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"Blood Bond" Dhampir OC X Percy De Rolo III Part 8

"Get your filthy hand off my instrument!" Scanlan jumps to try to reach his lute. "Scanlan, we are already in enough trouble, please do not make it more so." I sigh, giving my spellbook to the guard, who very warily looks at my pouch filled with my frozen blood droplets. "Please do not take that, it is not a weapon. I-I have a condition." I stutter , panicking before the guard huffs and walks away from me, leaving the pouch with me. "The more you resist, the longer this will take." The high guard says with certainty towards Scanlan, who scoffs. "Come on man, it's not a weapon, I just want to serenade the group!" "Then you're going us all a favor." Vax smirks, leaning against a wall. "Your belongings will be returned if you are exonerated. All points of aggress or dis-compound, if you attempt to escape, you will be executed." The high guard declares without emotion before I gulp, my fingers twitching. "Are you fucking joking?" Vax scoffs with surprise. "I do not joke. I advise that you sit tight and wait for the sovereign's inquiry." "And what? We're supposed to sit here?!" Grog yells, agitated. "Well, you have the run of your keep. I'm sure you will find something to entertain yourselves." The high guard walks out with the others out of our house and closes the door.

I notice Scanlan looking through the pages of Delilah's book as we're sitting in the dining room. "What does it say Scanlan?" I ask, "Grog!" My question is cut short as Percy raises his voice at Grog who was currently lifting weights and groaning. I gulp and sit down, quiet. "What?" Grog asks, clearly not fazed. :I know we have a lot to talk about but I'm not turning into a vampire am I?"  Vax asks as he points to his puncture wounds on his neck. "You wouldn't turn into a vampire, Vax, You would turn out like me, but seeing as we have a healer." I point to Pike. "So what are we waitin' for? Let's fuck up these guards and bust out of here!" Grog says while listing weights, "Oh, so you'd like to be fugitives of the crown. Wanted in every corner of Taldorei?" Vax replies with sarcasm before Keyleth chimes in. "If Uriel is under a charm, maybe Pike has a spell that can cure him!" We all look over to Pike, who is hunched over, looking at her amulet of the Everlight. "Uhm, Pike? Where did you go?" Pike then gets out of her thoughts and looks to us. "Huh? Oh. Uhm, I-I don't know. What she said." I immediately notice something is wrong and I frown. "Screw all that. You should focus on this book. I mean look, dead bodies, wolves, it's some kind of fucked up evil diary. Oh. Maybe it has evidence that can clear our name." Scanlan smiles as he skims through the book. "Clear our name? The guards and Uriel saw us attempting to kill the Briarwood's servant." I groan, slouching against my seat. "You really think you can actually read this thing?" Vax sits and looks at Scanlan skeptically. "I mean yeah, I only just started translating it and Delilah's handwriting needs a little work." Scanlan starts but I can see Vax not believing him, laying his head on his hand. "Uh Huh. So what does it say?" "Oh uh it says pyramids, spirits of the dead, and right here in tiny letters it says...eh, fuck you Vax." Scanlan then pulls out his middle finger and I chuckle, finding the bickering amusing. "Oh lovely." Vax then reciprocates Scanlan's action by pulling his middle fingers out also. "Are you going to translate this?" "Can you two stop?!" Pike then yells out, making the two stop, surprised.

Vexhalia, getting up from the table and walking over to Percy, cuts the silence by snatching a piece of paper from Percy. "I was using that." Percy huffs out in frustration as I listen in . "We need to talk. All of us. Percival?" Vexhalia looks at Percy, waiting for him to spill. "Certainly. What would you like to discuss, Vexhalia?" Percy asks, beating around the bush. "Well for a start, what the hell happened back there? You never thought to mention that the Briarwoods killed your family?" Vexhalia starts, irritated, before I interrupt. "The same reason I didn't. It wasn't relevant and maybe we want to forget or go past the past?" I stammer, a little bit of confidence running through me. "Not entirely but I wasn't aware that you were owed any information about my past." Percy directs towards Vexhalia. "When your past comes to kill us, I'd say we deserve a heads up." Vexhalia buts in. "And how exactly how was I to know that the Briarwoods would be attending?" He asks, defensive. "I wan to know about the smoke!" Keyleth blurts out above their voices, "Sorry." She sits back down shyly. "Smoke?" Percy scoffs as he looks ahead. "My weapon burns black power. Perhaps that's what you saw." I look at Percy, knowing he's off. "What we saw was you shooting an innocent kid." I shake my head, standing my ground. No one in the employ of the Briarwoods is innocent." My eyes go wide and I gasp lightly, before I clench my jaw. "The boy knew nothing! He was terrified." Vexhalia starts but then Vax interrupts. "Even more so after you exploded his hand." He sighs out. "Maybe I got carried away, but you don't understand. You don't know the Briarwoods like I do." Percy persists. "I do, Percy. Believe me, I do." I say under my breath. "Then why don't you tell us." Keyleth speaks up as everyone goes to the table for support for Percy.

Percy sighs out of exasperation figuring out the words before speaking. "When they arrived in Whitestone, the Briarwoods came as allies. They brought dark ambitions and allowed no one to stand in their way. Not even children. They slaughtered us in cold blood, seizing my ancestral home. Even our tutor. The person my parents entrusted with our safety. He betrayed us and after enduring weeks of torture, my sister and I escaped together but...the Briarwoods know I'm alive now and they are not in the habit of leaving loose ends." Percy explains fore I ask as Vexhalia places the paper down. "So what is our plan?" I smile warmly as Percy reciprocates.

"Follow me, there must be something here that we can use." Percy leads us down to the basement, looking for secret openings and doors. "The thing about an old keep like this, it's quite easy to miss small details." Percy walks up to a wall and inspects it by knocking on it, then smirks, finding that it is hollow. Finding a hidden switch, he opens the wall and walks in. "fascinating, this keep kind of works like Gerald's mansion, full of stories to tell." I smile in awe while we walk in the revealed room. "Exactly." Percy replies, looking around. "Could do with some light, Pickle." Vax directs to Pike and I raise an eyebrow, furrowed in confusion. "Long story." Scanlan remarks, before Pike sighs. "You alright, Pikey?" Grog asks, concerned. "Yeah, uh. I'm fine." Pike stutters out quickly as she holds her amulet for dear life, looking around quickly, on edge. "Keyleth, uh, can't you give us a little somethin'?"  Keyleth raises her eyebrows, shocked. "Uh, me? I-I don't know. I never tried, but I guess." She tries to conjure up some light and I pull my hood over myself. After a few tries, she gives up, not being able to conjure up some light. "I...I can't do it. Sorry guys." She sighs, holding onto herself while we walk. "Forget it, we're here." Percy pulls a switch and a hatch opens to outside the keep, before Percy starts climbing out. "So are we." We see The high guard with his men right outside. "Dammit." I say under my breath.

The guards lead us back inside but in small groups. Pushing Keyleth, Percy, and I into one small room, they slam the door in our faces. "Your group clearly cannot be trusted, so we're separating you. Like children." We hear from the other side of the door. "Great. Thanks to our brains, we're stuck in here and I left my blood droplets on the damn kitchen counter." I huff, sitting on a table as we're in the storage room. "Will you be okay? Or should we stay our distance, Charlotte?" Keyleth gets up and slowly backs away from me, frightened. "I'll be okay, I had one an hour ago, so as long as we are not in here for hours, I'll be okay." I smile as Keyleth relaxes. "If I am ever hungry, point me at the enemy as I won't have as much control." I smile slightly, embarrassed. After a few minutes of silence, Keyleth speaks up, "So, it's just us in here." As she speaks, Percy goes up to me and waves for me to get off the table. "Oh, sorry." He nods and presses a hidden button on the side and it opens, revealing a hidden compartment full of his tools for making his pepperbox. "That was there the entire time?" I ask shocked, "That could have shot me if I sat wrong!" He smirks, scoffing. "Relax, it is disassembled." Percy assures me, "Uriel was mad, huh? We didn't ruin his entire dinner. Just dessert...didn't know about your past, but I guess none of us share that kind of stuff, huh?" Keyleth tries to small talk but Percy just works on his pepperbox, while I look up at Keyleth, smiling sadly. "I'm sorry that I didn't tell you that it was Sylas. I wanted to escape that part of me but it followed." I look down, my crimson eyes looking at my hands. "A monster." As soon as I say that, Percy looks up from the desk, "You have a choice not to be. Right?" I remember the other night and I smile. "Right." "I may never see my family again." Keyleth sighs out, "What?" Percy stops what he was doing and freezes. "Yeah. My armimente. I don't get to go home until I complete it and prove myself worthy. Which might not happen...so." She sighs out, defeated. "I didn't know that." Percy replies before I do and I get up and place a cold hand on Keyleth's shoulder. "Thanks, I'm just saying I know you two think you're alone, that we don't know what you're going through. But you don't have to be." I smile sadly, "Thank you Keyleth, I never had friends that I could rely on, only Gerald. It's nice to finally have a good friend circle." I look to Percy and he hesitates, "I...appreciate that, Keyleth. Truly, and for the record, I think you're damn worthy." Keyleth and I smile, but it quickly fades. "But there is a world of difference between you and I. Whether you succeed or fail, your family is still alive.

