it's a new day

it's a new dawn, it's a new day, it's a new life for me. Romulus, magistrate.

[vibecheckcr]

xremusx​:

Remus had resorted to getting his brother to take the first step. He had done so before so he was sure it would happen again. Death was something the two of them knew far too well. If there was one thing the former vampire had always thought, it was that him and his brother would always have each other’s backs. They had seen their village fall. Together. They had become vampires. Together. They had gotten rid of the mad magister Amulius. Together. Everything they had ever done before his death, they had each other to fall back on. It had felt as blunt as the uppercut to his chin or the punch to his chest when he had been struck down by Romulus. He had never expected there would be any point in time where they ever would be without each other until that very moment. All of the anger and rage he felt for so long would come to a head right now. Those beasts within him threatened to come out, to show his brother exactly what had become of him at the magister’s hands. A monster just like their uncle had been.

He’s still doubled over as the words leave Romulus’ mouth, a low growl falling from the pits of his throat and filling the space between them. There would be no coming back from this, he knew that and he didn’t care. Remus had held onto the anger for long enough and he wanted to be free from it. This probably wouldn’t help, but he was too far gone to think rationally about any of this. And, if it wasn’t his own mind against him, it was the menagerie of beasts that he had come into contact with in the Otherworld. They seemed to all be within him, his jaw unhinging on its own accord, eyes bloodshot as he looked up at Romulus. No words could leave his mouth now, the monster he had been made had taken control and he was left with no recollection of who he even was. A hand lifted to pull his maw back into place before dropping both arms in front of him.

“You made me into this…thing.” He gripped Romulus’ shirt in his left hand before bringing his other to make contact with the magister’s cheekbone. And then he pulled back and let his fist fly to the same spot again. And again. And again. “You’re going to die here, Romulus.” He let go and let out a breath, a low growl leaving his mouth as he cracked his neck. “And you’re never coming back.” Hands lifted again to grab onto the other man’s shirt. “You’re never. Ever. Coming. Back.” He then let his hands wrap around his brother’s neck. “I want to see the life leave your eyes.”

“You’ll finally be just like him.” He rasps as he gazes up at Remus. He wonders if he already has become the man they had once worked so hard to kill. Blinded by ambition, hellbent on power at any cost. Romulus thinks he already knows the answer before he even reaches to grasp the other man’s forearms. It’s with as much momentum as he can manage that he throws them both to the floor and then they aren’t brothers. No, when Remus’s back hits the marble tile they aren’t siblings anymore, they’re two men fighting to stay alive. Punches are thrown, they roll this way and that, grappling to get to their feet and all the while the figures dance around them as if they aren’t even there. It’s all torturously slow compared to what they are used to. The last time they’d done this, he’d run his sword straight through Remus’s chest and to the ground. This time they have their fists and again, it is fitting that this time when one of them left the world, it would be as they were when they were born. Just two mortals, reverted by whatever magic or realm they were at the mercy of. Remus was a man unhinged and any time he got the upper hand, it was for naught. There’s so much he wants to say, so much that isn’t going to matter in the end. They were supposed to break the circle and here they were, pushing and shoving and clawing at each other like animals, perpetuating it further. He has had centuries to think of Remus, of what he’d had to do that day and if it was all worth it. If any of it had really mattered in the grand scheme of things, the senate, the supernatural, they all seemed hellbent on killing each other. The wolves, the eladrin, the druids, all pushed to the fringes and separated from the rest of them, the witches outright disappearing, killing one another. And the vampires were practically fully in control and he’s tried so hard to ignore it over the years. They’re both the man that they’d spent so long killing, just in different ways. It’s with this thought that Romulus falters, fails to counter a blow and his head recoils from a punch into the sharp edge of a portrait on the wall. His back hits the wall and he’s momentarily stunned as everything reels.

