other hand, are the result of an infectious disease finding a foothold in humanity. For a time, only Shifters walked the earth, along with the normal humans, but when humanity began to move towards pastoralism and began to settle in towns of larger populations, crowd diseases found a new niche. The Vampiric disease, colloquially known as the Red Death, struck humanity around the year 1000. Symptoms of the disease began with nausea and fever, before rapidly developing into hemorrhagic shock, after which the victim would fall into a coma. The victim would remain in the coma for up to three weeks, during which the virus, Ysernia hemorasis, further infected and altered the genetic make-up of their cells. Eventually, all the victim's cells would be altered, and they would awaken with an intense predatory nature and ingrained need for blood, likely the brain's effort to replace what had been lost. The first few vampires were wild and crazed, driving to insanity by the fever and disease. As they waded through humanity, they further spread the disease, infecting more and more. As more and more people turned, they retained much of their human sanity, and recognized the dangers of further spreading the infection.
Finally, it seemed the disease had run its course, and the remaining vampires blended into human society again. The disease had altered their make-up, granting them increased night-vision, retractable fangs and claws, heightened speed, and an anticoagulant and anesthetic in their saliva. Although the vampires did not burst into flames at the touch of the sun, the glare of the sun was uncomfortable due to their heightened vision, and it wasn't unusual for them to only come out at night - thus lending to the legends.
Many of the original vampires - that is, the first turned by the disease - were crazed and unable to control their bloodlust. They'd attack someone, and would often be killed in response - mostly by beheading, or a sword to the heart. Despite this, they managed to infect other people - by blood-to-blood contact. After a few rounds of infections, the vampires retained their human intelligence, and were able to survive under the radar easier. It was discovered the vampires could be born - that is to say, to infected vampires could procreate and produce vampiric offspring. As their numbers began to grow, the Shifters became aware of them and set out to wipe out many of the vampire lines. The vampires resorted to turning more humans, establishing covens and familial lines. Ancient covens were vast but tight-knit, with each member either being connected by birth or by siring. Many of the covens today draw their descent from some of the original vampires, and take great pride in it. To have a well-recognized name is of great benefit.
Similar to the shifters, the vampires also have a Council that oversees their policing. The Council makes sure the vampires don't reveal themselves, uphold to the limit they have on turning humans, and a few other rules. Vampires also have a few rules, mainly revolving around keeping their existence a secret, keeping their numbers at a relatively even amount, and keeping the peace with the shifters.
Unlike the shifters, vampires don't necessarily believe in fated mates, and will choose their mate based on personality.
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Post by πΎππππππππ on Jan 5, 2018 23:53:10 GMT -5
and some are given a chance to climb. they refuse. "Power resides where men believe it resides.
It's a trick. A shadow on the wall. And a very small man can cast a very large shadow."
When the Shifters became aware of the existence of the vampires, they took it upon themselves to be the Guardians of humanity, and set out to wipe the vampires from the face of the earth. Unlike vampires, shifters are not immortal, though they age at a much slower rate when compared to their human counterparts - about one-tenth of the rate. The infectious disease that created the vampires replaces cells at an astonishing rate, so they are essentially immortal - though they can be killed. For centuries, shifters of family lines battled against the vampires, who seemingly created more vampires to keep their numbers up. Finally, around one hundred years ago, a fragile peace was established. Humanity was growing in technological strength, and it was becoming harder and harder to hide from prying eyes. In the interest of their survival, the shifters and vampires crafted a treaty in which terms of peace were outlined. The vampires were only allotted a certain number of humans they could change, while the shifters agreed to only step in to police the vampires when approached for help. For a hundred years, the fragile peace held, despite the tension between the two beings.
That peace is cracking, fraying at the seams. Shifter lines have been seemingly disappearing without a trace; the only evidence of their sudden disappearance is bloodstains, scorch marks, and ash. Naturally, the Shifters blamed the vampires, threatening war. Shifter lines that had existed since their creation had suddenly ceased to be, and panic was rampant. The vampires denied the accusations vehemently, and instead accused some of the more ambitious shifters of taking out competition. The peace was close to breaking, and when vampires started to disappear, it all but vanished.
Desperate to solve the disappearances, the Shifter Council has reached out to the vampire's Council, and a gathering has been established. The greatest of both kinds will come together, to solve the mystery, or tear each other apart.
