Verian quickly walked down to the table where the stake lied, making sure his leather gloves were on securely before grabbing the stake and slipping it into his bag. "I'm taking the stake for investigation, perhaps I can find something." He stated, feeling someone's stare on him. "If any of you need me, I'll be in the library."
group
"I'm going to state the obvious for a moment here," Dominik shrugged, shoving his hands into his pockets as he distanced himself from the rest of the group. "The queen is dead, one of us is guilty of treason, and the king is off his rocker." his eyes rested on each other person individually, asking them the same question. "What would you have to gain from killing the queen?"
Klaus watched the other rise and leave, but he remained. He heard conversation spark from the group, but he stayed in thought, tapping his long fingers in thought. Unless the King dismiessed him personally, he didn't think he would leave. Of course, that might set him on the list of possible traitors. But the King would require a second head to think of one, right?
Overthinking. Overthinking…
Victor stepped towards Dominik. "I have nothing to gain," he stated coldly. "I hardly knew the royalty existed. My life was mine own." He grinned. "I had no stake in this."
group
"You're one of those I see. You know, under any other circumstance I would chuckle at your joke, but I don't feel the need to at the moment." Dominik looked down at the man before him, raising an eyebrow in disgust and confusion. "Who are you? You are of common blood, are you not?"
He shrugged nonchalantly, though a piece of sadness broke through his eyes but quickly disappeared. "I know not what house I hail from." He grinned, "I am a bastard to the family I suppose."
group
"I see." Dominik sighed. "Well you're certainly not from my house. You're too young, we do not have any fledglings in my house at the moment." he glanced at Ames with a smirk. "Well, other than my butler. Poor lad only has a hundred years to his name."
Ames flushed a bright pink and averted his gaze from Dominik. "Sire, please do not jest."
A soft chuckle rumbled from Dominik's throat as he pulled himself away from the group. "Well, this has been fun. Although not really. While Verrian shuts himself in the library, and Klaus keeps himself away back in the throne room, I'm going to have a bit of a wander. I'd like to familiarise myself with the layout."
Dominik turned his back to the other vampires, but glanced over his shoulder with a wide grin as he walked away. "It would all be in your best interest to watch your back. The murderer might be after us, and I am after them. No one is safe until either the murderer, or the king, is dead."
Victor stared at her as she walked away. "Indeed. I shall watch my back."
"It's a wonder our race ever maintained civility long enough to establish a government." Cambria muttered, scowl marring her fair features. "Petty squabbles will get us nowhere." She continued stealing a glance at Dominik and Victor. "Above all else, we Nobles must set an example. The common folk must not know that there is unrest within the House of the King, or else there will be unrest out in the world. God knows we do not need a rise in unexplained murders."
She gracefully rose from her chair, crossing her arms as she made her way towards the hall that would lead her to the residential section of the castle. "I, for one, will not still on my ass and let events unfold chaotically. We have the Queen's memorial ball this evening. I expect everyone will be there?" She looked down her nose at the room. She nodded firmly, really before anyone could respond to her inquiry, as she gracefully slammed out of the chamber.
Cambria followed a servant up to her rooms within the castle. She didn't take the time to admire the structure for is beauty, she had been here enough as a child to know what it looked like from memory. Thankfully, when she reached her rooms there was already a donor waiting. She barely hesitated as she moved to his side in a blink of an eye. Nor did Cambria wait for him to introduce himself before sinking her fangs deep into his throat.
Victor passed through the doors thinking only one thing. I do not dance.
(Emi- the King left the room :( )
(heck sorry)
Etzli found a quiet room, judging by all the books, it was the library. She smiling and slipped inside. She slowly walked around, before stopping to look at a book about vampire laws and traditions. She opened it, sat down on the floor, and started to read. It was a humongous book. Old and water damaged.
"So," Victor murmured, stepping out to where she could see him, "another bibliophile?"
Etzli looked up and jumped at the sudden appearance. "I-I guess… P-people have c-called me that."
He looked her up and down. "You look sick," he commented.
Etzli shrugged, still startled. "Yeah."
He raised his eyebrows. "Why?"
Etzli looked down, face flushed. "I don't drink blood…" She murmured softly.
His eyes softened. "I remember my first days. How old are you?"
Etzli promptly replied. "190. I've been a vampire my entire life."
"And still not drinking blood." He tilted his head, his dark eyes peering into hers. "Fascinating."
Etzli chewed her cheek. "I gave it up when I was 47…" Her eyes flashed a surprised bright green at his curiosity.
He looked at her, interested. "Do tell why."
Etzli turned slightly green from the memory and shook her head, her eyes turning a deep blue with smokey-gray flecks as she looked down.
"Ah, secrets." He let the last syllable come out as a hiss, casually wondering if it would frighten the other one. He smiled sadly. "It matters not young one. We all have our secrets we do not speak of. I shall let yours rest with you."
Etzli froze up at the hiss, eyes widening in terror. When she realized he didn't mean any harm she slowly relaxed a fraction. "Th-thank you…"
Edith watched the two go before making her exit as well.
She passed the library on her way to her bed chambers, amid Hugo and Gunther. She continued on her way, lost in thought. War had been waged and should she need some allies, she decided she wanted nothing but the best.
As long as they are as innocent as they say… She added in her mind. She held her suspicions, but she would not act on them until she had more proof of this murderer. She scaled the steps and followed a trail that was the same for each and every trip she had ever made to the Palace. Her bedchambers were always the same. Dark and alluring. A fire roared to the far right of the room, much to her satisfaction. Hugo and Gunther took their posts outside her door as she prepped for the night's event.
Whatever it beheld… She smiled. Tonight was bound to be more than anyone could expect.
He glanced at the manuscript she held. "What were you reading?"
Eztli held it up with trembling arms. It was heavy. "Old vampire traditions."
