Rania Chalybs
The rouge, Onyx Bay
Interrupted in her revelry, Rania prepared to unleash a well-deserved reprimand upon the unsuspecting stranger, only to find herself face to face with Styx Bratoviae. In that singular moment, the music of the Rouge fell into an eerie hush, casting them into a realm where only their presence and crackling electricity prevailed. His flawless countenance and captivating violet eyes momentarily seized her breath.
Enchanted by his presence, Rania's internal musings were abruptly shattered as the realization dawned that he embodied the very vampyric nobility responsible for the plight of her people. A surge of cold reality washed over her, dispelling the temporary enchantment. Before she could voice her disdain, another Bratoviae, with short, lightly colored hair, materialized beside her.
"What is it with vampyre nobility gracing the oh-so-lovely Rouge today?" she mused under her breath "well isn't it the wonderful Rania Chalybs, newspaper darling"the newcomer jested. Duke Styx, visibly perturbed, confessed, "Damn, I lost him." Turning to his cousin, Lord Rudiger, he issued a command, "Retrieve the drink he tainted. Send it to our experts for analysis. Uncover the substance he added." Rudiger acknowledged the directive, "Roger that," before embarking on his quest.
In the midst of this vampyric intrigue, Rania, mindful of her position, tapped the glyph on her left hand, a silent call for her partner Zola to hasten to her side.
As the electrifying encounter unfolded, Rania, her voice laced with a cautious politeness, greeted Styx Bratoviae with a "Good evening, Your Grace. What brings you here?" Styx, in response, scrutinized her with disdain, dismissing the epithet of "golden child of the coalition."
"Wonder how you earned that title if you couldn't detect a man poisoning a drink in your proximity. This is precisely why humans have no place in a coalition meant to safeguard citizens," Styx derided, a condescension that ignited a spark of anger within Rania.
In a swift counter, fueled by both indignation and a courage cultivated through her role, she retorted, "With all due respect, Your Grace, I'm currently off duty. Moreover, you, in a position to insinuate humans don't belong in the coalition, should acknowledge the failings of your own governance. A substantial populace endures wretched conditions. The recent kidnappings expose your shortcomings in providing a secure environment for your citizens." Rania's words, uttered in rapid succession, hung in the air, a challenge to the vampyric nobility.
Observing the transformation of Styx's expression from disdain to fury, panic gripped Rania. Despite her earlier bravado, the fear of repercussions loomed. Lost in her anxious thoughts, Styx seized her hands, leading her through the undulating throng of dancers towards the sanctuary of the backroom.
Upon reaching the secluded backroom, Styx, with an imperious command, cleared the space of dancers, sealing the door behind him. He cornered Rania against the wall, his tone laced with fury, "Who are you to speak to me like that? Who?"
Defiant, Rania swiftly twisted his arm, slipping from his grasp. Attempting to escape, she reached for the door, only for Styx to seize her waist from behind, his whisper tinged with menace, "Impressive, but where do you think you're going?" Unyielding, Riana retaliated, executing a fight move, concluding with a precise kick to his vulnerable areas.
Hand on hip, she retorted haughtily, "Home. I'm going home." Yet, her arrogance met a swift downfall as Styx, undeterred, seized her by the feet. In the ensuing struggle, a misstep led to her tumble onto him. An unsettling moment ensued as he flashed a menacing smile, hand around her waist as he switched their position with him being on lying on top of her, fangs on display. "Is that all you've got, love?" he taunted before getting off her.
Regaining her composure, Rania attempted to hastily depart, only to be arrested by Styx's authoritative command, "Stay right where you are, otherwise you will regret leaving this room." Recognizing the gravity of his threat, Riana reluctantly complied, the tension in the room amplifying the clash between vampyric dominance and the resilient spirit of a coalition member.
Styx Bratoviae strode with regal poise, transforming the shabby room into a semblance of his vampyric castle. Mirrors, cosmetics, and scandalous garments adorned the space, hinting at a contrast between nobility and the clandestine world within. Seating himself on a sofa, Styx directed his inquiries at Riana, still grappling with the echoes of their earlier confrontation.
"I've heard of your capture of a human trafficking ring member. Is that true?" Styx inquired. With a measured response, Riana confirmed, "Yes, Your Grace." Expressing impatience, Styx pressed, "What have you gleaned from the captive?"
Startled but resolute, Riana replied, "Investigations are underway, and we anticipate substantial findings by tomorrow." Styx, clicking his teeth in irritation, sought further insight into her work on the trafficking case. Riana, regaining her composure, revealed, "Agent Zola and I have delved into this for about four weeks. The organization displays a structured hierarchy, spanning across the kingdom. Trafficking victims are transported on Wednesdays from Onyx Port to an undisclosed location. The operation is well-organized, indicating substantial funding. Victims are typically orphans under twenty."
Deep in thought, Styx inquired about the hierarchy. Riana detailed the roles: merchants luring victims, gleaners obtaining information, collectors handling transactions, and enforcers managing transportation. When asked about apprehensions, she confessed, "Gleaners and merchants only. We hope the merchant caught today will unveil more about the collectors and enforcers."
Styx, absorbing the information, rose and directed Riana, "Meet me here tomorrow with your findings. Failure will incur repercussions. And tell your partner, Zola, to curb his pacing; it's distracting." Riana, nodding absently, pondered the mysterious insight Styx seemed to possess regarding Zola's presence despite him being the most covert coalition agent. She knew about his presence only because of the glyph.
As the room emptied of Styx's imposing presence, Zola entered through the adjoining door, appearing disheveled. Rania, with a teasing remark, quipped, "It seems you had quite an adventure."
"Too bad I was interrupted, just when I was about to climax," Rania lamented. In a ponderous tone, she mused, "I wonder why he's so fixated on the trafficking ring."
Amidst the aftermath, Zola divulged, "While dealing with a companion, it came to light that ghampires have been disappearing. It appears they suspect the involvement of the trafficking ring."
Understanding the gravity of the situation, Rania acknowledged, "That explains his curiosity. If ghampires are truly missing, the ring's influence is more formidable than we thought."
Zola, groaning, added, "As if we aren't overworked enough." With shared concern etched on their faces, Rania and Zola exited the room, embarking on a quest to find Poppy before heading home. The ominous undertones of missing ghampires entwined with their already challenging pursuit, promising a heightened and perilous path ahead.