Changes Aren't Always for the Best (Every)

[Karina]

Rina wasn't one to get left out in the evening. She made a religious habit of making her way back to The Eyrie with the tome that was provided to her by Micah. She had devoted her life as a vampire to the only family she really knew but this day was different. She woke up in a dark lonely corner of the Algonquin Caverns. Looking around as she started to come to, she couldn't understand what had happened but she was covered in a layer of dust, surrounded by spider webs, and there was blood all over her clothing. Confusion was an understatement but her adoptive sires had trained her well. Whether she went on a freak killing spree or something happened, now was not the time to dwell on it. Reaching into her back pocket, she pulled the tome that was hidden away and read the ancient words aloud. Instantly her body materialized in the basement of the tree-house and she gave a slight sigh of relief. Next on her list was getting to her hut and making sure that she didn't have a bounty but if she did, she would take care of it by letting her chosen sire, Velveteen know. Rina wasn't oblivious to the fact that if she had a bounty, she would be visiting the Shadow Realm. Protecting the secrecy of their race was important and crossing the lines had consequences.

Taking the elevator to the third floor, she raced to her hut and stepped inside. Resting her back against the door, she noticed that there was a layer of dust in her home. How long had she been away? Taking the time to clean the hut before she indulged in a nice hot shower as cleanliness was important to her. Once the place was clean and her shower was finished, she put on a clean set of clothes and sat in a chair. Rina needed information and find out what was going on. She didn't want to bother her sires as they were always so busy so why would she impose, though she did know that she needed to sit down with them but not right now. Rina wasn't up for a scolding currently for why she hadn't been home. First thing was first, checking for a bounty. Turning to her computer and pulling up the appropriate websites, she smiled as she noticed that her name was nowhere on the list. Thank God!!

Slipping on her boots, she made her way to her fade portal that would take her to her home in the family company of Docere Enterprises. The air was stale but at least her home here was cleaned, the housekeeper continued to work in her absence. Well she better have anyway, Rina paid her too well. Running to the back of the living room, she started searching through her chests for emergency items for any last minute ritual that she might have to do on the spot, extra ammo, and a couple spare guns just in case one broke for whatever reason. Her next stop was the little shop she had where she stored her blood packs. To say that she was starving was an understatement but that was only as small task and she would soon be feeling better.

As she was about to step out the door, she paused and realized that no matter how long that she had been away, she probably should figure out the changes to the city on her own. That was the quickest way to get into trouble and that was not attention that she needed. Walking over to the computer, she sent a message to her sister as she let her phone charge. 'Hey Eve...I was wondering if we could meet up. There is a strange feel to the city and I was wondering if you could help me figure things out. I have a feeling that I missed quite a bit.' Sending off the email, Rina left her home at Docere to make her way to the street. The air seemed tense so she let the shadows wrap around her, concealing her from sight in case of a hostile person came across her path.

[Every]

“So why do people need a broker during this entire,” Patterson motioned around him, messy brown hair falling into his eyes only briefly before he pushed it back. She knew what he meant without having to look up from the laptop in front of her. Her fingers moved over the keyboard, her long hair falling over one shoulder as she peered through the frames that she wore. Much like her own body, Mercy had never been blessed with perfect eyesight and it seemed some things would never change for her. “Unsurprisingly with vampirism being something on the minds of everyone, I’m able to act as a go between for those purchasing. I provide security in everything.” Her hazel eyes drifted away from the computer and to the male in front of him. The thrall stared at her, uncertain. He was still coming to terms to it all, she could see it across his features. Upon first appearance, Every had never expected him to work with the government. She had never expected him to be a doctor, but he had his uses. The man dressed in a lilac button down shirt and black slacks had an old fashioned flare to his style that often had her frowning at him when she asked him to be discreet, but she supposed it was, in comparison to what it could have been as she recalled Locryn.

Her fingertips drummed on Mercy’s old desk.

