"All of it, miss?" a very confused voice said through Amelia’s phone. "Yes. All of it. And get me an apartment. In Manhattan. Near-" She wanted to say near central park. But who would pay that? She was cut off from her mother's money. Sure, she had her own savings but those wouldn't cover one of the most expensive penthouses. She let out a heavy sigh. "Just get me someplace not too far from the office." She pulled the phone away, not caring what her assistant would say. She was a good person. She'd find a place but Amelia couldn't handle anything really right now. If there weren't so many vampires on the island, she would've run to her room and cry. Instead, she was forced to pretend like everything was fine. Because that's how this infernal game was played and she knew it.

It was morning but she already felt exhausted as she fell down in one of the chairs in the hallway a bit further away from the main hall. You could say that the whole ordeal had taken a heavy toll but in truth, she wasn't feeling very well rested after last night. Happy, she felt very happy about last night actually. But not rested. On top of that she now also felt completely and totally lost. What about her brand? Her place to live? Her friends and family? Normally she'd run to her mother with all those questions. But then she realized one very important question: what about her boyfriend. She could call him her boyfriend now, right? Maybe not in public yet but soon? Still, she swirled her phone in her hand. Maybe she could talk to Sebastian? He'd understand. Somehow the old Tepes always understood. Hell, he even understood when she slapped a corpse. The very memory made her almost laugh.

To: Seba
I really need someone to talk to. Can I talk to you? I'm in the East Hallway.

To: Butterfly
Absolutely. One sec.

His heeled dress shoes could be heard coming from down the hall. When Sebastian wanted to be noticed, he made sure he was. And when he didn’t? Well, that was a different story entirely. His steps echoed and each one had a purpose, a rhythm, and a likeness to it. As if he was someone that was untouchable, and he knew it. Presentation was everything, after all. The lights were dim, not on a glaring bright setting, and it made the blonde woman appear small. The armchair cushions took the form of her dainty body and while she felt despair, he saw beauty. The Artois ladies were diamonds to him and he saw incredible potential, even if they weren’t always capable of mustering the strength to see for themselves. He adored them and he appreciated that they sought him out during their darkest hour.

There was no doubt that this Elder vampire was handsome, let it be from the wisdom and intense care in his stare to the gentle touch in his expressions and voice. He was the kind of vampire that would have many women, and men, swoon over him simply by giving them a kind smile. A casanova, they’d say. But not in the way that the younger generations loved. Their love was forgettable, thoughtless, with no goal in sight. His love was forever and left an everlasting mark. Sebastian had years of experience where he could make just about anyone feel special and needed when they felt lonely.

Aside from Dmitri, simply because of the obvious betrayal on the flamboyant man’s part and their rocky past. Why would he, an ingenious, impressionable, and innovative Elder, solely serve a house that frowns upon the way he loves? Why should he confine himself to the cage that was his brother’s idealistic utopia that he wanted to force upon his counsel, his children, and all vampires that believe him to be king? Sebastian wasn’t that kind of man that followed someone blindly. You can have his loyalty, if you’ve proven to him worthy, but he refused to sell his soul to someone of his level or lower. Perhaps this was the way of a modest gentleman. Perhaps he was simply too old to give a fuck. He wouldn’t know. He did what he believed was right for him and that's that. At the end of the day, every vampire had to serve themselves and this challenge would teach them just that.

Promptly, Sebastian slipped into the light to show himself. It took only a second. His lips curled into a warm, loving smile. It had a hint of femininity, but his bone structure was completely and utterly all male. If Sebastian could be related to a flower, it would be a rouge poppy. He was vibrantly bright, with overwhelming confidence and stood out wherever he went. A conversation piece for the dinner table. Hate or love, he didn’t care. As long as he was worth a mention, he’d say that was a success for his drawn-out existence. “Are you alright, Amelia?”

Amelia didn’t answer the question. Instead the blonde got up and rushed towards Sebastian. Before he could react she threw her arms around him. When she was sure they were around, she pulled in tight, pushing her face against his chest. She was quiet for a moment. Then a bit longer. Though her breathing was a bit more labored than it usually was. She was soaking up the safety of the man that let her in his house. The man that didn’t scold her when she slapped a corpse, thinking the person was just asleep. The man she called uncle, even though he wasn’t even an Artois. After what felt still far too short she released him and whipped away two tears that had been welling up in her eyes.

