The pain, for a moment, was the entire world, black and empty and expansive. Thaddeus clenched his fists against it, gritted his teeth, but even that did nothing to block out the agony.
Distantly he was aware that The Wolf was hesitating, though he could not comprehend why, too consumed with his current troubles to do any more than try to think of some way, in this moment of hopelessness, to fend off the next attack.
He still had his hand around his sword.
That alone gave him a measure of strength, knowing that even if his mind slipped toward resignation, his body was not prepared to give up just yet. He gripped the handle tightly, feeling the ring on his thumb dig into flesh, and that gave him a little more.
He pushed himself up on one elbow and felt a flare of fresh pain go through his shoulder, but even then he continued to move, lifting up the sword with his good arm.
It was in that moment that The Wolf turned back to him, meeting his eyes. Thaddeus held that gaze, collecting his strength to continue fighting, pulling together his will and feeling the dark gathering sensation of something deeper within him, uncoiling in his chest. Not fear or rage or pain, but the force of command, an all consuming power and an unshakable belief in his control. He looked into those blue eyes and knew with certainty, in spite of their respective positions, that The Wolf would die tonight.
Command had a tendency to give Thaddeus a nearly suicidal overconfidence, and any other time he would have made an effort toward restraint, would tell himself to hold on to some semblance of reality, but he was past that part of himself at the moment, too far gone on pain and adrenaline and black loathing for the vampire in front of him to stop the flow of power.
As strong as command was, however, it could not heal his wounds, or help him to rise to his feet, and it could not stop the ragged pain that shot through him when he tried to put his weight on his injured arm. And it could not stop the flood of fear as he saw Alfarinn approach.
He kept himself in check, never deviating from his stare, which seemed to lock The Wolf in place as surely as he was, for the moment, frozen. It was, therefore, The Wolf who broke the stare, looking away from Thaddeus and toward Alfarinn at the sound of his ragged voice.
A shock of something like righteous anger went through Thaddeus at his companion's words, at the sight of him, bloody and in pain and filled with rage. He had sworn to himself that he would kill anything that harmed his love, and as The Wolf lifted his sword to meet Alfarinn's, Thaddeus spoke at last, unleashing the strength of command and fierce anger.
"You. Will not touch him."Â?
Hunting the Hounds (invitation only)
The Wolf stroked his pet's ears, muttering little nothings to the animal before rising to his full height and regarding the wolves in front of him. He was not as close to the other two as he was to the one he had petted, The Alpha, but The Alpha listened to him, and the others listened to the Alpha, and that was good enough for The Wolf's purposes.
He considered for a moment what he should do now, knowing that the Heir and his companion were following him. Lay a trap in the sewers? That would likely be effective, but he would have to make quick work of it lest he be walked in on, and The Wolf was not interesting in being quick. No, he thought; he would lead them to a place where he could take his time.
They should be honored, really; few were lucky enough to see The Wolf's lair.
Of course, they wouldn't live to tell about it.
With a single gesture, he began making his way through the tunnels of the sewer, heading homeward.
Thaddeus Grey
18 years ago
Lykaios
18 years ago
The death of The Alpha was like the loss of a limb to The Wolf, as though something necessary had been ripped away from him, and he was still reeling from that when he met the gray eyes of his prey. Distantly he felt the injuries of another of his wolves, though not as severe as with the Alpha, but a numbness had settled in, as though the pain had become too unbearable and he had simply shut down in defense against it.
Even so, he had more than enough hate to fuel the task ahead of him. As he regarded The Heir, he sent to the remaining wolves:
[Kill him. Kill him now.]
Through that haze of terrible loss, he saw his victim, helpless before him in spite of the boy's futile efforts to hold up his sword in defense. There was a detached satisfaction in that complete and utter vulnerability, and he had a moment to let that register before a voice from behind him spoke.
The companion. Taunting him, mocking -him-, and he would pay for that, pay in rivers of blood.
The Wolf turned to face this new enemy, to punish him, finish him, to deliver his bitter revenge, but before he could strike, The Heir spoke.
He was compelled to listen in spite of himself, though he did not know why. He ordered his arms to strike, but they refused to listen. Twisting his head as though fighting invisible bonds, he tried once again to lunge at The Heir's tall companion, and found he could not.
He pulled back his lip in a vicious snarl, fighting against whatever overpowering force prevented him from striking, and spoke in the hope of striking fear with words rather than blades.
Speaking might also prevent the companion from realizing that the second wolf had struggled to his feet and was now limping slowly but surely their way.
"As The Heir will join The Bitch in the blackest hell? A Wolf will live without his companion; will you live without yours?"Â?
Even so, he had more than enough hate to fuel the task ahead of him. As he regarded The Heir, he sent to the remaining wolves:
[Kill him. Kill him now.]
Through that haze of terrible loss, he saw his victim, helpless before him in spite of the boy's futile efforts to hold up his sword in defense. There was a detached satisfaction in that complete and utter vulnerability, and he had a moment to let that register before a voice from behind him spoke.
The companion. Taunting him, mocking -him-, and he would pay for that, pay in rivers of blood.
The Wolf turned to face this new enemy, to punish him, finish him, to deliver his bitter revenge, but before he could strike, The Heir spoke.
He was compelled to listen in spite of himself, though he did not know why. He ordered his arms to strike, but they refused to listen. Twisting his head as though fighting invisible bonds, he tried once again to lunge at The Heir's tall companion, and found he could not.
He pulled back his lip in a vicious snarl, fighting against whatever overpowering force prevented him from striking, and spoke in the hope of striking fear with words rather than blades.
Speaking might also prevent the companion from realizing that the second wolf had struggled to his feet and was now limping slowly but surely their way.
"As The Heir will join The Bitch in the blackest hell? A Wolf will live without his companion; will you live without yours?"Â?
Alfarinn
18 years ago
Alfarinn felt Thaddeus behind the Wolf mastering the pain and focusing again on what must be done. His companion's anger matched his own forging the emotion into a blade of sharp focus. He was intent on the Wolf as he brought up the zweihander to strike, so intent that it took a moment to realize the stiring of power in his beloved.
When Thaddeus spoke the words that released his command, Alfarinn closed his eyes a moment with a sigh. He felt the near irresistable force of the demand backed by power and emotion and knew that it would would hold even one such as himself. Thaddeus could have saved his own life with that command and he wished his companion would have done so, as much as Thaddeus's love meant to him, he could still wish him that extra amount of safety.
And now he stood before an opponent that could not strike him. His honor warred with his need to protect Thaddeus at all costs. He decided he would live with himself for killing a helpless man far better than living without the man he loved.
[You best finish him now or I will despite him not being able to harm me.]
The Wolf's taunt echoed his own thoughts and so did nothing more than strengthen his resolve. Alfarinn knew all too well what it was like surviving after all love and joy had died with the one soul you cared about more than life itself, seeing them ripped away from you in an instant of violence. He did not need the Wolf's words to imagine such a thing or bring it to mind, it had been there already, been there the moment Simon explained who the Wolf was, letting them know for a certainty that the man would not be satisfied with just the ring but would also wish to see Thaddeus suffer for having been chosen, die for having been turned by Emma.
He had wondered, on nights when he couldn't sleep and instead laid awake watching Thaddeus dream, if Lykaios was jealous in some part of his subconscious that he probably wasn't willing to visit. There must have been a time when he felt at least some small something for Emma. Alfarinn had pondered that; she was an intelligent woman and he could not see her choosing so wrongly as the make such a monster. Then he must have been more a man once and she must have cared for him very much. Was there any love mixed in with the Wolf's hate of Emma and the thing he had become? If so did he hate Thaddeus because he was chosen over the Wolf, proof that Emma had moved on and found love again in someone else?
At this moment, it didn't matter. Alfarinn was willing to send the Wolf to meet his maker and they could have plenty of time to work it out in whatever afterlife might actually exist before he and Thaddeus got there.