The spirit that had been haunting her was unusually quiet, although Every could sense her presence behind her, unseen. “Why don’t you go grab yourself something to eat and to go check on Fate at Myth. Bring her something to eat,” The bond between the sisters hadn’t severed entirely when Every took over the body and she felt her eyes closed as she considered it, hearing Mercy’s laughter, a noise only she could hear, “I doubt the ditz remembered to eat dinner before she got halfway in.” Patterson narrowed his eyes at her. She pushed the frames of her glasses up higher on her face. “I’m not an errand boy.” He started and shut up as she narrowed her eyes at him, her gaze unwavering before he stood up and grabbed his cardigan. The argument was lost as he went towards the door. Just before the door shut, she called out, “Use the company card!” and she was alone in silence as the latch clicked to acknowledge his departure. As he passed through the front door, the alarm at her side alerted that it had opened and she scratched at the side of her face with her nails.

There was a folder on her desk that she reached for next, the acquisition of an old totem pole lodge still on her mind. It was the steady chirp of her phone that drew her away next, the name flashing across the screen causing her to press her eyebrows together. It had been a long time since she’d last seen Karina. She glanced in the small mirror that was angled so that she could keep her eye to the window at her back, Mercy’s reflection smirking before it shook, the whites of her eyes visible before Every’s eyes fell shut and opened once again to see that it had stilled. As she stood up, Every picked up her phone and thumbed open the message. It had been long enough that she had replaced her phone a few times, at least, as she didn’t have the old conversations.

‘Yeah, of course Rina. Where do you want to meet?’

Her thumb hovered over the keyboard, debating if she should give her a warning about her body change.

After recalling the last time she’d surprised someone and gotten shot for it, Every added a second text following the first, ‘It’s a long story, but I took a different body a while back. I’ll explain later.’

How long had it been since Karina’d been around last? A couple of years, if that. She tried to pinpoint a date. Quite a bit was an understatement and she wondered how the woman was going to react to everything that had happened. Every stood up and slid her phone into her back pocket, gathering her jacket and putting it on her shoulders as she felt the added weight of her firearm smacking against her thigh. She adjusted her jaw slightly. She’d already memorized the checkpoint routes, the soldier routes. It had become a rare occurrence for her to run across a stray, but when in doubt, it had helped to create confusion or to overwhelm them, if she didn’t purposely knock them out. As she stepped outside her office door and secured the lock to the front door, Every used her tome from Micah to leave Waadesi’s boardwalk and return to Pandemonium. From there, she slipped through the fadeportal and made her way into the bullwood transit as she triangulated the other woman to give her an idea on where to go from there. While she’d always been patient in the past, she’d slowly slid from that setting sometime ago. Then again, having a collection of people she’d once trust frequently call her a liar and claim she only made excuses would allow someone to lose their patience gradually over time, wouldn’t it? She was factual. She was honest, but that didn’t stop others from having their own opinions.

“The past is the past, at least. It’s over now.”

Every thought as she stepped off the Honeymead transit. Her hazel eyes looked up and down the street before she began making her way to the lake to wait for further wait. There was a small amount of fresh snow on top of the ice, her boots making muffled sounds with every step that she took. Although it wasn’t necessary, she put her hands into the pockets of her jacket and observed the slushy shore that was the lake outside of West Towers. It had been a while since she’d stood there, a twitch of her lips showing amusement as she began to recall fond memories there.

[Karina]

Rina started to make her way down the street. She could use the transit systems but depending on where Every was this evening, she would just teleport to get there quicker. After a few moments, she heard about five people behind her and their foot steps were in an alarming rhythm that resembled military. Her wraith, De Lovely was always near unless she was haunting her human thrall, Kaalia and soon her whispers floated through her ear. "They won't be able to see you because you are still hiding in shadows but if I were you, I would press up against a building or get in the closest alley until they pass. Don't let them find you." Carefully Rina nodded her head and made haste to the alley on the other side of the building. Stepping in as silently as she could, she turned back toward the street and watched as they patrolled. This was an unusual sight and she frowned. They seemed to be looking for something or someone and the weaponry didn't seem like they would be friendly when they found what or who they were looking for.