[vibecheckcr]

xremusx​:

Around and around they would go until they finished this once and for all. There would be no peace for either of them. More specifically, there would be no peace for Remus if he did not get this over with. It had taken over his life and burned most every bridge he had built. He had betrayed Trivia for this and she had never done anything but care about him. The terror wanted the man before him to know the feeling of loss. The two of them knew what that word meant. They had suffered, but Romulus had survived and he had decided to make an example of Remus. That would not be forgiven. The shadows were where he had spent the entirety of his life. Even when they were younger, he had felt like he couldn’t ever get out of it. His brother was Romulus and he had merely been just Remus, nobody important next to someone like his twin brother. He was the dead brother. The terror would make sure that he rose from those shadows. It wouldn’t mean anything to anyone other than him, but it would still mean something.

Remus did not want to hear anything his brother needed to say. It wouldn’t do anything to hear how sorry he was. It wouldn’t help the rage he had felt for so long. None of it would matter. “Tell you?” A loud cackle left his mouth. It was all he could bring himself to do as his voice rose several octaves. There was a crazed look in his eyes as he moved even closer. They were within arms length of each other, but his voice was still raised as if they were rooms apart. “I’ll tell it your severed fucking head when this is over!” The laugh died down only slightly, a smile on his face that was menacing in nature. Then his hands reached up to grip the sides of his brother’s head. “You can tell Amulius I said ‘hello’,” he stated before he shoved at the other man’s head. “You’ll be the dead brother, Romulus.” He shoved the magister’s head again. “You’ll be in the shadows, Romulus.” And again. “You’re weak.” And once again. “You can join the rest of the family we lost and I’ll finally be free from you.”

Those dancing around them paid them no mind as Remus threw the first hit, practically threw his head back like a ball and he stepped back each time. His brother’s spiraling was going to be his undoing and they could go in circles all day about how killing him wasn’t going to fix anything. The thing was that Remus wasn’t going to listen and so on what must have been the third time, he stepped back and brought his fist up at the same time in an uppercut. It connects with Remus’s jaw and without his full strength it’s not going to split his skull apart but it’s enough to give them a moment. “We don’t have to do this.” He’s still trying to be reasonable as he catches his footing and fully squares up. Even if he dies there, he doesn’t want Remus to be plagued with what he’s been plagued with all of these centuries. He had done what he thought he’d had to and here Remus was doing the same. Maybe fate was right, they were doomed to be in this neverending circle where brother was against brother. Remus was wrong, he didn’t want to do this, what he thought was right. That’s what had gotten them into this in the first place. “What will this accomplish?” He’s still chastising as he moves, landing a second blow to his brother’s solar plexus with his other fist and as he draws back, he’s got both raised, more for defense than anything. Hope is such a terrible thing to have, illogical in the face of someone who has spent their lives blinded by a rage that is well deserved. “You soothe your ego and the senate falls further into chaos? Be reasonable.” 

[vibecheckcr]

xremusx​:

It was all in one ear and out the other. Remus had long forgotten the feeling he had when his brother had struck him down. In reality, it was his own fault. Everything seemed to circle back to this being all because of his own actions. Everything with Romulus was because of him. He wanted vampires in charge. His brother didn’t. He wanted to kill Romulus. Ayi’ig made it happen. She had given him his word and now this was where they stood. Yet he was never apologetic for anything he had ever done. He wanted to see this world that had been so carefully created crash and burn. If he couldn’t get what he wanted, then why would he let anyone else have anything? People would suffer because of his vendetta and he would laugh in their faces and say it was worth it. As long as it did not hurt the two people he cared for most, the rest could fucking burn.

Apologetic. Romulus was apologetic. The magister was weak like he expected. Remus was stronger than him. He could shift into anyone, be anything. If he had that power right now, this fight wouldn’t last a second because he would’ve already made his brother into dog food for Alek’s pack. “Walk away?” Laughter fell from his lips as he moved closer, eyes trained on the vampire’s own. He was weak. Weak. Remus hated weak people. “You’re going to wish I walked away, Romulus. I will not stop until you have suffered like I have. The shadows have only made me stronger. I have you to thank for at least that. So how about this. I’ll let you take the first swing.” He wouldn’t, but that was already obvious.

