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Post by demikara on Nov 15, 2019 9:20:34 GMT -6
It had been a fun night out. Scotty had even been gearing up to try and feed off an actual person for the first time and not just buying blood bags as needed because that was a much more sensible way of handling the whole need for blood thing in her eyes. Everything had been going great, right up until it wasn't. She had been enjoying herself at the bar, but one man just wouldn't take no for an answer, no matter how often or firmly she refused him. It wasn't the first time she had to deal with it, but the pest wouldn't leave her alone and was starting to get pushy when her current 'escort' had inserted himself into the conversation and 'rescued' her. This would have been fine except for one small detail.
He called her La Principessa Marietta.
That was a name she recognized. Brandon had explained it to her the other day and made it clear that she'd have to come to court soon or drastic measures would be taken. This was clearly part of those drastic measures. She tried to pull away from her escort again, but his grip didn't budge and she knew better than trying to actually fight him. That had gone over like a lead balloon. The fact that she really didn't want to go didn't matter. Apparently her father the king had issued an order to any vampire who found her. She was to come to the court, and they were to insure she made it there.
It was just her luck to be cruising the same club as another blood sucker. She pulled again but it didn't work.
"Mio re. I've brought your wayward daughter home." And he clearly expected something for it. Lounging on his throne, Grigore took in the scene. A defiant daughter, as expected, and one of his courtiers.
"You are dismissed. I'll see that you are rewarded for your loyalty." The vampire left and Grigore looked his youngest child over. "Marietta. I ordered you to the court some time ago." And he wasn't pleased it had taken her this long to come. "I suppose you continue to be a disappointment. Caterina, what should I do with your sister?" She was not the ideal child. Little rebellious one suited her all too well. But he had named each of his children well, as far he was concerned.
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Post by Circe on Nov 15, 2019 10:08:48 GMT -6
Catherine had regarded the courtier with disdain, clearly finding him little better than something stuck to the bottom of her shoe. The social climbing and jockeying for positions each day was just as she expected though, and words or deeds were often twisted and used maliciously.
It had been the talk of the court when another vampire had come claiming to be escorting one of the royal family's own. Curious, if not suspicious, had Catherine made her way to the great hall and slipped inside to watch.
Now stepping forward once addressed, she glanced over at Scotty. Her expression was clear, annoyance and disapproval. It was clear that the other had spent a night out on the town, as evidenced by her dress and sweaty state of disarray from dancing at the club.
"House arrested possibly or require a chaperone for the piccola ragazza," Catherine replied to Grigore, censure clear and evident in her voice. What was she going to do with Scottlyn? The girl wanted absolutely nothing to do with the unseen and had pretty much made it clear. But yet she continued to act like a child and behave even worse.
"Remedial instruction as well. I'm certain that Elidoro would be happy to help." She added. Tyrus knew a bit more about the proper etiquette of the court than she did. Most of what Catherine knew was based in the fae culture, excruciatingly polite and respectful, but without the use of words like thank you.
Surprisingly it worked well with the vampires, and usually gave them little room to look for offenses.
"But that is only if you think it wise in the end, father."
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Post by demikara on Nov 15, 2019 10:25:35 GMT -6
"You can't put me on house arrest! I have rights, you know." At least he had released her and slunk off. Scotty glared up at the throne. "This is ridiculous. I want nothing to do with the court and you know it." She was not going to cooperate at all. She fully planned on fighting whatever they decided on. "Just let me go already." She wanted nothing to do with the Unseen at all and was not impressed that they wouldn't just leave her alone already. Her first impression of them had been terrible and it hadn't gotten better since. Mr. Hammerstein was the only good thing to come out of it all, as far as she was concerned, and even then there were days she couldn't stand him either. She shot Catherine an unimpressed glare.
She thought the other would understand. She had been de-fanged and stuck in that awful hell as well after all.
