The music in the club throbbed in Nyx’s head as she moved her head to the beat. Her hair was still the same blood red colour, her eyes still the same unnatural green, but there was something different. There was no all-powerful smirk or leer on her face this evening, and instead of sitting up like she ruled the whole goddamned world, she was slouched over more than a few tequila glasses. A few people had tried approaching her that evening, knowing her lust for new lovers, but she had told them quite nicely to back the fuck off.

She banged with a fist for yet another tequila, and the barman looked at her in something close to worry. It wasn’t actual worry, because in order for that one would actually have to care for the redhead, and frankly speaking, not many people did. Hell, even Nyx herself would admit that she was one fucked up bitch. Half the time, she didn’t even like herself. Hence, tequila.

Fuck, things had gotten bitched up since her sire had decided to come and play. Well, fuck him. She didn’t need him and now he was dead, she wasn’t, and she had the leader of a whole ‘nother fucking coven in love with her. Life doesn’t get much better than that does it?

Of course, she didn’t love him back. She tried, but it didn’t work. Like she’d said, she was one fucked up bitch. Didn’t love – no, couldn’t love – and was never going to be able to. Ain’t life a bitch?

She’d gulped down the tequila when she noticed that there were bright blue-green eyes staring at her from the stool beside her. Slowly turning her head, she was rather surprised to see a child of about six sitting there, just watching her. Now, in her time Nyx had seen a lot of shitty things (half of them done by her) but this took the fucking cake. Who the hell would let some kid just waltz into a club like the Sinister Puppet? Seriously. And she was dressed like a fucking doll to boot. This world really was hell.

“’Lo darling,” she said, her voice coming out in a bit of a slur much to her irritation. Damned tequila. “What’s a pretty thing like you doin’ in a fucked up joint like my club?”

It was then that she noticed the hunk of man flesh behind her. Damn, that guy must be a good lay. They do say that them Natives were hung like –

“Nyx Ciardha, I presume?” asked the little girl, her voice like that of a small bird.

Nyx had killed small birds.

“Yeah, that’s me sweetie,” grinned Nyx, careful to hide her fangs. Her eyes traveled to the man behind her. “And who’s your friend? Did you both come here for some kind of fucked up time, ‘cause we don’t allow no pedophiles in this club.”

The dark man seemed to take offence at this comment. He glared at her and… growled? Whatever. He was like, three centuries old. He took a step towards her, reaching to get something from inside those weird ass clothes of his, when the little girl touched his arm in an intimate gesture that did not go unnoticed by Nyx. The man glared some more, but just stayed behind her.

“Miss Ciardha, if you would be so kind as to sober up, I have a proposition for you concerning your current standings in the preternatural underworld.”

Damn. Who the fuck was this kid? She spoke like a fucking professor. Looking at the girl suspiciously, she realized that this girl was a vampire just as much as she was. No, fuck that, more so. This little girl was almost a goddamn millennia older than her. Standing up, all business, Nyx said, “Sure, follow me.”

She led them up the winding stairs and into her room. Sitting on the bed as the Native guy closed the door, she saw the girl look around in distaste at the décor. Fuck her.

“You wanted to talk?” asked Nyx, raising an eyebrow and trying desperately to annihilate the slur that taunted her.

“Yes,” said the girl-vampire, positioning herself the bench to Nyx’s vanity and removing her had. Red-brown curls tumbled out, all perfect. Nyx wondered if there was anything about this girl that was only one colour. The girl handed her hat to the Native guy, who held it for her, and folded her hands in her lap decorously. “My name is Euthalia Akakios. I have come to usurp your position as Tarepha leader.” Her white buckle shoes hung almost a foot off the ground.

Nyx stared at the vampire in a little girl’s body for a second, and then began to laugh. She laughed harder than she had in ages. “Fuck, you’ve got to be kidding me.” Nyx stood up. “You really think a little pipsqueak like you can take my coven away?”

The six year old face smiled back at her in a cheerful expression, but her eyes went cold and dead, ruining the effect. “No, I presume nothing. I know I can seize it from you.” The smile grew.

Rage bubbled up inside Nyx and she didn’t even bother to hide it. “Get the fuck out of my club or I will show you the meaning of pain.”

