Post by caios on Apr 12, 2011 9:10:24 GMT -5
(( this came out of an idea that came to me while doing some random RP in game. Wrote the whole thing up pretty quick so it might come out a little silly. Just a little story detail to enjoy I hope. 
))
Paragon City is a known hotbed of superpowered activity. Just down the coast, New York City is an even bigger hotbed for ALL activities, both super and mundane. But the lone rider atop a very powerful motorcycle drove right past the Big Apple. Instead she continued up along the island to the Hamptons. She kept riding past all the million dollar celebrity homes and spring time tourist traps. She continued past all of the action and activity long past all the points of interest, until she came upon a sleepy little bed and breakfast far too far out of the way, which was rather the point of this place she suspected.
She herself, with her black leather trenchcoat swaying in the wind in time with her long flowing black hair, looked completely out of place. But she wasn’t here to fit in, she was looking for someone. It amused her to think that the man who she was here for was even more at odds with this place then she was, and yet he fit perfectly in here. He fit perfectly where ever he went, as if the entire world was nothing but one big comfy couch to him.
It was one of his many annoying qualities, Caios thought to herself as she walked into the house.
She was immediately greeted inside by an spritely elderly woman. The woman was smiling at her, but Caios knew the old lady was anxious around her.
“Hello dear, I’m afraid we don’t have any rooms at the moment.” She lied, but it was to be expected. A Bed and Breakfast run by Werewolves rarely welcomes a vampire into their midst, much less two.
“Relax Elder,” Caios told her, “I’m not here to cause trouble. He’s expecting me.” Without so much as a pause Caios continued through the house and out to the patio in the back.
And there he was. Sitting down at a table set for breakfast for two, wearing a classic robe, he even had slippers on. He was enjoying his own small but incredibly diverse breakfast. He was also drinking orange juice and coffee, all the while reading news on his iPad, as the sun shined down brightly across the morning. He wasn’t even wearing sunglasses at the moment.
There were so many things wrong about this idealistic scene, and yet Caios was not surprised.
As she approached the man looked up at her smiling. He looked young, very young, but was probably the oldest creature Caios knew of. Just one look at him gave the sense of someone who will always have more wisdom and experience about the universe then you ever will.
“These things are so amazingly useful you know.” The man said as he set down his iPad on the table. “You know how I am with computers, all thumbs I’m afraid, but that little gadget is so intuitive, perfect for someone like me, wouldn’t you say?”
“I’m sure Steve Jobs would love to hear your sterling recommendation.” Caios said snarkily.
“That he was,” the man smiled again, “But you’re not here to talk about that. You didn’t go through all that effort to try and find me just for idle chatter.”
“The fact I found you at all means you already knew I was coming.” Caios shot back even as she took the seat that was offered, “You might like to play the simple vampire, but I know you, you don’t get found unless you want to be.”
“Ah but I am a simple vampire.” He smiled, he was still hiding his fangs even now, but then he had absolutely nothing to prove, “I simply like to enjoy this existence and I don’t like others interrupting that if I can avoid it. I also, on occasion, enjoy sharing the simple things with my daughter, is that so wrong?”
“You know I don’t like it when you call me that, Tylore.” Caios glared at him, “I had a real father, and unlike some people I still remember him.”
“I apologize, no need to get offended.” Tylore nodded his head only slightly, “I can’t say I feel calling you a Childre is any better, far too formal and impersonal for my taste.”
“Then call me Caios.” She replied.
“I’d rather call you Sara, if you don’t mind.” Tylore leveled his gaze at her. She knew he was testing her, there would only be so many things Tylore would concede to and it was up to her to pick her battles.
“If you must.” Caios finally said.
“I don’t, but that is such a lovely name.” Tylore smiled as he leaned back, putting his hands so eloquently on his lap, “So tell me Sara, what do I owe the pleasure?”
“I’m here about the Well of Furies.” Caios said after a beat.