"Captain, there's something in the courtyard. Outside now!" We hear guards yelling to each other, clearly distressed. "Everybody, creepy shit incoming!" Grog kicks in our door, ready to fight. "Creepy shit?" We get up and run out of the door, following suit. "What's happening?" Keyleth asks, her eyes wide. "Where have the guards gone?" Percy asks, suspicious. We hear heavy breathing, then the high guard and two others rush into the room. "What did you do?!" The guard yells frightened. "Don't look at me, all I did was make a hogey!" Scanlan replies, defensive. "5 of my men are dead. If you didn't kill them, who did?" The guard walks towards us menacingly, then the lights on the chandelier go out. "It wasn't me!" I say, trying to defend myself. "UH...Chancing a guess it was them." Vax looks at the ceiling and we see like animated corpses. "This was definitely not me!" I yell, freaking out, before the corpses start attacking the guards and us, the guard's eyes, nose, and mouth bleeding. One of the corpses throw Scanlan to the other side of the room as Keyleth screams, "Scanlan!" 

Vexhalia realizes, "They want the book!" She then hesitates, looking for it, before she finds it on the floor where Scanlan was standing. Sprinting over, she snatches it and throws it towards Keyleth, "Keyleth heads up!" Before getting attacked herself. Druid shaping into a jackalope, she catches the book and hops as fast as she can towards a room. "Fall back!" Pike yells as we all sprint towards the room Keyleth is heading towards. We finally make it through and past as we're in the lit room. "We need a way to fight them." Vexhalia breathes out, looking at the survived high guard. "No use in you being unarmed anymore." He throws Vax a short swords and Vexhalia a crossbow. "A trigger? Ew." "Could really use my lute right about now." Scanlan groans out, being tended by Pike. "You said that it wasn't a weapon!" The guard says, surprised, "Obvious lie." Scanlan sighs, laying his head down. "Not like any of these will do fuck all." Percy starts but then we all hear Keyleth gasping for air, dropping the book  and spasming, blooding from her orifices. "Oh fuck." I swear for the first time in 20 years. "Keyleth!" Percy yells before he gets tackled by one of the corpses against a wall and starts bleeding. "No!" I yell before I try to cast Shadow Blade but before I can, I am also tackling, feeling blood drain from my body. I then hear a scream and a blast of light covers the room, making me scream out in pain, my skin starting to singe. "Keep doing it Keyleth! Don't stop!" I keep screaming in pain before something primal takes over me. Blood. I look at the corpse and I bare my pointed teeth and pounce on them, finally making contact with flesh, delicious blood floods my throat and I let out an almost euphoric groan, raking my nails against the corpse. I am in the frenzy that I don't realize the corpse slowly evaporating and seeping into the walls. "Charlotte?"

"Charlotte, please. Come back to us dear." I see Percy step towards me slowly, cautiously as I hear muffled voices. "Blood." I let out a guttural growl as my gaze is transfixed on him. "Calm. I'm not your enemy." I see him slowly crouch and pick up a pouch from the ground. The smell is overstimulating, flooding my nose. "Here. I trust you. You are not a monster. You are Charlotte Benoite." He takes out a blood droplet and I crawl over, taking it from him like a hungry beast. After a few seconds of drinking the blood pellet, I begin to think clearly. "Percy? What...what happened?" I look around me in horror. "You're okay, Charlotte." He smiles and takes my hand, helping me up. "You intend to stop those that did this to my men?" The high guard asks us and Percy nods. "You have my word." The high guard opens the door for us and says final. "Go. Give them hell." We all walk out the door, ready as ever.

"No goodbye?" I look down as I see Percy about to leave for Whitestone. "I'm going to Whitestone-" "No shit. We're coming with you, Percy. You saved me from being a mindless beast that only destroys. If you're going on a suicide mission, I'm going too." I speak up, finally having confidence. "If we beat Sylas, his charm on Uriel will fade." Keyleth says with certainty. "And clear our name." Scanlan chimes, "honestly I wouldn't last a day in prison with this face. Look at me, I'm a snack." I step forward. "We're all with you. But no more secrets." I poke Percy and look at him dead in the eye. "Alright?" "Understood. Thank you. All of you." He smiles as he looks us over, before opening the door to outside, the light shining as I cover myself. "Told you guys this book is a big deal. Not that anyone ever listens to me." Scanlan sighs before he is stopped by the high guard. "What now?" "Careful where you aim that thing." He gives Scanlan his lute back. "See what I mean? A snack." Scanlan winks as I am also handed back my spellbook. "Very well. To Whitestone." We hear Percy say but then Pike immediately blurts out, "I'm not coming. I can't hear the Everlight. It's like you said, Grog. I think I need to tell her sorry. Properly at a temple." She walks over to Keyleth who is looking at her, confused. "You're their light now." Before Keyleth nods, understanding. "Be safe, Pike." I smile sadly. "You too." She says before we make our way to Whitestone.

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"Blood Bond" Dhampir OC X Percy De Rolo III Part 7

"Percival darling, what did we say about emotions?" Vexhalia says with her arms crossed, leaning against a wall, before Percy sighs. "You don't understand." Percy says with certainty. "Then help us understand. Please." I look up at him, pleading, looking into his eyes as I understand the amount of pain he is feeling while Grog reassuringly places his hand on Percy's shoulder. "The Briarwoods. They murdered my entire family." We all go pale with horror whilst I stare at the ground, my hands in fists. "Percy, why didn't you tell us-" Keyleth starts but Percy interrupts, "I've tried telling many over the years. No one's ever believed me." I look up at Percy, a look of anger etched on my face. "I completely understand." He looks at me with slight confusion before Pike gasps, "Wait, Vax is up there! What if he needs help?" "Okay, I'll distract, you go. Quietly." Scanlan says quietly as he runs up to the crowd of people as he starts singing a musical number while we quickly head out of the room, looking for Vax. 

We keep looking before I am hit with an overwhelming smell of blood, making me stop dead in my tracks coming from upstairs, matching the scent of Vax. "Blood...hurry!" I start running but then I ear a smash and a thud coming from outside. "This way!" "Vax..." Vex's eyes go wide as we run towards the exit, but the guard is holding our weapons due to us losing our ticket. "Screw it, Grog!" Pike yells before Grog pulls the guard from the weapons storage and hands us our weapons, before we all run out, looking for Vax.

I spot Vax with Sylas and my eyes go wide as Sylas rakes his claws into Vax's chest like through paper, lifting him up by the throat. I look to the side and see Keyleth transform into a hawk, flying straight for Sylas as she dives towards him. Sylas drops Vax to the ground and grunts as the rest of us come running while Keyleth, in hawk form barely dodging Delilah's attacks, before she gets hit and falls to the ground, immediately transforming back to her regular form. Percy draws The List and screams out "SYLAS, DELILAH!" and starts shooting at Delilah, who uses her magic to disappear in a puff of smoke and appear right next to Sylas. "Dammit!" Percy yells in frustration as his pepperbox jams. "Would you look at that dear, it's the pup who survived, all grown up." Delilah starts, then looks towards me. "And your food you left behind." Percy freezes for a moment and looks at me with surprise, understanding why I was so familiar with his pain. "Step off bitch." Vexhalia spits out as draws her bow at Delilah, firing before Delilah flicks the shots away as if it were nothing, smirking, throwing a dark magic wave at us, making us fall to the ground. Sensing the battle, Grog yells out a battle cry and launches at Sylas with his axe, while the rest of us start to handle Vax and Delilah, Pike immediately going for Vax, trying to heal him.

