A Lady's Task (Mari)

[Deleted]

Pushing in the cart with the lunch for that day on it for the Queen, Angelique looked at Mari when she saw her as they had their appointment in the garden. "Your Majesty, I have let the guards outside know that they are only to disturb if necessary as you instructed." She told her politely and with a sweet smile on her face for a moment, opening up the tray of food she had with her, before also pouring her some of the tea she had made and with her. "Here you go." Steadily and calmly hands her the tea, looking questioningly if she wants to hold it already, or wants her to put it down somewhere.

It still stung a lot of times deep inside her, this super innocent and sweetness all the time, it still wasn't exactly her, only helping in making sure that now and then she had to find a way of letting off some steam. She wasn't going to give up on what she wanted, not after all this time, how close she had still gotten to Mari, but it didn't mean that it was anything but easy to deal with sometimes, not being able to really be completely herself, showing the Queen just how strong for example she was, or how loyal she actually was in a way. Someday she would, she would make sure of it somehow. The game was ever evolving, you just had to make sure that you evolved along with it.

Eventually she slowly sat down, putting her dress to the side a little as she turned to be faced to Mari. "If your Majesty will just let me know, when she wants me to start briefing her on my report." She told her softly and with a smile, having a small collection of a few documents on her lap now. The atmosphere was good in the garden as a lot of the time, and even though it was Mari's place, at moments like this especially, it also somewhat felt as if it was a place for them both. She would just have to make sure not to anger herself, by thinking how now and then Jon made sure that it was their little place or something as well, or probably preferably if it was up to Jon, just theirs.

[Mari]

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She turned and looked at Angelique warmly as she heard her enter. She knew it must be hard for her to wait on a being that wasn't even a vampire, especially when she was a sister to the king and could be living a life much grander than she currently was. "Thank you for your kindness, Angelique. I appreciate it."

"Thank you." She said simply as she took the offered cup and sipped it quietly. The smile on her face was genuine as she looked up at the other woman, "You are a great help to me, Angelique." She sensed some frustration within the other woman and gestured for her to sit and relax. "What is troubling you? What news do you bring me today? I know since your brother's arrival there are bound to be more plots and attempts at insurrection. There always are." She rolled her eyes slightly, tired of all the plotting and scheming of the people that were greedy.

Stretching out slightly in her ombre dress, Mari relaxed as best she could in the evening weather, "By all means feel free to begin. It looks like you have a lot of information there to impart to me." The thought made her head hurt but she did her best to smile and make the best of it when she could. It was so difficult to make people realize how hard it was to rule a kingdom. Few folks were ever happy and there were always those who sought to depose others with the belief that they could do better. In the end it just accomplished nothing and people died. It made Mari sad to think about it and she did her best to shake off the melancholy feeling that took over.

The roses were smelling heavenly and Mari did her best to relax and let the scent wash over her. They always relaxed her. They reminded her of the creator and that made her smile. Slowly the tension of the day eased out of her and she listened to Angelique speak of the news from the last few days.

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Tagged: Angelique
Words: 362
Notes: First meeting with Angelique
Outfit: OUTFIT

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[Deleted]

Angelique showed a smile, as usual since it was still a very nice thing about Mari that she showed her that kindness back, even though the woman knew damn well most likely that if she truly followed her desires, she wouldn't be doing this that felt so... Below her. It was that she liked Mari so much, the goal behind it, that she was still here, even though plenty of people might say that she should just do differently. "Of course, your Majesty. You deserve some kindness on a regular basis, with all the burdens on your shoulders." She said sweetly and with a supporting smile on her face.

She smiled and even intentionally didn't fight the blush on her cheeks too much, when she heard how Mari told her that she was a great help to her, bowing thankfully for the compliment and smiling again. "I definitely do my best for you." She told her, very appreciative clearly of the compliment. Of course she would much rather react more, openly and boldly to it, but that wasn't her place, she would have to continue playing this all smart, letting her know that no matter what, Angelique would be here for her to fall back on if she wanted.

