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Vandal Savage ([info]i_savage) wrote in [info]we_coexist,
@ 2008-11-10 10:35:00

Previous Entry  Add to memories!  Tell a Friend!  Next Entry
Entry tags:dean winchester, madame xanadu, vandal savage, zombies

A man's home is his castle [open to non-infected refugees]
The man in the crosshairs looked safe. He had a healthy enough color, no visible injuries, his movement looked natural, and from what little Vandal Savage heard, the man appeared to be using complete sentences. Still, one couldn't be too careful. He had pulled in the drawbridge at the first sign of this plague, and though he intended to take in some unfortunates and shelter them in his castle (the people of this City held a charitable man in the highest of esteem), he refused to endanger his own life. Earlier, he watched and even fired a few helpful shots as a small group of refugees fought off infected citizens in front of his castle, sustaining minor injuries. However, just as he was about to give the order to lower the drawbridge to allow the survivors in, he saw the infection take hold in the injured members mere minutes after the attack. He would wait a few minutes to see if this new refugee turned.

Vandal removed the sniper rifle from the parapet atop the castle where he sat and watched with his own eyes as the man paced nervously in front of the castle. He picked up a glass of brandy from a table he'd brought up with him, and he sipped patiently. Usually Vandal abstained from such unhealthy activity, but special situations demanded special drinks.

Sure enough, a minute later, the man dropped slowly to the ground, and shortly thereafter, slowly rose up again. The poor wretch began to look around in search of food. Vandal put his fingers to his lips and blew a loud whistle so that the wretch would take notice. He did, and began shambling toward the castle, not seeing the sheer drop of the ravine until he was hurtling down into it. He crunched into the rocks and brush that served as a moat - probably not dead, but out of the way, at least. No point in wasting bullets at this point.

"Damned unwashed masses," cursed Vandal, and he took another swig of brandy.



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[info]i_demonhunt
2008-11-10 03:48 pm UTC (link)
Dean was silent nearly the whole time he was driving. Sounds of bodies hitting his car could be heard. Thuds or a bump as he ran over some while he searched for a place to hold up at. He had tried calling Jo another time but again, a bunch of zombies had distracted him and he had to pull a wild skid move in the Impala to get away.

It was then he saw the castle. Perfect. Strong hold. Moat around it. Hell those things couldn't get over that and even if they did, oil can be poured and lighted, right? Didn't they do that back then?

However, as he pulled up to it, driving around, he saw no way to get on. "Fuck," he cursed as he stopped the car. "Stay in the car, sweetheart." Dean still didn't know her name. He climbed out, looking about then reached into his pants and pulled his gun out. "HEY!" He shouted. "ANYONE IN THERE?!?"

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[info]i_look
2008-11-10 07:37 pm UTC (link)
The quiet meant Xanadu did not have to answer questions she did not know the answer to, nor the questions she didn't wish to answer. It meant she didn't have to answer to how angry his voice had sounded when they reached the car, though Xanadu could not recall how long she'd blacked out. She'd brought nothing with her but the clothes on her back, as far as she could tell she was not capable of doing anything.

Every time he hit something she flinched.

And then there were questions about Sam. Xanadu was very thankful that he didn't ask. She didn't want to revisit that moment. The car stopped and the blind seer had no idea where they were. Against his wishes, Xanadu stepped out of the car.

"Dean? What's going on? Where are we?"

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[info]i_demonhunt
2008-11-10 07:49 pm UTC (link)
Dean shot his head around then stalked over to her, "I told you to stay in the car." He grabbed her arm and pulled her close to him as he looked about.

"We're at some castle, it looks pretty sturdy but if no one is there, we are gonna have a bitch of a time getting over there." He was having a hard time trying to think of a way to get over. And he might have to think of another place to go. Maybe Elizabeth's ship.

He didn't like what he had to say next, "And I will have to leave you there, I need to go back for Sam."

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[info]i_look
2008-11-10 11:41 pm UTC (link)
"Dean, there's no Sam to go back to."

Xanadu didn't expect reason to work. She also didn't expect the portcullis to be raised (or whatever else that was blocking their path since Xanadu couldn't know what was in front of them).

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[info]i_demonhunt
2008-11-11 10:07 am UTC (link)
Dean jerked his head around, anger upon his face. "Yes there is. He's my brother and I'm not gonna leave him behind. I don't care what he is," which was a lie. Dean knew, deep down, if Sam couldn't be saved, he would have to do what his heart didn't want him to do. But he had to try first. Sam was all he had left.