“Sorry.” She said, her voice was surprisingly well kept together. “Just, the whole…this!” She said as she flailed her arms around her as a dramatic gesture. “It’s getting too much.” She released another sigh and she felt a lot calmer already. “So I’m not okay. But I’ll manage. I’m an Artois. We always manage. It’s just… has anyone before now ever have to ‘make’ a House like Dmitri asked?” There was a certain level of disdain when she said the name Dmitri. She was no great supporter of the Tepes clan. Their somewhat reserved stance towards humanity had been a thorne in her side for some years. Most recently some old fart had blocked a collaborative fashion show even! And she actually made the quotation marks when she said 'make'. As she tried to push her point of just how insane it all was.

“Oh my sweet, precious butterfly.” Sebastian couldn’t help but smile at her dramatic antics. Full of fire and a life with little hardship. Afraid of the unknown. Afraid of failing. Afraid of not being the crème de la crème. The one that stands at the top. It was cute, really. While she was in his embrace, he had quietly twirled her blond strands around his pointer finger, playing with her womanly pride that was her mane, until he could sense she was going to push away. When the spotlight was on him, he shook his head, “Do not apologize.” He crossed his arms and carefully watched her. “I’m here for you, you know that.”

He paused for a moment before clearing his throat, his jolly tone becoming serious the more he talked. “As to answer your question, we did not, but also—” His purposeful break was for anticipation purposes. Absentmindedly, he turned his sigil ring around his finger, “—I come from a time where opportunity to make a house was non-existent. You came from one of four ancestors and that bound you by blood. A contract that you take to the grave. If you disagree, you were sentenced to death. If you proposed different ideals, you were ridiculed. Having a legacy to live up to isn’t as charming as you think it is. And, my dear, we still had far more odds against us than you do.”

He sighed to himself, knowing that this wasn’t what she wanted to hear, but needed to. “You cannot just ‘manage’, Amelia. We are in the century where you can access information with a simple swipe on your phone. We are in the century where being gay is a trend and not a sickness. We have right over ourselves and our opinions. You have flourished in your career pursuits but that doesn’t change you still use the strength of your family rather than yourself. Hours ago, two purebloods were savagely murdered at Central Park. An unspoken proclamation of war. Do you think Ambrosia, or even me, can protect you? Do you think we’re always going to be here?” He decided to let that sink in, gesturing for her to take a seat with him. “We do what we can, but we’re not gods.”

Her face grew solemn when she heard the news about the purebloods’ deaths. She made a mental note to send flowers to the graves and her condolences to the families. Even if they weren’t from a tributary house of Artois. Violent deaths of her own kin hurt her the most. Violence in general hurt her the most. She took the seat Sebastian motioned towards. His lecture on doing better also stuck. It made her realize just what she was squaring up. It felt even more daunting. Especially as there wasn’t any history to learn from. No, she would be breaking ground on this project. Instantly her image changed. She would be a pioneer! A heroine in the books of history! Like queen Victoria, Empress Theodora or queen Boudicca! She’d meet any problem with the same fire!

Though she didn’t forget what Sebastian said about her own career as well. If anyone else would dare say such a thing she would have slapped them on the cheek there and then. Except maybe for Trixie and her mother. Her work was her pride. Her tool to change the world. To hear now that it was a creation from her family felt personal. But this was Sebastian and he would never lie to her. He was right, sort of. If he wasn’t, she wouldn’t have had to call her assistant just now. Not that she would admit it though.

“Maybe not mom or you, but Trixie will. She will always protect me.” She said, utterly convinced the elder vampire would come to her aid when she needed the most. “Besides, she’s training me to fight as well! I’m good with a dagger you know!” She said and with a flick of her wrist, a knife appeared in her hand. She cut the air in front of her, almost like a child excitedly showing her skills. It made her smile as she realized Béatrix would probably scold her for having ‘a bad form’ and ‘being stupid and reckless’. So she quickly put the knife back in her sleeve. Not that it was very dangerous. The blade was very dull. As to not cut her own skin. It was the only knife she really trusted herself with.