As usual Mari was very observant with why she was here and the news she obviously wanted to tell her, giving her a nod and smiling a little thoughtfully of where to start, when she asked her what news she had today, also nodding to what else she said. She was right, there always were, but none that couldn't be easily handled. Sometimes it really seemed that there were way too few people with actual strategic brain capacity or something. "I did not want to take away from you enjoying your tea, your Majesty." She explained with a smile, before she nodded and looked at the few documents she held.

Noticing how Mari seemed to enjoy the roses, Angelique looked that way for a moment, feeling some wind go through her hair, as she closed her eyes for a second and tried to calm herself down more as well by the lovely smell coming from them. She eventually looked back up, to start her briefing with a serious look on her face. There haven't been too many insurrection attempts worth mentioning now. Though, there are a worrying amount of new plots considering you..." She told her, a little worried even, before moving onto the next piece of document. "Then, there are all the women who are going to try and make a move on Vlad..." She fell quiet for a moment after saying that, looking thoughtfully. "Since his return, has HE actually been committed to inform you of these new developments?" She eventually couldn't help but ask her after it curiously.

[Mari]

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"I thank you for your kindness, Angelique. It is a rare commodity here and one I appreciate." She said with a soft smile on her pale face. She wondered how much of Angeliques compliments she could believe. She wasn't suspicious by nature but given how most folks hated her she did take their reactions to her with a grain of salt as she went through her day.

She'd had too many attempts on her life to think that most of the realm liked her and cared for her. They wanted her gone. Disposed of if they could manage it and if not than injured or helpless so they could take advantage of her weakness. She'd been amazed that she had been able to actually survive as long as she had.

Angelique seemed to be very tense for all of her joy at the compliment that was given to her. It baffled Mari that she would be so happy considering she was a sister to the king and not without her own rank. Mari had simply married into the family but Angelique was part of the family. The blood of the house that ruled this land also ran through Angelique's veins.

"I feel better knowing where the bad news is coming from. I do not wish to be taken by surprise." she admitted to her lady in waiting as she sipped her tea and tried to relax. This part of it was always a bit tense but there was nothing to be done for it at the end of the day. Some things she could never escape as Queen of Sylthanus. It made her tired to think of it all. To think she was stuck worrying about what others were trying to do to unseat her when she should be focused on the creator.

"There are always women trying to make a move on Vlad. I doubt he even notices with how busy he is." Mari said quietly. Angelique's dig at Vlad made her raise an eyebrow. "He barely notices they exist why would he mention women he considers unworthy of him?" She didn't seem to worry as much as she should but then Mari's faith in Vlad was unwavering in it's dedication.

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Tagged: Angelique
Words: 383
Notes: First meeting with Angelique
Outfit: OUTFIT

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[Deleted]

Angelique did wonder often how much Mari truly believed of her compliments, even though basically all of them had some truth to them when Angelique said it to her, not to mention that she knew very well how many people hated Mari, people that should make sure that in a more isolated area, they should stay far away from Angelique for just that simple thing, pulling their judgment about the Queen they didn't even really know. Sure, some of the things and compliments were slightly forced, but there was never really a moment that she had completely lied to Marina, and even with her own personality, a lot of her kindness was true.

Still, she was in a difficult situation, and she still didn't really know how much Mari realized truly that the family connection with Vlad, was anything but something either of them put much importance in at this time. It had taken long for Vlad to even technically find out who she was, and even to this point since his return, he hadn't really ever showed much of what he thought of that, or that he even really cared. She was very well aware, in the last years more than she had ever been, of how that blood ran through her veins, feeling that she did deserve actually more than this. But what she was fighting for, was worth it for now to keep pushing through. She just didn't know how much of that Mari realized, or could even understand.

If only she could show her true colors sometimes to her, show her how much she cared, how much fire there was burning inside of her to fight for her like she had been doing for years, that she could make clear to Mari how much she meant for her, how much she was willing to do for her and was still going to do if she got the chance. She just didn't really think that she would appreciate it, and she didn't want to lose this position, she didn't want to be pushed away, also because she honestly didn't know what she would be capable of otherwise.

"Of course, that is very wise. And you have full right to be prepared for anything that might come up." She admitted back after Mari admitted that to her, giving her a short smile, then looking more serious again, thinking to herself that she did wish there was more that she could do, and that maybe she should try when she had the chance to sneak out without anyone noticing for example. But for now, she had to push those thoughts off and focus on the task at hand.

