Valencia FEAST

A lone human man, five foot nine, one hundred and ninety pounds, jogging down the riverside street on the south end of Valencia. Earbuds in, loud music blaring into his eardrums. A singular focus on the next puddle of streetlamp light on the cobbled sidewalk ahead. A steady jog at five miles per hour.

It was the prime example of a vampire's perfect target. Alone, big enough to take a few rough hits, not strong enough to overpower even the weakest of vampires.

It was why Seven had been following him for the last six blocks. Just too good to pass up.

She didn't need the meal, as she'd just hunted the night before, but sometimes you could not pass up an opportunity. He was practically begging to be pounced on.

And that was why, by some ill fated karma on the man's part, Seven was not the only vampire that had taken note of him tonight.

Of course, she didn't know that until slowed at the end of a block that spit out onto the long avenue along the river, and moved to crouch in the shadows. So focused on her quarry stopping to take a drink of water, she didn't notice that her hiding space was already occupied until she stepped back, and right on someone's foot.

Devin had been stalking someone, but it wasn’t the human that was currently guzzling water down his throat. No, she’d been roaming when she’d caught sight of a relatively familiar face, a face that was so enraptured with their hunt that they didn’t seem to notice much else outside of the human male.

Devin might have been feeling a bit pouty that some male had enraptured the beauty’s attention, enough so that she chose to follow after the familiar vampire, stalking her on light feet as she followed after the human.

She wasn’t entirely sure what her plan was, what she would do once Seven closed in on the attack, but she was here and she was present, following closely behind when suddenly the redhead was stopping and stepping back.

Shit! Shit! Shit!

She’d been following too close, and with a grimace, Devin would shift closer towards the wall as she offered Seven an apologetic smile. ”Sorry bout that my fire queen.”

Seven whipped around and leaped back from the figure that she hadn’t even noticed was trialing her. Her surprise manifested in annoyance, her lips peeled back as she bared her teeth at the fool who chose to interrupt her hunt. They’d pay for-

Oh, would you look at that.

Seven’s sneer turned into a wicked little smile as she recognized that tattooed beauty. It’d been a while, but she immediately recognized her as the vampire she’d played games with at the amusement park. Now here she was, trying to beat Seven at a new game.

“Many would pay with their ashes for an interruption like that.” She said sweetly, and glanced back at her quarry, who was stretching out a pinched muscle.

Riddhi was up ahead, watching her prey take a sip of water, hanging from the branch of a nearby tree. But it was the two figures in the shadows that caught her attention. Two rogues, apparently, one which sounded… familiar. Devin – was that her name? A friend of Kaida’s.

She launched herself off the tree branch and toward the two vampires, feeling a little more daring (or reckless) these days than before running into Gayatri. She could probably go another day or two before having to feed but Riddhi was a glutton.

She swept down and flapped her wings before appearing in her human form a couple of metres away from the two women.

"Hey." Smooth.

---

bat references in profile :3

Devin crinkled her nose as cutely as possible, as she offered an innocent blink, not the least bit put out by the former aggression.

Her little fire queen remembered her, and that was enough to put her over the moon.

"Many wo-" No ability to finish that sentence as another voice sounded. "Holy shit!" She whisper screamed because there was a human right there, but fuck that just about gave her a heartattack!!

Wait a god damn second, she knew that face.

Ugh what the fuck was the name???? Rid- Rid- Riddhi!

Hell yeah!!

"Been a while." She'd offer in a cool tone, pretending she didn't just about die a second time just moments before.

Oh, cute, she really did think Seven wouldn’t ash her if it pleased her!

And just before they could fall into the competitive flirtation they’d had so much fun with last time, there was a pestering little flutter, then the presence of yet another vampire.

Great! How many vampires were on this man’s trail tonight?

This one was a stranger, and notably more powerful than either Seven or Devin. She spared the woman a scrutinizing glance, taking stock of her face. Pretty, but all the deadliest things were. She was strong, and probably could even withstand a brush with her flames. Best behavior, then.

It seemed Devin, though surprised as she was, knew this woman. Hm. How many other pretty vampires were running loose in Valencia? How many could Seven collect in her pocket and bring to Crystal?

These were thoughts to consider later. Not when the man had finished his break, and was beginning to take up a steady pace again. Seven clicked her tongue, “I’d say two’s a party, and three’s even better, but only one of us can reach our mutual friend first.” Seven pointed out with a tilt of her head in the man’s direction.

