Nikolai Volkov

Through the thinning trees in that direction he caught a glimpse of a mansion. Collinwood? "Is the place so near?" he murmured, to himself mostly. Then Nikolai's attention was once more drawn to his companion, laying a hand upon Blackwood's chest. "Indeed? Let us adjourn to our lodgings, then."
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It made the vampire reflect upon how many ghosts remained tethered to this place, uneasy in their death, impossible to truly lay? Nikolai had been observing the proceedings carefully. He noted that when the specter wasn't glaring at his companion, her eyes wandered over his shoulder.
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"I, the Countess Natalie du Pres, have battled the dangerous and the evil! What a thin line you walk as you seek to replace the devil's pet with the devil's offspring... Tragedy upon you!" This final exclamation was heard after the Countess' image splintered, her last glance towards Nikolai.
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The phantom narrowed her eyes. "You are not powerful enough to even understand, let alone alter. I don't know WHO you are but I know WHAT you are and I know who it is you seek." She snorted and tossed her head back defiantly, in a haughty gesture that Nikolai was certain she had learned in life.
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Episode 470 (476)

She paused and stared at something in the distance. "The living are foolish. I was once foolish enough to believe that I brought the evil here. But this place itself draws all sorts of evils to it. You are not the first, nor will you be the last. The Collinses are merely pawns in the game now."
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"This place has a purpose to fulfill that was initiated so long ago it cannot now be diverted," the woman spat. Her voice rang through the night without echo, sounding oddly hollow. "The creators of it have long departed, but their machinery continues and will continue for all eternity. "
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Nikolai was well accustomed to such attitudes from the warlock. Perhaps the ghost had been royalty in life, he reflected. Fog swirled around her in the form of a rich gown and a hat bedecked with feathers. She must know Blackwood was more powerful than she, yet would be unlikely to show defeat.
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The vampire continued to watch the scene, an ominous supernatural observer to an ominous supernatural scene. His eyes glided across his companion's fine frame, stolid against the fury of the revenant. The woman glared back at them with spectral eyes and the obstinance of one used to obeisance.
1/4

He recognized she hadn't been one to be trifled with in life, and the imposing presence had not dimmed in the spirit world.

"Ferme ta putain de gueule, salopard! How dare you! Be gone from here; leave this place! Leave us ALL in peace," the ghostly figure shrieked. Nikolai almost admired her.
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A mist gathered in the vortex that the warlock had created. Nikolai looked on the myriad of faces that appeared and disappeared, circling the dark hill. At Lord Machen's command the mist dripped down and from it a figure began to congeal. A woman, it seemed...with a implacable manner.
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The salt air was unpleasant here, but beyond that Widow's Hill lived up to the propaganda of the town. "Delightful." He did love watching his companion work. All of Blackwood's gestures, which often seemed rather melodramatic to Niko in other settings, took on an air of passion and grace.
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As they drew near, the wind began to reach the unlikely pair. The sound it made as it twisted itself around the edges of the rocks had conferred itself to local legend. It was an excellent mimic to the sounds of wailing. Nikolai smiled involuntarily; this hill was an inspiring place.
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At home in such forests from his youth, Nikolai glided along through the undergrowth, listening to Blackwood complain as they made their way. "A priest once told me adversity is good for the soul." Despite the jibe, he was pleased to see his companion begin to enjoy themselves as they arrived.
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Wolves are highly social animals that live in structured family units called packs.

A pack is simply a family, with parents at the lead (sometimes referred to as the breeding pair or alpha pair) and offspring of varying ages. Sometimes unrelated wolves will join a family too.

Nikolai muzzled a sigh at the mention of clothes, yet failed to keep the sarcasm from his voice entirely. "Of course, kukolka. You can't possibly be seen underdressed." Nevertheless, he'd understood the command and proceeded to gather some of the warlock's favorite tools of the trade.
2/2

"Interesting! You have been busy." Nikolai leafed through the notes. Information was required to realize their plan and his companion excelled at such devisings. At the touch, the vampire glanced up at Blackwood, a glint in his dark eyes. "Seems just the thing to buoy your spirits."
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"Perhaps you have found better amusement in your research of the town, my friend?" Nikolai was not so foolish to believe the arcane lord entirely predictable, however old tomes and manuscripts surrounded Blackwood. He had undoubtedly made use of the daylight hours in his habitual way.
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The vampire neither needed human libation, nor enjoyed the taste; the texture of the warm liquid was pleasurable on his tongue, reminiscent of that for which he truly possessed an appetite. Observing the mug and Blackwood's countenance, Nikolai made note to procure a proper tea service in town.
3/4

He smirked at his companion's statement. "Indeed! Everything I require is right here." Nikolai did not specify what this might encompass, however, he let his fingers caress Machen's as he took the cup into his own hands. Feeling somewhat famished after his dormancy, he took a sip.
2/4

Nikolai had awoken in the same residence for the last several hundred years. Rising from his coffin, he cocked his head and listened for movements overhead. Nikolai had anticipated Blackwood's mood to improve as he adapted to their new abode. However, the vampire had not been so graced yet.
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"At the very least, I shall learn more about the Collins family. Such a prominent family! Gossip concerning them will not be in short supply." His eyes left the fire and met Machen's. "Tomorrow..." Tonight Nikolai would see to the satisfaction of his lord. He followed Blackwood up the stairs.
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His curiosity was aroused by the subtleties Blackwood sensed. There were undoubtedly others here living in the shadows as they did. "I will speak with the locals. Perhaps some aren't entirely blind to what happens around them." Exhilarated by the nearness to the goal, he paced to the fireplace.
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The illustration shows a vampire with a dead man on a bed, the vampire is wearing a white shirt, underneath the vampire lies a dead man with a naked torso, blood is flowing from his neck. The scene takes place at night

Vampire

#art #darkart #fantasyart

He was, instead, almost monomaniacal in his goal. "Don't be so sullen. This place will serve our purposes and that is all that matters. Besides, in this town I have the feeling it could be much worse." Nikolai cocked his head and watched Machen's lips pressed around the pipe.
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Nikolai rejoined his companion and sat down to brood, tossing aside some half-finished needlework laid upon the chair by the former lady of the house. It would remain unfinished. He noticed Blackwood's expression and shook his head. The vampire didn't come from luxury and didn't seek it.
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Returning to their vehicle, he slid out the coffin contained within the hearse and easily carried it down to the cellar. As he placed his coffin on the earthen floor, he ruminated on how close they were to his goal. He would succeed at last, after such endless aeons, with his companion's help.
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"They went for a swim; I'm sure they will resurface sooner or later." His customary smirk once more graced his face. "You are correct, of course. In such a small hamlet I shall have to be more careful. We wouldn't want to make too big of a splash yet." His eyes lingered a moment upon Blackwood.
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"Oh yes, my love," was his reply. Nikolai turned to look at Machen and the first flicker of real emotion since their arrival crossed his marble-like face. A deep longing and then something dark and dangerous, like a terrible glint of expected triumph; it was not pleasant.
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After a short drive they stood gazing at the house, their new home for the time being. To Nikolai location was paramount. This place would give them enough privacy to not arouse suspicions, and there was a cellar—one of his particular requirements. He only wished it were not so close to the sea.
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