For whom the bell tolls

[Keara Aithne]

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

This RP takes place on Sunday 25th May.

Robert: Robert closed his eyes and found his power, imagining Dea beside him to summon her to him.

Deanna: Dea was roaming around the sewers as the darkness suited her dark mood. Keara was out of town and Robert was god knows where. He’d been nice enough to speak to her using his powers and yet she hadn’t been able to reply, so the conversation was a little one sided. She didn’t much mind the time alone though, as she was working on building her strengths so she could find Ric and start the first round of their experiments. To be pulled across the city wasn’t new, but then it didn’t happen often, she was all set to tell Keara she could have just called when she realised she was with Robert. “Robert!” she yelled happily before she moved to air kiss his cheeks, the way he usually did hers.

Robert: His burned face broke into a grin as he kissed her 'cheeks' back and then stepped away and sighed. "I'm sorry, for the last few days. But, it was for your own good. Forgive me?"

Deanna: “Always,” she replied without pausing to think as she looked him over. “What in the world have you been up to. You look like Keara after one of those fae battle thingies that keep seeming to happen in skyscrapers and such. Are you all right?”

Robert: "Good!" He smiled, feeling a weight lift from him immediately. "Well, the good folks of the city would like to see me dead again. So they've been hunting me, laying traps for me and using their powers on me where they can. Seeing as how they can't find me." He couldn't help but smirk at that one, proud of himself for lasting almost 2 weeks already without being found.

Deanna: “Oh. Well that seems a bit…excessive. Are you sure you’re all right? You’re not like just doing that male thing where you pretend things are better than they cos you can’t appear weak…are ya?” She sounded worried and had moved back a little so that she could fully look him over. He did look bad but she’d seen worse…unfortunately.

Robert: "Well, they've not found me. So there's no bullets or slashes. Well, one bullet - but that was a hunter in the sewers." He looked down at himself, frowning. "It's the curses that have fucked me up the most. Constant headache for like, the last 3 days. It sucks ***!"

Deanna: “Language. Lady present and all that,” she laughed, trying to make light of the situation. “Well I’m glad you don’t look too beaten up. But…what the hell were you doing wandering the sewers if you’re being hunted? Didn’t you think you had enough to worry about without taking a stroll down there?”

Robert: He curled his nose and nodded. "Sorry. And I do a lot of work down there, trying to persuade the hunters we're not all bad. Just.... some of them.... don't really listen"

Deanna: “For fu… Urgh. Robert. Take an f’ing break already. Seriously. You have people trying to kill ya and you’re out doing missionary work? That makes like no sense to me at all. Kinda speaks to the fact you have a death wise,” she joked.

Robert: He laughed, hard. "And here I believed you were a lady!" He couldn't help but chuckle, shaking his head. "And no. If I stopped working whenever there was a threat to me - I'd be curled up somewhere 24/7 and never moving. There's always someone out there who wants me dead" He shrugged his shoulders, smirking at a thought. "Hey, maybe you do too. Then we can be wraiths together!"

Deanna: “Hmm…Now there’s an idea. Maybe I should go tell this hunting party where you are eh? Ask Keara to banish my ***. And…no judging me.” She poked her tongue out at him but it probably wasn’t obvious through her ragged form. “I save the hard language for when it’s necessary. You know…since words are pretty much all I’ve got.”

Robert: He just laughed some more. "I know you never would. I don't think you could bear to watch bullet after bullet sinking into my flesh, blade after blade stabbing me, draining my blood until all that remained was ash"

Deanna: “Pfft. I wouldn’t have to watch,” she huffed semi-dramatically and then started laughing. “Yeah. Yeah. Guess that plan’s out then eh? Better start working on a plan B. How do you feel about a nice fadewalk? Oh wait… Hmm…I may not get back from that one. And…you may not even have that power. ****. Better work on a plan C.” Her tone was still light-hearted as she teased him.

Robert: "Wow. Language!" He smirked. "There's a lady here!" He pointed to himself with a wink. "And yes, I have that power. So if you ever get banished - I'll come and visit"

Deanna: “Well I guess you could be a lady…since you know…I still haven’t taken you up on that offer,” she almost hesitated towards the end of the sentence as she wasn’t sure it was an appropriate thing to bring up at this point. “And cool. Though…you know that mood thing Keara warned you about. If I end up in that realm…be prepared for a tantrum. I’m not sure what I’d ever do to deserve that though,” s shiver passed through her. “I’m still kinda clinging to the hope Keara loves me too much to ever do that.”

Robert: "Oh who knows. She doesn't always seem the most.... stable of people. But she definitely cares for you. That's obvious. And there'd be little to no point in having a tantrum, that's for sure. And I know you've not taken me upon the offer. What's that all about?"

Deanna: “She’s perfectly stable… Well… Unless Enver’s around or you bad mouth him or something. And erm…” she made a face he couldn’t see and a sound that sounded like a cough, not that she had a throat to clear. “I’m a lady,” her words were missing a certain amount of confidence in this answer, in fact the reply sounded almost like a question as she uttered it.

Robert: "So?" He smiled, pushing her for an answer.

Deanna: “You know. Like a lady. Virtuous and stuff. Pure. Basically I’m a good girl is what I’m getting at.”

Robert: "Really?" He asked, looking at her suspiciously, not believing a word of it.

Deanna: “You really can’t wait to corrupt me can ya?” she laughed and then groaned. “Are we gonna have one of those conversations again already?”

Robert: "Well, if you're going to live in this time and age - you should really experience everything it holds."

Deanna: “I wasn’t aware awkward conversations were era specific.”

Robert: "Oh, I wasn't talking about the conversations" He chuckled. "Just everything else in the world!"

Deanna: “Yeah well I’m limited on what I can experience these days in case you forgot. And other things…well… there’s no rush is there? I mean… You’re not planning to rescind the offer ya?” There was something in her words that hinted at a reason as to why she didn’t want to rush but she wasn’t about to offer it, as she didn’t want to freak Robert out… Though she knew he’d likely figure it out sooner or later.

Robert: "Other things? Like what hun? And no, of course not. The offer's always good."

Deanna: “You know…the corrupting stuff.” Her reply was a little cryptic as she still tried to hold to her secret.

Robert: "How's seeing me naked going to corrupt you? I'm sure you saw Ven naked, when you lived together."

Deanna: “It’s not polite to stare at one’s sire. I saw Keara naked all the time. But you know… Same physicality and all that. Ven…not so much…or at all. He was way too much of a gentleman to go doing stuff like that. We did have those things called screens back in my day you know.”

Robert: "And you and Keara, you had the same shape? And 'not so much' means you saw something. What did you see of him?"