“Ah, that old thing.” Tylore said, “It has been acting up; making quite a mess from what I understand.”
“What do you know about it?” Caios asked.
“I know everything about it.” Tylore said authoritatively, “I know its power comes at a price, it always does. But you know this already. And knowing the Well it’s already approached you. I wonder then, did you perchance partake of the Well’s energy?”
“No!” Caios insisted, “I may not know the Well as much as you do, but I sure as hell don’t plan on buying whatever that ancient power mongering toilet is trying to sell me.”
“Ancient power mongering toilet?” Tylore laughed loudly, “Oh my that is a good one, I’ll have to remember that for the next card game, the fellows will get a kick out of that one.”
“Glad you like it.” Caios crossed her arms.
“If you are not taking power from the Well then you have nothing to worry about.” Tylore continued, “And yet here you are, you must still have concerns then. Tell me about them and perhaps I can help you.”
“Do I really need to?” Caios said slyly, “I'm sure you already know what I’m going to say.”
“Even if I did it is still your choice whether you talk to me or not.” Tylore said, “I can not simply tell you everything you want to know. That would be cheating.”
“Alright, in that case I want to know if it’s possible for the Well to exert control over me without me knowing it.” Caios replied.
“Only if you allow it.” Tylore responded simply.
“I’m starting to worry if perhaps I did.” Caios said.
“The Well is not some skilled psychological mastermind, Sara.” Tylore told her, “It doesn’t subtlety convince people to do its bidding. It offers you power, unlimited power, and it is only interested in those who have the strength of will to take it. Or in your case, to turn it down.”
“Then why do I feel like I do?” Caios asked.
“That depends, how do you feel?” Tylore asked carefully. Once again he would not simply give away what he knew so easily. Caios sighed; she knew she would have to be honest with him here.
“It’s not as if I suddenly feel completely different, and that’s what’s so strange.” Caios began, “I’m still me, and yet I know I’m stronger, faster, even more then before. It’s subtle, it may be small now, but I know it’s there. People who used to give me huge problems when I’ve had to go up against them seem significantly easier to take down. It’s only with other Incarnates that the scales seem to balance, but if they’re getting stronger because of the Well, doesn’t that mean I am too?”
“That doesn’t seem so bad does it?” Tylore suggested.
“So where is this power coming from?” Caios asked, “All things considered I have reason to be worried, don’t you think?”
“You’re worried that the Well is slowly building its influence within you despite your circumstances?”
“I have drank the blood of Incarnates, you know.” Caios said.
Tylore chuckled softly before he continued, “Ah Sara, of course you have. But you needn’t worry. If drinking the blood of an Incarnate alone was enough to hold sway over you, I would have long since become a thrall of the Well myself. Ever since I had that scuffle with Apollo so long ago. Sun God my ass, pretentious prick is more like it. But I digress. While I recognize my circumstances are different then yours the basic facts remain.” With a smile he leaned forward slightly then added, “You are still a vampire - and from a noble bloodline I might add if you don’t mind a bit of self flattery – at its core, however, this means you take the blood of others, their very life energy, and bend it to your will. By our very nature we take the very essence of the power we ingest and make it our own. Beyond the initial high you must feel, there is no lasting side effect from drinking the blood of an Incarnate. In fact I highly recommend it whenever you get the chance. They are, insofar as our unique dietary needs are concerned, very nutritious!”
“If that’s the case then what is happening with me?” Caios pressed on, “Why do I feel like, I don’t know it’s like …”
“Like the very blood inside of you is evolving to face these challenges?” Tylore suggested, the look Caios gave him in return made it obvious this was exactly what she was thinking. “Because it is, naturally. And not just your blood, your entire self is getting stronger, as it should be.”
“You’re telling me this is supposed to happen?” Caios told him, “You make it sound like some natural biological response. We’re vampires, we’re not exactly alive here.”
