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The Woods holds many secretive destinations in its domain – the hidden home to Abelinda Wyn, the hallowed Caves, included – the dark boughs of aged trees allow little light to touch the forest floor. To enter the woods is free to any passersby, but it is ill-advised; for one could easily get lost within the endless shadows, and many creatures of supernatural abilities, and supreme advantage over the wary traveler, have taken refuge here.
My Dorky Diner BoyNicolas Dubon
Nicolas looked at the letter in his hand once again as he entered the woods, the folded paper firmly in his hands. He had long forgotten how many times he had read through it in the day. The letter by Lilith Eytinge.
“Monsieur Nicolas Dubon,
I fear we didn’t end our last conversation on the right note, if you will. I would like to know if you can spare a little of your undivided time, to ‘further our acquaintance’. As you have probably already noted, there is much more to find in common with the silent stranger than meets the eye. I am hoping that we may be able to help each other with our previous sorrows,whether deserved or not.
Feel no violent obligation to meet me at the edge of your local woods, on its western edge, just an hour before sunset tomorrow. We will have optimum light there, and I am sure we won’t be too long. You need not fear for finding your way back in the dark.
Sincerely,
Lilith”
There was no mistaking the note was for him, yet he continously felt that it wasn’t Mlle Eytinge who was writing to him but someone else. someone who had his exact same name. But his name scrawled in her hand and also finding it in his breast pocket in the morning made it even more undeniable. It seemed now everytime he saw her writing he would be off and determined to see her again. To read that she wished to speak with him once again did not help but make him only go twice as fast. The growing attachement to the woman made him feel so unsure of what to think now
Now in the woods, he stared idly at the sun, so brilliant and shining, and waiting for the person on mind.
CompetitionLilith Eytinge
Pacing. Pacing was a pathetic way to pass the time waiting for someone. It indicated nervousness, worry, or excitement. But pacing was better than the thousands of other things she could be doing. Should she have asked Nicolas here? Was this being too forward? Was it all a silly game the fates were playing on her, drawing them both together? So many times, she had been promised…offered so much…and it had all gone to pieces.
And besides, there was only a slim chance the young nobleman would check his breast pocket. She had been daring to put it there, but there was aways that fear of the fateful note getting blown away by a sudden breeze as one walks past, and never being read. So she had opted for thrusting the carefully folded note into the breast jacket, before slipping silently away. At that moment she had decided certain Vampyric powers were quite useful indeed. Not that she would have ever told Nicolas Dubon about a particular quirk of hers. The abilities she possessed now were no longer frightful self-torture that had been forced upon her, but a secretive advantage in a world that showed no mercy to some souls. Especially souls that had lingered too long.
A loud sound indicated him approaching. Freezing on the spot, Lilith peered through the trees, looking for the first tell-tale glimpse of copper hair. Her sapphire eyes sparkled as she watched him through the thick-set leaves of a rather large bush that stood just between them. In the lazily setting sun, his red locks were fairly ignited to a brilliant hue. Lilith, waiting and blending into the shadows, remained unseen.
He looks rather nervous…. She thought with a bit of amusement, as well as relief. Lilith stepped forward to reveal herself to him, for a long moment saying nothing. Just watching him.
Lifting her chin a little higher, and allowing her lips to upcurl in a small smile said, “Well, Monsieur Nicolas Dubon. I am glad to see your time wasn’t already engaged in some very serious matter tonight. Sometimes I do wonder what it is exactly that nobles do with their time. When they’re not breaking rules and attending parties, that is.”
My Dorky Diner BoyNicolas Dubon
Nicolas began to think Lilith would not appear and he had gone into the woods for nothing. The letter in his hand seemed to be the only thing keeping him confident of her arrival. And what would he do when he saw her? Speak calmly? Act Foolish? He had high hopes to keep it a civilized conversation with her tonight.
“Well, Monsieur Nicolas Dubon.” Lilith said behind him. He whipped around quickly at the sound of her voice. ‘How long had she been there?” “Was she hiding off somewhere?” “Do I look alright?” Thoughts (though some not as great as others ) seemed to run throught him as he stared back at Mlle Eytinge.
“Lilith.” He said rather breathlessly. “How are you?”
“I am glad to see your time wasn’t already engaged in some very serious matter tonight.” She smiled lightly. He grinned as well.
“I’d much prefer a calm meeting in the woods compared to serious matters else where, honestly.” Nicolas said. “It’s very nice seeing you again and outside in the open space instead of a crowded ball for once, Lilith. You look very lovely today.” He approached her and closed the space between them.
“Sometimes I do wonder what it is exactly that nobles do with their time. When they’re not breaking rules and attending parties, that is.” She said softly, her voice never faltering and making him feel rather foolish with the way he was speaking.
“Simply wandering the streets of Helvaband and meeting up with people every now and then.” He shrugged and paused momentarily before continuing in a more curious tone. “You wished to speak with me today,” he showed her her letter. “What is it you’d like to speak about?” His mouth was dry as he spoke. He held the note in his hand firmly at a moments nervousness but was careful enough not to ruin it. The letter was precious to him for some odd reason.
CompetitionLilith Eytinge
The look in his eyes once he realized she was there was one of surprise – pleasant surprise, if one studied it the right way. She wasn’t sure she wanted it like that. If nothing else, he was definitely an interesting nobleman. Their brief acquaintance coupled with scattered knowledge of the other left both of them filled with a strong desire to discover, to find out. Both of them were very much driven by curiosity, and it seemed fate was inclined to push them both together, perhaps because of that curiousness… Lilith looked forward to seeing more of him, but she hoped they didn’t learn too much about each other too quickly – that would either leave the relationship lacking the mysterious draw it currently held, or it would reveal far more than either of them truly wanted to learn.
“Lilith.” he breathed. Lilith tried to ignore the gentle way he said her name. It was so informal. So personal. So hopeful… “How are you?”
She shrugged, for a moment quite nonchalant. “As well as can be expected.” She looked up into his eyes for a moment, and was drawn to remark on how fortunate she was that he hadn’t promised himself elsewhere instead. A smirk spread across his lips.
“I’d much prefer a calm meeting in the woods compared to serious matters else where, honestly.” Nicolas said. “It’s very nice seeing you again and outside in the open space instead of a crowded ball for once, Lilith. You look very lovely today.” Her eyes widened slightly as he moved quite close to her, his eyes sparkling as he gazed at her. If she had still be the very-human, very-naive girl she had once been, she might have felt a great wave of heat wash over her face and neck, and perhaps her knees would have begun to shake uncontrollably. His intent was so clear, but the honesty and kindness in his eyes made her think twice on him. There weren’t many men who would smile so easily around her unless they meant some cruel intent. But then again…there were always exceptions…
Finding that her voice had not yet begun to waiver with every word – as she had suspected, momentarily forgetting her lack of need to breathe, for she had stopped at some point there – she thought aloud about what noblemen ‘do’ instead of parties.
He shrugged, a slight breeze picking up and causing his long copper locks to fall into his eyes, brushing lightly against his cheek. “Simply wandering the streets of Helvaband and meeting up with people every now and then.”
Lilith smiled up at him softly, her mind wandering. She began to wonder if he had always possessed that softness of feature that he bore now. It was hard to imagine certain people as children – she could think of a few that would always remain adult in her mind’s eye, no matter how hard she tried to imagine them as young as they must have once been – but for Nicolas, she found an easy picture. The little red-head atop a more rounded face, with more of a sparkle in his eye than now. Perhaps he would have always had that slightly askew smile, as he did now.
He pulled her suddenly out of her reverie by reminding her of their previous situation. “You wished to speak with me today,” he held up the mildly rumpled note. She couldn’t resist raising one eyebrow as she realized just how worn the folds on it looked. As though it had been repeatedly opened and reopened. “What is it you’d like to speak about?”
For a long, suspended moment, she just stared at him. Didn’t he realize it was very hard when he was standing so close to her? He made it increasingly difficult to concentrate on anything for very long, not to even begin on remembering why she had ‘invited’ him here…
“I…” Lilith paused, finding that her voice was finally beginning to fail her. A frown met her lips, and she began to question calling him here at all. She had probably made it all seem extremely important, and it wasn’t. She probably shouldn’t have, but she had. He was really quite close…
She forced a smile, her eyes amused at the irony. She was doing it all over again. But couldn’t one hope? Just because she had been hurt again and again, that didn’t mean she had to give up entirely. “I just needed to see you again, I suppose. That sounds absurd, considering I hardly know you, but…” she lowered her gaze, avoiding his eyes and choosing instead to stare at his shoulder. Shoulders couldn’t stare back. She released a long, drawn out sigh. “It’s been a long time since I’ve felt at all comfortable in someone else’s presence, much less happy or content. And I wanted to know…” Her voice tapered off to barely a whisper, “...To know how you made me feel like that again.”
My Dorky Diner BoyNicolas Dubon
He felt that he had struck a chord inside her when he asked her what she wished to discuss. Maybe he should have worded that differently, made it less forward. The silence between them a clear sign of the pair unsure of how to go on. He stared at her delicate face, full of wonder. Ebony locks framed her face and for just a moment, he wished he could touch them.
“I…” Lilith started, a frown forming on her face. Sadness was shown in his eyes from her heavy hearted expression. He remarked the look from their previous meetings. She was deep in thought. Besides the slight frown, he remembered she would look off the other direction from him. Her small gestures, he was unsure how he was able to remember them so clearly. A forced smile showed her end of thought and he wondered what she had come up with. “I just needed to see you again, I suppose.”
He blinked. Had he heard her right? No. Couldn’t be, can’t be. It had been so long hearing those words from someone, they seemed almost alien to him. He felt as if she were talking to the wrong person. Her sapphire eyes showed no evidence of dishonesty, thought her voice left him unsure.
“That sounds absurd, considering I hardly know you, but…” Her eyes looked away from him. She was thinking again. “It’s been a long time since I’ve felt at all comfortable in someone else’s presence, much less happy or content. And I wanted to know…” Her tone softened. “...To know how you made me feel like that again.”
His mouth fell agape; her confession to him almost too much for him to take. What had happened to being only mere acquaintances? He thought. The sudden clutching at his chest painful and causing him to choke. He felt joy in her admission and a sense of acceptance. Had his constant curiosity of Lilith brought him to some sort of fondness to her? Had he been unconsciously trying to win her affection? It would not be right. Even if he ever grew love her, she was have to leave him in the end and he’d be left what he was before, maybe worse. If he could just convince her to stay…perhaps…
“Lilith, please listen to me.” He gently grasped at the chin and made her face him. “I do not understand myself why I act the way I do around you. You are an amazing woman in my eyes, I assure you. My interest in you is unmistakable but I am not entirely sure of my feelings.” He gulped. “I cannot say if what you feel for me is only a minor infatuation or something more and I wish you to know I feel the same way in your presence.”
A midst his confusion, he pulled her close and stared intently in her eyes. “Please tell me what to do.”
CompetitionLilith Eytinge
She looked up to meet his eyes and watched as he went from shock to bewilderment to wonder. Her face fell and darkened, and she returned to staring at the dark fabric on his shoulder. “Lilith, please listen to me.” his warm hand held her pale chin and lifted it upwards, and inevitably she had to look him in the eyes. “I do not understand myself why I act the way I do around you. You are an amazing woman in my eyes, I assure you. My interest in you is unmistakable…” But… “..But I am not entirely sure of my feelings.” She refused to be comforted at all by the fact that most men would not have hesitated to accept such a confession of feeling, and would have taken advantage of her momentary weakness.
“I cannot say if what you feel for me is only a minor infatuation or something more and I wish you to know I feel the same way in your presence.” Her mind suddenly wished to shout back at him angrily for calling it all a ‘minor infatuation’, and the only thing that held her back was that it was quite possibly truth. She had fallen in love before. She closed her eyes and frowned, regretting her honesty with him. He had seemed to open with her and so ready to hear whatever it was she had called him here for…she had submitted to the temptation to tell him. She had wanted to tell him that he was so capturing her thoughts so much lately, that she often forgot that she hadn’t come to Helvaband to meet him.