The Summit will determine the outlook of the future; the fate of the shifters and vampires hangs on a precipice, and one wrong move could send them spiraling into the abyss.
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Post by πΎππππππππ on Jan 5, 2018 23:53:53 GMT -5
they cling to the realm or the gods or love. "It's easy to confuse what is with what ought to be,
especially when what is has worked out in your favor."
We all hate rules, but they're necessary sometimes. Below, you'll find the rules for this roleplay. Credit to Glow for 'em.
β It goes without saying that you need to be kind to everyone in this roleplay. If you aren't then, frankly, bye Felicia.
β Follow all of wcrp forums, obviously. You know this already, though.
β Please don't roleplay as someone else's character without their permission. In other words, don't like powerplay and god-mod, just so we're sure you're giving the other person a chance to respond.
β Ask me, please, before starting any major events that will effect the whole role-play. I'm more than willing to plot with you, so PM me if you have any ideas!
β Try to keep the genders as even as possible. You can have one or two more of each gender, but keep in mind that it makes other people feel obligated to balance you out, which isn't much fun for them.
β Sexualities other than heterosexual are welcome.
β Try to be realistic! Yes, this is a supernatural role-play, but there are limits on that. No characters with powers or purple eyes or anything.
β Ask other people before making your character either their relation or mate.
β Let me know if you're going to be gone for an extended period of time, just so we know not to involve your characters in any roles that are immediately important.
β Remember that, for the most part, shifters and vampires don't like each other. There are exceptions to this, but it's the most common way the two interact.
β Lastly, this is a literate to advanced roleplay. Responses should be no shorter than a good paragraph or two, but should preferably be longer. It's understandable in dialogue, however, to have slightly shorter responses so long as both parties consent.
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Post by πΎππππππππ on Jan 5, 2018 23:54:31 GMT -5
illusions. "And when you have it, what then?
Some secrets are safer kept hidden. Some secrets are too dangerous to share,
Even with those you love and trust."
Below you will find the characters of this roleplay.
β Kahu Paewai - avian shifter of the Paewai line
β Iza Reigns - vampire of the Reigns line
β Rhysand Reigns - patriarch of the Reigns line
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Post by πΎππππππππ on Jan 5, 2018 23:55:09 GMT -5
only the ladder is real. "You do not steal from the dragon,
Oh no. The dragon remembers."
The main plot of this role-play will involve the tensions between the shifters and the vampires as they try and figure out the mystery of the disappearances. Of course, at the Summit mated pairs will be found, accusations will be thrown, and all the drama will ensue. Yay!
Another small plot will involve the reason behind the disappearances, which will be revealed soon. Drama!
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Post by πΎππππππππ on Jan 5, 2018 23:55:46 GMT -5
the climb is all there is. "But what do we have left,
When we abandon the lie? Chaos?
A gaping pit waiting to swallow us all."
Below you will find any important links.
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Post by πΎππππππππ on Jan 6, 2018 2:08:54 GMT -5
[ Extra save ]
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Post by πΎππππππππ on Jan 6, 2018 2:09:39 GMT -5
[ extra save 2 ]
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Post by πΎππππππππ on Jan 6, 2018 2:17:40 GMT -5
{{ Anyway, I'm not quite done with the front page, but feel free to start thinking about characters ^^ }}
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Post by πΎππππππππ on Jan 6, 2018 2:33:11 GMT -5
[ Ok now I'm more or less done. ]
[ *cuts ribbon* ]
Open!
