Even as the flames died out and what was once the form of the vampire burned to nothing, he knew that the smell of smoke and burning would call others from within the bowels of the cathedral and surrounds to investigate.

This was why he had made his bargain with the ministers here – convinced of the holiness of his crusade and, if he were being cynical, grateful for the money he provided them, they said nothing of these sacrifices and ensured that they were cleaned up, in all ways. Even the ashes would be put out to un-consecrated ground and that would be the end of it.

So, as he collected his things and made to go, he left a hefty purse of coin upon the edge of the communion table, making the circle of the sacrifice complete.

His collar turned up, he slipped quietly out of a side door and made his way back towards home, ever vigilant against anyone or anything which might have taken an interest in his nocturnal activities. Some types of undead, after all, did not make themselves.

Rehearsals
Between hugs, Holly suppressed a bright giggle and let a little Rockshore back into her tone in response to Elodie.

"Aw shit ferreal? No cap we keep it a buck, no-snapbacks reppin' the Stone-zone?" she began a rapidly expanding grin that had her biting the tip of her tongue, shaking her head as you and the other gracious members of cast and crew went out of their way to boost her confidence and really make her feel welcomed and appreciated.

"Honestly waiting for you and Leo to help start steering some culture here. The entire artform is in good hands…"

Holly 'Eep!'d into Leo Sterling's characteristic bearhug, squeezed out of her breath briefly as she was set back down, putting on a bit that she had to find her footing again once back on Earth.

"Oh yeah I hear you, like with the lights I couldn't really see them too clearly but they had a vibe. I think people were really looking for a lighthearted RomCom, Elodie's seriously got her finger on the pulse…"

The word 'Son' got Holly to double-look, coinciding with a flick of her eyes from Mr. Sterling to Leo. It felt like a proclamation, in a sense.

There was almost no need for introductions, those two couldn't broadcast 'We're the Sterlings' any harder even if they were both wearing sandwichboards with big bold lettering.

Holly actually staggered for a moment at the sight of them completely owning the room in a way that magnetized their presence in and amongst a group of meeker, if ebullilent theater crew.

Stanley Sterling looked like a model of a military father — like the standard upon which an AI might be trained.

Margaret Sterling might have sprung out of an upscale homekeeping magazine — not for people who struggled, but people who needed styling guidance on their hundred grand sunroom and topiary garden renovation.

And in an instant, even while being completely relevant for the gathering, Holly felt like she didn't belong. And if she, who almost perpetually felt comfortable in her own skin and could merge into any gathering with aplomb felt a little off — well Holly couldn't help but just look toward Leo Sterling behind the subtle cover of adjusting her hair, as if to quietly shield her features from the scrutiny of his parents.

"Oh it's such a privilege to get to meet you!" It was Holly that was acting, now. She didn't crack a joke, she didn't plug her company, she didn't end with 'Nahmean?', she held her posture proper and folded her hands before her with her clutch resting flat in her grip.

It was so easy to see just how the weight of their expectations shaped her into an envelope to match the view the projected out into the world. This is how people behave. This is how you greet them. This is how you carry yourself. This is the way you're supposed to bear the Sterling standard and fly your family flag.

And she wasn't even related to them.

Everything about that entire interaction spoke of an inertia for her to observe and learn about, a humongous slab of foundational context that informed underneath the base layer of Leo's explanations and strife and hesitations and worries.
Each little detail a button that tugged fabric tighter and held it in place like eyehooks on a corset that got everyone to fix their posture in little ways, Leo most of all.
How did any of you breathe?

Holly suppressed all of the questions that wanted to break the dam of her smile, only to fall into an embarrassingly pedestrian response. "Uh how are you guys enjoying The City so far?"

Snorting

Good to see you

*smile*

**In a small cove and on a beach, just south of the Port of Kamras**

I'm tired , it shows in the dark rings under my eyes , never getting more than an ahn or two of sleep, if that.. The pain from my curse is unending, but at least if I can stay busy with activities and tasks , I can manage if not ignore it mostly ..

Because of it I've been in just about every work activity and training every day , and I've in prime shape..

I watch you drink , wondering if my slave or the Raider Mandha have been giving you enough water.. I hear your words , and they matter.. So I choose to stay , when it looks like I was about to walk away again..

Sitting on the flat stone , some distance just out of reach from you, my legs cross comfortably and I look at you a couple more ehns.. Finally speaking..

"Paesyn.. You should know by now that you arn't going to escape me , and there is no one coming to find you , and those here are more loyal to me than their worries could be for a woman with a sharp tongue..

I don't know what to do with you , but I know you will stay with me from now on ..

This seems to be fated."

out

Crossing the great chamber, he found an unlit oil lamp, carefully easing the glass chimney away. Easing away the burner and collar, he then upended the reservoir and poured the lamp oil liberally over the body of the vampire.

Waiting a moment as he collected his thoughts, he searched the area for the matches used to light the myriad candles within the cathedral and then, stepping back, struck a match and tossed it onto the body of the vampire.

“Make this smoke be sweet and pleasing to the Lord.”, he offered, with an ironic twist of his mouth. The lamp oil proved an effective accelerant, and soon the creature’s body was fully engulfed, the heat of the roaring flame beginning to be uncomfortable at this remove.

Whatever dark bargain allowed the fiend to carry on with its unlife, though, soon found the body burned away to nothing but ash, even bone crumbling away in the cleansing fire; fiery ends by mortal men were never so clean, yet another proof that the taint of the fiend would wither in the heat of righteous flame.

Then I hope it works out.

Mastersons Cabin
He spots you outside speak of the devil and there he is. He pulls to a stop when he gets close enough to you and dismounts hurrying over to you

"Glad I caught you while you are still at home, some shit went down at me place and I need you with me"

Well Hello! Welcome back!

sees all is in order...

Still very quiet here

...thinking about the fun had fishing today

sees that we had some business...smiles...

thank you girls!

quickly comes in on this...FATHER'S DAY

Dreamweaver1 has started a new game with the following players:
Dreamweaver1

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#r-ananama@bwr - Runda, Baby ShadowKAT prowling the grounds...

Crying softly in my stall

Looking forward to seeing the play from the coming days....