Shelby's dad wasn't killed a werewolf. He was turned by a vampire and taken in by the organisation and his family has never found out what really happened to him.
Years later, Shelby bearly remembers the face of a man that supposed to be her father, her only memories being faded, old photos, so they hold on to the last thing that they consider her memorial after him. Her last name–-
Thornvale
[PT: Thornvale /End PT]
YOOOOOO Abolish and Shelby siblings was something i did not know i needed!
Strange Things Happen (For No Reason): The Stratford Lion
The group head to Lyndhurst to search for a giant lion-like creature known as the Stratford Lion
ao3 link
CHAPTER 2: The Stratford Lion
· · ─ ·✶· ─ · ·
The Stratford Lion is a large red lion-like creature with antlers, known to live in the New Forest area of south-western England. It was initially discovered by a man named Stratford who found the antler of the creature in the ground. Once he pulled it up the he rode and tamed the lion. Reports have even claimed a ghostly figure of Stratford on the lion's back
· · ─ ·✶· ─ · ·
After about another week in East Anglia the group of vampires decided to make their way to New Forest. While their main goal was investigating cryptids, they still wanted to have fun and enjoy themselves.
The journey from East Anglia to New Forest took about a day and a half by carriage. The group decided they would leave in the evening once again to arrive at night.
After climbing into the carriage and getting settled Shelby wanted to explain the plan for when they got to Stratford
"Okay so we're going to get there tomorrow evening, but first let me explain why we're even going to New Forest," She started. Scott and Drift, sitting in the same spots as last time, gave Shelby their full attention. Drift always found it endearing the way Shelby would rant to her, and Scott she supposed.
"There have been reports of a giant red lion with a ghostly figure, Statford, riding on top. The creature usually just stares at people. I want to try to note down information about the creature, appearance, behavior and what not. I also want to see if the alleged ghost is real and if he can communicate with us."
Scott nodded, "So the same thing as last time?"
"Yes, however, this time we have an actual location rather than just searching the forest aimlessly," She answered.
"That's so cool! I hope we can actually talk to the ghost!" Drift exclaimed, "Maybe that way we can get the full story on what happened to him."
"That's exactly what I was hoping to discover!" Shelby responded.
The group of vampires were officially on their way to New Forest. It would be a long journey, but it would be worth it.
· · ─ ·✶· ─ · ·
Eventually they made it to the New Forest area. It was dusk when they were dropped off in the town of Lyndhurst, in New Forest. It was a quaint little town but it was cozy. It was mostly open aside from the trees and the few buildings here and there.
"Oh its so cute here!" Shelby exclaimed.
"I know right!" Drift responded, "it seems so cozy."
Scott rolled his eyes. He always preferred big cities over small towns. "Small towns get so boring so fast. I don't know why you guys like them so much."
The group decided they would stay at the Crown Hotel, seeing as it was the only hotel in the small town. Scott was hoping so something nicer, but beggars can't be choosers.
They walked into the hotel to find a surprisingly modern looking interior. There was an array of windows with beautiful, royal blue, drapes. There were fancy looking chairs and sofas to the right side and a nice looking woman at a counter straight ahead.
"Do you guys want to share a room again or would you prefer separate rooms?" Scott asked Shelby and Drift.
The two vampires shared a look and Drift replied, "We can share. It'll save money plus I love slumber parties."
Shelby smiled, nodding to what Drift was saying.
"Alright then, do you want me to order the rooms again?" Scott responded.
"Yeah, if you don't mind. You're just so good at talking to people and very charismatic," Shelby praised.
Drift giggled and Scott nodded as he walked up to the front desk.
"I really like sharing a room with you, Shelby," Drift started, "I love our late night conversations, and the way you'll rant about cryptids to me. Its one of my favorite things about our travels so far."
Shelby smiled at the sudden affection. "Well its good to know the feeling is mutual. Its nice to not be so alone at night, or during the day- whenever we sleep," Shelby reassured.
