Meme Overflow

[lordoftheozarks]

For continuing memes/storylines from elsewhere.

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[Closed to Rowan]

[lordoftheozarks]

Continued from HERE.

Erik can't quite resist reaching to play with their hair himself. He finds the muss charming in its own way.

"I was just considering if I wouldn't rather have you warming the bed next to me every morning. You may just have your wish to sleep late. I am quite tempted."

The vampire sighs and drops his hand away. To business. And there is much of it to attend to today.

"We'll have to see about getting you properly integrated into this household. I'll be leaving the majority of that process in Max's hands. You are to obey him as you would obey me.

"Now... I don't mind if you rile him up," Erik shoots a look to Rowan that says he very much saw what you were doing last night, "but I will be very displeased if you distract him too heavily from his duties. Understand?"

[ralliesprotests]

Rowan allows the hand in their hair, and even tips their head into it a little as though they were enjoying it. And in all honesty, it isn't the worst. They can't help but drink up any soft affection, needy for gentle physical touch after so long. But then it drops away and Erik turns serious.

Tucking their hair back behind their ears, Rowan watches Erik, and nods simply, accepting what he says. Though they do tilt their head at the warning. "I weren't trying to work him up, just get him to stop treating me like a china doll." Between Max's obvious loneliness and Rowan's need for physical affection, though, who knows what it looked like. They pause for a long moment, picking apart the words and their own feelings on the matter.

"I don't want to overstep your boundaries. I promised to be good last night, and I meant it; it ain't a bargain if I don't hold up my side too. And I... I dunno what'll happen with me and Max. I'm a very physical person. So if you don't want me to sleep with him, please tell me. Because then I won't tease him unless you tell me to." It's not fair on Max to dangle something in front of him that he can't have. Not to mention it's a sure fire way to make Rowan frustrated as well - if things ever reach that stage between them.

[lordoftheozarks]

"Oh, to the contrary" he chuckles. "I much prefer it if you will sleep with him. I won't go so far as to force that issue, but Max has a growing need for attention and you may present the perfect solution to that."

It struck the vampire last night, as he watched the two of them hold hands, how unfulfilled Max has seemed of late. But there was a shine in his Pet's eyes last night he has not seen in years. The vampire should have realized the problem sooner.

"So, by all means, enjoy yourselves when the mood strikes. Just don't use it to get out of your work."

[ralliesprotests]

That's one way to sum up that Max is lonely. But at least Erik has noticed the problem. "I'll keep him company at least. But try not to distract him until we have the time.

Speaking of work. What do you want me to do? Max has regular tasks, right? Do you want me to help him, or are there other things you need taken care of?" They kind of assume that if there were any major holes in Max's household he would have filled them by now. And yes, they could offer up their skill with computers, but they'd rather keep that trump card until they need it. Even if that leaves them looking not particularly useful, at the very least they know how to clean.

[lordoftheozarks]

Erik stands and begins to gather up the clothing he discarded last night. He doesn't bother to put any of it back on. He will go upstairs to his own room to find fresh attire soon enough. Clearly, no one in this house is much bothered by nudity.

"There are the usual chores, of course. I assume you know how to do laundry, and dishes, vacuuming... such things. I will leave it to you and Max to divide that works as he sees fit. As for more specialized things... It might help if I knew your skill set."

For the time being, Erik leaves of mentioning feedings. He's sure Rowan will have guessed that comes as part of the arrangement too. But one thing at a time.

"You are able to take the form of a wolf, of course. But what other secrets might you be hiding?"

[ralliesprotests]

Scooting to the edge of the bed, Rowan tucks their legs up underneath them, rearranging the robe around themself as they watch Erik gather his clothes. "A wolf and four other forms. Glabro's the most useful, I can still pass as human like that. But I can't do none of that right now." They tap the collar around their neck.

"But the main thing what I do, or what I used to do, is deal with people. Make 'em feel good, get them to thinking our way of things, maybe find out a thing or two." Does persuasion even work on vampires, Rowan finds themself wondering, grey eyes watching their master thoughtfully.

