Curiosity

[Jen]

"It smells wrong down here."

"Oh shut yer trap. You say that every time we come around this place."

"But the Valley smells like rotting corpses!"

"Both of you be quiet." Nova frowned as she pushed a mass of disheveled blonde hair away from her face.

"Yes Isi..." The two younger males chimed in. The small pack that had been chosen to seek out the source of trouble in the Valley of Vampires was slowly beginning to fray Nova's nerves. She had respect within the pack because of her abilities as a healer and her long standing with the very first of their kind. Of course, the pack life hadn't always been sunshine and daisies.

"Quickly now. I'll scout ahead." A Van Buren to the core since her mishap many years ago, Nova shifted her form to one that was the most comfortable to her. With a warning bark, making sure that the younger boys picked up her clothes, a blonde wolf bolted through the trees as only one with knowledge of forests might.

Nova was a special sort of Werewolf in that she had always been capable of shifting into a wolf form within her small tribe in Kalmarden. She was one of the select few with the ability known to exist on the island, and it seemed that it gave her an advantage when she was forcibly removed from her flesh during the full moon. If given the choice of humanity or eternal damnation through the werewolf disease -- Nova would have chosen to be human. Changing and lusting after human flesh was a hard and difficult lifestyle -- one that left her exhausted and ill at ease for days after. It was only through her gifts as a healer that she came to have some modicum of respect for herself.

Nova slowed as she scouted the perimeter of the woods near the home of Anabel VonHagen. She lifted her nose in the air and snorted. The boys were right, there was a foul stench in the air that often clung to Vampires like an ill advised perfume. Nova seated her furry rump at the edge of the forest, eyeing with sky blue eyes the strong mortal male near the partially destroyed manor of Anabel VonHagen. She let out a sharp bark to announce her arrival and the others that slowly brought up the rear. One of the boys handed her clothes to her and she disappeared with them in her mouth for a few minutes before returning, buckling a belt about her waist. She dressed like a lad but that didn't hinder a single thing about her female origins. A causal glance would mark her as someone of the feminine disposition, and the attitude that she boasted was the stuff of legends. She returned quickly to her place among the other Werewolves as she tied her hair back in a bun, several leaves going unnoticed in the mass of blonde.

[Sage]

Kraven stepped forward, flanked by two of his most junior guardsmen. The display was more one of hospitality than of force. While Anabel's servants slumbered, it was Kraven's men who would take care of her guests. The men were well aware of what their visitors were, much as they were aware of Anabel's nature, and that of her thrall. They were visibly nervous to be near the lycans for the first time in their short service to Kraven, but were confident in his ability to keep them off the menu so long as they were loyal.

Kraven stepped forward, a charisma about him that always came out in the daylight. He held a smile for his guests, and a healthy respect for their kind. His admiration was nothing like the kind he had for Anabel, nor was it akin to fear. Kraven regarded the lycans as living beings that occupied the same space as he, and he cared for them no more or less than an animal, a human, or a vampire whose name was not Anabel.

" Greetings, friends, it is always an honor to play host to the Van Burens. You must excuse the state of things, a recent addition to our family caused a bit of a cataclysm I'm afraid, but everything is well under control now. If you like, I have made arrangements for you to stay in my manor, while not as grand as the VonHagen Estates, it is modestly comfortable and should at least suit you until nightfall. "

Kraven swayed into a sort of sweeping motion which could have been mistaken for coming up just short of a bow as he showed the path which lead to his home not far from where they stood now. The two men flanking Kraven stepped forward, silently offering to bear the burden of any belongings that would need to be carried or stored.

[Jen]

Nova crossed her arms and looked over Kraven's shoulder as he spoke. The place was in dire need of assistance and there didn't seem to be a whole lot of work going on. It was obviously something that would occur during the evening hours.

"It would seem you had quite the hiccup, yer Lordship." One of the boys spoke and Nova silenced him with a glance. They looked quite the sight, all in some shape of traveling gear and smeared with mud, dirt, and leaves. They didn't always look like this, but that was a testament to the curiosity and concern that they held for their Vampire cohorts.

