Alright, so we're role-players, right? Heh, yes. We are, just in case you were wondering. I have here (as you will see momentarily) a 'pre-created' atmosphere, and I'm asking anyone who wishes to join, please do. I'm open for many different types, as long as we stay away from demons. Jump on in as any character you want, I'll find you a spot in the 'clan'.

"Rise, Keji, the first of the clan."
The elf rose slowly, still unaccustomed to his tripled senses. His long ash-grey hair became a curtain to hide his expression of unease.
"You will now be treated as the secondary leader of my clan," the harsh voice of the woman in front of him brought the elf back to the present and away from thoughts of change. "I expect you to act accordingly."
"Yes, M'Lady." Keji's deep voice echoed about the dark cavern, flickering amongst the shifting shadows and dim torch light. "I serve you as my leader." The elf bowed his head and stood from the spot he had been kneeling.
The woman that smiled up at him, for he stood almost a foot taller than she, was now his leader. Esmme was an elf, just as Keji was, but had been something else for as long as she could remember: a vampire. When Keji had found out about her little secret, it had been when he lay dying after a battle. She had saved him, just as she had been doing for years. Only this time, it involved sacrifice: his previous life. Instead of living amongst the elves, Keji would now live in the cavern that Esmme had chosen for her clan. It was bare, cold, and wet... but it would suffice.
"Rest, my friend," the clan leader spoke suddenly, and motioned toward the first of the rooms behind her. "I will speak to you about new recruits at dusk."
Watching the elven vampire slip past the dark blue curtains that acted as her bedroom door, Keji held back a sigh. The whole 'make youself comfortable' thing just didn't seem right coming from a blood-sucking parasite.
Glancing toward the room that Esmme had directed him toward, Keji stepped forward and brushed aside the ragged fabric that hung in front of the opening. Inside of the small den was a small bed, a wooden dresser, and a faded leather couch that rested in the corner. 'Better than nothing,' Keji thought, crossing the stone floor to stand beside the bed's wooden post.
Flopping down onto the thick blankets, Keji was reminded of the night sky. The bed was soft enough to exert the illusion of floating, the color was that of the darkness outside, and the warmth was like that of a gentle breeze. Just as the ashen-haired elf was about to drift off into comforting rest, the sound of someone entering the cavern brought him back to awareness. Judging by the sound of the footfalls he heard, Keji knew it wasn't the light-footed clan leader. No, it wasn't Esmme. Stepping over to his 'door', the vampire shifted the thick curtain to peek out at the newcomer.

Helga wasn't unused to dark, damp caves. While the musty air never felt good to her lungs, it filled her mind with memories. Growing up the only child of an adventurer had it's perks. For one, she almost expected, almost WANTED the bite during her last expedition. Too much for even her father, she alone ventured into the wilderness so far from their home in Moskva (Moscow) to seek after rumors of the notorious vampire gang. Well now that she was a vampire herself, she had to make due. Her father, his brow furrowed with pity, at least gave her as many rumors as possible so she could find a new home of less violent vamps. "Perhaps, I shall meet vampirrres soon," she thought. While she was a strong girl, she never thought that being alone for this long would get to her. . . plus she no longer had a place to go back to.
Her muscles tightened in excitment as a flickering shadow, too tall to be nothing, moved in the distance. "I have found id!" she thought. Rushing with renewed energy, thus relieving her of her normal grace.
Her fingers graced the dingy curtain. Taking a breath, she tucked a sweaty strand of auburn hair behind her ear.
Pulling the curtain back, she said singsongly, "HHellou, leedle vamps? Vont a new friend?"

((I'm working on writing a Russian accent for a character in a book I'm doing. So I made her Russian. Tell me how she "sounds" if you don't mind. Thanks ^-^)

The heavily accented voice of the woman startled Keji, and he nearly leapt back as the curtain in front of him shifted to the side. The 'newborn' would have gracefully cleared the room in one bound in order to back off, but the elf's reflexes hadn't quite adjusted to his new abilities. No, instead, the ashen-haired vampire fell flat on his back before the stranger, his grey eyes full of surprise. What a wonderful way to defend the cavern you now called home... fall on your butt as the newcomer walks right in. In all truth, Keji had been startled by meeting the woman face-to-face when she had lifted the curtain back, and his feet had moved faster than his body. Thus the result of falling over.

