Nakmarr Party: The Next Morning

[Nykolas]

The next morning came rather quickly as the events the night before had carried on late into the night and with the systematic attacks on the servant rooms and then some of the guest rooms, many people in the manor didn't get that much sleep. Most of those who have come to these parties before are accustomed to sleeping in however and now some of them are a little weary to venture out for breakfast. One guest that slept fine though the night was Nykolas because he was locked into his closet, locked form the inside. Zarvan had followed him in there. Nick had taken about an hour long nap before he locked himself in and then he and Zarvan stayed up a little later working some magic, but he still feels like he overslept when he finally gets up. His healing body would rather he stay in bed and sleep some more, but as a Keloshian warrior he can rest until he knows justice is done to those who dared to attack him. In the back of his mind is the disappointed look on his master's face should he fail to restore honor.

The door to the closet opens and out steps Nykolas, looking much better than he did the night before. He stands on his own two feet and moves with the grace of a vampire, no swaying at all. His features do not betray any pain or exhaustion he might be feeling. Weakness is not allowed. Not when you stand alone in a strange place. His bright apple green eyes glance toward the bed where a naked and bloody Amaya rests in the arms of her host. Nick finds it odd that Arako appears dressed still and immediately banishes that thought and where it might lead from his mind. As well as the noticing of the bruises on Amaya's neck. What those freaks do in their personal time is between them.

He ignores the two in the bed, though frowns just a little glancing at the empty bath where an injured siren should be. He shrugs that off, maybe in the night the male siren went to be with the female ones. Sirens, naga, and vampires all share in desires and behavior that Nick finds troublesome and avoids when he can. His mind starts to trail to a certain dragon as it drifts toward those paths but he reigns it back in. There is no room in an assassin's life for desires other than those of his master.

His mind is empty from the thoughts and guidance of his friends, barred by the closed gates of the manor so he must fall to his training. Kayos would want him to kill the one that tried to kill him so that shall be his only focus until the deed is done. He has emerged from his closet wearing black leather armor of his true station. His footfalls make almost no sound has he heads toward the door. Zarvan exists the closet behind him and Nykolas holds out a hand without looking back. The door collapses instantly, so fast that even the oldest vampire would have trouble following it's shrinking and changing of shape. A small marble shoots out from where the door once was and lands lightly in Nykolas' outstretched hand. A gloved fists closes around it, keeping it safe. Nykolas is also armed. Not with his weapon of choice, but he left outside the gates. He doesn't bother asking Arako if it's okay, but he'd have to go over where there is a naked woman to do that and he doesn't care for too much skin.

[Zarvan Thuxra]

Zarvan is not dressed for battle or death dealing. He wears mostly the same as he did the night before, though he has added a bit more jewelry to the mix. He is a demari lord and they often wear little in the way of cloth and a lot in the way of enchanted jewelry. He found a few pieces in Nykolas' closet that the boy was okay parting with. Payment for the spell casting the night before. He also glances around to where the others are or should be in the room, though he gives even less expression than Nick did. He doesn't care that Amaya is naked or bruised. An older part of him would like to slay Arako while he sleeps, but they are technically no longer enemies and Zarvan can not risk upsetting that family right now, not with all his other plans he has in the works back in the Netherworld. He doesn't care about the siren at all, was just curious. He glances back over his shoulder at the door to the closet closes and is called back to it's master. Then without a word he sets out to follow Nick. He notices the sound of the footsteps. He shouldn't be able to hear them, but then it's to be expected that Nick isn't at the top of his game when his heart was shot out by light magic. Some of that will still be coursing through his veins despite the efforts of both Arako and Zarvan to rid him of that light. It won't be enough to hurt him, but apparently is enough that his skills are hindered. Zarvan is not worried. Shadow magic or not, Nykolas is still a highly trained assassin of the Kelosh empire. He's sure it was a fluke and that his father is overreacting by sending him to protect the boy. Assassins don't tend to need bodyguards. And who is this boy that he should be bothered with it anyway? He's never understood and Darja has never explained. Says they'll discover that themselves in time. Zarvan hates riddles. But he does enjoy breakfast so he follows the boy toward the door and then toward the kitchens if neither in the bed wake up to stop him.

[Amaya]

The faint sounds of their movement was enough to prompt Amaya into waking. Then again, all things considered, she'd not slept well. Silver eyes opened slowly, making note of the pair of them. She considered allowing them to go along on their way without saying anything. But it was simply just too tempting to resist saying something. With infinite care, she moved to sit up, attempting not to jostle Arako. "You look to be a man on a mission, Nykolas," she murmured softly. Her voice still carried a faintly strained quality thanks to the bruises on her throat. But she had little doubt that he heard her well enough.



