Owner	Pose
Sinister	Lux. Nestled in a suburb of New York City, it caters to the elite and the money'd but also to all the others that occupy the multiverse in one stripe or another. So it receives some odd deliveries at times. Lab equipment is a different kind of thing to get brought over, but not unheard of. The shipments of various bloods, from various animal types, samples and butcher quality is a different affair, but also not insanity. The rest of the delivery came by a very private route -- there is now a secondary clone of the human body of Samael the Lightbringer sleeping where it can be monitored on a computer, but doesn't cause a disturbance in the force. It is a little distressing to watch yourself, after all. Sinister is no mixologist, but he has learned some -things- of late, which is what he is busy with at the moment. A suspension is currently being titrated in exact quantities, in a sample jar and various bloods have been set out, spiced, carefully treated with a variety of juices and herbs and mixed in a very specific ratio. He's coopted a picnic table for this and is mixing with a glass stirrer at the moment, sniffing the product with careful attention.
Lucifer	A little distressing to watch yourself is an understatement when the self you're watching is an exact replica just without a mind to run it. Secondary mortal clone, for the sake of existing so Lucifer can ask for another favor from the Vampire Lord. This is going to put him in debt with the man, but perhaps there's some interesting offers he can make to cover such things. While the mixologist is at work putting together different flavours of blood, the Lightbringer himself - still in his celestial form - is working on calling someone. A particular coin in hand to let Vlad know he's being thought of, and further, perhaps being called to visit. The sired vampire is somewhere that even Vlad won't be able to sense him in the moment, so it seems safe enough to bring him around for a visit. A chat. And to ask the favour. Other people might be visiting too. Lux and even the penthouse are turning into regular meeting places for the couple and their friends.
Dracula	Animal bloods do naught for Dracula after so many years with his particular affliction. Only the blood of sentient things benefits him. And he can be rather ruthless in the pursuit of sustenance but he knows well what the lack of it does to him. To say that it makes him snarky is an understatement. Through various sources of his own, Vlad has heard of the assorted blood deliveries. And though he has remained distant from Lux for some period of time, this is perhaps enough of a reason to draw him forth out of the shadows. The call that reaches him from the magicked coin is not lost on him and is weighed in its own right. And draw him forth, it does. The shadows come first, thick and skirling, serpentine things that move as though with a life of their own. They seem to be concentrated at a particular point, and what started as a small gathering of them soon becomes enough to encompass a man. A presence appears within the shadows, dressed all in black from head to toe, and it is with a faint gesture of the fingers of his right hand that the shadows suddenly disperse. They expose the tall figure of Vlad, who wears a black matte silk shirt that buttons up, black slacks, black boots and a long black peacoat. His hair is also black, hanging partway down his back and brushing across his shoulders. For a moment, he does nothing more than watch. Then the darkness of his gaze turns to Lucifer and he tilts his head a touch to one side. "I find myself to be debating between asking what is afoot or simply awaiting the explanation," he says softly, a touch amused. By all appearances, he has recently fed.
Sinister	Sinister's eyes look up before the arrival of the Count, sensing the disturbance and the incoming mind. He nods to the elder vampires, going back to his chemistry set, for yes, that's in essence what it is. He sniffs the mix once again, then sets it aside, moving to a different piece of equipment; an evaporator of a kind, modified rather cunningly. A goblet style glass is set to a pipe as he undoes a tap, pouring a full wineglass of something that smells to a vampire's nose -exquisite- into the flute. It's set aside as he hums as he works, adding precise ratios of his prepared animal and herb mix to it. The whole thing is gently set on an agitation plate and set to a gentle vibration. "Good evening, Vlad. This should be ready shortly. The preservative is currently chilling." Nodding at a small refrigerator.
Lucifer	Lucifer watches Nathaniel for a moment before his gaze shifts to Vlad, smiling all the while. His steps take him towards the Vampire Lord and he greets him with a tender kiss and gentle nuzzle. "Hello, my dear. I think a part of this is that Nathaniel is wanting to show off some of the things he's learned while being and working with the vampire clone..." He says this and then seems to shuffle his feet a bit. Is the Lord of Hell nervous? "Have you been well? You look freshly fed, which I can surmise is a good thing.." This much more. He doesn't say much further either. Perhaps giving Nathaniel a chance to have the floor and explain things. Which won't account for why there is a Luci-clone laying on a slab just waiting for something to happen to it. Maybe.
Dracula	The assorted chemistry bits and pieces are slowly looked over by the elder vampire. He is assuredly curious of what is being done. His sensitive nose does, at least, tell him of the various elements that are currently present. He tilts his head a touch to one side and then inclines his head towards Sinister. "Good eve to you as well, Sinister. A preservative? What is it that you seek to preserve?" he asks with a touch of curiosity. That which gives off the exquisite aroma causes his dark gaze to turn in that direction, one of his eyebrows nudging up just slightly. Vlad turns his gaze to Lucifer and a smile curls at the corners of his lips. The kiss is met and given in like kind, and he slips an arm around the devil. He draws in a breath of the man's scent, then tilts his head a touch to one side. A glance is cast between the pair and his dark gaze settles on Lucifer again. "Why are you nervous?" he asks softly, curiosity to his voice. "I have been well, aye. And I have recently fed. Early this morning, in fact. It is a good thing, indeed."