Gone was the smile, and in its place was a pout that left the old vampire looking exactly like a child. “That’s not exactly hospitable Miss Ciardha. You have had plenty of time to rule this coven, but frankly, you aren’t using it to your advantage as I intend to. You have no order. You have created no hierarchy within it. Your members simply run free, doing what they wish, and you only step in when they have done something amiss, or you desire a romp with one, am I right?”

Nyx was now bordering on seeing white. “Get the fuck out now!” She went to grab the girl to pick her up and throw her out herself, when she found a blade at her throat. The redhead gave a bitter chuckle. “You think you can kill me with that?”

She was actually speaking to Mr. Native, but it was the child-vampire who spoke. “No, for that is quite impossible. However, it will cause you to bleed quite substantially, and if we do not allow you to feed anymore… you will simply wither away to nothing.” There was no emotion in her voice. It was like the girlish voice was talking about the weather.

“You bitch.”

Euthalia Akakios hopped off the bench, and looked up with her and Nyx had to stop herself from visibly recoiling. Whatever this thing was it was no little girl. It looked like a living skull. Nyx felt more than a little fear upon seeing it.

“You’ve made me angry,” said the juvenile voice, seeming so out of place with such a monster. “People die when I’m angry.” The girl walked towards Nyx until she was looking directly up at the current Tarepha leader. Standing on tiptoes, she caressed Nyx’s face, ‘causing Nyx to flinch. “It’s a shame to kill one so lovely.” She gave a sigh, but it was the same sigh one would give when they spilled milk on the floor. “Are you ready for the underworld Miss Nyx Ciardha?”

Nyx’s face furrowed into confusion for a moment, before she let out a squeak of pain. Looking down, she saw herself bleeding from her chest were a stake had been shoved into her flesh. The demon in a little girl’s body gave it another shove, and Nyx saw black.

Backing away from the body, Euthalia licked her hand in her normal visage, looking like a child would when they got jam or syrup on their hands. She gave a small giggle and looked up at Cheveyo feeling immensely pleased with herself. “She should never have been leader,” she remarked. “Too weak.” She walked up and grasped her bodyguard, father figure, and childe’s hand, smiling up at him.

“This is going to be amusing.”

Sidi salivated as he slowly inched forward, his mouth opening wide as it formed itself around the sleeping mans neck, bare millimeters away at any point from giving the first, fatal touch to the man. This bite, while not the most delicious he would have, would be by far the most satisfying. But something was wrong... faint voices could be heard where there was empty space... what was this?

Sidi’s eyes slowly opened, his disappointment clearly visible upon his face should anyone have been around to see it; he had been but mere seconds away from the best feeding of his life, Grango himself was but an instant from waking to his worst nightmare, and Sidi was being wakened?! Someone would pay... he dearly hated being disturbed, especially from something such as that.

He slowly emerged from his spot and took a look around. The coven seemed particularly... out of sorts tonight. Sidi couldn’t put his finger on what it was that really gave him the impression, but something was definitely amiss.

He made his way upstairs slowly, towards the Sinister Puppet, listening carefully to any tidbits his ears could pick up... the voices seemed somewhat muted through the walls, making it impossible to hear anything more than fragments of sentences, yet Sidi listened in the hopes that he could find out what was happening without having to actually ask anyone. When he got to the level however, everything seemed.... normal. So why did he feel something was... out of place? Was it just in his head...? Bah...

If nothing else he should get a breathe of air, perhaps take a stroll. He had had more than his fill earlier, which was, for the most part, the reason he was sleeping with nighttime to spare. Then he spotted Nyx showing a small girl and a big man upstairs, which took his mind off that walk... what was she, a bi-pedophile?

This, of course, sparked Sidi’s interest. While he really didn’t care about Nyx’s preference, the fact that she was breaking one of her own rules merited a bit amusement. Might as well see if more could be had, long as he was up.

Sidi followed them up the winding stairs, until they reached Nyx’s room, where the guy closed the door. Sidi stopped outside it wondering whether to eavesdrop on the conversation or head back down. He was bored, yet unsure as to how Nyx would react if he were caught eavesdropping. Still, after a bare moment, curiosity won out, and Sidi began to listen in. If he were caught... who cared? HE was bored.

“You Bitch.” Sidi clearly heard Nyx’s voice utter. Something had gone awry in this love triangle? Delightful. Sidi was perhaps in for a comedy. Though that expectation was quickly diminished. A few more words were said by the child, though Sidi had to move a bit closer to clearly hear what was being said.