((LOL that was funny, Esmme))

"I . . . did nok mean to scare you." She paused, taking in the room. Yes, it was dank, and yes, the moisture that clung in the air was begining to make her skin and clothing feel damp as well, but there was something about even seeing a bed, a dresser, a makeshift door that settled a warmth in her chest. It spread an inward comfort throughout her body. "Forgive me." She bowed the way a girl raised by a raucous man would, very slightly and unaware that she should curtsy instead. "Diz iz a vampirrr clan, yes?" Without waiting for an answer, she moved forward, thrusting a calloused hand towards the man sprawled on the floor. Now she noticed his ears, pointed and long, and her face fell.
"No? I find elves?"

The grey-haired elf cleared his throat and accepted the woman's hand. Brushing himself off in embarassment, Keji blushed deeply as he replied.
"You're seeking a vampire clan?" His tone was flowing, but caught slightly as the elf continued to wipe away his humiliation. The ash-colored vampire tilted his head slightly, pondering if he should say anything. Perhaps keeping his fangs behind closed lips was the best idea for now. The second-hand leader of the clan kept his mouth shut, not wanting to endanger his clan on the first day as part of it.
"What are you doing here?" the firm voice of Esmme startled the elf, making him twitch involuntarily. "Why are you looking for my clan, girl?" The way the normally gentle woman sounded was enough to show that Es was protective over her clan... it was her new family, despite how small it was.
Keji stepped forward to stand on his leader's right-hand side, staying slightly behind the elven vampire. The fire that burned in her bright blue eyes made her seem feral... and Keji didn't want that aimed at himself.

Helga was used to ferocity in her adventures, but now she sought a home, not merely a story to tell. "Hhellou. I am Helga. Are you vamp?" She pulled her upper lip closer to her nose to show her new fangs, as though a normal smile was too unnatural to use. "Vamp like me? Vot is your name?" Before letting them answer, nervousness loosened her tongue. "I am kind of new to vampirrr ways. I even miss prrroper veins my first time." Now she laughed, feeling completely bare, exposed, and foolish.

Esmme widened her pale eyes as she watched the 'newborn' in front of her. Slowly, ever so slowly, the vampiress nodded her head. "Yes," she purred, "we are vampires. I am Esmme, and this is my first, Keji. What is it that you need?"
As she spoke the feral tone seemed to seep from the clan leader's voice, making her harsh voice become less threatening, but more welcoming.
Keji, standing beside his leader, seemed relieved. Thank goodness Es didn't want to kill her. She was too... well, too seemingly kind to be sentenced to death right off. The ashen-haired elf brushed his long mane out of his slender face, relief evident in every move he made. Esmme, on the other hand, stood at attention, her shoulders back, and every move Helga made was logged into her infinite memory. She was watching, and she was analyzing. Would it be a good choice to adopt a vampire from another 'master'?

The woman, who appeared to be the leader, instantly invoked respect. Helga liked that. The way her shoulders were back and her eyes intense reminded Helga of the way her father interrogated the few boys who happened to knock on their door. "I have chose goood home," she thought.
Under the leader's keen gaze, Helga dipped her head to show that she meant no harm.
"I am loooking to join the clan. I come from clan in Russia." Her heart swelled at the thought of her old country. She paused to look at the pair. "Yes, they seem good," she thought. "Old clan very," now she paused to screw up her face in thought. She pounded her fist onto her palm, thinking of the word. "Evil? Yes? Very very nok good. His ways were nok right. So I leave. I can stay here, yes? Vot do you say?"

Keji listened to the woman's accented words, his eyes taking her in. She meant no harm, and she was looking for a home. Out of turn, and out of place, he nodded. "You can stay," his deep voice was smooth as he spoke, "Yes."
Esmme's blue eyes flashed, but she made no move toward the male. "Remember that I have the right to allow her to stay," the leader said harshly, "Do not forget that you are my second in command, Keji. Not the ruler of the clan."
The elf lowered his gaze to the stone floor in front of him, his grey eyes full of rebuke and a slight twinge of shame. He hadn't forgotten that he wasn't in charge, he had just spoken out of turn.
The clan leader looked over Helga slowly, her eyes keen on any threats. After many seconds of silence, she nodded, her onyx hair falling into her face. "You may stay with us, Helga. You are to be part of my clan, and you will be held to anything I tell you to do." The leader paused, glancing at the elf behind her. "My second will run you through some of the rules, but most of them are simple. Welcome to the Cullyn clan, Helga."
Esmme extended a pale hand in greeting, her smile friendly. Behind her, Keji smiled as well. A third member to their cave-dwelling clan already. And, as of yet, Keji was the only male in the group. The thought almost made him laugh out loud.

