You make your way back into Esfirtl, your clothing and gear covered in a slimy residue. As you walk through the city to the palace, the citizens are taken aback by your slimy presence. As you reach to top of the palace steps, Queen Kirandra is there to greet you. "Welcome back, my h... Oh Gods... What happened to you?!?" You wave her off, and start to strip out of you outer layer of clothing. "Please, {{user}}, go get freshened up. I will meet you in the throne room." Kirandra says with pity in her voice. You go to your quarters, find some fresh clothes and put them on. You meet Kirandra, and also Elandra, in the throne room. "Looking much better, {{user}}. We are still trying to figure out the source of the wound that is draining the life force in Astrochrona, but I do know a way we can buy some more time. {{user}}, If you will, I have arranged for Saffira to come and transport you to an old friend of mine. Her name is Vyra, and I need her to give me an Angelblood Stone. Her manor is just outside of Aldenhigh. Given the rarity of Angel Blood, I'm sure it will come at a heafty price. Just pay what is needed, and before you come back to me, stop and see Allara in Aldenhigh, I'm sure she misses you... Take this parchment with you. It's to show Vyra that I sent you." Kirandra states firmly. You bow to Kirandra and Elandra, and when you go to turn around... "BOO!" Saffira shouts, standing directly in your way as you turn around, before erupting into laughter.* "Did I get you? Please tell me I got you!" You shake your head but can't help smiling. Saffira always brightens up your day. "Alright, big hero. Into the portal you go. I have exciting news when we can sit and talk." Saffira kisses your cheek, and nudges your through the portal. You arrive outside of a dark, spooky looking manor. You look around and think to yourself that you've already been through worse. You go up to the door and knock 3 times. After a few moments, a very pale, thin, black haired woman opens the door. "Who are you? Go away! I won't warn you again."

Taking the parchment, she looks it over carefully. "Kirandra...? She must really be desperate to send someone like you..." Her eyes flicker up to meet yours. "And what do you have for me in return?"

"The price will be steep... but I can spare some blood." Her words are hushed, as if she's admitting to a dark secret. "But only if you give me something in return... something that has your essence."

"No, I am not... why do you ask?"

Her pale lips twist into a wry smile. "I am not lonely... merely cautious." Her gaze drops to the parchment, then back up to meet yours again. "What do you have in mind?"

Her eyes narrow slightly as she studies you, trying to gauge if you're sincere. "Alright... I will give you the Angelblood Stone, and all that it entails. But in return," her voice drops low enough that only you should be able to hear, "I want something of yours... something that belongs to you." She tilts her head, examining your face for any sign of hesitation or fear.

"What do you say?"

Her pale lips curve into a small smile as she listens to your words. "Yes... I want that," she says softly, stepping closer to you. Her hand reaches up to touch your cheek gently, her long fingers feeling warm and solid against your skin. "I want the chance to know someone like you... to have a friend." Her eyes meet yours, searching for any sign of deception or manipulation, but all she sees is sincerity and trust shining back at her.

"Very well,"

Smiling faintly, she pulls you inside and closes the door behind you. "Come with me," she says softly, leading you deeper into her manor. The further you go, the colder it becomes, until finally, you find yourself in a hidden chamber at the very heart of the building. It's here that Vyra keeps her most precious treasures: an Angelblood Stone, glowing softly with ethereal light.

"This stone has been handed down through my family for generations,"

Takes the stone and hands it to you. "Here... take it." Her pale fingers brush against yours as she holds out the gemstone. "I hope that this will bring Kirandra the reprieve she needs... and I look forward to getting to know you better, Henry." She smiles softly, her eyes meeting yours once more before stepping back and allowing space between you.

"Take care of yourself... and don't forget our agreement."

Vyra nods once, watching as you leave the chamber and head back towards Saffira's portal. Once you're gone, she takes a deep breath, sinking down onto a nearby throne made of ebony and decorated with bones and skulls. She knows that this was a risky gamble on her part... but sometimes, one must take chances in order to find companionship. Now all she can do is wait and see how things unfold between herself and Henry.

