Rising Shadows [Dark Huntress, Scarsmate, and Redkite]

[Dark Huntress]

Introduction:
The 1850s were a marvelous time to be a vampire. No one asked why you always wore a hat and gloves or never exposed yourself to the sun, and, if you were in good society, never believed it could be you when a victim was found with his or her blood drained. If you were in the lower classes, no one much cared for there was no money to be had and your situation was unfortunate enough to be your punishment.

The Setting:
The year was 1854, the place, London, England.

Characters:

Color Code: show

Vampires
Humans
Werewolves
Witches & Banshees

Dark Huntress:
Daelyn Kastle
Katerina Thorpe
Kyle Jäeger
Ramzy Jäeger
Rhavyn Kastle
Rowen-Blanchefleur Kastle
Saprophyte

Scarsmate:
Angelrisa
Eden Ridgemount
Elijah Ridgemount
Hyrati
Rivera Brate
Rotan Brate



Redkite:
Andrew Maroon
Isabelle
Septimus Wood

***************************
London, England

Daelyn Kastle stepped out of the carriage, which had pulled to a stop in front of his tall, elegant London townhouse. He helped his wife, Rhavyn, who was of a very youthful appearance, out of the vehicle, then his daughter, Rowen. The three then proceeded into the house, Rowen leading the way.

Once inside, she immediately asked the butler, Jarvis, if a letter had come. Rhavyn and Daelyn gathered one had not from the disappointed look she tried to hide as she started upstairs to prepare for the dinner the council had called. Once she was in her bedroom, they began to follow suit.

"Do you know what the dinner is about?" Rhavyn asked her mate in a low voice. The vampire council seldom called for meetings concerning the entire families and nearly never called for the werewolf pack to join them.

Daelyn nodded. Of course he knew, he was one of the top council members, but he was rather unwilling to speak of it. "I didn't want to talk about it in front of Rowen," he said. Rhavyn gave him a look.

"She's seventeen, Daelyn, you've got to stop thinking of her as the helpless babe we found abandoned," she gave him a smile then stood on her tiptoes and tenderly kissed him before resuming her climb up the elegant stairwell.

The moment she'd referred to had been a sort of turning point for Rhavyn and Daelyn. Being dead, they were unable to produce any children of their own, but when they had found a small infant abandoned in a rundown building, they'd been unable to leave it. Thus they'd raised the child as their own and only a few weeks ago, changed her to a vampire as they were, by her choice, of course.

Daelyn sighed and followed Rhavyn.

*£*

Ramzy Jäeger leaned forward on his dappled mare as he neared the last jump of the race. He couldn't help but let out a triumphant laugh as his horse cleared it in one fluid movement then landed easily. He reigned her in and watched as his elder brother, Kyle, followed, several seconds behind himself. The two had instituted a yearly race between themselves which included riflery, jumps, and and even a bit of polo, and this year Ramzy had just become the undisputed victor.

Both boys, the eldest twenty-three and the youngest nineteen, were tall, 6'5' and 6'6', respectfully. Both had tan skin, handsome features, an abundance of knotted muscles, and particularly broad shoulders and backs.

"I suppose you won," Kyle said pantingly, regarding his younger brother with his yellow eyes.

"Dammit, sirrah, I believe I thoroughly kicked your butt!" Ramzy mocked laughingly. Kyle grinned wolfishly and easily dismounted.

"I'm about to kick your butt," he laughed. "Sirrah." Then he chased his brother, who was still mounted, to the stables, his own chestnut following.

Ramzy flung himself off his mare's saddle, un-bridled and saddled her, and led her into the paddock, where he gestured to the groom to attend to her. He then unbuttoned his white shirt and pulled it over his head of wavy, light brown hair before dunking his head in the horses' trough and splashing the refreshing, cold liquid on his neck and chest.

As he did so, he surveyed his family's estate, which was situated only two miles outside of London. There were rolling green hills, wooded portions, well-groomed gardens and fountains, the rectory, and a large mansion.