"Besides, you don't know that for sure. Nothing is for sure," he walked away from her around to the trunk, opening it up and looking inside.

"First we need to find a way to get inside that thing," he motioned to the castle. "And I don't want to draw attention to us if those things are out there."

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[info]i_savage
2008-11-12 09:16 am UTC (link)
The smeared remains on the front bumper of the car indicated that the occupants had been lucid enough to drive for more than a few minutes before arriving here. Enough time that if one of them was going to turn into a zombie, they would have by now.

"All right, lower the drawbridge," Vandal Savage muttered into his cell phone. "Slowly. As quietly as you can."

From his vantage point atop the castle, he could keep an eye on any undesirables approaching. And in fact, as the gears and chains rumbled into life below him, he did see another form emerge from the shrubbery. In an instant he had the creature's head in his sights and with a ringing shot, he dropped it. He quickly reloaded, knowing the sound would undoubtedly bring more undesirables.

"No point in keeping it quiet, now," he spoke into his phone again. "Drop the bridge."

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[info]i_look
2008-11-12 10:33 am UTC (link)
The Madame de Xanadu heard the castle entrance open staring forward curiously but blankly. Then she heard the gunshot. Xanadu jumped, her hands on the car since there was no one else to hold onto. The opening at the castle came much louder and much faster. It was not a portcullis, but something much bigger, a draw bridge perhaps.

"Dean? What's happening?"

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[info]i_demonhunt
2008-11-12 10:47 am UTC (link)
Dean had jerked his head around when he heard the bridge moving. He then jumped as she did when he heard the gun shot and saw something fall in the woods. Damnit. He ran around, "Get in the car, we're going into the castle. We'll get you to safety." Then he could plan what to do next. Like find his brother.

With doors closed, Dean started his car and headed for the bridge, flooring her gas peddle and pointing her to go over the bridge. Upon entering he slammed on the breaks, sliding the car around to it was pointing back toward the bridge. He jumped out after shutting his baby off and moved around to get her out.

He looked around to see who had helped them, "We're safe for now, sweetheart," he spoke to her. His hold on her protective now cause he wasn't sure what to expect.

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[info]i_look
2008-11-12 12:40 pm UTC (link)
What he said and what he did were two different things. His hold on her made her nervous and she frowned. In her shop she had enough familiarity to get around, here she felt completely dependent. The seer didn't like it.

"Who's castle is this?"

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[info]i_savage
2008-11-12 03:50 pm UTC (link)
Someone emerged from a side door in the entryway and approached the couple. He was a dark, lumpy man with an old scar on his cheek and an unkempt black mustache. He smiled, and a platinum tooth glinted.

"Wery glad to see you," he said, certain of his message, if unclear in his English. He bowed slightly and offered a hand in peace. "Please, welcome to Castle Sawadz. I am Dino, chief of security. The Duke Wandal Sawadz will be meeting you presently, only he is on the roof, shooting the wampyr. Please, comfort yourselfs within." He began to usher them toward the huge inner doors.

Savage, meanwhile, watched the front until the drawbridge was closed again. Two more skillfully placed shots felled two more of the lurching infected. A further three made their way toward the rising bridge, but would not make it in time. They joined their cousins in the ravine.

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[info]i_demonhunt
2008-11-12 04:25 pm UTC (link)
Dean had turned to the sound of a door creaking open. He narrowed his eyes as the lump dark man came out and started speaking and all Dean could think about was Elmer Fudd. "Dino? Really? Don't like a dinosaur to me. More like Elmer Fudd."

He started following, keeping Xanadu close to him, being protective of her. Duke, so this guy was. Dean so hoped he was a cool duke cause if he had a rod up his ass, Dean was gonna shove it up through his head before this nightmare was over.

"Look, I personally don't have time to get comfy before the fire with a glass of wine. I have to go back out." Reason was kept to himself, only Xanadu knew. And who knew whom others he would find as well.

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[info]i_look
2008-11-12 09:12 pm UTC (link)
Xanadu shoved her elbow hard into Dean's rib, a friendly reminder to mind his manners. Removing herself from Dean's protective grasp, Xanadu smiled politely and lowered her head briefly toward the voice that introduced himself.

"Please thank your employer for his gracious hospitality. We are in his debt. I am Madame Xanadu. Dean is one who rescued me, please excuse his rudeness, there is much chaos in The City as I'm sure you are aware."

