Dreams of What Once Was ((open))

[Vlad]

He noted the small smile and it served as conformation, this girl knew the truth of the bumps in the night, of this he was certain. What remained was whether he would lead the conversation to that truth. No, for now at least they would remain simple acquaintances thrust together by a common love of the arts. Friendship was frivolously given, trust was harder won.

Her definition of demon was well put. For what but evil hindered a normal life? But then, he had never been normal so who was he to give counsel? Once a count and now a vampire, the luxuries of common place society had forever eluded him. "Delicately put."

The choice of play was a good one, thoughtful and unique in it's reasons. He did wonder if the girl's own power influenced her choice, a bit of magic she had said. Yes, that felt right, she was a witch rather than a seer, or a raiser of the dead. Nor did her power have a feel exact to Morgan's, though it was relatively close. Yes, witch was certainly correct.

A quote came to his mind from that particular play, was it not Puck who proclaimed 'Lord, what fools these mortals be!' ? He found himself laughing in spite of himself at the irony there, that this should be the witch's favorite play while she sat across from the vampire. He stopped the laughter as soon as he realized it was trailing from his lips. "My apologies, an odd thought struck me. My laughter was not directed towards you. I am rather fond of the play myself. One line in particular,"

Or in the night, imagining some fear,
How easy is a bush supposed a bear!

"So true even today is that phrase which was written so long ago." Mortals were jumpy creatures by nature, but always jumping at bushes rather than bears. Shakespeare had been a master of concealing depthful thoughts with beautiful language.

His face went serious once more as she proclaimed his compliment must have been a joke. "I jest not, dear swan. There is more to grace and beauty than the physical notions held by society. My compliment was in reference to how you seem the embodiment of past and present. What would be an awkward quality in another, shines beautifully within you. That is of course not to imply that your physical attributes are not beautiful, to say so would be the boldest of lies."

[Esme M. Lolland]

It seemed to her that Vlad had decided to drop the conversation of demons, but Esme was still quite curious as to what he knew about this world. She knew that there was probably a great much more than the few bits and pieces she had gotten here and there, and that Vlad most likely knew each part of it as if he had started it. She wanted to know more about this world that she had been thrust into, but she knew that it would not be a good idea to bring it up in a room full of normal humans, no matter how little they most likely would end up hearing.

Esme had to admit to herself that although she was found of Midsummer's Night Dream, it wasn't her favorite Shakespeare, by far. She has been much more fond of his other romantic comedies, this one just happened to be the one with her favorite character, Puck, and the one that might hint to Vlad more than any other she could think of.

"Any Shakespeare play is a classic in and of itself, but this one will be timeless. The comedy in it can be appreciated by even the most dimwitted."

Esme felt her cheeks turn a slight shade of pink as Vlad defended his compliment. "Well, if you must defend your statement so adamently I must thank you for it. You are too kind."

[Vlad]

He nodded, once when Esme proclaimed the comedy in Shakespeare was the type to be appreciated by all and again when she thanked him for his compliment. "Just kind enough, I should think."

Curiosity pressed at his control. Each sentence that fell from this girl's delicate lips seemed designed to tempt him into telling all he knew. Each look a searching gaze and each breath almost seeming disappointed when he refused to answer. The lull in conversation that followed was to much for his will to withstand, having grown accustomed to possessing all the answers for centuries. His own pride would not allow this elaborately dressed mystery to walk out from the club and into the biting chill of the night. If she later became trouble for him, it was nothing he could not deal with. He had sworn off taking human life but he would break that vow to protect The Council's cause.

Clearing his face of emotion, he cleared his throat to capture her attention once more. "I grow weary of our setting, dear swan. The time has come for me to take my leave. If you can pry free of your companions, I should like for you to join me." He stood as if a puppet pulled by invisible strings and rounded the table to stand before Esme. Bending low at the waist, he placed his mouth to her ear, for all the world appearing lovers sharing one last goodbye. "The truth is a double edged sword, little witch." He whispered, just loud enough for her human hearing to detect.

Upright once more, the man in the top hat and tailed jacket worked his way through the crowd to the exit. He would wait for her there for she would follow, of that he held no doubts.

[Esme M. Lolland]

Esme was all too sure that the silence that followed their conversation was much more than a mere lull in conversation. If Vlad truly were as well-adapted to picking up hints as Esme had thought, Vlad was currently attempting to figure a way to convince her to answer his questions, the ones she wanted him to answer for her.

She was becoming accustomed to the silence, it encompassed her fully and she couldn't deny the sense of security she felt with it. She had begun to finally take a look around at her surroundings and it occurred to her how at odds Vlad was with the room filled with bumping people. It was as if he were from a completely different century entirely, and perhaps he was.

Vlad announced that he wanted Esme to go with him and Esme resisted the urge to leave with him. If he were truly just another human who stumbled into a conversation he didn't know was really happening, he would really be attempting to lure Esme to his home to have his way with her.