Ramzy was so absorbed in his future that he tensed and froze as Kyle splashed a large handful of water on him. He turned to give his brother an annoyed look then shook his head and said, "Come on, let's go up to the house and get changed for Father's dinner or whatever."

The two young men's father, Frederick, the werewolf pack Alpha, was a man of good fortune. His first wife had been a werewolf as he and his sons were, but she'd died nearly ten years ago, in a misunderstanding between the pack and the family of vampires that resided in London. He'd remarried, as was expected of a man in his position, but he'd wed a human, with three daughters of her own, all married by now, and they'd had two children together, both daughters.

Then only last year, Kyle had declared he didn't want to inherit the estate and that he wanted to become a clergy, even though it was an odd occupation for a werewolf, and marry one of the servant girls that was employed, Katerina. Unable to deny his eldest son, their father had granted him his wishes and decided Ramzy would take possession of the estate when he turned twenty-one.

They completed the walk up to the large, gothic style house and entered through the back door. Kyle had clothes set out so he wouldn't have to ride back to Nordenwald, his small home on the rectory of Schwarzdorn. They were changed in a few minutes and then proceeded to wait downstairs for the return of their father.

Note: Can it be at Rotan and Rivera's place because its "more centrally located or something"?

[Scars Mate]

Rivera Brate eyed the new decorations in her dining room with intense distaste.

'They're so... colourful,' she sighed, turning to her mate. Rotan only chuckled in response.

'They council made it clear we are to welcome our party. And seeing as werewolves and vampires rarely cross paths without bloodshed, we should make it more comfortable for them. It's only fair...'

'Oh, all right,' Rivera relented. 'But the moment they leave, I'm ripping them down.'

'Well,' Rotan said seriously, his brow furrowing ,'they might not be gone for a while. The deaths-' He cut off abruptly, aware of the staff still fixing the curtains and such. They knew their master and mistress were vampires- but they were all paid handsomely, and posed no threat to anyone they knew. So, they always kept quiet, and in return, had a pleasant life. For a servant, anyway.

They deaths, though, had been appearing quite recently. Scattered, in no particular order. Humans. Many, many humans. And even some vampires and werewolves had appeared in the mix, but they had been almost completely unharmed; except for the fact they were dead. They were assumed to be mistakes, but no one could back that, so all explanations were left plausible.

'The deaths,' Rotan said very quietly, so that only another vampire would have been able to hear,' are very serious. There is every chance we may not be able to come to a conclusion is meeting, so we may have to welcome them more often that previously expected.' He gave Rivera a meaningful glance. They hadn't mentioned to the wolves that another pair were coming- Elijah and Eden, a not-so-rogue duo, twins.

Rivera nodded. She slipped out of the high-ceilinged, usually slightly gothic (but now bright and enticing), dining room. It was only ever used for meetings- being vampires, the Bates drank blood, and so therefore never ate meals there. The fully functional kitchen was for events such as this- discussions, over often serious matters.

'I hope they like the food we've chosen,' Rivera said absentmindedly.

'Of course they will,' replied Rotan, and small smile forming on his lips. He always found Rivera's relentless worrying amusing, almost endearing.

They were in the hallway now, beautiful paintings on the walls, and mix of both Rotan and Rivera's creations, with the odd sculpture.

'Let me show you my dress,' the female vampire said, shooting up the stairs with a swirl of fabric. Rotan smiled to himself, having already been wearing his suit, and didn't have to wait long for his mate to return.

--------------

Elijah swung under his sister's arm, racing towards their flat, across a great expanse of field.

'Come back!' Eden called, laughing at her brothers antics.

'Race you to the house!' He yelled over his shoulder, already halfway there. Eden glanced around cautiously, but saw no other form of life, so rocketed after the boy, holding up her many skirts, a grin on her face. She put on the werewolf speed, and would have caught up with him had she not spotted a human and instantly reduced her sprint to a leisurely walk. Elijah was already at the door, and held it open for her with a triumphant grin on his face.

'I win,' he whispered, grinning from ear to ear.

