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 Posted: Sun Mar 26, 2023 1:41 pm
The house wraiths had woken her early. Something about Claudio, the matron of House Della Passaglia could barely make out their frantic noises and gestures as they urged her to awaken. She had wrapped herself in a long, red robe. Two toned hair flowed perfectly behind it painting a stunning image even as she was half awake. It wasn’t long before she was following the wraiths down stairs and then down another set of stairs that lead to the crypt. Where old bones lay, dusty and decaying. As she approached the platform where Claudio resting her brown eyes gazed upon a blackened pile of ash where his body once lay. Gigi froze in place. Claudio had been regulated to torpor by her own hand, only being awoken as was needed. That was how she had come to run the family. One bad business decision centuries ago had set her ambition on its path. Claudio was bad for business so there really was no other way. The wraiths were pointing st the ceiling. Through blurry eyes she spotted it, a rather large sized hole in the roof of the crypt. This being the first level it was closer to the surface. And so it seemed part of the ceiling had collapsed during the day time and released Claudio of his confinement. Permanently. “We’ll fix the hole later. For now let’s clean up this mess.” She spoke to the two wraiths. Claudio. He had been such a stupid man. Almost running the Della Passaglia name into the ground. She could not, would not abide by that. But now it seemed her troubles with the whole situation were now over. He was gone. Part of her would miss him. A small part. But she was mostly happy that the burden of her husband was gone. Of course, she would keep the news of her husband’s passing wuiet for the time being. No need to make the other families think they are weak now that Claudio was gone. No, she couldn’t have that. A few days had passed, Gigi had mourned in her own way. Which was barely mourning at all. Her unlife and position remained unchanged. She went through the day to day as if nothing had happened. This day though there was little business. She had received letters from her children updating her on their progress. Big Savio, her favorite son, would probably be most upset that his father was gone. She would tell them in time. She had taken to lounging on a chaise in a large sitting soon, a goblet of dark red wine mixed with something a little extra held neatly in her clawed hand. Instead of mourning black she wore her signature red dress. Form fitting and figure flattering, of course that couldn’t be helped with how young her physical appearance was. Her two toned hair pulled back into a neat half ponytail, not a hair out of place. Everything was always flattering on her. Smoke rose from an ash tray on a small side table where her cigarette holder sat leaning into it. She reached over to grab it, taking a drag before she settled it back down. Smoke escaping her parted lips and rising towards the ceiling. She had not expected anyone today but she had to look perfect at all times just in case someone happened to drop by unannounced. But she didn’t expect any company today.
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Posted: Sun Mar 26, 2023 4:07 pm
 Edon had been away for many years at the behest of a random letter from none other than Augustus himself. The Disciple had it written and scheduled for delivery long after he'd slumbered and Edon dutifully obeyed. What he was doing was no one's business but those who needed to know and no one needed to know except Augustus and Edon. The head of the Machiavelli family knew how to keep his mouth shut. You didn't climb to almost the tippy top of the family tree and then cut your own roots out from under you. No. They had long ago become Augustus's favorites for good reason and they would stay that way. Come hell or high water. His arrival home had been a series of headaches, thankfully his family was competent so the household hadn't suffered and hadn't added to them. Quiet, yes. A state of decreptidue? Hardly. Now with Augustus awake again there was plenty to do to prepare the family for the inevitable gathering that would take place. They'd kept things business as usual in Edon's absence, likely because they too understood the importance of the family remaining firmly set at the top. Edon wouldn't tolerate a loss of face, power or, Grendel forbid, station. The tall male had just begun to unwind when one of his wraiths delivered the news, a Giovanni had entered Oblivion. With his curiousity peaked he dug a little deeper only to find which Giovanni it was. Claudio. It was a strange moment, a curious feeling stealing over the Elder when he realized what that meant. It meant it was the perfect time to visit an old friend. His handsome lips curved into a ravishing smile, grey eyes like storm clouds, almost glistening in the low firelight. It didn't take him long to get ready, he was more or less always impeccably dressed and well groomed. He wasn't the type to be caught looking unkempt or disheveled by anyone, unless they were the ones making him that way. That smile shifted into a smirk as he fixed a cufflink with an elegant M crafted into it, a mark of where he belonged. He made his way to a cabinet and opened the beautifully etched glass doors to reveal several exotic and expensive bottles of spirits. His well manicured claws trailing over each one until they stopped on a ruby colored glass bottle shaped like a teardrop. Plucking it he held it up to the firelight and nodded, perfect choice. It didn't take Edon long to make the journey, in fact it was easy enough. Like slipping into an old skill you once had but hadn't used in some time. He'd never forget the way back to her. How could he possibly? The Machiavelli raised Faesteeds, among the finest in Faetasia, and the one he rode to the Della Passaglia estate was no exception. Many of them learned to ride early, it was rare a member of the family did not have a gift for training or riding. Edon had been riding since long before his embrace, his parents had insisted, luckily he had an aptitude for both and trained his own horses, he found it relaxing work. Eventually he taught younger members of Machiavelli if they desired to learn, or if their parents gave them no option. As he approached the entrance he slowed the steed, the powerful creature coming to a smooth halt so he could dismount. He led the creature around to a grassy patch and tied him off, giving him a firm pat before making sure his appearance was still presentable. He headed for the door and gave a firm, though not aggressive, knock. It had been so many years, he wondered if she had forgotten about him altogether.