The exchange between the two clans members tossed her between hope and discouragement. In the end, it was settled on more than hope. She had a home now. Feeling a rush of affection towards the male who was so eager to welcome her, and even more awe for the woman, she nodded. "She is strong," Helga thought fondly.
"The Cullyn clan. Spasiba. Thank you."
Thrusting her hand out, she eagerly shook the leader's delicate hand before moving on to Keji, though his was not extended. "Spasiba," she said almost breathless in her joy. "I am ready to hear rules now."

Esmme smiled as she watched Keji stumble over his words. He would try valiantly to explain everything, but the noble elf was more starstruck than anything. The leader silently slipped away, headed back for her quarters that rested beyond the dark navy curtain. She would leave them be. Keji would do fine.

The elf blushed and stuttered a few times before being able to find his words. "I-I... well... it's rather, well, simple, really." Clearing his throat, the ashen-haired elf shook his head and motioned vaguely toward one of the many small dens that lined the large cave. "You have a room," Keji stated ominously. He pointed to one with dark red curtains hanging in front of it. "We all need to listen to everything Lady Esmme says." He still hadn't moved from his spot, even though Esmme had left and he was probably supposed to show Helga around.
"Oh," he exclaimed, shifting in embarassment, "let me show you around the clan's home."
From that point on the elf seemed to relax a bit. As time went on he became more and more sociable. The cave was large, and there was a 'kitchen' of sorts that rested in the farthest back of the den. Small rooms lined the walls everywhere you looked; obviously Esmme planned on gathering a larger clan. The leader's room was the largest and by far the most comfortable - and it rested in a small offshoot beyond the dining area. The rules, he explained, were simple. Be intelligent and choose your battles wisely, listen to those higher than you, and keep your fangs away from innocents. Hunt when you're hungry, tell him or Esmme before you left... things were simple.

By the end of the tour, Helga actually bounced in place a little. She couldn't have expected or even dreamed of a better place. Yes, it was a cave, but as far as she was concerned, caves and tundras, swamps and the like were as much her home as her and her father's cottage outside of Moskva had been. But unlike other caves, this one had a room for her. She had a red curtain as a door. Something about that thrilled her. A "door." A room. And yes, a wardrobe to place what things she had. All of these were luxuries she hadn't expected to ever truly have again. She let Keji know that she appreciated the place, and made mental note to alert Esmme to her gratitude as well.
The rules of the clan were as honorable as Helga had expected them to be. She received them with joy, nodding as Keji spoke.
"I vill keep them. Dis I prromise," she said to Keji, with her fist over her heart. Her doe eyes sparkled eagerly. For a moment, she regarded her companion thoughtfully. She noticed that he seemed to be tucked behind a sheet of gray hair quite often, and remembered his stuttering and fumbling. Unyieldingly, she said, "You are a shy one, yes?" She did not expect an answer, and continued seamlessly in sincere curiosity. "Vot vere you before you turn vampirrr? Who vere you den?" Only after asking did she realize this was the second in command. Slapping her hand over her mouth, she stared wide eyed. "Can I ask dis?"

"O-oh, no! You can ask," the second in command stuttered. "What was I?" Keji's ashen eyes flickered to the ground. "Happy." The vague reply the elf gave sounded mournful. "I was happy." Motioning to himself, he smiled grimly, "But good news, the thing that hasn't changed is that I'm still an elf."
He shrugged noncommitally, blinking quickly a few times. "But I'm... happy here, too." The tone he spoke in told volumes: he may be content, but happy wasn't quite what he felt. Keji glanced at Helga, motioning toward the sagging couch that rested near the dining area. When they were both seated, the elf brushed his long grey hair away from his pale face and stuttered over asking a question. "A-and what about you?" Keji asked quickly, blushing and keeping his grey eyes on the rugged carpet on the floor. "What was your life like b-before... this?"