Well, maybe not concern. The treaty between the Vampires and the Wolves was something that had been cooked up between the clans by Anabel and their Leader. It was something that kept them out of battle and on a unified front. They all lived in Kalmarden and each clan had a vested interest in what the other was up to. There were laws among them for the passage of human bounty and whatnot. It was a profitable scheme and one rendered beautifully by the masters of the two races.

"We came to make certain everything is alright." Nova inflected with a lilting accent that was less roguish than most of the wolves. It was something that marked her as different, and yet the respect she engendered from these pups was something to be reckoned with. "Have you need of a healer? I've a talent for it, though I'm not sure exactly what I could heal on a Vampire. How are you fairing, Lord?"

Nova's keen eye and sense of smell could ascertain that Kraven had been in quite a predicament earlier that night. She wasn't the prettiest maid to ever walk the earth. Certainly she was no Anabel VonHagen, but she wasn't homely either. There was a quietness about her presence that bespoke years of training and living with pain, and a single scar along the side of her neck spoke of battles won and lost. Was Nova stunning? Of course not. Nova was a plain and simple woman that had the mind of a healer and the touch of magic.

[Sage]

Kraven often resented others when they made the assumption that they might be able to provide Anabel something he could not. Today, however, he set aside his pride as he could understand why it might look like the situation was out of hand and appreciated that the wolves were offering to help rather than pouncing while the vampires were in a state of crisis. That being said, Kraven strained with the effort of resisting the urge he had to render the boy genderless when he made the 'hiccup' comment. He was quickly stifled by Nova before Kraven could become too excited, and so he swallowed once, and continued.

" Yes, well. The manor is in no more disrepair than those clothes, I will make sure you have whatever you need to...refresh yourselves after your journey, as well as some clothes if you like. " Kraven made no mention of bathing, though it would be available, he had hit upon sensitivity in the past when suggesting that much dirtier lycans than these might want to clean themselves. It might sound different coming from Anabel or another vampire, but from a primary food source, encouragement to bathe was often seen as either irritating or disrespectful. Kraven nodded at Nova as the men at his sides stepped forward to collect anything the lycans might wish for them to carry.

" Fortunately, everything is fine now. As I'm sure you know, newcomers to either of the families here can experience quite the...shock, but the situation has long since been defused, and repairs will indeed continue in the evening. " It was not Kraven's intention to probe their minds, but he often caught less guarded thoughts when in a conversation. " Actually, no, though it might have been handy sooner. However I am conducting some experiments with which I could use the opinions and applications of a well-versed healer, if you don't mind. But let us not waste such enthralling conversation in the elements. It is likely to rain soon. " Kraven's demeanor was calm, though it wasn't exactly the most closely-guarded secret that Kraven had a distaste for the rain, though he did not try to fight with it via magic as he knew it was necessary for normalcy with the farming humans. Kraven raised a hand along the path, and his men began the short trip to Kraven's manor with whatever the lycans had allowed them to carry.

[Jen]

"Of course, Lord Kraven. This pack would like to freshen up. I would be more than happy to lend my services to you." Nova clicked her tongue and the boys dusted themselves off and gave roguish grins to Kraven's men. Her hands crossed behind her back as she followed, close enough to speak to Kraven but far enough away to let him know that she respected his space -- and he smelled like a corpse. It was all fun and games for the humans. Their poor sense of smell made it easy for them to go along perfectly well. Let her get wet in the rain and she couldn't hunt until the sun dried her fur. A smile cracked Nova's lips as she shook her head.

"Experiments you said? I am working on perfecting my skills and expanding my abilities to other races. So far the only experience I have is with humans, wolves, and the odd animal. What sort of opinions were you having in mind, Sir?" Nova kept her respectful tone as she walked, keeping an eye on the boys ahead of her -- always watchful and wary of her surroundings. It was not her place to be disrespectful to Kraven because of his position to Anabel VonHagen. In fact all it would take is a word from Anabel to give her Lord and Master a reason to question her fidelity to the pack.

