Not Picky

Your Phone slipped back into your Jean pocket, and slowly, surely, you began to slide down the wall, until you were crouched, rubbing your golden eyes; running your fingers through your silky hair.

"Master?" Belle asked innocently.

Everything felt wrong before, but you weren't an idiot, one thing that you did well was learn, but for the first time in a long time, you didn't want to know. Even as the Truth screamed at you, something primal clawed at your ears and screamed louder, and it wasn't the thing in your head.

So you're starting to put things together?

"As per usual, I don't know what you're talking about."

What by, One, don't you understand. I am anchored in you, I feel your pain, your fears, your thoughts... and let me tell you, the Path you're thinking of going down, it isn't You.

"You don't fucking know me!" Swivelling up as heat flushed into your face, your fist buried into the wall, cracking it horribly, as your arms bulged and your knuckles bled.

"What are you doing!?" Belle asked in exasperation, moving forward to care for you.

You flinched at her sudden coming for you, Her brown eyes falling into a kind of melancholy "Master... it's me, it's your Belle..." She whispered.

Of course, she was... only, She wasn't was she? She was His.

Pins and needles shot through your bleeding knuckles, but you put on a smile "Yeah, I know, I'm sorry."

Belle frowned, and rushed in, hugging you tenderly despite her strength, "You're confused, I-It's okay. I will never hurt you, I could never hurt you."

Your arms wrapped around her, despite the feelings bubbling inside now, and even cold as ice as she was, She never ceased to make you warm "I know." You clutched her tighter, whispering into her ear "But, Your not mine... Your His, aren't you."

The Brunette looked worried now, that only confirmed it...... They were all his. You had come to a decision.

"What? Of c-course I'm yours, C-Chip... I Love you... I-"

"You have never once called me by my name, you know that?" You cut in, "Not one Charlie, not even Charles."

She mouthed wordlessly for a moment, you merely smiled a little, kissing her soft cheek "Stay close to me, I don't want to lose control."

You escorted Isabelle into the Lounge... Your Grandfather, Jane and Diana were no longer the only one's here.

The room was already beginning to fill, with Daisy chatting happily to Jane and Charlotte, Most of the Mansion staff had gathered, huddling into a group talking to one another in whispers that not even your could hear; Cleo, Naomi, and... people that you had seen in the Rattle, Belle's club.

More than 4 dozen people gathered in this room, and as you walked in, Belle clutching your arm securely, Faces; pale and warm, familiar and unfamiliar, watched as you moved past them quietly, towards your sister, and Your grandfather, and sat in your father's Armchair by the fire, looking into the flames of the hearth in an adamant silence.

They seemed, confused. Confused as to why they were here, as to just who some of the others were, as you mused at the crackling flames that danced and smouldered in the fireplace. Eventually, after maybe five minutes of them watching you expectantly, the small, friendly form of Naomi strolled over hesitantly and crouched at your side.

"Hey... Charlie." She said. You did not hear her, you were too consumed by your thoughts, by the flames in that hearth, how they spiralled and spat, hungrily consuming the logs within "Charlie..."

Her voice caught on your ears, and slowly you looked to your side, seeing her cute features, her dark brown silky hair which she had tied up into a short bun. You smiled "Naomi."

"Why are we here, Charlie... why did you call on us?" She wasted no time in her questioning, though with the softness and patience in her voice, you could not be vexed.

"In good time, wait until everybody's here."

And that is what they did... you were grateful for their patience, but the reasoning for their strange obedience was not lost on You. although that didn't extend to everybody in the room.

Charlotte walked up to you and Belle, peering at the smiling old man in the chair beside you, joining you in contemplating the flames. She had a frown on her face, though Belle gave her a not so subtle warning, shaking her brown head. "Chip. What the hell are we doing here, who are all these people?" reading the room wasn't one of Charlottes many talents.

You grinned softly "These people... are all Vampires."

Belle frowned and Charlotte blinked, peering around at the bright eyes and pale faces staring at her. It became apparent that they were peering at her as a Crocodile does its prey. "V-Vampires?"

"Don't worry, they won't hurt you." You said certainly.

"H-How do you figure that! Vampires are monsters right? they kill and eat people!" Cherry said in a hushed whisper.

"They also have extraordinary hearing." The Voice was cold and spiteful from the other side of the room, belonging to angry eyes and platinum hair, Velka clearly unnerved Cherry a lot.

"I-I want to go home-"

"-You want to know about Vampire's Cherry?" You asked plainly.

