'A fat lot of good that'll do.'
Carol blurted out the words before she could stop herself. They just pushed past her lips and tumbled out. They were angry, bloated with contempt, disgust and...she said it out loud in front of God and everyone.
All eyes were on her, even the Mercs who were standing on either side of Ellis, their guns poised and ready to shoot her. Ellis' hand hovered over her pack of cigarettes and a stunned look was frozen on her face. Carol's eyes flicked from Ellis to Simon and her heart sank into her stomach.
Simon walked slowly to the center of the room putting Ellis and the conference table in between them and his expression was far from stunned. Carol took a breath and did her best to look confident but she had just spoken against, not just her lover, but their clan leader. The need to wince, crawl away and die threatened to telescope her spine as she stood there, meeting his angry eyes but Carol was never one to not mean what she said or not say what she meant. Simon was losing control of the clan with his idiotic command of protection over Ellis. By all rights the both of them should be dead, but Simon took control of the clan and tried to do the right thing. He tried to kill his creator to keep the clan intact and when that didn't work - when Ellis had walked back into his life, he spared hers. And apparently, Ellis spared his.
They were working together again, maybe not lovers (Carol really did not think it had progressed that far yet) but it was inevitable. A thousand plus year control over someone just doesn't dissipate over a 'disagreement'. He may have hated her all that time, but he loved her just as much. Carol knew this, hell, everyone knew it but him.
Simon 'handling Ellis' meant absolutely nothing, which meant him handling the werewolf situation and Marthinus had as much weight. So Carol had said what everyone was thinking.
Still, this was fucking bad.
Realize
((Continued from Everyday is exactly the same.
It's not that the same
No it's never the same
If you don't feel it too.
If you meet me half way
If you 'd meet me half way.
It could be the same for you.
If you just realize what I just realized
Then we'd be perfect for each other
And we'd never find another
Just realize what I just realized
We'd never have to wonder now
-Colbie Caillat
The open window was blowing Ellis' hair back, occasionally flying in front of her eyes and itching her nose. Her hand came up and tucked the errant hair behind her ear and she reflected on familiar things.
She looked down at her jacket and smiled a little. It was worn soft and had distressed scratches at the elbow joints and wrists. She hadn't seen it since she died, so imagine her surprise when she saw it after dying...again.
Waking up from the hyper blood lust coma was like waking from the best sleep you ever had. A soft bed, a dozen thick pillows and the heat of someone else's body warming the sheets. Only minus the other person. Still, Ellis woke with a deep sigh and a giggly yawn. Her eyes fluttered open and the stark whiteness of an unmistakable hospital ceiling greeted her. With a chesire cat grin she mentally ticked off one more life off of her nine.
One Doctor Hansen had refused to let her smoke in the room or leave to have one until he had checked her over thoroughly, but she knew what that meant. She was in Duibne Industries and they didn't want her to leave just yet. 'They' being Tacharan. So, she let Doctor Hansen 'check her over' with a smile and a hankering for a quick cig. Being in an unusually good mood had put the good Doctor in a nervous state, she figured, since he quickly fumbled through the examination and then exited.
She felt right as rain. Super fine. As good as it got. Everything had completely regenerated and she was able to reach out with her perception, wide and far. So the two men approaching her room were no surprise as she prepared to leave DI. Her clothes were gone so a pair of scrubs had to do. Her shoes were cleaned, at least. Boots like hers were hard to come by and she was smiling down at them when the knock at the door came.
'Come on in,' she said happily, still looking at her boots.
Their heartbeats were slow and calm, not at all like the hospital staff's. She knew exactly who these two men were. Without looking up she addressed them accordingly.
'Not everyday I get two Mercs to escort me safely to my car.' She lifted her boot and checked the tread - they had even cleaned out the bits of flesh stuck in between the ridged lines.
One Merc set down a stack of folded clothes on her bed and backed up. 'When you're ready, Miss Duban, if you would please?'
'If I would please what?' She looked up into the faces of the two men as they held the door open for her and held a hand out, showing her the way. That could only mean one thing.
So as they drove down the dirt roads of the old slaughthouse district she reflected on her situation. Another errant piece of hair crossed her face and she plucked at it, giving her two escorts seated up front a cursory glance.
A debriefing probably, she thought to herself. What's the worse that could happen?
Carol
15 years ago
Ellis Duban
15 years ago
Ellis knew that look, the one full of resentment and pain. Mind fucking Alec's ego was just too easy an opportunity to pass up and it cut Simon deep. Despite what they had been through, the things they had said to each other, cutting him deep in his soul was like applying her lipstick.
