#donna beneviento x male oc

[the-broken-truth]

The Strings That Bind Us ~ Bloodthorn Manor

Summary: Curious about the runes on Vulcan's arm & the clue the Duke gave him, Vulcan & Donna go to the mysterious house at the bottom of the valley. What will they find?

Pairing: Donna Beneviento x Vulcan Bloodthorn(?)

Warning: Small Chapter [Haven't been feeling well]

[Beneviento Manor - Around 7:45 A.M. - Breakfast Time]

Vulcan walked in with a platter of fresh pancakes with bacon, eggs, and toast on one hand, and on the other hand, rested a pot of tea with 2 cups with a small pitcher of cream and sugar. He walked into the dining room, placing the breakfast before his Mistress and Lover before serving up her tea in silence; Donna and Angie could see that something was bothering him.

"Vulcan, what's the matter?" Donna asked as she lifted her tea to her lips.

"Nothing, Donna; just thinking about some things." Vulcan said as he looked at his sleeved arm that covered the runes of unknown origin.

"Does it have to do with what Mother Miranda said at the Lord Dinner?" Donna asked.

"For my entire life, I never had a surname, and to hear that I may have the blood of an ancient family that is no longer around." He said in a questioning voice before looking in Donna's direction, "Does that not seem strange, Don?" He asked.

"With everything you have seen since you have been back and you think that could be strange? That's possibly the most normal thing that we heard in years!" Angie said as she stole a piece of bacon off Donna's Plate.

"Angie does make a point, Vulcan. You never knew your family and the Bloodthorn Manor still stands - that means that a blood relative still exists. Who is to say that you aren't that relative?" Donna explained before looking at Vulcan's Runed Arm, "Maybe your runes are more than just a well of power."

"You think so?" Vulcan asked as he looked up to meet Donna's eyes, "Okay. After breakfast, we'll head down the bottom of the valley and look for the manor and if it's there...we shall see what is going on with my arm." Vulcan nodded as he smiled at Donna and Angie - who now was trying to steal Donna's eggs.

[Hours Later - At The Bottom of the Valley]

Vulcan - with Angie on his shoulder and Donna's hand intertwined in his own - stood before the old rusty gate of the house at the bottom of the valley. The stone wall at the edges looked like they were falling apart and the metal gate was rusting, the garden was dead and full of weeds, the wood on the house looked as if it was attacked and rotting away - if this was Vulcan's Home, it needed some work...but now, it was time to find out if he was a Bloodthorn.

He looked at Donna - who released her grip on his arms before he reached out to the gate with his Runed Arm - the runes on his arm began to glow under his sleeve and the sound of the rusty gate opening on its own made all their eyes widen.

"Wow!" Angie said with a smile. "Looks like this is your place, Vulc!"

"Yeah, it would seem so..." Vulcan said as he slowly began to walk through the gate, along the stone path, up to the old wooden porch with Angie and Donna beside him. He placed his hand on the Bloodthorn Insignia on the door's surface when the sign glowed crimson and the door creaked open.

The House of Bloodthorn is open to them all.

[End]

[the-broken-truth]

The Strings That Bind Us ~ The Lords' Dinner

Summary: The Day of the Lord Dinner has arrived: The Meals are prepared, the table is set, the guests are arriving, but are the hosts ready? Can Donna handle the stress of housing her family for this dinner? Will all of Vulcan's hard work be in vain? More importantly - What is Vulcan's Truth?

Pairing: Donna Beneviento x Vulcan

[House Beneviento - Dining Room]

The last crystal wine glass was placed in Miranda's place at the table by the hand of the dollmaker. Donna stood at her full height as she gazed upon the set table: 4 plate mats, 4 crystal wine glasses, 4 sets of utensils sat on the long edges of the table - 2 of each on either side. 2 more of the same set up sat on the short edges of the table - one across from the other. Donna looked at the written-down diagram Vulcan gave her - the seating chart to make sure there were going to be no issues.

Donna and Mother Miranda would be across from each other at the lone plates.

Alcina would sit next to Moreau and be across from Vulcan, who would be sitting next to Heisenberg and Donna.

Broken Truth: In Clockwork Order: Donna, Vulcan, Heisenberg, Mother Miranda, Moreau, Alcina, then back to Donna. Get it? Got it? Good.

After looking at the paper then back at the table, Donna let out an exhale; she was not looking forward to this.

"Calm down, Mother; Papa will make sure this dinner is going to be perfect." Angie said as she floated up to Donna's height. The dollmaker smiled at the nickname Angie gave Vulcan.

"I know he will, it's just...I'm not looking forward to dealing with them; especially Alcina, who had the nerve of laying her hands on my partner." Donna exhaled as she took a seat in her chair.

"That understandable but you know Papa knows how to deal with her and say no. He wouldn't leave us, Mother." Angie said as she walked over to Donna's side.

"I know he wouldn't - as I've said before, I trust him; I don't trust Alcina or Heisenberg around him. I mean - he goes to take their orders & Alcina sinks her teeth into him while Heisenberg sends his creatures against him. I'm even skeptical of Mother Miranda - I've seen the way she's started at him before and I don't like it." Donna said as she rubbed her forehead, careful not to touch the Cadou Scar - it still bothered her; while Vulcan accepted her, she wished she could be more for him.

"Don't worry, Mother. They won't try anything against Papa; it's against Lord Dinner Rules." Angie said.

"Thanks for reminding me. Speaking of Vulcan, where is he? The others will be arriving soon." Donna asked as she looked at her doll.

"Papa said he had to pick a few things up from the Duke." Angie answered.

Donna opened her mouth to speak when the sound of heavy knocking upon the front door filled her ears.

"Let's hope he gets back soon, the show is about to begin." Donna said as she rose from her chair to answer the door. Opening it, she came face to face with her first guest.

"Well, good afternoon, Little Sister." Smiled the Mistress of Castle Dimitrescu.

"Alcina, I see you're the first one here. Please, come in." Donna said as she made way for the tall woman to come in. It made Donna chuckle as she watched Alcina try to get her tall figure into her door.

[Meanwhile - In The Village]

"A Bottle of Romanian Red for 5000 - A Bottle of White for 3000 - A Bottle of Southern Whiskey for 1500 - And one bottle of Grape Wine for 2000. Your total will be 11,500 Lei." The Duke said as he placed all the wines in boxes individually before placing all the boxes in a paper bag. Vulcan stood before him - his House Beneviento Suit was repaired and crisp, his hair was gelled back and brushed back. The Duke watched as the House Servant counted out the respected amount of money and placed it in a separate pouch.

"Here you go." Vulcan said as he handed the pouch to the large man - who smiled and handed the bag of drinks to Vulcan.

"It was a pleasure doing business with you, Lord Vulcan." Vulcan exhaled at the notion.

"Duke, for the last time - I'm not a Lord, even if I'm courting a Lady of a Noble House." Vulcan said but that was met with a chuckle and a shake of the Duke's head.

"That is where you are wrong, My Boy." The Duke said.

"What are you talking about?" Vulcan said.

"For as long as you have lived, you lacked one thing - A Surname." The Duke explained.

"Just how do you know that?" Vulcan asked.

"I've been around of a very long time, my boy; over hundreds of years to be exact. I know things that others would see as superstition. As for what I'm talking about - do you remember anything about the family who ruled the house at the belly of the wild woods?" The Duke asked with a smile.

"The Bloodthorn Family?" Vulcan asked. "What about them?"

"That house was been vacant since the last master died of...unknown circumstances, yet the house remains locked; many have tried to enter but the house remains locked - only opening with the right key." The Duke said.

"What does the Bloodthorn's House have to do with me?" Vulcan asked as he secured the bag of drinks in his arms.

"Let's just say - your right arm might be more than just a vessel." The Duke said with a smile. The two of them exchanged goodbyes before Vulcan turned on his heel and walked away.

'My right arm might be more than a vessel?' Vulcan wondered as he looked at his right arm.

[Back at the Beneviento House]

All the guests had arrived - Alcina arrives first, followed by Heisenberg, behind him, Mother Miranda arrived and Moreau followed like a lost dog. Donna greeted them all and gave everyone their assigned seats - with the seat between Donna and Heisenberg remaining empty.

"Where is Vulcan, Donna?" Mother Miranda asked from her seat across from Donna.

"He went to see the Duke for something - he will return in a moment." Donna said.

"Hmph." That was all Miranda gave in response.

"Quite a shame, I was hoping for a little sweet talk before the meal started." Alcina said with a smile.

"You will not be getting it here, Alcina. Keep your distance from Vulcan." Donna gave a warning as she glared at her larger sister's figure.

"Why so angry, Donna? You look like a mad kitten." Alcina chuckled.