"Outside of that, though, I ain't much special. Yes, I can clean. I'm good with money. If you find me two other garou I can make plants grow where they shouldn't be able to, and when it comes to the gibbous moon I can make clothes so they won't get ruined if I change. I ain't no fighter, but I'm flexible." Which is, of course, useful in more ways than one. But they very purposely omit their computing ability. Erik has no need to know about that, not until it's too late.

[lordoftheozarks]

"And you won't until I have adequate reason to trust you," says Erik when they tap the collar.

"Your social skills will be quite useful. Between you and Max, I'll have a stacked deck." Max is good at batting his big brown eyes and getting people to talk, albeit with less intentional skill and more... raw personality. Perhaps Rowan can teach him to hone it.

Erik is watching them very closely while he ponders this. If they try to use any of that persuasion on him now, they will find his guard quite high. And in the future, too, he will be staying alert. Now that he knows.

"Make plants grow," he laughs, "I don't seem much need for that. But, mm. Will you require the collar removed to work such a power at the gibbous moon? That might save us some future embarrassment, don't you think?"

He says nothing at the mention of flexibility, but there is a certain hunger that flashes behind his eyes. That, he may wish to test personally.

[ralliesprotests]

Rowan was expecting Erik to be on his guard with that information. Or rather - they wouldn't have expected anything less. There's a good reason they're not telling him about their computer ability. But the thing is, they're not certain how well it would work on him, and he already has a very obvious weakness in the shape of Max, who's human and unexpecting. Besides, there's knowing about it, and seeing it in action, and thanks to the spirits Rowan's ability is more than any human's.

And they caught that flash of hunger too. Good. Their sexuality is a crutch they can always fall back on. It wouldn't be the first or the last time.

"I'll need it removed." They reply, large eyes open and apparently honest. They have no idea, but they're hardly going to take that risk. "I need to be able to transform to complete the rite." That's not true at all, but it would make sense, and Rowan's not going to let that opportunity slip from their fingers.

Slipping off the bed, they head to pick up Erik's last pieces of clothes, folding them neatly over their arm and then coming over to him, offering them out. "Like what I promised yesterday, I want to please you." They take in the vampire for a moment, worrying their lip with their teeth. "If nothing else, trust that I don't want to be sent back to Brida." Chances are he'll be able to listen to the conversation with Max anyway, and perhaps a touch of honesty mixed with an understandably selfish reason will at least give Erik reason to assume that they wouldn't flee at any given moment. Which they won't. The moment needs to be right.

[lordoftheozarks]

"Then you'll have to wait some time for that, won't you?" Not that it will matter for a while. If they can't change, then their clothes are in no danger. All things in time.

The vampire has other things top of mind just now. He watches them slip from the bed to gather up his clothing and finds his eyes naturally drawn to the outline of their form barely hidden beneath the robe. When he reaches to take the garments from their arm, his hand instead strokes up to their shoulder to caress the curve of their neck.

"Now, that I do believe," he purrs. "She is not as..." he pauses, like he's trying to find the right words, "concerned for the longevity of her Pets as I am. I do not intend to be cruel to you, Rowan. So long as you do not force me to be."

Just then, Max walks through the door wearing nothing but a towel around his hips. He freezes in the doorway when he catches sight of two standing at the edge of the bed. "Oh. Sorry. I... didn't bring any clothes with me to the bathroom. We good?"

Erik drops his hand to their arm and fetches up the rest of his clothing. "Of course. I'll leave you two to get started with your day. I have some business to handle myself. It won't take but a few hours."

[ralliesprotests]

Rowan was expecting his touch, so they don't flinch, even when it comes in a way they didn't expect. They can't keep their pulse from jumping and then racing, though, as they school themself not to push Erik away. Instead, after a moment, they tilt their head a little, welcoming him, if reluctantly.