There was never going to be an easy end to this, to them. Romulus knew that the two of them meeting again would mean that only one of them would leave the encounter. It didn’t even matter if Remus had changed his mind after living centuries as something else, it was the principle of the matter. His younger sibling was too stubborn to just let it go. How could he? They’d been partners, all each other had at one point, and he’d betrayed him and it’s right then and there that the magister pauses and looks to the other man. And he can’t help but wonder what he’s gotten up to in all these years, if he knows that there hadn’t been a single day that went by that Romulus didn’t wish things would have been different. That every person he’d had to kill since Remus, he’d pictured his younger brother in their place. In a way, he had never stopped killing him, in those final moments, everyone shared his face of anguished betrayal regardless of circumstances. “No you won’t.” There’s an almost fond lilt to it before he’s sighing and the shadows his brother mentions are not there with them. Nor are his own vampiric abilities, they’re evenly matched as they’d been as children. Perhaps that’s how it was meant to be, this eventual meeting. It was a fitting twist of fate, he had to admit. “I wish you’d tell me. How you’ve suffered, how you’ve gotten along all these years.” It’s more curious than anything as he stands there, hands behind his back but muscles tense. He’s not going to start this and he thinks neither of them are ever going to actually finish it. “I could tell you what I have been up to, but I doubt you’re interested. Your mind has been made up since the moment you returned.”

[muertevelasco-deactivated202604]

who? @vibecheckcr​

where? mercuralia, amidst the booths

notes: them <3 also my

“You know, you never did tell me your name, and I didn’t get to thank you again for your kindness,” Marisol comments cheekily as she slides next to the kind man from before with a grin on her lips. Their conversation had a rather abrupt ending, and she is delighted by the opportunity to continue talking to the man that had noticed her and had sought her out despite not knowing anything about her. “Let me buy a drink as a thanks?”

[vibecheckcr]

“I have a feeling you already know.” It very well could be interpreted as smug, but Romulus’s tone is more playful than anything. Even though he appears to be on his own, he’s not, there’s a smattering of vampire’s in his general vicinity at all times, there had been that day before the flower shop. There is a bit of a thrill though, the idea that she really doesn’t know and more like she might not really care. A spirit, a reaper, they ran in completely different circles, she’s pretty unaffected by his antics, all things considered. He wonders if he’s too old for that kind of hope though, time has made him indifferent to most things. But I’m not about to turn down a drink with pleasant company.” It’s the doe eyes. It’s the doe eyes and the idea that he can’t quite conduct a lot of business if Marzia had indeed banned compulsion from the whole event. 

[vibecheckcr]

xremusx​:

Anger could be the only word to describe the emotion going through him right now. Remus had never been one for hiding exactly how he felt at any given moment. Some would say he wore his emotions right on his sleeve. The saying was ‘heart’ really, but the terror wasn’t quite sure he even had one left. It was still beating in his chest. It would still be there if someone chose to take it out of its cage. They would have to work pretty damn hard to kill him now. If it wasn’t for the person that Trivia had turned him into, then it would be for Renfield. Remus had to stay alive out of spite and love for his son that thought he would willingly leave. That would not do and he would not let that reality come to fruition. And that meant he was not going to die here.

Romulus was far too calm for his liking. He sure as hell wouldn’t have been in the magister’s position. Remus was looking to kill. He was always looking to put his brother in the grave he had been buried in himself. Maybe that would give him some semblance of peace. If that was even remotely possible for him any longer. A short sardonic laugh tumbled from his mouth as he eyed his brother. Fate had brought them here and maybe, just maybe, it was actually on his side this time. He would no longer be the brother fated to die. It was always Romulus and Remus, Remus and Romulus. Now it would just be Remus. His destiny was not to die. It was to rid this realm of the man he had once called brother.

“Aw, you didn’t miss me? I guess you wouldn’t. You killed me for a reason.” There was venom laced within the words he spoke. The anger found itself creeping through his veins and through his entire being. Remus could not turn himself into a beast to kill Romulus now, but there were other methods to use. If the man died here, he wondered if this castle would be his grave. The terror’s hands lifted, palms upward. Then he curled his fingers a few time, beckoning the other towards him. “I’ve been waiting a long time for this, Romulus.” His hand lifted to point towards his brother. “Your head is going to be a nice trophy for my mantle.” Remus eyes the faceless figures twirling about, paying them no mind as they danced. “Come on. Make this worth my while.”

