#''I could guide him at arm's length but I should also have another errand boy in my ranks. it's good that he's obedient''

[dndeviants]

Vasili’s Townhouse

Linda pulled out the journal and began reading it... trusting Ruki to guide them to the right address. Her heart pounded as she walked, reading through Strahd’s perspective of rulership of Barovia... 

While she expected to read the depraved thoughts of a devious and evil man, what she found was more unsettling...

He was like her.

She read as he described the aftermath of war, the tiredness... resigning to duty... trying to return to a normal life... Boredom... 

A brother? Sergei... happiness... Family...

What happened? She read and read... A girl, Tatayana...Sergei’s beloved... he loved her. Jealousy... delving into magic... Her heart ached with pity as she read his descent into obsession... Death...

Murder. He murdered his friend, Alek, hardly even thinking... Murder of his brother... Tatayana would be his... She leapt to her death. Then betrayal...

Leo Dilisnya. She flipped through and read about his attack on the wedding guests... So it turned out that Strahd did not murder them after all... Leo escaped. Years passed, Strahd returned to his duty- then Lovina Wachter told him where Leo was... she paused at a passage:

She took both sheets of parchment and read the introduction right through. As the head of an important house, she would know my writing well enough by now from past documents. This one told her that I was Lord Vasili Von Holtz (I had combined the given name of my great-grandfather with that of his wife's maiden name) and that she was to consider my voice the voice of Strahd in all matters and render me every reasonable assistance for my errand. The bottom of the sheet was properly stamped, and it carried a wax seal impressed with the Von Zarovich coat of arms. She studied it all at length, making me glad I had prepared things so fully.

Her heart pounded as she read, and re-read... Vasili... Vasili is Strahd! She felt a small fury... mostly at herself. So that is what Rictavio meant. She beat herself up... How could she? No, how dare he make her care about him that way! How dare he lie to her...

Why did she still care? She shook her head and forced herself to calm. She’d get to the bottom of this better with a level head. 

She looked to her companions, thinking. She couldn’t trust the native Barovians... Strahd was masquerading as Vasili for a reason, and she didn’t want to risk angering the vampire by revealing the truth... better to have some kind of leverage over him... Ruki surely knew already, and she didn’t want to alert her to her discovery. 

The other outsiders... She looked over to Aric and Jeeves, and tried something on a hunch... They seemed the type to be heavily involved with criminals and criminal activities, despite Aric’s noble heritage. She too was well versed in the ways of the underworld, and spoke the coded language of rogues and rapscallions:

Thieves Cant.

She walked over to the boys, "Do you guys know what I'm saying? I am not sure if you know Thieves Cant."

Aric startled and nodded, replying in the same, "Of course, we wouldn't be very good at what we do if we didn't know, now would we?"

Jeeves inclined his head, "What's the troubling news? We have a bit of our own..."

"I have another of those journal fragments...” she looked to Ruki and back to them,  “Vasili is not who he says he is."

Ruki paused, tilting her head back to listen to them. It was Common, it seemed... but it was filled with so much slang, jargon, and gibberish that she could hardly understand. She shook her head and focused on making sure the rest of the group didn’t get themselves lost.

Aric looked to Linda and nodded, grimly, "I've had my suspicions for a while, but he has had solid answers to my concerns, until just now at least,” Aric lowered his voice, “We caught Ruki and Vasili speaking in Infernal."

Linda raised her brow, "Oh, what was it about?

“A curse placed on a woman,” Aric replied, “And apparently, The Holy Symbol of Ravenkind belonged to Vasili's brother.”

"That's interesting,” Linda replied sarcastically, bitterness creeping into her voice, “considering that he is actually Strahd."

"As in the ruler of this place?” Aric allowed himself a moment of disbelief before nodding, “I did find it strange that 'Vasili' traveled around and tended to the business of Strahd. I guess my suspicions were correct."

Jeeves folded his arms, "Yeah, it was suspicious that he gave him permission to do as he pleased and gave him a writ."

Aric decided that he trusted Linda, "I wanted to know more about the pendant, so I stole it from Ruki and was planning on confronting them anyway, I vote we do it together."

“Sounds good,“ Linda replied, glad that Aric was on the same page as her. She held out a hand, “Though, I suggest pulling them away from the others. Don’t want to cause too much of a scene.”

They wound the corner and walked straight north... It was a quieter part of town. It didn’t seem like most of the buildings here were inhabited. Ruki turned to her companions:

“We will be approaching the manor soon.“

Ruki led them to the manor and looked up at the house. The two story manor had a good view of Lake Zarovich. She nodded to herself fondly. She remembered working on this house when she was a child... It was humble, but well equipped to deal with any threat, and was a favorite hideout of Strahd’s whenever Vasili had any business that needed to be attended to. It wasn’t as grand as the castle, nor as extravagant... but it was a central location for both her vampire friends and Vistani relatives.

It didn’t seem that much changed about the house... save for that Mina’s trips to maintain the house were less frequent than usual. She shook her head at the sad, wilted tulips.

Linda looked to the house... The windows were covered by red-painted shutters, the house itself was that of a gray white. It seemed modest enough, but the location was telling to her: far away from the crowds, and with quick access to the lake, it seemed like a perfect place for a country retreat...

Or a convenient murder. She put her hand on her revolver for comfort.

Aric glanced at the house. Vasili- or Strahd- has good taste. Shame about the tulips...

Linda walked to the front door... she heard movement on the other side. She knocked. There was a pause, but then Vasili came to the door.

Vasili looked over everyone and smiled with closed lips, "Ah, you made it. Please, by all means, come in..."

He bowed to them and stepped to the side, gesturing for them to come in. 

Linda hesitated, and peered around him... She heard the sound of kitchen tools, saw a broom sweeping the floors on its own-

And a large wolf walking down the hall toward them.

Aric saw the wolf in the house and immediately jumped back, nearly knocking Jeeves down. Jeeves stumbled and caught Aric in his arms.

“OOF! Um... my Pasha?“ Jeeves inquired of Aric’s skittish behavior.

“Harald!“ Ruki called out in happy recognition of her favorite pet, “How are you, boy?“

The wolf bounded up to Ruki, wagging its tail.

Linda gestured down to it, “Why do you have a wolf?”

Vasili- or Strahd- seemed genuinely surprised at the question. He laughed, “A wolf? There are no wolves here. This is my dog, Harald.”

Suddenly, everyone gathered was unsure of the dog being a wolf... It looked surprisingly like a wolf, and still did.

Linda blinked, and removed her hand from her revolver, “That’s just a really big dog, then.”

Jeeves nodded, “It must be one of those husky dogs I have heard about...”

Aric slowly lowered himself, “Sorry Jeeves, he just surprised me.”

“You may pet him if you wish,“ Vasili granted them permission.

Linda, always an animal lover, reached down and pet the beast, “Hello, Harald.”

Harald wagged his tail at the attention. Vasili took Harald away from the door.

“Come on boy, let them in...“ He moved to the side, “Warm yourselves by the fire."

Linda ventured in first, followed by Ireena and Ismark, Victor not too long after. Ruki went in as well. Aric and Jeeves lingered in the back, but ultimately came in as well. Vasili locked the door behind them.

The Barovians went immediately to warm themselves by the fire, but the outsiders lingered in the hall with Vasili.

 "Thank you for having us Vasili,” Aric said, “I hope we won't be too much trouble."

Vasili shook his head, "Not at all. My home is your home."

Aric peered around Vasili and saw a young woman hard a work, cooking in the kitchen. His heart skipped a beat. He wasn’t actually expecting anyone else to be there...

Linda turned to Aric, speaking in the Cant, "Should we talk to him now? In another room maybe?"

Aric nodded, "I think that would be best, there is someone in the kitchen and I wasn't expecting someone here besides him."

They silently nodded to each other, and turned to face Vasili. Vasili quirked his head at the odd slang.

Aric stepped forth, “Lord... Holtz,” he ventured, “Linda, Jeeves, and I were wondering if there is someplace private that we may talk with you and Ruki. I have some concerns over my current state, and seeing as you two know this place better than we do, I was hoping for some advice. Linda also has some concerns to run by you.”

Vasili paused, then nodded thoughtfully, "My study is right here. Would that be sufficient?" Vasili indicated a door in the hallway, away from the main living space.

"That will be perfect," Aric replied.

Vasili unlocked the study door. The small space was crammed with bookcases and different tomes of study. Everything was organized and in order. A little writing desk sat in the middle of the room with a chair on one side. A window looked to the outside from behind the desk. The night was pitch black. 

Ruki stepped in and stood by the desk. Jeeves leaned against a side wall.

Vasili closed the door behind them, “What questions do  you have?”

Aric looked to Linda.

Linda stepped to Vasili, "You have some kind of spell so that no one overhears us?”

Vasili quirked a brow, but responded, “Certainly. Do you wish for me to cast it?”

“Yes, please, Vasili.“ Linda held her eyes level with his.

Vasili opened the door and put a finger to his lips, muttering a small spell. When he was done, he turned around and walked past the desk, leaning on the wall near the window, “It is done...” He crossed his arms over his chest.

Aric turned to Linda, "Do you want to go first about his identity, or me about what we overheard?"

