In Search Of........

Aislinn McLoughlin · **Posted:** Sun Aug 16, 2009 1:52 pm

Aislinn did join him in bed that night though when Lucian finally did fall into a deep slumber it was not to be for her. Since they had arrived in Rome her nights have failed to be anything but peaceful, nothing like the deep sleep she had enjoyed on the Island. Her dreams were filled with dark caves, shadows casted by torches along walls.

It was mid-morning when she finally slipped from Lucian's arms, unable to sleep any longer. Once she had washed and dressed Aislinn left the confines of their room and went to the garden asking one of the servants to bring her tea. The morning sun and soft breeze felt good on her skin as she nibbled on the bread that the servant had brought along with the tea.

After about an hour of soul searching, Aislinn would return inside to the library asking not to be disturbed. She knew she would not be able to keep what was in her mind away from Lucian once he was awake but while he slept she had to find information on this place called the Marakai---a place she supposely was from.

For the next couple of hours she would search every book and every spot she thought might hold a secret hiding place only to find nothing. With a long sigh, Aislinn almost fell into one of the chairs near a small table. Her right hand came up and in frustration pushed back a few loose strands of blonde hair that came loose during her exploration.

There she would remain for another couple of hours.

DC Roman Empire · **Joined:** Fri Feb 24, 2006 1:27 pm **Posts:** 63

Mention of the Marakai in the libraries of Rome was as elusive as trying to catch smoke with your bare hands. Certainly, there were mentions of other realms within these old books, mention of the dwellings of the Gods and various such things, but none that mentioned such a place as the Marakai by name. Then, perhaps she was not looking in the right places…

As the Lady sat there in that cushy chair, there was a slight wind that seemed to blow through the library, but the wind did not seem to come from the direction of any windows. In fact, the wind seemed to come from the direction of… nowhere. The breeze seemed to be coming from the direction of a particularly old looking shelf of books, one that she certainly had gone through before. Behind that shelf of books was a solid wall so the breeze could not be coming from there, but if one were to move closer to it, one would find out that that breeze actually began to sound like a low hum as one got closer… as if someone were behind the shelf or wall.

Aislinn McLoughlin · **Posted:** Sun Aug 16, 2009 9:56 pm

Strands of blonde hair fell across closed blue eyes. Within a moment they popped open, a disoriented stare searching the room before the woman's hand reached up and brushed them back in place. It took Aislinn a few moments to gather her thoughts and realize that the strands of hair she had put back in place a while before were the same strands that had blown across her face.

Aislinn straightened in the chair, continuing to feel a slight wind. Her eyes moved to the window but there wasn't any sort of movement from outside. No, the wind seemed to being coming from somewhere in the room. But where? Being curious, Aislinn rose and began to slowly move about the room.

One particular bookshelf seemed to 'call' to her. It was one of the older looking ones and one of the first ones she checked and found nothing but it still 'called' out to her. As she moved closer to inspect it, the movement turned into a low humming sound. That should have been a warning to Aislinn but she continued toward it until she was only inches away, where she stopped and listened.

DC Roman Empire · **Joined:** Fri Feb 24, 2006 1:27 pm **Posts:** 63

As Aislinn approached the bookshelf, the hum continued… It sounded almost as if there were someone, or something, humming a very low tune behind the bookshelf, or behind that wall. But that was impossible, no one could be hiding behind a bookshelf that was crammed up flush against a wall. And the likelihood that a secret passage were behind that bookshelf was slim to none, as this Palace was more secure than probably any other location in the world.

Yet still, as Aislinn approached, the hum continued. Until suddenly, just as Aislinn found herself listening closer those few mere inches away from the bookshelf, the hum stopped. One would presume that would be a good thing, but that hum wasn’t followed by silence for long.

After a few moments of silence when the hum stopped, there was the uncanny sound of a breath behind Aislinn, followed by a whispered “Hey!!” The whisper sounded as if it were coming directly from behind Aislinn, as if someone were standing only an inch from her, leaning forward and whispering in her ear. This voice that whispered into Aislinn’s ear was only a voice that was heard by her… And indeed, even if another were in the room, they would have not heard a thing.

Aislinn McLoughlin · **Posted:** Tue Aug 18, 2009 4:44 pm

Just as Aislinn leaned closer the sound stopped. Her body straighten, brows narrowed in a curious stare toward the bookcase.

"Strange..."

