The Castle of Lord Volkh

Natasa's desire to keep far from the Lord of Castle Volkh was certainly progressing according to her wishes. The mansion, as expansive and wrapped in swaths of darkness as it was, seemed to plot on its own, keeping the two denizens far apart. For a month, as Divyna followed Natasa dutifully, instructing her on the facilities and more importantly, reading aloud to her in the dusty old library. The subjects were most elementary and elemental. Theoretical works on the basics of magic, enchantment, and how the body itself was the most valuable conduit into these elusive energies. It's blood, it's bone, even tissue were each a physical component of spellcasting. One's own...or another's. 

Lord Volkh's absence was absolute. Not even the whisper of his presence was seen in these formative days. Yet, every "morning" (for there was no sun to gauge what time it may be, and Divyna dutifully allowed Natasa to sleep as long as she wanted unless specified otherwise.) Upon entering the library, they would find a new selection of books, complete with a set of written instructions on how best to pursue the next day's lessons. It was a lonely, uneasy feeling in the castle's heart, and aside from the dire wolves that would, upon rare occasions, pass by them, Natasa and Divyna were very much alone. Even the gargoyles, it seemed, were deactivated or simply ignoring them. 

Yet, as far as things went for a poor girl from a village, the cursed young woman was well taken care of. Divyna handled any basic tasks that needed care. From washing clothes, providing new outfits, stitching those that might have been damaged, preparing food and running warm baths she recommended were regularly utilized. The golem even offered to help with the washing, although whether that was a step too far in Natasa's case was up to her. The doll's presence had other, unanticipated benefits as well. As time passed, her gift of seeing perfectly in the dark had been somewhat translated for her mistress' benefit. This allowed the girl to get around the Castle without the fire of the candelabra, if she so chose. At the very least it prevented her from becoming hopelessly lost without it. 


A month had passed, on the dot, when one "morning" the girl was no longer alone. Divyna sat as silently as usual,  although now her head she turned away from Natasa, towards a shadowy figure at the foot of her bed. 

"I believe it is time for us to begin." Volkh announced smoothly.

"Practical application." Volkh told her, his voice bereft of any passion. As if her beginning her studies into the fabric of reality were as dull as a nighttime stroll in the nearby town. Taking a few silent steps he extended to her a hand, standing where Divyna had done so every morning in the course of Natasa's integration. Whether or not she accepted it, he stepped away as soon as she was ready. "We will begin in the ballroom. It has enough space for you to exercise your abilities and more importantly, no risk of you disrupting my experiments." With that he opened the door, gesturing for her to follow him. He did not pick up the candelabra again, clearly well-acquainted of her newfound ability to see in the dark.

The three of them wandered through the dark hallways. Muffled sounds of rain, coupled with the occasional crack of thunder seemed as if they were the affairs of a world quite separate from their own. Weather was an unnecessary consideration for those locked inside, but it did create an ambiance slightly less unsettling for most than the choking silence that typically weighed heavily on each step. Approaching the doors, Volkh opened his arms, causing the heavy oaken portal to swing its double doors inwards. Beyond the ballroom dwell, surprisingly free of dust and cobwebs. The floor was polished to a beautiful shine and, surprisingly, there was light.

In the darkness it was nearly blinding to be exposed to the room, though if it bothered him he did not show it. One could expect it were hosting a room of adoring party-goers, an idea at-odds with the empty shell of the room. In the center of the room several tables had been moved in, obviously of high quality, but knicked and stained in places by weapons and experimentation. Tomes and other occult material decorated the tabletops, along with a caged dove that cooed softly. A strangely serene creature in this place.

"Today I will witness you cast your first spell, as well as test your grasp of the basics. If you fail to grasp them, you will be studying for another week, and it will be I who presides over it. I will not appreciate the distraction from my work."

Volkh had already turned towards one of the nearby tables, beginning to set the various objects in a more organized pattern when she at last asked her question. He stopped, momentarily, straightening as he turned to loom over her once again. It was difficult to tell where his solid-black eyes truly were looking, but it was impossible not to feel the barely-restrained predatory undertone to them.

