Where to Begin [Raven]

[Jesse Fforde]

* Raven Talius lifted an arm to throw it over her eyes as a simple yawn parted her lips. She couldn't believe that after simply teaching a thief a lesson that she would be locked out of Azraeth's apartment. Sometimes, being a vampire really sucked. The fledgling hoped that Red would be ok, but she trusted the Dragomir to take care of him while she wasn't there.

* Jesse Fforde meandered back out of Clover's apartment having showered and dressed in a pair of jeans that weren't covered in his own blood. Crisp white bandages wrapped around his torso and his upper arm -- crisp and white for the most part, though blood had started to seep from the fresh wounds that Jesse hadn't even bothered to stitch. He wandered over to the couch and eased himself down. Quiet. He didn't bother asking what Raven had done or why. He'd offer no advice or reprimand. He just sat, resting while his body healed itself.

* Raven Talius slowly she drew her arm from her face as she felt the couch dip and she opened a brown hue to look at the man who was rather silent. "Just so you know, this was not my idea. I was just looking for somewhere to crash until I could get back into Azraeth's apartment."

* Jesse Fforde turned to stare at Raven, eyes somewhat narrowed. Their last encounter hadn't been all that bad, surprisingly, though Jesse still had his grudges. They flared up every now and again - now being one of them. "I know it wasn't your idea. It was mine," he said.

* Raven Talius she perked a brow as she noted the narrow gaze and shrugged as she leaned back into the couch. "I don't know why you of all people would suggest bringing me to Limbo. I was cool with just chillin' in some random apartment of Clover's" A shrug of her shoulders was given as she relaxed upon the couch.

* Jesse Fforde let loose a grunt as he looked away, toward the stairs from which he'd come. "She made it sound like you were in danger and needed somewhere safe to stay. Somewhere better guarded than a random apartment," he said. Raven was so blasé about her own situation, Jesse was assured that setting the traps - and getting hit by a few in the process - had been unnecessary and a waste of time.

* Raven Talius waved a simple hand and yawned as closed her eyes again. "You're married to her, you should know that her fire is really a spark. I just taught a thief a lesson and well, **** happened so I wanted a couple of days to just simply crash for a while." Both hands lifted only to be tucked behind her head, "You're as chirpy as always."

* Jesse Fforde snorted. "I just walked into a nest of my own traps," he said. "I'm so chipper it hurts," he added, before he glanced over his shoulder. Clover was around, somewhere. But she wasn't standing there overhearing their conversation. "I did marry her, and her fire is a genuine fire. I'm an expert in fire. Don't people always overreact when it comes to those they care about?" he asked. Needling, pushing. Maybe he'd make a point, eventually.

* Raven Talius shrugged, "I'm a stranger to people actually giving a damn about this street rat." The woman said so casually as her gaze opened once more to flicker over the man's appearance. "You on the other hand is questionable. You shouldn't have walked into your own traps."

* Jesse Fforde gave Raven the finger. "I know that. I didn't think there were any left after the last time," he said, purposefully vague. "And you should get used to someone caring about you. You know why I was reluctant to harbour you? Last time we got involved in your ****, Clover died for you. And you rewarded her by handing back a tome and forsaking the 'family' she'd sired you into. I honestly don't understand why she wants to help you again," he said. "Though I'll let her know you're not actually in any danger."

* Raven Talius a scowl settled upon her face as she glared at Jesse. "I didn't ask her to die for me, I would have gladly died in her place instead. Death doesn't phase me. Plus, she asked for that tome back and I simply walked. Things have been much more simple since I left. You would have to agree." A shrug of her shoulders was given. "I've been avoiding most people for a while now though, so everyone's lives should be much more simple."

* Jesse Fforde smiled -- it was partly amused, but only partly. "Simple. Sure," he said, though he didn't elaborate. He slowly leaned forward, his elbows on his knees. At this point, he didn't give a **** about himself or about the non-existence of Fforde. "The point, Raven, is that it doesn't matter if you asked or not. She died for you. It was a gesture of good intention and you spat in her face. Are you even the tiniest bit grateful, or do you just take her care for granted?" he asked. His voice remained steady - he wasn't starting an argument, but merely a discussion. He was genuinely curious.

* Raven Talius perked another brow at Jesse before she leaned back, restraining the urge to growl at the man. However, it was a general consensus that most people felt that she didn't care. "You tell me Jesse, most people tend to think that they have me down pat, that they know everything about me." And it always left her feeling lonely.

* Jesse Fforde threw his arms up in the air as he leaned back, shaking his head. "From what I can see, and the way you react to things, I'd say you didn't give a ****. I don't know everything about you, I just know what you choose to show. Yes, I know, you have trouble trusting people and you don't want to open up. I get that. But I know Clover. The last thing I want for her is to be treated the way I've so often been treated. It's not fair. If you want people to treat you different, to know you for you? Then you'll have to change your attitude."

* Raven Talius simply yawned then as she closed her eyes. It was a typical Jesse reaction to throw his hands up in the air as if he gave up. Everyone always gave up around her as they didn't have the patience. "Yes well it takes a lot to portray a face that doesn't care when you really do. However, if you think that I want to use Clover, then you don't know me even in the slightest. This is the first time that I have reached out to Clover in a while, because I didn't want to rock the boat, as I always seem to be able to do."

