This family and its love of secret rooms... Heinrich thinks to himself irritably. I swear, this place is going to collapse some day because of all the tunnels and chambers hollowed out beneath the floor. Taking the key, he heads to the cellar, nodding in acknowledgement to the staff as he passes them, but not stopping to chat or ask if they need anything as is customary for him - the need to find out what his father was keeping secret is too great to tolerate any delays.
(Oh, no. He’s a male. Two males, one female. The alleged famous slayer, the priest’s friend, the huntress. Sorry, if that wasn’t clear.) Gathering her mostly already prepared things, doesn’t take much time. Fortunately, she knows enough minor nobles for…reasons, that arranging a stage coach on short notice, doesn’t require much. It looks like a marginal step up from the village. Though still not exactly showering in riches, it’s clearly much more well taken care of that anywhere else in the province. She knew enough from merchants who visited talking that they invest heavily into overseas trade as one of the main reasons the region make a profit at all. But it also possibly spelled an opportunity for getting her hands on valuables that she couldn’t anywhere else. Though finding lodging first might be a better step.
Beatrice hummed happily as she made her way to one of inns - after all, wasn't it the best place to stay? She thought about contacting one of the women's of Convent, for them to give her a place to stay, but she decided to do that first thing in a morning. After all, it's safer to stay in the inn for a night.
The explorations of the castle is simple in that he already knew the layout from his daily routine, yet keeping his eye out for anything that he could have walked by without noticing before wasn't the simplest. No doubt, this castle had no shortage of secrets. It was built to just about every situation with some trick or trap in some corner of it. Even his father and mother had at times been surprised at some contraption to seal doors or fake walls. It actually made it pretty impressive Beatrice(just noticing she has Majus's character name. Probably shouldn't come up too much to be confusing.) could navigate. However, eventually he spotted it. Not along the walls. But there was always a spot on one of the shelves that was never stocked. He wasn't sure why it would grab his attention and it was so dark he had no reason to suspect anything...but soon he saw it. A key indention. Inserting it, the sound of gears creaking echoed as part of the floor slid back, revealing a narrow, old and stone staircase. Entering through the door way, he had found it. A library stacked to the ceilings with books, and a desk with various notes seeming to be scribbled and about. The room was real...and yet...for something nobody should know about, way too clean. There was some dust to be sure, but scarcely anyway for what should have been if not years of sitting there. This could only mean someone had been keeping it clean this entire time. Even the furniture and desk looked mostly refurbished.
Fortunately, it's not difficult to find an inn. Unfortunately, as the somewhat surly innkeeper explains, most of the rooms are taken up and are typically reserved for sailors. If she wanted one, she'd have to pay a premium. Do able with what money she made and the priest recently gave, but still rather steep. The surly old man was one of those rare types who looked more interested in coin and drink, than anything she's got. Still, she could pay the price if she wanted too. Though, it might be possible to have someone else do so... There had been a somewhat roguish man who had not taken his eyes off her since she had walked in. He didn't look like any of the ugly or grizzly sailors around here. He looked more like the kind of thing you'd see in a romance about pirates. He had that look he was no stranger to less than legal activities too. He also seemed to be pivoting his attention from admiring her, to focusing on the other woman next to him. The other was a young girl who looked to be a merchant of some kind. Skin well taken care of and with a kind of air of small grace. Possibly a nobleman's daughter or at least from a fairly wealthy family. She didn't seem to be looking especially interested in anyone here however. At least, not physically. She seemed to be holding conversations with some crew about negotiating trade deals. Not exactly exciting stuff. Despite her obvious lack of interest, she was clearly noting theirs and not afraid to leverage it to her advantage, no doubt goading them into signing up for some ridiculous terms. The only one not falling for it was the roguish looking gentlemen, who while enjoying what he sees, obviously was making for a much tougher sell.
Valerian? Or has someone else been in here? Heinrich narrows his eyes, and then moves to the desk, examining the notes.
Beatrice sat down and ordered a meal. She was not that interested in roguish man - but the female merchant? Now, that was someone who she could tap into~ The easiest she could do was to pay for the room - it should be even easy. After a moment, she decided to try and negotiate with the innkeeper - his lack of interest only raising her interest in that challenge. She approached the man, and asked to be shown to one of the Premium rooms, where she intended to seduce him...
Much of the notes seem to be on various cryptids and species, given a more in depth analysis about them. It seemed to be detailing their strengths and weaknesses. It was hardly uncommon to see hunters compose something like this and he had seen plenty of similar research papers shared while he was still in the order. Nothing particularly spectacular or out of the ordinary. Shifting through the various pages, they also seemed to include an old list of names identifying individuals with lycanthropy, accused of practicing witchcraft, or having vampirism. The list was some years outdated however, as many of these people were confirmed killed. With the exception of Lord Anslem, of course. It didn't matter if they knew that he did. They had always known that. From the wedding invitation he had sent to the estate some weeks ago and was waiting for a response too, no doubt, he was very much alive. Also no doubt that it was very much a mocking gesture of welcoming them into his very lair, knowing they could do nothing about him. Yet...as he thought about that...that did imply that the vampire king's information network was somewhat out of date. He didn't know the Von Bohm's weren't part of the order no longer, did he? That seemed to suggest a lapse and a weakness. Though that might not interest him any longer, his trained hunter instincts still gnaw at him at the realization highlighting the vampire's network showing it's weakness... Leaving that thought for now, he fumbled through more pages of largely unremarkable findings. Mostly standard observations regardless of the fancy scientific wording. His father was right that he was perhaps no major scientist. Yet...as he goes through the pile, there's a single page. Blackened and shady for in depth detail, of highlighting every aspect of a monstrosity. This. He had never seen before. Nor any of the order. If anyone had, they'd know about it. The ink in the text was too decayed, ruined, and narrow, to make out much of the wording, yet, the sight of the creature remained.