'Oh, shush!' Eden said good-naturedly. 'I need to get ready!' She said, remembering herself.

'For the meeting,' he said in slow voice. 'Go get changed. The council said that the Bates- you know, the vampires whose house we're going to- have booked a carriage. It should be here in and hour. The meeting is a dusk.'

'I know, I now,' mumbled Eden, grabbing onto the banister of the stairs, leaping over two steps at a time to get to her bedroom. In it, she pulled out her mauve dress, and spent a good deal of time figuring out how to get it on without the help of anyone else, adding a white petticoat and a angel pendant to her outfit. She smiled at herself in the full length mirror, and joined her brother downstairs.

'Will they have food?' She asked, eyeing the pudding that had been left from lunch.

'They should. They said they would,' he amended, but put away the pudding all the same.

'C'mon. Lets go see where the vamps live!' He said jokingly, giving Eden a crooked smile. She followed him out of the house, into a beautiful carriage, drawn by two ebony horses.

[Rotan is very high on the council, but his job requires him to stay at home, among other people]

[Dark Huntress]

Rowen traded her light cheesecloth summer dress for a pale, sea foam evening one made from a light silky fabric. It had a tight bodice, and short, fluffy off-the-shoulder sleeves. The skirt was bunched decoratively an tiered in the back and the entire costume had small bouquets of white moon flowers tied on with white ribbons.

She let her maid, a young women named Mary, put a touch a rouge on her cheeks and twist her light, red-tinted hair in a decorative bun and tie it in place with a large white bow.

Rowen waited until Mary was outside before readjusting her hoops and switching her long stockings for a short, casual pair. She then buttoned up her white boots, tucked a fresh handkerchief into her small purse, and selected a pearl necklace and pair of earrings.

She then hurled herself down the stairs with incredible speed and balance, given her state of dress, and stood expectantly by the door waiting for her parents.

They appeared in a few minutes, coming down the stairs talking. Rhavyn was dressed in a maroon tiered chiffon evening gown, which was rather unseasonal though very pretty, and had the top of her hair knotted up and the back hanging in wavelets. Daelyn was dressed in a light, grey pinstripe suit and looked very uncomfortable with his handkerchief choking him.

Her parents sighted and being of an impatient nature, Rowen bounded out the door and up into the carriage with a quick "hello" to the driver, Charles. Rhavyn and Daelyn followed in their own time and in a few moments they was situated and bumping towards their destination.

*£*

Kyle and Ramzy had nearly fallen asleep in the drawing room when their father arrived. They were alerted by the sound of the carriage and, after a few minutes, were leapt upon by their young half sisters, Molly, an eight year old, and Maggie, a five year old. They were then shooed out of the house soon after their stepmother entered the house and pulled themselves into the carriage mere moments later.

Kyle's dirty blonde hair was parted and swept to one side, forming a sort of cute ridge, he was wearing a blue-grey suit and waist coat and had his necktie a little loosened. Ramzy had his wavy light brown hair unorganized and he was wearing a suit and waist coat cut like Kyle's and colored black.

They arrived in twenty minutes and rang. They were then escorted to a brightly decorated sitting room to await their host and hostess, seemingly being the first guests.

[Scars Mate]

Rivera eyed herself in the full length mirror, frowning at the reflection. She wore a stunning black dress, which contrasted drastically with her sheet-white skin. It had a tight bodice, laced at the back, and had a tiered mermaid tail, layers of fabric on top of each other, giving the effect of waves in the sea. The sleeves were short and fluffy, only several inches in length, and had small frills at the bottom. The dress itself had a V-neck, which emphasised the vampire's hourglass figure. She had elbow-length gloves, and had carefully concealed a small dagger in her left one in case of emergency. Despite being a vampire, Rivera rarely liked to go anywhere unarmed- lest anywhere vampires and werewolves were. It was a dangerous time, and it called for dangerous measures.

She cast another critical eye over herself, and decided that Rotan ought to have a look. She only had to mutter his name before he materialised in the doorway, leaning against it with a mischievous smile on his face.

