† Apollo † Oddball † Q-Tip †
† Male † Pure-blood Vampire & Day-walker † Elder †
Age : Unknown
Appears: mid to late-20s
Birthday: August 18th
Zodiac: Leo
Birthplace: Scandinavia Region
Occupation: Business Owner, Kingpin
EVERY STORY HAS A BEGINNING...
We all have our beginnings. His happens to start in a home located in the middle of nowhere. That's the way he has always thought of it. Somewhere in the mountains, beneath the dark and looming cliffs, and subject to the forever howling winds. A place where there is little sun and even the wildlife doesn't choose to stray towards. His beginning started there with a complicated family. It wasn't until he left home that he felt like the true beginning of his life was upon him.
As an Elder his history is too long to recount for every living soul. He's made too many enemies, human and supernatural alike, along the way. But there are a few things he can confirm. He wasn't there for every big historical event. For those that he was apart of, he found a way to know some of the key players. He took a fasination with almost every war. When he didn't dabble in warfare and grew bored of humanities repetitive need for it, Apollonius chose to follow his pursuits in business...or partying....whichever he felt like doing even though they tended to go hand-in-hand.
Don't mistake him. A vampire's memory, while good, isn't perfect. No one can expect that he'll remember every little thing. Some of the history books have it wrong anyways. History is always told from the perspective of the Victor so it doesn't surprise him. Always remaining hush hush on the matters, and to not embarass himself on what he doesn't remember, Apollo keeps his lips sealed about anything related to the past. Though when inquired about, he'll gladly share what he does remember.
EVERY STORY HAS A MIDDLE...
A little over two decades ago, Apollonius decided it was time to wage his own war. The war to end all wars. Or so he believes. Tired of watching fueds between species that no longer hold the ground they used to, Apollonius seeks to bring harmony among the supernatural world. There are whispers that he is leading a rebellion and the only reason he is able to get as far as he has is because he's an Elder. Sometimes, it's an advantage to be old.
Recuirting efforts began with his motley crew but have since expanded to included supernaturals in every city. There is no limit to what they can achieve when brought together. While it is a little contradictory in nature, warriors in his band of misfits are taken on a volunteer basis. No one is forced to wage the war with him. Some only seek refuge, neutral grounds where they can come together to get along. Others want to fight to end the bloodshed and centuries worth of deceit and misguided values. Everyone has their own reasons for joining. Those that do are protected by everyone. They rally to protect their own. While they are on their way to creating the peace he seeks, everyone knows that Monsters are still monsters and their leader doesn't stray from using a heavy hand or the darkness he was given.
He's no fortune teller. Can't see the future or predict what is going to happen next. All he knows is that he dreams of a day when the conflict is over. When supernaturals come together and live in a strange sense of harmony. A time where useless bloodfueds are resolved and children aren't expected to hold the grudges their parents instilled in them. As far as he can see, the end is nowhere near. The middle of his story is still being written. Hell, he would argue he is still tangled in the beginning of something new. Only time will tell. He just hopes he finds the Kingpin on the otherside of the war before it's too late...
MODEL LOOKS: IF YOU'RE SEXY AND YOU KNOW IT CLAP YOUR HANDS
Height: 6'1"
Weight: 188lbs
Build: tall and lean
Tatttoos: None. Maybe he'll consider one.
Scars: Plenty. Not all vampires heal the way you think.
An anomonly from his siblings in everyway, Apollonius's appearance is as stark of a difference. Glacier blue eyes peer through long lashes most women are jealous of. Longer platinum blonde hair is almost always combed into place, but still allows for a few runaway strands. Skin slightly kissed by the sun but still on the paler side. What can a vampire do? Always clean shaven. Clothes undeniably pristine and pressed. Common outfits include dark jeans and a dress shirt of some kind. He doesn't mind t-shirts, but when running a business he always needs to look the part. Casual for him still looks put together and he takes pride in his appearance. Bussiness man or Fraternity boy? He's been described as both.