Drift had a wide grin on her face along with a light blush. About as much as a vampire could blush.
"I'm back," Scott announced and a singsong voice, "I've got a key for you," he handed the key to Shelby, "and I've got a key for me," he smiled.
"You seem awfully chipper," Drift noticed.
"There was just a nice guy at the front desk," Scott explained.
Shelby and Drift shared a look. It wasn't exactly rare for someone to ask Scott out or to flirt with him. He was objectively attractive and like previously mentioned, quite charismatic.
"Well I'm gonna go settle in. What time should we meet back up, or are we waiting 'till tomorrow to go looking for the lion?" Scott asked.
It was a good question, "Well unless you guys are too tired I say we go hunting then head to Stratford's old farm. Maybe we leave in an hour?" She suggested.
"I'm down to go tonight. Plus maybe we can hunt while we're out I'm getting hungry" Scott replied.
"Ooh that sounds good. I feel like its been a while since out last hunt," Drift replied.
"Very well then I'll see you in an hour," Scott said, walking back towards the front desk with his bag.
"Do you think he's going to get help with his luggage or going to flirt some more with the front desk guy?" Shelby pondered.
"Probably both," Drift answered, "Now lets get to unpacking before we have to leave!"
And off the two vampires went looking for their room. It wasn't long before they found room 16.
They entered the room to find a large bed with a grand wooden bed frame. In front of the bed there was a wooden dresser and close. To the right of the bed was a small bed side table and to the left were two chairs and a coffee table. Behind the chairs was a tall window with floral curtains. Next to the chairs was a vanity with a lamp on it.
Drift walked towards the bed and hoisted her luggage onto the bed. She began putting her folded clothes into the dresser. It wasn't long before Shelby started to do the same.
In a comfortable silence the two settled in and put their clothes away. Shelby had brought a blanket as she was unsure of the quality of the hotel blankets.
She wrapped herself in her blanket and jumped onto the bed, taking a moment to linger in the peaceful silence.
Soon enough Drift came to lie beside her. They just lied there in silence for a while. It was the calm before the chaos the evening would bring.
· · ─ ·✶· ─ · ·
After the hour had passed the group of vampires met back up in the lobby. They all walked out of the hotel as Shelby started, "Okay Stratford's land was in south baddesley which is 17 kilometers southwest from here. So I say we bat up and fly down there!"
"Oh that sounds wonderful its been ages since we've been able to fly," Scott exclaimed.
"What are you talking about, we literally flew around East Anglia yesterday evening before we left," Drift retaliated jokingly.
"Well its not like we fly on a consistent basis anymore," Scott replied, "We have to at least pretend to be normal most of the time."
Drift nodded with understanding.
"That is true," Shelby affirmed, "Now lets hurry up and go I wanna see what we find."
And off they went into the night. Gliding through the air, feeling the wind in their little bat ears. Being a bat was such a liberating experience. Almost like scratching an itch you can't get rid of.
Soon enough the gang had made it too the abandoned area where the lion was supposedly seen.
Shelby decided she wanted to explore the surrounding forest, much to Scott's dismay. He had gotten used to paved roads and not dirtying his shoes.
They searched the forest for about a half an hour before going to explore the abandoned buildings of Stratford's land.
There was a main manor along with a smaller cabin nearby. The manor was mostly made of brick and had a beautiful timber frame and a tile roof.
The inside opened up into an entrance hall way. To the right was the kitchen and to the left a storage room. Further down the hall is a staircase leading to the second level. Past the staircase was a drawing room and a guest bedroom.
Despite the surface level beauty of the house, there were broken windows and floorboards.
Upon entering the main manor Scott exclaimed, "Wooow, these people must've had money! I wouldn't mind living in a place like this, although it is smaller than my castle."
"Yeah this place is pretty nice!" Drift replied, "However this place seems to need some repairs."
Shelby giggled, "Yup, apparently this place has been abandoned for a while now. But you guys could probably get the fire place working if you want a break, or you guys could go hunting."
