RP:Joining House Mahara

Summary: Lhyrin reaches out to House Mahara and expresses their interest in joining the Vampire House. After a brief conversation to make sure they will be a good fit, Lhyrin becomes the newest member of House Mahara.

House Mahara

A day or so before Lhyrin was to arrive, they sent out a letter to House Mahara about their want to join the vampire house and that they’d answer whatever questions were needed when they showed up. The day of, there’s a knock at the House’s door, and a rather pale, gaunt elf standing there dressed in soft black leather, with forest green accents, their black hair pulled back into a half-ponytail. One might think that Lhyrin Amarth was a relative of Bradyn’s with the demeanor they carried. No emotion. A somewhat monotone and endlessly unimpressed voice. A look on their face that said ‘make the wrong choice and I’ll kill you immediately’. When the door was eventually answered, Lhyrin pulled a gagged and bound human into view. “Lhyrin Amarth. I should be expected. I do hope no one’s eaten yet--I’ve brought dinner.” There was no smile, no indication that they might be joking. Oh no. They were very serious and that human would seriously dead soon, regardless of whether or not the Maharans wanted a bite of their own.

As was standard for House Mahara, it was not either Lords of the house that would answer the door. It was instead a tall and willowy vampire who is known as Kharis, that is not to say that the woman was a house servant. She was a valued member of House Mahara, despite having the more remedial task of opening the front door. The truth was, she was just able to at least feign some amount of social graces and neither of the Lords of the house could be bothered with such things. Besides, there are not many who would want to be greeted with Bradyn’s pleasant personality. As Lhyrin introduces herself, Kharis responds with a grin that seems pleasant on the surface level but has undertones of something more sinister. She would be on her best behavior today, though, as she was appraised of the fact that they were expecting a guest. “Kharis Mahara. And I see that you have brought a present for us all to indulge in. Come, let me show you to the dining room. You and our dinner can get settled while I fetch the Lords of the house.” Everything would happen in that order, Kharis would lead Lhryin in the direction of the dining room. It would be a short walk, the willowy vampire would hold the door of the room open so that Lhyrin could shove that human into the space without problem. The dining room was grandiose in its decor. The most prominent feature in this room was obviously the dining room table. It was elongated and had numerous blackwood chairs with plush purple cushions surrounding it. On the table, there were straps. This might seem like some kinky bondage situation, but the truth was more sinister: it was just easier to keep dinner restrained. That is not to say the Mahara’s had every meal in this room, but in some social situations it was warranted. Kharis obviously felt like this was one of them. Shortly after Lhryin entered the dining room, Kharis would take her leave to locate both Lord Antonin and Bradyn, also a lord but the vampire had never taken to such formalities. When Kharis returns, she is not alone. Introductions are made appropriately, “Lord Antonin Mahara. Lord Bradyn Mahara.” Bradyn turns an icy stare to Kharis in light of this. “And Seymour Mahara.” Two out of the three vampiric males that were introduced at least had manners enough to greet Lhryin with a half-bow. Bradyn, of course, did not.

Lhyrin dipped their head to Kharis and followed along behind her, eventually shoving their dinner through the doorway Kharis had opened for them. “There’s likely to still be a bit of paralyzing poison in her veins, but at this point, it offers a nice tingling sensation to the meat when it’s eaten. I expect the same of the blood as well.” The elf was so nonchalant about their thoughts on eating people and of course, it was not out of the ordinary for such talk to be heard in the City of the Damned. It felt so nice to be able to talk about it openly and not invoke suspicion. When Kharis returned with the lords of the house, Lhyrin dipped their head to them, though their expression was just as unenthused as Bradyn’s was. Mainly because showing emotion was hard for the elf, unless they were in the middle of hunting and eating. It was really the only thing that brought them true joy. “My lords. As I’m sure Kharis has explained to you, I’ve provided dinner for tonight--hunted for and caught by myself personally.” Usually, when one’s trying to join something like a vampire house in a business-like manner, they usually are trying to talk themselves up. Lhyrin though? Nope. Their words are just as matter-of-fact and their voice as monotone as ever.