Helga felt her heart squeeze painfully for the elf. Adventuring always cheered her father up, but she wasn't naive enough to think that everyone was so similar. After taking a seat next to Keji she answered his question.
"I vas part of an adventurrr teim. Ve find legends and hunt after dem. Life vas very exciting, and sometime there was gold." She paused thinking fondly of how she and her father were, perhaps, not a exactly a team, but more of a partnership. "My papa and I once find house haunted by lost military squad." As she spoke of that particular adventure, she moved her hands excitedly. She told Keji how she hadn't believed in ghosts, and only went to please her father...after setting traps for him to convince him further of the other-worldly creatures. Of course, the ghosts later set fire to the hem of her skirt and whispered eerily around her "It did not keeb me from taking my souvenirs, though." She held out her jacket, showing a medal for valor she swiped. After a pause she asked, tentatively,"Vhat vill make you happy again, Keji? I can help a leedle, maybe?"

Keji's pale face brightened as he watched the newest clan member recount her haunted house adventure. He loved the way her slender hands flickered about the air as she spoke, moving like the birds of spring as they danced around. Though he hadn't quite taken a liking for huge adventures, Helga obviously did. I was written in the way she spoke excitedly about her previous life. There were a few moments of companionable silence before she spoke again, asking a question that made Keji blush (which he seemed so fond of doing) yet again.
"Vhat vill make you happy again, Keji?" she asked, "I can help a leedle, maybe?"
The second in command shook his head quickly, his hands clasped in front of him as he leaned forward to rest his elbows on his knees. "Nothing can return to me what I've lost," the elf replied, sighing sadly. No, not even being an immortal could return him to his previous life; his previous happiness. "You are very... kind for offering, Helga." Glancing up at the woman, another blush darkened his pale features. That was one thing about being a vampire: pale skin was crud when it came to hiding the blood that rushed to one's face (and yes, undead can blush). Keji sat silently for a few seconds, merely looking over the newest clan member. She was sweet, in an adventuresome sort of way. Just the kind of girl that Esmme would want in the family... and just the kind of person he seemed drawn to. The thought brought a smile to the elf's face, and the emotion made it's way into his grey eyes as well. Yes - she was sweet (this thought kept the practically continual blush upon his cheeks).

Helga watched as her companion leaned forward, once more sorrowfully expressing loss. When he mentioned her being kind for wanting to help, Helga was surprised. "Who vouldn't vant to help?" she wondered. There was something Helga liked about all of Keji's blushing. She thought it was charming the way his cheeks lit up. And when he smiled, Helga couldn't help but grin, too. As his gray eyes changed mood and seemed to grow warmer, she felt more and more at home.
"See? You smile? Nok all things are bad," she said, nudging her shoulder against his. Suddenly worried she overstepped her boundaries, she scooted away a little and changed the topic. "Vhen do ve hunt?"

Keji grinned as Helga bumped his shoulder with her own, and chuckled slightly. "When do we hunt?" his grey eyes moved toward the navy curtain across the room. "I can go ask."
He slowly moved off of the couch, seeming reluctant to leave the new clan member. Keji cleared his throat and headed off in the direction of Esmme's room. He knocked lightly on the hard stone outside the chamber. "Es?"
"What, Kej?" the pale woman moved out of the shadows with grace, appearing suddenly. She sniffed the air as she did so, a strange look on her face. She flickered her blue eyes to meet her friend's colorless gaze. "What is it that you need, dear?"
"Helga wishes to hunt tonight," Keji stated, casting a glance over his shoulder to the woman sitting on the couch.
Esmme followed his gaze, smiling. "Getting sweet on her, Kej?" She continued as the elf blustered about with a deep crimson on his face. "Yes, go ahead and show her around the forest. Get out of this cave and have some fun for once."
Shutting his mouth with an audible snap, Keji nodded and spun around. When he reached the couch, the elf motioned with his chin, heading in the direction of the cave entrance. "Let's go get something to eat," he said smoothly, smiling at Helga. "But be nice," he said, "I still have issues with my new-found grace. I'm still adjusting to this vampire thing." With that, he crouched and took off as fast as he could, a grey blur, toward the forest at the food of the mountain.