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Posted: Sun Mar 26, 2023 4:35 pm
It wasn’t long before the door swung open and a tall man with a bird like face opened the door. He was clearly dressed in attire that spoke of his station as a butler. He squinted at Edon for a brief second before a look of recognition came to his features and he stepped aside. Sweeping his arm to invite the vampire inside. “Master Machiavelli. It has been some time since the last time you graced us with your presence. Lady Della Passaglia is in the main sitting room, as I assume that is why you are here.” Why else would the Elder be? Now that Master Claudio was gone there would probably be many who would come to offer their condolences. As well as other things. Once Edon had stepped inside, the butler shut the door and began to lease him to where Gigi was. Opening the doors to the room. “Master Machiavelli my Lady.” Gigi had been so engrossed in the letters that at first she hadn’t even looked up when the butler opened the doors to the room. But when he uttered that name her brown gaze instantly lifted towards the door. “Edon?” To say she was surprised was an understatement. Edon had been gone for a long time. The Elder Della Passaglia was sure he had forgotten about her by now but such didn’t seem to be the case. He must have somehow learned about Claudio. Surely he would be here to merely offer his condolences with no alterior motive at all. Though that last part could be true or not. Some might think she weak with grief and there would be opportunity to prey upon her in a time of perceived weakness. Well, they were wrong. She continued to lounge on the chaise, tossing the letters onto the small side table while grabbing her cigarette and taking a drag. However, she was curious to hear him out about whatever it was he had to say. The female vampire brushed back her long hair which trailed off thenchaise and onto the floor. A small smirk coming to her lips
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Posted: Mon Mar 27, 2023 8:35 am
Edon waited patiently, his form entirely still as the chilly evening breeze kicked up and tousled strands of his long hair gently. He heard the footsteps long before the person reached the door; when it opened, his eyes searched the face, working on recognition. He had a penchant for names and faces, thankfully. He recognized the butler almost immediately and politely inclined his head with a slight nod of acknowledgment. "An impressive memory you have there, Signore." His lips curved into a smile again, friendly but cold beneath the surface. Like most Giovanni, he had impeccable manners, well cultivated into a mask of perfect social graces and charm that hid who knew what beneath the surface—generally something dark, monstrous, or cold to the point of being inhuman among many others. Whatever Edon kept hidden beneath the surface stayed there. At least once out of the safety of privacy. He entered the fine estate and gave a wistful smile; the Della Passaglia, ever the ones for unfaltering good taste in the finer things. The decor, the arrangement of the room, its surroundings, and the architecture all beautiful. No, stunning. She'd always had good taste... In the material, anyway. Men, well... Claudio was no prize in his eyes, a fool of a man. However, he wouldn't judge Gigi for that arrangement. There was always a reason why a match was made in a Giovanni house. He didn't know if she'd ever really loved the man or if she was using him, perhaps both. Whatever her reasons, he had always firmly believed that she deserved better. One needn't be a detective to take a single look at her and instantly know it. But he was a gentleman, in his own way, and he had no intention of lowering himself to becoming a skulking weasel trying to ferret out a torrid love affair while her husband slumbered. Of course, it had crossed his mind on occasion, the desire to try and steal her away, but he told himself every time that it was beneath them both, and he had too much respect for the woman ever to suggest such a thing. He would never settle for a simply 'acceptable' outcome, he wanted the best, and it's what a woman like Gigi deserved. The best. Not some sub-par fling. Seeing her form lounging like a goddess, intensely focused on the letters, he couldn't help a faint smile. She looked beautiful. Just as he remembered her the last time they'd seen one another. When she looked up, he felt the familiar tug in his chest but kept himself well restrained; he would never allow such obscene emotions loose in such a formal area. Not while company was present anyway. The sound of his name spoken by her instantly sent him reeling into nostalgia. The Elder