Resting her arms on her knees, a dark brow lifted as she slowly looked him over, inspecting the armor. Serviceable, she noted almost idly. Shin would have approved the design of it, she had little doubt. "Tell me, which prey are you seeking?" Her lips curled up into a slow little smile, a knowing twinkle in her silver eyes. "My brother has had quite the busy night, I fear. He sustained some small injuries during the process. But his word, at least, has been kept." Did Nick even remember Shin vowing vengeance for the attempt on the Keloshian's life? Little matter, either way. She remembered, and that was the important thing.

[Nykolas]

Nick ignores Amaya's first comment about being on a mission. He is. There is breakfast to be had, and maybe some hunting beyond that, but first to refuel his weakened state into something a little stronger. His eyes remain on the door as he walks, though he pays careful attention to making sure there is no swaying or faltering of any kind in his gait or his gaze. His steps slow as he nears the door and she mentions her brother. At first he thinks she is going to tell him her brother had whatever kind of fun she and Arako had. That bothers him a little but he's not sure why so he ignores it. Then the mention of injury comes up. He pauses at the door and then turns his cold gaze to stare at Amaya, seeing more than he wishes but it's not at the front of his mind for now so he can ignore that too. Then without another word or change in expression he opens the door to the room and exits, leaving it open behind himself for Zarvan to follow.

[Zarvan Thuxra]

Zarvan also stops and regards Amaya, though he wasn't to the door yet. He was nearer the bed. He watches the exchange between Amaya and Nick, and then Nick leaving. He thinks to follow, but the boy is on guard now and if the brother dragon has really dispatched the enemies than there is nothing to worry about. There are few at this party that Zarvan would worry over and one of them is still sleeping in the bed. Or pretending to. No way he can still be asleep? He turns toward Amaya and heads toward the bed, “Don't mind him, he's too busy pouting. His first real near death experience outside of his training.” He comes to sit on the bed near Amaya, grabbing Arako's legs near the ankels and tossing them aside to make room for him to sit. Yes he could have sat on the other side of her, but that would not have been nearly as much fun. “I on the other hand would love to hear all about what happened with your brother and and who he killed.”

[Amaya]

It was always so amusing to watch children pout. Amaya watched Nick falter at mention of Shin's injuries before he walked out of the room. "The game is always more fun when they resist." Chuckling, her silver eyes turned to observe Zarvan as he approached, taking him in. Pretty little thing... His question about the night before brought a frown to her face. Almost unconsciously, she reached up to touch the bruises on her throat with a dark scowl. "I ordered Shin to hunt. But in order to hunt effectively, I had to act as a filter for him. My brother.. has a unique disposition." That was perhaps the most diplomatic way that she could put it. "His abilities are powerful, but he lacks the finesse to control them properly."


Shifting slightly on the bed, Amaya glanced down at Arako briefly, studying him. If he was still asleep, then it was best not to disturb him. Though she had her doubts about that. "I sent Shin to search the scenes of the murders that had been committed. During that time, he was stung several times by shadow bees, and sustained a gunshot wound, among other things. I was also assaulted during that time by a sentient machine." Slender shoulders came up in a brief little shrug. "He tracked and killed the one who attacked Nykolas, and captured the one giving that man his orders. Which still leaves us with one last culprit to find, and the last one is in possession of the artifact that allowed them to move undetected."

[Arako]

Arako would have slept through the other men leaving the chamber, and maybe even through Amaya speaking if she'd kept her voice down and her words few. He can't sleep through something half tossing him aside however. He's used to sleeping in rooms filled with others that are moving, speaking, and otherwise making noise. His chamber is rarely housing only himself. He doesn't disturb the others right away though his cerulean eyes slowly open and then trail over Amaya's form, seeing mostly her back from this angle. Her back is lovely and curved and seems to have gotten less blood on it than her front. She looks good in blood. He'd like to see her rampage, he is sure she is even more lovely devouring her enemies. Or his. He's always wanted to tame a dragon.

He listens as she tells again of the events the night before. A tinge of his anger returns, but if he punishes her brother it might ruins his chances with her so he'll let them get away with the mayhem for now. He definitely agrees that her brother lacks finesse. He'd told them not to raise panic, instead they created it themselves, no murderer needed.

