( SEALED IN CRIMSON !)

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`SEALED IN CRIMSON.

(VAMPIRE & WEREWOLF ROLEPLAY)

Millie and Christopher looked at their grandfather uncertainly. Their bright faces expectant.
Alexander shifted from the doorway of the bleak nursery to the windowsill in one fluid movement.
The children watched quietly as he leaned against the frosted glass, his insipid eyes placid, as they always were.
After a long silence, Christopher stirred, wriggling his nose and exhaling nosily. Alexander didn’t move.
“Grandfather, tell us a story,” the small boy pleaded, leaning forward to plop onto his stomach. His sister
nodded rapidly, shifting under her eiderdown eagerly. Alexander looked across the room at them, the indifference
of his cold stare almost tangible. The old man sighed lightly, and presented a toothy grin.

"Alright then. What would you like to hear?" he said, his gaze returning to the window, eyes flickering somewhat.
Christopher rolled his head once, smiling childishly and glancing at his sister. Millie bit her lip,
knowing full well the story that would ensue. After a moment of deliberation, the boy answered.

"Tell us about Nicholas and Annabel," Christopher said impatiently, sitting up on his knees and
grasping the beds footboard with anticipation. Millie groaned, slumping down on her pillow. Christopher
shot her a glare. Alexander turned his head slightly, the grin deepening in the corners of his lips.
"Oh please grandfather, please," Christopher insisted effectively. Millie slumped further.
Raising a hand, Alexander sighed, eyes returning to the icy window.

"Very well," he answered gently. Immediately satisfied, Christopher leaned forward to listen.
Alexander cleared his throat, and crossed his arms, watching the window carefully, is if expecting someone.

"It was a very long time ago, long before either of you were born. A young boy, about your age Christopher,"
the old man paused to gesture in his grandsons direction. "Named Nicholas, met a young girl,
about your age Millie," he paused again to glance at the young girl who groaned under the sheets.
He smirked lightly and looked back out the foggy window. "Named Annabel. There were never such opposites
in the entire world. You see, Nicholas was withdrawn, tacit and very bright for his age."
But Annabel was boisterous, vibrant and a creature of beauty, grace and song.
"But, as completely opposite as they were, there was never two people so in love."

Millie interrupted here, her voice light as a feather, only her eyes peeking over the covers of her blanket.
"But Grandfather, they were so young," she cooed, tilting her head lightly. Why, Millie herself was only twelve,
and Christopher was only five minutes older. Identical twins, you see. Alexander smiled softly.

"You don't believe in love at first sight Millicent?" he asked almost surprised.
Ducking under her sheets, the little girl nodded lightly. "Well, alight then. As I was saying--
They never did anything amorous until they were of age. Of course," Alexander smiled almost fondly.
Christopher nodded as if to agree. Millie rolled her eyes under the sheets, sighing inwardly.
"Nicholas decided to ask for Annabel's hand in marriage. But, it was a tempestuous, grisly day,
much like it is tonight. When he reached her home, her parents informed him, that she had left."

Millie, now above her covers said, almost breathlessly, "Why? Why, did she leave grandfather?"
Alexander's face was grave, his eyes flickered in the candlelight as he moved soundlessly to her bedside.

"Someone had forged a letter in Nicholas' handwriting and told dear Annabel that he no longer loved her,
and that at sunrise, he would be gone forever," her grandfather replied, his eyes staring into her own intensely.
"An enraged and heartbroken Annabel went to confront him. But she never made it to his manor."
The children now on the edge of their beds, kept silent, holding their breaths. Alexander spared them
each a glance before returning to the windowsill. Christopher opened his mouth to ask a question,
but Alexander answered it quickly.
"Her carriage fell into the river," he responded, his cold stare fixed on the window.
"The storm had swollen the river, and swallowed the roads. She hadn't a chance," he said in a quiet tone.
The children exchanged strangled glances and looked at their grandfather silently. The old man stirred,
and caught their gazes with his own. "Nicholas was inconsolable."

"Unable to cope, the boy returned to his manor." Pausing, Alexander folded his hands before him, staring, soullessly.
"Food tasted like ash in his mouth. Water could not quench his thirst. He could feel nothing but the ache of his heart,"
his tones rose noticeably. "On the verge of death, Nicholas was presented with an unusual offer."
Alexander stared out of the window, eyes dead. "Satan himself, would return his lover,"
the old man glared now, brows rutted, eyes narrowed. "But...under one condition.
Nicholas, must surrender his soul," he whispered.

"Did he?" Christopher pressed, mouth agape. Alexander nodded silently in return. Millie sank to her bed.
The air was deathly still as Christopher tilted his head slightly, "What happened to Annabell?" he added.
Curious now, Millie sat up to her knees, nodding and fleeting a glance at her brother.
Alexander shifted, his hand touching the glass.

"She did return to Nicholas," he finally said, grimacing. "But not as a mortal," he breathed, his eyes crawled
in their direction.
Silently the children pleaded, their eyes as wide as saucers. He flicked his eyes, dropping his gaze to the floor.
"She returned as a loup-garou," he said scornfully. Millie conveyed a question that Alexander answered quickly.
"A werewolf." The children gasped once more, and Millie touched her mouth with her hand, falling back to lay on her pillow.
Shivering, Christopher finally let out a shallow breath. Their grandfather looked up now, assessing their reaction.

"What did Nicholas do?" Millie spoke up. Bristled by her soft voice, the old man glanced at her, his eyes piercing.
A long, silent moment passed, and Alexander approached the bedside, staring down at the girl with a softened gaze.

"It was too late. He'd already surrendered his sole to Satan. Sly, and full of evil, the devil had tricked the boy.
Nicholas changed. His skin paled, his heart seized. And every night, the boy suffered from an insatiable thirst."

Millie looked up at her grandfather, "For what, père?"

Leaning down, looming over her, Alexander spread his lips, his fangs glistening in the candlelight now. "Blood."

Nicholas LeChance had surrendered his soul. Sealed in Crimson
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