Alfarinn's features were set in grim sort of calm as he replied, thrusting the nearly six foot blade into the Wolf's midsection.
"I won't have to."
The second wolf was not dead and though it would have been less inclined to attack Alfarinn again after the death of the Alpha and its own injury, seeing it master harmed brought its heart back into the fight. Alfarinn felt the wolf's jaws clamping around his forearm pulling it down and away from the sword, causing it not to have the thrust that he originally intended.
When Thaddeus spoke the words that released his command, Alfarinn closed his eyes a moment with a sigh. He felt the near irresistable force of the demand backed by power and emotion and knew that it would would hold even one such as himself. Thaddeus could have saved his own life with that command and he wished his companion would have done so, as much as Thaddeus's love meant to him, he could still wish him that extra amount of safety.
And now he stood before an opponent that could not strike him. His honor warred with his need to protect Thaddeus at all costs. He decided he would live with himself for killing a helpless man far better than living without the man he loved.
[You best finish him now or I will despite him not being able to harm me.]
The Wolf's taunt echoed his own thoughts and so did nothing more than strengthen his resolve. Alfarinn knew all too well what it was like surviving after all love and joy had died with the one soul you cared about more than life itself, seeing them ripped away from you in an instant of violence. He did not need the Wolf's words to imagine such a thing or bring it to mind, it had been there already, been there the moment Simon explained who the Wolf was, letting them know for a certainty that the man would not be satisfied with just the ring but would also wish to see Thaddeus suffer for having been chosen, die for having been turned by Emma.
He had wondered, on nights when he couldn't sleep and instead laid awake watching Thaddeus dream, if Lykaios was jealous in some part of his subconscious that he probably wasn't willing to visit. There must have been a time when he felt at least some small something for Emma. Alfarinn had pondered that; she was an intelligent woman and he could not see her choosing so wrongly as the make such a monster. Then he must have been more a man once and she must have cared for him very much. Was there any love mixed in with the Wolf's hate of Emma and the thing he had become? If so did he hate Thaddeus because he was chosen over the Wolf, proof that Emma had moved on and found love again in someone else?
At this moment, it didn't matter. Alfarinn was willing to send the Wolf to meet his maker and they could have plenty of time to work it out in whatever afterlife might actually exist before he and Thaddeus got there.
Alfarinn's features were set in grim sort of calm as he replied, thrusting the nearly six foot blade into the Wolf's midsection.
"I won't have to."
The second wolf was not dead and though it would have been less inclined to attack Alfarinn again after the death of the Alpha and its own injury, seeing it master harmed brought its heart back into the fight. Alfarinn felt the wolf's jaws clamping around his forearm pulling it down and away from the sword, causing it not to have the thrust that he originally intended.
Thaddeus Grey
18 years ago
Thaddeus forced himself up, using the sword to help him, beyond the pain in this moment but still finding it somewhat difficult to make his injured body do what he wanted it to do. The world went black for a moment as he came to his feet, but already he could distantly feel the sharp tingling of healing, and he somehow knew he was strong enough for this.
Alfarinn's words, though, brought him out of his somewhat senselessly empowered state; that his companion could think of honor even now brought him back to himself and reminded him of the reality of this moment.
And it brought him back to what he must do.
Apparently struggling against Thaddeus's control, The Wolf made the comments that he could only hope would be the last ones he ever heard from that terrible voice. He had time to reflect with sharp realization that this is what The Wolf wanted, to inflict his own loss on others, but he did not concern himself with the reasoning behind that as he lifted his sword.
Alfarinn, however, was a step ahead of him, his words calm and his actions deliberate, and Thaddeus was so intent on what was occurring in front of him that he never saw the wolf coming. Fresh pain and fear washed over him, and Thaddeus instinctively turned to his companion, but even as wounded as The Wolf was his opponent still took a desperate swing with his sword and for a moment he found himself once again on the defensive. Feeling wounds rip open anew as he twisted, he blocked the strike before plunging his own weapon deep into The Wolf's chest, ramming the blade upward toward his heart as hard as he could.
Shocked as he was by the suddenness of that action, it was a moment before he realized that The Wolf had reached out his clawed hand as Thaddeus closed the distance, that the blades had sliced across his side, and he reflected that an inch to the right and he would be dead right now, that even now he was gripping The Wolf's shoulder as much to stay upright as to drive his sword deeper in.
They sank to their knees as one, The Wolf bled freely from both wounds, beyond the ability to stop the blood from pouring out of him, his eyes open wide but unseeing, glazed and vacant.
Alfarinn's words, though, brought him out of his somewhat senselessly empowered state; that his companion could think of honor even now brought him back to himself and reminded him of the reality of this moment.
And it brought him back to what he must do.
Apparently struggling against Thaddeus's control, The Wolf made the comments that he could only hope would be the last ones he ever heard from that terrible voice. He had time to reflect with sharp realization that this is what The Wolf wanted, to inflict his own loss on others, but he did not concern himself with the reasoning behind that as he lifted his sword.
Alfarinn, however, was a step ahead of him, his words calm and his actions deliberate, and Thaddeus was so intent on what was occurring in front of him that he never saw the wolf coming. Fresh pain and fear washed over him, and Thaddeus instinctively turned to his companion, but even as wounded as The Wolf was his opponent still took a desperate swing with his sword and for a moment he found himself once again on the defensive. Feeling wounds rip open anew as he twisted, he blocked the strike before plunging his own weapon deep into The Wolf's chest, ramming the blade upward toward his heart as hard as he could.
Shocked as he was by the suddenness of that action, it was a moment before he realized that The Wolf had reached out his clawed hand as Thaddeus closed the distance, that the blades had sliced across his side, and he reflected that an inch to the right and he would be dead right now, that even now he was gripping The Wolf's shoulder as much to stay upright as to drive his sword deeper in.
They sank to their knees as one, The Wolf bled freely from both wounds, beyond the ability to stop the blood from pouring out of him, his eyes open wide but unseeing, glazed and vacant.
Lykaios
18 years ago
The Wolf had become rather accustomed to immortality, and so the realization that struck when the tall one's blade was driven into his midsection stunned him more than the blow itself.
He could die.
He was not so much furious as amazed by this prospect. The sword that had run him through felt both wrong and impossible, and his swing at The Heir was more an act of disbelief that his prey was standing while he himself was suffering immeasurable pain.
The boy blocked the swing with almost careless grace, and his last sight before the blue edges of his vision closed around him was the intent stare of his opponent as he closed in. Blindly, he thrust out his hand, feeling his gloved hand strike flesh but ultimately ending in the air, outstretched and empty.
He was dying.
He had not given much thought to what death would be like, considering he had not, for a very long time, expected to experience it, but even with his twisted imagination he never could have anticipated the utter emptiness before the fall. There was no remembrance of past victories, no final dying words flickered through his mind; there was no awareness passing of the spirit or tearing of the soul, no white light to follow.
There was only darkness.
/ooc The Wolf out O_o
He could die.
He was not so much furious as amazed by this prospect. The sword that had run him through felt both wrong and impossible, and his swing at The Heir was more an act of disbelief that his prey was standing while he himself was suffering immeasurable pain.
The boy blocked the swing with almost careless grace, and his last sight before the blue edges of his vision closed around him was the intent stare of his opponent as he closed in. Blindly, he thrust out his hand, feeling his gloved hand strike flesh but ultimately ending in the air, outstretched and empty.
He was dying.
He had not given much thought to what death would be like, considering he had not, for a very long time, expected to experience it, but even with his twisted imagination he never could have anticipated the utter emptiness before the fall. There was no remembrance of past victories, no final dying words flickered through his mind; there was no awareness passing of the spirit or tearing of the soul, no white light to follow.
There was only darkness.