* Jesse Fforde may have thrown his hands in the air, but he hadn't gone anywhere. If he had truly given up, he would have walked away. Instead he just released his breath in a slow sigh. "I'll take your word for it," he said, his voice losing its hard edge. "No, I don't know you in the slightest. You haven't really given me the chance to know you. Which is partly my fault," he admitted, leaning his head back and closing his eyes, his hands on his thighs.

* Raven Talius chuckled softly as she shrugged. "Feel free to take my word, although I couldn't lie even if I wanted to. Although, you can't truly say that we don't get moments to get to know each other, as we randomly ran into each other at that party."

* Jesse Fforde stayed still, though his eyes did open to glance in Raven's direction. "We have our moments of good moods, yes," he said. "You really can't lie? Ever? Can you at least choose not to answer questions?" he asked. Although he'd heard of this little quirk of Raven's, he'd never actually questioned her on it. And now he was curious, and they were both there. So why not? "If I interrogated you now, would you be forced to answer me?"

* Raven Talius rolled her eyes as she leaned her head back against the head rest of the couch. "I simply cannot lie, although yes I can choose not to answer them. It's not as if I feel the need to spit out the answer, so I don't have to answer if I choose not to."

* Jesse Fforde grinned a little, before he sighed with mock drama. "Well that's just boring," he said. "So who'd you shoot?" he asked. Maybe she'd be in the mood to answer. Maybe she'd choose to be forthcoming and open.

* Raven Talius chuckled as she shrugged, "A thief who tried to steal from me twice but I caught them twice. I'm not sure what her name is, but she was a spawn of Mortll's. I'm half surprised that I haven't heard from her threatening to rip my guts out."

* Jesse Fforde chuckled, too. "She can try. If she comes for you here it'll be her guts that are spilled. If she tries coming up those stairs," he said, his fingers tracing the edges of the bandages hugging his torso, prodding at the gash on the left hand side. The pain was sharp.

* Raven Talius stretched her hands high above her head as she leaned forwards, her gaze shifting to Jesse. "I'm not exactly hiding here from others, I'm just chillin' here until I can find my key to get back into Azraeth's. Besides, if she issued a challenge, I would accept."

[Raven Talius]

* Jesse Fforde sighed. "Yes - but is she the type to offer challenges, and go about things honourably? If she came at you without challenging first, you'd be covered," he said. "Do you do it on purpose? Do you point out the fact that you have other places to stay, as if you'd prefer to be anywhere but here, on purpose? Or am I just being sensitive?"

* Raven Talius watched Jesse for a moment in thought. "I don't know Mortll well enough to comment on it as for if I do on purposes? Not really. It's just where I have been living for a while. Although it's turned into a place where I sleep before I go off on my own, but it's where I lay my head. Besides," She shrugged, "I can't get back here even if I wanted to, I no longer hav a tome and I would rather not bother Clover too often."

* Jesse Fforde canted his head to the side. "You can. You have the keycode to the elevator - you'd just have to walk," he said. "Tomes can be re-made - and I think Clover would appreciate being bothered," he said, but shrugged. Ultimately it was up to Clover and where she wanted to be.

* Raven Talius chuckled as she rested her forearms upon her legs, "I'm not a Fforde regardless as to who sired me. I never have been. It wouldn't be right if I lingered among these walls to often. Besides, I'm always shifting places, I doubt it will be long before the Dragomirs tire of me as well. I didn't even bother to turn up to their last party."

* Jesse Fforde laughed and shook his head. "No one is a Fforde but me, given that's my name. Clover too, technically, since we were bound. Everyone else is just here because they have a tome and it's a place to stay, or hang out. It's mainly just Langdell and Esperanza. Renee, sometimes," he said. "You know, listening to you now I understand why people were always so pissed off at me..."

* Raven Talius perked a brow, "I don't think that I know who Langdell or Esperanza is, however, I am rather interested as to how talking about myself, made you understand as to why you piss people off."

* Jesse Fforde shrugged. "If you hang around, you might meet them. And maybe I worded it wrong. But... no, I pissed people off, and they gave up. Walked away. Sneered. Because I sounded so sorry for myself all of the time," he said. "That's how you sound. Those off the cuff remarks about people getting tired of you. It's almost like that chicken and egg argument..."

* Raven Talius shrugged herself, "It's not necessarily feeling sorry for myself. I've basically accepted it as a truth and moved on. Simply working with the pattern. People get tired of those that have no capacity for love or simply cannot interact in a group like a family. So they stop inviting them as they are tired of them and soon enough you finds yourself moving on." She yawned as she leaned back only to cross her right leg over her left. "But, see it as you will. I'm not here to make you see anything or bleed my heart out."

* Jesse Fforde leaned back again. He knew what it was like, to accept something as truth and move on. He was doing fabulously at it. "Which is all well and good, if that's what you want. But the last time we met - I might have been imagining it - but you didn't seem happy. Only you can change that. You know that, right?"

* Raven Talius thought for a moment as she then kicked her booted feet up onto the coffee table while her hands moved back to tuck behind her head once more. "I don't have the capacity to change it. I don't even know where to begin. That's the beauty of being raised amongst family members who don't want you and eventually try to kill you. The only thing that I do know, is how to fight. Everything else is... Difficult to comprehend."

