|
Post by Mikel on Oct 12, 2007 10:11:45 GMT -5
The Machnerum estate is located on a small mountain range in New Zealand. It overlooks a hilly terrain and rolling green fields below. New Zealand is a beautiful country and the estate that is owned by Mikel is no exception. This was Mikel’s childhood home for the first several years of his life before he was chased away because they found out what he was. Nearly three centuries later he returned to his home and bought it from the government as it was repossessed prior to his return. Mikel then began to refurnish and recreate his home, adding his own architecture and styles.
Mikel’s home primarily was a Romanesque style building like the Pantheon in Rome. Mikel couldn’t change most of the pillars and columns, which were an Ionic style, so added no ones, extended hallways and rooms with a Corinthian style pillars and Gothic style architecture. The Gothic style allowed for my light with added window, some stain glass windows, like the one in his private chapel that depicted the Virgin Mary cradling Jesus in her arms. The Chapel is one of the newer additions and it is on the right wing of the palace. Mikel had an entire plateau created for the sole purpose of building on it and using for a courtyard, in which placed a large fountain.
The architecture itself, the newer architecture was more pointed in contrast to the Romanesque, which was more rounded. Mikel also kept many ancient replicas, some actually real, pieces of art in his home. He had a replica of Winged Victory from Athens and a replica of the Mona Lisa, School of Athens, the Dying lioness, many other great works of art. All over the walls are quotes from Aristotle, Plato, and Socrates, great philosophers of their time. Mikel had a keen sense of satisfaction knowing that he surrounded himself which such works of beauty and skill. He had works such as Michelangelo’s “Last Judgment” and his “David, placed at the top of a massive set of stone stairs. There was a sculpture of Pieta and most impressive of all is Leonardo Da Vinci’s “Creation of Adam” is actually on a dome shaped room to the right of Mikel’s dining room and opening quarters.
With all of the works of art in the estate, Mikel’s home practically was one. Mikel loved his home and everything that he created and brought to it. It was rare that he had visitors, but those that did come experienced the finest things in life and the most beautiful paintings and pieces of art ever composed or created. Usually there is music from Mozart, Beethoven and other composers playing throughout the home. Those that are invited are welcome. The home is hard to access because of winding roads and the fact that it is on a mountain, but the journey is worth it if one enjoys the finer tastes of life.
|
|
|
Post by Mikel on Oct 12, 2007 19:24:08 GMT -5
Mikel had been expecting some company. Mikel was one of those people that loved to know about history and about everything that he could possibly know about. He loved to be educated, he loved to be knowledgeable. Mikel had a cup of red wine, chardonnay. Mikel was a promoter of chardonnay. He owned a vinery in Italy dedicated to selling his own kind of chardonnay. Mikel was waiting patiently as he had sent out invitations to his home several days ago through series of letters. He had actually sent a couple of messengers in person to find some of his “clients” that could be found in the mail. Mikel’s company could sometimes be quite elusive. Mikel sat on the stone edge of his circular fountain and he waited to be alerted of the arrival of either of his guests.
|
|
|
Post by Pete on Oct 12, 2007 23:33:54 GMT -5
Strange. Mail doesnt usually find its way into the hands of a fifteen year old Werewolf, especially considering he lived in a different place every other day. Stepping past the iron gate, he walked up to the massive front door. It was quite a sight, it reminded him of the fancy mansions dotting the country side of Italy. Casually wandering the great halls of the building, he could help but gawk at his surroundings. He had never seen such great wealth. His family was by no means poor, quite the contrary, but this place was like a museum. Or it could have just been the fact that sleeping under a roof was a luxury for the Lycan. He walked past another hallway and up a massive set of stone stairs, meeting the gaze of a giant bronze figure, looking down at him from his pedestal. The David eh? This guy's got good taste. he was of course a little curious as to why he was summoned, but it would answered eventually. Anybody with the resources to track down Pete must have something very important in mind. God this place is huge... they'll have to send in a rescue team to find me...
