We are displeased.

The mask had been delivered, and in response to its promise, the recipient had fled rather than face what was coming. She would get what was due to her, of that We would be sure. Her arrogance and cowardice had cost her much, and since the shepard had left, the flock would be the one with which We would settle the debt owed. By no means would that leave Darla Gisele Strigoi free of our wrath. No, her fear and withdrawal would add to her sentence with Us. Not even the deepest, darkest hole would provide shelter. She would pay. She would pay in kind.

For now, the city would pay for part of the fearful ones insolence. After all, did they not deserve to know just what kind of leadership they had and how much that leadership had failed them all? With that We gathered ourselves for what would come next. Tonight would be forever known in this paltry town as the night of pain. We would make sure that all touched by the hand of the Yellow one would feel our displeasure.

Tonight their eyes shall run red akin to the color of the mask that We wore.

Arraka awoke later than usual which would mean only one thing. Her animal to call, or more importantly her lover, Alicia was not there lying at her side sharing her warmth with the cool body of the vampire. It was nothing that worried her there must have been something that had kept her love away from her side that was more important. She reached out through the marks trying to rouse her but could not find the mind of her dear Rat. Now more annoyed then anything she looked around to see if there was a note about the whereabouts of the woman and again found nothing. Well there was only one thing that needed to be done Arraka needed to feed so that she could contact her rat again. The pull of the Sun still in the sky in addition to the fact that she was hungry must be diminishing her power. So she slid her deep red silk robe, one of the favorites of her lover and started looking around the house.

It was oddly quiet and there was a minimum of servants around to greet the second of the city of Miami. There must have been something planned going on or maybe this was all part of her dear Rat’s plan to surprise the vampire. Not willing to put anything past her she decided to play along and made a show of looking around the house. The first rooms she looked in where the favorites of them both and it was no real surprise that there was neither sight nor smell of her lover. She even stopped to poll a few of the remaining servants on the where about of her lover but none had seen her that day. She searched the entire house from top to bottom without a single brush of the Rat’s presence. Now she had started to worry and combined with the desire for blood did not mix well with the Vampire. So she looked for Darla, surely her mistress would know exactly where the Rat had gone and started to move towards the offices. Knocking softly on the door it opened to reveal the fact that she was not in there.

Two boxes rested open on the desk; one was amazing in the intricacy to the point where it drew Arraka into the room without permission. She rounded the desk curious to why a box was rested out like that and that was when her eyes found the shine of red and the shape of something that only haunted her memories. Never would she dream of such an object but here it was in front of her the soft curve f the nose and the unmistakingly red of blood. Its meaning would be unmistakable it was pain. Immediately she cast her senses out to the city searching for her Mistress, the one that she had grown to trust to question her about this and she was nowhere to be found. That was when she felt the gathering storm. It would have gone unnoticed in the near panicked state that Arraka was in but she no longer thinking for herself. Darla was gone that meant one thing it would be up to her to protect their people.

She only had a moment to shore up the defenses of her mind and body before the first wave of pain rolled though her. She bit back a scream as white hot centers of pain laced through her body. It felt like her blood was on fire as it rode her body and she knew it would only be worse. This was the tip of the ice berg and it was going to hit her people next. They stopped being Darla’s when she ran and now they were hers to protect with no oath to hold them other then the house that they all stayed in. The next wave hit her and she gasped out. This was meant for the rest of the kiss and as Arraka ground her teeth together she stopped it from spreading past her. That one simple gesture made it all the worse as it was redoubled within her and her body bowed at the midsection causing her head to slam into the desk. Her concentration weakened by the blow the red haze of pain slipped over her eyes. To anyone looking they would have seen it as blood that was starting to leak out over the vampire. Blood that she did not have and would quickly deplete her strength.

Still she would not let the pain pass her they should not have to pay for the sins of their Mistress. Arraka reached out for her rat, “Alicia!” She screamed for her rat both physically and metaphysically trying to lean on that warm power that was always there for her. She saw the red glint of her ring and focused on it trying to see past the pain to her beloved Rat. There was nothing to grasp on to and the connection that would have formed was lost as the next wave of pain grew and tried to reach outside of her body to the others. She screamed again this time her voice was horse with the pain the beginning of her rat’s name was the only thing that emerged before her mouth was clamped short. Blood was starting to leak not only from her eyes but now her ears as she was now on all fours on the carpet. She did not remember going to the ground like that and did not have a moment to even attempt to remember when it had happened before the blood started to come from her mouth too.

She could feel her body trying to fight the pain and give into the instinct shrink away from it. The entirety of her power was now on fighting the spread of that horrid red haze of pain to the point where she was unable to even hold her body together again. Her skin grew cold and started to turn ashen and grey as her humanity folded in on itself bit by bit until there was nothing left of the woman she once was. She was a vampire now in all of her glory but that did not even last long. Soon that power was folding away and the once hauntingly beautiful but thin form started to fade and the smell of decay filled the room. There would be no stopping it if she let herself go it would crash upon them all if it left her. The edge of her red tinged vision was started to fade to black as white sparkles danced across her eyes. Before the dam broke and all of Miami would feel the pain she could only say one thing.

