[sub]A collab feat. [@Meiyuki] the cutie[/sub]
 
[h1][center][color=00aeef]Lorelai Von'Strauss[/color], [color=f26522]Vespa Ruvina[/color] & [color=#DBFFFB]Elina Ruvina[/color][/center][/h1]
 
After Vespa had thoroughly reclaimed what was rightly hers Lorelai drifted into a pleasant sleep.  To be loved and to love was more precious than anything else her life had offered her,  and she'd be sure to never release her iron grip on these feelings.
 
The next thing she heard was Sousiel's voice,  her high, lilting voice was cut with a small dash of panic.  "Mistress,  Medusa's on her way up!  She looks pissed."  Sousiel set about retrieving Lorelai's discarded garments as the witch rubbed the sleep from her eyes.
 
[color=00aeef]"Is everyone going to use my room as a meeting place?"[/color]  She'd been hoping to rest some after her ordeal,  but it seems fate had other plans.
 
[color=f26522]"My,"[/color] Vespa said, snug under the blankets and with an expression just as tired and rosy as Lorelai's. [color=f26522]"What could she want?"[/color]
 
[color=00aeef]"I haven't the faintest."[/color]  With a groan Lorelai stood and began getting dressed.  [color=00aeef]"Whatever it is it must be important.  She rarely visits me up here."[/color]
 
[color=f26522]"Let me get dressed too!"[/color] Vespa stood up after her lover. [color=f26522]"I have no intention of having our mistress catch me naked."[/color]
 
Lorelai grinned surveying her lover's form.  [color=00aeef]"Then you'd best head to the bathroom dear."[/color]  She laughed.  [color=00aeef]"Medusa's almost here,  and she can hardly expect me to be fully clothed if she shows up with no notice."[/color]
 
Sure enough Medusa's heavy footsteps became audible as she neared the black iron door to Lorelai's bedroom. Vespa, meanwhile, had heeded her lover's advice and was quietly finishing the straps of her underwear in the bathroom.
 
The door flew open to reveal Medusa in her ritual finery.  Her glare was hot as she looked about the room.  Her eyes fell on Lorelai,  who wasn't even half dressed yet.  "Lorelai!  Have you made any fucking progress on our vampire problem!?  I've got two dead sisters just outside your wards!"
 
Lorelai winced slightly at her mistress' anger.  Was she supposed to juggle everything?  [color=00aeef]"I've got some leads,  but these things take time Medusa."[/color]
 
"How much time!?  Two dead Lorelai!  Two!"  Medusa stepped further into the room.  "What are you waiting on anyway?"
 
[color=00aeef]"I've got very little information on these... Ruvins... I've sent away to a scholar that may know more,  but I need to wait for a reply."[/color]  She lied calmly,  the truth was the 'scholar' was Robert Flint,  and she hadn't yet recieved any information from the old hunter yet.
 
"Has it occurred to you that they might be related to the Ruvina's?"  Medusa said sharply.  "Surely Vespa or Elina may know something?"
 
[color=00aeef]"Vespa knows unfortunately little I'm afraid,  and while the Ruvina's are supposedly decended from a family of the same name,  the claim that these are the same Ruvins is highly dubious."[/color]  Lorelai stood,  finally dressed.  [color=00aeef]"Besides,  we can't exactly dig through the Ruvina library for information."[/color]
 
"And why not?"  Medusa's glare bored into Lorelai.  "Surely Reyna's missing her daughters right?"
 
[color=00aeef]"You know as well as I do that might not be the case."[/color]
 
[color=f26522]"And I am loathe to return to my birthplace again,"[/color] Vespa said, in the open doorway to the bathroom, fully clothed this time in a simple house gown. [color=f26522]"Forgive me for my impertinence, mistress, but I'm pretty sure my mother would kill Elina and I the moment we are sighted by her."[/color]
 
Medusa looked at Vespa,  her glare slighly diminished.  "Even with a famed 'Von'Strauss' in tow?"  Her voice became sarcastic as she spat out Lorelai's clan name.  "However you do it,  I expect a solution to our problem, and soon."
 
Vespa, who had ambled into the bedroom, stared at Medusa for a bit, before bowing. [color=f26522]"If my mistress so commands it, my sister and I shall journey to our former home. Castle Ruvina's librarium boasts almost two millennia's worth of scrolls. Maybe we'll find something there."[/color]
 
Medusa's glare softened.  "If it requires it."  Her gaze renewed its venom as she turned back to Lorelai.  "And it will unless someone comes up with something within the hour."  With that she left the room,  her footsteps echoing down the stairs again.
 
