Aranel walked into the tower looking to see if it was a good place to make her home. Looking around she saw that no one had been there for a long time. A good sign for a place to stay. Located in the back of the tower was a winding staircase going down. She asumed that it went down into the dungons or something of the equivolent. Running her had along the wall as she desended into the black depts Aranel saw everything through the pitch black exspance. The must smell that clung to the air got denser the further down she went. Apon reaching the bottom of the stairwell she located a door. Trying to handle the door gave way and alowed her admittence into the large room. There was a fireplace along one wall. This would surve most useful providing noone came during the day. She noticed a giant stone sarcophagi alone a wall in the shadows. Obviously this chamber had been used by vampires before. Walking over to it she easily pushed over the solid rock lid and looked inside. Nothing resided in it but dust and spiderwebs. This shall suit my perpose nicely. Leaving the room she closed the door. Knowing that she had a safe place to sleep through the morning made her blood lust bright. Leaving the tower she went out to find something or someone to feast apon.
She had tried not to feed on humans. Finding that it made her uneasy taking inosent lives of humans she desided it was best to feed on animals. Although she never could get the nurishment form an animal that a human could give her they none the less sustained her. If by chance she stumbled into a person that was in anyway evil or knew her for what she was she would take the chance of being found by taking there life.
She needed blood before dawn. On reaching the entrance to the tower she senced a presents. Sliping into the shadows so she wouldnt be seen she patiently waited.

Adsero walked along happily humming to herself. She breathed deeply and her happiness only increased. Not a hint of rain in the air. She had no real destination, choosing rather to wander around as she saw fit. The day was nice, the sun was warm, and she had no reason not to enjoy it. Harro seemed in less happy spirits as he walked beside her. Adsero looked down at the wolf and cocked her head to the side. "What's yer trouble friend?" The wolf growled and she could have sworn he rolled his eyes at her. You honestly can't smell that? She shook her head, raising an eyebrow and sniffing the air. The vampire? The one that must have been here recently? SHe shook her head again but stopped walking. They were near a big tower. Could the vampire be in there? "Hmm, I wonder if the vampire's still here. HELLO? ANY VAMIPERS NEAR BY?" Harro growled. Somehow, I get the feeling you're not taking me very seriously. She stopped yelling and looked down at the wolf again, smiling. "Really? What gave you that idea?"

Aranel saw the pair approching. It was a woman and a wolf. The wolf will know i am here.
She heard the woman call out and desided it best to show her self. Stepping out of the shadows she called down to the pair, Hello there. My name is Aranel and i am a Vampire. Can i help you? There is no need to be afraid i will not harm you. I do not feast on humans anymore unless they pose a threat to my safty or to other humans. And I will not harm your beast because he is with you and you seem to be parcal to him.
Aranel walked down the hill to greet the pair, hoping that they would not say anything of her existance.

Adsero blinked a few times and poped her ears. "Huh, you were right. There really is a vampire here." Harro snorted but didn't say anything. "Nice to meet you Aranel, I'm Adsero. I'm not afraid of most things so don't worry about that." Because your too stupid to notice danger until there's an arrow in your shoulder. "Hey, that was one time and it was my arm not my shoulder now be nice." She looked back up at the woman and smiled. "So, how are you this fine morning? I'd hate to be interupting any plans you already had."

Aranel looked at the sky. Its not morning yet, I still have a little over an hour before dawn. I was just going out to feed before I rest for the day. Would you and your wolf care to join me in the woods to feed. Or are you to busy this fine night?

Aranel was getting nervious. She had very little time in which to feed and did not know if Adsero and the wolf would give her hiding place away.

If you do not wish to come i will understand but I must ask you to give me your word of honor that you will not give away my hiding place. If I hear of a rumor going around of my presents here, not only will I be forced to find another place to sleep the day away but your life and the life of your wolf will be in grave danger. I will not let my life be in danger for noone. I will trust you enough to not breath a word of my presents to anyone.

She looked thoughtfully at the woman. waiting for a responce.

"I'm not so sure I understand honor yet but I would love to help you. What kind of animal do you feed on?" She rolled her head on her shoulders and cracked her neck. "Harro and I could easily help coner it or something." She opened her hand and formed a small fireball in her palm. "Unless of course there was some other way you thought we could help?"

