Late Phases (Vegas/Domin/Sita/Ridha/Milliray)

[jarahamee]

Domin pulled up to the Garden Hall in his sleek unmarked car, wearing what Vegas had decreed was his ‘least threatening’ outfit. This seemed to consist of a cropped white shirt, long white skirt, and some kind of cape over it. The whole ensemble was entirely ridiculous, and seemed to leave very little to the imagination.

Sita leaned against the car window next to Vegas, her normally imperious expression tinted with concern.

“…I feel like I should come back you up, but I am unsure if being so exposed is wise…”

The icy rain that poured from the moonless December sky did nothing to deter the vampires’ meeting. After Vegas brought up the possibility of meeting on neutral grounds and making some kind of arrangement, the Domin and Roan had been nothing but helpful in offering possible wheres and hows.

Which led them to the agreed upon meeting point; a little garden venue that was usually booked as a wedding location. He had reserved it during a weekday, and in the evening, when the scene was all but deserted.

It was picturesque;

A little Roman-style villa arranged in a C-shape around a small and carefully cultivated garden and pond in the center. At the center of the entire complex was a gazebo; the place that was usually used to officiate the weddings, but had now become a private gathering.

Two dark shapes already sat within the confines of the wooden structure.

[jarahamee]

Vegas extended her hand and delicately brushed Sita's chin with her fingertips, urging her to turn. It'd been weeks, but Vegas still couldn't believe that the goddess was hers to touch. The new relationship felt like a dream; when will she wake up? Hopefully no time soon. She was ridiculously happy. Even now, moments away from danger.

"A lioness shouldn't tussle in the mud with pigs," she reassured Sita. "Leave that to me and the Dragon of Flanders. It's what we do."

Feeling bold, she leaned toward Sita, her voice dipping low and soft.

"Kiss for good luck?"

Sita looked down at her through her thick, long lashes, crossing one of her long legs over the other.

She smiled slightly, her red lips turning up at the corner.

The vampire paused, then leaned forward, reaching out to take Vegas' chin in her hand, before pressing their mouths together firmly.

She then drew back, crossing her hands back over her lap.

"How was that for luck?"

"Mmm. I need to buy a lotto ticket after we finish with the rebels," Vegas joked. She touched Sita's hand, whose nails were as pretty as gems, as sharp as daggers. "See you soon, Beautiful."

Reluctantly, she drew away from Sita and exited the vehicle. Outside, air smelled like cut grass, flowers, and motor oil from the road. As she and Domin approached the gazebo, she smelled remnants from a long-gone wedding party. Sweet cake, fish and chicken entrees, a particularly strong perfume, bodies mingling, leaving their traces on rose petals and the wet gazebo wood.

But all was silent now. Vegas stopped in front of the gazebo, clasped her hands, and nodded at the pair of rebels.

"Good evening. Thanks for meeting us. I'm Vegas. That's not a code name, by the way. My father liked the city. As for me, I prefer meadows without casinos. Who am I speaking with?"

[jarahamee]

Sita’s bright eyes followed Vegas out of the car, even after she turned away. The door closed behind them, and quickly, the two of them had left the parking lot. Domin followed Vegas like a shadow, stalking towards the gazebo.

The gazebo was gently lit by small lanterns decorating its exterior, providing only dim light to the structures within.

The two vampires within stood as Vegas approached. A man and a woman. The man was her height, slender, wearing a long kurta decorated in blue, green and yellow with slippers. The woman was average height, wearing an oversized military jacket, high-waisted jeans, and sneakers. Both looked like they might be in their mid-twenties.

Their eyes locked onto Domin immediately, and the woman took a step back, but Domin shook his head, his hand falling to his side.

The strange vampires shared a glance, then looked back at Vegas.
The woman walked forward first, extending her slender hand. Unlike Sita, her nails were short and unpolished, knuckles prominent from a lifetime of work with them.

“I’m Millaray. It’s nice to meet you, Vegas.”

Her voice was lightly accented. Spanish and…something else?

The man walked forward, his yellow eyes glinting over the top of his sunglasses. He did not offer a hand, but bowed to her.

“Ridha. You can call me Ridha. Please. Make yourselves comfortable. We are here to talk after all.”