He suddenly pulled her closely into his arms, her hands automatically coming up to rest on his chest, and her eyes unconsciously raising to meet his. “Please tell me what to do.”
“I cannot order you around, Monsieur. You are your own person…or so they say.” she found herself whispering, despite having no real need to. “I was too forward, I think. I’m not asking for your hand in marriage, I just… I’m a very curious person, you see.” She felt like a thin wall had been placed between them, right after she had torn one of hers down. She was, in a way, wounded by his careful response. They were both scarred. Maybe it was best they didn’t get much closer. Could two people, so ridden with guilt and sadness, really find anything trusting in the other?
The look in his eyes sent a pain to her gut. “Please….don’t look at me like that…it’s very hard for me to string together a coherent thought when you’re…” She sighed, her mind suddenly reeling with an idea that had just occured to her. Does he want to kiss me? Deciding against it and all the possibilities it brought along, she slowly turned her head away from him and muttered, “Maybe I should go… it was very wrong of me to ask a respectable nobleman to come all the way out here. Me being a capricious and peculiar foreigner.” She offered him a smile, but couldn’t find it in herself to push away from him. He wasn’t as warm as Patrick’s hand had been, but he was still so much warmer than she was used to…it was becoming almost an addiction of hers, finding that warmth…
My Dorky Diner BoyNicolas Dubon
He should have worded himself differently. As he explained himself, it was not right for him to assume her interest in him a “minor infatuation” , what did he know about her feelings towards him? She closed her eyes and frowned, obviously feeling some regret in her words. Nicolas had not meant for his words to sound as if her diffucult confession to him was of unimportance. Not sure of how to act, he found himself asking.
“I cannot order you around, Monsieur. You are your own person…or so they say.” Lilith whispered. Her voice was much more distant now, the gentle honesty gone. “I was too forward, I think. I’m not asking for your hand in marriage, I just… I’m a very curious person, you see.”
It could not be true. Her words spoken before could not be of mere curiosity, he repeated in his head. Nicolas stared with much sadness in his eyes at the woman in front of him. ‘please do not hate me, Lilith. Do not hate me.’ Hating himself would do no good to him and he felt it was too late to take back his words.
“Please….don’t look at me like that…it’s very hard for me to string together a coherent thought when you’re…” She turned her head away from him and let out a drawn sigh. He simply softened his gaze, unable to turn his head . Loosening his arms slightly, he noticed she would not draw away from his touch. “Maybe I should go… it was very wrong of me to ask a respectable nobleman to come all the way out here. Me being a capricious and peculiar foreigner.” She smiled weakly.
“No, wait. Don’t go, please.” Nicolas unnecessarily outbursted. The last thing he wanted was to have her leave thinking wrongly of him, but he did not know how to fix the situation they were in. “Did you not say you wished to clear things up with me today? There is more you wish to say Lilith, I know this.”
He most likely sounded desperate to her but he did not really care at that moment. His fight for self preservation was crumbling as he tried to win her back. Saying he was not used to her type of confession seemed a poor reason to say and a waste of breath. Her sudden emotional retreat made him feel as if he had failed something great. He did not want to lose her acceptance. He did not want to lose someone’s acceptance again. It wasn’t as if he were courting her. That was absurd. Yet the idea did not seem that strange to him.
“I do not want you to leave.” He said, his voice barely above a whisper. “ I apologize for whatever I said before that might have hurt you. You are special to me,” He paused, smiling weakly and unable to help himself from brushing a lock away from her face. “ ...And well worth more than all the nobility I have. Please continue talking to me, Lilith.”
CompetitionLilith Eytinge
“No, wait. Don’t go, please.” he said suddenly, his voice rising slightly with surprising concern. “Did you not say you wished to clear things up with me today? There is more you wish to say Lilith, I know this.”
Lilith met his eyes with a look of confusion, one eyebrow arched at the feeling in his words. If he truly feared this being only an infatuation, she could not see reason in his begging her to stay.
“I do not want you to leave.” he whispered, a strange look on his face. As though he was torn. “I apologize for whatever I said before that might have hurt you. You are special to me,” He was silent for a moment, smiling and moving away a lock of ebony hair from her face. His fingers brushed her cheek, leaving a sensation of heat. “ ...And well worth more than all the nobility I have. Please continue talking to me, Lilith.”
“It isn’t truly a matter of speciality, and you didn’t say anything wrong…I just said too much, is all.” She couldn’t supress sending a smile back at him. He was still framed in the golden glow of the slowly setting sun, so every contour of his face was sharpened, emphasized in light and shadow. “To be honest…I’ve forgotten what I wanted to say…” She raised her hand cautiously, hesitating before laying the pale skin against his warm cheek, running it along his jawline with a smile. “It really is hard to think straight around you. Maybe that’s why….why I…” Her words faltered away into a soft breath of fear and elation. It felt like a strong force was suddenly pushing her towards him, a gravity pulling her towards his wide, honest eyes and gentle lips. The result was her crimson lips meeting his, her hand somehow finding its way around his neck, to entwine in the long copper locks there. Her sapphire eyes closed, and she reveled in how warm he was. Her gentle touch was ever-so delicately pulled away, until she could lay her head beneathh his chin, one hand still wrapped around his neck, the other placed against his chest.
“You know….” she whispered quickly, before he could have a chance to pull away from her again, talking about ‘infatuation’ and ‘speciality’, “I don’t want to leave, either.” She paused, her fingers playing for a moment with the fabric of his collar. The seam on the stiff material feeling strange beneath her fingertips… “Have I said too much again, I wonder?”
My Dorky Diner BoyNicolas Dubon
At the sight of a smile upon her lips, Nicolas felt himself easing, “It isn’t truly a matter of speciality, and you didn’t say anything wrong…I just said too much, is all.” She said. He shook his head.
“N-no, it’s my fault. I was only thinking of my own feelings.” He said apologeticly, ducking his head. The abrupt feel of her hand on his cheek caused him to gasp. Her soft, cool touch soothing against his skin.
“To be honest…I’ve forgotten what I wanted to say…” She continued to smile. Her affectionate gestures made him light headed and he watched her with heavy lids, unconsciously leaning to her hand, seeking her caring feel.“It really is hard to think straight around you.” Yes. he could clearly relate to that…
“Maybe that’s why….why I…” A hesitant breath replaced her words but Nicolas failed to notice, still caught in her touch. His eyes suddenly widened as the hand on his cheek moved to neck and ran through his hair. Before he could comment, he found his lips caught between hers. Envelopped in great warmth, he was not sure how to react. What did one do when they were kissed? It felt so strange, so new and maybe the best thing he had ever felt. As if suffocating and breathing at the same time.
The feeling slowly died as her lips withdrew from his. He leaned slightly towards them, seeking that warmth again. Her hand against his chest, he hoped she could not feel it’s swift beating at the moment.
“You know…I don’t want to leave, either.” Lilith whispered, her fingers playing with his colar. His mouth continued to show great awe as she spoke. “Have I said too much again, I wonder?” His arms closed around her once again and he basked at her touch. Definitely not some infatuation. How did the thought ever cross his mind?
“No.” He murmured. “That was perfect.” He leaned down and let his lips graze hers momentarily, caught in the moment. Hm, yes, Lilith Eytinge was quite a wonderful distraction to everything around him. His lips wandered by the shell of her ear, his voice spoke aerily. “Tell me Lilith, what would you call this feeling inside me now, that is the urge to feel your kiss again?” CompetitionLilith Eytinge
“No.” His voice floated down to her with a gentle touch, like a warm summer breeze. Heat emanated from him as he enased her in his embrace. “That was perfect.”He touched her lips again, and she felt something strange in her throat constrict, his hot breath washing over her face. She felt that indescribable heat move to the area around her ear, the sensation of his closeness nearly too much to comprehend with its suddeness and intensity. “Tell me Lilith, what would you call this feeling inside me now, that is the urge to feel your kiss again?”
She released a tiny laugh, “I think you’ve just realized a little something called passion, Nicolas.” Lilith felt all the importance with using his name, and prayed it wasn’t going too fast, too much, too suddenly. “Or in the very least, attraction.” Lilith raised her head to meet his eyes, her sapphire orbs sparkling with amusment, “Perhaps you prefer infatuation?”
Lilith leaned forward to place her lips delicately against his jawline, ignoring the strange, growing sensation of suffocation rising in her chest. What’s going on? That doesn’t feel quite right. “No matter. It sometimes isn’t good to hold things in. Neither is it good to say everything you mean. The problem is in finding the right balance.” She looked around them, emphasizing how alone they were. “I’d say that this is the right moment to let yourself go, while there aren’t prying eyes, and mouths ready to gossip about the latest scandal with yet another nobleman?”
My Dorky Diner BoyNicolas Dubon
Her short laugh rang in his ears and Nicolas could not suppress a grin from forming. “I think you’ve just realized a little something called passion, Nicolas.” His grin grew slightly wider as he heard her use his name for the first time. He was well satisfied with their new terms, could it be the peculiar heat inside to make him think that way, he didn’t care. “Or in the very least, attraction.”
“Do you think me that ardent, Lilith?” He continued to smile. Her eyes found his and he noted the flicker of finding something humourous in them.
“Perhaps you prefer infatuation ?” She said. He chuckled, though stopping as he felt her lips touch his jaw, blood rushing to his face in the process. He hoped he would not grow tired of her affectionate gestures. “No matter. It sometimes isn’t good to hold things in. Neither is it good to say everything you mean. The problem is in finding the right balance.” He nodded, watching as she turned her head in both directions as if seeking something in particular. “I’d say that this is the right moment to let yourself go, while there aren’t prying eyes, and mouths ready to gossip about the latest scandal with yet another nobleman?”
Nicolas felt somewhat hesitant with the opportunity. There was not much he wished to talk about that was not already shared. He feared Lilith attempting to leave him again and was frightened she might actually walk off this time. His courage felt tested at her words, the pressure beating at him. Shifting at his spot, he turned his head away from her, hoping she would not see his look of unease.
“Besides my passion towards you, is there anything else in particular you wish to know?”
CompetitionLilith Eytinge
He turned his head as though purposefully trying to see some answer in the now-pink sky that mourned the loss of the bright sun. She arched an eyebrow at his solemnity and waited.
“Besides my passion towards you, is there anything else in particular you wish to know?”
Lilith tilted her head, a habit of hers when something particularly puzzled her, and stared at him. “You can live side by side with a man for twenty years and be surprised by him, or you may be able to learn thousands of things about a man in one meeting.” She moved to stand more in his line of sight, seeing his face troubled. Lilith further ignored the growing sensation of being stifled in her throat and smiled at him. “Who are you, Nicolas Dubon? What do you want in life? It’s so much shorter than you realize…” she touched her lips on his briefly.
Suddenly a sharp pain shot through her chest like a bolt of lightning, and she released a choked gasp. A loud thrumming in her ears began that blocked out all other sounds. She felt Nicolas’ warmth near her, but it seemed to have intensified until she was sweltering with heat. Her eyes widened with fear. No! I’m not…not now…not when he’s alone with me…I just fed! What’s happening…?!
It took several moments for her to become accustomed to the incessant drum sound that rumbled through her brain, but she was slowly able to raise her eyes to his again, her lip trembling, her mind screaming that she didn’t want him, she couldn’t take him. Vampyres shouldn’t meddle with humans unless necessary. It was so much more than a simple lack of a heartbeat standing next to a heartbeat.