* Jesse Fforde slid a finger beneath the white bandage. He couldn't help but fiddle. He was always that kid who delighted in picking at his own scabs. "And it will remain difficult to comprehend if you don't try to actually give it a go. But if you're happy in your depression, then by all means, keep heading down the same path," he said, aware of how contradictory it sounded.

* Raven Talius sighed as she wondered why he was so focused on the emotions rather than the facts presented. "Depression, feeling sorry for myself, call it what you will. You seem far too focused upon emotions rather then seeing the factual side." After all, he did appear to have missed that she did say that she didn't even know where to begin. "You should go rest with your wounds and leave me be to sleep upon the couch."

* Jesse Fforde had no idea what she was talking about. "I am resting with my wounds. The couch is a great place to sleep," he said, feeling very much at home. He hadn't come out particularly to hang out with Raven, but because it's where he liked to hang out. "Tell me about the facts, then."

* Raven Talius shrugged as she opened one eye before closing it once more. "I know, the couch was generally where I enjoyed louging around when I was here. As for the facts," She paused. "I gave you a piece before and you skimmed over it. The fact is, I don't know where to begin. It's just like I told you before, I'm not used to having people give a damn about me, so that should say something on its own."

* Jesse Fforde nodded, slowly. "You begin by showing appreciation when people show they care. Which... I'm not privy to all the things you and Clover do, so if you have shown your appreciation to her then ignore that," he said. "You begin by giving some trust. Just a little bit. Not all of it. Just a little," he said. "And stop telling people they're going to get tired of you. That just sets them up, gives them something to expect. You know -- given your penchant for throwing people off balconies and general disdain for mortal life, you and I might have some things in common," he said.

* Raven Talius thought for a moment as she figured that he was having a go at her, but she didn't exactly know what to expect when it came to Jesse. "Humans are food, I'm not sure just as to why people make a big deal out of it. Although, if I'm being completely honest, my last skirmish didn’t involve a balcony. I unloaded a clip into a wanna be vampiric thief. I have to get a new blade, I wore my last one out."

* Jesse Fforde wasn't having a go at her. He knew what she liked - Clover had told him. Clover and Raven bonded over things that Clover and Jesse had bonded over. "You like hanging out with Clover because she indulges in bar brawls, right? Enjoys making people bleed. No -- she prefers to break their bones, I think, but I like making them bleed," he said. He then stood and wandered over to the forge - he didn't use it, but he did store some weapons there. He wasn't sure what he had left. "I can ask Renee. She's got a bunch of weapons put aside for people..."

* Raven Talius shrugged as her gaze shifted to him. "I can see the fun in both methods, I couldn't decided even if I wanted to. Breaking bones is fun because it's humourous to watch them try to run, making them bleed is just so deliciously good to see all of that red." Another yawn, was it getting close to sunrise? "I wouldn't bother Renee, I’ll be fine picking up weapons here and there."

* Jesse Fforde 's tongue unstuck from the roof of his mouth as he plucked a blade from the set. It wasn't the best on offer, but it was better than anything store bought or just picked up off the streets. The Enchanted Katana gleamed in the dim light as he twirled it in his grip, carrying it back over to Raven and leaning it against the couch nearby. "All yours. You'd be bothering Renee by NOT taking one off her hands - it's why she has them. To give away," he said as he settled back onto the couch. "Another way to begin - accept help when it's given to you," he said quietly. He was tired, too, the sigh he released now was one of exhaustion.

* Raven Talius watched Jesse as he picked up a blade and her gaze followed his movements. "Accepting help huh?" She asked as she eyed the blade that was now resting against the couch nearby. "Well, that's an interesting thought, so I guess thanks are in order.. So, thanks." It was an awkward kind of thanks, one that she wasn't used to giving, especially when help mostly wasn't there. She normally asked for favours. Do her one and she'll do one for them in return. "Now, I hope you don't mind, but I'm rather beat. I'm going to catch a few Zzzzs."

* Jesse Fforde chuckled as he re-arranged himself, laying out on the other couch in much the same way that Raven was. "No problem, kid," he said, and chuckled some more. She wasn't exactly a kid. She was probably the same age as he was. "Sounds like a good plan," he said, thumping a cushion beneath his head.

[Jesse Fforde]

* Raven Talius silently, she floated through the darkened place. Her eyes were closed and her form was rather relaxed. Everything was quiet and she hadn't had to deal with anything, at all. It was just absolute silence where the shadows seemed to curl around her form.


<Jesse Fforde> If there was one thing that Kaelyn's verbal abuse - or guilt-tripping, such as it was -- helped Jesse to realise, it was that he hadn't seen Raven. Not that Raven showed her face, much, but Clover hadn't said anything about hearing from her, and if Kaelyn had been killed for how she had 'defended' Raven and was back already, so should Raven. A couple of texts were sent out into the either, twelve hours apart, both inquiring whether Raven was back in the land of the living. There was no response. A trip to the Shadow Realm was hardly a task for Jesse - and so he went in search of Raven. There was no guarantee that he'd find her, but he headed for the last place he had seen her -- or at least, where he assumed that was. Direction, in this place, wasn't quite so easy as it was above ground.


