The Fall of Pride [Mora]

[Rain (DELETED 5917)]

The air chilled against her sweat covered skin as she stepped out of the studio, causing the dancer to pull her black jacket tighter around her torso. The streets were eerily quiet as she pulled the door closed and locked it, waiting for the click before she turned automatically towards the drop box. She had almost dropped the keys down the chute, before remembering that no one would be there in the morning to collect them. Closing her eyes against the fresh wave of pain, the blonde lowered her head for a moment and collected her thoughts. The apocalyptic storm of Harper Rock had claimed hundreds of lives, and among them had been Megan’s. The retired dancer had so much life left inside of her, it was still too raw to think that she would never again dance to another shitty remix of Like a Virgin.

Pressing her knuckles to her trembling lips, she fought back the tears that burned behind her lids and gently slid the keys into the back pocket of her jeans. The studio had been left to her, along with the rest of Megan’s earthly possessions, which were now in boxes in the office. She still had yet to open them, not wanting to accept the fact that the first woman that had given her a chance at a new life was gone. She knew the moment she opened the boxes, it would be real. “Snap out of it, Rain,” she muttered under her breath as the sharp pains began to subside. She couldn’t turn back time any more than she could raise the dead. If she had either ability, her life would have turned out so much different. Shoving her hands through her white-blonde curls, she turned her blue gaze from the studio’s entrance to study the streets. It had taken her a moment to realize that not a single soul lingered.

They were smart.

It wasn’t like she didn’t know what hunted the city of Harper Rock when the sun went down. She had seen for herself the kind of creatures that pulled themselves out of the shadows – she just didn’t care. As long as they left her to her life, she had no reason to fear them. In fact, she had even gone as far as to befriend one of them, much to the shock of Megan. She had warned her from the beginning that it would cost her life, but the woman hadn’t known Mora like she did. She couldn’t see the blonde raising a finger to her, no matter the cost of allowing her to live. Instead, she did everything she could to ensure that she survived, even when Rain made it difficult – like she was right then.

She should have been back in her apartment hours ago, but she had found herself caught up in a new routine. Time had been irrelevant as she moved to an old Usher beat, the melody flooding through her veins and taking complete control until she knew nothing but the song. When it had finally faded and she had gotten the moves perfected, the sun had set and the moon had taken precedence. You also didn’t want to face reality. Let’s not forget that, her subconscious sniped. Shaking her head, she ignored the voice and headed for the transit as she pulled out her cellphone. As she brought up Mora’s number, she pulled her hood up and pressed the ‘on’ button on her Bluetooth when she got her voicemail.

“I know I’m late. I just now left the studio. I’ll be at Peppermint s—“

Her words cut off as pain exploded through her skull, the force of the sudden blow knocking her off her feet. As her knees slammed into the concrete, she caught herself with her hands. Strong fingers twisted into her hair and dug into her shoulder, bruising the soft flesh through the cotton of her sweatshirt. The scent of alcohol assaulted her senses, and she knew without a doubt, that her attacker was human. In a millisecond, the shock dissipated, only to be replaced with uncontrollable rage. As he tightened his hold in her hair and prepared to slam her forward, she lifted her hand and dug her nails into his skin. When she felt it rip beneath her assault, she raked down, causing him to loosen his hold. As he staggered back in surprise, she moved to her feet with feline grace and spun, her foot connecting with his jaw. His head snapped back, and blood sprayed in a crimson arc from his lips.

Run, you foolish *****. RUN.

The words bounced around in her skull as her attacker regained his composure, but she had paused for too long. She watched as he reached under his jacket, his eyes wild and clouded with whatever his poison of choice had been. She narrowed her eyes as he fumbled for a second, and she took a step back. Something wasn’t right, he wasn’t attacking her. She had expected him to fight her. A clap of thunder turned her gaze skyward, and for a second, she was surprised. I hadn’t heard anything about a storm, she thought as pain blossomed through her chest. It burned through her like a wildfire, causing her senses to go into overdrive as she slowly blinked. Catching a flash of silver out of the corner of her eye, she followed the path as it fell from the man’s hand and to the ground. She could feel the confusion on her face as she stared at it, fingers lifting to press to her chest as she rapidly tried to piece together the puzzle. When she pulled them back, her fingertips were stained a dark red. Her lips parted on a strangled gasp as realization began to dawn.

The sound of his footsteps fading away were the last thing she heard as she fell against the wall and slid to the ground.