She had to resist the urge in frustratingly asking her if she really didn't realize that wasn't exactly what she meant, but then telepathically, and shook her head slightly for a second as she contemplated it. "With all due respect, your Majesty... But may I speak freely?"

[Mari]

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Mari felt the flare of emotions coming off of Angelique and she managed to keep her face polite and neutral so as not to give away what she was picking up. It was considered rude and Mari never wanted to be seen as such. It worried her how many frustrations that Angelique was holding onto. So many secrets that lived in this castle alone and she would never know all of them. Gently she sipped her tea and decided to focus on that while she listened to what Angelique had to say to her.

She found all of it overwhelming at times and fought to resist the urge to "zone out" and take comfort in the creator. She wasn't a cowardly creature she just never felt like she belonged here. Vlad's love for her and her children were the only reasons she stayed and now even that was in jeopardy thanks to Vlad's commentary. In spite of her desire not to let her feelings show a little furrow of worry creased her brow as she waited for Angelique to settle in with the report.

Nodding to Angelique's commentary she sipped her tea. "Of course, Angelique. What is it you wish to say?" Mari prayed inwardly it was not something she would have to be harsh about. She'd had too many shocking things to think about as it was. Things that made her want to cry with the sorrow of it all. There was so much suffering here in this kingdom she wondered if she would ever be happy here. She felt the weight of the world on her shoulders and blinked to keep tears at bay.

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Tagged: Angelique
Words: 286
Notes: First meeting with Angelique
Outfit: OUTFIT

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[Deleted]

Angelique knew she had to calm her line of thinking, knowing that even though Mari would unlikely make herself seem rude, some of her emotions might be strong enough to be picked up, even if she didn't intentionally concentrate on them. She took a deep breath subtly, closing her eyes for a second as she did, then looked calmly again, thinking that she had managed to push most of it away. She still didn't really think exactly that Mari would really understand, that her support for Vlad and everything would stand in the way of the truth.

When Mari told her that she could speak freely, she looked at her, then sighed softly, looking down for a moment. "As I said, with all due respect. I always have, and likely always will have your back, your Majesty, but I am not sure in how far that really counts for Vlad... There has always seem to be certain things that he chooses over the well-being of people close to him, or just plainly and entirely choosing things over his family..." She tried not to let it become too personal and much about herself, but it was hard not to let it go that direction at least a little bit.

She sighed and continued, locking her eyes with Mari's calmly as possible with the subject of conversation. "I would just like to point out to you, that you should also think and count somewhat on yourself. I am not sure if Vlad informs you of all the things happening... Especially not the things that I find out for you." She told her honestly, not wanting to make it seem as if she necessarily meant something else with it. "I... I could mean more to you, I wish I could do more for you, than this."

[Mari]

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Confusion filled Mari's face at Angelique's insistence that Vlad did not have his family's well being at heart. "Vlad has more important things to worry about, Angelique. Family is important but keeping the country stable and functioning is more important because without a stable base to live on his family would be in jeopardy." She truly didn't understand what Angelique's issue was. Mari wasn't a clingy sort of creature that demanded reassurance. She could always retreat into her own thoughts when she grew sad. Angelique never saw this because it would have frightened her to see her mistress appearing to stare off into space with a soft smile on her face.

It was those times, where only Vlad could enter the chambers, where she was allowed to be the creature she truly was. It allowed her to see what paths the vampires were likely to take and how best to prepare for such things. It didn't do her much good of course but it did let her plan when she needed to for the safety of her children. Her throat tightened at that thought. She still had one son whom had been stolen from her in the night. No trace of her boy had ever been found and although she searched every chance she got, there was no sign of him thus far.

THAT hurt her soul far more than the petty intrigues of the nobles in the court.

Blinking slightly at what Angelique said, Mari picked up her tea cup and sipped at it gently. "You help me tremendously, Angelique. No one finds out the things you do and for that I am grateful. I suspect Vlad does not mention such things because he trusts you to keep me aware of them and Rinae to keep me safe from them. Vlad can't be everywhere at once. He has to delegate some of the responsibilities to you and others." She murmured softly, trying to let the other woman see how important she was to keeping the royal family safe. "Truly, Angelique between helping me look presentable and keeping me informed I can't think of anything more important for you to do. You have the highest position in my retinue there just isn't anyone as important as you with the exception of Rinae and her job and your own are different in how they function."