Linda faced Vasili and put her hands on her hips. She replied to Aric, "What you overheard."

Aric nodded and faced Vasili, "I guess I'll be honest now, since that is what we are going to ask of you...” he paused to clarify, “We asked you here away from everyone else because we have some concerns about you and Ruki. Earlier, Jeeves and I overheard you and Ruki discussing a curse on a woman named Tatayana, the Ba'al Verzi, and the fact that this pendant...”

Aric reached into his pack and pulled out the Holy Symbol of Ravenkind, flashing it in front of the man, “This pendant belonged to your brother..."

Vasili’s eyes widened, and he flinched almost instinctively. It seemed to take every bit of effort to stand his ground. He snarled and hissed, "Put... that... damn... thing... away!"

That confirmed it. Linda put one hand on her revolver and another out in front of her, in a stopping motion. She held her eyes evenly with Strahd, and did her best to keep her voice calm, "We just want to chat, with the Lord of this place."

The man who called himself Vasili, that she now knew to be Strahd glared at her... his eyes glowing red. He seemed to calculate and weigh his options. 

Aric was surprised and confused by the man’s response. He turned to Linda for guidance, holding the symbol still. Linda nodded to Aric, not breaking eye contact with the creature before her. Aric slowly put the symbol away. 

Strahd seemed to calm and regain his composure.

“That is a powerful holy artifact!” Ruki was infuriated, “How dare you take that from my care?!”

Ruki pulled out her staff in anger, but Strahd stepped forward and held out a hand in front of her, reminding her of her place. She lowered her staff and took a small step back.

Strahd silently looked over them, his voice becoming a soft purr,  "Very well. I will admit, that you found me out rather quickly with the aid of my journals...” he bit back the venom that slipped into his voice, resuming his civil demeanor, “I appreciate the consideration in not outing me to the people there. So, let me formally reintroduce myself...”

Strahd stood tall and put his hand over his heart, “I am Strahd von Zarovich, Lord of Barovia. Now..." He glanced over to Aric, "You wanted to know about the artifact, the Ba'al Verzi, and Tatayana?"

Aric met his gaze evenly. He wouldn’t be fazed by the murderous intent in Strahd’s eye. He wanted answers...

“My lord,” Ruki protested, “they are mere outsiders!”

Strahd’s mind touched Ruki’s, "That I understand. It infuriates me so that they had access to my journals... but regardless, I need them. If they betray me or run out of usefulness... we can deal with it then."

"We are outsiders who are trying to help and don't appreciate being lied to!" An edge crept into Linda’s voice. She forced herself to calm down, as she stared at the man who had lied to her- and probably manipulated her. Yelling or getting frustrated wouldn’t help. As dangerous as Strahd probably was, it would only succeed in getting them killed if she couldn’t control her anger.

“Yes we would,” Aric replied to Strahd. “You have kept your true identity from us, and now these things as well. We wish to get home...” Aric paused, “But I, at least, am more than willing to help you, and the citizens of Barovia,” he looked to Strahd, earnestly, “But we need to know that we can trust you.”

Strahd remained silent. Ruki folded her arms. She knew that they would have to demonstrate that themselves. 

“How do you prove your willingness, then?“ Ruki demanded.

Linda was silent. She took her hand off her revolver and removed the weapons belt around her waist. She removed her monster hunting kit off of her back and tossed both of them into the middle of the room. She held up her hands, “There. I’ve taken off my weapons. Your journal is in that bag. Do what you will with that.”

Aric crossed his arms, “I admit we are strangers to you and to this place, but you are the ones who have proven yourselves untrustworthy...” he held up his hand, and indicated the Battleblade Ring, “But, I do believe that my use of this ring to prevent the burgomaster’s escape is proof enough of our intent. We just want to help you, and go home.”

Strahd examined the strangers before him, and wrapped his cloak around him. His face was expressionless, but a sad, tired tone betrayed his feelings in his voice.

"Very well,” he relented, “I will speak of what I know. You already have access to my journals, and my most private thoughts to the events in my life...” He looked over to Linda, “I have not lied to you. Though, admittedly, I may have omitted some information.... "

Linda frowned at the man. Strahd met her gaze briefly, then averted it.

Strahd fixed his gaze on Aric, and sighed, "First... The Ba'al Verzi... an ancient group of assassins, a guild of evil intent. Murderers...” He made a gesture, “I was their target once, long ago, when I became the ruler of this land. What made them so different from other assassin guilds however... was their cultist ways...”

Strahd listed, “They had to kill someone they loved to make a sheathe from the flesh, and used magic to pursue their targets... sometimes that magic was necromantic. The old Ba'al Verzi had undead to serve them. Ghosts, specters... things of that nature. Their signature weapon was a long dagger, with a hilt of gold, red, and black. All of their artifacts were marked similarly so... It seems that their guild has not died after all, and that I am still a target."

Linda blinked at the information, processing. She turned to Ruki, "Wait, so that mirror that you destroyed in the Burgomaster's house was a Ba'al Verzi artifact, Ruki?"

Strahd looked to Ruki, questioningly. He wasn’t aware of any Ba’al Verzi artifact in the Vallakovich mansion- but then again, that mansion didn’t always belong to them. “Well... then certain things begin to make sense...” he grew lost in his thoughts. 

Ruki nodded to Linda, “Indeed...” she withdrew her trophies, all Ba’al Verzi daggers, “This is the dagger I confiscated from the coffin shop, and this is on old dagger that lost its magic.”

Strahd glanced at the daggers and returned to the conversation, "Indeed. True Ba'al Verzi will always have them upon their person. Henrik seems to have been a high ranking member... he also had this..." 

Strahd held up Henrik’s cane, "I did some magical investigation, and this is a Rod of Golem Control. With it, he could have manipulated the golems to do certain things and exceed their own boundaries... fortunately, he perished before he got the chance to use it."

Strahd set down the cane on the study table and paused...

"Next issue... Tatayana...."

Strahd pulled his cloak back around him and gripped it a little more tightly than he had before. He spoke softly, "She was the only woman I ever loved. But... she did not love me. She loved my brother, Sergei.”

 “I was overcome with jealousy... and tried to turn to magical study to turn her affections to me. It seemed... unfair that I had to give up everything- my childhood, my youth, my life... in order to survive and to meet my father’s expectations. But Sergei had to make no such sacrifices.”

An edge crept into his voice, “Everything he had was given to him... and it made me bitter. He didn't have to earn my father's pride, or love... It seemed unfair,” he repeated, “that he could naturally have anything he wanted, where I had to fight just to survive! I wanted Tatayana for my own.”

 He grew quiet again, “It seems so naive and foolish now... to think that someone so innocent and pure could ever come to love someone- something- like me..."

Strahd turned away from them and walked to the window, staring out into the bleak night, "I began to blame my age, my lack of faith in humanity... and my approaching death for her disinterest in me. I... was dying. I knew the feeling... I felt it every time we fought.” 

He paused, “Do you know how it is to feel Death at your back every day you wake? Every night you sleep? I did not fear death, mind you. I feared dying before I ever had the chance to live. Tatayana was the only one who made me feel... like I meant something. Who saw the goodness in me...”

Strahd looked back at them coldly, “I proved her wrong."

He turned to face them fully, "Death himself approached me the night before my brother's wedding. Offering me a chance to take what had been denied me. Coaxing me, threatening me... I debated doing anything. But... unhappy circumstances...” 

“My only friend, Alek had been spying on me, trying to warn me... warn me of an attack, but all I saw was a possible betrayal. Instinctively we fought, and we mortally wounded each other. But I emerged victorious... at what cost?"

Strahd looked back to the window, "I murdered my best friend of over three decades. If I was capable of such an atrocity... surely a brother I hardly knew would be no different. But... I was lied to. I did not get what I wanted. I murdered them... for nothing. Tatayana fled from me... and killed herself.”

 “I died too, that night. Truly died...” he huffed a small laugh, “Betrayed and murdered by the Ba'al Verzi. But it appears that my stubbornness triumphs even over death. I avenged myself... and was cursed to watch Tatayana live and die over and over and over again..."

Strahd put a hand over his chest, letting his cloak fall from his hands. He pat over his heart, "This... is numb now. I feel hardly anything in regards to it. I don't even care if she loves me anymore. I just want to stop watching her die so cruelly...” 

“Ireena..." he murmured. Strahd faced the party, "She is Tatayana reborn."

Linda nodded, the pieces of the puzzle finally clicking together. "That's why you bit her," she stated.

"Yes,” Strahd answered. “It may have been misguided, but I was trying to save her, in the only way I know how...” he held out his hands, pain in his voice, “I meant her no harm. I was tricked... and she was used...” 

He raised a finger, “But I kept my word! I have not bitten her, and I will not make any more such advances...” he paused, “...not until I figure out what is going on here.”

He shrugged, “Truthfully... there are many things that I am just as confused about as you are."

Linda folded her arms, accepting his answer, “Alright.”

Strahd looked to Aric, "I suppose this brings us to the Artifact..."

Aric nodded attentively.

"Sergei...” Strahd sighed, “was the youngest of us all. My homelands had a tradition where the eldest was a war child. The middle was the estate child, and the third and after... were clergymen.”

