Post by Deleted on Nov 27, 2021 16:44:03 GMT -7
TRIGGER WARNING
30 May 2026
Life in the Nightshade main house was far from easy, and far from simple. But if there was one thing Fenrir knew, was that no one, and that means absolutely no one dared to disturb him while he slept. As such, the young man slept well. When he did awaken, his maid was there ahead of time, placing his expertly brewed coffee on the side table. Without a word, he moved to the side of his extra large bed, and sat himself up in his bed. Slowly taking in the aroma of the drink. He started to drink, half way through his drink, the maid silently opened the curtains, slowly so that his eyes could adjust to the light outside. The drink was created to perfection, clearly the woman had made it herself, as she always did. He only liked it the way she made it, though he would never tell her. Well, not unless he was mad at her. ”Update on my latest breeding project.” He started as he finished and set down the cup. His words sound more of an order than a question. It was only then that she started to speak, updating him on what he asked, followed up with the status of a few of his “guests” that he had in the basement. As the woman spoke, he stood up from his bed and moved to the clothes that she had set out for him. Dressing in some high end casual clothing, he finally looked at her. ”Go and ensure he is ready for me. I’ll be going down to check on the mix first.” Yes, she just told him the update, but it was now the morning. He had to get started on the next stages of his projects.
Once dressed he moved to leave his room. Opening the door he came eye to eye with a servant. He must be new. The man instantly started to stammer, it seemed as though his father requested his presence for lunch. He listened to the man’s stammerings, tapping his foot. Receiving the gist of the message, Fenrir then moved lightning fast so that his hands were wrapped around the man's necks, pressing hard he pushed the man into the adjacent wall. The choking and gasping sounds only brought an extended grin of absolute pleasure to his expression. ”Did you ever wonder why they sent you here? Meredith, make sure he gets a good lashing for this. I expect to see your work.” He looked back to his silent shadow ”Don’t disappoint me.” She never did. But he knew that threatening her always brought out her best work. He then turned back to look at the man still gasping for air and trying to fight off the man’s hands. With one look, the man stopped struggling, and with eyes wet with tears, he pleaded for his life. Releasing one hand, he still held the man’s neck, pulling out the switchblade from his pocket and flipping it out. Effortlessly bringing the sharpened blade centimeters from the man's eye. It was so tempting. After all, if there wasn’t a constant reminder, how would they learn? Fenrir drew closer to him, pressing harder on his neck. Taking in a sharp breath, he paused. The man’s attention split between the blade about to slice into his eye, and the young master choking him out. ”You know I could. And no one would care, not one bit.” He whispered. It was the sad truth that most of the house staff were often disposed of by the members of the family which they served. Though many had found the best way in surviving the Nightshade main house. This man clearly hadn’t. But with no warning he pulled away from the man, ”It seems as if today is your lucky day.” He whispered hauntingly before he released the man and continued on his way, not caring to see if the collapsed form breathing deeply would recover. He knew that Meredith would clean up whatever mess the man had made. By the smell, there was for sure some waste to be cleaned up. Such spineless wimps had no right being employed by the Nightshade family.
Moving through the manor was not easy, though Fenrir sauntered through the familiar twists and turns. He had, after all, come to the house nearly two decades prior. The journey from the top floor to one of the many secret entrances to the basement was long. He passed many servants and even a few family members. The servants, as expected, submissively stood to the side of the hall, head down and hands clasped. Without a word, he passed them. Acting as if they weren’t even there. But he knew, and had seen them. As long as they didn’t give him a reason to attack them, he wouldn’t. Well, he usually wouldn’t. Passing family members, he participated in the nonsensical greetings and light conversation before moving on, that is, to anyone actually worth talking too. Any cousin or sibling that approached him, they being new to the main house, or quite frankly, on the bottom, he didn’t bother wasting his time.
Finally he made it to the hidden entrance that would eventually lead to the breeding rooms. Now the boy knew that the main family business, experimental magical creature breeding, was highly illegal, but that didn’t mean that he wasn’t going to have some fun with it. Walking down the dark stairs he came to the bottom, the only obvious way to go would be through the arch way. There were many working in the area behind him, preparing all sorts of items. It was approaching meal times for their abominations to be. Without giving them much mind, he turned his back to them, facing the wall. Pulling out his wand he moved it and the wall moved away revealing a small corridor, with a dim light. Stepping in the young man moved swiftly, waving his wand at every light. The twisting and turning path was a labyrinth that claimed many lives. But Fenrir could make it to the end with his eyes closed. He might as well, seeing as, one by one, he waved and snuffed out each light as he passed. Coming to the center of the maze, there was a broader opening, one with many different paths, the black cloth on the floor far from a rug, and the walls covered with the remains of the creature's meals. Walking over the black cloak like creature, he swiftly made it to the end, magically killing the final light just before he walked through the exit, which was only visible in the absence of light. It was more complex than that, but it all came down to the fact that this was, by far, the most secure area in the mansion.
Fenrir moved to the area of his latest breeding attempt. Last time they male and female had killed each other. Such was the way it went. But this time, he had switched the creators genders and subdued them both so that they wouldn’t attempt to slay the other. This time he had succeeded, well so far he had. The mix of Acromantula and Norwegian Ridgeback had the potential of creating a new poison as well. Though the female had successfully become pregnant, there was no guarantee that the product would be viable. Even now as he entered the room to check on his abomination in the making, the female didn’t seem well. She was acting weak. Perhaps the forin venom was too much for her. He scowled at the creature, observing for a time. Not long after he had arrived, some servants came in to feel the beast. Once they had thrown her food to her, he watched, she didn’t entirely seem hungry to him. ”Get someone to check on the status, I need to know what is going wrong” He demanded the men who obviously already had enough work to do. But nonetheless, they still nodded to get that done. Meredith would inform him of the results later.