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Post by πΎππππππππ on Jan 6, 2018 2:42:15 GMT -5
[ yess! I need to go to bed now, my back is absolutely killing me x.x I'll be on tomorrow though for sure (: ]
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Post by lozi on Jan 6, 2018 9:04:57 GMT -5
[ How long a response would you expect on the regular? I've been away for a while and want to make sure I can keep up. ]
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Post by πΎππππππππ on Jan 6, 2018 13:20:50 GMT -5
( it would depend on you tbh. If you feel more comfortable with a paragraph or two thatβs fine. If you feel more comfortable with something longer thatβs fine too! Iβm not too picky, as long as youβre having fun here Iβm happy )
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Post by lozi on Jan 6, 2018 13:28:18 GMT -5
[ Alright, thanks! I think I might put together some forms, and give it a try. ]
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Post by πΎππππππππ on Jan 6, 2018 13:38:45 GMT -5
( awesome )
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Post by πΎππππππππ on Jan 6, 2018 14:21:20 GMT -5
( had to run to the minute clinic so I will be back later to update everything ^^ )
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Post by πΎππππππππ on Jan 6, 2018 22:23:24 GMT -5
{ ^^ }
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Post by πΎππππππππ on Jan 7, 2018 1:06:21 GMT -5
[ sss ]
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Post by πΎππππππππ on Jan 7, 2018 17:20:58 GMT -5
( will get a starter up today! )
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Post by πΎππππππππ on Jan 7, 2018 21:00:19 GMT -5
Canβtβ¦ breatheβ¦
Montgomery thrashed, struggling with everything he had to remove the hand currently clamped tightly around his throat, closing off his windpipe. He kicked at the man holding him, pinning him against the wall of his now-destroyed home. The need to breathe overrode everything else in that moment, despite the fact that he was surrounded by the remnants of his family. Shadows began to creep up on his vision, blurring out the edges of his sight. His chest burned, lungs begging for oxygen, despite the fact that his heart continued to pump the non-oxygenated blood through his body. He thrashed, he clawed, he tried to bite, but to no avail. The manβs fingers dug into his throat painfully, just about crushing his trachea. He kicked again, slamming his foot into his captorβs knee. The man grunted in pain, his grip loosening enough to allow Montgomery to gulp in a huge breath of air. Montgomery gasped and gulped for air like a fish on land. His captor pulled him forward then slammed him against the wall before abruptly releasing him, causing Montgomery to fall to the ground in a heap. Instinctively he curled up into a fetal position, wheezing and gasping even as the damaged tissue of his throat healed. Props of being a shifter.
The man knelt before him, resting his elbows on his knees as he stared at Montgomeryβs quivering form. βLook around you, shifter,β he snarled, spitting the last word like it was a corpse. Montgomery complied, despite his desire to shift and eat the man alive. His home was trashed; furniture was shattered and toss in all directions, shattered wood and glass dotting the floor like it was some sort of artistic exhibit. Hisβ¦ his mother was laying a few feet away from him β or at least what remained of her. He looked away; he couldnβt stand to see the rest of his family. He turned back to the man, eyes flashing with the fury of his inner animal. His coyote was enraged, and wanted nothing more than to tear the man apart. The man grinned, seeing the look in Montgomeryβs eyes. βRun, little shifter,β he said, standing. He reached behind him and withdrew what looked like a silver stake, flipping it end over end in his hand. βPerhaps Iβll let you liveβ¦ if youβre fast enough.β Montgomery didnβt argue; in a flash of silver-gold sparkles, as the magic that was ingrained within him activated, he shifted. The coyote snarled and snapped his jaws, before racing out of the house and into the safety of the woods. He was a blur, leaping over the landscape with the ease of memory. He couldnβt hear anyone following, but he continued on nonetheless. He splashed through a stream, spraying mud and water across his coat. Still, he ran; he ran until his tongue lolled from his jaws and each breath wheezed through his lungs, until his chest burned and he swore heβd drop from exhaustion. There was a log just before him.
The coyote gathered his strength and leapt, soaring over the fallen tree. Something struck him in the side, wrenching a yelp from him as he collapsed in a heap, panting and struggling to get back to his feet. Leaves and sticks crunched beneath heavy boots, and as the coyote glanced up, he saw the man. He couldnβt breathe; something had pierced his chest. The man knelt before him, studying him for a moment. Man and beast locked eyes; the man opened his fist, and there was that silver stake. βPanis sabaoth supererogaveris, ego **** quibus ante servivit fundavit eam Altissimus Jesu Christi, et sanctificentur offerentium hodie debeat, **** ad fines consilium Dei vobis.β The man began to chant, withdrawing something else from his pocket. A glass vial; from the way the man held it reverently, Montgomery would guess it was holy water. "Qui contempserint te Raphaelem Archangelum: Magister caeli, qui prΓ¦parabit viam tuam ut ita fieret. Si maneret intenso igne Spiritus Sancti Descendendum jam esset quod illud sit loquendo de tellure possint excitari deberent Et expecto resurrectionem mortuorum terrae, et **** ei est de spiritu sancto.β The coyote didnβt look away; he simply curled his lip and snarled. The man ignored him, continuing to chant in what Montgomery assumed was Latin.