“Isa” it was almost sobbed out into a whisper before the once beautiful vampire gave into the inevitable and fell. Soon the wildfire of pain would be everywhere running unchecked through them all and the only thought in that moment was how she had failed them all and how no one was even there for her.

The night had begun late for Natasha. She passed it off as not feeding enough the night before she slept and went to her armoire to slip into her black dress, one of her Mistress’ favorites on her. A smile crept on her lips as she brushed out her hair in front of the mirror. Satisfied, Natasha walked towards the door to open it and go down to meet her Mistress. It was later than she usually woke, but Natasha walked towards her study hoping to find her there.

Her pace was slow, looking around the house, always finding a piece of art or architecture to admire among the halls she walked so many times. A scream pierced her thoughts, startling the Grecian vampire. “Arraka?” she asked to the open air. Quickly she turned from the piece of art she was admiring and ran down the halls peering into the few rooms trying to find her. Another scream and Natasha knew she was in Darla’s office. Her burst of speed brought her into the doorway without a sign of anyone in the room. Where was their Mistress?

Natasha saw Arraka’s slumped body behind the desk and quickly ran towards her. She was bleeding, it seemed to be from everywhere. Who had done this? She looked around the room to find the enemy, not sensing or seeing anyone. Her eyes landed on the boxes on top of the desk. Red. Why were they torturing Arraka? She had done nothing to earn a mask. Throwing the frenzy of questions that began to form in her mind, she reached out to her Mistress Darla, her friend and lover.

Nothing.

Where had she gone, what was happening. She knelt beside Arraka, softly saying “It will be alright” in Greek, trying to comfort the woman. Natasha looked over her body, but it seemed there were no injuries. What was going on? She felt Arraka go limp in her arms and then it was her turn to scream. The pain, it was coursing through her own body now. It seemed as if her skin would turn itself inward and her blood stain the carpet as she sat in it. She tried to shield, but there was nothing to shield against. It was as if her own body turned on its self. Her own eyes began to bleed and Natasha had been screaming without even realizing it. Her tears from the pain were just more blood.

She was not strong enough for this. It would take her quickly. Darla, where are you, what have you done? she thought. Another scream and her vision started to fade at the edges, already stained with blood. Her throat was so dry she could not even scream anymore. No, she would be drained soon of all the blood she consumed the day before. Natasha could only slump into a lifeless pile next to the woman who bore the brunt of the pain for so long, to shield the kiss. She would owe much to Arraka if she lived.

If.

Lauraina sat in her favorite chair, nestled in a quiet corner in one of her rooms. Something was different about this night, but the vampire couldn't seem to put her finger on it. The air around the city seemed electrified, much like before one of the many large lighting and thunder storms that so frequented this stretch of the Americas. Something was coming. Something with enough force that it could rock this city. Still, Lauraina couldn't quite grasp just what.

Her fingers idly moved the pages of the works of Chaucer in her lap. Her favorite author, but even that could not hold her attention this evening. Closing the book, Lauraina set it on the table beside her and slowly stood, the pressure shifting until it reached its breaking point. Lauraina's eyes went wide with it, the power strong enough that she felt it vibrating across her skin. With that power came a call, a call meant for her.

Lauraina felt the presence of her oldest friend, her sister, and she was in pain. Without a word spoken to anyone, not even the servant that stood quietly in the corner, waiting to do her Mistress' bidding. With each step she took, her pace quickened. Her sister needed her. Each step came faster, and with it the click of her heels on the hard floor. Within moments, the cool night air was felt on her skin, almost too cool for just after sunset. "I'm coming, my Raka," she said to the night just before she began to move too fast for the naked eye to see.

Her sister needed her.

The time it took her to arrive at Strigoi Estate passed by in a haze, accompanied only by the continued whispering she sent to Arraka. "I'm coming, My Raka. I'm coming, My Raka." Her hands found the large doors before her mind realized they were in front of her. Shoving them open, Lauraina moved fast, following the screams that came. These screams were not from her Raka, but she felt she had to be close by.

In the blink of an eye, she found the source of the screaming in the shape of a bleeding pile of vampire on the floor. What was going on here? That was when her eyes fell on the inticate packages strewn across the desk, complete with their contents. A red mask? Where was the supposed Mistress of this fair city? That was when her eyes fell on the next disturbing sight in the room, ashen and grey in a mass on the floor. Moving fast, Lauraina fell to her knees beside what was left of her friend.

Reaching out, Lauraina touched Arakka's arm, only to have her flesh give under the gentlest of touches. She was far gone enough that she couldn't keep herself whole anymore. It had finally happened, but the Mistress of the City wasn't here. She had ran, presumably to save herself. That would have to wait. Moving a nail to her wrist, Lauraina slit at her skin, opening herself and moving her bleeding wound to what had once been the beautiful lips of her friend. "Drink, Raka. Please, drink." she said, the usual cool tone of her voice a distant memory. Arraka was the Second. Save her and that helps the rest. She only hoped Arraka wasn't far gone enough to not be able to drink.

