The Party [M][SDB]

[Lowen Thorn]

Rising from his seat, the faux Lola placed a supportive hand on the Noble's shoulder and offered him a semi-comforting smile. "It happens to the best of us, Edward," he said before moving toward the door. "Try not to let it bother you too much, just remember what we talked about here. Now if you'll excuse me.. there are still many people here I need to speak with."

Lola didn't wait for a response before opening the door and exiting the room. The room, like many others in the home, was isolated enough from the party to where no one else was nearby on the other side. After taking a few steps away from the room, the duplicate vanished into thin air.



The grave expression of worry on the real Lola's face faltered and was replaced with a small, but satisfied smile. "You shouldn't," was his reply as he stood from his seat. "Trust has to be earned, and I don't think I've quite done that yet. In due time, perhaps."

He made his way to exit the room but stopped when he was side by side with the woman. "Always trust your instincts, Kathryn," he whispered. "You'll do just fine."

After that, he left the room.



"It's about time," Gael huffed as he made his way over to the armchair that sat just in front of Lola. "Just how long is this going to take? You and I both know I had nothing to do with this! William was a friend of mine! I'm more upset about this than anybody!"

"...A friend, huh?" Lola responded softly, eyes dull on his prey. "And how long have you two been friends?"

"For many years," the Nobleman replied quickly. "I want to find the bastard that-"

"And you said you're more upset than anyone about this?" Lola interrupted, the tone of his voice giving the indication that he was already bored of the conversation. "So that makes you more upset than William's wife, then? She must be a real bitch."

Lord Dacey sat up in his chair a little bit, a quizzical, and understandably angered look forming in his expression. "W-What did you just say? How d-"

"Oh shut the fuck up, Dacey boy, it's all just a game."

Before the Nobleman could respond, the duplicate of Lola vanished right before his eyes. Mouth agape, the man shot a look behind him, and then in front of him again, and then behind him once more before he started to rise to his feet.

The door opened, and the real Lola entered with weary eyes. "Thank you for your patience, Lord Dacey," he said softly as he made his way into the room. "Did you wait long? I know this mustn't be easy for you."

Gael froze. 'What the fuck is going on?' was his initial thought, followed by an 'Am I going crazy?'

"What's the matter, Lord Dacey?" Lola asked. "You look like you've seen a ghost."

"...Y-You.. You were just right there!" he managed to say, pointing at the wall in front of him. "You were right there and you disappeared!"

"Theodore" tilted his head at him with a puzzled look, but forced a small smile shortly after. "How much have you had to drink tonight, my friend?" he asked quietly. "Still, I applaud you for showing humor is such a dark time."

Silence.

The nobleman didn't know what to say or just how to respond.

"Well then," Lola began. "Let's get started."

[Celegwen]

Kathryn watched the façade fall from Theodore's face and an intrigued smirk tugged at her lips, as she watched him leave the room. Waiting a minute after he left, the girl walked out and glanced around the crowd.

Lord Edward followed Lord Theodore almost immediately, impressed by the man's speed at rejoining the crowd, as he was nowhere to be seen. Against the other noble's advice, Edward made his way back to the party, catching sight of Kathryn, who seemed like she was looking for someone. He moved through people, whispering warnings about the two commoners who had 'infiltrated' the affair. Finally making it to her, Edward grabbed her by the arm and pulled her away from the party. Though the girl was confused, she let herself be led into a more private setting.

"How could you?" Lord Edward spat, closing the door behind them. "This is an upscale, noble gathering of terrific people. I did you a favor by bringing you and allowing you to bring Elijah along. How could-"

"What did you just say to me?" Kathryn asked, her face paling as though she had seen a ghost. "Did you just say Elijah?" Lord Edward nodded, as though she was a fool for needing confirmation. "How do you know about him?"

This only seemed to further his anger. The man came to the party with them! "Do you take me for a fool? Insolent girl!" He shouted, bringing his arm down towards her.

Kathryn grabbed his wrist, easily able to stop his strike, and gave him a cold stare. She forced his hand down, spraining his wrist in the process. "I killed the last man to raise a hand to me," she hissed. "And that was Elijah." Releasing her grip on him, the girl pointed at the door. "Get away from me, or I won't hesitate in doing the same to you."

He didn't need to be told twice, hurrying out of the room with a pained expression on his face.