Helga watched as Keji went to speak with their clan leader. She wondered what Esmme was sniffing for and smiled kindly when Keji returned. He seemed more at ease, more comfortable in his own skin, than Helga had seen him so far. It made her happy.
When he took off adrenaline burst inside of Helga.
"Ooo, a race!" she said. Speeding after him, she took vague notice of the black green trees coming ever so quickly towards them, but kept her focus on the gray man sprinting before her. "I vill catch you!" she shouted singsongly, as they flew towards the foot of the mountain. The smell of pine filled the air rejuvenating her almost as well as a fresh meal could. "Today is a goot day, no?"

Keji leapt over a fallen branch, grinning from ear to ear. Yes, this was a good day. Or rather, the first good day - night - he'd had since he'd been changed. As the two vampires raced on, the elf banked to the left, deeper into the now familiar trees. There was a den nearby with an entire wolf pack residing within. He led the way, laughing as the adrenaline pulsed through his slender form. When he reached the small clearing that surrounded the pack's cave, he came to a stop and peered inside.
Within the few seconds that it took Helga to catch up to him, Keji watched the animals within the dark cave. They were lounging about, not all of them fully awake. It was the time of day that the beasts were resting after a day full of hunting and roaming. The elf's smile faded as he watched the creatures, pity lighting upon his brow. I'm a monster, he thought as he looked hungrily upon the wolves. Disgust darkened his previously happy face.

As they came to a clearing, Helga could smell their prey. Closing her eyes, she breathed in the scent of a wolf pack. They were quiet, probably having a lazy moment. "Diz is the perfeck time to get dem, no?" she thought to herself, peeking over Keji's shoulder.
Grinning, she glanced into his face. They hadn't been long aquainted, but Helga already missed Keji's smile. For now, his eyes were shadowed by pain again.
"Vhat is it? Vhat is wrong," she whispered in a nearly inaudible voice. When her papa would get sad, he was always missing her mother, a hug was in order the very few times an adventure did not work to cheer him.
Helga almost reached her hand up to brush the curtain of ash colored hair from his face, but instead settled for his slightly blocked gaze, keeping her hands at her side. "You can tell me. Ve are clan now."

He really thought about telling her, but it seemed so... foolish. Keji shook his head, forcing a smile. "Just a thought," he said, turning his gaze to the wolves once more. He hated looking weak. He was a vampire now, and had no need to even think twice about hunting. His voice had startled the nearest canine, and the animal slowly creapt forward with its ears perked. The vampire crouched low, waiting for the wolf to round the small boulder in front of them before barreling into the beast. When he heard the sound of his solid form hitting the massive wolf, Keji nearly cringed. He almost felt bad... but this was routine for Helga, so there was no need to seem weak about it. He pinned the wolf, not waiting for his friend's aid, and bore his fangs, digging into the creature's tender throat. As soon as blood touched his lips, Keji switched even further into the vampire that he kept locked within. He hadn't fed in days, and had made himself eat 'normal' food despite Esmme's protests. With his grey eyes completely black, the elf fed hungrily.

((By far, this is one of my most favored RP's. :D I really love her accent! SO cool. You do so good!))

Helga nodded mutely to Keji, though she hardly believed a thought that warranted such a stiff smile and sorrowful eyes was "just a thought."
As Keji made his move on a curious wolf, Helga could feel her mouth fill with saliva. He fed like one famished, and Helga had every intention to do the same. Creeping forward on all fours, she ever so softly tossed a wolfish whine before the den.
As she had hoped, one ear turned towards her. Helga could feel her muscles grow taut for the attack, while the sleepy wolf padded forward. Almost before she knew it, the wolf was forever silenced between her and the mud. Her teeth sank deep into the wolf's throat. With warm blood filling her belly, Helga drank in large gulps. Lifting her head she flashed a bloody smile to her companion, though he was still preoccupied with feeding. Figuring her sleeve was as good as any napkin, she dragged it across her lips.
Feeling contented, she leaned back on her palms and admired the tiny stars, poking their way into view. "I vish it vas alvays night," she whispered, amazed by the deep indigo sky.
((I'm really digging this RP, too. It's very rad. Great idea, Esmme :3 **blushes** thanks. I had to do a little research for the accent. I'm glad it sounds right. ^^ ))