He suddenly is on his knees and seems to have crawled across the bed toward Zarvan, though he didn't actually. It's more like he was laying and then he wasn't. It's a small matter to teleport oneself a short distance and into whatever position you wish. He's had a lot of practice at it. He closes in physically the last few inches, his face coming up toward Zarvan's. “I need a good morning kiss.”

[Zarvan Thuxra]

Zarvan had wanted a serious conversation about the threat and the what to do about it. Amaya tells him a large part of that threat might still be out there, the one with the relic. Though if they have his leader maybe he will stop acting. Sometimes thugs stop doing thugish things when orders stop coming to them. He starts to open his mouth to ask her if they have a lead on the whereabouts of the last culprit as she calls him, but then he is all too aware of how close Arako is. He glowers at the request from Arako and that smug tone of voice he uses to make such a suggestion. Zarvan lets out a little growl and lifts a hand toward his face as if to face palm, but it doesn't make it all the way there before the hand lowers slightly again, filled with a white hot flame of pure light, “Touch me and I will burn the shadow out of you.” The white light of his magic reflects in a dance in his long silver hair making it seem almost as if it too were made of light magic. But he's a demari, and naturally speaking the light is their enemy. He is one of few who can wield both darkness and light.

[Amaya]

Arako's new sudden position serves more to amuse her than anything else. It was good to know that Arako shared her opinion about how pretty the demari was. Chuckling, she reached up to trail her fingers delicately down his back in an attempt to get his attention. It would prove detrimental to her plans if Zarvan did decide to make good on that threat. "I think I would rather like a good morning kiss as well."


Her gaze moved to Zarvan, narrowing just slightly in warning for him to put that little magic spell away. Fighting amongst themselves when they had an enemy on the loose was worse than foolish. Bringing her eyes back up to Arako again, she affected a sad little pout. "And my neck hurts a bit. Perhaps you could kiss it better for me?" The bruises were quite intense, standing out against her pale skin.

[Arako]

Arako knows Zarvan means it. He has to. There is still veritas released into the air. Everything they speak must be the truth. But that's half the fun for him. The threat of violence and the potential for conquest. And he knows Zarvan has to be reminded of that time he was a slave every time Arako tries to force himself onto the other. It's a dangerous game, but all the best ones are. Arako will however not pass up a calling from the lovely Amaya. He turns suddenly and lunges toward her to tackle her to the bed and begin softly kissing her bruised neck. “You need a bath. Perhaps I can help with that as well.” His breath comes out warm and soft on her neck.

[Zarvan Thuxra]

Zarvan is unaffected by Amaya's gaze of warning. When he is no longer the target he does put away his light magic however. He could heal the dragon, but he's made it a long time rule never to heal her kind. When his magic touches theirs sometimes they see things they shouldn't and then he has to kill who he's trying to heal. He'd like to just kill everyone in this party until the manor sits empty and he knows for sure the boy is safe. This would cause a real fight between himself and Arako however and he's not sure he'd win. He knows the odds are in his favor, but the boy would probably die in the process. Unless.. He stands and heads out the open door. He has enough courtesy to shut it for Amaya and Arako or maybe it's for everyone else that would be unfortunate enough to glance into the room.

[Amaya]

Tumbling back, Amaya let out a laugh as Arako's lips work over the bruises. Obliging, she tilts her head back for him and attempts hard to bite back on the giggles. It tickles a little bit. but she certainly isn't going to complain. Bringing a hand up, she toys it idly through his hair with a pleased smile. It was always nice to have someone at her beck and call. "Mm, I do believe that a bath would be quite nice. I certainly don't mind the blood, but it starts to become itchy when it dries." Her silver eyes glitter with mirth as she twists Arako's hair around her fingers. "I do believe I'd rather enjoy allowing you to give me a bath, my dear Arako."

[Arako]

Arako pauses in his barrage of kisses at the word allowing. The word shouldn't bother him, but something about the way she says it. Is he taming a dragon here or is a dragon trying to get herself a pet shadow? He lifts himself up and regards her for a moment. He smirks rather confidentiality and amused she's trying to turn this game on him. It's been awhile since he's had a worthy opponent in this field. “Perhaps I'll allow you to give me one in return? Or maybe I'll make you watch as I give it to myself.” He grins a little bit bigger and lifts himself from the bed, shedding the last layer of his shirt as he does so. He turns toward the bath and sheds more clothing as he makes his way toward it, though all he had left was the shirt and pants he slept in. All jewelry and other items seem to have already been removed and put away.