“But you’re right.” She said, trying to contain herself a little bit more. If she was going to play this game, she would have to become unreadable. Like Sebastian when he wanted to. Or the uptight Viktor who probably never smiled. Or she could do what her mother did and just fool everyone. “I’ll do better! I’ll make my new house better. In my house, no vampires will die a violent death and nobody will be ridiculed again!” She exclaimed as if she was queen already. In her mind, she would make it so. Peace and happiness for all. There would be challenges.

Amelia wasn’t completely foreign the workings of politics. She needed people. So she turned to Sebastian. “Will you help me?”

Sebastian’s gaze twinkled. This is what he loved about her. How she could turn something intimidating to something worth the chase. A positive disposition, for a bright woman. “Well, of course. What better way to start your journey off by making an Elder an ally, and a resource.” He reached for her hands lovingly, “Keep your eyes set on the picture you have in your mind. Use that to lift you up when you feel down. You can make an absolute masterpiece, Amelia. A work of art. You just have to believe in yourself and don’t let the other children, like Kasania, Octavius, and Niklaus, make you feel inferior.”

Leaning in, he gave both her hands a gentleman’s kiss, before adding, “My first suggestion. Find a place outside of your residency that you, and your following, can meet, even if at first, illegally. There are many abandoned buildings on Staten Island. It’s a ferry ride away but the distance might be worth it. And—” Whether his intent would be well received by her was beyond him, but he felt like she was smart enough to understand why this was necessary to do. “—Always take precautions.” He released her hands and allowed her to once again digest the information.

The girl was ecstatic that an elder like Sebastian would help her out. She tried not to show it, as practice in containing herself. Though she failed miserably as the smile on her face only grew ever brighter. She listened carefully at his advice about the meeting place and how she should take precautions at any turn. She didn’t really understand why the initial gatherings should be illegal. Sure the court of vampires was a cutthroat place but the others wouldn’t really cut her throat…right?

“Tavi doesn’t make me feel inferior.” She blundered out before she knew it. She refrained from slapping her hand over her mouth to stop the words. Knowing full well that would only implicate her even more. Their… relationship had to stay a secret. For both their sakes. The worlds they each lived in would not like the idea of them dating or even interacting! But she loved him still. He was sweet and caring, deep down. He had the same fire as her as well! A blaze that would change the world. Of course he would try to make a house on his own but she would convince him to join hers instead. As the king to herself as queen. They could both finally let go of the family ties that kept them apart for so long.

To quickly change the subject, hoping Sebastian wouldn’t notice the note about Tavi and only Tavi, she said: “I would never think about you as a resource! That’s Tepes thinking and I will not think like a Tepes!” she stated firmly. Sure, they might be masters at the game of politics. Sure, they ascended to kings but at what cost? They were horrible, antiquated and so relentlessly Machiavellian that the best ones barely had a heart left to love the world they wanted.

She got up, invigorated by her little talk. She needed that. To just vent and let it all out for a minute. He followed suit. “Now, I still have a few phone calls to make and e-mails to send out. Before the sun goes down today Sanguine will be totally and absolutely mine.” She gave him one last, tight hug and said, “Thank you. For everything!” Before she went off towards her room.

While she walked away, Sebastian couldn’t help but smirk in amusement. She was truly a delight. An absolute gem. Genuine, with adoring faith. Beautiful. With one last piece of advice, he called out to her: “You’re welcome, butterfly. Do be careful, though! Not everyone who smiles at you is your friend.”

This morning’s announcement had been a rather interesting one, and upon his brief request to Dmitri, it was more than apparent that this morning’s news had been absolute. How could Alaric benefit from this however? The thought had been in his mind all morning since Dmitri spoke at the gathering. Suddenly there were new players thrust unto the board, players who undoubtedly had zero experience or knowledge in what they were doing. They were lords, yes, but lords that had been skirting through life on the shoulders of giants, and now they were cast aside, specifically Dmitri’s son. There was some advantage to this, but until he had a clear cut idea, Alaric needed to gain some intel, do some reconnaissance so to speak. Might as well start from the top down, he’d already spoken with Dmitri on his decision on what to do with his son’s money, which was a rather terse….