Ellis listened as Simon gave his direct command to Alec and therefore the clan. He looked directly at her and she felt her smug smile lose its confidence. Looking down at her pack of cigs she let him finish his grand posturing.
Oh yeah, she knew the look he was giving her. 'One soul at a time, eh Ellis?'
She held back a snort but let her smile regain its confidence, flashing like a demon's brilliance.
'I will deal with Marthinus personally,' he said and that's when the shit hit the fan.
'A fat lot of good that'll do.'
Ellis looked up at Carol and proceeded to have her mind blown to fucking bits. She was now disappointed she hadn't really brought a camera. The chink in the chain of Simon's rule was so loud that it was deafening. Ellis' presence within the clan had done more damage than she could have ever planned. She knew that the fact that Simon had not killed her when he had the chance started a ripple effect of such magnitude that only something as stupid as a pivotal member of the clan...his woman no less...would put all the members in complete and total disarray.
She almost giggled out loud.
Ellis broke her stare from Carol and slowly moved across the conference table, back up into Simon's face. He walked to the center of the conference room and looked directly at Carol with an expression tainted with pain and rage.
God this could not get any fucking better, Ellis thought to herself.
Ellis listened as Simon gave his direct command to Alec and therefore the clan. He looked directly at her and she felt her smug smile lose its confidence. Looking down at her pack of cigs she let him finish his grand posturing.
Oh yeah, she knew the look he was giving her. 'One soul at a time, eh Ellis?'
She held back a snort but let her smile regain its confidence, flashing like a demon's brilliance.
'I will deal with Marthinus personally,' he said and that's when the shit hit the fan.
'A fat lot of good that'll do.'
Ellis looked up at Carol and proceeded to have her mind blown to fucking bits. She was now disappointed she hadn't really brought a camera. The chink in the chain of Simon's rule was so loud that it was deafening. Ellis' presence within the clan had done more damage than she could have ever planned. She knew that the fact that Simon had not killed her when he had the chance started a ripple effect of such magnitude that only something as stupid as a pivotal member of the clan...his woman no less...would put all the members in complete and total disarray.
She almost giggled out loud.
Ellis broke her stare from Carol and slowly moved across the conference table, back up into Simon's face. He walked to the center of the conference room and looked directly at Carol with an expression tainted with pain and rage.
God this could not get any fucking better, Ellis thought to herself.
Alec Devereaux
15 years ago
Alec felt physically ill when Simon's eyes met his. He had the good grace to blush, and turned slightly away, unable to meet his eyes. He truly was out of control, had to check himself and soon. At the declaration that Marthinus was to be handled by the leader alone, Alec bowed slightly.
Then Carol blurted the single worst thing that she could have. Lover or no, right or wrong, she was only human property. Hand reflexively going to his weapons, Alec sneered. How dare that fucking snack pack juice bag speak so to the clan leader! Freezing, he realized that even so, this was not his punishment to dish out. Yet another thing to add onto Simon's overburdened plate. Relaxing in anticipation of the coming action, or, should the meat puppet prove correct, inaction...Alec shook his head and returned to a relaxed stance. Only Nova seemed to have any semblance of self control among the crowd, and that certainly was unusual.
What was happening to them?
Then Carol blurted the single worst thing that she could have. Lover or no, right or wrong, she was only human property. Hand reflexively going to his weapons, Alec sneered. How dare that fucking snack pack juice bag speak so to the clan leader! Freezing, he realized that even so, this was not his punishment to dish out. Yet another thing to add onto Simon's overburdened plate. Relaxing in anticipation of the coming action, or, should the meat puppet prove correct, inaction...Alec shook his head and returned to a relaxed stance. Only Nova seemed to have any semblance of self control among the crowd, and that certainly was unusual.
What was happening to them?
Merc
15 years ago
Merc Aaronsmyth and Rosario had one order for the day - keep Ellis Duban's head in their gun sights. Conversations around them filtered into one ear and out the other but that day, that awful day the chain of command was broached, they could not help but listen.
The safeties were off and their fingers were tight on their triggers as they listened the leader speak in his monotone voice. It was one they had become familiar with and respected, despite the reappearance of their old mistress. Looking down at her Aaronsmyth felt a pang of remorse and anger. She was all they had ever known. The creation of the Mercs had been by her hand and they followed her without question, till news of her death and subsequent betrayal filled the cold, steel halls of the Domicile. Rosario served Huntington without question and keeping his aim on Duban's left temple was as easy as putting a bullet through it.