"I got you Vax, come on, come on, please!" Pike holds her emblem of the Everlight tightly as she starts healing Vax slowly, "Thanks...pickle. Had him right where I wanted him." Vax smiles weakly, looking at Pike. As I get into the fight, Keyleth casts infestation towards Delilah but she just smirks and sends the spell right back at Keyleth and Vexhalia, while I dodge, "I think not." Delilah declares before she sends another wave of dark energy towards all of us. "So, we're not doing terrible, right?" Keyleth looks to Vexhalia as Vex grunts from pain. "No, this is terrible."

 I look to Grog who is starting to get really beaten up by Sylas and I clench my fists. "Don't worry Grog! I'm coming to help!" I run to him and cast Dragon's breath on myself, aiming myself towards Sylas and spew Acid  at his face, Sylas reels back in pain before wiping his face and chuckles, his face rapidly healing. "Hello darling, finally putting up a fight?" I gasp and step back, before Grog laughs, holding his axe high, is axe imbued with radiant light. "You the best Pike." He then runs towards Sylas, swinging his axe at Sylas, finally making him bleed. "I expect that hurt!" Grog says with a smile, "It's working!" I grin and start preparing another spell, before Sylas then snarls and punches me hard, making me go flying into Keyleth. "This one is entirely too much trouble." Delilah then looks to Pike who is distracted enchanting Grog's axe and I yell out, "Pike watch out!" Pike tries to turn around but is then hit by a wave of dark energy, cracking her emblem of The Everlight, screaming in pain. 

"Pike!" My eyes widen and I scream out, casting fire bolt towards Delilah, making her go flying into a wall with a gasp and a yell. Seeing his wife being flung, he casts blink and appears right before Pike who is on the ground. "Your gods can't help you now." He raises his sword and prepares to strike, before I cast Shadow Blade and parry his strike. "Get away from my friends, you asshole!" I sneer at his face before we hear Keyleth cast Wall of Thorns, blocking the Briarwoods from our group. "Stop them!" Percy yells as he starts shooting at the wall of thorns, trying to get to the Briarwoods, having a crazed look on his face. "Come visit us sometime, Percival. You're always welcome back home." We hear Delilah holler from the other side of the wall, cackling as they drive away. We finally get through the wall before Percy yells in anger, "NO! I had them! HAD THEM! And you let them slip away." Percy then turns to us in anger. We all look at him surprised, "If Keyleth hadn't cast that spell, Pike and I would have been done for, Percy.-" I start saying before he looks to me, almost in a crazed state. 

"No excuses." Percy interrupts before I hear Pike pleading to her emblem, "Everlight...no!" She and I notice the light emanating from it dissipating from it. "No, please." She keeps pleading before we notice Percy walking off and putting on a plague doctor looking mask. "What is he doing?" I look to the group and they notice Percy. "What the actual fuck?!" Vax leans heavily against Keyleth as he exclaims in shock. "Holy shit Percy, what are you doing?" Vexhalia starts before the Briarwood's servant starts pleading "Please, I'm only a servant, they don't tell me anything! Please don't hurt me!" He puts his hand up to cover his face, before Percy shoots his hand off, making the servant scream out in pain. "Percy stop!" Vexhalia yells out as she steps forwards, but Percy ignores her and holds the servant down with his foot, aiming The List at him. "You fool, now your soul is forfeit." We all freeze as we wait for him to pull the trigger, before we hear Uriel's voice yell out. "HALT. What is the meaning of this? Guards. Arrest Vox Machina!" Soon guards all start pouring outside of the mansion and surround us. "WOO! Ha, they loved me in there! Oh I was on fire!" Scanlan walks out before he notices the guards surrounding us, his eyes go wide, "Fuck."

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"Blood Bond" Dhampir OC X Percy De Rolo III Part 6

Attention please be given. Sovereign Uriel Taldorei the third and Empress Solda Taldorei!" A guard announces and Lady Allura clears her throat, directing it to us, where we all just look around, not noticing in the slightest. Before Vexhalia nudges Percy and Grog up, signaling for us to stand. As Uriel and Solda sit back down, we all follow suit, before The Briarwoods steal a glance to Percy and I, noticing our distressed expressions. As I feel their eyes on us, I seem to shrink down into my seat anxious as I grab onto Grog's arm tighter. "Nothing like a dragon attack to bring us all together, eh? Thank you everyone for taking the journey here. Please, allow me to introduce our dining party. We have Arbiter Du'alajum, Master of Law..." 

As Uriel speaks, his voice starts to fade into a dull hum as I look into the eyes of Sylas Briarwood. I only hear a dull ringing as I stare at his mouth, before I see him look in my direction, the faintest of smirks etched on his face. "I must confess, I was rather curious whether you would come. Our messenger did not return. In fact, I hear dark rumors about Whitestone. They say no one travels in nor out of your lands." Uriel breaks me out of my thoughts as I glance up at him, before Delilah Briarwood chuckles and responds curtly. "Lies, spread by drunks and knaves. If no one left Whitestone, would we be sitting before you, Sovereign?" She then takes a bite of her rare steak. "Perhaps, or perhaps I might be forced to send a garrison of troops to check on your city." Uriel quips before Delilah looks at him, disappointed. I look to Sylas and my eyes slightly widen, as he puts his hand on Uriel's, "You won't need to do that." I notice a familiar glow in his eyes, to force anyone and everyone to comply with him.

Sylas smirks as Uriel's eyes seem to go blank, his control in effect. "You are right. There is no need-" "In fact, Whitestone's needs to be protected." Sylas interrupts before Uriel says without emotion, "Yes. Whitestone's independence is not to be challenged." I gasp and Uriel snaps out of the control, looking away for a moment. Looking at Uriel with confusion and concern, Keyleth then looks to the rest of our group, who hadn't noticed the situation.

I suddenly look towards Percy, who looked like he was about to burst with rage, staring straight at The Briarwoods. "Have we met before?" Delilah smirks slightly as she looks at Percy, setting her glass of red wine down, making Percy stutter, caught off guard. "We...haven't met, I'm Vexhalia, I'm so sorry, what was your name again?" Vex speaks up, nudging Percy with her foot under the table as she tries to keep peace. I shake my head subtly, looking at her with pleading eyes. "Delilah, what an absolute pleasure to meet the protectors of the realm. My husband, Sylas." She waves her hand towards Sylas as she introduces themselves, before I look to Percy, noticing he squeezed a glass so hard that it broke in his hand. Blood. Blood was all that I could smell, in the air, In my mouth, I could almost taste the delicious red liquid. I have to keep myself together. Find the humanity, the will to fight. The will to endure and resist.

"Interesting enough, we are not originally from Whitestone." Sylas speaks up as he talks about their history, "Of course you're not." Percy sneers as he spits out his words. I gulp and look away, looking at my lap as I hear him talk. "Tell me, have you heard how we became caretakers of Whitestone? The official story is the city was ministered by the De Rolo family. Until they succumbed to a rare disease. But I'm afraid the truth is, we concocted tat tale to protect their legacy. The sad truth is that the De Rolos abdicated. They grew bored of ruling and after their children raided the treasury, they abandoned their people. To rot." Delilah says with certainty, before Percy jumps out of his seat, yelling. "Liars!" Everyone at the table is left astonished, before I look at Percy, feeling rage for them as well, before looking at Sylas, who is grinning like a Cheshire cat. I glare back at him as he notices my gaze.

"Thank you Sovereign Uriel. But I think we will retire for the night." Sylas speaks up as he stands up calmly with Delilah, flashing a smile at me. "It was a lovely evening. We especially enjoyed the company. So refined." Delilah and Sylas moves to the end of the room and towards the door to go to their chambers for the night. "Percy, are you alright?" I ask as I smell the blood that is left on his glove, and he doesn't answer, his gaze forward like in a trance. "Excuse us, for a moment." Vexhalia grabs Percy's hand and our group follows out of the room, feeling awkward as Uriel's eyes are transfixed on us leaving, feeling disappointment.

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"Blood Bond" Dhampir OC X Percy De Rolo III Part 5

"Remember what we practiced. Be reserved, be charming. Protocol." Percy says to us, hoping that the group  remembered before Vax and Grog do a Curtsey, making Percy sigh in frustration. "Just follow my lead." Percy walks into the building while we follow, before I look around in the hall. "Sorry, if you brought weapons, they must be checked." We all look at each other and I snicker, "It helps to not have any weapons on my person." I smirk and start to walk into the main hall. As the group surrender their weapons, I feel a slight of pang of nervousness, taking a glass of Chardonnay, I take a sip to hide my insecurity.

