Lineage

Introductions were quick, Karra was to be carted off to be dressed in her work attire despite my rather violent protests, myself and larger vampire nearly coming to blows over how he handled the catgirl, only for us to be interrupted by the Queen’s angry yell.

“Listen to the Prince,” she snarled. “Richter, My Dear, how do you wish for the Neko to be dressed?”

“I want her in something that doesn’t make her seem like a toy to be passed around,” I said, glaring furiously at the vampire who was holding her. “If it has to be a maid’s outfit, you make sure that her body is covered and that dress touches her ankles.”

“And why do you wish for a girl, a girl with her behaviour, to be clothed in such a dignified manner?” Verella asked. “She’s not exactly one of the Nuns of the Sisterhood, and I doubt she’d mind having her body on display, giving the frequency she displays it.”

“Yeah, Karra’s a slut,” I said, taking ahold of her arm and pulling her closer to me, the blue-haired Neko snapping free of her control and gripping me tightly. “But she’s my slut, and nobody else here deserves her.”

“I don’t like this one’s tongue,” the vampire snarled.

“I don’t like you, asshole,” I snarled back. “Remember that your queen brought me here as a guest. I think it’d be wise to watch your mouth.”

The guard shot a look at the queen who responded in my favour, the guard storming away back to his post while the injured catgirl clung to me in terror.

“Now, tell me exactly what you want with me, Verella,” I said. “I’m flattered you haven’t given me a rougher invitation, but I’m starting to grow slightly worried. Did you bring me here to propose to me?”

“As much as I’d enjoy having you by my side,” she said, standing up and walking over to me. “I did not bring you here to propose marriage. In fact, you were taken by my people before I even knew who you were. You were brought to me because I have a job for a man of your skill.”

“I do respond to notices, y’know?” I asked. “You didn’t have to kidnap me and enslave my friend to get me to help you. I’m one of the few people educated enough to know that Vampires aren’t inherently evil creatures.”

“I was made aware of your intellect upon looking into yourself and your family, and as soon as I was informed that they’d taken the Prince of Equestria, I ordered my servants to treat you as the guest of honour.” Verella said, suddenly becoming irritated as she spoke the next line. “Though from the condition of both yourself and your lady friend, and from the fact that somebody has made her their Thrall without my permission, I’m willing to wager that you were not treated per my request?”

“No. As much as I love a good dungeon,” I answered. “I enjoy a warm bed and clothing more.”

“Then I will personally take you and your catgirl to our tailor and have them create something for you,” Verella said, pinching her nose and snapping her fingers. “Varsuce, order everyone to the main hall and find out who made the poor Neko their servant. Offer them the chance to remove their control and find out if they sexually assaulted her in her cell, once they do as commanded, execute them for insubordination. I have no patience for those that disobey their superiors.”

“You and me both, hun,” I chuckled. “You okay there, Karra?”

“Y-Yeah,” she said, rubbing her eyes. “It’s just that whole Thrall thing kinda fucks my head up. I can still see and hear what’s going on and I’m still me on the inside, but I have no control of anything I say or do.”

“Yes,” Verella nodded. “I’ll make sure you aren’t controlled in such a manner again, my apologies.”

“So,” I said, squeezing Karra’s stacked form against mine and smiling to myself as her tail started swishing again, signalling that she was happy to be next to me again. “What’s this job you’ve got for me?”

“Tell me,” she began. “Are you familiar with Werewolves?”

“I’ve encountered a few of them,” I nodded. “Always difficult to deal with because unlike monsters like Hellhounds or Yenaldooshi, they’ve still got a human side that dies when you kill ‘em.”

“But you do understand why they must be killed, do you not?” Verella asked.

“I do,” I nodded. “I do with reluctance, but I’ve never let one go because of it. Though as a quick question, if you didn’t know who I was before you got me here, why did you pick me?”

“Our plant, the lovely Mrs Catavalora who owns the brothel, was put there by us to keep her ear to the ground for any legendary mercenaries or monster hunters who might be able to handle our problem for us.” Verella explained.

“And what kind of problem would you expect a human to handle that a vampire couldn’t?” I asked, crossing my arms.

“I’ll explain everything after you and your catgirl are clothed,” she said. “Come with me.”