SHINNING PERSONALITY: LAWFUL NEUTRAL/CHAOTIC TENDENACIES
Lawful Neutral: At first glance he comes off as the silent brooding type. He watches and waits, seeing everyone and everything around him. When he is done being the observer, however, Apollo transforms into a social butterfly: undoubtedly dramatic, self-confident, and playful. He gladly engages in conversations, preferring ones that are centered on deeper topics compared to trivial matters. There is a nautral prowling elegance to his movements, a confidence **coughcough* and flamboyancy *coughcough* that demands attention, and a silent dominance in his curiosity. He's brave, hard to challenge, and damn near impossible to hurt or kill. Arrogance is often mistaken for his confidence, but everything about him is genuine, including that bourbon soaked charm. With a burning determination buried down into the bone he carries his head high with his shoulders back and a consistent cheshire smirk on his lips.
Chaotic Neutral: Having lived a long life, it's no surprise to Apollo that he's gone from one end of the spectrum to the other. Survival makes everyone do things they'd rather not. Only in the last decade or two has he transitioned to a more welcoming sort of character. His fued with his eldest brother drives him to do things he'd rather not speak of. The traits however are there. Obsessions can get out of hand. Being heavy handed has it's perks. Selfish gains are driven by selfish motives and fulfilled by selfish actions. Deceit can be second nature. Different times call for different measures and he isn't afraid to go there if he has to.
"Careful where you step, Sweetheart. Not all that lurks in the night hides in shadows. Some Monsters are made of Sunshine & Gold, smiling at you from across the street in broad Daylight."
Blood relatives
Family is a forgein concept to him. The word is thrown around enough times that he understands that 'family' is supposed to the people you are directly related to. Nature predetermines that the womb you came from and the seed that bore you are your parents. Any other poor soul lucky enough to share the same womb is a sibling. By maternal and paternal instincts as well as nature's defined laws, this family is "supposed" to care about you.
It's all a crock of shit.
Maybe in some families this is true. He witnesses it often enough among humans that he hopes, for their sake, it is. Yet there's always a dark twist and only time is willing to share what it is. In Apollo's case, he's one of three children. The middle child of a broken family and he's long since been estranged. Viewed once as the Golden Boy, no pun intended, he was on the receving end of an abusive relationship with his older brother, worshipped by his mother, and showered with 'tough love' and strange dissecting behavior by his father. He wasn't able to make sense of the dynamics until he was in the first century of young, twisted life. Quickly Apollonius silqouied himself, learning when to walk on egg shells and when to go bat shit crazy. It wasn't until she came along that his perception changed.
After her soundless birth and the three day ritual that took place, Apollonius snuck into her room in the middle of the day. The slumbering house didn't know any better. He propped himself up on the bed beside her, those wide doe eyes looking at him and her little hands reaching out to his face. She cooed at him and that's when he forever became wrapped around her little finger.
Sianoa Grimm (Mother) and Ragnvald Grimm (Father) unknown status (NPC)
Apollonius, while in the beginning was on good terms with his parents, now harbors a deep sedated hatred for his father. Somewhere in his heart, he's been able to grant his mother forgiveness. They used, abused, and took advantage of him for his talents.The hatred stems from turning the siblings against each other.
Demitrius "Demitri" Grimm (Older Brother) - unknown status (NPC)
Convinced by his parents that his brother attacked him out of an innate hatred and disgust for what/who Apollo was; Apollo has spent his entire life in retaliation for it. Apollonius swore he would be faster, stronger, and better than Demitri so that one day he would finally be the monster Grimm wanted him to be. Unbeknownst to anyone, his relationship with his eldest brother shaped the values he lives by now.
Freya Grimm (Younger Sister) - Handling Seattle Headquaters (NPC)
This little hellion is a storm of chaos at the heels of their enemies. As frigid as her powers are and she attempts to be, Apollo is one of the few who sees her 'soft' side. She is someone he always wishes to protect. This is the only one who he never felt abandoned him in his family. They are a strange pair. Best friends. Wing-man/Wing-woman and all. Onlookers may mistake them for lovers, especially with how much they tease each other, but their opinions are far from the truth.
Shameless Flirt
Interests (x1) Past or Present?
Non-committal but not impossible for more.
TEN YEARS AGO...