[Mora]

It had been a casual night. She had fed in the early evening, not long after sunset. She had already gone over to 8D, and handed over the store keys to Tyler, the stand in manager for the day. Peppermint had needed her attention more tonight, the business hadn’t been making as much profit as the rest had and that annoyed Mora. She had assumed the sales had gone down, or there was poor customer service going on which had caused the downfall in sales. She had decided she was going to make her way over there and see how things were being run when she wasn’t there. Offer advice if she could to her employees or even upsell her beauty products. Mora was what you would call a business woman. She wasn’t crazy about money, but it helped with providing items, and trinkets to the family and that was what mattered most to her.

It hadn’t taken her long to get to Peppermint, a small store close by. She had opened it up and was starting to set up her laptop in the small office in the back. She would do all the databases from here.

Her phone buzzed in her pocket. It took her too long to grab her phone, the damn call went to voicemail before she could pick it up. As she looked over the screen, it showed up that the missed call was from Rain, her employee at Peppermint. (Coincidence.) Also a sorcerer that knew the existence of vampires. She unlocked the phone by dragging her finger across the screen as it clicked open. She dialled ‘150’ into the cellular device and began to listen to the message.

“I know I’m late. I just now left the studio. I’ll be at Peppermint s—“

That was all she heard, besides the sound of something large connecting with a skull. Then, there was nothing but the sound of a monotone woman saying the usual ‘End of Messages’. Mora blinked, and pulled up her number and dialled. She waited no answer. Panic filled Mora as she growled low and feral. Grabbing Jersey who was already there and stacking the shelves, she threw the store keys into her hands and told her to lock up when she was done, she would find her soon and collect the keys.

She was out the door of the shop within a second and was met by the cold wind. She headed in no particular direction she wasn’t paying attention she was triangulating Rain. After she got her location she was off. Heading into a nearby alleyway her whole body vanished with nothing but the sound of a pop. She re-emerged inside another alleyway, the scent of blood filled her nostrils as she came upon Rain’s unconscious body.

Mora came up to her, and grabbed the woman as she knelt beside her. “Rain, Rain,” Nothing. “Raaaaain.” She said. Then opening her mind to the other she screeched into her mind with her telepathic abilities. RAIN!.

[Rain (DELETED 5917)]

May 2, five years ago

The only sound to fill the silence of the hotel room was the ticking of the clock. Each ‘click’ signaled another second that passed by, another second that he hadn’t returned. She refused to accept the truth, she refused to believe he had abandoned her. Instead, she sat on the chair against the window, her trembling fingers pulling back the curtain each time she heard the roar of an engine. When the car would peak over the hill, her heart would sink further into her stomach. He had left her. Closing her eyes against the unbidden thought, she jumped to her feet and began to pace. The soft carpet sunk beneath her boots as she walked a path between the beds, teeth digging into the side of her thumb.

The scent of his cologne lingered in the air, and beneath it was the familiar floral perfume of her best friend. It caused a fire to center in her stomach, and when the soft sound of the approaching sirens broke the silence, her control snapped. Leaning down, she grabbed the edge of the mattress and flipped it with a scream through her teeth. Her body shook as she spun, tears staining her pale cheeks when her hand came into contact with the bedside lamp. It flew through the air and shattered against the wall, spraying the room with shards of porcelain. Her chest rose and fell with the anger that coursed through her veins, and she leaped over the bed and tore open the closet door. All of their belongings had been shoved into the small space, and now only a black gym bag remained.

How had she been so blind?

The sirens grew louder, piercing the quiet parking lot as the tires screeched against the pavement. She heard the doors opening and closing, and all she could do was stare at the bag. It seemed to be such an inconsequential thing, but she knew that what it held was going to be the end of her freedom. They weren’t returning for her, and she knew exactly where they were headed. Enjoy it while you can, baby. I’ll be coming for you, she thought quietly, resolution seeping into her bones. The door behind her slammed open, and a deep voice shouted for her to freeze. When he ordered her hands above her head, she slowly turned, fingers lacing behind her skull. “Where the **** is Jaeden?” The officer demanded, his dull blue eyes sparking with anger as he did a quick scan of the room. The question brought a smirk to her lips, and she practically felt the life fade from her own eyes.

“**** you.”

She wouldn’t turn them in.
No, what she had in store for them would be so much worse.