"I would welcome any practice on other races that you could give me, Sir." Nova zoned in on one of the boys as he side glanced at a guard of Kraven's. This was a test for her -- to see how well she could handle young pack members without any of the pack guards or leaders around. It was a test to see if she was capable of trust and leadership herself. So when Nova spoke her voice cracked like a whip. "Behave."

Mischief might be looked down upon by these humans and Kraven -- and that would not serve their purpose very well at all. Their orders were clear. Look for the cause of trouble and help with anything that needs to be done if allowed.

[Sage]

Kraven walked ahead, bemused by Nova's attitude. She was clearly newly appointed with the responsibility that now loomed over her. The seriousness with which she held herself in this role was admirable. Her loyalty and yearning for approval mirrored his own, and it felt nice to see that he was not the only one.

" During the day, this area is guarded by myself and my men. You need not be so uncomfortable and on edge in these woods. For the next twelve hours the area between mine and Anabel's home is the safest anywhere. "

She was also working on perfecting her skills, much in the way Kraven himself might have, jumping at the chance for a new experience to test the limits of his own capabilities. And she could command respect, whether it was because of her bloodline, her powers, or her appointment.

" As for the experiment, we have a...live subject. I am attempting to expand my magical abilities to be able to do what you can...but for Mistress VonHagen. "

[Jen]

It could only mean that he had a Vampire if he was referring to helping Anabel VonHagen. Nova's blue eyes glanced at Kraven for a moment before giving him a nod of understanding.

"I am willing to help. However, relaxation for my kind is not always easy. The boys are young yet and they find everything to be a joke. Only Van Buren himself can really strike the fear of any god into them." Nova smiled and shook her head as she watched the boys carefully. "Besides, what sort of healer would I be if I didn't look out for my own. I do not fear you or your people. I don't even fear the Vampires. The part of my mind that thinks like a wolf fears the unusual -- but I have learned to keep that under some control."

Nova crossed her arms as she walked, sticking her fingers in her armpits in order to warm them. It was so much easier having a fur coat -- but she couldn't speak to Kraven in a language he would understand. Even his legendary ability to read minds would fail him unless he wanted to be met with a jumble of animalistic urges and human thoughts slurred together.

"I respect your desire to become more for your Mistress. She is a fine woman." Nova thought so at least. Sure she was a Vampire, and sure she fed on humans, but so did Nova. There was a lot to respect about the woman. She had brought a prosperous community to Kalmarden and with the help of the Van Burens, kept it safe. If they spent some time out of the month feeding -- then who was to be upset? Well except maybe the meal of choice...

"I am at your disposal. Van Buren made it clear that I was to help in any way. I would like to wash up though if that is acceptable."

[Sage]

Kraven, even more amused by his obvious discomfort, stared at the path ahead.

" Perhaps then, they should be kept busy. Plenty of things to do at my home, especially of the lads are fans of swordplay. How about it, would they be interested in learning techniques mere humans can learn to protect the likes of vampires? "

Of course he was being a bit dramatic, but it was true what he said. He had seen adolescent werewolves before, and they were always mesmerized by his Guard, and their abilities as much as they fancied the Wolves; the prowess and maneuverability they possessed even in human form, and their keen instincts which allowed them to apply increasingly complex spins on very primitive combat techniques that Kraven's men employed.

Certainly this was not a regular practice, and he did not make it a habit of giving away well-kept secrets to elite Wolven warriors, but entertaining a few boys for a day and keeping his men sharp by having wolves in their company while they went about their daily duties was as much entertainment as Kraven could hope for while his Anabel slept.

