Different Blood - Part 4 - Surprises and Sips

(You surprise Alcina and the girls with a few things, your ability to fight, your attire, your history, what you can do, all of it surprises them, there are a few thing about them that surprise you as well.)

TRIGGER WARNING: Light violence, blood

“Well then! I suppose it’s time I was of some use.” You chuckled. The lady’s eyes had not left your cleavage quite yet. The girls were the first to recover. Cassandra spoke “You? What are you going to do?” She asked, scanning your dress and general figure. Your eyes flashed a shade darker before you grinned wickedly. “Never underestimate a lady due to her attire, dear girl.” You chuckled. You flashed away from them, gone into your room before they could say a word. You stripped yourself of your dress, slipped on a pair of black leather pants, a favorite of yours due to the mobility, a belt with one of your favorite blades tucked into it, and pulled a loose tunic over your head. You grabbed a length of leather to tie your hair back as you rushed back, just in time to hear the end of Daniella’s sentence. “-where she went?” She yelled exasperated you at her sisters. You chuckled behind them. “Boo.” You mused, the three jumped like rabbits before looking at you. “How in the hell-“ Bella started before you cut her off. “No matter,” you shook your head, lifting the mass of hair behind you to be tied up behind you. “Where am I headed?” You asked, calm as could be. “Really, there are eight of them, and we can’t go out in the cold.” Cassandra protested, before you raised a brow at her. “Cassandra, dear girl, do you think I have lived as long as I have without getting into a few scraps?” She shook her head. “I’m simply saying that a lady like you would likely not have had to really fight that often.” She grumbled. You chuckled. “You think I’m a lady?” You asked, she looked at you confused. “You’re a countess, aren’t you?” You nodded, “I was, yes.” You smirked as you finished with your hair, flipping it over your shoulder. You glanced to Alcina, who had her eyes trained on your newly exposed neck. “If I had never fought, why would the court send me into potentially hostile territory alone?” You asked, the girls glanced between eachother, and Alcina furrowed her brows, she hadn’t considered it. Bella looked at you suspiciously, “What exactly is your title?” She asked, and you chuckled darkly, the girl caught on fast. “Tell me where the hunters are and I may answer that.” You demanded, tucking your tunic into your belt. “Coming out of the eastern woods, they’re armed with crossbows and possibly a few rifles.” She grunted. You nodded. “Shall I bring you back a treat?” You smirked, your eyes glimmering darkly. Daniella laughed “If you think you can.” You smiled, nodding to the girls before facing the lady of the house. You bowed deeply. “With your permission, Alcina.” You requested. Her eyes flashed. She stepped close to you, placing her fingers under your chin to bring you up to your standing height before you were forced to look up at her. “Be careful.” She warned. You quirked your brow at the comment. She had no idea. You took her hand in yours, turning it over and kissing her knuckles, not missing the way her heart thundered when you did so. “As you wish.” You were off before she could say anything else. It wasn’t hard to find the men, their scent invaded your nostrils, the stench of man was not something you appreciated. You allowed your fangs and claws to rear themselves, you used the claws to slit three of the men’s throats before they even realized you were there. You laughed at how silly they were. “Fuck! What the fuck was that?” You heard one yell. You slowed yourself, it would have seemed like you almost appeared from nowhere in front of them. You weren’t fast enough to be untraceable, but you would have looked like a blur to them. “Hello boys.” You smiled. Two rifles were pointed at you. You raised your hands in mock surrender, smirking. They looked at you confused, you bared your fangs, watching as their own eyes went wide in shock. They never had the chance to fire their rifles.