Constantine	Ding, says the elevator. A waft of three days party heralds the King of Hedges. Constantine passes the threshold, pocketing a key that is immediately traded for a cigarette. "So there's a tasting party and I'm not invited?" he says dead pan. "I'm a slut for free drinks at Lux. Top shelf all around, you know it." If he uses a lighter or not to ignite his coffin nail, that's a mystery best solved by Scooby Gang: immensely technical and mostly moot. "Oh, hey Vlad. Long time no see." Fingers wiggled at Dracula, casually. No, it is not Dracula that is on Constantine trouble detector, it's Nathaniel. "I thought I'd warn you, Nate: no making waves. This," he waves his Silk Cut at the whole lab, "Kentucky Fly Hemoglobin with the secret mix of seven herbs and spices? Yes, Vlad. Finger licking gooooood. This maybe not blood magic but it's too close for comfort." Humpf. He drags longly on his cigarette, lets out a lot of smoke. "Can a guy, you know," he gives Lucifer a worried glance, "consult omens without seing a red flood everywhere?"
Sinister	Sinister raises the glass after about a minute of the careful agitation. He holds it up to the light, smiles at it, then sets it to floating over. "I know that this works, but your mileage might vary. I found a full glass of this to be quite satisfying, rather than the nearly three litres that are usually required to take the edge off. The herbs are serum and vibration activated. The animal varities are rather more like adding those twenty three flavours to the secret recipe." he gestures to the floating glass as it draws close enough to Vlad. "Let me know what you think. It could be your age makes you require slightly more than I did. It's a blood type cocktail from sentient beings, concentrated some by very careful measures. The right balance of types makes it at least more satisfying, if not more sustaining." He takes the time then, to hum his way to the fridge and remove the preservative. "I had to figure out a way to preserve a tissue sample without the DNA becoming denatured by traditional preservative measures, or completely dissolving due to separation from the host. It turns out that nutritive combinant DNA suspensions with cryogenic colloidal keeps a sample fresh for about seventy two hours without dissolution. Thusly, I can take a sample from you and keep it fresh until cloning is possible -- the full organism does not separate, whereas a sample from the original organism does." He gestures to the jar, "vampire tissue suspension solution. I've been busy with the time I had." As Constantine makes his appearance, the scientist in the room gives a snort. "If I had any potential to cast magic at all, except through a device or artifact, that would be a concern. This, I assure you, is strictly based on observable data and science."
Lucifer	"Nervous? Me?" Lucifer asks and then takes a breath. "Because I want to ask you something. Another favour, actually. This time..." He motions to where his unconscious second clone is laying. "I want to know what it's like...to understand better. Also, to help Nathaniel a bit more, as there are some things that haven't been delved into for...reasons." Mostly personal, some sentimental, but the science won't be complete without all things documented. "Though I will completely understand if you say no. Which, you have every right to, of course." He lets Nathaniel do the whole explaining the science thing. There are still some words and methods used there that Lucifer hasn't learned or studied so he has no idea what they all mean specifically. In the actual sense he gets the whole 'this may be better, try it'....but if that's the case, why not just say it? Ah well. Then there's a Constantine in his Penthouse and he raises a brow to that. The question that Constantine offers has Lucifer raising a brow. "You can consult omens all you want to...but there are no omens being set, broken, or made otherwise here. As Nathaniel said, this is all derived from and in the name of science. You really have nothing to worry about here." He smirks. "You just always happen to arrive at the interesting moments. I will love to see your expression when you wind up popping into me and Nathaniel being some what relatively normal for a change."
Dracula	"And yet, invited or not, here you happen to be. Interesting how that happens to be the case," Vlad comments, an almost lazy note to his voice. He inclines his head towards Constantine in the form of greeting, his dark gaze lightly flicking over the fellow. "There are many things done with blood that do not amount to magic," he comments. It is, after all, food for him. Vlad turns his attention back to Sinister and one of his eyebows arches upwards. Lifting his right hand, he deftly plucks the levitating glass before taking a sniff of it. He is curious, of that there can be no doubt. He gives the glass a light swirl and then takes a sip of it, letting the liquid roll over his tongue. He looks to the indicated jar and he finds himself giving a small nod. "Indeed, you have been busy, " he agrees. He chuckles softly, a touch darkly. "Once upon a time, science was thought to be magic by those who did not understand it." A wordless glance is given the clone of Lucifer and then his gaze turns to the devil himself. "To ensure that I understand what you wish, my dear... you wish your clone to be turned so you can inhabit it and... experience life as I do," he say softly. There, he falls quiet for a long moment, taking another drink. He looks down into the glass, swirling it lightly. "You seek madness. I shall grant it. Half a fortnight more time shall I grant for the experiments you wish to complete. When midnight tolls, I shall come to claim the lives that I have given. There will be no further time granted. I know that you have hidden the first of them," he says, a flash of crimson showing in his eyes as he looks to Lucifer. "It is not what many expect and the newly turned have a tendency towards the vicious. Animals can satisfy the young." It isn't quite the same as spending centuries with the hunger as he has, but it lends a glimpse.
