Yip

“Yip, okay.” Hugo agreed with a wide smile, breaking into soft laughter at the mans words. “I’m always up for a challenge.” The warm brown orbs twinkled, he wouldn’t have made so much money on the tables if he weren’t.

“Why don’t we head to the games room?” He suggested, feeling that the staff quarters would be no one near grand enough for this man and oddly intimate too for a first meeting. “Not that I wouldn’t deny having you in my quarters, but it’s not glamorous and I’m sure you’d like a drink too?” He guessed.

“Maybe I don’t know them well enough. Can’t say I have a favourite yet, I’ll have to get back to you.” Hugo chuckled, gesturing to the games room door on their right. “After you.”

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Yip enjoyed the spark in the younger man’s eyes. He smiled, gladly accepted the invitation to the games room. “As attractive as a glamourous scene is, there are pleasures in simple settings.” Yip mused as he stepped into the games room, offered a nod to the man’s polite gesture. “Quite a gentleman, aren’t you? There were times I thought manner no longer exist in the younger generation, vampire or not. Glad that still few remains that can give me hope.”

The vampire scooped up a deck of card with a hand as he walked pass a table, casually shuffled it between his hands, split the deck into three of four portion and spun them around his fingers with fluid motions. He turned, eyes shifted back at the younger man with a smile on his face. “...What do you fancy? A simple card game, or perhaps pool? Unless you prefer snooker.”

“Ah, well, figuring that out is all part of the game isn’t it?” Hugo replied back with a playful smile. He wouldn’t have been worth his salt in poker if he didn’t know how to bluff, after all. Keeping his talents hidden was sometimes part of the fun.

“Of course, sir.” Hugo always liked new challenges after all. “I’ve made a good few friends down in the village, yeah.” He agreed, “I’m not sure how confident they would be coming up here though.” Hugo added honestly, understanding their hesitancy to come to the castle. “But you and I can play whenever you like.”

Hugo laughed softly as the other man stepped closer to him. “Why does my opinion mean so much to you, sir? I think my opinion of the council matters very little in the grand scheme of things.” He pointed out with a small grin.

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“So you do like playing games.” Yip smiled back, rather enjoy the banter they were sharing. “Drop the sir, Hugo, Yip is fine. You may call me sir after I rid you of your dignity when I defeat you in your own game.” His smile turned into a playful grin, “I jest, I jest...Perhaps.” He gave the man a quick wink, continued to walk along the grand corridor.

“I am more than happy to come down to the staff quarters. You should know, the hard flooring of your room will not be the most uncomfortable place I have sat on and play cards at. Unless you prefer to begin with only you and I. Or perhaps I will have to prove my worth before I can join your proper and official table, eh?” He teased, before he took a second to considered and reply the man’s question. “I was merely curious. Still, as a staff who works closely to the vampires in power, I dare say your opinion worth more than you anticipated. Grand scheme required parts and gears to drive it forward.” He paused once more, let out a smile, “You can deny, but when it comes to the council’s members, everyone has their favorites.”

“Oh absolutely lovely fella,” Eoin answered back sweetly, lying through his teeth. “No more or less than any other master.. uhh.. And just the usual, I suppose. Feeding– fucking.. The normal slave stuff, yeah? Familiar with Gareth at all yourself?” Eoin gave what he hoped to be a convincing performance, hands shoved into the pockets of his jeans as he tried to remember any details he could about the times he’d seen the witch around the castle– and with Gareth in particular. He wasn’t aware of any connections Gareth had with the man before him either, nor their difference in age, making Eoin tread carefully until he could piece together more.

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An odd answer. Something Gareth was anything but, was being lovely. There was an a sense of uncertainty with this man before him, a lack of confident, ill suited the choice of mannerism and words he used. Yip wouldn’t deny, his curiosity was hooked. That was the down fall of being an old vampire who was not bound by duty, he grasps at any opportunity of great entertainment.

“Seems like you really enjoy his company, that I am so very glad.” Yip offered a smile, “Considered Gareth is a child of my own blood.” He added, dropped the information like it was something as insignificant as the weather. “It is decided, to reward your service to my own blood, you shall accompany me for the rest of this fine evening. I am certain Gareth will not object. Oh, it shall be a fun night, Faust. I must say I am rather excited to know more about you.”