Lilith stopped. A heartbeat! She clutched her hands to her chest and the steady thrum-ba-thrum of her heart padded gently against her fingertips. Words couldn’t describe the elation of one who has lived years without a single heartbeat when that tiny little sound returns. Tears in her eyes, a combination of pain and happiness, she whispered, “I’m…I’m…”
At a loss, she reached up and gripped his head in her hands and pulled him into a fierce kiss. By this time, the throbbing in her head had begun to dull, and she felt stronger for the first time in ages. A real, natural strength in her limbs, not the unnatural, false strength of the undead endowed with bittersweet abilities. “Nicolas, I’m back. Feel..” she took his hand and laid it over her heart, letting him feel it beating. She smiled at him. “My heartbeat is back…”
My Dorky Diner Boyooc: AWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWW. :“D bic:
Nicolas Dubon
“You can live side by side with a man for twenty years and be surprised by him, or you may be able to learn thousands of things about a man in one meeting.” She moved to his side, he shifted his eyes before looking at her face. His nervousness seemed meaningless to hide with her as she seemed to spot it easily. “Who are you, Nicolas Dubon? What do you want in life? It’s so much shorter than you realize…”
She smiled at him and their lips met shortly after. The moment was brief but enough to satisfy Nicolas. His mouth opening, readying himself to speak, he paused as she suddenly let out a pained gasp. His eyes widened and instinctively, he drew her close to his body and look deeply in her eyes. Fear was clear in them and he felt the same feeling overtake him. What’s happening? What do I do?!
“L-Lilith…” He murmured, still holding her close to his chest. “Lilith, please. Please…What’s wrong?” He was not sure what he was asking for. He watched in horror as she trembled in his arms, continuing to echo her name softly. No, no, no, no… She looked at him, deep in thought, but abruptly clutched at her heart.
“I’m…I’m…” Tears streamed down her face. Nicolas carefully brushed them off with his thumb. Watching her closely, he kept an eye out for any other onset. Her body felt oddly warmer then that it was a few seconds before and he wondered why this certain change. Suddenly he felt her hands latching onto him and was pulled into a deep kiss, her lips fervent to reach his. Her quick change of emotion confused him as did her enthusiastic spirit. The trembling lessening he loosened his grasp around her, still somewhat breathless after her small assault on him.
“Nicolas, I’m back. Feel…” Lilith said; her voice laced with surprise and amazement. She held onto his hand and set it against her chest. He felt the usual rhythmic beat under his hand and thought of what could be so astonishing about it. “My heartbeat is back…”
“Back?” He blinked, somewhat dumbfounded. “What do you mean, Lilith?” The steady beat continued beneath his touch and he noted how he had never felt it before in their past meetings. She smiled at him and he grinned weakly as well, seeing her liveliness. “You frightened me.” He whispered, setting his hands on her shoulders. “What happened? Are you alright?”
CompetitionOOC: I noooooo…. :DDDD
BIC:
Lilith Eytinge
What happened? How did it all change in one moment? I’ve never heard of anything like this happening before…
Lilith’s mind was sent in a whirlwind of elation, curiosity, and relief. The wide eyes before her begged for an explanation, held the fear she had felt in her heart not long before. “Back? What do you mean, Lilith?”
In response she smiled at him, and his lips automatically upturned. “You frightened me.” His warm hands grasped her shoulder gently, and she looked up at him and couldn’t hold back a slight giggle. One with breath on it. Had her voice really been that deep before? “What happened? Are you alright?”
“Yes, I’m fantastic, Nicolas.” she said, brimming with a joy she could barely contain. She wanted to kiss him again and again, to make him join in her silent celebration, but all she found herself doing was pulling him into a powerful embrace and releasing a rolling laughter and reveling in the fact that she ran out of breath rather quickly. “It’s all so much better now. I have a heartbeat, and a pulse, and…oh, so many things I’ve missed!”
After a moment, she calmed down, and released him from her hold.Now I have to explain myself. Lilith looked up into his eyes. “I wonder if it has to do with Helvaband…or…” You.
Her momentary frown bloomed once again in a grin, and she gripped one of his hands in both of hers, “Oh, but it’s so much better now, you have no idea! Feel my hands, Nicolas! Feel how warm they are becoming!”
My Dorky Diner BoyNicolas Dubon
Nicolas watched silently at the joy-filled woman before him and wondered if it really was the calm and collective Lilith he knew not that long ago. So high in spirits, she appeared like a young child in his eyes as she seemed so amazed by everything around her. She giggled lightly and he asked her if she were alright.
“Yes, I’m fantastic, Nicolas.” She beamed, embracing him tightly and letting out a stream of laughter. “It’s all so much better now. I have a heartbeat, and a pulse, and…oh, so many things I’ve missed!”
His mouth fell agape as she spoke. A heartbeat and a pulse? She spoke as if she did not have one before, as if she were almost…not living. He paused at the thought. No, that couldn’t be, but what if she was? “Lilith, please, what are you talking about?”
“I wonder if it has to do with Helvaband…or…” Her voice trailed off. She grasped at his hand once more, speaking in awe. “Oh, but it’s so much better now, you have no idea! Feel my hands, Nicolas! Feel how warm they are becoming!”They were warm. Much warmer than what he was used to in her presence. Holding onto one of her hands, he set it by his cheek. The cool feel was gone now, replaced by a warmth equal to his. He kissed the palm against his face and eyed curiously at her sapphire orbs. “I…I don’t understand.”
CompetitionLilith Eytinge
His eyes slightly widened when he felt the heat emanating from her palms. She recalled when they danced, how he had asked her if she was feeling cold. He had sounded a bit concerned, but more curious. Surely she could find it in herself to trust him with the truth now, right? There was no way he could walk away from her today not knowing…even if…if it meant a rift came between them from it. She had seen people with secrets get close to people and not tell them…in fact she had hidden things herself before…and heartily regretted it.
Raising her hand as though it was of glass, he placed it against his cheek, feeling the sudden and strange warmth there. His lips glanced across the utmost pale skin o her palm, his eyes locked on hers with a look that begged her to explain, because he wanted to know. “I…I don’t understand.”
She smiled softly at him, her past exuberance beginning to fade into a silent rejoice. “Of course, how could you? Nicolas…” She’d never really had to admit it out loud while looking into anyone’s eyes before, and Lilith suddenly felt something pull in her gut – she didn’t think she could blame this on organs that were suddenly working again. “I’m…well, I was...I don’t think I am anymore…a Vampyress.” Her sapphire eyes flitted away as fast as physically possible to fall on an overhanging branch of the tree they were standing beneath. The deep twilight dimmed the foliage into a huge mass of shadows. Where before they had seemed to hover over them like a damp shelter from the elements, it was now a looming cloud above their heads.
“I know that seems utterly unbelievable, and this is…quite...” she laughed the word, an ironic sound. She still didn’t look at him. Let there be one moment of suspense before it all down again. “..quite a time to start confessions…I don’t know if you’re aware of it, but I came here to meet another Vampyre, one more experienced. He was supposed to help me….for a long time, I’ve been fighting my instincts…fighting against everything I am…er…was.”
Without thinking she felt herself moving closer to him, her eyes still averted. She still automatically searched for the warmth of his chest and feeling of his heart beating through his coat. I can’t avoid this. Look him in the eyes! She gave herself a fraction of a moment to prepare before turning her blue eyes to meet his amber ones. The beauty of those orbs hit her like a wave. What could one call that expression? Her mouth fell agape as she halted mid-thought, and she didn’t know what else to say. “I…I just…are you alright with this?”
My Dorky Diner BoyNicolas Dubon
“Of course, how could you? Nicolas…” She smiled gently. Her eyes continued to flicker with silent joy as she spoke. He began to grow accustomed to the new personality of hers, much believing it would be one to stay. She seemed to hesitate as her voice drifted off and he let go of her hand, hoping it might lighten her unease. His name hanging in the air, taunting him as she stopped.
“I’m…well, I was ...” She started. Her small correction sent his thoughts astray and he swallowed the lump forming in his throat. The mellow colours of sunset made her expressions all the more unmistakable and his eyes softened at the look of her troubled face. Producing the right words to explain, she continued, her tone more confident. “I don’t think I am anymore…a Vampyress.
A vampyress? Vampyre… He repeated in his head. Just like…Ambrose? Had he thought he was confused as Lilith basked in her surprise transformation and he did not know what to call the emotion he felt at the moment. Why had he not known before? Why had he not noticed? The signs plainly in front of him the whole time and he never brought it much to his attention. And how should he react now? He knew the obvious facts of a vampyre, the feeding, the only one he worried about the most.
Wild images of blood washed over him and he refused to admit, to believe, that the woman in front of him fed on humans to survive. Her confession took hold of him much harder than Ambrose’s and he assumed it being their different circumstances. Ambrose was his close ally and Lilith was… felt …much closer than that.
Her eyes no longer stared at him and were occupied somewhere else in the area. Did she fear his reaction so much as look away from him? The dread of not being accepted so frightening? He thought, reflecting at his own fears.
“I know that seems utterly unbelievable, and this is… quite ...” She laughed weakly, still appearing too distressed to meet his eyes. “…quite a time to start confessions…I don’t know if you’re aware of it, but I came here to meet another Vampyre, one more experienced. He was supposed to help me….for a long time, I’ve been fighting my instincts…fighting against everything I am…er…was.”
“Ambrose?” Nicolas asked as calmly as possible. The pain she might have struggled, fighting with her basic creature instinct could lead to death, he knew. There was no true reason he deemed fair to fear Lilith. Her tender affection towards him was well enough to make him stay by her side and he firmly believed if she were still a vampyress, she would not harm him even if given the chance. And even if she had killed or not, it made him no better but her reasons were much reasonable compared to his. A warm hand against his chest pulled him out of his thoughts.
“I…I just…are you alright with this?” She asked.
He remained silent for another minute. Out stretching a hand, he stroked her cheek and marveled at the feel of her skin. All evidence of being a vampyres gone except the memories she held. Carefully, he placed a soft kiss against her forehead, a strong clenching at his heart as he did so. “I’m fine.” He grinned weakly, nodding in reassurance. “My feelings for you have not changed. The desire to stay by your side still remains, believe me.” His hand overlapped hers on his chest and his smile faded. “But how…why…did you become a vampyress, Lilith?”
CompetitionLilith Eytinge
She could see the shock once again forming harsh lines across his features, his eyes distant and cool. His voice was calm and in control as he simply asked, “Ambrose?”
With a serious expression she nodded, unsure if Nicolas had, before this moment, known Ambrose as an undead. She did not linger on it, “I met him in the woods, and he was able to convince me it would all be alright. We decided to meet here, where there were less people and more woods…it’s safer for me here in many ways.”
Her eyes remained locked on his face, and she asked him if he was alright with this new truth brought to light. While she waited in the silence, she searched herself for her own answer to the same question. It definitely feels better to have told him straight out, and if he cannot understand…I will just have to move on. There are other isolated towns. I’ll tell Ambrose this evening if I can find him…no, better not wait for that. Perhaps a simple note can be passed to him. And of course I’ll have to collect my things…oh, bother. I’ll have to get some sort of a carriage too, or people will find it suspicious. They’ve seen my interactions with Ambrose, as well as others. I wouldn’t want to get them too closely interrogated because of a hasty escape on my part. Perhaps a horse would do?
She was pulled suddenly from her thoughts by the feel of his lips on her forehead. Lilith looked up at him, her blue eyes searching for confirmation. “I’m fine.” he nodded, but his smile appeared doubtful. Is it too much to ask of him? In a town like Helvaband, he’d have no idea of the horrors that live in the shadows… “My feelings for you have not changed. The desire to stay by your side still remains, believe me.”
Lilith’s lips upturned in a smile as she looked down at his hand wrapped around hers. She felt almost too warm now, and the feeling of his body heat in addition to her newly re-accquired one was making her head fairly spin. Unless that was the sensation of his breath just barely brushing against her cheek. “But how…why…did you become a vampyress, Lilith?”
Her face darkened at the question, an intense frown as she stared at their clasped hands – now with a dazed expression as she fought being overcome with memories. Just answer the simple question, Lilith. Just answer it.