It was then she heard the whispered word 'Hey' near her ear. Her head whipped in the direction.

"Who's....?"

She felt her pulse quicken. There wasn't anyone there. With the look of curiousity still on her face, Aislinn turned so her back was to the bookcase, eyes moving about the room. She was the only one in the room. Aislinn took a few breathes, trying to calm her racing pulse, before moving back to the chair.

"Nothing to worry about...Just my imagination playing tricks on me. After all much has taken place the last few days."

Aislinn hoped the muttered words would help to calm her nerves while her eyes seemed to search the room again, perhaps for something she could use as a weapon without having to alarm the guards and have them think she was crazy.

DC Roman Empire · **Joined:** Fri Feb 24, 2006 1:27 pm **Posts:** 63

Aislinn would not hear the hum again as she looked around curiously, even after the whisper was heard in her ear. The uncertain feeling emanated from her, causing the air to grow heavy as she looked around. The hum had disappeared, as had the breath she had heard behind her just before the whisper.

Silence remained as Aislinn moved back to the chair, her voice the only sound in the room as she sat down. While those words may have calmed her nerves, it was not for long… As just as she finished those placating words, the voice echoed behind her once again, “Yes… yes… Just your little imagination. Wonderful tricks the mind can play.” There was amusement in the voice, the voice that once again only Aislinn could hear, the voice that seemed to be coming from… Nothing. The voice seemed once again to be coming from directly behind her, a deep and commanding voice, as if it were the voice of a very large and intimidating man.

Aislinn McLoughlin · **Posted:** Sat Aug 22, 2009 10:24 pm

Words----funny how words would make one jump but that's exactly what she did when she heard the words echo behind her. Straight out of the chair, Aislinn's body turned to peer behind her. "Who mocks me?" Again there wasn't anyone for her to see but from the sound of the voice she knew it was that of a man with a deep and commanding voice.

Her heart felt as if it was in her throat. Whoever was trying to frighten her was doing a very good job of it. She swallowed, trying to push down the fear, then spoke to the empty room again.

"If it's not my mind playing tricks on me, then why not show yourself to me?"

But did she really want to know who was speaking to her? Aislinn's feet begin to back peddle away from the chair. If she could just make it to the door, she could call for a guard. "Just keep talking to it," she thought.

"How did you get pass all the safe guards that are set here?"

Her body trembled as she took a few more steps backward.

DC Roman Empire · **Joined:** Fri Feb 24, 2006 1:27 pm **Posts:** 63

There was an audible laughter when Aislin had jumped at the sound of the voice once again, a deep chuckle that rumbled in the belly. The laughter seemed to swell around her, encompassing her, not like the whispers that seemed to come from behind her ear. Then he question, “Who mocks me?”

Her question was not answered, instead only followed by more of that all encompassing laughter, which fell silent before she began to speak to herself again. It was obvious by her words that she was trying to calm herself down, trying to explain this with logic. Obviously the voice had to be someone physical, with a corporeal body, so it made sense… her questions.

Yet once again, they went unanswered. Only the sound of a thoughtful “Hmmmm…” that could only be heard by Aislinn filling the Lady’s head.

The Lady Aislinn’s words did rouse the attention of the guards which were on watch near the library, the sound of two sets of feet making their way down the hall toward the library as Aislinn took those steps toward the door.

“Yes… yes… Lets call the guards,” the voice echoed in Aislinn’s head. “Certainly they can tell you you’re not going crazy… Aislinn…”

It was the first time the voice had used her name, so obviously it must be intelligent. Yet it remained unseen, and unheard by all but the Lady McLoughlin. The guards finally did approach the Library shortly after Aislinn asked how the voice got passed the guards, though they hadn’t made out her words. Looks of sincere concern were on the guards voices as they entered the Library, looking to Aislinn as they bowed, and then spoke, “M’Lady… Are you alright?”

Aislinn McLoughlin · **Posted:** Sun Aug 30, 2009 3:10 pm

Laughter filled the room. She was slowly losing her mind and this...this voice was laughing at her. Aislinn's hands quickly came to cover her ears when the voice filled her head with its hmmmm but it did not stop the sound of footsteps coming down the hallway toward the library.

"....Aislinn...." All color seemed to drain from Aislinn's face when the voice called her by name. She thought to ask how the voice knew her name but that quickly flew from her mind when she heard footsteps nearing. Her hands quickly dropped to her side while turning toward the open door. Two concerned guards entered bowing to her as they spoke. They would surely notice the ashen color of her skin when she turned to peer at them and the sound of her voice quivering when she answered them. Aislinn could only hope they would not report it to Lucian.