"This 'kitten' has claws and will not hesitate to use them if you don't keep your distance from that which is not yours." Donna said.

"Ah - I see. Vulcan told you about our little moment in Castle Dimitrescu." Alcina chuckled.

"There was no moment." A familiar voice called out - everyone turned to see Vulcan standing in the dining room threshold with a paper bag in his hands. He gave a bow to the table of lords. "Please forgive me for not being here to welcome you all - I had to make an important purchase. I shall collect the meals and prepare your drinks." Vulcan rose to his full height and walked past the table of lords and disappeared into the kitchen.

"At least he knows how to make a decent apology." Miranda said.

"Vulcan is truly well behaved, Mother Miranda," Alcina said as she looked at the village leader. "I think he is too well behaved for Donna." Alcina said.

"Stop, Alcina." Miranda said. "The male is that of House Beneviento, leave the mortal alone to serve his mistress." Miranda said.

"That male is no mortal, Mother Miranda. His blood told me that." Alcina said this made Miranda raise her eyebrow.

"What do you mean he is not mortal?" Miranda asked.

"No mortal has blood as...divine as his - not even the maidens I use to craft Sanguis Virginis. He is more than a mortal and he shouldn't be wasted on Donna; give him to me and I shall use him to create a powerful bloodline unlike any other." Alcina proposed.

"Now, hold the hell on." Karl interrupted. "If anyone else gets him, it's me - that bastard is too good of a fighter for me to let you turn him into a breeding machine." Karl said.

"Neither of you is getting my Papa, so stop thinking that!" Angie yelled at them, making are look at the living doll.

"Your...Papa?" Miranda started as she turned her gaze from Angie and looked into the eye of Donna. "Is there something that you want to tell me, Donna?" Miranda said.

"No...Not at the moment. I'll inform all of you later." Donna said as she closed her eye - trying to calm down from the shaking feeling from inside her chest.

Before anyone could speak again - the kitchen door was opened by a serving cart carrying 6 meals covered by a silver shield on its surface on the top and 5 different bottles of drink on the bottle - the cart being pushed by the servant of House Beneviento.

"Meals shall be presented." Vulcan stated as he lifted the first two platters by their bottoms and walked over to Donna and Miranda but didn't remove the covers - he then did the same with Alcina and Heisenberg before finishing with Salvatore's then his own. He went back to the cart and retrieved the drinks, filling each lords' glass with the drink of their choice; he then returned the bottles to the cart once all the drinks were poured. He took his place beside Donna and looked at the silver covers that concealed the meals before he raised his right and snapped.

Instantly - all of the silver coverings disappeared and the lords stared in awe at the food before them.

"How did you make the covers disappear?" Miranda asked.

"I'll explain later, Lady Miranda; for now, let us dine on food and beverages." Vulcan said before he took his seat.

Miranda looked upon the lasagna before her - it looked perfect and smelled divine but would it be good? She lifted her fork, cutting through a corner of the pasta, and lifted it to her lips, taking the first bite of the dinner. There was a widening of her eyes but she was quick to revert them back - the slowness of her chewing made it clear that she was savoring the taste of the food. The other lords followed suit and all their reactions were the same - it was clear they loved the food.

"This is perfect. You really outdid yourself with the sauce this time, Vulcan." Donna said as she lifted the spaghetti noodles to her lips, slurping them between her lips before chewing with a smile. "What did you use this time?" She asked.

"I use a little bit more garlic this time but I wasn't sure if I altered the recipe too much." Vulcan said as he took a bite out of his garlic bread.

"Recipe? You made the sauce yourself?" Alcina asked with a raised eyebrow and a smirk hiding behind her wine glass.

"I made everything myself, including the noodles. I happened the purchase a machine that shaped the noodles to my liking and continued from them." Vulcan said.

"Well, this blood steak is perfect; quite a shame you didn't use your blood in the sauce, it would have been heavenly." Alcina purred as she took another bite of her steak.

"My blood is off limits unless Donna asks for it." Vulcan said.

"Donna? You mean 'Lady Beneviento'. You are not allowed to use your mistress's first name as if you are equals when you are not." Miranda said with a glare.

"We are equals, Mother." Donna spoke up.

"Donna, dear. He is not the same as you - you are of noble blood while he is common cloth." Miranda said as she looked at her daughter.

"That doesn't matter to me. Vulcan has done so much for me and...I would never consider my partner beneath me."

Cue complete and utter silence.

*Crickets Chirping In The Background*

"Donna..." Miranda said in a low voice "What do you mean 'Your Partner'?" Miranda asked in a snarl.

"Mother, Vulcan and I are...in a relationship, we began courting the same night you announced we would hosting the Lord Dinner here; he asked me to trust him with getting everyone's orders the next day." Donna said as she looked down at her food. Everything was quiet before Alcina's chuckling caused everyone to look in her direction.

"Her? Surely you jest, Vulcan." She looked into his eyes "I could give you more than her - you could live like a king in Castle Dimitrescu and have everything."

"For what? I told you before that I have everything I could ever want and need with Donna and Angie; I traveled to become worthy for them and no one else." Vulcan said.

"I told you, you would never be worthy of her!" Miranda said as she glared at Vulcan. "You are dirt, filth, mud under my daughter's shoes and you have the nerve to try to court her?! I should feed you to Heisenberg's Lycans!"

"M-Mother, Donna is happy with him... Isn't that enough for you to leave them be?" Salvatore asked as he looked at her.

"Shut up, Freak! No one is talking to you!" Heisenberg yelled, making the 3rd Lord shiver and duck.

"I told you to stop disrespecting your brother like that, Karl Heisenberg!" Vulcan growled at Karl.

"That freak is not my brother! I have nothing to do with him and I never will!" Karl said.

"You have the nerve to say that and you use his Lycans as you see fit?!" Vulcan yelled.

"His Lycans? They are mine." Karl said.

"Lies - You know it just like I do: Lord Moreau was the one who created the Lycans and you bullied him into making you more." Vulcan glared at the 4th Lord.

"You...You know?" Salvatore asked with a quivering lip.

"On my way out of your domain, I noticed a few things: doctor's supplies and a journal. It was wrong of me, I know, but my heart couldn't just let me walk away. I know you made the Lycans using the Cadou and Wolf's Blood to please Madame Miranda and I always know that Heisenberg has been bulling you to make new kinds of Lycan - like the Valcolac and Urias." Vulcan said as he began to rise to his feet. "Lord Moreau, you do so much to make Madame Miranda and the family you know happy but no one really gives you the respect you deserve...so I am going to return to you what the Cadou took from you."

Everyone looked wide-eyed at his words but Moreau was the most confused.

"What do you mean?" The small man asked.

"Come with me outside and I shall show you." Vulcan said as he began to remove his house jacket, revealing the dress shirt he hand underneath. Vulcan placed the jacket on the back of his chair before making his way around the table, to the first door - he could sense Moreau following him. The two of them made it outside, down the stairs, and stood in the front yard - the other lords rushed out the house to see what Vulcan was doing.

Vulcan lifted his right hand, using his left hand to lift his sleeve to reveal his forearm - Miranda's eyes widened as she saw that familiar red glow shine through Vulcan's skin as runes and markings riddled all along his forearm.

'Those markings - He can't be...'

"Lord Moreau, I need you to close your eyes: I want you to remember what you looked like before the Cadou changed you. Remember who you were before all of this happened. Remember the brilliant doctor you once were." Vulcan's word echoed in Salvatore's mind as he seemed to have fallen in a trance - remembering who he once was before he became a lord.

Before he made the Lycans.

Before he got the Cadou.

Before he met Mother Miranda.

Once the image was in his mind - he felt a hand grasp his face followed by a horrible pain that ripped him to pieces. Moreau couldn't see anything - he was standing in an endless void of darkness, but he could hear thing echoing in the darkness:

Donna's screams.

Miranda demanding to know what he did to Moreau.

Heisenberg's incoherent muttering.

Then, he heard Vulcan: "Remember who you once was and come forward - walk to my voice."

Moreau did just that - he began walking forward and things began becoming clear: he saw fragments of his life before all this happened - he saw the patients he helped, the happiness on their faces, and how it made him happy - he remembered how much he loved his work and the feeling it gave him to see a project through - he remembered standing before the bedroom vanity of the house he built his own hands. That all come together into a bright light before him - and he entered it with a sense of...completeness.

Then he opened his eyes.

The first thing he saw was the smile on Vulcan's face - there were a few spicks of blood upon it but...he noticed he was standing perfectly fine - his face leveled with Vulcan's if not a little bit more. He looked over Vulcan's shoulder to look at his family - they all looked as if they saw ghosts.

