Chasing Rabbits...

[Vyn]

On most nights, Vani'leribha could be found wandering the city streets in the company of her mother. She would follow the lovely Rhapsody where she could, wait when she was told not to follow, but would always stay where she could ascertain her mother's safety. However, there were some nights when a child had to take pleasure in just being a child...though Vani's form of relaxation was not at all the sort that warranted the title of 'childish play'.

Vani had taken a liking to her mother's various euphoric substances quite some time ago, and frequently shared her mother's bliss as she wandered the city streets in search of entertainment.

There was no audience before her, but Vani was performing tonight. Currently in her anthro form, she bowed an entrance to the stars and with flawless movements began her intoxicated show. She was no Marionette, possessed no natural talent for performance other than a skill for musical composition, but she danced regardless, keeping time to a melody only she could hear as she twirled and swayed for her audience of none.

Well, Vani had to admit there was at least one watching. Or, perhaps it was better said that there might be one watching. The young Chiroptae had been trying to keep her out of trouble for quite some time that evening, but had recently given up and Vani was honestly uncertain whether or not her friend remained. She would have to apologize for her behavior later, but for now she was too caught up in her dance to seriously consider such things.


Linabi was indeed still present, though she had given up trying to subdue the high as a kite Lapine. Instead she perched atop a nearby lamppost and watched Vani's euphoric dance through tired eyes.

Chasing rabbits...it wasn't exactly how she had planned to spend her evening. Nor any of the others that she was forced to follow her friend down the rabbit hole and into her bizarre worlds. But she couldn't call herself a Director if she simply sat back and allowed Vani to get herself eaten by Cannibals or something of the like.

_{Vani'leribha: 1}
^{Linabi'Tinuviel Drakul: 1}

[Kitty Love]

The coppery scent of blood would drift upon the scene before the youth did, it was something that was beyond his control. When he were younger the scent was enough to make him ill, but he'd grown accustomed to it. He was falling apart, inside and out, and he bled constantly, matting his lovely charcoal coat.

However, he wasn't as bad off as most Torns were, he had no serious hair loss or pieces missing, merely tiny cuts and minor gashes that oozed, giving him some piece of mind and hope for a longer life. However, the influence he got from his Agony heritage made him cough and sputter, producing bloody phlegm more often then not, staining his fangs a dingy yellow color. But still life's hard facts would not hold him down.

Obsidian visionaries, which nearly blended right in with his coat, peered about the square, looking for any opportunistic looking adults. He lifted a paw, ready to appear from his hiding spot when he caught sight of the lapine and froze. He assessed her actions carefully and, deciding that she seemed no threat to him, slowly came out of hiding, not saying a word and trying not to be loud. If she noticed him, she noticed him, if not, well then, that was alright as well. He'd learned most others found his sort unworthy of their presence.

[Vyn]

It must have been quite a sight for any onlookers, watching the intoxicated lapine dancing with unstable movements along the edge of the fountain. She seemed unaware of everything: Linabi's eyes upon her, the spray of the fountain dampening her, nor the coppery smell of blood.

Wait? Blood?

Vani sniffed once, her nose tingling with that copper taste she had become so accustomed to while in Linabi's presence but she wrinkled the tip of her nose in surprise despite this familiarity. Her first thought was that it must've been Linabi feeding on some poor Euclides and that she was going to be in trouble soon, so she opened her hollow orbs and was about to run when her big, bright eyes met with the small dark form that had become her audience.

The intoxicated child broke into a bright smile upon realizing that it wasn't Linabi at all but a complete stranger! She would not have to go in yet after all! The child nearly cheered for joy but instead she pirouetted lightly...and right into the fountain. A gasp of a cry fled her as she hit the water and her bones were instantly shocked cold. Oops.



Still settled peacefully upon her lamppost, Linabi kept up her silent vigil...or rather, that's what most would think. In fact, the young chiroptae was actually beginning to doze off with boredom until she became vaguely aware of a distant smell fast approaching. Blood? Yes, it was blood...and phlegm? Ah, ick! She recognized that filthy copper, it was an Agony... or something of the like.

Hollow orbs opened slowly from their once half-lidded position and Linabi peered quietly about for the source of the smell. Nothing but a little mixed Canine, obviously of an Agony heritage, but of no apparent danger to the little rabbit who had just taken a clumsy plunge into the cold fountain.

For now, Linabi would keep out of this but if the canine decided to attack her defenseless friend or, Zar forbid, if Vani began to drown in the shallow water, then the young Chiroptae would act.

_{Vanileribha: 2/15}
^{Linabi'Tinuviel Drakul: 2/15}

[silverdust]

It was not often that she was allowed to wander alone; child of a god she was but still only a Marionette in rank. But Haennary had all but pushed her out the door, giving her no more than a kiss on the forehead for protection. But by the gleam in the witch's eye, it was all she would need tonight. At first Artemisius had vehemently protested, for she had hunted already with her companions, but it was no hunt just 'exercise' as the Shaman put it before locking the door behind her.