"I...I must have dozed for a little while. A bad dream, tis all." It had to have been a dream, she thought. "Would you ask a servant to bring me something to calm my nerves, perhaps some tea? I do apologize for causing you concern."

She eased herself down onto a nearby chair. There was fear in Aislinn's face that the voice would return if the guards left her to herself but what could she say to keep them there and then tea might be just what she needed to take the edge off her nerves. Her right hand reached up to lay against the right temple, fingers slowly moving in a circle as if to ease any pain that was there, while her eyes never left those of the guards.

DC Roman Empire · **Joined:** Fri Feb 24, 2006 1:27 pm **Posts:** 63

The waver in her voice, the paleness of her skin… If it were truly a bad dream, the guards were not sure they should take the Lady Aislinn’s words to heart. By the tone of her voice and her look, she seemed more sick than shaken by a dream. One of the guards brows furrowed as Aislinn spoke, nodding slowly as he listened. The other guard, a younger guard, had nodded and was prepared to depart to find a servant, but the elder guard held a hand out to motion the guard not to leave just yet.

“M’Lady… Are you sure you are alright? You look quite pale, and with others falling ill within the Palace, your health is something to take into account. Perhaps we should summon the Physician?”

The younger guard listened to what was being said, his eyes jumping from the elder guard to the Lady as she eased herself into the chair. The guards watched as she pressed her fingers against her temple, the look in their eye sincerely concerned.

While this was happening, the voice seemed to have fallen silent… though this disembodied voice was not completely silent. All the while the Lady spoke with the guards, Aislinn would hear a deep breathing of another which seemed to be seated just behind her. No words… just heavy, slow breathing.

Aislinn McLoughlin · **Posted:** Sun Sep 13, 2009 5:26 pm

Of course....she was just hallucinating.....a fever she caught before leaving the Palace.....

The guard's words made sense to her. Aislinn turned dim eyes that once held a brightness in them upward to the guard that has spoken to her.

"Aye, send for the physican. If I am ill it would not do for me to infect others here in this house." There was a weariness in the sound of her voice. "And quickly, before Lord Marileus awakens."

She knew that the sun would soon be setting and Lucian would be waking from his rest. Whatever this was, Aislinn wanted to know before he saw her. She did not want to worry him unnecessarily with so many other things on his mind. At least the voice in her head had stopped. Now there was only the sound of heavy breathing, so close she could almost feel it on the back of her neck. Her hand remained against her right temple, head resting against the back of the chair, her eyes still on the guard standing before her.

DC Roman Empire · **Joined:** Fri Feb 24, 2006 1:27 pm **Posts:** 63

The guards nodded with relief when the Lady agreed to be seen by the physician, a small smile coming across the elder guards face as he was instructed to hurry. “Yes, as you wish M’Lady…” Both guards then spun on their heels and quickly made their way out of the Library. It would be a few minutes before they would locate the Physician, and few more before they made it back to the library.

As the guards had turned to leave, the heaving breathing of the disembodied voice seemed to lessen. Yet any momentary hope of sanity that this small silence could afford would be short-lived, as quickly the breathing was followed by an obvious smirk. “A Physician?” The voice laughed a bit, that same deep rumbling laugh that sent chills down one’s spine. “What? Do you wish for them to tell you that your phlegmatic, or melancholic? Perhaps drain some of your blood to fix the levels of humors?” The laugh returned again, still all only heard by the Lady Aislinn. “Or perhaps you’d prefer to be injected with some viral blood… as the physician you left behind did?” the voice stated in a low, almost warning tone. Was the voice speaking of the physician on the island? Or was it just a lucky guess? Perhaps it was a lucky guess that the voice knew the Lady’s name as well?

Aislinn McLoughlin · **Posted:** Fri Nov 06, 2009 11:15 pm

All the time the guards were with her Aislinn could hear slow, heavy breathing from somewhere behind her. It wasn't until they left to summon the physican that the voice started again. Weary as she was, Aislinn quickly came out of the chair and turned in the direction from where it came.

"How do you know my name? And of the physican that was left behind?" The more the voice spoke to her, the more questions she had.