gave a low, graceful bow at the waist and practically glided across to where she rested. His elegant fingers encircled her hand, lifting delicately to press a fond kiss across the back. "Gigi. You look positively bewitching in that dress." His grey eyes were polite, refraining from traveling anywhere improper, the compliment genuine. He appreciated a well dressed individual, her most of all. "I do, however, wish our reunion were under less unfortunate circumstances." An absolute lie, though his sincerity was still quite convincing. It didn't matter if she believed him or not, he wasn't the type to be sneaky. If he intended on pursuing her like the rabble that would likely come calling he would make it clear. Now was certainly not an appropriate time to act like a slavering dog. "My deepest condolences to you on the loss of your husband. May he rest peacefully." Or not. It didn't really matter so long as he stayed buried and his wraith never came back from oblivion. It was easy enough to make sure he never did if Edon ever caught wind someone was trying to call him back. He gently released her hand and produced a red silk bag containing the special vintage he'd brought. "I do apologize, I've just arrived home within the last day or so and therefore am grossly under prepared for such a solemn occasion. I'll be sure to send a more appropriate gift for a mourning widow." Holding it out to her the male lifted his claws and inserted them into the opening at the top, fanning his fingers and sliding the bag down to the base of the elegant bottle. "This is a red wine I came across in my travels. The moment I tasted it I knew of only one other person who would be able to appreciate such a delicacy." The Machiavelli, unlike most all Giovanni, did not have rampant sexist tendencies. Were women equal? For the most part, yes. The exception came from very few old worlders who were stuck in the old ways. But generally the worst that could be said of the Machiavelli in regard to women was that they were charmers, romantics, and that there could be a slight overprotective quality when it came to males sniffing about their female relatives and partners. But that was mostly because they tried to keep the riff-raff out. As fruitless as that endeavor often ended up being.
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Posted: Mon Mar 27, 2023 9:34 am
By now the butler had left the pair to their own devices. Quietly closing the door as he left. When Edon began to cross the room from the doorway Gigi couldn’t help hold a breath. Not that she needed to breath in the slightest. It was merely a remembered reaction. Brown eyes took in his form as it moved, that long legged gate and the way his body moved. She remembered it well. How it felt with her hands on it, pressed up against her own. Georgina Della Passaglia had few regrets in her unlife. Allowing him to slip through her fingers was definitely one of those. Claudio had been a….decent husband. The marriage arranged as many in the family typically were. She had allowed herself to fall for the Machiavelli with no idea the arrangement her parents had made long ago. And by the time she had learned of it, it was too late. She had been rushed down the aisle to say the least, a match of great opportunity. But Claudio had been a foolish man and it wasn’t until she had dealt with him that the family had begun to prosper again. He wasn’t cruel in the slightest, just very very dumb when it came to business. Had she loved him? She couldn’t say. Their married life had been short together before she had driven the steak through his heart herself and stashed him in the crypt. Now she was seen as merely a widow. As he lifted her hand and kissed it she could feel her skin prickle. He was just as she remembered. “Oh, this old thing?.” She played absentmindedly with the hem of her dress.”I thought perhaps you had forgotten about me, Edon.” She purred his name, glancing up at him from beneath long eyelashes. Producing the silk bag he had peaked her interest. For the wine to come with such a compliment it must have been something special. But wine and gifts could wait. Moving her feet she pat the seat beside her. “Enough about Claudio and my loss.” To be honest she didn’t see Claudio’s final death as a loss. She gained some freedom in her life back. Not that she hadn’t pushed the line on that many times in her unlife. Her life had barely changed or slowed down since that day. No she hasn’t even broken her stride. “How have you been, Mio caro? Still raising ponies?” An amused smirk came to her lips as she lifted a slender eyebrow. Settling her cigarette holder back into the ashtray.
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