She blinked "Y-Yes..."

"Then be patient. You're a blood relative of Belle, they couldn't hurt you if they wanted to." You assured, Noxium Indeed. "Ugh." Your eyes clenched shut as your fingers rubbed your temples, these headaches were getting worse... they were the markers, they were important, You could not push these out.

Half an hour passed, and just as people were getting antsy, there was a shattering whip at the air outside, a disturbance in the night... and it wasn't the low pitter-pattering of rain that had started.

You weren't the only one that noticed. Diana had been sitting on the arm of your Dad's chair, sharing your view of the Fire with your grandfather, whose pale Golden eyes turned to you. You looked at him and exchanged knowing looks, this could get messy.

The doors burst open, and the room froze. dripping wet, the Silver of her arms and legs shining with the droplets that had fallen on it, her contrasted form of Bright Ivory, mixed with the darkness of her light battle wear, her cloak, hood and of course... the eerily childish black Rabbit mask.

The Staff shielded their eyes and cautiously stepped back as you stood, peering at Your Aunt as her shadowed golden eyes peered about the room, analysing, calculating.

"Hilde." You said, catching her attention; cutting the immediate tension.

She moved on heavy feet, the metal clunking against the carpet as she approached, Belle backed off, Remhilde was a silent thing, she was, paradoxically you might add, heavy and dangerous, the sense of weight was unprecedented, and yet, she was slick as a shadow, silent but heavy.

"I thought you might have called these... things, here. To our home." She whispered, not happily.

Moving closer, the Staff seemed uncomfortable with your own comfort around your aunt, Standing next to this Bane of their kind, you looked like a puppy talking to a lion. "We aren't harming them."

Hilde peered through her mask "That isn't for you to decide."

"But... it is for me to decide." Artorias shuffled over, on Diana's arm to help him walk.

Hilde's eyes became a little apprehensive then "Stay out of this, Pops. I am Chief now, by right of-"

"Take off that ridiculous mask when I'm talking to you, Girl." Your grandfather's eyes were sharp, his voice hard like iron.

And for the first time in a long time, You saw, a vulnerability in her eyes. Hilde pulled down the hood of her cloak, and unclasped her mask, revealing her mature beauty. "I don't know why all of these people are in my house, the House that I built. But if the Boy wants them here, then they stay. Am I understood?"

Hilde frowned "Pops-"

"Am. I. Understood?" He repeated.

Your Powerful Aunt, mysterious and dangerous, suddenly seemed like a quiet girl, told off by her father "Yes, Mentor... I understand."

"Did Rose come with you?" You asked.

Remhilde shook her head, the single braid in her black hair whirling "No."

You nodded sadly "Then everyone I need is here."

Your family and Belle looked at you with curious eyes, as you walked to the centre of the room, and taking a deep breath, summoned your claws.

They all watched in confusion, Humans worrisome on one side, Vampires hungry as they watched you draw your blood on the other.

"M'halia."

Lugh exploded into flames as you drew it forth, the blade whirling, Artorias and Hilde smiling as you held it firmly in your hands "I suppose you're wondering why you're here?" You spoke, in a tall voice, a commanding voice that still didn't feel like your own.

They all looked at each other "What is this about Charlie?" Moonie, moved forward, giving you a slight smile, "This is super sus, Buddy." Huginn echoed.

"The only thing that is suspicious here is the rank smell of **** and leeches," Hilde whispered.

"I will not stand by and listen to this murderer, try and intimidate us." Cleo spoke out, her eyes angry as Hilde smiled grimly.

"Fighting isn't the way, Cleo." Daisy pleaded.

Cleo turned her gaze to the tall blonde Dhampir, "He clearly knows something, why do you think He called us here, with this bloody Monster, and this damn half-breed."

Daisy frowned, looking very uncomfortable around her 'peers'.

"That's rich." Hilde chuckled like a taunting hyena.

"Can you please, just tell us why we are here, Charlie," Muninn asked again softly.

You clutched the blade tightly in your hands, its warmth reassuring you slightly. It was time to get things moving "Yeah... of course, let's take a minute to hear my master plan." You chuckled, turning around, peering at them all "...Because that's what He did, wasn't it, He was your leader."

The Staff certainly so outspoken after that, You shook your head "I don't know what you want from me, why you people are everywhere, even my own family..." Your eyes turned to Diana, Hilde, Artorias "...Especially my own Family. I don't know why I was in a coma, I don't know who or why someone would kill my dad I..."

