Fable - Ask Monsters In The Streets

[Harlowe]

"So I see," she commented lightly and glanced up at him from where she had crouched beside one man who was still alive. Or had been. When she looked back down his eyes had finally glazed over in the sheen of death and his head had lolled back. With a sigh she stood and wiped the blood on her armour.

"The castle is on the outskirts of town so it shouldn't be hard to go collect for the Regiment," especially now half of those who were in charge were now dead. She wasn't entirely sure who would take up command in their absence but the slow process would buy them time and whoever did would be weak in their position. Casually she began to make her way back towards the door and waved to Felice as they appeared at the top of the stairs.

"Oh thank the Saint there's still some left," she sighed and swiped the bottle from Felice's hand, taking three large gulps.

 

[Felice]

A hand nervously waved back as her vampiric pal emerged from the cathedral.

The bottle left her hand easily enough as Felice stood there with a stunned look on her face. Harlowe's expeditious drinking of the liquid said more than words possibly could. Their frost giant friend had been on the warpath and the sounds alone painted a terrifying picture in the harionago's head.

Her silver-haired friend's face and actions let her know that the events inside the chapel were even worse than she had imagined. "Plenty left, actually."

Changing the subject had to be the best course of action now. "It's pretty good stuff," she added while shuffling back-and-forth in a drunken stupor. At this point all she hoped for was that Matias had calmed down. That the carnage within the church had settled whatever fire he had in his gut. Angry drunks were intolerable to be around.

 

[Matias]

Matias waved a hand practically nudging her out the door. The Frost Giant peered around the room for a brief moment, then shrugged as he muttered under his breath. "I wish they'd turned me into a fire elemental."

He mused for a second as he stepped forward and followed after Harlowe.

A deep breath filled his lungs as he moved on to the steps, watching as his vampiric inclined friend chugged the bottle of ambrosia. He smiled for a moment, sauntering down the steps until he met both of the women.

"Well I'm satisfied." The Frost Giant said with a smile. "Castle and a pile of gold? I'm sure we can find the Regiments contract too. See what we were actually supposed to collect."

Matias still had no idea, and in that moment he didn't much care either.

 

[Harlowe]

Harlowe grimaced when she pulled the bottle away from her lips and really noticed the burning in her throat. She suppressed a cough but was glad to find it loosened up her muscles and relaxed her a little more. The bloodshed inside had shaken her. It wasn't that she wasn't used to carnage - she was a soldier after all, had been her whole life really - but it was just the way he had mercilessly gone about it. She much preferred to kill only when necessary.

"Nazara said the contracts were never really... written. It is just a feeling we get," she passed the bottle back to Felice, clearly thinking similarly to him that angry drunks were not great to be around.

"Maybe when we see it we'll know if it is... right," perhaps they would feel empty if it wasn't everything they were owed.

 

[Felice]

A piece of her wanted to ask Matias where this pile of gold was. Perhaps he knew something she didn't but as far as she could tell they didn't have a single piece of gold aside from the paltry sum she'd managed to steal off the duke.

The conversation shifted though as Harlowe mentioned how the contract was more of a feeling and less of a written piece of parchment. That was odd because right now all three of them were having their feelings altered ever so slightly by the allure of alcohol. And, as Harlowe passed the bottle back towards her, that wasn't going to change tonight.

She took a quick swig from the bottle though she held it to her lips longer than it took to drain the small amount of liquid she drank. She didn't want them to think she was too much of a lightweight after all.

"I don't feel much," she admitted after the glass bottle moved away from her lips. "This castle sounds great though. Maybe just the sight of the castle will let us know we've done a good job."

At this point Felice just wanted to forget tonight's events. Particularly her little faux pas with the duke.

 

[Matias]

Matias shrugged. "Maybe."

The Frost Giant didn't honestly know, and at this point he didn't care. The seeds of chaos had already been sown in this city and as far as he was concerned his job was done. The Castle was for the girls, it was what they wanted...well, at least Felice.

He flickered his gaze towards the east, the outskirts that Harlowe had spoken of. In the distance over the walls he could just barely make out the Keep.

"Imagine the beds inside." Matias smirked. "Bet there's one with four corner posts and silk sheets."

At least they'd sleep well.

Without waiting for them to say anything else Matias marched forward towards the Keep.

 

[Harlowe]

Harlowe shot Matias a look when he mentioned the beds; it had been a little fact she had let slip about herself on their last mission together. Even if she couldn't sleep much she still loved the feeling of a good bed rather than the rough dirt she was used to sleeping on as a soldier. If he thought he was going to win her around and make her less sour with talk of silken sheets and four poster beds then...

Well he was pretty right.

She nursed the bottle when it was her turn for a drink as they walked and by the time the castle loomed up before them she was in a much better mood.