He made a bleak gesture,”Sturm and I each performed our duties... and Sergei was meant to take over the place of the Most High Priest... solidify the von Zarovich control over our Homelands and territories... each of us controlling portions of our culture's way of life. Sergei was entrusted with the Holy Symbol of Ravenkind, the pendant of the High Priest."

Strahd shook his head, "He should have stayed with tradition. He would have never met her, I would have never met her... none of...this... would have happened if he just... did what he was supposed to.” He all but snarled, “But no, apparently Father never wanted him to follow the priest path."

Strahd forced the bitterness from his voice, and shrugged, trying to seem nonchalant, "In any case... it is a tool to banish creatures of the night. Destroy them. Creatures like me. The very sight of it... pains me in ways you can't even imagine... I have come up with a few ways to stave off the effects of holy auras... but nothing compares to the strength of that pendant."

Linda raised a brow. She didn’t think that vampires could work around holy auras.

Strahd noticed her response and huffed, "You let me ramble..."

Ruki humphed and folded her arms.

Linda smirked, “Of course,” she leaned against a bookshelf, "Though, I knew some of that from reading your journals. It's good to have the blanks filled in. Thank you for telling us. This was all very insightful. Aric do you have anything else to ask Strahd?"

Linda looked over to Aric.

Aric shook his head no.

Ruki glared, “If you knew, then why this underhanded interrogation?”

Linda looked to her evenly, "As I said, I knew some of it. Not all."

Strahd looked over Aric, Linda, and Jeeves, measuring their reaction. He expected anger, fear, accusation... He pinched the bridge of his nose. This was too much of a headache.

"I'm...” Strahd paused, and rethought his phrasing, “I extend my apologies to you for the deception for my true identity...” he let go of his face and looked to them, tiredly, “Please, understand that it is a danger for both me and Ruki if the general populace knew that Vasili von Holtz is not the man they think he is. The fear of my name is so... deep set in the culture. I don't know if I will ever recover."

Linda looked over to Strahd. She had been upset at his deception before, but she understood the reasons why. She couldn’t hold on to her anger, and sighed, "Even though I don't like it, I understand why you did it."

Aric clasped his hands respectfully, "Thank you for telling us all of this, I understand that it can be hard to trust those around you, especially when they are effectively strangers...” he looked over to Linda, then back to Strahd, “I guess it is only fair to say if there is anything more you want to know about us, now is the time to ask.”

“How about their boring life stories?” Ruki barely muttered.

Strahd smiled slyly and steepled his fingers.

Aric’s heart lurched, Oh dear, I didn’t actually think he was going to take me up on that.

"I want to know more about this business with rings...” Strahd tilted his head, “I sensed objects of great power entering my realm, and a mage... You bear one of those items... I want to know more about them, and this... mage."

Jeeves and Aric exchanged glances. Aric shrugged. There was no point in hiding what they were after.

Ruki turned to Aric, “And I want to know more about your servant.”

Jeeves turned to Ruki, “What about me? I'm simply a butler. Well, a mameluk technically," he pointed to Aric, "And this is my Pasha."

Ruki wasn’t buying it, “You seem to have a myriad of knowledge on many topics for a mere butler. Particularly, poisons.”

Jeeves shrugged innocently, "Well, keeping my master safe from assassins happens to be a hobby of mine...” He held out his hand, "Most of the time my job is repairing clothes that he damages either by fighting or with one of his... bouts. You see, he can have a volatile temper, and can flare up at times."

Aric flared up, “I do not have a 'volatile temper,' I just feel my aggression very strongly!"

"Of course, my lord. I apologize for my mistake," Jeeves batted off a little steam that was flaring from Aric’s shoulders.

Aric muttered about being a fire genasi to himself before turning back to Strahd, who was staring at him, waiting.

"Anyway, I am effectively the crown prince of my people,” he made a dismissive gesture, “I won't bore you with the exact details of how our social and political systems work, but I believe my cousin is working with people who wish to overthrow my father's reign. While this would be difficult to do normally there are many magical items that can help, like the Qysari rings.”

Strahd blinked and tilted his head, "So these rings are part of a set?"

Aric nodded, "Yes, there are twelve in total, at least the legends say... They were crafted by various rulers of my land for the purpose of maintaining- or overthrowing- someone’s rule. It has been a long time since all twelve were possessed by a single person,” Aric looked to Strahd, “and I want that person to be me."

Strahd looked into Aric’s eyes, and laughed, but not mockingly. "Admirable,” he purred, “I like your ambition. Now, tell me about this mage."

 "You must mean my cousin, Mehmet...” Aric paused and thought, “Honestly I don't know as much as I would like. Until now, I never saw him as a threat. He's a bit of an outcast of the family, but he never seemed to have the stomach for anything dark or sinister. That’s what kept him from being afforded any power, he would have been killed almost immediately for it...” 

Aric folded his arms, “At least that is what I thought. I believe he has joined up with a rival family and that's how he ended up with the rings. That is the only explanation I can come up with, he certainly didn't track all of them down himself."

Strahd pondered the information, "Thank you. In any case, I regard any mage that enters my realm as a possible threat. So I will aid you with your quest. If these are items of power, I would prefer a non magic user have them. I have no interest in them myself...."

Strahd looked over to Linda, then glanced at her weapons on the floor. He approached them and knelt next to her belt and pack. He lifted up her speedloaders, "These seem a little too specialized for a dabbler to be carrying about... silver ammunition?"

He turned to her pack and opened it. He raised a brow at the contents and tisked, "A stake, holy water... my, my..."

Linda crossed her arms across her chest, "It's a standard kit."

Strahd raised his brow at her, "For monster hunters?"

She sighed. So much for keeping that a secret from the vampire, "Yes,” she admitted. She uncrossed her arms, "I'm more of a bounty hunter, but I specialize in beasts and monsters."

Linda leaned back against the wall, "Go ahead, look through everything if you want. The stuff in there isn't meant for you."

Strahd hesitated, then smirked at her, "I'm now curious in what a kit designed to put me down would look like..."

Strahd looked through a little more of the kit. Linda called out to him, "You should be careful though, there is silver in there."

Strahd waved off her concern and stood up, walking away from her weapons, "I can touch silver. I just can't allow it to pierce my flesh.” He frowned, “But perhaps that is too much information for you... Or others..."

Strahd looked over them. He folded his cloak around him, "All I ask is to keep my true name a secret. If there is any of the same you want to ask of me, then say what secrets we are keeping. Or keep them for yourselves. I care not."

Linda walked over to her weapons and started to put her belt back on, stating, "We all have our secrets. I'm not going to pry for any more."

She secured everything to her person and walked back to her place near the bookshelf.

Strahd nodded, appreciative of Linda’s sentiment. He paused, "If there is anything pertinent, I will share.” He chuckled, “But we simply don't have the time for us to go over four hundred years worth of my secrets. You know the most pertinent of them. Anything else...” He grew serious, “ I'm not deliberately keeping from you. It's just... not important right now. Is that clear?"

Linda nodded and crossed her arms, "One last thing, though,” she looked to Strahd, “Will you still help us with our missions here? In exchange for helping you?"

"I gave you my word, didn't I?” Strahd spoke quietly, “The name I gave it under doesn't matter. It is still my word."

Linda felt a wave of relief, "Alright. Thank you."

Strahd smiled slightly at Linda, then stood straight, “I think we should return... Mina should be nearly done cooking, by the smell of it... and the rest of my guests may be worried that they’ve not heard nor seen their host in some time...”

He gestured toward the door, “Shall we?”

They nodded in agreement and fell out of the study, the savory aroma of a hardy meal greeted them. They walked into the living room and saw that the other Barovians were none the wiser to the confrontation that just happened behind them. The woman Aric saw working the kitchen had just finished setting the small table.

The woman sighed and brushed off her apron, brushing a stray streak of blonde hair from her face, “Alright, Lord Vasili. Everything is done...” She glanced over to Ruki, “Oh, Lady Ruki... I didn’t know you were coming either.”

"Actually,” Ruki replied, “I have business to attend to at the castle. I was only here to make sure things were in order."

Ruki bowed, and left the room, relieved that things were finally righting themselves.

The woman blinked at Ruki’s odd manner, “Ah, ok... bye, then.”

Strahd resumed his Vasili mannerisms, "It is alright,” he told the woman. He looked to the party, “Everyone, this is Mina. Wilhemina Harper. She is my maid, and a part time bounty hunter."

Mina frowned petulantly, "A part-time maid, and a full-time bounty hunter!"

Vasili smiled. 

Linda blinked, curious. It was clear from their manner that they knew each other well... But the remark about being a bounty hunter as well...?

“Makes two of us,“ Linda said.

Vasili turned to Linda with playful shock, "Oh? You do maid work as well?"

Linda pursed her lips, trying not to show that she found his remark funny. "I do apprentice a teenager..." she finally chuckled.

Ismark rose from his chair, "Pleasure to meet you!"

Ireena nodded, "Good to meet you, Mina."

Victor waved awkwardly.

Aric nodded, “It's a pleasure, Mina, thank you for the meal.”