[Lowen Thorn]

"I know what I saw!" Gael Dacey barked, panic rising in his voice. "Y-You were, you were just fucking right there!"

Damien stood there for a moment, his expression one of worry though he fucking relished every second of this man's meltdown. "Let's get started," he repeated, this time a little more commanding. "Where were you approximately a half hour before Lord William's body was found?"

Gael's face grew red. Theodore was actually going to question him?

"Now, listen here, boy," the man nearly growled. "You know good and well that I-"

"No comment, then?" Lola interrupted, his persona beginning to mimic his duplicate rather than the one of concern. "And how long were you two friends?"

The Nobleman shot out of his chair with clenched fists. "I already told you that!"

"....Did you?"

"I don't know what kind of game-"

"And you like to choke your victims when you rape them, correct?" Lola interrupted once again, a devious grin curling into his lips. "Until their pretty little faces turn blue. Right?"

Gael shut his mouth instantly, his emotions and attitude changing as quickly as Damien's questions came at him. Cautiously, he took a step back. "I-I don't know.. I don't know what you're talking about," he lied, his voice shaky and whispered.

Damien took a confident step forward, his hands resting behind his back as he stared menacingly at his prey.

"Does the name Violet Lola mean anything to you?"



The party attendees were getting restless. It had been some time since Lord William's body had been found yet no one has been named the culprit. There were rumors going around that the girl, Kathryn, was the one behind it all; her and her accomplice that no one but Lord Edward could seem to remember.

"Has anyone seen Lord Dacey?" a fresh duplicate form of Lola asked as he made his way through the crowd. "I was going to question him next, but I can't find him anywhere."

There was some rustling among guests before someone informed "Theodore" that Lord Dacey had already occupied a room down the hall, waiting for his turn. "Thanks," was Lola's simply reply before heading in that general direction. Before he entered the room, however, he looked over his shoulder to make sure he wasn't being watched, and instead entered the kitchen across the hall. He needed a diversion.

There was only one chef in the room. Perfect. Completely skipping on any formalities, he stepped up to the man, placed a hand on his shoulder, and whispered in his ear.

"Go into the main hall and stab Lord Edward with your butcher's knife. He's the one who killed Lord William. Shout it as loud as you can."

The glow in Lola's eyes faded and he vanished through the doorway.

[Celegwen]

Kathryn sat in the room with the door closed, her legs crossed on the floor with her back against the corner and her hands on the walls. Her black eyes were completely white, as she began looking through the house. There was a surprising amount of statues and armored suits around the building, making Kathryn suddenly annoyed by the host's boastfulness. Luckily for her, the pride of the man made her job extremely easily.

She used all of the statues and suits of armor as eyes and ears around the building, looking through their eyes as though she was standing in multiple places at once. What confused her was seeing Theodore actually in multiple places. Her mouth opened slightly, though she was intrigued by what he was doing. There was a man he was speaking to in a hallway, so she focused on that interaction, listening to every word spoken.



The chef's eyes glowed with the nobleman's, then faded as the other man's did. The single thought in his mind was needing to obey the orders that were just given to him. Despite his job, the chef left his post and tucked the large knife into his sleeve, a blank stare in his eyes. "I'll get the bastard," he hissed. "He deserves it for killing Lord William." He started making his way through the crowd, searching for Lord Edward.



A tear streamed down Kathryn's face, as she heard the questions Theodore was asking Lord Dacey. Though it was once curiosity that drove her interest in him, she then realized just what it was that drove him.

Her eyes returning to normal, the girl leaped up and sprinted out of the room. Careful to avoid the crowds, she raced around the halls to reach Theodore and the other nobleman before either did something he'd regret.

[Lowen Thorn]

Stealth. That's what the chef was feeling as he made his way silently through the crowd, his target within sight and knife in his sleeve. Lord Edward certainly looked a little nervous tonight, he thought as he shuffled around one person after the next. Only a guilty man could look that nervous.

He would be a hero today, he thought. The hero that brought Lord Edward to justice for his heinous crimes.

Edward's time was running out. The hero stalked closer until he was within arm's reach, and he quickly drew the knife out of his sleeve and sunk it into the nobleman's back. "MURDERER!" he cried at the top of his lungs as the steel cut through the other man's flesh. Screams, gasps, and panicked movement all swirled through the room as Edward shouted in agony.

