Waking up from a cold night, Alana is met with a calm morning. Already, she could smell the food being prepared by her servants downstairs. Standing up from her bed wearing a near transparent night dress. She wears her slippers and checks her face and hair on a large mirror in her white and marble room with a Queen sized bed.
“Hm. Not bad.”
She exits out of her room and is met with Elizabeth nearly sideswiping her as she walks down the hallway already carrying a wine glass.
“You're strangely early today, Your Majesty. Got into a good mood?”
“A Royal must be more early than their subjects. Also, Our Lord is snoring like a cow. I can’t sleep when my room is adjacent to his and he’d constantly make such annoying noises early in the morning. You need to soundproof our doors.”
“Just let him be. At Least you're waking up like a Noble now. Early before the subjects correct?”
“Is that shade you're throwing at me Countess? Let me remind you that I did in fact woke up early when I was the active Queen. But now without any responsibilities, I am able to sleep the way I want to.”
“Uhm, but we have a lot to do today, Your Majesty.”
“Of course. No need to tell me, all can be done in due time.”
“Eheheh… but that’s not exactly…”
“Also, you have a cowlick. Now, to the Piano in your garden.”
She reaches on top of her hair and slides down and feels multiple cowlicks. She looks in front again just for the Queen to already be gone like a passing ghost. The woman then walks to the right wing of her Manor and opens the door to the Bathroom. Meeting Bahamut who is using a toothbrush with toothpaste with her four sharp dragon teeth out and cleaning it to the tee.
Her pretty pale face is up to the mirror as she constantly checks if all her human and four dragon teeth are properly cleaned and without any bacterial remains.
“What?”
“You know how to use those?”
“Yes, Master brushes my teeth every morning and night, remember? I could easily replicate how he does it in this body.”
“I know but where did you get those?”
“Oh, he had some extra ones which I took freely.”
“Bahamut, you must always ask permission first. You might be close, but our Lord is very specific with these things and he will be up and flames if he checks his personal effects and finds a missing brush.”
“It’s called toothbrush bloodsucker. Don’t you use these things?”
“No, we use cloth and mix in herbs.”
“Ah, so that’s why your scents are so interesting. Well, here.”
Bahamut in her petite and well endowed naked body offers her toothbrush to the Countess with a smile.
“Try it.”
“Wash it first will you?”
She takes the toothbrush and washes it first. The Dragon God then puts some toothpaste into the brush and then proceeds to show Alana how to use it which the Vampire just shrugs off at.
“Oh, this is very good. Hm, I could see getting used to this immediately.”
“Good ehy? It's actually the Chosen Ones who invented those things and it became a big thing in Tur. There are special ones made too for ones with fangs and maybe if we end up in another city, I’d make Master buy me one.”
“I can definitely see this being far more favorable. Herbs sometimes get stuck in the cloth, so it's very hard to perfect. But with this and this paste, I could see it. Hm, I’ll also ask our Lord to buy me one. Maybe another for Her Majesty.”
“Elizabeth already has one. She took the set that was supposed to be in her hotel room.”
“Eh? Is that allowed? Aren’t those supposed to be for the room?”
“Hmmmm… I don’t know but she seemed pretty competent about keeping it to herself. She stores it in her drawer.”
“Haaaaa… well. Good Morning Bahamut.”
“Good Morning to you too, now to Master.”
“Even still, you're his alarm. How wonderful.”
“Master is the type to sleep till afternoon, like the Queen. Someone’s gotta do it, hey if you wake up earlier than me, you should do it.”
“Hm, sure.”
Alana then stops brushing her teeth, remembering that Bahamut was fully naked and wearing nothing. Spitting out the toothpaste in her mouth, she rushes off to the hallway with foam on her mouth to stop the Dragon from revealing it all to the world again.
Quietly eating breakfast. Paul couldn’t help but look to his left. With Bahamut asking for a fourth plate already while he is just barely finishing the appetizer. Meanwhile, Alana is on the Matriarch's chair, waiting for her Wine with Elizabeth.
“Bahamut, how much meat have you already eaten? It’s still early in the morning.”
“A lot Master.”
“Geez, just calm down a bit. This isn’t our house and we’re only guests here.”
“Oh M’Lord, please eat as much as you pleased. I already told you to use my Manor and land as you see fit. As you told me, I’ll tell you now. What I own is yours.”
“I possibly couldn’t, like your generosity is way too much even for me. I’ve never been barraged with this much luxury and openness in one go. It's pretty humbling to see all of this charity and I’m not one to accept it without payment.”
“Heheheheh… stop making me blush already.”
Soon, her and the Queen's wine was given.
“Also, are you sure you should be wearing that Crown around?”
“Hm? I only managed to make it materialize recently. I’d like to wear it around again My Lord. It's all thanks to your blood, oh would you want me to wear my red gown instead of this frilly purple one?”
“But remember, we’re still under a classified-ish level with your existence. Can’t make the public know you're all back up and alive, add to that the photos of your sarcophagus littered somewhere, but I hope the specialized magic they created that would destroy it is effective.”
“Even then, what threat could I possibly pose? I am just enjoying lost time and rekindling lost feelings. The past is such a bothersome thing, I wonder if I can remove it by using magic.”
“Uhm Elizabeth, your crazy Queen side is showing again.”