Where was Raka's rat in all of this? This new lover that should have been then to help her mistress in a time such as this? Too many questions, and not enough time to answer them all. Not right now. "Just drink, Raka. DRINK!"

Guy had woke as normal shortly before noon but immediately felt as though something were wrong. He reached out and could no longer feel the presence of Darla, which immediately caused him to become frightened, nay terrified. It could only mean that the nameless terror had indeed descended on Miami as had been predicted. It also meant it was time for him to do something he hadn't done for a very long time since becoming a vampire, to truly choose what to do, beholden to no master. He had been asked to protect Darla, but her flight had broken the order.

Quickly, he made a decision. He was of Miami, and he would stand with his city. Quickly he sent all his power flinging outward to alarm the ravens and gargoyle's. Most important would be to survive the intitial assault. If that could be done then there would be time to regroup before the next a ssault. That regrouping would necessitate picking someone to serve as the leader, which the Florentine vampire was more than a little worried about. Arraka, he decided might be the best choice.

Sighing he closed and locked the door to the library to begin his preparations. First and foremost, he sent Sekhmet to find Pierre and warn him to stay away, though he couldn't tell him why. His next order was to send Mercurius to seek out the Necromancer, Chrsitopher to similarly warn him, though with the added caution that there were now vampires about would active seek to destroy him.

***Some time Later, Dusk***

Guy sighed, having done the best he could. The gargoyles were gaurding all the vampires that were in Miami but outside the estate. They would see to it that the vampires remained contained from harming humans, as much as possible. Facing the Harlequin a second time was not a thought he cherished. Suddenly he felt a flash as their power broke over Miami before it vanished quickly. Immediately he realized that one of the other vampires of the Kiss had tried to protect them all. Quick mental report from his minions revealed it to him that it was Arraka.

Impressed, he quickly made up his mind and raced towards her reciting his mental rigor in his head, "I must be one in myself, secure in the knowledge of those that have come before and will come after In observation lies the knowledge of my enemy's defeat." The terms may not mean much against the powers of the Harlequin, but it helped calm him and fortified his defenses against the assault he knew was to come.

He burst into the room containing Arraka and Natasha just as the first's defenses fell. Immediately pain washed over him, and he let it. He permitted the power to flow around him but used his own power to buffet himself, allowing him to act as the quiet within the storm, for a time as well as shield the rest of the kiss, bu this shield would not hold. He held out his hand to Arraka and her sister and the other to Natasha, "Take my hand. We must weather this storm or all is lost. I am shielding us all for a time, but it cannot last beyond a few moments solely with my power."

There was something in the distance it was moving and it felt so odd. She could see the world in a different way like she was floating in a sea of red. It was coming closer faster and faster she closed her eyes and floated along the quietly moving sea. Nothing mattered here and it was an odd feeling of peace that descended on her. She tried to breath then laughed softly to herself breathing was not something she needed to do any more. Arraka remembered it now and in the distance she thought she heard somebody screaming. It was odd and muffled softly and it ultimately didn’t matter. She floated away from the scream away from the harsh colors of red ringed by a white light. She could not help but look back at that soft white light she knew what it was.

Hope looked back at her and it looked with the eyes of a beautiful blue. Arraka recognized those eyes and that feeling pulled her closer back to the harsh colors of red and with that she smelled the scent of decay and blood. Her body twitched where it was lying and she tried to pull away. It was too much, she was tired and it would be easier if she just let it go but then she tasted her sister, her lover, her friend on her lips and suddenly she was dragged back into the horror that awaited her. The blood was enough to give her body shape once more and no longer cause it to drip and fade away into nothingness.

There was nothing left that she could offer she failed and deep downs he knew it. Her rat was no where unable to be felt and the only thing she could feel was the pain coming back. It was more than just the power of the Harlequin now her own body cried out from the feeling of rotting against her will as the memory of that pain played over and over again, “Bella….bella….” she cried out softly trying to open her eyes that were nothing more then brown and bloodied orbs in her head. She wanted to see those beautiful blue eyes that she caused her to come back but the only thing she could see was that pain. “Let me go…please…let me go..” then suddenly the pressure was lifted and her body hardened once more starting to show definite form and resilience as it was able to try and heal itself with the fresh blood of her sister.

Still her eyes would not return and the only she could do is bring her hand up feeling for the skin of her beloved sister. She searched for her face as she heard a male voice and was unable to place it. Though she did not wander who it belonged to for long the only thing that mattered was that there was hope now no matter how far it was.

Lauraina had begun to shake as she stared down at the lifeless body of her only true friend. Her mind flashed with the things that they had shared. Friends, lovers, sisters. This was not acceptable. This would not happen. She was vaguely aware that someone had entered the room, feeling the energy wash over him as it had to two women next to her. But that didn't matter, not then. The body of Arraka had begun to stir, the lips moving to take the life giving blood that reddened the gray flesh. "Yes, Raka. Take it! Drink!" she exclaimed, looking down at her sister.