It took you a few minutes to drag the corpses back to the castle. When you did, you left them on the front entrance, just inside the door, the castle itself smelled like blood, but you still did not want to drag corpses into a lady’s home. You opened the doors once again for yourself, walking into the main hall before turning to a reception hall. You smiled at the sight. Cassandra and Bella were arguing, Daniella was pacing the room, and Alcina. Dear gods, Alcina. The lady was standing by the mantle, you could smell the anxiety wafting off of her, she shifted back and forth on her feet, glowing in the light of the fireplace. You were mesmerized for a moment as the light of the fire reflected off her pale skin, she looked almost like a marble statue, one made by the greats, long gone from this world. Her head tilted slightly, listening. She had heard your heartbeat, you realized. Her head slowly turned towards you, her large hat revealing her eyes to you, there was concern in them. It made you loose your breath, the depths of emotion in her eyes. She herself gasped when she took you in, there were a few specks here and there, but you barely had any blood on you. You smiled fully at her, your fangs and claws long gone. Her own face melted into a warm smile, one that warmed even your heart. “Hello.” You said, your voice low enough for only her to hear. She chuckled a bit at that, drawing the girls attention. The girls who then looked to you. Three sets of eyes stared at you in wonder. “What happened?” “You lost them?” “Did they get away?” The questions hit you all at once and you chuckled. “Why such little faith?” You asked, and the three of them looked between each other. Daniella spoke. “It’s just you barely have any blood on you.” She said, and you nodded. “Yes, I’m a rather clean kill.” You stated, they all looked at you in shock. Even Alcina raised a brow. You smirked at that. “When I want to be.” You nodded, and she smiled, laughter dancing in her eyes. “You got them?” Cassandra asked incredulously, you laughed at her and her complete lack of faith. “Yes, I did.” You chuckled. “All of them?” Bella asked, and you nodded. “All eight.” Daniella looked at you in amazement. “You were barely gone for ten minutes.” You chuckled, humming in agreement and nodding once again. The three of them continued to stare at you before you realized they were waiting for something. You laughed fully at that, the sound causing them to jump. “Your treats are in the front entrance.” You said, and the three buzzed away instantly. You chuckled, looking helplessly to Alcina. “Will you forgive me if they make a mess?” You asked her. She sighed. “Will you clean it?” She challenged. You smirked. “You’re going to have to come up with a better reason for me to be on my knees.” You swore the woman blushed, even if it was nearly impossible. It seemed you had caught her. “Yes, well, so be it.” She stuttered, and you smirked, perhaps you weren’t too old for mischief. The woman sat down, laying herself on a large fainting couch by the fire. You swallowed at her reclined position, the view of her body was torturously tantalizing. You cleared your throat, bowing your head slightly. “Forgive me, for my earlier outburst, I am afraid I have never met someone quite like yourself.” You spoke. She chuckled at you and you looked up. “You’re forgiven.” She smirked. “You’re not the only one who’s been tempted.” It was meant to be a tease, but there was a touch too much truth in her voice for that.

You were about to say something when you heard buzzing, just before your name was called out. “Carmilla!” Daniella yelled and you sighed, a smile gracing your lips. “Yes, dear Daniella?” You called back, considering she was not yet in the room. “I made a mistake.” She said, bursting in, and you raised your eyebrows. “Yes?” She looked to her feet, you could hear her buzz nervously. “I’m afraid they’re a little too, um, pungent, to eat, quite yet.” She admitted. “And how would I help with, oh.” You realized what she was asking and laughed. “They’re dirty?” You asked. She nodded. “You’re aware that my sense of smell is only slightly less sharp than yours?” You chuckled, they were flies, after all, they smelled a different way then you did. She glanced about and you brought a hand to your temple. “What?” You asked her, bluntly. “I wanted to make a man-sickle.” She said. You closed your eyes briefly, your lips twisting into a smile. “And you’re asking me for advice?” She nodded. You chuckled. “Strip them and leave them outside, oh, ahhhhh.” You chuckled, realizing they couldn’t go outside. You shook your head, walking to the girl. “I would suggest leaving them out for the rest of the day and the night, however I shall put them out and when you want one you inform me, clear?” You asked her. She nodded excitedly. You walked through the castle and stepped outside, half burying the men in the snow. It was easy to do, and you could tolerate the cold fairly well. What you did not like was touching them any more then possible. You grunted as one of their arms brushed up against your chest. Even in death men disgusted you. You finished up and came back inside, finding the girls and their mother once