Constantine	Struck by stupor, Constantine's mouth remains half open for a good second. "Normal?" he echoes after Lucifer. That's it. No comeback. He looks between Dracula, Sinister and Lucifer in turn. "Wait... what." He might have said HELL NO with what tone of voice. He finds an empty petri dish glass thingy and transforms it into an ashtray with a flick of his non-magic tobacco wand. Avada Anashtray! He shakes his head, pouting. "Blood is always magic. Always. That blood brother game kids play? Ancient Etruscan bonding ritual... for instance." He looks to Lucifer, his face sour. "Give me normal. I want normal. Nint to five, guv'nor. Not /this/." He points a thumb at the clone. "No offense meant, just saying." Cigarette smashed in the makeshift ashtray. John opens a flask of what he calls 'breakfast' and drinks, drinks. Then he lights up another cigarette. There's no pleasure in any of it for him: he's brooding and avoiding further eye contact for the time being.
Sinister	Sinister goes to a lockbox next, taking out a scapulae and sterilizing it with an alcohol wipe. He proffers the scraping instrument to Vlad, handle first. "Just a few passes of it over your inner cheek and then swish the thing around in this..." he holds out the jar, resting it on thin air. "...And seal up the lid. I'll have it sent out and inserted into a new maturation tank, afterwards." He leaves the 'what do you think?' hanging, looking over at Lucifer. Nope, he's not tackling that one. Nope, nope. Instead, he chuckles at Constantine's comment on blood brother bond and heads to the bar. An entire wall of whiskey and a small cabinet of everything else that's good, it's therefore an Irish Carbomb that he makes up for Constantine, dropping the whiskey shot into the guiness and bringing it over with a nod. "Puts hair on your hairy bits. And we do actually do normal sometimes. It's just not expected and well... again, your mileage may vary. You bumped into Sophie when we were actually having a very normal scout for breakfast and a patch of real estate as I recall. So in -that- situation, the abnormal was all you." A glance is sent to the clone and he offers in a very matter of fact tone, as he surrenders the carbomb "...what would you rather have? A vampiric archangel? Or a life-form grown specifically for the purpose, that can be disposed of properly at the due time? I know which I would rather. And which the universe at large would be safer with."
Lucifer	Lucifer looks around between his two guests and one live in before taking a slow breath. Even if breathing isn't necessary for him, he sometimes uses it for it's intended purpose. "Firstly, we haven't hidden the clone. I will readily tell you, the clone of Sinister's which you've turned is actually in Hell. Hell's time differs from here, so minutes here is days there. When the time for the experiments are up, you will have the clones back and readily available to destroy. We're planning on making a whole thing out of it, my love. I promise." He gives Vlad a smile, and then shifts to nuzzle into him a moment. "I want to understand you in all the ways I can. Thank you for giving this gift to me, in a sense. I shall not take it forgranted." Then, then he looks to Constantine and lifts a finger. "No one invited you. No one asked you to be here. And there is nothing going on here that should have triggered your mind. You came here of your own volition, and if you do not like what is going on here, spare us all your lectures and simply leave." He offers. Calm, steady is his voice, but there is hellfire in those blue eyes as he stares Constantine down. "You've seen us normal. Nine to five. Breakfast and house hunting. You've seen us push boundaries. You've witnessed us lose at a few things, and win at others. So if there's something going on here you don't like.." He motions. "Elevators that way, or you can simply use your magic door and get the fuck out of my penthouse." Finally he looks to Sinister and smiles. Stepping away from Vlad to approach the Scientist and gives him a kiss as well. Cause he's got two lovers in the room, and both shall receive attention as equal as he can muster to give. Though he does glance back to Constantine for a moment, perhaps curious as to what the man decides to do.
Dracula	"Normal has never been a thing that I have sought to be. I am centuries from when I was a mortal man and even that was not a life that could be called 'normal', by your definition of it," Vlad comments, a mild tone to his voice. "Blood is life, blood is death," he adds, inclining his head slightly towards Constantine. His gaze turns to Sinister as he listens to the instructions and he half bows before reaching out to accept the tool. He meticulously does as he was bid to, sealing to jar afterwards before offering the scapulae back. "Done and done," he says, a smile touching his lips. "It is a different flavour but I must admit that it is pleasing," he says, taking another sip from the glass he holds. "I doubt that I could turn an archangel. You have known me long enough to know the clone is my preference for turning, as it was with you. I have no wish to make either of you as I am and subject to my control if I were to wish to exert it," he says, inclining his head slightly. Vlad turns his dark gaze upon Lucifer and he listens well before giving a small nod. "I trust in you, Lucifer," he says softly, sincerely. "I understand the reason behind it, now, as I did not before. My apologies, most humbly offered forth," he adds, half bowing to the devil. "You are welcome, for the gift. It is a curse at the same time. I hope you find it bearable." He gives Lucifer a squeeze and a kiss on the cheek. And as Lucifer's attention turns away, Vlad sets the glass to floating before lifting a hand to pull his fingers through his hair.