Deanna: “You ask a lot of questions. Ya know that?” she sighed wishing the conversation had taken a different route. “Yeah I guess we kinda did…Maybe… It’s not like I was comparing or anything. And well I saw him shirtless on occasion.” She’d had to think on that but that really was the extent of her exposure to him. She’d seen more of Enver. It was just different thinking about seeing Robert disrobed, it meant more.

Robert: "I'm a curious guy" He grinned. "Oh! Had you heard of Lux before me? I know other elders have, but I'm not sure on you and Keara"

Deanna: “Nupe. Sorry.” She seemed eager to change the subject. “But you know. That doesn’t mean others hadn’t heard of it. Maybe it was a this side of the ocean kinda religion?”

Robert: "Hmmmm" He frowned, obviously disappointed.

Deanna: “I wouldn’t worry. I don’t think many people have heard of Nox either. Though Keara’s not pushy with her religion like some people,” she giggled.

Robert: "I would just like to find some more evidence of it is all. And yeh, those Jehovah's are annoying!"

Deanna: “Those what?” she asked, clearly not understanding the link between what they’d both said.

Robert: "Jehovah's Witnesses" He repeated, in full this time.

Deanna: “I’m sorry babe but you’ve lost me.” She’d not used a term of endearment on him before but this one was one he’d called her and it just slipped out, completely natural sounding.

Robert: He grinned, picking up on the word 'babe' and nodded. "Yeh, they go around knocking on doors and trying to get people to convert and 'see' Jehovah." He groaned, as his headache increased again.

Deanna: “Oh… Something wrong?” she asked as he groaned. “Should I get going and let you rest up?” She didn’t want to go but she had to make the offer at the very least, as Robert was the sort to tough it out rather than be rude and tell her to “do one.”

Robert: "No no. It's ok." He sighed. "Just someone cursing me again. Don't worry about it."

Deanna: Dea huffed. “That’s so easy for you to say. No worries. Just being cursed. Can’t you at least get angry about it something? Fight back? No. Not fight back but…” she sighed. “I dunno. I guess I just wish there was a way to make it stop. Do you know who’s doing it… or why?”

Robert: He concentrated for a moment and then slowly nodded, after appraising Every. "Well, this one I think was Every. The traps earlier were Madison. And I'm not sure who else it is, but there's at least one other person cursing me too. And there's not a lot that would get me angry. Nor would I fight back unless seriously annoyed. And some cursing - not that big of a deal in my day to day life. Just a headache and clumsiness."

Deanna: “Well the clumsiness thing is always kinda cute. I mean it makes guys look a little vulnerable. And…are you sure…about who’s doing it? How can you tell? Did you catch the one trapping the place on camera?”

Robert: "No. But she hates me, and Solace. She's my childe, you see - though she denies it. She has no reason to be in Solace and the other day she tried to properly kill me. Well, I used psychometry and found out she'd been in Solace, right when the traps were laid. As for the cursing, no, not sure. Just a feeling and an educated guess."

Deanna: “Oh. That’s so sad,” she sounded injured on his behalf. “Your own childe dislikes you that much. What happened between you?” she asked without pausing to think that maybe she shouldn’t be prying.

Robert: "She had a chip on her shoulder from the beginning, because she didn't understand what it meant to be a blood thief. And she never removed that chip and got over it. No matter what I tried to make it up to her, to show her I cared and was there for her. Nothing I ever did was good enough. Now, for some reason, after a year or more - she's decided to renew her hatred again and has turned violent against me. None of my childre manage to stick around"

Deanna: She wanted to ask if they were touched in the head but she managed to swallow that comment before it escaped. “You know…I doubt the whole disappearing thing has much to do with you. Happens to Keara too. She says you can’t expect to sire and adult and not have them want to walk their own path or something. I guess she’s right but then she’s never seen a colony like this before. You know so many in one place. She says it’s unhealthy.” She couldn’t understand someone disliking Robert, even when he was being obstinate he was still kind… in his own way.

Robert: "Yeh, I know. But it would be nice to have some contact. You know? I mean, adults can be friends and see each other still!"

Deanna: “True. But you also can’t force someone to like you. You kinda have to come to that in your own time. And just cos she doesn’t like, doesn’t mean someone else doesn’t.”

Robert: "Well, a few left the city to seek their fortune elsewhere. Some didn't survive. The three I have, don't talk to me - and one of them wants me dead. So, yanno. not too optimistic."

Deanna: “Well I like ya,” she said in a slightly tentative manner. “That counts…right?”

Robert: "Yup. Very much so." He grinned, happy

Deanna: “Good,” she was much happier now. “So…was there a reason you brought me here… Hmm? I mean I wanted to see you, of course I did, but if you’re being hunted and that and I’m guessing I could give you away…Then was it wise to like bring me here?”

Robert: "Well, I wanted to see you. And explain face to face. Not just the random messages via telepathy"

Deanna: “Explain that you’re injured and kinda half in hiding and not seeing me for my own good?” she asked checking she hadn’t missed anything.

Robert: "Well, not in hiding. Just not stopping too long in one place." He grinned

Deanna: “Right. Got it. So I guess I’ll be seeing you when I see you then for the time being. Right?”

Robert: "Yup yup. But then, it's always that way." He chuckled.

Deanna: “Yeah I guess so. But then you’d be like super bored of me if I hung around you all the time like some pathetic lost stray the way…” she cut that sentence off as she realised she was about to insult Keara as much as Enver if she continued that one.

Robert: "Why would I be?"

Deanna: “What? Sick of me? Well for one I’m not much to look at,” she began answering before he’d confirmed that that was what he meant. “You’re busy and stuff with all your work commitments and then well…I don’t think many people are cut out to be together like 24/7… if ya get what I mean.”

Robert: "Yeh, 24/7 doesn't always work. But spending time together is fine. I don't mind you being around at all."

Deanna: “Oh yeah. Well I like spending time with you but even if I wanted to like stalk your every move, K would get pretty sick of me not being there to help her as and when she needs it. Not that she needs much mind you. Oh…Is Leyna back? Did you get her back?” she blurted out as the thought crossed her mind.

Robert: "Mm Hmm" He nodded his head. "I summoned her back with the ritual. She had an.... interesting convo with a wraith the other night. One of Keara's lot"

Deanna: “Really? Who?” There’s a lot of her’s that have ended up on that side.

Robert: "Not surprising, considering her past and opinions." He mumbled half under his breath. "Jonah? His wraith is called Notte. Total psycho who's all into the Nox rubbish"

Deanna: “What do you mean her past and attitude? She didn’t put them there. And never heard of it. Notte? And could you please not call my sister’s religion rubbish. It’s rude.” She was clearly displeased with Robert now, her tone sharp with frustration.