"Woah," she breathed out. "It even had a fucking moat," she pointed excitedly. From what she could see there were two guards outside and they exchanged wary looks with one another before stepping forward.

"We have the keys..." one stout man offered, holding out a suitably chunky ring of them.

 

[Felice]

"A bed sounds nice," while the redhaired demon wasn't in on the banter between Harlowe and Matias she absolutely was at the stage of the evening where sleep had begun incessantly calling to her. In this new form she didn't sleep the same way she did when she was human. The dreams were, well, extremely intense and she had found that only three or four hours of sleep was all she needed to feel the same effects of a full night's rest.

Some, like vampires, didn't need to sleep at all. She wondered if Harlowe missed it. Missed the dreams and the release of reality. She wondered if the frost giant slept or if he was like their vampiric friend and never got respite from the world of the waking.

The moat was absolutely a nice touch. The whole castle looked wonderful, like it was ripped straight from a fairy tale. And now it was their property. Or, at least, the Regiment's property... but for tonight they could pretend like it was solely there's.

A strand of hair zig-zagged through the pudgy guards form, curling around his back before nabbing the keys he held.

"Right, um, could you unhand me?" It was obvious the duo had pulled the short straw from the pile and were terrified of the trio.

Felice did as he requested and pulled the keys to herself, passing them between the scarlet hook of hair into her pale hands. "Let's go," she said as she passed the guards, giving them a wink before unlocking the huge doors. She pushed them open and was met by a huge candlelit chandelier that radiated light from the lobby out into the night.

 

[Matias]

"Neat." Matias said as he stepped inside. There were castles back home in Cortos of course, but they were always more like very large estates than actual keeps. Perhaps a mark of how different the culture was.

Stepping into the Foyer it was obvious that this place was not only built to withstand a siege, but also impress anyone who might wander through it. He looked around for a brief moment, glancing through the halls up the grand staircase in the back of the hall.

"Reminds me more of a ball room." He commented. "Rather than a place to fight."

Matias glanced back towards Harlowe. "Let's find some beds."

He frowned, then raised a hand.

There was a snap that echoed out, and suddenly the doors they had walked through folded into a massive singular sheet of ice.

He didn't need anyone stabbing them in their sleep.

 

[Harlowe]

Harlowe snatched her hand back from the door she had been running her fingers over as the ice crept over it. As the other two had rushed ahead the vampire had become quite solemn as she took in the sheer size of the place and its cold beauty.

She itched to paint it.

It was such a sudden rush of her old life it left her feeling off kilter. She had almost resigned herself to the fact that part of her had died when she had but now...

Her thoughts were cut off when she caught the sound of a human heartbeat and then suddenly a group shuffled into view. By their uniforms it looked like a chef, two Maids and a gardener.

"W-welcome," one maid said and bobbed a curtsey. "Is there anything we can get you?"

 

[Felice]

Felice had been informed that the Regiment’s members experienced a sort of ‘call’ when they were alone. Supposedly, if they ran off to do their own thing and abandoned the Regiment’s duties this calling would draw them back in. Make them feel compelled to return to their new family. She had been certain that she’d likely never experience that sensation as belonging somewhere was a thing she had always longed for.

Now, she wasn’t so sure.

”Wait. We have our own servants?” The glee on her face was nearly contagious. She’d lived her entire life in squalor and now the trio had their own castle that came fully furnished with a team of servants. Surely the Regiment wouldn’t mind if they just… stayed here.

A crow’s grin ballooned against her cheeks. ”Would you be a doll and please fetch us a pot of coffee?”

Felice didn’t really want any coffee, she just assumed that’s how rich people acted and the three of them had just entered the upper class. Might as well act the part.

 

[Matias]

Matias was used to having servants, unlike the other two.

His brow raised when Felice asked for Coffee. "Sobering up?"

The Frost Giant asked with a bemused smile, though there was no judgement to his words. His head shook, and he motioned to another one of the maids. The girl timidly stepped forward, clearly not entirely trusting that the man wouldn't rip her apart.

"Your master." He mused. "The New one, not the old one."

The city had just been conquered after all. "Did he bring papers here?"

There was a brief pause, then the woman shook her head slowly. The fear in her eyes told more truth that any words she could have spoken. Matias let out a loud sigh, shaking his head and reaching up to run a hand through his hair.

"Fuck it. Guess Nazara will just have to be disappointed." The Frost Giant said with more than a little disappointment.

 

[Harlowe]

Harlowe gave Felice an amused look but said nothing when she asked for coffee. It was the cook who curtseyed and scurried off to go fetch it, clearly glad to be out of the way for now, whilst the others shuffled their feet. She had never thought she would have servants in her life. Soldiers were practically servants themselves - if an officer said jump your answer was how high.