"From Emon, Vox...Machina?" The announcer says with a surprised tone, looking us over, not expecting us to be dressed up. Scanlan sighs and walks forward, "Is that all you got? Allow me."" He clears his throat and projects to the crowd, "Vox Machina, champions of justice, hunters of dragons, destroyers of chastity-" Percy stops him and whispers something to him as he walks forward, slightly to his right as our group starts to fully walk into the room confidently. "Or...no, do whatever." Percy sighs and shakes his head as I walk up behind him. "Can I...stay with you, Percy?" he turns and looks at me, nodding with a smile. "You have nothing to worry about, Charlotte. Follow my lead and you'll be alright." He takes my arm and places it under his, holding me against him elegantly. "A-Alright. I trust you." I hold onto him a little tighter and start waking with him.

After a while of conversing and introducing ourselves to the other guests, I look at Percy who looked like he was finally at ease, smiling. "This is fantastic, diplomats are here from all over Taldorei. Fordaxio, Kaimo, Westrun-"" Percy starts, then we all hear "From Castle Whitestone, Lord Sylas and Lady Delilah Briarwood!" the announcer says proudly, my crimson eyes go wide and my breathing stops as I turn my head towards the sound of shuffling and I seem to get paler. I hear muffled voices and noises as my mind goes back to the memories of my "death", hearing the sounds of my own screams as I remember seeing blurred out faces and the alleyway stained with my own blood.

"Charlotte dear, are you alright? What's wrong?" I hear Vax faintly call out to me in the middle of my screams. I am suddenly nudged out of my flashback, before I realize that I am back in the party. "Hmm?" I shake my head and blink, looking up at Vax, who is looking at me, concerned. "You're bleeding and you blanked.. you okay?" Grog speaks up, his eyebrows up in surprise that I didn't notice.

I look at my hands and see that my sharpened nails have pierced through the palms of my hands. "I-I didn't realize, I am sorry for scaring you all. I...I am alright." I smile slightly, clearly lying and trying my best to not worry them. "You're clearly not okay, the both of you." Scanlan quips, looking at Percy. "Percy?" I look at Percy and he looks pale, staring at the Briarwoods with his fists balled up. "Percy? Why are you looking at the Briarwoods like that? Did-" I realize and remember from the night prior when he was having night terrors. "What did they do to you, Percy?" He looks at all of us and says quiet enough that only we can hear. "Whitestone was my home, until those fiends took everything from me." I look up at Percy and open my mouth to speak, but Vax speaks up before I do, "What do you want us to do? Should we say something to Uriel?" Percy looks away, feeling defeated. "We can't." Vex'Halia looks behind us at the stairs to find the Briarwood's butler taking their things upstairs. "Looks like they're staying overnight." Vex'Halia says with certainty. "Why don't I make myself scarce and slip into their chambers? See if I can figure out what they're up to." Vax says quietly, before Scanlan nods, looking at him, "But in case of trouble, we should have a safe word. Grog, suggestions?" Grog's eyebrows go up as he stammers, "Right. The safe word is Chenga." Scanlan grimaces, "Okay, my safe word is mommy." Vax walks off, seeming to blend in with the crowd, before I start fidgeting, "This is a bad idea."

I hold my left hand tightly as I try to keep myself calm as we are all called to the dinner table. Walking over to my seat, I directly sit next to Grog, the strongest of our group, my subconscious telling me that I am safe. "Charlotte, are you sure you're okay? You're clinging onto my arm." Grog says to me quietly and I nod, looking straight down at my dinnerware. I don't answer, my eyes fixed on my dinnerware, before I shake my head subtly, making sure that The Briarwood's don't see from across the table.

[brennamonette-blog]

Blood Bond Dhampir OC x Percy De Rolo (P.T 4)

Making our way to Dressig, I look over the huge building, seeing the many Chariots and the many high class people going in. "Are you8 sure that we'll be dressed for the occasion? We hardly look the part. The only ones that look semi high class are Percy and..." I look at the group and sigh, "I." The rest of the group look at Keyleth and she looks between us, stuttering, "W-What? Why are you guys looking at me?" Vax chuckles and points to her attire, "You made these yourself right? Isn't it the same? Just some materials?" Keyleth sighs and pinches the bridge of her nose, deadpanning. "I can try, but I can't promise anything yet." We all smile and Vax goes over to her to help with designs.

I go over to a stump and sit on it, visibly worried and fiddling with my fingers. "Are you okay, Charlotte? You look tense, almost as bad as me most of the time." Percy walks over and puts a hand on my left shoulder. "I'm just worried that I'll mess things up, I've never been at a table with high society before. I don't want to say the wrong things, do you understand what I mean?" He sits next to me and smiles, his eyebrow furrowing. "If Grog and Scanlan can pull it off, you'll do amazing, trust me. " I smile and put my hand on his on my shoulder, "Thank you Percy, it means a lot coming from a person from high society like yourself." He smiles and pats my shoulder, before walking towards Keyleth, helping her with the designs with Vax.

After a while, Keyleth finishes the designs and makes them, giving each of us our personal attires. "Here's yours, Charlotte, sorry that It's not exact to your measurements." She gives me the gown and I inspect it. It's a black mermaid dress with white embroidered flowers above the bust and a slit on the sides with silver chains keeping the slits together. "Holy shit, Keyleth! This is amazing, you did all of this in only 6 hours?!" I look at her with awe and amazement, my crimson eyes seeming to shine in the dark. She blushes and looks around, embarrassed, "I'm serious, Keyleth, this is extraordinary!" She looks back and smiles, "I also made this," She hands me a red flower clip with white edges. "Everlight..." I hug her tightly, smiling before I realize my strength is more than an average person. "It's nothing, really." I put a hand on her shoulder after putting the hairclip in my bun. "Give yourself more credit, Keyleth. You really helped us today." I take my hand off her shoulder and walk behind a tree to change.

"Charlotte, are you all ready? We're about to leave." Pike asks me from the other side of the tree while I put on the last parts of my attire on. "Yes I am ready." I walk out from behind the tree and straighten my dress with my hands, looking at the ground to blush as everyone stares at me in awe. "Charlotte...you look amazing..." Percy speaks up after moments of silence, his face red. I look up at him and smile.

[brennamonette-blog]

"Blood Bond" Dhampir OC X Percy De Rolo III Part 3 (Rewritten)

As I take first watch, I look into the woods, a little anxious from leaving the mansion, but also relieved that I am free of being isolated. I look into the woods and gasp as I hear something shuffling in the shadows, standing, I put my hands up, read to cast Thunderclap. The shuffling comes closer before a tiny Dire Wolf pup emerges from the bushes. I slowly visibly relax and kneel, the wolf pup, sniffing the air freezes, knowing that it has been spotted. "That's it, I'm not going to harm you, young one. You just smelled this, didn't you?" I slowly grab my rabbit meat from my plate that was left over and lean towards the pup. The pup sniffs the meat and comes closer cautiously until it comes right at my knees. Scratching the meat before it chows down, the pup keeps its eyes locked on my movements. I smile and reach down to pet its head, but it growls and quickly grabs the meat with its teeth before dashing back into the bushes, leaving me disheartened.

Frowning, I sit back down, sighing, before in the corner of my eye, I see everyone fast asleep but Percy begins to thrash in his sleep, whining and whimpering. I furrow my eyebrows and walk over quietly, trying not to wake him abruptly and violently. I kneel to his sleeping form, but he keeps thrashing and sweat covers his face. "Percival? Percival, wake up." I gently put my hand on his bare shoulder before he wakes up, pointing The Lis at my face, his eyes wide and breathing heavily. "It's me, Charlotte, Percival. You're safe." He visibly relaxes and lowers The List, closing his eyes and putting his other hand on his head, sighing, levelling his breathing. "I'm fine, it's just a nightmare, nothing serious." He takes his hand off of his face, before shivering. "You can take your hand off me now. You're a little cold." He looks away from my gaze, his cheeks lightly dusted with a shade of pink. "O-Oh, I am sorry. I forgot." I pull my hand off his shoulder as if I touched a hot stove and he looks at me with a small sad smile.

Frowning, I stand up, not looking at him. "It might not mean much to you now because you are used to the pain. Don't think about lying to me, because I am familiar with trauma and I have sleepless nights now and then, but please do not treat it as nothing, it makes it worse in the future." I look at Percy and I have a flashback of my maker, his crimson red eyes glowing in the dark of the alleyway, his brown hair with grey streaks illuminating in the moonlight. He grins and lunges, making my vision go white, before I blink, seeing Percy again. "You obviously have people that care about you and you do not need to be stubborn about asking for help." I smile sadly and start walking over to my spot near a tree, before Percy sees my puncture scars from being turned, his eyebrows furrowed. 