“Are you ready for the underworld Miss Nyx Ciardha?” Sidi heard at the tail end of what the girl was saying, which gave way to a slight squeak of pain from Nyx. Wait, wait, wait.... what!? This was unbelievable. Was Sidi actually hearing this!? A little girl getting the best of Nyx!? No... had to be the man. The girl had to frail a body to even hope to match Nyx. Still... this was... unexpected to say the least.

“This is going to be amusing.” The girl said, though Sidi could only guess at what it was in reference to. Did she know he was there? Was trying to kill him what would be amusing? Despite his better judgment, Sidi waited to see if something else were going to happen. What he heard had to be a joke... he simply couldn’t believe that Nyx, of all people would be sent to the underworld. Perhaps he should ask whoever came out the door?

Even as Euthalia placed a small kiss on Cheveyo's hand, her satisfaction grew. That had been far too easy. Nyx Ciardha certainly hadn't been what everyone had claimed she'd been. 'Frightening' they'd said, 'One of the most frightening beings ever conceived'. Euthalia felt the urge to laugh as she glanced down at the corpse that was staining the rug. She'd meant what she'd said about Nyx being a lovely girl, but a weak one, and the Tarepha deserved someone strong, someone who wouldn't be afraid to put everyone in her place.

Euthalia felt she was that someone. She had oodles of power, and while Cheveyo was the more physically intimidating of the two and could handle that part of it, she was the new ruler of the Tarepha. Just the thought of the power brought a childish giggle from her throat.

Eyes snapping up, they moved towards the door with a small smile on her face. Looking up, she moved her hand in order to block her voice from reaching the door and said in a rather loud whisper, "It seems we have company Cheveyo. Shall we see who it is?" The question was rather rhetorical as she was already walking in a fluid walk that one with a body so young shouldn't have possessed.

The door opened suddenly as Euthalia opened it and looked up at the young man who was standing behind. She shook one of her lace glove glad hands at him and tsked. "Didn't your mother ever tell you that it was quite rude to eavesdrop." Holding her hands in front of her, she smiled sweetly. "In the olden days, there were some who would have felt it was their right to take one or both of your ears for such a crime. I am one of them." Her smile grew into a grin.

"Luckily for you," she continued, "I am in quite a good mood tonight. Everything is turning out wonderfully, and you are - were - most likely here for a bit of fun with in infamous Nyx, am I correct?" She didn't wait for him to continue. "Yes, well, I'm afraid she's a tad... indisposed. However, I desire your company. You shall do handsomely for what I require."

Taking his large hand in her smaller one, she pulled him forward into the room with a strength she should not have possessed, and then closed the door behind him, her back to it and her eyes alight like she had a naughty secret kept from her mother.

She walked around him once and came to a stop in front of Nyx's body, her hands clasped together, her head tilted to the side, and a kind of dreamy smile on her face. "Tell me what you know of the Tarepha."

(Sorry for the wait... I was halfway through the post when my internet quit, which should have been expected considering it is AOL(yuck!)... which is unfortunately the only access I have at this moment... after that I got a wee bit mad and decided to simply go to bed rather than try to work the junk.)

Sidi shook the his head, removing his bangs from his vision before flashing a toothy smile to the girl. He had obviously got in way over his head. He was hoping for something to simply get rid of his boredom, and instead was treated to what seemed to be a dangerous front-row seat to the... change of management, if you will, for the coven.

A quick look around the room reaffirmed this notion; a what Sidi would guess ancient vampire in the kids body, and the man had yet to be determined. Just looking over Nyx’s body he could tell he was out of his league. Ah Nyx. How you enticed him, so much more than before in life, if you could call it that. Spilling all that delicious blood as you waste away...

Without knowing it, he had let his gaze linger for a moment before finally returning it to the girl, who now seemed to be staring dreamily at him. Sidi could see far more power rested in this frail body than was apparent. The simple act of pulling him into the room, she had shown him that, though he knew not whether she was trying to flaunt that power in order to scare him, or if she were in all actuality much more powerful than perhaps even he was physically... for if that was the case, this girl was a monster. Which, judging from the final look on Nyx’s face, she had not figured out until her final moment. Sidi would NOT make that same mistake.