"What...Why are you all looking at me like that?" His voice was different - it wasn't gurgling as before, he spoke perfectly clear and his voice was deeper than Karl's. "What's wrong with my voice?" He asked as his hands reached up to touch his throat - his human throat.

He looked down at his hands - human hands of pale skin but not too pale. He looked at Vulcan who gestured him to follow - he did with no argument. The two of them went back into the house and Vulcan pointed to the first mirror he saw, the 3rd Lord walked over to it and gasped.

He was human. Completely human!

His hand touched his face before reaching up and running through his long grey hair, he had a beard with grey eyes. He was fit but had a bit of a belly and was still wrapped in the black tarp he used to conceal him but it looked more like a cloak now upon his human body.

"I'm human... I'm normal." He said before turning to Vulcan. "What did you do?" He asked.

"I returned what you lost. I felt how bad you felt about your looks, that why you were so willing to do what you had to do to earn the love of the people you knew as your family and the woman you knew as your mother. I gave that back and you didn't lose anything. You still have your Cadou but it's more like an extra organ now - you have your abilities; that's why you have closed gills on the side of your neck." Vulcan pointed them - 2 sealed gills on either side of Salvatore's neck. "They'll open when you go into the water so you can break."

Salvatore turned back to look at the mirror while Vulcan turned the look at Karl with a smirk.

"Can't call him a freak anymore, can you, Karl Heisenberg?" Vulcan smirked.

"Why you..." Karl growled.

"That's enough." Miranda said as everyone looked at her.

"But, Mother Miranda..."Alcina began before Miranda silenced her.

"I said enough, Alcina. We will speak of this on a later day but now, we will finish the Lord Dinner and...reflect on this day's revelations." She finished as she walked back to the table.

Everyone followed her hand the dinner continued in silence, as did dessert. Once everyone was gone, Donna walked up to Vulcan who was clearing the table before surprising him with a kiss.

"Thank you for what you did for Salvatore...I've never seen him so happy before." Donna said as she placed her hand on Vulcan's chest.

"I'm happy I could help him." Vulcan noticed a familiar glare in Donna's eyes. "Is there something you want to ask me?" He smiled.

"I..." She wasn't sure what to say. "I was wondering...is it possible..."

"You want me to return what you lost when you got your Cadou, don't you?" Vulcan finished.

"I...yes." She looked at Vulcan's eyes full of hope. "Can you?"

"For you..." He placed his hands on her shoulder. "I would do anything." He placed his lips on the Cadou scar and a golden glow filled the room, engulfing them both in a warm embrace.

[Meanwhile]

Miranda sat alone in the darkness of her domain in her chair as she looked out her window that overlooked the whole village, a glass of wine in her hand.

"I thought they were all gone..." Her lips curved into a smirk. "This could be my chance." She rose and walked over to the window, looking down at the village - mainly, House Beneviento.

"Eva shall return to me and you will be the one to do it, Vulcan Bloodthorn."

[the-broken-truth]

The Strings That Bind Us ~ Vulcan's Mission

Summary: Vulcan heads to the other 3 Lord Holds to get information on the Lord Dinner. Will it go well?

Pairing: Donna Beneviento x Vulcan

MY LONGEST ONE YET! YES!

[The Next Morning After The Lord Meeting] [At House Beneviento]

Vulcan stood before the front door as he secured the Beneviento House Crest Clip on his hooded cloak to ensure it remained on his shoulders; once he removed his hands, the crest clip shined in the light of the lamp.

"Leaving already, Vulcan?" Donna asked as she descended the stairs and walked over to Vulcan who turned around to face her.

"It's better if I leave in the morning so I can back come by the evening. I'll get the list first then I'll go shopping for the food in the morning." Vulcan said as he watched Donna's face look off to the side; he could see the fear in her eyes. His hand grasped her chin and moved her face to look into his eyes. "I'll come back to you, Donna; I'd never turn away from you and Angie. Thank you for trusting me with this." He leaned forward and placed a gentle kiss on her lips, which she returned as she placed her hands on his chest.

Vulcan pulled away when he felt a tug on his pants leg causing him to look down to see Angie looking up at him with the eyes of a child.

"Can I have a hug?" Angie asked.

Vulcan smiled and crouched down, gathering the doll in his arm, and hugged both her and Donna. After a while, he set Angie on her feet and gave Donna one last kiss before he turned on his heel and left out the house door, down the stairs, and down the trail to begin his mission.

[A Few Moments Later - At The Stairway to Castle Dimitrescu]

Vulcan looked at the massive Victorian-Styled Castle before him - The Home of the First Lord, Alcina Dimitrescu. He was not looking forward to talking with her but he knew she was going to be the most difficult of the lords.

'Better to the pain in the ass out of the way first.' Vulcan thought as he took his first step to scale the stairs until he reached the massive door; he knocked upon the door for a few moments until it was opened by a Housemaid.

"Can I help you?" The Housemaid asked in a very timid voice.

"Yes, I would like to see Lady Dimitrescu." Vulcan said.

"What reason do you have to see the Lady of the Castle?" The housemaid asked again with a raised eyebrow.

"House of Beneviento Business." Vulcan said as he moved the side of the cloak to reveal the house crest upon his chest. The Housemaid's eyes widened as she moved aside.

"Of course, please, come in. I'll call the lady." The housemaid said as she moved into the castle with Vulcan behind her.

The Housemaid asked him to wait in the foyer while she retrieved the Lady of the Castle, Vulcan gave her a nod and watched as she scaled up the stairs. He stood there in the center of the room - the fire in the fireplace crackling now and then. He looked around - the floor was so clear that Vulcan could see his reflection upon the surface, the chairs, and table resting by the fireplace looked as if they were sown & carved by hand, the chandler above his hand looked like it was crafted with diamonds as opposed to crystal; it was beautiful but too expensive for Vulcan's taste.

'This place is too grand - how can you stop yourself getting lost in here? House Beneviento is more accustomed to me.' Vulcan thought with a smile at thought of Donna and Angie back at home waiting for him...when the sound of buzzing rung in his ears. Vulcan opened his eyes again to find a few dozen flies circling around him like a slow cyclone - carried with was multiple giggles.

"Oh, look at the newcomer, sisters." One voice purred.

"Isn't he the one mother was trying to get to come here?" A second voice curiously asked.

"Yeah, that's him. Maybe he finally came to his senses." said the 3rd voice.

"I'm here to speak to Lady Dimitrescu for House Beneviento." Vulcan said as he remained still.

"Aw, don't you want to stay here?" The first voice asked. "I'm sure Mother would treat you much better than Aunt Donna would."

"You would be a Lord, yourself. Live in the lap of luxury and have the power to command anyone you desire." The second voice said.

"I've said this to Lady Dimitrescu and I will say it to you - I am not interested." Vulcan said.

"If you're not interested, why are you here then?" The sound of Lady Dimitrescu's voice came from on top of the stairs. Vulcan looked up at the towering lady, stating at the top of the stairs, slowing descending down with her hand dragging along the wooden pole. The flies moved away from Vulcan and formed into 3 separate bodies - the Daughters of Dimitrescu. Vulcan waited for Alcina to get to the bottom of the stairs before he gave a slight bow in respect with his eyes closed.

"Lady Dimitrescu, forgive me for arriving unannounced but there is something I would like to discuss with you regarding the Lord Dinner begin hosted at House Beneviento." Vulcan said - his eyes opened when he felt the large hand of the Castle Lady grip his chin and lifted it - Amber meet Gold.

"Are you sure that's all you wish to talk about, Little Mortal? Are you certain you didn't want to see what I have to offer you?" Alcina purred with a glow in her eyes but Vulcan's face remained professional. He rose to stand at his full height, which removed Alcina's hand from his face.

"Lady Dimitrescu, please, I have expressed on numerous occasions that I am not interested in being your...other half." Vulcan said.

"And why is that, little mortal? Why would you not want to live in a castle with servants waiting on you hand and foot? Riches that pile so high could by the world and still have more? Everything you could want and need within arms reach and you wouldn't want that?" Alcina asked.

"I have all I could want with Donna and Angie - I've traveled the world to become someone that would be worthy of them, a partner that would make House Beneviento proud." Vulcan said with a smile when mentioning his girls; this made Alcina frown.

"You would rather have her than anything I could offer you?" She asked with a hiss.

"Yes." A simple answer.

Alcina inhaled and exhaled before she looked into Vulcan's eyes.

"What do you want to talk about regarding the Lord Dinner?" Alcina asked as she folded her arms.

"I want this Lord Dinner to be grand for all the Lords and Madam Miranda, to do that I would like to know 3 things about you: Your preferred dish, your drink of choice, and any kind of dessert you would enjoy?" Vulcan asked as he reached into his pocket and pulled out a paper pad & pen.

Alcina began speaking and Vulcan wrote down her order.