Her heart was pounding so hard she felt it was going to burst from her chest. "Why do you care if I call for a physican or not? Perhaps you want those around me to think me crazy if I tell him I have voices talking to me....or if I tell Lord Marileus. Do you wish him to lock me away? Is that what you want?" Her voice quivered as she spoke.

"Maybe I should just leave this room and you behind since you will not show yerself to me." And Aislinn would have done just that if she thought she could have made it to the door on such shaky knees.

DC Roman Empire · **Joined:** Fri Feb 24, 2006 1:27 pm **Posts:** 63

Once again the voice chuckled when Aislinn had startled and looked about for where it was coming from, yet still there was no body or form which would give away the voices location. It just seemed as if it came from nowhere, yet everywhere, surrounding Aislinn so that she felt that she could not escape it.

“Oh I know a lot… my Dear Aislinn…”

The breathing continued as Aislinn posed her questions, asking why he cared if she called a doctor, or if the voice wanted her locked away. Then the young lady was propositioning the voice? Is that so?

Her small threat was answered again with a chuckle. “Go ahead… leave this place and see if you can shake me off. I think that will be fun,” the voice said with a jovial tone. Even though it could not be seen, one could tell by the way the voice spoke that it was smiling.

A few moments later, the footsteps of the returning guards could be heard echoing down the hall, paired with a third set of footsteps from the physician.

Aislinn McLoughlin · **Posted:** Wed Dec 16, 2009 6:08 pm

Upon hearing the footsteps, Aislinn seemed to find the strength to move about the room, showing the frustration that was building inside her. Her hand would pick up an item, turn it over then place it back down before moving to another and repeat the process. What she had expected to find by doing this she didn't know.

As the footsteps drew nearer, she knew, too, asking a question now would only get her the sound of breathing if that. What did this voice want of her? If it was to frighten her, it had already done a very good job of that. Did it have something to do from which she came? That thought frightened her more than the voice.

Then there were the footsteps just outside the door. What was she to tell the physican and what would he tell Lucian? Would they think her crazy if she told the truth.... that she was hearing a man's voice inside her head? Aislinn had little time to decide her fate.

DC Roman Empire · **Joined:** Fri Feb 24, 2006 1:27 pm **Posts:** 63

The guards footsteps approached and soon they were rounding the corner, the two guards returned with the physician, who was much younger looking than the physician back on the island. A look of concern was wrought across all three faces as they approached Aislinn, the physician quickly approaching her and motioning toward the chair, “Lady McLoughlin… you should be sitting with these symptoms the guards speak of…”

The physician ushered her to the chair, “Come… come… Sit.”

The guards seemed to surround her then, all but taking her by each arm and bringing her to the chair gently.

“Please…. Tell me what is going on, how do you feel?” the physician would ask as he began to place the back of his palm against Aislinn’s forehead, before taking her wrist into his hand and pressing his thumb against the pulse there.

All the while, there was not an echo of sound from the voice other than the constant breathing. It seemed the voice did not want to interrupt the charade.

Aislinn McLoughlin · **Posted:** Thu Jan 28, 2010 12:48 am

When the guards and physican entered the room, they would find Aislinn standing beside one of the large bookcases, her skin tone pale. She did not put up a fuss when the physican ushered her to a nearby chair, though the feeling of being a prisoner sweep over her when the guards began to surround her.

She could feel her pulse quicken with only the sound of the breathing and the physican's questions. "Feel? A bit tired. I haven't slept well...." There was a weariness in the sound of her voice. What could she tell the man....the stress of the last few days have caused her to hear voices....she was from a place that all seem to fear now.....

He would only think her mad and lock her away.

Aislinn willed herself to relax, peering up for a moment to the two worried guards standing nearby. A small smile formed on her lips, hoping to reassure them she would be fine. Her head moved from the guards back to the physican. She studied the man's expressionless face hoping to read something in it only to fail. There was nothing she could do but wait for the physican's diagnosis.

DC Roman Empire · **Joined:** Fri Feb 24, 2006 1:27 pm **Posts:** 63

It was not the guards intentions to make Aislinn feel momentarily like a prisoner, though the formation was uncannily familiar as they stood watch over the Lady. It was the look of concern, however, which showed that none were being held against their will truly. As Aislinn had smiled softly to them, they smiled back, the older guard nodding softly as if to assure her that it would be alright.

