//And the fun begins (OPEN)

[Julian Charbonneau]

Where: Main Entrance of the Regius Arcis
When: Tuesday, December 11, 1510
Who: Julian, open
What: Julian reminisces about the past
Status: Ongoing

White cloak billowing in the wind, Julian Charbonneau stood outside on the front landing of the Regius Arcis. He had pulled the hood up, covering his head to block the sunlight that continued to creep through the trees as the sun set on the horizon. He paid it no mind for he wasn't in Ireland anymore, but in the past.

His thoughts were clouded by centuries gone, lives taken and opportunities missed. He was back in Rome with his mother and his sisters. As clear as if they were there now, he saw their forlorn faces as he packed what things he could carry and prepared for the journey north to Gaul. His mother had begged him to stay. He was the only man in their family now that her husband had fallen ill. They needed him. He had reasoned that if he proved himself to Caesar or at least one of his men, they could live with little worry about their next meal. Life would be easy for them. They would continue to struggle if he chose to stay.

Some days he wished he had.

Had he known that his life, even as simple as it was, would be taken away from him months later would he still have gone? Julian blinked back the image of the blood stained streets, the horrified faces of the fleeing as they ran for their lives through the streets of, what now was Paris. His hands clenched at his side as memories of Marius' blurred face, torn by grief, flitted in and out of sight. And then the pain. He would never forget the excruciating pain as his sire's venom tore through his pulseless veins bringing him back into the cold, calculating world.

Julian raised his gaze to his surroundings now. The land, a milky ice paradise, shone in the light made by the sunset. The snow looked of diamonds, or pearls perhaps. Moving along the length of the landing, he trailed his fingertips in the snow atop the wall, marveling in its coolness as it massaged against his fingers and palms.

More than 1500 years he had witnessed the elements torture the earth and still, after all of these years, snow continued to fascinate him. After wiping his hands on his cloak, he tucked his hands back inside its warmth and bowed his head, lost again in the past, something that never seemed to completely depart his mind, especially not when he was alone and left to his thoughts.

[Lord Alexander Corwin]

Alexander had been spending the past few nights locked up inside of the castle, not really wanting to go out. He had been in one of his moods where it was best to leave him alone because he would snap. Long ago he had learned when he needed to be away from people, because he could only hold his tongue for so long. In court if you said the wrong thing to the wrong people it would be your head, and here it wasn't much different. It would really be your head unless you did some dastardly, but it would be your respect, which was everything within this coven.

A thick snow had covered the last around the castle, and he had promised to take one of his ladies at court for a sleigh ride. He had been looking for a new slave to have, one of the ones he had was starting to get on his nerves, she was getting boring as well. This girl though, she was from Spain, and her tanned skin enticed him, and her accent just added to the flame. It wouldn't be long until he asked permission to bring her here, and he had been behaving well enough he didn't think it would be a problem.

Peering at the floor where the sun filtered in from behind the curtains, Alexander saw it was almost down. It was safe enough for him to go outside as long as he remained covered, he wanted to start his travel to town early to get there when everyone else arrived. Alexander liked attention, but he was never a fan of being the center of it, and arriving late would surely guarantee that. Flipping up the hood on his black cloak, he slipped out the front door adjusting the gloves on his fingers. He was still 'young' and the sun was still very much a threat to him, so he was careful to take as many precautions as possible.

It seemed he wasn't the only one out here in the snow, there was another member of the coven outside walking the grounds. Deciding not to be rude incase they had heard him exit he went over to the man and caught up in step with him, when he realized it was Julian. Quickly he stopped and bowed down, his eyes fixated on the footprints in the snow the man before him had left behind.

"Your Majesty," he said quietly before slowly standing up, keeping his eyes down. Alexander was used to addressing someone like this, even before he was sired. He was an adviser to King Edward II afterall.

[Julian Charbonneau]

Julian slowly opened his eyes and turned, his gaze shifting downward as the other man bowed. Alexander. He had sensed his presence long before he arrived. He hadn't been at all pleased with his presence at first, but now that he was here Julian relaxed and chose to enjoy his company.

Smiling softly, Julian turned his gaze back to the darkening land scape. He shifted his arms beneath the cloak and readjusted the cloth on his shoulders.

"How are you Alexander?" he said, cutting his warm brown eyes at the other vampire. He was surprised to see some so young venture out of doors before the sun completely set. Most of his men feared the sunlight for obvious reasons. Sunset or not, they did not come out doors until the sun was entirely hidden from view. Perhaps Alexander was more reckless than the others. Or perhaps he did not completely understand the dangers. Julian was sure it was not the latter. Alexander had been among his ranks for quite some time. He was sure to understand the risks. Than he was reckless. Did he want someone like that within the coven?

"Are you well?" he continue, his voice barely more than a whisper, although he was sure the young vampire heard every word.

[Lord Alexander Corwin]

"I am well thank you," Alexanders said quietly as he grabbed his hood when the wind began to blow. It seemed that when the sun set it was much faster then any other part of the day, but the rays were still dancing along the snowy landscape and he didn't want to take the risk. Sure he was out here which was one of the biggest dangers to vampires, but the rays weren't as strong, and Alexander had found he wasn't as deeply affected. Sure they hurt, but he didn't burn when the light was so weak. Out of the corner of his eye he saw some curtains fluttering, other members of the coven looking to see if the sunset, or having their slaves do so. Soon the grounds would be covered with other members to set out for their nightly routines.