A long hallway painted in black stretched on for what felt like miles. You've already crossed through that rackety door from the alleyway. A strange place for the entrance to any place of business. The hallway smelt of fresh paint and primer. Makes sense since the walls caught the light as you walk by. The paint was still drying. The nearer you came to the room at the end the better you heard them: Young monsters talking of things that should never be.
"Have ya ever been in love, Apollonius?" A female's southern accent filled the air. Quieter than it normally did but that's due to the expansiveness of the room they were in. Massive and more like a warehouse main floor than the back-end of a building's first floor.
"Love?" A confused but pleased voice responded. For a moment, silence settled between them. Why ask a question like that?
"Yes, love. Idiot. You know when-"
"I know what love is , Rosewillow."A breathless sigh slipped past his lips. "No, I've never been in love. "
"Have you ever wanted to be in love?"
"No."
"Why not?"
"Because love gets in the way."
"In the way of?" A playful growl rumbled in his chest. Apollonius rolled from his back onto his side. One arm propped up his head while the other reached out to touch her cotton candy colored hair. That crazy long mane of hers laid sprawled out beneath her head. Stark contrast to the grey floors and her fair flesh. It's a rare moment for these two. They are the only ones to see this side of each other. Carefree, innocent, and blissful. The time when hopes and dreams have yet to be retaliated by reality.
"Of doing what's necessary."
"Necessary is a blurred line, Apollonius. You know that."
"I do and my resolve remains the same."
"Will you ever fall in love?"
"God, I hope not." A fond smile pulled at his lips and softened those glacial eyes. There was a romantic hidden behind his layers.
"Why?" Rosewillow turned her head to meet his. Faces mere inches away. Green eyes, the kind cut from emeralds in a swirling green jungle, peered up at him.
"Because it means I would be a sap. And what good would I be then?"
1980s in a Witty Dublin: The City of Words...
Every story has a beginning, a middle, and an end. Somewhere in the middle of his, Apollo met her.
It's their beginning.
He's an elder. If you were to ask him to remember every detail in history he'd fail to and even more so fail to put a year to it. But her, he will always remember her. Long before he met Rosewillow and began his new war Apollonius stumbled across his Little Red. In a world of monotonous daily grind, grading papers, TAing at University, this nose in a book, shy creature captured his attention. The elsuive, deer in the headlights look that overcame her anytime he came near made him wonder: what lurks behind those distant eyes and sad smile? Who made her that way? What would happen if she smiled? Determined to find out (and reluctant to believe this shy fox wouldn't give him the time of day when every other woman would), Apollonuis made it his mission to become her friend starting with her attending the study group he leads on English Literature and Magic.
{RP in Progress. Stay tuned for more}
Few people enter into Apollo's life that he is willing to trust or hold dear. Beyond his sister and those loyal to him that make up his crew, there are only a select few he would even consider friends. There are even fewer that he would admit were or are lovers. A deep rooted fear keeps Apollonius from admitting to anyone that he cares for them. The only ones who will know are the ones on the receiving end of it. He puts on a good face for his enemies that he keeps everyone at arms length. But in all reality everyone, including those he recruits for his cause he cares for deeply. Like any battle though, there are casulties in war. Beneath that movie star appearance or attitude, is a loyal, protective, and honorable friend/lover.
TWINKLE TOES † FUN SIZE † SMURF
PESKY HUNTER † OBSESSION
After they interfered with each other's hunt, Apollo invited the Hunter along for an adventure. He has Rogues to kill and she is a Hunter. Their relationship is mutually beneficial. At first, he did it out of curiosity: he wanted to know more about how the Fun Sized Smurf ticked. They bantered in a way he didn't with others and it was bound to become an obsession. She keeps him on his toes and he knows he does the same for her. He invited her into a world she knows nothing about: His world. Will she come to regret it or love it?
Part 1
Q-tip: "What do you know, the Smurf has a sense of humor..."
Twinkle Toes: "Am no' a fuckin' Smurf, ya bollix dit."
Q-tip: "Fine. No Smurf. You don't seem as mischievous as them anyways and that wouldn't be any fun. Twinkle work better?"