Watching in the shape of a small bird from overhead, Vincent tries to eavesdrop on the beings below. He finds this rather difficult as the rustling of his red feathered wings is making a noise that seems to mask the speech of the vampire, and human.

"He pulls fire from the air?" Vince thinks to himself, "how can this be? I believed that only sorcerers could do that and I haven't seen a sorcerer around here in a while. Maybe this is a sign of new blood? New people to test? Now to examine the other, she seems normal, nothing special, but then again no human is normal these days. Perhaps a shape shifter like myself?"

Vince flies down and sits on a branch. Suddenly the feathers start to melt away, and his form changes, his wings, once red and brilliant, now change into small silver furred paws, his legs warp, distort until they finally resemble small stubby legs rather than the shining yellow claws he had. In place of his beak grows a pink nose, covered in the same silver hairs as the rest of his body. he scurries down the tree and hops about the trees near where the strangers are traveling.

"Maybe I should introduce myself?" Vince thought, and after a moment of contemplation started to ask himself, "what exactly is myself? I have changed to so many times it's not funny, and as a shape shifter I really don't have a shape do I?" Vince quickly tried to stop his thoughts and get back to the task at hand. "I will introduce myself when the time is right and when I know if these new beings are friend or foe..."

Aranel smiled at the woman. I do not need help to catch my food. I am quite fast. I do not know how much you know of Vampires. But the company would be most pleasing.

She took a step back as Adsero pulled fire out of air. That is an amusing trick you just did. May i ask how you did it? Did you know.... Stoping in mid sentence she listened.

She had heard the changing of a creature of somekind. Turning she scaned the trees close at hand. Seeing a animal sitting abnormaly close she turned and confronted the beast.

Come down and show yourself friend. Not many things can be kept from a vampire. Do not dispare I shall not hurt you. Come down i say and assume your normal form. Please do hurry you are waisting what little time i have friend.

Vince hears Aranel's shouts and scampers down the tree quickly, then changes into a black shadow looking image, he walks over, or what seemed to be walking at least, and bows low. He then polymorphs into the form of an elf and nods.

"Hello there, I have been living around here forquite some time now. I saw you come near here and wondered why a human, or so I thought you were at the time would be wandering through the lands around the mighty tower," as Vince pauses his words ring around the tree's and his soft, raspy voice echos quite nicely in the area near the forests entrance, "at any rate I am Vincent S. Arith, shape shifter and dimplomat. Now that I introduce myself it is a common courtesy for you do do the same."

Vince then took the time to polymorph back into the shadow form he so recently left.

She watched the animal race down the tree and change forms before her eyes. It was not the first time she had seen it done but it never stoped amazing her.

Inclining her head at the shape shifter Aranel introduced herself. Well Vincent S. Arith the shape shifter it is a pleasure to meet you. I am Aranel the Vampire. We were just about to go hunting before the first rays of sun hit the earth. Would you care to join us?I need to feed before dawn and time is running out so i pray you to choice quickly and wisely.

Athough she didnt like the curt voice Vincent used with her she dissmised it not wishing to make enemies with people who could so easily give away her hiding place.

Vince thinks for a second before saying to Aranel "Ok I will join you in hunting my new friend. I can lend any service should you need it, I am a skilled fighter with my body, or bodies, however you like to think about it."

Vince starts to randomly change parts of his body into differant shapes, "It takes ALOT of energy to do this, but after a while you get used to doing it." Vince pauses and seems to think to himself for a minute then returns to speaking in his soft raspy voice, " We all know my special... 'qualities'... but what about you? I have seen the one who creates fire with but a flick of their risk, yet I have not seen what you can do. You said youy are a vampire, what exactly is that?"

Aranel started towards the wood thinking on how to describe what she was.turning to them both she started explaining herself as she saw herself. I became a vampire when i was 20 years old. A vampire had fallen in love with me. I of coarse didnt know him for what he was until it was to late. I was nieve and very much in love with him.

