Eris Crisan

Though they're at the club, she knows that they're not here to share a cocktail and swap stories about the time Eris had missed as her sire. They're vampires, and she had already been able to clock that there's something a little off about the one who'd turned her.

Makes sense, really. Like begets like. Her own mind - still fractured - has other cracks than the memory loss. The way it betrays her and forces her into routines day in and day out was enough to know that something plagued her. She licks her lips and looks at the people filing into the club.

Was her fledgling calculated, messy, feral, how much did Aria delight in the kill. These were all thoughts that had Eris on the edge of her seat. There was a twinkle in Eris's dark eyes. "Line dancers? Tell me more. " A slight purr as she leaned towards Aria like they were sharing a secret. "I had some toreros last year while I was in Spain, and they were a bit more of an umami and regret after taste than i had been expecting. " Eris let her eyes roam the crowd resting on several morsels that looked ripe for the picking. "Now I was intending for you to take the lead while I watched, but if you want I will happily dine first."

Hands in her pockets, and fingernails pressed into flesh, she waits for whatever punchline comes - whether this meeting will be a danger or a boon. "I'm sorry - the vampire thing? Is that a thing with witches?" She's only met a handful, and barely remembers much about talking to others.

She's about to say something snarky about the laws of nature when Eris' age comes up again, and she nearly chokes on her words. She has to turn and grab a bottle of water to chug some of it down so as to not draw attention with her raucous coughing.

"Yes. Witches draw their power for the natural, and we, Aria Boughton, are everything but natural. Some like my wife are unbothered and in fact relish in the lines that vampires flaunt. Other witches become extremely bothered by that usurping of boundaries. " Eris explained, despite the growing annoyance, a small smile crossed her lips at the explanation. It was novel, seeing the world through the eyes of a fledgling. Eris had spent so long dancing through her own death, that questions and ignorance were novelties. Things to be indulged in and not ridiculed.

"I'm not even the oldest in the city my dear. But I can admit that I am far above the median age. " Eris chimed through Aria's covered coughing fit, a sly grin spreading across her face. "Vampire Manors can be taught, than promptly ignored. What clan do you claim allegiance to?" Eris asked, head tilting at the idea of a fledgling without a sire finding their way to a clan. Clans could be fickle things, even more remarkable that Aria hadn't been picked off by the hunters or a stray wolf without any sort of guidance.

"Two years ago you said?" Eris mused, she had been in town briefly at that point. The pack of hunters had still been close on her scent at that point, but there had been a disruption at Soleil that had required personal attention. Something about Velvet furniture and blood not mixing. That manager had been promptly been dismissed and dismembered. Slowly hazy images floated to the top of Eris's memory. A gallery, an artist that would be a shame for the world to loose. A pleasant conversion with a bloody end. "Could you screw up your face like your about to scream? Look a little more afraid for me please Aria Boughton, if only for a moment."

An ex-lover? No, no, she'd have known by now. Ex-enemy? Current enemy? Aria keeps still, just in case. "All of these photos are new, on display for the first time." She tilts her head towards Eris, eyebrows knitting together in confusion. There's no memory, it's as blank as the day she woke up in Bookends with a head on her lap.

The knitted together eyebrows raise at the question, and she turns her attention from Eris' face to the photo, as if it might have the answers for her. "That's.. very esoteric. I suppose.." She trails off and turns, stepping away from the overly familiar closeness Eris takes with her. "..that would be a question for a witch." Her voice is quiet so the other humans in the room can't hear her, but just loud enough so vampiric ears can hear.

"My Witch already has an unconventional relationship with the concept of a soul, so it might not be a productive line of inquiry." A small giggle left Eris's lips as she spoke of Mara. Unconventional might be underselling the extent of power her dove had managed to hold over the fickle thing known as a soul but Eris didn't want send the artist into that tailspin. Not yet at least. The boundaries of life and death could be a sensitive topic for those who had yet to make peace with their lot in the world. "and other witches don't always play well when they realize the whole walking the earth against the laws of nature thing"

"It was in early the eighteen-hundreds I believe when it was invented?" Eris paused tapping her chin in thought. Allowing the younger women to create more space between them. "About fifteen hundred years or so, years tend to loose their meaning when you experience enough of them, we also had the jullian calendar and then that got changed due to some pope or something so its a little loosely goosy" Eris showed her teeth in something that could be considered a smile if one didn't look to close. "You carry yourself as someone still quite young. How many of our kindred have you been around?" Eris said "It can be rude to ask. It's like asking how much of a threat are you to me? Did your sire not teach you manors? I'm not a fan of manors but theyre a good thing to at least know."