“Leonidas will keep his position within the family, Valarian will be playing along but mostly giving him a chance to find a suitable partner to marry. For the other two, freeze the accounts they have linked back to ours, they have wanted to be free from the Tepes name and so they shall have a taste of that freedom. If you’ve found some spare time call up our partners and let them know any business made with Kasania or Niklaus will result in ceasing our investments and ending our partnership. I cannot have my dear children getting off easy through the power of affluence.”

Just as calculated and cunning as ever, Dmitri had thought his plan rather thoroughly to avoid any unnecessary loopholes the children could exploit. Within a matter of minutes he’d already gone ahead and frozen their accounts, effectively slamming the vault door in the faces of Kasania and Niklaus. Within the hour, anything involving business, financial, legal or political, in the light of the public or amongst the shadows had been informed of the latest information. Should they try to request any favors from these individuals they’d be denied, or if they had done so before Alaric made the call, would be cancelled. Should either try to even breach these barriers, they would be warned by lawyers with at best a cease and desist, at worst, court dates. Though this rather effective lock and key had been Dmitri’s first step to tell his children to grow up, it had also been Alaric’s first step in his own efforts to attempt this coup; for if his children could not use any affluence, they would be won over by Alaric’s influence.

Now that the first step had been done the next best option was to speak with Dmitri’s
brothers, Viktor first, he’d already heard some interesting info from Sebastian not too long ago. Rather conveniently if anyone were to ask Alaric, best to keep an eye on that one, more so than usual. Viktor’s ‘office’ wasn’t too far from Alaric’s, he had taken up the space almost immediately after arriving upon the island, as had the other Lords and Ladies to their own respective ‘offices/rooms’. Once arriving at the door, Alaric rapped his knuckles on the door thrice, before turning the handle and entering the room. Inside the room was a lone desk with a computer, a multitude of books placed carefully along the shelves on the wall, two chairs, a fireplace and Viktor standing in front of it. The man appeared to be ‘brooding’, but Alaric made his presence known either way. “Greetings Lord Viktor,” entering the room and quickly closing the door, he took stock of what was in front of him.

In addition to the furniture and decorative art pieces/sculptures, to his left was a small bar, stocked with liquor of many a variety. Ideally there was an impressive bottle of blood infused cabernet, Alaric himself generally stayed away from the harder spirits, as he felt they diminished the quality of the blood within them from the alcohol proofing. “Your brother certainly knows how to put down the proverbial hammer,” Pulling the wine from the cooler and uncorking it, Alaric began to fill up two glasses of the red liquid, “I can only imagine how your nephew is handling this.” Turning from the table, a glass in each hand he made his way over to the Tepes sibling and offered him a glass, “Personally I was curious about your opinion of the matter, but I do understand if I’ve come at a bad time.”

There was no sign of feeling behind Viktor’s hardened expression. The moment he heard footsteps approaching the door, he shifted his emotions and made sure every fiber of his being was utter nonchalance. Detached. The clock on the mantel silently ticked. Respectfully, the centuries old Tepes advisor clutched his fingers on the stem of the wine glass, not looking away from the fire. Instead, he made room for Alaric beside him to stare at the blaze and get lost in the messages it may convey. Viktor did have his quirks, as all Elders do.

“As they say, in life, bad times will often lead to great things.” The man with tousled dark brown hair lifted his glass, briefly giving a glance to his brother’s accountant, before gingerly taking a sip. Such a delicacy this drink was. “My other brother, Sebastian, has always been one for dramatics. He believes there is a war coming.” Such was the error in the flamboyant vampire’s ways. “Do I believe that?” He shook his head, heavily sighing, “No. We’ve always been at war with other races. What I do believe is there are monsters in this world that have sold their soul for peace but found hell instead and our children, what we deem as our legacies, have no idea what monsters lurk in the shadows. What monsters are capable of. Do I think throwing them to the wolves was a wise decision on Dmitri’s part?” He would be considered a heretic if he talked in complete truths.

Taking a purposeful pause, Viktor took another deep sip of the blood liquid, before peering down at the substance in his glass, “Does that require an answer you don’t already know?” With a sharp glare, he brought his attention back to the only other soul in his chambers. In truth, Viktor believed children needed to be under the tutelage of a mentor. Someone wiser than them. Someone smarter than them. Someone that has lived to see the hardships and growing pains of being a vampire.