The physician’s eyes were intently locked on an unseen point of focus behind Aislinn, though he was truly not watching anything, merely counting the beats of her heart as he counted in his head. The physician certaintly did detect the higher pulse rate before she had willed herself to relax after answering his question.

After a moment, the physician released her arm and looked up to her with a small smile. “Poor sleep you say? When is the last time you had a good night sleep?”

…It wasn’t even a breath after the physician had asked his question that there was a smirk that echoed in Aislinn’s head, followed by a condescending, “Oh please… Is he really gonna go the tonic route to help you sleep? Hmph…”

Aislinn McLoughlin · **Posted:** Sat Apr 10, 2010 9:08 pm

There was a small jerk of Aislinn's head upon hearing the voice again. She was silently thankful the doctor had released her arm or surely he would have felt the rise of her pulse again.

It would be a few moments before the Lady replied to the good doctor's question. "Tis on the island I believe. So many events have happened since our arrival here it has been hard to rest." She let out a soft sigh. There was no reason to go into all the events but if he was the doctor for the Marileus family then he should know some of what she spoke.

"Do ye think a sleeping tonic really necessary?" As soon as the words left her lips, Aislinn realized the mistake she had made. No one in the room, other than the voice in her head, spoke of a sleeping tonic. Her hands nervously gripped a small amount of fabric from the skirt of her gown. She had to be quick about a reply if the doctor questioned her about it.

Aislinn lifted her eyes again to the guards then back to the doctor while remaining quiet after her untimely question about a sleeping tonic.

(Sorry for the delay in my posts.)

Alexandria Marileus · **Joined:** Thu Apr 20, 2006 4:30 pm **Posts:** 36

{{To correct a missed scene - TY, there is no interference here}}

It was while this scene with Aislinn had transpired that Alexandria would awaken. It was as if she were beckoned and below she would go, deep below where her Uncle lay in the vat of blood. She had stood there for more than an hour staring into the blood, listening mentally to what needed to be done. She would finally bow her head and though her Sire, her Father was ruler over the Marileus family now, and she had been told such, she was also told not to tell him that she was leaving on a mission, for after her injuries, he would have denied such.

Through the underground tunnels she would go, making her way deep into the territory of the enemy before emerging. She would move swiftly, feeding upon those that would come across her path, stupid enough to find their way into the catacomb passages the Marileus had set up long ago to brandish them a simple but potent advantage in movement against the Authurians. She would not come up until the ending as she usually did, to make passage from the Frankish Empire to the Isles, to Mercia, to find Ishmael, in hopes that he could right Dane's mind before they had to 'put him down' like a lame horse, for a Vampire with that much insanity brewing would be good to no one, not even himself during this war...

To: To investigate and report

DC Roman Empire · **Joined:** Fri Feb 24, 2006 1:27 pm **Posts:** 63

The Doctor nodded slowly with the smallest of smiles when Aislinn said that she hadn’t slept well since they left the island, and that so many events happening since their arrival had kept her from sleeping well. It was a reasonable explanation, as a change in location surely could bring about stressors that would cause one to lose sleep.

It was, however, her mention of a sleeping tonic that brought a curious glint to his eye, as well as his smile. “What would make you say that, Lady Aislinn? I hadn’t even mentioned the possibility of a sleeping tonic.”

The Doctor wasn’t too unfamiliar with those who possessed gifts, as he was in the service of the Emperor himself, who seemed to know things before they were spoken. But he hadn’t expected such an experience with the Lady.

As the Doctor had asked that question, the voice within Aislinn’s head snickered once more. “Oh there you did it… Now he’s surely going to think your luney. Nice job,” the voice said with a blatant hint of derision.

Aislinn McLoughlin · **Posted:** Sun Apr 25, 2010 5:41 pm

A stoic look came upon Aislinn's face with the words put forth by the good doctor. He hadn't mentioned the sleeping tonic....the voice in her head did that! But then she knew that as soon as the words had left her lips. She saw the look on the man's face, that smile and glint in his eye. He would think her looney unless she thought quickly of a reply.

It was a few moments before she spoke, gathering her thoughts and trying to push the snickering of the voice out of her mind.

"Is that not what doctors recommend when one cannot sleep? Some blending of herbs to help relax a person enough so they can?" The questions were put in a matter of fact tone as she lifted one hand and motioned about the room. "The Marileus' have quite an extensive library on many subjects. I have read a few things on herbs and their uses."