"Di... did we?" Sadie questions with a sort of untempered doubt. Viktoria had explain that, as a human certain protocols and rules needed to be observed, and so her memories of the gala are murky, distant, and informed by Viktoria's explanations, leaving gaps wide enough to drive through in any of the moments where the Lomidze sister wasn't present. She knows there was a murder, she knows there were politics at play, and she knows that Viktoria had given her a taste of what it was like to be unfettered by inhibition and overmodesty. Beyond that, it's all smoke through her fingers. "I'm... sorry, I don't remember."

She turns in her seat, a sudden question brewing in the back of her mind, but she doesn't get the chance to ask it before Eris asks another question of her own, and she turns back to the book on the table, about to answer when the Vampire snaps it up. "Oh!"

"I don't understand it, it's... I don't know, it's the English alphabet but it's all gibberish, even when it does make sense, or sounds like plain English. I'm supposed to work on it for an hour each night, Viktoria says to think of it like meditation."

Eris closed the book with a snap. Sitting it carefully onto the the table, more care then she had displayed with any mortal life. The words that thrummed in those pages spoke something deeper than humanity could. A respect curled in Eris' gut for what rested here. "You can learn the letters, string them together into the right forms and lines. But assembly of letters mean nothing if you don't understand the end picture. Do you start children with Dostoevsky?" It was condescending, an eyeroll embedded in the words. A toddler playing the forces with that shaped and molded the world.

"Magic is intent. To breath life into the words to make them sing." Eris started, hands flitting around in the air as she spoke. Excitement flowing through her limbs. " what do you want to do with it? Brew potions to cure your ills? See the future? Shoot lightening from your eyes? " Eris counted magic off on her finger tips, a grocery list of power hidden in ley-lines and sigil. "Perhaps your appetite lie a little deeper? Manipulate life and death?" Eris leaned closer, head tilting as her eyes focused sharply onto Sadie. "Or is you intent to please a certain Lomidze?"

She's not the only one presenting in the gallery tonight - there are a handful of photographers here with similar subjects and styles to form their boudoir exhibit. Aria's own little corner is decorated with photos of clients who have agreed to let her use them for her display tonight, for which she is eternally grateful.

There are no photos of Autumn - she hadn't even asked, not wanting to disturb her in her time of grief. But the rest of the people are beautiful in their own accord - a handful of cis men and women, some gender non-conforming clients, and a smattering of couples' shoots.

One of the waiters for the catering company approaches with a tray of refreshments, offering her a drink - which she takes to help settle some of the nerves. A few people have wandered in already, and a few others have stopped by the little table with more photos, her business card, and pamphlets containing more information about the clients and process.

This had been in the works since coming back from New York, and she's finally just happy it's here and almost over - a people person she is not. She finishes up with someone wandering by, a soft smile on her features, and waits for the next person, to wander over.

"Hey." She lifts the pamphlet first and offers it to them, "This has all the information about the subjects of the photos, the studio, lighting and camera I used. I can point you also over to - This one, it's my favorite."

The flow of the gallery led Eris directly to the one she was looking for. A table covered in materials of all sorts of things that held very little meaning to her, the women standing next to the table however was captivating. As if a shade of memory had been plucked from Eris's mind and was made flesh before her, that haunting Deju Vu filling Eris's chest with delight. Eris watched the dark haired women intently, unblinking as she took in the practiced signs of life that were all a charade of those who milled around them. "Aria Boughton I presume?" She said, her voice a low a purr, sharp teeth flashing under lights as her lips tugged into a sharp smile. Moving closer to the table, lingering in the space slightly to close for polite company. "Is this the first time these pieces have been on display? Something about them speaks to me as if they are old friends."