Constantine	Constantine mouthes a silent 'thank you' for Nathaniel, as to not break the gravitas of the drama unfolding. He gives it a sip to try, if a sip was a finger. A wink to the mixologist gives the drink the good ol' Johnny Seal of Approval. With slightly shaking hands, he pours the content of the glass in his flask, not a small feat considering the small small neck. As practice makes perfect, John's hands' shakes seem to be coordinated enough to avoid more and a few drops spilled, even when he looks up to Lucifer to sustain the Celestial's stare. "I wouldn't be here if I didn't care, you know? I'm just saying what I saw in vision: a flood of blood. I followed its taste and I ended up here. Okay, agreed, I wasn't far off, because you know... I thought Heaven and Hell have a long memory and we're allies, right?" Indeed, short of sleeping in a dumpster, not much could give a tell on where or how or if at all John slept for the last night. Week. Year. He agitates the flask, sloshing the liquor salad around in it. "Say... when you're done with body swapping... have you ever tried Parchesi? That. That's normal." As for whom kisses whom? Nothing shocks John in this department. "If that thing goes sideways... I'll help however I can."
Sinister	Sinister's eyes flit to Constantine and he gives the man a brief nod, then is distracted by, or rather occupied by near presence of the Lord of Hell. He gives Lucifer a squeeze of one arm about the waist, leans in to kiss his lover's jaw, then asks quite simply. "Do you want in, or out during this?" He looks from Lucifer, to Vlad, to the silent form of the clone of the devil's human self. "If yes, I will have to initiate the transfer," -- he looks to Vlad then -- "...I had and have no intention of attempting to betray the pact that was made between us, Vlad Dracul. I am a man of my word, in most things. I draw the line on agreeing to go out for lattes with my girlfriends though, I reserve the right to cancel out without dishonour on that commitment." Said with the tiniest of tongue in cheek moments, he looks back to Lucifer for his decision, then Constantine. "I wonder why you were brought here. I imagine there are some things that your philosophy or those powers that tend to interfere with your daily existence, wish for you to witness. Or just for anyone to witness, perhaps." He frowns a bit, "Why do I know about myths of witnesses? I know that's significant somehow... Oh well."
Lucifer	Lucifer scoffs a moment and then looks at Sinister, giving a nod. "Watching something come to be. Then spread it by word of mouth or penned in ink. Who knows. Also..." He looks to Constantine. "There's an entire lake in Hell full of blood. We went there a couple days ago, Sinister and I. Maybe that's why its in your brain." If angels are playing games, Lucifer gives no fucks at this moment. "Are you asking if I want in? Everything is already set up for it to happen, so, yes." A smirk as he walks over to where the clone lies. "This will be quite interesting."
Dracula	"A flood of blood is not uncommon in places where I haunt, Constantine. Without a regular supply of it to sup on, the amount of it that would be shed would be much greater," Vlad says softly, a hint of a smile touching his lips. He tilts his head a touch to one side and then he inclines his head slightly towards Constantine. "I am generally able to control newly crafted vampires, especially those of my own creation. Your help is appreciated, though I hope you will not mind my saying that I hope it is not needed," he adds, a touch amused. He looks to Sinister and gives a nod, a smile twitching his lips. "I trust you as well, Nathaniel," he says, his tone sincere. "I did not think you would betray the pact we made," he adds. "Perhaps he was drawn here from the potential of the reaction that might have been but wasn't. I am a man of temper the likes of which you have not seen and which I rather wish for you to not witness," he muses. He looks to Lucifer and tilts his head a touch to one side. "You will feel death, Lucifer."
Constantine	"Right. Seems all plausible, except omens are usually meant about the future." Second cigarette meets her sister in the petri dish vessel. "Look, I trust you guys. Even you, Vlad. You'be been around the block for a while and come with wisdom on top of talent." He shrugs, perhaps shedding off his boy-who-cried-wolf cloak? "Humour me: if anything feels funny, anything at all, warn Mindy. She lurks the parking lot across the street, she'll find me. Celestials, Prince of Hell, are not meant to feel death" Constantine takes a swig from the flask, "among other things." He lights up yet another cigarette. "You're right, you're right... none of my beeswax. I'm off your hair, okay? If I knew what I did wrong here, I'd apologize. Send me a memo." Turning for the elevator, he waves once meaning it for everyone. "Parchesi. I mean it!" He steps in and is gone, leaving behind a ghost of his musk.
Sinister	Nathaniel nods to Lucifer then, taking a deep breath, looking over at Vlad he moves behind the archangel in order to catch. Because catching WILL be required as his eyes close -- there's something really quite terrifying about a person who can literally rip the mind of another out and relocate it elsewhere. If he wanted to truly make a mess of the entire world, politics and peace, if he went off the rails entirely and gave up on his purpose, that might really be something. But then how much work does he have to put in, to be able to do a mind -transfer-? More than he would care to let anyone know, thus it isn't done lightly. Imprisoning a mind inside of his own? Well, that he might do more frequently than he lets on, too. -- With the ruby diamond on his forehead flaring brilliantly and emitting a bloody red glow every which way, the effort of doing something very careful and quite clever, at least has a lightshow. He'll catch Lucifer's body as the mind inside of the archangel is transferred... most of it to the clone body which will wake up any moment with its new celestial occupant and holds back a tiny amount. So that when death occurs, he can pull the mind back along that tendril to the grain left behind. It's an important thing, you know. This telepath knows that very well. Else you can get very stuck in a dead body. "Man wasn't meant to walk on the moon either, but I feel that perhaps mysticism has a different set of rules. Celestials aren't meant to know a great many things, nor are we common plebians. But that's how we grow, learn and become greater than the sum of our parts, is to discover and find commonality in certain inescapable truths. And better know ourselves and others for it. Maybe, it will be humbling. Who knows? Surely not I."