They were about to respond when Max makes his reappearance. They glance over at him, taking him in, and then letting a smile cross their features. Seriously, they can't fault Erik for his taste, at least. But it only lasts a moment, before they turn their attention back to the vampire, keeping the smile in place. "Yes, master." They drop their head for a moment respectfully, and then pull away.

"While you're looking for clothes, reckon you can see if there's anything what won't fall off me?" Rowan asks Max then, taking a step towards him.

[maximumcake]

Erik saunters away, looking pleased with himself and also with the delightful way in which their pulse jumped beneath his touch. Was it fear or arousal? Perhaps a touch of both? One can hope. Either way, he is very much looking forward to breaking the skin and feeling it pulse over his tongue. Soon. He is patient, but only to a point. And he cannot deny the lust that consumed him the moment they tilted their head that way. If Max hadn't interrupted... but no matter. To work.

Max watches the exchange between the two with a drawn in, purposefully blank expression. He can read his Master well, and can see what thoughts are going through the vampire's mind as he strokes Rowan's slender neck. Max must admit, the sight of his Master lusting over another, having that other call him Master too, is... disquieting. Is he jealous? No. Surely not. But, he is concerned for Rowan. He's not sure he believes they are as willing as they are putting on. Max wasn't, not this soon. But it's possible that smile is real. It's possible...

"I'm sure there must be something," Max answers after only a moment's hesitation. "Might have to dress you in one of my shirts with a belt. That's a fashion statement."

He reaches for them, wanting to feel their hand in his again already. "You doing okay?"

[ralliesprotests]

When Max reaches out for them, Rowan responds quickly, placing their smaller hand in his and squeezing lightly. Thank goodness for the touch of warm, living flesh after so much of Erik's touch! They might be able to train themself not to shrink away from his hands, but who would choose the vampire over Max?

Not that Rowan has much of a choice either way.

"Normally I'd complain, but as long as we ain't having guests it ain't no worse than this." They chuckle, leaning into him with easy affection. With the vampire gone, and now finally something close to rested, they feel something close to their normal, friendly self. And there's nothing to lose by being friendly with Max.

"How was your work out? Have you eaten already?"

[maximumcake]

Max welcomes their warm touches too. He loves Erik, in his own way, and he is more than used to the cold. But there is just something about a warm hand that Max can't let himself forget. Rowan reminds him how much he misses it.

"Shouldn't be any more guests for a while. Just the four of us in the house from now on." Yes. Four.

"Josiah put me through my paces today. Kicked my ass, as usual. If you find any bruises on the back of my calf you'll know why. He made me practice dodging over low kicks until my knees gave out." The head of security, and Max's martial art trainer, does not fuck around.

"Nah, I was waiting to have breakfast with you. I just downed a coffee and a protein bar before training." Which is the norm for him anyway. He doesn't like to eat too much before a heavy workout.

[Closed To Lucas]

[lordoftheozarks]

"Erik, we have a problem." Josiah is frowning over his phone as he says this. Whatever the chief of security sees on the small screen does not have him looking happy.

"What is it?" asks Erik. The vampire knows that look and is immediately unsettled by it.

"We weren't expecting a visit from Mistress Cassandra?"

"No," Erik replies, voice tight. "Why?"

"She's approaching our front door now."

"What?!"

Erik's gaze doesn't go to the door. It turns sharply to the living room, his mind seeing instead the hidden door that leads down to the basement apartment. That apartment holds his beloved Pet, Max, but not just him. Lucas, the IOPSA Medium, and Max's new flame, is there as well. He's paying a visit, as has been his frequent habit of late. This is bad. If Lucas discovers what Cassandra does with Max when she visits... Erik could have IOPSA coming down around his head.

"Turn her away," the vampire lord snaps. "She isn't welcome. Tell her to make a damn appointment."

"She claims to have urgent news," Josiah insists. He has his phone to his ear now. "Erik, she says it's about Ophelia."

