Brains or Brawn? [Styx Only]

[Nicolas Cashel]

Nicolas grumbled to himself as he climbed the stairs to the training room. After seeing all the well muscled men in the Castle -who looked absolutely delicious to him- he'd come to the decision that he had no choice but to work out or be known as the 'scrawny Cashel boy' or something equally as humiliating. He looked at the vass array of equipment that had been giving as gifts to him over the years from different guests who'd come from future times. He went over behind the curtain and stripped from his usual, formal attire to that of just thin trousers which hung loosely upon his lean frame, exposing his hip bone slightly and left his tan chest bare.

Cracking his knuckles and then wincing at the terrible habbit he mumbled under his breathe, "Lets get to it then."

He went over to a machine called a, 'bench press' or something similar to that and laid down upon the padded bench, beginning to lift 20 pounds only. He was glad that no one was there to make fun at the lack of weight he was able to lift.

[Lucian]

"It is not wise to be lifting heavy objects without someone to watch, Lord Cashel." His voice nearly hummed, walking into the room that he had seen the man he was currently seeking disappear into. "You could drop it and hurt yourself, and then what would you tell your guests? You dropped a 20 pound weight on yourself and that's how you injured youself? I think that might not go over too well, my dear..." He stated lazily, walking towards the quite scantily clad Lord with a light smirk playing on his lips. A smirk that parted his lips, yes, and showed off his pearly whites. Yes, even his precious fangs, the ones that he loved to terrify people with oh-so much.

Finally, he stopped at the others head, doing just as he had mentioned and being a spotter for the other. Just in case, you know? "I am Lucian DarkRoad, by the way. I am very pleased to have gotten an invitation here, thank you."

[Nicolas Cashel]

Nicolas nearly jumped out of his skin at the sudden voice. The weights clanged down as he dropped them, the metal screaming in protest.

"I am Lucian DarkRoad, by the way. I am very pleased to have gotten an invitation here, thank you."

Nicolas' eye brows shot up in realization at who this man was. Kayla had mentioned him before and insisted upon him recieving an invite to Cashel Castle. He'd sent one out though without to much presuasion; curious as to who infact this Lucian DarkRoad fellow was. Well, now he most certainly knew, and it was even clearer when he spotted the pearly white fangs why Kayla had taken such an immediate fancy to him.

When the man went to his side to spot him, Nicolas narrowed his eyes, a blush forming on his cheeks. He'd not been working out for too long a time, yet a slight sheen of persiration still covered his nude chest and made the flimsy material of his pants cling to his lightly muscled legs.

"I-umm it's- err... I was just finishing, but thank you anyways." He managed, pulling himself upwards with a slight wince. If a small amount of exercise such as that had tired him out, he knew for certain that he was in definite need to get into shape.

Standing, he wiped his hand across his forehead, smiling brightly, if touched by a mass amount of shyness, at the man before him. He nodded his head in greeting before holding out his hand which had not been used to wipe the sweat from his brow, for a proper handshake. "It's a pleasure to meet you, Lord DarkRoad. My sister was quite taken with you at your little masquarade. How did you fair on your travel here?"

Nicolas' blush only intensified as he realized that while he held out his hand to welcome the other man, he couldn't cross his arms over his chest to cover himself or go around the curtain to throw on a light shirt. He took in the other man's appearance before looking down, enjoying the sight before him just a little to much.

[alaryalexiajones]

This man got far too uncomfortable around Lucian for it to be normal, and the visiting Lord quickly picked up on an obvious quickening of the heart. He was nervous... but what for? Was it that he'd been caught with such light weights? Dressed so scantily? Lucian had seen it all, why would he care? He was a male, after all, and had seen just about everything this Lord had. It was nothing to get so flustered over.

"You're finished, Lord Cashel? But did you not just walk in here?" He questioned, recalling back onto his memory, and taking in the scent of perspiration in the room. It wasn't very old, meaning the Lord had just recently broken out in his sweat, which meant he hadn't been here long. "I insist. I'll even join you if it'll make you more comfortable." He offered, trying to be as kind as possible to a Lord that had welcomed him into his castle. It was only polite...

Despite what he had just said, he took Nicolas' hand somewhat tightly, shaking it firmly before breaking away and pulling his hand back to behind his back where his hands somehow always found themself.