[Amaya]

Arching a brow at the wording, Amaya watched Arako head for the bathroom before laughing softly. "I can always return the favor," she teased softly. Shifting, she moved to rise from the bed and very nearly went to her knees. Only a fast grab for the bedpost kept her from hitting the floor. Closing her eyes, Amaya tried to bring the sudden bout of vertigo back under control, her body throbbing with phantom pains from her brother's injuries from last night. She would have to check in with Shin soon and see to it that he was healed. "...perhaps I should wait a moment."

[Arako]

Arako turns to regard Amaya and the slight weaver he thought he heard in her voice. He is completely unclothed now. His manhood is average, but that has never bothered him or slowed him down. He could magic it bigger, but doesn't find he needs to most the time. He has for a bit of extra fun when requested. “Wait or watch?” He replies in a joking manner playing off the bout of weakness in case it bothers her for him to notice such things. Dragons can be such proud creatures. He offers her a wink, having just said he was gonna make her watch as he gave himself a bath anyway. Something about her makes him not want to indulge too much too quickly. He can't really put his finger on it, something dangerous. Like a moth getting too close to the flame. He has no wish to burn. Oh, but he does love dancing too close to the flame. He spreads his arms open wide as if inviting and welcoming her and steps backwards into the water without looking, yet also with so little effort it's clear he either knows his way very well or is using magic to find his way.

[Amaya]

It takes longer than she would like for the dizzy spell to pass. The ache, however, lingers. It was only to be expected, all things considered. Grimacing, Amaya brought a hand up to rest on her chest in the same place her brother had sustained his own injury. "I may be forced simply to watch for a moment. My brother's hurts still pain me," she replied softly. Silver eyes lifted to watch as he steps into the tub, smiling weakly. "I do hope you'll put on a good show for me, my dear Arako. I could certainly use something to take my mind off of it." She would have to check on her brother soon enough. But that would come later. When she could actually manage standing without feeling like her legs would give out beneath her.

[Arako]

Arako laughs lightly at her request for a show. In her dragon mind it was probably an order, but he refuses to listen to it as such. Something about her makes him want to struggle in a battle of who commands who but that isn't his normal way so he dismisses the strange emotion she brings out in him to evaluate later and possibly remove if he feels the need to after more discovery. For now however, the damsel on his bed needs a bath. He stands back up out of the water and is now dripping. His long chestnut hair hangs heavy and wet behind him. There are a lot of races that prize size over everything else and he is shorter than most and only average in other places so his way has always been more of shows to entice. Of course among the elves, he's fine. A little tall even sometimes. He makes his way back over to where he left Amaya. “It'll be more fun with you in there with me. I shall just have to carry you.” He grins wildly at her and then will attempt to scoop her up in his arms. Despite his size, he has no problem carrying her. Though once again the shadows in the corners of the room seem to deepen at his touch and there are soft whispers in ancient dark languages, though they are so low they could just be the rustling of a draft in the manor. No fabric moves in said draft and Arako has many tapestries and curtains hanging around his room. Many tall pieces of furniture that cast shadows all along the walls and corners.

[Amaya]

Silver eyes watch as Arako climbs from the bath and walk back to her, an appreciative glint twinkling in them. She could certainly approve of his form. After all, she was part elf herself, once upon a time. Unable to help it, she let out a soft laugh as he scooped her up before simply settling in for the ride. Lifting a hand, she idly twirled a few strands of his hair around her fingers with a smile. "Perhaps I could impose upon you to help me get clean?" she asks teasingly. The deepening of the shadows and the whispers don't concern her overmuch. It only served to pique her interest and her desire to find out more. Curiosity had always been one of her besetting sins, after all.

[Arako]

Arako smiles and glances over at Amaya while pretending he needs his eyes to see where he is going. They will both need a bath and then maybe a meal. After that they can check on her brother's progress with the dwarf slaver he caught. Arako wonders if they even know she is a slaver yet. He can't imagine why she'd have switched to murder for parts. They seem like they'd be worth more to her alive. Curious, but no great concern of his for now. He pushes that line of questioning toward the back of his mind. “And in return, perhaps you could help me keep an eye on our demari lord party crasher? I have received word that he has threatened to kill everyone in the manor.” No one has physically entered the room to give him this news and he didn't seem concerned last time he saw Zarvan which was just a moment ago.

[Amaya]

The comment about Zarvan threatening everyone doesn't seem to surprise her too much. All in all, the pretty demari seemed altogether less than socially gifted. Rather like her dearest brother at times. "Such terrible manners, these children," she murmurs under her breath. Older than her or not, Amaya found the idea childish, and thus by extension, Zarvan to be childish as well. "If he can't mind his manners, then I suppose we'll just have to teach him better."