“You misunderstand me, brother.” This has been centuries in the making and he knew that one day, they’d be reunited like this. Perhaps not like this, not in some daydream of what has to be Titania’s castle at one point or another, but they’d meet and Remus would be angry. He’s got every right to be, he was his brother and he’d killed him with the same sword he’d used to kill their uncle. It hadn’t been something he was proud of, it hadn’t been something easy. Romulus is something practically ancient now, he has killed many people, and yet the only one that was really going to matter was the man before him. The brother he takes a step towards in the ballroom, the dancing figures around them continuing as if they aren’t even there. “I did what I had to. Not what I wanted to.” And he highly doubts pointing this out is going to change Remus’s mind, that was the thing. There couldn’t be any sort of hope in him when it came to this, the idea that his sibling would ever understand or forgive him for what he’d done wasn’t possible. He couldn’t blame him for that, he wasn’t about to grovel for forgiveness that he didn’t deserve. “But I imagine there will be no convincing you to just walk away from this.” It’s rhetorical and as indifferent as he tries to be, the frown on his face feels like it’s etched so deep that he’d probably die with it. That might be fitting, too. But he has to try, he refuses to raise a hand to Remus again without at least trying to reason with him. 

[vibecheckcr]

bloodyrhiannon​:

“Oh, if it isn’t the Rome’s founder himself,” Rhiannon breezed, her lips curled into a grin and her eyebrows raised up in delight. Romulus would surely help bring about a new and brighter age for the vampires, something that Rhiannon was very much looking forward to. However, he was also inordinately powerful, influential and someone that she couldn’t completely understand just yet. As such, he was as much a hope as he was a threat. She had indeed been meaning to find time to get to know him as well, but the days had flown by in grief and she had not done her due diligence in finding out more about the man who likely held their race’s future in his hands. “It is indeed Rhia, and I’ll take your care to know as a compliment.” She looked him over, smiling. “Please,” she said in invitation. “I’m an open book, Magister. What is it you wanted to know?” Which was, of course, not true. She wasn’t all too sure yet what his motives were, apart from quite possibly genuinely wanting to know who she was. But Rhiannon wasn’t easy to trust.

There is something about her right off the bat that is incredibly mischievous, it’s the way her smile goes all the way up to her eyes. He’s got a soft spot for people like that, he thinks. But he’s not entirely sure where to start when she offers up her history, because it was vast. He spends time with Hakan, elder members of their kind all the time because he likes that they all have their own stories, seem to reach an age where things just sort of…Peeter off into what he sometimes wonders is nothingness. It’s like some sort of secret club once you’ve breached over a thousand, like you’re part of some sort of support group. “What happened between you and the druid senator?” He asks because it’s recent and it’s interesting, he hasn’t gotten a chance to chat with the man himself, not yet. “I imagine it’s been quite an adjustment for him.” Dion, it was a large loss for the druids, but he couldn’t say it wasn’t a bit of a win for them. It certainly didn’t help matters, but he figured he should know what light they’re being painted in. He might not know the woman before him personally, but he’s protective by nature.

[xremusx]

closed starter for @vibecheckcr​ location: castle labyrinth note: FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT

Remus had gone through many faces in the time since he had been resurrected and he was sure he would go through many more. This one he had now had been one he snatched from one of the many jackboots that had been roaming around the festival grounds. Maybe he could learn a thing or two about The Eye to help with Alek’s very big problem. That was what the plan had been before he was privy to the mayor’s little speech. Soon after, they had all been dragged off to who knew where. The terror had tried to switch back, but it seemed things were not going to be working the way he wanted it to. It was no matter. This face would be good enough for now. All he had intended to do was get out of this castle in one piece and finish the job. That was all he needed to do. Until it wasn’t. His gaze fell upon his one bit of company across the ballroom with many faceless dancers twirling about. Romulus.