again around the fire. You raised a brow when you walked in, crossing your arms in front of your chest. The girls went wide eyed, you had to be smothered in their scent. “I hope your happy girls,” you grumbled teasingly. Alcina raised a brow and the three daughters looked concerned. “I smell.” You groaned, and they burst into laughter. Even Alcina cracked a smile at that. “Yes, yes, it’s all fun and games until you realize I’ve ruined a perfectly good shirt.” You mumbled, the laughter continued as you yourself chuckled. You walked closer to the fire, an idea striking you. “I’m never going to get the smell out of this.” You sighed. You reached for the hem of your tunic, crossing your arms in front of you, you stripped the offending garment, pulling it over your head and tossing it into the fire. You hummed as you rolled your neck, happy to have the garment off of your body. You were left in only your corset and pants, the one you had chosen this morning had been strapless, as the dress was low cut, leaving your entire neck and shoulders bare, as well as a decent amount of your cleavage. You turned, the girls were staring at you wide eyed. You quirked a brow. “Oh, do forgive me. I may have been raised a lady however I’d rather be seen in a corset than deal with that stench.” You grimaced. The three shrugged, but Cassandra chuckled. You looked at her. “Have you never seen shoulders before dear, or is something wrong?” You asked, half joking. She shook her head, her smile only growing wider before becoming a satisfied smirk as she nodded to her mother. You turned around to see the lady’s gaze locked on you once again. Her eyes were hungry, starving. The look sent something though you, your memory became hazy, you had seen this woman look at you that way, desperate, needy, the last time she had looked at you like that your head was buried between her legs, and you nearly bit her. You turned away immediately. “Ne moreš me tako gledati.” You breathed, the wind leaving your lungs. Your own heart thundered in your ears. “What language was that?” Daniella whispered. You swallowed. “I need a walk.” You growled. “But what did you say?” She called as you walked off. You turned around, hunger nearly blinding you. Your heels stomped into the ground, you could break the perfect marble of the floors if you allowed any more power to seep out of you.

You stalked to the doors of the castle, opening them, you loved the rush of cold on your skin. You sat on the step, allowing the cold to sooth the fire in you. You groaned as the snow fell around you, the sensation of crystals of ice hitting you brought you back, back to the present, back to where you were. You were grateful for the cloud cover, it made sitting outside bearable. You heard her before anything, the thunder of her heartbeat, the click of her heels, the opening of the door, the sharper, clearer click on the outside stone. “Croatian?” She asked, and you smiled. “Close.” She tried again, you heard her swallow as you felt her eyes on her bare skin. “Hungarian?” You chuckled. “Ooh, colder, Slada Kri.” You smiled. Her breath hitched. She hummed. “Slada, I know that word, my nurse, as a child, she made tarts, she called them sladas.” You chuckled. “So you had a Slova for a nurse maid?” She startled. “Slovenian, really?” She asked, you nodded. “What did you say to me?” She asked, you sighed, hanging your head. “You cannot look at me like that.” You whispered. She let loose a slight growl, and you chuckled. “And what if I want to?” She managed, and you stood, turning to face her. You tilted your chin up, meeting her eyes. Her eyes that bored into you, once again hungry, once again desperate. “Then I cannot help you.” You sighed. “What has changed?” She asked you, looking out to the snow. You smiled, following her eyes. “Why do you ask me questions like these?” You answered, she wasn’t happy with it. “Why don’t you answer it?” She retorted, and you gave her a chuckle. “So impatient,” you sighed, turning to head back inside. “You will learn.” You smiled, sparing her another glance. A large hand closed around your wrist, causing you to stiffen, you turned back towards her. “You think me childish?” She asked you, frustration seeping out of her, you basked in it, closing your eyes and inhaling the scent of her emotion. When you opened them again, your pupils were dilated, staring at her. “I think you’re hungry.” You replied. She swallowed at that. You slipped your hand easily from her grasp. “Will you excuse me long enough for a shower?” You asked her. She cleared her throat and nodded. You thanked her, giving her a slight bow. The way her eyes dug into your chest was not lost on you. You walked back to your room, stripping to shower quickly, the sooner you could rid yourself of the stench of man the happier you would be. You sighed as the hot water hit your skin, you were tired, restraining yourself from practically pouncing on the lady seemed to have taken it out of you. You hummed as you showered, an old song you had learned centuries ago. When you were finished you changed once more, this time into a red blouse and a moderately full black skirt, securing an underbust corset on top of the shirt this time, once