“What? I said thanks,” Seth said, lips curving into a cheeky grin as if he didn’t know what Yip could ever be referring to. Definitely couldn’t be his need to use “fuck” in almost every sentence that left his mouth. He raised a brow, leaning forward with his elbow on his desk. “Not a fuckin’ clue, man, sorry. I’ve never met Gareth. Don’t talk to him either.” He only knew Gareth from whatever Bradley told him and whatever gossip he happened to overhear in the hallways around the castle. “Maybe he’s just being his usual man-child self?” 

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“Usual man-child self. You have never met the man but you already know the majority of his grand personality.” Yip let out a soft laughter as he sat himself down on a chair, looked back at Seth with amusement. “Well, I was told by a few staffs that he has been...spending time with an individual. A Brad, I believe. Perhaps I should pay this man a visit. Or am I being a nosy parent?”

The old vampire made a clicking sound with his tongue hit off the roof of his tongue. “Say, Master Caster of Mischievous Arts, would you happen to have a spell or a toy that can have me appear as another person?”

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It was impossible to ignore the way Minho lit up getting to talk of his home. It had been centuries since he’d stepped foot on the land but the love for it would never leave him, or the yearning that maybe one day he’d see it again. Biting his lip for a moment before speaking. “How has it changed over the recent centuries? If you know, of course, I seldom get much information about home.”

The question gave the elemental pause for a moment, there weren’t many masters who cared how long one remained a slave after all. “No, I haven’t. It’s not something I ever thought to consider, sir. I don’t think the talents that I have outside of serving masters is quite what the castle looks for in their staff members. I was only a musician before coming here, never had reason to train in anything else.”

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“Greed,” Yip simply answered, “People see profits in such place, seek for their own gains despite in expense of the nature and its inhabitants. Nowadays, it is a place where tourists would filled where animals once roam free. Treks became roads, built with fence to make the once dangerous path becomes accessible to anyone. The clear sky now taunted by pollution and the sight of cable cars. I apologies for painting you a grim picture, but the Palgongsan is barely the shadow of the great mountain it once was. Spiritual creatures moved deeper into the woods, hidden themselves into the few places that remain sacred.”

Yip shook his head, then gazed toward the slave with a low hum. “There will never be a good enough reason if you don’t give yourself any. But even so, musicians has always been a welcoming sight to any castle even before history was written on paper. Tell me, which instrument was your choosing?”

The younger vampire had wondered how their evening together would go, since their time away had been spent having all sorts of fun, and Hunter was not disappointed when he felt his grandsire’s hand around his neck within an instant of placing his beer down on the table. Even if Hunter had wanted to react, Yip was stronger and faster than he was, given he was a few thousand years older than him.

Before he knew it, he was pinned down onto the bed with Yip straddling him and a strong grip wrapped around his throat. He grinned up at his grandsire, dark eyes meeting Yip’s. “Mm, wouldn’t say no to the collar, Daddy,” Hunter murmured teasingly, an amused smirk playing at his lips. “You seem like you’re fairly eager to get it around my pretty neck. I want it to be known that I was enjoying that beer.”

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Yip let a smirk showed on his lips, met the dark eyes underneath him as he slowly tightened the grip on the younger vampire’s throat. “And I will have you know, I so patiently wait until you drank the last drop.” His other hand pressed on the man’s chest, slowly slid down along the curve of Hunter’s muscular form. “...Daddy, huh? That felt strange, but I will allow it.” HIs palm met the cold touch from the other man’s belt buckle. Without a warning, he grabbed the belt up as he lifted his weight from the other man’s slightly, only to allow himself to slipped his hand in, past through the band of the man’s undergarment and took hold of his length with a backhand grip.

Entry for the Gingerbread House Competition from Remus and Yip. @kvorsremus​

The younger vampire was absolutely one of those people that never unpacked their suitcase until they needed something, but Hunter didn’t see anything wrong with that. In answer to Yip’s question, Hunter just gave his grandsire a grin as he leant back into the couch, putting his feet up.

“I’m pretty sure Gareth doesn’t need anything else, my presence should be enough of a gift,” he chuckled before taking a drink from the bottle of beer in his hand. “I’m sure I can make it up to you somehow,” Hunter replied, giving Yip a smirk. It was true, his grandsire really did spoil him sometimes and Hunter definitely wasn’t going to complain about that. “It’s ‘cause you adore me, Yip,” Hunter said, giving the much older vampire a grin.