Mari wasn't an overly sexual creature unless she was around, Vlad. When she was not around him she tended to revert to a more asexual state that most angels inhabited. It was exactly this reason that Mari needed a personal assistant. She'd walk about in a white robe and barefoot with her hair unadorned if she was allowed. Indeed, in the early days she made sure she was clean and her hair brushed through and neat but she paid no attention to cosmetics or gowns. Those early years of her existence she tended to be completely unaware of how things worked, wandering in silent and barefoot with her head bare and her black curls tumbling about neatly but naturally. She never said much in those days, simply finding a corner and sitting down silently to listen, unless something caught her eye and then she would walk over to it and focus on it to the exclusion of everything else save Vlad getting her attention. She could spend hours focusing on the brush strokes of a painting or a piece of fabric that caught her eye. The Council had thought her a ravishing but simple creature since she had nothing to say to them.

In the early days she simply didn't care. She hadn't even cared when they had lashed out at her. Vlad would have them dragged out kicking and screaming to be executed and she would just stand there as if the cuff she had received from the soon to be dead council member meant nothing to her save the momentary pain it caused. Indeed when Vlad had insisted she speak with him she told him the injury did not matter and it was a transient thing of little or no importance.

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Tagged: Angelique
Words: 698
Notes: First meeting with Angelique
Outfit: OUTFIT

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[Deleted]

Angelique couldn't stop the somewhat frustrated soft grunt to escape her, as she turned around, hiding her face from Mari for a moment as some thunder and fire was in her eyes, taking in the woman's words, and finding how with a lot of them, she didn't agree, and she couldn't completely understand how Mari could have so much faith in a man who had just disappeared as if it was something, the man that found it so easy to treat his sister as just one of his servants because it was easier for his own image, or whatever other reason he figured he had for it.

Angelique rolled her eyes to herself, then closed them as she sighed for a moment, trying to keep her calm, trying to stop herself from making a stupid decision. "I just do not understand how you can continue to be so sure that you can trust him... As if he hadn't left you to the mercy of all his enemies, as if he doesn't keep his family at arm's length, not for protection, but for his own image, for his own power?"[/i] She eventually couldn't help but ask, just not out loud but telepathically as she slowly but surely turned to face her again.

Even she knew that there were sides that she had never seen in person from Mari, but that did not change anything to the most basic of things. She served Mari, she didn't serve Vlad exactly anymore, not for quite a while, but it did frustrate her how Mari kept putting both of them right into the willing hands of Vlad and just deal them like a deck of cards or something. A soft sigh escaped her again, for a very short but obvious moment, a certain sadness and helplessness about this situation in her eyes, before she looked away again.

"Milady, I know that it is what you believe... But I am not here because HE trusts me, I am here because YOU do. Vlad barely ever noticed me, and then after the shortest moments of doing that, he just disappeared, and now I'm supposed to believe he actually trusts me? That he values me? No, that's not true..." Angelique asked her and then said, as she shook her head and looked in front of her randomly again.

Angelique really knew less and less how she could get through to Mari, how she could make her understand without blowing everything that she held secret and no one really knew of her, that might give the wrong idea about her. She eventually slowly walked closer to Maria gain, then knelt in front of her slightly, looking at her with a soft smile shortly. "This is not about my importance to you... I know what I'm worth to you, most of the time, and you certainly should know your importance to me. This is... This is about your importance to him, our importance to him." She said, as she looked Mari in the eyes seriously.

[Mari]

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It was rare for someone to speak with her mentally but Mari turned slightly as she picked up on her urgency. "Angelique, I know being a vampire is not easy. I have sensed the struggles that go on inside each of you. Fighting the urge for violence and anger is difficult at the best of times. I'm not a clingy woman, Angelique I don't need reassurance." She moved closer to the vampiress, "Besides, you keep me informed of so much it helps tremendously."