'You rang?' He asked sarcastically, prowling forward to wrap his arms lightly around his mate.

'Does this look alright?' Rivera asked, twisting around to look at the two of them in the gilded mirror.

'You look beautiful,' Rotan said, stooping down to give his wife a light kiss in the cheek. Despite the height difference, he still managed to make it look effortless, something barely any one would have been able to do.

'You're biased,' Rivera decided, and made to call for a maid, but stopped herself. 'You're all biased,' she muttered, fiddling with her hair. 'What shall I do with this?' She whined, twisting her black hair to and fro.

'Here,' Rotan said quietly, and braided his hands through her hair at an amazing speed, twirling it up so that it became in an elegant bun at the top of her head. 'And the pièce de résistance,' he said, proudly drawing a silver rose from his pocket, and securing at the top of the bun.

'Thank you,' Rivera whispered, turning to look up into the green eyes she knew so well. 'I'm just so worried about-' she faltered. 'About everything,' she sighed. Rotan nodded in agreement.

'We'll sort everything out. If I'm not mistaken-' he cocked his head to the right,' our first guests have arrived. And-' he stopped again,' our second are moments away. Time for the two of the packs to meet!' He said with an easy smile.

How is he so relaxed? Rivera thought desperately.

'We'll let them all become acquainted before joining them. I'd imagine the wolves would feel more at ease about us with others by their side.' Rivera nodded he consent, and lightly squeezed Rotan's hand. He squeezed it back.

-----

The carriage drew up to a large, beautiful mansion, surrounded by forest. The ride had taken Eden and Elijah only minutes, but already bothered were buzzing with anticipation

'There've werewolves here before,' Elijah said, as realisation dawned on his face. 'Of course, we wouldn't be the only wolves. I wonder what they're like?' Neither Elijah or his sister had met many other werewolves, except the odd savage one. As if they were thinking the same thing, Eden said:

'I doubt they'd invite wild wolves. I mean, bad ones,' she amended, knowing not all rogues were bad. Her brother nodded.

'Lets go find out.' He leapt from the enclosed space, and offered a hand for Eden to take. They were ushered into the house by a confident young lady, who directed them to the sitting room. The twins shared one last glance before pushing open the door to a tastefully decorated room, with low chairs and tables with bottles of wine, and two other werewolves.

[RedKite]

(Does Rowen have a crush/ mate yet? Because I think it would be a good twist if Septimus is her crush?)

Septimus wood stalks into the house, alone as usual. He regards the young lady and enters the room. He watched the staring eyes as he satat the long dining room.

"I believe you are wrong, Eden... They invited me, didn't they?" He grins wolfishly. His yellow/green eyes flicker around the room.

He tilts his head downwards in boredom and taps his foot impatiently. He then notices Rowen entering the room and straightens up, his eyes stay fixed on her youthful features as she elegantly enters the room.

////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////

Issabelle enters the room, looking stunning in a long tight black dress and tight scarlet corset on top. She has a black bow with a diamond in the middle in her hair. Her pale skin glows with youthful energy as she sits down by Septimus. She regards him and smiles, her fangs protruding from her scarlet lips.

"Septimus..." She smirks, "Bit far from home, aren't we?" She whispers.

He growls and mutters obscenities under his breath. He stands when Rowen comes to the table, as does Issabelle, he tips his head in respect and looks through his fringe at her beautiful face and smiles to himself.

[Scars Mate]

They're all here,' muttered Rotan, looking at his mate.

'We should greet them,' decided Rivera, fiddling with her dress again.

'Leave it,' Rotan said lightly batting away his mate's hand, an amused smile on his face. The two of them carefully decended the stairs, theirs arms linked. Annalise, one of the maids, informed that all were in fact here, and seemed to be getting on. She did warn them that unfortunately, the room was rather hostile, and to be warned. The hosts took the news with an easy smile, and the girl scurried off, evidently more relaxed. Carefully, Rotan pushed open the door and entered the room, his wife in tow.