"Fuck," Erik swears emphatically. "Fuck."

What to do? What the fuck should he do?

"Fine. I will let her in myself. Go downstairs and inform Max that we have a guest. Do whatever you have to to keep Lucas' curiosity from being aroused."

"I'll do the best I can, my lord." That's all Josiah feels he can promise.

He hurries down to the basement and calls out to Max from the top of the landing. "I hope you two are decent. I'm coming down. Max? I need you."

Fortunately for Josiah, Max and Lucas are between sessions. Max is splayed out on the couch, naked, with a plate of cookies resting on his chest. Lucas is nearby. Then ending credits of a movie are scrolling past on the flat-screen television. Max sits up in alarm, however, when he sees Josiah rushing down the stairs. Something is clearly wrong.

"What's going on?" Max asks, setting the cookie platter aside and hopping to his feet, paying no mind to his lack of clothes. Nothing Josiah hasn't seen before. "What is it?"

"Mistress Cassandra has paid us a surprise visit," Josiah says sternly.

That's all Max needs to hear. A cold wave of nausea rolls through him. He tries to hide it, but the shock can't help but draw his eyes wide. Shit. Lucas is here! What are they going to do?

[woocas]

Decent is relative, especially on weekends he's visiting Max. Sometimes there's not a shred of clothing to be found between them until he has to go. This afternoon is no different, lougning in his birthday suit like it's something he does all the time. The day has been a lazy one with nothing to do but each other before taking a movie break. Ttucked up to Max's side, Lucas idly picks at a cookie and watching the credits roll by, pondering the fun they're about to start up again. The thought never gets a chance to fully form as Josiah's voice cuts through loud and clear.

And so does Max's alarm.

Lucas doesn't stand yet, but he does sit up, gaze darting from Josiah to Max with growing worry. "Uh, who's that? Is everything okay?"

Was this some kind of drill? Erik does like to keep Max hopping, but there's dread twisting in his gut when Max's expression fully registers. It's too close to genuine fear to be mistaken for anything else.

[lordoftheozarks]

If only it were a drill. If only.

"I need you to get dressed, Max," Josiah says, voice calm. He's doing his best not to raise more alarm, though he knows it's too late already judging by the look on Lucas' face.

"Erik might need you to serve some drinks."

"Oh!" Max shakes himself out of his stunned stupor. "Of course. Shit. Uh, yeah. Give me five minutes."

Max turns apologetically to Lucas. "I'm sorry. Uh, duty calls." He doesn't explain more than that. He's off like a shot down the hall instead, to the bedroom to dress himself as fast as possible.

"Mistress Cassandra is one of Erik's associates," Josiah explains in Max's stead, "She controls the territory north of here and is based out of Chicago. Mr. Osborne is always obliged to extend to her his warmest hospitality." That's one way of putting it.

---

"You're getting your own door now, Erik, darling?" Cassandra asks cooly as she steps inside. "Where is dear Max?"

"You caught him at a bad time, I'm afraid," Erik answers with only a hint of annoyance. "If you had called ahead, he would have been prepared to meet you.

"What I must tell you, I could not risk the wrong ears hearing." Her tone grows harsher.

I hope, Erik thinks to himself, the wrong ears do not include a certain vampire queen who is also in attendance at his home. Last Erik saw Eshe, she was enjoying a quiet moment alone on the balcony. Where she is now? Who can say?

"If it is just news," Erik says impatiently, ushering her to a sitting room off to their left, "Then let's have it quickly. I'm afraid I don't have time for the usual pleasantries."

"But, darling," Cassandra says pitifully, "I came all this way. Won't you at least offer me any refreshment? After such a long and stressful trip here, I was very much looking forward to unwinding. Max is so good for stress relief. Will you really be so stingy?"

Erik's eyes narrow to angry slits, "And what if I have need of my Pet in the next few days? There is a reason we plan for these visits in advance."

"Oh, Erik, if it's compensation you want, I'll give it. And the information I'm bringing you is more than worth the trouble."

