A bloody discovery [Elijah Brooks]

[Mason]

There wasn't much too say, not that there wasn't much to talk about. More that, there just wasn't any good way to actually have it said. She looked up as they walked to the building, she could go into that, it was open to anyone. But, the individual rooms. Ever since the change, it was just impossible to do it of her own accord without being offered entrance. She couldn't fully explain that, but she just couldn't. It was an unusual feeling. Like both a mental and physical block. Yet another problem she'd run into after the changing.

She was quite happy that he hadn't let her have to figure out the correct words to explain she couldn't enter without being welcomed. Already inviting her in and apologizing for the mess, she waved her hand aside, "My life's a mess I won't judge your home." she said honestly with a bit of a smile, besides. Artists were actually rather known for that. It was almost expected that an artist would have a messy house in this day and age.

As she entered taking in an unneeded breath at finally being away from the outside world she got to see just the type of mess it was. But it was still a nice place, small, not much to go off of, but it was nice. There was plenty of reasons to know it was that of an artist with the many drawings in the place. Several of which she found herself glancing at in thought, art. She'd always loved art, strangely, it was something that just could not be changed even when she turned. The tattoos which might have faded, remained fully intact by a firm choice of her own in some way.

Eli might have gotten a bit more of a faster heartbeat, but while Mason didn't have one to judge by. What she did show was that she was ever so much calmer now that they were away from the public. But at the same time, pained. Swallowing on nothing and running her hand through her hair repeatedly, she dropped to her knees on the floor sitting on her legs and keeping her hands in her hair leaning forwards. Perhaps calm was not the right word. Open, perhaps, was. Her pain more visible, but her fear and paranoia decreased significantly. She didn't have any fear of him, she could trust him enough right.

At the same time though, her hunger was growing. More and more reminding her of why she was here and she clenched her stomach her fangs once again protruding out of her lips against her will. She tried to focus, focus, push them back in, took a few more seconds then before. But they eventually receded.

"Eli, it's...it's not." She let out an ached breath, "Why do we even exist. what purpose do any of us serve? Why do I bother?"

[Elijah Brooks]

When Mason falls to her knees in the middle of the apartment, Eli goes into a state of shock that has him paralysed in place. He blinks at her. His mouth agape. His mind is blank. His feet are anchored to the spot and his arms hang like deadweights at his sides. It’s her voice that finally breaks the spell on him, however. The frail and pained sound tugs him to his knees beside her. Eli wraps an arm around her shoulder and rests his hand on the crown of her knee. This is the best he can do to comfort her because her questions circumvent his expertise. If Mason is looking for some divine answer, then Eli cannot give her one; he doesn’t even know if he can fake it well enough to provide sympathy. What he can do - and does - is tell her what he does believe.

“Because you can’t give up,” Eli says softly. “I know it doesn’t seem like it right now, but, everything will work itself out. It’s not always going to be this bad. And. You’re such a strong person, Macy. You’re going to get through this.”

Eli speaks with conviction, even though it’s impossible to smile. It’s not as if he’s forgotten the secret she shared with him and he’s not trying to distract from his own secret being revealed, either. Mason never told Eli why she hunted vampires, but, he knows there must be a good reason because her pain is heartbreaking. He feels like he’s betrayed her trust all this time by hiding a part of him away and it came to light in the worst possible way, but, maybe this is how he can help her now. Maybe, in time, Mason can come to terms with what she is and that way she could understand why Eli does what he does.

“You’re not going to be alone,” he adds. “I’m here for you.”

[Mason]

The pain she felt, her whole world was torn apart, memories of being human hurt, but the idea of being nothing more then her vampiric nature scared her even more. She felt Eli kneel next to her putting an arm around her and a hand on her knee, such an odd thought to think how comforting that was. Maybe it wasn't just the action itself, but that it was done by a human, and one that she felt she could trust. Heard him say she couldn't give up, how things wouldn't always be the way they are for her, that she was strong. She let out a choked breath, Yeah, strong, I'm practically crying on the floor. she thought, still, it was nice to hear.

