Before Simon[Leo], Mill[Sil]ver and Japheth[Ham] went looking for Arian[Fex], Archer[Quinn] decided to add one more person to their team. The group couldn't get too large since others would notice their movement otherwise, but adding one more shouldn't be too much of a problem.
However, the problem was picking the right person. There weren't exactly many people who could match up to Simon[Leo] and Mill[Sil]ver. There was Paul, but he would also have to be in attendance at the ceremony.
In the end, Archer[Quinn] chose Lawson[Nat]e, as he was the one least afraid to go with them, yet the main reason was him having the shadow skill[ability], allowing Archer[Quinn] to come over quickly in case something went wrong.
They set off in the middle of the night with Japheth[Ham] taking the lead. It was always dark in the city, but there were certain times when even the vampires would turn off all the light crystals that lit up the walls and streets.
Not wanting to be seen, their group used this opportunity to disappear.
'Buffan[Boneclaw], I hope you listen to what I told you.' Archer[Quinn] silently prayed as he watched the group head off.
The next day, Archer[Quinn] woke up earlier than usual. It was a good thing that he didn't need much sleep because throughout the night he had been extraordinarily worried about the others. It didn't help that he still had no idea what today's ceremony would entail.
The first thing he did was attempt to get in contact with the others. Luckily, Lawson[Nat]e had immediately answered via the mask.
"Hey I was just checking up on you guys is everything going okay?" Archer[Quinn] asked.
"I would love to say yes." Lawson[Nat]e sulked. "But despite his earlier testimony that flying little bull can't remember the exact way he came from. We've been stuck going through the forest for a while now."
"Hey, I just don't remember this exact part! As soon as we see something that I'll recognise I'll be able to lead you the rest of the way." Japheth[Ham] could be heard yelling from the background.
It seems that Japheth[Ham] had been so incredibly tired on the last part of his journey, that he couldn't recall that part with great clarity.
'Perhaps them taking a little longer isn't such a bad thing. If we can get this ceremony over and done with I'll be able quickly follow them.' Archer[Quinn] thought. 'Please endure a bit longer, Arian[Fex].'
According to Odom[Vincent] it wouldn't be proper for Archer[Quinn] to appear in his regular clothes, so he suggested for Archer[Quinn] to fetch something from his old room.
Odom[Vincent] guided him to his former quarters and it turned out that the former tenth family leader had occupied a room on the top floor, next to the room Harrison[Edward] used to stay in.
As he passed by Harrison[Edward]'s room he briefly glanced inside, before continuing onward.
'We're doing this so things like this can stop happening.' Archer[Quinn] reminded himself.
Entering the room he was surprised by how tidy it was.
'I didn't do this, I can only assume that Harrison[Edward] had tidied it up and left it this way.' Odom[Vincent] theorised.
The room was large and it made the king size bed look small in comparison. However, the only thing Archer[Quinn] was interested in was the walk-in wardrobe that was attached to the room. In there Archer[Quinn] was introduced to a style of clothing… that made him feel sick.
'This is what you want me to wear? it all looks so… so lame.' Archer[Quinn] judged the other's attire.
'You know during my time I never understood you people. I lived a very long time, and it allowed me to notice that what you humans or even some of us vampires refer to as fashion was always going around in circles. One day something was seemingly arbitrarily decided to no longer be cool, but a hundred years later it would suddenly be on trend again.'
'Clothes are just clothes. Besides, you need to wear something more formal and these ones perfectly fit the bill. You can't be wearing that military uniform from the ship all the time as if you're getting ready to go into battle."
Walking over towards the back of the walk in the wardrobe Archer[Quinn] passed several clothes that were all quite similar. They were organised into sets with a dark colour on the outside, mostly black with a bright colour on the inside.
It took some time, but eventually Archer[Quinn] spotted something that took his fancy.
'Will this do?' Archer[Quinn] asked, pulling his choice off the railing.
Trying on the clothes Archer[Quinn] thought back to something while he looked at himself in one of the many large mirrors in the room.
'Rebecca[Layla] always said that a vampire should be dressed in red and black.' Archer[Quinn] thought, as he was quite pleased with his new look.
The overcoat he was wearing was a tight fit. The front part of the coat was covered in black velvet and underneath there was a red shirt with a black collar with the top button tied up. The trousers were a perfect fit, going along with a nice pair of smart shoes.
In the past his long curly hair would have looked like a mismatch but with his new hair style he thought himself to appear quite handsome.
'It seems like after your evolution you have grown to be the perfect fit into my clothes.' Odom[Vincent] agreed to his choice.
'Yeah, looks like you don't have completely bad taste, grandpa.'
'….'
'Never call me that again.' Odom[Vincent] demanded dead serious.
'... Agreed.' Archer[Quinn] replied.
It was meant to just be a joke about his taste in clothes, but the awkward fact remained that these two really were related and Odom[Vincent] would be a few generations above his family.
Heading down to the reception room, Archer[Quinn] could see that his two Vampire knights were waiting for him bright and early.
Paul, who was wearing the same military wear, and 'Simon[Leo]', with a couple of swords around his waist.
"Well, I'm glad I don't have to wear that!" 'Simon[Leo]' said.
Many would find 'Simon[Leo]''s words to be out of character for him, or very odd, but that was because the one next to Paul was Tony[Peter] in disguise.
The aim of the game was not to raise any suspicions, and Tony[Peter] with his Transformation skill was the best fit for that. Archer[Quinn] had also entertained the idea of having Tony[Peter] replace himself, but Odom[Vincent] had insisted that the ceremony had parts that only he would be able to fulfill, so there was no way around attending it.
Another idea had been to get Tony[Peter] to disguise himself as Arian[Fex] to see the reaction of the leaders. Perhaps he could hear a change in their heart beat, or something else and he would find out who was behind everything.
However, that plan had also been thrown out the window. There was a risk that whoever was responsible might mistake Tony[Peter] for the real Arian[Fex], which might have dire consequences for the captured Arian[Fex].
They hadn't killed Arian[Fex] so far, and they didn't want wherever the real Arian[Fex] was to be put into more danger, or risk those who had captured him to start moving him based on Archer[Quinn]'s actions here.
Fake Simon[Leo] pulled out the swords by his side which were some spares that Alex had made and started swinging them around. The movements weren't sloppy or slow, but just had a different sound when shining them compared to Real Simon[Leo].
"Maybe you should find something that's more your style." Archer[Quinn] suggested.
"I have informed everyone in the castle that they have to attend the ceremony that starts at twelve. The earlier the better and Tobias[Logan] will be there to allow for communication if necessary." Paul informed him.
Archer[Quinn] was still worried that with him and his Vampire knight gone, it would be the perfect chance for someone to attack the place, so he wanted everyone at the ceremony.
It was unlikely that the Bloodsucker would act in front of everyone, especially all the leaders.
So in a way it was actually safer for them to attend it than stay inside the castle.
Even if it did get attacked or destroyed, it didn't matter. The tenth family were his people and not the place.
"Alright, let's get going! I have a feeling we have a big day ahead of us." Archer[Quinn] threw on his overcoat and walked down the centre with his two Vampire knights behind him.
To be continued........
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