Her heartstrings pulled tight at the sound of her nickname, leaving Arraka in a cry of pain. Arraka's eyes opened, though they were far from the eyes that Lauraina remembered. The next words that left her sister seemed to wrench Lauraina's heart from her chest. She felt the reddened tears flow down her face before she realized that she was crying. "Non, non," she said, shaking her head. The blood was working, helping to reform the Arraka's wracked and bloodied body. A shaky hand made it's way up from the floor, settling on Lauraina's face. She leaned her head against that hand, opening the wound on her wrist to let the blood rush anew and ignoring the spinning in her head. "I will not let go, my Raka," she said, looking Arraka in her beaten and bloodied eyes.

The voice of the male behind her came upon her ears and she nodded her reply, reaching over to take his hand. "I am not of this Kiss. I only hope my clarity can help," she said, taking Arraka's hand with her own, but leaving her bloodied wrist to drip over her mouth. With her eyes still on Arraka, she spoke as softly as she could manage. "Do this for me, my Raka. Take the other's hand. Please. I am not ready to let you go. Nor am I sure I ever will be. Do this for me." The tears were still making their trail down her face, a sight before unseen since her mortal life. This alone would show her conviction.

Guy nodded to Lauraina. He didn't bother mentioning that taking his hand would pretty much make the distiinction of not being in the Kiss irrelevant. However, he wasn't capable of verbalizing that though, under too much strain. He sighed and fell to his knees as Lauraina took his hand. Normally what he was about to do would require a lot of power to overcome defenses of a vampire, but a willing subject and two unconcious or semi-concious vampires, well, the odds were stacked pretty heavily there, non?

Through his touch with Lauraiina Guy thrust the memory and knowledge of how he was an eye in the storm, albeit one quickly faltering. He wasn't entirely sure Arraka would be able to pick it up but ione could hope. Of course, from his collapsed position he could also touch Natasha, which he immediately did, including her in the circuit.

Unfortunately, none of his cohorts had any time to digest the sensations and memories he'd sent flooding, as the act collapsed the shield his mind had erected to contain the rage to himself. One by one it spread through the room, first to Lauraina and Natasha, and then by extension back into Arraka. Guy could only hope that they could help stem the tide, for he was nearly spent and without help would collapse entirely all too soon.

Arraka felt the words as the blood continued to trickle down her throat. She could feel the life that it brought to her as well as the excitement that it brought her sister. That was all she had now and even though her eyes were clouded over with rot, blood and pain she could still see her sister perfectly within the mind’s eyes. Her perfect blue eyes and that wonderful knowing smile that she always held as her perfect mask. Though that was only the beginning of that smile she had learned over the years to know and read that perfect wonderful smile. Her fingers drifted closer so she could feel those lips again and the picture solidified within her mind.

She felt the warm tears streaking down her face and before more of the life blood of her sister could flow through that cut she snaked her tongue out and licked along that wound. She never stopped licking while the circle continued to close around them as the power flowered anew so that if Arraka could not rise the next night she would not take her sister down with her. There were things more important than living and the younger of three remaining vampire had found that importance within her sister and within her people. They were her people now and if she had to die for them it would be the price to keep them alive and she would pay it.

The shield was starting to waver and all ready she could feel the red haze of the pain starting to descend on them again. She felt it coming back and the cold core of fear well up and she used her own fear. She fed from herself turning her body into quick fuel to protect her people. The power that animated her and kept her body together she gathered then pushed through her connection with Isa to join within the circle. Her voice was raw from the screaming and unable to form words again but her lifeless eyes stared into that of her sisters and she spoke with her power as it pushed, “Protect them.”

Through all of this, Lauraina felt nothing of the pain that racked through her sister's body. She was not a part of this Kiss, the pain not promised to her, so it passed her over. The pain that ran its way through her body had nothing to do with the mask sitting so near. Instead, it had to do with watching what was happening to Arraka on the floor beside her, the cloud of pain and death behind her eyes. The tears made their way silently down her face, catching on Arraka's fingers as they moved to linger near Lauraina's lips.

Her hand was still inside Guy's, waiting for the damn to break. Though she waited for it, she was far from prepared when it actually occured. Being a part of this Kiss or not, none of that mattered as she willingly put herself into the crossfire to help them. To help Arraka, to help them all. Rage began to build inside of her at the thought of Strigoi, running as a coward off into the night. The rage died when the pain began.

The pain hit her hard, though she made not a sound. Her training had at least stayed with her through that. Coming in colors, first a blinding white and then a pulsing red, the pain flashed behind her eyes with a vengeance. She felt Guy's attempts at controlling it, but he simpy didn't have the strength to do so on his own any more.