Lady Alcina Dimitrescu

Main Dish - She asked to try the Blood Steak she heard about from Donna

Drink - Romanian Red Wine (I have to pick some from The Duke)

Dessert - Black Forest Cake

Vulcan pocketed the pad and the writing utensil before he looked at Alcina and her daughters, gave them a nod, and turned on his heel to begin walking away - before he could reach the stairs; he was suddenly picked up by his waist from behind and was lifted with his back pressed against the busty chest of Alcina Dimitrescu.

"Lady Dimitrescu, what is the meaning of this?! Unhand me!" Vulcan barked as he began squirming against her grip; he left her hand on his chest and her lips near the back of his neck.

"Why must you fight against me, Vulcan? I know you want more than my sister could offer you but your blind love for her is making you refuse what you really want. Let me give it to you - stay here with me and have everything you could ever want." Alcina whispered against his neck.

"I told you no - I am loyal to Donna and I would never turn away from her. Now - Let me go." The man demanded.

"Such fire in your voice, I wonder just how good your blood tastes." That made Vulcan's eye widen but before he could do anything - his house jacket was ripped open to expose his shoulder and he felt the pain of fangs breaking his skin.

Vulcan gripped his teeth to keep from screaming but he felt anger flood his body.

"I TOLD YOU TO LET GO OF ME!" Vulcan roared.

Alcina was suddenly thrown off him by an unknown force - making her slid back to her daughters.

"Mother! Are you alright?!" The blonde-haired daughter asked as she ran over to her mother. Alcina didn't answer - her eyes were wide and dilated, almost like a cat's - as she looked at Vulcan's bleeding shoulder. The Servant of Beneviento covered his wound before glaring at the Castle Lady - his eyes blood red and his pupils... slit like a predator's.

"If you weren't one of the Lords of this Land, I would have killed you for doing something like that! I won't act on my own but I will be informing Madame Miranda of this. Keep your distance from, Alcina Dimitrescu; I shan't notify you again." With a growl - Vulcan turned on his heel again and stormed out of the castle, slamming the door behind him.

Alcina stood to her full height again - her hand covering her mouth as her tongue collected the blood dripping down her chin.

'His blood... it was... DIVINE. Richer than any maiden's blood I have ever tasted. Whatever he is, he is not human...and I want him. I must have that blood for myself; he must aid me in continuing the bloodline of House Dimitrescu!'

[Meanwhile - With Vulcan]

The amber-eyed man marched down the dirt path, holding his house jacket close to the wound - cursing all kinds of things about Alcina. He made his way to the gate leading the Moreau's Reservoir when a familiar voice called out to him.

"That looks like a pretty nasty bite wound." Vulcan turned to see the Duke sitting at his carriage. "If I were to guess, I'd say Lady Dimitrescu decided to take a bite out of you." Duke said as he wrote down something in his small journal.

"You won't be wrong, Duke; she literally grabbed me and sunk her teeth into me." Vulcan said as he walked over to him.

"Unpredictable as ever, she is; that wound will get back if you don't do something about it. Would you care for a bottle of First Aid Medicine?" The large man asked as he held a small bottle of green liquid.

"I don't have any Lei on me right now, I wasn't planning to buy anything." Vulcan hissed in pain.

"Nor were you planning on getting bitten by a Vampiric Castle Owner. You've been a loyal customer to me for years, Vulcan, you can have it for free." The Duke said as he reached down a gave the bottle to Vulcan.

"Thanks, Duke," Vulcan said as he opened the bottle and poured it on his wound. "By the way, you wouldn't happen to have some Romanian Red Wine, would you?" Vulcan asked as he fixed his jacket back on his shoulder.

"I do but I'd be willing to part with it for 5000 Lei." The Duke smiled at him.

"I'll come to get it tomorrow and a few other things, can you hold it for me?" Vulcan asked.

"Of course, your coin is the best coin for me to receive." The Duke said.

"Perfect, I'll see you later." Vulcan turned and began walking away.

"Anytime, Lord Vulcan." Duke said, making Vulcan stop and turn back to look at him.

"Duke, I'm not a Lord." Vulcan said, making the fat man laugh.

"Not yet, but at the rate you're going, you'll be a Lord within a few months' time...maybe a father even." Duke chucked, Vulcan blushed and turned to head to the reservoir

[Timeskip - At Moreau's Reservoir]

"Lord Moreau? Are you here, Lord Moreau?" Vulcan called out as he walked around the reservoir depths - he searched for a while before he heard the static of television and the sound of someone sobbing. He followed the sound until he saw the hunched few of Lord Moreau sobbing before a small static tv.

"Mother Miranda... why don't you love me like the others? You know I'll do anything you ask me to do, so why don't you love me too?" The Lord of the Reservoir; that made Vulcan's heartstring tug.

"Lord Moreau." Vulcan called out, startling me small 'man'.

"Who...Who are you?! Why are you here?!" Moreau panicked before he looked at Vulcan again. "Wait, I know you - you're Donna's Servant, right?" Moreau asked as he inched closer to him.

"Yes, Lord Moreau. My name is Vulcan and I serve Donna at House Beneviento; it's nice to finally meet you." Vulcan smiled at the man, who was so confused.

"You...You stood up for me. At the House Meeting. You told Heisenberg to respect me..." Moreau said as he a Vulcan were now facing each other.

"He should - You're his brother and brothers are supposed to be there for each other. Donna told me that you were very kind and she was right." Vulcan said.

"I...No one has ever told me that, thank you, Vulcan." Moreau said with a smile.

"Of course, Lord Moreau." Vulcan said.

"Please, call me Salvatore; that's my first name and you're very kind." The creature smiled again.

"Of course, Lord Salvatore. Now, as much as I would love to stay and chat, I'm a bit pressed for time. As you know, The Lord Dinner is coming up and I would like to know what your preferred food, drink, and dessert is." Vulcan said as he pulled out the pad and pen again with a smile. Salvatore smiled again and told him what he wanted to know.

"I don't know if I'll be welcome there." The small man said.

"You're a Lord and this is a Lord Dinner; of course you're allowed and welcome, besides, I have a little trick up my sleeve." Vulcan smiled as he waved his hand.

"What kind of trick?" Salvatore asked.

"You'll find out at the dinner. Have a great day, Salvatore." Vulcan rose to his feet and made his way back out the way he came, looking at the new list of items.

Lord Salvatore Moreau

Main Dish - Grilled Salmon with a side salad and cornbread

Drink - White Wine

Dessert - Keylime Pie.

'That man goes through all that pain with siblings who don't even respect him and a mother who rarely acknowledges him... I'll do what I can for him. He's too kind not to get the love back he dishes out.' Vulcan thought as he pocketed the pad and pen again before heading to the last of the lords - Karl Heisenberg.

[Timeskip - Karl Heisenberg's Factory]

Vulcan opened the door and walked into the factory with his hand on his dagger, just in case something popped off.

"Well, Well, Well - if it isn't the Ugly Ass Psycho Doll's Plaything?" Karl's voice rung out of the empty space.

"I'd appreciate you not disrespecting her like that, Heisenberg; I'm here on House Beneviento Business and I would rather get it over and done with so I can make my last stop and go home." Vulcan said as he looked around the make sure there were not hidden Lycans waiting to pounce on him.

"House Business? What could she want with me?" Karl's voice rang out again.

"This is about the Lord Dinner and I'm doing this to make sure it goes well. Just tell me what I want to know and I'll be on my way." Vulcan said.

"Now, where's the fun in that - just telling you...when you could work for it?" Karl's voice called out - that when Vulcan heard movement and found himself surrounded by at least 20 to 30 Lycans.

"What the hell is this, Heisenberg?" Vulcan snarled as he pulled his daggers from under his cloak.

"The challenge is simple - kill them and I'll tell you what you want to know. Lose and...well, Donna and her doll will be short once playmate." Karl laughed over the intercom.

"Smug Bastard." Vulcan growled and got into a battle stance.

"Ready? Set...SIC HIM BOYS!"

All the Lycans charged at Vulcan but there's something Karl should have known - You don't fuck with the House of Beneviento's Servant.

[Small Timeskip - After the fight.]

Vulcan stood in the center of the lycan bodies - most of them with their throats cut open, some with missing limbs, others with their bellies completely sliced open. His daggers in his hands - soaked in blood. His clothes and cloak with multiple claw marks. Panting, he looked up at the intercom and smirked.

"Ya done, Karl? You gonna tell me what I want to know or do I have to come up there and show you I mean business?" Vulcan smirked.

Karl was quiet for a moment before he spoke again.

"What do you want to know?"

Karl Heisenberg

Main Dish - Fried Chicken with corn and mashed potatoes

Drink - Whiskey

Dessert - Sweet Potato Pie

Vulcan was tired as he walked out of the factory with the last of the lords' orders taken but there was one last stop to make and he wasn't looking forward to it.