The chef pulled the knife out and went for another stab before he was tackled onto the ground by one of the guards.



"How do you know that name?"

"Awful hot in here, isn't it, m'lord?" Lola asked, airing out the collar of his shirt to emphasis the heat. "Almost hard to breathe. As if you were being choked."

Lord Dacey's face was grim, chest tight, and the overall sensation of panic was starting to visibly sink into his expression. "How the fuck do you know that name?" he asked again, a slight tremble in his voice. "I don't know what game you think you're playing, Lord Theodore, but-"

"Oh for the love of the gods, are you really that fucking stupid?" Lola snapped. Quickly, he moved forward and kicked the leg out from under the noble's chair, sending him toppling to the ground. The sound of cracking rung through the air as he landed on his right arm and it was followed by a hiss of pain. Before the man could respond, Lola was on him again, hovering over his body as he jabbed a finger forcefully on his forehead. "My name is not Theodore you pitiful sack of shit," Damien growled. "My name is Damien Lola. Remember it."

Lola followed that up with several quick punches to the man's side, causing the noble to gasp in pain and shake violently. "That's your liver," Lola began to explain. "If you hit it just right, your body starts to shut down and your brain short circuits. The only thing you feel is terror. Must be what my mother felt every time you put your filthy fucking hands on her!"

Another punch.  Another cry of pain.

"P-Please," Lord Dacey gasped, his words mostly covered up by his struggle for air. "Y-You have to understand!"

"No," the man quickly retorted. "I understand nothing about what you are. You're a monster that needs to be put down, and I'm here to make it right."

Gael Dacey began to sob, and with a satisfied smile, Lola stood tall once more and made his way over to the door, leaning his back against it. "Like I said," he started. "It's awful hot in here."

His eyes flashed.

"This room is running out of oxygen quickly, and there are no exits. Your ability to breathe is rapidly deteriorating. You will die soon, Lord Dacey, and you will look at me while you do so. I will be the last thing you ever see."

The look in Damien's eyes washed away, and he folded his arms over his chest as he looked on his soon-to-be victim. Lord Dacey's eyes could only be described with fear as he found himself surrounded by four walls with no doors, no exit, and the feeling of fingers gripping his neck, choking the air out of him quicker than he could process thought. All he could do was follow orders and look helplessly at Damien as he met his demise.

Lola watched the man struggle, pawing at hands that weren't actually there, waiting for the sweet relief he always felt from watching the enemy die.

[Celegwen]

Rounding a corner, Kathryn heard Theod... rather, Damien's voice, as she then learned. Feeling a slight sting of resentment at being lied to, she pushed that from her mind and saw a closed door. Trying the handle, she had no real hope that it would be unlocked.

Immediately, she ran further down the hall, bounding into a neighboring bed chamber. Kathryn sprinted inside, disturbing two nobles who were obviously not married at their panic of being disturbed. Not paying them any attention, she ran into the walk-in closet and then into the room where Damien and Lord Dacey were. She closed the door and watched, as the man clawed at his throat desperately.

The girl pursed her lips and turned her head away, knowing that there was nothing she could do to save the man's life, short of killing his killer which wasn't an option in her eyes. It wasn't a long wait before Dacey went limp.

Kathryn sighed, looking at the man leaning against the door and opening her hands to show she wasn't going to hurt him, as she slowly approached. When she was about three feet from him, Kathryn looked up and gave him an empathetic smile. "I'm sorry, Damien," she said softly, standing on her toes slightly to wrap her arms around him.

[Lowen Thorn]

...What?

How did she get in here? How did she know?

"Kathryn," he said softly, not quick to return her embrace, but instead just standing there and taking it with shock rolled into his gaze. Not only had she discovered what he was up to, she knew his name, and she seemed to be... accepting it. "How did you.. what did you.. " he tried to speak, but kept stopping short, unable to find the right words.

He gave Lord Dacey a quick glance while wrapped in the woman's arms. He was dead, and yet another name could be scratched off of his list. Quickly, he removed himself from her embrace and lightly placed his hands on her arms. "If you know who I am, then you know what I must do," he said firmly.

He didn't have time for anything more than that. Any explanation, or defense, or further talking in general would just throw a wrench in his plan. There would be time for that later if she decided not to turn him in.