“You’re not going to be alone,” he adds. “I’m here for you.”

She had to smile turning her head slightly, yeah, that was good. Not alone. Not like she made herself after she was turned. She didn't have to be alone. Then she lurched forwards not from emotion this time, but from hunger, her fangs emerging on their own, as she groaned, "Eli...I need..." she hesitated hating to actually say the words but from her eyes and the fangs emerged from her lips it was clear, "I..."

The thought of even suggesting she needed to feed on anyone, let alone him, hurt in its own. But she couldn't ignore her hunger much longer. It was like she was starving regularly when it happened, forcing her into acting whether she wanted to or not sometimes.

[Elijah Brooks]

The strangled garble that rises out of her throat is all too familiar to his ears. It's that desperate call for a release from the pain of starving to death, but never dying. It must drive some people mad, Eli thinks, which is why there are so many stories and folk lores about vampires being evil creatures and humans possessed by demon spirits. He can't look at Macy like that, not even as those ivory fangs slip out of her gums like arching talons. He just cradles her closer and is consumed by the scent of her shampoo as he nuzzles against her crown. His eyes pinch shut and he remembers her features rendered in charcoal; how content she was back then when she day dreamed of mountains and forests. It must seem like a million miles away from here and now, but, he's desperate to bring back that relief.

“It’s OK,” he says. “It’s OK, Macy.”

Eli offers her a smile that brightens his eyes again. If this is what Mason needs to feel better, then he can do this for her. He brushes her hair back, and relaxes beside her. His arm lifts from the hilt of her shoulders and coils around her waist, allowing her to roam freely and take what she needs. He doesn’t think about fate or destiny, but in a strange way, it’s as if they were meant to meet that day in the park. Like polar opposites, they were attracted to each other and tugged into this weird neutrality where being an outsider and a loner could be acceptable when they were together.

He follows her gaze the best he can to anticipate her movements and be as accommodating as possible. Eli takes his hand from her knee to unbutton the first few rows on his navy shirt and then slackens the collar. The long cord of muscle that runs down from under his chin to his collarbone throbs with each deglutition. His proud heart thumps calmly in that smooth, narrow chest that rises and falls with each breath. Equally, the veins in his neck are pronounced and quietly thronging beneath his warm skin. Eli doesn’t speak for a while and just waits for Macy to act.

[Mason]

Elijah knelt by her embracing her. At least that was a constant. Elijah was still kind to her. Trying to comfort her in her moment of absolute agony. Not just the pain of hunger, but of the emotional desperation of being a vampire. How it had ruined her life. There was not something much worse then this. Simple words that, to her, were untrue. But they still helped, if only a little along with his smile which she only for a bare moment managed to a twitched smile at.

A movement, as he prepared to allow her to feed. Unbuttoning his shirt and moving so she might. Her eyes drifted to his neck, her sorrowful eyes still so thirsty. How it ached to try not to. How wildly different they were now compared to the first moment. Back when it was peaceful, and her only references to vampires with him were ones of hatred. And here she was, prepared to feed on him. A muscle, a path to calm.

It took another moment, a look to his eyes, and thens he reached forwards leaning against him and putting her hands around his back to steady herself as he fangs dug into his neck. As the blood began to flow from it into her throat. Thinner then syrup yet thicker then water. A sense of pleasure at the sensation of her stomach beginning to fill. As with each pull the blood came through that life saving gift. Her eyes shut, and her grip around his back began to loosen as she continued. Oh how awful it was, for the unfortunate fact that it was so enjoyable. There was nothing so good to have been tasted while she was alive. And yet, nothing so truly awful of a moment that she had committed than to feed upon a friend.

It would take quite a few moments of this. Drawing and drawing. It was far from enough to endanger his life, though it'd almost surely make his shoulder much colder. Or warmer. Before she could finally remove her fangs, and any normal person the wound would heal afterwards. She quickly pulled her fangs into her mouth to save every drop. Then the clasping simply turned into a hug, tears running down her face that had started during the feeding, "I'm so sorry Eli. I'm so sorry." she whispered.