How lucky for him. How unlucky for his dear brother. His abilities weren’t working, but it seemed his brother was in more of a predicament than he was. Remus had been waiting for this moment. His brother’s head on his mantle would be a nice trophy for his apartment. He would be cautious though. Never underestimate an opponent, he thought. Although Romulus looked weak, it would be far from the truth if he got cocky now. But the terror did so love to talk. “Oh, Romulus.” His steps slowly brought him through the crowd of dancers, voice bringing attention to himself as his gaze stayed on his brother. “Did you miss me?”

[vibecheckcr]

It’s something he thought would happen if he set foot in Rome again, that he was bound to be privy to it’s dramatics. He thought he’d been prepared for such a thing, he’s lived many lives, he’d managed to kill his uncle, he’s faced many a problem, many a battle, and yet he is not prepared for this. It’s just a castle, something of the Otherworld he imagines, and he had speed on his side, his enhanced senses to navigate it until he didn’t. Dull, foreign, the world, realm, whatever he was in, wasn’t so loud anymore, not like usual and it’s been so long that it’s almost more relieving than distressing. Moving through the castle, Romulus finds himself more curious than anything, trying to look at the whole situation objectively. It’s a castle, it’s got to be some sort of magic, something thrown out of balance, a scale tipped and so naturally there’s either some sort of exit or it could be waited out. It’s all so curious, like something akin to a dream and when his speed finally depletes, when he is left simply to wander, something about it all feels oddly familiar but he has trouble nailing the memory down. Most curious is the adjacent ballroom where he moves towards the sound of music and there are people moving across the dancefloor. Graceful and faceless, he thinks if he were to step too close to one they might just pass through him. If it is all just magic, it is a fascinating feat and he’s about to reach out to touch one of the dancer’s when he hears it. It is not the sound of the whispers that he’s been hearing as he navigates the long halls, it’s not one he’s heard before at all and the man who’d spoken, he doesn’t recognize him either. But he knows. He would know him with any face. “Remus.” He regards coolly, withdrawing his hand and standing there at full height before his sibling. It is a reunion that has been long put off. Because of course they would meet now, back in Rome where things could come full circle. And yet this place that they’re in has been one winding hall after another, full of voices speaking in hushed tones he can’t make out. This could be yet another trick. He’s not quite sure what would hurt more, if this was indeed his sibling or if it was just a figment of this place. “Still asking rhetorical questions I see.”

[vibecheckcr]

Location: Near a tent pick a tent Person: Bloody Chan @bloodyrhiannon​ “Rhia, right?” The marshal who turned the druid senator, the one who was one of the eldest vampire’s serving the Juno senator, Theo’s sire, she had a lot of titles and that made her interesting enough in her own right. “I’ve been meaning to speak with you.” Which sounds ominous even if he’s speaking plainly, so he tucks his hands in his pockets and nods towards the street. They could go for a walk, there was fuck else to do with The Eye out and about patrolling. It was a choice, and yet Romulus had never once denied Marzia Bianchi anything, years later and she was just as radiant as ever. “I’ve heard you’ve lived a rather long and colorful life, I’d love to hear about it firsthand instead of just from the mouths of other people.” 

[vibecheckcr]

Mercuralia

*dad voice* absolutely not

[vibecheckcr]

adriannicodemus​:

          “A stroll it is then,” it holds this unbiased timbre, as though he’s still feeling everything out and it’s perfectly acceptable for him to be wary and aloof. The Cardinal is meant to be eager at the beck and call of the magistrates, bow his head and be a reliant creature, someone they don’t have to fret over. Romulus edges towards uncharted territory, the magistrate asking how Adrian is and it’s a bit rattling. He’s not expecting things to sway in a deeper resonance, he finds them to be both creatures of habit, those who parade around this surface level value; he’d not expect Romulus to go for the throat like he just had. “Nothing has, unfortunately, changed since then or I’d have brought it straight to you,” he offers this jovial smile, an action that on Adrian is mildly unsettling. He’s not draped in holy cloth but his neck is adorned with the subtle priest collar, he’s stuck in all black; it’s  a casual appearance for a casual day and yet it still feels like this underwhelming offer to Romulus.