"You're welcome. I hope you enjoy it, even if it was... short notice... " Mina shot a small glare at Vasili.

"Again, I do apologize. It was on a whim. I appreciate the help, and will compensate you for your trouble..." Vasili seemed embarrassed.

Mina put her hands on her hips, "Good."

Vasili pulled out a seat at the table, "Let us sit together. The day has been long and... harrowing."

Everyone gathered around the table. Vasili invited Mina to sit with them. She obliged. Linda sat across from Vasili, and Aric boldly sat next to the disguised vampire.

Mina listed her dishes, "So I have some traditional dumplings with a beef roast, a tomato and basil soup, and rutabagas and turnip greens. We have some Vistani wine, water, and tuika for you. Everyone can help themselves."

Everyone gathered began to help themselves to the food, save for Strahd, who opted to drink from a flask...

It’s blood. Linda berated herself, It’s so obvious now... why didn’t I catch it?

"Not hungry, my lord?" Mina looked over to Vasili, questioningly.

"Not particularly," he replied, "I was attacked twice today. That puts a slight damper on my appetite."

Mina snorted, "Ah, pity. That makes me hungrier. I was about to ask if you ruined your appetite by smoking."

Ireena nodded and spoke with mild disapproval, "Oh, Lord Vasili was smoking. Outside of the church."

Mina pouted at Vasili.

Jeeves uncorked a small flask, and poured a purple fluid into his food, "No one eat after me."

Aric looked over knowingly. Jeeves regularly worked on his poison immunity. 

"Why?" Linda asked.

"I think you'd find my seasoning disagreeable."

Linda realized he was poisoning his own food, and left well enough alone. She turned to Strahd, "So... Vasili, why did you bring us to dinner?"

"I wanted to treat my guests...” Vasili replied, “And have some place for you to stay, where you wouldn't have to pay for lodging. And also to discuss in a more private setting what our next course of action would be. Along with... getting to know everyone a little bit better... outside of a life or death situation."

Keep us from an Inn? Probably to assess if our knowledge of him would be a threat... He knew we would find out... Linda found herself impressed by his ability to think so far ahead, "I think we may have touched on the last on that list a little already."

"So... what happens now?” Ireena questioned, “I've gotten rid of the taint of vampirism in my blood... what are all of you going to do next?"

"I still need to find Timothy,” replied Linda, “and I thought we were going to help out Urwin."

Jeeves curtly nodded, "Seeing the state of the Wizard of the Wines is in our best interests."

Vasili set aside his flask, "I have agreed to not further any of Lord Strahd's other interests at the moment... a 'vacation', was it? I have decided to aid these strangers with their own ends. So, we will be on the way to Krezk."

Victor looked to Vasili, "Krezk? I think I heard that there is some strange magical happenings over there. I think I would like to investigate... and... just get a little further away from Vallaki..."

Ireena looked to everyone and thought to herself for a moment. 

"I think... I will have to decline...” She sighed, “I feel like I am a bit of a handicap to everyone here... I've been kidnapped and nearly died twice. I think Ismark and I should return to Barovia Village, check in on Papa, and get back to our responsibilities."

Ismark seemed relieved, "While I would love to see more of Barovia, Ireena is right. I can't leave her alone while there are dark things after her."

"Ah, is this another reason why you called me to help? Is there someone that needs to be tracked down?" Mina looked to Vasili.

Vasili nodded, "Yes, there is a kidnapped teenager we are looking for. Timothy, I believe the boy is called. There are other cases of missing children I have been looking into. Your help would be much appreciated. But it is up to you."

"I'll help,” she raised a brow, “But I will be charging the usual."

Vasili nodded, "Of course..."

Ireena folded her hands, "Alright. So I suppose we will head back in the morning..."

Linda looked to Mina, overwhelmed by curiosity. "Mina, how did you come to know Vasili?" she asked.

Mina seemed surprised that Linda took interest, "Oh. Well I've known him basically all my life. He rescued me when my village was slaughtered by bandits. I was only nine at the time... But bandits had taken over my village and beheaded our burgomaster... then when they got bored, they burned our village to the ground. I... was the only survivor. My mother threw me into the well when they started slaughtering everyone..."

She shook her head, "I don't remember how long I waited. But Lord Vasili came to our village, and rescued me from the well. I don't remember much of it, because I fell asleep. When I woke up, it was raining, and the fire was gone. I told him what happened, and he put me in his carriage, and sent me to Vallaki. He told me to tell the people at the Inn that Lord Vasili demanded I be taken care of. So I stayed there. I told everyone what happened, and they were worried that he was going to be killed by bandits."

She nodded, "But he came back. Helped me get adopted. By the old owners of the inn. The Von Dran Family. I lived with them, and knew them to be my family too. I learned how to track and hunt from them. But one day, Papa Dran... didn't come back from the hunt. I went out and saw that he had been murdered by bandits when he was out hunting. I took up arms to find his killers, and ran into Lord Holtz again."

Vasili folded his hands over his lap, "I was also tracking down the same group of bandits. When we ran into each other, I welcomed the assistance."

Mina scoffed, "You told me to not get in your way."

Vasili corrected her, "I told you that if you were to join me, you couldn't hesitate at the critical moment."

Mina was defiant, "I didn't hesitate, did I?"

"No, you didn't.” Vasili smirked, “I was impressed. Which is why I offered you employment."

Mina was indignant, "As a maid!"

Vasili chuckled, "As a bounty hunter, and a maid. Did you refuse?"

Mina grumbled, "I needed a job."

Jeeves mused, "A maid and a bounty hunter? Those are two wildly different occupations."

"Not really. Both clean up other people's messes..." Linda looked to Vasili.

Vasili laughed, "Finally, I've waited years for someone to get the joke."

No one else at the table seemed to get that humor.

Linda was the exception, she found herself laughing with him, "You have to admit, that is one good joke."

Aric mused and looked at Jeeves, “I never looked at it that way but I guess it is true.”

Jeeves thought about it, "Oh no, that is my entire job..." he held his hands to his head, "I'm a maid...A maid who also kills people who try to harm my master and break laws. And who eats poison."

Victor pat Jeeves on the back in sympathy, "And I'm a wizard that was living in an attic for years. Reanimating cat skeletons."

Ireena tried to be encouraging, "If you think about it, Lord Vasili is also like a maid. He's cleaning up after Lord Strahd's failings."

Linda burst out laughing... Oh, it was so funny to see the look on Strahd’s face as he tried to be civil and disguise his hurt at the same time... the irony...

"I'm... trying my best..." Vasili choked out.

Ismark shrugged, sipping tuika,  "I mean, there isn't much you can do."

Vasili frowned at Ismark, "I don't think it's... hopeless.Where is your sense of pride and optimism?"

“At the bottom of this cup," Ismark took a swig of the plum brandy.

Victor adjusted his glasses, "Well, I don't think I have any pride or optimism, so that makes it easy."

Linda didn’t buy it, "What about your cat, Mr. Whiskers? Aren't you proud that you reanimated him?"

Victor looked to her, "I was more relieved, actually. I didn't want to go through trying to raise another cat and go through the same pain all over again. So reanimating Mr. Whiskers was a relief."

Victor pet the cat. Mr. Whiskers purred with an unearthly echo.

Mina raised a brow,  "I thought it was illegal for people to reanimate the dead..."

Vasili made a dismissive gesture, "I'll let it pass. The boy is hardly a threat, and the reanimated cat is not exactly worthy of an undead horde."

Victor held Mr. Whiskers close, "Oh no, not part of an undead horde at all. He's just here to help with my nerves is all."

Linda nodded, "Everyone has something that keeps them calm. And for some, that thing is dangerous. For others, it's an undead cat."

Jeeves looked to Linda, "For me, it is my short sword. I don't like being without it."

Aric put his arm around Jeeves’ shoulder, “For me its Jeeves,” he declared, “Nobody wants to get in the way of someone who eats poison.”

Jeeves grinned smugly.

Linda smirked, “See? Dangerous.”

Ireena pondered and took out a handkerchief with embroidery on the edges, "For me, it is this handkerchief. It was mom's, and even though I never met her, It still makes me think of her."

Ismark set down his drink, "I have a lucky coin. It's a counterfeit gold piece, that is actually a gold plated copper, and has two tail ends, instead of a head and tail. I keep it with me. Can't spend it, but it feels lucky."

Mina held out a bracelet with charms, "I have a charm bracelet. Each charm is from a family member. My first Morninlord symbol from my birth mother, a chest key from Mama Dran, an arrowhead from Papa Dran, and a nail from Georg Dran, my little brother."

Linda paused and pulled out a small puzzle box, "This is the hardest to solve puzzle box I have ever made. No one else has ever solved it. It holds my mother's wedding ring."

Everyone looked to Vasili expectantly. Vasili returned their stares with suspicion: "Well? Why are you looking at me?"

Linda looked to him, "You don't carry around anything that means something to you?"

Vasili looked to her and hesitated. He finally relented and reached into his component pouch and took out a small bone.

"A white raven's wishbone,” he explained, “It is supposed to be lucky, and grant a wish when broken. It's said the longer you keep it without breaking it, the more likely the wish will be granted.”

