{Savage} Danse Macabre (Part I)
Firelight danced across the shimmering white silk, casting its embroidered surface in a flickering, fitful, reddish glow. Lotus, peacock, pagoda and waterfalls, a celestial paradise for any being to hope for in their repose, all washed in the crimson depths of firelight, stealing some of the stately beauty away from the exquisite funerary garment but the light…it was just right for what its wearer intended.
Hooded eyes twinkled in the dull glow, lending the illusion of movement where none occurred. The hours passed, servants coming now and again to lay wood on the fire or refresh the contents of the simple chalice of beaten silver set beside him, but still he did not move. Soon…soon enough, his quarry would come.
A smile crept to his lips, curving the corners up slowly at the thought of Johannes and the impending discourse. A fell thing, this particular conversation…more so to hold it with a man whose martial prowess was his call to fame within House and Covenant. Still…it needed doing and that was that. At least he already believed that this one, unlike Donovan, had proven himself worthy time and time again and that this one had the commensurate cruelty necessary for the awakening he sought.
The smile vanished with a small, nearly inaudible sigh as he felt and heard Johannes enter the room. The time of testing was here…time to compose himself and give no quarter. This one would bear the bladed edge of his tongue many times before the night was over…perhaps he would once more escape torpor or final death, if his beautiful nephew was as strong in will as he was in body.
He watched the flames as Johannes stopped at a polite distance, bowing sharply. The depth was perfect, indicative of intense respect but not an iota more than was required and his mode of dress impeccable as usual. The well-cut, black, single-breasted suit with the simplicity of black beneath it and the sharp contrast of a cobalt colored necktie; perfection, down to the very last crease.
He watched the flames for a moment longer, letting Johannes straighten and take a single step forward, waiting for an acknowledgement before speaking…very fitting for addressing the eldest grandchild of the Lord of the House, but still. His expression spoke of confidence and a self assured focus, a man aware of his purpose and collected in the face of his superior.
‘This one is well aware of his value’ he thought to himself before turning his eyes upward. He made every movement languid and lascivious, from the look to the charming, disarming Cajun smile that spoke of passionate moments in dark corners, to the wry twist he put on his lips next in the face of the precise bow and posture.
“Soir mon petit Neveu...I am pleased to see you have arrived. It is my sincere hope that you can find it within you to loosen and relax somewhat...what we do here is not going to require your best behavior.”
If Johannes thought it curious that his uncle spoke of becoming relaxed but made no gesture to bid him toward a seat or comfort, his face showed only the slightest of smiles but he took a few further steps into the room and inside Beau smiled. Careful and proper this one, brought up and taught very well, forged true by life and unlife alike. This would likely not be an easy thing to try and drive his needles home past the armor, but that was the test, was it not?
“Uncle, I would not have turned down an invitation for this meeting save for at the will of our Lords.”
Beau allowed the smile to slip from his face as he banished the pleasant thoughts of hard hands and inhuman passions, leaning back to allow his eyes to rise from lazily drinking Johannes in to at last meet his eyes. Time now to play the game.
“Tell me, Johannes...why do you believe that you are worthy of the Awakening you seek?”
(Continued)
Hooded eyes twinkled in the dull glow, lending the illusion of movement where none occurred. The hours passed, servants coming now and again to lay wood on the fire or refresh the contents of the simple chalice of beaten silver set beside him, but still he did not move. Soon…soon enough, his quarry would come.
A smile crept to his lips, curving the corners up slowly at the thought of Johannes and the impending discourse. A fell thing, this particular conversation…more so to hold it with a man whose martial prowess was his call to fame within House and Covenant. Still…it needed doing and that was that. At least he already believed that this one, unlike Donovan, had proven himself worthy time and time again and that this one had the commensurate cruelty necessary for the awakening he sought.
The smile vanished with a small, nearly inaudible sigh as he felt and heard Johannes enter the room. The time of testing was here…time to compose himself and give no quarter. This one would bear the bladed edge of his tongue many times before the night was over…perhaps he would once more escape torpor or final death, if his beautiful nephew was as strong in will as he was in body.
He watched the flames as Johannes stopped at a polite distance, bowing sharply. The depth was perfect, indicative of intense respect but not an iota more than was required and his mode of dress impeccable as usual. The well-cut, black, single-breasted suit with the simplicity of black beneath it and the sharp contrast of a cobalt colored necktie; perfection, down to the very last crease.
He watched the flames for a moment longer, letting Johannes straighten and take a single step forward, waiting for an acknowledgement before speaking…very fitting for addressing the eldest grandchild of the Lord of the House, but still. His expression spoke of confidence and a self assured focus, a man aware of his purpose and collected in the face of his superior.
‘This one is well aware of his value’ he thought to himself before turning his eyes upward. He made every movement languid and lascivious, from the look to the charming, disarming Cajun smile that spoke of passionate moments in dark corners, to the wry twist he put on his lips next in the face of the precise bow and posture.
“Soir mon petit Neveu...I am pleased to see you have arrived. It is my sincere hope that you can find it within you to loosen and relax somewhat...what we do here is not going to require your best behavior.”
If Johannes thought it curious that his uncle spoke of becoming relaxed but made no gesture to bid him toward a seat or comfort, his face showed only the slightest of smiles but he took a few further steps into the room and inside Beau smiled. Careful and proper this one, brought up and taught very well, forged true by life and unlife alike. This would likely not be an easy thing to try and drive his needles home past the armor, but that was the test, was it not?
“Uncle, I would not have turned down an invitation for this meeting save for at the will of our Lords.”
Beau allowed the smile to slip from his face as he banished the pleasant thoughts of hard hands and inhuman passions, leaning back to allow his eyes to rise from lazily drinking Johannes in to at last meet his eyes. Time now to play the game.
“Tell me, Johannes...why do you believe that you are worthy of the Awakening you seek?”
(Continued)