When second watch begun, I walk over to my bedroll, going into a meditative state. Being on watch, Percy looks at me meditating, before he puts more wood into the fire. Sneaking a glance at me, he realizes that I have no blanket. He smiles warmly and walks over, draping his trench coat over my meditative form. As he drapes it over me, he notices a book with the words "Invention and Chemical Formulas" scrawled on the cover. Letting his curiosities take control, he opens the book and looks at the first page. "How to treat various living ailments".  He smiles and carefully closes the book and puts it in my bag, out of sight. "You're full of surprises, aren't you?" He walks back to the fire and sits down, tending to it. My eyes open slowly and I look down at the trench coat over my shoulders. Letting out a dumbfounded sound, I smile at Percy's kindness and clench the coat closer to me, going back to my meditation.

During my meditation, I suddenly feel an excruciating burning on my left cheek. My eyes shoot open and I pull my hood over my face, the blistering on my cheek starts to dumb down to a faint pinch as my face begins to heal. I hiss in pain and I hold the part of my face to help with the pain, my other hand clenching in a fist. "You alright?" Scanlan comes over to inspect my wound and lifts my hand from my face. "Yes, it is just a burn. I am lucky that I caught it in time. A few more moments and I would have poofed to ash." I shrug with a smile and he smirks. "I don't want that pretty face to disintegrate to ash, you're already hot." I deadpan, then chuckle, pushing him off of me playfully, "Pff...is that your best pick up line dear Gnome? twenty years and still no decent ones." Scanlan snickers and gets up with a look of surprise on his face, "Huh...usually that works, except Vex. You're something, girl. Impervious to my flirting is a massive feat. Not many can resist my sexiness." He shrugs and laughs, walking back to his bedroll, packing up his things and joining the others. I shake my head and chuckle, opening my mini cooler and popping two frozen blood droplets in my mouth, letting them dissolve and drip down my throat.

"There that is better. Now, where are we off to everyone?" I walk over to the group after I gather my things, before Vex speaks up. "We are going to Emon since we killed the dragon, I think we all need a drink." She smirks and pats me on the back. "We're going to your house?" I ask, intrigued. "Yup, can't wait to have some more drinks!" Grog squeals and I laugh while we walk to their house. When we arrive in Emon, I look around in awe, seeing the city buzzing with life. "Wow, is it always this lively?" I ask the group. "You really don't get out a lot, do you?" Vax looks at me pitifully and I frown , shaking my head. "Don't worry, it is the city of change, you'll fit in just right, Charlotte." Pike quips, opening the door of their house with ease

For a few hours, we are just relaxing, I am sitting at the dining table writing in my book and Vax and Grog are playing some Ball Tag. Before we are all interrupted by a knocking at the door. "Uh, Vox Machina? Are you here?" The sound of Allura from the council walks in and we head to the entrance. "Lady Allura, welcome." Percy says with a polite smile. "We must put our best foot forward." Allura looks at all of us and I shrink down in embarrassment. "Right...which one is that?" Grog asks, looking at all of us confused. "Lady Allura, we appreciate the gravity of the situation. and will present ourselves with the utmost dignity." Percy sighs at Grogs question before Vax punches Grog's crotch, smirking. "Good one...seven to five..." Grog holds his crotch and wheezes out, making me snicker. "You see, the rules of Ball Tag are as complex as they are beautiful." Scanlan explains with a proud face. "I-I shall brief them on royal etiquette and manners, you have my word. Nothing will go wrong." Percy, in a panic, reassures Allura as Grog falls to the ground, wheezing out, "My Balls..."

I look at Percy when Lady Allura leaves, "What was that all about? Did I miss something?" I raise an eyebrow, confused. "We are being invited this evening to a feast in our honour in Dressig for killing the dragon. The Council has found our courage something worthy." I furrow my eyebrows, "But I was not in the fight. I doubt the council will allow me at the table." I chuckle nervously before Vax smirks, "Technically they said our group, you're one of us now, Charlotte. Besides, we're telling them that you incapacitated it while Grog delivered the final blow." My eyes widen and I take a step back. "Lying to the council? Do you all have a death wish?!" Most of the group shrugs and says "It's what we do." Vax and Percy walk forward. "After what you're willing to do with us, it's our way of initiation. Getting black out drunk with us!" Vax punches my shoulder playfully and chuckles, walking into the other room. "You've been through enough. Have a night of fun for once in your undead life...did I say that right?" Percy asks and I chuckle, booping his nose, slowly coming out of my shell. "Close enough. Thank you, Perciv-Percy. I really appreciate it." I catch myself and say his preferred name, making him chuckle and smirk.

[brennamonette-blog]

"Blood Bond" Dhampir OC X Percy De Rolo III Part 2 (Rewritten)

I hear shuffling from downstairs as Vox Machina begin to get ready to leave as I grip the window sill, still irate from Percival's outburst from earlier. I hear Gerald call me downstairs to discuss a very time sensitive matter. Since Percival already know of what I am, I can assume that he had already spoken with the others in his group about me. Using my vampiric speed, I run to Gerald's study and sit down. He looks at me, dumbfounded and scolds me whisper yelling, "Charlotte, what the blazes are you doing?! You're going to expose yourself!" I cross my arms, scoffing with a sneer, "They already know, Percival felt it from the start and confronted me about my situation earlier." Gerald looks at me confused with a cocked brow. "Mr. De Rolo? After dinner, he came to me concerning you and that is why I called you down." I cross my legs, frowning as I look at him. "What is it Sir?" Gerald looks at me and smirks, hiding his excitement. "He has invited you to travel with them." My eyes shoot wide open with shock as I stand abruptly. "I'm sorry, what?!" Gerald chuckles for a moment at my reaction, "He told me that he had spoken with you about your skills as an inventor and your knowledge about chemistry. He even said that you would be an invaluable asset." I grumble in my seat and look away. " They could help you find a cure by travelling the world. Please, Charlotte, this may be your only chance. Do the right thing and go with them." Gerald looks at me with a smile. Sighing, I reluctantly agree. "On one condition, I bring my book, violin, and the mini cooler for my blood packets." Gerald grins and leans forward in his chair. "You may. I'm glad you have agreed. I swear this will be for your own benefit, Charlotte." He cocks his head to the side, motioning towards the stairs. I bow and run to my room, gathering my things.

After gathering my things from my room, I take one last look at the window and smile. "Finally seeing the world..." I walk down the stairs and look over at the group at the door, smiling. "I promise that I won't be a nuisance and that I can hold my own. The only thing you should worry about is yourselves." Grog chuckles and takes a step towards me , "All of us are here for each other, we keep each other alive. It's nothing to be ashamed about-" I turn to glare and flash a sarcastic smile his way. "Don't worry, I already know you all know about what I am. There is an elephant in the room so do not patronize me, you won't be there for me. So let's keep our relationship professional." I stop smiling and pull my hood over my head, opening the door and heading outside. I hear the group talking amongst themselves and saying their goodbyes to Gerald, before walking outside with me. "Charlotte, how long has it been since you left the mansion?" Vaxildan asks while walking next to me. Thinking, I look at the sky before replying, "It has been about twenty years. The last time I was out, I've hit rock bottom." Vaxildan looks at me and his eyes widen in shock. "Twenty years?! You've missed a ton of shit since then!" I smile slightly and keep walking, looking around. "Ah, it is pretty much the same, except technology advanced and grew. If I do say so myself, I think guns are just...cowardly." I tilt my head towards Percival. "Guns do the dirty work for you instead of yourself doing the deed. Bare handed or something sharp are the honorable way to go." Percival looks at me from the side of his glasses, his jaw clenching and releasing before holstering Pepperbox, aka The List. "We should make camp soon, it's getting late and we don't want to be exhausted enough tomorrow to not go to the meeting, do we?" Vexhalia looks up at the rapidly darkening sky and sets her stuff down in a clearing, signaling the others to follow suit.