She took a deep breath – and felt immediately light-headed by the action. Anything resembling a sigh might send her reeling, she feared. At least until her body became accustomed to life again. “I fell in love once, Nicolas. With a man who was kind to me, and educated. He would hold me close, and whisper in my ear about the happiness he promised to share with me, the life he planned for us once I was old enough. I gave him everything – I had already lost my entire family when I was young, I had few people to leave behind. Then I was reckless and naive. The death of my parents changed my already wild character and turned me into someone I regret. What could I say when a handsome young man promised me a life of adventure, life, and love?” She shook her head, “He said his father’s line of work called for them to move often, so everything happened so fast…I so desperately needed him, that I was willing to follow him to the ends of the earth and back, as long as we were together.” The hand that Nicolas’ rested upon clenched around the thin fabric of his shirt, and her lip began to tremble as she focused all her energy on continuing her story, “One day I was going to meet his parents, and as his fiance. Turns out I had promised him too much, too easily. His father’s ‘line of work’ that always had them moving didn’t exist. They were all Vampyres. A group of them, all hoarding together across the country…and he said I was to join them. He said he loved me, and that it was the only way…I got scared, and tried to get away. I don’t remember much after that, only a lot of screams and strange sounds I cannot name. When I woke up in a haze, they were all gone. I don’t know if he deserted me, or if I killed him, or if someone else did…but they were gone. And I was all alone…and something was wrong…” she closed her eyes, blinking away the desire to strike out at someone, anyone. “I was numb all over. And my mouth was dry. And I felt helplessly disoriented. The world’s colors seemed darker, somehow. My hands were whiter, even more than they had ever been…” she held up her free hand for inspection. The palm was still frightfully pale, even with blood beginning to flow through it. “And I felt like I was constantly suffocating. It took me a long, long time to admit to myself what had happened. Still longer to feed for the first time. Ambrose helped me with that….You know, his presence felt strangely comforting, after so much isolation and fear…” she smiled softly, “He may not realize it, but he effects those around him in odd ways. I saw how much he was going through, and he was always distracted by something else. Focused on someone else. Habitually thinking of others first, about what they are going through. It made me hope again.”
She looked up at Nicolas, a saddened look in her eyes. “He concerns himself with those who are not concerned for by someone else. He befriends the unfriended. And he made me hope that I would find someone to comfort as he did me, to concern myself with as he concerns himself with those who have nothing left to go on for. Then I came here…”
My Dorky Diner BoyNicolas Dubon
For an instant, Nicolas managed to cause a smile upon her face. The chances of further sense of affection seemed much larger now and he hoped he was not just overreacting while in her company. In her presence he felt the constant urge to know more. So much as for him to speak his thoughts too openly and not assume how delicate Lilith was with the question. A frown formed upon her face and her eyes seemed distant to him as he asked how she became a vampyress.
“I fell in love once, Nicolas. With a man who was kind to me, and educated. He would hold me close, and whisper in my ear about the happiness he promised to share with me, the life he planned for us once I was old enough. I gave him everything – I had already lost my entire family when I was young, I had few people to leave behind. Then I was reckless and naive. The death of my parents changed my already wild character and turned me into someone I regret. What could I say when a handsome young man promised me a life of adventure, life, and love?” She shook her head in distaste. Nicolas listened intently; his eyes wincing as she spoke of the man she once held fondness of. He felt envious as she described him and wondered just how he would compare. The desire to surpass that man, a thought wandering his mind. Her story drove on and at one point he noticed her clenching at his clothing. Lovely Lilith…Do not force yourself with this… He felt bitterness arise inside of him as she spoke of her betrayal and change from being human. He wanted to hurt that man, injure him, kill him. The only thing stopping his murderous intent seemed to the woman in front of him. He would not do it, could not. Nicolas felt like retching as he thought it over.
“I was numb all over. And my mouth was dry. And I felt helplessly disoriented. The world’s colors seemed darker, somehow. My hands were whiter, even more than they had ever been…” She examined her other hand. “And I felt like I was constantly suffocating. It took me a long, long time to admit to myself what had happened. Still longer to feed for the first time. Ambrose helped me with that…. You know, his presence felt strangely comforting, after so much isolation and fear…” Lilith smiled slightly. Her lightened mood calmed his temper somewhat. He agreed with her words. The similar emotions that would erupt inside of him on Ambrose’s occasional presence were some of his few most peaceful moments. “He may not realize it, but he effects those around him in odd ways. I saw how much he was going through, and he was always distracted by something else. Focused on someone else. Habitually thinking of others first, about what they are going through. It made me hope again.”
“Hope again?” Nicolas murmured. Her eyes captured his, hoping to receive his attention as she finished.
“He concerns himself with those who are not concerned for by someone else. He befriends the unfriended. And he made me hope that I would find someone to comfort as he did me, to concern myself with as he concerns himself with those who have nothing left to go on for. Then I came here…”
He stared at her with heavy lids, the realization coming at him at full force. Her soft words of fondness became almost too much to bear. He would not feel right knowing she spoke the same words to someone else other than him. Nicolas would not continue feeling the way he did if she was interested in someone else as well. He held no true possession of her and had no right to simply decide how she was to feel with people around her but he paid no heed to that. Lilith was quickly becoming an obsession to him.
“Do you truly wish to concern yourself with me? Only me?” He asked. He wanted to claim her. His hands going to her face, he looked deeply into her eyes, searching for any hints of dishonesty as he drowned himself in pools of sapphire. He was growing dangerously in love with Lilith.
CompetitionLilith Eytinge
“Do you truly wish to concern yourself with me? Only me?” He asked, in a tone soft and perhaps a tad fearful. His hands encased her face and he searched her face with such an intense look in his amber eyes that she couldn’t bring herself to even think of pulling away. Lilith’s eyes began to fill with the first tears she had shed in years. Real, human tears. Her face was filled with an immense heat, turning her cheeks a vivid pink, instead of its previous pallid hue. Nicolas blurred in her vision, and she said nothing for a long time.
“That is what I wish…” she said, struggling to catch a breath that escaped her still, whenever she looked up at him. Did he realize he could have anyone? Yes, she was sure he knew. What noble didn’t? But he had come when she asked him to, and he had accepted her ex-Vampyrism with barely an exclamation of surprise. He was warm and kind to her, and obviously wouldn’t let her go without trying to keep her close. “Can I trust you, Nicolas?” she whispered. The name she had refused before to use was still sacred. It felt like she was forbidden to say it, and was thus breaking some unspoken rule. “It hurts to get close again. It hurts to wonder, to doubt. If tomorrow brings a rift between us, will you still be there, waiting for me? If I can trust you, I can begin to trust myself again.”
The darkness around them deepened quicker than she could have predicted, and she felt her heart skip a beat as Nicolas’ face began to fade from her vision. Vampyres could see in the pitchest of blacks, but now…she was plagued by a growing shadow over her sight that sent a shiver up her spine. Gripping Nicolas closer to her, she once again laid her head on his chest, still enjoying the heartbeat that slowly pumped there, resonating deep in his chest. She would never take it for granted again. With a sudden jolt, she wondered if it was permanent. So much happened to tear her from her happiness – was this just a teasing moment of humanity that she could never grasp at again?
“Hold me close, Nicolas. I’m feeling a chill I haven’t experienced in such a long time.”
My Dorky Diner Boyooc: i am so not posting this at 1 30 in the morning on a school night, and before a large test, i swear. >____> bic:
Nicolas Dubon
His mouth feel agape slightly as he sighted tears coming to her eyes. Her face became warm beneath his hands as her held up emotions seemed to finally unleash themselves. Was he being too forward once more? Wishing for too much, too soon again? He swallowed hard and brushed the few tears slipping by.
“I- I apologize. It wasn’t appropriate of me to say that…” He glanced off to his side, still silently yearning for her to say ‘yes’ but afraid he was frightning her with his sudden boldness.
“That is what I wish…” She managed to say. He wondered if he had heard her right. He choked and ducked his head at the sudden painful seizing at his chest. She continued to amaze him on end. To have no restraint and say anything you wished to say, he was not completely accostumed to as she was.
“Can I trust you, Nicolas?” She said hopefully. “It hurts to get close again. It hurts to wonder, to doubt. If tomorrow brings a rift between us, will you still be there, waiting for me? If I can trust you, I can begin to trust myself again.”
It seemed almost too easy. Never in his life had something felt so simple and precious to have as her affection. He nodded fervently, blinking back his own tears from what was happening. He released a small gasp as she set her head at his chest. The small ball of smoke coming from his breath from the chilled air made him aware of just how late it had gotten. He felt somewhat glad they were envolopped in the darkness for he would most likely look foolish to her weeping.
“Hold me close, Nicolas. I’m feeling a chill I haven’t experienced in such a long time.” She asked. He could not bring himself to refuse.
“Of course.” Shifting, he removed his coat and set it at her shoulders before wrapping his arms tightly around her smaller body. The cool air brushed against him ever so often but he did not seem to notice as he buried himself at the nap of her neck, making sure she would not feel his damp face. “Where do we go from here, Lilith? Are we to hide our attraction later on or shall we do as we choose?”
How will he disguise his fondness now after so many spoken words? It was unlike before, so long ago, he could conceal his inner feelings with much ease, already knowing the consequences. The gossip that would arise if anyone knew a young noble was in amour with another’s soon to be wife, he feared the reactions and so remained quiet and wished that she would realize someday. It was painful and pathetic but there was nothing else he could do.
‘ There will be rumours, no less. People shall treat us differently then before and might try to separate us even. I shall remain by you, but are you ready for that?”
CompetitionLilith Eytinge
He was timid in a way that she wasn’t. He feared being too forward with her, saying something she might take offense at. He was quick to apologize, and it only made her fall more in love with him to see his apologetic face, fading into the darkness. Lilith’s fear of insult had been severely numbed in death. It felt odd now for her heart, which she had been trying to cover in a sheet of sheer ice, to melt now into his embrace.
His coat was placed gently around her delicate shoulders, and Nicolas’ breath grazed her skin. “Where do we go from here, Lilith? Are we to hide our attraction later on or shall we do as we choose?”
She nearly giggled. Lilith hadn’t had a reputation among any one people for quite some time. If she was to hide their attraction, it would be for his sake alone. Nicolas Dubon had people he knew, expectations held for his future, had been in close contact with the same friends for years. Lilith knew only Ambrose well, and had brief acquaintance with only two others besides the red-haired man before her.
“There will be rumours, no less. People shall treat us differently then before and might try to separate us even. I shall remain by you, but are you ready for that?” She looked up and ran her hands through his hair, transfixed for a moment.
“Rumours cannot touch my heart, Nicolas. I’ve been to hell and back, and come to see my future brought back to life. If you ask it of me, I will hide my feelings before any others. But if you ask it of me…I will lay my passions bare before the world, with just as much eagerness. I’ve learned life is too short. Either way, if you’ll be with me…” she smiled up at him, “I’ll be more fortunate than a thousand women.”
She relunctantly turned from him to fetch the lamp she had brought along. Lighting it and hanging it on a branch not far away. They were now within a sphere of light, their own little world among the darkness of the woods. She wanted to see him better. “You really are handsome, you know….” she whispered, kissing his lips. “I’m so glad I no longer have to fear about chilling you with my touch. It would be quite trying on you to embrace me as you do now.” She pulled his arms even tighter around her shoulders, greedy in his touch.
My Dorky Diner BoyNicolas Dubon
Nicolas eyed the woman before him with mild fascination as she slipped her hands into his hair. The touch was soothing and he was drawn into the feel of her hands. To know that she was his alone gave him a large sense of gratification he could not rid himself of. At that moment he could not imagine any one else in Lilith’s place. Her unique fondness could not be easily replace or copied and he’d have it no other way. She held him in her palm as he did her, both willing to serve each other.
She smiled up at him. “Rumours cannot touch my heart, Nicolas. I’ve been to hell and back, and come to see my future brought back to life. If you ask it of me, I will hide my feelings before any others. But if you ask it of me…I will lay my passions bare before the world, with just as much eagerness.”
He grinned weakly before shaking his head. “I do not want you hiding anything you feel you should express, Lilith. Should you wish me to show my affection openly also, I will.”