"You need to get out of here. I'm sorry." That was the last thing he said to her before swinging the door open and rushing back into the main hall.

"HELP!" he cried as he ran back into the audience chamber, purposely tripping over to cause a further state of panic. They were already both confused and terrified from the events that transpired between Lord Edward and the chef, both currently detained by the guards, when "Theodore's" sudden entrance shook them even more.

"L-Lord Dacey is dead!"

[Celegwen]

She understood why he was doing what he was, but Kathryn found herself at a fork in the road regarding what her next move was going to be. That wasn't the time though. Damien had alerted the guards, and either direction she ran, she would be thought of as a suspect. If she went the way Damien had, she'd be following after he cried out of another death, but if she went the opposite direction, the adulterous couple would see her fleeing from the scene.

The girl looked around quickly, seeing the window. She knelt next to Dacey, gently closing his eyes, before she hopped onto the windowsill and pushed open the windows. "Fuck," she whispered, looking at the three-story drop as she stepped onto the ledge of the building and gently pushed the window closed. She had gotten surprisingly skilled at climbing, as she never seemed to be able to keep her feet on solid ground, but it wasn't her favorite thing to do.

Making it halfway up the next floor, she grabbed onto the horn of a gargoyle statue and her eyes flashed silver briefly. The stone came to life and started flying upward, pulling her onto the roof of the building. Kathryn smirked, letting go of it and crouching to catch her breath. At that point, there were probably already guards in the room looking for the culprit, but she still needed to figure out what to do about Damien and her own conscience. Running with the newly animated gargoyle, she jumped onto its back and it flew her to a balcony on the other side of the building, then returned to its stone form on the roof.

Kathryn listened again, hearing shouting from another room. She opened the door to see the chef tied up with blood on his shirt, crying out about Lord Edward. The girl furrowed her brows, then hurried out to find out what was happening.

As soon as she rejoined the party, she walked right up to one of the guards. "I know what happened to Lord Dacey," she whispered. The guard took her by the arm and started escorting her into the same room she was in when Damien had questioned her originally, only that time Edward was also in there with a healer. She glanced around the crowd, catching eyes with Damien. She then looked at the guard and walked into the room.

[Lowen Thorn]

No.

She wouldn't.

That's what he told himself, though he didn't know what to believe. He watched with a pounding in his chest as the woman was escorted by the guard into the room for questioning. If she understood why he was doing this, then why on earth would she offer up any information on Dacey's death? Was she going to help him, or did she have a change of heart?

He didn't have time to think about it.

"Are you okay, Lord Theodore?"

Lola, still on the ground from his staged fall, looked up to see another one of the guards with a concerned look. "O-Oh," he started the act, getting to his feet and dusting himself off. "Y-Yes, thank you. I'm just a little shaken up."

His eyes darted toward the door again. Anything could be happening behind those walls.

"Can you take me to a private room to calm down? I'll answer any questions you may have," he said to the guard, rubbing his arm where he fell.

The guard obliged and they made their way to an empty room.



The door closed behind them and Damien immediately whipped around with the enchanting flash in his eyes. "I told you as much information as I possibly could, and once again you have cleared me of any wrongdoing. Other than that, you have no real leads on who the culprit is. We are going to wait here for five minutes before returning back into the audience chamber, and that will be your story if anyone asks. Do you understand?"

"I understand, m'lord," the guard replied in a monotone voice. "In five minutes we will return to the audience chamber, and you gave me your full cooperation. Thank you for your assistance in helping us track down the culprit."

As the guard spoke, a second Lola formed from the shadows next to the original. The faux Lola took position next to the guard with a blank face, waiting on their next move, and the real Damien slipped out of the door.

He could enchant one person, or perhaps even multiple, but if Kathryn revealed him for who he was he wouldn't be able to enchant everyone. Still, he couldn't do anything against her until he knew exactly what she was up to.

He had to act immediately.

[Celegwen]

Kneeling down next to the older man, Kathryn stealthily took a small potion bottle from his belt and dumped the contents onto the carpet. "Is he going to be okay?" Kathryn asked the healer who was treating Lord Edward. The healer shook his head with a shrug. He wasn't sure what could be done for the injured lord, but he was doing his best.

