Victor Valentin Von Balaur

Player: Dan Boyd

Background

This is where I learned everything that makes me who I am. If this isn't my favourite place on earth, I'm unsure exactly where is.

"You held your last note too long," his Sire smiled, still eyeing the flames. Victor ignored his Sire's jab smiling back.

"And you removed the computer, it works far quicker than searching the index's my lord" Victor had tried his best to move his Sire into the 21st century, however his Sire had stubbornly stuck to tradition.

"That infernal thing was too noisy, I couldn't hear myself think… it's in your quarters. Though Dianta often uses it, when she has fallen out with me."

Teodoar's unbroken gaze became a little disconcerting. Victor wondered on what his Sire pondered. He sat in his leather throne-like chair, looking somewhat frail. Ironic considering he was probably the most powerful vampire Victor had known.

"Neseri's temper never bothered you before father… what..." Victor was cut off, his Sire met his eyes.

"Her name is Dianta, I named her that for a reason. Just as I named you. If you two wish to make foolish nicknames for each other then do so, but not in my presence… I have called her Dianta for 70 years, I don't plan on changing that." Victor was taken aback to be reprimanded. Such was a rarity he often avoided, it was usually Neseri that caused problems.

"I fret not for Dianta young one. I am unusually anxious but it's of little consequence. Lady Galen of San Antonio called last night. She offered me a proposition that I couldn't refuse…" Teodoar said, shifting in his chair. He Sighed and started massaging his temples.

"I named Dianta after the King's Rock you know. It's a small and delicate flower, very rare. They only grow here in Carpathia. She will likely never leave my side, she has everything she would ever need here. I named you Victor because I want you to help me expand my empire, to create one for yourself, I want you to be my greatest victory."

It was Victor's turn to shift in his chair, he was uncomfortable with this line of conversation, though he was also curious to see where it was going.

Like a runaway train.

"My Lord, you know I will always strive to… " Teodoar held his hand up for quiet.

"I know young one, I know. I have put a tremendous burden on you, and each time that pressure mounts up you meet my expectations with flying colours, when the pressure is off and you start to relax, you lapse a little. It's with that I mind I have agreed to send you to San Antonio under Lady Galen's wing."

Teodoar paused, as though he was awaiting a protest, when none came he nodded and continued.

"She has requested aid from me, she needs a stronger Invictus presence in the area, probably because she keeps close with those Lancean bastards. I refused to give her any ancillae, it would not be beneficial to me. Sending you is. It puts you in the real world Victor, it's a test. I want to see how my protégé does in practice, the time for theory is over. She has provided you with one of those computer messages so that you aren't short on information when you get there. Study it well."

Victor's thoughts were too muddled to concentrate properly. He paused, trying to organise his thoughts again. He nodded and reached for his Sire's hand, Instinctively Teodoar's met it and squeezed.

"I won't let you down Papa."

"I trust not young one, I trust not."

He admired his Sire more so than any other, there was the love you reserve for your family, but a respect and fear too. Teodoar smiled widely, his fangs showing for the first time. It was a smile Victor had mixed feelings on, it always meant something Victor wouldn't like was about to happen. Last time it was his entry into the Invictus, a ritual that included the murder of Victor's oldest friend, by Victor himself. A cold shudder crept though him, the house he loved changed suddenly, no longer was the library a wonderland of information, it was a barbarous torture room.

My initial memories here are fond, how easily I forget the long nights of study, the strictness of the discipline. The lack of life in any form other than learn, eat, sleep, repeat. Why do I choose to repress the bad days? Why only remember the good?

The library suddenly lost its spark, Victor's mood darkened.

"My Lord" Victor asked, "When am I due to arrive in San Antonio?"