Patience was a skill she had though over the years it waned thin. Trying not to tap her foot, she crossed her arms across her chest. They seemed to take their time as they peered through every window before moving onto the next building. It seemed ages before they moved on and she could safely leave the alley though it was only five minutes. Stepping out, she stared down the street after them and frowned...telling Every that she missed quite a bit was seemingly an understatement. Giving the soldiers a few more minutes before she continued, she looked at her Wraith. "Stay by until I get where I am going and then go find Kaalia. Make sure she's safe before tormenting her."

"As you request, Rina."

"Thank you!"

She thought that she should probably get off of the street for a little bit and dodged into Thornside Park. Carefully walking down the path, she found the lake and took a seat on a bench that was just near the water front. Tapping her fingers upon her knee, she checked her messages to see if her sister replied and sure enough, there was a response. It said she looked different? How was that possible? Only Mystics could have different bodies and the last Rina remembers, Eve was not a Mystic. She did say it was a long story so she was prepared to be where they met for the remainder of the evening. Quickly she shot off a response. "I'm good where ever you would like to meet but I'm currently in the park. I'm currently wrapped in shadows because there was a group of military that was about to cross my path. Not sure what is up with that..."

[Every]

“NADUMA or no,” She thought as she leaned into a wall and watched the faces of militants walking through the streets. A badge she’d stolen off a doctor a week or so back sat in her pocket. As long as none of them came close enough to touch her, Every would be fine - she looked human, she had a reflection. With the pandemic going around, all the woman had to do was cough a few times and most would keep their distance. At least, unless one of them had a heat sensor… She thought about the thermodynamic readers she’d installed in one of her businesses. It was a decent trick, influenced by a science fiction movie, really.

Her eyebrows furrowed as she waited. They paid her no mind and she continued on her way. As she walked, she reached into her pocket and pinned the badge low on her jacket. The information on the card had been changed, a hack to a computer system, a little bit of tweaking. It was a crude job, but it worked well enough when they didn’t look too close. When they did, well, no one ever said they had to live. Every dug the device out from her pocket once more as she heard it go off, her hazel eyes scanning the message before she looked around idly. Her thumb moved over the screen, typing out, ‘Already there. Faded jeans, loose burgundy sweater.’ As she sent the text, Every removed her jacket and ran a hand through the dark colored locks that framed her face.

Reaching out telepathically to the woman, she said, “Quarantine has been extended to the majority of the city boundaries. They’re also possibly looking for stragglers. If they catch you, knock them out or you’ll end up microchipped.” The sub dermal piece of equipment never made it into Every’s flesh. She usually made herself incorporeal, amused to see the angry expressions, but even if she bled red and had taken another body, Every was still a capable shadow. She was stronger than she’d been the year before, and much stronger than she had been two years before that.

As she walked, Every focused and tracked. Not that she particularly needed to, but one never knew exactly what was around the corner or hidden in shadows. Her gaze dropped downwards and she felt a twitch of her lips as she began following a set of footsteps that led her down to the waters edge. It was only after she sensed the woman nearby did Every speak out loud, the voice coming out of her mouth no longer husky and warm, but girly, soft and feminine. “You know, even being in shadows, dear sister, we still can leave traces in the ground. But then again, I guess people are always capable of following the same steps up.” She offered a half grin towards the bench.

[Karina]

She had the chance to relax when she noticed that the park was clear for the most part. The less people there were the safer it was for her while she waited for Every. Granted she was cloaked for the moment but she would drop that shielded comfort the moment that her sister arrived because she wasn't the type to make someone look crazy by having them talk to nothing. Granted when times were hard, most people talked to themselves so given what she noticed so far...it wouldn't be too far fetched. She checked her messages once more and Every was in the park and she provided her with what she was wearing. That would help pin point her.

