October 13, 1892 - Vampire Caverns, then... somewhere outside London

Gilbert was not enthralled with the idea of roaming around Hogsmeade like a villain. In fact, he rather hated Hogsmeade. This little dump of a town the blessed wizarding community had pulled together was just an ink stain on an otherwise damp, dank, miserable corner of Europe. And, while Gilbert fully embraced his status as the villain in most tales, he hated the prospect of being an outcast. He was used to fitting into the human world, a little shinier, a little brighter than the rest - as all vampires rightfully were - but those humans didn’t know him for what he was. No, the ‘muggles’ as this lot (his lot?) called them, were entirely oblivious to the fact that vampires even existed. It made things so much simpler, easier even. But the others? They shunned him like a diseased rat and frankly, Gilbert was not a fan.

On this occasion, he stomached the distaste in exchange for a prize well worth a little shunning. Azazel. It had been… some time, perhaps decades?, since Gilbert had last sought out the one true muse to his parallel existence. She was a much younger vampire than he, but the only true spirit the Prussian found any solace with. She did not try to squander her gifts, she did not regret what she’d become. She embraced the change, the life, in a way that he respected, a rare occurrence indeed. Bored as he was, tired of running his little empire in London (which was blossoming, thanks for asking), he’d decided to pay the enthralling creature a visit.

There were times, of late, where Gilbert found his own restraint nearly made him forget what he was so proud to be. He managed corpses, supplied blood to those who needed it— he staged deaths and covered problems, all for the mutual benefit of having a powerful wizard in his pocket for protection and… endless blood to dole out to charity as he saw fit. Even in all of that however, there was so much restraint, all the time, that frankly he was due for a little vacation. And who better to indulge in a little hedonistic bloodlust with than the queen herself? 

It was with this mindset that Gilbert finally reached the outskirts of Hogsmeade and poked his way through the forest towards the caverns. His nose wrinkled in snobbery and distaste as he rounded the corner and intruded, most uninvited, into Azazel’s little domicile. “Knock, knock,” the brunette called, hoping for an answer. “Miss me, bärchen?”

---

Azazel (FYI Ishmael & Galina)

---

  

It had been a sore mistake to come back to this wretched little hollow. There was nothing here for her except for vampires who really only thought the highest of themselves, and that was nothing to say of the humans that did the same. Muggles were worse than magic folk, but only by a margin the width of her sharp fingernails. So why had she come at all if she was to lay around all day and night being bored out of her wits? Azazel had reasoned with herself that every being needed a respite at least once in their lives. She'd given herself plenty of time to relax from her little spree back in Spain but now that she found herself in the Hogsmeade neck of the woods, the rest she'd gotten was now slowly snowballing into frustration.

Terrorizing the locals was out of the question, and so was taking a bite out of them. Azazel had given herself one more week - nay, one more day - to find something to entertain herself or it was back to the mainland with her. A pity since she'd gone to such lengths to get onto this ruddy little island.

She'd been lounging, tracing her finger around the patterns on the wall when she heard him. But it couldn't have been. It had been so long since she heard that voice, and she didn't dare allow herself to hope that the answer to all her questions had just waltzed right in. Rising from her seat, the vampire stayed still, watching the flicker of the figure's shadow approach. When his features were thrown into relief, she felt herself gasp, curse in a mixture of languages (for who else could jumble her mind so easily that she didn't know which language to choose?) and gave a cry of delight as she ran to him. "You're here!" She squealed, her laugh bouncing easily off the walls as she hugged him.

---

The following 1 user Likes Azazel's post:1 user Likes Azazel's post
   Gilbert Prusseneit

---

The instant he heard her gasp even from this distance, Gilbert felt a dangerous smile stretch across his porcelain features. His schatz, his ever loving princess. Azazel. He found himself more relieved to hear her voice than he’d expected, all things considered. It had been some time since he’d meandered into her life, or she graced his with her brilliant mind. So, accepting her hug with a vehement response of his own, the vampire lifted her easily and gave her a twirl. He smirked right in her face as he replaced her on the ground, not quite releasing his hold.

“Of course I am,” Gilbert replied, smugly. “I could never leave you behind for long.” And it was true in its rather obtuse way. Azazel was not only the one true spirit that matched his own, but she was his best friend. His only confidante (in as much as Gilbert had confidences with anyone.) Naturally, he would roam free for a handful of decades but inevitably he always found his way back to her. He needed her, as much as he hoped she needed him.

