Revelations and understandings.

[Cytherea]

Cytherea: *sent him a text, though she had inspired him earlier today, she felt the need to talk him after he sent that telepathic message. Though she ended up texting him something that had been clouding her mind. He'd asked how she was, so she spoke the truth.* I think Doc and I are drifting fruther apart. And I don't feel anything at all. I don't feel anything much these days. But I do miss you.

Robert Pratt: He frowned at the text and replied. "You and Doc? What do you mean you dont feel anything? You were always so sweet and loving and happy."

Cytherea: "I think we are finished. I should feel sad I guess. But it's just nothing. It's like losing a penny. I don't really care. Life happened, love, pain, betrayal. What's the point in it anymore. He had sex with someone else. It never would have worked. He can leave, not like he really cares."

Robert Pratt: He just stared at her ramblings and his frown deepened. She was with Doc? Since when? However, it wasn't time for questions like that - because it just sounded like she needed a hug. He reached out his powers and tried to summon her to him here in his office in Solace, and was more than surprised when it worked. As soon as she appeared, he simply stepped forwards with his arms open and enveloped her in a massive and hopefully comforting hug. "I'm sorry Aurora. I'm here for you though."

Cytherea: The strange sensation of switching locations cause a startled noise to spring forth, her hands seeking support from something nearby. When the shock dulled and the warmth of his embrace came, she stiffened. She hadn't been touched in a while, least if all comforting. Though she relaxed after a while, sagging into his hold. "I always thought marriage would withstand anything. But rape, distance, a cold heart.. no."

Robert Pratt: He held onto her as she sagged into his embrace, and then settled them both onto the couch, keeping her in his arms as he did. Gently, his hand caressed her back to soothe and relax her, biting back the immediate responses to what she was saying. He'd missed so much when she'd cut him from her life, and he was walking blind here, trying to find his way. "Marriage is a difficult thing to keep together, especially when faced with..... such difficulties. Start from the beginning Aurora. Talk to me and let it out dear. You know you'll never be judged by me, and mine is a safe ear to vent into."

Cytherea: She allowed her head to find a resting place on his shoulder, her golden gaze staring dully at the wall. It had all gone to waste. The beginning. It seemed so long ago. Happier times. "We used to be happy, okay I guess. Now it's just.. I don't know. I don't know him. I don't see him. After he told me he raped her, I didn't care much more. I tried. I needed time. I told him to kill her. How twisted is that. I read his mind though. He told me he killed her. He didn't. He turned her. Just lies. I doubt he's ever been honest. I'm just empty now. I've no fight left."

Robert Pratt: "Marriage shouldn't be a fight Aurora. But if he's done as you say he's done - then he doesn't deserve you. He...." It was hard for him to even say it. "raped someone, and then turned her." He stroked her hair softly, letting his head rest on top of hers to comfort her and make her feel safe. "He also lied to you, though I'm sure he will claim it to not be a lie, for she is dead and no longer breathing, and therefore dead by human terms. He's the sort who would do that, I'm afraid. So.... what can I do to help you? Name it, and I'll do it if I can."

Cytherea: There was hate brewing deep in her chest. Not for Doc, but for everything that had transpired in the past few months. Family was a joke, the marriage was based on lies and tit for tat. She doubted there was much love. Doc could barely muster a kiss once in a while. Let alone say those words. What could he do? She sat up in his lap, and stared him straight in the eyes, her expression void of emotion. "Kill me. Right now." She'd wait until he floundered a bit before telling him she was joking. It was the first time she'd felt like that. Like teasing and laughing.

Robert Pratt: He blinked at that, and the look of confusion and then pain that crossed his face was obvious. He really felt for her in that minute, as he reached out and cupped her face, leaning forwads to kiss her forehead softly. "Aurora, you know I can't do that, and would never do that. Especially not now, not when I've just got you back - even if it's just for a moment."

Cytherea: Those long lashes lowered and sheltered her gaze from him, her head twisting so her lips could find his ear, soft words soon following. "Don't worry, I'd kill him before I ever killed myself. I was just playing with you. As for what you can do? Not much, I suppose. My luck with men could do with a few prayers I guess.."

Robert Pratt: The look and sigh of relief was obvious that she wasn't suicidal, and he grinned and gave her a tight squeeze to bring her close. "Be careful with him though. He's part of Tytonidae, and you know what they're like when it comes to their own. As for prayers and thoughts, you've always been in mine - I've always wished the best for you."

Cytherea: She buried her face in his neck, a smile present on her face for the first time in a while. "Don't worry. Death doesn't scare me. Besides, I doubt it would come to that." It was true, Doc wouldn't resort to that. He had too much pride. And a tiny part of her hoped he held a little but of emotion for her. "You just miss me staring at your naked ***."

Robert Pratt: He snorted and laughed, tugging a strand of her hair playfully. "You've never seen my *** naked love! And if you go to the realm of shadows, I will come to you, keep you company. Just let me know."

Cytherea:"Sure I did. First day I met you, you were coming out of the shower, naked. You turned to save some modesty and that's when I seem your ***. I can't believe you don't remember that." She bit his neck in retaliation for the tug. Her body lax and comfortable, just like the times when he had been like a father to her. A long time ago. "Was quite amusing. Traumatising the newbie."

Robert Pratt: He chuckled, flinching from the playful bite. "Maybe I just blocked it out to preserve your modesty? And hey, mind the fangs - make a man jealous with those things!"