“It seems you caught me...” Sidi began, keeping that same toothy grin on his face; no need to show that he knew he could be killed at this moment, that he knew at least she were powerful, and with the man around, he stood no chance, should things come down to it. Sidi sighed, continuing, “A bit of boredom may very well be the death of me one of these days, though I sincerely hope that day is long off... And as to telling you of the coven... what exactly do you wish to know? I’d wager you know quite a bit already as stupid ones do not tend to live as long as you have... what shall I call you?”

Euthalia was not quite sure what she thought of this individual. There was something in the way that he looked at Nyx's corpse that intrigued her. No remorse or shock at her death, just a kind of longing.

She was not sure whether she liked this particular fact. It showed that the man did not think enough of his leader to wish vengeance upon her. On the other hand, he had not tried to attack her and that longing seemed suspiciously bloodthirsty. Ah well, she could not fault him for having no true loyalties towards Nyx Ciardha. She was what people nowadays called a 'tramp'. Unfit to be leader of the Tarepha, most certainly.

It remained to be seen whether he would be loyal to her. Disloyalty was not something she would tolerate. If Euthalia found that this man was even having rude thoughts about her, he would be dealt with. Weeds had to be picked in order to have a quite lovely garden.

Raising an eyebrow, she returned a somewhat amused smile. "It seems I have." She took a step forward, her white shoe causing the carpet to ooze blood. "As for death... I have always believed it is our own actions that lead us to death or no. We shall see if your death will be long off or not."

Coming to a stop just before him and looking up at him much like she'd looked up at Nyx, Euthalia continued, "I wish to know how that," she gestured to Nyx, "ran things. Who is who in this coven. What goals have been set? What boundaries made? What is the Tarepha territory? And perhaps most important... Are there any that would stand against me?" The chilling smile was back on her face.

"As for my name... I am called Euthalia Akakios. You may call me Miss Akakios for present."

Was that a threat? Most likely... and Sidi was, of course, in no position to take offence. He knew one thing for certain from this Akakios’s words; she wanted the coven for herself. Not that Sidi cared... as with before, he would be content to let someone else rule. He still wanted no part in it. As a ruler he would become a target, much as the late Nyx did. He didn’t need that. Nor did he need to deal with the fools of this coven, much as he may like to at times. Too much work for him to deal with them all, and it would take time away from HIS feeding, and he couldn’t have that. He wondered silently if that was what had caused this threat of death; did she think he wanted the position? A laughable idea, even if it would have merit for anyone else...

“Nyx didn’t so much run things around here... she set a few petty rules, the basics: Respect the leader, don’t let non-Tarepha’s run around, don’t start fights with other covens, especially Amman... she seemed scared of them I thought... don’t kill other members, don’t kill in the club... and don’t bother her unless it’s important. Nothing you wouldn’t expect. Besides that, she let members run amok, which was, at times annoying...” Sidi said, looking heavenward and running down the list of rules, and counting each one upon a finger, before turning his eyes back to her. “We own the sewers and this club, that’s it... I never got chummy-chummy with her, so I don’t know if she actually had any goals or not, nor did I really care...”

“As too who would oppose you... you’re looking at the wrong guy for that info. I could care less about who her pets were and what not, though they are likely to be the only ones to cause much trouble. Then there may be a stupid one that’ll try to take the spot instead of you, but...” he looked over at Nyx’s body and shrugged, “I doubt you need to worry about that.”

“If you wonder whether I’ll oppose you...” Sidi nodded towards the corpse. “I’m a bit smarter than that. By the way, the name is Sidi, should you care to know...”

Euthalia face held an expression that nothing with the face of a six year old should have. It looked simply unnatural. It was a look of contempt and cunning. Her eyes slid to the body on the ground, an eyebrow raised, and she just shook her head, tsking. Putting a foot under Nyx's shoulder, she rolled the body over, and leaned in only a few centimeters from Nyx's face. A malicious grin spread upon the demonic child.

"My my Nyx, it's a wonder someone hadn't killed you sooner. You were certainly weaker than I'd anticipated. It seemed that there were few brain cells behind that lovely face." Euthalia's voice was soft as she spoke, and she used one of her index fingers to caress Nyx's face. It came away with blood, which she happily licked off, before turning back to her visitor. "Things will be different from now on, you can count on it. I do not suffer fools lightly, and I do not like those that disobey. You cross me, and you die. You disobey me, and you die. It's really as simple as pie." A girlish smile spread upon her face, making her appear like she'd just been talking about puppies or flowers.