Robert: "Her religion is a lie spread by Muga, to bring more people into the Dark. That's all."

Deanna: Deanna sighed. “I’m starting a list of things you aren’t allowed to talk about with me. Religion is going on. ‘kay?”

Robert: He just laughed

Deanna: “I’m serious mister. I’ll make Keara write it down on a note somewhere and leave it out if it starts growing so I can memorise it and everything.” She had her spectral arms folded across her chest.

Robert: "You think that will stop me if it's pertinent?"

Deanna: She sighed. “Fine then I guess you better get used to watching me drift away. ‘Cos while it may not be my religion, it’s important to someone I care about and I’m not gonna stand around and listen you basically insult my sister through her beliefs ‘cos they don’t match yours. All right?”

Robert: "That's the thing, they are in mine - as a form of evil that Muga created to get more followers." He shrugged.

Deanna: “I’m not getting into this. All right? Conversation over or I’m gone.”

Robert: "Did you never discuss and debate things when..... before?"

Deanna: “You’re kidding right? In a century when women were only to be seen and not heard. Add in the fact I was training to be a thrall and I might as well have been born with the Shadow’s shadow power,” she laughed. “That aside. I don’t much like being in the middle. I don’t believe what you do. I don’t believe what she does. And you don’t see that by saying her religion is a bunch of crap, or whatever your words were make my sister sound like an idiot for believing them. I’d say she’s no-one’s fool but she kinda is these days.” She huffed again, obviously wanting to be mean towards Enver, again.

Robert: He laughed again at her demeanour. "You do so love Enver don't you! Well, look, if I die - you need to tell him for me. Please."

Deanna: “Huh? Wait. What? You plan on dying? I mean I know you’re being hunted and stuff but they aren’t gonna catch you right?” She sounded panicked now, whatever anger she previously had completely dissolved.

Robert: "Course they are." He said matter of factly, looking at her blankly

Deanna: She shrank back from him, obviously upset by this revelation (as that was what it was to her). “But that’s not fair. I mean. What did you do. You didn’t do anything worth being killed for did you?”

Robert: "No, of course I didn't." He frowned, looking at her reaction curiously. "Dea, babe, what's wrong? You do know that's what happens to Enver and I regularly didn't you?"

Deanna: “Yeah but Enver probably deserves it.” The words escaped her and sounded like a childishly retort. “It’s not fair. I can’t fadewalk. I won’t see you for ages. What if you don’t get out of there? It could happen you know. You could be too weak or decide to stay there or something. I dunno. You could just lose the plot.” She was babbling quite quickly as she was still trying to deny the obvious truth he’d presented.

[Robert Pratt]

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

Robert: "I know. I got stuck there last time." He said quietly, not wanting to hide anything from her.

Deanna: “See!” she gestured towards him like he’d just proved her case for her. “Wait? What? How’d you get stuck?” She was really worried now and had begun (as best as a spectral being could) pacing back and forth in front of him.

Robert: He couldn't help it, he grinned at her as he spoke - even knowing it was TOTALLY the wrong thing to say and UTTERLY the wrong time in which to say it. "You said no talk of religion remember?"

Deanna: She huffed. “Fine. Whatever. Don’t tell me. You can die and stay there for all I care.” She stopped with what would have been her back to him, her arms across her chest. She heaved a heavy sigh and then hung her head before speaking again; “I didn’t mean that,” she turned to face him. “Obviously. But you know for a middle aged man you can be quite a brat.”

Robert: "I just like to try and lighten the situation babe. You seemed very.... upset about it"

Deanna: “What upset isn’t the right reaction for you? You want me to be happy? Get Belle to throw you a frickin’ parade? I care about you Robert. This is hard for me.” She griped with an edge of desperation in her voice.

Robert: "Yeh, well, most people I know are kinda... used to me being dead and in the realm of shadows. So, I guess, I'm not used to anyone being upset about me dying. No-one really cares about me."

Deanna: “Pfft. Now you’re just being absurd.” She grumbled, still taking that fact that he may be hunted down and killed out on him. “I can’t be the only one that cares about you. You have family. You have friends.” She sighed again as she remembered something he said earlier. “Speaking of…What am I supposed to tell arseface if you die?”

Robert: "I have you. I have Enver. I don't think anyone else gives a ****. Why? What family do you think I have? And tell Enver.... thanks for everything."

Deanna: “You have kids. You told me you did. And ex-wives. I mean yeah you may not be married but you still hang around with the blond one so she must still like you. And you want me to tell him thanks for everything? What did he do? Can’t be much considering he’s off god knows where defiling my sister.” The word slipped out and immediately her non-existent hand moved to cover he mouth. Once more she hung her head. This night was just getting better and better.

Robert: "See! Told you they had sex!" He smirked and then got serious again. "I have kids who hate me, one of whom is trying to kill me. They will celebrate I'm dead in fact. Friends, not so much. Not who'd notice I don't think. And he's always been there for me, since I was turned. He should know that I care, and am grateful"

Deanna: She tried to keep her composure as he spoke but the moment he stopped and before she even though to sympathise with his situation she was essentially begging for her life. “Please. Please don’t tell them you know that. She’ll banish me for sure. I’m not supposed to say anything. She’s like crazy about that staying a secret. I mean yeah I get the feeling Enver would probably tell all and sundry given the chance but she swore him to secrecy too. Please Robert. Please don’t give her reason to banish me. I don’t want to go. I don’t want to leave.” Her words sounded more and more desperate the more she spoke but she finally ceased her prattling so he could respond.

Robert: "Wow!" He just stared, blinking at her, not sure what to say

Deanna: He hadn’t responded the way she’d desperately needed him too and so she tried again only this time she tried to real back the sound of desperation in her voice. “Robert you have to promise me. Please? This is super important. No-one can know. You can’t ever tell anyone and you seriously can’t let them know you know…okay?”

Robert: "Dea, everyone knows. Everyone does it. It's nothing special or different that they do shag one another. What would surprise people is if they didn't. Not that they did"

Deanna: “That’s not a promise Robert. Promise me. Please. It can’t be that hard a promise to keep. Seriously. Do you really want to be having a conversation about Enver that would leave you with images of him being naked. Cos I tell ya right now this is hard enough for me without even considering that. Great… Now I’ve pictured it. Why couldn’t you just promised me when I asked you the first time?” she huffed again.

Robert: He chuckled softly. "Because it's such a weird promise to make. Enver won't be bothered and it's not something I'd speak to Keara about. And Enver's got an alright body really"

Deanna: “Blurgh. Shut up! Shut up! Shut up! Lalalalala,” she repeated the lala’s her hands where her ears should be as she flitted back and forth for a moment. “Please just promise alright. She doesn’t want anyone to know she’s broken one of the codes. It’s important to her. If you can’t do it for their sake. Do it for mine. Please. Forget I ever said anything. Please?” The note of desperation only resonated louder now as she truly feared that Keara would send her back to the shadow realm if she knew what she’d said.