Both served the clan under Huntington's control along with Carol Hedley, his woman and Duibne liasion. So when she spoke against the leader, in a tone of such disrespect and laced with disgust, they both could not help but look up in stunned horror.
The leader stepped toward the center of the room with his hands balled up into fists and his knuckles white and bloodless.
'Carol,' he said quietly.
'It's true, Simon,' Miss Hedley sputtered. Her face first went white as a sheet and then filled up in a bright blush. 'You said the same thing about Ellis....'
'Carol.' The leader's voice was louder, the edge of it as sharp as a knife.
Rosario and Aaaronsmyth looked at each other and then back and forth between the Leader and Miss Hedley.
'But she's here now, Simon. Alive.'
'Stop it.'
Aaronsmyth flinched. The leader's arms were bending and he was slowly raising his fists.
'You're letting her fuck with everything, Simon. Don't let her back in!' Miss Hedley was yelling now, her eyes filling with tears.
'Carol...I said....'
'Simon please. PLEASE!'
'I said STOP!'
Aaronsmyth's finger slipped off the trigger and he flinched painfully against the roar of the leader's voice. At the top of his lungs, as loud as either Merc had ever heard him speak, the leader's voice reviberated off the walls of the conference room so loudly that Rosario would swear later he felt the vibrations of it.
The safeties were off and their fingers were tight on their triggers as they listened the leader speak in his monotone voice. It was one they had become familiar with and respected, despite the reappearance of their old mistress. Looking down at her Aaronsmyth felt a pang of remorse and anger. She was all they had ever known. The creation of the Mercs had been by her hand and they followed her without question, till news of her death and subsequent betrayal filled the cold, steel halls of the Domicile. Rosario served Huntington without question and keeping his aim on Duban's left temple was as easy as putting a bullet through it.
Both served the clan under Huntington's control along with Carol Hedley, his woman and Duibne liasion. So when she spoke against the leader, in a tone of such disrespect and laced with disgust, they both could not help but look up in stunned horror.
The leader stepped toward the center of the room with his hands balled up into fists and his knuckles white and bloodless.
'Carol,' he said quietly.
'It's true, Simon,' Miss Hedley sputtered. Her face first went white as a sheet and then filled up in a bright blush. 'You said the same thing about Ellis....'
'Carol.' The leader's voice was louder, the edge of it as sharp as a knife.
Rosario and Aaaronsmyth looked at each other and then back and forth between the Leader and Miss Hedley.
'But she's here now, Simon. Alive.'
'Stop it.'
Aaronsmyth flinched. The leader's arms were bending and he was slowly raising his fists.
'You're letting her fuck with everything, Simon. Don't let her back in!' Miss Hedley was yelling now, her eyes filling with tears.
'Carol...I said....'
'Simon please. PLEASE!'
'I said STOP!'
Aaronsmyth's finger slipped off the trigger and he flinched painfully against the roar of the leader's voice. At the top of his lungs, as loud as either Merc had ever heard him speak, the leader's voice reviberated off the walls of the conference room so loudly that Rosario would swear later he felt the vibrations of it.
Carol
15 years ago
The sound of his yelling in the room was nothing compared to how loud it was in her head. Carol's legs buckled and she hit the chair near her as she fell to the ground. She had never felt anything like it - the fury in his voice nearly split her mind into pieces.
As she fell to the ground her world went white with pain. It must have been his close proximity that made the bond between them an amplifier transmitting the hate and rage from his mind into hers. It was almost on the same level as sharing their bond while in the throws of passion, but this almost knocked her out.
Carol raised her hands and covered her ears, trying to silence the ringing that was echoing in a dull thump in her head.
'Oh...Jesus,' she muttered. At least she thought she did, she couldn't even hear her own voice. She shook her head, trying to clear the blur as she planted her hands on the ground and tried to stand.
No one helped her and she didn't expect anyone to try. She had spoken against the clan leader and she was lucky she wasn't dead.
Grabbing the arm of the chair next to her, Carol got as high as she could before falling into the chair. She tasted the coppery bitterness of blood on her lips and realized that her nose was bleeding. Without looking up at Simon she wiped her nose and brought back a bloodied hand.
He might as well have hit her.
Carol leaned her head back and stared up at the ceiling. 'Ok, I'm...stopping now.'
As she fell to the ground her world went white with pain. It must have been his close proximity that made the bond between them an amplifier transmitting the hate and rage from his mind into hers. It was almost on the same level as sharing their bond while in the throws of passion, but this almost knocked her out.
Carol raised her hands and covered her ears, trying to silence the ringing that was echoing in a dull thump in her head.