"What seems to be the issue here?" he pressed, voice as impassive as ever. 

Lord Volkh mused over the issues voiced by his apprentice. Yes, he knew all too well the affects he had on her. Affects that may well disturb her performance. Unfortunately, despite his studies, he found no easy solution to the problem. The disease of vampirism had evolved this particular trait millennia before even he had contacted it. A psychic pheromone of sorts, designed to lull prey into a false sense of security. To want the kiss of his teeth upon their throats. There were solutions, naturally, but anything long-term could be physiologically harmful, and the effects upon her tainted blood might have unforeseen side effects. 

"I assume you mean the sexual nature of my "aura", for lack of a better term." he addressed clinically. There was, of course, an easy solution. One that readily came to mind, he imagined, for both of them, although her thoughts were most certainly clouded. "Although my gift grants me great power, I do not have full control of them. I doubt any of my kind ever have attained such." he explained, walking away from her to pick up a stiletto from a nearby table. The spike of metal glinted in the light of the chandelier above them. A blade made for thrusting, for killing. It was no knife with practical use. It only existed for one reason: The extinguishing of human life. Using the blade he pricked his finger, and even as the wound healed a small bead of dark blood balanced on the tip. 

"You see, despite what you may think, my powers are not entirely for my benefit. Vampirism is a disease. Impossible to cure, as it physiologically alters its host." setting aside the blade he approached, displaying the tiny drop for her view. "and every ability it grants, every boon, every weakness, is made to propagate said disease. I need blood to feed myself and fuel its corruptive power. The sun and fire are weaknesses because it can only exist in certain temperatures. It grants me strength, speed, and other less obvious abilities all in the name of spreading my "curse" to the rest of humanity. Similarly, this is why you desire me. A corruption of desire driven by the evolutionary powerhouse that is vampirism. I have no more control of my magnetism, than you do of resisting it." holding out his index finger with the drop of blood, he motioned to it. 

"Consume this. It will give you temporary resistance to my more addictive abilities. We are, in essence, "tricking" it into thinking I had you. I'll spare you the details of how this works, as I doubt your sensibilities could handle it."

The moment that passed stretched to eternity after she had ingested the blood. He knew it would take a little time to activate, and already it seemed as if it might be too late to stop her from doing something she may come to regret. Yet, the effects as it entered her system overtook her and once more she calmed. Satisfied they were once more on track, he motioned her towards the nearby table.

"This lesson, we will focus on the most basic of spells. You notice the changes elicited from you when you bonded with your familiar? You are capable of sight even in darkness now." he motioned around him at the lit ballroom. "Your enemies may not be so fortunate. Humans cannot see in the dark, and lighting torches takes time. Assuming you find yourself in conflict with one, you may find that the advantage this brings to be the difference between life and death.

The somatic components of this spell are quick and precise. They can be difficult to reproduce with accuracy during combat so for now, you shall learn them in peace. You must plunge this lit room into darkness." with a wave of his hand a nearby book flipped over, pages frantically turning until it had settled on the spell he spoke of.

Dispassionate observation followed Natasa's every movement as she went to the collection of arcane paraphernalia that lay meticulously arranged across the nearby table. Stepping back to allow his apprentice space. She lacked the will to command magic, that much was immediately evident in his study. A common mistake of those forced into magic, rather than pursuing it of their own volition. Even now she went through the motions, the things taught by her Familiar, but like her Familiar she lacked the correct mental fortification to exert herself. The spell fizzled ineffectually, and for a moment Volkh had been about to interrupt. 

"Nocht!" 

He caught himself, the lights flickering more fiercely. Yes, she understood. Emotion was often the spark to the tinder of will. While it was safer to rid yourself of it for more precise spellcasting, at the moment he held his tongue. If she could merely get the magic coursing, then she may not find herself quite so dependent on regaining it. The candles remained burning and he watched as her mounting frustration spurred her on. The first spell cast was a valuable one in a spellcaster's repertoire, and one he found valuable to complete on ones own. Under the proper precautions, naturally. 

