A tyrannical prince...

[ferabird]

Still the vain puppet master was not content. He would not be... not until his chosen sanctuary was perfect. He paced the length of the room and back again, crimson-dyed eyes sweeping over the numerous items of varying worth that he'd gathered together. So many invaluable things that he'd killed to acquire... that or sent out one of his cast-members after. The scarlet-furred chiroptae finally shifted back his weight so that his wing-limbs might serve as arms rather than legs, muttering in that gutteral tongue he favored.

"Müll.... all of it." he said, labelling the many belongings that simply as no more than garbage. Awkwardly he pivoted upon his taloned feet, wings flaring slightly to bare golden sail and assist in his balancing. At least he had one treasure that had been worth his efforts. It was towards this he stalked, tophat held carelessly in the fingertalon that decked the joint of his wing. He'd come to a halt at one wall, the cloth-shrouded objective looming above.

"Bewundernswert..." he murmered once the dusty tarp was thrown aside, drawing himself proudly up afront the full-length mirror. It was a gorgeous piece, the wooden frame carved expertly in pleasing whorls and designs. And not only was the item itself gorgeous, but it gave him the chance to posture and preen, something every evil mastermind needed! He looked proudly upon his reflection, admiring the stylized crown he wore. How could one not be taken in by his immaculate appearance?

Interruption came by way of footsteps, the chiroptae swivelling his massive ears attentively towards the door that served as the entrance from the theatre. Ah... here was something for him to do. Were this not one of his ranking peers, he'd have a bit of fun assigning a creative punishment to whomever stole away his valuable time.

[silverdust]

The Marionette appeared in the doorway first, and while she did not enter she paused there, unabashed and still and a marble Venus. In all other cases, she should be nervous, even a quiver of fear should rack her slender form. She was, after all, a female in a place that spelled the destruction and shame of many a daughter of Eve. But there was no scent of that about her, no stir in her blood. Her eyes fixed on the Puppet Master in an unblinking stare, a boldness that bordered on audacity. It was almost as if she did not see him at all.

Perhaps the reason for her unsettling behavior came close behind her; surely the Prince would recognize the familiar play of blades that heralded his fellow Master. Jaku slipped out of the shadows of the hallway, sliding gently around the lapine and nodding lightly at the Chiroptae. "'Eve, Vlaj. I trust we are not interrupting anything important."

He had noted the mirror of course, such a large and gaudy piece was impossible to ignore. It would be just like the vampire to indulge in himself so. But then again, itw as the rare kind of vampire who even had the grace of seeing his own reflection, wasn't it? Jaku let a smirk grace his features, and he turned his head toward his exquisite guest. "Come."

She moved like mist to his side, and that was a strangeness in itself. Even if Jaku played his game well, no woman had ever come that close to him and exhibited no fear. His misogyny was a plague he kept well-hidden, but not even the finest masks would disguise that killing intent so clearly. But this Marionette...nothing, nothing at all. And from the lurid sheen in the Canine's pale eyes, that was to be expected.

"This is Seibhizion," he said her name like the whisper of snake scales gliding together. "I have raised her myself for this Cast. A contribution, if you will, since it seems I haven't been paying as much attention to things as expected of me."

The Marionette gave a bow that could hardly even be called that, a mere tilt of the body. The Chiroptae already towered above her in his bipedal form; it seemed she felt no need to lower herself further. A dangerous pride, perhaps, but one could never tell when Jaku was involved.

_{((Sorry, tis crap, Jaku is a very rusty character for me xD))}

[ferabird]

The soft snicking of those familiar blades against the floor made easily their way to the Prince's great dished ears, said radar-like appendages giving a swivel of only half-concealed interest as the femme set herself within the doorway. My my now, but whatever was this? Fluid eyes of crimson had never before set upon this particular female, though he could daresay she was a piece that quite fit his fancy. She looked like some porcelain doll painted over with those strange eyes, the pale mask half-hidden by her mane only adding to the rather alluring sense of mystery.