[Elijah Brooks]

The knowing doesn’t soften the blow and no matter how many times he’s done it, that first pop of tearing skin is the hardest part. He braces against Macy for comfort, squeezing her arm tightly in that tiny moment of pressure when her fangs sink in. He doesn’t notice he’s holding his breath either until hot air blows out of him and caresses her shoulder. The pain throbs in his neck as she draws from him - a pain that’s deep and warm then ripples out. When it wanes, Eli can enjoy the fuzzy pleasure left behind as it threads ribbons of silk between his nerves. When it returns, he can only hold still and breathe; breathe slow and deep until it passes.

As Mason continues to feed, Eli’s vision is blotched with violent colours that move and merge without pattern or design. His eyes roll back into his head, squinting shut, and he pushes down on the groan that is squirming its way up his throat. The same fire that burns at the source of her bite is blazing across his cheeks too, leaving them raw and pink like a touch of fever. Smog forms around his ears, making it harder to hear anything beyond his own thumping heartbeat which is sending more and more blood into the vampire’s stomach. The wall of pain that is cemented with queasy dissolution still has him crippled, and he feels like he’s sat on the rim of passing out, but purpose quickly swims back into view and it’s enough to keep his head held upright.

The snap of withdrawing pressure makes him gasp and come awake again. Macy clasps him in a hug and he leans into it, resting more of his body weight than he should, but he can’t help it. His shaking hand strokes her back as her muffled words reach his ears. Her pain is impossible to ignore and it hangs over them both like a wet blanket. Eli’s strength returns as the moments pass; he regains his composure and continues to stroke her back, he leans his crown against hers and sighs deeply.

“It’s OK,” he says again. “It’s OK. We’re going to work this out. You can stay here as long as you need to, and we can talk all night, and you can have my bed in the morning, and I’ll make it safe for you and. And. And it’s going to be OK.”

Eli lifts his head to catch her gaze again. While it’s probably the last thing she wants right now is someone looking at her when she’s crying, he gives it a go regardless. Maybe she’ll feel better if she can look at him, to look at something that was flesh, solid, and real; maybe she would feel better to get out of her head. Eli prepares a soft smile - the kind that brightens his brown eyes and puts the colour back in his face. He was going to make this better for Mason no matter what.

[Mason]

Macy remains mostly still as he leaned his head against hers after she had finally been done. It was just so wrong, this wasn't how anything was supposed to go! Why, of all the things to happen? Why this/? And yet she was being offered to stay, to talk, and even to have a bed to stay on. A place to be safe. Tears in her eyes still, though he tried to cheer her up with a smile. A smile that felt real. Or at least, it was not to deceive.

It was the smile from a friend. She tried to smile in turn, using a hand to try and wipe away the tears, not that it would really help much. She swallowed, shutting her eyes and not otherwise moving much, "Thank you," she said quietly, struggling a laugh, "I hadn't really thought I'd see you much since I...turned. I was afraid..."

She paused, uncertainty on her face, she was still in pain. But a peculiarity had occured to her, and she was coming to a realization, "Elijah...why were you there..."

He could deny it. But, it would be one heck of a coincidence. Maybe she'd believe him. Maybe not. But what he said next was very important regardless.

[Elijah Brooks]

It’s a relief to hear Macy laugh, even though the sound is breathy and weak like the crackles of dying embers. His skin creases like folded paper in between his brow when she tells him how scared she was that she wouldn’t see him again. She pulls her gaze away from him and he focuses instead on her cheeks, where tears have left silver trails. It’s now that they have a moment for pause that he can appreciate her in this new way. Even in the warm light of his apartment, Macy’s skin is the colour of silver yew bark; it spreads like moonlight over high cheekbones and an up-turned nose before folding into raspberry soft lips and shaping the jaw into a pretty point. Ebony hair descends around her shoulders and blends into her long coat; preserving the shadows of her new-found eternity. Yet, she looks as fragile as a new-born sparrow in his arms.