Cytherea: "Modesty? Me? Now that's been a while." She teased, sitting up to flash him a toothy grin. "I don't think I quite follow. Are you jealous of my fangs? Is it cause they are so shiny?" She teased.

Robert Pratt: He smiled, opening his mouth a little to show her his teeth and the fact he had no fangs at all. However, his canines were stumped, as if they'd been smashed or broken somehow. "No, the fact you have them. Sometimes.... it would make things easier."

Cytherea: The revelation startled her, those golden orbs widening as she leaned closer inspecting his mouth. "I.. What happened? Where are your fangs?" She tried to touch one.

[Robert Pratt]

Robert Pratt: He sat there and let her investigate, not moving or flinching as there was no pain or discomfort there. "There was some weird moon thing, last year. It affected all the vampires and there were paladins and vampires on the streets killing humans and vampires alike. It was insane. Well, I got hurt, badly, and ended up collapsing to the ground, smashing my fangs as I went down. Everything else healed, but my fangs never grew back."

Cytherea: "I might have been sleeping at this point.. It looks.. odd. Do you miss having them? I like being able to bite through things. Is it weird to bite?" She eyes him curiously. She couldn't picture not having her fangs. It would be like missing her arms or legs.

Robert Pratt: "I have no reason to bite anything. I'm not an allurist, like yourself" He cupped and stroked her cheek softly, smiling. "So I don't eat human food. As for feeding on humans, ost of the people here know what I am and offer their arms willingly to me - and I carry a very sharp blade around with me to cut their skin so I can drink. It's more, humane I think. Perhaps it's a blessing from Lux, taking my fangs as it helps me keep a hold of my human side and means I don't lose myself to the vampiric madness."

Cytherea: She just fell silent for a while, thankful for the company really. It made her miss her sire. She'd contact him at some point. But for now she needed to think on her marriage, how it could possibly survive the things it had endured. But she'd talk to Doc tomorrow. How could she not, marriage was eternal, and she did care, even if everything was as screwed as this.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------
A few hours later


Cytherea: Stormed into the place she had last seen Robert. ''It's done. We're over.''

Robert Pratt: He looked up as she walked in and frowned at her. "What have you done Aurora? What happened?"

Cytherea: "I did nothing. He heard you summoned me and I inspired you. I guess it annoyed him. Said I made my choice. Didn't even give me a chance to talk, right off the bat said it. Even after I told him he had no right to judge after raping someone and me trying to forgive him he wouldn't let it slide. So I said goodbye and I hoped he could live with this." She shrugged. Doc was in the wrong.

Robert Pratt: He just blinked at that and put down the pen he'd been holding. "Wow. So, someone's reading our minds and memories regularly? And you're not allowed to have friends? Or just be friends with me?" He shook his head and sighed. "I'm sorry. I didn't want to make things more difficult for you."

Cytherea: She turned to stare him dead in the eye, her voice staying soft yet leaving no room for question. "I'm going to say this once, and if you over step it. I'm gone. You don't ask me about d'Artois. You don't mention anything to do with the family. You don't ask me to get involved in your personal dealings. Or whatever consequences they may bring. This relationship is personal. Full stop."

Robert Pratt: He lifted an eyebrow as he looked at her and just smiled and shook his head. "Aurora - I have zero interest in what Pi is doing with her little minions and yes men and women. I have more than enough to be doing here in Solace, helping people and making them feel like they have a place and a home to worry about that... mess. I would have made the same comment had Doc been Worthington or Quartermaine or anything else. You've nothing to worry about there. Not at all."

Cytherea: "I'm just making sure you know where we stand. But none the less. He's acting like a child. And I'm done." She said, her head shaking. "What a joke." she was furious, hurt. In a few hours she knew she'd be the mess she'd once been. But for now, she relished in the sheer fury she felt.

Robert Pratt: "Aurora, I'd never put you in that situation. That's not fair on you, and I care too much to do that to you." He smiled kindly at her, reaching out to caress her cheek and tuck her hair behind her ear. "So, what are you going to do now? I hope your lethargy doesn't return - I really did miss you and hated to think of you in such a way"

Cytherea: A small sigh escaped her lips, her head tilting into the caress. "What am I going to do? I'm going to dress myself up, and I'm going to go out on the town and try to get very drunk and very lost." She replied honestly.

Robert Pratt: He snorted at that and shook his head. "No. You're not. I've seen where that leads you - and it's not pretty and people sometimes die because of it." He said softly, pulling her into a hug. "Besides, you're not lost. I've found you, I've got you."

Cytherea: "Yes I am. You can't stop me." She challenged, though she allowed him to pull her close. Her head resting against his chest. "I need to let myself loose. I need to."

Robert Pratt: He chuckled at how she sounded like a teenage girl, and something stung and twisted inside of him. However, he just ignored it again - for now. "There are other ways to let yourself loose than relying on alcohol and endangering people's lives."

Cytherea: "Perhaps, but I want to get drunk. Don't worry. I'm not going to turn up with 10 humans I've drained. I have some control now." She'd learned that lesson the hard way, the rift it had caused her and Elliot was proof enough of that. "You can tag along, if you're so concerned."

Robert Pratt: He smiled and nodded his head. "If you don't think that having the stuffy uncle along with you is going to cramp your style or something?"
Cytherea: "Uncle, huh? I'm old enough to be your sister. But no, you can come with. Make sure I don't kill anyone." She teased. The thought had crossed her mind, though it was a particular someone she'd like to kill.

Robert Pratt: He eyed her sceptically. "How old are you Aurora?"