“Oh! Goodness me! I apologize. Teehee.”
“I wonder… if you can come up with all these crazy things, what else would you have done? You saying that makes me think that you’ve done something before that messed with everyone other than an attempt at world domination.”
“Hmmmmm… I kinda did My Lord. I used some very ancient vampire magic and casted a certain type of mind control into the people of Schon. Making them hate the Sword Cross of the Holy See. If it weren’t for that, I don’t think I would’ve been able to delay the Hero Saint.”
“No wonder there were no crosses of any sort when I was traveling around here with Bahamut. They hated the Holy See to a strange level, so they're like this because of you.”
“You are one smart vampire, Elizabeth. We Dragons should watch out for your type.”
“Wow, even Bahamut has complimented your scheme. That’s an achievement, I’ve never heard Bahamut even comment on your world domination but this made her speak.”
“Thank you, or should I say Oops?”
Alana on the other hand is swirling her glass as usual before drinking it as Bahamut starts devouring another steak as soon as it arrives, with the Queen being annoyed by her loud and incessant munching, making her go on a blaze. Lecturing the Dragon on a fit of rage.
“Why do you do that? I’ve always seen people do that in business parties and I never understood it.”
Meanwhile in the background, the Queen is lecturing Bahamut on how to properly eat like a lady. The Queen herself demonstrates to the Dragon lady how to properly position your arms and legs and even the posture of her back. Going on a tangent on how to cut her steak into little pieces first before eating.
“To simply make the Wine take in oxygen. I’d then smell it.” She moves the wine glass to her sharp and beautifully carved nose. “If it has a more colorful aroma, then I know that the wine has been properly mixed and now the taste test.” She takes a sip while next to Paul, the Queen is grabbing Bahamut by the arms and teaching her how to eat more properly while the Dragon Lady tries to just munch on the piece of steak without care. “Bit sweet… but I could also taste secondary flavors.”
“Wow, so that’s what all that jazz means. I always thought it was all for show.”
“But why did you make a business anyways? I never saw you as the type to do something as bothersome as that M’Lord. Even when talking about your military history, you seem to be bored of it.”
“Not that I am bored, more so… not really interested as I did things I’m not really proud of, though believe me. I am happy I served and did my part, but I couldn’t give a fuck less with what the Government has told and ordered me. I just did what I did as a countryman. The business thing, well it was already up prior to me being called.”
“Oh, so you were already a businessman before being called to service?”
“Yup, it was a little company. We had these beautiful buses that we loved and took care of, and I always mingled with my drivers, heck I drove buses myself when my employees would call in sick. It just… kinda grew out of my control after I served, my friends were still there but everything changed.”
“Was it still the company you longed for?”
“It’s actually the dream that I was shooting for, but… I wasn’t truly there you know? Whenever I have time to go home, I’d ignore my responsibilities and go to my Mother and Father. My brother too, I’d only visit for an hour or two and then ride the bus back to the base and to the frontlines. So I wasn’t really there when it blew up into something that spread far into the Eastern side of Earth.”
“Ehhhhhhh, it seems that your company has started doing things you do not approve of. Seeing how much your eyes linger.”
“It has… it has. I was caught in a limbo of sorts, I resigned myself to just going into Full Dive VR in my breaks than actually going out to the lower levels and fixing the corruption and nepotism. Argh… I regret it so much.”
“You'll be busy aren’t you? When you return to this foreign planet called Earth.”
“Hmm… yeah, I’ll be very busy. Heck, I’ll go even further and go to the gym, I want a body like this. Not given but achieved, I want to look like this and repair the things I didn’t want to look at, the military had really done things to me. This… habit of looking away, I’ve done it so many times. From the war crimes to the mistakes that took the lives of innocents, to think I’d do it in the civilian sector too.”
“Mhm. Are you prepared M’Lord? We’re about to visit the Theater and watch one of our most famed plays. Just be yourself and take Her Majesty’s advice on how to look and perform.”
“Of course, though I’d like to go around the city first, take it all in. But seeing I don’t read Romanz since my translation skill isn’t picking up words from this foreign world. I’ll feel like a tourist by all means.”
“We can do that after, I do know a lot of landmarks and oh!” she claps her hands with a big smile. “Me and Bahamut actually worked on a project that opened the first Dragon Mail in the entire country, now, information could be sent between this landlocked Kingdom twenty times faster than before! And Minuit's has gotten itself a subsidiary that’s very profitable!”
“Really? Was this when I was asleep?”
“Yes M’Lord! Bahamut really wanted to save the declining Dragon population. I’ve never seen her with so much emotion when she was in Dragon form.”
“Ah, I see. Good to know she’s mingling with her kind. I couldn’t give her that privilege due to the nature of my adventures and Dragons naturally don’t have the same emotions as Humans. They don’t feel lust like we Humans do or Love. Such a different species but I find solace in her and I guess she does too in me.”
“The little ones seem to be very attracted to her. Magnetized even.”
The entire time the two were conversing, Bahamut and Elizabeth were having a bit of a catfight right next to him. “Look you lizard woman! You’re about to go to an important location with important people that serve food and drinks! Learn your manners!”
”Tsk! Thou already told thee that I shalt be’ith respecting dost culture! Vampires smell good so I have no reason to act in an indifferent way!”
