Oleander sighed and rubbed at his face. "My siblings are arguing so far. So no. On one hand, I've been trying to convince my sister to let you stay alive, but she's intent on killing you off." He sighed and glanced at the other. "Not to mention she's been driving me to the ground with work. Not only am I a diplomat, but a poison expert as well… that originally what she hired me to be actually." He paused in thought. "I know you don't want to be a donor, but so far, that seems like the only option of you staying alive."
"Poison?" Estaban quirked a brow. "You make Poisons, do you test them too?" Suddenly he wasn't so sure he trusted the food or water. But then again, what would be so bad about poison? It would probably be quicker then whatever the guards would do to him.
if he didn't end up as a donor, and by the sounds of it, that chance was becoming slimmer and slimmer.
"I make poisons, and yes I test them. However, I do not test them on prisoners. So no need to worry." He rolled his eyes and hummed quietly as he leans back into his chair. He seemed to be lost in thought. "Here's the thing. If you do agree to be a donor, you will be assigned to one of my siblings. My sister made it blatantly clear that she has no intention of keeping you, so it's me, my sibling, my brother, or my elder brother." He shrugs simply. "If you choose not to be a donor… we have no choice but to kill you…" He sighed deeply, looking rather frustrated.
"Well thats good to know," he said in response to the poison. At least he wasn't a guinea pig. Well that he knew of. Estaban still wasn't sure how much he trusted Oleander. Sure the guy was making an effort to save him, not to mention he allowed Estaban to write a letter.
He wondered if his mother had read it yet, almost immediately he cringed. Just thinking of Her reaction to it was painful enough. He didn't need to wonder if it actually ever got sent.
"Permanente juice box, or death," Estaban found himself staring Oleander down. He really didn't know where else to look. Sure there where plenty of options. Like the far wall, or how own feet. Heck even the place in the corner where he'd vomited sometime that night. "Personally I'd take the juice box option. I've thought it over a lot, I'd be pretty damn grateful to be alive. Miserable, but greatful in a way."
Oleander was quite skilled when it came to the art of poison, he had a whole collection of dangerous plants and animals that he used for his experiments. Oleander was… calmer compared to his siblings. His sister hated human kind, he had been lucky to change her mind. His eldest brother was strict, only joking when around his family, and even then that was rare. His other brother, well… he wasn't interested in man kind. He was more focused on practicing and harvesting magic. His sibling was a war monger, they'd probably use Estaban as a dummy for practice…
He hummed in thought when the other spoke, "Unfortunately." He replies quietly, gazing at the other, easily keeping the eye contact. "You would be taken care of. Fed, clothed, a bed, whatever you wanted. However… the cost is that you offer your blood, and… you can no longer go to the outside world." He gazed at Estaban thoughtfully. "Alright. If you choose to be a donor, you'll have to choose a sibling."
(Heads up I'm gonna be taking a brake from notebook for a while)
(That's okay! Take as much time as you need!)
((I'm still gonna be a bit spotty, but I'm back! :)))
This was a mistake. Estaban should just ask Oleander to end him right then and there. And yet he couldn't. Death terrified him, especially the kinda a vampire might offer.
"Wow didn't think I'd get a choice." Was there really a need to think on this? For all Estabn knew this was all a sick joke. He balled his fists to keep from them trembling. Man up, he tried to tell himself. But it didn't work. Because for once in Estaban's life of adventure and freedom, he felt trapped. He was stuck, and couldn't come up with a way out of it.
"Well if we're being completely honest none of your siblings have even came to vist me in my wonderful suite." This really wasn't the time for sarcasm, but he couldn't seem to stop himself. "Not to mention it sounded like one of them really wanted me dead. She'd have to wait in line for that." fake your confidence, he said it over and over again in his head like a prayer.
"So I guess you. I mean if you want." if you want!? What kind of question was that. Estaban cringed at himself. He should have been close to black out drunk for this kind of situation.
Oleander could see the gears whirling in Estaban's mind. He tilts his head a little bit as Estaban seemed surprised by the fact that he could choose. "There's five of us, so yes. You get to choose." He shrugged a little bit. There was no way for a human to escape the palace. Coming in was easy, getting out however was nearly impossible. Only the siblings were allowed to come in and out of the palace. He raised a subtle brow at the sarcasm in the others voice and paused slightly. He chuckles. "My sister does indeed want you dead. You're human. She hates humans." He shrugs slightly. He glanced over Estaban, noticing the fake confidence, the sarcasm, all of it. He hummed softly as he gazed over Estaban, seeming to mull over his offer. "Very well then. We'll get you cleaned off and into more suitable clothes before you'll come with me." Oleander stands slowly and overs a hesitant smile to the other.