It was clear that Angelique was frustrated about something, "I'm uncertain what to say to you. I know you and your brother have not always agreed but I don't wish to add to your enmity. I wish you both could find common ground at some point. Family is important. You know this. If it wasn't for you my life here would have been a lot more difficult than it is. It pains me to see you in such distress, Angelique. We are safe for the moment because your talents allow me to know what goes on in the palace. I make sure the King knows of these things and he is grateful for the information. Would a seat on the Council make you feel more valued? I am sure for all your years of service it can be arraigned."

When Angelique knelt to her Mari went to help her up, "You don't need to kneel to me, Angelique. I am no better than you. A twist of fate gave me this crown. Had I not met your brother I would not be wearing it now so please don't think you have to treat yourself as lesser to me."

Listening to the other woman's words Mari paused, "If we did not matter to Vlad he would not have suffered everything he went through these last ten years. I am not permitted to tell you what has transpired but he suffered for all of us. There are things on the horizon Angelique and we will need your brother's strength to survive them. Trust me on this. He may be distant and cold for the moment but it is not without good cause. We must be loyal to him and the people lest we end up lost and everything we work for is destroyed. I wish I could tell you more but it is not my place to speak of such things. All I can say is have faith that things will work out and that there will come a time when we have need of your valor and courage and the strength of people like Duke Radcliffe. One day soon all shall be made clear. Keep the faith a little bit longer."

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Tagged: Angelique
Words: 464
Notes: First meeting with Angelique
Outfit: OUTFIT

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[Deleted]

Angelique sighed after listening, looking away for a moment, then back at her when Mari stepped closer to her. "I can handle the urges and struggles of being a vampire, truth is that sometimes I love being a vampire. What I do find hard to just accept, is you letting yourself be put on the sidelines, as if the only value you have, is having the only freedom inside here." She said, as she spread her arms shortly to point at the garden they were in right now. "And I will keep doing so, I just feel you should not blindly trust in the people that do not keep you informed that much, who only give you attention when they have the time, or need for something."

"And basically be at Jon's whim?" Angelique asked sarcastically about the seat on the council, before she sighed and closed her eyes for a few seconds, counting in her head, trying to calm herself down a little. "He is no family of mine... I do not have this position because of how he values me, trusts me. I have this position because I worked for it, because you have always been more of a family to me, than he ever has." She said honestly, as she first said it softly, then opened her eyes again and looked at Mari again.

A smile crept on her face when she knelt before her and heard what Mari said, getting up and shrugged for a moment. "It is kind of you to say so, but in all honesty, it was less a sign of servitude, as it was really a sign of affection." She said, as she smiled and looked at her for a moment.

She let out a new sigh, stepping closer as she listened to the other woman, slowly shaking her head eventually. "I truly understand why you think so. But I have spent the bigger part of my life now fending for myself, trusting in myself, trusting in you. And that will not change. My loyalty to you will stay the same, but you cannot ask of me to put my faith and trust in someone, that I have lost so long ago. And I believe that there are always other ways. And I would hope that you do not underestimate either how much I have already done, and will continue to do so to protect you, whatever is on the horizon. But I will also not just put my fate, or yours, purely in the hands of him."

[Mari]

“Angelique I see no reason to enlighten people to the fact that I have a mind. Let them underestimate me to their detriment. It is a useful card and one that has served me well for the two millennia I have been here. It served me well when humans were hunting with stone tools on Earth and it will serve me long after this world is gone and another has taken it’s place.” Her voice remained calm as she said this. There was no hint of self-importance just fact. All of these petty games that the vampires played were to amuse themselves and to amass power and they would all fail in the end as most bids for power did. “Time moves ever onward, and neither you nor I can stop it. We can only plan for the worst and hope for the best.” This was perhaps the biggest clue she had given anyone to her nature and she hoped it would at least give Angelique some comfort.

“I am flattered by your compliment, Angelique but I am saddened that you and your brother cannot come to an accord. He gave me children that I adore so how could I be angry with him. I love Katya and Ingeras. Even if Katya is often vexed at me it does not stop my loving her.” It hurt that her daughter seemed to hate her and as Vlad had said, run off and abandoned her position to chase after whatever caught her fancy.

She smiled warmly at the sign of affection, “You treat me better than I deserve. The people are right you know, I am not one of you and cannot be one of you. All I can do is help them where I can even if I know the vast majority of them would kill me if they knew what I really was.” She shrugged slightly and a look of sadness crossed her face.