Lorelai let out a half-snarl,  half-sigh,  and sat down on the bed.  [color=00aeef]"I'm sorry love,  you needn't be caught up in this."[/color]
 
Vespa joined her lover by the bedside. [color=f26522]"I'm frankly surprised by Lady Bloodrose's reaction. Is the situation really that dire? Perhaps we should just scour the forest, find their lair, kill them and be done with it."[/color]
 
[color=00aeef]"Mine and Medusa's relationship has been... strained of late,  but I'll not trouble you with that."[/color]  Lorelai's smile was a touch bitter.  [color=00aeef]"So I've no idea of the true importance of this."[/color]
 
[color=00aeef]"The problem is we've no way to keep them dead.  I've tried every hex available in the library,  and several secret ones that demons treasure,  and our captive's damnable regeneration continues to function."[/color]  She stood.  [color=00aeef]"I'm at my wit's end love."[/color]
 
Vespa closed her eyes and adopted a thoughtful look. When she opened them again, she was grinning. [color=f26522]"Maybe that's not so bad,"[/color] she said. [color=f26522]"I'm pretty sure I've read something somewhere about using the pain and misery of others to further one's power. Imagine a whole rack of manacled, helpless vampires whose screams and moans would empower us. Two birds with one stone, eh? Justice would be served too."[/color]
 
It was Lorelai's turn to mimic her love's expression.  She shook her head.  [color=00aeef]"Our captive has eluded to the magical prowess of his lord.  I fear that may be a trojan horse of sorts.  Let them into our castle to have them harness their own misery to free themselves in our midst."[/color]  She grinned.  [color=00aeef]"Although that would be quite the ritual fuel wouldn't it?"[/color]
 
[color=f26522]"It would."[/color] Vespa's smile faded then. [color=f26522]"You know, Lady Bloodrose appeared to have made an immediate connection between my family and our new nemesis, the Ruvins. Just... what is up with that, you know? I really don't think I'm descended from vampires. That ancient family in my house's chronicles has been dead for too many centuries."[/color]
 
Vespa sighed. [color=f26522]"She seems to be convinced that going to Castle Ruvina to find answers is the proper course of action. I really, really do not want to go there again. Mother... is a true aristocrat, so arrogant and jealous and proud. She threatened to kill my sister and I when we shared our first sacrifices instead of having one each - you already know this. I will never forget her words. They were laced with so much hatred."[/color]
 
She shook her head. [color=f26522]"She is a powerful witch with an even more powerful temper - and she is also brilliant at holding a grudge. I... shouldn't have said 'my sister and I.' I don't want Elina anywhere near that monster again."[/color]
 
[color=00aeef]"I must admit that I've been wondering at the connection between your family and these vampires,  blood magic,  vampirism.  It seems there may be a connection."[/color]  Lorelai let out a small laugh.  [color=00aeef]"Being vampires would in fact mean the Ruvin's are dead after all."[/color]
 
Lorelai took one of Vespa's hands in her own,  squeezing gently.  [color=00aeef]"You've become powerful as well my sweet.  If it's time to settle this grudge you'll also do with me at your side."[/color]  She smiled sweetly.  [color=00aeef]"A mother's love is a strange thing,  I wouldn't hold out any hope,  but perhaps there's little to fear."[/color]
 
[color=00aeef]"As for leaving Elina behind...I will bow to your choice in this,  but should she miss what may well be her last chance to face her mother?"[/color]  Leaning in she grazed Vespa's cheek with a small kiss.  [color=00aeef]"She may benefit from resolving whatever feelings she has kept buried."[/color]
 
Vespa smiled at the little kisses. [color=f26522]"Maybe,"[/color] she said. [color=f26522]"I don't know. Part of me wants to tell her about this potential journey but I also know that she would beg to go back. And I don't think I'd have the heard to refuse. Oh, sister."[/color]
 
[color=f26522]"By the way,"[/color] her face suddenly lit up in a mischievous, catlike expression. [color=f26522]"I really enjoyed myself earlier. Maybe I should be the dominant one more often. Your moans... they were like honey to my ears, my love."[/color]
 
Lorelai's face flushed as she giggled.  [color=00aeef]"This body's all yours love.  You can have it whenever,  [i]however[/i],  you want it."[/color]  She kissed Vespa briefly before her expression sombered.  [color=00aeef]"But I think this 'potential' journey is going to be required."[/color]
 
Vespa rolled her eyes. Considering how stubborn their mistress was, perhaps this reluctant visit to the Kingdom of Poland was inevitable. [color=f26522]"To my complete dismay. Ugh."[/color] She stood up. [color=f26522]"The last twenty-four hours have been really stressful. Join me for some tea, love? Let's cool off for a bit."[/color]
 
[color=00aeef]"That they have,  although the last couple have been lovely."[/color]  Lorelai stood and joined Vespa.  [color=00aeef]"I suppose I could take some time for tea."[/color]
 
She turned to Sousiel,  who'd been standing in a corner trying not to be noticed every since Medusa had arrived.  [color=00aeef]"Prepare my effects for a trip would you?"[/color]  Sousiel offered a quick bow before setting about packing some of her mistress' finery into a suitcase.
 
