Finally "home"

[Lucia Drusa Severa]

Floating effortlessly down the lavish staircase, Lucia hovered a hand over the railing. It couldn't have been any later than 11 at night, but the lobby to the mansion was gloriously aglow. The brass and wooden chandelier was fully lit, and the torches and lights along the wall were all turned on and shining brilliantly against the dark, cherry pillars. Shadows danced playfully along the walls to the soft din of light-hearted chatter.

Vampires came and went, some leaving the mansion, others stopping in the lobby to socialize with peers. Most paid only the briefest attention to the Hybrid at the foot of the stairs before leaving for their rooms or out into the night. There was no one Lucia could recognize from her last stay at the Vampire home over six years ago; not even by smell. These were all young Vampires, it seemed, a new generation unconcerned with the troubles that had consumed the leadership of the generation not even a decade ago. Yet how could that be? There must still be some Vampires left from Raven's long rule; there had to be someone who would know Lucia and with whom Lucia might catch up with or petition to spar with.

Just as the girl was pondering this, an older-seeming Vampire entered into the lobby, nodding courteously to Lucia, moving to walk passed her. The girl smiled softly back and was about to approach him to start up a conversation when the Vampire King appeared from the corner of her eye.

Clasping her hands in front of her and turning her full attention to Dane, Lucia flushed ever so slightly at his compliment, "Thank you. You look very handsome, yourself," Lucia returned the Vampire's smile. "I have not found a sparring partner just yet. I am in the process of looking for one right now. Though, everyone here seems so unfamiliar to me. Do you have any recommendations for who I might pursue to train with, Dane? I was hoping to get a session in tonight." A playfulness flashed in her bright eyes.

[Dane]

(P+D=This)

Eye wide Pablo stared at the headless cat corpse bleeding all over the blanket on his lap. "I swear your death won't be in vain..." He said sternly. "Tibbles." He swiped the feline head away and picked up what was remained of the cat. There was no reason now for him not to eat at least a little bit. Enough for him to make it through the day. Digging his fingers through the cat's neck and into flesh he began to pull apart. He tore through the cat, splitting it open from its neck to mid chest. Plopping onto the floor was a combination of blood, flesh, and organs. It smelt... delicious and wasn't doing much for his hunger. He would dig in soon, but there was something more important he could get from the cat. Pablo pulled a piece of splintered bone from the cat's chest and hid it underneath the blanket. There was no smirk on the lycan's face, but instead a glint in his eyes. There's no cell that can hold me. He glanced at each of the locks. But first... Pablo shoved a handful of the flesh into his mouth before working on tearing some muscle from the cat's bone. While not particular a fan of eating raw meat while in human form, Pablo could not deny that Tibbles tasted especially delicious.

Dane cocked his head to the side and smiled. The opportunity to see a hybrid in action wasn't one he'd turn down. "Well, lucky for you I'm here to offer my services. That is unless of course you don't think you can handle it. Nobody would blame you, after all I am the vampire King." He smiled a little more, just revealing the ends of his fangs. Training with the vampire king was probably the best way to prepare for the last. If she couldn't stand a chance against Dane she'd have no hope of defeating Victor. "Meet me there in twenty minutes." He said before she could answer and then walked away. "If you make a friend or two bring them as well."

[Lucia Drusa Severa]

What felt like snakes slithered and coiled in Lucia's stomach, tickling her insides and sending a euphoric giddiness throughout her body. Lucia's calm, polite smile did not change even as Dane's fangs broached his grin, but she was thrilled. Dane was going to spar with her, himself? It would be the perfect opportunity to show him just how much she'd grown in the last six years. Never before had the Hybrid sparred with Dane, though she'd seen a couple of his training sessions when she was younger. Raven had helped the young girl become acclimated to harsh work-outs from a young age, but he'd never gone all out against her, as far as she knew. Going against a seasoned king; the thought was exhilarating. Lucia's mind couldn't decide whether she was more nervous or pumped up. "I would be honored to spar with you, Dane."