"Marietta, I suggest you watch your tone. I have been lenient, since you are so young, but you push my patience." All too well. She was young and weak and a handful. He really ought to kill her entirely, but that would be a waste. There had to be a reason she survived this long after all, though he couldn't see it himself. He'd continue to look however. "I believe house arrest will suit, along with remedial instruction. It's clear I have been too kind to her." And it was. He sat up straighter and looked over his youngest. "Caterina, please escort your sister to her rooms and set a guard. She isn't to leave." He'd determine what else to do with her later. In the meantime, he'd allow his eldest to handle her younger sister.
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Post by Circe on Nov 15, 2019 10:46:33 GMT -6
While Catherine had been stuck in the hell that was Broadmoore, she on the other hand didn't let it shape her views on the rest of the unseen. But perhaps that was due to more positive experiences she'd had before she had been incarcerated there.
"Father." She acknowledged with a nod and turned her full attention to Scottlyn. Catherine had little love or sympathy for the squirming, screaming child her father, Grigoire, had named 'Marietta'. She found the other exhausting and irritating beyond all measure.
"Come Marietta." She said grasping her younger sibling firmly by the elbow to escort her out. Setting a guard for a time would allow her to figure out what to do with her for remedial instruction. But in the meantime, she would equip whoever stood at the door with an amulet to shield them from Scotty's weak attempts to exploit their minds.
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Post by demikara on Nov 15, 2019 12:53:25 GMT -6
Scotty tried to pull away but couldn't. "My name is Scotty. I know you know that." It wasn't Marietta and she refused to be called by that stupid name just because her sperm donor was some type of vampire royalty now. "And I don't have rooms here. I don't live here at all." And she wasn't going to play along with any of this. She hated dealing with the vampire court and was much happier when they had just left her alone. But no, her deadbeat dad had to show up and kill the last ruler, and now she had to deal with all of this.
It wasn't as if she had mattered to him before. She didn't see why she should matter to him now. "Let me go!" Frustrated, she attacked Catherine with the only skill in her arsenal, a psychic blast. She was getting out of here and going home and the other could not stop her.
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Post by Circe on Nov 15, 2019 13:33:43 GMT -6
Catherine sighed as she listened to the whinging and protesting. It was as to be expected given the reluctance and suspicion that Scotty showed the entire unseen world. "Yes I know that, but when you are addressed in court it is Marietta and not Scottlyn." Catherine explained blandly. Exasperation was perhaps the chief feeling towards the young woman. When compared to Molly, Scottlyn was much worse to deal with. Everything had been tried to ease the girl's transition into the unseen after Broadmoore, but stubborn and rebellious as always she avoided it and everyone else. "Everyone who is anyone has rooms here, that includes you my dear brat sister." She added as she tightened her grip on the squirming young woman. If either of them got through this without committing murder it would be a miracle.
Focused on escorting the other across the great hall and to her rooms, Catherine was quickly caught off guard by the psychic blast. She hadn't even expected Scotty to even attempt to fight back. Instead Catherine stumbled and barely managed to avoid falling onto the hard marble floors and was thrust backwards hard into one of the stone columns. "That was perhaps the most idiotic thing you could do." Catherine growled. It was clear she didn't care for the other, but for the sake of everyone else could generally persuaded to be civil.
"Letta!" She commanded harshly, intent on stopping Scotty where she stood. The magic quickly leapt to answer its mistress's call, the area surrounding the other shimmering with the oppressive magic her sister so easily commanded. "Hljödhr kona!" Catherine continued, invoking a quick and dirty spell to prevent the other from speaking further. "You will learn your place and respect." She scolded.
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Post by demikara on Nov 15, 2019 14:20:03 GMT -6
Scotty had taken off the minute her attack actually work. But Catherine's counter attack froze her in place, silent and fuming, unable to speak. Furious she lashed out with her mind. 'Let me go! I don't want to be Marietta or have anything to do with the unseen and you know it.' And she was pretty clearly not happy to be there at all, sending daggers at her sister with her eyes, even if she was frozen in place.