<Raven Talius> A yawn parted her lips as she rolled other, her gaze moving around her, which was a habit of seeing really. There was nothing really to see down here except for shadows and she was completely ok with this. Except, off in the distance she could see another form moving towards her location, one that hadn't be visited since Clover had been down. How long ago was that? She couldn't remember exactly. Quietly, she waited and watched the form as it move closer and closer until she could finally work out who it was. "Jesse, what are you doing down here again? I was enjoying my quiet nap."


<Jesse Fforde> It didn't take long to find her, as blase as usual. Jesse settled, enjoying the silence -- though there wasn't exactly much to escape above ground. Life was quiet, which he supposed was better than the alternative. Better quiet than chaotic. "It's been over a week, Raven. Kaelyn died and is back again, all butt hurt because I didn't notice she was gone. But you're still here," he said.


* Raven Talius shrugged as she rolled back over and closed her eyes once more. "I'm glad Kaelyn didn't find me, the peace and quiet has been amazing. No one expecting me to follow any kind of code or set of rules. Or telling me what I should and shouldn't be doing. I guess I just didn't notice that time had passed so quickly. That still doesn't explain why you're still down here though."



<Jesse Fforde> "Contrary to popular belief, I quite like the Shadow Realm. Don't tell Clover," he said. Though, Clover already knew, and there wasn't much to tell. He just knew that she worried whenever he died, or whenever there was a chance that he might. She worried that he wouldn't come back. "Do you prefer it down here? Why don't you want to come back? You'll find you'll be free to do so, now."


<Raven Talius> Jesse? Enjoying something and admitting it? Well that is a change of pace, she thought to herself as she opened her eyes to watch Jesse for a moment as he asked her questions. Did it entirely matter just as to what she wanted? No one had ever asked her before. A yawn parted her lips as she shrugged and closed her eyes again. "Does it really matter? I was enjoying the rest, the quiet and the shadows. They curl around me as if they are comforting to the soul." Another shrug was given, "They call to me. Besides, I'm fairly certain that the Dragomirs wouldn't want anything to do with me now." Slowly, she rolled over onto her side so she faced away from Jesse.


<Jesse Fforde> "That may be so, but I know you have a sire who still wants something to do with you. That wasn't a clear answer," he said, watching the shadow beside him as it turned away, the voice heading away from him rather than at him. "The Dragomirs aren't the be all and end all," he said. "But they were your only reason for living, then maybe you should stay down here," he said. It wasn't uttered harshly, but he was just trying to understand. Had she been suicidal, and was death her preference?


<Raven Talius> Nodded her head even though she wasn't exactly sure why it mattered to Jesse. She was certain that he would prefer that she stayed down here. "The Dragomirs gave me a purpose for a time, then it was simply rise and repeat. Kill, hide the body, attend one of their groups, watch them embrace something that I'm not capable of doing, more killing and cycle through it all over again. There is no purpose to me even living. There never was. In my human life, I didn't have to feel and now all I'm doing is feeling. The Shadow Realm, is like a numbing agent. No Dragomirs have even bothered to see me and I haven't seen you or Clover in a while, so I have been enjoying the silence."


<Jesse Fforde> "I can give you a purpose. Get your *** back above ground and go see your sire. Hang out with your sire. Make your sire happy," he said. That was why it mattered to Jesse - or that's the story he'd give. Underneath it all there was something else - the urge, the need to reach out to any who shared his blood, regardless of past interactions. Raven's slights could be forgiven -- Jesse was master had holding a grudge, but if the slight was small enough, he'd forget and let go. "And anyway, you can't just wait for purpose to land in your lap, you've got to find it yourself, find something worth living for."


<Raven Talius> Growled, mostly to herself. He always brought up Clover and she loved her sire, but she was happy with Jesse. Her sire didn't need Raven to make her happy. It was a clear fact. There had been nothing that Raven could do to make her sire happy except maybe bring her blonde human to kill and eat. "I haven't been waiting for anything, Jesse. I have been sleeping and..." What was that word when someone's thoughts cleared? "And thinking about absolutely nothing. Just listening to the call of the shadows." A sigh parted her lips, "Waiting is for those who expect and deserve something. I don't expect, nor do I deserve anything. Everything I have, everything I am, I've worked on myself."


<Jesse Fforde> Jesse rolled his eyes, though it wouldn't be seen. What was the point in this discussion again? He'd had it with Raven before. If he knew what she was thinking he'd clarify; he was happy with Clover, too, but he'd also be overjoyed if his progeny came around more often, if they made an effort to be a part of his life rather than expecting him to do all the work. And he knew that Clover felt the same, that it stung when they chose to keep their distance. Like they didn't give a ****. In some cases, they were allowed to not give a ****, he supposed, given the way they had been turned. "Everyone deserves something, Raven. Don't be so ******* hard on yourself. You are a vampire, and you didn't do that on your own."


<Raven Talius> Shrugged, "I was more than happy to die in that alleyway, that turning idea was all Clover's. After all, she was tempted to also kill me. Although I would be lying if I said that I wasn't in the least bit thrilled when I woke up alive." Had she had this conversation with Jesse before? If so, he never seemed to get it. "I would be lying if I said that I didn't miss Clover, or that I didn't think about her often. I destroy things, it's just how it is. Down here, I can't destroy anything and the shadows keep my company."