[To Mother Miranda's Location - The Lord Meeting Room]

Miranda looked at the kneeling man with ripped clothes and damage to his body that would have killed a normal man but it was obvious he was no mortal man.

"You're telling me you did all this without Donna's recommendation to make the Lord Dinner go better?" Miranda asked as she looked down at Vulcan.

"For the glory of House Beneviento and for Donna & Angie, I would go to any length." Vulcan said as he remained kneeling.

"If you have all the lords' orders, why are you here?" She asked.

"It wouldn't be right to get the lords' order and not get the Village Leader's Order, Madame Miranda. I would like to know what you would consume so that I may return home to Donna and Angie." Vulcan said.

"You really consider House Beneviento your home?" Miranda asked with a raised eyebrow.

"Anywhere Donna and Angie are is my home. They are my home." Vulcan said.

After a few moments, Miranda gave Vulcan the order she wanted and watched as he rose to his feet and turned to leave.

"I want you to know - I still don't think you're worthy of her. She hails from noble blood while you are commoner. You will never be worthy of Donna, even if she loves you." Miranda said as watched Vulcan leave.

"I know but I will give her all the love in the world just to stay by her side." The man said as he disappeared into the darkness.

"What the hell are you, Vulcan?" She questioned herself.

[Timeskip - House Beneviento - around 11:35]

The moment Vulcan opened the door - he was engulfed in a hug...well...two hugs. He looked at Donna who had her arms wrapped around his waist and Angie who was hugging his leg.

"Where have you been?! It's almost midnight and..."She looked at his condition. "What happened to you?!" Donna shrieked with worry.

"Sit down and let me make us some tea...this will be a long one." Vulcan said as he walked to the kitchen.

-After Explaining Everything-

"How dare she?!" Angie said. "She had no right to touch my father, let alone bite him!"

"And Karl made you fight Lycans to get his order?! I told you this wasn't a good idea, Vulcan; I can't believe you talked me into this." Donna said.

"But it was worth it, Donna." Vulcan said as he finished his tea.

"No, it wasn't! No orders were worth the condition you're in now!" Donna yelled.

"I know you're mad but trust me when I tell you that it was worth it." Vulcan said as he gathered her hand and kissed it a few times.

"I..."Donna tried to find the words.

"Please, love. Everything will be fine." Vulcan's eyes shined like stars as Donna blushed and looked away.

"Alright, I'll let it go this time but no more risky trips." Donna said as Vulcan gathered her in his arms and kissed her.

"I promise." Vulcan said as he placed another kiss on her lips.

"Soo..."Angie began. "When am I getting a sibling?"

"ANGIE!!!" Vulcan and Donna blushed at the smirking doll.

[the-broken-truth]

The Strings That Bind Us ~ The Lord Meeting

Summary: Mother Miranda called a Surprise Lord Meeting and is insistent that Vulcan attends. What could she want?

Pairing: Donna Beneviento x Vulcan

[2 Months After The Village Trip] [Vulcan's been working for Donna for 3 Months Now]

"Are you certain that you want to leave that male with Donna, Mother Miranda? I could find a better use for him in House Dimitrescu." Alcina said as she took a puff from her long cigarette.

"Must you start with this again, Alcina?" Heisenberg exhaled "Miranda gave the human to Donna because of their obvious history...as much as I wish she didn't; that man has the makings of an Alpha in his blood."

"Any man that would put down your rabid dogs is worthy enough to continue the Dimitrescu Bloodline. I've been seeing him around the village - sometimes with Donna and that...doll of hers. Kinda unfair that my little sister gets to have that interesting specimen to herself." Alcina pouted in her chair as she took another puff of her cancer stick.

Miranda was quiet for the most part while waiting for Donna - the dollmaker was usually the second one here (The first being Moreau). The sound of footsteps made everyone look at the opening to see The Dollmaker make her appearance and she wasn't alone - Vulcan stood there in his House Beneviento Suit with a smile on his face, Donna's arm laced in his like a gentleman leading a lady, and Angie perched on his shoulder as if she was his companion instead of Donna's. The Lords and Village Leader watched as Vulcan led Donna to herself and waited for the dollmaker to seat before he moved to stand behind her to the right of her chair, standing tall, his hands behind his back - Angie still on his shoulder.

"Now that we are all present - we can begin the meeting." Mother Miranda began as she looked at her 'children'.

Broken Truth: #FuckMotherMirandaShe'sABitch.

"What is the reason for this meeting, Mother Miranda? You didn't specify in your call to us." Donna asked as she looked at her adopted mother.

"The reason I didn't specify was that this meeting is about you and...your male." Miranda said - making Donna and Vulcan's eyebrows raise.

"Us?" The both of them said.

"Yes, Child. Tell us - what exactly does this 'Vulcan' do for House Beneviento? Is he truly as well of as servant as you claim?" Miranda said as she looked in Vulcan's direction - who just looked into her eyes without any kind of fear but there was respect present in his eyes; was it because she was Donna's Mother or the Leader of the Village? That was unknown to her.

"Vulcan is an incredible addition to House Beneviento - he cleans very well, the meals he cooks are unlike anything I have ever tasted; but then again, he did travel all over the world and picked up some interesting recipes. He is always there for me rather I need something or if I just need someone to talk to; what's more, he gets along with Angie very well and that makes me very happy." Donna said as she looked at the doll on Vulcan's shoulder, who nodded to her creator.

"She's got a point..." Moreau spoke but was soon cut off.

"Shut up, no one asked you, freak." Karl said.

"That was impolite, Lord Heisenberg." Vulcan's voice spoke up, making everyone look at him.

"What did you say?" Karl asked.

"I said that was impolite - impolite and uncalled for. Lord Moreau has just as much right to speak as you do; besides, he is your brother, you should be kinder to him." Vulcan said as he glared at Vulcan, who glared at him back.

"Just who the hell do you think you are to tell me what to do? You're just a servant - a nobody - and that freak isn't my brother, nor is Lady Super-Sized Bitch or that Ugly Ass Psycho Doll!" That made Vulcan's eyes widen and his fists clench.

"Take that back...right now." The amber-eyed man growled out.

"What?" Karl scoffed.

"I don't care what you say about me, but you will not disrespect my lady or Angie; Lord or not. Take it back, now, Karl Heisenberg." Vulcan growled even more - his fists clenching and eyes seem to be getting darker - they were almost blood red. Miranda's eyes seem to widen as it looked like there was a golden glow coming from under the sleeve of Vulcan's right forearm.

'What is he?' She wondered.

"That's enough, Vulcan." Donna spoke out, making Vulcan look at her.

"But Lady Beneviento, he..." Donna raised her hand to silence him.

"Please, Vulcan. It's quite alright." Donna said again in her soft voice.

"If that is what you wish, Lady Beneviento." Vulcan went back to standby mode.

"It is." Donna confirmed.

"Now that is over... Donna." Miranda spoke.

"Yes, Mother?" Donna asked as she looked in her mother's direction.

"I wish to have a House Dinner - with House Beneviento as the hosting house. I want to see just what it is that your male could do." Miranda said as she looked at Vulcan.

"I'd be honored to show you my skill, Madam Miranda." Vulcan said with a bow of his head.

"Obedient, Strong, Good-Looking, Can Cook, Clean, & Submissive without argument - Such an interesting specimen you have, Donna. Little sister, are you sure you wouldn't mind lending him to me for a year?" Alcina said as she looked Vulcan up and down.

"Alcina, you are not getting Vulcan so find another male to continue House Dimitrescu with." Donna almost snarled at her sister.

"Come now, you can't part with him for one year?" Alcina pouted.

"No. Now stop asking." Donna said. "Is that all, Mother Miranda?" Donna asked as she rose to her feet.

"Yes - the House Dinner will be in one week; I look forward to seeing what it is he can do. Lords dismissed." Miranda said. Donna took Vulcan's arm and he led Donna and Angie out of the room, ignoring the looks of the other Lords and Village Leader.

'Just what are you, Vulcan?' Miranda asked herself.

[Meanwhile - Back At House Beneviento]

"A Lord Dinner? This is going to be troublesome." Donna said as she sat at the table, Angie in her lap to make her feel better.

"What's so wrong with a Lord Dinner?" Vulcan asked as he placed down a cup of tea with some lemon cake squares before Donna.

"Mother Miranda uses Lord Dinners to make sure all is right but I sometimes think she uses it to snoop on our lives. Last time, we had a Lord Dinner at Castle Dimitrescu because of Alcina's Daughters - it was not pleasant." Donna said as she removed her veil and placed it on the table.