/ooc The Wolf out O_o
Alfarinn
18 years ago
Alfarinn turned to the wolf that had his left arm in its vice-like jaws. The torch was on the ground and the spear was still wedged in the alpha. He yanked the sword from the Wolf, gripping it at the leather bound ricasso to shorten the blade's very extraordinary length. It was an awkward and unbalanced way to hold the sword putting most of the weight behind him; therefore not doing a lot of damage.
Stabbing at the wolf once caused a light wound and the animal jumped away from his arm with a yelp of pain. With the wolf growling at him from a short distance away, it was hard to say whether the animal intended to keep up the fight or not but he would be foolish to turn away from it again.
He changed his grip on the zweihander now that there was distance between them and moving as quickly as his wounds would allow him, brought the blade down on the wolf's neck. The threat to himself dealt with, Alfarinn turned back to Thaddeus, seeing him on his knees, still holding his sword which was sheathed deeply in the murderer's heart.
A quick glance towards the remaining wolf told him that the crows had it surrounded. It was no longer trying to go anywhere having decided the best thing to do was wait all the birds out. They hopped around it, occasionally flapping their wings or giving it a peck if it moved.
That situation being controlled, Alfarinn moved to kneel at Thaddeus's side, pushing the dead Lykaios away from his companion and freeing Via Veritas from his body. Easing the hilt away from his lover's hand, Alfarinn gently pulled Thaddeus to rest against him with his good arm.
[My Beloved]
Only now did the realization set in that it was over. They would both live; this danger had past and his worst fears had not been realized. The relief made him weak in the knees and suddenly he felt very faint as the adrenaline left him and his wounds and blood loss caught up with the understanding that for the moment they were safe.
"It is really over."
He said it aloud; though a small amount of doubt crept into his still mangled voice. The speaking of it seemed to make it so and it brought the situation back into focus for him. Alfarinn realized there were things he still needed to take care of, most importantly the man in front of him.
[Come lets get you inside.]
Stabbing at the wolf once caused a light wound and the animal jumped away from his arm with a yelp of pain. With the wolf growling at him from a short distance away, it was hard to say whether the animal intended to keep up the fight or not but he would be foolish to turn away from it again.
He changed his grip on the zweihander now that there was distance between them and moving as quickly as his wounds would allow him, brought the blade down on the wolf's neck. The threat to himself dealt with, Alfarinn turned back to Thaddeus, seeing him on his knees, still holding his sword which was sheathed deeply in the murderer's heart.
A quick glance towards the remaining wolf told him that the crows had it surrounded. It was no longer trying to go anywhere having decided the best thing to do was wait all the birds out. They hopped around it, occasionally flapping their wings or giving it a peck if it moved.
That situation being controlled, Alfarinn moved to kneel at Thaddeus's side, pushing the dead Lykaios away from his companion and freeing Via Veritas from his body. Easing the hilt away from his lover's hand, Alfarinn gently pulled Thaddeus to rest against him with his good arm.
[My Beloved]
Only now did the realization set in that it was over. They would both live; this danger had past and his worst fears had not been realized. The relief made him weak in the knees and suddenly he felt very faint as the adrenaline left him and his wounds and blood loss caught up with the understanding that for the moment they were safe.
"It is really over."
He said it aloud; though a small amount of doubt crept into his still mangled voice. The speaking of it seemed to make it so and it brought the situation back into focus for him. Alfarinn realized there were things he still needed to take care of, most importantly the man in front of him.
[Come lets get you inside.]
Thaddeus Grey
18 years ago
Thaddeus was not certain if he had, for a moment, blacked out, or if the sudden blankness he felt was a result of coming down from using the command, but awareness returned to him as Alfarinn pulled him close, taking the sword from his hand.
[Alfarinn.]
Hearing the sound of his love's voice, made ragged in injury, was enough to make his heart ache. The rage at the thought that The Wolf had dared to harm Alfarinn had faded now, washed away in a flood of concern. He looked up at his companion, reaching up to brush his fingertips along one cheek before wincing at the pain that movement brought.
It would, he reasoned, get worse before it got better, and Alfarinn was right; they needed to move.
"Yes. We have finished it."Â?
Nearly three hundred years late, but it was indeed over. Emma was avenged. His brother was dead.
For the moment, those realities refused to sink in; both thoughts felt disconnected and unreal, though he knew he would think on those matters in more depth another time.
Though it was difficult to focus on much beside the fact that they were alive, but injured and needing very much to recover, Thaddeus could not help but be aware of his surroundings; The Wolf, dead or so nearly there that it made no difference. Weapons scattered along the street and a torch blazing in the distance. The third wolf, his head lowered in a gesture of submission as the crows continued to peck at him. The thought of that wolf still living and breathing made his eyes narrow, though right now he didn't seem to be much of a threat and they had other matters to address.
And, of course, there was the ring, the very thing that had begun what he and Alfarinn had just ended. He realized only now that The Wolf wasn't wearing it, and wondered where it was.
In an effort to stand he pushed himself up only to feel his legs crumple underneath him, and splayed out his hand on the asphalt to keep from falling over. Deciding he might need a moment before he was ready to be completely vertical, he closed his eyes, swallowed hard, and opened them again, shuffling toward the corpse that would soon turn to dust.
[Alfarinn.]
Hearing the sound of his love's voice, made ragged in injury, was enough to make his heart ache. The rage at the thought that The Wolf had dared to harm Alfarinn had faded now, washed away in a flood of concern. He looked up at his companion, reaching up to brush his fingertips along one cheek before wincing at the pain that movement brought.
It would, he reasoned, get worse before it got better, and Alfarinn was right; they needed to move.
"Yes. We have finished it."Â?
Nearly three hundred years late, but it was indeed over. Emma was avenged. His brother was dead.
For the moment, those realities refused to sink in; both thoughts felt disconnected and unreal, though he knew he would think on those matters in more depth another time.
Though it was difficult to focus on much beside the fact that they were alive, but injured and needing very much to recover, Thaddeus could not help but be aware of his surroundings; The Wolf, dead or so nearly there that it made no difference. Weapons scattered along the street and a torch blazing in the distance. The third wolf, his head lowered in a gesture of submission as the crows continued to peck at him. The thought of that wolf still living and breathing made his eyes narrow, though right now he didn't seem to be much of a threat and they had other matters to address.
And, of course, there was the ring, the very thing that had begun what he and Alfarinn had just ended. He realized only now that The Wolf wasn't wearing it, and wondered where it was.
In an effort to stand he pushed himself up only to feel his legs crumple underneath him, and splayed out his hand on the asphalt to keep from falling over. Deciding he might need a moment before he was ready to be completely vertical, he closed his eyes, swallowed hard, and opened them again, shuffling toward the corpse that would soon turn to dust.
Alfarinn
18 years ago
Alfarinn watched Thaddeus with an expression that would be akin to that of a thirsty man in the desert seeing an oasis, every second confirming that they were both alive, if not whole. The touch to his cheek made him smile though the wince caused him to reach up to steady Thaddeus in concern.
He was about to lean over and check Lykaios for his keys when his companion made to move. Seeing Thaddeus stand only to fall again filled him with pain and watching his lover steel himself and move despite his injuries filled him pride and affection.
Alfarinn came to stand next to his companion giving him someone to lean on despite the injury to that side of him. They had both lost a lot of blood and he knew they would not heal well until they had fed, especially Thaddeus, who's chest wounds worried him greatly.
"You are awe-inspiring"
He smiled affectionately at his companion.
"But if you don't let me help you I might never forgive you."
The threat was absolutely untrue but he did move to help Thaddeus kneel again next to the body. A quick search and he had found the keys. There was a moment when he prepared himself unconsciously for the images to come but they did not. It was then that he realized he was wearing Thaddeus's gloves.
"Wait" He removed them carefully and handed them to his companion, willing to help him put them on. Alfarinn would rather Thaddeus not have to touch the murderer's things any more than he had to. "Please"
The ring should still be on Lykaios and that must be what Thaddeus searched for though he supposed it could have been for the practical purpose of finding the keys but some how he doubted it.