And with a minxy little wink, the was taking off after the human in a blur. Would they play along?

---

20 wins, d5 each round
5/20

Devin’s reaction made the reunion all worthwhile. And who was the redhead? It wasn’t Bomb. Bomb left before Kaida did. But there was some comfort in finding two rogue women before her, both seemingly weaker than herself. She wondered if Devin had kept in touch with Kaida, then quickly pushed the thought out of her mind.

It seemed they weren’t up for sharing their meal tonight, which was good. Riddhi wasn’t exactly into sharing when it came to blood.

She grinned devilishly as the redhead seemed to suggest a challenge. In a blip, she was gone, leaving Devin and Riddhi in her wake.

"See you there, Devin." She said and ran at supernatural speed, joining the chase for dinner.

---

4/20

Why had she never hung out with Rhiddi before this? Why hadn’t she stayed better connected with Seven?

These were missed opportunities Devin!

But she wasn’t no clown, and there was no way in hell she was about to miss out on this little competition, Devin scoffing that she was the last to leave as she quickly zipped after the other two girls.

Thankfully for her, she had long legs.

---

4/20

It was a truly wicked sight. Three monstresses running at full tilt toward unsuspecting prey. How could he ever know the doom that was looming behind him?

Seven ran with a grin, pleased beyond belief that her head start had given her a clear advantage. And thanking her lucky stars that she’d gone for sneakers and leggings tonight.

There was nothing quite like abandoning all physical embodiment of humanity, and let one’s nature take over. With abandon, her feet ate up the distance.

The man was still pitifully unaware.

Seven locked her eyes on the back of the human’s neck.

---

10/20

Riddhi ran, careful to watch for cracks in the road or rocks, not wanting to end up sprawling outward across the pavement. Or getting hit by a car.

Neck and neck with Devin, Riddhi pushed forward until she was on the heels of the redhead, aiming to overtake them both as soon as she possibly could. There was something freeing in giving into her nature. Letting the hunt take over and ignoring the rest of humanity in the meantime.

---

8/20

Devin was less careful in her pursuit, cracks and rocks ignored in favor of just charging forward. A decision that she would regret as her foot dipped and had her stumbling.

A stumble, that while quick, would leave her lagging behind the group. Again.

Clenching her jaw in frustration, she would push forward once more.

---

7/20

She closed in, still in the lead by a few seconds. She bounded like a deer, steps large and almost leaping. They were all gaining on the man, and soon it would become a matter of cleverness as they all arrived at the same point.

Seven prepared herself to jump.

---

14/20

She was falling behind the redhead more than she cared to admit, considering their differences in power. Riddhi fumbled once against a certain stone in her path before moving forward, still trying her best.

At least they were all closing in on a target who was still blissfully unaware of them!

---

12/20

She was lagging further behind now, and the extremely childish side of Devin wanted to just call a quiets. She wasn’t going to get the human first, so what was the point in going all out? It was better just to continue lagging and see what the two beauties would do once they reached their destination.

She how things would progress from there.

Kaida would have probably torn the human apart, but she wasn’t sure what her little fire queen would do. If she had a knack for violence like her best friend, or if she tended to play a bit… Cleaner.

The same could be said for Riddhi, did she have the same violent streak, or was she a bit kinder than the one that they had decided to make their leader within the clutch. Honestly, Devin was down for either option, and so she would slow her pace, ready to see how things progressed.

---

8/20

Seven kept pushing, close enough now to see the beads of sweat on the back of the man’s neck, and count the fibers of his shirt, see the color of his socks-

Now!

She leaped.

---

15/20

As Devin slowed behind them, Riddhi moved faster, avoiding tripping or falling in the process. She moved freely and quietly, on the hunt for a meal she didn't really need tonight. But it was only as Seven leapt, that she ducked beneath the other vampire, aiming to slide out and grab the man by the ankle when she was close enough.

Which... wasn't quite yet.

Thankfully, the man was still SOMEHOW unaware of their presence.

---

17/20
GO SEVEN GO

Seven leapt and Devin would pick up the pace, the feral part of her not wanting to completely miss out on the meal that was to be had at any second now. Riddhi reached, missing his ankles and leaving him open for Seven’s attack.

Devin would have loved to have something more to contribute to all of this, but she was still to far behind to do anything else but brace herself for impact when she possibly collided with the other two vampires.

---

13/20

It was inevitable that the man would notice his doom at the very last possible second.