Lucifer	Lucifer waits until the moment that John Constantine is gone from the apartment. "I consider him an ally and almost a friend, but a lot of the times he's also a right pain in the ass and I hate it." He offers this much before finally and fully allowing Sinister to transfer his mind from Celestial body to Mortal Clone. The body of Celestial Lucifer slumps into Sin's arms and a few moments later, the Clone's eyes flutter open and then he slowly sits up, looking himself over. "Besides, meant to feel or know death or not... I've done so much worse in my time on earth I think. And I don't like worry warts who take things like omens and prophecies as law." Oh he's apparently still stewing from some of the things Constantine said. "Anyway..." A moment more is taken for him to stand, gain his balance, and sort of get used to the body which actually breathes because it has to. Feels his pulse because his heart has to beat. Then blue eyes look to Vlad. "Well. Here I am."
Dracula	The Lord of the Vampires lifts his right hand to make a slight gesture, his dark eyes falling half closed. "Perhaps there was a potential future in which I would cause or create a flood of blood. There are many options, and the future that is held in Omens is not always the future that comes to pass," Vlad says softly, his tone thoughtful in nature. One of his eyebrows quirks up a touch, and he inclines his head slightly towards Constantine. "Thank you. I do like to consider myself to be a creature of some talent," he comments, a flicker of amusement showing in his voice. He gives a soft chuckle, and then he gestures towards the clone. "When he inhabits the body of the clone, as it is a mortal shell, when I drain it of the blood and turn it to be my kin then he will feel death. It will be a temporary affliction, but he will feel it all the same," Vlad says, choosing to offer some explanation at least. "Growth is a thing that oft comes from experimentation. What else is there after so many years of being alive and with so many years that lie ahead in wait?" Vlad suggests, tilting his head a touch to one side. He glances towards Constantine, to watch him as he leaves, and then his attention shifts to Lucifer and Sinister, watching the pair of them. He watches the clone as it comes to life with Lucifer's essence, rising up and breathing, and there is a spark of crimson that lights in his eyes as he hears the pulse begin, hears the heart beating. "Indeed," he says softly, a flicker of hunger rising to his voice. "There you are," he adds, his weight shifting just a touch. He moves then, and swiftly so, to close the distance to the clone, lifting his left hand to touch his fingers along the side of his neck. He leans in, his eyes falling closed as he breathes in the scent of the clone. "And kin to me and mine shall this body be made," he whispers softly. Providing he's permitted to do so without any interference, he swiftly bites Lucifer's neck. His other arm slips around him, lending some support. There is a moment in which he does not drink, and in this moment is the enzyme that causes the vampiric change introduced into the clone's body. And then, Vlad drinks, and he drinks deeply.
Sinister	Sinister's arms fold around the form of the real devil, holding that body steady against his own, watching all the while over that shoulder, his legs at parade rest and one bestubbled celestial cheek kind of bumped up against his ear where he stands. "It's a feeling like no other and it will drag you down, my dear..." a quiet piece of advice, as he then simply... watches.
Lucifer	There is at least enough of a disconnect within the clone that Lucifer knows it's not him completely. There is enough connection that he can experience what all he wishes to. A glance given to how Sinister cradles his true form and then a look to Vlad as he presents himself. Then Vlad is beside him, he hears those words and feels the prick of fangs within him. How they pierce his flesh. He bleeds but isn't drank from right away...and then...he feels his life force begin to drain. There is no pleasure in this, every swallow Vlad makes is another step towards that darkness that death is. His heart tries to keep up, but soon there's not enough blood to pump into his body to keep things going and it stops. His lungs refuse to take in more breath. A gasp, a wince. "...So this...is death..." He offers. "...I feel...cold..."
Dracula	There is nary a glance towards Sinister, even with the words that have been spoken. Vlad knows death, and he knows it quite well for the number of times that he has dealt it across the span of his life. He keeps his eyes closed, and his fangs embedded into the side of the clone's neck. He takes sustenance from the blood that he consumes, and it is difficult to tell if he takes pleasure from the feeding. It is Lucifer and it is not Lucifer. He keeps an arm around the clone, and the fingers of his other hand lightly spread across the side of his neck. He continues to drink, right down to the very last drop of blood. Only once it is all gone does he slip his fangs free of the flesh before flicking out his tongue to lick the skin. To lick the blood from the skin. With a certain amount of care, he picks up the body that Lucifer embodies, and he carries it to the couch in order to lay it there. "Yes," Vlad says softly, a gentle note to his voice. "This is death. It is cold, and the light is fleeting as it becomes darkness. This death is temporary. A new sort of living will come, given time," he adds.