He paused, “It was a gift from my brother when I was... out fighting. I've had it for a very long time. And keep it in my pouch of spell components."

Vasili put away the small wishbone with care.

Linda noticed the gesture... Once more he wasn’t lying... 

Linda nodded,  "See even Vasili has something."

Ireena mused, "How interesting. I've never seen a white raven."

"Neither have I," Vasili admitted.

They enjoyed the rest of their meal and rested. Once everyone was comfortably full, Vasili rose from his chair, "Thank you, Mina, everything was wonderful. Now, my guests, let me show you the rest of the house and you can choose where you stay. I have a few guest rooms, if you would follow me..."

The party obliged him, and followed him to the guest room by the front door.

"All these guest rooms can accommodate two people per bed, but if you would like, I can provide bedrolls. There is a water table, bathtub, and vanity, and drawers for your use here... "

Vasili walked to the kitchen, "Over here is the kitchen and over here is the pantry, if you are still hungry, feel free to help yourselves."

Vasili led them upstairs, "Here is the sitting room, if we need to convene in a more comfortable space. This way..." 

He unlocked a hallway with a piano and music cabinet. Linda looked wistfully to the piano.

"This is my piano room,” Vasili was brief, “Nothing much else to say. The other two bedrooms are this way."

He opened the doorway to a long hall, "At the end there is the water closet, should you need to use it. Here are the other two bedrooms."

He walked to back to the last room, which was much more spacious and had a fireplace, "This is the master bedroom. I don't care if any of you use it, my preferred place of rest is the study."

Vasili steepled his fingers and turned to face them, "So which rooms do you lay claim to?"

 "Dibs on master," Linda was aching for a large bed to herself, and the fireplace would be convenient for her tinkering.

Jeeves looked to his master, "Well, my lord?"

Aric pointed to the room behind him, across from the master bedroom, “I was thinking this one.”

Jeeves nodded, "It will do."

Jeeves and Aric watched as Strahd walked into the piano room, Linda curiously lingering on the corner of the hall. 

Aric closed the door to the room, and Jeeves began to scout it. Bed, dresser, mirror... window... bat? 

Aric looked up at the corner above the bed, and saw a very tiny bat resting in the corner. It was hardly noticeable... but it was certainly there, watching him-

No, it was cleaning its own face.

"So... a bat..." Jeeves looked up to it and crossed his arms.

Aric knew of vampires’ affinity for bats. Not wanting to take chances, he switched to Alzhedo, "You ever get the feeling you’re being watched?"

Jeeves nodded and responded in turn, “You think this is insurance of some kind?” He tilted his head toward the bat.

Aric was cautious, "Maybe. Best to just be aware of it for now. As far as anyone knows, we speak this language when we are alone."

Jeeves nodded and crawled on the bed, "Of course,” he took off his boots, “So, impressions on this vampire fellow?" 

"As much as he told us, we still don't really know him,” Aric crawled on the bed and stood, “But he does seem to want things to change. If nothing else he is our best lead to getting the rings and returning home. At best, I can say I don't distrust him..."

Aric reached out and coaxed the tiny bat into his hand. It nestled its head in his hand. Aric mused, sitting down and petting the bat with the barest touch, "You seem friendly..."

Jeeves looked to the bat and back to Aric, "He hasn't made any overt or threatening gestures. I suppose we should compile what we know, or think we know about Vampires. Worst case scenario, we use those weaknesses against him. Or best case, we tailor our knowledge so that his weaknesses don't hinder us either...” Jeeves paused, “There is also that charm we need to get from Luvash in regards to your... condition."

Aric paused in his petting of the bat, "Yes, my... condition,” he looked to Jeeves, “Luvash said it would be ready tomorrow correct?”

Jeeves nodded. Aric refocused on the previous conversation, “As for Strahd... we know that holy symbol hurt him, but he can apparently set foot in a church... those things seem to contradict each other."

Jeeves agreed, "Completely contradictory. Also... walking in daytime... How do you think that is possible?"

Aric was grim, "He may be more powerful than we realize..."

Aric thought back to everything they had observed Vasili doing... the smoking... He realized then that it was a cleverly designed spell. Vasili only smoked before stepping on holy ground, and when confronted with the holy bones of St. Andral... each time it was dismissed as being his “nerves...”

Aric did give him credit... It would have been impossible for them to discover that it was a spell without knowing that Vasili was actually Strahd in disguise... However, the issue of walking in broad daylight was even more troubling, and he had no idea how any vampire could do that... Aric came to a realization...

Whatever Strahd was, he was far more powerful than any ordinary vampire.

Jeeves brought him out of his thoughts, "Aren't vampires already powerful? How much more power are we talking?”

"A vampire that can walk in daylight must be extremely powerful,” he admitted, “We also don't know how old he really is. I don't know much else about vampires... or werewolves for that matter, I need more information before coming to any conclusions."

Jeeves nodded and thought back to the conversation with Strahd, "Perhaps we can speak with that Linda person. She is knowledgeable about monsters. Her insight may be helpful. We should use any resource we have."

"True,” Aric nodded, “We will ask her after Strahd returns to his study and we are alone."

"An excellent suggestion, Lord Aric..." Jeeves paused, looking at the bat in Aric’s hand, "Can I have a turn petting the bat?"

Aric handed the bat over to Jeeves. Jeeves pet the tiny creature, asking, "Do you think the dog down there is really a dog? It looked like a wolf... but everyone was insistent it was a dog... Vampires have affinity for wolves, right? Wolves, bats, rats, bugs... Eh, I suppose as long as there is no rats or roaches in this place I will be fine..."

--------------------------

Strahd let the guise of Vasili fall, no longer putting on the act, the masquerade of humanity. With Ireena and Ismark on the first floor, Victor resting in the living room, Aric and Jeeves in their room, and Linda in the master...

Why not indulge?

He removed the gloves from his hands and folded them into his pocket, before sitting down at the piano bench. He lifted the protective wood slat off of the keys, revealing the ebony and ivory underneath. His hands reached out to their positions...

He had no song in mind. He had no wish to perform either. Just to take a moment and create something... Just notes, a simple melody... a few harmonies...

Linda peered around the corner, watching Strahd play. She felt herself drawn to the simple chords, the somber melody... Melancholy, with a slight twinge of hope...

She felt herself twitch her fingers, greedily wanting to play as well...

Strahd finished his song, holding down the pedal and letting the final notes ring out...

Linda breathed in and walked into the piano room. Strahd paused, and turned to look at the intrusion.

Linda paused in her approach, then gently gestured to the piano, “May I?” she spoke quietly.

Strahd looked to her. He moved over on the bench to make room for her, "Of course, be my guest.” He paused and moved his cloak out of the way, “You did say that you enjoyed piano... didn't you?"

She nodded and slid into the seat next to him. She stretched her hands, and wiggled her fingers... She relaxed her hands over the keys, and rested her fingers...

Notes fell from her fingers, as she began to test her memory of how to play. It had been years since she played. Slowly, gently... like a lullaby.

Strahd listened carefully, leaning forward to watch her play. She was lost in it... as if she were letting the music guide her.

She overreached, brushing against his arm. Strahd was startled by the unexpected touch. Linda awoke from her trance and retreated her hand, flushing in embarrassment.

“I’m sorry, I got carried away,“ she blurted.

 "It's alright. I was enjoying the music,” Strahd reassured. “I'll give you more room..." He retreated his hands into his lap.

Linda nodded, and put her hands back on the keys... She would play a song from her childhood... something she could remember.

Strahd watched her play. It wasn’t the same euphoric trance that she had earlier... her notes seemed to be missing something...

Not one to leave something incomplete, Strahd marked the pattern she played in and the key... then played chords to compliment her...

“You know the song already?” Linda questioned, still playing, “That's part of the other player's part."

"I was just playing what sounded appropriate...” Strahd paused, “I used to be a virtuoso on this instrument. Do you know the part I should be playing?"

"I do. Here.." Linda paused to teach him the pattern of the notes.

Strahd echoed her notes and dutifully played the part. Linda returned to playing the melody, smiling, "Now the piece is whole..."

Strahd and Linda played the piece to completion, letting the final notes linger in the air, both reluctant to end the small joy of playing music. 

Strahd nodded to himself in satisfaction, and looked to the woman sitting at his side, "Thank you. That was enjoyable...” 

A new feeling gripped him as he looked at Linda’s features. The strange look in her eyes as she held his gaze just a little too long...

He stood, “Now, I ought to let you rest. I will retire to my study. I have to make sure affairs are in order before we leave tomorrow," he bowed his head respectfully.

Linda smiled at him with closed lips and nodded her head. She stood, “I enjoyed playing as well...”

They stared at each other just a moment longer, before Strahd turned and walked slowly down the stairs... Linda watched him leave, before turning herself, and walking back toward the master...

But Jeeves looked out of his room at Linda, expectantly.

Linda raised a brow. Jeeves silently gestured for her to come to the room. She sighed and walked over to him, “Yes?”

Aric poked his head out from around the corner, speaking in the Cant,  "If I remember correctly, you know Thieves Cant?"

She spoke dryly in the same, "You remember correctly."