" That is, with your authorization, of course. "

He turned and smiled at the boys, and then at Nova as she praised Anabel. This was always a favorite topic for him, and he was as much pleased as he was surprised she reciprocated his admiration of wanting to further one's own abilities for their superiors. Kraven turned, attempting to block out the excited buzz of the boys' minds, trying not to pry into their thoughts. His healthy respect for the werewolves was compounded by his desire to keep the relationship between the two predator families in Kalmarden happy and communicating. It was often difficult for them to speak in person because of their differing schedules, so he was always happy to play ambassador, and this showed in his dealings with them. In addition, it supplied Kraven with his own amiable relationship with the werewolves, in the sense that they were yet another ticket to Anabel's happiness.

" Of course, of course. I have all the amenities at my home, and speaking of. "

As they cleared the small path, which looked like it was not even fit for regular travel, they came across a grand sight. Kraven's home was a manor much in the style of Anabel's, and at the same time, it was not. For one thing, it was less than half the size, while most of their operations took place in underground areas to begin with. Above ground, however, the house looked like one that might be occupied by a militant organization while off duty. It lacked some of the finer decoration and luster that the VonHagen Estates boasted, but it appeared to be much more heavily defended. Surrounding the home were ramparts, sturdy brick and mortar walls with high iron spikes, all facing outward. The windows were all sealed, and covered with intricate iron bars which were as much for defense as decoration.

Kraven had allowed himself to spend his own coin, and the small amounts he allowed Anabel to give him, to always expand on the defensive capabilities of this place. He justified it's expense to himself by considering it a safe haven should Anabel ever have need to retreat from the Estate for whatever reason. The lower dungeons were all laboratories, dungeons, and the safehouse itself. Above ground, the house was much like Anabel's. It was designed to be as comfortable and lavish as it was safe, if less so than Anabel's now chaotic home. And it was made to be comfortable so that Kraven could entertain guests on just such as occasion as this one. The vampires were asleep, which human guests might find odd after being left alone for several hours had they the need to spend the night. And now, the werewolves would stay here because Ana's own house had been partially destroyed by a very unfriendly geokinetic.

" My men will show you to your quarters. You each have a room on the third floor, and there are two baths already drawn on the same hall as your rooms, as you'll be shown. I'm sorry, but circumstances beyond our control make it impossible for me to free up a third at the moment. In any event, I have a collection of many different sorts and sizes of clothes and armor. I'll have one male and one female escort who will show you to the master closet. After that, simply tell the escorts of anything else you might need, and to fetch me when you are done. "

Kraven gestured, and the men began silently making their way into the manor with the wolves' belongings, through the main hall, and toward the leftmost staircase.

[Jen]

Nova nodded and followed her escort to the room allotted for her. She eyed the bath dubiously after she deposited her belongings in her room. Her clothing was stripped away from her body in such a rapid motion that she was almost self concious. Almost.

Nova's body was lean and well muscled, but feminine. There were scars along her hips and rib cage that looked brutal -- whatever had given her those glistening reminders had been intent on killing her. She slid into the warm water and sighed, so glad to not have to work to make her own hot bath for once. She spent a good ten minutes bathing the muck off her skin and out of her hair. The attendant standing by to give assistance when needed.

When Nova climbed out of the bath and dried off, the escort brought her to the communal closet and she picked out a fresh pair of pants and a light shirt. She quickly sent a comb through her hair and knotted it up and away from her face. She wasn't a bad looking young woman, all things considered. She sent the escort to tell Kraven that she was ready to meet him once again as she bent down to lace her tall boots over her pant legs.

Nova didn't feel safe, per se, in this Kingdom of Vampires and assistants -- but she felt more at ease than she would anywhere else. A single scar that, given closer inspection, would connect to the ones on her ribs -- glowed on her freshly washed skin like an angry reminder of how she became what she was, and how lucky she was not to be completely mangled.

[Sage]

She would be lead along the small corridor her room and the baths had been back down to the main hall and through a pair of ornate black wooden doors. Inside this room were three long tables along the length of most of the room, with a raised platform at the back with a smaller table where Kraven sat. The room was decorated with trophies of war from many centuries, either collected or earned by Kraven and his men. Only Kraven and a few servants occupied this room now, the majority of his men clearly busy at Anabel's home, carefully monitored mentally by Kraven. He sat at the head of the large table, over a plate of delicious smelling food. Four other places at his sides were set, one clearly meant for Nova.