"I am heading to court," Alexander said quietly keeping his eyes trained out in the distance. "Will you be joining us tonight?" Alexander knew he wasn't going to be the only member of the coven going tonight, many of the men joined him at court to amuse themselves. It never got old to him how the women, and even men, threw themselves at him and did whatever he asked of them.

A door shut in the distance, but Alexander didn't flinch at the noise, even this far away he could hear the footsteps of a human walking the other way. It was easy to tell the difference between the graceful almost gliding sound of a vampires feet falls and the loping stomping sounds of a human. Sometimes late at night when a slave entered his room he almost screamed at them to quit moving, their feet much too loud for his likes. Daring to flick his eyes up to Julian's face for a second, he dropped them noticing the man was looking at him. "I won't be out long tonight, I need to feed. Is there anything I can get you? There are beautiful women from the far east at court for a diplomatic meeting between the kings."

[Julian Charbonneau]

Julian stood there silent for a moment, his thoughts captivating him. Court life now wasn't as titillating as it used to be. The royalty now was petty and child like, not harsh and ruthless like Kings and Queens before. Perhaps this Henry VIII would be different. Years of dull court life wasn't intriguing and he was sure, if this was more of the same, he would spend him time among the Irish royal more so than the English.

"I think we should all attend," he said turning to Alexander. The man's eyes were trained to the side, something that all of his men did out of respect. He studied the man's face for a moment. He was handsome. He had a strong jawline, flawless, pale skin. There was something effeminate about his appearance that sparked interest. Beautiful.

Julian slipped his arm from beneath his cloak and gently took Alexander's chin in his hands and lifted his head so that the man could look in his eyes. "Do you think me incapable of finding my own?" he said, his dark brown eyes searching Alexander's gorgeous blue ones. His movements were sinuous as he stepped closer to the other man. A playful smile rose to his lips that did not quite reach his eyes.

"Do you believe me incapable of alluring my prey?" He believed no such thing, but he wanted to hear the other man's answer. He lowered his arms back to his side. His expression was stoic and unmoving.

[Lord Alexander Corwin]

Alexander nodded quietly as Julian spoke, keeping his eyes fixed on a Christmas rose bush that was attempting to bloom despite the deep heavy snow. He could feel the man looking at him, and he resisted the urge to look back. Alexander couldn't help himself, he always met someones eyes when they were looking at him, to see their reaction to what they saw. It had gotten him in trouble before when he was a child for looking at the king when he was in a bad mood. His father had hit him, and asked him if he knew better, which he did, but he was curious.

But he didn't have to resist long because Julian reached out and grabbed his chin and pulled his head so he could look. Alexander couldn't help himself, he always found Julian very handsome, and a small smile played across his lips and his eyes widened to take him in. "Of course not your majesty, I was just hoping to be helpful, incase you had other matters to attend too," he replied staring back into his eyes with a grin. He could tell that Julian was not upset with him, but he wanted to be absolutely sure. "I didn't mean to offend if I did," Alexander finished.

As the mans hand dropped to his side, Alexander reached up and pushed the cloak hood off his head since the sun was down now and twilight was beginning to settle in. He wasn't a fan of having anything by his face, he didn't like not being able to see out of his peripherals.

[Julian Charbonneau]

Julian could not help but smile at Alexander's words. He could hear the fear in his voice...the uncertainty. That was good. He did not want one of his own stepping out of line. Years of siring the young told him that they were all very different. Some of them thrived to partake in the subservient lifestyle while others despised it. He had killed many of his young over the years. His patience wasn't quite as long as it used to be. It any of them thought themselves superior to him or to any of the others he would not hesitate to end their eternal lives.

"I suppose not," Julian said, shaking his head with amusement. "You dine in England quite a lot I've noticed. Is there a certain potential slave you have your eye on? He knew most of the lords at Regius kept their eyes out on those women who were new to court. Fresh faces to stagnate the boredom. He could understand.

"Or has King Henry's charisma captured your attention?"

[Lord Alexander Corwin]

Alexander grinned a his statement "King Henry is rather childish, it seems that the blood line has been tapered down a bit, or he is just young and hasn't learned enough yet." It was true Henry was thrust into the throne rather quickly not having time to grieve over his own brothers death. He had also been placed in a marriage with his sister-in-law as well, which Alexander was sure was rather uncomfortable. But at the same time the man, or boy however you viewed it, was rather spoiled. Everything had to be perfect,and if one thing didn't go his way he had a temper tantrum. Most other kings were angry but they didn't let their subjects view their emotions quiet like Henry did. "But yes I was looking at another potential slave. She is young, merely seventeen, but she is entrancing. New to court, and wouldn't be too missed if she were too disappear."

She was meek, but also had sharp whit, and had a decent tutor so she was able to keep up with Alexander as he talked politics and let his language slip from English to French and back once again. She was also very pretty, tiny where needs and curvaceous in other aspects and her blonde hair was almost white. "She is amusing, and has some wit about her."

Pausing he pondered a moment before asking, "are you going to take any other slaves? I feel like I go through slaves much more often then you do my lord," he added with a grin.

[Julian Charbonneau]

Alexander's words about Henry could have not been more true. He had dined with the King more than once and noticed that the King had an irritating way about him. He had tired numerous times not to roll his eyes at the man's lack of tact and rude behavior. His court was exciting as it though, so he'd continue to travel to England to enjoy the man's company, even if that meant he'd spend the entire evening trying not to pull his hair out.

"Another slave?" Julian thought about that for a moment and then shrugged. "Perhaps I will take another, but for now I'm enjoying myself with the few I have. They keep me quite busy as I'm sure you understand," he said with a smile. He was well aware of Alexander's activities and those of the other vampires within the coven.