The guard sat the girl in a chair and folded his arms. "Alright, spill," he said. "What happened?"

Kathryn felt her heart pounding. She didn't want to turn Damien over, but she also didn't condone coldblooded murder. And he didn't offer her any explanation that justified the murder of the man. Dacey should've been arrested and tried, but that wasn't what Damien had done.

"Lord Dacey was a piece of scum," Lord Edward mumbled. "A rapist and a thief, and everyone knew it."

The girl looked over to Edward in shock, then back to the guard. "It's true," she said. "But he didn't deserve to die." Kathryn took a deep breath and shook her head. "Apparently, he thought he did." The guard was obviously confused, but stayed quiet for her to continue. "It was probably guilt and pain from losing a friend, but I saw Lord Dacey take a potion," she lied, adding an easily conjured tear for effect. "I tried to stop him, but it was too late." She squeezed her eyes closed and lifted the empty bottle for the guard to see. "He...poisoned himself, and I just froze."

Kathryn's quick lie was enough to fool the guard, who took the bottle and looked at it. He nodded to her and sighed, thanking her for clearing up the mishap. The guard walked out of the room and relayed the story she had given to the rest of the crowd. During that time, the girl smoothly darted out of the room from behind the guard and briskly walked into one of the many hallways to work out her thoughts.

[Lowen Thorn]

Lola walked away from the room moments before the door swung open. He can't believe he almost went in there, but he was lucky enough to hear the interaction before entering and taking matters into his hands to protect his plans.

She covered for him.

He was grateful, but he didn't have the time to spare to find out why just yet, though he was sure he would learn that truth eventually. Kathryn didn't turn him in and he had a duplicate that would be entering the audience chamber with the guard soon, giving him another alibi.

He made his way up the back staircase and through the halls of the household that no attendee occupied, heading straight for Lord Viktor's bedroom. He hadn't seen the bastard since the beginning of the night, meaning that he had either fled the property after the first kill or was hiding away somewhere in the house. Something told Damien that smug piece of shit was too proud to leave while guests were still in the building.

Stopping in front of the bedroom door, he placed his ear gently against the wood, listening in for any sign of movement.

Nothing as far as he could tell, but he wasn't convinced.

Fingers tingling, fire in his eyes, and enchantment at his disposal, he swung the door open and entered the room ready for a fight.

Only to be disappointed. The bedroom was empty, and the only thing in sight was a little black book on a bedside table. Cautiously, Lola took a seat on the bed and picked up the pages, flipping through them curiously.

"...What is this?"

[Celegwen]

With her hands in her pockets, Kathryn walked through the halls. She shook the top of her hair lightly, freeing some out of the tight braid so it was looser, freeing her from the bit of formality that she was still holding onto. There were so many questions running through her mind, but she couldn't figure out what she would say to the man when she saw him next. Unfortunately, she didn't have much time to prepare.

The girl rounded a corner, quickly ducking back and pressing against a wall when she saw Damien approaching.

What the hell is he doing up here? She thought to herself, watching him listen and open the door. Silently, she walked over to the open door when he walked inside.

Looking into the room after him, Kathryn furrowed her brows. "Now you're spying on someone?" She asked curiously in a forceful whisper. "That doesn't matter." The girl waved her hand dismissively. "Why did you lie to me about so much? You made me believe that Edward was guilty, and you told him about my rapist and captor. How did you even know about that?"

[Lowen Thorn]

Kathryn.

He shouldn't have been surprised anymore, but he was nonetheless. She was certainly not the typical folk at these sort of events, and he knew this confrontation was inevitable, albeit sooner than he expected. At this point, he really didn't care how she knew about him, or how she discovered his secret activities.

"Sometimes you have to lie to get things done," was his soft reply, eyes locked on her for only a moment before he continued skimming the names on the pages. "I don't know you, Kathryn. I don't know who you are, or what your intentions are, so I really didn't have a choice."

He placed the book in his lap and glanced back up to her. "As far as Edward goes, I was never going to let anyone take the fall for something they didn't do. I just needed to keep you off of my tail, because out of everyone at this party, you have been the only one suspecting of me." He stopped only to let out a soft sigh, then continued. "And as far as your rapist goes, I have no idea what you are talking about, but I hope you hurt him. If he's still alive, I'll kill him myself, because that's the person I am."