“Oh we are both very much alive, I beg to differ,” Tylore replied, “Just not in the classical definition of the term. But vampires are no different then any other creature in this sense. When confronted with a challenge we can evolve from it. We might be a bit slower to change, and rarely is it even obvious, but we can certainly grow and adapt. Those that do not simply die; just like anything else in this world.”
Tylore gave Caios a knowing look before he continued, “Don’t get me wrong, I am certain drinking of an Incarnate’s blood has helped the process along, but I know for a fact you’d be capable of this even if you had not taken a single drop.
It’s happened to you before, Sara. Not so long ago you were but a newly blooded vampire, you were far weaker back then; any baker’s wife with a rolling pin probably could have defeated you. Now look at how powerful you’ve become. That you have spent so long without becoming more powerful is simply a matter of not finding a suitable enough challenge due to how quickly you had risen in strength. A testament to your own amazing natural skill and aptitude, I assure you. It was until only recently that the Well itself has created circumstances that are beyond even your impressive ability. And so as you’re exposed to these new challenges you’ve grown even more powerful to compensate. In a sense it was indeed the Well that was the cause of your recent increase in power, but the effect is indirect at best, I assure you.”
“So after all this you’re telling me this is nothing more then some Darwinian case study?” Caios looked at her sire critically, “I know there’s more to it.”
“There’s always more to it.” Tylore grinned now, “If it makes you feel better, rest assured in the grand scheme of things you are still nowhere near as powerful as you have the potential to be. But for now you already know everything you need to know.”
“Is that so,” Caios said, “Well I hope someday soon you’ll decide to tell more then what you think I need to know. I can just imagine when the Well decides to tempt Karnage, he won’t hesitate to take the power that’s offered.”
“The Well has already approached Nathan,” Tylore said, “And like you he turned it down, rather violently as you can no doubt imagine.”
“Really? I find that hard to believe.” Caios said.
“Nathan is no more interested in letting others dictate his path then you are.” Tylore told her, “He is not the disappointment you believe him to be.”
“He’s killed people, innocent people, by the thousands!” Caios barked back.
“I’m well aware.” Tylore said, “And while I know you will not believe me, you can only choose to trust me when I say that the alternative would be far, far worse.”
))Paragon City is a known hotbed of superpowered activity. Just down the coast, New York City is an even bigger hotbed for ALL activities, both super and mundane. But the lone rider atop a very powerful motorcycle drove right past the Big Apple. Instead she continued up along the island to the Hamptons. She kept riding past all the million dollar celebrity homes and spring time tourist traps. She continued past all of the action and activity long past all the points of interest, until she came upon a sleepy little bed and breakfast far too far out of the way, which was rather the point of this place she suspected.
She herself, with her black leather trenchcoat swaying in the wind in time with her long flowing black hair, looked completely out of place. But she wasn’t here to fit in, she was looking for someone. It amused her to think that the man who she was here for was even more at odds with this place then she was, and yet he fit perfectly in here. He fit perfectly where ever he went, as if the entire world was nothing but one big comfy couch to him.
It was one of his many annoying qualities, Caios thought to herself as she walked into the house.
She was immediately greeted inside by an spritely elderly woman. The woman was smiling at her, but Caios knew the old lady was anxious around her.
“Hello dear, I’m afraid we don’t have any rooms at the moment.” She lied, but it was to be expected. A Bed and Breakfast run by Werewolves rarely welcomes a vampire into their midst, much less two.
“Relax Elder,” Caios told her, “I’m not here to cause trouble. He’s expecting me.” Without so much as a pause Caios continued through the house and out to the patio in the back.
And there he was. Sitting down at a table set for breakfast for two, wearing a classic robe, he even had slippers on. He was enjoying his own small but incredibly diverse breakfast. He was also drinking orange juice and coffee, all the while reading news on his iPad, as the sun shined down brightly across the morning. He wasn’t even wearing sunglasses at the moment.
There were so many things wrong about this idealistic scene, and yet Caios was not surprised.