The doors opened again, the room turning as two figures, one huge and well kept... the other much smaller, her curly red hair tied back as she held the slight swell in her belly. Boris helped her along, catching the air, but Rose's eyes never left yours... those blue orbs, did something, they reached into you and pulled out the truth.

"...But if I said that... I'd be lying to you." You finished, You couldn't lie to her, or to yourself, not with those eyes on you, out of all that were watching "...You know, before I woke up, with Daisy there waiting for me, It was like I was in a dream, I was so angry, in so much pain, so hungry... and I was... surrounded by chains, everything was black, just black... I can remember that now."

The air almost grew cold with the tension.

"What are you saying?" Diana asked.

"What I'm saying, is that I think every single one of you, knows each other... or maybe most of you, maybe not Charlotte or Jane. I think the Staff members and the people who work at the Rattle are all Vampires, and I think... no, I know that You are a Vampire Clan.." You pointed at Diana "The Noxium."

Diana said nothing, she merely touched her belly. Rose tilted her head at her.

"Myska, there is no need for weapons, put away Lugh." Boris pleaded, stepping forward.

You eyed him, shaking your head "I read the Police report, Boris... 17 times, You were pronounced dead at the scene, Biceted, like my dad... How are you alive?" You asked forcefully.

He frowned, standing up straight "Because I am Berserker. A Monster, different from them, but like them." He admitted, freely and without malice

You nodded "Did... did you.."

"Don't go there, Charlie," Hilde Growled. "Bori has served this family for longer than you've been alive."

"No... I know. but... He knows who did. You all know, don't you?" You asked the room, who did not answer "but, Nox... My dad... it's not what matters right now. Right now I have only four concerns. My family, my friends, my lovers, and this city."

"The City?" Naomi asked.

Your eyes darkened "Jormungandr." It got colder. "We are going find out what it is, where it is, and we are going to kill it."

"B-But that thing..." Jane spoke out, she, like Charlotte was clearly also extremely uncomfortable, she hadn't been told about Vampires, she'd only seen one first hand according to her: You. "It took out the enter south section of the East-city, that has to make it, what? the size of a stadium?" Jane thought allowed. "We don't even know what it looks like."

"They do." You said, pointing to the Noxium, who remained tight-lipped "Or at least, they have some idea of what it is. whether they deny it or not."

"This is exhausting" Rose muttered, walked tiredly over to your dad's armchair, Hilde scowling at her as she went to rest on it.

Hilde's fist clenched at the sight, but Artorias gripped her arm "Would your brother have killed a pregnant woman for wanting to sit down and rest, even in that chair?" He asked. Hilde glowered at Rose, but relaxed.

"Get to the Point, I'm tired," Rose said bluntly, gazing at you from your father's chair.

She wanted to talk, alone. that much was clear.

"The Point is, that We are fixing this city, the Murders, the crimes, I don't know if you had any part of that but if so, it ends now. We stop beating around whatever bush you people are afraid of, we come together, we find out what Jormungandr is and we make sure it doesn't ever come back again."

A shrill laugh sounded in the room "And why would we do that? I don't fucking know you, I respect you." Velka stepped forth "What makes you think that we want to help you-"

Velka reeled back as the flaming blade of Lugh pointed at her, You had flame in your eyes as she hissed, there was no fear in you now, only...

...Wrath

"Let me clear this up for you, Velka, and the rest of you, I have people that I trust amongst you, but not all of you make that List. Now, I have no hatred for you, but I am not a monster..." Velka looked afraid of the look in your eyes "...I'm an executioner, so you can join, or you leave... or you can die, I'm not picky."

"I'm with you, always." Belle was the first to step forward.

"Us too, We have a deal, right, Boss?" Hughie asked with his sister as his side as always.

"Cleo?" Moonie inquired.

Cleo looked at you but quickly hid her face "Whatever.. Nox told us to protect him anyway."

Naomi gave Cleo a little shut up nudge as you turned to your family and friends... That's the difficult bit over, now for the hard bit.

Hilde might as well be a statue, hard and unmoving "You done?" She asked, breaking her sentry to march up to you, but you held strong "I don't know what fantasy world you live in where you think I'll allow this."

"I'm not asking." You retorted.

Her eyes widened, as she pressed on closer to you "How dare you disobey me. I am the Judge, I am the leader of this house..."

"No. You're not." Artorias said, clearer, and more concise than you had ever seen.