Cytherea: She had to think for a moment before answering. "Nearly 28."

Robert Pratt: "Yeh, no. Too young for a sister." He said sadly. "I just turned 40 on the 3rd there"

Cytherea: "Almost as old as Doc. Almost. Think he's older." She mumbled.

Robert Pratt: He just shuffled his feet, not sure what to say or do to that one, so just went with an apology. "I'm sorry?"

Cytherea: "It's not your fault I married someone so self centred. It's funny though, how he condemns me for inspiring you. Yet I wasn't allowed to leave him when he raped someone. His crime clearly wasn't that bad. He's a saint." She was getting angry now. And she didn't like that. She'd rather be feeling nothing at all.

Robert Pratt: Robert was glad to see her getting angry, it meant she had a bit of fight and spark left in her, and it gave him hope and almost made him smile. He took her arm and looped it in his and then wandered out of Solace and into the wilderness, towards the city and a bar. "You did nothing wrong hun. You just inspired a friend, and it was appreciated - because I was feeling a bit down the other day."

Cytherea: She let him lead the way to the nearest bar, she'd have fun for the first time in months. She wouldn't care. She'd be just like Doc was. Emotionless.

[Lancaster]

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

<Cytherea> Call me when you're around. Please.


<Elliot d’Artois> *Calls and waits for an answer*


<Cytherea> *stared at the phone for a moment, wondering if he'd finally realised how much of a self centred prick he was. Part of her cared, the other didn't. When she saw it was Elliot however, she picked up instantly, refraining from crying down the phone.* Sire.. I really need you right now.


<Elliot d’Artois> *Elliot was lounged in one of the armchairs in the backpacker's he'd set up on the second floor of Lancaster's. He leaned forward as he heard the desperation in Cytherea's tone. He didn't have to be an empath to know she was upset* You can just call me Elliot. What's wrong, Cyth?


<Cytherea> *what was wrong? What was right. Everything had just spiralled. She'd thought detachment would make it easy, not being here as much. But Doc's little antic had tossed her right over the edge.* I can't do it anymore Elliot, I keep pushing it down and down. But I can't. It's cracking. And I don't know what I'm going to end up doing. *she could feel her voice start to tremble as she spoke, her teeth catching her lip to try and stop the emotion that shook her.*


<Elliot d’Artois> *Elliot sighed and pushed his fingers through his hair. Forever patient, his voice was modulated and calm as he replied.* Calm down, Cyth. Do you want to meet me somewhere? I can't help you if you won't tell me what's happened.


<Cytherea> *she couldn't calm down. Eventually someone would die. Her or someone else. She could feel it veering towards that way. She she tried to do as he asked.* Yes. I'm at the depot, but I need to leave, if I see him I.. I'll kill him. Or something worse.


<Elliot d’Artois> *Elliot's lips turned down in a knowing frown. As soon as she said 'him', Elliot seemed to know exactly who she was talking about." I'm at the pub. Upstairs, second floor. Why don't you come here?


<Cytherea> "I'll be there soon.. thank you." She said before hanging up and making her way towards the destination. It took a while for her to find the location, but she managed, her heart sinking a little with each step. He had warned her, telling her what Doc was like. She hasn't listened. And now she was at this road. She knocked on the door. Unsure if she should just enter. She felt and looked drained, emotionally and physically. She didn't want to eat, and she didn't want to feel.


<Elliot d’Artois> *Elliot called down to the bar and told them he'd be away for a while. After a moment's hesitation he told them to bring up a bottle of whiskey - the better stuff - and two tumblers. The alcohol arrived just before Cytherea did - Elliot opened the door and gestures inside. The floor was open to the public, but he hadn't booked anyone in yet. All the rooms and the bunks were empty, as was the little lounge area, with its large armchairs and bean bags.* Cyth.


<Cytherea> A smile that didn't reach her eyes was gifted, before she walked inside. A quick glance around gave her comfort of the bearings. With a sigh she took a seat on the chair, her lips twisting into a sad frown. "You were right, you were always right. But I guess stubbornness was something my path amplified. I wish I'd listened now."


<Elliot d’Artois> Elliot took one of the other armchairs, leaning forward with his elbows on his knees and his hands clasped together in front of him. "Sometimes we need to make mistakes in order to learn from them. Let me guess. Doc?


<Cytherea> His name brought anger forth, her teeth clenching together, it made her want to obliterate something. To destroy it until it was nothing, but she calmed, after a few moments. "Oh yes, the good old Doctor. I still can't believe it. The things he's put me through, I dare say you know nothing. I doubt anyone does."


<Elliot d’Artois> Of course Elliot could feel the emotions rolling from Cytherea, like their very own symphony. They were strong - but of course they would be. She was cursed with the same path as Elliot - and, he, too, felt a surge of his own anger. Didn't matter that he might have warned Cytherea. He'd also warned Doc. Apparently that warning had gone unheard. "What has he done?" Elliot asked, his voice remaining calm regardless of the building hatred he might feel.


<Cytherea> ''The things we do for love. And then when it falls apart, that hole, it grows. Of course, Doc never loved me. He never once said it. I don't know what it was for him. Possesion perhaps.'' she thought aloud, everything she'd hid and kept secret surfaced. It made her want to cry, for hours, days, maybe even weeks. Could you cry yourself into a coma? ''Whats he done? Do you remember that break I took, for a month or two? I got stuck in meditation, because of some ritual Doc did. But I came back. It was like time hadn't passed. But it had.'' she looked at him then, to see if he was following her.