"That should be everything." Vex sis down and relaxes by the fire. "Yep, I'm definitely ready, I can sleep pretty much everywhere." Grog starts to lays down but then he grunts in pain. "Except stumps. Why does there have to be a stump here?! Stupid stump!" He punches the stump and sighs, getting up to move. I giggle and lean against a tree, overlooking everyone. From across the fire, Percival shakes his head, gets up from the ground, then looks towards me, walking in my direction. I lift my head up to look at him and he asks, "Can I speak to you in private for a moment?" I roll my eyes, nodding for him to lead the way. We walk to a nearby stream and there's silence. "Why did you bring me here?" I ask, looking at my reflection in the water, my crimson eyes seeming to glow in the water. "I wanted to apologize for the way I acted towards you. It was wrong and I should not have assumed-" "I meant why did you bring me here, along with your group? I'm not a fighter, I only act on instincts how to survive. But...Thank you for apologizing. I'm not a monster and I don't want to attack anyone." I sit down and he follows suit, smiling. "There is peace in water, it's calm and quiet, but also-" I hold my hand out and cast Shape Water and some of the water comes out and hovers over the stream. I clench my hand into a fist and the water instantly freezes. "It has a choice, it can either be a weapon, or a calm element. Everything has a choice." I stop the spell and the water plops back into the stream, before I look at Percival. "We all have a choice. Write our own stories Percival. I plan on writing my own." He smiles and holds out his hand for a shake. "Call me Percy."

[brennamonette-blog]

"Blood Bond" Dhampir OC X Percy De Rolo III Part 1 (Rewritten)

Looking outside through the window from the window sill, I see the sun's blinding rays along the floor boards and hear the birds chirp. Sighing, I touch the drapes as I wish I could see and feel the sun's warmth instead of the cold and dark of the room. The life of a Dhampir is as such, being isolated in dark areas where the sun doesn't dare shine. "Madam, The Master would like to meet with you. He said it is of utmost importance." The Butler, Adam knocks on the door as he advises me. I tear my gaze from the window as I look at him with a smile. "Thank you Adam. I will be right down." Adam walks away from the door, a chill running down his spine as his pulse quickens slightly. All living lifeforms get this way with the undead, it is like their bodies have an alarm when there is danger nearby. I get up from the window sill as I reach into my dress pocket, taking out one of my frozen blood pellets, popping it into my mouth, my blood lust diminishing to nothing. Taking a deep breath and sighing, I put my hair up into a bun, "Soon. Soon I will find an end to this curse." As I walk out of my room and down the stairs to the study, I hear Gerald, The Master of the house getting his elegant coat for guests on. "You rang for me Sir?" I place my hands behind my back, awaiting instructions while stopping in front of him. "Ah yes Charlotte. Tonight we will have guests over for dinner. Have you heard of the travelers who had slain the dragon in the daily paper? The Vox Machina? I've spoken to them and arranged a meet for their valiant victory." Gerald flattens his suit and intertwines his fingers, smiling. "Sir, is that wise for them to be here? If they're warriors, surely they will see the sanctuary and try to obliterate the residents?" I look down as my hands go back to my front, twiddling my thumbs. "Charlotte, they are only coming for dinner, besides, all the residents will be in their rooms. I gave them the option to dine with us, but they declined. Unfortunately, with you being the caretaker here, you will be required to attend the dinner." My red eyes widen widen and I open my mouth to retort, but he silences me by slightly raising his hand. "I have heard that one of their members is familiar with chemicals and is an inventor. He may be an asset to finding a way to reverse your condition." He smiles and takes one of my hands in his, cradling it. "Charlotte, this may be the only opportunity for you. Take it dear." I look in his eyes, "Thank you Sir."

As I wait for the group to arrive, I start to put on some foundation to hide my obvious pale skin before taking my brown contact lenses from my makeup kit, placing them on my irises, hiding my crimson eyes. "Perfect..." Before I do anything else, I hear the loud bell of the doorbell and I involuntarily shudder nervously. "They're here." I slowly get my makeup kit into my closet and walk down the hall, hearing loud laughing and cursing. Before they see me, I straighten my brown and white blouse, walking towards them all. All of Vox Machina look up at me, but one in particular widens his eyes and visibly shudders. I walk right up to them and bow with a smile, "Welcome Vox Machina, my name is Charlotte Benoite, the caretaker of the mansion."

The white haired one stares at me, narrowing his eyes slightly as he inspects me, raising his hand for a shake. As I reciprocate, he grips my hand in a tight death grip. "Thank you, where is your host?" he asks flatly, looking me dead in the eyes, his glasses somehow making him even more intimidating. I chuckle awkwardly, "He is in the study, allow me to-" "That's not necessary, we can find our way." He interrupts and lets go of my hand, walking to the right, towards the dining area. The others look at him dumbfounded and the half-elf woman with the blue feather speed walks up to him, whispering, "What has gotten into you? You've never been rude in these certain situations." I try not to look at them, not indicating I can hear everything they are saying. "Let's get this over with." The white haired man keeps walking and goes into the dining room.

"Ah my guests! Welcome!" Gerald pipes up as he walks in, smiling. I quickly walk past Vox Machina and sit down. "Finished early Sir?" He looks at me nodding, "Yes, I have been checking in some new guests. Now, shall we eat?" He looks at Vox Machina and the halfling blurts out, "I'm starving!" With a huge smile on his face, before the female half-elf with a blue feather in her hair subtly kicks his legs with a cough. "Scanlan!" She whisper yells to him. "Oh it's alright, all of you had a long night. I wouldn't be surprised if you all are hungry." I chuckle and smile, putting a hand on Scanlan's shoulder. Scanlan shivers and looks at me surprised. "Damn! You need to go to the fireplace, you're freezing!" I smile nervously.

As everyone is eating, the white haired man who had introduced himself as Percival De Rolo kept staring at me throughout dinner. “So, I heard you all infiltrated a Dragon horde! What an incredible feat, your reputation proceeds you.” The Master sips his red wine as he looks over the group. “Thank you Gerald, whenever there are monsters,” Percival looks at me minutely “we snuff them out and take care of them.” He looks back at Gerald and smirks. “That is great, how did you find the Dragon to be one on the council? Very scandalous of the council to have him on the council without knowing he was a threat to the city.” Gerald takes a fork full of his steak and eats it, smiling. “They didn’t know that he was dangerous and not what they expected.” Percival runs his knuckles on the table, lowering his head and looks at me through the top of his glasses. I slightly frown and tuck my hair behind my ear nervously, looking down at my food. Gerald looks between Percival and I, confusion on his face. “Have you two met before?” I finish my wine and look back at Gerald. “He may think I look like someone else. Sir, may I be excused?” I slowly stand up and walk out of the dining room, breathing rapidly with anxiety.

I walk up the stairs and hear a chair scraping against the floor. Walking into my room, I close my door and walk to the balcony, watching the moon to calm my nerves. ‘CREAK’ I hear my door open and I sigh, my hands going into fists, clutching the balcony handle. “What can I do for you?” Footsteps come closer, “The hell are you playing at Dhampir?” Percival’s voice calls right behind me, slightly disgusted. “I’m not sure what you’re implying-” “Cut the shit, I know your kind. You manipulate, you kill and you are cold blooded monsters. Now, you’re going to tell me what your plans for Gerald and the people staying here are.” I hear a gun settle on the back of my head and I freeze. “Please, I don’t know what you’re talking about. Yes I am a Dhampir, but I didn’t ask for this life.” I slowly turn around with my hands in surrender. “No, you asked for this, all your kind has. You made a pact for immortality and feed off the innocents!” He keeps his gun locked on my movements, but I snarl and using my Vampiric speed, I knock it out of his hand, making him stumble and fall to the ground. “Listen to me you dumb halfwit! I made no pact, when I was still living, I was attacked by a Vampire of high status! I couldn’t tell anyone because of his noble name!” I step forward with rage in my eyes but a few tears of blood fall down my face. “When I became a Dhampir, I was desperate. Desperate not to take innocent lives, I stumbled onto this property’s farm area. Gerald saw me feeding on a cow for blood, I told him what happened to me and he took me in. I didn’t do anything to him, he is my savior, so if you don’t mind, get the fuck out of my room!” I hold my hand out towards the door and it opens by my magic. 

“M-Madam, I’m sorry, I didn’t kno-” Percival stutters out with a frown and embarrassment on his face. “I don’t want to hear it, get out.” My voice cracks as I look at him, he slowly gets up and gives me one last sad look before walking out the door moping.

[brennamonette-blog]

Powder: Mr Silco, I cannot sleep, my room is too scary

Silco: *petrified in his bed because he forgot he just adopted Powder and thinks it's a ghost talking to him*

[brennamonette-blog]

Arcane: Happy Families Edition

[brennamonette-blog]

The greatest boxing movie that never was…

[brennamonette-blog]

Missing Vander and Vi 💔

[brennamonette-blog]

**read chapter 1 here** - **read chapter 2 here** - **read chapter 3 here** - **read chapter 4 here**

Morpheus/Dream x fem!reader

In Your Dreams

Chapter 5

“Life is a sleep and love is its dream; and you have lived if you have loved.”