He’s curious, grunt work like the prison catacombs had never been something to fall upon a Mars and he’d almost be offended; it felt like this slight. The question is offered coolly however, sweetens it with curious eyes, “Is manning the prison just temporary or should we be appointing more marshals in our favor to run it?”

“Is it proving to not be to your liking, Senator?” It’s not malicious, not in the least bit as they walk. But there’s just the slightest bit of mirth to the question because the underlying feeling of annoyance is palpable. Truth was that Romulus had always thought the Mars senator seat to be a soft spot for himself, they shared a bloodline. He cared for every and all vampires, but the same blood ran in their veins, they were connected. Which was why maybe he was a bit harsher, he couldn’t show any sort of favoritism. “You’ve done well with it, I figured perhaps your presence might get a few prisoner’s to repent even.” That warrants an actual smile, one at his own little joke. Vampires and religion, it’s a hilarious concept and yet he’d had that fated issue at one point, wrestled with his mortality, faith and all that. He thinks it’s inevitable for all of them if they live long enough. Adrian though, he wonders if Adrian will go the opposite direction, will one day shed the collar and delve into some kind of hedonism. Glancing at the man at his side, he thinks he might like to see it. “You are good at appointing marshals though. You and Senator Cassia have always had that in common.” It’s a little compliment to make up for the joke, but it’s not disingenuous, the two that’d managed to grapple with the leech the most had been of Mars and Venus blood so far. “Could do with another, I won’t dissuade you from that.”

[vibecheckcr]

theograves​:

Compulsion prevented Theo from deceiving the other when the question had been asked so directly, he didn’t resist, he knew that it would have been foolish to do so - and telling. “Senator Narcissus.” Theo admitted, “Most of the senate has suspected him for some time, I thought perhaps that the accusations were baseless and rooted in the man’s predilection towards blood magic. However, there’s enough credit to the rumours to question him more… directly.” One traitorous witch was a prize, but they were after the coven, the book, and the creature that had orchestrated most of this. The Pythia, who’d declared war on the entire city already. “I have a hope that he can be coerced into revealing the location of their temple to us, with enough force, we can snuff them out when they aren’t expecting it.” The implication was simple, pardon one necromancer in favour of killing or imprisoning the rest. An end to all of this was worth allowing one. “My hope is his loyalty to his self outweighs his loyalty to that demon.” 

-

“Why did I know it was going to be a witch?” It’s less said to Theo and more just out loud as he sinks down in his chair and brings both hands up to his eyes, heels of his palms rubbing into them. It’s not like Romulus entirely has anything against witches, though he has watched them progress for years while the Amaranthus has seemed….Stuck on tradition and that’s been strange, to see progression hindered by archaic practices. The Narcissus coven was supposed to be some kind of middle ground, or at least that’s what he’d always figured. To think their sovereign would pull something was shocking and yet he believes it. Pulling his hands away from his face, he sits up and looks squarely at the senator across from him. “What are you suggesting?” From what he knows, the coven is small, but if he’s working with the Asphodel, the whole thing needs to be handled with delicate hands which is more than a little infuriating when he wants them gone. If he needs to be patient, so be it. “Because while I believe you, I need concrete evidence.” He’s trying to sound diplomatic, there’s firmness to his tone, but he can’t help but already feel a bit exasperated by the mere thought.