Releasing the lithe, perfect figure at last, Gilbert grinned, flashing his fangs at her in the moonlight. “Are you up for a little adventure?” He queried, cutting to the chase. (He quite despised these caverns. They made him feel caged up and set aside. Besides, there would be plenty of time for discussion on the way.) “I hear there’s a village North of Derby that’s been hit with some kind of newfangled plague,” he made a vague gesture with his hand, brushing aside the triviality. “I’m sure there’s some fun to be had before the lot of them are wiped out. If we try hard enough.” Blue-green eyes widened conspiratorially, a grin gracing his features in the darkness.

---

Azazel (FYI Ishmael & Galina - can tag in soon! They can overhear his plans lol)

---

  

He better not have been thinking of leaving her behind. The idea was simply insupportable. They wove in and out of each others lives, surely, but the thought of him completely abandoning her may have been one of the only things to cause her physical pain. What little guilt she had possessed over framing Galina a few years back completely vanished; for if she’d been captured she most certainly would have not been able to see him again.

That smile… If she could dream of faces, his would be the only one that would have ever survived the testament of time. His was the only one that deserved it. Her lips had cut a wide grin across her features upon seeing him; it grew exponentially at his proposal, and she could feel the sharpness of her fangs graze her bottom lip. So that rumor that she’d caught wind of turned out to be true. Oh how timing seemed to ever be on her side. Cocking her head to the side, she fluttered her lashes at him in a doe-like manner. “When am I ever not aching for something else?” She crooned, her bronzed hand flitting up to cup his cheek.

“I tried to have fun whilst you were gone, and I admit I came close. But I wish you’d been here for it.” He had so much to make up for, but she would somehow forgive him for his absence. Because of course she would — and he would repay her by telling her of his schemes abroad.

---

  

---

Every second Gilbert spent in Azazel’s presence was another millennia he was recharging for. There was just something about being with one’s kind that energized him! (And not merely vampire kind… but actuallyhis brand of chaos.) Any scheme, any adventure he posed was always escalated into a maelstrom when he partnered with Azazel. She was, really, the only being on this planet he considered his equal, even inexperienced as she yet was. So, when that precious smile flickered across her face and she cupped his cheek, he resisted the urge to kiss her fervently in favor of pressing his lips to the base of her wrist where a pulse had once thrummed. A soft, amused coo erupted from his vocals in sympathy.

“What a tragedy,” the brunette drawled. “Let me make it up to you, leibling. Between the two of us there won’t be a choice but for success.” Blue-green eyes flashed wickedly. Then, withdrawing a bit, Gilbert waved a hand dismissively as if what he had to say next mattered little. And, it did. “I’ve also been at a loss as of late. Too much work and no time for play.”

Wrapping his arms around the small form of his princess again with intention, Gilbert grinned. A part of him very much felt the prickling desire to come onto her, but these caves really did freak him out. Anything akin to a romp here would surely end in disaster. The vampire pivoted. “Was sagen sie?” What do you say? He inquired quietly. “Fancy a tour of Derby this evening?”

---

Azazel & Ishmael & Galina
(feel free to post in any order!)

---

  

She may not have had any blood running through her veins, but a thrill ran through her as she watched him kiss the inside of her wrist. A smug smile lit up her features. “Oh?” She narrowed her eyes curiously. She hoped what would follow was an explanation, but instead he propositioned her. It was just enough to keep her from pressing the subject. He would tell her later. Besides, instead he pulled her into his arms and she wrapped her arms around him in return. Her hand went to the back of his neck, her thumb absently rubbing just behind his ear.

“Derby sounds absolutely delicious.” She smiled once more. The promise she made to Ishmael had disintegrated as Gilbert entered the cave. It was time for some real fun.

---

The following 1 user Likes Azazel's post:1 user Likes Azazel's post
   Gilbert Prusseneit

---

Gilbert knew two things about Azazel: first, that she was reliable in as much as he dared to trust anyone. Secondly, that she would not pry into his business uninvited. He was grateful for both of these facets as he held her near and dear in his arms. He was in no mood to discuss work, despite her curiosities. The grin that flickered across his visage at her agreement however— now that was a triumph worth celebrating.

“Excellent,” the vampire thilled, eagerly. He couldn’t help himself as he dipped closer to her and stole one, less-than-chaste kiss, just quickly, cave be damned. Azazel too, could slap him for all Gilbert cared, but he knew she wouldn’t. She was his prize, his companion, his only soul mate in this cruel world. His best, and dearest… friend.

---

Azazel <3 he loves zaz

---