-Alfred de Musset

The following day felt longer than you would have liked. You were anxious for the sun to set, and with it, the answers that would quench the fire of burning curiosity in your mind. Why was the heart of The Dreaming rotting away? Why were you able to escape the borders of your dream and travel there, and why was Lucienne so obviously disturbed by it? Where was Dream? But, most importantly, why did you feel the need to be there in the first place? Why couldn’t you come to terms with this entire experience for the incredible magical adventure that it was and just let it go?

Even though you were filled with more questions than ever before, you could feel in the deepest recesses of your soul that the solutions to all of them lay in The Dreaming.

Your enthusiasm to return to the palace caused you to have trouble falling asleep for the first hour that night. The castle was your new Burgess house – mysteries hid there that tickled at your insides, that whispered to you in the darkness of the night to uncover them.

Finally, after tossing and turning, your eyes fluttered closed and stayed that way. Shifting shapes whirled behind your eyelids, flitting from corner to corner, until they gently settled into the outline of a horizon. A warm sun began to rise and filtered light onto the dark line, illuminating the scene for you. You instantly recognized the scent of poppies on the breeze.

That fragrant wind whipped through your hair lovingly, like the soft fingers of a curious child, swirling around your form. You spun with it, arms outstretched, grinning from ear to ear. How you wished with everything within your heart that this place was real, that this is where you could spend the waking hours of your life.

You opened your shining eyes to see the parting gate of horn and ivory before you. You hadn’t even needed to start the journey within the confines of your own dream this time – you were already here. Your path of glinting black and gold marble was still below your feet, humming with welcoming warmth.

You couldn’t contain your happiness when the dividing gates revealed a view to you that had shifted from the night before. The stretches of murky water were trickling into a singular crystal river, sparkling blue and immense. Where unforgiving rock and dark sand had suffocated the landscape, beautiful blades of grass and stretches of green ferns were beginning to emerge. You recognized your favorite flower, blooming white poppies, dancing in the breeze on the riverside. An enormous bridge was sliding into place over the river, cradled by gargantuan stone hands that surfaced from the crystal water.

Creatures were returning, beautiful and terrifying alike, flying through the milky blue sky and snaking through the growing grass around your feet. The air was no longer choked with an eerie silence; insects buzzed, water rushed, citizens of The Dreaming were laughing.

Life.

You followed the massive bridge of stone to the center, where the once-crumbling palace was being rebuilt in the gleam of glorious sunlight. Fallen walls and castle turrets were reassembling themselves brick by brick with meticulous accuracy, as if someone had hit rewind. Rusting spires were shedding their coat of orange muck and shining gold. Magnificent archways were mending their own cracks and rising tall, transforming from ashy grey to glimmering white.

The heart of The Dreaming was returning to its former glory. Pure joy blossomed in your chest like the rosebuds of a vine that was bending around the pillars of the bridge.

You walked into the castle entryway, still grinning like a fool, as you looked up and watched every shard of broken glass and every crushed stone float into the air and return to their homes. A beautiful stained-glass window was mending directly above your head. The colorful fragments gradually slid together to form the image of a Pegasus, and as the last piece fell into place, it sprang to life, neighing triumphantly and beating its wings.

“Not too shabby, huh?” came a proud voice from behind you.

You spun to see a tall scarecrow-like figure with the head of a pumpkin approaching you. His face was the cut of a jack-o-lantern, crooked mouth pulling up at the corner in a tilted smile. He stopped by your side and put his branch-like hands on his thin hips, gazing up appreciatively at the work of glass art. You tried not to stare too rudely at him.

You turned your head back toward the magnificent window, now casting rays of colored sunlight onto you and your Halloween-like companion.

“I’ve never seen anything like it,” you replied truthfully.

He grunted in agreement, then looked down at you. His triangular eyes narrowed.

“Hey, ya know, I don’t think I’ve ever seen you around these parts before,” he said. “You new?”

Your lips upturned at his gutteral New York accent. “Yeah, you could say that.”

“Lotsa new folks all around this joint today,” he said, shaking his large head in amusement. “Guess that’s what happens when ya hammer a few nails and splash on a fresh coat a’ paint—everyone comes back to tha neighborhood.”

“It does look pretty inviting,” you agreed, turning to face him. You stuck out your hand. “I’m Y/N.”

The pumpkin-headed man stuck out his wooden hand and shook yours firmly. “I’m Mervyn, but everybody calls me Merv.”

“Hi, Merv.”

He chuckled and crossed his arms. “Well, considerin’ you bein’ new and all, why don’t I give ya a bit of a tour? It wouldn’t be my first one today.”

“I would love that,” you beamed, resisting the urge to clasp your hands together like a schoolgirl. Merv nodded and turned, motioning with his stick-like hand.

“Well, then, c'mon.”

He walked like a puppet would without strings, you thought, as you followed behind him. You struggled to keep up with his long strides. Mervyn led you through a hallway that had one wall built while the opposite was still floating together. One piece of stone almost hit him in the head on its way back to its appointed position, and he cursed at it.

Once through the hallway, you turned into a winding staircase that glinted with intricate gold. As you followed Merv’s spindly legs up the flight, you appreciated the view to your left of an assembling tower. After a few more steps, you reached the top.

“First things first, here’s our pride and joy,” Mervyn announced grandiosely, spreading out his arms for dramatic emphasis. Your jaw dropped. “This is the library.”

The room was warm wood, cozy sunlight, and beckoning shelves that stretched on for as far as the eye could see. Books were everywhere, of every size, color, and age. You ran your finger along a nearby shelf, tickling their spines. Some looked thousands of years old, others as if they’d come off the press minutes before.

“How many books are in here?” you asked in wonder, turning in a full circle to better take in the view.

“A helluva lot,” Mervyn answered slyly. “To tell you the truth, I’m not the one you should ask. Lucienne’s the librarian in charge.”

At the sound of her name, the woman that you had met the night before emerged from behind a nearby cascade of bookshelves. Her eyes smiled at Mervyn, but then they settled onto you.

Lucienne’s face paled.

“You’ve returned,” she breathed, striding toward the two of you with a haste in her step, “and so soon.”

“Oh, you’ve met before?” Mervyn asked, eyes shifting between the librarian and yourself.

“We have,” you told him, trying to make sure your grin didn’t turn into a grimace.

“Just last night, in fact,” Lucienne added. Her perceptive gaze wandered over your nervous form.

“Last night?” Merv repeated incredulously. He motioned over his shoulder. “But the boss hadn’t even started rebuilding yet! How’d she—?”

“A question we all would like to know,” Lucienne answered, fixing you with a penetrating stare over the top of her round glasses. She clasped her hands behind her back expectantly.

“Hey, I’d like to know too,” you said defensively. You crossed your arms, but then dropped them to your sides, not wanting to come off as defiant. “I’ve already told you everything that I know.”

“Lucienne, who is this?” Mervyn asked curiously, pointing a thumb at you.

The librarian sighed heavily but her eyes softened. Her tone was gentle, appreciative. “This, Mervyn, is the young lady that released Lord Morpheus from his prison.”

“No kiddin’?! That was you?!” he questioned unabashedly, shock evident in his wide eye sockets.

You shrugged, not a fan of the intense attention. “Well, yeah… but it’s really not that big of a deal…”

“Not that big of a deal?” Mervyn repeated, voice dripping in astonishment. “Are you kiddin’ me? This place would still be fallin’ apart if it wasn’t for you!”

“That’s why everything looked the way that it did the last time I came?” you asked Lucienne. “Because Dream wasn’t here?”

She nodded somberly. “He was captured for nearly a century and was unable to return. Everything was dissipating, disappearing… it cannot exist without him. He is The Dreaming.”

“But it’s been over a week since I helped him escape,” you said, confused. “Where has he been all of that time?”

“Lord Morpheus was traveling the realms on a quest to reobtain his tools.”

Something hopeful fluttered in your chest. Those nights where you’d been calling out to him and he hadn’t shown himself… it wasn’t because he was ignoring you, it was because he wasn’t even there in the first place.

“Look, uh… I hate to interrupt this conversation,” Merv cut in, scratching the back of his pumpkin head uncomfortably, “but… shouldn’t we tell the boss that she’s here?”

Joy sparked in your chest at his words.

Lucienne hesitated. “There’s still so many questions that remain unanswered. We don’t know how or why she is able to leave her dreams, let alone create a path from their border and through the waters to the palace.”