We were going to a play of some kind when it happened. We were walking down a dark ally when he turned to me and said," I want to give you a great gift, one that will alowe us to be together forever." Being foolish I didnt question him. He bit me on the neck then. At this she moved her long black hair away from her neck, showing the only thing left of the bite mark. Two puncure scars were all that remained of this night. It felt like a needles being stabed into you. I was powerless against him. I could hear the beating of our hearts, slowly mine got slower. When he had drank almost all of my blood he cut open his wrist and held it to my mouth, telling me to drink. Drink i did. It was as if i had crossed the desert with no water.

Thusly I became this. What some consider the undead, others a fallen angel. When i had first started i didnt know the exstent of my powers. The first day was the hardest. Every sound was multiplyed like a thousand shards of glass reflecting the sunlight. I could here a tear fall on the floor and know where the sound had come from. I could see in pitch darkness of the deepest well as if i was on a open feild on the clearest day. My strength is now that of three men and i can move faster than most human eyes can follow.

Most vampires that i have meet think it a gift. I think it is a curse. I have lost everything that has ever been important to me. I watched my family wither and die before my eyes. They of course didnt know if i still lived. They assumed that I had died. So in the dead of the night i would go into my home and sit infront of my mother weeping wishing that I could be held by her again. Tears of blood stung her eyes as the memories floded her mind. Hastily she whiped away the tears of blood away.

Now I am forced to live my life alone in the dark. Drinking th eblood of other beings. I try to be selective in my choices, remaining mostly to large mamals, only occationally feeding on a human if they threaten my life or the life of another human.

Looking up at the sky she sighed. Well let us hunt. The night is growing short and I must have blood to sustain myself during the day.

She started towards the woods, prepared to awnser any other questions that may come up during there hunting.

"A hunter you are then. I rely mostly on myself and kill whatever things threaten me. I spent most of my days until I was 21 learning every martial art I was able to. I now know three well enough I can beat most normal humans in them, and I know another two moderatly well." Vince paused and changed into the elf he was eirlier.

"Normally I choose this form to walk about in... it is rather pleasing to be. I plan to learn magic one day, and will retire to the temple fo balance eventually where I will spend my days praying to Threnody." Vince looked at Adsero and started speaking again, "what of you? How did you create fire from nowhere?"

(I am really really sorry. I didn't mean to wait this long to post.)

Adsero felt a chill run up her spine, a very uncomfortable feeling for one made of fire, but shrugged it off. She could say she was very happy with Vincent's elf form but she knew he was a shape shifter and overcame her dicomfort. "My name's Adsero. I don't know how old I am seeing as I can't count. I'm the guardian of fire but I am also a race of people born from fire. My race is more or less the cousin of the phoenix. It's nice to meet you." She frowned at Aranel's story, understanding how much it must hurt to watch everyone around you die. "I am sorry to hear of your past friend but you are right, the night grows short and she should hurry with this hunt." She followed Aranel and decided to ask the shape shifter a question of her own. "Why do you choose the form of an elf when walking?"

(sorry, again)

Aranel could feel the fear in Adsero. It was like a cold hand on the back of her neck. She looked from one to the other tring to figure out what about the shapeshifter frieghtened her so.

Your apologies are not nessisary friend. I have watched many wither and die before my very eyes. One day I may even have the unfortunate chance to watch the both of you die. But hopefully that will not happen for quite some time. She directed her comments to Adsero only occationally glancing at the shapeshifter.She still didnt understand what was bothering Adsero. It was all very puzzleing. Hopefully she would be able to talk to her when the shapeshifter had gone to ask what was bothering her so.

Adsero glanced over at Aranel and noticed she was looking at her strangely. She can tell. She thought. She can tell I dont' like elves. An igamge of her mother with a sword through her stomach appeared in Adsero's mind but she pushed it away and smiled at Aranel. "Well you don't have to worry about watching me die. Immortality comes with the job description." She turned back to the shapeshifter and awaited his answer, hoping he wouldn't notice like the vamipre had. Am I that obvious? She wondered.

"Well, I prefer to walk in this form because... well, I guess I really don't remember. I belive that it was the first form I learned to change to, and it was the form my mother took. I also have a slight facination with elves, they intrigue me, the longevity of their life, their ability to absorb fountains of knowledge without ever, metaphoricly speaking, getting full. Other than that I have no reason... but maybe I look more natural as an elf... My eyes are naturally yellow, my hair, silver, and I have never seen a human with yellow eyes or silver hair, but I have seen elves with those attributes."