Aric looked to Jeeves holding the bat, and back to Linda. Linda looked at the bat in confusion, before shaking her head and walking fully into the room.

"Forgive us, but we are in need of your expertise,” Aric explained, “We don't know as much about vampires and werewolves as we would like, and were hoping you might help us. Also, forgive the caution, we found this guy-” he pointed to the bat, “-and, well, in our line of work, being distrustful keeps us alive a little longer..."

Jeeves pet the bat, “He’s cute, though.”

Linda nodded, "I completely understand. What did you want to know? I have a great deal of knowledge on those creatures in particular."

Aric paused, "I guess to start with, could this guy be used to spy on us?” he pointed to the bat.

Linda nodded, "Yes, he can be used to spy on us, but it has to be consciously done. Much like a wizard's familiar.”

Aric took note, “Secondly, I figured that the 'smoking' habit is some spell that allows Strahd to walk into churches and such.. but how does he walk in daylight?"

Linda paused. Aric had a point, and it was a concerning one to her, “I'm not quite sure of the walking in daylight,” she admitted, “Vampires shouldn't be able to, though it has been shown that as vampires age they lose their aversions... though no record has been made of any that could withstand sunlight- and there are vampires that are thousands of years old.”

Linda wrinkled her face, "So either he is older than that... or has come up with another spell for it, like being able to set foot on holy ground.”  She paused, “And history books say that Strahd is four hundred and twenty-eight... And is having a birthday soon, so almost four hundred and twenty-nine, which is still... not that old in terms of known vampires."

Jeeves folded his arms,"So... incredibly powerful."

"Apparently so," Aric replied.

"Unusually so," agreed Linda.

Aric paused, thinking again about his own situation, "As for werewolves,” he looked to Linda, “You may remember that I was bitten by one during our first fight. I really don't know much. Apparently, the curse doesn't fully set in until the first full moon. The medicine man, Luvash, is making a charm for me, but I feel just some general knowledge would help in this world."

Jeeves nodded, "Just want to know what to expect."

Linda looked between the two young men. She didn’t blame them for being so concerned. She held out her hand, explaining, "I know that werewolves can either shapeshift into a hybrid form on the full moon... or at will. And that they can retain their personality and awareness while transformed. That they are in full control of their actions, but are driven to hunt. Werewolves can be created by curses, from an untreated bite from a lycanthrope, or hereditarily. They have a normal human lifespan. Werewolves are weak to silver and magic... and they tend to stay in packs.Werewolves tend to avoid vampires on principal. It is possible to remove lycanthropy through a special herbal blend.That is most of what I know."

Aric listened intently. Any bit would be useful... "Thank you for all the information, you have been very helpful.”

Aric paused, “One last question though; do you trust Strahd?"

The question hit Linda like a brick. She thought about the moment she just shared with the vampire and sighed. She spoke truthfully, "I have no problem with him yet. I can't say that I trust him, but I can say that I am trying to understand him...”

She shook her head, “He drives me crazy with how shady and sketchy he is, but... I know I'm one to talk. So I kinda understand why.” She folded her arms, “I just take it in stride, if he isn't trustworthy, or betrays us...” she paused, “I'll kill him."

Regardless of her feelings... she knew how manipulative and cunning vampires were. Strahd was no exception. There is a reason no vampires get mercy calls in the field, she reminded herself...Though, part of her pained at the thought of it.

Aric nodded, “Seems we three are all in agreement then. Thank you for your time, Linda."

Linda nodded, "It's not any trouble. You boys get some rest."

She pat Aric and Jeeves on their heads and walked over to her room, letting them have privacy.

She walked over to the master, and immediately searched for Strahd’s little spy, finding a small bat in the corner of the room. She walked over and reached up, letting the bat flutter onto her hand.

She smiled and cooed as she pet it in her hand, "You're a good little sky puppy."

The bat squeaked and paused, its eyes glazed over for a brief moment... but then it continued to flutter its ears and lick its face.

Linda was well-versed in vampire capabilities. She sighed,  "Ah, not so good sky puppy now. Hello, Strahd.”

Linda pet the bat in her hand anyway. The bat seemed to be surprised. Strahd’s voice came through to her head:

“You are... very attentive. I am surprised.“

Linda spoke dryly, "Well, you see. I love bats, and it seemed weird when it paused and it's little eyes glazed over. So, I knew."

Strahd’s voice replied, "Ah... apologies. I was just... skirting through each of my minions to check on things. I'll make myself scarce..."

Linda shook her head, "Well you have my attention now, and I am alone. Did you want to talk with just me?"

The bat perked its ears up.

Linda sighed, "I am sorry that we confronted you like we did,” she looked to the bat, “But it had to be done. I just didn't want it to be so... open. It's not my place to reveal your secret."

She had no idea why she was telling him that... Perhaps she just wanted him to trust her more... But the truth was that she couldn’t hold on to her anger at him. Even though everyone, and especially she had good reason to...

The bat blinked, "I... appreciated it not being open, but I am... admittedly uneasy at everyone's... lack of a reaction to my confessions.” He explained, “I have... nothing to go off of, as far as expectation. To have everyone act as if nothing happened... and then be friendly towards me, when others have tried to destroy me or plant a stake in my heart...” He paused, “Admittedly, this... calm... Is more alarming to me than outright anger or shouting, which is what I expected."

"Sorry to burst your bubble,” Linda chuckled, “We aren't exactly like most people...” 

She opened up to him, “I’d like to explain myself a bit more. I'm not just a monster hunter. I'm closer to a bounty hunter like Mina. I just got really good at tracking down vampires and werewolves, so that is what I was hired to do. And I don't do it to just to hunt and kill. I don’t kill the misunderstood. Those I protect and help. So... I'm helping you.”

She hid the fact that she was the leader of a monster hunting order from him. He didn’t need to know... She looked at the bat examining her curiously.

She blushed, “What, I'm trying to say is. You haven't done anything to make me sway one way or the other... Sure, you are said to be this devil, this monster, but all I've seen is just a man.”

She pet the bat more, “One that frustrates me because you go from making threats, and being suspicious of me, to playing the piano with me. So.. I am just going to continue to observe you and try to find Timothy. And maybe find out how I can help you while I'm here."

The bat’s ears twitched, "I suppose that is fair. Do you... have any questions of me that you weren't able to ask, or were uncomfortable asking in the presence of the young lord and his... manservant?"

Linda nodded, seriously, "How do you go onto holy ground, and go out in sunlight? Also,” she pursed her lips, “is it really coming up on your birthday?"

Strahd paused, weighing whether or not to trust her...

"I made a spell very early into my vampirism that would allow me to bypass the holy auras for a short period of time.” He revealed, “Over time, I have gotten really adept at disguising magic work as simple gestures or habits. Because that spell requires a certain bastard incense burned... I turned it into a smoking habit. As for being able to walk in sunlight...”

The bat locked eyes with her, “I made an artifact that absorbed my damage from sunlight. It is stored in Castle Ravenloft... but it is more of a relic now. I no longer need it to walk in the sun... so now its use is just to absorb some damage that I take from battle.”

Strahd seemed to sigh, “And yes, my birthday is on the seventeenth, four days from now. I do not usually celebrate it, but rather mark it, as it is a day where I grow more powerful, or lose a weakness."

Linda blinked, stunned, "I didn't expect a straight answer, though I appreciate it,” she regarded him curiously, “So are you really just turning four hundred and twenty-nine? How can you do things that vampires way older than you can't do?"

The bat tilted its head, "It may have something to do with the fact that... I am...” his voice paused, hesitating, “...The First Vampire..."

Linda furrowed her brows. It didn’t make sense, "You are the first. But not the oldest... how?"

"Nine Hells if I know...” He listed his facts, “I know that I made the term, I created others like me... accidentally...” He added, “But I know that time is... off here. I have had visitors from the same world claim that it was different dates, centuries apart when they arrived. I can only assume Barovia's time is independent from your world or others... and that the Mists do as they please to bring in visitors."

Linda made a face of deep thought, "So you actually have no idea how old you are outside of Barovia's timeline.... you could be centuries older if you lived in my world.” She blinked, “Speaking of... what world are we in?"

"I forget the name of the world Barovia was once a part of. Only that it now rests in the Shadowfell because of my dark pact with Death."

Linda was shocked, "The Shadowfell.... we should not exist right now."

Very few who ever ventured into the Shadowfell ever returned... or came back utterly insane from the experience.

"And yet, here we are...” Strahd replied, “There are others like Barovia. All of them ruled by a creature of darkness."

Linda thought back to the journals, "What about this Death? Do the other rulers also have pacts or is that not something you could know?"

The bat blinked and paused, "As far as I am aware, I am the only one who has made a pact with Death... or the Dark Powers that rule the Shadowfell. Others were simply brought here. Not only was I the First Vampire, but Barovia was the first... Dread Realm of the Shadowfell. There was a point where entire nations merged themselves to Barovia's border, but I went through great pains to separate them."

"So are these Dark Powers what keep you from leaving? They control everything?"

The bat folded its ears back, nodding,  "They are the wardens to my prison. I have some influence over the Mists, yes, but the Dark Powers ultimately decide what crosses my borders. Only the Vistani can freely travel. Their people weave an old magic I have yet to understand."