With her eyes still locked with that of her sister's, Lauraina pushed out with all that she had, setting her sheilds in motion and allowing them to encompass them all. In that moment, she felt her connection with Arraka spike higher, feeling her sister begin to feed from the fear that came from within herself, and pushed every ounce of power that she had towards Lauraina. She wanted to stop her, her own fear of losing Arraka making her want the vampire to hold onto every bit of her power to let her body heal. Instead, she let her own fear rise for once, instead of hiding it behind her years of practice, pushing it towards Arraka to give her strength.

Guy sighed as the two female vampires joined the circuit. Their energy might help hold the tide for awhile. Of coruse, The Harlequin could be counted on to come up with somethign rather quickly to come up with something new. He decided to voice a small bit of reason through their mental circuit while its members might be coherent enough to understand it, "I suppose asking them what it would take to get them out of our city is out of the question?"

The blood tinged tears of her sister were sticky on the vampire’s finger. She did not need to see to realize that the perfect mask and knowing smile were lost in this moment as they saw each other in the time of need. In the end she was there for her, no one else that she had trusted had rose to her side and instead the one person that she never expected was there holding her cradled form and trying to press power into her frame. This would be something that Arraka would not forget as her fingers danced over the cool metal of the ring around her left ring finger. Her rat was not here for her, the woman she had thought she loved and had been overwhelmed by the sheer presence was gone. The dam was breaking slowly but surely as the first trickle of pain was pushing down on them. While her body was broken and decaying around her the mind was not so lucky.

Even with the blood and power loss it was latching on to ever minutia of detail as instinct and training long since the beginning of her life kicked in as she felt the taste of the pain, the taste of the power that pushed it and each and every dancing thought. She let her mind be distracted from the physical but it only found more of the mental anguish of the woman she thought she had loved was not here holding her hand and offering her power that would have been at no cost to herself. Could she had been mistaken and the feelings that were present for the female rat was simply a reflection of unrequited love previously. She latched onto that thought using it as a shield for the physical pain as her memories of the times with her Bella flooded into her. At the moment she did not care if they drifted across the link to her sister it would help them both focus on what was happening if that was answered she was sure.

She remembered the long nights where they only had each other for company. The times where even though there was nothing said because their bodied did not have the energy to waste on words that evne the silence was comforting. The way they would hold hands during one of their many games had been more to a game looking back. Each subtle move was the way they expressed their feelings without expressing them. Each memory came back and she focused on the small minutia that was lost within the moment. She slid her hand out from that of her sisters and intertwined it in the way they used to before. It would be something subtle to any watching but as she turned those death filled eyes to where she imagined the face of her beautiful bella waiting she let a smile slip through. It would not say much beyond, thank you for being here for me but more then that meaning could be infermed without incident.

That was when she felt the perfect shields of her beloved sister come crashing down and the feeling of fear not of the pain but of loosing Arraka fed her anew. There was power there large untapped power as those that have suppressed such feelings for centuries finally feel them anew. She tried to resist the pull of it but she was hungry and it had been long since she delved into the realm of fear and she drank deep of her sister in that moment. Taking in every last trace of fear she had to offer pulling it from her so that she would not feel it and use it for sustenance. Her greedy body put it to use first in pulling it all back together so that it would live to see the next night before it release more into the circle they were forming. That did not stop that smile growing just a touch large as the full effects of why the fear was there settled on them both.

She felt the shield buckle and the question right before hit her and could only nod her ascent. Her voice had come back now as the power of fear healed her frame enough. It was a simple question yet something in it held logic that the vampire herself had thought. With the coward gone she was in charge of the city and in her heart she knew why they were here. “Ha” her voice cracked from being dry as she swallowed back the pain and started anew. Her voice wavered slightly from the effort as she put power in it to maintain the level of confidence, “Harlequin, I request a meeting.” It was simple yet underneath it all they too were vampires. Scary, powerful, and most likely drunk with it in this moment but vampires none the less. This was her city now and they would respect her authority here or they would be breaking their own rules.

Centuries of pain and fear had built up behind Lauraina's high walls, kept locked deep inside the depths of her mind. Her training with her Master had taught her to mask those emotions, to think through them, not to divorce them completely from herself. Opening that part of herself had come easier than Lauraina ever would have thought, the fear of not having Arraka a part of this world giving her more than enough cause to set them free. It took only a moment to feel Arraka begin to feed, her wracked body not giving her a choice in the matter as it greedily took in the sustenance.

Looking down into Arraka's death darkened eyes, she watched as an almost melancholy smile spread over her face. Arraka' fingers traced across Lauraina's face, wet with tears that the vampire had held back for so many years. Even though her one hand was holding onto Guy's, and the pain of the Harlequin bore down upon her, it felt in that moment that they were alone. Like one of the many nights gone by, where they only had the holding of each other's hands for solace and comfort. Opening herself, dropping her shields to allow Arraka to fully feed from her, created a link between them that was stronger than she had ever felt between them before. Thoughts, images, and emotions pulsed back, following that line between them, giving Lauraina a glimpse into her Raka that she had never had before.