Sinister	"It isn't over yet," Sinister says in a calm, quiet voice. "Remember how I was?" an even quieter voice, his gaze on vampire and victim in equal measure. Holding fast until the last struggle has fled. And then he narrows eyes, holding onto that narrow little thread; letting all of what this /is/ hold fast until he dares not allow it to go on any more, for fear of being unable to drag the mind back. There'd be a very good chance that Lucifer would NEVER be the same if he got trapped in there for the three days of transformation. "Now. Come on back... in my mind. In my mind. Hold on." Labyrinthian corridors are a maze for some to be trapped in, in this particular case the 'waiting room' for Lucifer is a long stretch of beach in the south of England, where the horizon goes on forever. It doesn't last for long, before sounds of running footsteps catch up with him in the mind's eye and with a grab of his mental shoulders, he's yanked back into the body he /usually/ inhabits. "Welcome back."
Lucifer	Lucifer actually spasms and gasps for a breath of air that his normal body doesn't need, but the one he just inhabited did and lost. Eyes dart around a moment and then he stands upright on his own, shaking his head some. "That.. was quite intriguing. There is just...a moment. A wish. A strong desire to hold on with a grasp that just can't quite hold. Then nothing." He shakes his head a bit and looks to Vlad for a lingering moment, then to Nathaniel. "I do not envy anyone who has to actually have that moment..." Scary as it was. He looks to himself, dead, on the couch and then tilts his head. Walking over, he finds the clones' eyes are wide open so he reaches and draws the eyes shut. "We should get this into the room..." He offers. "Before we forget, and...things happen." Oh such things. He remembers watching them. Now he's going to feel them. A look over himself a moment. "There is also a very significant difference between this body and the clone. Even when I played mortal for a time. There's a certain....disconnection..."
Dracula	There is a glance towards Sinister as there comes the question, and he gives a small nod. He remembers how Sinister had been when he had killed the clone of him with his consciousness within it. He remembers his own death, as well, so many years ago. He slips his hands away from the clone, and then reaches out to very lightly brush a bit of hair aside. He isn't oft given to thinking of his own transformation, for it was long ago and he has come far from that point in time. His dark eyes open, and his gaze returns to Sinister, watching him whilst he rescues Lucifer's consciousness from within the clone's body. There is naught he can do to help and so he waits. Once Lucifer is back within his celestial body, Vlad inclines his head faintly towards him. Then he rises from where he had been near to the couch, the peacoat shifting to a long and flowing cloak of midnight black that circles about his tall figure. "It is death. For many, it is a final thing. A last glimpse of the world seen and then it all falls to darkness," Vlad says quietly. He is full and overly full, the blood rushing through him to whisper its sweet song of power. Shadows whisper in the air around him, but there is no direction that he gives them. "I am a creature that has always been associated with having death in his wake, causing it with every step and every night that passes," he says softly, inclining his head slightly towards the pair of them. He's accustomed to the folklore that surrounds him and it's not entirely incorrect. Control over the hunger is not an easy thing, not even after so many years have passed, for there are things that can push it out of bounds.
Sinister	Nathaniel releases the devil once consciousness has been secured back in its housing and staggers back a couple of steps to bump shoulders with the wall. He slides down it without grace, to his butt and with a wince and reach of both hands to his head to press thumbs at his temples. The lack of strength and imbalance lasts for a couple of moments as he centers himself again, then he leans forward, putting both elbows on knees upraised and lets his hands dangle between them, squinting up at Lucifer and over at Vlad, one eye shutting completely. "That would mostly be me, I'm afraid. When I put you back in there, I'll put the whole of you back. I wasn't sure if I could hold on to you when you went down. I could do it for my own mind, but you're not me and therefore aren't attached in quite the same way," he explains "....most of the time, I'm quite glad to be the only magna-telepath in the room, but occasionally? Well..." he chuckles, drily, then clicks fingers and gestures with one digit uplifted. "At least we know this! The strong room Luci built for you Vlad, is good enough to hold me and I took considerable readings. It should, with a bit of adaptation of the security, be fully capable of holding you, briefly. I suspect you're considerably stronger than I, or Lucifer. We'll see when the clone wakes up, no doubt. And then we'll do what men have done for centuries; we'll adapt." He looks at Vlad, holding up a finger again, taking a few steadying breaths as his head rolls back against the wall, the base of his skull bonking there softly and audibly. "I've been busy. I promise you that. I don't know if I can change the fate of all vampires, but I do know a few things -- I'm pretty sure I can make it considerably easier for you all to go under the radar a bit. I understand the theatricality of it, some of that seems almost to be ingrained - you do, you feel, you act before you can even stop. At least I did. But I've had a few successes. A few breakthroughs."
Lucifer	Lucifer blinks, glancing over to Sinister as he sort of falls down the wall but his mind is already in the process of picking up the clone to walk it to the safe room. "Are you alright love?" Asking this as he looks to Nathaniel while the man spends time sort of recovering where he sat. He stops just a few feet from the 'door' and then glances over towards Vlad. "Thank you again. I am sure this entire experience will be...an interesting one to endure. But I do it for many reasons. Both selfish and otherwise." He offers this with a little grin and then moves to finally take clone into saferoom to drop off before coming back out empty handed.
