Looking for Answers...... - The Castle Under the Swamp

The blond dives into the water with her and laughs. The sound carries underwater perfectly.

"Of course. Only Flavius has more power then I within the Dream." he seems overall, very pleased with the water and swims like a mermaid. Man. Trident thing. He swims like a fish person.

She swims in the warm ocean water, the water almost clear enough to see the sand beneath, and coming up "Whose Flavious?" after a bit.

The blond swims with her, frolicking, one might say.

"Flavius?" he ponders it over slowly before answering. "Flavius is a dark dream. An idea, mostly. Picture a human soul, then strip it of all emotion. Add a pinch of curiosity, a slightly sadistic bend, and lackadaisical thirst for power. Then give it centuries to bore with the process. He isn't evil per-say...."

He shrugs a bit.

"I am certain you will call to him if you haven't already. It's inevitable, really."

Looking worried at him "Oh that sounds ominous." swimming by him enjoying the time.

The blond shrugs, "Maybe? His influence is limited, so I wouldn't worry overmuch. Chimera have a notoriously tricky time affection those with your... affliction."

"Affliction?" curiously inquired while moving closer to him, reaching over to touch his shoulder and smiles. "You mean vampire?"

The blond nods, "Yup. He'll be able to walk with you while you sleep, but that should be the extent of it. I am certain you are strong enough to tolerate the occasional bad dream for the benefit of so many pleasant ones, no?"

"Yes I just have to watch staying lost in nightmares." with a grin at him "But if it's only occasionally I should be fine."

The blond smiles and frolics deeper under water. The dreamscape starts to fade, and she slumbers pleasantly until morning.

Waking with the start from the day sleep, her hand falls to her stomach, and the wound there. Using her blood to heal, she stretches, and rolls over looking around the room.

Getting up, putting on a robe, she wandered again to see if she could find him and find a way to correct the night before.

The King in Yellow is back in the library. He is usually in the library.

She wanders in, looks at him, "Good evening."

The King in Yellow looks up from gazing into the green and purple flames. His tone is pleasant and implies he is smiling behind that silver mask of his.

"Good even, Bella. How did you sleep this evening?"

"Very well thank you for asking." walking towards him with a genuine smile of her own and her voice is smoother than silk.

The King in Yellow gestures to an overstuffed chair by his own in front of the fireplace and turns his gaze back to the flickering, mystical flames.

"Something weights on you."

She looks at him "No I am actually in a good mood." moving to the chair "Just trying to figure out how to say something."

The King in Yellow nods patiently.

"Aren't we all?" he pauses a moment. "The outside world can be so complicated sometimes, can't it?"

His long fingers lace in his lap, "How goes your search for a haven beyond these walls?"

"I've found a place, that can hold a piano, I've been offered to stay where the toreador have a "show" house, and another said if I need space they could provide. A friend from Paris." sitting in the chair beside his. "but......"

The King in Yellow nods slowly.

"All tempting offers. Still," he suggests lazily, as if it of no import either way. "If the thought of moving wearies you as much as it does I, you could take a more permanent residence here. I do enjoy your company, and your song echoes nicely down my halls."

"I don't want to draw undo attention to you and your haven." she says honestly. "I've garnered some attention and I'd rather not have that be a bother to you."

"My home is not strictly in this world. There is a very subtle exit from my haven, and there is the strip club that I am building at the edge of the swamp. Both have access to the castle and would give you discrete leave to come and go as you will. Further, your song will not carry beyond the doors, that I assure you."

"I have realized you haven is not strictly of this world, but there are times it would be more convenient to already be in the city." she says looking at her hands "But most of the time if you would permit I'd prefer to be here."

The King in Yellow ponders.

"If most of the time you were here, that would make this your home, no? And your time away would be... visits elsewhere. The outside world does have some appeal that i cannot deny."

Looking over with a shy smile "So it would be alright to do so?" childlike asked.