Robert: "Mmm Hmm" Was all he'd say, totally bemused by her reaction

Deanna: “Say the words Robert. I need to hear you promise.”

Robert: "I promise not to tell them you said anything"

Deanna: “Or anyone else. You can’t tell anyone else that they are… you know…”

Robert: "I won't." He was still smiling, still finding this highly amusing. Though he was glad that it had taken her mind off the previous conversation

Deanna: Her form shivered slightly as she began to calm down again. “Now you know why I hate him so much.” She was kinda happy to be able to finally discuss this with someone that wasn’t quite so biased on the subject.

Robert: "Why? They are just doing what a normal couple do"

Deanna: She’d of rolled her eyes, had she the capacity to do that. “You’re that special kind of intelligent aren’t ya? The kind that’s actually quite dumb on occasions. The code. You know that pesky little thing that pre-dates this time but not the time we lived in. The one we lived by. "You shall not mate" That ringing any bells for you? She managed almost two centuries in Ven’s company and her mind never once considered breaking that oath. She meets him,” she practically growled the word. “And well…you can guess the ending. Pushy fuckin’ ********,” the grumbled words that followed where lost as she mainly growled them, her voice dulling to an almost humming like whisper.

Robert: "Do you think anyone in this city follows that.... code? That particular one especially? You're a wraith, you can go anywhere. You must have seen all manner of folks at it!"

Deanna: “Oh good lord Robert. I’m not some kind of pervert. I’m not going to follow people round and expose myself to crap like that. I’m a good girl…remember?”

Robert: "For now!" He chuckled, grinning at her. "Besides, you're thinking about breaking that rule yourself. With me. You've said before.... if you only had a body you'd...." He winked at her, teasing

Deanna: She shrugged as if trying to play down what she said next as it was nothing. “Yeah well I wasn’t married for two centuries. Keara always used to say it wasn’t a hardship following that rule cos you couldn’t miss what you’d never had…Basically. Obviously her words were much more flowery and often lengthy than that. And so yeah. I agree. No big deal. Doesn’t mean I’m not curious. Just cos she was okay being so pure and virtuous didn’t mean I was. I was gonna get married and have kids and then…” she sighed. “Then I got ill and turned into a vampire and frickin died all over again.”

Robert: "Well, maybe one day we'll be able to sort things out in that regard. Hmm?"

Deanna: “You do understand what I am…right?” she asked mockingly as she reached out her corporeal fingers and more or less stole a part of his essence. She adored the feeling she got from it, the surge of energy but she hated taking it from him without asking.

Robert: He smiled as he felt a piece of him taken and nodded his head. "Yes. But do we know your limits, and all you can do?"

Deanna: “Yes. I can do that and I can annoy Enver. Those are my god given talents,” she shook her head. “Besides. I thought you didn’t care for the physical aspect of a relationship. Didn’t you tell me you could live without it?”

Robert: "I can. But if there was a way for you to experience it - then that would be wonderful for you!"

Deanna: She laughed, amused by the way he phrased his words. “Yeah…Wonderful for me. Cos for you it’d be downright awful wouldn’t it.”

Robert: "Nah, not so bad. But I'd go through it for you, to make you happy!" He smirked, winking.

Deanna: “Oh how noble. I’m getting a better sense of the kind of nice guy you really are more and more with every day that passes. You’re the kind of guy my parents would have warned me about if they thought there was a chance in hell I had to choose my own partner.” She was laughing again now.

Robert: He pretended to look completely shocked at that. "Whatever do you mean?"

Deanna: “Pfft. I’m not even gonna waste my time on that one. So… Mister… You summoned me here. Have given me a message to pass on to arseface. Anything else? Is there anything else you wanted me here for or was attacking my virtue the next item on the agenda?”

Robert: He just laughed. "Yeh yeh, keep playing Miss innocent. It's so not going to wash anymore."

Deanna: “But I am innocent,” she protested, obviously offended by his comment. “I’ve never… And well… I still haven’t taken you up on your offer. That kinda proves it. Okay so I have a foul mouth at times but seriously, you live with that prick and tell me that side of you wouldn’t come through eventually.”

Robert: "Yeh yeh. I get that you're a virgin. But, I don't think it's by choice. In fact, you kinda said that much earlier." He chuckled.

Deanna: “Yeah well choice wasn’t something I had much of before I was turned. And after that there were still certain freedoms that were lost to me. I’ve never taken a life either but you probably guessed as much on that one considering I told you they wouldn’t let me carry a weapon of any kind.”

Robert: "Mmm Hmm" He nodded his head, smiling. "It's one of the things that makes you the better sister"

Deanna: “Yeah well if I’d had more time to train I’m not sure I could still boast that. I believed in the code remember. I’d of found my way to be useful eventually. I was nothing more than an infant in their eyes even if I had been a vampire for like ten plus years.”

Robert: "Yes well, I'm ignoring that part of you" He smirked.

Deanna: “It’s not healthy you know…To ignore a part of a person.” She was half joking with him but the words rang true too. “So you’ve never killed anyone…Ever?” she asked curiously.

Robert: "I have. To my shame. And aren't you ignoring the religious side of me?"

Deanna: “I’m not ignoring it. I know it’s there. I just don’t need to talk to you about it. There’s a difference.” Her head nodded. “And who did you kill? Why?” Since she was already poking at the wound in a weird way, she wasn’t going to stop till she’d heard the story in full.

Robert: "I've done it to defend myself, when they wouldn't listen to reason. Hunters, in the sewers." He sighed unhappily. "But I gave them the symbols and sent them off with a prayer so they might find their way to Lux. And then, when I was infected with the Darkness, there was a member of Tyt I killed"

Deanna: “Oh…So you will kill then…If pushed to.”

Robert: "I have in the past, yes"

Deanna: “And now?” she pushed.

Robert: "And now, I've not been in that situation for a while. So hopefully I am more balanced and able to control the Darkness that tries to take a hold of me"

Deanna: “’Kay. ‘Kay. Want we should change the subject now?” she asked, happy with the answer’s she’d received.

Robert: He could tell she seemed.... happy, and he wondered what he'd said. "Ummm.... what are you thinking? I mean, why were you asking?"

Deanna: “Just curious I guess. I mean you say stuff about Keara being a killer all the time but her reasoning is a lot like yours. Only I guess the line she draws is a bit different to your one. And please don’t take that the wrong way. I’m not saying that to upset you.”