Vulcan looked at his lady's face with concern when he saw just how worried she was about this Lord Dinner.

"Then, I'll make this a pleasant Lord Dinner but before I get started, I want to know - do you trust me to go out on my own for a while tomorrow?" Vulcan asked, Donna looked at him with a raised eyebrow.

"Go out? Just what are you planning?" Donna asked.

"If I want this Lord Dinner to be as grand as I wish it to be - I need to know what is it the other Lords and Madam Miranda prefer. I'm going to go to each of their locations and ask them then go shopping for the right things." Vulcan explained.

"What? No, that's not a good idea, Vulcan. You know Alcina wants you - she'll try to seduce you into coming to Castle Dimitrescu." Donna began.

"I would never turn away from you for her or another, Donna; you know that. I've been here for 3 months, you can trust me." Vulcan said as he kneeled before Donna as she sat in her chair and gathered her hand in his.

"I do trust you, it's the other lords - Karl wants to join him... I don't know about Moreau, he's likely the only Lord I do trust out of all of them." Donna said as she looked down as their touching hands.

"Then I'm asking you to trust me - trust me to come back to you and know that I would never turn away from you, Donna. I've come too far to find you, now that I'm here and I serve you; I'm happy and I would never let you go like I had to when Mother Miranda took you away from me." He brought her hand to his lips. "Please, trust me to come back to you. Trust me to stay faithful to you and only you and Angie." Vulcan's words made her blush and look away before she took an exhale.

"Very well, Vulcan. I will trust you to do what you must to make this Lord Dinner a grand one just...please don't let them take you away from me."

"As long I draw breath, I shall return to you, Donna; believe that." Vulcan looked into her eye and leaned forward before placing a small kiss on her lips.

Donna's widened before she began to settle into the kiss her servant gave her, returning it and closed her eye to enjoy it. Once they broke apart for air, their foreheads touched as they looked into the windows of each other's souls...before their moment was ruined by a giggling doll.

"Does this mean I have a Father now?" Angie asked, making Mistress and Servant blush bright red.

"Angie!" Donna and Vulcan blushingly yelled at the doll; Angie got her giggles that night.

[the-broken-truth]

The Strings That Bind Us ~ A Village Trip

Summary: Vulcan makes plans to head to the village to pick up a few things for House Beneviento but what happens when Donna and Angie join him?

Pairing: Donna Beneviento x Vulcan

[One Month Later - House Beneviento First Floor]

The sounds of a quill blade writing along the surface of the paper, lei hitting the wooden table while being stacked into piles, and mumbling speech one would do when speaking to themselves filled the bottom floor as Vulcan sat in the rocking chair with a quill in his right hand hovering over a piece of parchment and his left hand hovering of a pouch full of Lei with a few small stacks beside it.

"That's everything on the list... Do we really need this? Maybe I should stop by the Duke's Carriage - he might have a few new recipes for Donna." Vulcan finished his mutterings before tying the bag of Lei closed and placed it back in his backpack that was resting by the rocking chair before pocketing the Lei that was sitting on the table as well as the list of items once the ink dried. He rose to his feet and walked over to the coatrack to get his cloak, he started to put it on before a soft voice called out to him.

"Vulcan, where are you doing?" Vulcan turned to see the Head of House Beneviento standing on the stairs with Anglie hovering beside her.

"Good Afternoon, Donna. I'm on my way to the Village Market to do some shopping." Vulcan said as he gave a smile to his lady.

"Shopping? Don't you need some Lei for that?" Donna said as she fully descended the stairs.

"I already have Lei, Donna. I wasn't going pester you for money when I have my own to aid you." Vulcan said.

"Understandable. Will you be gone long?" Donna asked.

"For about an hour or so." Vulcan's eyes widened at an idea. "Would you like to come, Donna? I think it would be nice if you and Angie got some time out of the house." Vulcan said as he offered his hand to Donna. The veiled woman was a bit hesitant but once she saw Angie float over to Vulcan and perch herself on his shoulder - she reached out and took her servant's hand without question, making him smile and his heart flutter.

Vulcan exited the house with Angie on his shoulder and his hand laced with Donna's - this was something he always wished for; he missed so much time with her when Donna got adopted by Mother Miranda and Vulcan went traveling to turn himself into a man that was worthy of her for he knew that Mother Miranda didn't like him - she didn't see him as a good match for Donna.

"A small frail bag of meat that didn't come wasn't cut from the same fabric as Donna. An urchin that had nothing to offer her."

He wanted nothing more than to prove her wrong so he traveled and... something happened during those travels that changed him; made him worthy but at the same time... He shook his head of those thoughts. He would tell Donna on a later day - right now, he was going to enjoy this shopping trip with his girls.

[Small Timeskip]

"Okay - here's your meat order, sir." The butcher said as he handed the bag of meat to Vulcan who grabbed it with his free hand for his lady's hand still rested in the other with Angie on his shoulder. On his other shoulder were bags of rice, beans, wheat for bread, and a few smaller bags of spices and herbs in a larger bag.

"Thank you." Vulcan said as he paid the man and he was on his way.

"That's the last thing on the list," Angie said as she looked at the list Vulcan gave her. "Are we done here?" Angie asked as she looked at Vulcan.

"Almost - I have to stop and speak to the Duke first." Vulcan said.

"The Duke?" Angie asked.

"What business do you have with him?" Donna questioned.

"Just a few things like new items and recipes. He gets around so there's always something of interest." Vulcan explained as they got closer to the Duke's Carriage. Donna let go of his hand before they got too close and Angie floated to Donna.

"We'll wait here - it's must be a personal business." Donna said as she and Angie went a good distance away.

"Ah, Mr. Vulcan. It's been a while, my friend." The Duke smiled as Vulcan reached closer to his cart.

"Indeed it has been, Duke. How has business been?" Vulcan asked.

"Business is as business does. Where there is coin to be made - I shall be there to collect." Duke looked at Donna and Angie before smiling at Vulcan again. "I see you managed to reunite with them. That is good. Have you told her about your feelings yet or your...condition?" Duke asked in a curious voice.

"No, I haven't to both questions. I love Donna, Duke; more than anything but I don't know how she will react to a childhood friend who just returned to confess he's loved her for years. As for my condition - I don't know how they will take to it." Vulcan looked down at his hands.

"That's understandable, Lad, but understand that Lady Beneviento has sparkle for you as well. I saw how Miss Angie was riding on your shoulder before you come here; that is the ultimate sign of trust. Now - what did you need?" Duke said.

The two of them talked for a while before The Duke gave Vulcan what he wanted and Vulcan paid before wishing the man a farewell and walked back to Donna and Angie only to see them talking to the very tall woman from before - Lady Alcina Dimitrescu was her name if he recalled correctly. Beside her were 3 girls - one with blonde hair, one with brown, and the other with red hair; all dressed in black dress-like cloaks, blood smeared on their faces and strange markings on their foreheads.

"Speaking of which, Donna - whatever happened to that... male... that Mother Miranda gave you?" Lady Dimitrescu said with a flick of her wrist.

"His name is Vulcan, Alcina, and he is talking with the Duke for business," Donna said.

"And you left him on his own? Pity - if it were me, I would have him collared and leashed to make sure he was with me at all times. From what Heisenberg told us, that male would have been perfect to continue the Dimitrescu Bloodline." Alcina smirked.

"Well - she didn't give him to you because he was meant to be in House Beneviento. He's been looking for Donna and I for years." Angie snarled at Alcina - clearly angry at the tall woman.

"Silence, Little Puppet, Lords are talking." Alcina said. Before Donna could open her mouth, another voice chimed in.

"She's a doll - not a puppet, please get it right, Lady Dimitrescu." Vulcan said as he walked over, carrying all his items.

"Vulcan, are you done with everything?" Donna asked as she walked over to him, Angie floating back to his shoulder to take her place there.

"Yes, My Lady. I think tonight's dinner will be better than the last." Vulcan said with a smile.

"I don't know, Vulcan; it might be hard to beat your Blood Steak dinner." Donna said with a smile.

"Blood Steak?" Alcina asked as she watched Vulcan offer his arm for Donna to take - which she did.

"It's not real blood - the sauce is so red that it looks like blood so I just started calling it that." Vulcan explained.

"Smart, Can cook, Can easily make a weakling out of Heisenberg... this is everything I want a partner." Alcina said as she looked into Vulcan's eyes. "Tell me - would you be interested in joining me in Castle Dimitrescu? You'd have more luxury than with my little sister and I can give you more pay." Alcina smiled at him but what he said made her eyes wide.

"You could offer me the world and I would never turn away from Donna and Angie - they are my world." Vulcan turned his back to Alcina and her daughters before walking away with his girls; leaving the castle keeper frozen at the rejection.