“I’ve learned life is too short. Either way, if you’ll be with me…I’ll be more fortunate than a thousand women.” She said. No, that couldn’t be true, he thought. He was sure if any other man felt and treated her to same way she might be happier. The thought sickened him, Lilith was his. But what if someday she were to lose interest in him? The passion would die as she grew more accustomed to life she knew before and she may eventually forget him. His smile suddenly dropped as she pulled away from him and walked off seeking something in particular. He watched in interest as she retrieved lamp and set it not too far from them.
Nicolas fought his doubts and refrained himself from questioning her trust. His anxiety seemed to grow as he became more attached to her kindness and the thought of losing it plaguing his mind. The light flashed at him and his attention quickly returned to the woods. Her form was well illuminated in the small area of light and he admired the beautiful woman before him quietly.
“You really are handsome, you know….” She whispered as if she were thinking similar thoughts as him. Her lips grazed against his gently and he could not stop himself from beaming. The combination of her comment and kiss caused his insides to stir and his face brightened considerably.
“Sadly, not as you are beautiful.” Nicolas held back a chuckle and stroked her cheek, hoping to distract himself from ill beliefs. “But thank you.”
“I’m so glad I no longer have to fear about chilling you with my touch. It would be quite trying on you to embrace me as you do now.” She caught his arms and set them securely around her. He breathed in her scent and did not resist the desire to nestle closely, in search of reassurance.
“I actually find your touch rather comforting,” He captured one of her hands between his own in example. He held it carefully as if it were glass. “Should it be either warm or cold. Human or vampyre. Do not feel any obligation to impress me, Lilith. I am happy with everything you do.
CompetitionLilith Eytinge
The shake of his head was enough, as he added, “I do not want you hiding anything you feel you should express, Lilith. Should you wish me to show my affection openly also, I will.” She smiled. They were both of them prepared to face whatever words were thrown at them. What was the significance of words when one could feel blissfully happy, even for one moment? When she moved from him to light the solitary lamp, she found his eyes on her, just as she had her eyes on him. The moment of tranquility was hard to pull herself away from. She told him he was handsome, almost as much to herself as to him, and he smiled at that, his deep eyes sparkling.
“Sadly, not as you are beautiful. But thank you.” She leaned into the warm palm that caressed her cheek. If he had done that a thousand times that evening already, she wouldn’t have known. It still felt like the first, and a warm sensation once again rushed through her like happiness in physical form. With a quiet voice, she added that she was happy she was no longer so cold to him – she meant this in more ways than one – and that now they could hold her without lowering his temperature. He must not have known how important it had been to her to remember his warmth in the past few days.
“I actually find your touch rather comforting,” With extreme delicacy did he enclose her still unnaturally white hand in his light pink one, and she watched it curiously, wordlessly, fascinated by the contrast they made. “Should it be either warm or cold. Human or vampyre. Do not feel any obligation to impress me, Lilith. I am happy with everything you do.”
Her eyes flashed up to his, with a sparkle of playfulness. “Then you are far too easily contented, Nicolas…I do not think you know what it would mean for you, to allow a Vampyress to toy with your emotions. I’ve been known to pain hearts, and the same done to my own…” She lifted his hand to her lips gently, lowering her head slightly to mold into him. For a few moments, she enjoyed the senses, now retreated back to their normal amount. The smell of him, the feel of his skin against hers, the strange silkiness of his jacket, the sound of his breathing, the overwhelming feel of completion. She wished it would never go away. After a moment, she peered sideways to see the darkness outside their little island of light.
“Oh, no…” she whispered, pulling a little aways from him. It was indeed very dark. “We’d better get you home, Nicolas…it’s getting late…And there are dangerous things out on those moors at night…” Her eyes filled with worry, scanning the trees as though an ambush of dark creatures were about to spring on them at any moment. For a split second, she forgot her regained humanity, concerned only for the safe return of Nicolas that she had been planning earlier that day. Which was why she had brought the lamp, of course.
My Dorky Diner Boyooc: augh that underlined sentence is so depressing. D”: bic:
Nicolas Dubon
Her eyes flickered briefly with a sense of delight as he spoke. He wondered how it would be if she held that lively nature more often. The soft gaze was comforting and filled him with indescribable warmth that he dare not rid himself of.
“Then you are far too easily contented, Nicolas…I do not think you know what it would mean for you, to allow a Vampyress to toy with your emotions. I’ve been known to pain hearts, and the same done to my own…” She placed his hand against her lips and remained silent, appearing basking in his touch. He rested his chin at the top of her head and used his free hand to draw her close, seeking some of her heat from the night’s chill.
“I trust you.” Nicolas murmured. He was well sure Lilith would not betray him. Her moment of fascination ended as she turned to her side, drawing away from him in surprise.
“Oh, no…” She started, her voice filled with worry. “We’d better get you home, Nicolas…it’s getting late…And there are dangerous things out on those moors at night…”
He felt embarrassed at her sudden concern, having not been cared for so carefully in a very long time. Yet he could not help smiling at her unease in keeping him safe instead of herself. He stretched out and grasped at the lamp, scanning quickly the area around. The woods were soundless safe their breathing and the light blowing of leaves.
“I can well take care of myself; you should be more worried with yourself, my dear.” He assured. Nicolas glanced at their linked hands through the soft light around them and felt the weak heat radiating from hers. “Much has happened tonight, you should settle yourself before worrying over me.”
He placed a short kiss upon her, hoping to lighten her spirit and see her content gaze once more. “As much as I believe woman can accomplish as much as man, please let me tend to you tonight, Lilith.” He whispered as he led them both out of the maze of trees, holding firmly to their bound hands.
Nicolas has left the woods.
CompetitionLilith Eytinge
She nearly laughed at her own mistake – Lilith was accustomed to being undead and having no concerned for her personal safety. Vampyrism had given her a neglect to herself. And it must have felt strange to Nicolas to hear her words of worry about him being safe from the creatures of the night that plagued the woods and moors. She glanced at his face and was pleasantly surprised to see a warm smile there. She smiled back, and couldn’t resist a giggle. Nicolas reached out and took the lamp from her, and she caught his scent as he came closer.
“I can well take care of myself; you should be more worried with yourself, my dear.” He assured with good humor. “Much has happened tonight, you should settle yourself before worrying over me.”
When he moved down to place a kiss on her ready lips, she met his eyes with a contented expression. “I must apologize. Things are going to be a little awkward for me for some time. But to look at the bright side, I’m no worse a dancer than I have ever been.”
“As much as I believe woman can accomplish as much as man, please let me tend to you tonight, Lilith.” he whispered to her, holding her hand protectively as he led them through the woods. She smiled at him and nodded, moving close to his side and letting him be the strong one. It felt rather good, to be honest. There were few who Lilith Eytinge allowed to be the dominant one in any situation, preferring to keep as much control over her own situation as much as possible.
Nicolas… She looked up at his form, outlined by the light of their lamp, as he broke a way through bramble and briar. She sent up a thanks to whatever force had given her even one moment like this. Who knew that secretly meeting a dashing noble in the woods, then running through the shadows with him, could make her so blissfully, wordlessly happy?
Lilith has left the woods a very happy female. And who can blame her? XD
My Dorky Diner BoyHe couldn't take it anymore. The staring, the sympathetic looks, the whispered gossip, the awkward small talk. The fact that everyone knew exactly how he would be feeling today and was under the delusion that they could help him. For today was Kathleen MacKenna's birthday, and all of them knew it. He squeezed his eyes shut to ward off the sadness that swept over him. She was still gone, and he had no idea where she was.
Because of this, this feeling of oppression that the town of Helvaband now had on him, Patrick had done what few citizens of Helvaband would not dare to do--he had ventured into the mysterious woods alone. Back in town, the woods were feared--the subject of a great many stories but vacant because of them. The tales of Vampyres, ghosts, Faeries, Banshees, and dark Magyck did well in keeping them away.
But Patrick had nothing to fear, for he himself was one of the creatures that inspired the fear in the hearts of those in Helvaband.
He soon grew tired of walking, and sat down on a tree stump. He buried his head in his hands wearily and became lost in his thoughts, oblivious to the world around him.
Which, in the Helvaband Woods, was not the best state to be in.
Lottie by MasciiOOC: Yayness! I’m excited about this! .
BIC:
Heather Fleming
Something about the woods held a lot of familiarity for Heather. Simply walking among the dark trees felt a feeling of calm, even if there were many unhappy memories she could recall being there. If she went too deeply in, she would spy the place where she had walked that time she had wandered when grief over Zuco had become too great for her. The tree she had hid behind when Zuco himself had waltzed back in, as though he had never been dead. Maybe there would even be blood on the ground where she had attacked Ambrose, where she had seen the love blazing in his eyes as he wordlessly accepted what would have been his murder. Heather shook her head of these memories, determined to only take solace beneath the eerie boughs, ageless and nameless.
Why did it feel like everything that could go wrong always happened to her? She gazed up at the tiny bits of light fighting to get through the piles of leaves, thinking back as far as she could remember, trying to find something that had made her happy, something that hadn’t been taken away from her. Her mother, her father’s love, her past life, her comfort with the people she had trusted…Zuco’s warmth…so many things, that had been stolen unjustly. Taken from her too soon. It made her a very bitter and cold person, she knew. Any time she fell into blissful happiness even for a moment, she felt weak and foolish. That was why she couldn’t just accept her current happiness and ease with Zuco. That was why his optimism aggravated her so much. Sure, they could get past the fact that he was undead and she was a magycal with a wolf form. Sure, they could eventually find someplace to settle down with just the right amount of desolation and solitude, with little or no people to prod and ask questions. They could...but would they? Would something come to ruin her life, as it had every other time?
Heather brushed away the tears that began to fall down her cheeks with a small rush of irritation at herself. She wasn’t some light-hearted female who fainted at the sight of blood….she wasn’t a frail sort of girl. She wasn’t one to let people see her cry all the time. Lately she had let that go. But she shouldn’t anymore. Even in the woods, there were always eyes watching, that she knew from experience.
Moments later, she halted in her tracks, eyes widening in surprise as she spotted not far ahead a man, sitting on a stump with his face buried in his hands, his entire frame emanating weariness and desolation. As though he had just decided to give up on something monstrous that he had been avoiding. Or that he had just endured some great ordeal and finally captured a moment to collapse into his woes. Slowly she walked closer, hardly making a sound as she came near enough that she could have laid a hand on his shoulder. Heather reached out to do so, moved as she was by the honest and vulnerability of his position, but hesitated, drawing her hand back slightly to allow it to hover between. She tilted her head to the side, brown curls falling into her face, and murmured to him quietly so as not to frighten him.
“Sir…?” her voice came out more timid than she had meant it, and she back away slightly when he looked up. His face surprised her, for his posture made him feel much older than his face expressed. Why, he couldn’t be much older than herself, if that! Drawing herself up and away from him, she said in a slightly more confident and strong voice – though not by much – “Are you alright?”
My Dorky Diner BoyHe hadn't been sitting there long when a meek voice broke through his musings and self-pity. “Sir…?” a timid female voice asked from somewhere beside him. Patrick turned and locked eyes with a worried looking woman standing next to him. She looked a little surprise to see him do so, and she took a step back. Patrick studied her. Her curly brown hair framed her face and her blue eyes were bright with concern and undisguised curiosity. As for age...she was still young, over twenty but not more than thirty. He couldn't recall seeing her anywhere before--But then again, that doesn't surprise me, with the lifestyle I've had lately. Patrick tried to offer the woman a faint smile but could only manage a slight upward twitch of his lips.
“Are you alright?” the woman asked, obviously trying to sound more confident then she had a moment ago. She did not succeed. Patrick looked skeptically at her. Does it look like I am 'alright', Miss? Of course, he really wasn't mad at this girl--she was only trying to help him, after all.