Vince looked up and looked at the birds, then looked at the trees, the ground, and finnaly the two people standing before him. "I suppose," he began after a long moment of contemplation, "that when it comes right down to it, I choose this form because it makes me seem normal, something I would otherwise never be..."

Aranel looked from one to the other still trying to figure out Adseros discomfort. Do you even know what shape you started with good sir?And do not fear I also feel the way of abnormalcy. It pains me to hear that I am not the only one that wants to live a normal life. What I wouldnt give to run amonge the light again. Its been so long since I looked at the sun I hardly remember the warpth that it held. But here let us walk and talk. The night ebs and I have to feed soon before dawns first light.


(OOC: sorry its so short guys. Its all I have time for.)

"I do not believe any feel normal. We're all different. I guess, we have to be after all. We need to be able to change and adapt to our surroundings. I suppose, sometimes, I feel different but I don't quite know what normal is so I can't long for it." She looked up at the sky as they walked, thinking of the sun. "Is the sun really so warm? Hmm, odd, I still feel cold. I guess nothing compares to the heat of an active volcano." She smiled. "So, Vincent, you spoke of your mother. What is she like? Sorry if that's a personal question. I was just wondering."

Vince starts to convulse, and his skin starts to ooze black, he morphs within a second into a shadowlike figure. But more than just a shadow, it is three dimensional, and it seems to ooze the smokey blackness it is made of in all directions. It looks near human, but with no legs, and no outlines, just a void, pure darkness.

"This is the form I started out as, it is quite easy to move around with, as I am able to phase through solid matter, but other than that there are no perks to it. And my mother, well, she was tall, at least in the form of an elf she was, and her hair was normal, a blond colour, her eyes were blue, and come to think of it they were normal to... now that I think of it, she could have been an actual elf had I not seen her transform once or twice. She was very nice, but was killed in a raid upon the city we lived in."

Vince looks about, thinking. He then tries to listen for the sound of any animal.

All through his short time in the lands of Arda, Midian had heard rumors of an ancient tower, which had long been abandoned. From the sounds of it, adventurers and treasure hunters had more than likely picked the place clean of any valuables that once sat within, but it wasn't gold that he sought in this place. The tower itself could be quite valuable to one of his trade, assuming that it still stood at all. And so it was that he had set out to survey the fortifications and determine if they would suit his cause.

He had set out three days ago, and it had rained since he set out. Looking miserably at the sky, he noted that it seemed to have rained itself out, and the dark clouds began to recede. The golden sun pierecd through the gloom with its brilliant golden rays. With an ill tempered snort, the minotaur shook his great head letting the water droplets fall from the course hair that was the only covering on his massive body.

Quite suddenly, the great black beast froze in its tracks, its horned head cocked to the side as though listening. In the silence, he could hear the sound of faint voices. Two women and a man. The hulking beast hefted his mace with the skill of a professional soldier as he continued on while searching for his quarry. Perhaps the tower was not as abandoned as he had been led to believe. Frusterated beyond reason, he swung the heavy black head of his weapon, letting it smash into a tree that was nearly as thick as his arm. He was rewarded with a shower of splinters as the tree toppled to the ground. The resounding crash shook the area. Midian had come...

(It's night and hasn't rained at all.)

Adsero's head jerked to where she head the crash and her eyes pireced through the gloom in search of the cause. She found it to be a minotaur and she pulled her sword out just in case. "We have no time for games stranger. What do you want?" Harro was tense at her side but he hadn't bared fangs yet. She thought that wise and waited to see if this new stranger was friend or foe.

(sorry for the shortness)

(My bad, I missed the part where she said it was not yet morning, and made a guess since I didn't see it anywhere else. As for the rain, it rained during the three days he was walking here)

Midian looked up, eyeing the small group before him warrily for a long moment. They had their weapons drawn, and it was abovious that they were waiting for him to identify himself as friend or foe. They would be better off assuming that a minotaur was foe. A highly competitive species, they greatly desired fame and recognition for their strength in arms, and what better way then to defeat powerful opponents. He would bide his time and see if they gave him an opening. For now, they could yet wonder what his intent was.