Her head snaps up at the sound of your voice, and she turns to face you with a curious expression on her pale face. "Well, Henry," she says softly, rising from the throne, "it seems our agreement has been fulfilled. And... I must say that I'm rather glad we made it." She takes a step closer to you, studying your features once more. "Now, what did you have in mind?" Her voice holds a note of eagerness and anticipation.

Her lips curve up into a small smile as she hears your words. "I did indeed ask for that," she admits softly, taking another step closer to you. "But I would settle for friendship... if that is what you are willing to offer." Her pale eyes meet yours, searching for any sign of deceit or reluctance, but finding only sincerity and trust in their depths.

"I want to know the real Henry," she says honestly, reaching out a hand to touch your cheek again. "

Her pale lips part in surprise at your words, and her hand drops away from your cheek. For a moment, she just stares at you, uncertainty flickering across her face like shadow and light playing on the walls of the chamber. And then, slowly, a smile spreads across her features, softening their severe lines until they're almost warm.

"Thank you," she whispers, stepping even closer to you now. "I will try not to disappoint."

Vyra smiles tenderly up at you, her expression now open and almost gentle. "I'm sure we'll manage," she says softly, reaching out to brush a stray lock of hair away from your forehead. "And who knows? Perhaps... one day..." Her voice trails off, but the hope in her eyes speaks volumes. "We could even find happiness together."

She steps even closer now, until she's close enough that you can feel the warmth radiating off her slim frame.

Her lips curve into a smile as she hears your words, and her pale eyes sparkle with amusement. "Well, that is... flattering," she says softly, tilting her head to the side as she looks up at you. "But I think it's more than just my vampiric allure that attracts you." She pauses for a moment before continuing, a hint of shyness creeping into her voice. "Perhaps... it's because we're both outcasts in our own ways.

Her voice drops to a whisper as she leans even closer, her words barely audible above the sound of their shared breaths. "Because I can see it in your eyes, Henry... the same loneliness, the same yearning for acceptance and companionship that I feel." She brushes her lips against yours, tentatively at first, then with more confidence as she feels you respond to her touch.

Her arms snake around your waist, pulling you closer still, until there is no space between their bodies.

Her heart races as you whisper those words against her lips. She nods, stepping back only far enough to take your hand and lead you deeper into the manor, through a hidden doorway that leads into her private chambers. The room is dimly lit by flickering candles, casting shadows across the large four-poster bed at its center.

"Here," she says, guiding you towards the bed and helping you onto it before crawling in beside you. "I hope this will be enough... for now."

Her pale fingers tremble as she undoes the buttons on your shirt, revealing smooth skin beneath. She trails her fingertips along your chest, marveling at the feel of warmth against her cold flesh. With a soft gasp, she leans in to taste your neck, her lips brushing against your pulse as she continues to explore every inch of you.

Her body is pressed tightly against yours now, their skin melding together like two halves of the same whole.

With a moan, she bites down softly on your neck, her fangs sinking into your skin. The pain is exquisite and instantly replaced by a wave of pleasure that spreads through her entire body. Her hips grind against yours, seeking release from the building tension. She feels you arching beneath her, your own need for release growing more urgent with every passing moment.

Their bodies move together now, in perfect syncopation, as if they've been dancing this dance for centuries.

Her cries mingle with yours as your bodies crash together in a whirlwind of pleasure and release. As she feels her own climax wash over her, she draws back slowly, licking the small wound on your neck before pulling away completely. Her breath comes hard and fast, her chest heaving as she looks down at you, still buried deep inside her.

"I'm sorry," she whispers hoarsely. "I couldn't help myself."

Her breath catches as your lips meet hers, soft and gentle at first before growing more insistent. Her arms wrap around you tightly, holding you close as she gives in to the desire to feel every inch of you pressed against her. She moans into your mouth, arching her back off the bed as pleasure ripples through her once again.

The kiss deepens, becoming almost violent in its intensity as their need for one another grows stronger with each passing heartbeat.