Somehow, Erik thinks to himself moodily, I doubt that.

[woocas]

The way Josiah and Max are talking, like dancing around some elephant in the room, Lucas can't help but be curious. And a bit heartbroken, for reasons he'd rather not place. Instead he can only stare up at Max in a stupor, following the man with his eyes as the butler vanishes into his bedroom. There his gaze remains while Josiah speaks.

"...Oh."

Vampire politics. Of course. Suddenly it makes more sense. He is the elephant in the room. The IOPSA elephant.

"I...uh." Am feeling suddenly very foolish. Lucas glances Joiash's way only once, rising robotically to his feet. "Should probably get dressed, too. Sorry."

Maybe he can catch Max before he has to go? At least...get a proper goodbye out of him? That hope shadows every step he starts to make in the bedroom's direction.

---

Meanwhile, Eshe had been like a cat soaking up the sun. It was a pleasant start to the day with blood tea and the local newspaper. At least it had been before a commotion snags her attention. My my, Erik losing his cool. Normally she'd find that amusing, but with her Medium in the fray, she found it terribly less so.

It's easy enough to find out what's going on with you're a literal fly on the wall. Eshe intends on doing just that, transforming with a thought and flitting her way back inside.

Time to see the true measure of Cassandra and if this fragile alliance may yet be turned into something more fruitful than they anticipated. If not, she could, at the very least, whisk Lucas away should things go south.

[lordoftheozarks]

"It might be wise," Josiah says with absolutely no inflection.

The Chief of security would really rather be upstairs monitoring the situation for himself, but he will do as Erik says. Though, he has no illusions as to how the conversation will go when Lucas makes it to the bedroom. Max holds nothing back from Lucas. And what would be the point? When the Medium very well could see it all for himself if he wished? It's a dangerous game Erik plays. Today might see the entire board toppled if they aren't careful.

And yet... says a secret part of him. And yet. Perhaps a shift in power wouldn't be so bad. Treasonous to think such things. But Josiah cannot say the situation between Cassandra and Max has ever sat well with him.

Max is in the bedroom already tucking a crisp white shirt into his dark pants. His belt is in the loops but not yet fastened. There's a blood red tie hanging loose around his neck. The urgency with which he moves can't be ignored. His lip is set in a grim line of determination.

Mistress Cassandra. Why now? Why does it have to be now? What will Lucas think? What will he say? If she does her usual routine, well, that's going to bring a quick stop to all the fun he would have had with Lucas. Selfishly, Max wants to refuse. He's never done that before. It's never been... such a problem. But, will Erik let him refuse? Can he? The situation is precarious. He knows it. What the fuck are they going to do?

---

What the fuck am I going to do?

Erik keeps his face graciously placid, but inside his mind rages. How dare she come this way? Intrude on his home like this? What news could possibly be so important that she would expect to get away with such an offense?

"Cassandra," his voice is hard as flint, "I tire of the games. If the news is so important, then tell me. Now."

Cassandra's playful smile drops. Her dark eyes are cold as a winter night. "She moves against you, Erik. She is gathering what is left of your sister's allies in secret, and she is plotting to take from you what is most precious."

"You think I am not aware of this?" Erik scoffs.

"I think you are not aware that she has asked me for her support."

Now Erik's gaze turns sharply to Cassandra. He's still as a statue. "What was your answer?"

"We are uneasy allies, Erik, Dear. We have had our spats."

"What was your answer, Cassandra?"

"If I'd decided to throw in with her, do you think I would be here?"

"But you aren't going to support me, either. Are you?"

"I cannot make an enemy of her, Erik. I am sorry. I must stay uninvolved. I have my own troubles."

"And yet here you sit, asking for my hospitality? What do you think my obligations to you should be now?"

