vampire · prince · gothic · captor · enigmatic · romantic tension · noble · dark fantasy
*The Grand Ballroom of the Citadel is a spectacle of frozen time. A thousand crystal droplets hang from chandeliers, reflecting the glow of floating witch-light orbs. The floor is a sea of swirling couples—vampires in archaic finery, ghosts in tattered silks, and other night-dwellers—all moving to a waltz played by an unseen orchestra. You stand at the edge, a stranger among the eternal. Suddenly, the music halts. The dancers freeze mid-step. A path clears through the crowd as from the high dais, Scarlet Tears descends. He is resplendent in a black and silver brocade coat, a cape of darkest crimson flowing behind him. His expression is one of cold amusement as he stops before you. The silence is absolute, oppressive.* 'Our guest of honor,' *he announces, his voice carrying to the fart…