Eli loosens a sigh from deep in his chest and then holds her a little closer. He’s glad that their paths didn’t break away from each other, but he quickly comes to the realisation that it wasn’t because of choice. When Macy looks at him with this strange expression on her face, Eli searches her features for some kind of clue. Her crystal blue eyes are still wet with tears, there’s a crease in her brow, and then her mouth opens to drop a ball of words that explode in his ears. He sits there shell-shocked for a moment, only to fidget and brush his hair back. He looks away from Macy, into the kitchen, and then back to her. He scratches behind his ears. He hums as he bites his lip. He decides to tell the truth.

“I... I was there to meet you,” he says. “Because of the ad.”

[Mason]

She sighed, his answer was simple. She didn't think she could really blame him. She just stared down for a second. He was feeding vampires, she wondered if he'd been doing this even at the first time they'd met. Back when she was a paladin. Back when life was simpler, vampires bad. Just don't get caught. Now everything was just so much more...complicated. Her instincts told her that it was wrong, that he shouldn't be doing that. But she had accepted the add, so now what. Her eyes were filled with thoughts just as her mind.

Busy, busy, busy. She glanced up at him. Familiarity. A friend that could last. She still had the picture he made of her. She would always find somewhere to put it. Somewhere to keep it safe. She looked at him, giving in to the fact that, whatever she might have thought once, that was not right to think now. It would be unfair, and hypocritical. So she simply said, quietly "Ok...thanks."

"How long?....I just....want to know." She asked looking at him then held up a hand, "Wait...only tell me if you want to."

[Elijah Brooks]

Eli can tell right away that it’s not what she wants to hear and the expression she was wearing makes sense to him now. As Mason stops to consider things, Eli knows that he must do something to save the situation. He draws his lips together, making a sour face, and searches the room either side of him. The three-seater sofa comes into view and he smiles at the thought of sitting down in a more comfortable area; they could have a chat just like friends would do. Mason wants more information and Eli feels obliged to give it to her. He’s hidden the truth from her once before because it didn’t seem right to share something so personal when they were just getting to know each other. This wasn’t the way he wanted his secret to be shared with Mason, and it was partly because of her own feelings toward vampires that made him keep silent too; he didn’t want to upset her.

“It’s OK,” he says. “I’ll tell you the whole story if you wanna sit down and hear it?”

Eli gets to his feet and offers his hand so they can move their conversation over to the sofa; the white leather moulding graciously around them like a lover’s hug when they’re seated. He folds his hands into his lap and sets his doe-like brown eyes on Mason.

“It started a long time ago,” he admits and his cheeks flush with heat. “Long before I met you. It was probably around 2 in the morning and I couldn’t sleep, so I heard what sounded like someone breaking into our garden shed. I probably should have told my parents or the cops or something, but, I didn’t. I guess I just didn’t think too much about it when I went outside and checked the noise out for myself. And, that’s when I found her.”

Eli draws his lower lip between his teeth and feeds the flesh against the blunt rows until it hurts and he eventually runs out of grip. The distraction helps cool the burning in his cheeks so he can concentrate on telling the story with a calm voice.

“The first things that I saw were the reflective discs of her eyes and how white her skin looked in the moonlight compared to the dark liquid dripping from her mouth and the dead rat she had in her hands,” he says. “I remember being more surprised than scared. She was definitely more scared of me. She was scared of everything. She didn’t even know what had happened to her, only that she woke up one night feeling cold and desperately hungry, but couldn’t eat anything without being violently sick. The only thing that she could eat were the rats, or more specifically, their blood. But, it was getting harder and harder to live like that.”

His brow creases and he looks down into his hands. “She was terrified of having to hurt anyone.” After a moment, he looks back at Macy with a soft smile. “We got to know each other over a few weeks before… uh. You know. The first time.” Eli sits back, his cheeks burning painfully this time. He brushes his hair back and leans his forehead into his palm, trying to hide. “It was different after that,” he says. “And… I. Um. I guess that’s the story. Or, the start of it, I guess. I know that not everyone who becomes a vampire wants to be one. I know there's good people out there who need help and I want to help, so I do what I can for them.”