<Elliot d’Artois> Elliot wouldn't tell Cytherea that he never did think that Doc was capable of love. It wasn't something she deserved to hear. Nor would he say 'I told you so', because that would only compound the issue. Besides, he wasn't that cruel. Elliot nodded. He was following. His jaw clenched, though he gestured for Cytherea to continue.


<Cytherea> ''So I came back, and I was so happy to see him. To be back. But he had a nice little bombshell to drop, of course he did.. what should I have expected.'' it was a question that haunted her. What should she have expected when she married him? Childhood dreams of love, devotion, marriage. ''He cheated on me, and not in the simple way. Being Doc he had to make it worse. He raped someone. A rapist. But he of course begged, said I couldn't leave him. And when you love someone, what else can you do? But I couldn't even look at him. So I kept leaving, I needed space. I needed to come to terms with the fact that the man I loved, not only cheated on me, but how much of a monster he was. So I came back a couple of days ago. Robert mind messaged me. I inspired him. He summoned me. All spur of the moment. I hadn't a chance to tell anyone anything. I came back home, Doc wasn't there. But he emailed me. Basically said I'd made my choice.'' she laughed bitterly then, her fingers curling into her palm in the furious need to vent her pain. ''My choice. For what, inspiring Robert. Talking to him. This coming from the man who I stayed with after that..'' and then the heart ache set in, and she couldn't describe how that felt, it was more painful than the death she had experienced. So she finally cried, for everything that happened. ''My marriage is over, because he can't handle and inspiration to Robert. I don't even understand Elliot. The things this man has put me through, and the first hurtle of something from me, and he falls.


<Elliot d’Artois> Elliot didn't quite know how to process the information that he was being fed. He'd never liked Doc. There was a time his fury had prompted him to kill Doc. And now, he was tempted to do it again. This time, he wouldn't just skewer the man. He'd hang, draw, and quarter him. But that wasn't Elliot's concern right now. His concern in that moment was Cytherea. He reached out to clasp Cytherea's hands, to squeeze them reassuringly between his own. "He was looking for an easy escape. You have done nothing wrong. He is a monster, and you are better off without him. Cytherea, you will find someone who will treat you better," he said, calmly, and yet with force.


<Cytherea> It hurt to hear, to have the truth spoken. An easy escape. She knew it was truth. But her heart yearned for it to be a lie, for Doc to apologize, to say he was wrong. But it would never happen. And would she even want him back? How could she, when he abandoned her so easily. Her hands held onto his tightly as the emotions kept boiling inside of her. ''I could feel it, myself changing as I was with him. I became what he was, a monster. I asked him to kill the girl he'd raped. For a few reasons. But because he was still tormenting her. The things he said.. I just.. how can I love someone like that. The bit that gets me though, he left no room for discussion. Arguments. It was simple. Straight forward. I don't even know how he found out so quickly. Probably Ty. Twisting it in his ear, saying things that aren't true. And he believed it. The idiot.'' her hands started to shake again. She couldn't handle much more.


<Elliot d’Artois> Elliot didn't know how anyone could have loved Doc to begin with. Maybe that's why he hadn't had much to do with Cytherea after the marriage; someone who could marry a person like Doc had to be able to accept the monster that he was, and perhaps be one themselves. Elliot veered as far away as he could from the sociopaths and the insane. He preferred normality, thus why he could most often be found here, at the bar, mingling with the normal human populace, and working a normal human job. He still held on to Cytherea, but for a moment he was silent. He didn't know what to say. He wasn't going to defend Doc, not one bit. "Then you need to remember who you were. You need to strive to be that person again. And once you have found her, you will realise that you could never love a person like Doc."


<Cytherea> She looked up then, staring the male who had turned her dead in the eye. ''I never want to see him again, because I will kill him. And I won't stop until he's a pile of ash. He's dead to me. I'd rather stay married to him, than have to see him for divorce papers. Pi warned me. Pi knew. But you always think you know better. I thought I could change him. But he changed me. Why do you think I was gone so much. Being around him isn't healthy. God. How did it get like this.'' she had no idea. How could she be manipulated so easily. ''You know he called Robert lowest of the low, liar, manipulator. But the thing is, he hates Robert so much, because he's exactly like him. They just stand for different causes. But he's no different.''


<Elliot d’Artois> Elliot frowned. He thought he always knew better? He wasn't sure whether she was angry at him or not, her anger for Doc all mixed up together with her despair. "I don't think I know everything. I've made plenty of mistakes of my own, and plenty of people have plenty of reasons to hate me. I know that well," Elliot said. "I know you think I'm some weak-willed hippie who won't stand up for you, but you're wrong. We can go find him together. I'll happily help you turn him into a pile of ash," Elliot said. He, too, had changed in certain ways. "I'll happily say I think Doc is worse than Robert," he said, his eyes hard as steel.


<Cytherea> Through the tears and pain, she smiled faintly. His offer though wrong, meant a lot to her. ''No. You're on a good course. Dying for the sake of that.. of him. Isn't worth it. Killing him would only make things worse. And we'd suffer the price. No. I just need to cut him out of my life completely. And I don't think that about you. I think it's noble how you try to live. I always wanted to keep my humanity. It's people like Doc who see it as a weakness, a joke. Great choice I made.'' when he said the last part, she couldn't help but agree. ''Robert has many faults, but he cares, he feels. Doc.. doesn't.''


