vampish_aleera

[Aleera is in her room. It's a gothic-looking replica of whatever her chambers in Dracula's fortress happened to be. There's a large four-poster bed with crimson sheets, along with a fireplace which produces a dim glow, both cosy and grim. As usual, the most alarming feature of her room are the fanged skulls of various types of demonic-looking creatures she has lining the tops of each wall. They've always been angled just enough to seem somehow as if they're ominously looking down at any visitor who enters there.

Off to one side is an elegant dressing table with what appears to be numerous apparent glass vials upon it. They seem to be perfume, but... The truth is, quite a number of those coloured liquids are magical potions.

There is also a large wardrobe somewhere, which contains Aleera's many ye olde sumptuous dresses.

Aleera, however, is wearing not a smile, but a displeased expression. She usually does these things in writing, which means it could be the first time some residents have heard her thick accent.]

You mortals... Always pondering your own small, individual fates.

I arrived as captive. I learned as student. Now, I await to guide as teacher. I am patient. I keep to myself. I know my ways are not those favoured by most around me... But you, it would seem, are not content to keep your activities shielded from me.

And so, I am subjected, here and there, to talk of violence. Of attack. Of strike and bite.

[Her pacing has taken her to a sudden turn, swishing silken dress as she does so. Walking in focused consideration, because something's frustrating her and she needs to articulate thoughts in English.]

Some of us who learned lessons were not here to cry in lamentation over wickedness and misdeeds... No. We were here to realise our time is better spent walking on a different path. That there is a certain... Futility in the old ways. That there is something greater to be gained by protection, rather than the infliction of pain.

[This is where she looks straight at the camera.]

So... Why am I always to be tested by such insolent behaviours? Why am I to be given constant reminders of the release, the enjoyment which comes from...

[Aleera trails off and gathers her thoughts.]

For some of us, you must understand, there are temptations given each time you decide to act out these follies.

Kindly do not test us with them again... There may come a time you will regret it.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

You know, I don't believe our thinking on the matter is very different. It's not about what's "good" or what's "evil" so much as what our time is better spent doing.

I like that.

This is what I did not understand... It was not that this place sought me to become something I am not. It tried only to free me from the prison I in which had placed myself.

[Much pointing of index finger in the air for emphasis as she says this!]

To help me become something... More, not less.