Estaban attempted to returnt the smile, but he was just to tense. It really looked more like a grimace.
"I mean i feel quite fabulous in my under garments, but if you say so."Estaban actually hated that Sarcasm at the moment. But it was better then letting Oleander see him like a fearful child.
He stood on shaky legs. It could have been the fear that made him tremble so terribly, or maybe even the withdrawals from alcohol. Actually it seemed more like a bit of both. He hoped Oleander would just ignore it.
He gazed at the other for a moment before chuckling quietly. "You're actually quite funny. But then again, sarcasm was never my forte." He sighed softly as he stood and smiled slightly at the other, noticing the shake in his legs. He kept quiet, simply walking to open the door. It clicked open and he offered a hand. "Shall we get going then? I have no doubt you'll probably want to get clean and have something to drink?"
Estaban actually seemed to perk up at the mention of a drink. Though the two might have completely different ideas, there was still that chance they where on the same page.
"Absolutely," he took the others extended hand. For now Estaban would drop the sarcasm.
He was out of the cell, granted he was just exchanging it for a larger one. He didn't want to give Oleander any reason to throw him back in. At least not yet, and especially not for something such as being overly sarcastic.
Oleander smiled faintly. He pulled the other up with surprising strength, and nods slowly. "Alright then. Follow me." He hummed as he quietly guides the other through the palace. It was vast and filled with beautiful designs, relics, and different portraits. He guides Estaban to a bathroom. "Go ahead and wash up. I'll be waiting in the room." He explains simply.
"Rrrright," Estaban nodded a small thanks before closing the washroom door behind himself. The pirate quickly washed up. Taking extra care to untangle his hair. The curse of curls, his mother had always said. Estaban smiled at the thought. He already missed her.
Surprisingly his hair wasn't to bad, worse had happened when he was out at sea for to long. Granted then he'd at least had a hair brush. Nonetheless by the time he was done his hair looked soft and fluffy once again. A triumphant smile crossed his face. It actually looked better then when he'd first showed up extremely hung over and confused.
Estaban moved to where some clean clothes had been left for him. Pulling on the simple tan slacks and gray tunic. With a once over in the mirror Estaban emerged from the wash room.
He didn't really know how long it'd all taken him, nor did he really care. For all Estaban was concerned, Oleander could wait.
He watched the other enter the bathroom before sighing deeply and walking around his room. He wasn't sure about this. Even if Estaban had chosen him, it was likely that his siblings would want to torment him in some sort of way. He hesitates before having a few servants set up a bed in the room, since Estaban would be staying in his room with him. That was the rule, after all. He sighed deeply and settled onto his own much bigger bed and stared at the ceiling for a time, not wanting to think about it too much. A human staying with him… he worried that he would go to far. Oleander was the only one who as his sister said "Had a shred of humanity left in him." He didn't know if he should take that as a compliment or an insult. He was dozing when the other had exited the shower. He looked rather pretty like that. HIs long white hair was spread prettily along the pillow or along his shoulders, his lips parted prettily. His chest rose and fell slowly, and his hands rested peacefully on his stomach. He hadn't been sleeping well, having to deal with his siblings regarding the human.
In that moment Estaban's thoughts weren't drawn to how peaceful the Vampire looked sleeping. Or how grateful he was to be clean. Much rather it was the thought of killing Oleander and making a run for it.
He could do it. Estaban could ease out the door, find the exit and escape. He was a pirate, pirates didn't have morals.
The only problem was the stabbing pain in his chest at the thought of killing someone while they slept. Could he really kill someone who had done their best to keep him alive?
Estaban shook his head. What would his mother think? She'd surely be horrified if she knew what was going threw her son's mind. Would she call him a murder? And that was only if he could find his way out before he was caught.
Estaban took a longing look twords the door, twords possible freedom. a sigh escaped him. Maybe the pirate had morlas after all.
Oleander hummed and slowly woke up when he felt the others presence. He inhaled softly and grunts quietly. He chuckles and gazes at the other. "So you stayed?" He hummed, glancing up at the other. "Usually when i take a nap while a human is cleaning up they try to kill me or run." he sat up slowly, stretching a little. "Usually they end up dead either way. So it's nice to see a change." He grunts and stands before smiling. "Come on. Some food and a drink would be best, hm? I bet you're hungry…" He walks past Estaban and presses his palm against the door. It glowed a soft white before opening. "The doors here are enchanted, so if you had tried to escape, or do try to escape, the doors would cause you immense pain. And if you would have tried to kill me… well… It's safe to say you would have lost." He pushes the door open for the other.