"Jaku... what is this you bring me?" he'd ask imperiously as his peer only just began to make himself visible, bypassing his usual blustering reaction as the man entered the room without deigning to ask permission. As always, the vampire kept vainly the accent of his homeland thick in his words, tones deep-throated. His haughtiness was as much audible as was the fact that he was proudly foreign, the crown upon his brow a failed confirmation- seeing as the lovely lapine was blind. Falling silent so as to be answered, the Prince observes well indeed her obedience, though hand-in-hand with that come that only borderline respect. "Either you have her strand well in hand, or she is very bold to bow so shallowly!"

Yes- he would be the one to notice.

Taloned toes click lightly upon the floorboards as the puppet master shifts to set his top hat aside, tucked atop a declarated shelf likely set in place just for it. Once he was finished there though he swept forward, the hem of his robe hissing against the polished boards of the flooring. Slowly he began to circle about the femme's side, his interest voiced only in the intensity of his gaze and the lively prick of ears. How the chiroptae adored a fine woman...

"One might be so direct as to inquire, der Kopfjäger, what you mean when you say 'raised' for the Cast." And most certainly the predatory chiroptae means the question in as many ways as it can be taken. She was in their theatre- and she would be part of the cast at this point whether she willed it or no. Thusly- there wasn't overmuch worry in the idea of spooking or offending her. No female accepted into their ranks was permitted to leave, and between the bloodthirstiness of the cast memebers... Vlaj had no doubt in their capability when it came to enforcing such things.

[silverdust]

If the femme noticed the foreign Prince's scrutinies, she reacted none. She did not bristle with ire, nor preen in the silly way most Marionettes might. Jaku, with his faint, ever-present smile, sat back on his haunches and let the Chiroptae examine all he liked. Like an artist showing off his finest masterpiece, for that was what she was. An experiment, one that had turned out quite well, if he dared to say it.

"Exactly what it means, raised," he cocked his head to the side, a manner almost playful. "I suppose you didn't think it was in me to care for a child, did you Prince? But it isn't far from the truth. She was given to me by her father, to do as I saw fit with her. So, I've made her into this, a female that would suit our cast. She is a Marionette of the finest quality, though I admit the blindness was something of a predicament, nothing that couldn't be cured however. It is unnoticeable now, though she insists on hiding her eyes."

It was fair enough trade though; the painted ones on the mask were as fine as the jewels on a Pharaoh's burial mask. "She can protect herself if need be, and needs no guardian to wander free in our halls. At the same time, she knows her place well. Her obedience is that of a doll's, free of the vices that normally...plague her kind."

He spoke as if he were describing an artwork he was auctioning off. He had as much Puppet Master's pride as Vlaj, but his wasn't trained on himself as much as it was his precious experiments and...displays. He took the same kind of pride in a fine kill, mutilated with exquisite precision, but here was a work that lived and breathed and moved with all the grace of fine clockwork. His arrogance at least deserved a little warrant. It was a difficult thing to strip down a soul, after all.

He let out a soft laugh, like the whisper of a blade on satin. "My dear Prince, there are no strings on her at all. I need them no longer."

[ferabird]

(Pardon while I twiddle his accent as I go.... >_>)

Still the puppet master circled the new creature, coming finally to stand afront both again with a sweep of a taloned foot setting the hem of his robe behind. Yes- while Jaku's pride was in his work, Vlaj's was in himself and his belongings. They were an interesting duo, and it must have puzzled many how they got on so well as to share a cast. Both were domineering figures, and as like to foil each other's plans as to assist in them. There was something to be said though for respecting power, and each had it in abundance.

"Your work is always fine, Jaku..." the chiroptae was forced to admit, a smile 'pon the fanged muzzle as he gave a respectful inclination of his crowned head. "Show me what you hev done, und put the frauline through her paces."