|
|
|
Post by Mikel on Oct 12, 2007 23:54:34 GMT -5
Granted Mikel’s home was an antique in and of itself, didn’t mean that it didn’t have modern technology. There were quite a few cameras monitoring things and there was an overall control room. Of course the control room where the monitors were placed were in the basement and there were no signs of them anywhere. You had to have a trained eye to even see the cameras. Mikel was approached by one of his butlers who were dressed in a white shirt with a white tie and white pants. Mikel liked elegance in everything even in what his waiters and waitresses wore. “ Sir, you have a strange looking boy wandering around your estate.” The man said quaintly and Mikel calmly raised an eyebrow. “You have not removed him?” Mikel asked. “He is one of your guests sir.” The man said and Mikel paused for a moment, swirling the red wine in his cup a bit. He took a sip and then handed it to the man, “Hold this Harold.” Mikel said and then took up his black cane with a silver crest, which his hand was wrapped around as he walked. He found his way into the hallway, the steady click of his cane against the patterned marble floors echoing through the vast corridors. It did not take Mikel long to find Pete. Ah yes, the young lycan that he had requested audience with. Mikel stopped and looked at the boy, “Do you find this place at all interesting?” Mikel asked as he watched Pete’s eyes wondered, looking at the paintings and works of art. It was indeed impressive, beautiful in its originality and style. Rudimentary yet still elegant and intrinsic in architecture and design.
|
|
|
Post by Namir Black on Oct 13, 2007 12:08:44 GMT -5
Namir walked slowly behind Pete, taking in this ornate structure of a house. She felt out of place being here, she looked down at her dirt spattered tank top, her grey cargo pants, and her scuffed combat boots, her normal daily wear stuck out like a sore thumb among all of the marble and silver. A small whistle escaped her lips "Fancy..." she said looking around. She too had received a letter, the folded slightly crumpled envelope protruded from her back pocket, ready to be grabbed. Namir bit her lip gently, the David was gazing down at her, his forlorn gaze was the all the inspiration she had ever needed when she was painting. Now she never has the time, a tiny hole in her heart formed, missing her art. The gentle tap on the marble tore her from her inner thoughts and broke her gaze on David, her eyes found the source. A tall dark and handsome man was walking towards them, clad in a suit with a cane. It was almost like a life like replica of David was standing before her, his skin so much like the marble that David was composed of. "Nice place." she said a small smile spreading to her lips, her eyes still floating around to the rest of the works.
|
|
|
Post by Mikel on Oct 13, 2007 12:53:03 GMT -5
Mikel looked at Namir with a curious smile. Harold had not mentioned a second guest. Perhaps Mikel's security was becoming a bit...poor...for lack of better word. No matter, Mikel was in no real danger. He was confronted now by a boy, no more than sixteen and a woman. It wasn't that Mikel didn't have respect for women and didn't think that they could match him or males. Women had their place in society and men had theirs, at the head of society. Ever since the elder days and ancient times, men had been deemed more worthy to rule than women. There was a contradiction when it came to a certain women pharaoh in Egypt that actually defeated the Romans for a time. However, even still, she too fell to a male and killed herself. Typical.
In any case Mikel stood before them in his white suite, white shoes, white everything except the contrast of his light brown hair that flowed to about his neck. Mikel had just had it straightened so it reached maximum length. Both of his guests seemed rather fascinated with his sculpture or David and Mikel turned and looked at it once again. It was in fact a work to be remember. Mikel knew an increasing amount of information about that piece, but at the current time it would be pointless to show that intellect. " I seem to think that i have a rather antique home. My estate can be defined as....lavish...you could say." Mikel said with a smile at the end of his sentence. He had a certain heir in his voice. It was smooth and collected. Even his voice seemed to illuminate the fact that he was more intelligent than most. " I welcome you here." He continued, " I assume you received my letters beckoning your presence and i am sure that as your received and read them, you no doubt wondered why could possibly cause me to have interest in yourselves." Mikel said, taking a few steps closer to Namir, twirling his cane a bit, " An answer that, in due time i shall answer, but first, shall i enlighten you with any refreshments or drinks?" Mikel inquired.
|
|
|
Post by Pete on Oct 13, 2007 14:57:43 GMT -5
"I'll take a mountain dew, if you have any. And as for why we're here, I'll go ahead and assume that it has something to do with who we are. Or more importantly what we are." Of course Mikel knew they were Lycans, anyone who knew their whereabouts and lived could tell you that. But there was a catch: Neither Pete nor Namir were your everyday Werewolves. He could have been wrong, but it seemed as if Mikel underestimated the boy. Sure, he was fifteen years old, but he was stronger and faster than any human. He reached out and shook the man's hand, his manners kicking in. "I'm Pete, the Lycan Lieutenant. Her name is Namir, my partner in crime. I'll just get right to the point. Why are we here?"
