crown prince xander (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
bunnyvision) wrote in ![[community profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/community.png)
volkamenia2017-05-08 08:34 pm
bunnyvision) wrote in volkamenia2017-05-08 08:34 pm
we know the true death [xander/lyric, vampire au]
[If one were ever to venture too close to the center of Windmire, to scale just outside the walls of Castle Krakenburg where the royal family lived, you would most certainly hear whispers of fantastical creatures that also dwelt within the fortress. There were vampires in Castle Krakenburg. Immortal creatures that roamed the night and only fed on blood; some people were sure of it.
The only thing that soothed the tall(er) tales that the royal family were the rumored vampires was the fact that the family was oft seen out in public. Nohr never got very sunny but the family - or at least the sisters - never missed a chance to bask in the sun whenever it peaked.
If only they knew.
People thought they knew how vampires worked, but in reality only some of the theories were true. Or half true. For instance, the sun would weaken vampires but certainly not kill them. Some rest and a good hearty meal would suck the weariness right out of Camilla or Elise's bones after a day out in the sun.
That's right, the Nohr siblings were actually vampires. Every last one of them. They'd all had a very long time to get used to being vampires - the lifestyle, do's and don'ts. They were beyond used to it and it suited some quite well.
Which is why it's so surprising for Xander to make such a dire mistake as he has. He's hungry and he has no one to feed on. He knows how long a full feeding will usually last him but this time its fallen short on him. Perhaps it was the sun - the sun had been obscured by clouds the previous days but he'd spent a lot of time out training - but whatever it was, his energy is slowly draining from him. He feels sluggish, dizzy. When he's not under the watchful eye of advisors or other politicians, he has to brace himself against walls. Wipe the cold sweat from his brow. It's getting bad.
But since he assumed his last feeding would hold him over for couple more days, Laslow - whom he would normally feed on - is still out on a task he assigned to him. Peri is with him, though Xander wouldn't take from her lest he was extremely desperate. (He is not quite there yet).
He's not sure what would happen if a vampire fed from another, but the forbidding of such an act is one of the oldest rules in the book. Xander doesn't want to risk it, so he cannot turn to his siblings for help. Their retainers are out of the question as well since he's never been outright told which is fed from and which even know about their curse to begin with. He can't risk the accidentally exposing them. But this means he's running out of options. He needs someone open minded but loyal. Someone he can truly trust, someone -
And then he hears it. As he's leaning back against the wall trying to swallow back another wave of dizziness, he hears a gentle laugh followed by empty scolding. Of course. One of the tacticians.
Years ago, when a war with Hoshido was only a thought in the wind, Garon had taken on two tacticians to aide him with war strategy. Their names were Lyric and Vero - Anankos only knows where they came from but that sort of thing didn't matter in the kingdom. Nohr took on all sort and Lyric and Vero proved themselves plenty capable time and time again.
Since arriving they had mostly worked with Garon and Iago, but Xander had had many opportunity to work with both of them as well. He'd sat in on their meetings plenty and spoken with each one-on-one numerous times; he knew them well.
He prefers working with Lyric for ... probably obvious reasons. While Vero tends to be somewhat argumentative and snarky, Lyric is more... stern but kind. Grounded. Serious about her position and with good ideas to offer. If there is anyone who's going to be more okay with this reveal than not, it's going to be her. He trusts she'll take it calmly and give him an honest answer without freaking out and revealing the family secret.
It feels a little like he's abusing his power, too, but what other choice does he have.
Xander takes a deep breath (it's shaky) and makes his way down and into the room where the two tacticians are conversing. When he makes his presence known he hopes he looks more put together, more confident, than he feels.]
Lyric. May I steal you for a moment? I have something to discuss with you.
The only thing that soothed the tall(er) tales that the royal family were the rumored vampires was the fact that the family was oft seen out in public. Nohr never got very sunny but the family - or at least the sisters - never missed a chance to bask in the sun whenever it peaked.
If only they knew.
People thought they knew how vampires worked, but in reality only some of the theories were true. Or half true. For instance, the sun would weaken vampires but certainly not kill them. Some rest and a good hearty meal would suck the weariness right out of Camilla or Elise's bones after a day out in the sun.
That's right, the Nohr siblings were actually vampires. Every last one of them. They'd all had a very long time to get used to being vampires - the lifestyle, do's and don'ts. They were beyond used to it and it suited some quite well.
Which is why it's so surprising for Xander to make such a dire mistake as he has. He's hungry and he has no one to feed on. He knows how long a full feeding will usually last him but this time its fallen short on him. Perhaps it was the sun - the sun had been obscured by clouds the previous days but he'd spent a lot of time out training - but whatever it was, his energy is slowly draining from him. He feels sluggish, dizzy. When he's not under the watchful eye of advisors or other politicians, he has to brace himself against walls. Wipe the cold sweat from his brow. It's getting bad.
But since he assumed his last feeding would hold him over for couple more days, Laslow - whom he would normally feed on - is still out on a task he assigned to him. Peri is with him, though Xander wouldn't take from her lest he was extremely desperate. (He is not quite there yet).
He's not sure what would happen if a vampire fed from another, but the forbidding of such an act is one of the oldest rules in the book. Xander doesn't want to risk it, so he cannot turn to his siblings for help. Their retainers are out of the question as well since he's never been outright told which is fed from and which even know about their curse to begin with. He can't risk the accidentally exposing them. But this means he's running out of options. He needs someone open minded but loyal. Someone he can truly trust, someone -
And then he hears it. As he's leaning back against the wall trying to swallow back another wave of dizziness, he hears a gentle laugh followed by empty scolding. Of course. One of the tacticians.
Years ago, when a war with Hoshido was only a thought in the wind, Garon had taken on two tacticians to aide him with war strategy. Their names were Lyric and Vero - Anankos only knows where they came from but that sort of thing didn't matter in the kingdom. Nohr took on all sort and Lyric and Vero proved themselves plenty capable time and time again.
Since arriving they had mostly worked with Garon and Iago, but Xander had had many opportunity to work with both of them as well. He'd sat in on their meetings plenty and spoken with each one-on-one numerous times; he knew them well.
He prefers working with Lyric for ... probably obvious reasons. While Vero tends to be somewhat argumentative and snarky, Lyric is more... stern but kind. Grounded. Serious about her position and with good ideas to offer. If there is anyone who's going to be more okay with this reveal than not, it's going to be her. He trusts she'll take it calmly and give him an honest answer without freaking out and revealing the family secret.
It feels a little like he's abusing his power, too, but what other choice does he have.
Xander takes a deep breath (it's shaky) and makes his way down and into the room where the two tacticians are conversing. When he makes his presence known he hopes he looks more put together, more confident, than he feels.]
Lyric. May I steal you for a moment? I have something to discuss with you.