Robert: "What's different?"

Deanna: “The line. I mean you both only kill when you have too. Only your definitions of when that is are kinda different.” She shrugged, it was a small movement but an obvious one. Passed the words she’d said she really hadn’t given the whole thing much thought.

Robert: "Ahhh. Yeh. I know."

Deanna: “See. She’s not so bad,” she teased. “She likes you. So she must have some common sense in there somewhere. To be honest kinda thought she’d lost that after she started acting the fool around your so called brother.”

Robert: "Yeh, yeh" He snorted, laughing slightly."

Deanna: “I like when you smile. I mean I know you’re probably hurting and stuff still but… It’s nice. You have a very inviting smile.” The compliment came out of nowhere and she wasn’t even aware of what she was doing, as it just seemed the right thing to say in that moment.

Robert: "Awww, that's very sweet. The smile Keara gave you is very secretive and sweet too. You could have been the second Mona Lisa"

Deanna: “Yeah yeah. Keara probably did that on purpose, trying to make me look all innocent and stuff. She only really saw me as her annoying kid sister, so…yeah…I’d be mad at her if I didn’t think that portrait was scary accurate.”

Robert: "Sooooo, you have no reason to be annoyed, as the portrait is amazing!"

Deanna: “Yeah. But like I said. She’s a good artist. Her technique is kinda fantastic. I told she can mimic most styles…right?” She’d missed the point of what he’d said entirely, thinking he was complimenting Keara’s style.

Robert: "Stuff her technique!" He chuckled. "I was talking about the subject"

Deanna: “Oh. Oh!” She felt her cheeks burn, thankful as ever that he couldn’t see this. “Yeah well… Thanks. I never used to think I was much to look at. Guess you feel differently when you’ve got the kinda perspective I have now. I’d love to take that form again.”

Robert: "Well, if we'd met back then - I'd have pursued you. Though you look really young in the pic. Some women retain their childish looks as they age I guess. They're called lucky by others. I hear the women in Solace gossiping all the time" He laughed

Deanna: “Oh… Yeah… Well… About that.” Deanna sighed and could have kicked herself as she really felt bad about deceiving Robert. “Know you do how old I am… Right? Like how many years I walked the Earth before I died… Remember?”

Robert: He laughed as she spoke like Keara and nodded. "Yup. You told me. You were 29"

Deanna: Deanna nodded. “If you don’t count the two years this side yeah… And well… I wasn’t a vampire for much of those twenty-nine years… Right? So…” she sighed. “If I was a little younger than maybe you thought… would that like… be a problem?” Dea was obviously worried, her tone said as much, as did the fact that she was struggling to say the words.

Robert: "What?" He looked at her, frowning. "How much younger?" He was beginning to feel like he'd been lied to, and that familiar feeling of distrust was growing in the pit of his stomach as he watched her carefully

Deanna: Dea looked around nervously, a slight movement of her head being the only indication as to what she was perhaps doing. “You kinda didn’t answer my question,” she half whined.

Robert: "Dea...." He said firmly, his frown deepening, having already told her before that age was an issue.

Deanna: “I’m not gonna tell you if you’re gonna get mad. I mean technically I’m older than you. And well in years that I’ve been this side of the realm I’m not that far off your age. Does it really matter? I mean it’s not like you’ll ever see the portrait version of me…right?”

Robert: "Yes. It matters. Dea. Tell me. You told me you were 29. You misled me. I want to know by how much!"

Deanna: “I never mislead you!” she moved away from Robert feeling pretty upset by his words. “I asked you how you define age. You told me. And I answered. Using your definition.” She emphasised the your and pointed at him. “But fine. Think the worst of me. You never asked what my age was when my human self died so… I assumed you wouldn’t care.”

Robert: "I'm asking now and you're refusing to answer."

Deanna: “You didn’t ask I was trying to tell you and then you tried to rush me,” she huffed and folded her arms across her chest. “Fine. Well… Yeah. I was a vampire for twelve years. Do I need to do the math for you?”

Robert: "What?" He just stared at her, his brain quickly working out that she was 17, and not wanting to believe it.

Deanna: Dea sighed. “I was seventeen… when I was turned. I told you remember…travelling with my parents. Life of servitude. Long ship voyage. Illness. Impending death. You remember all that right? I should have been married already with a kid or two in that day and age. Just… I was still being trained and there wasn’t anyone to take me yet.” Her form shivered, rippling more than usual while she waited for Robert to be able to find the words to tell her to get lost. She had her eyes closed, at least to her, and she tried to brace herself for the yelling that was likely to follow.

Robert: He just stood there, staring at her as a whole mess of feelings went through him. However, all that came out of his mouth was "I need some time"

Deanna: “Fine,” Dea said and swiftly turned to leave.

Robert: He just turned away and sat himself down, head in his hands and a large sigh.

[Robert Pratt]

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

This RP takes place on Friday 30th May.

Robert: Robert was trying to keep on doing as he always did - working - despite the fact the Dark Minions were after him. He was wounded, rather badly, with a bullet having gone through his right eye to lodge in his brain and another that had pierced his heart. This evening, he'd had that added to, with a blade of some sort entering his stomach. It was a complete nuisance, these wounds, and he had already healed the one in his stomach earlier. Now, he was heading for Solace to go and catch up on what Belle had been up to.

Deanna: Robert had Deanna thoroughly confused and her sister had been less than forthcoming about the conversation she’d had with him the day before. She hadn’t seen Robert since Sunday and was trying to be patient while he thought through what she’d told him. She was more than a little depressed and was thankful the distraction of the newest raid, hoping (for once) that she might actually get caught in a trap so she’d not feel tempted to go and try to track Robert down. Of course, her plan had failed. Keara had gone first and destroyed the trap on the second floor, so come sunset, Dea was still free to do as she pleased. As far as she was concerned she’d been patient long enough. Robert had messaged her a few days passed, frightened her half to death and she really needed to know what he was going through. Solace was the most likely place to find him, so today she was determined to hang out in his office. This was where she waited, hoping he’d at least stop by to check on the mail or sign something but as much as she hoped as such, she didn’t want to get her hopes up too much.

Robert: There was no-one around as he teleported to nearby and walked the rest of the way. In fact, there was no-one he recognised in the main part of Solace as he walked through. How long had it been since he'd been here? Not more than a day or two, so where was everyone? Well, he figured there must have been some class or meeting going on, so he didn't think too much of it and simply grabbed some post and then headed into his office. As he walked in, he was staring at the post and not around the room - so had no idea Dea was in there.