“Enough! Just try to learn a little bit with how it's done! I’m already going out of my way to each thee!”
“I am a Dragon! Human or Vampiric matters mean little to me!”
“No! Sit down properly before you embarrass the Countess and our Lord! Put on makeup, look your best and be even more dashingly beautiful, prove to the others the Humans they look so down upon could achieve much more than they could.”
To the Queen’s surprise, Bahamut seemingly backed down and accepted the recommendation. As if somewhere, her mind changed and became open to the idea of acting as human for a bit. “Could this be the Dragon finally spreading her wings? Oh how entertaining! I wonder what drives you Goddess. Could you be trying to change?”
Alana and Paul just smile at each other as they finish up eating. They immediately left the dining room and to the entrance where even there, they could hear the two’s rattle and arguing. After walking through some rooms, they sit down in two chairs. With Alana drinking more wine, now in silence.
“Am I really going to wear my Blue Dress uniform again? It's a really really big effort to put it on as it's basically a tuxedo but with medals and badges and shoulder knots. Don’t even get me started with the suspenders.”
“Oh, I’m sure you’ll look dashing in it, M'Lord. If you want, you can wear that Noble attire you bought with my crimson gown which I will proudly be brandishing the night with my jewelry.”
“Argh, I’ll get it all sorted out.”
“Good M’Lord, I eagerly await your presentation.”
“And have you seen my extra toothbrush? It’s a purple one I bought just in case.”
As knocks ring around the main lobby, in the Dining Room. The Queen has finally subdued Bahamut who is trying to eat like a proper lady. Though still in need of improvement, Bahamut with a straight back and arms far from each other is using utensils properly as the blonde woman loomed over her with crossed arms and an overwhelming presence.
“Good, now make sure your lips don’t touch the meat.”
“I now remember why I stick to my Dragon form.”
“Don’t even think about it, lady. Someone as pretty as you will look very good next to our Lord. I’m sure it will give the other Nobles a good, jealous stare at him and elevate the status of the Outworlders. The entire point of this is to show to the House of Lords that even the Outworlders are capable of being proper and respectful thus, opening the door to actual negotiations where both sides will see each other eye to eye.”
“You’re really a politician aren’t you? Maybe a bit too much.”
“Of course. It is but a must, if one wants to survive in the High Council and to be its Queen. Power is not enough, one must also know the wisdom of the people and the people are represented by the House of Lords. So you must look good, and BE GOOD.”
“How many people are we expecting?”
“I do not know, that building is probably so different now.”
All the while, they could hear the clacking of Alana’s shoes going to the main door.
“I’m amazed at how you’ve overcome such a peril. Anyone, regardless if one is a Vampire or not, I would've been confused with the world.”
“But I was indeed afraid. All I knew was that I was awakened by this attractive blonde lady in golden armor who was fighting a man drenched in the most sinister Knight armor I’ve seen.”
“You played it very well. Still, you got very close to ending our Master's life on that train. With one swipe too.”
“Our Lord is not that easy to kill. I wasn’t even planning on keeping myself awake. But it seems that I needed a good stab with a sword to be put back into the world of reality.”
“What do you think? Could we kill that Saint?”
“I don't even think the Saint is the biggest of our worries. I am sure we can, but the other Heroes are far powerful. If she is capable of such feats, just imagine the others and it's better to not dabble in the matters concerning the Gods. They chose her for a reason, it's good to just leave it alone.”
“Hey… it's also a matter for me. I’m a Goddess you know!”
“Heh, I’ve never seen a Goddess that can’t do something as basic as makeup.”
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“Grrrrrr…”
“Stop that will you? It’s very unladylike and don’t you use that excuse that you're a Dragon. You're in human form now and should very well know how humans are when it comes to beauty. Have you seen how the Sword Saint looked? She has a crimson red lipstick and eyeliner, that’s all she puts on and looks at how good she looks when swinging her sword. What more with the others.”
Somewhere in the lobby, they could hear an annoying man with a high pitched voice, as if he was a mezzo in an Opera “Oh beautiful Countess! It is I! Count Pervical, I’ve heard of your return from the mainland, I’ve come to ask for your hand in the year end Bal Masque!” The door slamming follows and more clacking of heels.
“I’ve already met one, and you do have a point. But we can be assured with the others, as they are good people. Unlike the humans from me and my Master’s world. The humans here are more naive and still hold their morals far stronger than the ones in Tur. Prince James has his heart in the right place, I can count on his wisdom that he’ll be doing the right things.”
“But we mustn't get complacent. It isn’t new for a Hero, after the conflict to become the villain.”
“Your words hold truth and wisdom Bloodsucker. I do also feel the same, their future. It is uncertain, moldable and ever shifting. One with Clairvoyance cannot even see what path lies ahead of these Heroes. If needn’t be, the world would shift its course just to aid them in their battles and perils.”
The door once again opens and this time, it's another voice but a bit more mellow and respectful. “Lady Minuit, it is of great respect that you’ve come to open the door yourself. I’ve come to ask you, in my presence, Marquis Don Angelo to have your hand in the year end Bal Masque.'' The door once again slams and now, the clacking of heels is accompanied by sighs.