As the Vampire turned to leave, Lucia swept her crimson gaze across the main room one last time, looking over the other blood suckers in the vicinity. The girl caught the eyes of over half in the room now as their king left her side, and made slight acknowledgment of their stares. While they all seemed curious of her now, the Hybrid did not deign to entertain or solicit them with questions, and turned to head back up the stairs to change. Climbing the steps, Lucia took hold of her auburn hair, weaving it into one long braid falling halfway down her back.

Back in her room, Lucia unfastened the corset about her waist and pulled off her dress, draping them on the bed. Once more picking up the blue dress she'd worn last night, the girl tied the strings tight around her waist, looping them and extra time around her stomach so there wouldn't be any excess to grab hold of her in upcoming match with Dane. Smoothing the dress, Lucia went to the door of the cell holding Pablo and peered in through the window, grinning wide at what she saw, "I'm glad you enjoyed the cat so much! I hope the clothes fit right for you. I will be back later!" With that, Lucia left the room, locking the door behind her.

It was all she could do not to skip her way to the basement where the training room was located. Finally, she could have a real challenge! Alena had tried to accommodate her with sparring partners, but often the matches were very one sided, or her opponent would have some secret grudge against her, or both. For the first time in a while, Lucia expected to have fun and be challenged in a training session. Arriving in the training room, the girl sat down to stretch quick, not that she needed to, waiting happily for Dane to start the match.

[Pablo]

Pablo managed a few more mouthfuls of cat flesh before deciding he had enough, most of Tibbles still lied intact(using a very loose definition of the word) across the floor. He wasted no time on stating the first phase of his escape, the means. Using his sharp canine teeth he began to fashion a makeshift pick out of cat bone. There was no guarantee it would work, but at least he was aware of his low chances. Somehow knowing that made taking his time easier. Working on the narrow end of the pick Pablo couldn't help but miss his explosives. A big enough boom could open any door or break any lock. Coinciding with him stopping his work to let out some form of nostalgic sigh, the door to the room opened. Wasting not a second he hid the bone underneath the blanket and sat idly. He assumed it was Lucia again, this time the lycan more or less completely ignored the hybrid. Soon he wouldn't have to deal with her anymore, all though to be fair by this point his resentment towards her had died down a bit to say the least. Dane was to thank for that, at least she had some redeemable qualities, like the tear-off pants sitting in the bag right next to him; not necessarily a quality of hers but a good idea none the less. Why hadn't he thought of that?


Dane stood waiting in the middle of the dojo like room, still warning the same clothing as before. They were in the sparring section of the training floor, alongside the walls there were a variation of weapons, off into a corner a few dozen practice dozens and on one side a door leading into the shooting range. Slightly amused, Dane walked besides Lucia and shook his head. "Stop stretching, you wouldn't have the opportunity to before a fight." He turned and took a few steps away from the hybrid. "I hope you don't mind if I we have a little chat during our fight." Coming to a stop he turned around and quickly pulled up his sleeves. "Impress me." Dane beckoned her forward with a hand gesture, a smile on his face. He took no fighting stance, instead he stood in the middle of the room, very relaxed with is arms folded. "So, what if I said that your mother has already begun looking for you?" Though seemingly taking the scenario very relaxed the vampire in actuality was very prepared. Compared to werewolves or vampires, hybrids aren't very well documented creatures. There was no way of knowing her strength at the moment, though it was safe to assume she was not on his level yet.

[Lucia Drusa Severa]

Lucia wanted nothing more than to impress Dane, but what he said about her mother almost stopped her in her tracks. Standing with the utmost concentration, the Hybrid ignored any instinctive impulse and calmed herself, readying for battle, "How do you know that?" Was it really her mother looking for her? Or had she just sent Szandor or some lackey after her? Any other time it wouldn't have surprised the girl if some random Werewolf in her mother's service was sent to retrieve her. However, she was smack dab in the middle of the Vampire base. No one Lycan could enter this mansion and hope to survive, Lucia believed.

Besides, Lucia didn't want to leave anyway, and anyone who came to try and make her leave would have an angry Hybrid to deal with.

Mentally pushing those thoughts away, Lucia met Dane's gaze, not discouraged by the Vampire's seemingly lax stance. "I fear she'll be disappointed when she finds me. I'm not going back with her."

