The Confessional (Dominique)

[Zodiac]

--The following transcript was a live chat roleplay--

<Zodiac>: She approached the convent as she would any other building. Legend had it any like her would burn or suffer for stepping onto 'holy ground' but so far the gypsy had been on various patches of holy ground with no ill effects. Either it was just a myth to inspire hope or the ground wasn't all that holy to begin with. She knocked on the door and waited till one of the nuns answered. Calmly she handed the woman her prepared note. She was Dominique's employer and was her to visit and see how she was recovering. The woman nodded and escorted the girl to a receiving hall and bid her to wait. She stood calmly, looking over the decorations of the place until she heard footsteps approaching. She smiled as she saw the woman coming toward her carrying a cat carrier in hand. Behind her, several nuns could be seen watching the pair for several moments. Zodiac stared back only to see them quickly walking away. "Are those the nuns that was at your place that one night?"

<Dominique>: Eyes the black and white adorned women that walked in a row past where she visited with Zo in the receiving hall in the convent. She was sore and had seen far better nights but for the moment her employer visiting her was a relief. She knew the woman wouldn't have had anything to do with what happened and really she had no interest in telling her. It was done and the less that knew the better. "Yes. they seemed to enjoy cribbage night with you and me. They really liked your tea."

<Zodiac>: 'Ah yes, my 'Heavenly Delights' blend." she smirked as she nodded at the women. "I will have Jennifer run you over some to share with them."

<Dominique>: She found a smile surfacing at her lips as the nuns moved on through the hall and disappeared from view. "They would really like that." She sat down on one of the velvet cushioned chairs and patted the empty one next to it. "Join me. It has been so quiet here. Except for Kitty to talk to who is rather bristly I have been looking at paint drying. They have me repainting the halls in exchange for staying here. Soon when it snows I will start shoveling. they are right. It keeps my mind healthy and my body healing."

<Zodiac>: Takes a seat next to her and sits down her purse and bag. " The others at work miss you. Morri just up and quit the other day. Not a word why. I am glad you found something to help restore your spirit as well as your body." She nodded and looked around the room. "Is very tranquil in here, I must say. I like it."

<Dominique>: "It actually has been since the sisters had your tea. They really praise its healing properties. They have me drink it nightly before bed. Morri would have enjoyed it a lot." She sighed at the news that the woman left. It was likely for something that made the paladin hacker happy. Morri was always happy. She looked over to the pet crate that held Kitty as she now called Doc's cat she rescued from the lab. Morri would have loved to play with feisty Kitty. All one needed was a pair of thick oven mitts and four walls so there was no chance for escape.

<Zodiac>: She looked at the crate and reached out with her mind for a moment. "Think we need to get some of that tea into that little fellow." she grinned, then grew serious again. "I checked Morri's place. She moved out lock stock and barrel. No forwarding address or anything. I hope she does well.".

<Dominique>: "You know she was a free spirit, Zo." She nodded hoping to reassure her. "It was how she was. She never would leave unless she was happier elsewhere and that doesn't mean it was not so here. I wish her the best. Want nothing less than that for her. It great she has that option to go. Some of us burned our bridges long before we arrived." Her eyes looked around then she smiled because it was a blessing she had the convent still opening their doors to her.

<Zodiac>: "Very true. All I regret is I could not have given her blessings before she vanished." She leaned back in the chair now. "Trust me, I understand. Being here is the longest I have ever been in one spot my entire life."

<Dominique>: "She knows I am sure that you cared and will think of her. Each of us come and go for our own reasons. I doubt I will ever leave. Too much blood, pain and what I was is in the streets and the air. I leave I lose no matter where I go. I consider this the hell I was always taught existed." Her wide brown eyes look over at the sudden appearance of a Sister Rosemary who always showed up it seemed when she used profanity. "Kinda creepy how she does that." the paladins eyes narrowed the direction of the nun as she disappeared into another room.

<Zodiac>: "Yes," she agreed as she winked at the sister. "Nana always told me don't mess with the penguins. They just 'know' things. But yeah, we all stuck here one way or the other I guess."

<Zodiac>: "I wish I could just wander again like I used to, but that would be way too problematic now."

<Dominique>: "I will find my place too." She nodded thinking that it would have to happen. It was the way things worked. "Do you regret having ...you know.." She looked around where they were and then up reminding herself she was in the house of God who had granted her safety and protection. "...being what you are?"

<Zodiac>: "Finally, a question I thought would be among your first ones once you knew. Took you long enough to ask me this." a tired, sad smile spread on her lips. "Don't look to God to save you cause you are in no danger from me for asking that." She paused now for a moment before continuing. "I regret this far more than you will ever understand, Mini. I did not ask for this. When I was first asked as a child what did I want to be when I grow up, my answer certainly wasn't 'I want to be a creature of the night' and I imagine you standing in a over soaked diaper didn't answer 'I want to save the world from the forces of evil' either. I have gained so much by being what I am now, but I have lost so much as well."

<Zodiac>: She looked down at the floor now. The look on her face almost as if she was about to cry.