She had entirely fended off any notion of leaving with this man until he whispered in her ear. His voice, lowered to a point that he could barely be heard, and the feel of his breath made the hairs on the back of Esme's neck stand on end. But it was the words that he spoke that made her heart leap from it's socket, made her breath catch. He had pinned her for exactly what she was and it frightened her thoroughly.

She knew that the better choice was to not follow the man, but in a way she felt as if she needed to know what he had to tell her. Was he going to do something to her that she would regret or would this be the best choice she made in a while? She couldn't tell, but it was a chance she had to take.

She watched his back weave through the crowds, knowing that she was to follow him, that was what he expected, but her better judgment told her not to. Disregarding any fears she had she rose from her seat and weaved through the crowds as well, in search of her companions. Upon seeing them she let them know, with feigned exhaustion, that she was going to go home and not to worry because a guy she had met was going to escort her back home. She'd call them the following morning, and if she didn't they could call the police. She knew that they most likely thought that she was joking with that warning, but she was all too serious.

After alerting her companions of her departure she headed toward the door, where she expected to find Vlad. And of course, there he was looking almost unreal in the doorway.

She walked up to him and latched her arm through his, and said loudly enough for any onlooker to hear, "I'm sorry I kept you waiting, let's go." And then under her breath she whispered, barely loud enough for any human to hear, but from what she suspected he was not a normal human, if human at all. "Who, or what, are you?"

[Vlad]

He laced his arm through hers and laughed at her nearly silent question, tilting his head back as the sound escaped his lips. "Ah, no, no, no. That is not the proper way to start. Let us say for now that I am the bush often supposed a bear." He managed, grinning wide thankful not for the first time that his fangs were retractable. He placed his hand over the top of her's as is looped through the opposite arm.

He led them onto the street in silence, though this time expectant rather than awkward. It was nearly empty now, these often packed sidewalks. Most of the residents tucked safely away into their beds, oblivious to the things that waited in the darkness. That was the way it would remain.

They continued on until he could sense nothing but the rats and insects scurrying about. Here he stopped and turned her to face him. "Here should suffice." He leaned casually against the wall of a nearby building. "We begin, my dear, with you. What knowledge have you of the bumps in the night, of those things which none believe in and all fear? What do you know of the , I believe the word is, supernatural? How fitting a term, that."

Fear rolled of the girl in waves, delectable though they held no substance. Did she suspect him of unnameable intentions? Such a human fear, so normal it was almost endearing. If she had known what he truly was, her fears truly would have been more fantastic.

[Esme M. Lolland]

Esme could feel her heartbeat double as he led her into a deserted area. Although his grip on her steadied her from loosing her footing altogether or even passing out, it was a bit less than comforting. She was fairly sure that the place that he led her was a place that if, need be, no one would hear her screams. She knew that if she didn't answer accordingly she would be killed. But what would 'accordingly' be in the book of this man, who only moments before seemed to be just like almost any other person she had ever met before.

Esme attempted to even her breathing, to hide her fear but she knew that any attempt would prove to be futile. She let her eyes flutter shut as she attempted to recall her many lessons. There was so much she knew, but so much more she still had left to find out.

"Not much," she began, answering Vlad's question. "I know that this world of the supernatural exists. All of the types of creatures that we humans are taught don't exist at a young age actually do exist, like demons, angels and witches. And I know that there is a lot of debate on whether to keep this world under wraps or not. There are a few groups that have been created to protect this world, and even the Vatican is involved in someway. But, truthfully, I haven't stuck with one mentor long enough to learn more about this world. In a way, I've been making more of an attempt to determine my role in this world before I figured out what this world truly was. And perhaps, that wasn't quite the best idea, but it's what I've been doing. I promise you, I am not aware of any more than what I have just told. Now, will you answer my question? What are you, truly?"

[Vlad]

She knew little, it was true but more than anyone was meant to. Perhaps, her being a witch would excuse this knowledge. Knowing even this much required his attention. The girl must know that the existence of things such as them was to remain hidden from the public eye.

He chuckled again as she asked again what he was. "Persistent, if nothing else. Very well, I shall tell my tale in the interest of satisfying your curiosity enough to allow our conversation to move forth. But know, young swan that none is to be repeated."

Brown eyes turned to the sky as the body was pushed from the wall to stand again on it's own feet. "What am I? In a word, history, centuries of it held in one flesh. A drinker of blood, a stalker of the night. A stealer of virtue and an ender of lives. The despised creature which crawls from coffins and into the nightmares of the youthful. The fabled corpse which is not yet dead, that literature would have you believe has no more purpose than to prey upon lovely women such as yourself."

He paced as he spoke, uneasy and sickened. "I am Nosferatu and The Blood Count. I am Dracula." The truth hung in the air like the ringing after a shot. He did not wait for her to speak, but continued after only a short pause, allowing only a short time for the girl to process and choose to believe or deny what he had said.