All you need to know for now is that I am Midian. If you wish to learn more, then you shall have to be more patient.

He looked at the burned woman, sizing her up with a practiced eye. He would have to watch her, for though human she looked, human she did not smell. The wolf could be delt with easily enough, he would have to dispatch the creature quickly to prevent it from harrieing his legs from behind while he was focused on its mistress. holding the mace at his side, he stomped heavily over to the small group. Drawing himself up to full height, he tightened his heavy muscles making sure that all could see his strength.

Now, you know my name, it is your turn to tell me yours.

He looked to the entire group, making sure that they knew he spoke to all of them.

At hearing the crashing sound Aranel cursed herself for not smelling the creature before hand. Though she didnt bare her fangs in anger she watched herself. Minotaur's were very aggressive animals so she would have to be on her toes with this one if he desided to attack.

I do not like your tone friend. You will have to put away your weapon and take yourself off the pedistal that you have placed yourself on for me to awnser. You may think you need to raise to your full hieght to intimidate us but honestly that is unnessisary for you do not friten me at all.

She was watching the minotaur very closly for any signs of aggrestion. this was a dangerous game she was playing but one that she had had much practice with.

The minotaur looked at the girl who spoke to him. His large dark eyes looked at her, for a long silent moment before he spoke once more.

What strange lands these are where it is not customery to exchange names at a meeting of two persons. And I didn't place myself upon this pedistal, I was placed upon it my former commander. If you do not wish to find out why, I suggest you do not try my patients. You will find that I am just as good at crushing people with this mace as I am trees. And the very fact that you feel you must state that you are not frightened satisfies me greatly.

He turns to the others

Perhaps there is one amongst you who is willing to be more civil. The wolf perhaps?

(sorry its so short, gotta go let the horses in)

Adsero rolled her eyes. "I'm afriad you'll have to speak up Mr. Midian. It's a little hard to hear you, what with your head being so far up your arse and all. If you wanted us to be civil, you should have acted so yourself." She looked over at the tree he was mentioning. "As for the tree, I suggest you don't try something like that again. I can burn you away from the inside without having to move." She sheathed her sword, not sure it would do much good anyway and itching for a reason to set something on fire. She crocked her neck and fixed the minotaur with an evil gaze. "The day approaches. If you have any brains in that oversized body you'll leave us be and leave Harro out of your petty insults." Harro snorted. You're daft woman. Didn't anyone tell you not to piss a minotaur off?

The Minotaur's mouth pulled into a fearsome grin, his large eyes watching the burnt woman. His mace still held at the ready, he shook his great horned head.

As I thought, the wolf is the most civil of the group. By the gods woman I merely asked of your name! I gave mine to you willingly enough. I never thought I'd see the day when a minotaur would be the most friendly being in a gathering. Atleast he has a name. Master Harro, I greet thee.

He favored the wolf with a respectful bow, his obsidian horns nearly touching the ground. His actions were obviously ment to mock those who had refused even a simple exchange of names. Choosing instead to exchange threats with a beast who was well known to have a short fuse.

Indeed, the day comes, yet it is not I who must seek shelter from the sun. I go to the tower, and unless I am mistaken, it is your companion that must flee the sunlight. Come, let us go in doors so that we might all continue this pointless banter. Your powers are indeed great burnt one, but I assure you. One day you will be forced to look upon me as an equal, so would it not be wise to begin now?

Midian's arms shook with barely contained frusteration. The service of his former master had forced him to learn control his anger, even if it was only slightly. Few Minotaur would have waited for them to speak what so ever. Working to calm himself, he waited, trying to see if the would indeed be willing to go inside the tower.

Aranel Rolled her eyes and sighed. She looked at the large beast and placed a delcate hand appone her well formed hip. Sorry to bust your bubble but I need to feed and your showing up has greatly post poned that action. That tower is mine now so youll need permission from me to go into it. So if you dont mind, step off your high horse of mockery and athority for a moment and putting that blasted weapon away so that I can be on my way to hunt. I most certainly wont hurt you unless you start it. so the weapon is useless.

She was impatient to feed and the night was growing old. It would be day break soon and like it or not she had to get into that tower soon.