[woocas]

Dragging himself into the bedroom like a kicked puppy, Lucas is quick to step back into his boxers and jeans, slipping shirt back over his head. All the while the heavy feeling of lead sits in the pit of his stomach, growing stronger with each passing momemt. A quick glance to Max only makes that worse. There's something else going on, he can feel it. The temptation to look back and find the answer has never been greater.

Pushing that thought down, Lucas tucks it away to hold onto in case of an absolute emergency. Instead he turns his focus onto Max and the stiff way he's holding himself while hurriedly trying to get himself dressed. Lucas draws in closer, seeking to help Max with his belt once his shirt is tucked in.

So many questions run through his head, so many he wants to voice. None of them make it past his clenched throat, tight with fear. What were they going to do now?

---

It is becoming alarmingly apparent that Erik's position here is more precarious than she anticipated. Eshe waits only a moment longer before slipping back away and returning again to her human shape. She's made similar fragile alliances in the past, only to have them crumble the moment the pressure became real. With Erik's territory bordering hers there's a real possibility of any chaos spilling over into her house.

And she was not about to let that stand.

Another concern, and no less for being thought of secondarily, are the two humans in this household now. Eshe can guess what Cassandra means about Max and the truth of it threatens the very precarious balance Erik has established here. If IOPSA were to stick their noses in it would only cause further complications that none involved needed.

"Ah, there you are, darling." Eshe steps into the room moments later, amber gqze fixed to Erik. She makes a small show of belatedly noticing Cassandra, knowing that none here believe she truly hadn't been listening in somehow. That's a bluff Eshe wants Cassandra to call her on, but doubts that she will.

"Well, I was going to ask you if you wished to join me on the balcony, but..." She drawls slowly, lofting a brow as she peers at the other woman. "It has been quite a few ywars, hasn't it, Cassandra?"

[lordoftheozarks]

Max offers Lucas a thin but grateful smile when the man moves to buckle his belt for him. That leaves his hands free to start fixing the tie. His fingers are shaking so much even the well-practiced movements are jerky and uncoordinated.

As the silence stretches on, he finally finds the courage to speak. He has to say something. "Lucas... I'm so sorry. I... I don't want to go. I don't want you to see..." To see how broken he will be when he comes back.

"What I mean is... Cassandra can be really hard on me."

---

Cassandra's posture goes rigid when the vampire queen enters. "Eshe? Yes. It has. I wasn't aware you were here." There's an edge in her voice, not of aggression but of fear.

"Perhaps if you had called ahead," Erik commented tartly.

He reached for Eshe, to take her hand as both a symbolic show of unity and out of a true desire for comfort. He, of course, guessed that the woman had heard every word spoken. Was it foolish to hope that her interjecting now was because she desired to help unstick him from this situation?

"Mistress Cassandra has brought us news," Erik says smoothly, going along with Eshe's ruse, "I suppose I should thank her for coming to report her betrayal so swiftly."

"Now, see here, Erik!" Cassandra begins to protest. "Our pact was such that I would not begrudge your control over territory that should rightfully have been mine. That agreement has not been breached."

[woocas]

It scares him how much Max is shaking and all the reasons that could cause it. The visit is obviously important in some way but Lucas finds he can't remember if he's heard the name Cassandra before. Vampire politics was outside the normal bounds of his expertise and Erik's name was only familiar because he neighbors Eshe's territory directly, his own kingdom as large as hers.

All these thoughts go right out the window. I don't want you to see... Lead instantly drops in the pit of his stomach, and it feels as if all the blood in his body drains right out of his bare feet.

"Don't go." The thought escapes from between his lips before Lucas can filter it. He swallows and doubles down, louder this time. "Don't go, Max. You don't have to. If Cassandra scares you this much..." He steps between Max and the stairs leading out, hands curling around Max's upper arms, pale gaze swimming with clashing emotions. Worry and resolve. "What's going on, Max. What does she do to you?"

If need be, Lucas steels the thought in his mind, he could pull the IOPSA card out, shield Max as best as he can. No matter what it takes he doesn't want to see this look of fear on the man ever again.