[Nicolas Cashel]

Nicolas felt a jolt of heat course through his body and nearly gasped at the tingling sensation. Lucian's grip was firm and masculine, a perfect handshake if you wanted to state your stature; exactly what Nicolas found attractive in a man. Lord, he most definitely needed to get away from him! He'd have to hide upon a mountain and become a hermit, at the rate Cashel Castle was claiming vistors. Completely gorgeous, male visitors.

"My friend, I would be honoured to have your companionment while I worked out, yet you don't seem to be properly attired. Another time maybe?"

Nicolas hoped beyond hope that the handsome man would realize that to work out would mean to get his very nice, snug, molded in all the right area's of his body... Nicolas coughed, clearing his head of the images that flooded it. He was 25 dammit! Not some 14 year old, hormone crazed boy! He was a man for christ's sake!

He smiled nervously at the other man, his white teeth shining in perfect contrast agaisn this flawless, honey kissed complexion. And the fact that Lucian just so happened to be a male vampire? Well lets just say that Kayla wasn't the only Cashel to have an attraction to strong -which he could only assume- vampires.

[alaryalexiajones]

"Mm. That can be easily fixed, Lord Cashel. All I will have to do is discard of my top and boots. My pants will be just fine for any type of physical exersion." Lucian replied simply, almost wanting to smirk as he felt the other become so uncomfortable. He really wasn't sure why he found it so amusing, but he did, and he wasn't about to give that bit up.

Yet, the visiting Lord made no move to discard himself of the aforementioned clothing, waiting for an okay or a no from the other before he did anything. Out of respect, of course. "I assure you, I could get that twenty to an eighty before you decide to end your training for the day. I've had years and years to perfect my plan, so I could easily get you where you want to be, though I can say you'll be sore tomorrow."

How badly he wanted to smirk at how uncomfortable the other seemed, and Lucian only wanted to make it worse. Only make it worse... Yes, that is what he would do before his visit to this castle was over.

[Nicolas Cashel]

Nicolas nearly cried out in deress. Jesu christus! Did this man never take the hint? Nicolas had tried to make it as clear as possible that he would have no more working out for the day, yet the other man seemed to pester him by constantly persisting and pursuing the matter, always out-taxing him and his plans of escape. Grumbling to himself he nodded in resignation, the offer of being able to lift more weight and his polite manners not allowing him to tell the other man to just leave him be and be gone so he could exercise in peace. 'I knew I should have taken a job along the beach this morning...'

Gulping a breathe, Nicolas timidly approached the bench once again and lied down, feeling overbaringly uncomfortable with the other man now towering above him. Nicolas was a tall him, and with his dark hair, complexion and eyes, he had grown used to standing out in a crowd. Yet now, laying upon his back bellow another man, he felt oddly at the Lord Lucian DarkRoad's mercy.

"Teach me, oh great one." He stated sarcastically, trying to clear the bux of static that had formed within the air all of a sudden. And at least this way, the other man still had his clothing on so he wouldn't be tormented by a most likely perfect, male body.

[alaryalexiajones]

"Mm. I'm not ruining my clothes, my Lord. If you don't mind, I'll be discarding my top and boots." Lucian informed the other easily, turning his back on the other as he began with the deed.

First, he shedded his jacket, peeling the heavy black top off and laying it on a bench beside the one Nicolas was on. Next was the unbuttoning of the black vest, which soon joined the pile, then his white shirt, finally revealing his milkly white skin, looking as if he hadn't seen the sun in his entire life. In a way, he really hadn't, being dead and all... He just didn't tan, ever.

Leaning over, he unlaced the boots and took them both off quickly, nodding when he was finished.
Now he turned around to the other Lord, feeling ready to actually teach him something now.
"Alright, I'm going to ask you to do one set of ten reps with twenty pounds, then I'm going to add five, then you'll be doing another set of ten. You may start now."

[Nicolas Cashel]

Nicolas' jaw dropped at the sight of the creamy, milky white skin. Lucian's chest was well defined and completely flawless, much the same as Nicolas' yet his was way more tan and a little less well muscled. 'Just do the stupid reps and be done with it. The faster we get this finished with, the faster we can be out of here. Soothing breaths...' He calmed himself, nodding to the man towering above him before beginning his lifts.

He briefly wondered, as time went by and his bones creaked in agony, why it was the other man had insisted upon stripping down to his breeches when he infact, was merely forcing more bloody weights for him to lift.