The two of us were lead to what I guessed was the tailor’s area in the castle, being outfitted with basic clothing that belonged to the family, myself being given a white shirt with a black leather chestpiece and leather bracers, light armour with enchantments, as they explained. I was also presented with a pair of cotton pants fitted with leather in vital areas and a pair of leather boots. Swords belonging to the clan, steel and silver as per my request, were given to me along with a belt fitted with various pouches.

“Y’know,” I said with a smile as I admired the craftsmanship of the blades. “I’m so happy the myths of gothic clothing, bathing in blood, and constant moping when it comes to vampires are just completely made up.”

“I completely agree, sir,” the tailor said with a smile. “Tales of whiny young vampires throwing their heritage away on foolish quests of love are often laughed out of the courts by true vampires. Is everything to the gentlemen’s requirement?”

“Indeed it is,” I said, sheathing my swords over my back and fitting my belt. “How’s Karra getting on?”

The sound of catty hissing from the next room gave me my answer.

“You can kiss my clit of you think I’m wearing that coffin-dodger’s get up!” she bellowed angrily. “Richter! Help me!”

I rolled my eyes, heading into the female changing section to see a still-naked Karra sitting atop a wardrobe, angrily swatting at a vampiress holding a yellow dress.

“What’s the matter?” I asked her.

“This dopey bitch is trying to make me wear Granny Piss-Me-Knickers old night gown!” Karra yelled. “I’d rather cut my fucking tail off with a rusty spoon and eat it then every let that rank-ass bed-accident anywhere near me!”

“Is she usually this difficult?” the vampiress asked.

“I wouldn’t know,” I shrugged. “I only employed her a few days ago. Karra?”

“What?” she demanded furiously.

“Just put the dress on,” I said with a hand gesture.

“Listen to me carefully, Horse-Dick,” she snarled in a level of fury I’d never seen before. “I will never in all my years even consider shitting on a dress as horrible as that, because my body waste deserves a better place to land! If you, her, or any of the tampon-sucking inbreds in this castle come anywhere near me even a passing hope of getting that disgusting rag within fifteen feet of me, I’ll stand my ground, knuckle up and, so help me any gods that might be listening, I will fight you on the side of the street!”

There was a moment of silence, all three of us standing in shock as we stared at the catgirl that was three seconds away from setting alight in anger, her rage-rocked expression staring each of us in the face as the maid trying to get her to wear the dress made a risky suggestion.

“Do… do you want it in pink?”

Karra went for her without a second thought.

After having to pin the rabid catgirl to the floor while she kicked, screamed, and snarled, cursing everyone and everything she could think of with whatever she diseases were on the ‘piss-blanket’ they offered her, I was able to calm her down when I offered to have them give her the same outfit I’d got. After ten minutes of waiting and five minutes of trying, Karra was contentedly sitting on my lap with a happy expression on her face as she nuzzled her cheek against my chest, purring quietly.

“... I’d advise against angering her anymore, good sir,” the tailor said, still dabbing blood off the scratch marks on his hands after he’d accidentally copped a feel of Karra when trying to fasten the straps of the chestpiece.

“I’m thinking of getting her spayed,” I shrugged. “Just to take the edge off her.”

“I’d recommend it,” he said. “Shall I escort you back to Her Majesty now?”

“If it’s all the same to you, I think it’d be safer for us all if I took Ms. Angry Pants back myself,” I chuckled, getting up and having Karra do the same.

“See you around,” I said with a smile. “Karra, say goodbye.”

She hissed.

“Good girl,” I chuckled, exiting the room and heading back towards the throne room with Karra in tow. “What was that about exactly?”

“That dress was fucking disgusting, Richter,” she snarled. “What else would that be about?”

“Bit of an overreaction, wouldn’t you say?” I asked. “My parents stuffed me into shite outfits all the time when I was a kid and I never threatened to beat the shit out of them. Mostly because my Mom would’ve probably tanned my ass with a hairbrush if I’d said anything.”

“I hate horrible outfits,” Karra growled. “I wasn’t raised wearing them, I never wanted to wear anything, and I’d be more comfortable running around naked in a field of rapists than I would be in a dress so tight that I can’t breathe in without shattering a rib.”

“I can understand that,” I nodded. “My Mom was the same way when she was younger.”

“I ain’t a princess,” Karra said, sticking her tongue out. “I ain’t wearing no fancy dresses.”

“And I’m not going to make you,” I said, opening a door for her and allowing her to walk ahead of me.