<Elliot d’Artois> "Robert never made much of a secret about who he was or what his intentions were. Doc is a rat, crawling around with all his secret designs. I don't trust him. I never have," Elliot said. His heart--or whatever could be likened to it, that ethereal sense of his own kind of righteousness--burned. "**** Tytonidae, if that's what you mean, if you think that's how I would die. Unless you think Doc has the upper hand?" Elliot asked with an arched brow. He wouldn't be surprised. Not many people were aware of the latent violence in his soul; of his utter confidence that he could kill, and he could do it easily. "I'm done, letting them dictate how I live," he said.


<Cytherea> ''Think of the bigger picture. Doc gets what he wants, he's always tried to undermine you, to bring that beast out. To make you as angry as possible. Why do you think he choose me? It's to get back at Pi. And if you died. It would hurt Pi, so he wins again. The only way he doesn't win, is if I just ignore him. Move on.'' she knew the other side of Doc that the rest didn't. She knew the depths of his mind games. ''Letting him bait you into a fight, is what he wants. You truly don't understand how twisted this man is. None of you do.'' she said quietly, staring at Elliot. ''I've only been married to him for 9 months, but even I haven't seen the full extent.''


<Elliot d’Artois> Elliot's brow furrowed a little in confusion. "Chose you to get back at Pi? To get back at Pi for what?" Elliot asked. He assumed that Pi and Doc would have been best of friends lately, given their mutual interest in the faction that Elliot himself loathed. But then, he supposed, the marriage between Cytherea and Doc had happened way before Pi's involvement with Tytonidae. Perhaps there was something he had forgotten. The rest, Elliot didn't comment on. Deep down, he knew that Cytherea was right, though it didn't stop him from trying to figure out how to hurt Doc, to make him pay.


<Cytherea> ''From the very start, from when he first joined. Everything he did was to get at Pi. Destroying our relationship to send you off the deep end, riling you to make Pi not want to be with you. He and her were together once, he told me. It didn't end well. He'd learned she was lying, and it turned brutal. Then he was turned. So he wanted revenge. His motives changed when he joined Ty. He found something where he could channel his violence.'' she didn't dare mention Doc's lab, and the things he conducted down there. She doubted Elliot would let him live if she even mentioned that. And Elliot getting to that stage, wasn't good for him. Doc could rot in his own decisions. She wasn't going to use her sire to get her means to an end.


<Elliot d’Artois> Elliot listened carefully. At first he was amused. Why in the world would Doc want to sabotage Elliot's relationship with Pi? And then she said it - Doc and Pi had been together, once. Everything that Cytherea said after that may as well have been wind rushing past his ears. His whole body went rigid. And then he shook his head, and even laughed. Denial. "He had to have been lying. Pi would have told me..." Elliot said. It shouldn't matter, should it? That was way before Elliot and Pi got together. It shouldn't matter. But somehow it did. It mattered a lot.


<Cytherea> Cytherea stared for a moment. He hadn't know. How could Pi have not told him? This was bad. Very bad. She could picture how this was going to do. And every one of those images ended with Doc's head rolling down a hill. ''She probably didn't tell you about it because of how it ended. You'd kill Doc.'' it was an excuse, but truth. She could understand why Pi hadn't told Elliot. To protect him. And herself. She wouldn't want to relive what Doc had put her through. ''I didn't know.. that you didn't know. Doc put her through a lot of crap. She probably didn't want to relive it by saying it to you. And if you knew, you'd kill him. No hesitation.''


<Elliot d’Artois> Plenty had changed with Elliot. Where once he was just a good man who lived with a demon inside of him, he was now a bit of both. He had welcomed the demon, had allowed it to make a home inside of him; had grown comfortable with it. Only now did he struggle with an irrational rage, a building, probing, pulsing thing that made him feel as if he were too small for his skin. He pulled his hands away from Cytherea's; he wanted to move, wanted to get up and go commit the act. Right now. Slaughter Doc while he couldn't see what was coming. That was the demon talking. A mightier voice cut through he muck, however; the one that told him to be rational, to be calm. Pi had wanted to kill Irene, but hadn't. Pi hadn't wanted to allow Irene anywhere near d'Artois, and Elliot hadn't understood. But now he did. He understood all too clearly, and he tried to remember his own arguments. But what had his arguments been? It was all his fault. Irene had nothing wrong. Why punish her for doing nothing wrong? Doc was different. Doc had done plenty wrong. Cytherea even thought so - he'd treated Pi like crap. And now he'd done the same - worse - to Cytherea. Doc deserved to die, and in the worst possible way. No, he didn't deserve death. That was far too easy. He needed to be tied up somewhere, to have his **** cut off every night. Every time it grew back, and sliced off again. Over and over. Maybe forced to eat it, too. The curl of Elliot's lips was uncharacteristically sadistic. "I do want to kill him. Very much so," he said, barely able to stay still.


<Cytherea> When he pulled from her, she flinched slightly, worry starting to seep into her veins. She needed to be like Pi, to calm him down. To try and rationalise with him. But he was saying things she felt, that Doc should die. And he should. But that was her own feelings surfacing. She couldn't allow those feelings to manipulate Elliot into doing what she wanted. She wouldn't be Doc. ''No. Listen Elliot. What you need to do is talk to Pi. I'm sure she will have a reason for not telling you. And it's probably what I said, about how he treated her. Yes, he's evil, he's sadistic. On levels you can't imagine. But you can't give him what he's always wanted. Your downfall. Going back on what you believe isn't the right thing.