“You must do what you think is best of course, Angelique. I am sorry if in caring for me and your niece and nephew has brought you misfortune. It has never been my intention to harm anyone here.” She sipped her tea and looked at the woman across from her sorrowfully for a moment. It bothered her that no matter how much she tried to do good here there were people that were hurt in her name.

[Deleted]

Of course Angelique could understand what Mari was saying, but it still didn't seem right, and a part of her kept feeling that this way, having people think that she didn't have a mind of her own, could get her into trouble. "I understand, however it is not my point, and I just hate watching you... Selling yourself short, for the benefit of others, not to mention as well for the benefit of Vlad, so he can feel like he's completely in control." She spoke her mind honestly, rolling her eyes a little frustrated, before she nodded, her mind going to the places of what would be worst, and that she had no idea how she would handle it if something happened to her. Even now, there were plenty of days she had to get the murderous intentions out of her system, but if something were to really happen to Mari, if she would fail in keeping her safe, she wouldn't be able to ensure anyone's safety from herself.

"Does one, or two, things really take away all the other horrible things he does behind both our backs? I hate that it is so hard for you to watch, but my feelings towards Vlad are definitely no secret towards you, and I hope you can just understand where it comes from." She said, as she bowed her head a little, but just wanted to tell her the truth about it, since there was barely anything that could make things better, unless Vlad suddenly turned himself and the way he treated her around, but there was no way that was ever going to happen, nor would it probably ever truly happen that her brother actually validated her existence. "Power and ambitions run strong in this family... Perhaps too strong." Was all she said softly with a sigh of understanding and sympathy for what Mari said about Katya. After all, she had tried plenty of long hours trying to get through to Katya more, but every time it had only gotten worse, and right now, she wasn't exactly sure if the girl could be trusted either, although shewould kepe that to herself, not wanting to come off as simply fully paranoid towards Mari.

"Which means more than you are giving yourself credit for. Your helping people means more than you are allowing yourself to realize. And the only reason I treat you this way, is because you have given me plenty of rasons to treat you just as kindly as you treat me." Angelique said, with a soft smile and nod on her face, hioping it would get rid off the sadness that had just crossed Mari's face with what she said.

She quickly shook her head when she heard what Mari said to her and how it had never been her intention with that. "I sincerely hope that you realize that is not what I meant, as I've gladly given as much as I could with caring for all of you." She said calmly with a smile and squeezing shortly in Mari's hand, before thinking for a few seconds. "Truth is that all I want you to know, is that with you, I know that family doesn't end with blood necessarily. But I also want you to kepe in mind, that even for family, it is not uncommon to let you down, or hurt you... Just always remember who your family is." She said softly, with a kind smile on her face for a moment, before she got up more, hoping that it would take away her sorrow for saying that the wrong way. "I should probably go however, there are still some things I need to take care of." She then said with a slight bow of her head with a smile on her face, watching her to see if she was excused, or if there was something else.

OOC: I think this one could be done with one more reply from you perhaps?

[Mari]

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It was hard seeing Angelique suffer so much, "Worry not. Everything will make sense eventually, Angelique. Have faith. Everything will work out." She patted her friends hand gently.

"I understand why you dislike him but all we can do is try and change his mind. The other issue is the Council and how they push their agendas for their own gain. It isn't just Vlad who is doing things that are unpleasent. The seed of evil is deep in this land and we must be mindful of it. Anyone offering a quick solution to a problem should be suspect. Rarely do people have each others best interests at heart, Angelique. There is always an agenda." She did her best to warn her. There were bad things coming on the horizon and there was little Mari could do.

"You treat me better than I deserve. If you knew what I was you would not be so forgiving I think." she said softly as she looked at her old friend sadly, "There are people here who would kill me if they knew what I truly was and I don't doubt for a moment that they would take up arms against me if they could." There were so many things she would never be able to speak on. So many things she would never be able to do here because there were people steeped in evil and treachery.

She smiled warmly at the dark haired vampiress and nodded, "Take a break. You've more than earned it." She nodded as she gave permission for Angelique to tend to her own needs.

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Tagged: Angelique
Words: 274
Notes: Love this thread.

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