“Good,” she said defiantly.

“I’ll just tell your mom you’re being naughty,” I added on.

“Ha, you wish,” Karra snarked.

“Nope, all I have to do is give old Larra a shout and she’ll be ready to give you a stern talking to,” I said. Karra froze in place, causing me to bump into her, before whirling around and looking at me with a confused expression.

“How do you know my mother’s name?” she asked.

“I met her a few days ago,” I shrugged. “She’s a very nice lady.”

“She’s in Winter’s Maw?” Karra asked in a horrified manner. “Is she nearby? Do you know where she is? What did you tell her about me?”

“What’s with the terrified expression?” I asked.

“If she finds out I lost my crew before I even turned thirty, she’ll be so disappointed in me!” Karra exclaimed. “Not to mention the bet I made when I was younger about me living in a castle by the time I was twenty and… argh! She’s gonna make fun of me!”

“Don’t worry,” I said, putting a comforting hand on her shoulder. “She’ll be too busy looking for a place to settle down with the baby to come hounding you for whatever reasons.”

“She doesn’t have a-” Karra began, her look of confusion shattering like a glass pane as it dawned on her what my words had meant. “Y… You got her pregnant?”

“Yup,” I nodded in a nonchalant manner.

“Does… does that mean we’re related now?” she asked with a blank expression.

“No, not really,” I shrugged. “I didn’t marry her, so I’m not exactly your step-father.”

Karra crossed her arms in thought, her tail hanging down by her backside as she chewed her bottom lip. Moments slowly crawled by before a smug grin spread across her entire face, her blue eyes lighting up in a brilliant manner, and her tail swishing circles behind her.

“Can I still call you Daddy anyway?” she asked, standing on her tip toes and putting her face close to mine.

“Well…” I said, smirking in response and slapping her ass before squeezing it roughly. “Only in the bedroom.”

“Good enough for me,” she said, kissing me briefly before turning around and pointing towards the direction we needed to be heading. “Onwards!” I smirked to myself, following after my new daughter as she sauntered through the halls, going back into the throne room where Verella sat, talking to who I suspected was an advisor of some sort.

“Ah, the guests have returned,” she said with a genuine smile, standing up out of her throne to walk towards us. “I hope you do not mind, but I’d rather have our contract arrangement held in a smaller location. The throne room is grandiose indeed, but I much more prefer a tighter, more firm place to pack into.”

Well then. I was fucking her.

“If you wish, Your Majesty,” I said. “Lead the way.”

She lead us both through the maze of corridors to a smaller, yet still decently-sized room that I presumed was an office of some sort, as there were shelves, drawers, and boxes, filled to the brim with papers and books, with bookshelves overflowing as much as the drawers, and two large couches positioned opposite one another. She gestured for us both to take a seat on the couch closest to the wall while she positioned herself on the second.

“Karra, dear,” she announced after a moment. “Is Richter your unofficial better half”?

Karra seemed confused by the question at first, not due to its meaning, but rather because of the suddenness of the statement.

“We fuck,” Karra shrugged. “He offered me a job… but no, he’s not my husband or anything. Why?”

“Do you work together?” she asked, crossing her legs over. “I’ve searched Richter’s records and history, and while they mention a skill set that I desperately need, I’m not sure of yours, Karra,”

“I know how to fight, if that’s what you’re asking,” Karra said, folding her arms.

“But do you know how to sneak?” Verella asked. “Do you know how to get in and out of places without being noticed?”

“Why would we need to be stealthy when it comes to dealing with werewolves?” I asked, analysing her face before realising what was going on. “There aren’t any werewolves, are there? That was just a front to give your people something to believe you brought us here for, right?”

“Indeed,” Verella asked. “I’ve brought you here for an important matter, for both you and myself.”

“Go on,” I said. Verella was quiet for a moment, looking around as if to find a way to begin the statement before taking a deep breath.

“There is a traitor in my clan,” she said outright. “Someone is openly opposing my rule and that is something I do not like.”

“It’s usually the way it goes with monarchs,” I sighed, leaning forward. “Lemme guess: You don’t know who it is, and you want us to be your unofficial spies to dig up information on who your traitor is under the guise of looking for werewolves so you can execute them before they cause trouble?”

“Richter,” she said in an angry tone. “They’ve already caused trouble. They have broke away with a sect of vampires I’ve never gotten along with and have started blooding members of the human populace out there without giving them any sort of training or guidance as their Wards.”