<Jesse Fforde> A sigh slid from Jesse's shadowy figure. "You'll destroy Clover if you don't come back," he said. "She didn't kill you, she turned you. Does it ever matter to you how hard people try, or will you always think of some reason why it's not enough? She doesn't sire people on a whim like I do - like I have - Raven. She picked you for a reason," he explained. "I came down here first - to make sure you were still alive, and not slipped into some deeper realm," he said, and frowned. How did that happen, exactly? Why did some die permanently and never come back? How did they go from one state to the other? "And two, to let you know that you are wanted and needed, that there are people thinking about you - so you can come back any time now, yeah? It's this kind of thing you can't just shrug off and shove aside and continue believing no one gives a ****."


<Raven Talius> Again, with Clover. Pain bloomed through her chest and she wanted to squash it down once more, to just make her feelings dead. "I'm a bloody dead beat. Someone who lusts for pain, always fighting and always moving around. I don't know how to deal with... All of this that everyone expects me to. When Clover came back, when I walked from Fforde, I simply ripped her open and listened to her die in a puddle of her own blood. The only one who wants me, is Clover and even then I don't know how to handle that." Could someone go into a deeper realm? One where the shadows were thicker? "If people really want me back there, I'll be back, soon. I just... Need some time." Time to squash her feelings.


<Jesse Fforde> Jesse laughed. "Clover lusts for pain, too. She's always fighting. I lust for pain, and I'm always fighting. You're not the only one with flaws, you just have to learn to embrace them, run with them," he said. The argument had gone from his tone -- he couldn't push Raven to do what she didn't want to do. "By that definition, you were sired by a deadbeat, who was in turn sired by a deadbeat. We're not going to push you to be anything you're not, regardless of the first impression I may have given you," he said.


<Raven Talius> Listened to him laugh and his explanation. Slowly she turned over to view the shadowy figure of Jesse for a moment. "I... Actually don't have anything to say to that." What WAS she supposed to say? That Clover wasn't a dead beat? That he was wrong? However, if they lusted for pain and she just said that she was a dead beat because of it, then he had essentially turned her argument on its head. Damn it. She sighed, "You're an ***. I suppose I should come back now."


<Jesse Fforde> Shadowy shoulders lifted and fell in a shrug. "If that's what you want," he said, amused that his argument, such as it was, had been the deciding factor, the thing to convince Raven to come home. "I am an ***. It's quite a fine ***, too, if I don't say so myself."


<Raven Talius> "Not really. I want to lay around here all day and kill whatever is left of my humanity. To dwell amongst the shadows and sink deeper if I could." Slowly she moved to stand and shook her head, she wasn't even going to comment on his *** anymore. "But, I will go back, for Clover's sake."


<Jesse Fforde> The mission was complete, even if Jesse didn't know this was what he had come down here for. "You can lay around up there and kill whatever's left of your humanity," he said, smirking even if it couldn't be seen. She'd be able to hear it in his voice. "You're going to come back naked, and you're going to appear somewhere in or around the Quarantine Zone. I'm going to go back and find you some clothes, okay? I'll come and find you," he said. She'd never died before - she wouldn't know what to expect upon returning.


<Raven Talius> Scoffed as he mentioned that she would be naked upon returning. Being naked was the last thing on her mind really. "Well, so long as someone is going to get a kick out of my naked form. I'll hold it to you if you don't come find me with clothes."


<Jesse Fforde> "I'm not going to get a kick out of it. Only tell Clover that if you want to see her try to kill me. Or you and me both," he said with a chuckle. "I'll see you soon, Raven. I better see you soon..." he said. "I passed a door out on my way to you, head that way," he said, gesturing in a vaguely south easterly direction. Unless she had the same power that he did, and could leave without needing a door -- which he did, in the blink of an eye. One second he was there, and the next he was gone.


<Raven Talius> She wtached him leave and a simple sigh parted her lips, she didn't want to leave, she wanted to stay, but he wasn't expecting her there and she wasn't about to make herself a liar. So, off she went to find a door.

__________________________________

<Jesse Fforde> It was to Clover's closet that Jesse went to raid for clothes; he assumed that whatever he found would fit well enough until Raven could find a set of her own clothes. To be on the safe side, he picked a dress, plain black, a similarly black cardigan and a pair of slip-on shoes. Raven wouldn't be asked to go on some fashion parade. She just needed enough to be modest. Before he went through the portal back to Wickbridge, he paused and doubled back, finding one other thing to slip into his pocket. Just in case. If the time was right... Ten minutes later he found himself meandering around where the Sanctuary apartments were. Really, she could be anywhere, and he hoped she'd at least put herself somewhere semi-obvious. "Heeere kitty kitty...." he called nonchalantly, whistling into the dark corners.


<Raven Talius> The first thing that she noticed when her body seemed to manifest out of the shadows, was a burning thirst. Her fangs dropped into her mouth as she double over and a hand rose to press to her throat. This was something that she hadn't missed, the constant thirst that was never sated. Even when she killed and drank a human dry, it just never seemed enough. HOwever, she had never let her thirst get this bad and she knew the first human she saw, would be a dead one. The woman had been doubled over in the shadows beside the morgue and it was then then she heard Jesse's voice. She growled in frustration but she rose to straighten and moved out of the shadows towards him. She wasn't ashamed of her body, never had been, "I'm over here." She called, even though it felt like her throat was rasping. She was thirsty and she had a monster appetite to go with it.


