Pembroke Hollow

The small sleepy village of Pembroke Hollow was quiet and still. The early morning mist beginning to settle upon the trees. The streets were clear, and the weather welcoming. The winter chill was just ending, and the spring was coming.

Pembroke Hollow was a small isolated town, surviving mostly on what it grew itself, and the occasional traveling trader. The farms towards the south provided people with milk and cheese, most of the meat in town was hunted from the forests. Things were simple here, they always had been.

Viktor Pembroke sniffed at the air, as he crested over the mountain face to the west of town. He was home, after so many years. A tear grew in the corner of his eye as he remembered what he'd left behind all those years ago, a peaceful life, with his parents and his brother. Now all of that seemed foreign to him, his parents had left to find a new place to settle, somewhere they we less recognizable. As for his brother, he'd died in the war.

Viktor made his way towards his families manor. It had been looked up, and closed since he'd left. The home was considered at heritage sight, by the town, the manor of it's founders, yet it remained off limits to everyone. None one knew why, not anymore at least.

Viktor made his way inside, though a secret entrance. He turned some of the lights on, deciding to inspect the place prior to settling down for a rest. He'd been on the road for months, and truly needed a decent bed to lay in, as opposed to the dark nasty places he'd rested in. After the quick once over, he headed to one of the rooms, settling in for a days rest.

@ Jinx...

@ A Drop On the Window
Jessie just started on her new book and when she starts a new book she was never able to sleep. She would spend days on minimal amount of sleep. She had just come to this town for it's stunning views and it's peaceful town. She had got a little apartment up on the hill overlooking the bay. The way the mist surrounded the town like a blanket was comforting to her. Jessie was out tonight walking through the town streets when she noticed the lights on in the old historic house on hill. It was nearly the center of town, the town had grown over the years so she was sure at one point it had been. Jessie bit her lip and walked towards it circling around the building. It was a private building and a lot of green space between the house and the village. She walked up to the fence and gave it a nudge surprised when it opened.

Jessie looked around and slipped into the fence. She bit her lip and walked around the grounds just looking at the house and the light on in the window. She wondered how to get inside. Someone obviously was inside and she had to find out who. In the short time she had been here she knew one thing. No one had been inside that house in a very very long time and she had to find out who it was. She was walking around when she found something odd int he pants. She slipped through them being careful and stepped behind the bush seeing a part of the panel that was different. She leaned in inspecting it and then tripped over something on the ground. The panel popped open and she gasped looking around before she slipped into the house putting her hand on the wall and using it to guide her down the dark. The door closed behind her and she gasped. Jessie looked back then forward deciding she was going to just go forward and see what happened. Her heart hammered in her chest as she walked down the corridor. She walked until she felt steps and slowly crawled up them until she hit a door.

Jessie went up the door and felt for a knob. She froze as she felt the knob. She could hear her heart beating as she turned the knob and it opened. She shouldn't be in here. Suddenly she felt like she should turn around but she was too far in now. She stepped through the door closing it behind her and bit her lip. She had no idea what she was going to say if someone caught her in here.

Viktor had settled in for a rest, he'd removed his leather armor, and set his weapons down in the corner of his room. Viktor was an accomplished fighter, and was proficient in a multitude of weapons. However his preference was for the rapier, a sword that complimented his agility and grace.

The clattering of the panel, that protected the secret entrance to the manor, echoed throughout the house. Viktor's keen ears heard it clear as days. He rose from the bed, concerned about a potential threat, he spent a few moments pulling his simple leather armor back on.

Viktor quietly made his way towards the library which was were that passage come out. He slipped into the shadows, hiding away. He had been pretty sure he hadn't been followed, and didn't feel like confronting whoever was on the other side of the door immediately.

As Viktor remained hidden in the shadows, he listened carefully. After awhile, he began to notice a familiar sound, one he hadn't heard for awhile. The rhythmic beating of a heart, as the door opened slowly, Viktor noticed a blonde haired woman, step into the room slowly; he remained hidden watching carefully.

@ Jinx...

@ A Drop On the Window
Jessie was shaking as she walked into the room patting the wall by her. She bit her lip gently and reached out in front of her face while her eyes adjusted to the new light. She reached out and touched the nearest thing to her looking around and starting to move into the room. The curiosity of the place was pulling at her. Whoever was here was probably going to call the cops on her and they wouldn't believe her story that she saw someone had been inside.