The Hybrid did not assume a stance, but bolted toward the Vampire King. To a Human, it would have appeared as if the girl was standing still one moment, hanging in limbo, and was gone the next. Though Dane would likely have no real trouble following her, though she tried to be as quick as she could. Nearing Dane, Lucia faked a blow to his neck with her right hand, kicking high with her stronger, left leg to catch him in the temple. A soft grunt escaped the girl, almost in audible as her kicked reached the point of impact, and Lucia prepared for Dane's retaliation.

[Dane]

"I don't know if I should feel insulted from your question. This is a war I'm fighting... I like to stay informed." The corner of his lips curved slightly as he spoke. "I shadowed your father for many years Lucia... to say the least I know your mother fairly well." The entire truth behind his statement was far creepier than he let on. "She was also spotted boarding a flight with your caretaker, and all though it was seen heading east from Sweden, I’m expecting them sometime tomorrow night." He gave what was his most simple explanation. There were more layers to it, most of which Lucia didn't need to know. The hybrid didn't seem shaken or worried much from the matter; it was honestly at this point a pleasant surprise. Part of what made her parents great was their unshakable demeanor.

"Agreed, however we both know she'll use her force to try to leave with something. Either you or.... the boy."

As Lucia made her move, Dane watched with eagerness. Though she was moving at inhuman speeds, to him she moved slightly below that an average human, when taking all things into consideration was actually fairly impressive, much faster than that of the lycan he fought not two nights ago. Part of him wanted to take the hit to gauge her strength, but this was training and would not help Lucia in any way. As she went to strike him, his eyes lazily followed her fist well aware of its status as a decoy. Most opponents tried fooling him with their first attack, because apparently you can out-trick the Vampire King. As her foot was about to make contact with his head he quickly ducked. Her shoe hit only strands of his hair, it was closer than expected to say the least. Dane could have been a fancy schmancy pants and taken out all feeling in her right leg with a well-placed karate chop, instead he lowered his shoulder and bull rushed the hybrid princess. If she was going to fight Viktor she would need to be prepared to face brutal strength, with that in mind he did not hold back. If it went according to plan her back was going straight into the dojo's reinforced walls.

[Lucia Drusa Severa]

Lucia's brow furrowed ever so slightly, going almost unnoticed; the smallest shadow of a frown grazed her face. For a brief moment she'd forgotten her new pet had been a close and loyal Werewolf in her mother's army. She'd been so happy, she'd overlooked the young Werewolf's importance. Silly girl. I won't let him go so easily, she reassured herself, mentally. The Hybrid was slightly taken back by how quickly things had happened. This was her first real night back Home, and already her mother was coming for her. Well, her and Pablo. Alena could be so infuriating sometimes.

The light strands of hair against the top of her foot was disappointing, though not surprising. She repositioned quickly to prepare for her next attack, but was taken hard in the chest by the Vampire king's stiff shoulder. It was like getting hit with a mallet at the speed of a semi truck. The Hybrid lost her footing at first, managing to catch herself too late to fully maneuver out of his charge. She was caught with her right shoulder slammed against the cold wall. No hesitation. Fight as if for my life. The Hybrid held careful determination over her face, and kicked up swiftly, aiming to knee Dane in the ribs with her left leg. Simultaneously, she brought her left elbow down with a heavy force where the Vampire's shoulder met his neck.

"I don't want Pablo to leave," she stated simply. Even before the words came out she knew it wouldn't be likely to keep him. If Szandor was with Alena, then a hell of a fight was bound to break loose. As much as Lucia adored her Werewolf pet, she figured that he might still wish to be in her mother's company more than her own, and would fight to make it so, if given the chance.

The girl braced herself with fists up and ready to counter Dane's next attack, or to use his force against him.