<Cytherea> You're a good person. A good man. Don't let him do this to you.'' she tried to reason with him, tried to grab ahold of him once more. ''He's hurt me more than anyone around this place. But you can't give him what he wants. A pedestal to stand on and scream from.''


<Elliot d’Artois> "What could he exactly gain over me if I were to give in, huh?" Elliot asked. "What exactly could he scream from that pedestal that would make him look like the victim? He should see it coming! I TOLD him not to hurt you. I warned him. And yet look what he's done! He's scum. He's a ******* monster. He's pure ******* evil, and I would be a good man to let him live? **** that!" Elliot raged. The rage he felt had been present ever since Cytherea had revealed how Doc had treated her; the fact that he felt... sullied, in a way, by Doc's involvement with Pi only knocked out the brick that would cause the break in an over-full dam. "How would it lead to my downfall? I would feel no guilt - none - for killing a man like him," Elliot said. And he could not lie. Couldn't.

[Cytherea]

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



<Cytherea> "How would you feel if you killed him though? How much would you hurt after that initial pleasure of riding evil? Then to have to die, because of someone like that. Because you'll die. I can't lose you too. I've lost so much already because of him. I've lost myself, my family. My life. Our relationship barely hangs on by a string most of the time, because of his manipulation. I'd like him dead. But at what cost would it come? She questioned, staring at him.


<Elliot d’Artois> "I'd feel justified," Elliot said. "I feel guilt when someone innocent dies by my hand. I feel guilt when I forever change the lives of those who don't deserve this dark, wretched place. Doc isn't innocent, and he deserves all the pain that's coming for him," he added. "I won't kill him. That's too merciful. Maybe I'll keep him prisoner somewhere and torture him. I'll lock him up somewhere that he can't escape from. In the dark. With no light and no sound, no way of escape and no blood. I'll torture him like he gleefully tortures others. Don't you think it's about time he got a taste of his own medicine?"


<Cytherea> Elliot had no idea how Doc tortured people. How he enjoyed their pain. She didn't understand herself how he could take pleasure in it, but he did. She had accepted it, tried to ignore that part of him. But how could she? Perhaps it's why she ran so much. ''Yes, but I don't want this putting you in a hole you can't get out of. Doc is not a good person, you are. I don't want you jeopardising who you are, for the sake of giving him what he deserves. Don't you understand that?'' she was trying to reason with him, trying to fix the mess she'd made by revealing the Pi truth. She wanted to punch Pi for not telling him.


<Elliot d’Artois> Though fury had consumed the majority of Elliot's current state of being, he was still capable of feeling. He was aware of the turn of events; could see Cytherea's eyes glistening with recently shed tears, the same glisten upon her cheeks, trails that led down to her lips. She'd come to him because she needed whatever comfort he could give, and he had hijacked her despair. This was not about him. And he was talented at keeping his emotions bottled, at hiding them from those who should not see them. "I understand," he said, seeking again to be reassuring. And of course he was not lying. He understood Cytherea's reasoning, but that did not mean that he would act upon it - or not act, as was the case. "But he jeopardised who you were, who you are. And that's what matters, right now. What are you going to do about it?" he asked.


<Cytherea> What could she do? Mending the things that had dissolved was a good start. Devoting herself to the family once again would help. But would it solve anything. She would still see him, be near him. Be involved with him. ''What is there to do but accept that I made a bad choice, that I trusted the wrong person, that he played me. Used me. Abused my trust. All I can do is move on, forget about the things he did, the things I did. The things he could have made me do..'' the thought of helping him kill people had entered her mind, and for once, she was thankful she had dissappeared, for if that had happened, there would be no helping her. ''I need you to help me to be who I was. To move on. I also need you to help me never see him again. I can't. Because the rage I feel, I will end up killing him. And I don't want to do that. Because he isn't worth it. He's worth nothing now. I'm done. I know if we were in the same room, with family. He'd goad me. I can't have that.''


<Elliot d’Artois> Elliot leaned back. If it were up to him, Doc wouldn't be in the family. He'd once thought it was mainly Tytonidae - that he wanted nothing to do with any of them, who had any affiliation with the faction. Recently, he'd had to rearrange his thoughts and opinions. Pi had wanted to join Ty. She'd wanted it so badly, and had been severely disappointed to fail. And he loved Pi - he loved her with all his yearning heart. Maybe they weren't all as cold and calculating as Doc. Or perhaps they were, and that was why Pi hadn't succeeded in her endeavour; she was too feeling. "So you just need to know that you are bigger than he is. That he can goad all he likes but it won't mean a thing to you. If it were up to me he'd be out," Elliot said. His eyes glittered. Pi had refused access to Irene. Could Elliot do the same to Doc?


<Cytherea> ''I wish he was gone. I wish I'd never met him. I wish he hurt as much as I did. Or even a fraction. but he won't. And it will mean nothing to him. Just another failed experiment.'' the words she spoke stung deep within her chest. Doc didn't have to do anything. She'd broken her own heart by trusting someone like him. By thinking the best, trying to see a good outcome. Yet it had all backfired. Monster, Rapist, and now abandoner. She finally saw the big picture. And she wished she hadn't. ''It's not up to you though, or me..''