She didn't need to learn her place and respect. Her place was not here and no one here deserved any respect at all!
Besides, it wasn't like the other wanted anything to do with her and they both knew it. She was only doing this because their sperm donor had shown up and forced the issue. Scotty had no idea how he talked Catherine into playing along, but she wanted no part in any of this.
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Post by Circe on Nov 15, 2019 17:03:25 GMT -6
'Let you go? I haven't so much as harmed a hair on your head, you attacked me first.' Catherine replied, refusing to give an inch in her own shields. She was clearly unamused by her sibling's attempts to get the upper hand. Catherine had given Scotty every chance to cooperate, and instead she had decided not to. 'Whether you like it or not, you're part of the unseen.' She added. At this point it was a matter of a force of wills, and while Scotty's was strong, she had yet to master much other than brute force. "Now if you're done being such a petulant child and willing to cooperate, I'll release you." She chided her sister.
Scottlyn wasn't wrong, she hadn't wanted anything much to do with the court previously, but she had to admit she had been unhappy previously. The Council saw her as an asset to be controlled and possessed, instead of a individual capable of free will. Grigoire had at least given her the capacity to think and act of her own will, without having to constantly seek permission or approval. At the very least he had considered capable, unlike others.
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Post by demikara on Nov 15, 2019 17:10:17 GMT -6
'You weren't going to let go unless I did.' Scotty didn't have a high opinion of her sister. 'But I'll behave.' For now. She still wasn't strictly willing to cooperate but she would manage it at least, on some level. Very grudgingly. Catherine had her out-powered and the surprise attack would have been her only chance. Now that it was over, she'd have to go along with this, and just take out the guard on her room. She'd just need a good opportunity and was betting just after dawn would be good. There was less chance it would be a full dhampir then, and she could operate then.
Preferably with caffeine. Somehow, she had a feeling that would have to wait until she actually escaped. She highly doubted her rooms came with a coffee maker or an internet connection.
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Post by Circe on Nov 15, 2019 17:22:23 GMT -6
Catherine sighed and shook her head, 'You clearly don't understand a thing little sister.' Scotty had been the one to attack first and Catherine had little tolerance for drama which had meant that she put a quick end to any sort of shenanigans from the other. All she had done was take her by the arm, when she could have done it in a much different fashion. She had given Scottlyn the opportunity to save a bit of face in front of the court, and have some amount of dignity. Instead the woman had decided to start a fight in order to escape.
'Behaving is a wise choice.' Catherine agreed as she released her hold on the magic keeping Scotty in place. But did not remove the silencing spell just yet. "This is for your own safety Marietta." She added. There had been rumblings in the other courts and werepacks, something was going to happen and Catherine didn't know what yet. Any questions posed to Xiaolian had come up with things were uncertain, and she couldn't see that far.
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Post by demikara on Nov 15, 2019 17:46:14 GMT -6
'How is this for my own safety? I'm just fine at the shop. Can't I just stay there?' She had tried to say it but that hadn't worked. At least she could move. That hadn't been fun. Maybe Brandon was right and she should actually learn some defense magic and how to escape. That may have given her more of a chance. Not much of one but at least somewhat of a chance.
She walked next to Catherine and let the other lead the way. She didn't know her way around this place and had no desire to learn. She'd have to figure out how to leave the place but she didn't pay more attention than that
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Post by Circe on Nov 15, 2019 18:14:48 GMT -6
Catherine scowled, clearly frustrated by Scotty's presumed ignorance. They said ignorance was bliss but it was folly to be wise, and it seemed that Scotty was the clear definition of that phrase. 'There are things out there that would like to have you for dinner, literally.' She replied, knowing all too well how that tended to play out. Scottlyn was weak and even more ignorant that she gave her credit for. 'In case you hadn't noticed, a group came in and tossed Brandon's shop and defaced the property. Or did you think Brandon was having you clean for no good reason?"