“And we still have a war to fight, the Outworlders are planning to delay the Demonic Hordes with their modern might. I wonder if they’ll be able to do it.”
“How come the Vampires aren’t as afraid? Is it because you're also part of the damned species of sorts?”
“To a degree, but we aren’t truly called damned or part of the demon species. We’re sort of in between and to this day, I am sure the Humans and Elves are still confused on how to categorize us. Hence why they made a category special for my kind. The Vampires as we are known now. We’re also damned by the majority, so we aren’t really seen as enemies. Being branded as beautiful monsters for thousands of years leaves a mark on even time itself.”
“Interesting, we both have lived through history itself. It's good to meet another woman who understands the plight of time.”
“Of course Bahamut. Though I find it very humorous how you dress more of a Vampire than we do. Your pale white skin coupled with that black gothic funeral gown doesn't help your case. The veil, metallic pillar earrings, and black crown finish it, you should be named the Black Queen.”
“And so? I like the color black and it fits my human skin just fine. With this veil and crown that makes others not see my true power or ogle at my face. Even back then, Dragons from the Kingdom I stayed in would stare at me if I was in human form. My skin is like this because I made this body when I was in the Abyss, and it's a cold and lifeless land, barred from anything aside from lost wandering souls.”
“Well you are a very attractive woman Bahamut. You shouldn’t be holding it, have the world see your beauty. Your voice is also magnificently deep and soft, softer than the Cotton the Wood Elves make. As if, you could sing an Opera as a Contralto.”
“Huh, a Vampire complimenting me. My work must’ve paid off but I’d rather not show my face needlessly. Beauty means love, and love can bring about trouble if not controlled, more so with Dragons in human form. Though the Humans are a perfect example of this, they believe too much in love and not in knowing that love isn’t as divine as they see. Yes, it is good. But just like anything else, one must balance it out and not let themselves get fooled by it.”
“Hmph, I can teach you, you know? I can already see how you can wield your beauty. You have so much wonder with your human body. Only a few women I’ve met are taller than me, and fewer could carry it like you do.”
“I don’t know… though I guess Master would love that since I can always feel his eyes wandering to my butt or breasts. If I could perfect the use of this human body, then I’m sure I’ll be able to make him happier.”
“Good! But first, let’s teach you how to eat properly and use makeup shall we? If you can, why not remove that veil? It's really in the way of eating.”
“I have this veil so that my power would not be measured. It's a defense so that people in the room wouldn’t immediately brand me and my aura as something dangerous or someone potentially too powerful for them to deal with..”
“Ah, so that’s its function. I’ve always found it strange how I could never fully measure your strength unless up close. It’s like my Masquerade Mask, but stronger and more useful.”
“Mhm, and this dark gown that I wear is also enchanted. It gives me the power to transmit my Dragonic powers more easily. Though I can do it without these clothes, it would take a bit more of my attention which I could put into something else… and I like how it looks.”
“My frilly purple gown is just that. I paid good money to have it done to my personal specifications and I oversaw every little thing that came to designing it. You have no idea the pain of wearing it, then sending it back with a note and multiple times, did I take my precious time off just go to the Mountain Dwarves’ underground city to have it adjusted to perfection.”
“Will you be wearing that on the night?”
“Hmmmm… I might, my red velvet silk gown might be too familiar knowing Monkey is in charge, my purple one is more so my general usage when I’m not in makeup and looking as grand as usual. But the same could be said to you.”
“Hah! Of course I’ll be wearing this, that King Harold guy should be wary of me if I’d wear something else, oh and wouldn’t King Harold also be alive when you were still walking these lands?”
“Oh Monkey. Yes, I’m still perplexed that he had it in him to become King. Charles set such a high standard, did it degrade over time? Nonetheless, he is… flexible to say the least, he would do everything to have his power and stay in power, even if it means to dance in front of me so that I may forgive him from his mistakes… in front of the High Council and House of Lords. I’ll try putting on something very special if I can.”
“Good, even with a mask. A mere child would remember that charming body and golden blonde hair of yours.”
“Did you just compliment me? Isn’t that nice. A compliment from a Dragon God. Well, you don’t look so bad yourself. I’d definitely-”
Before she could finish her sentence, Paul barges in the Dining room.
“Master?”
“My Lord?”
“I need help. How do you pronounce these names?!”
The Queen just sighs and drags the General by the collar and to the upstairs room as Alana continually patrols the first floor and the main door, as if to anticipate another bell but all she could hear are the occasional argument between two men outside her Manor entrance.
“Finally! I may now eat without care! You! Give me another plate!”
Bahamut soon finishes her breakfast and stands up to go around the Manor. Walking about with her eyes closed, the woman lets the scents on the air to guide her path. Outside of the Dining room, she encounters Alana who is tapping her shoes on the tiles with her hands up her chin.
“Hm?”
“Oh, it’s you Bahamut.”
“What seems to be your problem?”
“Ah, it's just some old mates from the University. Count Pervical and Marquis Angelo. Those two have been head over heels for me since I became a Countess.”
Bahamut then sniffs the air and her eyes open.
“I remember now, yes we met one of them.”
“Hm, in that Outworlder city. To think words gets around this fast now.”
“We kinda did make a lot of noise. Going around negotiating and making announcements with the Dragon Courier thing.”