"That was so cool, Vulcan! You made her freeze up!" Angie cheered as they all walked home.

"I meant every word of it - you both mean everything to me and I would never turn my gaze away from you for anything." Vulcan repeated - he felt Donna's hand tightened around his and could feel Angie snuggling into the curve of his neck as if she was resting. The 3 of them walked through the trail of the misty forest with peace in their minds - like one happy family.

'Like the family I always wanted.' Donna and Vulcan thought.

[the-broken-truth]

The Strings That Bind Us ~ Servant of House Beneviento

Summary: Vulcan becomes The Servant of House Beneviento. How will he do?

Pairing: Donna Beneviento x Male OC (Vulcan)

[A Few Hours From Sundown]

"And this will be your room." The small puppet said as she pushed open a door that revealed a room. One full-sized bed against the same wall that the door resided in but was placed in the center of the wall. The bed was downed in a blanket with dark grey and blue color schemes with two pillows at the head of the bed in grey pillowcases. Underneath the bed was a decent-sized grey rug that complimented the grey tile floor. On either side of the bed were dark grey hardwood nightstands - the left of which had a lamp and a small alarm clock. Across from the bed - on the other side of the room - was a study workstation with a chair, the dresser was tucked away in the corner, and the main closet was sitting on the adjacent wall of the dresser.

Vulcan walked into the room after Angie stepped away and looked around with a smile on his face, he left his cloak in the entrance hallway where the coatrack was located; revealing the black shirt and jeans he was wearing, along with his black boots and belt - the belt contained two sheathes that held his daggers. Lord Heisenberg wanted so badly to keep them because - in his own words - he was a house servant and house servants are not allowed to keep personal weapons, but Vulcan explained that he crafted those weapons and he was not just going to be one of those house servants that remained at home all the time - he intended to go out and do what he could for his House Mistress and he would need his daggers in case he ran into any...problems. Mother Miranda knew that Vulcan would cause no threat to Donna and demanded Heisenberg return the daggers to their master; which he reluctantly did. After which, Miranda dismissed the meeting and the other lords returned to their lands.

"I'm guessing the room is to your liking?" Angie asked as she levitated to reach Vulcan's eye level. The tall man looked at the possessed doll with a smile.

"It's perfect for me. Thanks for asking, Angie." Vulcan said as he placed his travel back - something else Heisenberg took from him and tried to keep because of the leather and design - against one of the nightstands.

"You're a strange one, ya know? Any sane person who saw a living doll would have run away, screaming for the hills." Angie said with a tilt of her massive head. Vulcan chuckled at those words.

"I may not be a 'sane person' then. Besides, I've spent years looking for you two; there was no way I was going to run away after finding you again." Vulcan said before his gaze turned to the outfit on the bed. "Is this going to be my work outfit?" Vulcan said as he walked over to it.

"Yes. Donna never really expected to have a house servant but just in case she did - she had two outfits said, one for each gender." Angie explained.

"I'm grateful," Vulcan said as he reached out to the suit's upper, his fingers lightly grazing against the House's Crest - The Sun and the Moon. "Angie, do you know what time Donna usually takes her dinner?" Vulcan said, looking back to the doll.

"In an hour or two, I wouldn't try to make too much; it all kinda tastes the same to her." Angie explained.

"What do you mean?" Vulcan asked.

"All the food is just...bland; you know, kinda tasteless but very filling for her." Angie said.

"Oh - don't worry about that. I didn't survive as long as I did on bland food and I refuse to let my mistress eat another bland meal." Vulcan said with a smirk.

"What are you planning to do, Vulcan?" Angie said with a tilt of her head.

"Oh, that would ruin the surprise but I know that she will like it. I need to get to work and you'll know when I'm done with dinner." Vulcan said as he turned back to look at his uniform.

Angie tilted her head again before she left the room, closing the door behind her. Vulcan looked at the black uniform with a smile before he placed the shirt back on the bed and began to undress.

[After Vulcan Got Dressed]

Vulcan looked in the tall mirror with pride in his new uniform - the Beneviento Family Chest proudly resting over his heart. He left his room and walked down the hall, down the stairs until he reached the ground floor; from the tour of the house given by Angie - Vulcan found the kitchen.

The Amber-Eyed Man looked around - there were a few things out of place but that was no challenge. He opened the cabinets and fridge and looked around - there were a few assortments of meats and some grains.

'I can make meat with a bread...Hm...but I need something else to add to it. Does she have any kind of veggie here?' Vulcan wondered as he continued to look around and got lucky when he found some potatoes in a sack. 'Perfect.' The red-haired man smirked as he placed all the items - except for the meat - on a clear table and got cleaning: he washed the few dishes that rested in the sink, swept the floor, wiped down the table and counters, placed any kind of box that wasn't supposed to be out in the open and placed them in a lone closet - that he had the cleanout of cobwebs and dust. Once the kitchen was clean - he jogged back to his room and opened his backpack; digging inside until he found the small wooden box he was looking for and walked back downstairs.

[Around Half An Hour Later]

Donna and Angie were talking in Donna's room - the veiled woman sat on her bed with her hands in her lap as Angie stood on the bed at her creator's right side.

"Mom, you don't have to be so nervous." Angie said as she tried to cheer her mother up.

"It's hard not to be, Angie. I hadn't seen him in years and suddenly he shows up here - he's been looking for you and me for...goodness knows how long and..." She paused for a moment as she wrapped her arms around herself - mimicking Vulcan's hug, still feeling his warmth in her bones. "The way he hugged me - not even Mother Miranda held me like that when she adopted me. It was so...comforting." Donna said in a low voice.

"I'm curious - just what is he to you, Mom?" Angie asked with a head tilt.

"Vulcan...He was the only real person who cared for me, even with the scar. He would stand by my side when others would badmouth or turn away from me; he would hold my hand to keep me grounded when I thought I was going to slip in a sobbing fit. When I introduced him to you - he was just as interested in you as I was. We were like...our own little family." Angie could hear the smile on her mother's lips.

"You loved him, didn't you?" Angie asked.

"Yes, I did." Donna said.

"Do you still love him?" Angie asked.

"I...I believe that I do but it's been so long - I never knew if he felt the same for me and I don't know if he thinks of me as a possible partner for him. I know he cared to me but..." Donna stopped in midsentence when a heavenly scent hit her nose. "Do you smell that?" Donna asked as she rose to her feet and began following the smell.

Donna and Angie followed the smell down the stairs but the longer they descended - they noticed just how clean the house began to look: pictures were dusted and wiped down, the floors appeared to be swept, mopped, and polished, there was even a pleasant smell of pine. When they made it to the ground flood - they entered the dining room and saw the table was...decorated? There was a long black tablecloth on the rectangular table with a candle holder in the center of the table - 3 candles were lit with their flames dancing to their slow beats. On the ends of the table - there were plate mats; when...when did have time to do all this? Where did he get all these items from? Donna and Angie continued to ponder until the kitchen door opened - letting the heavenly smell flood the room - as Vulcan walked out with a serving platter held by his right hand and bottle of wine in his left hand, tucked under his arm.

"Oh, Lady Beneviento and Lady Angie, I was just about to get you both for dinner." Vulcan said as he placed the serving tray, covered by a silver lip, in the center of the table before then retreated to the kitchen and returned with 2 glasses and walked over to Donna. "Please, allow me, Lady Beneviento." Vulcan said as he grabbed Donna's chair and pulled it out, waiting for Donna to sit with a smile on his face. When Donna sat in the chair, he pushed it in for her before walking over to her right and pulled out another chair for Angie; the puppet giggled before taking a seat and was pushed in behind her mother.

"Did...Did you do all of this yourself, Vulcan?" Donna asked in a low voice.

"Of course, Lady Beneviento, as the servant of House Beneviento, I must ensure my ladies and house are taken care of." Vulcan said with a smile of pride - he was happy being the servant of House Beneviento?

"We smelled something incredible on our way down here; just what were you doing in the kitchen?" Angie asked.

"I was prepared dinner for Lady Beneviento. During my travels, I came into some very interesting spices and I did jobs to make sure I had the funds to purchase spices and recipes that I thought Lady Beneviento would love. I would like to think I did this once justice but I would love my lady to tell me if I did." Vulcan said as he moved over to the tray and lifted the tray cover off the food, revealing the tinder-looking steak with toppings of garlic and herbs on top of it with some kind of sauce, a side of mashed potatoes with butter - a touch of pepper with gravy on top, and two bread buns. The smell was enough to get Donna's mouth watering and Angie's - if she had organs to eat.

Vulcan lifted one of the plates and walked over to Donna before setting it down on the plate mat before her; her utensils already on the mat, ready for use. Placing the bottle on the table, he got one of the two glasses he retrieved from the kitchen and placed it near Donna on the mat before opening the bottle of grape wine and poured a good amount for his lady to enjoy with her food. He got his plate and went to his seat before he pours himself a bottle of wine and looked at Donna with a smile.