Domin spoke from behind Vegas, also inclining his head as he stepped up beside Vegas. His noble carriage did not diminish the ridiculousness of his clothing.

"Sir Domin Boucier. I am just here as... accompaniment."

The vampire gestured gingerly to Vegas.

[hadopelagic]

Vegas shook Millaray's hand. Her grip was not too firm, not too weak; she hoped that it conveyed a mixture of confidence and respect.

"Yes, Domin. He's my personal beekeeper."

Millaray squinted at Domin, apparently dubious. "A beekeeper? He's been investigating all of the vampire business. Unsuccessfully, I might add."

Domin, in response, merely brushed the front of his shirt.

"I am multi-talented, my dear," he said. "But this is not about me. This is about my friend Vegas."

“I'll get to the point," Vegas said. "What is your endgame in Wathais? Your goals?”

Millaray crossed her arms. "Our endgame? Are you speaking in an ideal world, my utopia? Or what we seek to achieve realistically?"

“Tell me both, if you like. I’m curious. You must be fighting for a reason.”

Millaray looked thoughtfully at Vegas. She seemed to be aware that the woman was no vampire.

"Can you imagine, four hundred years ago, I was a slave girl on a plantation? My mother was a slave, and so, when I was born, I was one too. When I came of age, I was sold to a man, who turned out to be a vampire. He kept me with him, and treated me like I was his thing. Not a person, his object. He used me whenever and however he wanted, and I had no power to resist him, and when he nearly killed me, he finally made me a vampire too, so that I was bound to him for all time."

She paused. Her delivery was emotionless, but her voice trembled as she finished.

"Finally, after a hundred years of suffering, I banded together with another vampire, and together we killed him and tore his body apart. I realize that there was nothing in this world that was there to protect me, except my own desire to save myself, and I never wished that on another. No, I decided, we have to save them all."

It was a horrible story, and Vegas's heart ached with sympathy for Millaray. Sympathy and relief. Because Millaray's utopia was not a world of revenge. She didn't say "We have to kill them all." Instead, she wanted to save the victims of abusers.

Vegas could appeal to her noble heart.

"My sister," she said, gently. "What a beautiful endgame."

She sat down on a gazebo bench and bowed her head, thinking a moment.

"The ** is a fever, Millaray. A blight of destructiveness. How base. How incurious and cruel. But I promise you, my sister, that Earth will extinguish the sickness with time. Natural immunity. And we will return to gentler societies that existed, in peace with our ecosystems, for millennia before the failed reign of man."

This, she truly believed.

"You are driven by compassion, not violence. Brilliant woman. Tell me about the vampires you've saved. How are they? Who are they? Do they need support?"

[jarahamee]

Millaray glanced back at Domin, as if with suspicion, but he had not moved from where he stood. In fact, he stood in the entry of the gazebo, as if he was aware that moving any further towards them might be physically threatening. She turned her head back towards Vegas, quick as a bird of prey, using her sleeve to wipe her eyes.

Ridha reached out to touch her arm, as if in reassurance, his yellow eyes catching the moonlight.

Millaray smiled sadly at Vegas, and shrugged her shoulders, shuffling her jacket back up, as if the cold and rain still bothered her. She shook her head.

“They always need support. We leave a trail wherever we go. From the old world, to Los Angeles, to Portland, to Seattle, and now here. We make our tracks. The young ones… Some of them have joined us, but most, we tell to find new lives away from the chaos. Avoid being drawn into what we have started.”

She looked directly at Domin, and stepped back, as if to make a point. He merely held out his empty hands, remaining in place. His red eyes glowed faintly in the darkness, without the help of any moonlight.

“The vampires have their own system, but it’s never worked. Not for us, not for anyone except the powerful vampires. He’s just here to clean up all the loose ends, and make it seem as if there was never a problem.”

Domin raised his hands fully towards his head, as if surrendering, though he wore a faint smile on his lips. He seemed unthreatened, but Vegas knew that he was ready to act if either made a move towards him.

“I am.. very sorry that has happened to you. No, I am not here to do any of this. I am here to make sure the Vampiric Council is aware of any crimes being committed by elder vampires, and of course, to prevent any further violence against either vampires or humans. We request that everything is formally processed through both the local supernatural authorities, and the vampiric council.”