Haennary was a strange witch, but one could not escape her fates. She should know better. She sighed inwardly, while her cool, poised facade remained unchanged. While raised in the court of gods one knew that deities did not bleed or feel as mortals might, and as a daughter of one she must imitate it as well as she could. But masks were tiring, and maybe that was why her ancient guardian had set her free. But what use of it? There was not a soul in sight. Absently, she allowed herself to twist a braided coil of her sunset-flame hair about a slender finger, listening to the gold of her jewelry jingle into the night.

Another thing, Haennary had not given her time to change out of her human shift, lest she wanted to leave her father's generous gifts of silks and jewels to the whims of alley thieves. She must look like a misplaced daydream; a Perisan princess wandering the streets of England, quite out of place and vulnerable. Then again, she was not against a second kill, if only to ease the bordeom.

There was a splash in the distance. She turned her head at the sound. So there was life even at such an hour. She wasted no time going to investigate; she was not beyond talking to 'mortals' or the like. If aything the conversation was certainly more lively. It took a few moments theough shadowed alleys before she emerged onto the main square, in time to see the sight of a lapine floundering in the fountain.

She tilted her head, elegant kohl-rimmed eyebrows rising slightly. She didn't know enough of the pastimes of children to know if the fall was accidental or some bizarre new kind of amusement. Still, she was not the type of Euclide who derived entertainment from watching someone drown in shallow water. She made her way swiftly to the side of the fountain, giving a brief nod at the blood-scented child in the shadows as she passed, and extended her hand to the wet dancer.

"Are you alright?" she asked, politely enough, though the deliberate eastern accent gave a tone of arrogance that she had been raised into.

[Kitty Love]

She had indeed noticed him, however she didn't seem to be the slightest bit bothered by what he was, or the scent he carried, thus he came out of the shadows casually. But the energetic lapine seemed to be a bit lacking in grace this eve as, before his onyx visionaries, she slipped right into the fountain. Wedged auditories stood straight up atop his head and he was about to go forward more quickly when another form went past him, mildly frightening him.

Claws clicked against the cobblestones and he scurried back a step or to, he hadn't realized anyone else was here. This quick movement brought that familiar tickle to his throat though and, after a few moments of trying to fight it, he went into a vicious coughing fit, one like he hadn't had in quite awhile. Yes, he hacked up bloody phlegm, which hung from his jaws in sticky, orange tinted strings, but the end result was a bit worse. His stomach turned from the spasming of his throat and there on the spot he vomited up some blood that had made it's way to his gut.

All of this took a toll on his energy level and he swayed before his hind legs gave out on him and he dropped his bottom to the ground with a sharp exhalation of air. He needed a moment to regain his wits and he looked quite the dreadful sight, disgusting sight.

Oy ... are you... OK?

And despite all this he managed to ask how the lapine was, in a soft, but audible voice.

[Vyn]

(Oi, so sorry this has taken so long to get back to. ' College ate me, but I think I'm finally getting the hang of it. XD)


Never in danger of anything more than a cold, Vani was tugged out of the cold water in a wide-eyed and shivering daze. Oh yes, if there wasn't something to wash the high out of you it was a shocking plunge into water which chilled you to the core. The young anthro glanced between the golden princess before her and the young fellow coughing on the floor beside her. Uh-oh... Her foolishness had gone and worried everyone again, hadn't it?

Hanging her head a little, the lovely Lapine flattened her ears back and nodded gingerly. "Y-Yeah, I'm all right. J-Just a 'lil c-c-cold." Talking about it only made the chill worse but she managed to ignore it as her bright but hollow orbs focused on the canine. "Are you okay?"


From high up on her lamplight perch, Linabi had to admit one thing...Vanileribha might have been a fool, but she had a kind heart. Few, including Linabi herself, could look upon a little agony mix like the pup which slumped before the Script Writer now without cringing and instead Vani managed it with wide eyes full of childish concern.

Foolish little girl.

She'd question the same of a Cannibal with a thorn in its paw and be promptly eaten on the spot, no doubt.

Nevertheless, it was not Vani's chilled state nor the couching Agony which caught the attention of the Director...but the princess. Royalty recognized Royalty, and there was no doubt that the golden marionette held the blood of a king in her veins...but, aye, so did Linabi. Flaring her wings out wide, the lovely Chiroptae made her way down to the growing gathering and alighted upon the fountain's edge at Vani's side. With a grace promised to a mix of blood's such as hers, she shifted smoothly into anthromorphic form and affected an elegant bow to both the marionette and the puppeteer alike. Yet it was the marionette which held the strength of her gaze.