“Ah, yes but they're usually not that active in the Capital city. Their families are very bent on catching up to the Minuit’s monthly profit. Tsk, I think they both know another man is getting close to me.”
“Why not just tell them off? Dragon's back then would try to become my Patriarch but none of them had what I was looking for. Others I defeated and ate, while those who survived I let off with curses and wounds.”
“Uhm… no. This is Nobility. I'm specifically talking about Bahamut. I cannot simply tell them to go away. It would hurt relations between me and their families. Lord Angelo’s most of all as they have control over the southern part of the river. An increase in fees for passing our ships to them would be disastrous with our current orders and how many times our ships would have to pass.”
Alana then starts biting into her nails, her eyes widened as if her mind is doing multiple calculations at once.
“Hm, for someone who can easily read people. You seemingly can’t say no to some wasteful mates.”
“Ah, Bahamut-”
“No, Dragon or not. You should know how to say No. If this Angelo man does increase the price of passing, then call him out for being a coward.”
“That’d be very bad and a call for a fight Bahamut. No House has fought each other for thousands of years now, and if there is any conflict. It's usually handed personally through words, no longer with military might.”
“Haaaaaaa…. Such complexities. Why would you vampires tire yourselves with such dribble? We Dragon's fight, and those who win are rightful. Done.”
“I can see now why Master and You are very close. But no, Bahamut. I need to find a proper way to tell them off.”
“Oh!”
“No Bahamut.”
“Why not.”
“Oh Goodness me.”
“Have the Master fight them! You say that would be a call for a fight right? Then why not do it like we do as Dragons fighting over a female mate. Have the males fight each other and the surviving one gets to copulate with the female!”
“.... Actually.”
Within the next few hours, the General awakens. Unable to feel his legs. “That’s… one way to teach me.” Meanwhile, the Queen was already wearing her undergarments. Ready to leave the room.
“Also My Lord, you must always bow before speaking to them and be very polite. Now, I must annoy the Countess as I saw a very pretty frilly pink dress with long sleeves that I wish to don for tonight. I won’t be able to wear the special one… for now.”
“It… was so tight… I can’t believe it… so this is what it feels like without being drunk. Heaven's feel… literally.”
“And be sure to refrain from your usual wordings. They may not understand it and take offense.”
“It might be another day I will not forget for the rest of my life.”
“I thought you gave me signals?”
“That might be just my usual horny self. But I didn’t expect you to be that forward. Nonetheless, I am very much left speechless. Also, you did properly remove my clothes right? I just ironed that jacket.”
“Be not weary, of course I took that into consideration.”
“Alright, thanks for the help. You also have very soft hands.”
“Hm, yours are firm but I feel safe when I hold them. A human, making me feel safe. How unique.”
“That just means I’m doing a good job! Bahahaha!”
“But let us get up now. Things must be done.”
“You know, I always question something.”
“Hm? What?”
“You said you conquered almost all of the continents except Meridia. How did you manage to control or quell the Dragons?”
“Oh, I never did. Charles tried, he went into an expedition to retrieve a Godslaying blade to scare the immortal dragons. Do you know My Lord, only the Dragons are the only species capable of natural immortality? Granted they live long enough to attain it.”
“Huh, I never knew that before. As in Tur, all Dragons born are already immortal, I think only the two legged ones or Wyverns are mortal. But they can still tap into their prehistoric immortality by fighting enough people and creatures.”
The door then opens with Bahamut having her hands on her hips and Alana with a blank expression peeking out from behind her.
“Master! Prove your worth as a mate and defend this female!”
“AAAAAAAA! BAHAMUT! I’M NAKED STILL!”
“So? I’ve seen your naked body countless times Master. We bathe together almost everyday.”
“Not when you're in that form! I’ll come out! Just close the door!”
“Oh, hi bloodsucker Queen.”
“Good Morning Bahamut. How’s your day been?”
“Am I the only one here who gets- okay, just close the door please. I’ll deal with this immediately.”
Opening the door wearing slacks and a shirt with a black necktie, he sees a stupidly handsome young man that’s a bit taller than Alana. Trying his best to visibly impress the lady as she stared back with a blank stare. Bahamut on the sideline eating bread she found.
“Uhm…”
“So, Lady Minuit. Please, hear me out. The benefits that will bring to me and your families will be immense, my parents have so much land that you can use for your vineyards. I know you are a very business oriented lady, so what do you think?”
“I already have enough land, Lord Daunt, so please leave me alone.”
“Am I missing something here?”
“Oh, hello M’Lord.”
“GAK!” The Count’s jaw drops hearing this and his face turns to the shoddy looking human wearing office attire.
“WHO’RE YOU MORTAL?”
“Uhm… hello.” As if a blonde ghost hit him from behind, he straightens his back and feet together. “AHEM, General Jackson of the Knights of Eldwood. Pleased to meet you, Count Daunt.”
“What’s a dirty filthy mortal creature like you doing in the premises of the esteemed Minuit Manor?!”
“I live here- ack!” another tug hits him from behind. “I rest in this Manor, sponsored by her greatness, the Countess of the Minuit family.”
“Hm… I see. You smell interesting, human. How did you defeat the Countess? What undermining disgusting mortal weapon did you use to achieve this?”