'Oh...Jesus,' she muttered. At least she thought she did, she couldn't even hear her own voice. She shook her head, trying to clear the blur as she planted her hands on the ground and tried to stand.
No one helped her and she didn't expect anyone to try. She had spoken against the clan leader and she was lucky she wasn't dead.
Grabbing the arm of the chair next to her, Carol got as high as she could before falling into the chair. She tasted the coppery bitterness of blood on her lips and realized that her nose was bleeding. Without looking up at Simon she wiped her nose and brought back a bloodied hand.
He might as well have hit her.
Carol leaned her head back and stared up at the ceiling. 'Ok, I'm...stopping now.'
Simon Huntington
15 years ago
All he knew was that he had wanted to silence her but whatever he did do was much more than that.
Simon had no idea that he could transmit how loud his voice was in her head, he just knew that she overstepped that unspoken fine line between a difference of opinion and outright defiance. Carol may have been his lover, and by all rights his second in command, but in the end she was just a human in a world of vampires.
He relaxed his fists and felt his nails pull out of his skin leaving, undoubtedly, a bloodied mess in the palm of his hands. Simon watched as Carol shakily pulled herself up into one of the conference chairs. No one tried to help her and if they had he probably would have killed them. There was blood trickling down from her nose and the smell of it made his nostrils flare. She was disheveled and disgraced.
Simon would deal with her later and he didn't have to say that out loud for her to know it.
Simon had no idea that he could transmit how loud his voice was in her head, he just knew that she overstepped that unspoken fine line between a difference of opinion and outright defiance. Carol may have been his lover, and by all rights his second in command, but in the end she was just a human in a world of vampires.
He relaxed his fists and felt his nails pull out of his skin leaving, undoubtedly, a bloodied mess in the palm of his hands. Simon watched as Carol shakily pulled herself up into one of the conference chairs. No one tried to help her and if they had he probably would have killed them. There was blood trickling down from her nose and the smell of it made his nostrils flare. She was disheveled and disgraced.
Simon would deal with her later and he didn't have to say that out loud for her to know it.
Ellis Duban
15 years ago
Ellis was stunned into silence by Carol's insolence but Simon's response floored her. Save for dealing with young, stupid vampires Simon was always very passive aggressive. He had it in him, she knew that, seeing him not only put Carol in her place in front of the others was impressive, but having incontrovertible evidence that he punished her via their bond...well that turned her on a little.
More and more she was seeing that part of him she had so eagerly tried to nurture. Here was the stoic leader, the iron fist, that man she wanted him to be. Still, there was something about Simon the way he was that she loved.
Wait. What did she just say? Admired. No. Respected. She mentally rolled her eyes, she never respected anyone. Cared for? There, that's...acceptable, she thought to herself.
Ellis relaxed and pulled her hovering hand back into her lap, leaving her pack of cigarettes in front of her on the table. The room was painfully quiet. Carol bleeding in her chair, Alec and Nova watching Simon who was just standing in the middle of the room...fuming. She could practically feel the anger seeping out of his pores. It was all very sexy.
Damnit. Not sexy...boring. She was bored out of her mind, yes. He's just standing there, trying to play leader with his rigid jawline and dark hazel eyes. Ellis' eye drew itself down the length of Simon - his broad shoulders, flat stomach of which she was painfully familiar.
Ellis blinked her eyes and shook her head, trying to clear the nonsense. She should probably finish her story. Yeah, she'd do that.
'So, uh.'
Simon immediately turned his glare on Ellis and she fought against the urge to cringe back into her leather chair. Instead she maintained her blank expression and broke eye contact with him, spinning the chair slowly to her left. Seeing him again after their ordeal was odd to her. It was something almost tangible, as if she could reach out and just scoop his aura into her hand and tuck it into her pocket. Again she blinked at that description and spun her chair more, completely turning her back to him. She took a deep, slow breath and finished answering the original question.
'You and I were talking, Simon. I'm sure you remember. Down in the sewer. You had asked about the werewolves and I told you everything I could remember, which wasn't much. I had finished...rather we had finished talking save for...something...inconsequential,' she winced not sure why she was bringing that part up but continued. 'Uh, then you suddenly slumped to the ground. We should have felt him, I'm pretty sure I did but it was too late. So, I returned fire, grabbed you and surfaced to the Strip.'
Ellis spun back around, looking at Alec. 'Did you find my guns? Probably not. I think I had them at the house,' she trailed off thinking again of Simon and without looking at him she spun around in her chair, facing her back to him.