<Jesse Fforde> The pale skin was like a beacon in the dark night, the flesh glowing in the dim lights from the streets. Jesse laughed under his breath, wondering if he heard a tone in Raven's voice. Probably. He sauntered toward the woman -- he wasn't shy, either, though he did keep his eyes on Raven's face. He handed over the clothes. "Welcome back to the world of the living," he said.


<Raven Talius> She took the clothes from him only to drop them and hold out the dress. What in seven hells was he thinking? A ******* dress? She had never worn one in her life? They were just not here thing. "Jesse, I know that you don't own much female clothing, but a dress? Really? you couldn't get like a normal pair of jeans and a top? Now I wish that I was still dead." She grumbled as she slipped the dress on followed by the shoes. Raven moved then to pick the cardigan up off the ground and she eyed it. "It looks like I'm going to my funeral."


<Jesse Fforde> "Clover owns a lot of black," he said, only now narrowing his eyes at Raven. "I didn't know whether anything else would fit, and a dress seemed the safest bet," he said. He supposed he could have found a pair of his own track pants, a t-shirt - it'd swim on Raven, but pants could be cinched, and a swimming shirt didn't matter too much. "Where are the rest of your clothes?" he asked. He didn't know where Raven kept her belongings. Where did she call home?


<Raven Talius> The woman held the cardigan out for a moment as she thought about his words for a moment and she simply shrugged. "Most of my things are kept at Azraeth's apartment. I have a tome, but I got to track it down. I'm fairly certain that I know where my bag is... At Voodoo. Both regulated Dragomir areas and I doubt that they are not going to want anything to do with me for a while." A shrug of her shoulders was given. "I'll go to the bank, pull money out and buy stuff later. Right now though... All that I can think about, is blood."


<Jesse Fforde> "I have a spare tome," he said casually, as if he just carried around spare tomes. "If you want it, for ease of access," he said with a mild shrug. No pushing, just casual suggestions. Otherwise, he nodded. He himself didn't have much of an issue with blood when he came out of the Shadow Realm - he always came back feeling full enough. But he still knew what it was like to be thirsty. "Shall we go hunting?"

[Raven Talius]

<Raven Talius> She shook her head, "No, it's fine, I have to face the Dragomirs again at some point. Just not right now, I'll probably be killed all over again, but-" The woman shrugged as she lifted a hand to ruffle her red and black locks. "Hunting, yes. Just... Try to avoid the crowds, I can't guarantee that I won't jump the first chance that I get."


<Jesse Fforde> Jesse wanted to remind Raven that none of them had come to visit her -- had they cared at all? Why did she have to face them, or make it right? Why was she bothered at all? She had a chance to come and stay somewhere she didn't have to 'face' anyone, and yet she still turned it down. Jesse said none of this, however. He didn't ask any questions. "Right. We'll pick off some of the stragglers, then," he said, turning on his heel and letting his gaze penetrate the street ahead. "Homeless --" he said, pointing to the abandoned shop and the scraggly man shuffling his way into it. "Or revellers," he said, pointing to a couple of smokers mingling outside the tavern -- it was late. Closer to morning than evening, not too many people hanging around. Not too many in the tavern, now, anyway.


<Raven Talius> Silently watched Jesse for a moment, before a sigh found its way to her lips at his tone and she followed him. Did it truly matter that none of them visited her? That they didn't even bother to drop down? Only Jesse and Clover had bothered and it had been Jesse that decided to kick her butt back into the land of the living. He pointed out a few, but she didn't care. "All of them," she whispered, before she began to pick up her pace, crossing the street to where the two smokers were and a hand snapped out to curl her fingers around one of their throat's while she snarled at the other one. "Time to die," She growled as she lunged forwards to sink her fangs into the neck of the man that she currently held.


<Jesse Fforde> The tone Jesse had adopted was one of determination, of getting a job done. He followed after Raven, hands shoved into his pockets. One smoker was attacked, and the other -- great friend that he was -- tried to turn tale and run. He ran directly into Jesse's chest, hard as a brick. Tattooed hands were released from their pockets to catch the guy. "Tsk, not sticking around for the fun?" he asked, turning him on the spot and holding him still, a hand covering his mouth to keep him from screaming. Jesse summoned the shadows to them, dousing them in blackness to keep anyone from witnessing the scene. Jesse didn't bite, though. He didn't drink. He held the guy steady, ready for Raven. Seconds.


<Raven Talius> Fangs had sliced through skin and vein and next thing she knew, blood was pouring into her mouth as she closed her lips over the wound, gulping the thick liquid down. The one she held onto didn't make a sound, it was almost as if he was too busy being in shock, that or it was just the simple fact that she had half strangled him to death beforehand. However, she soon found that she had drained him dry and frustration tore at her as she tossed the body aside. Brown hues landed upon the one that Jesse held and a smirk found its way to her lips. "Why Jesse, for me? You shouldn't have." She said as she walked towards the second man. The vampire had honestly thought that Jesse would have bitten the other himself, but he hadn't. Fangs were bared as a hand reached out to grasp the man's hair, only to pull his head to the side to reveal his neck. Soon, her fangs sank into that neck, one that had her lips sealing over the wound so then she could gulp more blood down. She was so thirsty.