But what to say? If I say that I'm fine, she'll know I'm lying. If I tell her I am not, she will certainly want to know why. Why is she even out here, anyway? Doesn't she know that these woods are dangerous? Patrick hid a smirk. Perhaps she's a witch or a Faerie, and she's come to kidnap me or hex me. Hmmm. I really doubt that anything could be worse than what I am already cursed with. He thought of the whole ordeal with Kathleen again and made a fist, digging his fingernails into the palm of his hand. She's gone! She's gone! I drove her away! She's been gone for months! Why is that so hard to accept? Why am I still convinced that I am going to see her again, that she'll forgive me and life will go back to the way it was before! I can't change the past! Kathleen is gone!
Deciding he had been silent for too long, he gave a heavy sigh. "No, Miss, I am not. It's just the end of a dream, that's all. A dream that didn't come true about a person who isn't ever coming back."
Lottie by MasciiHeather Fleming
The look he gave her was definitely not one of a man being ‘alright’. And she was partly glad he didn’t deny so. With a heavy sigh, he responded, “No, Miss, I am not. It’s just the end of a dream, that’s all. A dream that didn’t come true about a person who isn’t ever coming back.”
Now was her turn to be silent for a long time, staring at him with wide eyes full of memory. No..don’t let the tears come again…if he’s feeling torn by the memory of a dream, the last thing he needs is a weeping female. But she couldn’t help feeling a sad sort of sympathy, and understanding with the man. How often had she dreamt of just being left alone from the curse-like existence she had lived through? How often had she longed to believe she would wake up back home, with her father just down the hall, instead of constantly running and hiding in the shadows and isolated places of the world?
“I know how that feels.” she said simply, wanting to sit down and rest her legs but uncertain if she was welcome yet. From personal experience, when she allowed herself to wallow in her miseries – or confusion – she became very violently angry, and easily upset. He was stronger than her, and they were in the secluded woods. Thus she kept an amiable distance. “The hardest thing to do is to let go of that dream.”
Heather stood staring at the ground for a moment, glancing up when a question struck her mind. His face…it looked familiar. As did the tormented expression there. Very seldom did she think she had met someone before and turned up wrong. She couldn’t resist studying his face, wondering – where have I seen you before, stranger?
My Dorky Diner BoyThe look the girl gave him was one of sympathy and understanding. “I know how that feels," she told him. Patrick nodded vaguely. "I'm sure many do, especially around here." But do you know how it feels? Do you really? “The hardest thing to do is to let go of that dream.”
Patrick looked up at her, surprised by her comment. "Yes, exactly. You can't accept the fact that it's true, whatever the situation...it's almost as if saying what happened out loud will make it true. So...you keep quiet about it. You put on a facade for the world to see, pretending that everything is fine...and inside, you wish and wish with all your might that acting like that will reverse reality somehow. It will make the bad things disappear and leave only the good."
He gave another sigh. "But at some point, you have to accept it. You have no choice. And...that is what I'm trying to do." He gave a wry smile. "As I am sure you can guess, it isn't going well."
The girl looked down at the ground, seemingly uncomfortable. He looked closely at her. He was certain they had never met before, and yet...something about her was familiar. But how can that be possible?
He gave the girl a slight smile and slid over a little on the tree stump. "You can sit down if you like. If not, that's fine, but I'd be greatful for the company. I'm Patrick," he added. He tilted his head to the left thoughtfully. "This may sound strange, but...have we met before?"
Lottie by MasciiHeather Fleming
The man shot her a surprised glance at her honesty. She wasn’t trying to make things easier for him. She wasn’t trying to pretend as if this was just any casual conversation about the weather. She felt some of his pain. But was it assuming too much to believe that they could relate on this? A perfect stranger and herself? “Yes, exactly. You can’t accept the fact that it’s true, whatever the situation…it’s almost as if saying what happened out loud will make it true. So…you keep quiet about it. You put on a facade for the world to see, pretending that everything is fine…and inside, you wish and wish with all your might that acting like that will reverse reality somehow. It will make the bad things disappear and leave only the good.” he sighed, “But at some point, you have to accept it. You have no choice. And…that is what I’m trying to do.”
He smiled. *“As I am sure you can guess, it isn’t going well.”
She gave a ghost of a smile and looked at the ground, mind suddenly whirring, trying to figure out where she knew this man from. Her mind’s eye flashed a picture of a man…just as the sun was coming up…
He offered a smile, which completely contorted his face. Heather’s eyes widened again as she watched him take years off of his features with one little smile. What does he look like when he’s actually happy, I wonder? “You can sit down if you like. If not, that’s fine, but I’d be greatful for the company. I’m Patrick,” he added. He tilted his head to the left thoughtfully. “This may sound strange, but…have we met before?”
“I was thinking the same thing.” she murmured simply, cautiously sitting down beside him, careful not to touch. Yes, she was distant in conversation with newer acquaintances, but she’d learned how to survive. “But I don’t know if we’ve met or not…it certainly seems like I’ve seen you once before…I’m Heather…”
Then it hit her. The tilt of his head had done it. With a soft, careful and crooked smile, a slight glimmer of hope in his blue eyes, she recognized him as the he-wolf she had met on the moors not many nights before. Her mouth opened in surprise, as she wondered if he recognized her. Would that be a good thing? It would definitely mean we have more in common that one might expect…amazing…two werewolves happening to meet, not once, but twice...
It sure would be nice to have someone to talk to right now…but…I’m not sure…
My Dorky Diner BoyThe more he looked at her, the more he thought that he had to have seen her somewhere before. He frantically racked his brain, trying to figure out when and where they could have met, but he found nothing. You would think that I would remember right away...Helvaband is hardly what you would call a bustling city, after all. But with so many newcomers these days...for all I know, I could have just passed her on the street and am now remembering her. Maybe that's it. Maybe that's all there is.
Another look in her direction and he shook his head. No. This was more than that.
He introduced himself to the girl and asked if she would like to sit down, which she did, although she made certain to keep a good distance between them. Patrick did not blame her for this--although the person he used to be was trusting of everyone, who he had become in recent months was much more reserved. In her position, he would probably do the same thing. On a whim, he asked her if there was a possibility that they had met before.
“I was thinking the same thing,” she said quietly in response. His eyes widened. "Strange..." he murmured, more for his own benefit then for hers. If both of them had the same feeling, didn't that mean that they had to have seen each other before? It has to be! he thought confusedly. But how? And when?
The girl was studying him as intently and he was studying her, and Patrick realized that to any passers by they would look very strange indeed. Like two children having a staring contest, he thought with another small smile.
“But I don’t know if we’ve met or not…it certainly seems like I’ve seen you once before…I’m Heather…”
"Nice to meet you..." he murmured, not really focusing on her name. Without really meaning to, he leaned forward an inch, peering intently at her features. A somewhat timid air, but there was something else there...tenacity. And the way she looked at him, concerned and curious, worried and protective...all of this was evident in her blue eyes. Her eyes themselves seemed familiar as well...and the way she carried herself...
His eyes widened to the size of dinner plates, and he drew back away from her.
It can't be possible!
The other Wolf? The one who helped me? Can this really be true?
Heather seemed to have come to the same conclusion that he had, for her mouth was wide open in shock. Amazing. Absolutely unbelievable. The corners of his mouth twitched, and he fought to remove what was now a grin coming over his face. "Am I wrong in guessing, Miss Heather, that both of us have realized just exactly how we know each other?"
Lottie by MasciiHeather Fleming
They both studied each other with a curious and slightly fearful way, and Patrick’s lips curled upwards in a smile. Again, it transformed his face magnificently. She introduced herself and they both realized that they were thinking along the same lines again. I know you…but from where?
“Nice to meet you…” he murmured, slowly leaning forward until their faces were rather close. Eye to eye, she thought back to the look of hopelessness she had seen in those eyes moments ago. It wasn’t like her to just introduce herself openly to strange men. But something about his body language had expressed a need for someone, anyone. And she had moved towards that need, knowing that somehow she had similiarities with this man. She had spoken to him in a simplistic, unpracticed comfort, and it left them both confused. Then, with a tilt of his head, the truth came…
At the same moment as her mouth opened in shock, his blue eyes enlarged to nearly inhuman size, and he drew back with a start. The wolf on the moors!
Amused, Patrick’s lips twitched at the edges, struggling to subdue a smirk. “Am I wrong in guessing, Miss Heather, that both of us have realized just exactly how we know each other?”
Caught off guard for a moment of speechlessness, Heather just stared at him. How can I be sure? How do I know I can trust him to keep this all a secret? Well..he has to know how to keep secrets…he is a werewolf after all. And unless you’re dead, that carries a certain ability to hide things… She turned to look out at the hundreds of trees at the place where she knew the woods would open up to the moors.
“The moors are very beautiful at night….” she said quietly, giving him a sideways glance, a glint of childlike wonder in her eyes. “As are the woods. Not much wildlife around here, though. It’s pretty desolate.”
She met his eyes evenly now, one part of her begging him silently, another brimming with questions for him, and unsure where to start. Go on…say something only we would know. Mention that night to me…Oh, has it been any easier for him, even in the least? Has he been able to control the painful passing much more? Is he one of the constant changers, or the less frequent, or perhaps even the ones that change only when under great emotional stress? She blinked. That would explain a lot of why he was sitting here alone, and feeling horrible. She’d sat in his position many times before, after her transformations began.
It’s all so strange…
My Dorky Diner BoyHeather did not seem as amused by the situation as he did---she continued to gaze at him in disbelief. Slowly, she turned her head and regarded the forest around them, to the point where the trees gave way and the moors began. “The moors are very beautiful at night….” she told him, focusing her eyes on his once again. He nodded. "With the moonlight shining down on them, and the fog rolling in...yes, a beautiful sight." “As are the woods. Not much wildlife around here, though. It’s pretty desolate.”
Looking away for a moment, Patrick spoke slowly, choosing his words carefully. "Yes, that's right. Very desolate and empty. And..." he looked back at her in an almost timid way. "And lonely. It can get very lonely out there....when you're there night...after night..." He looked away again.
He smiled and faced her again. "But sometimes, every so often...you are not alone on the moors. Once in a long, long while, there is someone there to be there for you, to...help you, in a way." He grinned.
"And when that someone comes along, you are greatful that for once, you don't have to bear your burdens alone. Whatever those burdens might be." Cautiously, for he didn't know how she would react---Why is she so suspicious and reserved? What happened to her that made her like that? Is she, perhaps, not like I am? I became a Werewolf by my curse, but she could have been bitten, of course...is that why? That would explain so much...the unwillingness to trust me, mainly, but she could just be shy... he reached out a hand and set it gently on her shoulder. "Thank you, Heather, for all that you did."
I can't believe I found her...
Lottie by MasciiHeather Fleming
Looking away for a moment, Patrick took his time with his reply, thinking it out. Heather’s hopes lifted for a moment. “Yes, that’s right. Very desolate and empty. And…” he gave her a gentle glance. “And lonely. It can get very lonely out there….when you’re there night…after night…” They both looked away from each other at the same moment, and Heather frowned. This didn’t tell her anything. Was he really the he-wolf she had met? Or was he just some traveler that she had happened across? Was it too much of a coincidence. She turned to study his face, and found it to appear a very honest one. He turned back to her with a soft smile. Smiles really brought a strange light to his face. She wondered if he had ever realized that.
Then came the words she had waited for. “But sometimes, every so often…you are not alone on the moors. Once in a long, long while, there is someone there to be there for you, to…help you, in a way.” He grinned, and she couldn’t help smiling back. He had that same gentle and caring nature emanating from him that she sensed around Zuco…one that made a person feel as though they could tell him all their worries, and he would gladly bear them as well. And he definitely was the wolf on the moors she had felt so protective over, had worried over the last few nights, wondering if he was alright…if he had been bearing this burden alone for very long. “And when that someone comes along, you are greatful that for once, you don’t have to bear your burdens alone. Whatever those burdens might be.”