Ridha stared at him, as if to stare through his body, and Millaray made a soft hissing sound through her teeth.

“If only they ever cared before.”

Domin merely inclined his head.

“They do care. They have. I was once the high executioner of vampires. I destroyed many a vampire who used his power for cruelty, and in a way that endangers all other vampires. Now, all of us, even I, must work with the human authorities. Courts, systems. Due process. These are the things that are important.”

Millaray’s face wrinkled in an unnatural, animal-like snarl, and she stared back at him, her glance hard.

“And what? Who would testify against a vampire? What kind of court is going to hear us? You and I both know this is the only kind of justice that our kind can have!”

[hadopelagic]

The rebels resented Domin, of course. They'd been neglected by justice, and he represented the justice system. It would be unwise for Vegas to broach the subject of collaboration until their anger had been redirected.

On the basis of her power, she understood the incredible benefit of trustworthy allies. If Vegas wanted to give herself good luck, she had to endure bad luck, too (she rubbed her sore right hand, remembering how the wind had smacked the van door shut and broken her finger earlier that day; she'd endured the misfortune, just in case). It was much safer to direct the good luck to allies and the bad luck to enemies.

"We are part of an ecosystem," Vegas said. "Every living person and animal, the cursed and the strange. You may feel alone ... I may feel alone ... but we're connected." She turned in her seat, looking between Millaray and Ridha. "A curse doesn't change that. We belong to the same world."

Vegas tilted her head, trying to see the moon from the gazebo.

"I came to Wathais to meet the werewolves. You've done your research; you know them. They escaped persecution in Romania and now reside here, all four generations of adults and children. The werewolves live as they lived in the old country; the elders are nearly my age, Millaray. A century, and here they are, survivors. When I learned about the change you bring, I was afraid that they'd become casualties of a vampire war. They were protected by the vampire Roan and therefore consider him family."

With that, Vegas stood.

"Are my concerns justified?"

[jarahamee]

Millaray’s attention moved from Domin back to Vegas, just as she had intended. The vampire turned her head, taking in this new information. She shifted her footing, frowning at the demigod slightly, before placing her hands in her pockets.

“We aren’t here to attack people employed by vampires, or their spawn, or their offspring, human or otherwise. That said, if they get in-between us and our targets or attack us directly, we will have no choice to retaliate.”

She sighed, her cold breath creating no steam in the damp night.

“None of us are here to be another conquering power. We’re here to get rid of the old and make enough waves that they can’t help but notice us. I don’t want to destroy any… bloodlines, especially if they aren’t vampires, but sometimes, there is no other option, especially if they are being used as pawns and human shields.”

Millaray glanced at Ridha, who pushed himself off the gazebo, locking eyes with Domin.

“Master Roan is not a target, but if he is here to align himself with our targets and those who victimized us, he will become one.”

[hadopelagic]

"Well, that's good to know," Vegas said, eyeing Ridha, who seemed fixated on Domin. Was he the muscle? It was hard to tell, with vampires. They could look like delicate youths but fight like a hurricane. "It's a very reasonable line."

She tapped her chin, as if thinking. "But we don't know your targets. That's my concern. Abusers are often ... very skilled at hiding their monstrous nature. Through communication, we could minimize collateral damage. Don't you think?"

Millaray frowned, considering Vegas's question. She had to admit, she had a point here.

"And if I find people who are questionable, what then? Do we wait until they find enough evidence from their terrified victims to arrest them? Will the WDSA and the vampire council come down on them?"

She seemed to lose a little bit of steam, rubbing her hands together, as if for warmth.

"....What sort of communication are you proposing?"

Admittedly, Vegas had no trust in the human justice system, and she doubted the WDSA was much better.

"Domin, my beekeeper. Millaray raises a good question. If you become aware of a tyrant, how fast can you act?"

Domin sighed, "Oh Vegas. A hundred years ago, it could all be over in thirty minutes! But now, there is standard procedure. Court of law. We must prosecute like humans. Have evidence, rules, witnesses...all these things, to ensure that we are fair, and not enforcing the rule of tyrants."

That's not what she needed to hear. Millaray was impatient for results; she knew the toll of suffering.