All of the House Mahara vampires would settle into a seat around the table after introductions are made. Both Seymour and Kharis were quite eager to partake in the dinner that Lhyrin brought to share but they would wait for indication that Lhyrin did not want the first bite before indulging. Lord Antonin Mahara and Bradyn Mahara would both wait, as tempting as dinner was they both had other priorities on their mind at this exact moment. Both were aware that Lhyrin had an interest in joining their house. While Bradyn kept a keen ear on the conversation, he remained mostly silent and allowed the more social Antonin to take the lead in trying to gauge if Lhyrin would make a suitable addition. “Well I am slightly remiss to make this feel like a formal interview, yet there are limited ways in which we would all be able to get to know you. So forgive me for my numerous questions that might feel slightly intrusive…” Antonin begins. “But why don’t you tell us all a little bit about yourself? All of those lovely basic details like where you are from. We are of course particularly curious to know what it is about House Mahara that captures your attention. Why us and not one of the other many vampire houses that inhabit Vailkrin.” Antonin casts a brief look toward Bradyn, who is as stoic as ever during this conversation. He continues on, while Bradyn remains silent. “Of course, if you have any questions you would like to know of us, we will indulge you and do our best to answer.”

Lhyrin settled into a chair of their own, giving a dismissive hand towards the lot of them. “Please, eat.” They watched quietly as the vampires got started on their dinner, their attention soon drifting towards Antonin. “I’m a dark ranger, from Vhys. I’ve mostly hunted for myself, as my… tastes are rather different from most hunters. Pretty much everything I do is a tribute to the god of death. I do my best to find the best specimens to offer up to him. Being a vampire would only further that aim. Besides providing meals, like this one,” they said, motioning towards the female they brought with them, “I can also seek out rare texts and other objects you might desire for the House. I suppose my particular set of skills could be useful in other Houses, like House Asharam, but some of the others, like Azakhaer, seem to pride themselves on being a family and that’s not what I’m looking for here. My want is to keep things strictly business-like. I feel that the dynamic of myself as a hunter of many things, paired with all of your scholarly types, could benefit both of us.” When they were finally finished speaking, they withdrew a dagger from their hip and used it to slice into the woman’s calf, flaying the skin back so that they could better reach the muscle. Over the course of the dinner, they’d filet pieces of the muscle off, eating it like one would raw fish. “I suppose I should ask: is there a need for someone like myself in your House?”

Bradyn :: At Lhyrin’s suggestion, both Seymour and Kharis help themselves to the meal that has been provided to them. Bradyn and Antonin still refrain, at least for now. There would be plenty of time later, depending on how greedy the crowd is feeling tonight. A look is shared between Antonin and Bradyn when Lhyrin answers them, right at the point that she had been considering other houses. This is not a detail that offends them, it is understandable that she think about her options. Even if they were not as familial as some, there was still a bond that is shared when someone joins a house. How would they survive otherwise? Betrayal amongst fellow Maharans would not serve to insure the longevity of their house. “It is true, we may be more business-like when compared to some of the vampire houses that you could consider joining, but there is a shared sense of comradery between us. It might be born out of our shared want for knowledge.” Lord Antonin was the one who was speaking currently, but as his thoughts trail off, Bradyn picks up and speaks in his usual monotone voice. “But of course, a House full of mages would very much have use for someone with the skills of a hunter. Not just to venture out into the world to bring home meals for us, that would get trite and boring after awhile. But also because politics within Vailkrin, well…If the game is not played just right? Then we may also find the need to defend ourselves. Formidable in the dark arts we might be, that does not always hold up when met with the steel of a blade.” Casting takes time, it would definitely not hurt Mahara to make sure they had a more rounded skillset. “I am sure you could learn from us just as much as we could learn from you.”