Jessie made her way to the window and opened it to the moon. The rays washed into the room and she turned looking at the room gasping. "Wow." she whispered. It was stunning and in perfect condition like someone had been maintaining it all this time. She had thought no one was allowed in here because it was dangerous, if it was it wasn't something that affected how it looked.

Jessie bit her lip and was wondering if maybe she was dreaming all this up or if she had imagined someone had been in here just so she could try to go in here. She moved through the room looking at different things admiring them. She had never imagined what it would look like in this house and she wanted to see more.

Viktor was curious watching this woman, it had been so long since he'd interacted with them. He watched as she moved to the window opening it, as the wind blew though it, the scent of her was blown towards him. The distinct smell of blood, causing him to screw his nose up slightly, not in disgust, but something else.

He made his way quietly to the main door of the library, opening it slightly, and stepping into the room. He cleared his throat, "excuse me? how did you get in here?" he asked. He moved into the library slowly, he appeared regal and imposing. His armor hidden under a very fancy shirt, his pants flowing.

"May I inquire what you are doing in here?" he asked lightly. He was hoping to possibly scare her off, but knew he would have to be careful. He figured he'd pretend to be the caretaker of the home.

@ Jinx...

@ A Drop On the Window
Jessie turned towards the door as it opened. When the man walked through illuminated in the moonlight she felt her heart leap and her throat tighten. He was stunning. Something about him drew her in and she blushed. "I-I..." she bit her lip. "I am so sorry. I saw a light on and came to check it out. The fence was open and then I saw some peddles and went to go look at them then tripped. The door in the wall opened and I found myself compelled to go in. I was just going to go in a little when the door closed behind me. So I kept going and found myself here. I didn't mean to... It's beautiful in here." she said and bit her lip hoping he wouldn't call the cops or something like that. She felt like she was trapped in one of her own mystery novels.

Viktor watched her, keeping his distance. "Ah the escape tunnel, I really must fix that door, it's only supposed to open out," he began. He looked at her, "well the light was on, because I was cleaning the place," he mentioned softly. He moved into the room some more, "I would appreciate it if you left, I can show you the way out," he said lightly.

Viktor could tell from her panicked speech that she was telling the truth, but he didn't want to press his luck too much. Although it had been years since he'd been back, it was possible someone might recognize him from one of the old pictures.

He pointed to the exit of the library, "The front door is over here," he said.

@ Jinx...

@ A Drop On the Window
Jessie nodded at his explanation. "Oh yeah. I'm sorry." she said and moved towards him. "It really is a beautiful place. Do you live here?" she asked him. "It's the kind of place I would put in a mystery book of mine." she grinned at him. He pointed to the door of the library and she nodded softly starting to walk that way assuming he was going to walk her out.

"I would really love to see it all some time. I think it might really help with the book I am writing now. This entire town is inspiring but the mystery here is what really drew me in." she said her eyes sparkling as she turned to look at him as they headed towards the door. "I'm Jessie by the way, Jessie Hope." she said and held out her hand to him.

As she stood there waiting for him to introduce himself she looked him over. He looked as old fashioned as this place, like he belonged here as part of some antique. She could see just past the outdated cloths though and see a very handsome man. He needed a little trim and she wondered what it would be like to run her hands through his hair to trim it and felt the blush rise tearing her eyes away from the desire to continue and study this intriguing man.

Viktor shook his head slightly, "No I just look after the place for the Pembroke family," he said lightly. He nodded, "well it is an old place, was the first building in town actually," he said.

He sighed softly, "well you'd have to speak with someone other than me to organize a tour," he spoke slowly. He was struggling to keep his cool, and was trying to hide his distinguishing features still.

He moved closer and shook her hand, his grip was strong and firm. "Viktor," he said. He continued leading her towards the front door. He turned to her once he got there, "well, here's the exit," he said. "Good luck with your novel," he mentioned.

@ Jinx...

@ A Drop On the Window
"Really?" Jessie smiled as she looked around as they walked slowly because of her. "It would be amazing to be able to take care of this place, and meet the family who hasn't been here in generations." she said raising a brow at him to see what he might say in return. "The first building in town?" she was distracted and bit her lip. "Please will you ask if I might be able to look around some time?" she asked him. He said to speak with someone else and she frowned. "Who?" as far as she knew no one had been in here in a very long time and she was surprised to find someone took care of the place.