He turned to see three monsters descending upon him, one of which was flying through the air with her hands outstretched, a fanged grin on her face, another lunging to take his ankles out.

He didn’t even have it in him to scream, only scramble backward and fall pitifully onto the pavement.

---

17/20 omg

Riddhi hadn't expected the man to turn around, even if she really should have. But everything was happening in a matter of several seconds, so it was hard not to be surprised as he stumbled backward away from the encroaching monsters.

It did mean, however, that Riddhi missed a bump in the sidewalk as she slid out from underneath Seven's flight and sprawled outward onto the pavement. She needed to get up! To keep going! But she couldn't help but let out a laugh! Which was probably all the more terrifying for their meal.

---

18/20
GO DEVIN GO

Oh hey!

The other two were fucking up their advances, and she was catching up, both vampires within reach as the human turned towards them. A look of utter and complete shock that had Devin grinning like a savage.

The dinner bell was ringing, and this dude just found out he was the meal. >:D

---

16/20

Momentum brought her to the ground, just short of her intended tackle. She was left stumbling to make up the distance, her ankle rolling with a concerning sound. Snarling, she made to lunge toward the downed man, hand open and ready to snag him by the shirt.

---

19/20

Riddhi scrambled to her feet and swept past Seven and behind the man, lifting him to his feet by the collar of his workout clothes. He gasped and let out a garbled cry as she held him upright for whichever weaker vampire managed to reach them first.

Who would it be?!

---

20/20 BUT she's offering him to whoever reaches them first O:)

It didn’t matter how much the other women messed up. Didn’t matter that Riddhi was offering the meal up to either her or Seven, or that she had such an easy path to victory because the moment she noticed Riddhi grab the human she slowed.

Hadn’t expected the offering, and had just assumed that she’d lost the game. A stupid error that would have Devin cursing under her breath as she picked up the speed once more, trying her best to undo her mistake.

---

18/20

And at the last second, right as her hand reached down, the human was yanked out of her grasp. Fingers closing on air, Seven hissed in disbelief as she drew up short to avoid a collision.

The little bat had taken the prize. But instead of indulging in her victory, she held him like a peace offering. Blast. An empty win for Seven.

“Hm.” She sniffed, and glanced over her shoulder at her opponent. Not so good at every game, was she? Seven smiled wickedly at Devin, then stepped forward to take the man by the sides of the head.

At first, it looked like she meant to snap his neck, but she was only plucking his earbuds out of his ears. Then she fixed her half clouded gaze on his tearful one, and said, “Mach keinen ton.”

He answered with a high pitched wail. Annoying. Seven jerked her chin at the little bat, urging her to cover the man’s mouth as she turned to Devin with a condescending grin, “I always like an underdog.” And waved her forward to take the first bite.

---

Failed suggestion “don’t make a sound”

Riddhi watched as the redhead dug the earbuds out of the man's ears and attempted something she could only assume was a suggestion in German. Or another language. She stretched a hand to cover the man's mouth in the seconds she was ordered to and waited, a devilish smirk on her face as Devin joined them.

It seems Devin would get the first bite after all.

Riddhi missed this feeling.

Maybe in another world Devin would be offended for the underdog comment, but in this world, when her hunger was high and there was blood for the taking right in front of her… Well, it was hard to be offended~

Grin widening, Devin wouldn’t hesitate to take the offered bite, sinking fangs into his neck with an unneeded harshness just because she liked the way that he squealed behind the beautiful woman’s hand.

It was then that Devin decided that the man would die tonight, for no man deserved to live after having already experienced the bliss of being handled by two beautiful women.

And one sexy Devin. >:)

She expected a fit of pride, but Devin was a smart little monster. Seven slunk to the side, casually grabbing the man by the hair and wrenching his head to the side for easier access. From an outside perspective, it all almost looked erotic. But the tearing fangs and spilling blood were anything but.

A vampire could only watch another feed for so long before succumbing to the urge. So with her other hand she grabbed the man’s writhing arm as he struggled futilely against three inhuman women. She hummed playfully as she pulled his sleeve back and sank her teeth into his forearm. Not as prime a spot as the neck, but all veins bled the same when you bit through flesh with abandon.

Devin stepped forward and took a bite out of the man's neck. The redhead joined in soon enough and Riddhi, unable to really help herself from getting fangry about it, joined in on the other side of the man's neck. At first he put up a fight, trying to squirm his way out of his grasp, then his heartbeat quickened and slowed and sure enough, he went limp in her grasp, knocked unconscious quickly before being bled out entirely.