The ring was more important; it was the thing that brought them together and brought them here. Alfarinn looked up at the stars a moment in wonderment. Was it fate that guided them to this point? He felt that this was so and he wondered if somewhere Emma had a hand in it. Was she even now looking down from her place among the honored dead to see that Lykaios was at last brought to justice; though he could not help but think Emma would feel some sadness in the thing her child had become and the tragic ending that was the culmination of many wasted years spent on violence and hate but he knew that she would see its necessity. Did she aid the Fates in bringing them together; Watching over her second child in the only way she could? He felt that this was likely as well and was honored that he might be considered worthy of Thaddeus and was satisfied for a new reason that they managed to live through this.
"Thank you"
Alfarinn's voice was barely above a whisper but he felt that didn't matter. Smiling at the thought of Emma watching over them both, he looked down at Thaddeus, trails of tears, shed in relief and gratitude shining against his pale face in the flickering light of the dieing torch flames.
He was about to lean over and check Lykaios for his keys when his companion made to move. Seeing Thaddeus stand only to fall again filled him with pain and watching his lover steel himself and move despite his injuries filled him pride and affection.
Alfarinn came to stand next to his companion giving him someone to lean on despite the injury to that side of him. They had both lost a lot of blood and he knew they would not heal well until they had fed, especially Thaddeus, who's chest wounds worried him greatly.
"You are awe-inspiring"
He smiled affectionately at his companion.
"But if you don't let me help you I might never forgive you."
The threat was absolutely untrue but he did move to help Thaddeus kneel again next to the body. A quick search and he had found the keys. There was a moment when he prepared himself unconsciously for the images to come but they did not. It was then that he realized he was wearing Thaddeus's gloves.
"Wait" He removed them carefully and handed them to his companion, willing to help him put them on. Alfarinn would rather Thaddeus not have to touch the murderer's things any more than he had to. "Please"
The ring should still be on Lykaios and that must be what Thaddeus searched for though he supposed it could have been for the practical purpose of finding the keys but some how he doubted it.
The ring was more important; it was the thing that brought them together and brought them here. Alfarinn looked up at the stars a moment in wonderment. Was it fate that guided them to this point? He felt that this was so and he wondered if somewhere Emma had a hand in it. Was she even now looking down from her place among the honored dead to see that Lykaios was at last brought to justice; though he could not help but think Emma would feel some sadness in the thing her child had become and the tragic ending that was the culmination of many wasted years spent on violence and hate but he knew that she would see its necessity. Did she aid the Fates in bringing them together; Watching over her second child in the only way she could? He felt that this was likely as well and was honored that he might be considered worthy of Thaddeus and was satisfied for a new reason that they managed to live through this.
"Thank you"
Alfarinn's voice was barely above a whisper but he felt that didn't matter. Smiling at the thought of Emma watching over them both, he looked down at Thaddeus, trails of tears, shed in relief and gratitude shining against his pale face in the flickering light of the dieing torch flames.
Thaddeus Grey
18 years ago
Thaddeus gratefully put some of his weight on Alfarinn, not really having much choice in the matter regardless of his companion's forgiveness or lack thereof. His mind seemed to understand that he would heal eventually but his body seemed inclined to argue; moving was causing some troublesome difficulties. Added to that was the exhausted empty feeling that came after the flood of power from command, and that was enough to make Thaddeus just want to curl up somewhere and sleep.
Of course, that attitude solved nothing and he quickly shook it off as Alfarinn offered him his gloves. He managed to slip one on without much trouble but by the time he put on the second he was leaning more heavily than he would have liked on his injured companion. Even so, he smiled a little in thanks before searching corpse and trying not to shudder at the feel of crumbling decay. Going to The Wolf's pockets, he pushed his hand inside and felt the dried flesh give at that slight pressure. The ring was, fortunately, at the bottom of the pocket, and Thaddeus pulled away with it in hand, relieved.
It took him two tries, but he managed to lift up his good arm and get the red cord from around his neck over his head. He slipped the cord through the ring and let it fall, the turtle at the bottom stopping it from falling off, and put the cord around his neck once more.
He had absolutely no intention of letting it go again.
He could not seem to look away as The Wolf crumpled, clothing becoming formless, but his eyes focused on the hands rather than the face, which he could not bear to look at. Even so, it was haunting to watch, even in his current numb state, and eventually he looked away and toward Alfarinn.
He rested his head lightly on Alfarinn's arm, letting his companion's sense of hope and gratitude replace the flat emptiness, and looked up at the softly spoken words. Rising enough to brush his cheek against Alfarinn's damp one, he kissed high on one cheekbone, managing a smile in return and imagining he knew who his companion was thanking.
"I think she might say the same to you. As I do."Â?
After three hundred years, they had finally done right by Emma, or at least he could hope as much. He wondered, as he had often wondered in both his better and his worst moments, if Emma could see him now, could hear Alfarinn's words and his own. Had she looked down on the sum of his life and been proud of what she had seen? Saddened? Disappointed? He imagined all three at one point or another, but hoped in this moment she had some measure of peace.
A breeze brushed something against his cheek, and he brushed it away with one hand only to look down and see a smudge of wet ash, though whether the dampness was Alfarinn's tears or his own he could not say. He closed his eyes as the last of his brother scattered in the wind, resting his forehead against Alfarinn's arm.
Of course, that attitude solved nothing and he quickly shook it off as Alfarinn offered him his gloves. He managed to slip one on without much trouble but by the time he put on the second he was leaning more heavily than he would have liked on his injured companion. Even so, he smiled a little in thanks before searching corpse and trying not to shudder at the feel of crumbling decay. Going to The Wolf's pockets, he pushed his hand inside and felt the dried flesh give at that slight pressure. The ring was, fortunately, at the bottom of the pocket, and Thaddeus pulled away with it in hand, relieved.
It took him two tries, but he managed to lift up his good arm and get the red cord from around his neck over his head. He slipped the cord through the ring and let it fall, the turtle at the bottom stopping it from falling off, and put the cord around his neck once more.
He had absolutely no intention of letting it go again.
He could not seem to look away as The Wolf crumpled, clothing becoming formless, but his eyes focused on the hands rather than the face, which he could not bear to look at. Even so, it was haunting to watch, even in his current numb state, and eventually he looked away and toward Alfarinn.
He rested his head lightly on Alfarinn's arm, letting his companion's sense of hope and gratitude replace the flat emptiness, and looked up at the softly spoken words. Rising enough to brush his cheek against Alfarinn's damp one, he kissed high on one cheekbone, managing a smile in return and imagining he knew who his companion was thanking.
"I think she might say the same to you. As I do."Â?
After three hundred years, they had finally done right by Emma, or at least he could hope as much. He wondered, as he had often wondered in both his better and his worst moments, if Emma could see him now, could hear Alfarinn's words and his own. Had she looked down on the sum of his life and been proud of what she had seen? Saddened? Disappointed? He imagined all three at one point or another, but hoped in this moment she had some measure of peace.
A breeze brushed something against his cheek, and he brushed it away with one hand only to look down and see a smudge of wet ash, though whether the dampness was Alfarinn's tears or his own he could not say. He closed his eyes as the last of his brother scattered in the wind, resting his forehead against Alfarinn's arm.
Mai
18 years ago
Mai watched the two younger vampires from her place in the shadows. She had come to deal with the Wolf and noticed the others nearby. It occurred to her that this was something Thaddeus needed to do himself. He would live with the consequences of the death of the Wolf but also his completion of the task and it was not her place to take that choice away from him. Her Ba-di was truly a child no more and a part of her was saddened by the loss of that dependence on her, even if it were just for a sense of security; a larger part of her was proud of him and what he had become.
Her intervention had not been needed. Thaddeus and Alfarinn together were a strong force to be reckoned with and though some moments had frightened her almost to the point of action, each time she held back feeling it was not yet time for her to become involved.