Deanna: Dea watched him enter, obviously distracted by whatever it was he held in his hands. Seeing him she suddenly felt a wave of panic come over her. Was she breaking some rule by coming to see him before he asked her too? Should she have allowed him more time to himself? She couldn’t think and so was frozen. If she spoke now, she wondered, would she startle him? She moved into a corner of the room as she let her doubts consume her. Eventually she managed to pull herself together enough to speak, saying; “Erm… Hi.” Her voice was small and timid.

Robert: He'd walked right over to his desk, muscle memory and knowing how his office was laid out allowing him to do so without having to look up. He'd just been sitting down when the voice spoke and he jumped, looking up and around with his one good eye as he stammered. "Oh I'm so sorry. I didn't realise anyone was....." He spotted Dea and his voice stopped talking. "Oh. It's you. Hi."

Deanna: Her form shivered at his greeting though he may have seen it as her shrinking away from his appearance. “Should I go?” she asked, her voice showing her indecision at being there as it waivered as if she were trembling.

Robert: He took his seat at his desk and dropped the papers down to be dealt with later and then shrugged. "You're always welcome here in Solace. I told you that before."

Deanna: His diplomatic wasn’t lost on Dea and she shrank further within herself. “You say that but you’d be like happier if I wasn’t here…wouldn’t you?” She couldn’t help but ask that of him, even if she was almost sure he’d lie to her and give her yet another carefully worded reply.

Robert: "I'm not particularly happy regardless of where you are at the moment. I mean, look at me!" He opened his shirt and lifted his head to the light so she could see both wounds in their entirety - including the new pink skin where he'd not so long ago healed the other.

Deanna: Deanna felt sick, not that she was capable of acting on the feeling. “Oh Robert.” Her voice was filled with sadness and she moved out of her corner to come closer to him. “Are you in any pain?” She stretched out her hand as if she were going to touch the wounds and then pulled herself back and away from him once more. “I’m so sorry.”

Robert: "Yup. There's a bullet in my brain, one eye is blind, and there's a bullet in my heart. I'd say it ******* hurts a shitload!" He grumped, pulling his shirt back together and doing the buttons up again to hide himself away from her gaze.

Deanna: She didn’t know what to do or say. He was being so different with her and she wasn’t sure if that was just the pain of the physical wounds he had or if it had something to with their last conversation. “If you ask me to go… I’ll go,” she offered. She was beginning to wonder if Keara might send her away so that she would be unable to reach Robert again till he was ready. Though Enver would be far more likely to help with that request she was sure.

Robert: "If I wanted you gone that badly - I could just use my powers and dispel you. But you came here for a reason I'm guessing?"

Deanna: He was being so cold, Deanna almost struggled to find her words. “Do you hate me that much now?” she asked without really considering what she was saying. “I mean you’re being so cold. So…formal. Don’t you love me no more?” The question had to be asked but it probably wasn’t the right time for it.

Robert: "Of course I love you. You're just like Oria, like a little sister. How could you not love a little sister?" He smiled at her, cocking his head to the side as he looked her over.

Deanna: Dea began to shiver and sob. She wondered if this was what Keara had known and wouldn’t tell her. There were no words in that moment for Deanna, just complete and utter despair. Everything she was working towards was for him and it seemed like it was going to be for nothing.

Robert: He raised an eyebrow and looked at her, frowning. "Dea. What's wrong?"

Deanna: “You… know… what’s… wrong.” She said between sobs. She couldn’t actually cry but she felt as if she were. She’d even turned her back to him though he likely couldn’t tell that unless he’d been paying attention to her.

Robert: "Look" His voice was softer, more gentle. "I like you, a lot. But you're so young. All my exes are like, 22. And they had these childish moments and tantrums and there were times I'd just stare at them as if they were from another planet. And now I know, about your age, I can see it in you too. And I just can't let myself go through that again. Doesn't mean I don't want to be your friend anymore. I do, and I care for you a lot, as I said. But I just.... I don't think...."

Deanna: “You don’t think I can be trusted? You think age has anything to do with tantrums? Are you stupid?” she barked back, the anger apparently having ceased the sobbing for now. “Keara’s tantrums are far worse than mine ever could be. She has this frickin’ power that shatters glass and makes the room shake. It’s insane. The most I can do is get upset. I can’t throw anything. I can’t stab you. I’m not capable of doing anything bad.” As angry as she was her words began to sound more like desperate pleas than shouting, as if she wanted to try and take advantage of the fact that he’d kind of left an opening for her to reply.

Robert: "Dea...." He sighed. "I didn't say anything about you being untrustworthy. And yes, maturity has everything to do with certain types of tantrums. I have a power too... not quite like that. Though I wonder what would happen....." He didn't think it would affect her in any way, if he did - he wouldn't have done it. But he concentrated hard, extending his fingers out and beckoning with them, and then watched as every single shadow in the room was drawn into his body. He looked around, making sure all were gone and then relaxed again, looking back to her with a smile.

Deanna: “Not the same thing,” she said, the power was kind of fascinating in a way as she’d never seen anything like it but she wasn’t about to let him off the hook that easily. “And you don’t trust me. You liked me before you knew my age. Now all of a sudden I’m nothing but a sister sort to you. That’s crap and you know it. You said you liked me like Keara likes Enver and she sure as hell doesn’t like him as a brother.”

Robert: "What's that got to do with trust?" He asked, his eyes looking her over and grinning. "Well, that's different. Better in fact. More Light and less Dark, which is always a good thing!" He chuckled. "And yes, I did. Now, I'm trying to redirect that into brother/sister like. Because I won't do it to myself again. Not with another child."

Deanna: “But I’m not a child Robert,” she sighed. “I’m older than you. Much older. I’m still sane too which is more than can be said for some wraiths my age. Yu don’t count my time in the realm but I was there Robert. Aware of everything. That has to count too. I survived that.”

Robert: "Maybe. But you haven't matured past 17. How I missed it before.... I guess I just didn't want to see."

Deanna: “If it didn’t matter before Robert. It shouldn’t matter now. Women of my era were able to marry remember. I’m not one of these air-headed children you see running around these days. And I did live twelve years as a vampire. Remember? I just don’t get it. How can you not care that you can’t kiss me and then freak out cos I was turned when I was 17?”

Robert: "There is literally no logical explanation for it." He grumbled. "But every time I think of you, it just keeps popping up in my head."

Deanna: “Can we not work on getting you past that? You can’t just lump me in with your exes. That’s just not fair. I’m me… and I don’t want to just be friends.” She sighed. “Though it’s not like we could of ever worked I guess. Maybe you’re just using this as an excuse now you’ve figured that out.”