"That's unacceptable from your standpoint," Vegas said to Millaray and Ridha. "Am I right? Your hearts ache for the victims, and you cannot justify any delay for the sake of the court's due diligence."

If she kept talking, perhaps they'd be lulled into cooperation.

"Maybe there can be a compromise. Meet the elder vampires of Wathais--Master Roan, for example--and plan an expedited taskforce that can rapidly identify, imprison, and investigate abusers."

She walked between the two rebels.

"Or you could whisper the names of your targets into my ear, and I will do my best to keep the wolves safe from your war. That's assuming that you trust me, which is a big assumption to make. We just met. You don't even know what I am. Or do you? Ah, perhaps. Your intel is good. What do you say?"

[jarahamee]

Millaray and Ridha looked at one another briefly, as if communicating wordlessly, and then Millaray crossed her arms, slowly processing Vegas’ words. She tapped her foot, glowering back at Domin from across the gazebo. The Former Vampire Executioner did not move from where he stood, remaining stock still.

“Perhaps your expedited council might work, but how could we have any proof that they would not just turn around and capture us? After all, to you, we are also criminals.”

Domin exhaled the breath he had probably been holding since he last spoke, and drew his feet together. His expression was decidedly resigned, and devoid of aggression.

“I am not judge and jury. I am just here to listen and investigate. Our goal is to get to the bottom of all of this and stop any further crime or bloodshed.”

Millaray looked long and hard at Vegas, and seemed as if at least part of her wanted to oblige her. Her mouth moved, but no words came out. Her jaw worked, and then her eyes slid back to Domin.

“I cannot risk my mission like this but keep your family close to keep them out of harm.”

Ridha put his hands in his pockets.

“Humans are being exploited, fed on, dying. Or they’re taken like I was, and become spawn, basically slaves. Any time we waste, more of them end up like this.”

[hadopelagic]

"I don't believe in criminals," Vegas said, with a wave of her hand. "As that requires adherence to a legal system. There are people on my good side, people on my bad side, and people I don't know well enough to judge. There must be a neutral party in Wathais who can mediate discussions between you and other vampires. An entity like me, with the power to keep the peace."

When Ridha mentioned the exploitation of humans, Vegas's gaze sharpened, and she walked close to him, stopping with her hands clasped harmlessly behind her back.

"This is why you need allies. What happens to the children--the spawn--who are cast to the winds of fate? Some might resort to desperate measures to survive; they do not know another way. Ah! But here, in Wathais, Mistress Sita has created a humane blood drive that can be implemented elsewhere."

Vegas turned to look at Domin, and an expression of puppy love flashed briefly across her face.

"Is that correct, Beekeeper?"

[jarahamee]

Millaray looked at her with great sadness, and reached out to take Vegas’ hand gently. Her slim hand was cool to the touch, almost colder than any of the outside air against her warm skin. Frostier even than Sita, who often wore very little in the cool evening air.

“If only you had the power of either the Elder Vampires or the entire WDSA. We would want for nothing more than a third party to force all parties involved to listen to all laws, and do only good. When I was young, I was told this was the role of God, but he has never helped us.”

There was a flash of hope mingled with sadness that flashed across the vampire’s face. She looked as if she wanted to believe in Vegas, but at the moment, had no proof, no reason to. The demigod was a demigod, but did she have the power to stop either ancient vampires, or the government?

Ridha raised his eyebrows. Sources of ethical food outside of the WSDA? He uncrossed his arms, placing them on his hips. There were community blood sources offered before, but none of them were legal, even if some of them were ethical.

“She’s creating another way to feed, apart from the government blood bank? Something legal? Is that going to be outside of this city too?”

Domin nodded.

“Mistress Sita is indeed doing exactly this. In fact, it is her ultimate goal.”

[hadopelagic]

"I am not powerful enough to hold off the WDSA," she admitted. Vegas squeezed Millaray's hand in both of hers, trying to warm it through transfer of heat.

"Millaray," she said, "you have the power here. There are ways to communicate safely, through conference calls or ... or ..." Aggravated, she clicked her tongue. "Ah. Zoom? The computer."

It was incredible the way technology bounded ahead. Vegas did her best to keep apace, but her brain felt cluttered sometimes. AOL, AskJeeves, Google and Gmail, Tumblr, ChatCPT; nonsense words she'd memorized and often confused.