Putting the katana back into its black lacquered scabbard with the gold etched flowers, Mai turned to leave. The wind picked up and carried the ashes of Emma's murderer to her, tangling in her flowing black hair like flakes of sullied snow. Speaking quietly as she walked away from the scene, Mai said simply.
" Sore de kimatta, Emma-sama."
((OOC: Means "It is done" ))
Her intervention had not been needed. Thaddeus and Alfarinn together were a strong force to be reckoned with and though some moments had frightened her almost to the point of action, each time she held back feeling it was not yet time for her to become involved.
Putting the katana back into its black lacquered scabbard with the gold etched flowers, Mai turned to leave. The wind picked up and carried the ashes of Emma's murderer to her, tangling in her flowing black hair like flakes of sullied snow. Speaking quietly as she walked away from the scene, Mai said simply.
" Sore de kimatta, Emma-sama."
((OOC: Means "It is done" ))
Alfarinn
18 years ago
Alfarinn smiled at Thaddeus with affection and helped them both carefully to stand.
" Hmm, well I can't help feeling that I'm the one who has been blessed here but I'll not argue if you feel the same."
Arguing was the last thing he wanted to do at the moment. They needed to get inside before someone called the cops which was something that might or might not happen in this neighborhood but he didn't want to take any chances.
Moving slowly towards the door, Alfarinn held his injured arm over the large bite wound on his side and used the other to help Thaddeus along. He could feel his companion's exhaustion and knew that the forceful command had cost him much. The sentiment behind it now struck him fully and he could not help but feel so wonderfully loved that Thaddeus would sacrifice his own chance for safety in order to aid him.
He fumbled with the keys until he found the right one. Looking over at the wolf who looked so pitiful at this moment. Alfarinn spoke while watching it.
"I would like to keep the wolf if you don't mind. It has no master now and we are responsible for that. I don't know how well it would fair in the wild without a pack. Sometimes lone wolves aren't accepted into existing ones."
Looking back at Thaddeus he said.
"We could give it to a good home if it bothers you, though I'd like to make sure it isn't violent first."
He opened the door and spoke to the crows.
[Let him through.]
Alfarinn watched the wolf's eyes flick over to the door when it opened. It raised its head before getting pecked. The crows hopped away from that side of animal at his request and the wolf saw its chance for escape. Quicklly before the crows could harass him any more, he bolted for the door.
Well that worked well.
Moving through the narrow foyer with two injured people was an awkward process but they eventually made it to the couch.
[Please lie down.]
He hoped his companion wasn't going to give him difficulties at this point but knew that Thaddeus could be remarkably stubborn at times, not that he didn't love that about his companion because he did. Seeing that his lover was as comfortable as he could make him for the moment, Alfarinn brushed Thaddeus's cheek gently before standing back up.
[I'll be back. Don't go anywhere.]
" Hmm, well I can't help feeling that I'm the one who has been blessed here but I'll not argue if you feel the same."
Arguing was the last thing he wanted to do at the moment. They needed to get inside before someone called the cops which was something that might or might not happen in this neighborhood but he didn't want to take any chances.
Moving slowly towards the door, Alfarinn held his injured arm over the large bite wound on his side and used the other to help Thaddeus along. He could feel his companion's exhaustion and knew that the forceful command had cost him much. The sentiment behind it now struck him fully and he could not help but feel so wonderfully loved that Thaddeus would sacrifice his own chance for safety in order to aid him.
He fumbled with the keys until he found the right one. Looking over at the wolf who looked so pitiful at this moment. Alfarinn spoke while watching it.
"I would like to keep the wolf if you don't mind. It has no master now and we are responsible for that. I don't know how well it would fair in the wild without a pack. Sometimes lone wolves aren't accepted into existing ones."
Looking back at Thaddeus he said.
"We could give it to a good home if it bothers you, though I'd like to make sure it isn't violent first."
He opened the door and spoke to the crows.
[Let him through.]
Alfarinn watched the wolf's eyes flick over to the door when it opened. It raised its head before getting pecked. The crows hopped away from that side of animal at his request and the wolf saw its chance for escape. Quicklly before the crows could harass him any more, he bolted for the door.
Well that worked well.
Moving through the narrow foyer with two injured people was an awkward process but they eventually made it to the couch.
[Please lie down.]
He hoped his companion wasn't going to give him difficulties at this point but knew that Thaddeus could be remarkably stubborn at times, not that he didn't love that about his companion because he did. Seeing that his lover was as comfortable as he could make him for the moment, Alfarinn brushed Thaddeus's cheek gently before standing back up.
[I'll be back. Don't go anywhere.]
Thaddeus Grey
18 years ago
Thaddeus bit back a groan of pain at they moved to their feet, though the way he was leaning on Alfarinn likely made his current condition perfectly clear. His companion was injured too and it both worried and amazed Thaddeus that Alfarinn could so easily ignore his own pain to help him along.
He frowned at the mention of keeping the last living wolf, but the appeal to his sense of responsibility won out. He suspected there was more to Alfarinn's reasoning than what was stated, and while Thaddeus could not fathom why someone would want to keep an animal that would have torn him apart moments ago, he trusted his companion's good intentions. His practical side argued that the best thing to do would be to put an end to the animal, but he didn't have the heart to say so and didn't think he had it in him to kill anything else today in any case.
"If he wants to stay with you, and that is your wish, I won't prevent it."Â?
It seemed that at the very least the wolf wanted to get inside the house, and Thaddeus was surprised to feel a twinge of something like sympathy at the sight of the animal's tail between his legs.
He glanced down at Alfarinn's other arm and that feeling went away fairly swiftly.
They followed The Wolf inside, and Thaddeus fought to keep his eyes open and his mind alert in case there was an unexpected trap inside. Observing nothing other than a disturbingly ordinary living room, though the chair appeared to have seen better days, he took a shaky breath as they moved toward the couch.
He wasn't particularly inclined to be difficult when Alfarinn asked him to lay down, though he did send to his companion before letting his head fall back.
[You're hurt too.]
His eyes flickered shut when Alfarinn stroked his cheek, but he forced them open again after a moment, not wanting to allow himself to slip into sleep and knowing he very easily could. He felt, in fact, that he could sleep for a month right about now.
He did manage a smile at Alfarinn's next statement, thinking there wasn't the faintest possibility of him going anywhere, but responded in spite of the rhetorical nature of the words.
[I'll be here.]
With that, he closed his eyes once more, telling himself he was just resting them. It wasn't until he felt something cold and wet on his arm that he opened his eyes again, only to find himself eye to eye with the third wolf, who seemed to be inspecting his hand and had brushed against his arm. Thaddeus raised one eyebrow at the animal and hoped he wasn't about to find out that the wolf was, in fact, violent.
The wolf, who Thaddeus realized would have to be given a name if he ended up staying with them, apparently decided on his own that perhaps this man was best left alone, and walked over to the chair, curling up at the foot of it and resting his head on his paws.
He frowned at the mention of keeping the last living wolf, but the appeal to his sense of responsibility won out. He suspected there was more to Alfarinn's reasoning than what was stated, and while Thaddeus could not fathom why someone would want to keep an animal that would have torn him apart moments ago, he trusted his companion's good intentions. His practical side argued that the best thing to do would be to put an end to the animal, but he didn't have the heart to say so and didn't think he had it in him to kill anything else today in any case.
"If he wants to stay with you, and that is your wish, I won't prevent it."Â?
It seemed that at the very least the wolf wanted to get inside the house, and Thaddeus was surprised to feel a twinge of something like sympathy at the sight of the animal's tail between his legs.
He glanced down at Alfarinn's other arm and that feeling went away fairly swiftly.
They followed The Wolf inside, and Thaddeus fought to keep his eyes open and his mind alert in case there was an unexpected trap inside. Observing nothing other than a disturbingly ordinary living room, though the chair appeared to have seen better days, he took a shaky breath as they moved toward the couch.