Catherine had gotten the majority of the spray paint off the glass, and had come back after hours to do even more work after everyone had gone home. That was when she had been able to use a bit of magic and coax more of the paint off. But even then it had been back breaking work, and a large portion had remained for Scotty to take care of. "You'll be on house arrest until further notice. During this time, you will be working with Eliodoro, Bertrando, and myself to gain the necessary skills to florish outside these walls." Truly the only thing the family had ever been worried about was Scotty's ability to take care of herself. The Dragon Court did not raise it's fledglings to be helpless or without skill. It was absolutely essential given the dangerous nature of the unseen and the recent rumblings through out the community; especially those from the werewolves, who she had still yet to speak with.
"It's not that bad Scotty, it really isn't. Father only has your best interest at heart, and like any parent wants to see you succeed to your full potential." Catherine intoned gently. "Spending your nights clubbing isn't exactly it either. You've had your fun, it's time to grow up." She knew first hand how heady those first years away from home could be, without a parent to approve or disapprove of your actions. It certainly gave one cause for thought at times about where they actually managing or not. There had been times when Catherine had struggled herself away from the fae, especially when it came to understanding humans who at the time had been a suspicious and paranoid lot.
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Post by demikara on Nov 16, 2019 10:23:50 GMT -6
'He said it was werewolves. That they came in and caused trouble again. But that you dealt with it.' That meant that everything was fine and she didn't have to worry as far as she was concerned. 'And he's not my father. Just because he decided to have sex with my mom, doesn't mean that he's my dad. He's just a sperm donor.' And she wanted nothing to do with him at all. Her dad was dead because she had lost it. Grigore was not her dad at all.
It was a dangerous stance to take under the circumstances. It was also one she was firm on. He didn't get to just come in after she was an adult and declare himself her dad. That wasn't how this worked at all. He didn't get to control what she did and didn't do either. She was going to fight this every step of the way. Convincing her to be a dutiful daughter was not going to be easy at all, and would likely take drastic measures beyond just confining her to her rooms while she learned the rules and the ropes.
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Post by Circe on Nov 16, 2019 11:22:04 GMT -6
"This will be your room for now." Catherine said ushering Scottlyn to a well furnished room not far from her own. House arrest didn't necessarily mean spartan conditions, in fact the other would be quite comfortable. However she just wouldn't be allowed to leave the court unless accompanied, a job which most likely would fall to Catherine.
"Give it or us a chance, Scottlyn. Father isn't so bad, you have to at least give him credit for trying." She added gently. Absenteeism was something Catherine was rather used to, as soon as she has been old enough and able she had been largely expected to care for herself. Grigoire seemed to have been previously bound by the politics of the unseen, where a child borne by a human was to be left for dead. But much to the dismay of the courts, two had survived.
"I'll come fetch you in a bit for your first lesson. In the meantime, get cleaned up and changed. There's a set of clothes in the dresser." Tyrus would likely not be thrilled, but there wasn't much she could do. Setting a guard would help, but the other was too stubborn for her own good.
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Post by demikara on Nov 16, 2019 11:34:21 GMT -6
This was ridiculous, but Scotty nodded, clearly not happy. She checked out the dresser and frowned. It was a very conservative outfit, but it was in her sizes. She didn't know how they had gotten her sizes but apparently they knew them. There was a bathroom attached and it had everything she'd need in it. This was ridiculous. At least she wouldn't be complete miserable here though. The bathroom was nice. She got cleaned up and changed into the pants and blouse that had been left for her. It was still weird that they had her a full wardrobe here, of clothes in her size, if not in her style.
There had been a guard at the door when she tried to get out, so annoyed, she waited in her room. It felt like forever before the door opened again and she looked up.
"Come with me please, la principessa." It was the guard and reluctantly, she allowed him to escort her to a mirror room. Where were they taking her now? She was obviously going somewhere and Scotty wondered if she could somehow mess with the settings and go somewhere else.
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