She continued, "Plans can change. Wars can end. And yes, yes! Ridha! Sita's blood distribution system helps donors and vampires. It's really wonderful. Exactly what a utopia needs."

If she accomplishes nothing else, Vegas will make it clear that Sita and her clan should be protected. The war should avoid her territory completely.

Slowly, she released Millaray.

"When you envision a better future, do you see yourself?"

[jarahamee]

Millaray’s expression shifted, and she shared a look with Ridha. Ridha’s face, in return, tensed, and he returned her intense concern. She turned her gaze back to Vegas, frowning slightly as she considered the possibilities.

“Vegas, we are not opposed to having our concerns heard in this way, but… We are only a part of a larger whole. While we can try to stall any further…large scale hostility, I would hesitate to say we have complete control over everyone who claims to be part of our movement.”

Ridha simply nodded, as if in agreement and tapped his foot, as if with anxiety. He ran a hand through his thickly curled hair before it fell to his side.

“That system would help fledglings, and I suppose, any who do not have supportive vampire sires. It would also reduce illegal activity among the young members. There is logic in your Sita’s plans.”

He shifted his physical stance slightly.

Millaray half-closed her eyes.

“I suppose I see… a future of full transparency. There are so many people who want to be immortal. We have the ability to give it to them, and we can do it with kindness and full disclosure. There are so many ways we can help. I see myself as one of those, perhaps.”

Domin frowned slightly, “It will take time to accomplish all of this. You are telling me that time is something we will not have…”

[hadopelagic]

"My Sita?" Vegas mused with a sneaking smile. No, not mine, never will be, although Vegas was already hers. And they'd only known each other for a month. Ah, tragic. Vegas's heart simply didn't understand patience. "She's the most logical woman I've met."

She considered the vampires as they spoke, soaking in their body language, which could be more honest than words. What did their hesitation imply? What was left unsaid?

When Millaray said "Vegas, we are not opposed," Vegas heard:

Millaray and Ridha were the most level-headed leaders in the group. Must be. That's why they'd been sent to speak with her. That's why they were willing to listen. If they represented everyone, things could end peacefully.

And when she said "but ... we are only part of a larger whole," Vegas heard:

Others would be opposed. More violent, impatient, volatile members of the rebels.

Vegas's smile widened. The group could be splintered along philosophical lines. Divided into factions. Weakened.

"Domin," she said, with a click of her tongue, as if chiding a young man, "that isn't what they're saying. Millaray and Ridha offered to stall. They may be successful, especially if we give them a reason to work with us, not fight against us."

She whipped around, her eyes wide and bright. "Millaray, Ridha, you are respected within your group. You must be. Surely, even the ... impatient ones will listen. They'd be fools not to. We aren't asking for a surrender. Just a chance to find a less violent way."

Vegas stepped closer, her voice hushed. "How will the the fledglings know a kinder future if all the kind elders perish in this fight?"

Now, almost whispering, "Let mortals and gods destroy your vile elders. They're so good at killing things and so easy to command."

[jarahamee]

Domin heard Vegas’ words, and his eyes widened, but only for a moment, before his aloof expression of absolute detachment returned. He glanced sidelong at Vegas, his expression sly, before nodding in agreement. She was right. He decided, for now, to remain silent. He could discuss details with her later.

Millaray and Ridha watched them converse, frozen in space, as if movement might break the spell. Their eyes glowed faintly in the dull light, unblinking, with incredibly focused, almost reptilian attentiveness. As her focus returned to them, she saw them begin to relax, their shoulders slumping a little.

“Our efforts are…focused. We do our best not to involve…anyone who is not deserving in these matters, but, as you can imagine, we are imperfect.”

Millaray continued, inclining her head, as if to suggest that there were, indeed, other ways. She put her hands in her jacket pocket, pivoting on her heel as she considered.

“…I can ask for time…But I think… any suggestion of stopping at this point will go…poorly.”

Ridha nodded, his mouth a solemn line. They were committed now. There had already been many more than just Rosenthal who had met their ends, and there would likely be many more before all of this was over.

“We would not be opposed to meeting with a middle man, providing…they were polite, but there is no promise that it will lead to anything.”