[vibecheckcr]

muertevelasco​:

“Well yes, but you shouldn’t say it,” Marisol laughs softly, head shaking as she turns her back to Elmira’s memorial, eyes and body following the man with the beautiful words like a planet falling into a sun’s orbit. There is something unbearably curious about the man before her, something that is slowly dragging her from her melancholia despite the topic of conversation. “It’s something about keeping a positive outlook, and pretending everything is fine until it isn’t,” she offers, smile brightening at the gentlemanly gesture and she places a hand on the back of his arm and curls her fingers gently over it, stepping closer so that she doesn’t have to reach too far and her head tilts up to meet his eyes. It’s almost funny, how small she is in comparison, and yet she doesn’t feel intimidated despite the fact that she is starting to realize that the other is often seen as intimidating. Instead, all she feels is a curious warmth at his kindness, and she squeezes his arm in a quiet thanks as her eyes remain fixed on his. She doesn’t have human functions any longer, as a reaper, but her throat suddenly feels too dry as nerves build and she swipes a tongue over her lips nervously as she takes a small plunge, despite remembering how the last time she had done the same it had amounted for nothing. “Careful there, cariño,” she offers, trying to go for a playful smile. “You might give people the wrong idea, being so sweet.”

-

“I haven’t the slightest idea what you’re talking about.” It’s a perfectly aloof statement betrayed by the slightest smirk as they walk. The entourage isn’t too far, whatever deity out there knows that they won’t actually leave him alone while he’s out of the villa, but he can kind of, sort of pretend that it’s just the two of them. “I think I’m....” Sweet is something he wouldn’t use to describe himself, a little neurotic, a little tired, perhaps even quirky, but those were the good things. Romulus was a lot of things to a lot of people and that at one point had been overwhelming, to meet someone and know they had all these preconceived notions. Aliases were important, that kind of thing. And yet as the years went by, he picked and chose who got what, who knew which part of him. He had to do something to keep life interesting at his age, he was sure the woman at his side understood that, she’d wind up timeless too. “You didn’t give me a name.” It’s said absently as they head down the street and he’s sure the spring air would be lovely if he could really feel it. It’s getting warmer, he’s seeing more khaki shorts on the tourists, never a good sign. 

[vibecheckcr]

theograves​:

“The senate, at the time, didn’t have the power or the means to take them on head on.” Romulus was there when last the Asphodel rose, had been present when Rome had nearly been destroyed. “A coven was wiped out, relations with the fey severed, its only come to light recently that the Eye were behind both of these acts. Opportunities were created and the Asphodel took advantage.” He didn’t want to think that the two organizations were related when they seemed in blatant contention with one another, more likely the senate was a mutual enemy. With the destruction of the Amaranthus, and the rise of the drow, the odds were stacked heavily against them. “I felt it, though I haven’t spoken to her about but I assumed that changing him was the only way to save him.” Theo doubted that very much, but he wasn’t going to cast suspicion on his sire. “She’s a marshal in this city and has served here for far longer than I’ve been in Rome, Rhiannon has never given me a reason to doubt her.” 

-

Romulus offers a nod, makes a mental note that he should speak to Rhiannon, the ex senator as well. He imagined the transition from druid to vampire was quite an interesting one. What an interesting thing to go through, losing one’s magic, trading one form of immortality for another. It’s somewhat sad actually, the druids numbers were dwindling already and he himself didn’t wish to make enemies of those that remained. They had bigger issues to worry about. “You don’t suspect anyone, do you? Of your own bloodline or otherwise?” It would be stupid not to look into everyone and yet he doesn’t want to suspect any of his own kind with something like this, to think they’d betray each other. “I’d like to think we vampires have nothing to worry about when it comes to one another but...” Trailing off, he sighs heavily. All of this is work neither of them wants to deal with. 

[vibecheckcr]

adriannicodemus​:

          The mask is secured a little tighter upon Romulus’ arrival to Rome. The Cardinal had been specifically plucked from the trenches of some sad and blasphemous life by the magistrates and Adrian would always put on his best show in the face of those above him. He’d always been pro-vampire, it went without saying, but it had always been for his own selfish interests of triumphing over those who had scorned him when he was once an arrogant child in denial of false gods. Deep beneath this eerily stern mask that fit snugly akin to a second skin was a child who vied to watch his prophesied idols fall. He often wondered if Romulus would be one he vied to tear apart but they’d never been able to be in close enough quarters for long enough to discern such obstinate opinion. Even now, with Romulus’ tangible presence within Rome, Adrian seemed to avoid making such decision a reality, arms crossing as Romulus entered his quarters, “For you, Romulus, I’ve all the time in the world.”