Xanadu wasn't sure how formal to be or of the Duke's proper title. Since The City was mostly modern, she made her best guess.

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[info]i_savage
2008-11-13 09:10 am UTC (link)
"Is fine. Not to worry," Dino reassured Xanadu. Then, making his way over to Dean, he wrapped an arm around his back in what was ostensibly a warm gesture. He grabbed a little more neck than shoulder, however, and addressed the young man in a muted tone. "The Duke will decide when is safe for to leave. And please do not fuck with me. I am wery dangerous man." He left Dean with a manly slap on the shoulder and returned to the entryway.

The pair had been escorted into an impressive entry hall covered in tapestries and paintings from all different eras and parts of the world. A huge hearth greeted them with a roaring fire. A few polished suits of plate armor, some marble busts, and a host of sitting devices lined the walls.

Vandal Savage soon entered the room from a stairwell at one end, holding his glass and two others in one hand, and his bottle of brandy in the other. "Welcome to my home," his voice echoed in the hall as he approached. Upon seeing Xanadu, his expression changed slightly. "I hope it is to your satisfaction. You must be accustomed to more lavish surroundings, Madame."

He wasn't entirely certain it was her. The last time he saw her was in Marie Antoinette's court, where he was a young captain and she a spiritual advisor to the queen. He did not let on at that time that she had performed the same duties for him some centuries earlier, when he was in the guise of Kublai Khan. If nothing else, he was ashamed of the excesses he allowed himself to indulge in back then, and did not wish her to associate him with that corpulent man.

"Please," he said, pouring brandy into each glass, "have a drink and warm yourselves."

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[info]i_demonhunt
2008-11-13 09:56 am UTC (link)
Dean made a face at the friendly reminder to his rib but his expression didn't change. When Dean usually got something in his mind, he was determined to go with it. Even as Dino came up and grabbed his neck with his low warning, Dean tensed, having heard warnings like that for things worse than him. Dean still did not take those well and this was no different.

Dean walked behind her, following and taking in the surroundings. But as the man approached welcoming them, he had to do a double take because the man held a slight look of his father which ran Dean's blood cold. Or the fact he was with a Madame, which didn't bother him but now he knew what she did as well.

He saw the brandy and wondered if it was rude to drink from the bottle cause right now, he could drink half of it down the way he was feeling. And, not to mention the look the guy gave the woman he was with. His tone changing.

Dean stepped forward, handing Xanadu the glass, placing it in her hand, "Brandy," he informed her then grabbed his own, "Thanks," he spoke then down the glass in one take before setting it down empty. "Look," he started to speak, "Seems I brought her to the right. You know her." Dean hardly tip-toed around thing, at least in moments like this, "Me, I have to go back out. I need to go find my brother. But thanks for taking us in."

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[info]i_look
2008-11-13 10:12 am UTC (link)
To Xanadu, Dean's assumption came completely out of left field. She wasn't entirely sure what she missed when taking the glass that he offered, her hand carefully reaching forward until she felt she had a firm grip on it. She stared forward unable to see either of them, her face wearing a confused frown.

Xanadu had heard the expression bull in a china shop, but she had never actually seen it in action until now. She swallowed a large portion of the brandy before speaking.

"I apologize, your grace. Dean was very brave to pull me from danger and now I'm afraid he wishes to go back out in order to help others." Another cliche came to mind as Xanadu realized she started to sound like a broken record.

"Your hospitality is the most splendid I've experienced in.." decades? centuries? "...years. I am but a humble servant, your grace."

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[info]i_savage
2008-11-13 04:04 pm UTC (link)
"And I am yours - Vandal Savage. A Duke in title, but no more a citizen of this City than either of you."

Madame Xanadu's courtly manner was charming, but quaint, even by 1940 standards. He was certain now, however, that this was the Madame Xanadu he had known centuries ago. He smiled, "surely you are more than a servant, Madame. But we may leave that debate for later." It was impossible for him to tell at this time whether or not she recognized him. She was always one to play her cards close to the chest, he mused.

"As for the matter of returning to the City," he addressed Dean, bemused, "I would like to know what is so important that you would leave behind security to face almost certain death. You have loved ones you need to find, I assume?"

The impetuous young man reminded Vandal of so many others he'd known throughout history - thirsty for action and the chance to show valor. Most achieved their goal, but did not live to enjoy it. Others retired to a life of comfort ... and regret. He almost felt sorry for the fellow, knowing his fate.