Twinkle Toes: "Am warse than a Smurf could ever be."
Part 2
Q-Tip: “Sure you aren’t a Smurf? You sure are playful enough to be one. Fun sized, too.”
Twinkle Toes: "Ya want yer dick 'fun sized' too? Am sure I could take off a few inches perfectly fine."
LITTLE CRIMINAL † MINI ME † SMARTASS
CINNABUN † PRECIOUS HUMAN
This precious little vessel first crossed Apollo's path in a bar. With a sweet promise and cheers to the next "bite" Apollo promised to cross Omega's path again. Omega doubted the toast would ever come true. Never doubt the Elder. For in his promise, Nikolas walked straight into trouble. Dabbling in his own curiosity he neared death three times in one night. First at the hand of Ricky, and twice by the equally as sarcastic Helena. Hence Nikki boy's nickname, Smartass. In his own mischief, Apollonius rescued the mortal from his companions and whisked him away for a healing drink. Apart they are completely different. Together they are smooth little criminals. Breaking and Entering may just become a habit...
Part 1
Apollo: "Come on, we'll go around back."
Nik: "Serious, are you really...?"
Apollo: **pulls hard on the door handle of a bar to snap the lock after hours**
Nik: ...
Apollo: "Oops. I'll send them a check for it later."
Nik: "You've gotta be kidding me."
***silence as the two of them become criminals***
Every leader has his followers. The best teams can sometimes be the ones unintentionally formed. Surprise! Through the years, Apollo collected his fair share of enemies. Apparently, he collected his fair share of allies as well. The motley crew he has surrounded himself with are the ones he calls family. More than his own flesh and blood. While his recruits are critical to The Cause none of them share the same place on the chess board.
Each with their own selfish motivations, his band of misfits chose to follow him into uncharted territories. One of them called him a "mad man" for thinking he could change the order of things. Yet, here they all are. Apollo entrusts his life to each of them. They've shared bloodshed, tears, lows and highs, and celebrations together. They serve a unique purpose on the team. Each run a special aspect of the daily operations while simulataneously plotting the end of the on-going war. Blood makes you related. But Loyalty, makes you family. This is his true family.
Characters listed below are NPCs. They often show up in the story with an active role to play and help move things along. If Apollo isn't your cup of tea, these characters may also be played separately. Choose your adventure.
"Rip" "The Spy/Ghost" - Unknown
Not much is known about their resident spy aka Ghost. Apollo has known him for as long as he can remember and he still doesn't know the man's abilities, species, or even his real name. Ripley is loyal and acts without hesitation. Often a step ahead of the Elder. Apollo owes Ripley for saving his life. Multiple times. In the centuries that Ripley has come in and out of Apollo's life, he's said few word (most assume he's mute), changed appearances often, and altered his personalitiy more. Believed alignment is true neutral. True alignment, unknown.
"Rose" "The Informant/Voodoo Princess" - Voodoo Priestess
They met in New Orleans. She was your resident voodoo witch and running a shop known as The Black Cat. He stumbled across her path and because of his past dealings with witches decided that she was the one he wanted to befriend. Rose is his business partner. Provocative, expressive, and quick-witted. Her alignment is Chaotic Neutral with Chaotic Evil tendenancies. It's hard to turn a woman of her caliber from her wicked ways. She may be on the 'side' of good, but the lines are always blurred. Don't be confused, she's always out to get her way.
"Hel" "The Cleaner" - Wendigo
Their story and how they crossed paths isn't a story often whispered. All anyone knows is that somewhere along the way, Apollo did something for Helena. Ever since, she has been in his debt. While their story began centuries before Apollo ever met Rosewillow, Helena didn't join the motley crew until a few years after everything began. He summoned her and she came. Alignment is chaotic good. She's brash, easily tempered with Ricky, enjoys taunting others, and sarcastic. But she always acts within her limits. "Take a walk on the wild side, kid" is her motto.
