Vasili took a moment to recall what he knew about Chimeras from his middle school days, particularly those lessons on Ancient Greek Comedy. He knew the Chimera in that story was a woman with three heads. However, he couldn't help but be briefly panicked, asking, "Wait, do I have multiple heads?!"
With a sly smile, Elias decided to let him stew for a bit before answering, "No, you don't. That description from ancient times was more of a linguistic issue than an accurate representation. People back then counted the heads when describing bodies, so it may have sounded like she had three heads to the scribe. But in reality, that Chimera had a single head."
That explanation seemed to take a lot out of him as he drank the rest of the glass in one gulp, so Vasili asked the room, "I definitely won't have 3-heads?"
Sebastian chimed in to clarify, "No, Young Master, Chimeras do not have 3 heads, they are a blend of 3 or more forms."
Vasili was taken aback by Sebastian's use of "Young Master" to address him, asking incredulously, "Did you just call me Young Master?"
Sebastian had a difficult expression on his face as he explained, "Indeed, I apologize, I have only just acquiesced to you being named 'Blood Brother'." Shame coated him as he lowered his head in waiting.
He felt a surge of anger and a desire to assert his independence. He wasn't "one of them", he just met Elias an hour or two ago. He had no idea if these were the "Vegan" Vampires or the "Mass Murder" Vampires. Hell, he might have to slaughter this place for the good of humanity.
He didn't know exactly where his anger came from, but he would no longer be shackled to the whims of others.
Vasili blinked a few times, questioning his own anger, the Ram interjecting by offering the question, "So, I guess I should ask, what does that mean, entail exactly?"
Elias smiled as he watched the tide of rage recede, commenting, "It means you are my Brother. You are protected from har-" Vasili didn't like the generalized statement, cutting Elias off, he demanded to know, "EXACTLY, please!"
Elias paused for a moment before responding, "Well. It is a hard question to answer in exact terms. But. We would back you almost indefinitely unless it is your direct fault. We don't usually define the terms of helping 'Family', we are immortal." He spread his arms wide, "Like this, do you like the club? Would you WANT it? I could give it to you, I have been thinking about starting another one."
Vasili realized this was a blank check from immortal beings, and he was momentarily speechless.
Elias smiled when he saw the recognition in his brother's eyes, "You get it now, good!" Laughing for a moment, he pointed to his waitress. Who then opened the velvet rope line, letting sound inside.
"Yes, Sir, what can I get for you?" She spoke loudly as the bass thumped in beat with Vasili's heart.
He simply waved for her to sit down.
She re-clasped the rope, the sound fleeting in an instant. Then, as she sat next to Elias, he asked the woman, "Cassie, what do you know about my Family?"
Realizing this wasn't her 'breakaway moment', she began to follow orders, "Well, Sir, I cannot say I know much more than the average person."
She seemed slightly depressed before Elias encouraged her, "No, that is perfect! How would you describe my Family to Vasili here?
Cassie didn't quite understand why they were doing this, but she followed Elias' orders, "The Dragos Family is extremely famous. Not in the 'Real world' they are names on pieces of paper, but in 'our' world, they are legendary."
She continued, "In the 'Real world', they run multiple Billion Dollar Hedge funds, too many to count. I have seen estimates of their net worth being in the Trillions. But it isn't their money that makes them famous, as many immortals are incalculably wealthy."
"What makes them famous, in 'our' world, is the way they harness magic. After the War of 1998, the Shifters didn't even compete with them anymore. They single-handedly took New York City for the Vampires."
Vasili was less impressed than he felt he should have been. A Billion dollars? Insane. A Trillion? Meh? At some point, wealth stops holding value.
Elias smiled and spoke, "Thank you very much for your glowing description of my Family. You can stay, I might need you to keep Vasili company for the night, he's the "questioning" type, I can tell."
She nodded, imperceivably frowning at her luck, and then Elias continued, "We are Royalty around here, which is why they attacked me, probably."
Sighing, he continued, "The minority factions are probably going to use Guerrilla tactics on us. It has happened in the past, but there is a reason why Creatures don't backstab one another. It is how they go extinct." Anger surged in Elias' tone, he was processing his near-death experience.
Elias pushed deeper, accepting that he was one with the monster inside himself, then spoke with his eyes closed, "Vasili, my brother, I am sorry I killed you." Vasili frowned, confused at the phrasing, "I killed you when I knocked on your door, your life is entwined with my own."
The Dragon surged up, taking offense at the implication of danger. It wasn't IN danger, it WAS danger.
The Ram and Lion stopped the foolishness from bubbling over, it was time to listen.
Elias continued with emotion in his voice, "I am a 'monster' in your eyes, but I haven't killed anyone. Not yet anyway. I drink bags from blood banks or pay for direct transfusions."
Sighing he explained, "I am a normal 'rich kid' in the eyes of most Creatures. I drink, party, and have a good time. I even VOTE! But. My life is over now too. I realized that I am never truly safe, not until I am strong." He cut Sebastian off, knowing his Butler would gloat, "YES, you were right!"
Maranda was motionless, and Sebastian was concerned as Elias continued, "I have to become 'my own man'. Unfortunately, that means I will have to take things." He looked at Cassie, whispering, "I am sorry, Cassie. I am going to take your freedom." Then he savagely bit into her neck, feeding off of her blood.
Vasili was stunned by the sudden violence but felt no inclination to stop it. This innocent woman was being killed by a Vampire... 'Wait? Isn't she a Vampire too? Why is he feeding?' Vasili wondered.
Elias stopped, blood coating his face, his expression dimming from his joyful self. Then he bit his wrist and offered it to the bloodless Vampire.
She devoured it, suckling on his wrist like it would save her very Soul.
A few moments later, she stopped, realization dawning on her as she asked shakily, "D-d-d-did, I-I get Blooded?"
Elias couldn't meet her gaze as he answered, "Yes. You are mine, now. I am sorry, Cassie."
A joyous expression overtook her as she mumbled, "I am a member of House von Dragos?!"
Sebastian nodded firmly, "Yes, my dear. You have joined our prestigious ranks. We will serve the Family, until the end of time!"
Maranda asked Elias, "I didn't expect you to take your first Thrall from your club. How are you feeling?"
She sat and comforted her charge, obviously taking a more motherly role, Elias explained, "It was easy. I just ripped her freedom from her, forever. And it was EASY. You know, honestly, I wanna' stake myself."
Vasili listened closely before asking, "Elias. What is a Thrall?"
Reluctantly, Elias explained, "Vampires are different from most Creatures. See, we have a blood purity issue. But, dilution doesn't make the "gift" weaker, it just means the purer Vampires can enthrall 'Lesser Vampires'."
He sighed, continuing, "Cassie has worked for me for over a decade, I trust her, but what I just did...what I just did is horrible. I took her autonomy. I gave her blood from my body, which means, nobody except for the Progenitor of Vampires could turn her from me. Her Body, Mind, and Soul are mine."
Vasili questioned softly, "Then why does she look happy?"
Elias wiped his face, "She is experiencing a "Blooding" rebirth. My blood is literally filling her veins." He pointed to Sebastian and Maranda, "My Father doesn't Blood much anymore, so our Family hasn't expanded in years."
Vasili frowned, wondering why he wouldn't expand even more if danger was out there. But also, why didn't the "Thralls" or whatever expand for him? Then he felt the Ram's instincts.
Purity.
The blood has to come from the Top, even for the lowest member, or the organization could be infiltrated.