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Abel had kept silent during the interactions between Irad and the Ravnos Disciple. He was right, however, Dracian did seem different in a way from the brief encounter in which Abel knew him from so long ago. But it went beyond the younger, freshly made vampire of centuries past. Over his time among them, Abel had noticed a certain peculiarity amongst the younger generations of Kindred. (Though in this instance that included all vampires as all were much much younger than himself.)

It was a resonance….or he would refer to it as more of a mark or a stain. Something that had originated with Caine but over time had altered itself with each new generation. Each new clan that arose from the ashes that clawed its way to the surface. He sensed it in Grendel as well, though he suspected with the young Deities severance of his connection to his father that stain had altered in a way.

And if the stories were true, he had altered Ravnos’ as well. Perhaps unknowingly. And that is why the Disciple seemed off.

This realization sparked a mild curiosity in the monster. His icy gaze slipped away from the encounter at hand briefly as he zeroed in on Disciples who were milling about. Those no longer loyal to Caine, who had tied themselves to their new God would surely exhibit some change as well. Though perhaps not quite as in-depth as Dracian himself.

A quick blink and he was back in the moment, the slight n** of his thumb curling the corner of his mouth with a low rumble of pleasure. “Always, pet.” While he could not say that what he felt for Irad and Enki equated to love, there was a deep rooted desire for them that burned in his core. A very possessive nature when it came to his two lovers. Once he had awoken from his long torpor and sated his vast thirst they were always the first one’s he sought out. He would do anything for them. If they offered him the matches he would burn this entire world to the ground for them.

They were his. They would always be his.

His gaze traveled to that exposure of pale flesh as the fur dropped away from Irad’s shoulder. Heat burning in those pale blue orbs and if not for the mask he would have leaned in and bit him. Sink his fangs into that soft flesh and drink until he was satisfied. Though the desire to do such a thing thrummed through him, increasingly incessant, gnawing at his gut, causing his gums to itch, he knew well enough that there were mortals in attendance. And while he loathed the idea of them being there he would refrain, for now, in any Masquerade breaking. If only to not upset his nephew.

Begrudgingly.

The Kindred politics or their rules meant little to him.

“Does it matter if he does or not?” He was unsure why Irad would be concerned over something so trivial. While he knew and understood what his role had been under Caine and what that had entailed with Dracian, he also knew had Irad had been when he had first found him. Perhaps his lover still harbored a bit of guilt for his past actions. But those were in the past, nothing to do about them now. He could not blame the Disciple either, but he did not wish for Irad to burden himself with how others felt about things he was forced to do in a time when he had no control. As that body pressed up against him, a hand on his lower back and fingers winding through his hair he gazed down at that enchanting creature. His own hands trailing down the other male’s side beneath his fur-lined coat, sliding sharp claws over his hips and around to rest his hands at the top of his a**. A sharp eyebrow lifting in curiosity at Irad’s request. “And what sort of wager do you propose then, hm?” Abel tilted his head slightly, long waves of hair shifting with the movement. With Irad anything was possible. The ancient vampire did enjoy his wagers. The more creative and elaborate ones always seemed to amuse him more.

Rajani sighed softly, "It is difficult, but we are better off, I'm sure. Hopefully, there will be a point where we won't have to stay quite as thoroughly in the shadows. But I won't say it hasn't been fun in its own way." Her smile told of many a mortal lured in and left with no memory of what happened to them. She was quite the efficient sort, even being clanless.

Lavanya's dark eyes glittered with amusement, "Yes, my sweet silver-eyed sister has made a game of confusing mortals. It is one of the more fun pastimes to occupy ourselves with."

"Of course you did father, our flare is unmatched by any other, our aetherial charm is after all far from just the usual strain of vampires is it not?" Rajani gave her sister a twirl. They certainly were eye-catching, much like their father.

Both, "Grendel? Our lord?" Silver and ebony eyes widened in surprise, but they could see how this gift seemed to have relaxed their father, just for a moment even, "Then it is a great gift indeed, elegant," Lavanya quipped, and Rajani added, "And functional."

Lavanya giggles, "Our primary objective was to come and bother you, father! Rajani and I haven't exactly made many friends here. And while there are many... eligible partners I'm sure," She says as she glances around the party. I doubt any of them would hold our interest for long. After all, I'm quite sure most are here with their mates or chosen partners."

"And while I'm certain Lavanya or I could charm many of them, we'd rather not cause the drama. Plus, I don't think there's a single one you'd approve of either." A knowing smile on her lips.

Ah, yes. His name and rank seemed enough for the vampire in front of him to have put two and two together, and Vlad couldn't help a bit of amusement at the sudden, clear interest. Perhaps this was to his benefit, especially if he really could make an alliance with someone who appreciated who he was.

"The pleasure is mine, Zao-xue." His eyes flicked to the man's forehead, and he considered, for a moment, and then smiled. Perhaps that did explain it. One of Saolat's kin. "I do prefer to lay low, though I suppose with our new god that isn't quite so necessary. There is much less to fear with his patronage."

Artemis had hoped to avoid the presence of her Sire. She had known he was here--a feeling in her spine, in her very being.

What a unique evening, to have even drawn his presence.

And when Veddartha directed her attention, well. Indeed, there he was, with an accompaniment--good for him, she thought, with the most sarcasm she could manage. But she was not alone here, and she was so much more than she had ever been before, and in any case, well...he was clearly occupied.

"It is," she said, voice equally low. "And fortunately thoroughly occupied." One unpleasant presence, a walking reminder of what she had once been, was not enough to dampen her general celebratory mood, though. Not on this night of all nights. Not when anyone who saw her would see that she was no longer alone.

She hoped they were seen, moving together through the mansion. She was sure they had to draw some eyes; even if people didn't know who was under the mask, surely they had to look and see, lay eyes on such a glimmering pair. Being the center of attention was simply an inevitability.

And surely that would continue, when they arrived upon the dance floor proper.

She curtsied back to her partner, a playful smile on her face. This was....right. Good. Where she belonged, close to him, in his arms.

"So long," she said, voice low, "and yet you know the steps like it was yesterday. Ah, beloved, I'd missed you so."

Dante chuckled, softly. Recluse's pouting was almost charming; perhaps he was biased, he could admit that, but ever since they'd first crossed knives, he'd found everything about his partner almost too alluring to resist. And, yes, that did include when Recluse was irritated with him.

Casually,h e took the hand winding a finger in his hair and brought it to his lips, kissing the back.

"Always, darling. I appreciate your unique charms, but I'd be hard pressed to say that I think these wealthy assholes will." He kept Recluse's hand in his as he tugged, gently. "Come on, let's find ourselves somewhere to sit. I'll be trusting you to keep an eye out."

"It always better to be safe than sorry when dealing with a new situation," he said smoothly. "The more knowledge one can gain, the better they can handle what a future situation may throw at them. People who enter somewhere all willy-nilly are just... baffling."

Wrapping an arm around her waist, Australian pulls her tight to him. “Just remind yourself that you’re safe. I am here. I. Am. Here.” He keeps his voice low, calm, and steady. The tall sexy vampire is trying to get her to focus solely on him in an attempt to help calm whatever it is she sees. “Look at me, see me.” Once he has her feeling more like herself, Aistra gently leads the way to the dance floor. As they make their way through the Mansion they pass his mother. He would recognize her distinct style anywhere. Not to mention he hears her voice as they pass. So far she hasn’t recognized him. At least not that she has shown. When they reach the dance floor Aistra loosens his grip on His mate, dancing with her in sync. His focus is solely on her for the time being.