When he was satisfied, Keji pulled away from the bloody mess he had created. Once again, disgust flickered across his face. The elf brought his thoughts away from the wolf by turning his attenention to Helga. She had already fed, and was relaxing not far from him. Slowly, almost hesitantly, he inched over to sit beside her. His grey eyes glanced over her contented expression, her face pale in the darkness. With her hair still knotted behind her head, her large brown eyew were bold against her face. The sight of her being so calm brought another smile to the elf's face.
Keji sighed, his eyes finally lightening to their usual shade of grey. He, too, stared up at the newly shining stars as the night progressed.
"I remember when I would do this with a friend of mine," he murmered, lost in memory, "and we'd sit through the night just staring at the stars." Keji sighed, shaking his head. "But good things never last forever, do they?"

((*laugh* Can I get a physical description of Helga real quick? I either didn't catch it, or have just been ignoring it. >.<'))

((oops! sorry. :) All I've said about her description so far is that she has auburn hair and "doe eyes." XP I'll try to be uber descriptive here so you can pick what details you'd like:
She has wavy, waist length auburn hair. Normally she knots it on the back of her head, but loosely. She's pale (obviously since she's a vamp), but has a few freckles that sometimes can be mistaken for specks of dirt on her nose (since she's so adventuresome). Her eyes are round and a dark, chestnutty brown. She has a pointy chin, and her ears stick out a little. Her body has faint definition of musculature, a bit like a dancer (not that she's that graceful or anything, heehee). I really don't know why I didn't put much description in the actually RPing. Thanks for pointing that out. :) ))
With the heavens laid out so clearly before her, Helga almost didn't take notice of Keji's shy approach. She was pleased that he sat beside her instead of ordering for them to return. Her previous clan leaders ruled so sternly that she hardly had time to enjoy a breath, let alone the silvery dust sprinkled across the sky. When Keji spoke, she listened as intently as she watched the stars.
"Goot thingks can last." Remembering the home she left and her lonely father, she added, "Sometimes." She paused, turning her head to stare at Keji's profile with a smile. "Tell me of dis frriend. I like him already: the frriend of my frriend."

((*giggle* I know how it is. :D thanks for her 'profile'! I appreciate it.))

Keji smiled at Helga. "You sure are optimistic," he said, leaning down to lay beside her on the dry ground. "This friend of mine - we grew up together. His name was Protius, but he always acted to childish for his name. We ended up calling him Drama." The second in command lapsed into a tale of when they were younger, his deep voice smooth.

"Come on, Kej!!"
"I'm coming! You've gotta slow down a bit!" Keji gasped as he finally caught up to his childhood friend. "Not all of us are experts at this stuff."
Drama laughed, his raven-black hair blowing in the wind. "You're such a... fish."
Keji wrinkled his nose. "Fish?"
"Yes," Drama laughed, swaying on his perch. The tree shook slightly, brightly colored leaves swirling to the ground. "Fish are afraid of heights."
The ashen-haired youth tilted his head, staring at his daring companion. "How would you know? Fish might love flying. They just don't have any wings to speak of."
Drama sighed, rolling his eyes. "Fine. You're not a fish, you're a coward. Now let's go already!"
The elf leapt from the branches, rolling as he hit the ground to soften the impact. Keji followed, sprinting to catch up. The two friends made it to their village within a few minutes, gasping for breath.
"Are you sure you want to do this?" Keji asked, staring at the window they planned to enter. When Drama nodded vigorously, he snuck forward and climbed into the building. It was planned that way - Keji would go inside, grab the loot, and pass it out to his waiting partner in crime.
He crept into the lovely smelling kitchen and glanced around. No one in sight. Snagging one of the baskets of fresh bread, the young elf ran back to the window and lowered the food to Drama's eager hands. Just as he was leaping out the window, Keji felt hands grasp the back of his tunic.
"Just what do you think you're doing, young man?"

"It ended that way more oft than not," Keji chuckled, staring up at the stars. "Drama would get the treasure, and I would take the blame. It was worth it in the end." The elf paused. "Until we grew up, anyway." He sighed deeply, closing his grey eyes. "I prayed those days would never end."