One of Those Nights [Aurelia]

[Aurelia]

She could understand and respect it, his desire not to speak about it now. There was a nod of her head. Aurelia knew too well that certain subjects were always left to be described over time. The blonde woman could only imagine what it was like. She had seen clients with addictions, the way that a withdrawl took over their lives and controlled it. Was the thirst that a new vampire felt comparable? Was it stronger? There was a slight appeal to it, the mystery. She had never been one to romanticize any of it. Vampires, werewolves. She'd always rolled her eyes at the love stories that glamorized everything that could be considered to be a curse. Then again, she supposed that everyone had their own versions of what to love and what not to love. There were ups and downs with everything in life, a positive that had to outweigh the negative and vice versa.

Life wouldn't go in a full circle without it, and vampires? Now, where did they fit in? Were there things, people out there to counter their power?

Her smile was genuine once more as Alaric said he liked horses. She'd appreciate any source of help where she could get it. After all, getting back on her feet after another move... after getting up and leaving without warning, showing up on her parents doorstep in the middle of the day, well, it wasn't like Aurelia. But Lawrence had hurt her. And so had Ginerva... "It used to be a really beautiful place when I was a kid, and I'd like to get it back to it's former glory. My parents moved back into the city after my sister and I moved out. Arielle, my younger sister, is around here in town somewhere, likely." That was a conversation that Aurelia wasn't looking forward to. Discussion her cheating ex and her former best friend. She supposed she might as well begin looking into who she'd need to call if her sister was arrested, again.

"There were a few Dartmoors breeders I knew when I was in high school, so perhaps I'll be able to find them again." She said thoughtfully. "Is it something you enjoy? Horseback riding?" It was lighter hearted conversation than the previous topic, something that could offer some bonding.

[Alaric von der Marck]

Alaric nodded, slow. It was good to know there was more family in town; Aurelia, and Arielle. Alaric committed the names to memory, and thought of the stables that Aurelia spoke of. He couldn’t say that he’d been there, not that he had known of their existence. But he would be glad to see them – to help restore them to their former glory, even.

”Arielle. I would like to meet her,” he said. It was not really a question, though if it was a command or a demand then it was uttered with a gentleness to his tone. A patriarch in name only, he could not rightly command anything from anyone. Not until he became a patriarch in act, and not only in name. A von der Marck; a man who commanded respect but not by having to ask for it. He’d been that man once before. He could be that man again. It would only take a little time.

”I enjoy horseback riding more than I like the modern vehicle,” he said with a small smile. Back when he was human, horseback riding was not a sport. It was a necessity, if one had the money to own horses. It was a mode of travel. It wasn’t a hobby, and Alaric’s horse had been his best friend. ”Schwarzwälder Kaltblut. That was the horse that I rode. It is a breed that is rare, even in Germany. His name was Gunnar,” he said. He could see the horse, now. Could feel his hot breath against his neck. They’d spent many hours on the road together; he’d carried Alaric to town his last day as a human. He’d carried him home again, now vampire, now weighted with the horror of what he had become, the horrors that he had committed. But Gunnar had not cared; he had not reared. Even with cold blood, he had still recognised his master.

”If you will need help with the stables, I will like to see them,” he said. He’d even help with the horses. It would be a welcome distraction.

[Aurelia]

"I'll be sure to send her your way, then." It wouldn't surprise Aurelia if Arielle herself would feel the same way. Like the elder von der Marck sister, she knew her younger sister to be one to wander around the grounds from time to time. Perhaps not as frequently, but it did happen. Aurelia was drawn more often to the graveyard due to spirits, however, having one seek her out and encourage her to seek for the man sitting across from her had been different. She was almost positive the spirit was trying to help Aurelia, instead.

Aurelia smiled in return as she understood the preference. She'd felt the same, but it was odd to be seen riding a horse into town on modern days. She'd done it a few times as a teenager and still preferred to. Sometimes it was easier during the summer time. Faster, too, depending on the time of day with traffic. It often made children look twice and she liked seeing little girl's eyes light up when they realized what was going on. "A Black Forest Horse. Beautiful." Gunnar. Aurelia wondered if there were any records that she could follow in search of one of Gunnar's ancestor. "Did he ever breed?" She questioned, already thinking of her old connections.

"I've always found that they know what type of person someone is before the actual person does. They're smart animals." As he mentioned the stables, Aurelia could only smile. "That would be appreciated, greatly."

[Alaric von der Marck]

Alaric shook his head. Not in negating anything, but because he was not sure. It was so long ago; it was another lifetime. Thinking of those stables back in Germany, the stablehands, Gunnar. Gunnar was the only horse that he recalled, though he was certain there had been others. He vaguely recalled conversations about breeding but he never knew whether Gunnar himself had been used. Surely he had? Such a fine specimen, it would have been a waste not to breed with him.

”Perhaps. I cannot recall,” he said. Gunnar had remained behind when they’d made the trip to the new world. Minimal worldly possessions had been brought with them, and Alaric did not want to subject the horse to the distress of travel by water. Left behind, Alaric knew that Gunnar would have eventually been sold, used in the war. To this day he could decide whether that would have been a better or worse fate for the beast.

But, even if the horse had been brought across the sea, Alaric knew that, like everyone else in his family, Gunnar would have eventually died of old age. It would have been heartbreak, and he only hoped that Gunnar had lived a full enough life. And yes, it would be nice to know whether his lineage had lived on, like Alaric’s had. Perhaps there would be horses out there as strong as the woman who now sat before Alaric.

”You will let me know when you require the help, and I shall come,” Alaric said with a nod. He would not intrude before he was wanted.