He wasn't particularly inclined to be difficult when Alfarinn asked him to lay down, though he did send to his companion before letting his head fall back.
[You're hurt too.]
His eyes flickered shut when Alfarinn stroked his cheek, but he forced them open again after a moment, not wanting to allow himself to slip into sleep and knowing he very easily could. He felt, in fact, that he could sleep for a month right about now.
He did manage a smile at Alfarinn's next statement, thinking there wasn't the faintest possibility of him going anywhere, but responded in spite of the rhetorical nature of the words.
[I'll be here.]
With that, he closed his eyes once more, telling himself he was just resting them. It wasn't until he felt something cold and wet on his arm that he opened his eyes again, only to find himself eye to eye with the third wolf, who seemed to be inspecting his hand and had brushed against his arm. Thaddeus raised one eyebrow at the animal and hoped he wasn't about to find out that the wolf was, in fact, violent.
The wolf, who Thaddeus realized would have to be given a name if he ended up staying with them, apparently decided on his own that perhaps this man was best left alone, and walked over to the chair, curling up at the foot of it and resting his head on his paws.
Alfarinn
18 years ago
Alfarinn watched Thaddeus a moment as his companion's eyes closed but eventually pulled himself away from the sight because he -was- hurt too and there was much to be done still before they could both relax and try to heal.
He headed slowly up the stairs and looked in the closet, finding a shirt, he tentatively reached out a hand and took it off the hanger. The image of the Wolf assaulted his senses though thankfully there were no visions of blood and death as he might expect. -Must be new- Alfarinn thought to himself and he rolled it up and folded it around the wound on his chest, tieing it tightly on the other side with a grimace of pain at the abrasion against the ripped flesh.
Leaning against the wall a moment he caught his breath and then mustered the energy to go downstairs. With a smile, he returned to his companion, feeling about in Thaddeus's pants pockets for his phone.
[Don't mind me, I like groping you, even nearly unconscious.]
He found what he was looking for and sitting back up with a groan, he dialed Danielle's cell number. Once he heard it answered, he spoke as best he could, hoping the gravelly sounding voice didn't scare his assistant into thinking she was being prank called.
"Dani, this is Arin. Can you come to an address for me? I'm in need of your assistance."
((OOC
ani's assumed answering with permission))
He headed slowly up the stairs and looked in the closet, finding a shirt, he tentatively reached out a hand and took it off the hanger. The image of the Wolf assaulted his senses though thankfully there were no visions of blood and death as he might expect. -Must be new- Alfarinn thought to himself and he rolled it up and folded it around the wound on his chest, tieing it tightly on the other side with a grimace of pain at the abrasion against the ripped flesh.
Leaning against the wall a moment he caught his breath and then mustered the energy to go downstairs. With a smile, he returned to his companion, feeling about in Thaddeus's pants pockets for his phone.
[Don't mind me, I like groping you, even nearly unconscious.]
He found what he was looking for and sitting back up with a groan, he dialed Danielle's cell number. Once he heard it answered, he spoke as best he could, hoping the gravelly sounding voice didn't scare his assistant into thinking she was being prank called.
"Dani, this is Arin. Can you come to an address for me? I'm in need of your assistance."
((OOC
ani's assumed answering with permission))
Alfarinn
18 years ago
Alfarinn sighed in relief when Dani actually answered her phone. He would have hated to track someone else down or worse try to find a perfect stranger in his condition. Hearing she was ready for the address he said.
"715 Charles Street, corner of 49th."
He'd normally tell her more.. or at least something but it was painful to speak and he'd just as soon do say as little as possible. Once his throat started to heal then he'd thank her and apologize for ruining her evening, which sounded pleasant, if the music was any indication.
Walking outside, he stooped and cradling the phone against his neck, used both hands to ease the spear out of the wolf and then the knife. Gathering those and the extinguished torch, Alfarinn set them just inside the foyer.
Going back to the injured crow, Alfarinn gently picked it up and carefully stood, none too steady as it was. The bird he brought inside and put on the kitchen table hoping that would be enough to keep the wolf from getting any ideas. He waited here a moment exhausted and breathing raggedly. He needed to be off the phone to pick up the heavy bodies of the wolves and though it needed to be done before he passed out, he'd need just a little time to gather some more strength.
"715 Charles Street, corner of 49th."
He'd normally tell her more.. or at least something but it was painful to speak and he'd just as soon do say as little as possible. Once his throat started to heal then he'd thank her and apologize for ruining her evening, which sounded pleasant, if the music was any indication.
Walking outside, he stooped and cradling the phone against his neck, used both hands to ease the spear out of the wolf and then the knife. Gathering those and the extinguished torch, Alfarinn set them just inside the foyer.
Going back to the injured crow, Alfarinn gently picked it up and carefully stood, none too steady as it was. The bird he brought inside and put on the kitchen table hoping that would be enough to keep the wolf from getting any ideas. He waited here a moment exhausted and breathing raggedly. He needed to be off the phone to pick up the heavy bodies of the wolves and though it needed to be done before he passed out, he'd need just a little time to gather some more strength.
Thaddeus Grey
18 years ago
Finding that keeping a wary eye on the wolf and listening to the sounds of Alfarinn doing something upstairs was, at the very least, something to focus on, Thaddeus managed to stay awake and collected while he waited for his companion to return. He could not help but admire his love's strength and presence of mind, though he hoped Alfarinn wasn't overextending himself too much.
Smiling at the feel of Alfarinn's hands, it was a moment before he realized that his eyes were closed once more. He gave himself a mental shake and pushed up on his good arm; though it still hurt quite a bit to move, it at least kept him awake.
[I don't mind in the least.]
He winced at the pained sound Alfarinn made as he sat back, and moved his legs to give him more room. Biting down on his lip, he resisted the temptation to ask who Alfarinn was calling; this was a terrible time to ask questions and he trusted that his companion would tell him soon enough.
He grew increasingly worried, though, as Alfarinn moved about, bringing in the weapons and the injured crow. His companion was sounding worse, and while Thaddeus had had a chance to rest, Alfarinn had barely paused once.
[Come here and rest if you need to, love. I should be helping.]
He wasn't positive of just how useful he could be right now, but seeing Alfarinn in pain was too unbearable to do nothing. He pushed up further on his arm and swore out of sheer frustration before deciding what little energy he had should not be wasted on profanities. Managing to get himself up to sitting, he rested his head on the back of the couch, just for a moment.
Smiling at the feel of Alfarinn's hands, it was a moment before he realized that his eyes were closed once more. He gave himself a mental shake and pushed up on his good arm; though it still hurt quite a bit to move, it at least kept him awake.
[I don't mind in the least.]
He winced at the pained sound Alfarinn made as he sat back, and moved his legs to give him more room. Biting down on his lip, he resisted the temptation to ask who Alfarinn was calling; this was a terrible time to ask questions and he trusted that his companion would tell him soon enough.
He grew increasingly worried, though, as Alfarinn moved about, bringing in the weapons and the injured crow. His companion was sounding worse, and while Thaddeus had had a chance to rest, Alfarinn had barely paused once.
[Come here and rest if you need to, love. I should be helping.]
He wasn't positive of just how useful he could be right now, but seeing Alfarinn in pain was too unbearable to do nothing. He pushed up further on his arm and swore out of sheer frustration before deciding what little energy he had should not be wasted on profanities. Managing to get himself up to sitting, he rested his head on the back of the couch, just for a moment.
Alfarinn
18 years ago
"Thank you"
He replied in acknowledgment of Dani's statement that she was on her way.
Hearing Thaddeus in his mind, Alfarinn smiled at his thoughtful companion, even with Thaddeus barely awake, he was still being worried over; it was plenty reassuring after all they had been through tonight though Thaddeus's love for him had not been in question in what seemed like such a long time. He marveled a moment about how short the time had actually been but so much had happened.
