East

The east side of the city is the very heart of Sacrosanct - it's unique skyline is a clash between modern sky rises and small Victorian-inspired storefronts. In the heart of downtown, the sleek colored glass buildings reign supreme though their old-world roots can be seen in the most peculiar places from the lamp post styled electric street light to the stone sidewalks. The old world architecture slowly returns the further from downtown you travel, however. It's here that magic thrives, it hums in every stone and can be felt in every breath. Often, newcomers to the city may become overwhelmed by such sensations but, eventually, it becomes an ever-present feeling that's hardly noticed.

What You'll Find Here

City Creek Center
Dark Hunter Department
Inner Sanctum
Red on the Water
Starlight Tower

akin to stars in crystal skies


Posted on December 10, 2017 by anastasia romanova
East


The presence of Alexander's presumably-new companion presented only a slight inconvenience to the evening that the Duchess had otherwise orchestrated. An evening that, she was sure, may serve to shave away still more of the distance that stretched out as some impassable desert between her and the thing that she had spent so very much of her immortal life pursuing. A hundred years had she chased it, chased her, as vigilantly and with as much fervor as the day that the hunt had first begun. A hundred years had she waited for the time when this final act might unfold... and so she could wait just a few hours more before enlisting the services of her truest and only confidant.

Besides, the next little while promised its own handful of titillating morsels given the decidely nippy introduction offered up to the two women by Alexander. He would not furnish his protege any further details of his relationship with the brunette barista, but not only because she did not require them. The finer threads of this would-be tapestry were already sewing themselves together ever so neatly within Anastasia's mind, bestowing upon her all the details that she cared to acquire; however, Alexander was fully cognizant of the gift that immortality had laid in the hands of his progeny, so why was it that he would not simply divulge the true nature of his relationship to this Alexis? The tune of a tempting cord to be plucked at another time, perhaps.

"Alexis," she purred in the same practiced, saccharine lilt that her mother had taught her all those decades ago, "it is a pleasure to make your acquintance." Anastasia does not extend her hand for such a thing was not something that was done betwixt women in her time, instead inclining her regal head in the remnants of a subtle bow. Only this and nothing more. Sage eyes follow closely the departure of the young Were, hardly bothering to divert from the woman's activities even as Alexander's question curls about her waiting ears. "Da," she offers plainly, her tone quite bereft the weight that should have been inherent given the intensity and breadth of her quest for this particular talisman. "Ona zdes'. Vremya blizko." She is here. The time is near at hand. Only then does the tenebrific darkness, the foreboding shade, of her gaze travel the smooth line to meet the eyes of her Maker. It is a knowing glance, telling of the importance of this development, this discovery, even if the tone of her voice betrays it not.

The Russian accepts the cup offered to her by Alexis, blowing discreetly upon it to disturb the plumes of steam that rise and twist from the liquid therein. "Spasibo," she issues. "It means 'thank you' in Russian. You're now on your way to learning a new language, yes?" A simper, not as plainly good-hearted as it appears, tugs playfully at the crimson rims of the woman's lips as she sips elegantly on the libation. "Alexander and I will have plenty of time to 'catch up', so please do tell me what you would like to know. Anything to put you at ease, for it will be terribly hard to have your coffee with your fingers twitching like they are..."

And with that it would seem the Duchess moves her proverbial chess pieces into their places.

Anastasia Romanova

Grand Duchess of Imperial Russia

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