"So! Have you taken a fanc-fancy to any of the young la-dies yet, young Lucian?" Nicolas panted, completely focused on the weights he was lifting as he absently started up a conversation to be rid of the erie silence. He was also completely unaware of the first name basis he'd now arrived at with his guest and continued to pump on the weights, his muscles screaming in protests.

[Lucian]

Lucian couldn't help but chuckle as he was called young, merely running a hand through his hair with a scoff. He could only wish he was young, and perhaps get people to believe it was so, if not just for his reputation.

Carefully monitoring the repititions, Lucian added on that extra five pounds as he promised earlier on in the game, a wicked grin forming on his lips.

"One more set of ten, then I'll allow you a short break." He stated firmly, keeping his hands hovering just below where the bar went incase the Lord was the drop it. He felt like a personal trainer, for some reason.

"Oh yes, and, I don't mean at all to be rude, my Lord, but I must tell you that I'm not young. Infact, I think I'm your senior by over a century or two." He smirked, almost cockily before returning his attention back to the weight lifiting, "You're doing very well, Nicky, but you have ten more to go before stopping for a short while. I expect you get on it."

[Nicolas Cashel]

Nicolas turned slightly cocky at the notice that he had nearly completed a group of 'reps' or whatever the other man called them. Nicolas wasn't one for exercising and didn't believe he could or would ever get into it with a passion like the one he took to singing or helping to have others achieve their pleasures.

"Oh yes, and, I don't mean at all to be rude, my Lord, but I must tell you that I'm not young. Infact, I think I'm your senior by over a century or two. You're doing very well, Nicky... "

Nicolas' eyes widened in shock at the age comment and he fumbled with the weight. Thinking he had it under control he went to continue with his weights when he heard the nickname. Gasping in surprise, his fingers slipped and the weight dropped down.

The weight hit the top of his head and he rolled off the bench, trying to avoid the rest of the metal from crashing against his fragile skull. "Damnation!" He cried out, pain redening his vision. Something crimson rolled down his cheek and he groaned in despair at the revelation that it could only be blood. He reached his hand up and felt the top of his head, wincing at a sudden pain that had formed in the side of his neck. "What the bloody hell..." He moaned and slumped against the ground as he felt blood on his neck. 'The damn adge of the bar must've not only bashed my skull but also sliced at my neck. Bleeding brilliant.'

IT was times like these that Nicolas whished that he could just curl up and die. Or at least disappear for a small while. "Ung, why couldn't I have blacked out like normal people?"

[Lucian]

Lucian removed his hands, feeling that the Lord had his training under control for the time, so he crossed them over his chest, staring down at the working Lord almost amused. It had been quite awhile since he had last been able to make a host do what he said, and for some reason it almost made him want to laugh. Nicolas seemed to get flustered so often, and for some reason Lucian enjoyed to cause it. It was just so... funny.

Though, the fact that he nearly cracked his skull open wasn't too funny, and Lucian found himself immediately reacting to the blood. It had been a few days since he last fed, and even though he was plenty capable of going a month without feeding properly, the smell still drove him wild.
Not again... Not like last time. I will not allow myself to lose control.

He knelt by the wounded man, immediately reaching out and grasping for his shirt. He'd burn this one and get a new one, as he knew the scent of blood would never leave it, and it would probably leave him lusting over Lord Cashel. His blood, I mean. The shirt was pressed to the wound, leaving Lucian quite relieved when the smell probably disappeared a good deal, leaving his poor abused senses alone now.

"You didn't black out because you probably don't trust yourself in an unconscious state around a vampire. I've seen it happen many a time." The visiting Lord replied quite seriously, putting pressuring to to wound. "Do you have any type of alcohol and bandage here? You know... for those 'Just-In-Case' incidents?"

[Nicolas Cashel]

Nicolas grimaced in pain as the cloth scrapped against his open flesh. Yet he managed to scowl at the other man, pushing his hand away and sitting up. A wave of nausea over came him but he swallowed it back, refusing to retch infront of anyone, especially a guest in his Castle. 'God this is pathetic.' He grumbled to himself, batting once again at the mans hand to ensure it stayed a fine distance away from him.

"A vampire is just another state of a human. Although I know near to nothing about them, for it is my sisters area of expertise, I do know that if I could at the moment, I would most definitely wish to be knocked out. You are a guest in my home and so therefore I place my trust in all those under my roof. But to break that trust, well it wouldn't be a very pretty site. I may appear weak, but I am not so much that I cannot defend myself." Nicolas blinked his eyes rapidly, the pain in his skull and on his neck nearly unbareable. He staggered as he got to his feet and quickly sat down upon the bench, biting his lower lip in hopes that the other man hadn't noticed his clumsiness.