"Ricky" "The Tracker/Enforcer"- Turned Vampire
Country boy turned into a military grunt. Cedric would never say this was the best time of his life. While deployed he attempted suicide. In the midst of a war torn land and on the brink of death that his sire came along. She likes to believe she "saved him." In truth, she only brought him from one hell to another. Newly turned and not at all in his right mind for how he could control himself, Apollo gave him a way. He doesn't believe in the cause but he's more loyal to Apollo. He's lawfully good, cocky firecracker, and always wearing his heart on his sleeve.
Codes from: Coders Unite
FC for Rosewillow: Kelly Eden
FC for Ricky: Benjamin Eidem
FC for Helena: Fishball Suicide
FC for Apollo: Lucky Blue Smith
Anything Swan related is part of an on-going joke.
Feel free to ask if you want to start being a part of it.
Picture credit goes to their respected artists/model(s).
Comments
No good vampire story stops at just one, hm? This one is quite a handful.
I'll be poking you about an upcoming purge in due time, Mister Swan Dealer.
...Daydreaming...
Not much was thought of the first two words in his third sentence. Just as he was about to shrug it off as nothing and laugh hysterically, the man just- disappeared? What sorcery was this now? The fact someone could vanish that quickly was not a good sign, and he was about to find out the hard way.
When that breath lightly came down on his skin, the hairs on the back of his neck instantly stood up. Upon quickly turning around, his eyes expanded before letting out one high pitched shriek, just like a screaming woman. Before he could react, the young, spoiled drake had the wind knocked out of him by the impact of a foot. Tempest skidded across the sand until he eventually face-planted down to get a mouthful of sand.
Just as he was coming to a halt, another hit came, ejecting some saliva out of his mouth this time. Now on his back with his hair an absolute wreck, a weak whimper followed, all while staring up into the heavens like a lifeless corpse.
After a few seconds, the aquatic male rolled over and rose on both feet to face him. Knowing just how far away all that precious seawater was, it’d take way too long to have any use against what he thought was a speedster. “Okay, now it’s your turn to get yeeted!!” Glancing down, he noticed a discarded plastic bottle somebody had left behind, still filled with water. By extending a hand, he tugged on the molecules inside and suddenly yanked it vertically.
The water bottle in question would then bolt up, aiming straight for the underside of Apollo’s chin. If by some miracle he failed to see this coming, the object would impact him upwards and slam his jaws together, just enough to send him several feet upwards. Regardless if this would work or not, Tempest sprung off both feet right after the man, squinting both eyes. It wouldn’t be long until he’d leap in the air with his right fist out, ready to slam it down him.
Unfortunately for the sea drake, this could result in him getting rag-dolled for a third time.
The hidden figure in the car waited and watched the man’s eyes as Apollo deliberated. The demon considered itself as the last to be a time bomb in the Cadillac. Tension could be sensed in the vampire as his patience was being decided over whether doing some god’s work immediately was more important than the life of another. On the same token, the boy was struggling to gain his conscience back only to have his flailing show in tremors. Omega had a tight grip for the time being and would keep it for as long as it would hold, no different than the Vessel’s hands clenched into fists at its lap. And after then?
“Patience is an acquired skill, Apollonius.” Those dark pools narrowed subjectively for the moment and then relaxed. “Just as I may find satisfaction in taking my time.” It just may have. What of it, as time passed? Would any demon have given a Vessel as many as two years and then some? Humans were fickle things indeed, but that was all they were ever meant to be in the eyes of an entity ready to cast aside for the next one. “How would you say he is holding up?” The question was borderline sing-song as Nik’s chin tipped a few degrees once more.
The demon let a toothy coyote’s grin show across Nikolas’ face. Something so unnatural to the boy’s own demeanor was unsettling at best, menacing in its nature. “A throne is but a seat of safety, Apollonius... a throne in a kingdom unworthy of being owned, is nothing but a chair.” The demon’s words had grown softer toward the end of the statement as if they grew harder to control. Harder to force out, the further the instability grew for the demon. Some time bombs were simply more delayed than others, it seemed.