"You," she pointed to the groundsman-come-handman. He looked young, probably younger than Harlowe and he snapped to attention with a sweaty brow when he noticed she meant him. "Go and find the bossman and get those papers off him with a signature and seal. If he doesn't sign them, tell him I'll come and sign it in his blood," she flashed her fangs and the man paled, scrambling for the exit.

With that done she went and flopped into one of the couches she had spied in the room off to their left.

 

[Felice]

Felice stayed silent as the duo carried on about papers or signatures or whatever. Why they even bothered she hadn't the foggiest clue. The three of them were the owners of a castle now. They were practically dukes and duchesses now, they didn't have to answer to anyone.

Maybe she'd feel different in the morning, once the alcohol subsided, but for now she knew this to be true.

She collapsed on the sofa on the opposite end of Harlowe, tilted her head backwards to stare at the ceiling, and let out an exasperated sigh. "They oughta let us keep this castle." Her head swiveled backwards and deep brown eyes cast a look at the vampire before moving to the Jotunn. "We worked hard for this. They should really be paying us more. This would be a good start."

The redhead didn't have the opportunity to elaborate more as the cook returned with a platter that house three cups and a steaming, elongated, kettle. It filled the entryway room with the familiar chocolatey smell of warm coffee while a thin line of steam danced up from the portion of the kettle that the beverage was meant to be poured from.

After a few seconds the monster with flexible hair had filled the three cups halfway full with a black liquid. She blew on it and drank a small sip, waiting for Matias to pay Harlowe with a well deserved compliment for securing these silly papers for him.

 

[Matias]

He paid no compliment to Harlowe, seeing her command as just part of her duty. They were all part of this after all.

Despite that, Harlowe had been right the first time. Matias and the others would learn that fact a few hours later when the boy returned not with a contract for the Regiment, but with a Deed for the Castle that they were standing in.

It would not be what he was after, but they were taken nevertheless and stuffed into his coat pocket. A prize that would hopefully sate the Shade, and at least let the three of them argue for not having their heads chopped off.

Whatever Nazara had actually been after had likely died with the Duke. Though a tugging still remained in the back of the Frost Giant's head, as if someone were trying to grab his attention.

In the meantime Matias threw himself into a sofa opposite Felice.

A hand came up to rub at his face.

"Fuck me I'm tired." It felt as though he had run a marathon and a half, his body aching and sore. The magic he'd used had...overdone it to say the least. Freezing the city and the slaughter in the cathedral having put him on his last leg.

He reached out and grabbed the second cup Felice had poured, the steaming hot coffee cold by the time it reached his lips.

 

[Harlowe]

Harlowe began peeling off her black armour and dumping it onto the flagstone floor until she was down to her breeches and shirt. She gave a relieved sigh now that the business was all done and propped her feet up on the back of sofa so she could stretch without kicking Felice.

She was idly wondering about asking one of the maids for a foot rub when Matias spoke up and she nodded in agreement.

"It's been a long day," it felt like weeks ago but they had only been fighting that morning on the fields beyond the town. Her eyes flickered to the coffee with a forlorn sigh and left it there. She didn't feel quite so comfortable asking the servants for fresh blood but she could hunt in the morning.

"I guess we rest up then tomorrow move on."

 

[Felice]

Felice yawned the instant she finished the final dregs of coffee.

A part of her was glad that one of them was a vampire, sleeping all day was exactly what she wanted to do. ”A very, very, long day.” She sat the porcelain cup back atop the platter and looked back out into the entryway. Both hands cupped the sides of her mouth and she shouted, ”where are our bedrooms?”

One of the servants hurriedly rushed into the living area and in a panicked tone she stuttered, “up the stairs, down the hall and to the left are the guest rooms… the master bedroom is the final door on the right.” The thin woman wrung her hands together, waiting for the new homeowners to ask for more.

”I’ll take one of the guest rooms,” she shot a look at the Jotunn across from her, ”I trust Harlowe will be given the master.” Felice didn’t wait for his answer, she drunkenly shambled up the steps and collapsed into the first room with a bed she could find on her left.

 

[Matias]

Matias waved. "Goodnight little, redhead."

The Frost Giant called up to Felice as she began to stumble up the nearest step. His head was all but gone. He could feel a wash of tiredness run over him, and he was far too exhausted to argue over who got what bed. Especially since they were in a fucking castle.

A yawn escaped him.

"Go get the master." He said with a shrug. "I'm just going to sleep here."

The Frost Giant tipped himself back on the sofa, sprawling out and letting his head lean back against one of the cushions. "Not like I'm going to get any warmer."

There was a tinge of bitterness to his tone, though it wasn't really directed at Harlowe.

Before the Vampire could ever say anything Matias passed out.