“A revolver with a special round and some adrenaline.”
“Hmph.” The man proceeds to remove one of his silk gloves and points his finger at the man. “Come and fight me, I shall emasculate you right in front of these wonderful women and have you paraded and branded as a woman forever on. No dove shall see you in the same light ever again.”
“Alana, is this man's family important in any sort of way?”
“Yes M’Lord. His family is in the line to lead the House Dreyfus and become its leader. They are also concerned with roadworks and city construction.”
“I see. Alright pretty boy. Meet me in the garden. Bahamut. With me now.”
Removing his Knight armor from the stand at the hallway, he dons once again his Death Knight look. Unsheathing his longsword and checking it for any damages and rims the blade. Nodding in approval. He then places his hand on Bahamut's shoulder. “I’ll be borrowing a bit of that Mana.” The Dragon Goddess just nodded in place and let him take as much power as he needed.
The spaces and weld points of his armor started glowing red from the immense power it was taking. “Done Master? Go show him what you're made of.” he nods and the sabatons of his armor would create small quakes as the heavy set of dark ancient metal walked to the back of the Manor where the Count removed his cape and gloves. Alana sitting down on the balcony on top with the Queen wearing her masquerade mask.
“Oh, he's here.”
“C’mon M’Lord! Show that bastard what you're made of!”
Alana violently downs a bottle of wine, cheering for her Lord as he walks out the rear door in full armor. Sword out and his shield ready.
“Ohhhhhh, what interesting set of metal you have. Is the pointy parts really necessary or is that just for design?”
“You talk alot for a dimwit.”
“I do sense it… the… power. It's not coming from you, but from the armor you don.”
“Yeah, you could say it's technically power armor in the style of a Death Knight set. Boosts my attributes, so I could stand toe to toe against even your kind.”
“Just so you know Lord Knight, I am half pureblooded. I am not to be trifled with, even a mortal like you with such equipment won’t be able to stand against me.”
As he stood with his hand up to his chin, the Death Knight spurred into action. His Longswrod is immediately dodged without effort, and the Vampire throws a quick punch into his chest.
“Oh my, how durable. I’ve never punched anything that didn’t bend on contact.”
He just gurgles the pain and continues on, continually slashing and using his shield to bash the vampire but his nimbleness and speed makes it almost impossible as snow is violently thrown and the sabaton of the Knight etching the concrete path. The Count with his speed is able to reach behind the General without care. Seeing this, the man puts up his cape, blocking the man's punch and kick.
This soon follows up with a combo, with the vampire throwing everything it got on all points of his armor, and soon one kick to the back of his knee makes the General drop one leg, and is followed with a kick to the head.
“Ouch. Is Our Lord going to be fine?”
“Master is a durable human. That armor also softens those blows so he’ll live.”
“C’MON M’LORD! GIVE THAT REPULSIVE MAN A DUSH WITH TASTE OF HIS OWN FECES!”
Seeing this, the man sheaths his sword and throws his shield at the vampire which it dodged. Making it destroy a sculpted hedgehog to the dismay of the Elven Gardener who was just on the sidings, watching the battle unfold. The General then puts up his arm, hiding the red blow of the eye slits. “AHAHAHAHA! A human? Going hand to hand with me? Is this some joke?!” the Count with his blood red ascot relentlessly throws left hand and upper hands at the man's gauntlets.
Out of nowhere, the General opens up his arms, dodging the Vampires fist and punching back. The sheer power he put into the punch sends the handsome man into the middle of the garden. Ruining his pomade. The vampire spits at the snow and proceeds to run to the Knight to throw a flying punch which the human blocks with his cape and chestpiece. He then grabs the boy's face and proceeds to hammer it to the ground. Creating a small crater from the strength.
“Enchanted gauntlets that give me an extra Three Levels in Strength. Making me near Godly with these hands.”
The Knight then proceeds to hold him down with a choke and with his free hand starts ruining the handsome man's face with a back to back to back jab at his face. With the weight of his armor holding the man down, he uses his free hand to materialize his Rapier. “MY LORD!” hearing Elizabeth's voice, the General managed to put up his cape and behind it his gauntlet. Blocking the vampiric blade from slicing him. “Tsk! Annoying mortal!”
With his ego shattered, the fully healed man comes back at him with quick thrusts with the Rapier and slashes. The General is unable to block the fast blade but his armor takes all the damage, giving him the time to pull out his longsword and starts to parry the immortal man. “Hah, what’s up kid? Throwing a fit since I embarassed -ack… you right infront of oyur crush?” the General leans down a bit to let some blood seep out of his eye slits. Alana and Elizabeth standing upside down like bats underneath the balcony as the two faced each other once again.
The Vampire immediately disappears and reappears in the middle of the garden leaving only a trail as the snow is thrown in a straight line. “Where do you think you're going, kid? None shall leave the slaughter!” The General follows, his heavy armor rattling as he slides into the vampire who then uses his boot to stop him. Seeing the opportunity, the human slices his leg, and before it could regenerate, he slices through his hand as the vampiric rapier slides into his pauldron and then to the lance slit. Stopping completely before decapitating him. “GOTCHA’ BITCH!”.