<Elliot d’Artois> Elliot wasn't a cold or calculating person. A low grumble rolled in his throat; a thoughtful grumble, a growl, barely contained. It was, in the end, up to Pi. He would talk to her. He would not goad her. He would not guilt her. The greater good, in this scenario, was to cut Doc out of the game completely. To reign in his rage and act accordingly, rather than in haste. "I'll talk to her," he said. His eyes had glazed over, that rage still bubbling beneath the surface. But when he turned back to Cytherea they were once again filled with warm concern. "You have your revenge by letting him go. Take your own advice. Don't let him see that he got to you. Don't let him win. You have won because you are stronger than he is; you have willpower that he didn't count on." Elliot said.


<Cytherea> ''It's sad, but a part of me wants him to care. To come to me, to try and fix things. But I think I only have that, because I know he never felt anything. I want to be deluded. But knowing that helps, I guess.'' In the end Doc had won anyways, he'd destroyed something that he couldn't on the test table; her heart. ''I know you are right. I know it needs to be done. It's going to be hard though. I'll miss him, even if I don't want to. I'll want to see him, even if I see all the bad things he does when I do. I can't help it. I just want it gone. I want him gone. Completely. Like he was never there.''


<Elliot d’Artois> "And what if he does come to you to try to fix things? Are you going to let him?" Elliot asked. He'd segmented his fury; he'd pushed it down into his gut, a thing that he would deal with properly later. Most of the time when he walked through the catacombs these days it was only to get to his apartment. Now, however, he had a feeling he'd have to go and let off some steam. Later, though. Now, he wanted to know what Cytherea would do.


<Cytherea> At that question she shot a furious stare in his direction. ''Are you serious? Have you not listened to a word I've said all day? I'd rather choke on my own spit than give him the time of day. Why do you think I'm asking for your help. If he comes near me, I swear to whatever being may be up there, I'll gut him, and then I'll wrap his insides around his neck until he chokes on his own blood.'' she was disgusted she'd even stayed with him this long. Her hand found its way to her mouth, her teeth biting at her nail, trying to relieve some of the anger she was feeling.


<Elliot d’Artois> Elliot nodded. He knew how wily Doc could be, and he was just making sure; he worried for Cytherea, that she would be persuaded, and that she would have to go through this all over again. He worried that the bond she had entered into with Doc was an eternal, permanent thing, something that could not be undone. "I'm sorry. I was just... making sure," he said, warily. "I don't want to see you hurt again," he added for safe measure. He hoped that the situation would not arise, that the three of them ended up in the same room together. He wasn't sure he'd be able to stop Cytherea; he'd more inclined to help her. But that wasn't something that he would admit to, not after she'd tried so hard to reason him out of his fury. He wouldn't let on.


<Cytherea> ''I have no delusions about the relationship now. He never actually said he loved me, so I guess he can't be blamed for that.'' no, she'd fooled herself into thinking he loved her, cared even. But in the end, he'd let her go, over an inspiration. Didn't even bother asking, didn't bother talking. He'd used the excuse. ''I bet he's got someone else. Probably the woman he raped. Didn't even bother killing her, turned her. Lied about that too. Imagine my surprise when I read his memories and see he's got a new childe, but oh wait, it's the woman he talked of. Lied straight to my face. ''Yes dear, I killed her, she's gone.'' Of course he wouldn't let her go easy, he's probably screwing her.'' she started to vent, her head shaking.


<Elliot d’Artois> The whole scenario disgusted Elliot. He'd tried to overlook it before, had tried to forget that Cytherea had mentioned the word 'rape'. That anyone should be capable of such a thing, he did not know - anyone who was capable of such a thing was the lowest of the low. Anyone who would use their power and strength to force someone to do something against their will - and something so invasive, and abusive, too - Elliot's teeth ground together. "Who? Who is she?" Elliot asked. But if this woman remained with Doc even afterwards - what really did Elliot think he could do?


<Cytherea> The memories of everything came flooding back, of him telling her, the emotions she'd felt. After that, she'd struggled to kiss him, to touch him. How could she? He'd sullied everything their marriage stood for. He'd stripped away their bond by commiting something so horrific. He hadn't just cheated, he'd showed colours she never knew existed. Sure, he was a monster, a killer. But rapist? would she have ever married him if she'd known? No. She didn't have to hesitate with that answer. No. God no. And she'd have cut his limbs off for even coming near her. ''Some Paladin. She'd been human, didn't stand a chance against him.''


<Elliot d’Artois> Elliot could see it now, could imagine Doc's justifications. The girl was a Paladin, he'd say. She deserved it, he would add, as if she were something less than human. She was just a person brainwashed by a belief system that was wrong. That didn't mean she deserved that kind of treatment. A plan formed in the back of Elliot's mind; he would seek her out. He would try to find her - would find out if she were happy or not. He at least hoped she had someone to turn to, if she could not count on her own sire. Elliot had a bitter taste in his mouth. He just nodded, unaware that he'd fallen silent, imagining all the horrific things he could do to Doc.


<Cytherea> ''I didn't even ask about it. The less I knew I thought it would be easier to forget. But it wasn't. And then he acts like he's had some incredibly horrible injustice done to him because I inspired Robert and got summoned. I don't understand how someone as old as him, can be so ******* childish. God. That's it. I need to find him. I need to punch his face in.'' she stood then, getting restless. She needed to hurt him. A lot, until the ground was drowning with blood. She wouldn't settle for anything less.


<Elliot d’Artois> Elliot shook his head, and then did so even more vehemently as determination filled Cytherea's voice. "I'm not going to stop you, if and when you decide to make him hurt, but I want to be there," he said. They'd already had this discussion. He wasn't worth it, they'd be playing his game, they'd be letting him win. They were going around in circles. "Let me talk to Pi. I'll see if we can't fix it so that we don't have to see him, ever, if we don't want to. He's a puss-filled, festering sore that's only going to spread infection," he said, voice dripping with venom. Elliot stood too, ready to shadow Cytherea or stop her, though he was still undecided which.