New threats will emerge, whether it be in the form of a hunter, a werewolf, or their own kind (witches as far as he was concerned was a neutral party), and those that were pampered would fall beneath the cracks. This contest, so to speak, was a game changer. It gave those that hungered for the spotlight an opportunity to take it away from those given it by birthright. Those that had less were far more prepared than those given everything. That doesn’t mean he did not believe in the Tepes legacies. He simply was a realist. This was their time to prove the old folk wrong, while their trials and tribulations either made them, or broke them.

“Now, where does this put you?” Viktor turned his body to face the other man. A man whose beginnings he was well aware of. A servant to Dmitri. Just like he was, but worse. A man who lost his kingdom. The house he called his own. A man whose worth was limited to what the King deemed fit. If he strayed too far from the prison bars, how much trouble would that cause for his dear brother? Plenty. The Elder was not one to beat around the bush and wanted to know exactly why Alphaeus felt it was necessary to breach his solitude. What was his motive? Surely not because he actually cared about his opinion on this trivial pursuit of building a house from the ground up. He wanted more. Something underneath the surface, but what exactly?

Invited over to the fire by his silent benefactor Alpheus moved to the Elder’s side and stared into the flames alongside him, their light dancing and flickering in his eyes. He listened intently, swirling his wine and allowing it to mull around his tongue just as he let Viktor’s words mull about in his mind. Though the words he spoke were cryptic, they were deliberate and they spoke well enough on the Elder’s mind that Alaric could understand where he was coming from. Inside he silently mused on the thought of Sebastian’s dramatics, though these were true in their own right, Viktor was just as much the drama queen as his brother. After all if Sebastian was the mask of comedy, then Viktor was the mask of drama; he took things a little too seriously. Then, came the big question, and Alpheus couldn’t help but chuckle, “Straight to the point, eh? Alright then, I’ll alleviate your concerns”

Placing the glass atop the fireplace mantle, Alpheus turned to face Viktor, his jade eyes flickering in the light of the hearth ever so softly. “You know as well as I do, that I’ve lived a very long time, as have you. We’ve seen war, sickness, death, the timeless march of progress.” In a sense the vampiric race, especially the ancient generations have practically seen it all, and yet there’s always new surprises around the corner. “It’s difficult work, raising and maintaining an empire, you know this,” Alaric’s head dropped slightly as well, “It’s even harder to watch it crumble at your feet…” The day that the Tepes name condemned his empire, was not forgotten to the elder and his gloved hand crinkled ever so slightly as he gripped his fist tighter. “I have no desire to start from the bottom up again, I’m done trying to be at the top of the food chain, that flame has long been extinguished.” Looking to Viktor, a small sense of sadness in his eyes, “To quote a poem I once read, ‘Many a flower grow in these gardens, each wanting to grow the tallest, or bloom the brightest; sooner or later, they all get plucked. I desire neither, for I only wish to remain in the garden, until my time has come to return to the dirt.’”

Allowing the other man to contemplate his words, Alaric quickly grabbed his glass and downed the rest of the red liquid, turning his back to Viktor he returned to the bottle to pour himself another glass. “We cannot question our Lord’s decision on the matter though, what is done is done for Dmitri’s word is law.”‘Long live the King’“I’ve already been ordered to freeze their assets, anyone who has ever been rumoured the name ‘Tepes’ now knows if they even breathe in Niklaus or Kasania’s direction, that their lives are forfeit.” Finishing his pour he returned the bottle to its proper place, “If you were to ask me, I’d believe they were being set up for failure, living in their royal lifestyle, a true prince to pauper story; how could anyone possibly survive?” Turning back he approached the Elder once more, “So...what do we do about it?” Viktor was an Elder vampire and had a name to maintain, this was for certain, but he was not as harsh as Dmitri, and not as vile and wicked as Sebastian. No he had a softer side, a more comforting parental approach and if the rumours he heard from Seb were true, then Alaric could potentially play these gentle hands of his upon the fiddle of fate. If not, Al always had an Ace up his sleeve to play.