 

[Harlowe]

Harlowe listened to the crackle of the fire and the other background noises that came with a castle then shook her head with an amused smile. This hadn't gone as she had expected but she was glad that it was the end of the excitement for today. She could use a break. Her red eyes flickered up at the sound of a footstep and nervous heartbeat as the maid appeared in the doorway. She bobbed a curtsey and looked in alarm from the passed out giant to the stuff she wanted to clear.

"It's alright," the vampire soothed and stood. "I'm putting him to bed," the woman tried to cover the relieved expression on her face. Harlowe gently eased her hands under the giant and carried him up the stairs like a baby, putting him to sleep in one of the many rooms upstairs. Afterwards she found the master and collapsed into it with a content sigh.

She really did love a bed.

 

[Felice]

When her eyelids first cracked open the thing that hit her initially wasn’t the soft bed, the silk sheets, or comforting decor of the guest room. No, Felice found herself greeted by a colossal headache that pounded away against her temples and her mouth felt drier than the sands of Amol-Kalit.

She was hungover. Bad.

”Ughh.”

Once her head lifted from the comfort of the pillow she clapped her hands together, hoping that the servants were still on duty. She’d have killed for a glass of water. Or, maybe, she could just eat one of the servants.

When no one came she threw the blankets off of her body and slowly made her way out into the hallway. The castle was strangely quiet. Almost as if it had been abandoned. ”Anyone up?” she called cautiously while wiping drool from her cheek.

Felice knew she snored but surely it wasn’t so bad to drive the serving crew from the keep.

 

[Matias]

The servants had all fled.

News of the massacre at the Cathderal has spread quickly through the night, and most of the city was now in utter chaos as civilians and soldiers ran wild. Those who had served within the castle had stolen whatever they could, then absconded as fast as humanly possible.

As Felice wandered the newfound emptiness of the Keep allowed her voice to echo. It pierced through doorways and reached Matias' ears.

His hand came up, rubbing at his face as he tried to pull himself out of a stupor. "Augh."

The Frost Giant declared.

There was no ache in his head, no pain lancing through his skull. Instead it felt like every single muscle in his body was stiff, like he'd run a dozen marathons and was now finding himself little more than a statue.

"HERE!" He called out to the voice, not feeling as though he could move in that moment.

 

[Harlowe]

Harlowe had slept longer than she ever had as a vampire. It was... luxurious. If she had to drink herself stupid every night in order to feel this good then maybe she would. Yet still she was awake before the others. No surprise the house was empty and missing a few items but she doubted the Regiment would really care; it was the bones of the structure they wanted.

So, unperturbed, she sauntered out into the early morning to find herself some breakfast.

"It's civil war out there," the Vampire remarked calmly, appearing at Felices side with coffee and pastries. She carried on past to Matias' room. "Half the town has packed up and those remaining are fighting over who gets to run the place. They don't seem fussed at all with us."

 

[Felice]

If the humans that were left over after the Regiment seized the city wanted to kill themselves now that was fine by her. A few months ago, when she was human, she likely would've felt differently. But now she had become so accustomed to death and to doling it out herself that it was as common as a sneeze.

"Thanks," was all she offered to Harlowe as she scooped up a pastry and a mug of the coffee from just inside of Matias' place of slumber. The food wouldn't provide any nourishment or satisfaction but the physical act of eating something other than human organs was still comforting to her.

The coffee, on the other hand, would help. She felt very lucky that caffeine impacted this new body. Even if most alcohols did not.

With a swallow of buttery patisserie she looked at the other two. "What was in that stuff we drank last night? I've tried every alcohol under the sun since... well, you know, and that's the first time I've felt anything like intoxicated." Felice wasn't certain why she was trying to downplay her drunkenness' now. She'd vomitted on the duke, after all.

 

[Matias]

Matias peeled himself out of the bed.

His body felt like it was jelly, though whether that was the ambrosia or his overuse of magic the young Frost Giant had no real idea. A frown flickered across his features as he pulled himself together, using one of the posts of the bed to pull himself up. "I'll be fucked if I know."

He said as he stepped out of the room and limped over towards the two girls.

"Wasn't anything..." His hand rubbed over his face. "Normal."

He could say that much. "Who has the bottle?"

Matias could remember one of the two carrying it, though he could not say which.

 

[Harlowe]

"Me," Harlowe grinned and vanished. The curtains surrounding Matias' bed billowed out as though the window were open, there was a thud of another door somewhere down the hall, and then she was back making the curtains blow in the opposite direction. In her hands this time was the bottle.

"Ambrosia," she read again and then squinted at the tiny handwriting that was fading beneath the title. "The bottle for a customer who doesn't know what they need," her head cocked to the side curiously.

"It actually made me sleep," the vampire sighed contently. "A good sleep, I haven't felt this good in weeks."