As she approached the man looked up at her smiling. He looked young, very young, but was probably the oldest creature Caios knew of. Just one look at him gave the sense of someone who will always have more wisdom and experience about the universe then you ever will.
“These things are so amazingly useful you know.” The man said as he set down his iPad on the table. “You know how I am with computers, all thumbs I’m afraid, but that little gadget is so intuitive, perfect for someone like me, wouldn’t you say?”
“I’m sure Steve Jobs would love to hear your sterling recommendation.” Caios said snarkily.
“That he was,” the man smiled again, “But you’re not here to talk about that. You didn’t go through all that effort to try and find me just for idle chatter.”
“The fact I found you at all means you already knew I was coming.” Caios shot back even as she took the seat that was offered, “You might like to play the simple vampire, but I know you, you don’t get found unless you want to be.”
“Ah but I am a simple vampire.” He smiled, he was still hiding his fangs even now, but then he had absolutely nothing to prove, “I simply like to enjoy this existence and I don’t like others interrupting that if I can avoid it. I also, on occasion, enjoy sharing the simple things with my daughter, is that so wrong?”
“You know I don’t like it when you call me that, Tylore.” Caios glared at him, “I had a real father, and unlike some people I still remember him.”
“I apologize, no need to get offended.” Tylore nodded his head only slightly, “I can’t say I feel calling you a Childre is any better, far too formal and impersonal for my taste.”
“Then call me Caios.” She replied.
“I’d rather call you Sara, if you don’t mind.” Tylore leveled his gaze at her. She knew he was testing her, there would only be so many things Tylore would concede to and it was up to her to pick her battles.
“If you must.” Caios finally said.
“I don’t, but that is such a lovely name.” Tylore smiled as he leaned back, putting his hands so eloquently on his lap, “So tell me Sara, what do I owe the pleasure?”
“I’m here about the Well of Furies.” Caios said after a beat.
“Ah, that old thing.” Tylore said, “It has been acting up; making quite a mess from what I understand.”
“What do you know about it?” Caios asked.
“I know everything about it.” Tylore said authoritatively, “I know its power comes at a price, it always does. But you know this already. And knowing the Well it’s already approached you. I wonder then, did you perchance partake of the Well’s energy?”
“No!” Caios insisted, “I may not know the Well as much as you do, but I sure as hell don’t plan on buying whatever that ancient power mongering toilet is trying to sell me.”
“Ancient power mongering toilet?” Tylore laughed loudly, “Oh my that is a good one, I’ll have to remember that for the next card game, the fellows will get a kick out of that one.”
“Glad you like it.” Caios crossed her arms.
“If you are not taking power from the Well then you have nothing to worry about.” Tylore continued, “And yet here you are, you must still have concerns then. Tell me about them and perhaps I can help you.”
“Do I really need to?” Caios said slyly, “I'm sure you already know what I’m going to say.”
“Even if I did it is still your choice whether you talk to me or not.” Tylore said, “I can not simply tell you everything you want to know. That would be cheating.”
“Alright, in that case I want to know if it’s possible for the Well to exert control over me without me knowing it.” Caios replied.
“Only if you allow it.” Tylore responded simply.
“I’m starting to worry if perhaps I did.” Caios said.
“The Well is not some skilled psychological mastermind, Sara.” Tylore told her, “It doesn’t subtlety convince people to do its bidding. It offers you power, unlimited power, and it is only interested in those who have the strength of will to take it. Or in your case, to turn it down.”
“Then why do I feel like I do?” Caios asked.
“That depends, how do you feel?” Tylore asked carefully. Once again he would not simply give away what he knew so easily. Caios sighed; she knew she would have to be honest with him here.
“It’s not as if I suddenly feel completely different, and that’s what’s so strange.” Caios began, “I’m still me, and yet I know I’m stronger, faster, even more then before. It’s subtle, it may be small now, but I know it’s there. People who used to give me huge problems when I’ve had to go up against them seem significantly easier to take down. It’s only with other Incarnates that the scales seem to balance, but if they’re getting stronger because of the Well, doesn’t that mean I am too?”