But first things first. She needed to rid herself of the blood of last night and get dressed. After that, something to eat to help rebuild her spent strength from last night and banish the lingering ache of her brother's injuries. And finally, she would need to speak with her erstwhile sibling and be sure that all was well. She'd little doubt that he'd spent the better part of last night interrogating the dwarf about the artifact and the pixie yet at large. Which reminded her.... Turning her gaze up to Arako's face, she pouted at him faintly. "I do hope you've reconsidered your plans of last night for removing my brother's scales. As I told you, my brother was quite unobtrusive. It was that beastly machine that assaulted me who also attacked your other guests."

[Arako]

Arako grins at her comment about Zarvan's manners and then even more so at the idea of teaching the demari lord a lesson. Arako knows there is a chance he might win that fight, but then he'd have to deal with The Sleeper and no one can win that fight so long as that demari keeps sleeping. But then no one knows where his body was moved to or who has it. Arako has heard rumors of course, but nothing worth risking endless nightmares over. Still, spanking Zarvan would be fun. He continues his walk toward the bath as she speaks and steps into it with her still in his arms. She is still very partially dressed, wearing what she was parading around the manor house in last night. Her lacy panties and nothing else. He doesn't bother to set her down near the tub to remove them, they can come off later.

His tension changes as does the atmosphere around him when she brings up his anger from the night before and his threat to Shin. He sits down into the bath and settles her in his lap, but his eyes are off in the distance, staring at the little waterfall in his bath, but through it at the same time. Instead of the whispering shadows and distant laughter an eerie calm settles, but not the peaceful kind. More like a thick fog on the ocean, keeping the sailors from seeing the rocks beyond that they know are there. Will they still make it through? Since last night he hasn't learned much of how the guests are taking the matter as most are still sleeping it off or just now making their way to breakfast. “We'll see what news the days brings first,” His voice is also distant when he responds, but then the fog lifts a little and his smiles over at her face. “Or what favors it brings.”

[Amaya]

"Do bear in mind, dear Arako, that my brother's hurts are my own. As my sorry state this morning rather vehemently attests." Amaya gave a faint wince as she shifted in his grasp. "Should my brother take a wound, I bear the pain alongside him." And considering that last night, Shin had been stung by shadow bees, fallen from a chandelier, and then shot, she was feeling entirely less than steady on her feet. Well. Not that she was currently on her feet, but the fact remained. She was most certainly not in the mood to feel her brother lose several scales, especially since he hadn't been at fault for the disturbance.



Dismissing the thought for the moment, she instead settled herself a little more comfortably in Arako's lap with a teasing smile. "I can think of a bit of fortune that we might indulge in for the moment." It would certainly be a pleasant enough way to pass some time before she had to get dressed and check on her twin. With luck, Shin might even have been able to learn something of use from the dwarf with his ability. Though that much, at least, she doubted. He wouldn't dare to risk opening his mind so without her there to shield him from the shadows around them.

[Arako]

Arako doesn't wish to talk business right now. He just got up and there is a mostly naked dragon lady in his lap. He still wants more information on what happened last night and who's fault it is. He might find who brought that machine golem into his party and take it out on them. But Shin was in charge of the hunt and he was told to be discreet and not rise a panic. He was also pretty sure that she was only linked to her brother when she wished to be through magic, but the truth is floating in the air so he can't dismiss what she says now. That is troublesome to him. If he wishes for Amaya to stay safe, he has to wish for her brother to stay safe too. But he's so stuffy and boring...

He grins as she changes the subject to something more fun. He reaches over for a jug that sits along the edge of the bath. It's a huge bath and there are jugs, soaps, and lotions spread all over within reach no matter how many are in the bath or where in the bath they are. It's almost like a small, shallow swimming pool. He dips this jug into the water with his free hand, keeping his other wrapped around her back to steady her on his lap. He then lifts it and starts to pour the magically warm water over some of the heavier blood splatter on her chest.

[Amaya]

Amaya might have been inclined to agree with Arako on her brother being boring but for the fact that she knew better. Right now, her brother considered himself to be on a mission. And when Shin was on a mission, having fun was one of the furthest things from his mind. I'll have to make it up to him when we go home. Maybe that new crystal he's eyeing.. But such musings aside, she was in the lap of her rather attractive host and there was her own fun to be had. Shin could certainly wait an hour or two. With a coy smile, Amaya arched her back just slightly as Arako began to pour the water, pushing her chest out a bit more. Teasing was often as much fun as the actual deed, in her experience.