Eris sucked air through her teeth in a soft whistle and she picked up a photo turning it over in her hands, long pale fingers trailing along the photo, caressing it. "Since its invention Photography has been a fascination of mine. All that talk of the lens stealing ones soul." Eris looked up from the photo, head tilted to the side as she inspected the young artist by the table. "What happens you suppose, if you were to photograph one who's soul had died with their body?"

It's been a week at least since the night they blew up everything. Since they made a mess, made a fool. At least they think it has been, rolling work and wandering all in one. They have no reasons to stop and settle anymore. Not afflicted by the sun, to riled to hide in the dark. So they go on and on. From place to place. From person to person. Tonight they decide it worth the risk of running into another of their clan.

Already a mess of blood and gore as they wander into the den that is Soleil. They fit right in and it isn't long until they find themself entangled with a seeming couple, hand tangled in one's hair, fangs sank into slender neck as the other clings against their back. It's easy like this. Forgetting their own words. Cruel. Dismissive. The look in blue eyes as they succumb to their first act of successful compulsion. The look in vastly different hued blue as they turn steely.

Eris had heard Madison was a messy eater, tearing through flesh just as eagerly as they consumed blood. A unique habit for certain, one that Eris would normally love to watch them indulge in, but it just simply wouldn't do out on the club floor. There was a reputation to uphold after all. Watching someone tear the flesh from the bone might be a bit of a boner killer. The older vampire moved across the pulsating dance floor weaving her way through warm bodies like it was second nature.

Eris grabbed the back of Madisons neck, a thousand years of undead strength behind the guiding hand. "Darling, some urges are best indulged in when the bodies are the only thing left." The chipper tone of her words cutting through the pounding music of the club. "Come with me, our clan gets the VIP treatment here, and let me show you a good time after that mess of a conclave. " Eris motioned to the back door, a clear invitation, a twinkle in her eye.

It's a strange thing, how comfortable she's grown here in this house, haunted by its long halls and many rooms and the comings and goings of vampires and their friends. Sadie, for her part, spends much of her time in the library, instructed by Viktoria to spend an hour each day poring over books in languages she most definitely doesn't know.

It's become an unwinding activity at this point, a break from grading themes and tests and worksheets and planning trips and lessons.

Still, Viktoria usually comes to fetch her when the night's more fully fallen and she's lost track of time, so when the library's door opens and she glances in it's direction, she's puzzled due to the early evening hour, but then dismisses it as a draft or a wayward sound before turning back to her book.

Which is why she yelps and starts, looking up at a face that's familiar and alien all at once. "Oh, h... hello."

Right, the Conclave. She remembers meeting this person, but everything else is so muddy. "Eris, right?" Another day, another vampire. There's a concern in the back of her mind though, one that sets her just on edge. She nods. "Nice to uh, see you. Again. I think."

Eris followed the heartbeat to the library, a plan already have formed in her mind. Three options came to mind about who the holder of this heartbeat could be. Lana's witch, Viktorias pet human or some food delivery person who had not realized they would be the food that evening. Pushing open the doors, Eris quickly summarized her thoughts correct. The human pet. It was time to have some fun. The vampire moved at a speed to fast for the human to pick up, settling herself far closer than what was socially acceptable from where Sadie's face could be when she turned back. A large smile crossed Eris' face, white teeth shining in the light of the library.

"Sarah! Also known as Sadie. " Eris spoke with a chipper note to her voice. Eyebrows pulling up with exaggerated friendliness. "I am wounded my dear. We became very good friends last we met. Laughed the night away together and all that." Every word that fell from Eris' mouth was a lie, yet its syllable was coated with conviction. How much had little Sadies mind been twisted already? What did she remember? Eris took a step back, giving the human room to breath. It wouldn't do to have her scampering off into the arms of her keeper quite yet.