|
|
|
Post by Namir Black on Oct 13, 2007 16:30:55 GMT -5
Looking him over again, Namir declined, "No thank you. I'll take my enlightenment now, please." She didn't like to accept anything to drink from anyone whom she didn't trust. She looked Mikel over, he was elegant in a masculine way, but she wasn't sure about him yet, the mysterious manner in which they'd received their letters. How had this guy even known about them? Of course she wanted answers! Who the hell was this Rico Suave and why is he sending her mail? As he stepped towards her she didn't back down, but only looked him in the eye with certain confidence. Namir folded her arms over her chest and waited for Mikel to continue.
|
|
|
Post by Mikel on Oct 13, 2007 22:34:04 GMT -5
Mikel took Pete’s hand and shook it. It was not a weak handshake from either party, Mikel especially. Mikel found quaint ways to show that he was not exactly a push over in though he sometimes seemed like it because of his life style. Mikel took Pete’s hand firmly and then relinquished his grip after a moment, placing right hand, which was his predominant one, over his left hand which was resting smoothly on the cane. He smirked at Pete’s question. Of course that was what he wanted to know. It was only natural for one so young to be curious and inquisitive. However, Mikel did like his persistence and how he got right down to business. Mountain dews though, what the heck was that? Some soft drink perhaps? Mikel didn’t store any soft drinks, mainly wine, water, and milk from time to time. “I don’t believe I have a, mountain dew.” Mikel said with a questioning voice, still not sure if his assumption about what mountain dew was. “However, I can accurately and completely answer your question about why you are here.” Mikel said and then extended his right hand to a room to their left. “First perhaps should go to the parlor, sit down and make ourselves more comfortable. There is no need to strain your legs.” Mikel said smoothly and then walked towards the parlor, his cane clicking against the marble floor. The clicking changed to more a thud as it struck the carpet that covered the surface of most of the parlor. Mikel sat down in an 18th century armchair that was actually covered in a leopard skin. There were two couches, and another chair adjacent and parallel to the seat Mikel sat in. Mikel kindly and quietly pointed these out.
|
|
|
Post by Arai on Oct 15, 2007 14:14:45 GMT -5
Arai, too, had recieved a letter. However, unlike the others she did not accept it in the typical way. She followed Pete and Namir, staying at a distance. Though she was almost certain they were aware of her, they thankfully did nothing. She had arrived at the estate a few minutes after they had gone inside. The architecture took her breath away. Arai was no architect, but she knew from books and from what she had seen that this was magnificent. For that matter, anyone could see it was magnificent. The sweeping lines, the rich Roman style, all set on a gorgeous landscape. Whoever this guy was, he knew how to live high-class. She missed that world. She had never lived in a house like this, but she had been practically rich and traveled everywhere, staying in the finest hotels, getting exclusive tours. And Arai had soaked it in like a sponge, retaining the information and keeping it for later. She sighed, wondering what the inside would be like. But still she did not enter. For one thing, one did not just wander into a place like this uninvited. Technically, as testified by the slightly battered letter in her pocket, she was invited, but etiquette lessons had taught her to wait for the host to make the first move. Secondly, she was hardly dressed to be among such splendor. Her t-shirt was faded, as was the jean jacket she sported. Her jeans were a bit scruffy and dirty at the hems due to all her walking. And she couldn't help but feel it would be entirely inappropriate to walk down those long halls in her old sneakers. Running a hand back through her short auburn hair, she sighed again, just outside the property. She would wait and see what happened. Arai was good at waiting.
|
|
|
Post by Mikel on Oct 21, 2007 20:54:04 GMT -5
Arai was outside the estate, but she was not unnoticed. Mikel was busy tending to his guests and he was doing a rather thorough job. Mikel was used to a higher class of individuals, yet these that were before him, were not what he was expecting. Mikel, being a werewolf himself was well adapted to normal and sophisticated life. He had made a living for he, gained a sizable inheritance and had invested properly. He was a very rich man, and a very old one even though he did not look the part. One would believe that anyone that was a werewolf and had been living for so long would have a greater understanding of economics and culture and be able to create a life for themselves. Apparently, Mikel’s expectations were too high.