'I had silver tipped bullets. Pure silver is just too soft and anything more than just the tip would be awkward to have in the papers if the bullets were recovered. So, I tipped them with just enough silver to hurt a wolf, which it was and did. I could hear him splashing in the water after us and whoever it was trying to pull that bullet out. Two legs though, not four. Odd, he didn't change.'
Ellis considered that little fact for a moment and then continued.
'I found your car, Simon.' She spun back around and gave him a sad grin. 'And I crashed it into the Marina. My bad. But it was them that brought down the police and everyone else under the sky. Which is probably why it was just that thick necked fucker, Michaels, and his team that kept us in that cabin.'
Ellis stopped fidgeting in her chair and sat still. 'He,' suddenly her chest felt tight just recalling what had happened to them both. She wasn't sure how to put it, the torture. It had been a long time since she had been through something as twisted and painful as that, but it was the first time she had suffered along with Simon. Once again she felt the need to apologize to Simon, for putting him through that with her. That he had to suffer as well as watch.
'He, Michaels I mean,' she started again. Ellis laced her fingers together and leaned forward in her chair, trying to loosen the tight cramp in her chest. 'I don't know how long he tortured Simon before he started in on me.'
Ellis closed her eyes trying to will away Simon's disfigured face and all the blood she heard his voice. It was soft and soothing.
It wasn't your fault.
'You don't have to say that. It was...is, my fault, Simon. I just wish I knew why.'
Turning her chair around she looked back up into Simon's face and saw confusion and maybe just a hint of terror. Looking around the room she saw Carol look at her, then Simon and even the Mercs lowered their weapons slightly.
A blush burned her cheeks at the realization that she had shown her vulnerable side but when Carol stood and began to laugh, the embarassment vanished and was replaced with total confusion.
More and more she was seeing that part of him she had so eagerly tried to nurture. Here was the stoic leader, the iron fist, that man she wanted him to be. Still, there was something about Simon the way he was that she loved.
Wait. What did she just say? Admired. No. Respected. She mentally rolled her eyes, she never respected anyone. Cared for? There, that's...acceptable, she thought to herself.
Ellis relaxed and pulled her hovering hand back into her lap, leaving her pack of cigarettes in front of her on the table. The room was painfully quiet. Carol bleeding in her chair, Alec and Nova watching Simon who was just standing in the middle of the room...fuming. She could practically feel the anger seeping out of his pores. It was all very sexy.
Damnit. Not sexy...boring. She was bored out of her mind, yes. He's just standing there, trying to play leader with his rigid jawline and dark hazel eyes. Ellis' eye drew itself down the length of Simon - his broad shoulders, flat stomach of which she was painfully familiar.
Ellis blinked her eyes and shook her head, trying to clear the nonsense. She should probably finish her story. Yeah, she'd do that.
'So, uh.'
Simon immediately turned his glare on Ellis and she fought against the urge to cringe back into her leather chair. Instead she maintained her blank expression and broke eye contact with him, spinning the chair slowly to her left. Seeing him again after their ordeal was odd to her. It was something almost tangible, as if she could reach out and just scoop his aura into her hand and tuck it into her pocket. Again she blinked at that description and spun her chair more, completely turning her back to him. She took a deep, slow breath and finished answering the original question.
'You and I were talking, Simon. I'm sure you remember. Down in the sewer. You had asked about the werewolves and I told you everything I could remember, which wasn't much. I had finished...rather we had finished talking save for...something...inconsequential,' she winced not sure why she was bringing that part up but continued. 'Uh, then you suddenly slumped to the ground. We should have felt him, I'm pretty sure I did but it was too late. So, I returned fire, grabbed you and surfaced to the Strip.'
Ellis spun back around, looking at Alec. 'Did you find my guns? Probably not. I think I had them at the house,' she trailed off thinking again of Simon and without looking at him she spun around in her chair, facing her back to him.
'I had silver tipped bullets. Pure silver is just too soft and anything more than just the tip would be awkward to have in the papers if the bullets were recovered. So, I tipped them with just enough silver to hurt a wolf, which it was and did. I could hear him splashing in the water after us and whoever it was trying to pull that bullet out. Two legs though, not four. Odd, he didn't change.'
Ellis considered that little fact for a moment and then continued.
'I found your car, Simon.' She spun back around and gave him a sad grin. 'And I crashed it into the Marina. My bad. But it was them that brought down the police and everyone else under the sky. Which is probably why it was just that thick necked fucker, Michaels, and his team that kept us in that cabin.'
