the creature alliance - semi advanced discussion

Cadogan marvelled at the beauty of Delroy's mansion. It makes sense that Delroy's home would be big, but this? It was massive. Maybe that was just because Cadogan lives in a tiny little apartment, but he was allowed to be impressed, right?
"This place is big! I could fit at least a hundred clones of my apartment in here!" he said, looking around at the elegant decor. He made sure to stay close to Delroy in case there were any traps around the place. Slowly, Cadogan grabbed onto Delroy's arm and smiled at him. He wasn't afraid. He just wanted to be close to Delroy. Cadogan didn't like admitting it though. He was afraid of love. The people who were supposed to love Cadogan most had tried to kill him. It was a difficult subject. Love was hard. Love was scary.

Delroy lived a lavish life. Maybe even more than lavish. He liked expensive things. He also liked the way others looked when they saw it.
The wallpaper was a royal blue, the wood panels an even darker black. Giant mirrors and paintings of ancestors were scattered across the walls, lit up by the glow of the candles extending from the walls. It wasn't a bright home, despite the various lights throughout. Somehow it couldn't fully brighten the room, no matter the amount, as if a shadow had cast itself among this house. Someone seemed to be playing the piano from somewhere a few rooms away, a soft melody to add to the rich scenery. If Cadogan were alone, it may have been a dreadful experience. After all, it was such a large mansion. It was so easy to get lost in its maze and secret chambers. Delroy stood confidently, though, not bothering his eyes with all the treasures this home beheld.
"Do you like it here?" he asked, a knowing smile playing his lips. Of course Cadogan would. Who wouldn't? "It used to be white on the exterior a few hundred years ago, but we haven't done the dusting in quite some time. Marlene always wants servants, but I hate the thought of a stranger exploring this house." It was the perfect image of a Gothic home, secrets and all.

Cadogan admired the hall. When he was a child, he often longed to live in a residence like this one. He looked at Delroy and admired his voice before responding.
"I do like it here. It's very pretty. If you'd like, I could dust the house for you. Unless I count as a stranger," Cadogan said softly. "Speaking of Marlene," Cadogan said. "Is she home? I hear a piano playing." He didn't mind the piano. It was just eerie in a place like this. Maybe, Cadogan thought. Maybe if Delroy and I ended up in a real relationship somehow, I would be able to live in a place like this with him. Cadogan pushed the thought out of his mind. Why would Delroy ever think of him as more than someone to fuck whenever Delroy felt lonely?

Delroy smiled down at Cadogan. "You are neither a servant nor a stranger. My guest," he said, the word sounding seductive. At Cadogan's question, he cocked his head, listening in. "It could be Marlene. She plays it whenever she's feeling sad or angry. It's really only the lovely noise she makes," he remarked with a laugh. "My children could be there, too. Annette plays better than Jacques ever could, so it'd either be her or my wife." He shrugged. If they were on earth, he could've said it was haunted, but you could basically say all of the Underworld was haunted, in a way. Spirits only lurked with the humans until the inevitable day they were taken down under, or more rarely, above.
Delroy led Cadogan up the stairs, the crimson carpet like a trail of blood. "If I hadn't been held by expectation and my duty to the Underworld, I'd certainly let you stay here forever," he said, a look of pain on his face for only a flash. He just wanted his home to himself instead of being held down by family. By a nagging wife and a worthless son. Annette was a good girl, she could stay. Not the rest, though. As persuasive as he was, he could not convince society to do everything. It wouldn't look good to hear he'd left his wife and son for an affair.
The top of the stairs lead to a hallway going horizontally from where they were standing. Along the wall before them were paintings of the Aamons throughout the ages. Grim faces, blackened at the edges. It seemed as if they had reached out from darkness. Or it was simply due to the fact he hadn't restored the paintings, yet even the most recent one, a painting of the family, seemed just as dark, despite the scenery being clear and lit. Something horrific lay hidden underneath the wealth, it was obvious the moment you stepped foot in here.

Cadogan smiled. Guest. The word rang through his head. Better than being a servant or stranger, he supposed.
"Ah, I see. Well, I hope it's Annette. I'm sure she's a wonderful pianist." Cadogan said with a smile.
Cadogan blushed. "I'd love to stay here forever," he whispered under his breath. He'd stay anywhere forever, if it meant he'd be able to be near Delroy. As much as he hated to admit it, Cadogan was in love.
He quietly observed the hallway. It sent shivers down his spine. The eyes of all the ancestors watched the two as they walked down the hallway. Cadogan wondered where the two of them were going. He didn't ask though, that would spoil the surprise.