Outside, a limo drove up where Arai was standing looking at the magnificent mansion. It stopped, the wheels rolling to a slow stop on the gravel path. The tinted black window on the side rolled down slightly and the face of a female appeared. She was a rather pretty thing, her long brunette hair bouncing with curls along her shoulders. Her green eyes sparkled and her completion was perfect. She wore a black dress, low cut down the middle and with sparkles. She gave a warm smile towards Arai, “Hello there my dear, may I help you?” she asked, her voice warming and welcoming.
|
|
|
Post by Arai on Oct 21, 2007 21:15:56 GMT -5
Arai's sensitive ears heard the crunching roll of tires on gravel long before the car pulled up. She watched intently as a limo came into view. Her reflection stared back at her in the many black windows as it pulled to a stop in front of her. She was not surprised when the window rolled down and a face stared out at her. If Arai had not felt self-conscious before, she certainly did now. The black reflected the thin scar down her face, contrasting strongly with the perfection of the woman's skin. Her hair was perfect, probably styled every morning by professionals. Arai knew her dress was not from Target - probably from some high-end specialty store. Her eyes were automatically assessing this woman; she was rich, and of good class too. All this assessing took only a second, then the woman spoke. My dear? From the tone of her voice and the way she said the words, Arai knew she wasn't a snob, at least not at first. "Yes," she said slowly, automatically adopting her more cultured voice, "Is the master of the estate at home? I recieved a letter, you see, and I see no place to inquire about where to respond to it." Whoever this man was, he had class. And money. She wondered if this woman was his wife, or maybe his girlfriend. She wouldn't be surprised.
|
|
|
Post by Mikel on Oct 21, 2007 21:38:51 GMT -5
The woman smiled and leaned forward, knocking lightly on the black glass in front of her, "Steven, unlock the door for me." She asked in a kind voice and there was a clicking where the doors were unlocked. The lady then smiled back at Arai and rolled down the window the rest of the way. "I see darling, Mr. Machnerum i believe is already entertaining several guests at this time, however, he will be more than delighted to know that another one of his invitations reached its destination and brought its intended recipient." The lady said. At this time there was a man approached from the rear of the car. He was dressed in a black tux with a tie, not a bow tie. He had a funny looking hat with a black reflecting rim. He carried a firearm in his jacket, but it was not visible to the public or in this case, Arai. He smiled at her and bowed his head. That was an interesting thing. A well dressed man bowing to a girl in jeans and a t shirt. The man then promptly straightened himself and the opened the door, beckoning for Arai to enter the vehicle. The woman inside smiled sweetly, " It is a long walk yet to the estate and it is humid outside, please, let me give you a ride." She said sweetly.
|
|
|
Post by Arai on Oct 21, 2007 21:46:44 GMT -5
Arai smiled at the man, inclining her head respectfully in return. "Thank you very much, I would be most grateful for the ride if the estate is already your intended destination." Definitely rich, then, judging by the chauffer and the limo. Sliding inside in the proper way - there was a special way to enter a limo - she gracefully sat, discretly observing the interior. Arai had been inside a limo before; her parents had gone all out to make sure her senior prom had been the best ever. And it had been. But that rental limo was nothing compared to this. Every line of the car spoke of class and family money. Unless the man was a drug dealer, he was most likely from a long line of class. Massive money like this was usually inherited. Arai was a bit excited, though her exterior was cool and collected. She had class, even if her clothes did not show it. She was greatly anticipating seeing the inside of that amazing house, or mansion more like.
|
|
|
Post by Mikel on Oct 21, 2007 21:58:18 GMT -5
The chauffer closed the door after Arai sat in. It wasn't one of those horror film slams of the door, but more a gently slam that posed no threat. Once inside the lady smiled at Arai and watched as she observed the inside of the limo. It was in fact rather extravagant. Mikel had a taste for the finer things and the limo was no exception. The limo was lined with a dark red silk and the seats she sat on seemed to be made of the substance that water seats were made of. It was also covered in a plush and rather "fluffy" surface. There was a mini bar with several wine bottles, expensive glasses. There was sort of a dim blue light, not the regular white or yellow light that lit the interior of the vehicle. The room was spacious, enough to stretch out in. The woman though, quaintly had her legs folded and placed to the side.
After a moment of letting Arai takes in everything she smiled again. She could tell that Arai was not used to this sort of wealth, yet Arai was polite and seemed to be well aware of the proper edict for civilized folk. "Now, this letter you received," She began as the car began to move once again, "It is from Mr. Machnerum for he greatly desires to meet you because of who you are, and what you are. You are unique and he wished to know more of your experiences. My lord is a bit particular though, so once we reach the estate we will have to get you changed." the woman said, "I hope you do not mind," She continued.
|
|