again emphasizing your ridiculous frame. The shirt fell of your shoulders, but did not reveal much of your breasts this time, the full, billowing sleeves also provided a bit of coverage, not that you minded. You fixed a string of pearls around your neck, taking your tie from earlier and tucking it into your corset. You fixed a pair of heeled boots on your feet before walking downstairs. It had to be well after lunch now, although you wondered how much the family ate, if they are at all. The morning’s excitement meant that food hadn’t been served. You found them once again sitting in the parlor, the girls were strewn about the room while the matriarch of the family reclined once again upon a large fainting couch, a book in her hands. The sound of your heart drew her attention. Her eyes flashed for a moment before she calmed, it was nothing as scandalous as she had seen earlier throughout the day. She still sucked her bottom lip between her teeth, bringing her hand up to frame her face, a few fingers below her chin while her pointer finger extended towards her temple. Your own eyes widened slightly, how gorgeous she was.

You walked quietly into the room, sitting on a chair across from her, by the fire. The girls quickly noticed your presence, Cassandra daring to speak first while her mother continued to stare at you. “You said you could fight, but I didn’t think you had it in you.” You hummed in response, crossing your legs and leaning back slightly, “It must be learned, in this life.” You murmured, seemingly placating her. Bella spoke after you, her mind working. “How old are you?” She asked, and you chuckled. Alcina shot her daughter a glare? But you were sure curiosity plagued her as well. “Shall I let you guess?” You asked, they nodded. Daniella piped up. “We know you’re at least three hundred, as you saw mother before.” She said, and you hummed in agreement. “Four hundred?” She asked, and you shook your head no. “Five hundred?” Cassandra asked, eyes growing wide, you shook your head again. “Six hundred?” Bella asked, seemingly shocked by the idea. You chuckled once again shaking your head. “But that means you’re ancient!” Daniella blurred out. You laughed when her mother reprimanded her. You looked to the girls “Do you study much history?” You asked, and they nodded. “Do you have a favorite time?” You asked, and they hesitated, Bella speaking up. “I liked learning about the Romans.” She said, and you nodded, smiling fondly. You closed your eyes, pulling a memory from times long gone. The first thing to come to your mind was paper, scrolls and books lining the walls in a grand building. You smiled fondly. “The library, the library was my favorite.” You reminisced, opening your eyes to find three very confused girls and a highly intrigued Alcina. “Nothing compared to it, not in all my years have I seen something as impressive as the Library at Alexandria.” You smiled sadly. The whole room went silent. “You were there?” Daniella whispered, and you nodded. “But that would make you, you’d have to be…” she went silent. You smiled lightly. “I am a bit under two millennium.” You nodded. They were all staring at you in amazement now. “If it helps I was born after the events of the Christian bible.” You chuckled. The girls nodded, Alcina just stared at you in amazement. “The things you have seen.” She whispered, and you nodded. “How old were you?” She asked, and you raised a brow, she blushed at herself, only then realizing what she asked. “Twenty four, I believe.” You nodded. “You spoke Slovenian before.” She murmured, you nodded. “The language I grew up with is long dead, but the people of that area speak Slovenian now. I went back, after many of my travels, to visit, to see how much had changed.” Your eyes glazed over, remembering things long gone. Bella asked you a question next. “Can you speak French?” She asked, and you nodded. “What about German?” Cassandra added. You nodded again with a smile. “How many do you speak?” Daniella asked. You thought for a moment. “Slovenian, Greek, Latin, French, German, Italian, Spanish, Hungarian, Basque, Gaelic, and Arabic.” You listed. When you looked at the girls they looked like their eyes may pop from their skulls. “Well I have had plenty of time to learn.” You chuckled. Alcina was staring at you. You smiled. “Pot vorbi și română, doamna mea.” Her eyes widened. “You speak Romanian?” She asked you, bewildered. You nodded. “Most of the court does, actually. Romanian, Latin and the Romance languages are the most common.” You nodded. Her eyes softened for a moment, truly awe struck. The girls buzzed. “Mother,” Cassandra started. “I think one of our toys just woke up.” She smiled wickedly. Their mother nodded, waving them off. You followed their sound for a moment, they went to the dungeons, where there was indeed the sound of something stirring. You listened for a moment, allowing the lady to watch you. “You must be hungry.” She hummed, you nodded. “Slightly.” She smiled. “Do you drink from humans or animals?” She asked you, you smiled. “I drink from many different things.” You said softly, a dark thought stirred you, a mask slipped its way unto your face. “I will not touch children.” You said firmly.