That time ticking down was shown to be borrowed whether the demon liked it or not. It no longer worked to quell the shaking in Nikolas’ palms as it grew stronger and stronger. It seemed to ponder the vampire’s words, leading to a silence that held a different aura than those before it. The demon wasn’t taking its time with its words… it was doing its own deliberation. Time was running short for that too. With one last glance, dark hues worked to stare through Apollo with the last bit of its energy. “Then you should hurry-”
The demon’s words cut off and the vehicle slipped into silence. The Vessel seemed to give one last jerk as the presence of the demon seemed like static compared to the calm that came after. Nikolas’ trembling subsided and his body slumped back, shoulders falling heavy and his head left to droop if only for the moment. Then came a sudden breath, like someone coming up from air after a dive that had been taken a level too deep. His chest filled with air steady where maybe the demon had neglected to fully do so for their conversation. After a few seconds of calm, Nik’s eyes opened. The dark tint that had taken over regularly blue sclera was still present as it was seconds before, but the puppy dog look of disorientation couldn’t have been the same.
F..Fuck… where was he?
What-
A few blinks later and several breaths to keep the younger man from heaving, he registered the car’s interior to a place, but… what time was it? How long had he- wasn’t he just- wait.
Shit. Shit, shit, shit-
Another long, deep breath, and the person in the driver seat finally registered to Nik. By the time he cast his stare to Apollo, the dark of those eyes was starting to recede along the outer rims of his pupils. Color was coming back to his face at least, but his eyes were still stuck on Apollo for any indication of what the blackout had brought. Like waking up from a deep dream to find a worst-case scenario, he really didn’t know what to make of this one. All of a sudden, the subway benches and street lights felt like an easier atmosphere to handle.
“-I’m sorry,” He stammered. For what? “I-I mean…”
"Listen here pretty boy." With his prior expression dulling down into a more cold state, he spoke again.
"Humans have taken far more from me than just petty little items. I've. Lost. Everything, including my entire pod either because of shit being dumped into our oceans, or hunting parties. You're like an entitled parasitic worm that kills and exploits every living thing, including yourselves. Simply put, you humans are dicks.”
By this point, the young drake just gazed at him with both emerald orbs narrowed, one being wider than the other as if to gesture: ‘Really?’. It wouldn’t take him long to shake his head in disapproval, not knowing the situation he just signed himself up for. He rose on both claws and turned his figure to face him more.
A cobalt flash of light suddenly enveloped him, just before his entire figure rapidly shrunk and shifted in shape until he became fully visible again. What came out of this was none other than his human facade, the same azure haired male who mugged him prior. Upon morphing back into his disguise, both hands were raised up to rapidly move his digits back and forth at Apollo, as if motioning for him to go ahead and charge.
“I’ll make this a somewhat fair fight. You want it? Come and get it!”
Should the demon’s existence be compared, the aura was no difference than a room painted black, cold, the door shut. Somewhere in that ‘room’ right then, undoubtedly the vessel was settled while Omega took its own free will over the boy’s body. Discontented or not, the demon could only hold the door closed for so long.
The Vessel’s chin tipped as he studied the man, staring straight through. The demon could have smiled if not for the predicament it had found itself in that evening. So he was no simple devouring blood leach of the night after all. Age could recognize age as well as heed the dangers that came with it, sensing the turbulence as it ebbed and flowed inside the man that was trying his best seemingly to remember who’s body the demon was in… what luck did it have to settle into a vessel that chose its company so haphazardly? The shaking was growing faintly more serious as if the human on the inside couldn’t handle the stimulation of it all for much further. Or wouldn’t allow it? Who knew.
Should the demon’s existence be compared, the aura was no different than a room painted black, its temperature cold, the door shut with a deathly silence behind those four walls that were the portion of the Vessel it had taken root in. Somewhere in that ‘room’ right then, undoubtedly Nik was settled while Omega took its own free will over the boy’s body. Discontented or not, the demon could only hold the door closed for so long.
“He is trashing as we speak, exhaustively… in consciousness he does not sleep.” the entity let its expression shift to a smile. It wasn’t as hollow as the first, yet the expression that slid across normally docile features was damnable. “I do not make threats, I offer promises My kind does not forget, nor should you.” Through the silence, finally he had offered the vampire the final ultimatum it came down to. Should the car door open would Nik recover? Did the demon have its own tricks to show for? While the vampire took control of himself for Nikolas’ sake, the demon was simply watching in its own taunting manner, tipping its head like the other male was a live grenade it was waiting to go off. A nearly disappointed him left its lips quietly as Apollo settled back into his seat. “How admirable of you.”