Leaning back against the back of the bench as her brilliant brown eyes danced over the water, Every's words moved across her mind as silk. Smiling as she listened only for that smile to instantly turn to a frown. The Quarantine Zone had been extended throughout the city. What the hell happened while she was out from whatever happened to her? Grumbling and trying to not growl at the thought of being microchipped but it had made sense as to why Lovely made sure that she hadn't gotten caught by the soldiers earlier. Son of a *****! No way that she was going to get microchipped. **** that! Squeezing her hands in to fists so tight at the thought that her nails dug in deep enough to draw blood. This city was stupid to let it get this far. They were trained to be more careful and yet...here they were. Rina wondered how long it would be before the humans figured out a way to over take them and send them all to the Shadow Realm like they had done with their elders long ago but then again...it wasn't that long ago because the Elders had only been free for ten years. Who was helping them?

It was a lot of thought for only a few minutes of her time. A sweet, soft voice filled her ears and she tensed because someone knew she was sitting there while she was hiding from plain sight until the words 'dear sister' flowed freely. Turning her head up to see a woman in the outfit that Every had described to her in her recent message. Noticing that they were alone, she let the shadows fall away from her as she released the clenched fists. Sliding over on the bench to give Every room to sit, she nodded as she patted the spot next to her. "Indeed, humans are creatures of habit and if a path has already been paved, most will take it. This new form suits you but I thought you were a shadow?" There was a slight confusion in her voice but she kept it controlled for the most part given she was warned that there was a story that went with the appearance change.

[Every]

Thinking back, there were many ways for the meeting to go. Karina had only been hostile to Every once during something with Ty, a discussion regarding Phoenix’s place. Otherwise, the two women had always gotten along - then again, she had with the others, too. Her eyebrows furrowed. “At least I can turn myself incorporeal now.” Although, it depended on how pissed her sister would be. Nishaa had been furious. The only ones that had initially listened were Jayden, Caligrace and Micah, even though the latter had forgotten. The thought had her sighing. It wouldn’t be the first time she would be shot, nor would it be the last. Months before, her faction had uncovered a collection of firearms from humans planning a full assault - and yet, no one talked about it.

“And people wonder why no one gets anything done.”

She murmured.

As Karina mentioned being a shadow, Every nodded with pursed lips. “It does, and sort of. I’m a shadow, but a year or so back I died in front of an ancient vampire and went out of sorts.” Her hand lifted to rub at the back of her neck, “I somehow landed myself on the mystic path and after I died, came back and possessed Mercy.” She gestured towards the dark featured woman. Every gave the woman a brief one armed hug before she moved to take a seat, crossing one leg over the other.

She gave a dismissive wave, showing it no longer bothered her. She missed her black blood. “Cliff notes on the ancient. Five of us went down into the Labyrinth north of Gullsborough. Found a vampire mummy named Theodosia. She could be freed, killed or left. Ariadne tried to kill her, another tried to free her. Ariadne attacked, I intervened to try to stop the two. Some would say to attempt to kill Ariadne if you listened to lies. I didn’t know if the rift reached that far because we didn’t know how far down we were, or how many miles outside city limits - even if certain people thought it was stupid reasoning. Freyja died. I died. Amalea, not in her right mind after my death, with the help of my thrall, Locryn, set the vampire free. There’s some version of it on the forum.”

Every added, “Yell, scream. Shoot. Whatever. Ty kicked me out for it - which no one kindly told me about until Mortll started about it and mentioned the faction, completely ignoring Ariadne tried to kill an ancient vampire we knew nothing about first. Completely ignoring she would have set a furious ancient vampire that would have been hellbent free.” A roll of her eyes showed that she had since stopped caring, but it had been a while since she’d vented. Since she had actively explained her side. Every had become a bit of a hermit, keeping to herself and her faction. Her businesses. “I had told Micah to take me off the forum because no one bothered to talk to me before making an assumption, calling me a liar and running with it. Toss in the fact the faction had been entirely dead and even faction members were trying to kill me before that went down, I don’t see the point why any of them tried to act as if they had any right to say ****. I can show you everything that happened down there if you want.”