If Midian had had eye brows, they would have been raised at what the vampiress said to him. The idea was simply unfathomable. It was apparent that the denzins of this land where not used to his race. Minotaur civility was virtually non-existant, and even in him it only went so far. This time, he had to restrain himself from laughing.

My dear girl, I asure you, you most certainly will not harm me as I would not allow you to do so. If you wish to throw your life away while giving me alittle practice, be my guest. As for the tower, if I wish to enter, I assure you that I shall. What need have I for ones assent when it is simply there to take? And as you can see, I have no belt and no packs. If I wish to bring something with me, I must hold it in my hand. My mace shall remain in my hand, as I am disinclined to leave it behind. It has become quite dear to me.

He looked about in the darkness, curious as to why the vampiress did not simply choose to take one of these beings that stood before her. It was readily available, and after all, it is what he would do. Surely they would not take it personally that she wished to survive. But then, the smaller races were such funny creatures. They would hunt deer, elk, and moose for food and yet when they were in turn hunted to feed someone, they objected. Of course that had never stopped him from preying on them. There was a deep rumble as the Minotaur thought of food. He had not eaten since his journey began.

Well, I tell you what. you go off and hunt, and bring your kill back here. After all, while I like the flavor of blood, I hardly need it to survive. And in return, I shall wait for you before I enter the tower. I'd help you in the hunt, however, I tend to spill blood.

"If my friend the vampire doesn't want you to go in the tower, you wont. Vampires don't die because of weapons like yours and neither do I. If our names matter that much to you, I'm Adsero. I don't care if you were big stuff back where you're from, here you're a cow in a lions den. Go home before you get hurt." Adsero yawned and walked past Midian. "Shall we hunt now?"

Midian beamed at Adsero as a father would at his child that just took its first steps. With a brisk nod of his head, he clapped his hands together one time.

Very good, was that so hard?

He ignored the comment on the difficulty to kill either of their particular species. After all, it didn't take their death to achieve his goals. And one would be suprised at what they might live through. For the vampire atleast all that was needed would be to restrain her until the sun came up. If necessary, that could be achieved with enough effort. He doubted if he could slay Adsero, but there were was to defeat everything, even the gods. One simply had to find them. He looked down at Harro.

Is she always so friendly, or is this just for me?

"It's simply killing me." Adsero said. Sleep deprivation was a bad thing. She knew that now, made her all grumpy. She would go sleep in her shrine later but first she wanted to make sure Aranel got something to eat. Harro on the other hand was happy to find someone who saw Adsero as the pain in the arse she was. That girl can be so "friendly" that it'll kill you. She acts as if it would pain her to ever show some manners. Harro shook his head. There's no tryin' to teach that one anything worth knowin'.

At the woman's remark, Midian smiled, she had a fire to her that most people lacked. So many simply gave way before him, it had almost begun to get boring. Almost. If he smiled at Adsero's comment, he laughed uproarusly at the reaction of the wolf. Though he could not understand the creature, he had spent a life time relying on his skill at reading body language to keep him alive. He bent low to look at the creature on its own level.

I like you Master Harro, one day I shall learn to speak your tounge so that we might drink together by the fireside and laugh as would brothers in arms. For indeed we both have faced this sharpened tounge, and for the moment survived.

He looked to Adsero dubiously, with the faintest glimmer of a smirk on his face. There was no doubt left in him at that moment, he would not kill them this day. Those with strength were to be respected just as he expected to be. One must simply last long enough to prove themselves worth of such respect. Laughing again, he lifted his mace and set it on his shoulder.

Lead on then, I shall join the hunt, and afterward we shall all feast as kings when their first son is born!

He gave each of them a hearty thump on the back, which would have been enough to send most sprawling.

Aranel rolled her eyes in aggrivation. I dont care what you do but shall we move on. I am very hungry and when i am hungry i get grumpy as you can plainly tell. So let go before dawns first rays touch the earth. She stalked off toward the woods smelling the blood from a hundred animals and hearing there warm, beating hearts. It was the coming sun that drove her. She turned back to see if her friends were following. Well are you coming or not? Regardless I'm going to feed. She was impatent and the impatients she had before the kill sometimes made enimies but she was beyond that point.


(ooc: Sorry I havnt really been here to post. Life has caught up to me it seems... dont worry I'll be around. Just dont know how often.)