The lady took you to the kitchens, producing a carafe from one of the many ice boxes. “A woman’s.” She supplied, and you nodded. “Thank you.” You took the carafe, scenting it before drinking. You drank fully, happy to relieve yourself of the constant thirst. You fangs appeared while you drank, you knew they would, but you didn’t bother to say anything. If the lady startled at them then there was not much you could do. You finished the carafe, setting it down. “Thank you, good lady.” You looked at her, keeping your lips sealed tightly when you were speaking. She still startled slightly. “So they do change color.” She whispered. You quirked a brow as she took your face in her hand. In any other case you would be horrified by someone touching you, but her, you let her, and gods help you, you liked it. You hummed in question, her eyes never leaving yours. “Your eyes.” She whispered. You hummed a laugh as she leaned down to examine them. “They’re garnet, normally, but they can turn black if I’m hungry, hunting, feeding, any powerful emotion will change them, really.” You explained. Her lips parted again in shock as her gaze switched to your mouth. You chuckled again. “The fangs?” You asked, quirking a brow. She nodded, transfixed. “They slide in and out of place, again, strong emotions normally trigger it, although I have better control over them then my eyes.” You added. She nodded once more. “I’ve never seen another like myself.” She whispered. You could have sworn it was sadness in her voice. You swallowed, nervous, for once in your many years. “There are many.” You tentatively placed your hand on top of hers, resting on your face. “And many different from you as well.” You added. She closed her eyes for a moment. “The girls and I, I thought, we’ve been alone for so long.” She muttered. You nodded, as best you could with her hand still on you. “I do not know what you come from, how you are as you are.” You began. “I know you are not part of my creed, but you are not unlike us. We would accept you, if you wished it.” You offered. She swallowed, her eyes becoming distant. She pulled away from you, you felt yourself lean into her at the loss, something she seemed not to miss either. “I’m afraid I don’t believe I can.” She said, her voice heavy. You were confused, but did not push her, if she did not wish to tell you, you would not ask. You nodded. “Well, I will still tell you of everything you wish to know of us, and what others there are, if you would like.” You said, pulling back as well. She looked at you surprised before raising a brow. “And what do you want for it?” She asked, how distrusting she was, you supposed she had to be throughout her existence. “Nothing, Alcina, nothing.” You breathed. Her name came to you so naturally. Her eyes widened at you words. You smiled gently, laughing internally. “I would appreciate you allowing me to stay while I regale you with my knowledge, but I’m happy to move my things back to the inn if you like.” She scoffed at your words. “Don’t be foolish.” You feigned offense. “Never, dear lady, never.” You nodded, a mock serious expression on your face. She herself chuckled at that, causing your own face to bloom into a smile, how lovely her laugh was. She hesitated for a moment, doubt marring her face “So you will stay?” She asked, and you smiled. “As long as you wish me to.” Her eyes flashed, and you inhaled sharply, realizing what you said. “I would be happy to stay, Alcina, happy to.”