Robert: "Please! Like that's something I'd do. You know what I do, what my views are, how the community view me and what I do. You don't see me giving up just cause everyone says I shouldn't and that it's impossible. So why would I do that just because you're a wraith! That's just insulting"

Deanna: “Yeah, well. Apply the same logic to the age I was turned at.” She was hoping at least part of his objection was due to social conventions. “It shouldn’t matter when I was turned. I’m over two hundred years old Robert. You’re the one being childish and running away as far as I am concerned.”

Robert: "I'm not running anywhere. I'm still here aren't I? Still willing to be your friend. And what do you mean apply the same logic to your age? And I'm not being childish. Childish would be keeping my eyes closed and going ahead, ignoring the fact that the age wasn't an issue"

Deanna: “But you kinda are. You’ve given up on me without really giving me a chance. I’ve not been bad. I’ve not thrown any tantrums. I like being with you. You asked what my age was. I asked you to define it. According to your own definition I’m twenty-nine. I don’t see what the problem is?” He voice was more steady now, her confidence shaken but not defeated enough to keep her shrinking from him anymore.

Robert: "I just....." He sighed. "In my head. You're 17. All your little naiveties and immaturities are just accentuated and it becomes more and more obvious about the difference."

Deanna: “And there’s really nothing I could do to make you see me like you used too?” she sighed.

Robert: "I don't know" He said honestly.

Deanna: “Do you even wanna try?” There was no sign of hope in her voice as she tried not to allow any to seep in, as she thought Robert seemed pretty resigned to his path already.

Robert: "I.... don't know"

Deanna: “I’ll leave you alone then,” she sighed and began to make her way out of his office. He didn’t know if he even wanted to try, so obviously he didn’t, at least this was how she saw it.

Robert: He just nodded his head, sliding down in his seat totally deflated.

Deanna: Dea stopped by the door and turned to see Robert looking defeated. It broke her heart to see him like this, especially when he was injured. “You know… I mean…” she moved over to the desk and hovered next to him before shrinking down as if she were kneeling at his side. “You know I’d want you try… right? And that I really don’t wanna leave. Especially when you’re all banged up like you are. I just thought… Maybe you’d think me more mature, more reasonable, if I left you to think about things.”

Robert: "I don't know much of anything anymore and my head hurts so much! Woman even kissed me last night! I mean, what! Why would you do that?!"

[Keara Aithne]

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

Deanna: “Wait? What? Who kissed you? Why?” she tried to keep her voice down having heard him when he said his head hurt and she didn’t want to add to his pain. “Is that the real reason you don’t me no more? You’ve found someone else. Someone real?” This thought was obviously painful to her as she practically chocked saying the words.

Robert: He just looked at her with a frown and said simply. "No. And that's insulting too. Thinking I would make u a damn reason instead of telling you the truth!"

Deanna: “I’m sorry but I had to ask. And well…you didn’t answer who, what and why? You gonna tell me or do I have to let my imagination run wild?”

Robert: "Someone called Elena. She works at the fairground for me. She's wanted to sleep with me for months, and has made no attempts to hide that fact as she tries to regularly get me into bed. Even though she knows about you"

Deanna: “Nice woman,” Deanna grumbled. “You didn’t think to tell me this sooner? That someone wants you in a big *** way?”

Robert: "Why would I have done? What difference would it have made?"

Deanna: “So if someone was hitting on your girlfriend you wouldn’t want to know about it?” she said throwing the question back at him.

Robert: "No, not really. Not unless it became a problem for her that she didn't feel she could handle herself."

Deanna: “But she got close enough to kiss you. You don’t think that’s a problem?” Deanna sounded hurt, more so cos the woman had done something she might never be able to do.

Robert: "I'm close enough to loads of people to kiss them if I wanted, or they wanted. There's not the physical boundaries between people there once was and I'm always hugging folks. She was looking at my eye, cleaning it up a bit, and just.... lunged."

Deanna: Dea felt sick again. She was so jealous of this woman. Of course he’d go to someone that could actually help him instead of her, she was next to useless. “Oh. Well… Okay.” She pulled further away from Robert, hoping that the extra distance between them might help her.

Robert: He raised an eyebrow at her, watching her carefully. "What?"

Deanna: “Don’t worry about it. It doesn’t really matter does it?”

Robert: "Course it matters if you're upset"

Deanna: “No it doesn’t matter. I have no right to be upset. As far as you’re concerned you’re single. I’m just your little sister. It’s just,” she had her back to him again and once more she was trembling. “She can do everything I can’t,” she whispered so low she hoped he wouldn’t hear her.

Robert: "Yeh, no. Just no."

Deanna: “What do you mean no?” she asked confused. She was still trying to hold onto her sanity.

Robert: "She can't do 'everything', and you can be upset if you want. And I'll care - because you're like a sister"

Deanna: “Stop saying that Robert. I am not your sister. I have a sister. I don’t need another sibling.” Her anger had raised its head once more. “And she can do everything. She can kiss you. Take care of you. I can’t touch you without making you weaker.”

Robert: "You don't have a brother though, do you!"

Deanna: “I don’t want a brother!”

Robert: "So, you don't want me in your life?"

Deanna: “As a brother. No. Definitely not. I can’t believe you’d even suggest it.”

Robert: "Well..... I don't know. What else?"

Deanna: “You suck. You know that. I never should have told you how I felt. I should have lied about my age when I died. You gave me hope and now you’ve torn my world apart.” It was perhaps a melodramatic phrasing but it was how it felt to her.

Robert: "Ok. Wow. Just... wow!"

Deanna: “Yeah wow. How do you think I feel. I’m losing my mind when my mind is all I have. I thought you loved me but you don’t, do you? You’re just pushing me away. I’ve not lied to you. I’ve not been anyone but me. You said you wanted to date me and now, now you don’t.”

Robert: "Yeh, ok. So I messed up. The more you get to know me - the more you'll see that's nothing new. So yeh, I didn't realise you'd been a vampire as long as you had. So I thought you were like, 25. But 17.... I just can't wrap my head around it. And I'm sorry for it. I am!"

Deanna: “But you liked me before you knew. Right? There wasn’t a problem then. Can’t you just forget how old I was when I was turned?” She desperately wanted him too but she doubted he would.

Robert: "This is what I've been trying to do!" He protested again. "I told you, that's why I took the time. But each time I think of you, or speak to you - all I see and hear is the 17 year old child"

Deanna: “Fine,” she said barely holding the sobbing back. “You won’t have to see or hear from me again. I can promise you that much. Just send Keara the portrait she gave you. You won’t need that anymore.” She said what she had to and started towards the door once more, because if he didn’t want her, she had no business being there.

Robert: "I'm keeping it, and you don't have to cut me out. I don't want... to lose you!"

Deanna: She stopped by the door for a moment. “I’m either your girlfriend or I’m nothing. I’m not capable of being your friend again. Not now.” She spoke softly, still unwilling to turn and look at him.