He looked at the couch and his lover with longing. -Just for a few moments...that's all.- his mind added its own logic to the argument. Alfarinn thought it was behaving too well to be up to anything good and decided there was just one more thing that needed to be done. Dani was on the way and he'd rather her not see dead wolves in the alley before she got in.
Alfarinn also admitted to himself that he couldn't lift the wolves in the state he was in. He sighed, took one more look at his injured but safe lover and pushed away the thoughts of being comfortable for a bit longer, after all the police coming to the door would not make either of them feel better unless they were offering up blood donations.
In the kitchen, he knelt slowly and looked under the sink. Sure enough, it would seem even hired killers tended to keep their garbage bags somewhere convenient. Pulling out two bags, Alfarinn headed outside once more.
[I promise I will be back after this but we need those bodies out of the street. I don't want the attention brought to us, though we haven't seen anything so far despite making loud sounds of sword fighting in the street but this isn't the best of neighborhoods. I called my assistant and she'll be here as soon as possible; I'd rather not have her walking over dead things to get to us. I love you, my considerate soul but, no, you should not be helping. ]
Alfarinn smiled again at the offer but sobered at the thought of why Thaddeus should not help and that was large chest wounds for simply the main reason.
He half drug and half rolled the bodies into the bags and then drug them carefully the short distance to the side of the house with his good arm, frowning as his side started to bleed more heavily , all the way through the shirt. It was done though and Alfarinn staggered inside, leaving the door unlocked for Dani. He slid down onto the couch next to Thaddeus gratefully and leaned back and shutting his eyes and willing the blood to stop flowing out of his body, something over time a vampire of ancient age tended to understand and do, you simply became so in tune with the workings of your body that such things are understood. He'd have to be very still though or it would leak again, though he thought wryly that there could be little left that wasn't now soaked into the asphalt outside or in here.
Opening his eyes and looking over at Thaddeus with a tilt of his head still on the couch, Alfarinn sent.
[Beloved]
He replied in acknowledgment of Dani's statement that she was on her way.
Hearing Thaddeus in his mind, Alfarinn smiled at his thoughtful companion, even with Thaddeus barely awake, he was still being worried over; it was plenty reassuring after all they had been through tonight though Thaddeus's love for him had not been in question in what seemed like such a long time. He marveled a moment about how short the time had actually been but so much had happened.
He looked at the couch and his lover with longing. -Just for a few moments...that's all.- his mind added its own logic to the argument. Alfarinn thought it was behaving too well to be up to anything good and decided there was just one more thing that needed to be done. Dani was on the way and he'd rather her not see dead wolves in the alley before she got in.
Alfarinn also admitted to himself that he couldn't lift the wolves in the state he was in. He sighed, took one more look at his injured but safe lover and pushed away the thoughts of being comfortable for a bit longer, after all the police coming to the door would not make either of them feel better unless they were offering up blood donations.
In the kitchen, he knelt slowly and looked under the sink. Sure enough, it would seem even hired killers tended to keep their garbage bags somewhere convenient. Pulling out two bags, Alfarinn headed outside once more.
[I promise I will be back after this but we need those bodies out of the street. I don't want the attention brought to us, though we haven't seen anything so far despite making loud sounds of sword fighting in the street but this isn't the best of neighborhoods. I called my assistant and she'll be here as soon as possible; I'd rather not have her walking over dead things to get to us. I love you, my considerate soul but, no, you should not be helping. ]
Alfarinn smiled again at the offer but sobered at the thought of why Thaddeus should not help and that was large chest wounds for simply the main reason.
He half drug and half rolled the bodies into the bags and then drug them carefully the short distance to the side of the house with his good arm, frowning as his side started to bleed more heavily , all the way through the shirt. It was done though and Alfarinn staggered inside, leaving the door unlocked for Dani. He slid down onto the couch next to Thaddeus gratefully and leaned back and shutting his eyes and willing the blood to stop flowing out of his body, something over time a vampire of ancient age tended to understand and do, you simply became so in tune with the workings of your body that such things are understood. He'd have to be very still though or it would leak again, though he thought wryly that there could be little left that wasn't now soaked into the asphalt outside or in here.
Opening his eyes and looking over at Thaddeus with a tilt of his head still on the couch, Alfarinn sent.
[Beloved]
Thaddeus Grey
18 years ago
Deciding that an argument would just be more draining for both of them, Thaddeus let the discussion go in spite of severe misgivings.
[Your assistant is going to see some things that are less than pleasant tonight in any case, but you are right; the last thing we need is for the authorities to show up.]
He did wonder what Alfarinn's assistant would make of this mess; he didn't think in his human days he would have handled such a thing well, but perhaps she had seen more in her lifetime than most. Reflecting on that only made him more aware of his current state, however; filthy, covered in blood with gaping wounds across his chest, his shoulder a ruin if the feel of it was anything to go by. He wasn't particularly inclined to open his eyes to access the damage, already well aware that he looked terrible. He would have sighed in annoyance with himself if it didn't hurt so much; it was probably absolutely ridiculous to be worried about being a mess at a time like this, but being aware of it made his skin crawl.
Time seemed to be behaving oddly for Thaddeus; one moment he was dwelling on the fact that a complete stranger would see him like this, and the next Alfarinn was on the couch beside him, sending. It was possible, he supposed, that his companion had simply moved quickly, but there was a gap somewhere where Alfarinn must have sat down.
[You're back.]
He forced his eyes open and let his head drop to one side, managing a crooked grin that faded upon seeing Alfarinn. He wished, now, that he had pushed harder for his companion to rest; it was clear he had overdone it.
Reaching out one hand, he rested his fingers on top of Alfarinn's, brushing lightly.
[Thank you for taking care of things...you need to rest now. Stay with me.]
That stated, he closed his eyes once more, but wrapped his fingers around Alfarinn's when he felt himself start to slip away, fighting to remain conscious. In truth, he wanted to say something he almost never said and wasn't quite sure how to go about it.
He wanted to say he was sorry. Sorry that Alfarinn was hurt, that he had brought his companion into this, that he had let him keep going when he should have stopped. That he hadn't done more. He was not, however, certain of how Alfarinn would take that, and everything felt so muddy and out of focus that he was certain he would only screw the whole thing up anyway. In any case, he didn't think he was quite prepared to deal with a reaction, whether argument or absolution.
[Your assistant is going to see some things that are less than pleasant tonight in any case, but you are right; the last thing we need is for the authorities to show up.]
He did wonder what Alfarinn's assistant would make of this mess; he didn't think in his human days he would have handled such a thing well, but perhaps she had seen more in her lifetime than most. Reflecting on that only made him more aware of his current state, however; filthy, covered in blood with gaping wounds across his chest, his shoulder a ruin if the feel of it was anything to go by. He wasn't particularly inclined to open his eyes to access the damage, already well aware that he looked terrible. He would have sighed in annoyance with himself if it didn't hurt so much; it was probably absolutely ridiculous to be worried about being a mess at a time like this, but being aware of it made his skin crawl.
Time seemed to be behaving oddly for Thaddeus; one moment he was dwelling on the fact that a complete stranger would see him like this, and the next Alfarinn was on the couch beside him, sending. It was possible, he supposed, that his companion had simply moved quickly, but there was a gap somewhere where Alfarinn must have sat down.
[You're back.]
He forced his eyes open and let his head drop to one side, managing a crooked grin that faded upon seeing Alfarinn. He wished, now, that he had pushed harder for his companion to rest; it was clear he had overdone it.
Reaching out one hand, he rested his fingers on top of Alfarinn's, brushing lightly.
[Thank you for taking care of things...you need to rest now. Stay with me.]
That stated, he closed his eyes once more, but wrapped his fingers around Alfarinn's when he felt himself start to slip away, fighting to remain conscious. In truth, he wanted to say something he almost never said and wasn't quite sure how to go about it.