βDemus gloriam dabo tibi sicut et nos sumus in ulnas suas pacis aeternae, ubi parari ad deum patrem veritas in densius, omnium creatore. Amen, Amen, Amen.β
There was a flash of silver, a shrill, yet breathy yelp, and all went still.
--
Kahu drummed her fingers on the counter before her, watching as her father, Tui, listened intently to whoever was speaking to him over the phone. His expression was grave, and after a moment he nodded and hung open. There was a moment of silence, as Tui turned to study his daughter. His face crumpled into grief and he sat down heavily. Kahu stood, ready to leap to her fatherβs side, but he held up a hand to stop her. As Patriach of their family line, it was his job to maintain some semblance of strength for his flock. He exhaled once, then looked to his daughter. βThe Parkersβ¦ theyβre gone,β he told his daughter, voice cracking. Kahu went stiff, and said nothing. Tui put his face in his hands, and the silence of the room became too much for Kahu. She turned on her heel and left, shifting as she reached the outside. The shift was swift, and within moments sheβd leapt into the sky, releasing a shrill eagleβs cry of grief. The Parkers had been close friends of the Paewai family, despite being a world apart. Most shifters stayed in relatively constant contact with each other, and Kahu had been close with Montgomery, whoβd been a coyote shifter. Theyβd been fast friends, and when the Paewais moved to America for a time, Kahu and Montgomery had grown up together.
Heβd hoped she was his mate; if sheβd been honest to herself, she wouldβve agreed. Theyβd been thick as thieves. And nowβ¦ now Montgomery was gone. Sheβd been worried when heβd suddenly stopped answering her calls and texts, but sheβd never expectedβ¦
Shifters had been disappearing, but Kahu had never believed someone she knew personally would be targeted. Another family, wiped out. The golden eagle released another shrill cry.
A time later, she returned to the house, although it was still quiet. Tui was sitting in the kitchen again, staring into the depths of a mug of coffee. βThe council has called a Summit in Scotland,β he told his daughter. βThe vampires claim theyβre innocent, and that there have been disappearances of their people too. We have to go, Kahu. Weβve been summoned.β
βAll of us?β
βI wonβt leave you here unprotected, Kahu. Iβd thoughtβ¦β he trailed off for a moment, but she heard the unspoken words. I thought we were safe. No one is safe now. βIt doesnβt matter. Weβve been summoned.β
Kahu nodded. βI will pack my things.β She turned and went to do just that. The Summit was in Scotland; they'd leave tonight, if she had to guess. And she was correct. Before the night had ended, Kahu and her father, as well as the rest of their family, had been packed into a commercial jet. They'd managed to secure tickets, but it would mean being stuck on a plane surrounded by humans for the Sky knew how long. Kahu had the window seat, thankfully; she wouldn't have been able to handle to cramped space. As it was, she was finding it difficult to breathe. Too many people, too little space; not enough air. Tui's hand squeezed her shoulder, offering her silent comfort. Kahu rested her head against the cool window, and managed to doze off.
The manor in Scotland was vast and magnificent, but it was just a house; they were here for a purpose, and that was to find Montgomery's murders. Kahu would tear them apart with her talons when she found them. She straightened her back and strode into the manner, upper lip curling at the stench of vampires in the air. They were here already, it seemed.
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Post by πΎππππππππ on Jan 7, 2018 21:00:30 GMT -5
[ kinda crap but there... xD ]
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Post by πΎππππππππ on Jan 7, 2018 23:41:11 GMT -5
( sounds good. Iβm off to bed cause my back xD )
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Post by π¨ππ‘ππ£π© π¬πππ¨π₯ππ§π¨ on Jan 8, 2018 0:13:28 GMT -5
- { working on my characters c: i hope to have them finished sometime tomorrow!