When they got to the door all to soon she frowned as Viktor all but dismissed her biding her farewell and a final goodbye but Jessie hope was known for a few things and her persistent tenacity was one of them the other was her obsessive curiosity and he had both. "Well Mr. Viktor it was a pleasure to meet you and I will see you again. I will find out more about this place but thank you for he little glimpse inside." she said grinning to him surprised he didn't open the door and shove her out. She opened it standing in the door way. "Oh!" she reaching into her pockets pulled out a card and handed it to him. "In case you change your mind about giving me that tour yourself since you seem to be the person with the most knowledge in town you know how to reach me. I am also staying up at that little house on the bluffs. It's a perfect spot to watch the fog roll in." She was stalling now and could see he could tell.

Jessie stepped out into the moonlight only after he took the car and smiled at him. "I will see you and again it was really nice meeting you." Jessie said and bit her lip stepping back slowly. She wasn't sure if he was going to close the door or watch her leave but she went slowly until it was hard to walk backwards anymore and she turned springing back through eh gate that had let her in closing it with a good pull behind her. She looked back at the house watching it a moment before running with excitement all the way back to her place. She couldn't wait to get started writing.

Viktor nodded, "well the original Pembroke's wanted the place kept tidy, incase one of their heirs wanted to use the place," he lied, rather convincingly he believed. He shrugged lightly, at he question about who to ask, "probably someone at city hall, if you want to go through official channels," he said.

Viktor bid her farewell, and took the card from her. "I might consider it, maybe you'll get permission from city hall," he commented. He could smell her scent, and it were certainly peculiar. He watched her leave, down and out the gate, before closing the front door. He locked up the door again, before heading back upstairs to rest.

Viktor was glad that most of the ground floor of the house was inconspicuous, and normal, and all the paintings had been covered over. He was certain he would be in some of them, along with the other dark imagery and creepy old things that had been his parents style. He hoped that the human wouldn't be too driven to come back, or ask questions, the house was truly meant to be abandoned, as far as the people in the town knew.

@ Jinx...

@ A Drop On the Window
Jessie knew that she would be going to see who she could get to give her a tour and if no one knew about this groundskeeper or of the Pembroke heirs or even the possibility or a tour she was going to go back herself and safely assume no one would anything because to their knowledge it wasn't happening. As Jessie finished the jots of notes for her to pick up later she crawled into bed for a few hours sleep.

Jessie lay there thinking of that man. He seemed so odd and she wondered what it was about him. She couldn't stop thinking about him that even when sleep forced it's way on her he was there in her dreams. The way he shook her hand the way it excited and terrified her. The funny way he dressed and there was something else. He tried to stick to the dark like the moonlight would expose too much.

Jessie woke up a little after noon and sat up panting. She needed air. She got up and getting ready quickly and went down to the town first to the museum that had some history about the house. She got a hold of one of the works there, an older gentleman and he chatted her ear off about the place, it was perfect just what she wanted. Jessie had to hurry to catch anyone at city hall after that. When she got there she went in and started her investigation. Jessie was starting to get the feeling the man from last not was a heir to the house not the caretaker. It was something the museum man had said and was showing her.

Viktor spent the rest of the night resting, well and truly into the afternoon. He slept on the ornate bed, in one of the main rooms upstairs. The house was a massive old manor, with multiple bedrooms, and plenty of open spaces for guests. It was designed as a meeting house, and safe haven for the Pembroke's friends and family.

After Viktor woke, he made his way through the house, tidying up the cobwebs, and removing some of the sheets covering the artwork and furniture. He sighed, it was odd for him to be alone in this place, and the solitude would begin to annoy him after time. He was so used to having his brother around.

As the sun disappeared behind the mountain, signifying the late hours of the day, Viktor decided to pull on some clothes and head down into the village to have a quick look around. He dressed in his most inconspicuous clothes, which given how long ago they had been made, would stick out like mad.

@ Jinx...

@ A Drop On the Window
People were walking around down town going from restaurant to shops and the likes. People talked under the town lights that were dim but hung just the same that set a kind of romantic atmosphere. It was something that had turned Jessie onto this town as her new inspiration.She would sit and watch people either int he restraints or just on one of the benches as they weaved in and out of stores talking and greeting one another. She had never been in a small town quite like this. It was like it was almost shelled from the rest of the world.

