ENZO ST JOHN
Vampire
Posts: 57
Age:
144
Occupation:
Unemployed
Status:
Single
Played by:
ANGE
Last seen Nov 17, 2024 18:37:17 GMT
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Post by ENZO ST JOHN on Oct 6, 2023 17:56:13 GMT
The irritating pinging sound had finally shut off as he’d pulled into the curb and shut off the engine. New cars ran in a similar way and the design hadn’t changed that much on the surface, underneath was a different matter though. There were signals and lights and all sorts of things he hadn’t thought to get Aurora or the former owner of the car (who’d agreed so generously, under compulsion, to gift him the vehicle) to explain.
Enzo craned forward to stare up at the building. It was fancier than the place he’d found for himself. Considering what he’d heard about Tristan de Martel, it seemed fitting. The man liked the glamour, the class. Just like the Original vampire he apparently hated – although that smacked more of envy to him than anything else. Most of what he knew about the guy had come from Aurora and, of course, it was coloured with her opinions on her brother. There had to be some truth to it, though. Like with Chiara, appearances could be deceiving, but the reality remained, lurking under the surface.
He slipped out of the car, remembering to lock it up before he strolled towards the building. Maybe there would be someone there to stop him, Chiara had always had people guarding her home, the family’s headquarters too. You didn’t leave the front door wide open for just anybody to get close. From the sounds of it, Tristan might’ve been paranoid enough to have the entire place barricaded.
Dark eyes twitched around the space, trying to spot some sort of security – even those gleaming cameras that Wes had dotted all over the Augustine’s facility – but he found little before he heard the elevator humming down towards him. That was something else that had gotten smoother over the years. It was all electronic now, those little devices supposedly making life easier doing the opposite for him. He had a phone now, at least – welcome to the twenty-first century Enzo St. John.
Like the car, the door of the elevator pinged. Enzo’s step slowed, his gaze narrowing as the suited figure stepped out. Perhaps he wouldn’t have to go knocking at the apartment door after all. There was enough of a resemblance between him and Aurora that he was almost certain he was looking at Tristan de Martel. Head of the Strix, a man – a vampire - powerful enough that even the Augustines wouldn’t dare to cross him. There was no guarantee of this working out, but if it did he would end up under another’s thumb again.
For a split second he considered just walking past, feigning a trip to another apartment. Enzo stopped himself, coming to a standstill a yard away from the man. He was between a rock and a hard place now – trapped between a vengeful witch and a torturous maniac – and he wanted out.
”Your sister sent me to see you,” Enzo said by way of greeting, his hands already coming up like he was warding off some sort of violent reaction. It wasn’t like he had a white flag to wave, or that Tristan was willing to accept that sort of thing. ”She thinks that we could be of use to one another. My name is Enzo St. John, and from what I’ve heard, you lead the most powerful organisation of vampires in the world.” He doubted that Aurora had told her brother about the man who’d helped her escape from an asylum back in the 30s, or that he’d snuck into her vehicle looking for sanctuary decades later. Men who tried to involve themselves in his sister’s life didn’t last long once Tristan heard about them.
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Post by TRISTAN DE MARTEL on Nov 12, 2023 22:51:52 GMT
SANCTUARY
WITH ENZO ST. JOHN
He poured over documents, soaking in the history of this small town. There was much more to be learned than one would think. In the end, the place was seeped in blood. Perfect. All the violence over the years no doubt left a scar on the land. He would take advantage of that. He would add to this place's sordid history in the end. He would leave a mark of his own.
He set aside the old tome and reached for another one. Only he was interrupted. The look on his face as one of the younger Strix vampires stood in the doorway said it all. He gave himself a moment and then he set aside his current pursuit. So much for a quiet evening.
After he was briefed, Tristan stood, reaching for his jacket. He slipped his arms into the sleeves and made sure it hung just as it should. The buttons were carefully put in place and his tie was straightened to its proper position before he even thought of leaving the comfort of his sitting room. He moved through the penthouse suite towards the source of his annoyance (even if said source didn't know he was such at the moment).
Tristan found himself face to face with a younger vampire in the end. He waited, stone faced for an explanation and when it was given, he had to admit that he had not seen that coming. He tilted his head just so, trying to take in as much detail about the newcomer as he could. An unbiased first impression --- although it was hard to do the moment he realized this Enzo knew Aurora.