Ellis stopped fidgeting in her chair and sat still. 'He,' suddenly her chest felt tight just recalling what had happened to them both. She wasn't sure how to put it, the torture. It had been a long time since she had been through something as twisted and painful as that, but it was the first time she had suffered along with Simon. Once again she felt the need to apologize to Simon, for putting him through that with her. That he had to suffer as well as watch.
'He, Michaels I mean,' she started again. Ellis laced her fingers together and leaned forward in her chair, trying to loosen the tight cramp in her chest. 'I don't know how long he tortured Simon before he started in on me.'
Ellis closed her eyes trying to will away Simon's disfigured face and all the blood she heard his voice. It was soft and soothing.
It wasn't your fault.
'You don't have to say that. It was...is, my fault, Simon. I just wish I knew why.'
Turning her chair around she looked back up into Simon's face and saw confusion and maybe just a hint of terror. Looking around the room she saw Carol look at her, then Simon and even the Mercs lowered their weapons slightly.
A blush burned her cheeks at the realization that she had shown her vulnerable side but when Carol stood and began to laugh, the embarassment vanished and was replaced with total confusion.
Simon Huntington
15 years ago
Simon maintained the look of annoyance as Ellis finished her account of what happened the night they were captured. He gave Carol a final look and then crossed his arms. She grazed over why they didn't pick up the assailant in the sewer but he knew that Carol could have probably guessed and had, if her reaction just a moment ago was any indication. He tried to channel out the fury he still had for Carol as he listened to the minutes between the sewer and when he woke up at the house on Juniper Hill when Ellis' tone changed.
'He...He, Michaels I mean...'
She had spun the chair around so no one in the room could see the look on her face. He wasn't sure he could have handled seeing the expression that matched her pained voice.
'I don't know how long he tortured Simon before he started in on me.'
He was still so unfamiliar with this side of Ellis - the remorse and regret so tangible yet foreign. Simon couldn't help but be awe struck by her emotions. It wasn't your fault, he thought as he looked at Ellis' chair.
'You don't have to say that. It was...is, my fault, Simon. I just wish I knew why.'
Simon dropped his arms and felt his jaw gape open. Ellis turned and looked at him. Oh god, he thought. She...heard him? How could she hear his thoughts? Then it hit him like a jackhammer in between the eyes.
Ellis heard him because they were bonded.
'Y-,' and that's when Carol stood up laughing. It was a strange laugh, an almost hysterical giggle. It appeared that she understood what had just happened as well.
'He...He, Michaels I mean...'
She had spun the chair around so no one in the room could see the look on her face. He wasn't sure he could have handled seeing the expression that matched her pained voice.
'I don't know how long he tortured Simon before he started in on me.'
He was still so unfamiliar with this side of Ellis - the remorse and regret so tangible yet foreign. Simon couldn't help but be awe struck by her emotions. It wasn't your fault, he thought as he looked at Ellis' chair.
'You don't have to say that. It was...is, my fault, Simon. I just wish I knew why.'
Simon dropped his arms and felt his jaw gape open. Ellis turned and looked at him. Oh god, he thought. She...heard him? How could she hear his thoughts? Then it hit him like a jackhammer in between the eyes.
Ellis heard him because they were bonded.
'Y-,' and that's when Carol stood up laughing. It was a strange laugh, an almost hysterical giggle. It appeared that she understood what had just happened as well.
Carol
15 years ago
The laughter erupted out of her before she could stop it. That was happening a lot to Carol, losing control over her mouth but this time seemed appropriate. Standing she began to clap, shaking her head.
'Whew. Can you fucking believe it?' She pushed the chair back and walked away from the table. 'Oh...oh that's just gold. Seriously.'
Carol walked to the door and it opened for her. Her world, as she knew it, was rapidly unraveling. Her love, her Leader was bonded not just with her...but with his creator, ex-lover and the woman he tried to kill. They were bonded. In the millennium they were together, not once had they had that bonding but now, right now, they were. And where did that leave Carol?
Humiliated, disgraced...and unprotected.
'They're bonded now. Enjoy, people.'
And with that, she was done.
((OOC - Carol out pending responses but she's gonna go get drunk)
'Whew. Can you fucking believe it?' She pushed the chair back and walked away from the table. 'Oh...oh that's just gold. Seriously.'
Carol walked to the door and it opened for her. Her world, as she knew it, was rapidly unraveling. Her love, her Leader was bonded not just with her...but with his creator, ex-lover and the woman he tried to kill. They were bonded. In the millennium they were together, not once had they had that bonding but now, right now, they were. And where did that leave Carol?
Humiliated, disgraced...and unprotected.