“A stroll, perhaps.” Stepping back from the door he nods his head towards the world outside the office. “We haven’t had a chance to speak since the wedding.” Well, not personally. The conversation he’d held with the vampire’s of the senate hadn’t been a particularly pleasant one, not for the Mars bloodline in particular. It wasn’t an easy thing to do and Romulus imagined that Adrian Nicodemus, though a pious man, was far more unsettled than he’d let on. He supposes that he’s there to offer comfort of sorts, keep up morale. “I figured I’d come see how you’re doing personally.” It feels just a little sly to throw in there, like it’s sweetening the deal. It’s not really a secret that the cardinal is a bit of a glutton for his attention in general, he tries not to play it up or take advantage of that. Offering it feels like holding out an apple to a starving horse.

[vibecheckcr]

counthakan​:

Hakan had known many magisters, but the one that had stuck around had been Romulus. Perhaps there was something to be said about the way the other vampire had stayed within his very hectic life. Though, it was fairly obvious to him that the other had a much more chaotic life than even he did. There had been many familiar killings under the magister’s hand and the count only thought himself lucky that he was not considered as such. There had never been a singular argument or fight between the two of them though. Maybe it was simply because of the long lives they had led that caused them to be reluctant to do so. No, instead, they did things like this. When the Mars magister had suggested a portrait for his home, the Pluto vampire had been skeptical at first. Who was he to reject such an offer though? So here he sat, trying his best to barely move. “If you were a decent painter, perhaps you would memorize everything so I do not have to stay so still,” he stated in as much of a joking tone as he could muster, but he was sure it sounded more serious than anything.

-

“Do you doubt my skills, my friend?” Romulus can’t help smiling to himself as he glances from the canvas to the other vampire. The outfit is actually kind of ridiculous by modern standards and yet Hakan had insisted on it. It fits the atmosphere of the run down castle, it makes the whole painting look like it might have been produced centuries prior. That was kind of the point, what they were going for. “Besides, if I were to memorize you, I would get to gaze upon you less. And then what would you do without attention?” It’s a playful question as he works on a fold in Hakan’s shirt on the canvas, deepens the shading just a little, eyes flickering over to the other man. “You’d simply wither away in this big place without it.”

[vibecheckcr]

muertevelasco​:

“That is your definition of an existential crisis?” Marisol asks, head tilting up to meet his eyes, a brow raised in soft inquiry while there is a small smile of amusement dancing on her lips still. “It’s beautifully phrased, if that is the case. And yeah, I would love to hear more,” she admits, smile widening, blooming into something warmer, both to match his own smile and as a response to his own softer confession. It’s a small act of kindness for a stranger, something small he will likely forget down the road, but something she appreciates in ways she can’t explain. Rome is not a lonely place for her, not when she has so many friends to visit, but there is something about the kindness of a handsome stranger that she can’t help but appreciate in ways she cannot explain. “Knowing that someone noticed me and cared enough to approach is — It’s nice, thank you.”

-

“Is existence itself not just a series of crises?” The thought has him smiling just a little and he offers a gentle shrug of his shoulders before his hands are behind his back and he’s turning on his heel. It’s with a slight nod of his head that he indicates to her to follow down the sidewalk. There’s a lot to see in Rome, it’s all so different every time he is there, he’s lived many a lifetime over now and yet people are still coming up with all of these puns to name their little shops. ‘A Lotto Gelato’ kind of takes the cake on that one, amuses him greatly every time he passes. “I think,” He muses, offering the crook of his arm to her as he strolls rather leisurely. There’s nothing cocky about it, the ease in his step has been there for what feels like centuries now, he moves through the world without urgency. “That someone should be looking out for someone like you. Someone who spends time with us in our last moments on this plain shouldn’t look so lonely.” And that’s maybe too much of a raw observation based on looking at those big doe eyes of hers.

[stars-bean]

It Happened One Night (1934) dir. Frank Capra

[vibecheckcr]

@muertevelasco