<Cytherea> Death. She wanted his death, he didn't deserve to live with how self rightious he was acting. Her emotions rushed over the other, making the female almost dizzy. And then she saw the glittery diamond out of the side of her eye. Her rings. She was still wearing them. And that's when she cracked, her teeth clenched tightly together as she roughly tugged the pieces of metal off her finger, then she walked, calmly to the window, opening it slowly. It was dark. And she didn't care, she threw them as hard as she could, ''I hope the end up in the gutter, perfect representation of the joke marriage I had. I hope he ends up in the gutter too. Alone.''


<Elliot d’Artois> Elliot hoped so, too, and the naive optimist inside of him believed, wholeheartedly, that the ******** would get what was coming for him. He would end up alone and broken, with no one to help him, because who would want to, really? But then Elliot remembered the city that he lived in and the monsters that populated it - of course there would be others, just like Doc. Others who would lift him and help him. Out of the corner of his eye, Elliot caught sight of the tray with the whiskey and the two tumblers - he'd completely forgotten about it. He poured the amber liquid into the two glasses and took one to Cytherea. "I think we need this," he said.


<Cytherea> ''Why'd I do that.. I could have pawned those. Got some money. Ha, another stupid thing I did. Sure, I sent him 30k, before he gave his little. ''You made your choice speecnh. Pffft. What a waste.'' though she felt better not having them on her finger, another piece of him gone from her life. Next was her apartment. And she wouldn't go alone, she'd have Elliot with her. Just incase. ''I need you to help me get my things from our hom.. from his home.'' she corrected. When the alcholol was offered, she didn't hesitate to take it, her lips finding the rim of the glass and draining the contents. ''Of course you can say no. But I'd like you to be there with me. Just in casee..''


<Elliot d’Artois> "Of course," Elliot said, draining his own glass of Whiskey in one fell swoop. He knew he shouldn't; another thing that had changed, another that seemed to have reverted in his desperation to remain human - not only could he drink alcohol, but he now had a weakness for it. It was able to affect his decisions, to take away his inhibitions. That didn't stop him from immediately refilling the two glasses. The second one he promised himself he would drink slower. "Why would you send him 30k?" Elliot asked, confused.


<Cytherea> ''Guilt I guess. I said I forgave him, but i kept leaving to escape from it all. So it was a way of letting him know i wanted to help. To let him know I was here I guess. Stupid really.'' it was stupid, it was ridiculous. But at the time it made her feel better. She didn't drink the next one slow, she wanted to get drunk, or at least that little buzz she could feel from drinking too much. ''I also kind of need a place to stay. Can I have my old room back?'' she asked. She really did feel like a kid, running back to her parent when something went wrong. Really wrong.


<Elliot d’Artois> Elliot laughed, the sound genuine despite the latent, violent fury in his heart. "You have plenty of rooms to choose from," he said. "There's a whole sewer apartment I don't even use. There are the bunks here, above the pub. There are the bunks in the d'Artois complex, which I think you'd have all to yourself, if you decided to stay there," he added. "And you know you're always welcome in any place," he said, bringing the tumbler to his lips and taking the time, this time, to actually taste the alcohol properly, rather than live only for the burn as it coursed down his throat.


<Cytherea> ''Is there one close to you and Pi? I don't really want to be too alone at the moment. Or even with one of the other people in the family.'' being alone wasn't on her to do list, she'd spent enough time dwelling, now she wanted to get back to the person she'd once been. Happy, cheerful. and she was more like that when she was around others. ''I'm sorry. For every thing. I know I've never been easy. And recently I became a terror. But thank you for not turning me away when I needed you,'' she mumbled. She really meant that.


<Elliot d’Artois> "You knew I never would," Elliot said. And because it seemed right, and because he'd never been the kind of person to stick to his own personal bubble, he put his glass down on the window sill and pulled Cytherea into a hug, wrapping his long arms around her far smaller body. Even while he held her in that hug he added: "If you want to be close to me, I'm here, most of the time. In the pub. Stay in one of these bunks. I'll start staying here, too - or upstairs," he said. There was a third floor, too. One that he and Pi had plans for, but which they hadn't got around to finalising yet. "We stay at the crypt, otherwise, and that's not really close to anything," he mumbled.


<Cytherea> ''I was worried I'd pushed too much,'' she admitted, allowing him to pull her close, it was what she needed at the moment. To feel safe and not alone. She relaxed into his embrace, trying to remember things she'd long forgot, better times for them. ''I'd like that. I'll stay here. He can't come here, can he?'' she hoped he had no invitations for the bar, it would be a heaven away from his. ''Thank you for talking to Pi as well. I feel like a bit of a coward letting you do it. But I think she'd understand more if it came from you.''


<Elliot d’Artois> Elliot frowned. He currently had this floor open to the public, but that could easily be changed. Just for now, until Cytherea could find somewhere more secure - or until Doc was dead and couldn't bother her. Until he knew that he was not welcome to come bother her, not unless he wanted to be skewered, ten thousand times over, and over again. Elliot was happy to stay right where he was, until Cytherea were to pull away. "I'll make sure he can't get near you," he said. "And I need to talk to her regardless," he added, that sour taste returning to his mouth.