Mervyn didn’t have eyebrows, but if he did, you were sure he would be raising them in surprise.

“I didn’t have to use the path this time,” you told her, biting your lip. “I just kind of started at the gate.”

“You materialized here, in the heart of The Dreaming?” she clarified, voice filled with bewilderment and cut with that undertone of concern again.

“That ain't normal,” Mervyn shook his head.

“It appears that each time you fall asleep, you are somehow able bypass steps that you’ve previously taken,” she said thoughtfully, almost to herself. “You’re no longer appearing within the boundaries of your own dreams.”

An excited smile pulled at your lips. “Cool.”

“No, no, not ‘cool’,” Lucienne admonished, turning from you and Mervyn to start rifling through a stack of books resting on a nearby table. “This behavior is quite abnormal, even for a lucid dreamer such as yourself.”

“Lucid dreamer, ‘ay?” Merv inquired, crossing his reedy arms over his chest and leaning back against the shelf behind him. “Not too many a’ you guys left no more.”

“Really?”

“They’ve become exceedingly rare,” Lucienne confirmed, finally picking out a book from the pile. “Consistently lucid dreamers existed more commonly thousands of years ago. Now, well…” her eyes roamed over your confused face “…you’re the first I’ve seen in, at least, a millennium.”

“You always been able to do that?” Mervyn asked you. “Change stuff around?”

���Since I can remember,” you shrugged, pulling out a chair at the ornate table in front of you and sitting. “I’d sleep the day away just to keep dreaming.”

“But roaming through the dreamscape, you said last night that you had only just started?” the librarian asked, peering over the edge of the thick book in her hands. She joined you at the table.

Something caught your eye. The book that Lucienne had plucked from the bunch was bound in black with two golden words emblazoned on the cover: your first and last name.

“Whoa, whoa, whoa, what’s that?” you questioned enthusiastically, scooting your chair closer to her. “My name’s on there!”

A proud smile creeped onto the head librarian’s face. “This library contains every story ever written and unwritten, finished or unfinished, everything that has been and will never be.” She tapped the hard cover of your book with a manicured nail. “And this is yours.”

“Wow,” you sighed, resting your chin on your palm. Lucienne’s smile grew at your awestruck expression. “So, what all is in there about me?”

“Everything,” she answered simply.

You gulped. “Like, everything everything?”

She laughed. It was a harmonious sound.

“Relax, even your most embarrassing of moments pale in comparison to many of the things I read every day,” she assured you, eyes twinkling with amusement. She became serious again. “I thought it advantageous to find your book after your unexpected visit last night. I had to be sure that you weren’t a threat to The Dreaming.”

Your smile fell. “I’m – I’m not. I don’t want to be a threat to anybody.”

Lucienne sighed, expression trickling with pity.

“I know those aren’t your intentions. But the fact remains that your recent abilities are those that no mortal should possess.”

“Don’t worry, kid,” Merv said, standing from his perch against the bookcase to lean against your table instead. He grinned crookedly at you. “We’ll get this figured out. If anyone can sniff out what’s goin’ on here, it’s Lucienne.”

You let out a shaky breath, nodding. The thought of being some kind of danger to this beautiful place rattled you. All you had wanted was to find Morpheus, to make sure everything turned out okay after you released him. After all, being imprisoned against your will for a hundred years had to be traumatic for anyone, right? Even the King of Dreams?

You had more selfish reasons, too, but those would stay private.

Suddenly, a voice called out.

It echoed into the large room, gentle but authoritative, soft but commanding respect. With a wave of warmth washing over your skin, you knew that you would recognize that beautiful sound anywhere.

“Lucienne,” his voice called, “I believe it is time we review the findings from the census.”

All three of you froze in place.

The King of Dreams emerged from the nearest aisle, graceful stride filled with purpose. He donned all black, a sweeping floor length coat flowing behind him as he walked, regal. His alabaster skin almost seemed to glow against his dark attire. His hair was as black as his clothing, still so gloriously messy and wild.

He was in his element, thriving and flourishing in a way that radiated from his very being. This was his domain.

Morpheus’s icy blue eyes moved from Lucienne to Mervyn. Then, they locked onto you.

Your breath hitched as you stood, chair screeching back noisily. That feeling, that delicious humming in your bones, it was different here, more alive. It was starlight sparking in your spine. He stood at least ten feet away, impossibly still, but you could feel his presence as strongly as you would if he were inches from you. Time stood still.

A myriad of emotions flickered through his fathomless eyes at the sight of you, none of which you could place, but whatever they were made the air in the library thick. Your eyes drank in his face and his roamed yours, penetrating but swirling with something soft.

Mervyn cleared his throat uncomfortably. It just then occurred to you that you had no idea how long the two of you had been standing like that, staring at each other.

The sound seemed to bring Dream back to himself.

“Lucienne. Mervyn. Leave us,” he commanded quietly, but he didn’t look at them. His intense gaze never once broke from yours.

Their replies came quickly and in hushed tones, almost as if embarrassed.

“Of course, sir.”

“Sure thing, boss.”

They scurried away with heads down. As they reached the exit to the library, you could hear Mervyn mutter, “Well, talk about some tension...”

Morpheus blinked at the comment, but you didn’t miss the almost-imperceptible smirk that tugged at one corner of his lips. He was still staring at you.

With a smile that revealed every whisper of your heart, you broke the silence.

“Hi.”

Dream took a slow step toward you, measured. Then another. The curtain of dark lashes framing his endless eyes fluttered as he took you in, gaze roaming to your feet and back up again.

“Hello.” His voice was velvet.

You swallowed, begging the blush that you could feel creeping up your neck to go away. Couldn’t you have at least one interaction with him without your body betraying you? You felt like a fucking teenager.

“You, um, never answered my question,” you said, taking a step toward him as well. One of his dark brows rose. “You put me to sleep first. Rude, by the way.”

His smirk wasn’t nearly as well-hidden now.

“My deepest apologies. And what question would that be?”

You took another step closer, still not breaking eye contact. You clasped the back of a chair with one hand to ground yourself.

“You’re… you are alright, then?” you asked quietly. For the smallest of moments, his eyes betrayed everything. He was touched by your concern.

“You have journeyed through The Dreaming, to the heart of my realm, simply to ask after my well-being?”

His voice held an undercurrent of emotion, but he attempted to hide it with the slightest lilt of tease.

A playful glint sparkled in your eye. “Well, I did play spy for over a month just to get into that basement. What’s a desert and an ocean or two?”

The mischievous gleam in his eyes was shuttered by the weight of your words. It seemed that once Morpheus got past the initial surprise of seeing you there, the same realization dawned on him that concerned Lucienne.

“You traveled through the outer lands of The Dreaming,” he stated, brows furrowed in unease. “You left the confines of your dream and found yourself here?”

The general trepidation from everyone surrounding your ability to leave your dream world disturbed you. You saw it as a gift, but it seemed to be one that you were not meant to have. You let out a sigh.

“I created a path,” you told him. “It took me through the desert and through an ocean… and then I ended up on that dock out there.” You tilted your chin toward the windows. “The path ended at the gates, and when I touched them, they opened. Then I came here.”

Morpheus was close now, taking in every word you that escaped your lips with rapt attention. His powerful stare was not angry, but perplexed. His eyes were swimming with anxious confusion.

“How is this possible?” he whispered to himself. His pale hand rose, ever so slowly, to ghost the line of your jaw. The touch was barely there, so very brief, but it left tingling chills in its wake. He examined your every feature, searching for the answer. “For you are not a vortex.”

For a moment, you’d forgotten how to speak, mind still reeling from the fact that he had just touched you, and that it felt so indescribable. His fingers had barely brushed an inch of skin, but that starlight sparkling in your spine had overtaken every nerve ending.

“Vortex?” you asked when you found your voice. Your eyebrows came together. “What’s a vortex?”

To your dismay, Dream stepped away from you. He turned toward the table where you were previously sitting with Lucienne and Mervyn, delicate fingers flipping through the many volumes that were stacked over its surface. His hands settled on a red hardback, lifting it so that you could read the gold lettering on the cover.

“Rose Walker,” he replied, face impassive.

At your obvious confusion, Dream stepped back and motioned with a graceful hand toward the archway where Lucienne and Mervyn had disappeared moments before.

“Where are we going?” you asked, walking in the direction he indicated.

Morpheus was tall at your side, right hand ghosting the small of your back, featherlight. The stars in your backbone twinkled at the touch.

His voice was euphonious when he bent to your ear.

“Follow me.”

Chapter 6 is coming soon!