"Guess I'm different," Estaban couldn't deny the fact that Oleander had scared him when he spoke. The pirate had been a bit to lost in thought to even realize the othe had been waking up.
"Magic doors…great." his shabby escape was slowly driffting further and further from his grasp. He stuffed his hands in his pockets as he followed Oleander. "And yes, food would be nice. Thank you."
Oleander hums and smiles at the other before nodding slowly. "I'm pleased…" He murmured softly, guiding the other through the winding halls. "Vampires don't really eat unless we need too. However, My sibling and I still enjoy the taste…" He hummed and walks into a grand dining hall. Warm food rested on the table. It was a meal fit for a king, with various kinds of meats, appetizers, and side dishes. "Do you like beer or wine?" He asks curiously, motioning for the other to sit at the table. Oleander settled where there wasn't food, so it looked like he wouldn't be eating at the moment. "Or would you prefer water?" He tilts his head a little to the side.
Estaban took a seat. The amount of food on the table was a little overwhelming. He'd never seen so much in one spot at once before. Let alone when there were only two people at the table.
"Beer," He was a little to quick to answer. Wine had never done it for him, it just didn't feel the same. Something about it felt to fancy, and heaven's above, Estaban wasn't fancy. "Please." He added and cleared his throat.
Oleander waved his hand and a servant walked forward. They poured him a cup of beer before pulling back silently. Oleander watches him curiously, leaning back in his chair. Every way Oleander moved was elegant and graceful. It was as if he were as light as a feather and gravity didn't affect him. "We'll let you rest and rejuvenate for the next few days before the… drinking begins." He hums simply. "Of course, you'll eventually be meeting my siblings…" He sighed deeply at that thought. He didn't seem all that pleased.
Estaban choked on the beer he had already been downing. "Right, drinking," the words came out a bit strangled as he tried to regain his composure. He knew Oleander's version of drinking was very different than his own.
He took a few deep breaths, welcoming the air back into his lungs. "And letting me go is still out of the question?" Frankly, Estaban wasn't to concerned about meeting Oleander's siblings. Sure he knew atleast one of them wanted him dead, but there where a few different people in a few different towns that wanted the same. Granted those people weren't human hating vampires. Also he hadn't drunkly broken into their homes…Estaban took another swig of his beer. Thinking about it wasn't helping. So for now, he'd simply drink as much as he could, and worry about it later.
He nods slowly as he gazes at the human in front of him. "Yes… drinking…" He said the word with distaste. It felt dirty against his tongue. "And yes, letting you go is still out of the question. I'm trying to convince my siblings, but my sister said this is as merciful as she's willing to be…" He murmured quietly. He looked so troubled, his eyes tired, his body slumped slightly as he let himself drift into deep thought. He didn't know what to do… or what to say to his sister… she was so determined to killing the human off… he was human after all. Oleander stood and began pacing, nibbling at his nails. It was a horrible habit he needed to break, however he was anxious and didn't know what to do. He was absolutely terrified of his sister.
"Can't wait," Estaban actually could wait. But that wasn't up to him. This was what he'd chosen. He'd dug the grave and now was the time to lay in it.
"You good over there?" He'd silently watched Oleander for a few moments before commenting on his pacing. At this point Oleander was starting to freak Estaban out. What could be so bad that he had to pace and chew his nails?
People might think that living in the lap of luxury was the life, it was perfect. Being in the presence of the five siblings should be considered an honor… But Oleander lived in fear of his sisters temper. On some days she was sweet and gentle with him, but others she was cruel and merciless. She had been like this for the past few days, merciless with Oleander. He was jolted out of his thoughts and he nods hesitantly. "I'll… I'll be fine." He murmured softly.
Estaban kept himself from asking anymore questions. Who was he to care about what the Vampire felt? If it didn't directly involve Estaban, he would shrug it off. He finished his beer with a satisfied sigh. It was like coming bcak to an warm home at the end of a horrible day.
Oleander inhales softly and continued pacing. He gave a tired sigh. He noticed the other had finished his food and nods slowly. "Alright… Listen carefully. You cannot, cannot under any circumstances use sarcasm with my siblings. Insult them and they won't hesitate to kill you painfully and slowly." He warned quietly.
Estaban was a bit taken by Oleander's concern. "Damn maybe i should just keep my mouth shut then." He wasn't completely sure he could go an entire conversation without sarcasm. Especially since sarcasm was a fail-safe for him. Fear? Just mask it, atleast thats what Estaban had always tried to do.
(I'm so sorry about not being active ;-; I promise I am. However with the holidays I haven't had much free time. I'll reply once the holidays are over.)
(Hey totally chill! Worry not.)