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Yip shook his head with a sigh, moved and swiped Hunter’s feet off the table and sat opposite him. “So humble,” Yip remarked, finally let a small smile escape his lips. “Maybe I do adore you, but that doesn’t mean I should spoil you.” The older vampire watched Hunter took a swig of his beer. He made a low hum, politely waited until the man put down the beer before he acted.

With speed, Yip tightened a grip over the younger man’s throat, dragged him off the chair and pretty much choke slammed him onto the bed. His movements were swift and quiet, so quick as if the other man weight nothing more than a feather.

“A few months.” Hugo responded, chuckling softly at the mention of him becoming a tour guide. “I’m afraid they’d miss me at my post.” He responded humorously. He wasn’t sure anyone even knew there was a financial consultant/translator for the Council, it wasn’t the most high profile or glamorous of jobs after all, and it seemed least fitting for someone with such a vibrant personality.

“A little of everything.” Hugo replied modestly, but the twinkle in his eyes said that he was more confident than he let on, and purposefully so. “I like cards games myself.” Then came shrug and a musical laugh, “I don’t think I could pick a favourite, wouldn’t be professional.” Hugo cast a glance over to the vampire, “Questions like that could get me in trouble, Sir.” He smirked faintly.

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“A few months,” Yip repeated after the man. He pondered what happened to the former Council scribe. Retirement, he hoped. “I see,” He nodded, offered a smile as he moved on to the next subject.

“I have a feeling you are more confident in your card games than you let on.” The little twinkle in the man’s eyes did not escape Yip’s dark brown gaze. It was endearing. Something what older vampires tend to lack. A spark. A hint of naïve innocent. “We should play sometime.” Yip added, “I am sure a few others would love to join. Anyone you would like to invite?” He asked, “I am sure you have already been making some friends. You are a charming young man, after all.”

The comment on professionalism got Yip chuckled softly. Would the young man still behave the same way if he knew Yip was a former councilman? He mused, crossed his arms as he took a step closer to the man and locked their gazes. “Sometime tells me you like troubles every once in a while.” He teased, smile widened into a smirk. “As for professionalism...If you are not off duty at the moment, we can always arrange another time when you are released from your responsibilities.”

Eoin glanced nervously at the vampire for a moment before remembering the individual he was parading around tended to look miserable or calm any time he passed in the halls– never on edge. Well… Aside from when he’d witnessed the witch blow up verbally at a demon on Halloween. 

“Faust,” he offered, realizing he didn’t know the slave’s last name. He barely knew his first even, finding the slave’s story interesting when he’d learned he was a witch who’d possessed a new body that wasn’t his own. In some ways Eoin found them alike, considering his own abilities. “I’m owned by Gareth, one of the hunters who’s resided here for some time,” he added, unsure just how well the man before him knew the vampire. The less details he provided in that sense, the better.

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“Gareth, huh.” Yip casted an eye over the man, amused. He didn’t have much chance to meet with his child’s slaves. But not that the opportunity raised, Yip was more than interested to be nosy just like any makers should. “Tell me, how is your master treating you?” He asked, “Did he feed from you often? What kind of duties would he assign for you to do?”

The vampire glanced toward ‘Faust’’s neck. Gareth could be rough, but he has hoped that the man would learn how to treat his properties properly. “Please forgive my curiosity, I am merely interest in what younger vampires are into these days. I do believe it is important for us older folks to keep up.”

Seth followed each of Yip’s instructions, watching in wonder as the gadget embedded itself in his office window and magically changed views. It was such a simple item and yet it entertained him greatly. Oh, he’d definitely be utilizing this on a regular basis. The aesthetic of a sunny day outside even in the middle of brutal winters in Krovs would absolutely help improve his constantly fluctuating mood. 

“Wouldn’t ever dream of it,” he replied with a mischievous smirk. “Thanks, Yip, this is cool as fuck.” He played with it once more, shifting the window view into a bright sunny day with chirping birds. “You do anything fun and exciting in your time away?” 

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“I should remind you of manners, but I do agree. It’s cool as fuck.” Yip replied with a smile. When it came to the people that he took a liking to, he does spoil them. “Oh, you know. Just the simple pleasure of travelling. There were a few problems with the trading supplies, but those that couldn’t be resolved with civilised conversations, Hunter was there to hammer the right nails back to the right spots. Speaking of my bloods, though...”

He rubbed his lower chin, pondered. “Gareth seemed to be fallen into a constant foul mood when I was away. Don’t supposed you know what was up with that man-child? I suspect it has to do with emotions that he inevitably had to deal with.”