There---The good doctor should not think her looney now! Maybe that is just what she needed, something to calm her nerves. A good stiff drink, but then she was not one to partake in anything but a little wine from time to time. She could feel the tension build in the back of her neck trying to keep the others from knowing she was hearing voices...ok..only one voice but that was entirely enough for her. In truth no voices would be better but for now all she could hope for was one very annoying voice.

DC Roman Empire · **Joined:** Fri Feb 24, 2006 1:27 pm **Posts:** 63

The Doctor watched Aislinn for a moment, noting that it took her some time to reply to his question as to why she would mention the sleeping tonic. Well, of course that is what he was going to suggest, and the Lady surely was well taught. And as she motioned about the library, the Doctor raised a brow and allowed half a grin to slip across his face.

“Well of course… yes… And I can see that you have utilized those readings quite well.”

With that the Doctor nodded, then looked to the younger of the two guards. “I think it would be well if the Lady rested for the rest of the day, would you please help her?” He then looked back to Aislinn, looking her up and down before locking eyes with her, “Will you be able to make it to your room? I will fetch the herbs for the tea, and will have a servant deliver it. And when I say rest, I expect you to rest…” the Doctor would say.

“Ugh… really?!?” the voice would cry out with what seemed to be digust. “Now he’s trying to be the charming Doctor that flatters his patients?! What a pile of lies… I bet he beds all of his patients. And your just next on the list. Watch where his eyes wander, eying you like a prize cattle.”

Aislinn McLoughlin · **Posted:** Sat Aug 14, 2010 5:54 pm

It took all of Aislinn's strength to ignore the embodied voice and to reply only to the good doctor.

"Reading helps to pass the time."

A frown soon formed on her lips when she saw him turn to the guards, asking for their help---like she was not able to take care of herself.

She almost groaned at the question the doctor then put to her. Instead she sat up a little straighter and squard her shoulders before speaking. There was that voice again, giving her cause to watch the doctor abit closer. He had been eyeing her just as the voice had said but was it for the same reason?

"Of course I will be able to make it to my room on my own. I will not have Lord Marileus worried if he sees me being helped or carried."

There was a coolness to the tone of her voice as she stood and took a step toward the door, ready to push the guards out of her way, if needed. She knew Lucian would be worried for her welfare if he found her taking herbs to sleep----or that she was hearing a voice inside her head.

Lucian-Anir Marileus · **Joined:** Wed Feb 15, 2006 1:44 pm **Posts:** 166

Lucian had been sleeping well and recovering the final gashes upon his body from the battle with Antoinette. As his wounds finally sealed, his mind would wander over those within the house and those... now not? He had felt Alexandria stir to consciousness, and it made him smile slightly in his rest. It was a good thing she would be up and moving and he left her alone for now as he knew she would need to feed after being down for a few days.

Dane still wasn't showing good signs of sanity, though there were still spurts here and there. He had been the one to reach Aislinn before the toll of what he had come to realize had cropped back up and took his sanity away once again. Ha he actually been awake, he wasn't sure, but he had been told that Dane had his moments of walking around, feeding, then going back to his room and going back to a new catatonic state. What Dane had seen and tasted through Antoinette had yet to be revealed which is why when Lucian awoke, as Aislinn was attempting to go back into their room, he was perplexed. He heard the conversation outside his door, though only enough to set his mind to work once again.

DC_Marileus · **Posted:** Sun Aug 15, 2010 8:02 am

"The Lord is still resting." One of the guards posted at Lucian's door would speak.

"But I must see him. I must inform him of this." The female servant was insistant with the Vampire Guardian, which was odd for her, she was normally rather timid.

"Again I will state. The Lord is resting. Whatever you think is important enough to disturb him can wait until he awakens." The guard this time had lowered his voice and was near a growl.

"But it is of Alexandria..." The female servant's voice quivered.

"What of her?" The other guard asked.

"She is not in her room. Missing. I looked for her through the house and she is not here." The female servant was near trembling now.

The guards looked to each other, nodded then looked to the servant the first guard who had spoken motioned for her to stay put. The second guard's hand went to the lever on the door to open it and stopped.

Lucian-Anir Marileus · **Joined:** Wed Feb 15, 2006 1:44 pm **Posts:** 166

"Only Aislinn may enter. I heard Rosa. I will find her." There was no room for dissention in Lucian's voice... one would be punished thoroughly should they countermand his words.