The voice cracked through her skull, the shriek causing her to flinch as pain exploded behind her eyes, effectively pulling her from the memory. She had always heard that when death was knocking on your door, he'd show you the life you had lived. She had never believed it, but now she knew how much of a ******** Death really was. It wasn't the fond memories he showed her, but the darkest hell. It was almost as if he was taunting her. Curling her fingers weakly into her palms, she tried to remain conscious as Mora's voice tore through the fog in her mind. She was a beacon of light in the darkest of times, and even now, she was refusing to give up on her. The knowledge warmed her, and her lips curved into a ghost of a smile.

“Shup,” she groggily lectured, her body shaking as she fought to hold on. She knew she didn’t have much longer, Death was riding quickly to claim her before her time. She couldn't allow him to win, not when she had so much more fight inside of her. Her life had only just been returned to her, and she had only gotten a taste of freedom. It had barely quenched her thirst, and now someone was trying to take it all away. Her head fell back against the brick, and as she opened her eyes, the blonde's distorted features appeared. “Not ready," she gasped, and she prayed the other understood what she was asking of her.

She had to save her.

[Mora]

She held the woman for a moment, screaming over and over into her mind with her telepathic voice. Pushing it, willing it into the others mind. Until she was drained. She huffed. Worry etching over the woman’s face. Golden locks caressed her skin as she lowered her face close to Rain’s inspecting her features, then slowly dragging her eyes down to the wound – the wound that still seeped blood. The scent of the iron filled blood filled her nostrils, calling to her to take a drop, just a small taste. Her mouth opened, long pearly white canines poked through eager to feast. Unwillingly, she closed her mouth. No, she wouldn’t feed off Rain.

Save me.

That was what Mora got from the woman, she looked at the woman with a saddened face. She wouldn’t survive. She knew that much for sure. She was afraid that if she would feed off the woman, she wouldn’t stop. She would end up killing the woman. Closing her eyes she focused, ignoring the blood that called her and opened her mouth – the canines sharp and eager for the flesh, the soft crunch. Mora leaned down, pushing her golden hair behind her ear as she bit into Rain’s neck. She would drink what was left. Bringing her to the brink of death, where she would turn her.

This was what Rain wanted; this was the only way she could save Rain. Mora began to drink deep, and quickly drawing Rain’s life from her body and into Mora. She gained no pleasure from it, there was no euphoria after the feed – there was simply worry. She listened carefully for the rapid heartbeat. It crashed against her ribcage, survival had kicked in. Mora could only hope her will was strong enough to hold on, to survive the change. A second later. The telepath ripped her head away from Rain’s neck. Her mouth wide as her lips were smeared with blood, and it's surrounding areas dribbling down from the corner of her mouth and down her chin. She looked like a beautiful demon, a demon with blonde hair. Moss orbs fell to her friend, she was barely conscious.

She brought her wrist to her mouth and bit into the soft flesh there dark blood oozed from the wound and dribbled onto Rain’s clothes as she slowly brought the bleeding wrist to her mouth and hovered it over there, before lowering it enough so it was resting against her lips.

DRINK, RAIN. DRINK. The words were pushed into the sorcerer’s mind.

[Rain (DELETED 5917)]

As the air continued to fill with the sweet scent of her blood, the dancer’s lashes fluttered. In the balance between life and death, her body was weak, vision blurred – and yet she could easily discern the battle as it danced across her friend’s face. She felt the pressure from her fingers as they dug into her shoulders, and she simply waited as her breath rattled in her lungs. She knew that she would overcome it, she had no doubt that the woman would rather risk herself than to drain her for her own purposes. When the blonde’s face finally relaxed, her own body eased back into the wall, the last of her strength sapped from her as her eyes closed once again. Each breath she pulled in was a challenge, the pain from the bullet lodged near her heart splintering through her entire form.

A choked gasp left her when she felt the pressure of her fangs, fingers weakly clawing at her shirt. She was too far gone to do much more, and though she had asked for this – her body refused to accept it. The instinct to fight against the assault built inside of her and twisted through her stomach, until her legs began to weakly kick in a feeble attempt to dislodge her attacker. Her throat vibrated with the soft hum of defiance, and yet, as quickly as it had begun – it was over. Her head fell back as the last breath began to leave her body, her lungs expanding to release her life. Distantly, she heard the familiar screech of her friend’s voice as it punctured through her dying brain, and as death neared her, she hastily latched onto the command.

Drink, Rain!

With the help of Mora’s fingers, she tilted her head back and parted her lips, the last breath leaving her completely as the blood fell onto her tongue. The unfamiliar taste caused her to gag and sputter, before she found the strength to curl her fingers into her arm. Pulling her closer, she latched her teeth onto the wound and closed her lips around it, eagerly pulling the substance from her veins. Even as her body tried to reject it, she continued to drink, until she could take no more.