[Karina]

Tilting her head as she listened to her words. Ancient Vampire and now she was on the mystic path. That was an interesting way of things to happen. She wanted to know more because it had to be a fascinating story. "Well you look great." Rina herself had to change bodies once before so she understood it could be difficult to take over a new body. She definitely took over a good looking body so she hoped the transition was going well. As she sat next to her, she leaned in and returned the half hug.

She turned to face her to give her sister the attention that she deserved. She spoke of the Labyrinth. This had to be a new area because she had never heard of it before. Vampire mummy....she never heard of that before. Was that something that happened if people just didn't live anymore. Though she could understand the hunger one might feel since she just woke up from something seemingly similar. She continued to listen. "Wait...she tried to kill her? Did anyone know anything of her before this? Could she even be killed?" She couldn't help the questions. Rina was always asking questions even if it wasn't the right time or place because she liked having all of the information. She placed a hand on her knee and frowned. "Relax and sorry for all of the questions. I did read the forum but I wasn't exactly sure what was going on."

Shock crossed her face before she frowned. "Why in the hell would I shoot you? God Eve, you know I'm better than that." She continued to listen and sighed. Ty had let her go without notice. That was weird. She answered one of her questions and that made her uneasy. Why attack something if you didn't understand what you were fighting. "Do you know where the ancient vampire went? Is she still around?" Rina instantly bit her tongue as she realized that she wasn't letting Eve finish. Confusing washed over her. "But you can't lie..." Her jaw dropped as Eve ended with the point that Ty members were trying to kill her. What she didn't expect was that Eve could show her? She wanted to know, nodding her head. "Yes, I would like to know. What do you have? A video or something?"

[Every]

"Definitely do not want to do it again. Getting this one back in proper shape drove me nuts." Every frowned, looking at her arms. Mercy had been fit, but she had never been a dancer. It had taken months to ease the joints into proper positioning. The weight and height difference had been difficult to take into calculation when surfing, but she'd managed that, too. The hardest part of it all had been dealing with Mercy's sister, Fate, and interacting with her. The human hadn't been comfortable at first, not that Every thought she was still comfortable with it at all. They got along better, but Mercy wasn't coming back - her spirit remained nearby, haunting Every. Even as they sat, she could see the spirit walking along the water shore and looking at her. "I do miss me, though. Kind of. She is more fitting." She admittedly, her nails lifting to scratch at the tattoos she had on her wrists.

The past was in the past, where it would remain. Every was over it for the most part. It would get her no where to be lingering in misery, and she was better where she'd been. She was happy, stronger. A sigh escaped past her lips as she tucked her leg underneath herself as she said, "Her name was Theodosia, after it all happened, a friend was able to tell me of stories I'd heard before. I never put two and two together." There was a snort that was given shortly after the question. It was different for someone to listen, but refreshing. "Yes, no, and she had a shield around her." As her sister touched her, Every reached down and squeezed her hand. She offered a half smile, showing she appreciated her. She didn't mind being interrupted, and would pause and continue as permitted.

"Relaxing happens rarely." She supposed she could take a walk to Halcyon later. The lodge was nice, the water refreshing. She waved off the shock, showing that her anger had since passed and her concern about it. "Micah and Vel told them to back off several months back, so getting shot at has ceased." Of course, there was always that quiet for now that lingered in the back of her mind. She bounced her leg idly. "I assume down in the throne room, but there's a rumor of a hauntingly beautiful woman roaming the quarantine zone. If she's there, I've not seen her." There was a scoff that followed before she said, "You'd think that means something." She was glad someone paid attention to that little issue about being turned.