Lucian was not happy to hear of his errant childe, and she had best have a good reason for vanishing without word with all that had happened. his mental abilities would be put to the test as he opened his mind, using his blood to synchronize with hers so he could pinpoint, not only was she not within the villa, but not within the area of Rome either and it had only been a few long hours since he had felt her stir.

Mental communication begins

"Where are you? Why? And wby whose authority did you leave the Villa in Rome on such an important night?"

His voice was testy with his daughter. She had better be alright, or not only would he deal with what she was up against, but he would deal with her in his own way. Alexandria was spoiled yes, but Lucian was not one that tolerated stupidity, especially with an impending war so close at hand.

Alexandria Marileus · **Joined:** Thu Apr 20, 2006 4:30 pm **Posts:** 36

from the Isles

Mental Communication begins

"Lord Salvatore sent me to find Ishmael so he could return and right uncle Dane's mind. I was careful father. But he said I had to leave immediately to get Ishmael back so that Dane would be ready for war. I would have told you, but he is the head of the Family."

Lucian-Anir Marileus · **Joined:** Wed Feb 15, 2006 1:44 pm **Posts:** 166

There was a sneer upon Lucian's lips. It was like Salv to use Alexandria's lack of knowledge to his advantage. Lucian near snapped back at her, in fact he probably would have snapped someone's neck should they have been in the room and spoken the words to him.

"I CHILDE am the head of the family. I probably would have sent you after him, had I not been able to reach him myself through Telepathy... If you are there, find him and be quick! My patience is thin, even in regards to you..."

End mental communication

He snapped the telepathic link, perhaps on purpose, to prove his point. He got up and began the nightly ritual of readying for the evening: bathing, dressing in a bit finer clothes as Nicholi had already mentally told him of the meeting this evening.

"Find Aislinn!" He snapped toward the door and the guards motioned to the female servant to hurry her steps in doing what was commanded. Lucian wanted to speak with Aislinn about the meeting they would have with the other Vampires and Officials of Rome. He wanted to make doubly sure that she was truly wanting to be a part of the process of the unification of forces and that she would be comfortable. She had already been taxed enough, and if he was feeling the weight of the events, he knew she would be feeling it more.

But he could not understand why his emotions stirred so. After his ritual waking, he would be sitting in the large chair in front of the fireplace, making his back turned toward the door as she entered. His eyes peered into the flames and he would not budge even a portion of an inch nor speak until she acknowledged him. he would attempt to use this time to level his emotions, for he did not need to fold under pressure in front of the others that were set to be within the evening. Something seemed off... and he would search it out in the time he had before he was set to meet with the Emperor and Tiberius and whomever else would have the gumption to show.

DC Roman Empire · **Joined:** Fri Feb 24, 2006 1:27 pm **Posts:** 63

A gentle smile slipped across the Doctor’s face as Aislinn stated with such certainty that she could make it to her room of her own accord, nodding slowly before he stood up and stepped aside so that Aislinn could make her way. “Very well… I trust, however, that you would not protest the accompaniment of at least one guard, as there are so many people about the Palace tonight. Just for your safety, M’Lady.” The Doctor would then look to the younger of the guard with a nod, before the Doctor took his own steps to leave the library. The “request” was more of a demand, as the Doctor did not wait around to see if she would protest the guard accompanying her.

The guard would accompany Aislinn to her room, while the servants did as the Doctor requested, making the tea with the herbs. The tea would arrive shortly after Aislinn would make it back to her room. The voice… Oddly quiet… for the moment.

Aislinn McLoughlin · **Posted:** Sun Aug 15, 2010 7:36 pm

Aislinn nodded in agreement that a guard could escort her to her room, though she wasn't sure the doctor had seen her nod, since he was already leaving the library. Her eyes met the younger of the guards for a moment before moving out of the library.

They were just approaching the hallway to her room, when a servant turned the corner, almost colliding with the pair.

"Oh milady....Lord Marlieus is asking for you." The woman sounded out of breath as she spoke.

A quick turn of Aislinn's head toward the guard, showed fear in her eyes but only for a moment before she turned back to female servant. A hurried thank you was said before Aislinn and her guard hurried to her room. One of the guards posted in front of the door opened it, allowing her to enter.

She stood just inside the door, her eyes searching for Lucian and to calm her hearbeat before speaking. It was then, in that moment of silence, she realized the voice had been quiet too.