----

Eden turned to look from her low seat next to her brother when the door opened. Two stunningly beautiful people walked in, who were obviously their hosts for the evening.

'We're glad you could come,' the male said, his voice low and sincere. 'I trust that you're all informed of the matter we're here to discuss?' There was a mutter of approval.

'Well,' the female said, smiling,' if we're all acquainted, would you like to come into the dining room? There will be a meal,' she added, smiling at Eden, whose stomach had decided to rumble at that precise moment. The woman, she decided , was nice enough. She wasn't sure about the man yet, but she would find out.

They were led into a beautiful arched room, with satin curtains and a frilly white tablecloth with a large display of candles in the centre. Eden couldn't help but notice an attractive male werewolf, with messy brown hair. As everyone settled down at the table, all eyes turned to the hosts.

'I guess we should start with introductions?' The female said, looking around.when everyone looked at her expectantly, she cleared her throat, and said: 'I am Rivera Brate, and this is my husband, Rotan Brate.' Then it was Eden and Elijah's turn.

'I'm Elijah Ridegmount, and this is my sister, Eden.' Then it was the rogue werwolf's turn.

[RedKite]

( Who was the attractive male werewolf, with messy brown hair?)

"Septimus Wood, Though I'm sure you all ready know...." He mutters.

"Issabelle..." The vampire smirks. Glancing sideways around the room. She brushes her velvety silk dress and looks up.

[RedKite]

Septimus glances around, his golden eyes shifty. He couldn't help but feel uncomfortable in such a large group, after being so used to being alone. He can't help but keep staring at Rowen and her youthful beauty. He can't help but shuffle back a bit to separate from the shoulder-to-shoulder contact of the group. He glares at Issabelle who sends a message to him through telekenisis.

* Uncomfortable are we?* She asks.

He narrows his eyes and notices his temperature rise as the hostility in the room rises faster.

[Dark Huntress]

[I kinda had her fixed up with Ramzy, but either some competition or 'hard choice' or whatever would be good!]

Rowen swallowed as she entered the room where the others were gathered. Her parents had quickly abandoned to find and greet their hosts, which were good friends of the family, and she was left alone with a large number of strangers, and, even worse, many werewolf strangers.

She sighed and ran her fingers over the back of a love seat. She was standing awkwardly in front of the doorway, as all the seats were taken, and every pair of eyes was placed curiously on her, as she was the newcomer.

After a few, very awkward seconds, a young man stood and bowed to her. She nodded, giving him an appreciative smile and seated herself on the sofa where he'd been sitting. She put on her best aristocratic air, unsure of what she should do, and thanked him rather coldly, asking him to sit by her if he wished to.

She felt a little guilty as he, seemingly put off a little, retreated across the room to stand by another man, whom she assumed was his brother. Her icy expression was replaced by a rather cute confused one, but she slid to the edge of the seat to show anyone could sit by her of they need a seat.

*£*

Ramzy silenced the gasp that came to his lips, but he couldn't control how his eyebrows raised as he saw the girl standing by the door. She was everything he find beautiful, and more. Her pale skin was like moonlight, her grass green eyes with yellow shooting through them were like the woods in the spring, her easy grace was like the wind blowing gently, and her pale, ruddy-tinted hair was like the sun rising after dawn. Her face was already more beautiful than any he'd seen, but the innocence that seemed to shine from her made her even more pleasing to look upon. As the group was called into dinner he was seated across from her.

[RedKite]

( she's got a tough choice ahead of her, hasn't she, Septimus or Ramzy....)

Septimus glances around and meets eyes with Ramzy. The glance turns to a hostile glare. Issabelle seats herself next to him and smiles as she watches the brief stand-off. Septimus breaks the glare and sheepishly meets Rowen's gaze.

He sends her a Mind-message, *So, you're Rowen* He asks.

Issabelle glances around and meets eyes with Ramzy. She smiles and tilts her head attractively. The diamond on her hair bow glints in the chandelier-lit dining room. She smiles again and winks.

Septimus waits for her reply and watches the others uneasily.