"Please, tell me what you think, Lady Beneviento." Vulcan's eyes shined with the hopefulness that she would love it. Donna lifted her knife and fork, stabbed the steak with the fork before severing the part she stabbed with her knife. She lifted the meat to her lips, making sure to move her veil as to not touch the meat with the cloth; she took her first bite before she let out a moan of pleasure (NOT THAT KIND, YA NASTIES!).

"This...This is delicious, Vulcan." Donna said as she moved to eat more.

"I'm glad you like it, Lady Beneviento. I have lots of recipes I'm sure you'll love." Vulcan said with a wide toothy smile.

"Enough. When we are here - in House Beneviento - or when I permit you, you are to call me Donna. None of that 'Lady Beneviento' business." Donna said - if her veil was off, Vulcan would have been able to see the light blush on her face.

"As you wish...Donna." Vulcan smiled again before he began to eat his food.

[End]

[the-broken-truth]

The Strings That Bind Us ~ The Reunion

Summary: A Male Foreigner is found and captured on the outskirts of the village & brought before Mother Miranda & The Four House Lords. Upon waking - the male comes face to face with Angie - Donna's Living Puppet - and instantly recognizes her before calling out for Donna herself. Just who is this male and who does he know Donna?

Pairing: Donna Beneviento x Male OC (Vulcan)

[Unknown Place - Unknown Time]

He didn't remember where he was. He doesn't remember how he got here. All he does remember was that he traveled to Romania to search for something precious that he lost years ago. He happened to stumble upon a rather destroyed-looking village that basked in the shadow of an enormous castle; the village itself looked as if its residents all rose at once and abandoned it and all their possessions.

The man walked through the frozen dirt streets of the village with a black, hooded cloak upon his shoulders & the hood upon his head; revealing only his chin and his mouth to the elements - occasionally, his breath with leave his lips and freeze in the cold winter air. He continued to walk around until he stood in the middle of a multi-crossroads, unsure of which way to go. He stood still until he lifted his right hand - revealing a ring on his finger but this ring was different.

The ring was not made of gold or silver - nor was it made of titanium or brass - this ring was more fragile than that for the ring was made of porcelain. Its smooth white surface shined even in the low sunlight. He brought the ring to his lips and kissed the cold surface of it as he tried to keep himself from crying as the memories came back.

'I'll find you and I promise I'm going to protect you - both of you.'

His thoughts were interrupted by the sounds of twigs breaking and snarling - he looked around and saw a creature unlike anything he ever saw before - it was humanoid but its skin was grey, it has a mouth full of sharp teeth, and it the noises it made - it was almost wolf-like. He wanted it to say it was a Lycan but it looked nothing like what a Lycan would look like. There were more and more snarls - he looked to see he was now surrounded by these Lycan Rejects. That's when his 'Fight or Flight' instincts kicked in but he's never been one to flee - he never ran from a fight when he sensed something he cared about was in danger. His ring was in danger of being shattered if those things got a hold of him and he would be damned if he let anything shatter his ring. He reached behind his back - under his cloak - with both hands and withdrew two daggers with black blades and silver handles.

"Bring it." He snarled as he dashed into the line of creatures and began to slaughter them left and right until they all laid dead at his feet and his blades were soaked in blood - still dripping from the curve.

"Well - that was an interesting show to watch. I didn't think you could slaughter my lycans with knives like that and still be standing. You're strong as hell, my friend." A voice called out from behind him. He turned to see a tall man wearing a hat with a green coat - he had grey hair that was complete with a beard and circle glasses. He held a massive hammer constructed out of gears and other metals - speaking of metals, the metal that surrounded him on the ground began to levitate around him with each step he took. The stranger took a puff of the cigar he was smoking.

"You call those 'Lycans'? Please, don't make me laugh. Also - who the hell are you?" The cloaked man asked.

"Oh - you're not a local! That's even better." The hammer-wielder smiled as he pointed at the cloaked man - sending a pole flying at him at high speeds until it stabbed through his cloak and into his shoulder, making him grunt and drop one of his daggers; which then got pulled into the strange man's magnetic field.

"Mother Miranda's gonna love you." The man smirked as more metal began to encompassing the cloaked man, trapping him in a metal cocoon of some kind. Before the metal fully took him, his armed hand covered the ring to prevent it from facing the impact of the metal. Soon - began to slip into unconsciousness.

[Unknown Amount Of Time Later]

"I'm telling you - this bastard slaughter my entire squad with these daggers." A familiar voice called out.

"Well - it's obvious your little 'game' would be more of a 'hunting game' to him. I think I can find a better use for him." An elegant feminine voice called out as a response.

"Oh, and what use is that? Using him to make the next brood for your bloodline? Please - he's a hunter so he goes with other hunters and if it takes to him better then he can be the alpha I was looking for." The familiar voice said again.

The unconscious man began to stir awake & opened his eyes to see...wait...It couldn't be her. The familiar large head and thin body with thin limbs, downed in a wedding dress-like attire complete with a veil. He looked at the doll - not in familiar - but astonishment and...was that hope that she saw in his eyes.

"He's awake!" The doll called out as she looked at the other people in the room.

To the left, seated in a chair - a rather tall woman dressed in the look of a royal lady. If he was to guess, she was the owner of the large castle he saw when he first come here.

Across from her was the man who trapped him - his hammer resting by his legs as he saw on a pue of some kind.

To the left of him, more tucked away in the shadows was a small figure, cloaked in fabrics as if to hide his appearance.

Across from him, seating in a chair was a figure downed in black attire, wearing a dark veil over their head, the only part of their body was their hands - by the look of those hands, that person was female.

'I've seen those hands before.' More hope filled his heart.

In the center of it all was a woman - she must have been the leader of it all.

They were talking about something - but the man couldn't care less, when he saw the doll walk away he hurried to his knees but couldn't get all the way up because of the binds but he could use his voice.

"W...Wait...Angie...Angie, is that you?" The man asked.

This caused everyone to stop talking and looked in his direction - including the doll, who was completely confused.

"How do you know my name? Have we met before?" Angie asked as she slowly moved closer to the bound male, who shook the hood off his head to reveal his looks.

His skin was tan but it was a bit paler due to being in the snow for so long. He had short black hair that was wild and free, his eyes...they were amber - burning bright with an unknown emotion.

"Yes, we have; decades ago but you were...alive like this..." His eyes widened as he began looking around. "If you're here then...Donna? Is Donna here too?! Donna?!" He began calling out - almost like a worried spouse looking for their other half.

Everyone looked at the man before looking at the veiled figure sitting to the left of the leader.

"Do you know him, Donna Dear?" the raven-masked woman spoke.

The man's breath caught as he heard her words and looked at the veiled figure who rose from her seat; Angie ran back to her and stood by her side, clenching her dress in her hands like a child holding their mother.

"Donna..." The man spoke softly - tears began to build in his eyes as he tried to rise to his feet - only to be stopped by the binds and cuffs that kept him down. He glared at the restraints and began pulling on them.

"Good luck with that. You're cuffed up ti-"

*CLANK!*

Everyone's eyes widened as the binds holding the captive were shattered, allowing him to stand at his full height.

The Hammer-Wielder jumped to his feet and summoned his hammer to his left hand as if he was getting ready to strike him but the man didn't care - he kept his eyes on Donna, who looked in his direction.

"Donna...I...I found you. After all this time, I finally found you." The man's voice cracked as he spoke with tears in his eyes and a smile on his face.

"Just who are you? How do you know us?" Angie spoke from her place. The man smiled at the doll.

"It's been decades, Angie. It's only natural you don't remember me...after all - you weren't as alive as you are now when we met. My name is Vulcan and I've been searching for you and Donna since the day you guys disappeared." The man - Vulcan - smiled at Donna, who still said nothing, and slowly raised his hand - revealing the porcelain ring on his finger; Donna and Angie gasped at the sight of it.

"I kept it, Donna. I kept this ring just as I kept my promise." Vulcan slowly staggered towards Donna and Angie - completely ignoring the looks the Noble Lady and the Hammer-Wielder were giving him. He took the single step in his way and was now standing before them. He blinked - letting the tears fall from his eyes as he reached out and took Donna in his arms; hugging her as he rested the tip of his nose on her head.

"I'm here, Donna...I won't leave you, I promise." Vulcan sobbed.

Donna - who was silent for the most part - slowly reached her hands up and returned to hug as she clenched his cloak as if he would disappear - as if this was all a dream.

"Vulcan." She spoke as she nuzzled her head into his broad chest with a weak sob of her own.

[End]