<Jesse Fforde> The man watched his friend die; Jesse barely spared a thought for how close they might have been. Even if they were two strangers just sharing a lighter, he still watched another human being die, killed by a vampire, drained dry. He was trembling in Jesse's grasp, and the temptation was there to bite. Though Jesse wanted to, though he craved it, he didn't need it. Raven approached like a bee to pollen, and Jesse kept hold of the prey. He watched, up close and personal, as fangs sank into skin, could smell the blood as soon as it broke to the surface of the skin, before Raven's lips closed around the wound. Nostrils flared and Jesse had to close his eyes and turn away, keep from breathing in so that he wouldn't shove Raven back and tear into the skin himself. He kept hold on the body until Raven was done, and only then would he let it go, let it drop to the ground with its friend. "More? If we head over there," he said, nodding to the abandoned shop, "we should take these guys. Burn it, and them, to the ground."


<Raven Talius> Gulp after gulp, she listened to his heart beat begin to slow and she was beginning to be able to pull herself back from the constant thirst, the one that told her that she should kill each one of her prey. Sever their heads or tear them to shreds. In such state, she barely even registered the fact that Jesse struggled to hold back, to simply let her feed without a fight, because she would have fought him if it meant draining this human dry for herself as well. The heart beat that normally called to her slowed until she could barely hear it beat anymore and the blood ran dry. Raven tore her fangs from the dead man and lifted a hand to wipe at the blood from her lips. Slowly, her tongue lashed out to lick up the drops from her hand while she listened to him. "I could do with more, but for now, I can restrain myself." She said before she moved to grab the other body, only to hoist it over her shoulder.


<Jesse Fforde> Jesse did the same, hoisting the other body over his shoulder, ready for the quick trek across the road. "We're going to burn the homeless man alive, then? Let him go to waste?" he said, jogging to catch up to Raven, walking backwards as they headed toward the building.


<Raven Talius> "No, he is to die, but you eat first. I'll have whatever is left over," She said softly as her gaze shifted to the homeless man. He had seen too much and had to die. "I may be thirsty, but I can handle it. Burning him alive is just a waste of blood that is running through his veins." The vampire said as she opened the door to the abandoned shop, only to toss the body inside.


<Jesse Fforde> Jesse went with, though he had to laugh. "Leftover? You're dreaming if you think I'd leave anything over," he said, but if Raven wasn't going to -- if she had offered -- Jesse wasn't going to say no. As soon as he was free of the weight from his shoulders, he approached the homeless guy who stammered, shaking his head and tried to back off. Jesse grabbed him by the scruff at his neck, material of old clothes bunching in tattooed fists. He pulled the guy into the shop, said nothing, no banter. Raven had got a five-star meal, Jesse was getting greasy takeaway. But it was better than nothing. Once ensconced in within the shop, fangs sunk into sagged skin, blood dragged from decrepit body. Better than nothing, Jesse reminded himself.


<Raven Talius> The woman watched him and held back, her hand gripped the edge of the door frame as she watched. It was so hard not to lunge forwards and fight him for the meal that she had wanted regardless of the quality. It may be a homeless man, but he had blood pumping through his veins still. She felt her own fangs pierce her bottom lip while the knuckles of her hand turned whiter as they gripped the door frame with a death grip. A growl rose to her lips and her other hands lifted, only to grip the other side of the door frame while she strained to fight against fighting other the meal Jesse was eating.


<Jesse Fforde> Jesse heard the growl, eyes opening to lift to Raven in the doorframe; Raven, wearing Clover's clothes. She and Clover probably made a bigger mess when they went hunting; Jesse tried to keep such chaos under wraps until he was with Clover, unless it was something that she needed. Or something that he needed. Right now, his emotions were flat, content, sane. He didn't need blood painting walls. There wasn't any pity in his eyes, though. They were cold in their blueness, predatory. He drained the body, he took every last drop before it fell to the ground with a not-so-heavy thud. "No leftovers," he said, voice gruff. "Sorry not sorry."


<Raven Talius> Silently, she watched the body drop to the ground and listened to Jesse's voice as he spoke. A slow breath was inhaled, before she slowly exhaled. "It's fine, I've already eaten two, I can wait till later on, when you're off doing whatever it is that you do." Fangs slowly retracted and she pulled a hand from the door frame to pat at... It was at this point that she remembered that she wasn't wearing her jacket, the one where she always kept a lighter within. "Well, it looks like you're going to have to send this place up in flames yourself."


<Jesse Fforde> "My pleasure," he said, gleefully reaching into his pocket for the lighter that Clover had given to him. Was it Christmas? It was something, for some reason, but he knew it was from her. There were a few different lighters that had been given to him by people in the past, but this was the one that he carried around. He flicked the lid, the flame springing to life. He meandered around the room, touching the flame to flimsy, flammable surfaces. "...this is my favourite thing..." he said, then shrugged. "Second favourite," he murmured. Though it wasn't like he had to voice it. It was obvious he was enjoying himself far too much.


<Raven Talius> Raven watched him reach into his pocket for a lighter and watched as the flame sprung to life within his hands. A slow smile made its way to her lips as she watched him set fire to the flammable surfaces. "What? Setting fire to things? I have to agree. There is just something about fire that makes you go a little crazy." The vampire chuckled softly as she began to back out of the building. What was this? The second building that the two had set a light to? "I can say that pain is my most favourite thing."