“As far as Dmitri is concerned, we maintain a neutral stance.” Walking away from the accountant, Viktor placed his glass on the desk. After leaning against the mahogany table, he crossed his arms and reflected. His stern gaze never wavering from the intrigue that Alaric presented. Viktor was aware of the assets being frozen, even prior to this meeting. Whatever Dmitri decides, more often than not, he was the first to know. Yet, Viktor Tepes’ fascination was not on the information of his dear niece and nephew. He knew one way or another, they would come out alive. Damaged, but still alive. One more so than the other.

That was neither here nor there. What he cared about and latched onto was the notion of survival. This gave him an understanding of whatever the other man wanted, he was aiming to grab the heart the Elder had for those children. If not for those children and the Tepes name, which Alaric so strongly believed Viktor supported because of his seemingly obvious loyalty, then for the future of their race. And if not for that, then for what he loved. Viktor was brought back to Molly and her desperate pursuit for perfection. A utopia. A world where survival of the fittest, a dog eat dog world, was no longer a concern. Molly’s face turned into Pandora’s. Although he wanted to smile, he kept his mask on, as he always did.

He knew where his priorities lie, did Alpheus?

Running his hand through his long hair, Viktor claimed, “There are no morals in politics and once they realize that, they will have an advantage. All I can do is hope whoever succeeds Dmitri, that they will be in the service of the people. That they do not lose sight of civility. In spite of the fact that... ” He paused, cracking his knuckles in the process, before admitting, “... I’d be damned if I die and leave this world the way it is.” In absolute disarray. A world that Pandora couldn’t thrive in because someone would want to use her as a weapon or worse, kill her because they fear what she may become. Turning his sigil ring around his finger, just like Sebastian does, he countered Alaric’s question, “I suppose a better question you should be asking is will you control the chaos or embrace it?”

If his priorities weren’t in the Tepes name, then… the rumours were true… Unlike Viktor’s steely gaze, Alaric couldn’t help but lose his own visage, his face contorting into one of pure amusement as he let out a rather hefty cackle. “Please...do forgive me my Lord,” he said in bursts of laughter. It was time to save a bit of face, while also letting on to his ploy, “You ask me to either embrace the chaos, or attempt to control it…” he rubbed his hands together, head staring at the ground as he paced silently before looking back up at Viktor, a subtle glow in his eyes, “Is it truly too much to ask for both? To embrace the chaos in an attempt to control it?”

Supping from his drink, Alaric’s demeanor returned to a rather reasonable sanity, calming himself from a mood that could only be matched by Sebastian. “It would seem though...you’re not as concerned about your niece and nephew as much as you should be, given your statements to your brother’s decision. Maybe...it’s because you’re ‘more’ concerned about the well-being of someone else...someone who’s...not of your own kin, or rather…” Alaric stared Viktor dead in the eyes, “Your adopted kin ...” Upon that notion, he let it sink in as Alaric began to circle the Tepes brother, “We all had been wondering why she hadn’t been turned to one of us yet. How could she still remain human? How could she continue to interact with us? Does she know what you are? Does she know what ‘she’ is? How would your brother feel if her identity were to be revealed? Quite frankly...how truly ‘inhuman’ she was?”

A small chuckle elicited from his lips as he stood in front of Viktor, “What a shame if she were to be burnt at the stake…”

Calmly, Viktor made his way to the door and opened it, “Leave.” was all he said in response. The Elder will no longer indulge the accountant’s fantasies. He was a fool to think he knew all the answers and there were only two people who could’ve told him. Alexander or Sebastian. But to agree or disagree would only make Alaric believe what he knew was the truth. He knew nothing and for his age, he was dumb to believe that he was told this information without intent.

Alaric closed his eyes to the lord’s request, and complied, “As you wish, Lord Viktor…” Straightening out his gloves, Al made his way to the entrance, but not before placing his hand, claws ripping through the leather and unto Viktor’s shoulder. “You should listen to your brother better, my lord...war is coming, but not the kind you will expect or be prepared for.” With a subtle smirk and ripping his claws from Viktor’s coat, Alpheus disappeared to his own quarters, awaiting the next step in his plan.

While the man vanished, Viktor closed the door and went back to the fireplace. On the mantle, there resided that ticking, antique dual chime clock. He opened the glass of it and with his long nails, he peeled off the number two, revealing a hidden cam bug.

Even old men have tricks up their sleeves.