" Come, sit. You are just in time for lunch if you wish to partake. Lion steak and a baby spinach salad. Also, the berry bread is particularly good. "

Kraven liked Kalmarden food well enough, but he had always preferred cuisine from the mainland to the north for some reason. He'd felt like it might have been what he ate before he met Anabel, but for whatever reason he couldn't remember that far back. Kraven had lived in service to Anabel long past when a human should have passed already, but it never seemed to come up.

" I didn't know what kind of food you might like so I tried to keep the flavors simple. If you'd like something else made, I urge you not to hesitate to say so and I will send word to the kitchen. "

Kraven smiled briefly before noticing Rakhaev enter the room with a grim expression. Rakhaev's plate was the third of the five, including Nova's and Kraven's. Rakhaev marched past Nova, to his master's side, and leaned over to whisper something in his ear which apparently Kraven didn't seem to find as troubling as Rakhaev did. And with a glance from Kraven, his subordinate seemed to notice the werewolf for the first time. He bowed deeply and moved to Kraven's other side to pull out her chair.

" My apologies, Miss Van Buren. Welcome to our home. "

[Jen]

Nova took the seat offered by Rhakaev and smiled congenially before looking at the food offered to her. It looked good and she cast a glance at Kraven.

"Its better than what we normally get to eat. There is only so much venison and rabbit stew a person can live on before spinach and lion meat sound absolutely divine." Her blue eyes peered up at Rhakaev and assessed him before settling her hands in her lap and looking about the room. She wasn't stunned by the elegance, she'd visited Anabel's home on countless occassions. Kraven hadn't met her because it wasn't her place to show herself.

"Your home is well defended. I admire the detail you have put into making your home worthy of your Mistress." The food smelled wonderful and she was trying to hold on to her manners as the smell wafted up from the plate. Her mouth was watering, it had been several days since she'd eaten last. Nova smiled and blushed lightly at the sound of her grumbling stomach.

"I hope you don't mind. The food smells wonderful..." She picked up her knife and fork and like any civilized human she began to eat -- dantily even! She paused in her tactical assault on the lion steak to comment that the food was good, eating just enough to stem her hunger.

"You were saying that you were interested in my opinions as a healer?" Nova looked pointedly at Kraven as she mulled over a bite of spinach.

[Sage]

Rakhaev made a quick gesture with his fingers, before taking a seat on the opposite side of Kraven from Nova. Two humans stepped forward and filled two glasses each before Nova and Rakhaev with clear liquids. In the left glass for each of them was ice cold water, while the right glass would be unrecognizable by sight, identical to the water in every way aside from the fact that it smelled incredibly of alcohol. The taste would resemble the taste of lamp oil and earth, but it was the popular drink of a small forest community on the mainland.

" Not at all, eat your fill, we were actually just waiting for you. Miss Van Buren, this is Brother Rakhaev, my right hand man and Captain of the Guard. "

Rakhaev would attempt a sort of bow from his seated position, which resembled a nod that sent his fiery red hair into his face. He did not speak often in the presence of werewolves. He had plenty to say, his prejudice of them was great, but he never dared risking the relationship of the two families because of his own personal feelings; especially not in front of Kraven. But his love of science was all the greater than any ill feelings he had for the lycans, and so he erupted into a complicated array of explanations into their experiments that would occasionally even go well over Kraven's head.

" ...but there are limits, and to simplify, what we want to see is the effectiveness of foreign regenerative forces on their bodies, and whether or not Lord Kraven or any of us can emulate the talents that healers like yourself possess. If there is any insight you can give us as to how your ability works and past experiences with it, it would be most beneficial to have such information documented. "

[Jen]

Nova nodded as if she understood what was being said. For the most part she did, but she was no scientist, and the finer parts were lost on her. She made a reasonable effort though to comprehend every aspect before she spoke, however. There was no one alive that could say that Nova wasn't smart, even if she wasn't really booksmart.