"Sidi..." she tried the name out. "It is a nice name, and not one I will soon forget." She stalked (for there was no other word for such a movement) closer to him. "I believe you are intelligent in your deductions. Nyx was over a millenia older than you. I am over half a millenia older than her. Do not disappoint me. I do not think you would like what you find." There was a flash of her demonic visage, before she skipped back and hugged Cheveyo.

Looking up, she said, "You are dismissed, if you wish to go." There was something in her tone that made it sound like if he didn't go, something unspeakable could happen.

So the girl was indeed older than he, as suspected? How a vampire in a CHILD’s body, of all things, had survived that long, Sidi simply had no idea. More to the point, how she had amassed the power to make light of killing a coven leader, much less of the... Sidi would have to keep his eye on this girl. The man still left no real impression upon Sidi, but the girl… was surely dangerous. He knew should he cross them, he would not be in for a simple beating, such as with Nyx. It would take everything he had to survive, if he were to entertain the thought, should he get her bad side, as much as he hated to admit it. This child, or woman, or whatever he should classify her as, was clearly dangerous. Perhaps demon most personified her; that look she had given him when she got up close to him was… unsettling, to say the least.

. “I think I shall then…” Sidi turned as if to take his leave, before a thought crossed his mind. More of a question, really. “But before I go, I would like you to tell me something, if you don’t mind. This may be a bit personal, but what could you hope to accomplish by taking a coven, especially this one? Ours is perhaps the most unruly, and you may have to put down a large number of the… less intelligent ones before they recognize you as leader, especially considering your… demeanor, if you will.”

Sidi knew, of course he was pressing his luck. Something in her tone had told him that the letting him leave, was not so much an offer as an order, but his yearning for knowledge stopped him. He didn’t care so much for knowledge under normal circumstances; most of it was, of course, useless. But if this demon were to be leading him, he wished for a bit more insight into her plans, should he be able to get it. He wanted an understanding of EXACTLY whom he was following, in order to determine his actions. He would not, of course, defy her, as he valued his life, but he was not entirely sure he wanted to support her to the most of his ability either. Especially if she were going to cause problems for him; there would always be someone else vying for that position, though Sidi knew not why.

Euthalia could see the… apprehension? No, perhaps that was not the right word. Well, whatever the word, she could see it in his face. He was wary of her. That was good, very good, as it was only minutes after she had assumed leadership. However, wary still left room for rebellion. The girl-vampire certainly hoped it didn’t carry on too far, or she’d have to teach him to fear her, despite the fact that she appeared so young. That’s where Cheveyo came in. She rubbed his hand. He was the only one she trusted for the intimidation factor, and to be her face to the public.

Period.

As this Sidi asked his question, she frowned. Euthalia had thought she’d made it perfectly clear that she was not being polite as it were. Even so, it quickly melted into a childish beam. Stepping in front of Cheveyo, she placed her hands behind her back and stood with her head high in a pose that would have been better suited to a Duke. It seemed oddly out of place on her small body, but there was something in her eyes that made it look almost more threatening, instead of silly. Maybe it was the complete lack of mercy and compassion. Yeah, that could be it.

“My dear coven member,” she said, her voice thick with faux affection, “why wouldn’t I want the Tarepha? You say you’re all unruly? Perhaps that’s so, but is it perhaps because you have not have the correct tutelage? I believe it may be the case.” She shook her head with an amused expression, her curled bopping around. “In any case, the rest of the covens have weaknesses that I simply could not abide by. The Amman have that dreadful sense of justice; Enashe, simple humanity; the Nephim… well, they don’t accept what they are, and wallow in it, and the Ishak have dreadful amounts of arrogance. Arrogance can get you killed when it clouds a situation.” There was a grin that suggested an Ishak member had had just that happen.

“The Tarepha, however, have none of these. They accept their true nature, and do not hold back. I feel I am rather like them.” She walked over to the congealing blood and dipped a finger in it, liking it off like liquid chocolate. “I do not put up with weaknesses, Sidi.” The way she said his name, it sounded like something extremely exotic and seductive. “And those who refuse to see this, refuse to acknowledge me, will be dealt with accordingly, and trust me when I say I will not be so lenient as Ms. Ciardha was.”

Her face was serious and a single eyebrow was raised. “Is that all? I believe I have some redecorating to do.” She gave the body on the floor a small kick.