Once the check was done, it was time to head back up to his room. He had an important lunch after all. Dining with his father, the front runner to be the next patriarch was a big deal. He had to look the part. So, he made the trek back through the labyrinthian mansion back up to his room where the appropriate clothes were already neatly laid out for him, and the signs of the earlier encounter with the weak servant had also been cleaned. Fenrir changed, and was careful to ensure that everything was perfect, his hair was tamed and his clothes spotless and wrinkle free. The black suite was of the best quality. He never intended to run for the patriarch spot, but that didn’t mean he couldn’t look as if he did. With assistance on final touches, he was finally done and made his way to the dining hall.
The man made his way down to the main floor, and to the grand entrance of the dining hall. He passed the enlarged suite of armor, enchanted to act if things got out of hand. Fenrir then took a seat, many others (all half siblings) who lived in the main house were already seated. No one addressed him, lest they get a response they weren’t hoping for. The dining hall wasn’t a place to eat and interact with others, and it was not a place of battle. Fenrir had made a point to be right on time, he didn’t intend to wait any longer than he had to. A few moments later, his father entered. The man was always a few minutes late. The meal wasn’t going to start until he was there and seated. One could arrive at any time before the meal, but arriving after the one who sent out the invitation was a punishable offence. Some arrived as early as they could to ensure to avoid this. He had found that as long as he arrived on time, he would be fine.
Immediately after the man was seated, the meal began. Servants brought out the start of their meal, the man asked about current projects and how things were going. When it came time for Fenrir to be asked he gave a polite, yet small recognition to the man above him. ”They hadn’t killed each other during the breeding, but the female doesn’t seem healthy. I’m already working out what to do next if the spawn is not viable.” He plainly said. There was no point in lying. The man would already know how his project was going. He heard a snicker from a younger sibling who had just arrived at the house. His attention snapped as his intense gaze was glued to the teen. Just as the half sibling started the squirm, Fenrir grew an unsettling grin. ”Perhaps she needs live prey.” He suggested. He didn’t get up or move to act, but verbal threats weren’t against the rules. But with one word, the father stopped any further response. Fenrir leaned back in his chair as he started to eat his meal with all the class that years of pureblood breeding and high society class had taught. As the meal progressed, and the light conversation dwindled, the young man found himself getting quite bored. There was no escaping now. The meal time was structured and planned, he wouldn’t be able to leave until they were done, or something else called for his special touch.
Seemingly at the same time, a maid, and Meredith approached the table. The nameless maid leaned over to whisper into his father’s ear, and Meredith into Fenrir’s. It seemed as though the maid was rather long winded, his efficient maid spoke concisely, and he knew what he had to do. Swiftly moving, Meredith moved out of his way. No one wanted to get in his way, not when there was so much fun to be had. He was half way out of the room when he heard his father say. ”It seems as though we have an unwelcome guest. Who will…” He stopped as Fenrir waived without looking behind him. The doors opened for him and he was off. He wondered what sort of ballsy character dared to enter the Nightshade main house without invitation. Worse yet, they were freely wandering the halls. That just wouldn’t do.
After leaving the halls he stopped at one of the paintings ”What’s the last location the intruder was seen?” He asked. Receiving a quick answer, he moved swiftly through the house. Any newcomer would struggle finding their way around, but Fenrir had first stepped foot here when he was seven years old. Clearly he had the home court advantage. He found the trespasser trying to lift an old item that his assessor had collected. Last he had heard, the Fabergé egg was worth enough to be able to purchase any small country or island if one so desired. ”You have two options.” He started, as the thief shockingly looked up and instantly started to run away. ”Option two then.” He said as he raced after them. He was careful to keep in pace, not letting them get out of sight, but also giving them the false hope that they might just be able to escape. While chasing, he pulled out his wand, ensuring that the intruder was herded towards the front entrance, exactly where he wanted them to go.
The thief raced through the labyrinthine house, finally turning down the main entrance hallway, the two gargoyles placed on either side of the door seeming to be mere stone. When in sight of the main hallway, Fenrir slid to a stop, his face lit with excitement for what was about to happen. He watched as the thief looked back elated to the fact that their pursuer had stopped. They were home free.
Time seemed to stand still as Fenrir watched the thief charge for the door. The haunting sound of stone springing to life, and the thief attempting to stop and turn around was a failed attempt. The stone gargoyles had lept to attack per the rules of the area. They were not with a member of the household, and therefore were not to be left alive. When they were well and incompacitated, Fenrir sauntered up, bringing the rule into effect, and both gargoyles backed down, returning to their parched spots. He crouched down to the bedraggled intruder with a wicked grin. Pressing on a spot that had been cut open by the gargoyle's claws, hearing the injured person cry in pain, he licked his bloody finger. Tilting his head he held down on another wound, causing the cry once again. ”So, I’m curious….What exactly was your plan?” Without a response, he started to reach into any and all pockets or hidden areas, seeing if they had taken anything else. As the thief protested, he again caused them immense pain until they stopped. He pulled out a few money coins from around the world and a phone. Leaving them all on the floor next to his newest toy, Fenrir stood up. ”Meredith, attend to my new guest. And figure out who hired them.” He said as he then walked away, passing his ever faithful maid.