“I want what I already have… I just want it all.” The demon’s gaze went to its hands once more. They were trembling violently now, as was Nikolas’ frame. Time was running out, or so it seemed. “This Vessel came to me as broken and I will have no qualms in watching him collapse before I take my seat.”
“A serpent? I’ll have you know I am a DRAGON! Get it right!” Like the foolish young one he was, the beast hollered back his brutal when twitching an eye at him. True, his body shape held no resemblance to anything that slithered. “Okay- more so a drake. Drakes don’t have wings. But you get the point!” He corrected himself, shaking his head.
Shortly after stepping closer on all fours, the trouble-maker of a Dovah froze again upon hearing what the man was clearly aware of. By this point, his heart skipped a beat. How in the hell do you know that? Whoever this mystery figure was, Tempest horribly underestimated him and his abilities, either humans were far more resilient than he anticipated, or there was something very unnatural about this man.
“M-m-m-mm… You’re not exactly in any position to argue. I don’t see an army here to back you up! So what’s the point?” Deciding there’d be no purpose in denying who he really was, the azure scaled reptile already dismissed the likelihood of him being able to take it back by force. While waiting on his response, Tempest tilted his head and blinked.
“Just saying, a lil knife like that ain’t going to do much. I mean, what’re you going to do? Call the cops?” In an effort to somewhat try and understand what his plan was and make sense of it all, the elder was unsurprisingly questioned about his methods. With the sea drake having little concern over what his talents were, he may have to be taught a lesson or two.
...Or find out the hard way that this was no ordinary man.
“Be still,” The demon chided in a low tone, seeing the man tensed like a cobra, coiled up and apt to strike on the invitation. How pitiful that it was a game it couldn’t play? Not like this. Not tethered to the mortal that had put up an unexpected fuss since their pact.
“You are a smart man, I just might give you credit for what you think you know,” The words left Nik’s lips vehemently. A silence followed where for the moment, the Vessel wouldn’t move. “What you consider running is more a matter of patience. I have all the time in the world, both yours and mine. I could beg the same question... What has you running, Apollonius?” Rhetorical. Undoubtedly. Maybe even belittling with the tone the demon questioned it, pushing buttons just as readily as it could find them. Speaking of which, out came the cigarette from the boy’s jacket. The temperature in the car could have changed by the friction that came from the gesture, and yet, the demon went about its business to the tune of the vampire’s growls, lighting a fuse quicker than the end of the cigarette had been lit.
A pity. What a waste.
One moment, the cigarette was perched precariously within the Vessel’s lips. The next, the demon felt the brush of air that came from the vampire’s backlash, ever so closely to the boy’s face and quick enough that the entity’s own reaction wouldn’t occur. It all came in an instant and it was tossed out the window as an offering to the shadows that would accept it and forget just as quickly... The next moment a vexed smile crept across his face. His head turned toward Apollo as if the entity had deemed him worthy of attention. Those empathetic hues of black worked to bore through the man; if only they were able to.
“If you would like to see how far the boy can run, then so be it,” The demon warned with a half-lidded stare across the vehicle. “You know how that ends… do you not?” One-part fact, one-part threat. Undoubtedly some-part bluffing. All of it was made cold by an unblinking stare. “Or you may return me to my realm, but I promise you... I will take him with me. I will remember who you are just the same.”
The cafe. The bar. The calling card in the subway, and now… but why had the boy chosen to call the life-draining creature beside him of all of his choices? It was beyond the demon to know, but it was not out of its bounds to find out. His gaze cast back to the windshield, studying the street they had halted on as its final question was answered. “...How humane of you.” Empty praise at best, but it served the demon’s needs all the while. In the Vessel’s lap, Nik’s hands gave a slight tremble once more. The entity clenched a fist in an attempt to keep it still, to no avail. It was running out of time in the foreground whether it liked it or not. “What will it be, then?”
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