[Mora]

She didn’t really know what to expect as she sat on the dirty ground feeding Rain her blood to help her, to save her – she had asked to be saved and Mora had complied. The woman knew exactly what she was. The first moment they met. Mora had trusted Rain to keep her vampire secret, had told her it would get her killed if she told anyone about Mora. The human at agreed to keep her secret at that point. Mora had took the woman under her wing, offered her a job – protection, anything she could do to help the woman. People would have viewed it as a bribe to keep her secret, but Mora didn’t care what others thought – she simply looked after Rain like she was one of her own, like family. Rain practically was family. She didn’t have to be a vampire to be just that.

Rain had taken a fair bit of her blood already. She didn’t want her to choke on anymore. Grabbing the woman she scooped her up into her arms. Vampire strength had its perks. Fumbling around in her back pocket she grabbed a tome. Judas would help her. She was sure of it. Reading the words upon the tome she teleported herself, and Rain who was slumped over her shoulder at this point across the city and inside a small, cosy crypt. Family members were chattering away with one another as Mora dropped herself on top of the ritual alter. Her palm pressed against the wood as if to steady herself.

She should have taken Rain to the bedroom, drop her onto the silk sheets but she decided to take her to the south of the crypt and inside a small room where there was a fountain. Mora often liked to come to this part of the crypt. She liked to read here, it got her away from the voices around the crypt. It was comforting to her – and she hoped it would be comforting to Rain when she woke up. (That was if she did.)

The telepath moved her way over to a small bench that overlooked the rippling water as she placed the unconscious woman upon it. She left the woman there, and made her way to the bedroom grabbing a blanket or two before making her way back. She draped the material across her sleeping form and sat down next to her. Watching the fountain. The turning was usually a quick process – but the length of time was different with each person.

[Rain (DELETED 5917)]

”You know I love you more than anything in this world, baby.”

Closing her eyes, she bowed her head as his hands slipped over her shoulders so he could curl his arms around her chest. She didn’t fight him as he pulled her back against his chest, nor did she put up a fight when he began to nuzzle gentle kisses to her ear. “Everything I do is for us. You and me against the world, remember?” Yeah, she remembered. She remembered everything, but it didn’t ease the doubt that had encased her heart. Even now, she wanted to shove away from him and pack her bags, but his arms tightened around her and his lips worked her into a frenzy she knew she would suffocate without. “I know, Jae. I’m sorry, I just… I’m scared, you know? When you didn’t come home last night, I thought something had happened.” She hated to admit weakness, but she trusted him to be strong when she faltered. As his chest rumbled with a low chuckle, she turned in his arms and tipped her head back, searching his features. “It’s you and me, baby. I will always return for you.”

She needed no other reassurance as she they fell to the bed.

The sound of running water was the first thing she heard, and with it, came the sound of… everything. Before she had even opened her eyes, she knew she wasn’t alone. The rustle of clothing as someone shifted nervously penetrated her senses, and slowly her lashes began to flutter open. Though the light was dim, a low groan escaped her throat as she quickly moved to cover her eyes, the pain excruciating. One by one, the kaleidoscope of memories began to play in her mind, each one bringing her closer and closer to why she was laying rather uncomfortably on a bench. When Mora’s face flickered into her thoughts, her lips covered in blood, she sat upright, the blankets falling off of her slender form. The rush of moving so quickly sent her nearly toppling to the floor, and she quickly curled her fingers around the wood to steady herself as her eyes adjusted to the light.

Panic gripped her into a vice like grasp, and she had to fight to bring air into her lungs. It wasn’t until she managed to breathe out that she realized she hadn’t needed it. Her lungs expanded like they would while she was alive, but she no longer felt uncomfortable when she didn’t breathe in automatically. Slowly, her hands began to move down her arms and over her chest, her fingers pressing at the bullet wound. She hissed in a breath of pain as her fingers gently prodded at it, and slowly her gaze moved towards the blonde as she watched her. “I’m… dead?” The words left her in a choked whisper, her voice sounding foreign to her own ears as her mind raced to keep up with the change.

[Mora]

Mora didn’t know how long she stared at the fountain, minutes felt too long to her sometimes. Being vampire meant time was meaningless to her. The woman stirred next to her then, blankets falling to the crypt floor as she turned her eyes to her. The woman grasped the wood of the bench as Mora stood from where she was sat and scooped up the blankets into her arms, folding them over her arms as she started at the fledgling with a smirk playing across her face.