He dropped his head again, eyes back in the book as he whispered, "These bastards don't deserve to live."

[Celegwen]

"Elijah," she said, dropping her eyes momentarily. "And I killed him four years ago."

The girl approached, sitting on the floor across from him as he flipped through the pages. "And as for suspecting you, clearly I'm the only one here who listens to their instincts!"

She quieted herself. There were dozens of things that she wanted to say to him, but they would serve no purpose in the long run. She just wanted answers at this point. Even so, she didn't think someone like Damien wouldn't give them up for nothing, so she just decided to take a shot and hope it worked.

"Who's Violet?" Kathryn asked quietly. "No ring, so not your wife. Your sister?"

[Lowen Thorn]

He waited for a moment before he spoke. "I'm sorry that happened to you," he said softly, ignoring her question for the meantime. "No one should have to go through something like that. Elijah was just a name I made up when I was enchanting Edward, I didn't know."

He stood from the bed, the book still clenched in his hand. "Violet Lola," he said firmly. "She was my mother. The host of this party, as well as Gael Dacey and William Laird, as well as many others on my list, repeatedly and violently raped and tortured her when I was a child. And apparently.. she was not the only one."

Without warning, he tossed her the book. "I saw her name in there. Along with many others. Some scratched out, like my mother's, some not. That means some of them are still alive, living the same nightmare she did. There's an entire secret fucking society of these monsters."

No sense in lying anymore.

"What else do you want to know about me?"

[Celegwen]

Though the small book came towards her without warning, Kathryn was able to catch it with ease. She flipped through the pages, catching sight of Damien's mother before continuing to the end of the book.

She closed it and looked up at him from the floor. "I'm sure you'll tell me about you in time, so there's no point to rush it. I just have one question."

Kathryn got to her feet, slightly evening their eye level, though Damien still had an obvious height advantage. At that point, she just didn't want to speak up to him from the floor.

"Believe me," she started, "I understand what you're doing. And I'm not going to try to talk you out of it, but as someone who was in the same place your mother was and all of these other women are, I have to voice my piece. There are many women still alive in this book, and you can save their lives. But if you continue down this path of death, you will kill your light. All I want to know..." She held the book out to him. "Is killing these people's darkness worth strengthening yours?"

[Lowen Thorn]

Lola's eyes fell to the book in her hand, thinking carefully on how to answer. He still didn't know who she was exactly, or if he could trust us, though at this point in time he really had no choice. Still, that question. Would could possess her to ask him a question like that, and more than that, why should he have to answer her?

It was an interesting question at least, one that he never quite thought about. Those that knew him well enough might refer to him as an addict - a man who's thirst for blood and revenge so great that it could only be described as addiction. Fortunately and purposely, no one was close enough to him to make that assumption, and he was certainly not an addict. Not in his eyes.

Still, there was need inside of him that he could not shake, nor did he want to. The need for blood, need for revenge, need to take a life. It was the feeling inside of him that would build overtime until he could feel the sweet relief of watching the light fade from another man's eyes.. like trying not to blink for a certain amount of time. It was almost impossible.

It was his need, and he needed to kill someone.

"Yes," he finally said, grabbing the book from her hand and walking to the door. "And I'll ask you to stay out of my way."

[Celegwen]

"Who's next?" Kathryn called after him, knowing there wasn't anyone around to hear them. "I'm not going to try to stop you, but you won't be able to do it without me seeing. Might as well tell me."

The girl wasn't even sure what her end game with that question was, but she felt compelled to ask it. Whether it was to get him to say the name out loud or just satisfy her curiosity, Kathryn wanted some kind of answer.

[Lowen Thorn]

Lola was on his way out of the door but stopped under the frame. There was a smirk on his lips when he glanced over his shoulder.

"I am," he said firmly. Not giving her a chance to respond, he continued down the hall before descending the flight of stairs.

[Celegwen]

Kathryn frowned, clenching and unclenching her jaw briefly, as Lola disappeared from the room. She didn't chase after him, thinking about what he said. It took her a minute to understand what he meant by 'I am,' but once it clicked, the girl released a soft groan.

She meant what she said before about not stopping him, but she also meant it when she said he couldn't do shit without her seeing. She sat down in the corner of the room and put her hands on the walls, watching through the statues in the estate for whatever Lola was planning to do next.