By The Water's Edge

[Takeda Katsumi]

Katsumi nodded in response to Niamh's question, and then with the grace of long practice, Katsumi drew a gleaming short sword from beneath the touch of the shadows, the blade catching the glow of the moon as though it were formed from moonlight itself.

"This blade is called the wakizashi," Katsumi explained, holding it out between them so that Niamh could study its brilliant edge. "The wakizashi represents the path of the warrior, the path of finding life in death, and its edge reflects the soul of the one who wields it. If our blood is to be spilled to bind this alliance, then let it be done with this blade. Though, if we are to bind ourselves even one step towards the vinculum, we would risk the Prince's wrath."

It was a warning that Katsumi gave, and yet it was clear that there was no hesitation in her heart. Katsumi Takeda did not do anything by halves. If this alliance was to be forged, she would forge it and have it be strong.

[Niamh Sionnaigh]

Niamh's eyes of muddy water don't stray from the moonlight washed steel. For something obviously deadly, there was beauty, and dare she think it? Purity about it.

"Then your soul is a thing of beauty." bluntly said as her eyes finally leave its edge.

"Then we risk the Prince's wrath." just as grave and no less hesitant. "My blood. Your blood. Our blood. Hikaru Bua." said solemnly as she offers dead flesh to the moon washed steel.

[Takeda Katsumi]

"Hikaru Bua," Katsumi echoed, bringing the edge of her Soul to Niamh's flesh and then drawing the radiant blade slowly across, parting preserved skin and freeing a flow of tantalizing, crimson nectar from within.

Katsumi's lips parted as she watched the vitae began to gather, her fangs sliding free to glint in the night air, though it was not just hunger or bloodlust that shone in her eyes. A slow fall of scarlet stained tears gathered at the corners of her eyes, an unfathomable emotion welling within the nosferatu, a feeling so profound that even the stoic killer could not hold it within her. For the first time upon this earth, in Nindō, the realm of man, or in the decade that she'd spent on the path to hell, had she ever felt as though she'd truly been recognized. But now, as her Soul made blood flow beneath the moonlight, she had finally been seen.

Without hesitation, Katsumi brought the blade to the inside of her own wrist and opened her flesh to let her vitae spill forth. She rose, then, and guided Niamh with her, into the river, where their blood would be purified by the flowing embrace of the water as they took the essence of the other inside themselves, forming the first step in a bond that only Death could break...

Katsumi gives 1 vitae, and drinks 1 vitae

[Niamh Sionnaigh]

Niamh follows Takeda's lead as they act, the Japanese women seemed more practiced with the precise ritual movements this act requires, her participation and knowledge of rituals are far more violent acts committed beneith the waves.

The bloody tracks of tears are a surprise causing muddy waters to follow their path down the women's cheeks.

Niamh feels the beginnings of shame prick at her conscious this act, as profound as it is hasn't moved the water demon to the same.

Her fangs slip free from her gums as the Killer's blood joins hers, the blood flies, and spills into the water as Takade continues to guide her actions.

The Haunt takes in the blood of the Savage, and the Savage takes in the blood of the Haunt.

Niamh feels her own beastial blood thrash and fight the fledgling bond, but Niamh silently calms her blood and settles her instincts.

Her tongue slips free and laps up the remnants of Vitae upon her lips.

1 Vitae spent, 1 Vitae consumed
Voluntarily accepting the 1 part bond.

[Takeda Katsumi]

Takeda Katsumi also accepts the 1 step vinculum.

The vitae upon her tongue was rich and thick, the concentration of Niamh's years spent beneath the waves coiling around Katsumi's spine and twining up towards her heart like an insidious root. A new sense of appreciation blossomed within her mind, a newfound respect and fondness falling over the picture of Niamh that had already been painted within her mind.

Rising from the waters, Katsumi released Niamh and used the damp cloth of her cardigan to clean her blade before sliding it expertly away. A new bond had been forged. A companion on the Path to Hell had been found.

A Radiant Victory amidst the night shrouded danse through the rotting ages...

[Niamh Sionnaigh]

An Irish Demon, and a Japanese Killer now bound by word, by honor, and most importantly, Blood, sit by the water's edge, a comfortable, awed silance falls.

Their fledgling bond brought by a chance meeting, now grows. Voluntary consumption of the other's vitae offers an insidious complusion that neither resists,

A Coterie with its very formation thumbs its nose at the Prince's Laws. Hikaru Bua, Radiant Victory, whatever gods may be, are truly the only ones who know what will come of this night.

....and all the while the river rushes, ever onward.