<Dominique>: The young paladin watched the dark haired woman speak then her head lower. Her own lips pressed together then her teeth bit down on her lower lip. Inked hands clenched lightly beneath her own thighs where she had tucked them. So maybe they weren't all power centered monsters like the one she spent way too much time already trying to rid the earth of only to get the more damaging end of the deal. "I am sorry it happened to you, Zodiac." She nodded slowly as her eyes continued to scan for the nosey ones that were always trying to get into her business.

[Dominique]

--The following transcript was a live chat roleplay--

<Dominique>: "It won't happen to me. I rather die."

<Zodiac>: "Thanks," her mindspeak barely a whisper now. "If by some fluke or chance it does? You know I will help you learn what you need to know." She began to reach out to pat Dominique on the shoulder, then thought better of it. An audible sigh was heard before her thoughts spoke again. "Babies."

<Dominique>: Dominique swallowed hard at the word that lingered in her mind. Babies. She would have allowed the sudden burn in her eyes work up the tears behind them if there was any benefit but there wasn't. What was pulled from her was wicked and vile and a nightmare...just like she was. Anything good about her was lost. She was being taunted by the devil himself. This was the consequence for not listening to her grandparents and for leading the life of a car thief before she arrived. She was marked far beyond any ink that ever sank into her skin permanently. She wouldn't contact Eachann, expect to set eyes on Verne or Leona. Not after the lab. Not after what she still couldn't fathom or explain happened. It was for the best. She was as close to God where she was and far more than she deserved. "Did you ever have any..." She caught her breath as her chest ached. "...babies?"

<Zodiac>: She shook her head no. "I had a dream that was already ruined long before I got here. I had a good man wanting to be part of my life. I was ready to become a fat gypsy and have babies. Plural. Raise them, teach them, love them. The kids, Randy and me just traveling along and living our lives." Now a sound of sadness escaped as she dug into her purse for a hankie. "But damage was done before I ever got here. Randy is dead now and the turning ruined any chance of having normal children. The only 'babies' I have are those who were made by my fangs." sobs now. Wiping around her eyes.

<Dominique>: Dominique wondered if she had a heart left. Not Zodiac but her. A vampire could cry and she felt like she lost the ability to do so anymore. Her eyes nervously looked to the cat glaring through the carrier door at her then back Zodiac. A sigh escaped her lips and she ignored the sudden burn building in her gut. This one wasn't going to go away with TUMS. Hell, none of it would. "I am sorry. But at least you have something...those you turned."

<Zodiac>: She wiped away the crimson tears and looked at the girl. "Is not the same. As much as I care for them all, it is not the same. If I ever tried to have a child the more normal way, I would be giving birth to monsters."

<Dominique>: "I would never know what that is like either." She shrugged and tried to remain detattched as she had been doing so well at. "I was never meant to have anything. Never will." Her wounds healing were a guarantee of that. "I think there is a lot in this world that needs us already if we are fortunate to find it."

<Zodiac>: "I suppose you are right, but I will be dammed if I give birth to a fadebeast." she sighed. "Oh look at me. I came here to see how you were, try and cheer you up and look what I do." She reached down and grabbed the bag she had brought and handed it to Mini. "Jennifer sent some goodies. There is a couple bottles of my Nana's pain killer in there and some more....tea."

<Dominique>: She took the items offered and looked at the painkillers. She was not a fan of any medicine and savored her pain. It meant she was still alive and kicking. However Sister Adeline was one of those that had a ache every time the clock's second hand hit the minute mark. She would send the painkillers her way. The rest she would keep and use. "I am glad you came to see me. You reminded me worse could happen to us all and there is indeed so much to be grateful for. Friendships to start with." She offered the gypsy a genuine smile and hoped it gave her some comfort. "Thank you and please thank Jennifer for thinking of me."

<Zodiac>: "You are most welcome," she inclined her head. "And I will express your thanks to Jennifer. She misses having you around."

<Dominique>: She stood up slowly, hiding any signs of discomfort and smiled. Her belly burned and she would wait till Zodiac was out of sight before she pulled out the roll of TUMS in her right hip pocket. "Again thank you. I hope to be around soon and better than ever."

<Zodiac>: "Yes, so do I," she stood up as well. "Now remember. Make sure the nuns have a few cups first before you bump up the betting limits." she winks and grins. "You know how to find us, so don't hesitate to call if need anything." Zodiac stops short of hugging the woman, and grabs her purse.

<Dominique>: She wiggled the package with a knowing grin and nodded. "Will make sure to remember that." She walked Zodiac back out to the main doors of the convent. "Be safe and give Ginny a hug for me please."

<Zodiac>: "You missed out on a kitten, but I am sure there will be future litters to pick from," She stepped out into the darkness and looked around. "Blessings on you, Dominique. I hope you find what you need."

<Dominique>: Dominique closed the door and leaned back against them. She looked at what she was left with then heard the sounds of predictable footsteps. Like clockwork it was Sister Adeline gathering the supplies for her fourth foot soak of the day. "Sister? I think I have something better than bath salts. Let's find you a cool glass of water and read the directions."