Linda raised a brow, "Have you thought about killing the Dark Powers?"

The bat’s eyes widened, "Does one normally entertain thoughts of killing godlike beings?!"

Linda nodded, "It's happened before. Some of the gods in Faerun have been killed."

The bat seemed stunned, "Then... it is a possibility? That sounds like good news, but also blasphemy. In which case, as a blasphemous creature, I am open to...” he mused, “But I don't know how one would go about challenging a god, much less actually destroying one."

Linda offered, "I can do some research into how the gods were killed where I'm from."

"In any case, it is an interesting idea, and one I haven't tried yet...” His voice seemed skeptical and uncertain, “It is something to think about.” He had the bat look up to Linda, “I think I will let this poor creature go, and let you rest."

Linda watched as the bat’s eyes glazed over again, and Strahd’s presence left the creature. She put it back in the top corner of the room and slunk into the bed, dimming the candlelight to rest.

[junker-town]

NFL Dad: 6 hours of RedZone with 2 kids under the age of 3

Football’s back! But the kids are still around. One dad’s diary of the enervating journey to heartbreak and bedtime.

Killing time until 1:00 p.m. Eastern during football season used to feel like an eternity. Wake up at 11, eat a breakfast sandwich, set fantasy lineups, and then ... wait. Maybe go to a bar? Yes, I would go to a bar and watch dozens of TVs at once and drink all the beer I wanted for three or 7 hours.

That was another lifetime. Today, I spend my morning at a 3-year-old’s birthday with my wife, daughter (almost 3), and son (16 months). The party, which is three miles from our home, requires us to pack enough provisions for an Arctic expedition, yet I eat no breakfast and pack no food for myself; I am too preoccupied with the high-wire act of keeping two toddlers happy and entertained without resorting to bribery.

Because the kids’ naps (and my job) start at 1:00, my wife and I vow to leave the party at EXACTLY noon. We leave at 12:15. My son falls asleep in the stroller, practically guaranteeing he won’t take his usual 2-hour nap. But that doesn’t mean we won’t TRY to get him to sleep. We arrive home at 1:00. I take off my son’s shoes and dunk him in his crib like Shawn Kemp cleaning up the glass.

I turn on the TV, and Scott Hanson’s handsome visage fills the screen. I instantly have the same feeling that people used to have for news anchors: here is a steady voice to guide me through the coming storm.

EARLY GAMES, FIRST HALF

— The Titans, hosting the Raiders, begin their season with an onside kick attempt; it fails, and Derek Carr will start at midfield. The Browns begin their season by getting a punt blocked, which the Steelers recover for a touchdown. Marshawn Lynch rumbles through traffic for a gain of 14 on his first carry as a Raider. Matt Stafford throws a pick-6. Amari Cooper catches a touchdown. The Jets intercept a Tyrod Taylor pass in the end zone, but fumble the ball back during the return? I can’t be sure about that last part, because I’m reading to my daughter before her nap. Mr. Plumbean has a big orange splot of paint on his roof, and the neighborhood association is PISSED.

On third-and-12, Carson Wentz evades most of the Washington defense and hucks it downfield to a wide-open Nelson Agholor, who races in for a 58-yard score. I have now seen multiple touchdowns scored on offense, plus defensive and special teams scores, AND I’ve read a children’s book. It has been 15 minutes since I turned the TV on.

— At 1:20, with both kids in bed and Marcus Mariota scoring on a zone-read keeper, my wife leaves to run some errands. “Is that my son making noise?” I think to myself as she closes the door. Surely not!

1:22 — He is definitely awake. I go to check his diaper; it’s dry. I sing him a song and put him back down.

1:26 — I leave my son’s room to the sound of my daughter calling me. She needs a diaper change. I sing her a song and put her back down.

1:31 — I leave my daughter’s room to the sound of my son crying. The Ravens intercept Andy Dalton as I pour a bottle of milk. SLEEP, YOU ADORABLE VAMPIRES.

— In Nashville, the Raiders go for it on fourth-and-1 inside the Titans’ 5. Marshawn Lynch sidesteps an unblocked defender in the backfield, then fights two more defenders to move the chains. Now facing first-and-goal from the 2, the Raiders proceed to:

throw incomplete to Amari Cooper on first down,

throw incomplete to Amari Cooper on second down, and

throw incomplete to Amari Cooper on third down.

Goddammit, Raiders! You indefensible slugwits. Did Super Bowl XLIX teach you nothing? THE SEAHAWKS DIED SO THAT YOU MAY LIVE.

And well well well, looky here. It’s Derek Carr taking shots at the Seahawks’ play calling back in June.

"There's no we'll be on the 1 yard line and I won't give it to Marshawn, I'll throw it." http://pic.twitter.com/0yhqrWEFWT

— NBCS Raiders News (@NBCSRaiders) June 23, 2017

ENJOY REGRESSING TO THE MEAN, FRESNO BOY.

— My son is making noise in his crib, but he isn’t crying. He’s probably having fun by himself in the dark room, right? I leave him be. As Andy Dalton throws another interception, I text my wife and beg her to come help. She’s nearby! Parenting: successfully dodged.

— Jordan Howard scores for the Bears to tie Atlanta 10-10 just before halftime. There’s a ton of Twitter chatter about Tarik Cohen, a player I have definitely heard about before today, because I am a fantasy football savant and professional NFL commentator. Like, who doesn’t know that Cohen, uh ... (*opens new tab*)

I only went to this page to add information to it!

... is an American football running back? And that he played the same position for North Caroline A&T? Common knowledge for even the most common fan, says this dedicated NFL expert.

— Chris Thompson scores an incredible touchdown for Washington:

6? 7? 8? More? Let’s count how many defenders Chris Thompson made miss on this CRAZY @redskins TD. #HTTR http://pic.twitter.com/iHnmjE4nnG

— NFL (@NFL) September 10, 2017

Yes, it was pitiful tackling from the Eagles, but credit Thompson for staying on his feet through the contact. Kind of unfair that Kirk Cousins gets credit for throwing that touchdown.

— In Houston, where J.J. Watt received a hero’s welcome when he stepped on the field, the Texans are getting worked by the Jaguars. Tom Savage fumbles, resulting in a scoop-and-score for the Jags, but it’s overturned on review — his arm was moving forward before he lost the ball. The telecast barely has time to show that Calais Campbell has 3.5 sacks in the first half when Savage is sacked and fumbles AGAIN, resulting in another defensive score. For a moment, I thought I was watching a replay of the previous fumble return touchdown, but no: this is a different play, and this time it counts. The Jags go into halftime up 19-0; Tom Savage has been sacked six times while leading Houston to 52 yards of offense.

— Through 100 minutes of RedZone, I have seen one offensive play from the Jets: a 1-yard pass. Granted, I missed some time while parenting, but RedZone knows what the people want: not the Jets, dear God, anything but the Jets.

EARLY GAMES, SECOND HALF

— DeShaun Watson makes his Texans debut; Bill O’Brien has benched Tom Savage. And say what you will about O’Brien’s complete inability to evaluate quarterback talent, at least he’s quick to pull the hook when he chooses the wrong guy, which is usually. Watson completes his first three passes in what is already the Texans’ longest drive of the day — not that the bar was high.

The drive ends in a touchdown pass to DeAndre Hopkins, and I cannot understate the glaring and obvious difference between Savage and Watson. Savage’s movement in the first half resembled the first time in Ratatouille that Remy remote-controlled his blindfolded human friend by yanking his hair. Watson, conversely, looks like a natural biped. I am convinced Bill O’Brien has brain parasites.

— Hey, a Jets touchdown! I saw precisely zero of the plays that led to it. The ensuing 2-point conversion is intercepted, and I believe all the way down to my marrow that every Jets TD this season should come with a pick on a 2-point attempt. I want to look at the final score every week and have reason to doubt that they scored a touchdown.

— T.J. Watt earns a personal foul penalty, and then immediately intercepts DeShone Kizer. He’s got two sacks and a pick in his debut for a storied NFL franchise. I’m going to enjoy this moment right now: it’s the last one before I am shown T.J. Watt’s face repeatedly every week. But at this second? I couldn’t pick T.J. Watt out of a crowd of large, muscular people. It’s nice.

— Matt Ryan finds Austin Hooper wide open for an 88-yard touchdown. “Wait,” you’re saying, “how does a tight end run the length of the field without getting caught?”

Well, my friends, he does it buy putting Quintin Demps into the ground.

RIP, Quintin Demps, conveniently already buried in the grass of Solider Field.

— Quick story from the kids’ birthday party. One of the dads there had a thick orange cast on his hand. He was a bookish guy: slim, glasses, graying hair and gray beard neatly trimmed — a Brooklyn Dad like many other Brooklyn Dads. One of the other dads signaled to his cast and said, “What happened?”

He sighed. “I smashed it pretty bad at Burning Man.” A long pause, and none of us interrupted it. He added: “... as one does.”

— Tony Romo breaks down Seth Roberts’ touchdown, pointing out the Air Raid staple Four Verts. It’s maybe 10 seconds of analysis, but it’s like breathing pure oxygen after YEARS of Phil Simms leaking carbon monoxide into my home. It’s also only one game, and we haven’t had time to get tired of his vocal tics, but Tony Romo is already legitimately great in the booth.