She surprised herself again, by allowing tears to well up in her eyes. She wouldn’t allow them to fall, but she smiled at him, glad that she had been able to help him, even if just a little. It isn’t everyday I feel like I’ve actually made any good difference on the world…mostly I just cause problems. Carefully, he laid a hand on her shoulder, murmuring, “Thank you, Heather, for all that you did.”
Heather nodded, taking his hand and forcing herself to regain her strength and composure. It felt like she had been doing so for so long. Always pulling through, always holding her head high. “You’re welcome. I just wish I could help you more…it’s such an awful lot to bear…” she looked up into his eyes, softened by understanding of his situation. “Is that why you are out here? Because your dreams died with such a cursed existence? That would make sense, even if it is bitterly realized.”
My Dorky Diner BoyHeather looked more and more dejected as he talked, and Patrick wondered what sort of emotions his words were stirring in her. He reached out and rested his hand softly on her shoulder, thanking her for how she had helped him that night on the moors. To his astonishment, she took his hand in hers. Patrick gave her hand a brief squeeze, hoping to comfort her a little. After what seemed like quite a while, Heather spoke. “You’re welcome. I just wish I could help you more…it’s such an awful lot to bear…” Patrick nodded fervently. "It is. I've always felt so alone...my mother was the only one who knew about it for years. Then...someone else found out, but that only made matters so much worse. A few others know now--did you know that there are people, here in Helvaband, that may be able to help us? Ambrose Vorassi and Lilith Eytinge. I've spoken to them..."
He sighed. "But I think the worse thing is not being able to talk to someone about it. You feel so...helpless. The Transformations..." he stopped abruptly and looked at Heather in surprise. "They've been better now. Not nearly as painful, easier to bear...ever since that night. I--how did--do you know why that is?"
“Is that why you are out here?" Heather asked. "Because your dreams died with such a cursed existence? That would make sense, even if it is bitterly realized.”
Patrick thought for a moment. "Partially, yes. It's all so overwhelming sometimes, today most of all. I feel like I'm drowning in all my troubles, and that there's never a way out. But...there is some hope, I think." He chuckled a bit. "That's what I have to keep telling myself--that there's hope for me yet. I wouldn't be able to survive without doing that."
Lottie by MasciiHeather Fleming
Patrick nodded, agreeing with her wholeheartedly. “It is. I’ve always felt so alone…my mother was the only one who knew about it for years. Then…someone else found out, but that only made matters so much worse. A few others know now—did you know that there are people, here in Helvaband, that may be able to help us? Ambrose Vorassi and Lilith Eytinge. I’ve spoken to them…”
Heather tensed up a bit at the mention of Ambrose. “I…I know Ambrose..” she turned away. Why am I starting to cry again? I shouldn’t… “We have a bit of a past…”
Patrick sighed. “But I think the worse thing is not being able to talk to someone about it. You feel so…helpless. The Transformations…” he trailed off and gave her a look, finally adding, “They’ve been better now. Not nearly as painful, easier to bear…ever since that night. I—how did—do you know why that is?”
She smiled softly at him. A real, genuine smile. “It’s like when you jump off a high branch in a tree, or are thrown against a wall. The more you tense up, the more it hurts.” she offered her hands up in a ‘ah, well..’ sort of gesture, ignoring the desire to mention just how little or how often she had experienced those sort of things. “I don’t fully understand it, myself, really. Perhaps you were able to relax more, once you knew..really knew…” she looked up to meet his eyes. “..That you weren’t alone.”
“Is that why you are out here?” Heather asked, realizing that his transformations could have a lot to do with his broken dreams and solitude. “Because your dreams died with such a cursed existence? That would make sense, even if it is bitterly realized.”
“Partially, yes. It’s all so overwhelming sometimes, today most of all. I feel like I’m drowning in all my troubles, and that there’s never a way out. But…there is some hope, I think.” He chuckled a bit, which surprised her. “That’s what I have to keep telling myself—that there’s hope for me yet. I wouldn’t be able to survive without doing that.”
She watched him apologetically. “I know…but after awhile, I lost that hope. I think somehow, that’s the worst thing that’s ever happened to me. I started being cold and insensitive, not daring to hope for the best…” she looked down at her lap, still struggling against the tears. It’s what I’m doing right now…not daring..too afraid to open my heart up again. Even to Zuco…and that’s tearing us apart. It’s tearing me apart. With a little gasp, the tears came. She turned and fell against Patrick’s broad chest, gripping at him frantically and hurtling into heaving sobs that torrented through her body. “I-I-I can’t let myself love! Everytime I get close, I push people away, afraid of-of…I don’t even know what!” She buried her face into him, blocking out that voice that normally held her back from her dreams.
My Dorky Diner BoyHeather smiled, the first true smile she had shown him. “It’s like when you jump off a high branch in a tree, or are thrown against a wall. The more you tense up, the more it hurts.” she threw her hands into the air for a moment as Patrick nodded. "I had considered that for a while. It does make sense."
“I don’t fully understand it, myself, really. Perhaps you were able to relax more, once you knew..really knew…..That you weren’t alone.” Patrick returned her smile. "And that makes even more sense. You're right. You're absolutely right."
Thoughtfully, Heather then asked if that was why he was out there in the woods that evening--because his dreams had been shattered due to his cursed life. He thought for a moment. Was that why he was out there? Yes...and no.
“Partially, yes. It’s all so overwhelming sometimes, today most of all. I feel like I’m drowning in all my troubles, and that there’s never a way out. But…there is some hope, I think.” He laughed a bit at this. “That’s what I have to keep telling myself—that there’s hope for me yet. I wouldn’t be able to survive without doing that.”
Empathy was evident in Heather's eyes as she said, “I know…but after awhile, I lost that hope. I think somehow, that’s the worst thing that’s ever happened to me. I started being cold and insensitive, not daring to hope for the best…” Patrick saw tears shimmering behind her lashes before she looked away. "I was like that for a while, after...she left." He sighed. "But then I realized that it wasn't the right way to go through life..." Suddenly, Heather gasped and burst into tears.
Patrick's eyes widened as she turned and fell against him, sobbing and embracing him. What? What? What do I do? Oh, this is my fault--just look what I've done! I've gone and made her cry!
“I-I-I can’t let myself love!" Heather sobbed. "Everytime I get close, I push people away, afraid of-of…I don’t even know what!” Patrick's shocked expression faded to one of concern. Tentatively, he put his arms around Heather, trying to soothe her. "It's alright. I did the same thing, too, you know. I was open to love, yes, but I was still reserved. I considered myself too dangerous to be around many people, even during the day. And I didn't tell the woman I loved my secret, because I thought I would scare her away. Turns out I was right--she found out anyway, by following me. She saw everything." He sighed.
"But if that experience taught me anything, it's this...you have to trust. You just have to, no matter how difficult it may be. If you don't, you'll find your life will be more painful than it would if you did let people in. I know this isn't the best way to comfort someone, but...it's true."
Lottie by MasciiHeather Fleming
His smile was truly infectuous. She found herself withdrawn when people smiled, but Patrick’s eyes glistened when he smiled at a person, and you saw the warmth there. Not willing to let go of the feeling of being understood and accepted, she questioned if he had come out there because of his Transformations.
“Partially, yes. It’s all so overwhelming sometimes, today most of all. I feel like I’m drowning in all my troubles, and that there’s never a way out. But…there is some hope, I think.” He chuckled a bit – he seemed much more friendly now that she had been talking to him for several minutes – “That’s what I have to keep telling myself—that there’s hope for me yet. I wouldn’t be able to survive without doing that.”
“I know…but after awhile, I lost that hope. I think somehow, that’s the worst thing that’s ever happened to me. I started being cold and insensitive, not daring to hope for the best…” She felt the tears coming on…
Patrick sighed, *“I was like that for a while, after…she left. But then I realized that it wasn’t the right way to go through life…”
She hardly heard him as she fell against his chest, crying furious tears amidst gasps of sentences, “I-I-I can’t let myself love! Everytime I get close, I push people away, afraid of-of…I don’t even know what!”
For a moment nothing changed, and she just cried into the man’s shoulder, holding onto him firmly. Then, she felt a sudden wash of warmth characteristic to being hugged by a werewolf. “It’s alright. I did the same thing, too, you know. I was open to love, yes, but I was still reserved. I considered myself too dangerous to be around many people, even during the day. And I didn’t tell the woman I loved my secret, because I thought I would scare her away. Turns out I was right—she found out anyway, by following me. She saw everything.” He sighed, and slowly Heather’s sobs stilled, and she remained sniffling in his embrace. “But if that experience taught me anything, it’s this…you have to trust. You just have to, no matter how difficult it may be. If you don’t, you’ll find your life will be more painful than it would if you did let people in. I know this isn’t the best way to comfort someone, but…it’s true.”
Heather was silent for a considerable length of time before responding, in a low voice still shaky, “I just hope I’m able to – trust, that is. It’s hard to let someone in..but I will try harder. “ she moved back slightly to look into Patrick’s caring face, breathing the words, “...thank you.”
My Dorky Diner BoySlowly, Heather's sobs began to subside, and Patrick allowed a soft smile to cross his face. She reminded him of Kathleen--shy and reserved until you got to know her, unwilling to show too much for fear she might be hurt. For a brief moment, his smile faded. Kathleen. Where was she? No one in Helvaband had any idea where she had disappeared to that night. She had spoken to no one but Patrick before she left, and even he did not know where that train had taken her. He wondered where she was living, how she was providing for herself, if she had made any friends wherever she was, if she was drawing...if she was happy.
He wondered if she had moved on and forgotten she had ever known him, or if she missed him.
He sighed quietly. Heather's sobs had turned to mere sniffles now, the only sound in the otherwise silent forest. Then even those stopped, and the two of them sat there in the stillness of the wood, Patrick gently stroking her hair as she attempted to compose herself.
“I just hope I’m able to – trust, that is. It’s hard to let someone in..but I will try harder," she said finally, looking up at him and releasing him from her embrace. Patrick smiled. "It is hard," he agreed. "But...someone very wise once told me that nothing in this life that's worth having comes easy. The work you have to put into it is worth it. And...I think that you--and I--will find that once the right person comes into our lives, it won't be too difficult to let them in. We'll just be able to. Something inside of us..." he shook his head. "That sounds a little strange, but I really do believe it to be true. You just have to keep looking, and not give up hope. Who knows?" he added with a shrug. "Maybe...we'll be able to go back to the way we once were. You know..." he looked away for a moment. "Before...everything."
“...thank you,” Heather said quietly. Patrick smiled again. "You're very welcome," he said, taking her hand in his.
Lottie by MasciiHeather Fleming
She liked the way he was stroking her hair quietly as they sat there alone in the woods. It was hard for her to feel comfort at all when people touched her – thanks to her past and unwillingness to change – but Patrick seemed to do things in an unassuming way that reminded her of Zuco.
“I just hope I’m able to – trust, that is. It’s hard to let someone in..but I will try harder,” She released him and sat up, and he smiled at her.
“It is hard. But…someone very wise once told me that nothing in this life that’s worth having comes easy. The work you have to put into it is worth it. And…I think that you—and I—will find that once the right person comes into our lives, it won’t be too difficult to let them in. We’ll just be able to. Something inside of us…” he shook his head. “That sounds a little strange, but I really do believe it to be true. You just have to keep looking, and not give up hope. Who knows? Maybe…we’ll be able to go back to the way we once were. You know…” At the same moment they both averted their gazes. “Before…everything.” Heather frowned, thinking back to before she had been bitten. Before she had traversed the world by herself, trying to settle down but finding herself too afraid to. Before…there had been even more sadness. She couldn’t remember feeling blissfully happy. But he meant well with the statement.
“...thank you,” she added quietly.
“You’re very welcome,” he said, taking her hand in his. Slowly, she returned the smile. It was unbelievable that he was just being that kind.