"What are you reading?" Eris asked, but didn't wait for an answer, plucking the book straight from Sadies hands to examine. Eris read only a few lines before her smile slowly sunk to a frown. A tutting noise leaving her lips. "Oh she is going about this all wrong." Eris mumbled to herself as she flipped through the pages. Fingers tracing spells and patterns that she had long been aquatinted with through her wife. Eris turned her focus back onto the teacher turned student. "So tell me Sadie, what interest do you have in magic?"

The question of her sister deadens her face, makes misery well in her eyes. "I just..." She has no excuse, and so lets it die on her tongue - like a child caught red-handed spoiling her supper.

Eris was careful to keep the outward show of her emotion neutral to even slightly affectionate to the vampire that sat in front of her. There was no need to let the interaction be tainted by Eris' own personal cravings. There was still much more to do to clean up the rest of the mess to not upset the delicate balance the sisters had cultivated. "Good girl." Eris spoke softly, reaching out to tuck a piece of hair behind Çaska's ear. It was a risk she knew, but Eris was willing to prey on the craving of affection that resided in Çaska. To fill the void, pull on the strings to guide the evening how she wanted. "That is a very good first step. But I am afraid you have a few more mistakes to correct" Eris said with a nod of her head towards the pile of bodies. It would be best to clean up, neither of them wanted to deal with the fallout that would be the oldest of their clans wrath.

"For what its worth. I am sorry, γλυκιά μου." It was a rare moment of honesty that rang from Crisan. She rarely spoke of it but her heart knew the ache that haunted Çaska's every year of undeath. Eris had watched Mara die more times than she had lived, some of those deaths more brutal that others. Deaths followed by the years Eris had to wait between her hearts resurrection. Empty years that stretched devoid of meaning. "Hearts like ours are not meant to be alone. That pain is.. indescribable to those who do not understand "

"But you can not find sanctuary in the fleeting affections of these… " Eris paused, struggling to find a word that would not immediately come off as insulating. "people. Your heart will starve long before it will learn to beat in another"

She's not surprised to hear her steps, not surprised Eris was able to find her either, not that Lana had been trying to hide from her exactly, but there was a peace to be found in the grounds of the Country Club extended before her eyes that she wasn't finding in the manor. Not after what happened with her little sister. The lights all around the property are on, illuminating the paths of the club and the people walking about at this hour, enough that Lana could make their features whenever they turned.

She hums, her fingers curling around the railing as she looks. Eris's presence only brings her thoughts back to everything that went down at the Conclave. She knows why her friend is here, Lana isn't that much interested in hearing her, but Eris wasn't someone who simply followed orders... she knows telling her to leave is futile. And as her mind drift from Kore to Çaska, intent in believing her a monster, she isn't sure if the solitude is that much better anyway.

Eris made no attempt to hide her approach, her leather jacket jingling with each step of her combat boots against the expensive wood floor. She took her place beside Lana, leaning against the rail. Her back turned towards the courtyard so she could watch her friends face. "Question you? why I would never." Eris let a small smile quick her lips, as she tilted her head. Eris twisted her ring around her finger, using the bone to ground herself in the moment. There wasn't many things Eris took seriously in this world, but something about the set of Lana's jaw tamped down Eris' usual jovial instincts.

"I think its bullshit but I'm not gonna question it." Eris rolled her shoulders, tsking her tongue slightly. Filling the space left by her words. "What was expected of you? Bah" Eris rolled her eyes as she continued, "You know why I decided we were gonna be friends? You always carved your own path. Pulled the strings and made others dance to your song. Since when did you did what was expected of you?" Eris finally turned around at that looking over the grounds of Waneoft. Watching mortals filter like ants through the paths paved for them. "Ignoring what you think people want from you, what do you want?"

Red rain. Screams. The air's thick with the stink of death and blood and fear.

She'd turned her nose up at Eris' invite to Soleil when she'd first awoken. The idea of the mess. Her purist views on how to feed. It's all so egregious and over the top. But this? She realizes, now, that its something of an outlet.

Eris lingered on the edges of the club, waiting and watching, it would have been all to easy to intercede before the deaths of the humans but that would have given her no leverage over the Lomidze sister. Eris had spent uncountable years playing her games, as she watched Çaska as her eyes drifted upwards Eris saw her opportunity to strike.