Thank you for retiring, Tony. This is so much better than you making the Broncos good.

— HOLY ADOREE’ JACKSON:

He jumped at the 26-yard line and landed at the 33: approximately 21 feet in the air, in football gear, as three different players tried to stop his forward movement. It’s no surprise he almost went to the Olympics in the long jump.

— Tarik Cohen scores a touchdown on what looked like a wheel route (my attention is not always fully invested in Mike Glennon’s work), and the Bears are giving the Falcons all they can handle. Remember that name: Tarik Cohen. I certainly will and always have, dating back to his youth in Bunn, North Carolina.

— On third-and-6 in the red zone with his team trailing, Kirk Cousins makes a terrible throw that gets intercepted at the goal line. The next time RedZone clicks over to the Washington-Eagles game, Brandon Graham is pulverizing Cousins just as he’s about to throw, leading to a fumble that Fletcher Cox takes into the end zone to ice the game. The replay looks like it could be ruled an incomplete pass, but the refs are like, “Nah, let’s go home,” and I respect that.

— With the Bears trailing by 6, Mike Glennon leads a hopeful but doomed last-gasp drive into the red zone. He gets sacked on fourth-and-10 to end the game, and the Bears all lift him onto their shoulders to celebrate covering the 7-point spread. They’re gonna be the best damn 5-win team you’ve ever seen.

— The Jaguars are up 29-7 with two minutes remaining, and they now have nine sacks. But hey, at least the Texans found their quarterback! He was hidden in the first round of the draft! Who would think to look there?

— The Lions and Cardinals are taking their sweet damn time finishing up their game. Kenny Golladay scores on a deep bomb, his second touchdown of the day, and I rue each of my three fantasy drafts in which I gave him serious consideration but ultimately passed. With the Lions up 28-17, Carson Palmer throws a pick-6. Ballgame.

LATE GAMES, FIRST HALF

— Ugh, Colts-Rams on RedZone. I’d rather watch truck commercials. I grab the remote, because I’m choosing Seahawks-Packers and commercials over the barren puntscape of the RedZone channel during the late games. I try to click over, and nothing happens. Am I in hell? No: I removed the batteries when I gave the remote to my son. Kid loves anything with buttons. Give him a room filled with fans, clocks, and buttons to push, and the only thing I’d ever have to do is change diapers and toss food in a couple times a day.

But before I can change the channel, Scott Tolzien throws a touchdown, but to the defense. The Rams are up 10-0 barely three minutes into the game.

And hey, Colts? Y’all know Colin Kaepernick is free to sign, right? You don’t have to ship your former first-round draft pick to the NFL’s reigning dynasty for their third-string quarterback.

— You and I, we’re friends, right? We’ve gotten this far in this football LiveJournal together, and so it’s time you knew the truth: I am a Seahawks fan, and for the next 3 hours the TV will be on this game. If you are a Panthers fan who wants to read about the 49ers game, you should leave this page now before you get even more disappointed.

— The first quarter is bad, both from my perspective as a Seahawks fan, and for anyone who enjoys fun things. Seahawks defensive tackle Nazair Jones, who has one of the most uplifting stories in this year’s rookie class, intercepts Aaron Rodgers point-blank and rumbles the length of the field for an incredibly rare and joyous Fat Guy Pick-6.

The Seahawks, though, pick up two flags on the play: Cliff Avril had a glancing swipe of Rodgers’ shoulder pads that was ruled a block in the back, and cornerback Jeremy Lane — who was dragged to the ground by Davante Adams grabbing his facemask — was ejected for a retaliatory forearm shiver. The touchdown is wiped off the board.

In #SEAvsGB they missed the initial foul on Adams. And that was a block in the back on Rodgers? I don't think the play was well-officiated.

— Mike Pereira (@MikePereira) September 10, 2017

I do not yell. I do not swear. The person that my children see in this moment is, essentially, the same gentle father who guides them through every morning and every night. Perhaps I say, “Gosh darn it,” which my daughter parrots, which makes me smile even though my blood is BOILING. I calmly pour myself a glass of gin in a mug. The game, somehow, stays scoreless through the quarter.

— My daughter has a habit of repeating the same question over and over; it’s how she sponges up language, hearing the same words repeated until she gets everything in full context. But ohhhhh, sweetie, my daughter, light of my life: If you ask me “What is the yellow man doing?” again, I will lock you out in the hallway. His name is Aaron Rodgers, and he’s screwing us, mmkay?

— Five minutes into the second quarter, the Seahawks get their first first down. BUST OUT THE CONFETTI. But on 3rd-and-7, Russell Wilson — under pressure from Mike Daniels — overthrows an open Tyler Lockett downfield on what would have been a touchdown.

— How have the Packers not scored yet? Aaron Rodgers seems to have two or three miracle 3rd-down conversions every drive before the Seahawks defense can force a punt. The only reason Green Bay hasn’t kicked a field goal yet is Jon Ryan, the finest ginger Canadian punter in the NFL, who pins the Pack deep repeatedly.

— I’m still mad about Naz Jones’ touchdown being called back, and I’m still mad about Jeremy Lane’s ejection. But time and gin are helping.

— My daughter asks if I took any photos of her at the birthday party today. Are you kidding? All I do is photograph my kids. So she crawls up onto the couch and I swipe through pictures of her blowing bubbles and pushing a giant beach ball as the Seahawks only rush 3 on 3rd-and-16 and OF COURSE Rodgers converts! UGH. NEVER RUSH THREE. YOU IDIOT COWARDS.

I don’t say any of that, of course. I am sharing a moment with my firstborn, trying to focus on the sheer joy that she got from blowing some bubbles on a sunny day in the park. That’s the life, man. Just blowing bubbles. Sports are for dopes.

— With a minute left in the half, the Seahawks get the ball on their own 11. With three straight running plays, it’s clear Pete Carroll wants to kill the clock and head into the halftime with the score knotted at zero. But the Packers — anticipating a chance for one last drive — call their final two timeouts before the Seahawks, seemingly by accident, pick up a first down. NOW they call a timeout and try to score.

The next two plays are a 34-yard pass to Doug Baldwin and a Russell Wilson scramble to the Packers 15-yard line. It is incomprehensible to watch after almost a full half of three-and-out drudgery.

So, with two timeouts and the ball on the 15, the Seahawks are forced to kick a field goal on third down, lest the clock expire without getting any points — all because they wasted half their time trying to burn clock at the other end of the field. This team is bad and winning and I hate them.

LATE GAMES, SECOND HALF

— Let’s check in on the action in Los Angeles and Santa Clara.

Tickets for Colts vs. Rams were $6 and still nobody showed up. http://pic.twitter.com/RND1DmDOof

— Jordan Heck (@JordanHeckFF) September 10, 2017

Second half kickoff http://pic.twitter.com/sEQgbtfJIq

— Ann Killion (@annkillion) September 10, 2017

See? I’m not ignoring the 49ers and Rams games! I’m merely giving them the same enthusiasm they got from local fans.

— With the Seahawks facing third down deep in their own territory, I think, “Oh God, Russell’s going to throw an interception here, isn’t he?” But no, I’m wrong. He fumbles instead. Packers get the ball on the 5.

Watching the replay, Troy Aikman blames Wilson for not protecting the ball better. And yes, that is technically factual, but it also ignores the reality of Packers linemen streaming through Seahawks-colored turnstiles on every play.

Just how Tom Cable drew it up. http://pic.twitter.com/RKNMH276QD

— Keith Myers (@MyersNFL) September 10, 2017

Hey, Dr. Aikman, maybe we can talk about the sickness instead of blaming the symptoms? (LIFEHACK: Never go to a doctor named “Troy.”)

Ty Montgomery punches it into the end zone. Packers up 7-3. Crap.

— Jimmy Graham gets mugged in the end zone, and the refs don’t call pass interference. The announcers find it questionable. Mike Pereira says it’s a bad call. I yell, “P. I.!” My daughter yells, “P. I.! P. I.!” because she knows more about football than these refs. Seahawks Twitter ... well, I will spare you the things that Seahawks Twitter said, but this unrelated image sums it up:

MARSHAWN LYNCH http://pic.twitter.com/q5eG5nlvVN

— SB Nation GIF (@SBNationGIF) September 10, 2017

Deep breath. Here is my rational take: it’s the kind of call you don’t get when you’re the away team and it’s not your day, and this is most definitely not the Seahawks’ day.

I close my laptop. I pause the game. When I come back to watch it, after my kids are in bed, I will watch most of the 4th quarter on fast-forward. The frames that click by will look like repeats of each other: Rodgers knocked to the ground, but a Packer with the ball crossing the yellow line anyway. The final 6 minutes-plus of game time will pass that way, the ending so unremarkable I zip past the final: Packers 17, Seahawks 9.

But for now, with sports frozen in time, I read books to my kids. I sing them lullabies. I hug them and kiss them, and their hair is fine and soft like fresh corn silk as I put them to bed.

It is immeasurable how much better this is than football. Even when my team wins.