Here was one such show where the pair got finely along, the timing of the vampire's fellow in offering a new 'belonging' to the cast undeniably impeccable. The crimson-furred lord was pleased to see something to accomodate for the percieved flaw in his collection of fineries, and thusly he gifted Jaku with the chance to not only present his work, but to show it off! Certainly this would please the morbid canine, as it was often difficult for the fellow to find one who appreciated the intricacies of his work.

[silverdust]

Jaku caught the nod, acknowledged it with a grin and a return motion, one that tipped his hat at an angle. There were no females to impress by the rakish gestures, but he was forever on a stage. It was in his nature, to hide his inner demons so well. Yes, odd enough, Vlaj was the closest thing he had to a peer, their tremulous understanding holding their cast together. The reason, among others, why upon her coming of age, Seibhizion was to be ferried to him first.

"That I can do, or she, rather," he let his mouth curve into a smile and the lapine slid gracefully into a seated position. "But you must give her instruction, as to your wishes, my Prince. I know how fond you are of that. Water is formless unless it is given a container, as she is formless without desires."

He made lightly to the door, his claws clicking staccato melody. "I will gift you to her, tonight, if you wish. She is this way now because I am with her, and it is my wish that she act such. With you, she may be indeed quite a different animal."

His head turned, an almost delicate motion in itself, and a single pearly eye regarded the Chiroptae from the shadow of the doorframe. "If she does not please you, then I will care for her myself. That is the only condition, rather; she is to be lended out at my word and whim alone. Anything else...that is to your choosing."

_{((Sorry, my muse got hit be a train ^^;; *snugsVlaj'saccent*))}

[ferabird]

Such generosity from his fellow has the bat-lord all but beaming with pleasure- such a fine toy as this particular femme very much to the vain prince's liking. Crimson-dyed eyes all but glow, fanged muzzle set indeed into a fine smile.

"Jaku- you honor me with such a chance to rouse my moodt." he voices in the way of thanks, taking an action reserved only for his peer. Rather than pace as was often the case upon his taloned feet alone, he lowers himself to the level of his fellow. Dropping to all fours as it were, the single knuckle of either golden-sailed wing becomes like unto a toe, that particular joint serving as his 'palm' and set to the floor. Oh yes- the bat-lord can pace upon all fours, though seeing such a thing is a rare treat anymore. Reserved for a show of respect or acknowledgement and for those few times where speed is more important than looming above his fellows, it's not the most common of actions. He'll follow in the wake of the blade-toting canid, meandering after as he makes his way out with the courtesty of seeing him to the door.

"I will not vaste this opportunity." he assures, slipping shut the door in his peer's wake only to turn, rousing once more to his feet and beginning his way back. Rather than the bear awkward steps of his natural form however, it's on his way back that the vain prince begins his shift. It was so much easier to be a biped with proper humanish legs, and he'd ever so much more mobility when his arms and wings were not one in the same.

He cuts a grand figure, flesh still brushed over by sleek crimson fur. His markings however become moreso striking- from the black slashes under either eye to the lovely highlights of gold at his nape and ankles. Cutting an appropriately impressive figure for one of such vanity, the crowned puppet master is quick to catch his robe and cinch it shut once he's finished, able to cloak his nudity as few were within moments of changing. Great wings settle behind with a rustle, folding at his back whilst one muscular arm stretches after what must be his self-designated throne. Yes- throne. While the piece is currently shielded by a dust-cloth to keep prying eyes from spying at it's magnificence, it was still rather obviously a grand piece, and it's there that the puppet master seats himself, a bored prince in need of entertainment.

Finally he speaks again, eerily red-tinted eyes upon his newfound company- and a smile set upon fanged lips in anticipation.

"Entrance me." the commands her, trusting for now in Jaku's work. "Impress upon me your worth."

Let the show begin!

[ferabird]

(Still around?)

[ferabird]

(I'm temporarily closing this thread and adding the points to my list. Lemme know if you wanna re-open.)