Eventually, she pulled her head back and smiled, her teeth stained with blood as some dribbled down her chin. There was nothing quite like taking a human life to make up for the hole in her heart. It had been a while since Riddhi had given in to her more monstrous urges.

It felt fucking fantastic.

The struggling of the man grew sluggish, Devin taking more than her fill of blood as a skinny river made its way down the line of her jaw towards her neck. It was only when the man started to go cold that Devin released, running the back of her hand through the river with as much grace as a lady like her could muster.

Aka with absolutely none.

”I’ve had better.” She said for the now dead man.

All that could be said of this man's death was that it was at least quick.

Seven didn't make a habit of killing her victims, because hiding a body was low on the list of things she found at all enjoyable. But some things were just unavoidable.

It was worth it. A single death in exchange for reconnecting with her tattooed competitor and make temporary allies with a very strong vampire. Seven was new to the concept of recruitment, but if there was one thing she could do, it was market herself. This was a perfect opportunity.

She laughed softly as she dropped the limp arm, and didn't look twice at it as it flopped unceremoniously against the dead man's body. They'd have to deal with it, but not just yet.

Seven made a show of stepping back and fluffing her hair, then pulling out a hand mirror to check her lipstick. Swiping at a smear of crimson, she drawled, "Have a more refined taste, do you?" Her eyes slid between the two women beneath lazily hooded lids.

Months ago, Riddhi might have felt bad about recklessly taking the life of another human being. Months ago, Riddhi had been trying her best to adapt and change. To be a better person. To work on her emotions and be more introspective. Months ago, Riddhi was weak. Prone to bouts of depression and worry about her future.

Now though. Now, Riddhi felt the temporarily relief of unity among the powerful. She could still be the person her mother made her to be. She'd fucking show her. Show everyone.

She wiped the dribble off her chin and licked blood off her teeth as the other vampires spoke. She felt more powerful than she had since the very first moment she walked in the sun again.

Shame about the dead guy. Oh well. A worthy sacrifice for her own self-esteem. For now, she looked between the woman as she waited for Devin to reply.

The man dropped to the ground as Devin released her own hold of him, her gaze lingering on him for only a moment before making their way back towards Seven as she spoke. A cocky grin creeping its way onto her face as she shoveled her hands into her pockets.

”Oh real refined.” She answered, nose crinkling playfully. ”My particular favorite are pretty redhead’s like you.” Or drop dead gorgeous women like Riddhi, honestly she wasn’t picky.

Oh, she'd forgotten how silver this one's tongue was. It pleased her.

Seven snapped the mirror shut with a sharp click, "Mm, wouldn't you like to get a taste." She taunted. Then glanced at their stunning, silent companion, "What about you, wings?"

God, such banter between these two! Riddhi’s head swivelled toward the redhead’s and she smirked.

"I thought it was pretty good actually." She shrugged and set the man down on the ground for now.

"Though I suggest we get this cleaned up sooner rather than later." Not to rush anyone, but!

No fun Riddhi!!

Still, she had a point, Devin glanced towards the blank gaze of the now dead man. Such a boring schmucky look, it really wasn’t a pity that he died, just a pity that they now had to clean up the mess. :(

”You right.” She nodded, grabbing the man by the arm. ”Could just toss him in the river?” Protests anyone?

Well, that was a little ice on the fire. Maybe for the best, lest she get too big of a head. Seven flashed the woman a toothy little smile then pocketed her mirror.

She was right, they needed to do away with the corpse.

The river was an obvious choice, but was it the smartest? Seven crossed her arms prissily. “Don’t bodies float?” She challenged.

Riddhi nodded.

"We'd have to tie something to him to weigh him down." She considered other options but it really felt like the river was the easiest.

She looked to her two companions and smirked.

"I take it neither of you has any rope on you, though?" She arched an eyebrow, teasing obviously. But the longer they stood out here with a corpse, the more likely it was they would be traced back to the man's murder.

Rope, no, but she had marbles which were totally useless in this situation unless they wanted her to blow him into chunks.

Something told her that they would prefer she didn’t though.

”Uhhhh,” followed with the soft clicking of her tongue as she looked around the park. ”I mean, no, but I bet we could use his clothes or something to tie him down?” Maybe?

Oh, this was already so tedious.

She cast a look around the immediate vicinity. There was nothing to even use to weigh him down.

Seven faked a yawn, “Let’s just dump him. My DNA isn’t so damning.” They’d never find a match, and even if they did, it would be for a dead girl.