Visions of their time spent together flashed before her mind's eye, setting her tears to flow anew. In that moment, Arraka shifted her hand, holding tight to Lauraina's as she had so many times before. Thoughts and feelings that her training had masked flowed to the forefront of Lauraina's mind, making her realize something she had never thought would be possible again. Her fear spiked as the realization dawned on her. She cared for Arraka much more than she ever thought. Even through her fear, Lauraina gave Arraka's hand and undertanding squeeze, holding tighter to it. Arraka would understand.

Guy's words made their way into Lauraina's befuddled brain and she nodded her reply. Through the pain, Arraka gasped out an invitation to the Harlequin. Perhaps they would see the end of this night after all.

It appeared that Our call had received dutiful attention. Within moments of feeling the wrath of Our anger, a call to meet had been sent. At least the masterless of this city had not taken after the fearful one. In short, We were intrigued to see what was left of the power structure pull together to hold off the pain from touching the rest. Feeling the wrath of Our anger they had resisted it. It was almost amusing how they attempted to fight the inevitable and something worth studying. How could those underlings have more courage then that of their former master? Perhaps their lack of connection was something that benefited the lesser of the city. They could not hold out forever and once Our anger touched them all and they found a way to join together and resist it. We heard the request. It was like that of a soft jingle on the wind and though they had no authority over us, we would humor the fish.

We entered the house as We had done many times before, in silence. Our steps sure as we moved, We walked directly to the source of the call. Doors opened on their own as We approached, stepping into the office to take in the sight before us. Our head tilted, We looked down at them, circled around each other, pushing their shields high to fend off the blow of Our power. Though we took in each bit of their appearance, they would see only what we allowed to be seen of us. Our clothes were of the highest quality, in a blood red with the same vines that decorated the packages intertwined along the fabric in alternating colors of white and black. The same theme was matched on the mask We wore.

We spoke, though no voice left Our lips. They would only hear their own voices, echoing inside of their head as they spoke our words. “A meeting has been granted.”

Galeno sighed at the ebb in the power being thrown against them. Apparently someone was home and wasn't entirely unreasonable. He looked to Arraka and Lauraina and spoke hoarsely, "Arraka, you must pull yourself together and be on guard quickly. You attempted to protect the inhabitants of this city, it is now yours. You muist negotiate with the devil, but I will delay them a few moments."

The Florentine vampire pulled himself slowly to his feet to face the heart of the darkness to stall briefly for the Mistress. Sighing, he collected his mind once more, pulling the shambles the power of the Harlequin had caused into a whole again and reconstructing a table to hide his true mind behind. It would be an obvious mask, but all things considered, a bad mask was an accomplishment.

Facing the Harlequin, roughly speaking having remembered to address the power, not the vision, hi managed a contained smile, "Greetings to you Harlequin and welcome to Miami. I would say it's a pleasure to see You again but we all know that would be excessively polite and untrue in the extreme. I intercede briefly as the representative of my Master to pray you take remember that the sins of the master are not necessarily reflective of the mastered. With that, unless you would care to extend us the grace of your names, may I present, you already being acquianted with myself, the Lady Arraka, previously the Témoin of the city and Lady Lauraina Isabell of the court of the Lord DeMorte Anlui."

Natasha had not been strong enough to remain conscious during the attack of the kiss. The flashes of Arraka taking the pain right before she had collapsed flashed through her mind as she began regaining herself. She had been the strong one, she had sacrificed a piece of herself in order for her kiss to survive the night. But at what cost?

She stirred on the floor still weak, but determined. There were others in the room. One felt much like Lord Anlui and she could only assume it was Arraka's friend from that household. And Galeno was in the room as well, she recognized him before she even opened her eyes.

Natasha finally sat herself up and opened her eyes, still drained of much energy, but willing to sit by the woman who risked it all for her and the kiss when she did not need to. Lady Strigoi had run, but Lady Arraka stayed and fought for them, she was not very strong, but she was at her side facing Them. She reached out a hand to place on Arraka to show her she had survived and so the kiss must have too. She could only hope that gave her a bit of strength she needed.

There was the Harlequin, right in front of her own eyes. She knew they existed yes but to actually see one who is so feared by all, even the Council, was a bit frightening. She watched Galeno introduce himself to Them and could only wait by Arraka's side. Lady Anlui had helped much this night and she could lend them both the remainder of strength, her presence and the dwindling power she had. It was not much, but she could hope.

Though her body has started to become whole and complete there was one part of her that still remained fully grasped by the touch of death. A very human emotion of fear and despair threatened to work its way up her spine and she knew that there would be no hiding that from her Sister. It screamed in her head, covered her in doubt and above all tried to fracture her concentration. She was blind, and there would be no more sight for her not this night or perhaps any other. Before she could react to the thought it was pressed low and out of her mental eye her request for an audience had been granted/ To say she was surprised would have been an understatement though in the grand scheme of things it was almost expected at the same time.