Running a trembling hand through his hair he mumbled shakily, "From the way that people treat me here, you'd think I was a young lady drowning in a stream! Do I come across as helpless? I'm a strong, in my own way."

He flexed his muscles on his arms, pleased at the slight bulge that showed. "See?" His smile soon disapated and was turned to a frown as he pointed at Lucian's cheek. "Damn, I'm so sorry but I fear I've smudge my own blood upon your cheek. Please forgive me." His eyes fluttered downcast in shame. His eyes flew up as a new thought struck him. "You aren't going to want to- to bite me now are you? Maybe you should wipe that off or something."

[Lucian]

"I have no doubt in your strength, Nicky, but I fear that if you do not stop the blood flow, it could become dangerous to your health and you will become quite helpless like a lady drowning." Lucian stated, keeping quite calm as he stepped closer to the Lord with his own frown forming on his lips.

"You aren't going to want to- to bite me now are you? Maybe you should wipe that off or something."

"Mm. I will be fine with just that bit. I am no barbarian and I won't attack unless I am near starvation, but if you keep the scent of blood so thick in here, I might just lose control and there is a chance I will attack. Which is why I'm trying to get this wound of yours taken care of. It's not just for your health, but for my sanity as well. So do as I ask of you, please, if just for me." He requested, his voice becoming a bit softer. Those dark black eyes of his flashed a red, but he quickly closed his eyes. At reopening them, they had changed back to their normal color, just with maybe a few flecks of red appearing. It was instinct to take blood from warm bodies, not an act of brutality.

"Do you have any bandages in here, Nicolas?" He repeated his question, now a bit more serious.

[Nicolas Cashel]

Nicolas got up on shakey legs, putting as much distance between them as he could. He stopped behind the machine and cleared his throat before stating, "Behind-behind that curtain over there. Where you dress? There should be a box of some kind there. This room is still slightly new and I haven't had time to make my usual rounds of stalking up on supplies."

He looked down again, rolling his shoulders with a groan at the pain that was becoming almost unbareable in his neck. Without thinking he blurted, "Did you expirience the same pain in your neck as I am when you were bitten?" His eyes widened in horror at what he'd just said and he hastened to try and fix what he figured would be his death. "I didn't mean it like that though! I mean, my neck just really hurts and all and oh my god I've never been more sorry. I hope you can forgive my rudeness! I'm the host here and I should make my guests happy, not upset. Well, technically you are the elder here but that's beside the point! And I'm just gah..." He broke off and did a full body blush when he realized he was rambling.

"Shit."

[Lucian]

Lucian turned away at that, walking towards where Nicolas had mentioned. While his back was to the man, he licked up the bit of blood on his cheek, savoring the sweet irony taste for later reference. Well, now he'd always know when the Lord was around, not that his scent and taste was in Lucian's memory. He'd never forget that. Kind of like how dogs remember eachother by scent, some vampires did the same. Wait... why am I talking about this? Once the vampire reached behind the curtain, he looked around and found the box quickly. "Ah..." He murmured, kneeling down and digging around in it quickly. The scent of blood was getting thicker. The Lord must be getting dizzy or nausious.

Finally pulling out a roll of bandage followed by a small bottle of alcohol, he walked out from behind the curtain. "Nicolas..." He began, "This is going to burn. But if we don't take care of this you'll be even more hurt and I'll be driving insane and I'll have to leave." He stated shortly, approaching the other quickly. On the way, he grabbed his shirt to use for the alcohol, otherwise he'd have to rag to clean both of the wounds with.

"Will you sit still and take it like a man?" The visiting Lord questioned, a smirk curling onto his lips.

[Nicolas Cashel]

Nicolas pouted at that statement; finally fed up with being thought of any less than that of a man. Nonetheless he sat still and awaited to be tended to. Suddenly he burst out into a fit of giggles, almost falling backwards from the bench he sat upon in his hystaria. Wiping the tears newly forming from his eyes, he continued to giggle as he asked, "How did a vampire learn to tend to wounds? Flesh wounds! Lord! This is too unreal! The next thing I'll be hearing is that the world is full of men like me!"