Jessie was sitting and sketching to help her writing later when she looked up and saw Viktor. She grinned and closed up her things placing them in her slim bag pulling it on. Jessie popped up beside Viktor. "Hey you." she grinned at him looking him over. He had such a handsome face but his cloths made her smirk and raise an eyebrow. "Airing out the Pembroke's cloths as well?" she teased and smiled widely at him. "They fit you well." she chuckled amused at herself. "So I went to city hall today. Also had an interesting talk and tour at the city museum." she said looking at him with knowing eyes, or at least she was speculating what she knew.

"They had some fascinating pictures of your house. Interesting you let them come in and do a story of it." she was very satisfied with her research today. "I know your secrete Viktor." she grinned at him then looked away. "But don't worry I won't tell."

Viktor was looking around at the town, noticing how much the place had changed since he'd been here last. He noticed the girl from the previous night approaching him, to be honest he smelt her before he saw her. He turned to look at her, "Hey Jessie, what did you learn about the place?" he asked genuinely curious.

He listened to her as he walked, when she told him she knew his secret he grew suspicious, he turned to look right at her, "what secret?" he asked. He was concerned, because he knew the town wasn't ready to hear he was back, and especially wasn't ready to relearn of his true nature.

Viktor, along with the other Pembrooke's were not a normal family. They were vampires, and had founded the town, as a refuge, for other peaceful, human friendly vampires. A fact it seemed everyone in town had forgotten, or believed to be a ghost story.

@ Jinx...

@ A Drop On the Window
"I learned no one gives tours and there hasn't been anyone allowed in in over 30 years. But the pictures they took last time they were in there are amazing anyways." Jessie smiled and walked with him as he asked what she knew. She chuckled. "You're heir to the Pembroke's estate. Maybe the great great grandson or something like that several generations down the line. The resemblance is uncanny." she said looking at him. "I guess good genes don't fade out." she said smiling. "So how about now you let me have that tour of the house?" she asked and grinned at him.

Jessie was determined to get a look at the rest of the house. She was also really curious about Viktor but she figured she would get him to show her the house before she started to dig into his family history and unveil all those mysterious secrets he was hiding so well.

Viktor chuckled lightly, "well you've been busy then Jessie," he said softly. He kept walking slowly, looking around at all the people, "this is a nice town, the people seem friendly," he said softly. He turned to look her over again, "So you figured out I'm a Pembrooke, you sure you won't tell anyone?" he asked her.

He was a little concerned, knowing that if anyone looked too deeply into him, they'd figure out that the Pembrooke's didn't have kids, at least not while in town. He chuckled softly, "so you want to visit the house?" he asked softly. To be honest was beginning to get slightly hungry, and maybe this inquisitive mind, might be a good donor.

He looked her over, "I'll think about it, to be honest, my ancestors left the place in a bit of a mess, I really am here, to tidy it up a bit," he said.

@ Jinx...

@ A Drop On the Window
Jessie smiled as he said she had been busy. He had no idea. She was obsessed about every book she wrote and it drove her into sleepless days and nights until she crashed and then she would do it again until her book was finished. "The people are really friendly here. They have a simple way about them it is very endearing." she shrugged feeling like he was changing the subject but then he looked at her his eyes so intense. Jessie bit her lip before answering. "Yes I am sure. If they want to know they will have to figure it out themselves. But you should probably get a change of cloths otherwise you might be helping them out too much." she suggested.

"Yes I would love to look around the house." she said her eyes shinning with excitement and hope. He then told her he would think about it and she sighed. "I get you wanting to show it off at it's glory but really the way it is now fascinates me and I might not be very industrial but I do have two hands I can help." she said grinning at him. "What do you say? If I help with the house will you let me see it all?" she asked him.

Viktor chuckled, "Yeah I suppose I should find a tailor to make me something more modern, it's not my fault my ancestor was a perfect fit for me," he said softly. He walked with her, "would you show me around for a bit?" he asked her. Her scent really was intoxicating for him.

He looked at her, "hmm, I could use the help actually, the place is pretty big," he said softly. He paused for a moment, "you sure you can commit to helping out a guy you barely know?" he asked.

@ Jinx...