2. LAMBING.

[hismasterpiece]

Tonight, just after sundown, there is a ruckus on one of the farms northeast of the village. When the bleating dies down, several dead lambs might be found in one of the enclosures. The ewes paw and nose at the bodies, dumb terror still fresh in their eyes.

Forest animals just have not been cutting it for Drusilla. But the vampire has been too wary to approach the village and feed there -- not without her Family, those who strengthen her. She stalks the journals during the day when she's not sleeping. Two slayers? A vampire hunter? All sorts of overpowered freaks and heroes and demons? She might be mad, but Dru is not stupid enough to attempt any kills in the village. Yet.

As she tears through the last lamb, the vampire laments to herself how much more fun this would be with Spike. And then she convinces herself in a long, drawn-out argument with a curiously red evening star -- which she quickly names Ethelind -- to spy on the sleeping village. Find out where the sweetest victims lay their heads. Her tattered white new-feather sundress, covered only by a black lace shawl, is stained red with lambs' blood. The dress of her porcelain doll, which she is carrying with her, is also stained. Perhaps she can stop at the shop for a new frock, and one for dolly, too.

When she glides through the village, Drusilla will dare to peek into some windows. She cannot enter any homes without an invitation.

[Dru will not be lingering around anyone she has identified as a threat. She is a powerful vampire but far more bold when working with lackeys or her "family" -- Angel, Spike, Darla. IF YOU WANT YOUR CHARACTER TO DIE OR BE INJURED AT THIS TIME JUST TELL ME IN A SUBJECT LINE, otherwise she won't be killing or hurting anyone in this post.]

Comments

[mountain_sage]

[Ever the exact opposite of naughty, Saleh extends his hand to help her climb through. He does notice her nails, and it does make him waver a bit. He'd just have to be careful.]

[bloodwaif]

[And helped in! It's all she can do not to just help herself as she enters the room with him. But Dru likes to play, and he might be fun for a little while.]

Thank you! A girl does like a spot of chivalry time and again. Who else lives here, hmm?

[mountain_sage]

[Once Dru is inside, Saleh closes the window.]

I live alone.

[And it shows, given how...empty his apartment is. Other than the normal food and furniture, there's nothing to see, except some spell tomes on the bookshelf along with some scrolls, and some staves propped against the wall beside his bed.]

[hismasterpiece]

Then no one will hear you if you cry out? [She is trying to catch his eyes with her own, to try to hypnotize him. There is a sense of magic around him, but Luceti's barrier has dulled her usual clairvoyant senses.]

[mountain_sage]

[The question prompts him to glance over at his journal on the nightstand beside his bed. He doesn't quite catch Dru's eyes yet.]

I wouldn't say that. Sometimes the commotion is transmitted through the journals.

[As he's heard the commotion caused by the kidnappings many times.]

[hismasterpiece]

[She eyes his journal, his one connection to the others.]

Do you think it can summon a mob? A mob, with their angry torches and knives and spears and pitchforks?

[mountain_sage]

It can summon anyone in this village.

[He's definitely getting a bit wary now. What is she planning? Even if he can't reach his journal, he can reach for his spell tomes if need be.]

[bloodwaif]

You won't summon them. Look at me! Need you summon them for me? Just a girl.

[She reaches up and wipes a bit of pink-tinged saliva from the corner of her mouth. He really does smell delicious.]

[mountain_sage]

[He turns back to her.]

I begin to wonder...

[He trails off as his eyes are locked onto hers.]

[bloodwaif]

Be in me, beautiful man. Be in my eyes. Stay in my eyes. Dwell in my eyes.

[and with that, she will attempt to hypnotize him.]

[mountain_sage]

I...

[He seems to want to protest at first, though his voice is quiet. Before he can speak any further, however, he finds himself completely lost in her eyes, his facial expression blank and mesmerized.]

[bloodwaif]

[Smiling, Drusilla leans close so she can bite him. She won't drop her gaze until the last possible moment, though.]

[mountain_sage]

[Saleh feels the sharp pain in his neck, but he's still paralyzed. Perhaps from fear or shock. He keeps as still as possible, even suppressing a cry of pain.]

[hismasterpiece]

[The blood is intoxicating. Dru moans with delight as some escapes down her chin. How long has it been since she properly fed? How long since she tasted the flavors of iron and sweetness that she was made to taste? She gripped him more tightly, holding him close as she tried to slow herself down and make this last.]

[mountain_sage]

[What was she doing? Saleh can't bring himself to speak, not while her fangs were still in his neck. He continued to suppress his cries, but once her grip tightens, that causes another surge of pain. At that point, he gives in, and lets out a painful cry.]

[hismasterpiece]

[No one can save you now, Saleh. She pulls back from his neck and smiles, her mouth dripping with blood.] Tell me you love it, duckie. Tell me you want a taste of mine.

[mountain_sage]

[The sage blinks at her as she releases him. He feels the pain on his neck, and sees the blood dripping from her mouth. He then wipes some blood from his neck, staring at it in his hand.]

Wh...what's going on...?

[hismasterpiece]

I am killing you, pet. Drinking you. Give me more...

[mountain_sage]

Killing me? No...I won't let that happen.

[He's backing up towards his desk, then grabs his Thunder tome, watching her carefully.]

Please leave.

[hismasterpiece]

Leave? I shall not leave! [She advances toward him, craving more of that blood.] What sort of silly schoolgirl would I be, leaving?

[mountain_sage]

[He backs away from her, holding the Thunder tome more tightly. Part of him doesn't want to hurt her, as she appears so human and so beautiful. So he gives her another warning.]

I...I don't want to do this. So I shall ask you once more. Please leave.

[bloodwaif]

Not without you. You are so beautiful! I should tie your necktie each morning, duckie, and send you off with lunch all packed! And then? You and I? We would travel the world and leave it burning in our wake.

[She eyes that tome, sensing that this might spell badness for her. This and only this keeps her from lunging right at him, but Saleh might need to utilize his magic to throw her out.]

[mountain_sage]

[Some of her words confuse him. Why is she calling him "duckie?" And what is a "necktie?" Sending him off with a packed lunch seems like she's treating him like a child. However, the last words are quite clear. Something Saleh won't give in to.]

[Not without him, she says. So she would leave if he left with her as well? That gives him an idea. It would be easier to lure her out by leaving with her than to force her out with his magic. So Saleh makes his way over to the door.]

Then come.

[He opens the door, waiting for her to follow.]

[hismasterpiece]

You want it outdoors? Don't want blood on your carpets? I fancy that.

[So she does follow, since he's being so agreeable. Besides: this is rather like playing, and she loves to play.]

[mountain_sage]

I would rather avoid getting blood on the carpets if possible...

[But she may not be too fond of Saleh's plan. Once they get outside, it should be easier to escape or drive her away with his magic. Saleh walks down the hall, glancing back from the corner of his eye, watching for any move she might make. And then he steps outside a few feet away from the building and turns to face her.]

Was there anywhere you wanted to go?

[He'd play along for a bit to see what she's up to.]