“That doesn’t seem so bad does it?” Tylore suggested.
“So where is this power coming from?” Caios asked, “All things considered I have reason to be worried, don’t you think?”
“You’re worried that the Well is slowly building its influence within you despite your circumstances?”
“I have drank the blood of Incarnates, you know.” Caios said.
Tylore chuckled softly before he continued, “Ah Sara, of course you have. But you needn’t worry. If drinking the blood of an Incarnate alone was enough to hold sway over you, I would have long since become a thrall of the Well myself. Ever since I had that scuffle with Apollo so long ago. Sun God my ass, pretentious prick is more like it. But I digress. While I recognize my circumstances are different then yours the basic facts remain.” With a smile he leaned forward slightly then added, “You are still a vampire - and from a noble bloodline I might add if you don’t mind a bit of self flattery – at its core, however, this means you take the blood of others, their very life energy, and bend it to your will. By our very nature we take the very essence of the power we ingest and make it our own. Beyond the initial high you must feel, there is no lasting side effect from drinking the blood of an Incarnate. In fact I highly recommend it whenever you get the chance. They are, insofar as our unique dietary needs are concerned, very nutritious!”
“If that’s the case then what is happening with me?” Caios pressed on, “Why do I feel like, I don’t know it’s like …”
“Like the very blood inside of you is evolving to face these challenges?” Tylore suggested, the look Caios gave him in return made it obvious this was exactly what she was thinking. “Because it is, naturally. And not just your blood, your entire self is getting stronger, as it should be.”
“You’re telling me this is supposed to happen?” Caios told him, “You make it sound like some natural biological response. We’re vampires, we’re not exactly alive here.”
“Oh we are both very much alive, I beg to differ,” Tylore replied, “Just not in the classical definition of the term. But vampires are no different then any other creature in this sense. When confronted with a challenge we can evolve from it. We might be a bit slower to change, and rarely is it even obvious, but we can certainly grow and adapt. Those that do not simply die; just like anything else in this world.”
Tylore gave Caios a knowing look before he continued, “Don’t get me wrong, I am certain drinking of an Incarnate’s blood has helped the process along, but I know for a fact you’d be capable of this even if you had not taken a single drop.
It’s happened to you before, Sara. Not so long ago you were but a newly blooded vampire, you were far weaker back then; any baker’s wife with a rolling pin probably could have defeated you. Now look at how powerful you’ve become. That you have spent so long without becoming more powerful is simply a matter of not finding a suitable enough challenge due to how quickly you had risen in strength. A testament to your own amazing natural skill and aptitude, I assure you. It was until only recently that the Well itself has created circumstances that are beyond even your impressive ability. And so as you’re exposed to these new challenges you’ve grown even more powerful to compensate. In a sense it was indeed the Well that was the cause of your recent increase in power, but the effect is indirect at best, I assure you.”
“So after all this you’re telling me this is nothing more then some Darwinian case study?” Caios looked at her sire critically, “I know there’s more to it.”
“There’s always more to it.” Tylore grinned now, “If it makes you feel better, rest assured in the grand scheme of things you are still nowhere near as powerful as you have the potential to be. But for now you already know everything you need to know.”
“Is that so,” Caios said, “Well I hope someday soon you’ll decide to tell more then what you think I need to know. I can just imagine when the Well decides to tempt Karnage, he won’t hesitate to take the power that’s offered.”
“The Well has already approached Nathan,” Tylore said, “And like you he turned it down, rather violently as you can no doubt imagine.”
“Really? I find that hard to believe.” Caios said.
“Nathan is no more interested in letting others dictate his path then you are.” Tylore told her, “He is not the disappointment you believe him to be.”
“He’s killed people, innocent people, by the thousands!” Caios barked back.
“I’m well aware.” Tylore said, “And while I know you will not believe me, you can only choose to trust me when I say that the alternative would be far, far worse.”