“That’s… that’s illegal,” I stated. “That’s also insanely dangerous too. A new vampire needs to have a their Sire with them in their first few weeks to help them adjust to vampiric life. If not, they can hold onto their humanity and end up going Bloodhungry because they refuse to feed.”

“You’re telling that to someone who knows it all too well,” Verella sighed angrily, running a hand through her thick fringe and shaking her head. “This traitor, or this clan of traitors, is purposefully breaking every rule in the book that exists to keep us safe and sound. I believe they’re trying to start, for lack of a better term, a witch hunt for the vampires that exist in Winter’s Maw.”

“Why?” I asked. “Why start a witch hunt that’ll have the pitchforks aimed at yourself?” I asked, leaning back in thought.

“I originally suspected a power play, before they started spreading word of vampires,” Verella continued. “But when the notices and contracts started going up regarding grisly murders, we knew something was different.”

“Yeah, a vampiric power play stays in the shadows, doesn’t draw attention,” I said. “You keep it quiet so you don’t get angry humans coming with torches and stakes.”

“Which leads me to believe that they’re doing this on purpose,” Verella growled. “They’re purposefully leaving notes pointing to us after the innocent humans they kill. Vampires don’t need to drain to stay alive, but these people are butchering humans and blaming it on vampires that never existed while leaving descriptions of the vampires in my Clan as the perpetrators.”

“So with that much of a fuss being kicked up, our guy’s either an idiot who has never studied vampiric codes of war…” I began. “Or it’s someone trying to cause a fuss for a reason… do you have any idea who we’re looking for or why they’d want to try and get all vampires killed?”

“No to both,” she said with a shake of her head. “I know not if our suspect is a man or a woman, nor what motivations they’d have for destroying our entire race. But I do know that they’re dangerous and that they must be brought to justice. Can I trust you to help me look into this?”

“Do you not have any investigators that can handle this internally?” I asked.

“Not to your level of skill,” she said in a slightly-embarrassed manner. “Vampires may be able to stalk our prey when its visible, but we sadly lack the training to track and trail it when it isn’t. You will of course be paid for your services, I’m not that stupid as to ask for something as dangerous as this without offering a reward.”

“As to be expected,” I nodded.

“And you may choose whatever you want upon your completion of the task, understood?” she asked.

“Of course, Your Majesty,” I nodded. “Is there anything else you want to ask me?”

“As of now, no,” she said with a shake of her head. “I’ll check in with your progress every few days. I suggest you start your search for answers at the crime scenes that’ve been found in the city and looking at the bodies in the local morgue.”

“I’ll also check in with our busty beauty at The Lonely Pooch to see if she knows anything,” I chuckled, as I got up.

“She hasn’t had her bust up in over forty years, Richter,” Verella smirked. “The old girl would probably break if he boobs were the D’s they used to be.”

“The woman I saw at the brother, the one that knocked me out… she didn’t look over forty,” I said, narrowing my eyes in confusion.

“She was a vampire blooded in her seventies,” Verella said in a firm tone. “Greying ginger hair, about five-foot-two…”

“The woman I saw was around five-nine, with dark hair, and enormous tits,” I said slowly. “You don’t think…”

“I’d put money on it,” Verella snarled. “That bitch is either the one running the show or is connected to it somehow. I’m almost positive she’s the one that blooded you and turned Karra into a Thrall.”

"Hang on, one of the vampires that guided me here told me you'd blooded me," I said quickly.

"No... I've done no such thing," Verella said with a shake of her head. "Who told you that?"

"Blonde chick, red eyes, massive tits, likes to dress in leather," I described. "She found familiar?"

"The description does, yes," Verella nodded. "She might be the New Blood Allin brought in a few months ago. There may be a connection between her and our mystery woman."

"Indeed there might," I nodded. "I trust you'll ask around about her?"

"Of course I will," Verella nodded.

“Then I need to find my loveable biter and get her to release her control on Karra,” I growled.

“I’m going with you, Richter,” Karra said, standing up alongside me. “I’m not letting that cunt get away with this.”

“I’ll get to work asking around to see if anyone knows anything about the women matching these descriptions,” Verella snarled furiously. “I’ll find out what happened to the woman who should own the place while you get searching.”

“Right,” Karra and I nodded at the same time, blitzing out of the room.