AU: Sanctuary [Vamps, Closed]

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The coven was big. The biggest in the area. If only it were the biggest in the world, but Master Rue had yet to achieve that label for it yet. He’d started it quite a long time ago and Jackson had joined when it was already quite well established. Master Rue was…his third master. And the one he’d been with the longest. Jackson hoped that would continue for an eternity. He didn’t want to lose this home…

“Of course I was, what are you, blind?” Jackson scoffed at the youngling’s inquiry. It was plainly obvious that Jackson still had the body of a teenager, why did he even have to ask? “Hmph,” was all he said in response to his sucking up. Yes, Jackson was thankful for not being an old fart, but the kid wouldn’t believe how hard it was to get other vampires to take him seriously. If it weren’t for his powerful aura and his highly developed abilities, it’d be impossible to differentiate him from just another stupid, carnal creature of the coven.

If he was….then surely Jackson wouldn’t be one of Master Rue’s most favored vampires in addition to being one of the most powerful. That came with a whole set of rewards that made it all worth it. Jackson beamed out a smile up at his Master when he accepted the gift of the silver knife. One scratch from it, and any vampire would be in a lot of pain. But Master Rue wasn’t so foolish. He’d find a suitable place for it in his collection. Jackson gasped into the kiss, his eyes fluttering shut and muscles going weak as the sensation of Master Rue’s affection shimmied down from his mouth to his chest to his stomach and to his fingers and toes.

Jackson practically melted onto the bed beside his Master once released, resting his head on the plush of his thigh. He nodded, burying his face into Master Rue’s lap. “Mmmhmm….he said he wants to learn how to be one of us.” A shallow sneer creeped up along his lips. “I already got plans, y’know? It’s gonna be great.” Jackson liked taking care of the young ones(unlike Finn, who just seemed to find them all a bother). It helped them live longer, which was always a good thing. “Yeeey,” he said lazily, nuzzling his coven Lord. Being close to the Master, touching him, kissing him….it always made Jackson feel fuzzy and strangely euphoric. He loved it.

The boy vampire gave a shallow wave to the exiting visitors, though his words were aimed more at Finn than anyone else. “Have fuuuun~” he said with that same lazy smile he’d been wearing since Master Rue kissed him. Jackson would catch up with them later.

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Kodi could tell this place was huge. He wished he knew just how huge, though. The hallways that led off into the dark seemed to go on forever, and countless forms shifted and moved in the shadows. Even he had to suppress some shivers. “How often do new vampires join your coven?” he asked, still curious and hoping to get as much information as he could. “Or does your Master typically turn all of your new recruits?” If that was the case – and Kodi hoped it wasn’t for their own sake – then they would be stranger yet among the crowd. All Kodi wanted to do was blend in and get ignored.

Small chance of that…

He smiled thinly at the younger-looking vampire. “Apologies. I can be pretty slow sometimes,” he lied. “Your aura of power throws me off.” Kodi didn’t like sucking up. He really didn’t, despite current actions. He just really wanted to get on as good of terms as possible as he could with as many people as he could, especially if Gryph was going to cause trouble…

Rue chuckled as Jackson melted against him, amused by his predictable behavior. “Does he now?” he rumbled, glancing at the baby vampire. Kodi stiffened a little under those eyes, even as he felt Gryph’s fingers lace with his. He clutched them and gave his hand a squeeze. “I do,” he agreed, his voice low and uncertain as he lowered his gaze respectfully. He didn’t exactly notice what Gryphon did; he only noticed that he felt very old, and very powerful, and like the shadows were watching their every move. A shadow warper…. Kodi had only heard of those, and rarely.

“Very well,” Rue replied, stroking the back of his pet’s hair as he nuzzled into his lap. “I’ll consider this a challenge for you, Jackson. If you do well, I’ll make sure you’re greatly rewarded.” He smiled and traced his nail over the younger vampire’s neck.  