"I am sorry I was not here when you woke. I was in the library." With steps not to slow but neither hurried, Aislinn started toward the fireplace, only to stop when there was a knock on the door. Holding back a sigh for the interruption, she turned, giving an explanation for it but being careful not to say it was the good doctor that had sent it. "I asked that some tea be brought to me."

She opened the door and took the tray from the servant, "Thank you. I can pour it myself." Quickly as the door was open it was shut and she was sitting the tray on a small table. "You sent a servant to find me, Lucian? There is nothing wrong is there...?"

Lucian-Anir Marileus · **Joined:** Wed Feb 15, 2006 1:44 pm **Posts:** 166

Lucian didn't move as she moved into the room, being silent as she spoke. He didn't even stir as there was a knock on the door. She had done well by sending the servant away in the mood he had been put in, though it was more for the blackness within the dreams, blankness as if something was trying to tell him something. But it was the scent of hte herbs, something perhaps most would not notice.

"You ask -me- if there is anything wrong, when the tea you just accepted is a sleeping mixture. Plan you not to go with me to the Palace in a few hours?"

He would listen to her response but something about the sleeping draught nagged him and the air seemed a bit thicker than normal.

"But to answer your question. Alexandria awoke during the day and Salvatore used her lack of knowledge of the events to send her to the Isles to fetch Dane's childe since his mind is still apparently in turmoil. Ishmael has excelled in some ways I have not, the mental ability he has can right a mind if he so chooses."

If any of the Illimar had been flies on any of the walls in that room, they would probably be smiling as this proved just how well Ishmael had settled himself into the ranks of the Marileus. His coverstory was perfected enough that even in his younger years he was trusted with missions and placements away from the family.

"What vexes you m'dear? Enough to get a sleeping draught from the physician..."

He would turn to look at her now, rising from his seat in front of the fireplace. He looked about and motioned toward the bathing area. Hopefully she would know by now, if he pointed moved to look at her or anyone while they answered, that he intended to see if they were either lying or keeping something from him.

"Everything was prepared for you while you were in the library. Your clothing for the evening and your bath."

He seemed emotionless on the outside, but something had Lucian chomping at the bit. There was a turmoil within that he didn't remember ever feeling, but the anxiety was coupled with the fact that he was now noting there was something missing in his mind, memories... a fairly long timespan, and there was only this sweet, alluring, almost addictive smell he couldn't remove from his mind. This, he knew, was not a good night to be distracted... not in the least.

Mentally he spoke to Nicholi who could feel Lucian's inner turmoil and anxiety, and warned him that if he could not settle this well enough, that he and Aislinn would not be attending and that Nicholi would have to step in as it should have been.

Aislinn McLoughlin · **Posted:** Sun Aug 29, 2010 11:01 pm

Of course Lucian would smell the herbs in the tea, how could she have thought differently? Aislinn remained by the small table, the muscles in her neck tightening, while Lucian continued to speak. He had not moved from his chair in front of the fireplace and that concerned her....that and the tone of his voice. Was he that upset with her for not being here when he woke or of the tea the doctor had prescriped for her?Her mind wandered with many questions.

"Alexandria......Salvatore......send her to the Isles to fetch Dane's childe........"

It was a few moments before his words of Alexandria leaving registered in her mind. It was no wonder he was upset. It was not that long ago his daughter had been brutally attacked.
She turned from the table to face Lucian when she heard him question her again about the sleeping draught then her eyes followed to where he pointed.

"Please forgive me, Lucian. Of course I had planned on going to the Palace with you....if you still wish me too. I did not realize the time had grown so late." She lowered her head slightly in an apologetic manner, taking a step from the table toward the bathing area, before stopping to peer at him again.

She had failed to address the tea and the sleeping draught in it and she knew Lucian would ask her again about it.

"In answer to your question of the sleeping herbs, the guards heard me in the library and entered. They thought I looked a bit pale. With the illness that befelled the Island before we left, they were concerned for my health and insisted on calling the physican. He asked how I was feeling so I told him I was tired so he prescribed the sleeping draught so I could rest. Tis nothing to worry over. And as I said before I did not realize the lateness of the day. I will hurry with my bath and dress so I can attend the meeting with you."

Aislinn smiled, placing her hand on Lucian's arm before leaning forward, to place a small kiss at the corner of his mouth, whispering softly, "Please do not worry."

She hoped her words and actions would calm him as the silence of the voice gave her a sense of calm.

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