[color=00aeef]"Let's take our tea in the courtyard?"[/color]  Lorelai began walking towards the door.  [color=00aeef]"The air might serve to reinvigorate me some."[/color]
 
[color=f26522]"I heartily agree,"[/color] Vespa said, as she took her place beside her lover.
 
[hr]
[sub][i]Some time later...[/i][/sub]
 
Elina's room was lavish, befitting someone of her peerage and ancestry. It was spacious, and carpeted with fine, thick cloths and lavish furs. Wherever one stepped, their foot would sink slightly into the floor. At the center was a large canopy bed draped in the finest velvet whose curtains were embroidered by golden thread. One of the walls, opposite the doorway to the bathroom, was dedicated completely to her study with a massive bookshelf and an accommodating desk. Yet, whereas Vespa would have expected that desk to be empty and the inkwells unused, she was surprised to see an open tome there and some sheets of parchment full of her sister's personal notes.
 
[color=f26522]"Sorry for intruding, sister,"[/color] she said, peeking through the doorway, having opened it when she received no reply from her knocking. Lorelai was behind her, and she could see Elina tucked in and staring at her with sleepy eyes. [color=f26522]"Oh, sorry. We'll come back later."[/color]
 
[color=#DBFFFB]"No,"[/color] Elina said, sitting up. She covered her mouth as she yawned. [color=#DBFFFB]"No, it's quite alright. Did you need something?"[/color]
 
[color=f26522]"Yes, well,"[/color] Vespa fully opened the door then and stepped in. Elina and Luna, who was next to her, simultaneously cocked their heads in curiosity at Lorelai, who followed in her wake. [color=f26522]"There is something you should know."[/color]
 
Lorelai grinned at Elina.  [color=00aeef]"Yes,  you see.  We're planning a bit of a trip."[/color]  She gave Vespa's hand a squeeze.  [color=00aeef]"For the three of us.  That is, if you'd like to come along."[/color]
 
[color=#DBFFFB]"Mhm?"[/color] Elina listened attentively.
 
[color=f26522]"A trip to Castle Ruvina,"[/color] Vespa bit her lip. [color=f26522]"We're going home for a bit."[/color]
 
Elina blinked once, twice - her expression was unreadable before saying, [color=#DBFFFB]"Why?"[/color]
 
Vespa was frankly expecting a more emotional reaction. [color=f26522]"Uh. Lady Bloodrose commands it. Do you... want to come?"[/color]
 
A smile suddenly curved the younger twin's lips. [color=#DBFFFB]"Oh. I thought you were going to leave me behind. Sure, I'll come!"[/color]
 
[color=f26522]"Alright. Brilliant."[/color] Vespa's expression was rather tense. [color=f26522]"Just one rule - when we meet mother, let me talk to her first, alright?"[/color]
 
[color=#DBFFFB]"There you go again, Vespa."[/color] Elina threw her legs over the bedside and stood up, displaying uncharacteristic energy. She was clothed in a fine nightgown, whose silken white cloth was sheer. The sun's rays, which slipped through the iron framework of a window nearby outlined her form and made her absolutely radiant. Her hair was a bit disheveled, but Vespa decided that just added to the overall effect: innocence and beauty, and perfection, even. Sometimes, under the right conditions, her sister would look like the finest work of art, and this was one of those moments. Her breasts, just faintly visible under her gown, looked extraordinarily adorable to her.
 
[color=#DBFFFB]"I know you have bad memories regarding mother, but I'm telling you - she won't kill us. That's just silly. When do we leave?"[/color]
 
[color=f26522]"That's up to Lady Bloodrose. Tomorrow maybe, or tonight if-"[/color]
 
[color=00aeef]"Tonight.  We leave tonight."[/color] Lorelai looked at Vespa. [color=00aeef]"No sense in delaying,  I have little confidence in finding what I need elsewhere."[/color]
 
[color=f26522]"Well,"[/color] Vespa turned to her sister once more. [color=f26522]"You heard her. Tonight. Best you wash and get dressed."[/color]
 
Elina grinned. [color=#DBFFFB]"Best indeed!"[/color]