"That's a sweet offer but I don't mind exploring this place with you. At least for a couple hours." Scott responded, "It's pretty cool seeing all these places even if they're abandoned."
"Yeah I like exploring, plus I get to hang out with you and Scott," Drift agreed.
"Well then maybe we can go hunting after we're done here. Now lets go check out upstairs," Shelby replied.
Up the stairs there was a hallway with one bedrom at the end and two bedrooms on either side.
The group throughly explored each room searching for any sign of startford or the lion. Unfortunately they didn't find much aside from some bugs and old furniture.
Seeing as they hadn't found much, Scott and Drift went to go downstairs to rest by the fireplace.
Meanwhile Shelby decided to go check the surrounding forest one more time before ultimately giving up. She hoped she would find something, anything to prove that this wasn't a big waste of time. She felt bad wasting her friends' time and energy.
As she was walking the surounding grounds of the property she thought she saw something move out of the corner of her eye.
"Hello? Drift? Scott?" She inquired as she turned around to face what was moving.
Once tunred around Shelby found herself face to face with a giant red lion.
The lion was a bright crimson red with the occasional lighter highlight in its mane. It had a huge mane and tail along with antlers ontop of its head.
Sitting atop the lion was a ghostly like man. Shelby could almost see through him entirely. He was dressed as if he were from the late 14th century.
Shelby stared at the beings in shock, but managed to choke out, "Its- Its you."
The ghostly being only stared in reponse to Shelby.
It wasn't long before Shelby snapped out of her trance to take some notes. She scribbled down as much as she could before the creature would inevitably dissapear into the night.
Soon enough the man grabbed the lion by the antlers and the lion started jerking and running. And just like that they were gone.
Shelby was left alone once again.
In a moment of tranquility she took a second to take in what she had just experienced. She looked at her notes and started a rough sketch of what the creature and man had looked like.
Eventually she went back to the manor to relay what had just happened to her friends. Once she was finished the group batted up once again and headed back to their hotel.
· · ─ ·✶· ─ · ·
It was just before sunrise when they got back. Scott retreated to his room to get some rest, as did Drift and Shelby.
While Shelby sat at one of the chairs next to the coffee table refining her notes, Drift was changing into her more lesuirely clothes.
As cool as actual encounters were refining her notes was Shelby's favorite part. It allowed her to remember her experiences forever and poentially share her findings with others.
The two sat in a comfortable silence for a while until Drift sat down in the other chair and asked, "Hey Shelby, what was the lion like?"
Shelby's eyes lit up at the question.
"Oh you would've loved it Drift!" she answered, "It was this humongous, red lion with antlers! There was even the ghost of Stratford! Sadly I didn't get the chance to ask anything, but it was still super cool!"
Drift stared lovingly at Shelby as she spoke. The sight of Shelby's eyes lighting up, the way she talked with such passion; Drift loved it, she lived for it.
And the two sat there together as Shelby went on and on about the Stratford Lion.
InfiniteDrift-centric, Vampire InfiniteDrift, Blood Drinking, Food, Manipulation, Manipulative Scott Major | Smajor1995, Sleepovers, Harm to Animals, Isolation, Denial, Angst, Family, Hopeful Ending, Angst with a Hopeful Ending, characters not ccs, Mild Gore, Abusive Relationships
Summary:
"I forgot I can't sleep," Drift ends up saying, tongue feeling thick and clumsy in her mouth. Scott stares. Shelby, on the other hand, is perfectly still for a moment before they snort in the back of their throat, the noise breaking into light giggles at it makes its way up.
"Sorry, sorry!" she says, covering her mouth with her hand. "It's just the look on your face. I've actually done that, too. Things like that are so mundane that I think we usually don't think about them at all, which makes it easy to forget it's changed. Like breathing."
-
In Oakhurst, with violence lurking around every corner, the benefits of vampirism are obvious. But once Drift makes it out and back to her home in the capital, where the rhythms of everyday life continue, more disadvantages start presenting themselves.