Dracula	Turning his head slightly, Vlad half listens and half watches as Sinister slides down the wall to unceremoniously come to rest upon the floor. His chin tilts slightly forward, his black hair falling lightly over his shoulders. He pays close attention, to ensure that Nathaniel is recovering from his part in things. He may not verbalize the question to ask, but the attention he pays speaks it clearly that he cares. Vlad tilts his head a touch to one side, a flicker of curiosity showing in his dark eyes at the revelations that Sinister chooses to share. "This is a very good thing. It is very good that it has been tested. When the clone from my DNA has been prepared, it is where it should be kept. Within that room. It is the safest place for it, given my temperament that follows a death experience," Vlad says, a thoughtful note to his voice. "My strength varies depending on how well fed I happen to be. Right now, it is significant, given that I am quite well fed. If I hunger, then it is perhaps around five tonnes of force and with the ability to lift and hold somewhere around ten tonnes, with a possibility of being a bit less," he muses, a thoughtful note to his voice. A hint of a smile touches at the corners of his lips and then he gives a small nod. "Indeed, we will do as has been done in the ages past -- we will adapt," he agrees. He tilts his head a bit to one side, and he makes a faint gesture of the fingers of his right hand, a soft padding appearing on the wall behind Sinister's head where it had been bonking. "I believe that you have been," he says softly, half bowing towards him. "Fate can be a fickle mistress. Control comes with practice and experience whether it is control of the strength that the vampirism causes or control of the hunger. I am able to feed without causing death. There are times when the hunger is too great for it to be held within the bounds of control, and my prey dies. I am curious and interested to know what you can do that would make it easier," he says softly, a touch of curiosity sounding in his voice and reflecting in his eyes. "The theatricality is perhaps on account of being from a time that is long past," he says, a smile tugging at the corners of his lips. "It is much as you say. The thought and the action are never far apart, and consequences seldom considered. There is little reason to consider them," he says in a thoughtful tone. "I find myself to be curious of your breakthroughs." Vlad turns his gaze to Lucifer, watching as the clone is taken towards the saferoom, and he inclines his head. "You are welcome, Lucifer. It is a small thing for me to be able to do, and if it proves to be such a gift for you then I am grateful for being able to give it," he says.
Sinister	Nathaniel looks behind himself as the wall becomes kinder. Shadows in a pillow, who would've thought? He laughs briefly, a light and slightly ridiculous thing, possibly because of the nature of the situation. He giggles a couple of times more and calls brighter and louder. "I'm fine. Next time you have to transfer most of a mind for a sensory experience whilst keeping a secure hold on a core thread of thought so you can reel it back to safety, you'll know what I mean. I imagine it's rather similar to bending reality. Only less flashy. I envy magic its ability to be flashy sometimes..." that last sentence in a quieter tone, he smiles to himself, looking down at the floor, then up beneath brows, as Lucifer returns and Vlad comments upon the nature of existence. And his capabilities. "Actually, what you just said gives me peace of mind. Between myself and Lucifer, we could contain you, I think. Probably either one of us could give it a good shot, but it wouldn't be a sure thing... but both of us, we could definitely... manage." He cracks his neck left and right, indicating the room Luci emerged from. "Neonate consumption is approximately two-point-five human volume. That consumption does not decline overly much over the next days, which makes newborn vampires extremely dangerous to your societies. Not that you didn't know that, because you've lived it. I discovered that it's possible to sustain on synthetic blood, on a ratio of approximately two and a half litres to take the thirst down to a sustainable level of active consciousness. More than that, I have discovered a way to condense nutritous value of serum and blood particulate concentrate to approximately two /pints/ as opposed to litres, with the right extraction of water. That can be harvested and mass produced, by expiry date blood mixed with synth variant. An undercover factory could therefore, without alerting society, manage with the local catchment of hospitals... approximately one hundred vampires in a hundred mile ratio, which is considerably higher than the current population. I would think that gives peace of mind to your species having a chance of evading the hunters."
Lucifer	That's a whole lot of verbage to simply say, 'I made something better, more sustainbale, and easier to get a hold of to keep you and yours fed.' None the less, if Vlad understands it, that's all the better. The two of them do happen to run narrow but pendicular paths side by side sometimes. "If all of this allows vampires to survive and live a little without hunters breathing down their necks, then that's a win all around I think, yes?" He offers this with a tilt of head and a thought before standing in front of Nathaniel. A hand is offered down to the man. "Would you like to sit somewhere a bit more comfortable? The couch perhaps?" Asking this and he waits to see if the hand is accepted. Either way, he'll eventually move towards the couch and in some way of telekenesis that he does, brings about a cognac for all three of them to enjoy as they sit around for a while. "So once the clone is awake, we might be back in Hell for a little bit to finish out all this research." Among a few other things. "Then, when we resurface here, it may be just in time for you - Vlad - to come and claim the clones and destroy them."