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[info]i_demonhunt
2008-11-13 04:16 pm UTC (link)
Dean looked at Xanadu as she apologized for him. And to him, she wasn't a servant. She was a life. She was a person. She had every right to be treated as one and lucky, this guy was. For now. Dean swore, if this guy touched inappropriately, he was gonna ... well it wasn't gonna be pleasant.

"Well, Duke," Dean spoke slowly, "Xanadu is more than a servant, treat her as such or another way, you'll have to deal with me." Damn he needed another drink.

"As for the City. There are innocent people out there that need help, like her," he motioned "And I for one, am not gonna sit back while they got chopped on." And his brother was out there and if the man didn't hear him the first time, he wasn't gonna repeat it. "Just let me have some supplies and I'll be on my way."

And he was tempted to take her with him.

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[info]i_look
2008-11-13 04:25 pm UTC (link)
"Dean please! It's an expression." Xanadu adjusted the dark glasses that covered the remains of her eyes, frowning. When it came to social interaction, Dean apparently had only one available tool: a hammer. It was forgivable and yet Xanadu did not want to wear out their welcome.

"His brother was infected. I was there when it happened," answered Savage's question for him.

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[info]i_savage
2008-11-14 08:47 am UTC (link)
Vandal sipped his brandy and listened patiently.

Eventually, he put down the brandy bottle and gently laid a hand on Dean's shoulder, saying carefully, "Dean. Firstly, let me assure you that I have only the most noble intentions toward Madame Xanadu. As I said, I believe she is no more a servant than I am. I promise you, I will not mistreat her, nor allow any mistreatment to befall her. I may live in a castle, but I am not medieval." He smiled briefly and watched Dean a moment, making sure this statement satisfied him.

"Secondly, I would advise you to stay here. Others will find their way here, or to safe places elsewhere in the City. And above all, I would urge you not to seek out your brother. He is gone. I know your loss, as I have lost many members of my family in the conflicts that plague my homeland."

"However," he said, changing his tone, "I realize my words on this matter may not be enough to convince you to stay, and I do not intend to keep you here against your will. So, if you feel you must venture out again to help people, I will give you what aid I can offer. You may accompany me to the armory where I can show you my collection of weapons. You may take your pick of what you find there on one condition..." he said, pointing a finger. "You must have another drink." He smiled and offered the bottle again to pour Dean some more.

"Madame Xanadu, you may join us if you wish. Or you can make yourself more comfortable. My staff is at your disposal."

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[info]i_demonhunt
2008-11-14 10:21 am UTC (link)
Dean still didn't feel comfortable about leaving Xanadu here on her own but it would be her choice. He would leave her with things she needed, hopefully not having to use them.

He had to find his brother. This man didn't understand what was out there. A regular Sam was bad enough. Tipping with influences from dark people as it was, like Ruby. But a zombie Sam, who knew what chaos he was truly unleashing. Dean shuddered to think of it. And he had no idea how to stop him.

Could Zombies be sedated?

"Um, thank you," Dean muttered in reaching for the glass. If this guy only knew what hell Dean had been through. Even Xanadu didn't know. No one knew. Dean motioned for Vandal to fill it to the top before he drank half down, then the rest. He made a face briefly as it burned.

He sat the glass down then went over to her, speaking softly, low for her to hear. "You have Sam's phone, you call me if there is any, I mean any kind of trouble. I don't care what time of day it is. Call me. And," he paused in looking down, a frown crossing his face as he thought a moment, "When this is over, if it ever gets over, I really want to talk to you." He looked up at her for a brief moment, looking slightly like a lost little boy before that harden hunter returned, putting his own personal needs and fears aside. "I'll come back, promise." He rubbed her arm before pulling away.

Dean was escorted out to get weapons, everything he could need or carry in his car. He found some gas canisters and hoped it would work to knock his brother out if he had to.

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[info]i_look
2008-11-14 11:22 am UTC (link)
Xanadu didn't like the idea of Dean leaving, but she chose to only express as much in a quiet frown. She worried the promise he made her was one he couldn't keep. Sam's brother might have been uncouth, but he was also well intentioned and kind.

The seer did not help herself to another drink until after he had left. She would not be able to sleep otherwise. Xanadu had never experienced a civilization rot before her eyes, she'd been in China during the Black Death, but this filled her with dread. It was good, she reasoned while sipping from her glass, that she was unable to see it. Who would want to see such horror?

"Does someone have a deck of cards?"

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