(Mngh. Just barely failed.) The old man can already see what she's upto and sighs. "Really now, girl? If you're willing to try putting that body to use on a old man like me, then perhaps you could have dam well made your coin by now."
Oh, the game was on~ It turned Beatrice on, the fact that this man was resisting her. She locked the door of the room. She unzipped her dress and allowed it to fall on the ground, next to her hat and bag. She stepped up to the man, wearing only her thighhigh boots and gloves. "Come now, maybe I find men like you attractive~" She moved her hands along her body. "Don't tell me you are not attracted." She grabbed his hands and moved them to her body, putting one of them between her legs, other on her breast. It might have been straightforward, but with such a man, it was difficult to play games. If that failed, she still had one more gambit under her sleeve...
Heinrich's eyes widen a little at the revelation of the vampire king's weakness. If he didn't know that Heinrich was no longer a member of the order, then he likely isn't aware of the hunter's most well guarded secret. They know me - going to such an event would be a death sentence. But...they don't know Helena... Heinrich's mind wars internally over whether it's ethical or even safe to try and use his vampiric form to aid in hunting, but before he can come to a conclusion, his eyes fix on the monstrous image depicted in the text, and a shiver goes up his spine. He stares at it, a childish part of him he doesn't acknowledge afraid that the beast might jump out of the page to get him. Something about it seems...unlike other monsters. Not just in its peculiar shape - something about it seems darker, like it's not of this world like vampires and lycans are. "Get ahold of yourself." Heinrich's voice breaks the trance, and he notes with annoyance that said voice is higher than his customary low growl. She's coming. I'd better get ready. Though he's still a little hesitant, he grabs the page and goes to find Valerian before he transforms.
(Still super exhausted but want to get something out today.) The surly old man, had a look of annoyance but then gave a begrudging grumble, seeming in disbelief that she would seriously try this on him, but hitting his limits and not able to say no to a young body when offered. "My room then." After a bit he finishes his work at the counter as a younger man takes over and he walks, expecting her to follow if she planned to go through with this.
(Unsure if you mean to have both states retain the knowledge of what the other does, or how you intend to portray the butler precisely, so I'll leave that to you.) With the impending change happening soon, there isn't much time, but he could likely suspect Valerian still doing his usual duties. Coming this late, that usually was now preparing the servants quarters to be warded from his vampire form in preparation for the danger. Valerian likely still had that charm around his neck for the purpose, of course. He was a bit too old these days to physically subdue a vampire that attacked him directly, but his knowledge had been so far able to keep Helena's urges mostly in check by making sure she was simply curtailed. Though...each time, was a bit tricker than before.
Beatrice hummed as she followed the man, her heels clicking on the floor. She entered the room and looked around. "Well, ain't it cozzy~" She smiled, before turning to the man. "Why don't you take a seat?"
(I was thinking they do - they share memories, but have different personalities. As for Valerian, he's a caring mentor, kind of like Batman's Alfred - but he's completely determined to get rid of Helena.) Heinrich makes his way to the servant's quarters, asking the first servant he sees where the old man can be found.
(Struggled to think of a lot to put here) "Hmph." Still not any less grumpy than before, he does as she suggests, sitting at the edge of the bed while looking her over, expectantly.
Stripped to her thighigh boots and gloves, Beatrice moved sensually, as if in dance, her hands moving along her body, along her sides, cupping her breasts as she leaned forward, her hands moving between her thighs, she bit her lip as one hand cupped her breast, other slid into her warm pussy. She gave a hot moan as her fingers moved, bringing her excitement to higher levels. Then she walked to the man, and knelt, she unbuckled his pants and took his semi hard dick in her hand. She took it into her mouth and gave it a few bobs, before putting it between her breasts. She grabbed her tits from sides and started massaging his dick. After a few moments, when it was errect, she looked up at the man, not stopping her ministrations. "How do you want me? "She asked with heat in her voice." Ridding you while lay? Up against the wall? On my fours, like a bitch?"
The first maid he stops tells him that she had saw him in his quarters. Most likely he could assume that he was preparing for the change when it happened.
The old man as grumpy as he is was still strained to keep up his perpetually angry face at her sexual skills, letting out a groan. The witch knew exactly was he doing and he was still a warm blooded man and vulnerable to her charms. The man being obviously past his prime was far from the most energetic lover she had, but he responded by giving her breast a hard squeeze, the roughness of his hands apparent as he explored the younger woman’s body. “I got something else in mind. Bend over. Arms out.”
"Oh, I like men who know what they want~" She hummed as she got up and walked up to the table. She bent over it, putting her hands on it and standing with her legs wide apart...