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ββΠΎΟ
Ι΄α΄ α΄α΄
α΄Ιͺα΄α΄α΄Ι΄α΄α΄ α΄xα΄α΄α΄α΄ α΄Ι΄ α΄α΄Κα΄Κ Κα΄sΙͺΙ΄α΄ss
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Post by ββΠΎΟ on Jan 8, 2018 17:47:13 GMT -5
.G W . The ID on the phone read: Unknown. The number she did not recognize, and for a moment Gemma sat squinting into the sunset. She contemplated picking up, but figured it was some scam that she'd do better not to concern herself with. Besides, she had so much more to concern herself with. The sun was nearly down on city of Barcelona. Nearly time for her to go out and familiarize herself with the locals. She sat reclined against the slatted back of the wooden chair. It was still warm from the vibrantly hot day, though not warm enough to burn her porcelain white skin. She lounged in a silk green dressing gown on the balcony of her small apartment. The area was familiar to her, and she looked down on the darkening streets with a growing smile. It was good to be home after so many years. She was growing hungry. Soon she would set out in search of a place to dance, and maybe find a snack or two.
When her phone buzzed a second time, she let out a long sigh of annoyance. Surely nothing. Even so, she reached for the device and checked her notifications. The small green icon informed her that she had a new voicemail. Suddenly intrigued, she set the phone against her ear and awaited the sound of a voice. The one that filled her left ear was so unexpected that she nearly dropped the device.
"Gemma, it's me. I thought you should know that there's been another murder of a shapeshifter. No news on who it was, but that's not why I called. Apparently there is a Summit being called in Scotland in a few days. Representatives on both sides will be meeting, and I think it's important that you be there. Anyway, see you soon."
Well, well. Perhaps the evening would turn out to be more interesting than she had thought. The female vampire stood from her perch and entered the bedroom of her apartment. On the bed was a small suitcase, not yet fully unpacked. She stooped to pick up the strewn items of clothing and tossed them back into the luggage. She didn't bother to fold anything, no such effort would be made when an adventure was around the corner. When her suitcase was zipped and placed beside the door, she slid into the desk chair in order to book a redeye flight. Her reunion with the great city of Barcelona would have to wait for a later time. There were more important matters to sort out for now.
When her ticket was processed and the sun had fallen behind the distant horizon, Gemma looked at her darkened reflection in the mirror. Her emerald eyes glowed cat-like in the lowlight. Standing, she threw off her robe and reached for the one outfit she had left unpacked: a pair of black jeans and a red satin tank top. It would do for both of her needs. In a few hours, she would hail a taxi and head for the airport. For now, however, she had a little time yet. She would need to be well fed upon arriving in Scotland. So first, before leaving the country of her birth, she would find herself a little entertainment. The night was young and the city would soon come alive with unsuspecting prey.
The wheels of the plane hit the runway at exactly 7:45 in the morning. Gemma hadn't been to Scotland in over twenty years, but she was relieved to find it much the same. Beyond the concrete runways and the bulky compound of the airport itself, were stretches of drenched green grass and the blurred gray of fog. When she stepped outside, she filled her lungs with air that tasted slightly of seawater. The air was colder than she had expected, though it was stupid of her not to consider the climate difference of Spain and the UK.
She booked an uber (it was her first time using the app, and she was surprised to find it worked even despite her technological ineptitude). Thus the morning was spent in the passenger seat of a car, pretending to sleep so she wouldn't have to chat with her driver. Eventually she opened her eyes, and found her skin to be dappled with the shadows of leaves. The terrain there was different from the plains where she landed: towering trees, the sloped ground of mountains, moss covering every trunk and rock.
"Oh good, you're awake. We're about five minutes away," said her driver.
They drove into a secluded estate with buildings made of rust-colored stone. When the car pulled to a stop, Gemma couldn't hide the smile that burst to her features.
"Here to meet a handsome lad, Miss?"
Gemma's brows pinched, then she threw open the door. "No, well I suppose I will. But more importantly, I'm going to see my daughter."
There was an expression of confusion on the driver's face as Gemma reached back for her small suitcase. She didn't offer an explanation for how someone "her age" could have a child grown enough to be without her. Besides, there was no time to chat. She was off in search of two people she hadn't seen in a very long time. A tightness in her chest hoped they would be equally happy to see her, despite the negative feelings around their parting.
She paused in the driveway, staring up at the tall, old building before her. Well then, there was nothing left to do but enter.
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