Of Prophets (Closed)

[Elizabeth]

Alaric's woes seemed to mirror that of Elizabeth's from the early years upon her return. Perhaps, all elders went through something like this. Elizabeth had to admit that perhaps she had not been the easiest on her sire and given her age should have known better, while newer blood was brought to the Noble fold, but Elizabeth had always searched for the future and the direction her sire was taking was not that of a woman of the future, but one tied to the old ways that would be extinguished sooner than later by those of the new ways. A sigh passed through her lips as Elizabeth gave Alaric and his familial situation some deep thought.

"I too have been told I was condescending and judgemental." Elizabeth said with a laugh, thinking to how many times she had been told that in the past. "What I will leave thee with is some thoughts. I am not taking the side of your family member, but simply offering a what if, scenario. We know very well that you may be right, but he too may be right." Elizabeth glanced over to the other elder and then focused on his shoulder. "Centuries ago, I despised the Allurist vampires. I had a grievance with one of them, yet none of them were given a chance due to this one Allurist. It was this way when I died, and when I came back, I had met two. Neither of those two swayed my opinion of that type of vampire." Elizabeth admitted openly with a roll of her shoulders, before she looked at Alaric's face again.

"However, I met a wonderful Allurist. We are good friends and she is a part of my family. Has been for some time. Then, I met a few more that we could do without and then met another who was like the one I considered family. She too, is family to me." A hand reached out for the shoulder closest to Alaric and came to rest there. "It is true, there are Paladin's who wish to deal us a great harm, but yet, like some Allurists, there are a few that stick out and shift from the mold. Is it not possible that this individual could be a rare and unique paladin, like some allurists I know?" The hand dropped and found a place within her lap again. "I say give him, give them, a chance. He has not sought to destroy you yet, and he very well may not. Do not make the mistakes I have, when trying to protect those you care a great deal about, Alaric. You have to give them the freedom to make their own path and choices, even if they may be painful. There are lessons to be learned there." A wry smile was offered to him.

"As for the other issues, that come with being an elder. Ask any elder. I have experienced such a thing, our sire has, other bloodlines. We, sadly, have outlived our usefulness the second we sire. They know more than us they claim, while we know nothing. We are stuck to the old ways, when they have been forgotten about centuries ago. Your family is no different than most of mine, Isbella's or any other elder. We have all heard and felt the way you do. It is not just them, and while it makes one feel as if they have overstayed their welcome, or with a lack of purpose in regards to them, it does not mean that one does not have a purpose. Perhaps, your purpose for now, it is not with them, but with something else. A hobby? Studies?" Elizabeth offered, before glancing away. "One needs purpose, no matter what it is, Alaric. Otherwise, we cannot survive immortality. That much, I know." The fingers on her right hand played with the lace on her dress again. "And so, one must find a purpose."

[Alaric von der Marck]

Alaric was surprised at the revelation, that Elizabeth—who’d been nothing but wise and generous to Alaric—could have been painted as condescending and judgmental. Alaric assumed that it had something to do with the language that he spoke and harshness of his accent. English, though easier for him now than it had been a couple of months ago, was still his second language. And Alaric had long lost ease of mirth and patience for charm. He had hoped it was misunderstanding or miscommunication, but given someone as sweet as Elizabeth could be accused of the same—it must have to do with their age.

Alaric listened to Elizabeth’s story, and though he could understand the point she was making he still thought there was too much of a difference. Allurists were home to a different set of skills, and to judge all based on the actions of one was easy to do. Paladins, however, were trained to kill vampires. They generally went into it willingly and, though Judah had told Alaric that Sterling’s induction wasn’t traditional…

… it was that last thought that had Alaric sighing, and nodding, doing his best to accept the point of view that Elizabeth offered. He would leave Judah alone. He would give Sterling a chance. Given time and better circumstances, maybe they could… no. It seemed impossible, implausible. But he would stay out of it.

As for the rest of it, well. It was disheartening, but what were they to do about it? Alaric gazed up at the stars and reminded himself that Judah’s opinion was singular, and the rest had shown no sign that they agreed with said opinion. Though Leonie wished not to dabble in her magical abilities while pregnant, once the baby was born she would again require help—as much as Alaric could give when he himself did not share said abilities. His usefulness was not entirely moot. But purpose, it was not strong enough. He nodded.

”You are right, Elizabeth,” he said. ”Purpose. I will find it, eventually. And I will give Judah and his other their space,” he said. ”There is a lot to learn in this world, ja? There is much to catch up,” he said, pondering. Technology, especially, was something he wished to eventually master.

”I thank you. For the time, and for the advice. You have eased some of the weight from my shoulders,” he said with a smile, turning from the stars and back to his companion.

[Elizabeth]

Alaric's thoughts on catching up made Elizabeth laugh, even if it was somewhat hollow. "Speak to me again in two years time, Alaric. What is here and now, will be a thing of the past. Buildings will exist where they never once did. Adaptations to electronics...Yes, this world and time is fast moving and one can easily be swept away within it. I have been free for six years now and I still find myself lost at what those of this time know and refer to. Movies, famous people, books of this time, music of this time...I am still lost within this time and now believe I always will be."

Her blue eyes moved to Alaric at his thanks, gauging it was perhaps time to go their own ways, and she nodded her head in recognition. "Of course, Alaric. I do hope things go well for you and your family. And that our natural reaction and suspicions are wrong. It would make life easier for you and yours." Elizabeth looked past the other elder and then slowly stood. "Perhaps, one evening I can tell you more about my family and the countless problems we have had and perhaps still have." She laughed, this time wryly. "I suspect email, nor phone is your preferred method of reaching others, so if one ever finds they need help finding a purpose, I would be glad to help thee. I am just a thought away." Elizabeth smiled, amused at the statement. The blonde haired telepath dipped her head in his direction, then rested her eyes upon him. "Thank you for your company this evening, Alaric. Remember my offer, I have far too many properties that are not utilized to their full capabilities." Much of what Alaric had spoken of today had brought Elizabeth back to a time when she found herself in the shoes he was in. It provided a time of reflection, of sorts and in a strange sense made the woman feel a little better about her own predicaments, especially if other elders had the same struggles. So, was it true then? Had they outlived their usefulness? It was something to think about, and she did on her walk home.

[Alaric von der Marck]

It should have been alarming to Alaric that Elizabeth thought that she would always be lost in modernity. It should have made him feel dread, should have had him lamenting the very idea. Instead, he took it as a comfort. Not just because he would not be alone in feeling lost, but because it was a good thing to know. He could relax, knowing that there would be no cure for it. He could relax knowing that though he would not stop trying, he would not berate himself too much if he failed.


Alaric’s gratitude had not been intended as a hint that their night should end; he would happily have sat on that roof to hear all about Elizabeth’s life until the sun was set to rise. He assumed, however, that the other elder had things she wished to do, and did not begrudge her leaving. Alaric was a patient individual, and they had all the time in the world to get to know each other. To do so all in one night would be ludicrous, given the years they had collectively both lived.

Elizabeth disappeared and Alaric remained. He thought about her offer, of the properties that he might occupy. It might do him good if he were to live within the city somewhere; it could be a challenge set by himself to see if he could survive it, and grow accustomed to the constant buzz and hum. He did not admit to himself that he remained where he sat, staring at the stars not so much because he had nothing else to do with his night, but because he was reluctant to head back through the city to his home. He was reluctant to brave the city.

But he did, eventually. He always would. Fear was not something that Alaric avoided more than necessary. It was always something that he would confront.