Nicolas continued laughing, his breathing becoming raged and he started to cough, his lungs aching at the sudden attack. Hacking he got up from his seat, racing for the cupboard where water and glasses were kept for those of the guests who worked up a sweat in the training room. Pouring himself a glass of the chilled liquid, he swallowed it hastilly, pulling the cup from his lips and turning back to face the other man he stated boldly, "You didn't answer my question either. Did it-it hurt?"

Nicolas jutted his chin out stubornly as he waited to be slammed into the ground for his rudeness. No doubt he could handle himself, and he was most definitely a full grown man, yet he wasn't the largest of them.

[alaryalexiajones]

Lucian actually kind of stared at the injured Lord as he laughed strangely. Wasn't he still in pain, yet he was running all around to get water and continue laughing? What an odd Lord he was... but, he had to admit he was a pleasure to be around. At least he wasn't straight up and stiff like many he'd spoken to. Even if he demanded that kind of attitude from those who spoke to him. It was just how he had been raised, but now that he'd finished with his masquerade he was just a tad but looser than before. "The answer to that is simple... I was human once, Nicky-dear, and a human learns these things. And what do you mean, 'Men like me'?" He responded simply, shrugging his shoulders lightly.

"You didn't answer my question either. Did it-it hurt?"

"The bite? Not at all... In fact, the bite itself was a taste of euphoria, like a states I never wanted. The blood was drained from my body, but I felt as if I was being refreshed, my body was being cleaned of everything I'd ever done." He explained, but then paused and frowned, "But.. afterwards... the dying part. I felt... well, I felt like I was dying. I could feel each part of my stop, all down to my heart, as all through it I stayed conscious. It was easily the most pain I've ever felt in my life. Becoming a vampire isn't the walk in the park." He added thoughtfully, biting his lip.

"Now get your ass back over here before I honestly attack your head."

[Nicolas Cashel]

Nicolas' eyes clouded over in sympathy for the other man. Taking an unsure look around him, he drained the last bit of water from his glass, sighing frustratedly as droplets fell from his lips to splash onto his taught stomach, the light muscles slightly rippling under the cool liquid. He wiped it away absently, a moist trail all that was left before nodding to himself and walking slowly with much caution back over to the other man. Taking a seat, he focused his eyes on the far wall and waited to be tended to.

"People like me?" He shook his head sadly. "It isn't the easiest thing in the world to be the way I am. In a ways it is like dying. Not as painful from what you said, mind you, yet painful nonetheless."

Nicolas' hadn't even realized as his hand snuck out and squeezed Lucian's shoulder in semiunderstanding. "When I first realized that I was, different, I just wanted to die. Tried to actually yet stopped myself just in time. I couldn't even die and rid myself of my own filth that was me because I had to look after my orphaned sister." Nicolas sighed and ran the hand that had been on Lucian's shoulder through his hair, tangling the strands and causing them to stand on all different ends.

Smiling to himself he turned his serious brown eyes on the vampire, his lips quirked softly. "I didn't even understand everything until one of the Slaves here, Sayriel, casually stated my secret as if it were as clear as day. I still can't get over it. Do I look like a pansy to you?" Nicolas realized his mistake to late and he could have died right there on the spot. "My god, I'm so sorry..."

[alaryalexiajones]

Lucian grabbed at his shirt, tearing off a part of it and neatly folding it into a square. Grabbing the alcohol, he pulled the cap off before soaking the square of material with it. "Okay... this is going to hurt like a bitch, but if you move I'm going to have to do it again. Be good, please." Lucian requested before gripping Nicolas' shoulder and pressing the cloth to the wound on his neck first. That one seemed worse than the one on his head, so he decided to attend to it first. Plus, if he jerked to much when his head was being cleaned, then it could cause more blood to escape and Lucian to lose a little bit more of his sanity toward not jumping the Lord. That would be bad...

He listened to the other banter on, actually taking in what he was saying and he nodded once in awhile. Finally pulling the cloth from his neck, he stood, taking the roll of bandage and beginning to tightly wind it around his neck, to make sure the wound would stay closed and clean. "I know exactly what you mean. I remember when I found out I was a vampire... I had killed my father the night before... I wanted to kill myself." He admitted softly, ripping off a new strip of his shirt. It was clean, so it was okay.

"But, do tell me, Nicky-dear, how are you different? What could be so bad you wanted to die?" He questioned, now soaking the new square with the alcohol, "Time for your head. Did you get turned into a were or something? Nothing could be too bad compared to that. I heard the change was worse than mine, and that happens once a month..."