"My abilities have been with me for as long as I can remember. They were part of the reason why I was taken as a werewolf at such a young age." Nova didn't look any older than twenty three. Yet it was known that she was closer to two hundred and twenty. Young by Van Buren standards, very old by human standards. "My healing abilities are based in regenerative properties. I have noticed that I can knit flesh and bone, fur and feathers, and leave virtually no scar. It is, I believe, nature based as I am an anthropomorphic wolf as well as a Werewolf."

As Nova spoke she gestured with her hands in a natural sort of way. It was always engaging for her to speak about her abilities to people that were genuinely interested.

"I have never been allowed to touch a vampire with my abilities so I do not know how it will affect them. However, I am sure that it will be less adverse than perhaps healing in the territory of light regeneration or holy regeneration."

[Sage]

Kraven nodded, smiling pleasantly, and Rakhaev did his best to emulate Kraven's expression. Such practices as in Nova's circumstances were commonplace among the two families, and even Kraven's legion. Humans were more than just food, they were akin to each group themselves, especially in the case of the Day Guard. Humans were often recruited for their gifts, whether useful or just entertaining. Such was the case with Ed and Sophitia.

" Hereditary, perhaps. In many places such magic runs in one's family, stemming from ancient relatives who first discovered each type of magic. About your family-- "

Kraven cut Rakhaev off with a signal of his hand. The red-headed scientist had forgotten the taboo surrounding families. They were often made into meals, or simply forgotten, a self defense mechanism to hide the pain of remembering mortality.

" If it's hereditary, it will be less likely that it can be reproduced, so family history is of no consequence, don't worry about that. More importantly, though. We only have one specimen available, you will take no offense if we test the potency and any potential side effects of your ability? "

She would not be forced, but Kraven's question was more of a suggestion than an inquiry. If she was to be let near Blythe at all, she would have to demonstrate on a human here capability. It was also important that her healing wouldn't do anything to damage Blythe's state further, before Kraven got every secret he could out of her withering corpse. As he saw it, Ana's well-being was at stake, a matter of grave importance.

[Jen]

Without skipping a beat Nova patently ignored the hereditary comment and smiled at Kraven. It had been so long ago that she really didn't remember her family, and as far as she was concerned the ones that mattered were dead anyway. They would all be cousins and great nieces and nephews now anyway. No one would remember her, except for the tales of her being dragged away by the wolf men late one night. She hadn't seen them since. It was too risky as a young werewolf to even attempt to make contact with humanity, unless of course you wanted to eat them.

"I would not be offended, my lord. It is important to test skills before venturing into new territory, is it not? Whether it be the art of war or the art of healing. I suspect that your specimin is vampiric in nature, Lord Kraven?" Nova watched Kraven closely, seeing the determination in his eyes. Only one Vampire could condemn someone in Kraven's eyes to total annihilation. "Is Mistress VonHagen alright?"

Nova glanced at the red haired scientist and searched his eyes for a moment before looking at Kraven again. This was risky territory.

"You do understand that I must be careful. I am under a treaty between clans that I cannot be seen breaking. I am bound by blood and oath to Van Buren and his treaty with Anabel VonHagen. It is only under express duration that I am allowed to protect myself from a rampant Vampire -- and only at the warning of Mistress VonHagen." The warning in her voice was unmistakable. She would not venture into unknown territory and have it be brought down on her head and her clan. Such things had brought the treaty close to breaking in times past.

"Also, as you might know. I am not to be left alone with the Vampire in question. We're mutually lethal creatures with the ability to kill one another should we be pressed. I would not like to be responsible for prematurely killing your experiment." Nova smiled and looked at Kraven matter of factly before pushing her dinner plate aside. "If you can assure me of these things then I will willingly help your cause."