[Dane]

Still alive, up and fighting, so far Lucia was doing far better than Dane's last sparring partner. The vampire claimed to be much stronger than he was and ended up gruesomely split in half from the same exact movie. While not necessarily impressed, he was at least not disappointed yet. She was at least semi-durable, which was good because accidentally killing his new 'project' wasn't out of the plan. So she was tough, how about her actual strength? Very well aware of both of Lucia's attack Dane braced himself. Kneed in the ribs Dane could feel his body momentarily float upwards before being brought back down with the elbow. He landed on the floor with a loud thud. The Vampire King didn't stay down for long (or at all) and bounced right back onto his feet. Lucia took a defensive position waiting for him to swing; it was cute, maybe a smart move against a powerful vampire, but not a king. They simply overwhelmed with strength and speed, it was Viktor's nature. Without hesitation or holding back, Dane, with both hands quickly reached for Lucia's right arm. With a firm grip he quickly spun and hurled her across the room.

"Then don't let him. You're royalty Lucia; it means you’re entitled into having whatever you want. In some ways you have more of a right than anybody else." He of course referred to her vampire and lycan royalty ties. "I know it’s how your mother thinks; she uses force to keep what's hers. You need to too." It was of course nice to have a backup plan, in case she did get her hands on the boy. He slowly walked towards the middle of the room. There he stood with his arms folded again. Dane smiled haughtily in Lucia's direction and nodded to get up.

[Lucia Drusa Severa]

Pulling away too late, Lucia felt the ground escape her and she was thrown into the air. Dane's speed and strength were incredible, she'd never faced anyone of this level before. The excitement was difficult to contain and the Hybrid was honestly glad that it had been Dane to take over after her father's murder. She'd known and liked him from her childhood, and he was also clearly physically capable of the task of ruling a horde of Vampires. It helped that he'd beaten Victor down a peg as well, though she wouldn't have let him escape with his life if she'd been there.

Sailing through the air, Lucia found herself quickly headed for the wall on the other side of the room. Clenching her fists, she forced her beast out with a quiet grunt. Claws sprouted from her fingers, but more importantly: her wings. Large, black leather wings stabbed out from her shoulder blades, shooting into the air and catching her falling momentum in the air. Lucia caught herself with both feet and a hand on the wall, her wings flapping lightly to hold her position at the wall on the other end of the training room. She met Dane's grin with a smile of her own. The smile was as much for pulling out her wings to catch herself as it was for the Vampire King's words.

Lucia considered his words, seeing their truth. After living with Raven, living with Alena had been... rough, to say the least. Not only had it been difficult at a young age to deal with the schedule of a Werewolf, but between having so many resources available to her here at the Vampire's mansion and her father's doting, Lucia found the fend-for-yourself pack lifestyle in Sweden a little distasteful. Not that she couldn't assert her strength if she had to, but she'd expected certain liberties to be granted her from her mother, that she simply didn't get. In some ways, she could see how spoiled she'd been here amongst the Vampires; but she deserved it, damn it. One Werewolf out of her mother's legion was more than reasonable; she would fight for Pablo.

Still, she wondered how many would die when Alena got here. The Hybrid may very well be surrounded by a large mansion of Vampires, but Alena was the queen of the Werewolves for a reason. Lucia's mother could be quite forcibly persuasive, and she'd never even truly seen her mother angry before. Something told her Alena would cut through everyone to get what she wanted, but just how many would die was intriguing.

Shaking the thoughts away, Lucia pushed off the wall, flying fast toward the Vampire king. Leading with her elbow, the girl sped toward Dane, aiming for his sternum. "I won't let him leave, you're right."

[Ahmad]

Ahmad awoke to the loud knocking, he could clearly tell by the voice coming from the loud knocking that it was attached to Dane. As Ahmad stretched in his bed, he thought to himself What could be so important for him to be in such a mood? He shrugged to his own question as he arose, making his bed and getting ready to go. He opened up the door as it seemed like it was a while ago that Dane might have left. As soon as he stepped into the hallway, the smell of lycan blood filled his nose and he almost gagged at the smell of it. He wandered the halls casually trying to get his bearings again after sleeping for so long that it took him a long while to actually find Dane. Ahmad had felt like he had been in a coma or something of the sort. But after a while he finally found Dane. "Please tell me the lycan is dead because I was about to go bet 10 quid to Fang that the thing was dead. Sure smells like it."