"Thank you both for your concern toward my friend." Her words were slightly accented, a gift from her father's company. "I am Director, Linabi'Tinuviel Drakul." She spoke her name proudly before allowing her friend to speak up for herself.


Tending to her soaked coat, the young Lapine lifted her head and with a smile like sunshine and a lilting voice to match, offered her own introduction. "I'm Vanileribha, but you can just call me Vani. Script Writer."

_{Vanileribha: 3 / 15}
^{Linabi'Tinuviel: 3 / 15}

[silverdust]

Artemisius turned her head at the sound of the violent coughing behind her, and let loose an involuntary gasp, her stomach clenching intinctively. But no, this was no way to behave, she was not going to shy away like some silly thing. Her God King expected better from her than that. She closed her eyes for a moment to regain herself. Calm, collected, she had seen worse than this and indeed, she had better get used to such. Deftly she slipped out her claws and cut a neat strip in her skirt, smooth enough that it wouldn't mar the cut of the fabric. Gingerly, she held out the makeshift hankerchief, wearing a somewhat forced but more or less genuine smile of concern. It was a rather paltry offering, considering the severity of this child's sickness, but perhaps he would feel slightly better without the phlegm dripping from his jaws.

There was really nothing she felt that she could say without echoing the Lapine's gentle alarm. But she was distracted from the awkwardness by the sound of rushing wings. She turned her head to see the Chiroptae land beside her, with a grace and balance that she had rare seen. The shift into a lithe anthromorphic form marked her new companion as female, a few years older than her, perhaps. And then to seal it all, the Drakul name. A Puppet Master's daughter, or rather, a Prince's daughter. Seibhizion had told her of the Vampire in passing, one of the two Masters in the cast she was bound to.

She was mixing with blood as true as hers, then, from a darker line but just as entrancing. Was this what Haennary had foreseen this night? Not just moonbeam dancers and sickling children, but this fine Director as well.

She nodded at the two, her face breaking into a smile that was still controlled but shone like morning. "A pleasure, Vani, and Linabi'Tinuviel Drakul. I am Artemisius Bi'ishtare, daughter of Xerxes Kuhsayarsaj. Artemis, however, is usually enough to suffice."

Her eyes slipped sideways to the young Agony; it was not like her to forget, even if she were in company of lords. "And what is your name?"

[Kitty Love]

Siru was quite used to his... illness, but he was a self conscience Puppet and whenever he lost his self composure he felt terribly, terribly embarrassed. The young canine hung his head a bit, wedged auditories drifting back, however obsidian visionaries kept a watchful eyes on the ladies whom were in his company. He caught the shift in expression on the rather lovely, gloriously clad damsel that had initially caught him off guard and frightened him and wasn't all that surprised, however the offering she gave him DID surprise him and brought a bit of a smile to his face, exposing yellowed fangs to her.

He shifted to his anthromorphic form, something that seemed almost painful in it's self, moving toward her and he reached out a frail looking hand to gently take the offered cloth. He used it for the intended reason, nodding his head to her before moving over to the fountain and cleaning the precious piece of cloth, one of the only things anyone had ever given him, and he turned back to the others... whom had already introduced themselves and their names were cataloged in his mind by voice.

"My name is Sirizujan, a humble Puppet." He turned his gaze to Artemis. "I thank you for the cloth my lady, and I cleaned this... in case you wanted it back." He offered her another yellow toothed smile.

[Vyn]

Ah, yes. So that was why this lovely Marionette struck her as so familiar. The excess of finery, gold and silk specifically, was a sign of only one local Puppet Master that Linabi knew of: Xerxes Kuhsayarsaj. Her name reflected it as well and Linabi found herself smiling despite the sickness of the pup nearby. Being the daughter of the infamous Vlaj Drakul, Linabi had taken it upon herself to learn of the local Puppet Masters and Directors and of their offspring.

It was a somewhat exhausting research, but that was what made keeping friendships with clever Script Writer's all the better.

Where as Vani and Artemis had smiles which shone like morning light, Linabi's smile -and her entire persona for that matter- was made of much darker sorts. While she flaunted the mournful shades of a Requiem, Linabi's smile was purely adopted from her vampire heritage: sly and seductive with the smooth hint of dangerous fangs glinting in the moonlight.

"It is a great pleasure to meet you this evening, Artemis...Sirizujan."


Ever the sweet and simple soul, bright-eyed Vani seemed more interested in Sirizujan than the fact that she was in the company of not one princess but two. Of course, as Linabi already knew, that was just Vani for you.

"It's real nice to meet you both." She chimed sweetly. "Thanks again for helping me out of the water." The lapine felt herself beginning to blush then, turning her blue speckled cheeks to an adorably purple shade.

_{Linabi'Tinuviel: 4 / 15}
^{Vani'leribha: 4 / 15}