And so they were dumping him in the river!

Normally, Riddhi was a bit more cautious with getting rid of a body but the redhead had a point. How damning could their DNA be?

"Let's dump him then."

Riddhi easily picked him up from under his arms and dragged him toward the riverbank. It didn't take a lot of effort to throw the body in with a splash. She dusted off her hands afterward and looked back at her companions.

And off he went flying, which Devin was grateful for. She wasn't interested spending all night talking about some chump that they fed on, he wasn't worth any more time than they'd already given him.

"And like that, there's no longer a body." Devin scoffed shaking her head, "I'll be honest, this has been the funnest night I've had in a while."

Well, there you have it. Seven watched the mystery vampress dispose of their leftovers, and dusted her hands of imaginary dust.

Devin spoke aloud what she’d been thinking. Though she hadn’t planned on being so corny about it.

“It was certainly a trip. It’s good to find more capable vampires in Valencia.”

It had been a good night. Better than most for the last year of Riddhi's pitiful existence. It was so much easier to live well when she cared less.

The redhead said something though that got her interest.

"Oh? Why's that?" She smirked, curious. Maybe the redhead was starting her own clutch. Or maybe she just wanted good neighbours.

The statement had pretty much gone over her head, but as Riddhi brought it up, it occurred to Devin that it had been a little bit strange.

And so her attention would move back towards Seven, brows lifted in her own interest.

Oh, wings had some brains, too, it seemed. Poor Devin looked lost, but she hadn't held out much hope in the first place. That was alright, she was still delicious to look at.

Seven shrugged languidly, "Because soon, if the cards are played right, there will be a Clutch full of them in this city. And as we've learned tonight," She tilted her chin in the direction of the river, "The more, the merrier."

There it was. A clutch full of vampires in Valencia. How interesting. It was so very close to Alder Heights. But what other options were there for cities in this town?

Certainly, it was a place ripe for the taking. Riddhi surprised herself by being interested for more reasons than gossip.

"Tell us more about it," She encouraged as she swept a hand away from the river so that they might go for a walk together.

A new clutch, the last two hadn't really worked out for her, but... She was willing to give something new a chance. She liked Seven, and if she was the one putting everything together, she imagined that she would get along with anyone else that she decided to pull in.

It was just a matter of having this one... Last.

"Yeah, I'm interested"

Oh, they were so easy. A little blood sport to sweeten them up, and now they were eating out of her palm.

Seven simpered as she fell into a slinking stride in between the two ladies. “It started as a dream shared by two lovely vampresses on the day of the eclipse. They found each other in the sun, and decided they wished the conquer it.” There wasn’t much to share about it, yet, so she was happy to accentuate the lore.

“Then came a ball, wherein four masked horsewomen found each other in the crowd. They knew then that they were meant to be.” Or something like that. She just liked it for the convenience.

“Crystal will be our Domina, I will be her Praetor.” She declared, though she hadn’t been formally granted it, “And I intend to secure this city for her. For all of us. Any questions?” She concluded with a glance over her shoulder at the more powerful of the two, still unnamed. She was strong enough to take the title from Crystal. Would she?

The redhead wove together a tale that sounded more fantastical than it likely was. The mention of the masquerade (it had to be that, right?) made her uneasy but she did not show it. Riddhi had yet to decide how she would proceed, other than 'with caution'. But setting up shop right outside of Alder Heights was risky. Telling her tale to any vampire who'd listen was even riskier. What if Riddhi was the sort to blab about such a thing? She wasn't. She wouldn't even tell Gabe. Not right away.

There was someone already planning to be Domina, and the redhead would take on the role of Praetor. It left a Regent spot open among others. But maybe Riddhi would want to relax into clutch things first.

If she joined. There were four of them though. Possibly five if Devin joined. Six with Riddhi. All women.

"Why Valencia?"

She could have done without the whole fantasy portion of it all, but she followed along well enough. There was another woman who would be running it all, Seven would be the pr-whatever, and then she supposed the rest of them would just be, there.

Which worked well enough for Devin, at least until she got her feet under her and knew what the whole dynamic of it all was. Didn't want to fully commit to anything until she knew exactly how the other ladies acted. She wasn't looking to be in another clutch full of whiney little bitches who didn't like to get their hands dirty every now and then.

Not that she thought Seven would either.

Riddhi brought in another question, and Devin would remain quiet as the more experienced vampires took to asking and answering the important questions.