(so many things went through his mind)
He finally broke into a smile and gestured towards his door. "Please come in. I prefer to discuss business in comfort, don't you?" Without waiting for an answer he retreated, not to his sitting room but to the main space. He crossed the room and poured himself a drink. He tipped the glass towards Enzo. "Would you like one? I have a feeling you are about to tell me quite a story as to why my sister thinks we could help one another." |
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ENZO ST JOHN
Vampire
Posts: 57
Age:
144
Occupation:
Unemployed
Status:
Single
Played by:
ANGE
Last seen Nov 17, 2024 18:37:17 GMT
|
Post by ENZO ST JOHN on Dec 10, 2023 17:53:31 GMT
There were few myths in vampire history that Chiara had ever seemed to believe in. Even now, as he stood waiting for Aurora’s brother to arrive, Enzo could practically hear her cackle in his head. She’d had no time for any other sort of power. She’d believed she’d owned their neighbourhood and it would’ve taken an act of God to take her down. In the end it had just taken grief and one vampire she believed had absolutely failed at his job.
The fact that he could still feel guilt weighing heavy as lead in the pit of his stomach didn’t matter. He hadn’t been the one to kill Francesco, he’d just been the one too chickenshit to head back to face the consequences when it had happened – not that he’d had much choice in that matter either. Decades in a cage might have protected him from the Meraviglias, but it hadn’t happened because he’d wanted to hide. He’d paid for every one of those years with endless torture. Somehow he doubted hearing about that was going to satisfy Chiara and that was why he was trying to find his way behind another wall. One wearing a slick suit.
Enzo glanced down at himself as Tristan approached, smoothing a hand over his t-shirt. Definitely underdressed compared to Tristan and his Strix minions, but it wasn’t like he’d gone compelling shop keepers into letting him take whatever he wanted yet and the deep pockets that had once provided tailors and custom fit suits had vanished the moment he’d gone to war. The denim and leather had come from the closet in the apartment he’d compelled his way into. If Tristan was gonna turn his nose up at it he’d just have to deal with it.
The stony expression had him sure this wasn’t gonna go well. Aurora had warned him about her brother. He didn’t suffer fools lightly, especially when they were fools involved with his sister. He bristled as Tristan tilted his head, like a bird about to snatch up a juicy worm. He prepared to try and back out, but instead Tristan broke out into a smile – which was probably an even worse sign.
Cautiously, Enzo followed him into the apartment. The place was a dozen levels swankier than the basement apartment he’d retreated to – without a daylight ring it hadn’t seemed worth it to try and upgrade. ”I certainly appreciate it,” Enzo said lightly. Chiara had done the same when they’d first met, although even then he’d known that the snake would probably turn on him eventually. An offer of a hand out of the gutter hadn’t been enough to rid him of the pessimism stamped into him by the workhouse and years on the street.
”I’ll take a glass, thanks,” Enzo said, nodding at Tristan. Even with the offer of hospitality it still felt like he was balanced on a knife edge here, one wrong word enough to have him sliced in two. ”Your sister knows my story,” he said lightly, his eyes narrowing faintly. ”I found her on a road back in the 30s and took her into New York city, made sure she was safe. At the time I was working for an organisation not entirely unlike yours. It was run by a powerful witch who’d built herself up a little empire. I was her enforcer, as I imagine this lot are for you.” He gestured around, meaning Tristan’s little minions. ”A few years later I had a falling out with my employer and found myself in some trouble – which left me here in Mystic Falls now with people looking for me. I suspect your sister thought I might be able to put some of that experience to use working for you, and at the same time being under your wing might offer me a little protection.” Only not if Tristan thought he’d been taking liberties with the little sister he’d spent his entire vampire life trying to protect.
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Post by TRISTAN DE MARTEL on Aug 22, 2024 19:52:45 GMT
SANCTUARY
WITH ENZO ST. JOHN
Tristan gave a curt nod of his head when Enzo accepted his offer. He moved towards the wet bar, choosing a rather pricy bourbon to give them both the liquid courage needed for this conversation. Well, at least on Enzo's part. Tristan was the one who needed convincing. He had learned long ago to ensure that he picked only the best. He did not need someone who would waste his time, disobey the directive of the Strix or could not handle being the kind of vampire Tristan expected them to be.
He had lived long enough to see it all play out.
Time and time again.
Turning back, he handed Enzo the alcohol before taking a sip of his own. The rich caramel taste played on his tongue for a moment and he savored it before turning his attention to Enzo. Time for the young man's pitch.