Memories of growing up in his hometown flooded his mind as he thought of growing up on the south side. “I grew up during the hard times before and during the Depression. Didn’t have much. But we got by. Then WWII happened and I rushed to enlist.” Colin’s memories of the war filled his brain as did the birth of his life of a vampire. 

“I like the stubborn ones myself as well. The feisty ones are the best. But as for feeding, I do seek their approval. I don’t like to just take what I need and leave them. I think they at least deserve that respect.”

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“That’s good. Gentlemen are a rare breed these days. I believe I will enjoy your company.” Yip smiled as he spoke, “I can’t say the ones who carried my blood are as well-mannered and respectful as you are. But I supposed they are their own person and I respect that. Still, I am proud of my children. How is your relationship with your maker?”

The older vampire tilted his head slightly when the war was mentioned. He gazed toward the younger man with his dark brown eyes, as if he was considering over the man.

“You rushed to fight for your country, but why? Loyalty to your homeland, or perhaps a chance to prove yourself? I have participated many wars during my years and I cannot say I have enjoyed any of them. Yet, I supposed some were inevitable.”

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“You know it, sir?” A bright smile coming to the elementals face. It wasn’t often he got to talk of his home, certainly not with those who knew it. “Ah I’ve only ever seen it as a peaceful place maybe I’m lucky for that. None of my memories of it are tarnished by tourists or anything like that. It’s simply home, the same as it’s been for thousands of years to me.”

Minho had always enjoyed the greenhouse whenever he got to visit. Taking in the foliage around them as he shrugged slightly at the questions. “I do not hate it but I do not love it, I’ve simply just accepted where I stand here. I have served more masters than I can remember, sir. Been claimed a few times, though obviously they have not lasted.”

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“As the matter of fact, I do.” Yip offered a nod, “There was a time when I made efforts to establish trading routes between both our lands. It wasn’t an easy task to accomplished. Connections and favors were keys which led to me devoting a good portion of my time travelling around Goryeo. I have seen it changed over the years, much like other things.”

They arrived at the Greenhouse. Clean, organised, filled with greens and colors. Yip noticed a few new breeds of flowers and he took a few seconds to admire them. “Have you never considered to be more than a slave, then?” Yip asked, held his hands behind his back as he walked around, “Any talents? There were occasion when a slave become a staff and continued to serve, you know.”

   Roman should probably not allow himself to relax in the presence of one of the master’s who kept him here enslaved– but Yip wasn’t terrible company and he had to remind himself that he needed to make friends here if he was going to survive. Or at least– as close to friends as he possibly could. It wouldn’t hurt to have a few allies on his side, so he settled; allowing himself to relax somewhat with the man.

    “A burger is considered Rustic?” He raised an eyebrow, amused slightly by the other man. “I do prefer meats. But… If you can somehow acquire a dish of Blini I wouldn’t turn that down either. Though… that might be to specific of a request for the kitchens here.” The tradional russian dish was one of the things he’d had since he was a small boy.

    Roman let out a soft hum, “I suppose that’s true…” He responded. Peculiar wasn’t the worst thing he could be called after all. “You think I am not clever enough for a game of chess? I have trained in war strategy. You might be surprised.” He hummed out his response. “Is it anti-climatic enough to say I just want to… exist… to settle without expectations on how I’m supposed to act or what I’m supposed to say?”

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“Of course they will have Blini, it’s a traditional Russian dish and we are in a Russian castle.” Yip lifted a brow with a grin, “And why shouldn’t a burger be rustic? A meaty and juicy patty cooked on a hot grill, two great buns, cheese and bacons. You should know it better than I do. You can actually enjoy real food. All I can do is to pretend.”

Yip shrugged at the man’s response to his remark on chess. “We can play. I was just giving you a warning.” The vampire has played both Western chess and Eastern chess with the most brilliant minds and strategist in history, including his pervious fellow councilman, and his record was still flawless. Heinrich was the only few who was still happy to play with him, but that was until his old friend decided to leave. “As long as you don’t get angry after the third game.” Another sudden movement, Yip raised and gently pressed the other man down on the other side, switched their position. He straddled the man’s hips, made a low hum as he looked into the man’s blue eyes.

“I don’t see any fault in that desires. Frankly, I am not your father. So I have absolutely no expectation for you. Just be yourself, Roman. I enjoy having a person to spend time with rather than a slave with no identity.”