<Jesse Fforde> Jesse grinned, a smile so broad and gleaming so as to look completely out of place. It wasn't often that he smiled so much. "I don't think I have to tell you what my favourite thing is," he said. Pain was probably part of it, every now and again. But it wasn't the main part, nor the most important. The flames leapt to life at each spot that he touched with the lighter, the heat beginning to billow. He began to back out, too, the flames enough, so far, to do the damage required.


<Raven Talius> She was taken back by his grinned, normally he wasn't so happy in her presence, as they mainly spent their time arguing and he, frowning. Finally she chuckled as she shook her head, "No, no you don't." Finally, she found herself outside the abandoned shop and she angled her head, this scene was so familiar, minus the screaming people. "I'm not sure why you helped me, but thanks."


<Jesse Fforde> "Ahah, we've learned the T word," he said, out on the footpath with Raven. Something went 'boom' inside, and Jesse took a few steps back, heading across the street to watch the fiery destruction from a safe distance. He nudged Raven with his elbow, clearly teasing her, making light of the help he'd given. He continued to tell himself it was for Clover's sake. Regardless, he didn't try to explain.


<Raven Talius> Her gaze snapped to the shop as it suddenly went 'boom' and a smile curved her lips. Raven's own steps followed him across the street, only to stop and watch the fire some more. A shrug was given then as she glanced down the street. "You can thank that Dragomirs for that, I learned a lot from them. However, I guess it's time for me to move on again. Find somewhere else to make camp for a while."


<Jesse Fforde> Narrowed his eyes a little, head canted to the side. "I recall the last time we were watching a place burn to the ground, I told you a few things about appreciation," he said. But if she wanted to claim that Dragomirs had taught her everything, so be it. "You don't have to move elsewhere, you know. I have already offered you a tome..."


<Raven Talius> The woman chuckled at the mention of appreciation. "Don't get your panties in a twist, your talks are taken in as well, but things generally happen over time, not over night. Plus, I have to practise actually saying it." Flames, they never lied, instead they purified whatever they touched. "We have only just gotten to a stage where things are... Some what easy going. I don't want to ruin that."


<Jesse Fforde> "Yeah yeah," he said, resigned. The orange flames danced in his eyes as he watched, finding pleasure in watching the fire consume everything it touched. Being so close to Sanctuary apartments, though, someone there must have called the fire brigade. Sirens drifted toward them from the distance. "I don't think you'll ruin anything. It's too quiet for anything to be ruined. Whatever you like, though," he said with another nudge of his elbow.


<Raven Talius> Her gaze lifted and angled to look down the street that the sirens were coming from. It seemed like she was eerily used to them. Probably because she was used to setting fire to things, or causing bar fights. A simple scoff rose to her lips as she felt his nudge and she glanced at him. "I ruin everything. Hell, Clover was torn when I walked the first time. If something happened between you and me and I walked again? What do you think would happen?"


<Jesse Fforde> Jesse laughed. "You'd tell me to go to hell, and stick around. Because my grudges rarely last, and I'd get over it. Or, we make sure nothing happens between us. You're nice to look at, Raven, but I'm not going to get between the sheets with you. You don't have to run away to resist," he said, chuckling.


<Raven Talius> Rolled her eyes as she threw a light punch to Jesse's arm, "You know what I mean you ***. You know that I'm talking about what seems to be a regular fight between us." A simple smirk found its way to her lips then as she shook her head, "Besides, you're not my type. I'll leave you to Clover. Besides, she swore that she would kill me again at some point. If I went a third time, I'm not sure whether I could resist the call once again."


<Jesse Fforde> "She might hurt you a little, I don't think she'll kill you again," he said. The welcomes he'd got from Clover when returning from death had been colourful, in the very least. Bullets, and knives. Broken bones. What hadn't she done to him? "She doesn't like being left behind. If she's angry, if she hurts you, if she threatens to kill you again it's because she cares," he said. A twisted way to show someone they care, but it was Clover's way. And he loved her way.


<Raven Talius> "I wouldn't mind pain and I don't mind death, but if it was expected for me to come back, I doubt I would easily be persuaded with one of your lovely conversations." A sigh fell upon her lips as she looked to the sky, "Clover might be wondering just as to where you are at the moment."


<Jesse Fforde> "Ahah! The hint. You've had enough of me," he said, at which point the fire engine came careening around the corner. Men jumped from the cabin, shouting orders, going about their job with speed and haste. "Call her. She might want her dress back," he said. "And I'll make sure she's got this spare tome. Y'know, just in case," he said with a wink. He didn't need any further hints. He turned from Raven and headed in the direction of River Rock -- he'd walk home. He'd enjoy a good walk. He didn't even say goodbye - just gave Raven a vague wave over his shoulder.


<Raven Talius> Simply blinked as suddenly he was jumping onto the wagon that he thought that she was tired of him. Truth be told, it had been nice to have company and being able to talk to Jesse without arguing. Her brown hues watched Jesse as he began to walk away. In all honesty, she didn't actually say it to get rid of him, she just figured that Jesse and Clover were basically joined at the hip. That they did everything together. It was just strange to see one without the other. Raven tapped a toe against the pavement before she glanced back to the firemen going about their business and she too began to move away. Where to? She wasn't sure. Perhaps she would wander the street for a while in search for another victim.