Slicing and dicing the vampire into cutlets, the regeneration kept giving him a hard time as he constantly swiped and swiped with the dark blade. Visibly panting as he kept going and going. Painting the snowy white garden red as blood and guts is thrown everywhere. Panting heavily, the armored man gets off the defaced corpse of the vampire and unhooks his scabbard from his belt and hands it over to Elizabeth.
“My Lord, I recommend you stop now.”
“No, not for this fucker. Alana, he will adhere to the deal right?”
“Of course M’Lord. That’s the deal with a vampire, if he loses. He’ll be forced to support the Outworlders no matter what. But I prefer if you have him become another Thrall under you.”
“I hate pretty boys and I hate the arrogant ones even more. So no, but good to know he’ll be under the same contract as you two are.”
“My Lord, don’t break your knuckles now. That’s a vampire you're punching, our skin is naturally tougher than that of a normal squishy human.”
“Heh, don’t worry. These knuckles are rated E. For everyone.”
Count Daunt rises from the battering, his upper body and limbs all reconnected. He places his hand on his ascot and it starts repairing itself. Just as he looks at the Knight, the man has already returned to continue his brutal pounding. Bahamut then sneaks up to the shoulder of the General in her small dragon form and starts giving more mana to his armor. Powering it up even more and making every hit deadlier and harder.
“Alana, just how much weak have vampires become?”
“Hm? What do you mean by that, Your Majesty?”
“That man seems like he's gonna crack under the pain. That’s not very normal for a vampire who is trained to get dismembered and beheaded. Have you been trained in getting torn limb from limb?”
“I have, in sword training I usually get cut up and broken. But vampires like Lord Daunt have had a lighter treatment as he is more trained in the art of architecture, something that takes centuries to fully perfect. While I usually gave my everything in my Ballet and Sword training while increasing my business acumen at any library I could visit.”
“No wonder you haven’t had any experience. You shouldn’t put everything into your career Countess. Have time for yourself, if it weren’t for our Lord. You might still be locked in your office and occasionally leaving to do things by hand.”
“I know, but I’m open to the idea now, Your Majesty. To connect with the most potent part of our kin, the lust and sexual fulfillment we can give to all species, Human, Demon or Elf.”
“Ohhhhh it seems that new heights are upon you. Well.” The Queen lightly rests the sword she’s been handed to at a nearby bench, taking extreme care with the intimidating scabbard. “Just like a Knight's blade, it must occasionally slice through something it has never to not become dull at the face of a new foe.”
After an hour, the Count gives up after Bahamut roars and the General raises his bloodied armored knuckles. “Fuck you– from the bottom of my heart. Fuck you.” he stands up, bregudgingly picking up his scabbard and faces the two beautiful vampires with Bahamut on his shoulder.
“That good enough, Alana?”
“Excellent M’Lord. Shall I proceed to tell him what the contract will do?”
“Hm. I don’t want him as a Thrall. Just make sure he’ll do everything under his power to help my kind to forward its ideals. And add in to destroy any photos of the Queen. I don’t care if no one believes it or no one cares since no one knows what a photo is. But I have orders to carry out.”
“Of course M’Lord. It shall be done.”
“Elizabeth, prepare the plans for the night. I’ll rest for the entire day.”
“As you wish My Lord.”
Count Daunt just stands up, confused at what just happened as Alana walks up to him with the most devilish grin he had ever seen her have. “So, are you still going to fight for my hand?” she lightly pushes him. Making him drop onto his butt.
“Do not make fool of the humans. They might be our most potent cattle and meatshield, but when given the chance. They won’t waste a sweat at redoing what they did to our first ancient Queen.”
“I-i-i can’t believe it.”
“Hahahahaha! Yes, you look so pitiful Percy. Oh my, I can’t believe you’ve been trying to bed me since University. Fifty whole years.”
“No, I won’t give up! I won’t lose to Lord Angelo or that human! I will have your hand, your heart, and your beauty! I’ll train more with the sword, recover what I missed and become better.”
“Ah ah ah.” Alana places her finger at his mouth. Making him shut up. “The contract.”
“E-Eh?!”
“You are to support the Outworlders in their endeavors, including the construction of the Dragon Tower which is sponsored by them. And the destruction of a specific photo.”
The Count deflates and smiles. “At least it wasn’t to become a servant. To think you’d accept such a defeat Alana. What do you think this will do to your reputation? The Minuits are the highest-profiting family and it's thanks to your parents that the House Minuit still has a seat in the House of Lords. What do you think the others will say when they find out you're under a mortal, a human of all?”
“I do not care. You see, I’ve learned something from these mortals. It’s better to not care than to care and worry myself. Even for me, stress is such a bothersome thing.”
“Back in University, you have always been with yourself. But it's thanks to that, you became such a dancer that even the cold hearted Lord Angelo fell for you and your dance.”
“The Dance of the Black and White Swan is old, I haven’t done it since I’ve graduated. You two should really move on, we’re all living our own lives now.”
“No, Out of all the women I’ve been. I truly believe you are the one.”
“Haaaaah… you really are troublesome Percy. Also, next time. If you're gonna stalk me at my Ballet classes, wear better clothing.”
“WAIT WHAT?!” As the Count just looked confused that his secret that he's been keeping for half a century is exposed. “I’ll be sending you letters. So please stay at your Manor for a day or two. I’ll write out what my Lord wishes.” as Alana goes back inside, she’s met with Elizabeth who's drinking again and this time, is holding an entire bottle.