There was a small 'hm' of noise. A nod was given a moment later, her long hair falling over her shoulder as she frowned. "It's a power, actually. I'll be able to show you everything from my recollection, which given my memory..." She shrugged, explaining it all, "Eidetic works well. Amalea is also willing to share her perspective, but it's better than a video merely because you'll hear everything that went on that I had privileged to experience, as well as her side. You'll see it as if you were me."

[Karina]

Rina couldn't help but smile as Every spoke about adjusting to her new body. It was definitely something that took some time because the host always seems to want to fight. Not that she could blame then, she would probably do the same if she was in their position. It was a struggle worth fighting if it meant not having to jump from body to body or at least that is what she assumed would happen if the host won. She gave a soft smile and nodded. "I miss the old me to but I have gotten accustomed to this body. Though I do have to agree...I wouldn't want to do it again."

Sitting back and getting more comfortable as Every began to tell her more about the Ancient Vampire, Theodosia. Frowning as there were previous stories that she hadn't heard about it. So much of their life was a secret even from their own kind. It was truly sad. A shield, that's interesting. "Like a telepath shield?" There was a lot about this woman that was a mystery but Rina wanted to know more.

"You still need to get a chance to relax from time to time. Even if it's five minutes of meditation." She squeezed her sister's leg a little to reassure her that she had support. Nodding her head lightly. "That's a small blessing, you don't need to be full of holes." Thinking on the Every's assumptions and the rumors that maybe she was still wandering about but under the radar. Thoughts ran rampant through her mind before she looked at her. "It might actually mean something. Is she trackable? To see if the rumors are true. If they are, we need to find away that she can be taken out but we need to be sure and safe about it."

Tilting her head as a little nose slipped from Every. She was clearly playing at a thought. Leaning forward as she tried to ponder but her sister soon answered her unasked question. A power that could show her, her memories as if she was there herself. Now that was interesting and Rina was more than intrigued. Nodding her head slowly. "Then let's do it. Maybe it will help provide answers."

[Every]

“Hopefully, eventually, I’ll transition back into shadow. I miss my blood not staining. For a while, any time I got shot I looked like a venom reject because it would transition into red.”

Every crinkled her nose. She missed the simplicity of being a shadow, there was no issue seeing her reflection every day, there was no blood trails left. Her limbs didn’t remain there when severed before turning to ash after a few moments. In truth, the rolling shadows fit more comfortably with the dark haired woman and she preferred it. The body she had taken over did ballet, but she wasn’t as athletic as her own had been. She had to reprogram muscle memory, which why she didn’t feel it was difficult, it had hurt. “At least I understand Lia taking a new body every time she died now, though. It gives you the chance to start over in ways.”

The mention of her estranged sister brought a brief frown to her lips.

Family didn’t always stick.

She had learned that.

“That’s what I thought. A lot of what she expressed was telepath related, from the shield to the way she communicated. Images rather than words itself.”

There was a shake of her head as she considered it all. At first, she had the elder pinned for an allurist, but over time it made more and more sense. “She was powerful and emitted a dark aura.” The memory of it had the muscles in her spine tensing, the chill rolling over it would have elicited goosebumps in another time. Rather than agree, Every gave a soft snort. “I haven’t been able to properly relax since the day I died. I miss surfing.” She admitted.

At the question of reacting, Every shook her head once again. “I have her aura memorized, but it’s hidden. I tried.”

She didn’t know exactly how she felt about taking out the elder. Something in her gut implied it would have been a bad idea either way. But, as she watched the soldiers passing across the lake doing their rounds, she imagined that they weren’t too horribly off. They would just need to re-evaluate and reconnect the relationships between humans and vampires. “After I died, I entered Locryn’s mind, so you’ll be able to see everything we both experienced until she blacked out.” She explained as she reached over to place a hand on the woman’s shoulder. Physical touch made it easier to create a grounding for her, she still wasn’t the most confident in her telepath abilities. “I’ll hold back in the aftermath for now. I don’t want you to be overwhelmed.” She warned before focusing so that Karina would be able to see the events unfolding.