With the hurried words of Guy she just nodded as she took his advice and started to build the small clay walls that were surrounding her mind. They could be breached easily but each stolen moment helped hardened them all the more as she slowly stood herself up. Her body groaned in protest as it cried out to just be let go and lay down to accept the embrace of death that was trying to wrap around it and bring it back to the grave. Her will was strong, she was strong, there was no other way she had to be. Knowing full well that Isabel would follow her up she pushed her elbow back so that she could try to shake her off as there was no hiding her pain from the other woman. Though it would not show in her face for the training of her former master would not let it in such a situation. The introductions were made and she nodded as appropriate and turned to the only place that she could feel an absence of power. That was where the clown would be at.

When she spoke her voice was schooled but like all things there was a price and her strength was dwindling quickly. Not even the reassuring touch of Natasha could give her the comfort or power needed she had no connection to these vampires not oath nor blood. It would be the reason why They would have come and each and every vampire in that room knew it. “Welcome to the City of Miami. You will have to accept my apologies for my former Mistress did not inform us of Your arrival or their would have been rooms made available and an offer of hospitality extended as is the custom. Though I should not quote that to you for you would all ready know such.” She cleared her throat as she took another step towards the absence of power.

“We will get down to business then for we both know why you’re here. Though I will ask to negotiate the cessation of hostilities against the inhabitants of Miami” In that moment she was the woman that she was trained to be. Her dead eyes looked directly at the mask that rested on It’s face her chin was up and her shoulders square. She was a proud woman as she requested the torture to stop.

Lauraina could feel the presence of the Harlequin as they appeared, more by the absence of power, a void, that accompanied them. Though her hand stayed on Arraka, she let her eyes travel to the Harlequin, listening as Guy spoke. Her training settled back against her, stiffening her features to let a lady like smile settle on her lips. Even as she did so, her sister had begun to do much of the same, taking down to her very depths to pull up every ounce of her resolve to stand and hold herself firm in front of the threat that had joined them.

Lauraina did the same, nodding her head as she was introduced. Even the female had managed to come up to a shaky stand, placing a hand on Arraka's shoulder as a show of solidarity. Lauraina stayed silent, a quiet observer. She was not a part of this kiss, and had no right to speak for them. Now, the new Master was doing a job of that already.

For now, she stood next to Arraka, her hands clasped ar her front. To help her sister stand would show a weakness they could not afford.

We had thought that the coward's chosen children would show no spirit. In Our past, those that followed a fearful master were fearful themselves. These, however, had shown a strength of will that their former master had lacked. Quite interesting indeed. Even in Our presence, enough to give most in Our world cause to shake even in their death sleep, the masterless children stood, one by one. The first to stand was Galeno, the self titled Dark Scribe. We watched as the cursory smile settled on his lips, feigning politeness as the words left him. We spoke to him, the voice of his former mistress heavy from Our lips as the words rang in the air. “We would say it is so nice to have you back, but as you say, excessive politeness is a frivolity this night. This is the second time that you have been in Our presence, and the second time that according to law, you as a guest have no business in the matters of the Kiss of this city. Our visit is to ensure the proper running of things, of a kiss you are not a part of. You will leave. The next time, you may not find yourself so lucky.” For the rest of Our time here, his voice would fall to silence within Us.

We turn our masked face to the former temoin as she brought herself to stand before us. The shaky underling stood as well, placing a hand on her Mistress. Whether to give herself strength or off that to her Mistress, We cared not. She was of no consequence to us. Even Lauraina Isabel Anlui stood, ladylike as she placed herself at the side of the new Mistress. This one, it seemed, was at least intelligent enough to know her place, and made not a move to speak to Us to stall for time. She could stay. Our attention was set on the new Mistress, the one who had attempted on her own to hold back the punishment from the rest of the flock. Our voice changed as we spoke, taking on that of her former Master, the one who she still held in fear within her as she looked upon Us with dead eyes. “It seems that this paltry city is now yours, and therefore your responsibility to take charge of. It is humorous how you feel you have the authority to ask for something so quickly after coming to power. We are disinclined to acquiesce to your request. If you believe that you know why We are here, show Us.”

Guy gave a flourishing bow to the Harlequin as he retreated to the desk and obtained a pen and paper, "You would be wrong the think I am solely a guest in these lands. The Lady Arraka has my loyalty for this night, but I must serve my function." He reclined back in his chair and began writing the proceedings, though admittedly with a pronounced bias for the denizens of Miami, or at least not very favorable to the Harlequin.

He rather expected to be ignored again, in fact, he was counting on it. It qualified as his biggest advantage against an enemy, being eternally dismissed and ignored virtually guaranteed the element of surprise. He would have smiled at the Lady Arraka but he knew she couldn't see him.

Arraka could not help but listen at the Root of all Fears bantered back in forth with Guy. She tried not to show the surprise that she felt when he opened his mouth and spoke that he was a guest here and not apart of their group. It was easy to control her face and leave it completely blank of the reaction of that little realization. She would not be able to trust him any more if he was not a part of the new kiss forming the city. She had to think not only for herself but all of those that needed her to keep the city running smoothly. Quickly pushing all of the thoughts aside she spoke her voice was still soft and unrestrained as per the training of her former master helped in this desperate time. Whispering softly so that only the vampires on her side of the room could hear, “Galeno, you are either a guest or one of us. You have to choose which side of the fence you will be standing on. You either have guest rights, or you do not.”