“Countess. C’mere.”
“Hm? What is it, Your Majesty?”
“Didn’t our Lord mention something like Christmas?”
“Oh yes, it's some sort of a celebration the humans of their world do.”
“Hm, I do wonder… what gift shall I give.”
“Why not something truly dearly and rare?”
“OH! Yes indeed do I have something! Where is your itinerary for tomorrow? We shall be a bit early!”
The next day, the entire manor was busy with the ladies putting on their expensive ensembles while the General was making sure his hair was shiny and parted correctly on the left. He then checks if his gloves are properly washed and as white as it can be, then the bowtie and the shoulder knots. With fire magic, he pops a small light on the tip of his index finger and hovers it next to his ribbon rack to see if it shines. “Nice, alright. I’m all set.”
He then gets out of the room and is greeted by the two Vampires. Looking even more dignified than before. Alana was touting her beautiful crimson red gothic gown that he bought for her, the dress is cut down the middle of her breasts, making a narrow curve shape stopping just under her navel leaving her stomach and cleavage bare while the Vampire Queen was wearing a full frilly dress that covers her entire body, down to her hands as she wore matching pink frilly gloves and a wide brim hat and her Masquerade mask. Only her pointy ears and long golden blonde hair is exposed together with her nape.
“......”
“Oh, M’Lord. I knew you’d look dashingly good.”
“Master, you look very tasty.”
“My Lord, remember what I thought you alright?”
The General was just left speechless by the two, to him. They looked something straight out of a world that is far beyond his. Unable to grasp their inhuman beauty and magnificence that struck a chord deep inside him, an unimaginable charm that most people would never even be graced to see is within his reach.
“Your Majesty, isn’t the breast and stomach area far too tight for you? I feel like that dress is a bit small.”
“Oh, no worries. Don’t you think it looks fashionably good on me? It shows my curves perfectly. I have no qualms. And seeing our Lord’s stare. We’ve already accomplished the task. His eyes are probably etching this image into his very mortal soul.”
“Oh!” He looked behind him and could see that the clock hadn't turned its pointer into the Night part of the cycle. “Why’re we so early? Isn’t the show at like, twelve or eleven and the trip is only like nine hours? And how come you have a native clock in my room, didn’t you have one that is normal for me with twelve hours?”
“Her Majesty wishes to first go to the Castle of the Night and present you with something. Oh, I had it moved to the office instead since you spend more time there seemingly.”
“Ah, well it's not like your world's clocks are bad. I’ve actually kinda grown into liking it, the whole rotating half moon with the paintings of time and how it’d be different depending on where it is.”
“Those paintings are actually very expensive as the artists are usually far and few in between except in cities where they are cheaper.”
“Continue this conversation about clocks later. My Lord, prepare yourself.”
“A trip to your Castle? You mean your house?”
“Nay My Lord. My Manor is located somewhere else. My Castle is the one currently still in use.”
“Oh, so it's the Capital?”
“Mhm, I had it added to our itinerary for the day. Hence why you had to wake up early.”
“I see, well let’s go then. But if there is still time, I’d like to go find my extra toothbrush.”
“Hmmmm… nay. Let us depart My Lord. Countess, lead the way.”
He heads down to the courtyard where Bahamut walks to the UN soldiers there with the long wave radio on a frozen Humvee. She was trying to blow fire from her mouth, but due to the extreme cold. Nothing was sparking.
“Bahamut, what in the heck are you trying to do?”
“Trying to practice in this human form. That vehicle is frozen solid right?”
“Really? How long do you have to practice?”
“Ninety years if I could. I might be able to get down the basics again of my tactics when in this form hundreds of thousands of years ago.”
She then looks at one of the soldiers who was smoking tobacco. The elven player looked confused as the pretty veiled pale lady looked at him intensely.
“Uhhhh… may I help you ma’am?” She then snatches the cigarette from his fingers and eats it whole. “UWAH! BAHAMUT! SPIT! SPIT IT OUT! BAD DRAGON!” Paul holds up her cheeks, making her slim face look puffy as he tries to make her spit out the cigarette. But then, in usual manner, she does the opposite and swallows it. “BAHAMUT! NO! BAD!” They then noticed that fire was coming out of her mouth. Paul lets go and from her mouth, bright purple fire is emitted to the skies. Melting the snow on the Humvee and the helmets of the soldiers.
“There!”
“Bahamut, just tell me next time if you need a igniter.”
“That’s the thing though Master, I do not know why this body is like this.”
He touches her chest brazenly. Making the Dragon Lady blush as she lets out a cute moan.
“Because you're wearing a damn gown when the temperature is below negative three. I recommend you use fire magic to keep your body heated and then start throwing flames.”
“Oh, I forgot about that. Human bodies are such a bother.”
“Yea, even when we were with Zergel. The intense climate never seemed to bother you. Just keep that in mind.”
The two Vampires then exit the main entrance and the coach is driven to them. Bahamut and Paul then followed and they were off to the Capital once again but this time, their Lord and Master was with them.
“It’s a bit cold not gonna lie. But I can’t wait to see that city and castle of yours. You two have always been saying how beautiful it is.”