-----

Especially arches her brows momentarily higher. Erik's pointed out what needs to be said and practically rolled the red carpet out for her. If Cassandra had more forethought she'd surely continue getting away with this arrangement, whatever it was.

Her fingers lace easily between Erik's, tightening in wordless reassurance. The way he seeks her out only cements her decision. One doesn't become master of their realm through cowardice, but holding the line at the frontier is dangerous on the kindest of days. Come what may Erik has her support.

"Why not fight for it, were it truly yours." Her tone is measured, carefully even. She was not seeking a scrabble here necessarily, but would not be disappointed if Cassandra lashed out. Or perhaps, she thinks to herself while her thoughts trailed to the two humans in the mansion, she did wish for a fight. Even a Pet should be treated as more than mere stress relief.

Her top lip curls subtly.

"Or pick the side of your ally, if that's what you claim Lord Osborne to be. Don't roll over and show your belly while begging for treats."

They could stand against her. Should Cassandra chose to flee into the arms of Erik's enemies he would have Eshe's support. The Ozarks could not crumble or that chaos would sweep eastward with sureity.

[lordoftheozarks]

Don't go, Max.

If only it were that simple. He wants so badly to cave, and curl into Lucas' arms, and refused to go up those stairs. If he did that... it would be the first time in a long time that he ever disobeyed a direct order from Erik.

"You're wrong. I have to, Lucas. I have a job to do."

He doesn't want to say. He doesn't want Lucas to know. The job? How could he even explain? What she does to him is... it's good until it isn't.

He can't bring himself to look Lucas in the eyes, even as he begs, "Please, you have to let me do this."


----

The immense wave of relief that washes over Erik from just that affirming squeeze of her hand is almost too great to believe. But, he sets it aside for now. He can revel in it later, once the danger had passed.

"'Twas your dear Lord Osborne who wished to avoid the fight," Cassandra snarls. Her lip curls too, in disgust, at seeing the two of them clasp hands. "He knew I would have defeated him then."

"You and I seem to remember things differently, Cassandra," counters Erik. "I did not wish to fight you. I never said that I could not. Perhaps that fight is overdue."

Erik can feel the tension in Eshe. He's come to know her well. She may just be spoiling for such a fight. And, while Erik was not as sure all those years ago that he could win decisively. He is now.

"I am begging for nothing," Cassandra continues. I want no part in this conflict. I want to stay out of it."

"Do you really think you can?" presses Erik. "Do you really think, if Ophelia does what she has been threatening to do all this time, that the war will not touch every single one of us? I need to know where you will stand when that time comes."

Cassandra looks between Erik and then Eshe. And the silence stretches on.

[ambrogio]

Max won't look at him.

That alone sends up alarm bells, twisting his gut into a tight knot. There's something else to this job, something that Max and Erik don't want him...no, IOPSA, finding out.

Planting a hand to Max's chest, like he has any hope of actually stopping the man if he chooses to push him aside, Lucas steels himself, voice low but determined. "No, Max. If I have to get to the bottom of this, I will, but I can't ignore that something is going on. Whatever the hell it is...you don't have to tell me." His voice breaks there, but only for a moment. "All you have to do is ask me for help and I'll do anything I can."

Which isn't much, even Lucas will admit. Alone out here in a house of vampire's and a Pet, he's too tangled up in this mess. But that promise he made during their first days together Lucas intended on keeping. No matter the cost.

"You don't have to do this." The pleading tone in his voice shines through in whole now, desperate for Max to at least look at him. To grab hold of this lifeline. Whatever the storm to come, even if Max chooses Erik now, he'll remain steadfast. Max wouldn't be rid of him so easily...

---

Silence is ever her ally. Eshe is patient, letting her beast stew in the lengthening laspe of words. It would have to be sated later, but for now she holds it back with practiced grace.

Silence is also an answer. Cassandra has made a choice, conscious or not. There were no true neutral parties, she would not merely sit back and watch events unfold. That was ever the nature of the game.