Rue turned his attention briefly back to Finn as he confirmed his orders. “Very good,” he said shortly. “And don’t forget what I told you to come back for later. That little vial is still waiting for you.” He smiled for a moment before dismissing them with a wave and went back to stroking the boy in his lap. As the door closed behind the group, the shadows in the room seemed to seep under the crack of the door and follow them out…

Kodi thought he felt a chill following them as they stepped out, but didn’t look around. He didn’t want to. They were alone with the part of the duo he knew would be harder to persuade to like them, and it made him uncomfortable. His hand still held onto Gryph’s, and he smiled thinly at the question. “Only if it isn’t too much of a burden for you,” he replied, dipping his head slightly. “I don’t want us to end up somewhere we shouldn’t be anyway.” Kodi glanced at Gryphon for a moment. He wanted to ask about food and water for his lover, but he didn’t want to ask this one. They could find another.

In the meantime, Rue became too entertained with his pet to entirely notice the quiet presence that had been creeping closer and closer to his territory each day… And now paced just around the outskirts.

[Gryphon Matsuoka]

"Master Rue turns some, if they have potential," Finn smirked, "I'm a walking example of that. But most of the vampires here came of their own accord, or have been born here." Yes, there were a few children around. They were difficult to cope with sometimes, but thanks to the ways of the coven, they learned how to act pretty quickly, when they began to develop the ability to retain important information. The older vampire here wasn't sure he wanted to answer anymore questions. As fun as it was to scare these two (the emotional state of the human wasn't improving, at least - that was painfully obvious), he felt it was better to learn through experience than word of mouth. More fun that way, too.

Gryphon couldn't help 'causing trouble'. This was such a drastic change. How would Kodi like feeling like the only slab of meat in the middle of a pack of hungry wolves? Not calm, that's what he would feel. The occasional hostility and disobedience was just a result of his anxiety.

It sounded cheesy, but simply holding hands felt like the strongest lifeline for Gryph. He could feel Kodi's presence with his own, but the actual act reminded him he truly wasn't alone here. He had a person, even if that person's behaviours were completely wrong at the current time. Kodi had his reasons, he knew, it just made him uncomfortable. Even so, as Kodi dipped his head, Gryphon kept his up, still analysing. He was definitely going to mention this later... if he didn't forget in amongst his fear or something.

Finn was just keeping out of the way. It was easier than interjecting when he didn't need to. Secretly, he didn't doubt Jackson could train Kodi into the coven's image, but he wouldn't say that, especially since it wasn't a certain thing. As easily as he could do well, that brat could screw up pretty easily - now that would be entertaining. And it wasn't true that Finn found all young vampires to be a bother. Just the majority. About ninety-eight percent. He was a baby once, he understood, but he only made it this far and stayed alive because he was intelligent (in a survival sense). Most of these idiots were just dodos. He smirked and nodded as he began to leave with the newbies, "I can hardly wait, sir." He said, a quiet affection and respect glittering in his eyes.

Yeah... Finn wouldn't easily fall for any dumb bullshit from this... weirdly smart kid. Smart in the sense that he generally knew the right things to say. He nodded, "Alright. This way then." Finn said, walking down one of the many corridors. Gryphon's stomach grumbled impatiently, but he managed to leave it alone. He would survive a little longer. Besides, he still needed to think... which he did the entire time they were being shown around, only vaguely listening when Finn occasionally spoke.

He only came to his senses when they seemed to get to the end of their little tour. Finn opened a door telekinetically, without blinking, and then nodded towards it, "This is yours. I would ask if you wanted separate chambers or arrangements for your... mate," He said the word unhappily, "But I have a feeling that won't be the case." What a shame. Well, Finn was doing his best to make them feel at home, by placing them right in the middle of a large number of surrounding vampires that already residing nearby. At least they had their own room, now that was kind of Finn. He was about to turn to leave, when Gryphon spoke up, "Um... Finn, sir?" He stopped in his steps. Hell, at least Gryph was trying to be mildly respectful, and he continued, "....has... M-M... your master's behaviour... changed that much?" He was trying to go with a theory.

Finn was still for a few moments. He didn't like thinking about this. He turned slowly, eyed Gryph momentarily with a dark scowl, and then spoke to Kodi with dangerously paced words, "If your pet doesn't understand the rules soon, Kodi, he'll have to be taught. And I'll be doing the teaching." With Jackson's help, most likely, considering Kodi was 'his' now. "Understood?" With that, he turned again and began to leave, in the direction of Rue's chambers again, slowly, and Gryph sighed quietly, before turning into their room and trying to swallow the lump in his throat. Now that they were 'alone', he was finding it increasingly difficult to keep his emotions in.