Summary: Several months have passed since the fight with Lovell’s Ghoul. Every day, you’ve been training hard, learning and practicing techniques from Beaumont’s books on Hunter lore. Unfortunately, it seems your enemy, Lovell, has just been biding his time…preparing a sinister trick guaranteed to make you his. While Beaumont can’t counter Lovell’s deviousness completely…he may know a way to help, if you’re willing to trust him.

(I apologize in advance for putting ancient Latin terms in this one, oh geez T_T)

PART 1 PART 2 PART 3 PART 4

Characters:

• ZACHARIAH BEAUMONT - Vampire; head of the Beaumont Clan. Kind and humble. Believes that humans should not be enslaved, and that vampires should only subsist off donated blood. Lovell’s biggest rival, and a thorn in his side.

CW: accidentally walking in on someone changing, mentions of slavery, curse words, vampiric biting/feeding, consensual hypnosis

Usage:

• OK to record & monetize, as long as you give me credit in the video/audio description as the scriptwriter! I would also love to listen to the recording when it’s done–please send me the link on Reddit! Paywalling is okay; however, if you paywall, you must make it possible for me to listen to the finished product.
• Gender-flipping and small tweaks are okay, but no large edits are permitted.
• Feel free to use music or insert sound effects if you’d like. Any sound effects given are suggestions–use at your discretion. *Sound effects in bold, set apart by asterisks\*
• Any dialogue or reactions given by the Listener are purely for the benefit of the VA, to help them feel like they have something to respond to while they’re acting. Listener reactions in italics.
• Please let me know if you have any questions!

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\Sound effect–-door bursting open\**

\urgent, serious** Nightingale, are you in here? There’s something you need to-–

Beaumont sees the Listener, who’s halfway through changing.

–Oh! \stammering, embarrassed** Oh, by the Lady! I—I’m so sorry! I had no idea you weren’t decent! Hang on, um—let me just—I’ll be, um, I’ll be down in my office. Just come find me whenever you’re ready. I’m sorry!

\Sound effect–door closing. Pause–time skip to the office. Sound effect–knocking\**

Come in.

\Sound effect–door opening\**

Hello, Nightingale. Please, forgive me for earlier. I—I didn’t know you’d be—I should have knocked. I’m sorry.

“Did you enjoy the view?” the Listener quips.

Hmm? Did I…enjoy the view? I–-well—wait, you’re smirking! Are you teasing me? Oh, by the Lady and her Lover…you’re enjoying this, aren’t you?

“Maybe a little.” The Listener grins.

Fine, then. If my blood were still flowing, I’d be blushing like a fool right now. \earnest** But can you blame me? You are truly lovely, my dear. Your body is nothing short of a work of art…you put the models of classical sculpture to shame. Your lover would be a lucky soul indeed.

A pause. The Listener stands there speechless, blushing profusely, before they finally find their voice, asking, "Didn’t you say you had something important to show me?”

Didn’t I have something important to show you? \serious** Oh…yes. Here—why don’t you sit down?

Beaumont shows the Listener an elegant invitation, sealed with wax and stamped with the insignia of Clan Lovell.

This was delivered to me earlier. It bears the Lovell seal. \Sound effect–paper rustling, as Beaumont opens the scroll\** It’s an invitation to a Sanguis Sollemne. [Author’s Note: pronounced “SONG-gwiss So-LEMM-nay”]

“What’s a Sanguis…whatever-it-is?”

It’s the formal term for a blood ball. It’s a…a type of party, I guess you could say. All the invitees gather together…and everyone brings a source of blood to share.

“WHAT!? You mean…!?”

\with revulsion** Yes. Everyone is supposed to bring a blood slave, one that’s never been marked, as a gift for their fellow guests. Then, at the party, everyone gets a chance to…sample each others' victims. It’s supposed to be an opportunity for vampires to show off their power…possessing a good-tasting slave carries a lot of prestige, after all. Fortunately, the sampling part has started to fall out of favor with most vampires nowadays…but Lovell still does it, of course. That bastard…he’s backed us into a corner, and he knows it.

“What do you mean? We’re not actually going, are we?”

Believe me, I’d like nothing better than to tell him to go to hell, but…we can’t. The Sanguis Sollemne is an honored tradition—if I refuse without adequate reason, it would be viewed as a deadly insult to his clan. Knowing Lovell, he would probably try and use it as grounds to invoke a Right of Vasile against me…and then he’d claim you as recompense. I can’t let that happen.

“What about his attack on us, with the Ghoul? Can’t we use that as leverage?”

Can’t we use his Ghoul attack as leverage? Unfortunately, no. Since the creature is dead, we have no proof that Lovell was the one who sent it. Don’t feel bad, Nightingale—you did the right thing. It’s almost impossible to capture a Ghoul alive; they’re incredibly strong. Besides, if you hadn’t stabbed it, I might not be here right now.

“Can you take someone else with you?”