Dracula	There is a flicker of amusement that shows in his dark eyes at Sinister's giggling, and a smile twitches at the corners of his lips. "I think that I am grateful that I am not a telepath to all. For humans, I can hypnotize them to varying degrees depending on if they have any particular mental abilities. For vampires, it is a different case. Similarly, strong willed individuals are able to resist it, yet they are the only sort for whom it could be said that I possess any form of telepathy for," he says in a thoughtful tone. "Magic is, by times, made to be flashy. Other times it is made to be more subtle. The mudmen were perhaps a touch of both, and amusing as well," he comments, winking at Sinister. Vlad tilts his head a touch to one side, and he considers Sinister's words for a moment before he gives a small nod. "Perhaps it is a thing that ought be test. As much as I do not wish to hunger myself, it would be worthwhile to know for certain and it is perhaps the best way of testing it," he says, glancing between the two men. He quirks a bit of a grin then. "Between the two of you, you could likely manage well enough to keep me pinned down and from killing innocents, though I cannot say that you would end up unscathed," he comments. He falls quiet then, listening, and he finds himself giving a nod about newly turned vampires. "Aye, the newly turned consume more than one such as I. When I was newly turned, I lived on animals. I could, though such is no longer the case. It is viable to a certain point and then an age is reached where it no longer provides sustenance," he offers, inclining his head slightly towards Sinister. "I had not considered the various blood options that you have given thought to, and knowing that such a thing is possible on such a scale is, indeed, a thing that grants some peace of mind. To myself, even if not to others of my species," he muses. "Evading the hunters is something all vampires seek to do. The feeling of a wooden stake being driven betwixt the ribs is rather unpleasant, as is being burned alive, both of which I can speak from experience for. The van Helsings are not particularly known for leaving off a trail when they believe it to be mine," he adds, a touch wryly. "This, this could grant me some measure of safety and keep there from even being a trail to suss out," he muses, lifting a hand to gesture approvingly towards Sinister. He sounds both impressed and pleased, and he bows to the man. "Thank you, Nathaniel, for thinking of such things," he says, his tone grateful. His gaze slips over to Lucifer, and one of his eyebrows quirks up before he chuckles softly and gives a small nod. "A win, indeed," he affirms, a smile turning his lips easily. As the cognac is summoned forth, he lifts a hand to catch a glass and take a sip of it whilst he considers the words, and he gives a small nod. "Of course, wherever you both feel it is best to conduct the research. When and if you have need or want of me, you each know how to get my attention," he says, his tongue flicking out to slowly brush over his upper lip. They each have a coin, after all, a token of his magic's making.
Sinister	Nathaniel nods to Lucifer, who has that knack of condensing a great long thing into a short, punchy sentence or two. It is a gift and none shall ever say is great, but all SHOULD say is bloody useful when dealing with the verbose and explanatory. And lo, there is cognac and the fact that it is for all three of them makes Sinister sit up a bit and pay attention, metaphorically. Celebration with a chosen drink is significant, though almost none of this is about him, he nevertheless appreciates that the achievement is being marked as his. He sat up and paid attention realistically at the hand proffered to him, however. "Thank you," hauling himself upright, there's a single little pinwheel of his free hand to gain balance, then the couch is a very welcome destination. "I hope that it's a sustainable win. A little of that probably sits in you, Vlad. You are the Lord of Vampires after all." That said, he looks a little puzzled at the last. "I do? Did I miss that?" Looking to Lucifer afterwards. "I know you have one..." he frowns, looking back at the vampire lord, gestures to their mutual lover. "It was always he that intersects our worlds, he is always the one that summons you. I don't -think- I missed that, but it's possible. Somehow." But then he's swooning a bit in his 'bower' as it were, blinking a few times. "Dammit, mental compartmentalism of another takes a lot out of me. And don't either of you tell -anyone- that..." he grouses.
Dracula	Since both Vlad and Sinister have a way of being verbose by times then it makes Lucifer's gift of verbal condensation even that much more useful. The Lord of the Vampires lightly swirls his glass before taking a sip of the contents, savouring the brew a moment before swallowing it. His dark gaze lingers on Sinister, watching the fellow be brought to his feet and the to the couch. He uses his toes to nudge off his boots, tucking them aside and then he steps over to the couch to settle comfortably amongst the cushions there. "Mm, I hope that it is sustainable as well, though I must say, it sounds quite as though it will be," Vlad says, giving a nod to Sinister. Shifting slightly, he smoothly crosses his legs at the knee. "There are things that filter to me from those who are of lesser age. The ability works best in short distances but I have been able to make it work over some significant range before," he muses, his tone thoughtful. He tilts his head slightly to one side, his dark gaze holding fast and unblinkingly upon Sinister. "Indeed, he intersects our worlds and is a sort of link, if one will," he comments. He takes a sip of his cognac, still watching Sinister. "Perhaps you ought check your pocket, Nathaniel," he offers, his eyes seeming to lazily half-lid. "Left side, front jeans pocket. That annoying little pocket that they would say is for coins," he adds in a softer tone of voice. That annoying little pocket happens to have a coin in it, right now. One made of black metal and which is exactly alike to the one that Lucifer has -- a wing-spread bat on one side of it, and a wolf with its nose upturned in a howl on the other side of it. The metal feels slightly warm to the touch.
Sinister	"Blinds down," Sinister just says those two words and lo, the great light vault that is Lux penthouse darkens to the point that it won't let in light when the sun shines bright once again. Or at least, not MUCH light. There might be streaks and diffusion, but all of it indirect. That stare was enough though, to drive a point across and the steadiness of it, complete with Vlad taking up a comfortable lean on the L of the couch has him laughing as he fishes into the 'coin pocket' of his jeans. "Oh, look. It's a coin. I can't believe I missed that this morning, when I manifested them out of myself." He says drily, but it's followed by a quieter and softer "...thank you." The smile is genuine, but so is the rolling back of his eyes and the closing of lids. "Just resting my eyeballs a while. Don't mind me." That's what they all say. To be continued...