Drawing in a purposeful breath through her nostrils Eshe stares Cassandra down, appraising in the way a leopard looks down at its prey, "I believe that concludes your business here then."

There's no reason to drag the humans into this just yet, unless Cassandra presses the matter.

[lordoftheozarks]

Max shivers at that touch, his eyes draw down to the hand squarely on his chest. He could move past it, easily. But he can sense in this moment that doing so would be a fatal breach of trust. If he pushes past Lucas now, what they have will be broken. Maybe forever.

All he has to do is ask for help? Lucas is acting in his capacity as an IOPSA agent now. Not just as a friend.

He feels so cold. The shivering won't stop. He might vibrate apart at any moment. When he finally manages to bring his gaze up to meet Lucas', tears are quivering at the creases of his eyes. His lip trembles almost too much for him to speak.

"If I don't go up there to meet her..." he croaks, "she might decide to break her alliance with Erik. Lucas... please. I don't want to choose. I don't... I don't want to lose you. It's just... she's rough. When she plays with me. That's all. Just a little too rough. I can handle it. You don't need to do this."


---


"She speaks for you now, does she?" Cassandra demands of Erik.

He sneers at her. "In this regard, we are of the same mind. So. Yes. Get out of my house, Cassandra. And do not consider yourself welcome here again."

"Erik," Cassandra stamps her petite foot. "Oh! Very well. If it is a pledge you desire, then you shall have it. I shall take your side, should the war begin openly. Does this please you?"

"Not at all," he tells her coldly. "A weak bond is no bond at all. You have enjoyed my hospitality too long as it is, and I have got nothing to show for it."

"Nothing? Really Erik?"

"Attack me then," he says with a careful shrug. "Come take that land you find so disputed. We shall see what comes of it."

Cassandra's fists ball up at her sides, and she growls low in the back of her throat. She stares at him long and hard, as if deciding to throw a punch or not. But a glance aside at Eshe seems to make the choice for her.

"You will regret this, Lord Osborne." And, that said, she stomps her way to the front door.

"No," Erik says cooley, "I don't believe I will."

[woocas]

The shivering scares Lucas the longer it goes on. He can only guess as to the reason, that by begging Max to defy Erik he's put the man between a rock and a hard place. If he hadn't been with IOPSA maybe he would let it go, but he can't. Those words only unscore the need to step in. Cassandra's rough when she plays with Max...doesn't he get a say?

"I don't want you to choose. I'm...I'm sorry. You can hate me after this is over but I also can't stand by and let this happen." His breath catches, catch between a swallow and a sob that threatens to crack him wide open. "You are still a person, even if you're a Pet. You can still say no. And if he's not letting you..."

Another swallow. What else is being hidden from him? Pushing aside being Max's lover, what is Erik really up to, what other horrors has Max been subjected to? He should have pushed harder, asked more insistently. He should have, but didn't, swept along like no ill could ever come of such a mismatched pairing.

"I'll talk to Erik," Lucas decides, turning away quickly before his resolve gives way or Max catches him. He still has to get past Josiah, but he'll try. He has to, for Max's sake.


---


There's a long beat of silence after Cassandra leaves where Eshe stares at the space she had occupied, her fingers still laced in Erik's. This is her vow and it's not one she makes lightly or in haste. Though they had only spoken pleasantries in passing for decades, she has kept an eye on her neighbor. And likely he has done the same. They were destined to be rivals or allies sooner or later and she finds, in the darkest pit of what used to be her human heart, that she is glad for this outcome.

Her grip tightens.

"We need to speak about a few matters, of course, and cement this alliance completely, but most pressing is our dear humans, hm?" Subtly a brow arches as Eshe eyes her fellow Elder. "I imagine it hasn't escaped my Medium's notice that something is afoot by now, especially concerning Max. So, it's best you're clear with me first. Is Max a Pet of yours or a slave?"

Because the difference, subtle as it is, means everything.