I thought of that, too, but it won’t work. If I take someone else along in your place, that leaves you here alone. As soon as I’m gone, Lovell would have a clear shot at you. I know you’ve been practicing hard, and I’ve never seen anyone fight as well as you—but I don’t think you’re ready to face him on your own just yet. If you’re by my side, then if worse comes to worse, at least I can help you defend yourself.

“But then—then what? What do we do!?”

I’ve thought about this from every possible angle, but at the moment, it looks like our only option is to accept. As much as it seems like we’re walking straight into the lion’s mouth…I’m afraid, at this point, we have no choice.

“No! No, I refuse! If I go in there, I’m dead! There HAS to be some other way!”

I know, Nightingale. I’m so sorry. Here—

He takes the shaking Listener in his arms.

It’s alright. I’m here. Shhh…just focus on the feel of my arms around you. Breathe. \breathes in and out, guiding her** It’s alright. I’ve got you. I’m not going anywhere.

Pause.

\doesn’t want to say this, but is saying it anyway** Listen…we may not be able to refuse, but…there may be something we can do to minimize the danger to you, while we’re there. According to tradition, everyone is supposed to bring a brand-new source of blood. But lately, it’s also become acceptable to bring a favorite source, instead.

“Why does that matter?”

Why does that matter? Because if a slave, or rather, a victim, has already been marked—in other words, if their master has already drunk from them—then it’s a terrible faux pas for another vampire to drink from that person without their master’s permission.

The Listener’s face pales. “You’re saying…”

Yes. If I were to mark you…it might provide you some degree of protection. I hope it goes without saying that I would never let anyone else there drink from you…and hopefully, our oppressive social conventions would keep anyone from trying.

“Do you really think it’ll work?”

I hope so. No one’s ever brought a victim with Hunter Blood to a ball before, though. Worst case scenario, the smell of your blood might drive them all mad…and then all our conventions would go out the window. I’m sorry—I shouldn’t be dwelling on the worst possible outcome.

Pause.

\soft, serious** I…I know, Nightingale. I hate it, too. It makes me want to stake myself, to think of—of violating you like this. If you don’t want to…then I understand. We’ll try to find another way.

After a lengthy pause, the Listener agrees.

You’ll do it? Are you absolutely sure?...Alright then. This, um…this might work better on the sofa. Would you mind?

\Sound effect–sitting down on a cushioned sofa\**

Get yourself comfortable. I promise, I’ll do my best to make it as painless as possible. I can put you under hypnosis, if that would help.

The Listener nods.

Yes? Okay. Wait-–take this, just in case.

He hands the Listener a sharpened stake.

Yes, it’s a stake. If something should happen…if I should lose control, and you feel me going too far…don’t hesitate, understand? \ignoring the Listener’s protests* No,* Nightingale. You matter most. You’ve been practicing mental resistance in your training. With your strength, I know you could do it.

Ready? Okay. Now…just like before. Look into my eyes. There you go…look deep into my eyes. That’s it…deeper, and deeper. Breathe in…and out…in…and out. Relax. Yes…just relax, sinking into the couch. Deeper, and deeper. Let your thoughts turn to smoke, floating away. All that’s left is my voice…my voice, and my eyes. Keep looking into them. Sinking deeper into my eyes. That’s it. Just sink…sink…sink. Feel your eyes getting heavy. You’re struggling to keep them open, as you keep on sinking deeper and deeper. Let your eyes slip closed. Yes. Close your eyes, Nightingale. Just floating in the deep. Now…tilt your head back for me. Good.

\A few seconds of heavy breathing, followed by the sound of a bite, then sucking sounds and moans. Eventually, Beaumont forces himself to let go. We hear the sound of him releasing the Listener\**

\panting, dazed* …F***ng hell.* By our Lady and her Lover…I’ve never tasted anything so good…I…I don’t even have words. F\**,* I—I want…! \forcing himself to stop** No…I have to stop…I…I have to… \realizes** My dear—you’re bleeding. Here—let me—

\Sound effect—bundling up a cloth. He presses the cloth to the Listener’s neck\**

Are…are you alright? Nightingale? \snaps fingers** Wake up.

The Listener opens their eyes with a gasp.

It’s over, darling. Are you alright? Did I hurt you!?

The Listener says no—in fact, it felt wonderful.

What? It…it felt wonderful? Really? \relief** Oh, thank the Lady…oh, I’m so glad.

The Listener tries to move, but slumps forward into Beaumont.

Oh—careful! I must’ve taken too much. I’m sorry. You might feel lightheaded for a bit.

The Listener, still dreamy-eyed, puts their hand on his cheek.

\soft gasp** What—what are you doing? \tenderly** Your hand is so soft on my cheek. I can feel your calluses from training.

The Listener tells him not to feel guilty about this later, because they know he will.

What? Don’t beat myself up about this later? You’re really, honestly fine? \laugh** Oh, Nightingale…how is it that, after only three months, you somehow know me better than I know myself? Here—let me carry you back to your room. I’ll ask Maryanne to send up some warm broth. Get some rest, my darling. Shhh…get some rest.

He scoops up the Listener, carrying them out of the room.