'They're bonded now. Enjoy, people.'
And with that, she was done.
((OOC - Carol out pending responses but she's gonna go get drunk)
Alec Devereaux
15 years ago
Startled, Alec could only listen as Ellis revealed that not only did she maybe actually have feeling and remorse for things, but shocked that she might share them at all. Had he really only known her by reputation? Carol's laughter was very much at odds with the revelation, but somewhat reasonable - Alec did not understand this new development either, but apparently the human found it more humorous than puzzling.
The why of it all was much different than he had expected, however. Carol's declaration left Alec's mind in a state of panic, his jaw slack, and his eyes wide. Bonded. That meant that Ellis was part of the package deal. Fuck.
Hopefully the changes were genuine, or the clan was in for a very long fall, indeed. On the bright side, it did take the what to do with Ellis issue off of the table. Unfortunately, it left that one, horrible option that it had before - 'whatever the fuck she wants, since she will eat your soul otherwise'.
Fuck.
Alec removed his goggles and sighed. Holding them in his hands for a moment, he watched Carol flee. Smart woman, that one. And a potential liability if she was not watched. Arrangements would be easy enough...they would just have to be very much on the down low. Staring unblinkingly at Simon, and then settling on Ellis, he waited as time played out.
"Well...I feel entirely too much the voyeur right now. Someone say something."
The why of it all was much different than he had expected, however. Carol's declaration left Alec's mind in a state of panic, his jaw slack, and his eyes wide. Bonded. That meant that Ellis was part of the package deal. Fuck.
Hopefully the changes were genuine, or the clan was in for a very long fall, indeed. On the bright side, it did take the what to do with Ellis issue off of the table. Unfortunately, it left that one, horrible option that it had before - 'whatever the fuck she wants, since she will eat your soul otherwise'.
Fuck.
Alec removed his goggles and sighed. Holding them in his hands for a moment, he watched Carol flee. Smart woman, that one. And a potential liability if she was not watched. Arrangements would be easy enough...they would just have to be very much on the down low. Staring unblinkingly at Simon, and then settling on Ellis, he waited as time played out.
"Well...I feel entirely too much the voyeur right now. Someone say something."
Simon Huntington
15 years ago
'Someone say something.'
Without looking at Alec, Simon tried to maintain a sense of order, despite Carol and her hysterically laughing. He could not think of anything else to say.
'Everyone out. Right now.'
Without looking at Alec, Simon tried to maintain a sense of order, despite Carol and her hysterically laughing. He could not think of anything else to say.
'Everyone out. Right now.'
Merc
15 years ago
Aaronsmyth and Rosario looked at each other and lowered their weapons. The leader looked at them both and nodded. Without questioning the bizarre shit that just happened, both men eagerly left the room.
As the door closed behind them, Rosario turned to his partner.
'What just happened?'
'I have no fucking idea,' Aaronsmyth replied. 'And I don't want to know.'
((OOC Mercs out))
As the door closed behind them, Rosario turned to his partner.
'What just happened?'
'I have no fucking idea,' Aaronsmyth replied. 'And I don't want to know.'
((OOC Mercs out))
Alec Devereaux
15 years ago
Alec nodded once, slid his goggles on and waited for the mercs to shuffle out before him. Whispering over their shoulders, he stated
"Not a word to anyone, and if you two discuss it with each other, make sure it is in your private quarters. If I hear tales from anyone through the grapevine, it is on both of you. So police the other. Be good."
Blending as he walked away, he wondered what the hell was going to happen. As usual, the pendulum of Simon's life swung from one extreme to another. Well, if nothing else it was exciting. Terrifying, but exciting. Horrifying, and with terrible consequences, but...
((Alec out))
"Not a word to anyone, and if you two discuss it with each other, make sure it is in your private quarters. If I hear tales from anyone through the grapevine, it is on both of you. So police the other. Be good."
Blending as he walked away, he wondered what the hell was going to happen. As usual, the pendulum of Simon's life swung from one extreme to another. Well, if nothing else it was exciting. Terrifying, but exciting. Horrifying, and with terrible consequences, but...
((Alec out))
Ellis Duban
15 years ago
Ellis waited for everyone to leave the conference room. Carol, the two Mercs guarding her, Alec and then finally Nova. She turned and looked at Simon.
'Ok...what now? Wait a second, what?' Ellis slowly stood up out of her chair. 'How?'
Then it occurred to her.
I love you, Simon.
'Oh shit.'
I always have and always will.
Ellis slumped back into her chair.
I never deserved you and you don't deserve this.