He wanted to say he was sorry. Sorry that Alfarinn was hurt, that he had brought his companion into this, that he had let him keep going when he should have stopped. That he hadn't done more. He was not, however, certain of how Alfarinn would take that, and everything felt so muddy and out of focus that he was certain he would only screw the whole thing up anyway. In any case, he didn't think he was quite prepared to deal with a reaction, whether argument or absolution.
Alfarinn
18 years ago
Alfarinn felt tension leave him that he wasn't aware that he was still holding onto as soon as Thaddeus's fingers touched his own. He didn't want to move much at all at this point or it would undo the delicate balance of holding his blood inside his body but he did manage to entwine their fingers together more fully. It would have been more efficient if he had slipped fully into the coma that provided a stasis for his kind in extreme conditions but he was not willing to leave Thaddeus alone while he drifted in that sleep state.
[Yes, back]
His eyes drifted closed once more but not before taking a last look at them on the couch; no doubt they looked like a pair of broken blonde marionettes propped up by some careless giant child. Alfarinn could hope someone would be back to repair them soon because not all the toys in the box play nicely with others.
[Thank you. I don't think I could get up from here if I wanted to so its lucky for me that I have no pressing engagements. ]
He would love to be able to hold his companion and even more he'd love not to see him this way. It was difficult to be so helpless in the face of his lover's pain but he had to content himself that it would soon be over.
[I would never leave you, Thaddeus.]
It wasn't what his lover had meant but Alfarinn felt the need to mention it anyway, perhaps because they were both so close to drifting off and leaving each other in that way if no other. He fought to stay awake telling himself that it was necessary for just a few minutes more and getting through them one at a time.
[Yes, back]
His eyes drifted closed once more but not before taking a last look at them on the couch; no doubt they looked like a pair of broken blonde marionettes propped up by some careless giant child. Alfarinn could hope someone would be back to repair them soon because not all the toys in the box play nicely with others.
[Thank you. I don't think I could get up from here if I wanted to so its lucky for me that I have no pressing engagements. ]
He would love to be able to hold his companion and even more he'd love not to see him this way. It was difficult to be so helpless in the face of his lover's pain but he had to content himself that it would soon be over.
[I would never leave you, Thaddeus.]
It wasn't what his lover had meant but Alfarinn felt the need to mention it anyway, perhaps because they were both so close to drifting off and leaving each other in that way if no other. He fought to stay awake telling himself that it was necessary for just a few minutes more and getting through them one at a time.
Claire
18 years ago
Claire stepped out of the limo and was immediately accosted by the scent of blood; it was still wet and it was everywhere. To a vampire who had smelled and tasted the substance quite often for centuries,she had the impression of a more the one source. That was made more clear by the amount of blood splattered about the scene as they moved closer.
Looking down at the area and seeing the fur and feathers, she frowned in thought. Were there several shape shifters in a fight? Shifting form was a trait only Anantya possessed but it was possible that it could be some vampire made by an Anantya who later became Evenhet was present. Were Alfarinn's powers those of his clan or her own? She was not certain but thought the leaders of Evenhet were some of the earlier ones to display differing traits. Someone could have had an animal companion but if so what was it and where? The feathers were both black and white; a magpie perhaps? and the tufts of fur, a dog?
She came to a complete stop once she got to the center of the scene, there, stuck to the blood, were ashes. Enough was still there soaked up by the liquid to leave little doubt in her mind that a vampire had been killed this night.
Claire looked up sharply when Dani spoke. Alfarinn was probably alive but who was this that would not see another night? She hoped that it was not a member of her clan but she was forced to acknowledge that such a possibility was likely though it could have been a clanless vampire foolish enough to pit themselves against the Evenhet Ancient.
Her mind would not be laid to rest standing out here and so she spoke quietly to Danielle.
"It would seem something tragic happened recently, let us go in and see to your friend. "
Looking down at the area and seeing the fur and feathers, she frowned in thought. Were there several shape shifters in a fight? Shifting form was a trait only Anantya possessed but it was possible that it could be some vampire made by an Anantya who later became Evenhet was present. Were Alfarinn's powers those of his clan or her own? She was not certain but thought the leaders of Evenhet were some of the earlier ones to display differing traits. Someone could have had an animal companion but if so what was it and where? The feathers were both black and white; a magpie perhaps? and the tufts of fur, a dog?
She came to a complete stop once she got to the center of the scene, there, stuck to the blood, were ashes. Enough was still there soaked up by the liquid to leave little doubt in her mind that a vampire had been killed this night.
Claire looked up sharply when Dani spoke. Alfarinn was probably alive but who was this that would not see another night? She hoped that it was not a member of her clan but she was forced to acknowledge that such a possibility was likely though it could have been a clanless vampire foolish enough to pit themselves against the Evenhet Ancient.
Her mind would not be laid to rest standing out here and so she spoke quietly to Danielle.
"It would seem something tragic happened recently, let us go in and see to your friend. "
Danielle
18 years ago
Feeling somewhat lightheaded, Danielle merely nodded her head in response to Claire's suggestion and turned to open the door, relived to find it unlocked. The doorknob, like everything else, had a trace of blood on it, but she hadn't been squeamish about touching blood in quite some time; the only thing that alarmed her was that the blood was already mostly dry and did not come off in her hand. It suddenly occurred to her that perhaps Arin had not contacted her right away.
She did not take much time to reflect on this, though; instead, she opened the door and walked through the foyer, though not without trepidation. It was possible there was still danger nearby and she knew she needed to be careful.
Her internal warnings, she realized, had some merit. Not three feet from the door, a dog...no, not a dog, a -wolf-, sat curled up by a leather chair, regarding her with amber eyes. He stayed very still as Danielle walked through the tiny foyer, but it was clear she was watching her every move. She kept her eyes on the animal, not wanting to make a move that would agitate him; while not particularly afraid of dogs, wolves were wild animals and it would be foolish not to be wary.
Thoughts of the wolf, though, were soon forgotten when she saw the couch.
"Oh my word."Â?
It was the hands that really got to her. She had seen the two men, who really both looked like boys, propped awkwardly on the couch, both covered in blood, and god, those hands twined together were so desperate and heartbreaking that it was painful to look at.
She moved quickly to Arin's side, kneeling down at his feet, and cast Claire a panicked look of dismay before leaning forward. She could see now why Arin had sounded so terrible on the phone; in addition to some rather severe wounds on his arm and side, it looked as though whatever had hurt these two guys had gone right for his throat in a literal way. The blonde that Danielle didn't know was in similar bad shape, and she found that piecing together what on earth had happened here was beyond her imagination. They both looked like they had been mauled.
"Arin?"Â?
She did not take much time to reflect on this, though; instead, she opened the door and walked through the foyer, though not without trepidation. It was possible there was still danger nearby and she knew she needed to be careful.
Her internal warnings, she realized, had some merit. Not three feet from the door, a dog...no, not a dog, a -wolf-, sat curled up by a leather chair, regarding her with amber eyes. He stayed very still as Danielle walked through the tiny foyer, but it was clear she was watching her every move. She kept her eyes on the animal, not wanting to make a move that would agitate him; while not particularly afraid of dogs, wolves were wild animals and it would be foolish not to be wary.
Thoughts of the wolf, though, were soon forgotten when she saw the couch.
"Oh my word."Â?
It was the hands that really got to her. She had seen the two men, who really both looked like boys, propped awkwardly on the couch, both covered in blood, and god, those hands twined together were so desperate and heartbreaking that it was painful to look at.
She moved quickly to Arin's side, kneeling down at his feet, and cast Claire a panicked look of dismay before leaning forward. She could see now why Arin had sounded so terrible on the phone; in addition to some rather severe wounds on his arm and side, it looked as though whatever had hurt these two guys had gone right for his throat in a literal way. The blonde that Danielle didn't know was in similar bad shape, and she found that piecing together what on earth had happened here was beyond her imagination. They both looked like they had been mauled.
"Arin?"Â?