"Nearly six centuries, now." Again he trailed off, a wistful note to his words. "Do you envy them? Those blissfully ignorant of any existence other than their own?" A shake of the head and a gesture of the hand towards the windows around them. "So safe in their certainty that things such as me do not exist. Do you ever think of what would result if they discovered otherwise? Panic, fear.....yes untold amounts of fear. Society would crumble."

Another paused here, the vampire seeming lost within his own mind, a bitter smile painting the angelic face in a dimmer light. "Together we have begun to spin a tale this night, little witch. The ending, is yours to choose. Will this be a joyous tale, or one of tragedy? Other...beings...like you and I exist, this is true. Also correct is the war you mentioned. There are those of us who strive for nothing more than to keep this forbidden knowledge from the world, to avoid the disastrous consequences of such a secret being leaked into the human world. Then, there are those who want nothing more than to see society collapse under the weight of the truth."

The pale figure turned, ever so slightly to face the girl again. "Mentors, knowledge and friends, the likes of which you have never known are but a step beyond your reach. So, I ask again Ms. Esme which ending, which side of this despicable war will you choose? For now you are a part of it, the double edged blade I mentioned within the confines of the club."

[Esme M. Lolland]

Esme's heartbeat quickened, she knew that there was no way to change her fate. Vlad was merely answering her questions in an attempt to lengthen his time with her, in an attempt to figure out what to do with her. He knew that the truth would frighten her, just as it had, but he told her to keep her in his presence. When he uttered thee words that pegged him as a vampire Esme was overcome by a fear that she couldn't understand. She knew that the supernatural existed, so why was it that she was afraid of him so much. Why was it that she felt like running?

But she knew all to well that if she got enough courage to run he would come after her. It was only a matter of time before he found her and killed her, running was the sign of a coward. Plus, he knew her name, he knew what she looked like and she knew she was at college in London. It was only a matter of time before he could find her if she were able to escape that night.

He had asked her if she envied the people who were unaware of what happened at night after they closed their blinds, and in a way she was. She nodded slightly, knowing that the fact that her heart was racing and her quick breath had already given away her fear.

Which side? He had asked her which side she would choose and she knew exactly which. "I know that I fear this world as much as the next human, and only because I don't understand it. And if i were a normal human I would most likely wish to know what goes on at night. But those who fear it most will retaliate, and destroy this world and their own. They would throw off the balance that has been worked for for so many centuries. So, I suppose it can be said that I am in favour of keeping this world a secret from the eyes of humans. Only because what they do not know, they will not fear. And if that is the case, both worlds can exist much longer in the seemingly peaceful harmony the experience now."

[Vlad]

Thud, thud went her heart, faster and faster the frightened beats reached his ears. It was appealing, this nearly solid fear but he was not slave to his urges. He would put her at ease, not to have her fear him and turn later to a comforting enemy. Silent, careful steps placed the vampire against the front of the witch. He rested his lips against her neck and whispered along her skin. "Still your fears Ms. Esme, I mean you no harm nor do I hold dishonorable intentions. Vampire I am, but I am not the creature the word likely brings to your mind, not any longer." Centuries he had spent bathing in blood, basking in the savagery of his revenge but that portion of his existence was long since past.

He again put distance between their two bodies, not wanting to press the girl's courage to far. A swift nod of the head at the girl choosing correctly. The intelligence he had seen from this night's beginning still at work, reasoning that secrecy was indeed for the greater good. "Again you prove to be wise beyond your physical years, beautiful swan. I hope to ease that fear of our world, at least in part, in the time we are acquainted."

A slow pacing here, a few languid steps seeming in thought. He wondered if Morgan might consent to mentor the girl for a time, he would wager much she would. "If you are not busy soon from now, I should like to meet again. During the day perhaps. I believe I might have a mentor for you in mind, if you are interested."

[Esme M. Lolland]

Vlad paced towards her and placed his lips upon her neck. Her body froze, she stood stark still as his lops brushed her neck. He told her that he wasn't a vampire any longer, at least in the most accepted form of the word. But even though he had told her thusly, she still was a product of her fear. She had been taught for years through stories that a vamppire is not to be trusted, that they would kill for blood. Granted at that time she didn't believe those stories, but there was no reason she shouldn't stop believing those stories just because she knew that the supernatural exists.

He stepped away and Esme's breathing settled. She watched as he paced back and forth fluidly, he walked as if on water, as if he weren't bound by gravity. And only then did Esme notice the beauty and grace his years had given him. He had offered to find her a mentor, and no matter how much she feared him, there was still a piece of her that wanted to see this man. She wanted to know more about him, about this world, and it seemed that he would be the only one who could satiate her thirst for knowledge.

"I have free time tomorrow afternoon, unless that's too soon," Esme said. Truthfully, she wasn't free just yet, but she would be. She needed to learn more and quick, she knew she couldn't remain of slave of her own fear.