At the mention of his sister, there was a flaring of his nostrils. He was always keenly aware of anything that touched his sister (or anyone). He wanted to be sure that Aurora was safe, happy. He had devoted much of his life to ensuring that was the case. However, there were times when he had failed her or not been where he should of. It sounded as if Enzo was speaking of one such time.
"You kept her safe?" Of course Tristan would latch onto that first. It was how he operated. His mind tended to go down one path when it was offered to him. "How so? Aurora never mentioned such a thing --- but then again, she sometimes finds her thoughts jumbled..." Or she wanted to keep her secrets. He knew that was very much the case when it came to her and he did his best to try and respect. It was a difficult task.
Finally he turned his thoughts to information that Enzo had shared about himself. "You know what it is like to follow orders, then? To be loyal --- to know where it is your protection comes from?" He suspected these questions were only a formality. If Enzo had discussed this with his sister, the young vampire knew what he was getting into. "If so, I am sure that we can find an arrangement that is mutually beneficial."
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ENZO ST JOHN
Vampire
Posts: 57
Age:
144
Occupation:
Unemployed
Status:
Single
Played by:
ANGE
Last seen Nov 17, 2024 18:37:17 GMT
|
Post by ENZO ST JOHN on Aug 27, 2024 20:01:29 GMT
The Meraviglia home had been a big old brownstone, complete with ivy and servants quarters down in the basement (the ones he’d been given a room in, that was still bigger than any he’d had before). Tristan’s was more modern, glitzier in a way, but as he watched the man pour him a glass of bourbon, Enzo could see the similarities between the two. Both of them would’ve wanted their comforts, everything they could possibly want sat at hand. They had people to pour the drinks if they wanted them to, people to sweep the floors and do their laundry, but when they wanted to entertain, to impress, it was their hands passing out the glasses.
Aurora had warned him about her brother multiple times, the stories she’d told him of how her brother had tried to keep her safe, his paranoia when it came to her, his hatred of the Mikaelsons. He could switch in a heartbeat, the same way Chiara had been able to. They both had that predator’s way of striking out at the unwary and he had no intention of being a meal to another powerful, murderous figure.
Enzo took the glass, watching Tristan over the top of his glass as he sipped from it. He’d spent decades dry, so to speak. What passed for liquor these days not the same sort of moonshine Chiara was happy to peddle back then. The liquid gold in the glass was nothing like that, it was smooth, a warm wash of heat down his throat. Undoubtedly expensive. He hummed his approval, taking another sip before he launched into his pitch. Bringing Aurora’s name into it was a double edge sword. It could either persuade Tristan that he had a reason to trust him, or it could do the opposite and paint a target in his back in the way that Aurora had feared it would. Any man involved with his sister was a possible source of trouble and he couldn’t abide that.
The twitch of Tristan’s nostrils was the sort of warning sign that he’d been looking out for. Enzo went still, his dark eyes remained fixed on the man in front of him, the glass still clutched in her fingers. Enzo’s chin rose slightly, pride preventing him from shrinking under the question. ”It was quite some time ago, I imagine it may have slipped her mind until she returned the favour here in Mystic Falls.” When she’d caught him cowering in the back of her car. Her thoughts had seemed perfectional rational on both occasions, although he doubted Tristan wanted to hear that. ”I found her at the side of a rural road, alone, and without transport. I drove her back into the city. I wouldn’t have left any woman out there alone.” He purposefully left out the part where Aurora had lured him off of the road and had tried to feed off of him before he’d offered her a ride into the city.
Chances of them ever meeting again had been slim, but fate had a funny way of bringing people back together. Undoubtedly that would mean that his path would cross with Chiara’s again at some point, if the old witch really was still alive. Amusement threaded through with bitterness curled Enzo’s lips as he nodded to Tristan. ”I do. My loyalty to my former employer stretched over decades … until she ended the arrangement.” Again details were left out – Francesco’s death, his imprisonment, the attempt at freeing him from his cell, likely just for him to be killed.
”Your sister warned me that your trust me not be so easy to gain,” Enzo said lightly, no accusation to his voice. He took another sip of the bourbon, then gestured at Tristan with the glass. ”I am willing to do whatever it might take. I expect nothing more than your protection, I’m not gonna stand here with my hat in my hand, expecting a fortune to fall into it.” He was no fool. Trying to shake the gift horse down for more than he deserved only ended one way. Him dead at this man’s feet, his blood messing up the expensive rug. 0
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hope to see you in the discord! 