Heather looked up through the trees and was surprised at how dim it was already starting to become in the woods. I hope Zuco isn’t worrying about me already… She looked over at Patrick, a smile still giving his eyes a soft glimmer and his hand in hers. Sending him an apologetic look, she murmured, “I’m sorry, but…I need to be going…I didn’t really tell anyone I was going anywhere…” after pausing a moment she added in a rush, “Do you need me to come back tonight? I mean…do you want me to?” Why on earth did I add that? She stood up, suddenly thunderstruck at what she was saying. “Um…I’d better go…”
My Dorky Diner BoyHeather looked away from him then, through the darkness of the trees, as if she was expecting someone to appear before them. To Patrick's great surprise, it had become rather dark in the seemingly short time he had spent in the woods. The sun would be gone soon, throwing the town of Helvaband into darkness until the next morning. He jumped. Dark...
After a moment, he relaxed. I remember now...it's a new moon tonight. He slowly grinned as Heather spoke. “I’m sorry, but…I need to be going…I didn’t really tell anyone I was going anywhere…” Patrick nodded. "Of course. I understand."
She looked at him and spoke quickly, as if she was afraid that if she didn't get the words out of her mouth fast enough she might never be able to say them “Do you need me to come back tonight? I mean…do you want me to?” Patrick was about to reply when Heather seemed to grow uncomfortable with what she had just said. “Um…I’d better go…”
Patrick chuckled. "It's alright, there's no need to be so nervous. And thank you for your offer, but I'm afraid I won't be needing you tonight." He smiled. "It's a new moon tonight, you see...so I won't be Transforming. Nights of the new moon are the only nights where I remain as you see me now." He made a face. "The witch that placed the curse on my ancestor a century and a half ago was at least generous about that." He allowed the smile to come back over his features. "But thank you. You have really no idea how much you've helped me..." He took her hand and squeezed it comfortingly before letting her go. "It was wonderful to meet you, Heather, and I hope I will see you again soon...whether in human form or wolf form. I am greatful for your friendship in either, believe me."
Lottie by Masciiplanned Vermillion/Adder interaction :D
Vermillion Emerson
Vermillion hummed softly as he kicked at the gravel. Barely registering the dirt beginning to cling to his clothes, he wandered looking for some sort of being. The sounds of a heated discussion behind him, or more so, argument, was something he did not want to join in. The young nobleman had just returned from a short visit out of Helvaband when he found something blocking his way.
Twirling around to glance at the large piece of lumber in front of his carriage, a small tick formed at his cheek. It would be a while for the wood to be moved but Vermillion seemed to have no problem with that. He took the rare oppurtunity of wandering the woods and searched in hopes of someone to converse with to pass the time. He was careful not to stroll too far in case his coachman needed his assistance if not, inform him they were done.
The sun had begun to set and Vermillion felt slight disappoinment come over him as he guessed the time of day. It was unlikely he would fine anyone so late, most people in Helvanband dare not travel by themselves with all the dark stories being told everyday. Of course, he believed none of those tales, they were simply cheap stories he assumed some imaginative youngsters made up to scare the older folk around the town. Vermillion chuckled at the thought, finding some amusement in his rather dull situation.
He stopped, balancing himself with a tree as he tapped the side of his foot against it, in hopes of removing some of the caked dirt on his shoes. At his angle he could make out a figure approaching and grinned slightly, walking towards it.
Vermillion followed the mysterious man, keeping a safe distance away. He did not recognize him and believed him to be a traveler. ‘Maybe he is lost…or looking for something.’ He mused, adding after. “Perhaps he needs help.”
He outstretched a hand, in a effort of catching the man’s attention. “Wait, you there, what is your name?”
CompetitionHeather Fleming
Patrick chuckled lightly. “It’s alright, there’s no need to be so nervous. And thank you for your offer, but I’m afraid I won’t be needing you tonight.” He smiled. “It’s a new moon tonight, you see…so I won’t be Transforming. Nights of the new moon are the only nights where I remain as you see me now.” She offered a slow nod, realizing that this kind of made sense. So his transformation has a lot to do with the appearance of the moon…. “The witch that placed the curse on my ancestor a century and a half ago was at least generous about that.” That honest smile grew on Patrick’s lips again, making it hard for Heather to not smile herself. “But thank you. You have really no idea how much you’ve helped me…” He took her hand and Heather barely refrained from a surprised jolt. “It was wonderful to meet you, Heather, and I hope I will see you again soon…whether in human form or wolf form. I am grateful for your friendship in either, believe me.”
A soft smile somehow found its way to her lips, as foreign as it was. “Me as well. Until we meet again, Patrick.” She gave a little nod, then turned and rushed through the woods, not turning back. Somehow she had found a kindred spirit in the woods, mourning openly as she mourned in secret. But what do I do about Zuco?
Heather has left the woods
My Dorky Diner BoyHer smile was hesitant, but did wonders. Her melancholy air doesn't suit her at all, really. She looks so much more herself when she smiles. More relaxed, more comfortable...more confident. Someone like her shouldn't be so sad, so mistrusting... A thought struck him then. He and Heather were so similar...do people think the same things about me?
“Me as well. Until we meet again, Patrick.” He smiled. "Likewise, Heather. I hope to see you soon." She nodded and took off out of the woods, as if something very important was waiting for her back in town. He watched her for a moment. So similar, and yet so different... "Goodbye!" he called.
He remained in the woods for a while, thinking about the conversation between himself and Heather, before eventually continuing on his way.
I wonder when I'll see her again.
Patrick has left the woods.
Lottie by MasciiAdder Napier
Well, Helvaband. What a place.
So far, he had only been amused by the size of the town, the nonsensical people who denied stories that were perfectly true, and a young vampyre named Oliver.
Now, he was again roaming the woods, looking for some sign of the vampyre he had come here looking for. ‘Ambrose, how long do you think you can barely escape me? I am not kind when I grow impatient, you know this.‘ Adder shook his head, the uncomfortable black locks falling into his face. He was growing tired of this appearance, being sure that he had formed his previous appearance quite well. Looking attractive was more fun than looking frightening, he was now sure of it. Besides, not only was being gorgeous and evil more fun than the alternative, but it was also much more horrifying.
For twisted beauty was the worst sort of sin, was it not?
He sighed, trying to remind himself that this was the surest way to Ambrose. People would associate someone dark and foreboding with someone dark and foreboding, it was just fact. Who would guess that Ambrose served Adder? No one didn’t know already.
But Adder so missed his previous appearance. Maybe he would find Ambrose more on striking fear from his powers than his appearance. That would make it more worth his while, would it not?
About to change back, he heard a voice call to him. “Wait, you there, what is your name?”
A wide and menacing smirk came onto his face as he turned around to meet the stranger’s eyes. It was dark now, and he couldn’t help how amusing it was. Adder’s very blue eyes glanced about, seeing no one very near. ‘How naive.‘ He sighed, folding his hands together behind him. “Who is asking?” he said, calming his tone to sound vaguely innocent as he smoothed a smile like it onto his face. His eyes flashed for but a moment as he stepped forwards. “You have an air of nobility, strong and proud, but soft too. I like that in a man.” He laughed. “If you do know what I mean.”
Adder’s eyes flashed, his magyk instinctively heightened his vision, and he took in the man before him. Sweet blond hair swept about by the wind, framing an attractive face, with a concerned expression. And the eyes… the eyes held so much. Pain and frustration, concern of course, but also gentleness and cheer that was well-worn. A height that loomed slightly over Adder, but something told him that he loomed before this man much more than stature could ever make so. Adder now recalled that his previous form at done just that; made him seem less dangerous while at the same time showing those who knew anything at all that he was not easy prey.
He was a powerful man, though he had no doubt that the man before him was strong. Yes, but how did innocent mortal strength defend him against someone like Adder? Ah, there would be little to stop him from crushing this man, or grinding him into the dust that lay beneath their feet. Besides the fact that it is quite a pity to take attractive people from the world. Especially those that come by it naturally. Adder could acquire every detail of this poor soul in moments.
But that would be no fun, wouldn’t it?
“I am Adder Napier, for those who it may concern.” ‘And that is not many when it comes to natives, for the people in this town seem to be thoroughly misguided and foolish. But the travelers who come here for solace may find that this is not the time….‘
Dr. Hal RamseyOOC: Planned interaction for my Moony-chan and me. Is your little vamp happier now? : D Watch out! Here come dramaaaa! Hopefully. BIC:
Heather Fleming
She took her time wandering through the woods today, her eyes lowered and set upon an object in her arms with a dazed expression on her face. What will I tell Zuco? There was no way to gauge what his reaction would be. Theirs was a relationship that was rocky and turbulent, to say the least. The most constant and comforting factor was his steadfast love for her. He’ll probably want to know if this will make me happy, first. He’s so selfless like that… What could be seen as one of his more irritating traits was one of his most endearing, in an ironic sort of way.
A small sound emitted from the bundle of fabric she carried, and she lifted up one fold to peer beneath, a worried look on her face. She looked up when she heard footsteps. Zuco and her were going to go on a walk together today. She’d come in from town – Zuco still didn’t seem to like being in Helvaband, but insisted that she take a room at the Helvaband Hotel.
Heather offered him a soft smile – being undead hadn’t caused him to lose any of his delicate beauty – and breathed, “Zuco…” she glanced down at her bundle, then took a step towards him, “Look at what I found…”
She pulled back the top layer of sheets to reveal a very tiny, very worn-out looking bird, still new from hatching. To be straightforward, it was an ugly little thing – tube-looking black and white feathers jutting out at weird angles, and a light green-yellow fuzz on its back. A little collection of feathers stuck up straight on its head as it opened its eyes slowly, looking up at them. Heather frowned at it.
“It was lying on the ground on the moors. I don’t know how it got here, but…” she looked up at him with a determined look in her eye, “I want to take care of it. Will you help me?” She couldn’t quite detail her reasons for it. In a way, it was because she’d never been allowed to take in her own animals and raise them. In another it meant something special for her to be able to help the little creature. Zuco and I found new life and death in Helvaband. This little one deserves a chance, too. Besides, it could be interesting.
My Dorky Diner BoyZuco Izam
Zuco had just finished burrying the corpse of his latest kill behind a thick bush when the smell of Heather's blood hit him. It was something that he doubted he would ever get used to, even if he lived for all eternity. Immediately, he began walking in her direction, anticipation driving him to go faster than he needed to. And yet his pace slowed when he heard another heartbeat with her's. It was too fast to be human... it was more like a small animal's heartbeat. Arching an eyebrow curiously, he stepped out from behind some bushes and his eyes automatically went to the bundle of cloth laying on her palms.
“Zuco…” She breathed, her eyes dropping down to the bundle of fabric in her hands as she took a step towards him, “Look at what I found…”
He approached her silently and moved to stand at her side, not really sure what to expect. Suddenly, she pulled back a bit of the sheets and his mouth fell agape in shock. The little creature that she held in her beautiful hands turned out to be a rather ugly baby bird. It had black and white feathers that looked like they were placed on it's body by a mere child. A strange mixture of green and yellow fuzz decorated it's back, and a few feathers stuck straight up on its miniature head. Looking at the strange thing questioningly, he watched as it opened its eyes to look at them. His slightly-confused gaze moved to Heather's face as she frowned down at the small thing. Did she not like the little bird she held? Oh please don't tell me that she's going to give it to me to take care of.
“It was lying on the ground on the moors. I don’t know how it got here, but…” she met his gaze with that determined expression that he loved so much. “I want to take care of it. Will you help me?” Zuco hesitated before speaking, his deeply-troubled gaze falling on the animal in her hands as he fought the urge to grimace. Even in life, he was not entirely fond of animals... truthfully, they ended up dying after a few weeks in his care. His sister was the one who adored everything about the many creatures in the palace and she was the one that took care of them, he just made sure that he stayed out of the way. And even though he wanted to say 'no,' he knew that he could not deny her.
Sighing softly, he looked in her eyes and nodded with a half-hearted smile. "I will... definately attempt to help. Though I am unsure if my presence would..." he let his soft voice trail off as he glanced once more at the fairly new bird. "It is a rather charming little thing, is it not?" he mused, watching as the tiny creature raised its head to look at him.