Robert: "No. I don't accept that. I won't let you walk out and cut ties!"

Deanna: “You don’t get to choose that Robert. You’ve told me how you feel. All I can do is accept that I’m no good for you and let you get on with your life. Let you find someone that can love you the way you deserve to be loved.”

Robert: "Oh my Lux! You've not listened to a word I've said. I've never said you're no good for me. I can't help how I've been raised, the laws I've been raised with. 17 is illegal now! And my head can't get around that in what? A week!"

Deanna: She turned to look at him now, hovering by the door still so that she could make an easy escape when time came. “You don’t want to get your head around it. That’s the problem Robert. I know you’re injured. I know you’re being hunted but I asked you. I asked you what you wanted and you couldn’t say you wanted me. You want me as a sister. Fine. Whatever. Never gonna happen. I don’t want to be your sister. I want to be more than that and you can’t even tell me you want to get your head around it.”

Robert: "Because it's SO wrong in this time Dea. It basically makes me a paedophile! Don't you get that?"

Deanna: “How can you be a paedophile if you can’t even touch me? Ven was almost double Keara’s age. It’s perfectly normal for the age in which I was raised. Not that that even matters. You’re immortal. I’m a wraith. There kinda aren’t any rules to govern those kinds of relationships Robert. Don’t you see that? I was born in 1786 for crying out loud. And you’re trying to argue you’re the older of us two. I don’t see it that way. You’re like two hundred years younger than me and I don’t care.” She wasn’t sure any of this was even capable of sinking into his injured mind; if that even made a difference to his reasoning.

Robert: "Because.... it does matter. In my head. Apparently!"

Deanna: “Well your head is wrong!”

Robert: "Apparently"

Deanna: “Yes apparently,” she sighed. “But it doesn’t help me does it?”

Robert: "Nope" He'd gone into huff mode, deciding that there was no talking to her when she was in this childish strop as she just wasn't listening to him or understanding what he was saying.

Deanna: “Just tell me what you want Robert. Simple and straight yeah? I deserve that. Right?”

Robert: "Your friendship."

Deanna: She shook her head and sighed. “That’s all you want from me. Nothing more.”

Robert: "For now. Yes............ Please."

Deanna: “I’m not sure I can do that Robert. This is hurting me. Don’t you see that? I don’t have anything to distract myself form you.”

Robert: "I don't know what else to do!"

Deanna: “Tell me you’ll try and get around the age thing and I’ll try and deal with the friendship thing…for now…” she offered. It was the best she could do for now. “And no dating anyone else before you decide you can’t get round the age thing. ‘Kay?”

Robert: He nodded his head. "Mm Hm"

Deanna: “Gah! Say the words Robert. Mm Hm could mean anything and you’ll probably blame me for misinterpreting your non-descript sound.”

Robert: "I promise to try and work on the age thing and I promise not to date anyone else in the meantime"

Deanna: Deanna wasn’t sure how she felt now. Confused was probably the only word that covered it for her in any accurate sense. They apparently weren’t dating anymore and she wasn’t sure if he’d ever feel the same way about her again but there was now at least a small glimmer of hope. “Thank you,” she floated closer. “I think you must be just about as insane as I am…you know that this isn’t normal…right?” she laughed softly, feeling much more relaxed at least.

Robert: "nothing about me is classed as 'normal'"

Deanna: “Maybe that’s what I like about you,” she wanted to run her hand down his cheek, she even reached out to touch him but pulled back before she actually stole his essence. “How are you feeling? Female problems aside. Should you be resting?”

Robert: "Probably" He shrugged, flinching at the pain. "But I can't let these people here down. I need to work before I'm dead and gone for..... however long"

Deanna: “I hate when you get all blasé about dying. It makes me want to shake you or slap you or something. Don’t you have people would can help you with this stuff? Does it all have to be on you?” she asked clearly more concerned for him than the business.

Robert: "Why? It's a fact of this life. My life. It's how it goes. I'm surprised I've lasted a year without them succeeding. And yes, there's other people who work here. I wouldn't cope without them!"

Deanna: “It may be a fact of life Robert but I’m really not used to all this yet. I kinda don’t wanna get used to it. If I was okay with you dying… It would mean something was wrong with me. Make sense? And I’m glad you have people here for ya, I’m just saying…with a bullet in your heart and brain, you should kinda take a back seat. Maybe you should go lay down on the couch? Rest. You can take your paperwork with you if ya gotta.”

Robert: He smiled, shaking his head. "If I lie down, I'll fall asleep. If I fall asleep - they'll find me and kill me. "

Deanna: “You must have somewhere safe to sleep though…right? Why not take all your business crap there? Please? For me. You look like you’ll drop dead on the desk any minute… and if you’re worried you’ll sleep and stuff and get killed…I don’t see how that is any better.”

Robert: "Mmmm, maybe." He agreed. "It might be an idea to take some of these home."

Deanna: “Is that a yes? Are actually gonna listen to me for once?” she teased, a little shocked by the fact that he was taking advice from a “child.”

Robert: "Yeh, yeh. Whatever." He chuckled, gathering the papers up and looking out files and such to take with him.

Deanna: “Cool… Do you… Erm… Do you want me to come with you or do you wanna be alone?” She was a little frightened to ask but she didn’t want to follow him if he didn’t want her around.

Robert: "Probably best I'm alone. Don't want you banished to the shadows if they find you with me."

Deanna: “Are ya sure? I mean you look pretty bad… I could like walk you wherever you’re going. Yeah true I won’t be much help if ya like pass out or anything but I could go get someone. Or several someone’s. Maybe.” She didn’t want to go but she didn’t want to be a pain either, so if he told her he really wanted to be alone she was planning on listening. She may not have been entirely happy with the way the conversation had gone but things could have gone worse as far as she was concerned.

Robert: "No, no. It's fine. I can just teleport and stuff. So it's not a problem. No collapsing happening."

Deanna: “Okay,” she said trying her best not to sound disappointed. “Look after yourself then… All right? And rest. Please? And if anything happens let me know? And if nothing happens let me know. I’m gonna be worried either way,” she admitted as she moved away from him without air kissing his cheeks or getting too close to him.

Robert: "Mm Hm. I'll try. Take care."

Deanna: Dea paused when she got to the door for the third time this evening. There was something more she wanted to say but it wasn’t going to help the situation, so she bit her non-existent tongue and then floated on out without looking back. She wasn’t sure how she was going to explain any of this to Keara but she knew she would have too, as it would all be too much for her to bare alone.

Robert: He watched her, expecting something else to be said as she paused - but nothing came. So collecting his bits and pieces into his arms, he teleported off to go and sort things out elsewhere.