The Lord's eye focused closely on his apprentice as he felt the surge of arcane power welling up from within her. With it, however, a burst of heat. Heat enough to cause a dent in the chill atmosphere he himself exerted. With a clap of her hands the lights flickered out, plunging them into darkness that his eyes rapidly adjusted to. That was certainly peculiar. Was it the infection within her? Or perhaps something more potent? As she smiled in triumphant victory, three slow claps cut through the darkness around them as he approached. 

"Very good." he addressed, looking her over. "Casting your first spell was no mean feat. I had expected to have to go through your training in more intimate detail. You're ready, then, to proceed into a more complete understanding on the structure of the arcane. A study we must suspend for another time." Reaching up he grasped her chin between his thumb and forefinger, turning her head back and forth and looking her over as if she were prized livestock. 

"Yes, I believe you are presentable enough for a reward. Your Familiar will have completed sewing the clothes you will need by now. She will also aid you with...accessories and such. I'm afraid my many talents won't do you much good on that front. Bathe and prepare yourself by the time I return." he released her, turning to stride away. "You will need to look appropriate for a ball with the Empress of Isra." he addressed, sweeping out of the room before she could hope to get more clarification from him. He certainly would not remain if she asked. 

Natasa almost hissed at Volkh when he took her chin between his fingers. He was unnecessarily touchy! She decided she much preferred it when he was cold and distant and... not close to her at all!

As she watched him turn heel, she rubbed her chin, trying to get rid of the chill he left on her skin. Vile! Disgusting! Wretched creature!

The heat emanating from her body from her anger disappeared when Divyna approached her. She quirked a brow. Putting aside her temper, she focused on what had actually been said. What was he talking about?

"A ball? The Empress' Ball? The Empress? Really? How come we can go? Does m'Lord know her?"

Was he really that important? He was a Lord, sure, but was she allowing any old lord to her event? Natasa was left gaping at the vampire's back before turning to Divyna.

"Getting ready together? What... what will I be wearing?"

Natasa wasn't sure how to react. At first, her jaw just kept stretching from hearing about Volkh taking advantage of her unconscious body. Her hands crossed over her chest insecurely. "He... he didn't do anything else, did he?"

She knew he had taken care of her blood-and-vomit-soaked clothes and bandaged her, but measuring her? Ohh, she could feel the mortal wound burning, feeding on her outrage! Yet no sooner did the flame of anger come, was her mind taken from it. She was flooded in a room filled with colors that she had only seen in the sky at dawn. Her eyes were like saucers they were so wide. They rolled over the tapestries on the wall, the plush pillows, and finally... the dress.

The poor, cursed peasant girl would have never thought it was hers until Divyna told her it was so. She didn't even pay attention to the runes that her aide was describing as she reached her hands out to touch the fabric, flinching because it was so light she felt it would just fall apart. She couldn't decide if she was looking at a stream of water or a veil of clouds, as its silvery appearance had a way of capturing the light to make it dance. When she lifted the hem, the skirt took its time to float down, as though time itself had slowed to watch it fall. And then... there was the bodice. Oh! What a delight, this cloth that was shaped like a heart from the front and came together using ribbons at the back, laced with gems, of all things!

After the height of her bedazzlement, Natasa looked up at Divyna, confused. “But… but Divyna, it’s not finished. It… it doesn’t have sleeves. How does it stay on?”

Once Divyna had the bodice on her, the girl had to brace with her hands flat against the wall, teeth grit so hard she could almost hear them crack. As she cried out, little beads of spit fell onto the floor.

Why, oh, why was this gorgeous thing such torture? Was this Volkh's way of punishing her? Had she done something wrong? No! It must be that he took pleasure in her pain. Yes! Of course! He was a vampire, after all! Growling, she swore for the hundredth time that she would one day lop his head from his shoulders!

"I... can't... breathe in anymore!" she wailed. For every tug, breath was drawn from her, as was life. Or so she felt. "Divyna you're killing me!"