She turned her full lifeless eyes on to the clown before her. Even though they were fear and pain incarnate the sight of her eyes would give any vampire pause and it was something that she could use to her advantage by turning the largest disadvantage she has ever had to overcome into a gift that can be used to get her way. “I do have the authority Harlequin. I am the Master of Miami and while you may have sent Darla one of your trinkets I have yet to receive a single one. Therefore, you are no more then a uninvited guest in my city and should be treated accordingly. Until I have received such you are beholden to me as long as you reside within the limits of my City and I would suggest you act according to your new station” On the inside Arraka was shaking akin to a leaf as it took all of her control and power to not let it manifest outwardly.

“As far as my responsibilities go, I will not forget them and if you want to be a witness to that event you are more then welcome but I shall remind you what you reminded Galeno of. You are not of this kiss and therefore unless you wish to take oaths like the rest of those that serve me I suggest you be making your way out of my sight.” She took an unneeded breath knowing how little blood she had left but to make a show of it sliced her wrist with the edge of her fang and offered it to Natasha. She was the only one in the room that would take it without a fight especially after standing up to the Harlequin in such a way. As she rose her wrist to the other vampires lips she completely turned her back to the clown as if to say, we are finished here.”

Standing next to Arraka, she felt more at ease - well as much as she could while standing right across from the Harlequin. Natasha felt the gaze upon her, using all the resolve she had not to run in fear, no she was stronger than that, she was stronger than their former Mistress. Natasha kept her eyes forward and showed no emotion other than stillness holding on to Arraka. She also fought the urge to glare at Guy, Arraka speaking of politics to him, so she stood there listening to their now Mistress speak to Them.

Natasha knelt down to her knees, opening her mouth to receive the blood. This was the reason for the Harlequin to visit, they must have gotten word that Darla's vampires were not blood oathed and according to council law, that was a big no no. She would take this oath for the woman who protected them all, there was no doubt in her mind.

Lauraina said nothing, standing still in her place just behind Arraka. Her eyes stayed on the floor, listening intently to the goings on in the room. She was not of this kiss, and knew her place. If she kept that and remembered her tongue, the Harlequin would have no cause to look in her direction. Her Master had taught her well, and that training came in handy more and more with each passing moment, especially on this night.

Guys words settled within her ears, and had it not been for her training, she would have turned a shocked eye to him. True, he did have a purpose or function with his writings, but on this night out of all others, to speak with such incredulity was almost too much. Arraka's voice came softly next, voicing Lauraina's concerns without fault. Arraka then turned her lifeless eyes to the Harlequin, the power in her voice strong despite her weakened state. She then played the Harlequin's game with enough cunning that it could even give the clown a fair bit of competition. Lauraina smelled the blood of her sister stronger in the air, lifting her eyes enough to see Natasha moving forward to take the offered wrist.

Without another word spoken, Lauraina moved to the desk, walking slowly with her trained steps, and picked up the phone that lay cradled there. The ringing stopped quickly in the headset, a quietly terrified servant answering. "Send those in residence to the office of the Mistress at once. The winds of power in this city have shifted. Those who wish to remain the kiss must pay their allegiance and take their oath." She placed the phone back on its cradle and took her previous position, her eyes downcast with her hands folded in front of her.

Galeno gave an ornamental bow in Our direction, taking a seat and settling himself in it with pen in hand. The Mistress whispered heatededly in his direction, as if her words would not be heard by Us. Our eyes went back to the dark scribe, our head tilted behind our mask. "Take your Mistress' words with the weight that they convey, Galeno. If she has your loyalty this night, then she must have it as well on the nights that follow." Our head tilted back once more, looking at the deadened eyes of Arraka that still managed to convey a strength We had not often seen. It seemed that the coward leaving was more beneficial to those here than had first been believed. We were sure that the former mistress would not have been able to speak to Us in such a manner, though proof of that could be seen by the way she had left upon recieving our gifts.

Even as the weak one moved forward, taking the wrist that was held out for her, the one of the Anlui house moved as well, stepping behind the desk to call for the others that resided within these walls. We regarded the new Mistress with a cold curiousity, sparked with interest that even now she stood firm. "It appears that you know our laws well. Well enough to have the courage to spout them forth at Us as if they were daggers from your lips. You are correct that the masks were meant for another, and already Our concerns are answered. We will depart. But, know this. Our interest has been piqued and we wonder just how strong it is you truly are. We will be watching."

We turn, moving as if to leave, though We pause. Our masked face turns back to Galeno. Our final words to this one were few. "A guest only has the rights in a cty that its Master allows him. We wonder what your loyalty will cost you, Galeno." With that, We were gone.