“Depends what you mean by dead.” She gave a light laugh. “Are you dead dead? No. Does your heart no longer beat? Yes. Are you a vampire? Yes.” She opened her mouth and tapped at her own fangs. She made her way out of the fountain area of the crypt and headed over to the small fridge where the contraband blood was kept. She grabbed a bag, nuked it and popped a green straw into the bag and headed back to where Rain was still adjusting.

“Drink this it’ll help.” She said. It would perhaps help her adjust a little better who knew. It was nothing like the real deal. “I mean, it won’t really fill you up – but it’ll help with the cravings until we can take out to hunt.” She said as she reached out to brush a strand of Rain’s hair. “Who shot you, do you remember?” She asked her.

As she sat back down next to her childer and folded her hands into her lap and waited for the woman to answer her. Perhaps they could get revenge.

[Rain (DELETED 5917)]

She couldn't even begin to wrap her head around what she had done.

It was a different time from actually living the ordeal, to waking up in the aftermath. She had opted to be reborn, to be turned into a creature that could only survive in the night - and she hadn't even batted a lash. Quietly, she brushed her trembling fingers through her hair as she tried to ignore the sensations churning in the pit of her stomach. It felt as if there was something inside of her threatening to claw its way out if she didn't find a way to satisfy the... was it... hunger? Shaking her head, the blonde turned her gaze back to her friend as she rested her palms on her stomach, hoping pressure would ease the lust. "I never thought to ask how it worked, I guess. I'm not dead, but my hearts not beating. How the **** am I operating, then?" The words were harsh, and as her gaze snapped to the bag in the others hand, she understood why.

It hit her like a wrecking ball in the pit of her stomach, the need to taste that blood. As she waited for the microwave to ding, she pressed her fingertip to her gums, only just beginning to realize how badly they ached. The scent of warmed blood wafted from the plastic container, and she watched like a greedy animal as she slid the straw in and handed it over. Rain snaked her hand out, fingers scratching against the older blonde's skin as she all but forced the bag from her hand and hungrily dug in. The sounds she made would have stunned her, had she been listening to herself, but thankfully she was too busy acting like a rabid dog. Once the pack was drained, she tossed it to the side and doubled over, fingers pressing to her stomach.

It wasn't enough.

With a low sound of frustration, the dancer rubbed at her cheek before grappling for something to distract herself with. As if reading her thoughts, Mora offered just the thing. The attack. When she replayed it over in her mind, she could only remember his size and the smell of his breath. She couldn't recall his face, or even the color of his eyes. She did, however, read the intent in them. He wasn't out to simply rob her. No, the memory of his hands on her body was more than enough proof of that. Before the thoughts could fully form, she shook them clear and leaped from the bench, her body restless as she paced. "No. I don't, I don't know who the **** was, only what he wanted."

God, her throat hurt.

Moving her hands along the smooth skin of her neck, she turned her gaze back to the woman and stepped towards her - before stopping. She wasn't entirely sure what she was doing or how to act. The woman in front of her was calm, content. It was almost as if she had been expecting this to happen, almost waiting for a reason to bring Rain into her life completely. She was so sure of herself, it showed in the way her eyes gleamed. She was so sure she had done the right thing...

And Rain was sure she was going to let her down.

[Mora]

Mora wasn't the the type of character that would offer violence as an option, she was a hippie of sorts. Always loved to fight her battles with words, if something came up where she had to use violence then she did such a thing regrettably only for the love of her family. Watching the pain on this woman's face as she tried to recall the attack. A pale hand that belonged to the telepath came up and rested against Rain's shoulder. "Do you want to hunt down your attackers?" Words that slowly came from the woman's mouth. Anyone who was close to her would know these words were not words she threw around willy nilly. There was a dark promise around these words. If Rain accepted then these men would be tracked and killed. End of.

There was another blood pack in her hand, she opened the bag with her teeth and drained the contents for herself. She sat their neatly. Her hands placed within her lap as she looked at her childe with a calm, innocent stare, moss orbs were looking rather intently towards the other as she tilted her head. Waiting for some kind of answer. They had eternity now.

"How are you feeling?" She said. Changing the subject as she got up from the bench and moving towards the fountain, dropping the tips of her pale fingertips into the water. It was cool against her skin as she sighed a sigh of relief. Enjoying the feeling before turning her eyes back to Rain.