Lhyrin || “That’s not a problem,” Lhyrin said, with regards to the bond that was spoken of. “I essentially had something of the sort with the other rangers in Vhys. A bond, like you say. A promise of loyalty, regardless of the fact that most of us spent our time alone. While I’m fine with partaking in things like this, I am rather prone to solitude. I am also not typically this talkative either. But, if that is not a problem with all of you…” They nodded towards Bradyn, after the similarly monotone vampire made his thoughts known. “I agree with this. Much like many of the other dark rangers, I was raised as one from the moment I was able to wield a bow. There would be no issue with myself taking the forefront of some skirmish, while you all did what it is that you do with your magic.”

Bradyn :: It seemed to all Maharan’s in this room that an agreement and understanding was being easily reached, though it might be challenging to glean this from both Seymour and Kharis. Afterall, they currently had Lhyrin’s offered meal by his wrists. Yet neither bothered to stop to voice any objections or concerns. The taciturn Bradyn really has little more in the way of questions to pose to Lhyrin, he steps away from Antonin’s side and toward the poor woman that Lhyrin had brought to them to feast on. Seymour and Kharis had each claimed a wrist, Lhyrin had a calf, and so Bradyn would go straight for the jugular. It would not take that long for the woman to lose her life due to the loss of blood with three vampires and a cannibal feasting on her body. The only one who held back was Antonin, and it was not in an attempt to be rude. Lord Antonin explains, “I believe, then, we have an understanding. If you are sure that you want to join our house…then after you are done enjoying your dinner?” A smile graces the Lord’s lips, while it seemed like he might be the more social of the group, there is still something sinister to that smile. Or perhaps it was the words that followed? Likely it would not unnerve anyone in this room. “I shall have mine and we shall make you a full-fledged member of House Mahara.”

Lhyrin could not hide their own pleased, yet sinister grin from the others once Lord Antonin announced the group’s decision. The forsaken elf tucked away their dagger for now, back into its sheathe at Lhyrin’s hip -- they’d tend to the blood on it later on. The bit of skin they’d flayed to reach that sinew beneath was folded back over in an attempt to keep it as fresh as possible. Alas, it was still dripping blood, but it would do for now. “I’m quite ready,” they said with a nod to Lord Antonin. They’d wait for whatever cue the lord of House Mahara would give, should they need to rise from their seat to be nearer to him or if they were to just remain seated where they are. Whatever it was that they’d be instructed to do, whether it was verbal or otherwise, Lhyrin would do just that, awaiting Antonin’s bite.

Bradyn :: No cue verbal cues would be given to Lhyrin. When the Lhyrin states that they are quite ready, then Lord Atonin would approach their seat from behind, giving the nonverbal hint that they may as well just remain seated. If their hair was in the way, then Antonin would push it out of his way. It was not a courtesy to Lhyrin, but to himself. He did not want to deal with a mouth full of hair while enjoying his own dinner. No warning would be given when he sinks his teeth into the flesh of Lhyrin’s neck. Were the circumstances different, he might have been far less gentle with his bite, but since the Dark Ranger was to be a future member of House Mahara? Some consideration is afforded to Lhyrin. The three other Maharan’s would continue their feast on the woman while Antonin works on draining Lhyrin of her own blood, until they are nearly on the brink of death. It would be a slow process but when Antonin can hear that Lhryin’s heart is starting to slow, he finally pulls away. Lhyrin would probably be too weak to stand, let up to sit up straight without assistance. Lord Antonin was there to provide that help, doing so with one hand while he lifted his free appendage to his mouth, biting into his wrist. Once his blood flows freely, that wrist is pressed to Lhyrin’s lips. Lhyrin would get her first taste of Maharan blood and the process of them turning into a vampire would begin. They would die and their death would be the catalyst for their change, for them to be shifted from a mortal and into a vampire.