THAT ONE NEW SMP GAVE ME IDEAS I MUST SHARE—So. Hear me out. Starter vampire Shelby.
She was turned by her lover, whom she thought understood her and actually wants to go cryptid searching with her, but instead... ... ...she arrived to Oakhurst as a newly turned vampire.
And and! Her and Owen!
They were both turned by their lover, but Owen's turning was a promise for a future together, while Shelby's was a betrayal of the same promise. Owen's lover is gone forever, Shelby's lover is still out there, and they're both grieving in different ways.
Do y'all see the vision??
ohohohohohohhhooo such a cool concept!!! bonus points if she's blindfolded like her pantheon smp character, i think it would be interesting to write a blinded vampire, i imagine it would be overstimulating on the ears oof
Second Anon:
HI SORRY THE SAME ANON THAT JUST SUBMITTED STARTER VAMP SHELBY- [Plain Text: Hi sorry the same anon that just submitted starter vamp shelby-] this is more so a correction to something in that one so I'm not expecting u to respond to both, just the first is fine.
So my mind went over the idea a bit more and realized it'd fit way better if Shelby wasn't directly turned by her lover, but was kinda like feed to/left for dead with some other vampire. The betrayal hits harder then y'know?
Response:
ooooooohhh god not even a betrayal, its just throwing her to the dogs at that point that's devastating, i love it!!
AU where Shelby and Pyro were the only humans in town and got turned to vamps. All the other townsfolk (maybe except legs bc I think it might be funny) are some kind of supernatural creature. They know about themselves but assume everyone else is human.
When weird unexplainable shit happens (bc none of them are human) they all blame the vampires as to not blow their own cover, but the vampires obviously aren't doing it so Scott, Owen, Pyro, and Shelby all have to be like detectives and figure out who is what and why the things are happening
and I think the way they get out is Scott has some old ass spell book that's like "oh yeah if you get all these creatures together then you can get rid of the beacons" and they do some weird power of friendship shit and explode the beacons. This part is very optional but I think it would be funny
im telling you, the core vampires are so scooby doo coded, and now they have a mystery to solve!
InfiniteDrift-centric, Vampire InfiniteDrift, Blood Drinking, Food, Manipulation, Manipulative Scott Major | Smajor1995, Sleepovers, Harm to Animals, Isolation, Denial, Angst, Family, Hopeful Ending, Angst with a Hopeful Ending, characters not ccs
Summary:
"I forgot I can't sleep," Drift ends up saying, tongue feeling thick and clumsy in her mouth. Scott stares. Shelby, on the other hand, is perfectly still for a moment before they snort in the back of their throat, the noise breaking into light giggles at it makes its way up.
"Sorry, sorry!" she says, covering her mouth with her hand. "It's just the look on your face. I've actually done that, too. Things like that are so mundane that I think we usually don't think about them at all, which makes it easy to forget it's changed. Like breathing."
-
In Oakhurst, with violence lurking around every corner, the benefits of vampirism are obvious. But once Drift makes it out and back to her home in the capital, where the rhythms of everyday life continue, more disadvantages start presenting themselves.
Abolish’s organization in the modern day, other than hunting down and dealing with any incidents caused by vampiric bad actors, spends quite a bit of time(and money!) manipulating the narrative behinds vampires in order to ensure the public remains unaware of the supernatural. Many major figures are, knowingly or not, on their payroll.
As a result, Shelby’s writings on vampires have to go through the organization to be reviewed before publishing. But in return, they handle the marketing and whatnot and takes only as much royalties as it needs to break even from its guise-writers(well, the ones who ACTUALLY know about the supernatural that is.). Shelby, though often annoyed by needing to change some elements(totally not because they’re based on her lived experiences), greatly enjoys this system, considering how the organization also happens to control the number one publisher in the world. Publishing has truly never been easier for her!
Being able to meet up with Abolish every now and then to discuss her next book as a guise so she can hang out with one of the few people still around from oakhurst certainly sweetens the deal…