The declaration of love. Perfect. Ellis ran her hands over her face, remembering what she had said. And what had he replied?
It doesn't matter anymore. I love you.
'Well, this is awkward.'
((OOC Moved Nova out, player is afk))
'Ok...what now? Wait a second, what?' Ellis slowly stood up out of her chair. 'How?'
Then it occurred to her.
I love you, Simon.
'Oh shit.'
I always have and always will.
Ellis slumped back into her chair.
I never deserved you and you don't deserve this.
The declaration of love. Perfect. Ellis ran her hands over her face, remembering what she had said. And what had he replied?
It doesn't matter anymore. I love you.
'Well, this is awkward.'
((OOC Moved Nova out, player is afk))
Simon Huntington
15 years ago
Simon ran his hands through his hair. He was beyond agitated. Embarrassed, annoyed, authority questioned...hell he could go on but right then he just wanted to get her out of the Domicile and away from the clan.
'Come on.' He walked over to the table, picked up her cigarettes and tossed them to her. 'I'll take you back to the city.'
He couldn't deal with talking about it right then. Walking out the door he put his hand on the door frame, holding it open for her. He gave her an impatient look but didn't say anything further.
'Come on.' He walked over to the table, picked up her cigarettes and tossed them to her. 'I'll take you back to the city.'
He couldn't deal with talking about it right then. Walking out the door he put his hand on the door frame, holding it open for her. He gave her an impatient look but didn't say anything further.
Ellis Duban
15 years ago
Ellis caught her cigs and watched Simon stand impatiently by the door. 'Guess we're leaving,' she mumbled softly to herself. Instead of tucking the cigarettes in her pocket, she kept them in her hand again nervously flipping the pack. She really, really wanted a smoke.
Following him out into the hallway he quickly headed for the elevator. She had to double time it to catch up with his long legs and make it to the elevator without him tapping his foot at her. He wanted her out of the Domicile and away from the clan, she wagered. This recent turn of events will undoubtedly make it dangerous for her to be there so she welcomed his urgency, annoying though it was.
They rode the elevator to the parking garage that was hidden about a hundred feet below the surface and they quickly walked to a familiar sight.
'Awesome sauce', she said as they neared one of the cars that belonged to her. Another Merc was present and waiting by the passenger door. He opened it without an expression but his eyes did dart from Simon back to her.
Guess she wasn't driving. Pulling her pack of cigs out of her pocket she quickly lit a cigarette, inhaling on its sweet burnt aroma, letting the smoke fill her lungs. Good god it was fantastic.
Ellis slipped into the Indianpolis metalic red BMW M6 Coupe, cigarette dangling from her lips. As she sat in the red leather interior, she realized that it actually wasn't one of hers but the 2009 model. It was disgusting how vampires flaunted their wealth but it still was fucking cool to have all sorts of expensive toys. There weren't too many who could call a one hundred thousand plus vehicle a toy but she enjoyed it just the same.
Running her hand over the buttery soft leather she looked over at Simon who sat in the driver seat and started the car. It purred as he dropped it into first gear and they smoothly ascended the ramp up to the surface.
((Simon and Ellis out))
Continues in An awkward situation
Following him out into the hallway he quickly headed for the elevator. She had to double time it to catch up with his long legs and make it to the elevator without him tapping his foot at her. He wanted her out of the Domicile and away from the clan, she wagered. This recent turn of events will undoubtedly make it dangerous for her to be there so she welcomed his urgency, annoying though it was.
They rode the elevator to the parking garage that was hidden about a hundred feet below the surface and they quickly walked to a familiar sight.
'Awesome sauce', she said as they neared one of the cars that belonged to her. Another Merc was present and waiting by the passenger door. He opened it without an expression but his eyes did dart from Simon back to her.
Guess she wasn't driving. Pulling her pack of cigs out of her pocket she quickly lit a cigarette, inhaling on its sweet burnt aroma, letting the smoke fill her lungs. Good god it was fantastic.
Ellis slipped into the Indianpolis metalic red BMW M6 Coupe, cigarette dangling from her lips. As she sat in the red leather interior, she realized that it actually wasn't one of hers but the 2009 model. It was disgusting how vampires flaunted their wealth but it still was fucking cool to have all sorts of expensive toys. There weren't too many who could call a one hundred thousand plus vehicle a toy but she enjoyed it just the same.
Running her hand over the buttery soft leather she looked over at Simon who sat in the driver seat and started the car. It purred as he dropped it into first gear and they smoothly ascended the ramp up to the surface.
((Simon and Ellis out))
Continues in An awkward situation