[Chapter 9] Refugee Aid (Open)

[Elizabeth Constance]

[for_harmony][/for_harmony][no_confidence][/no_confidence]

Solace had been the place that held so much weight and joy in her heart even though there was a faint of sadness given how she had been funded her humanitarian projects.... Her ex when he was a semi-decent person had purchased the house that became her orphanage in Swandale and then he provided her space in Solace for the food panty and soup kitchen. As time went on, they both evolved and went their separate ways because they were never meant to be permanent. The city knew it and she never wanted to believe it until it crashed around her when she was at her lowest but Solace was what gave her life. All of her energy was put into giving back to the community and that is what had made her happy.

The art gallery and theatre could run themselves even though she had amazing staff to help her. Lizzie's heart was with the children and the soup kitchen if she wasn't at home with her family. Today was a day that she was getting a large shipment of supplies from the local farmers before the snow prevented her from having locally grown fresh fruits and vegetables. She rushed out of the house that she kept at the art gallery before the sun was fully risen. As she stepped on the street, she gave an audible sigh as she noticed the extra level of soldiers. She kept her head high and acted as if she wasn't worried with her healthy complexion. It was when she made it a block that she noticed the checkpoint and knew she was screwed. There was no way that she was going to let Henry know there was a possibility of her getting caught. Turning on her heel, she quickly moved in the opposite direction of the train station only to hear a soldier behind her that had noticed her sudden change in direction.

"Hey!! Ma'am!! I need to see your ID."

Lizzie began to panic and picked up the pace. She could hear the man get on his radio to announce that they had a runner. She knew that she was well known in the community and couldn't hide forever but she had been good about it for the last several months. Concentrating on her powers, she let the shadows wrap around her and creating the illusion that she vanished from site. The soup kitchen was her priority today. Looking behind her at every turn, afraid that they would notice something was off even though she was hidden and nab her.

Stopping in front of the doors to the church and noticed that no one from government was waiting for her. Letting the shadows drop from around her, she ran her fingers through her hair before she slapped a smile on her face and walked through the doors. It looked like she was the first one to arrive other than the cleaning crew as she made her way to the kitchen. Tables had already been set up for lunch and she began to organize and rotate the non-perishables in the storage area used for the food pantry. Once the rotation was done, she started pulling out boxes that she had ordered. Taping the bottoms together and lining them up on the table. The first volunteer walked in and began to start helping her. Checking the storage and began packing non-perishables into each box while Lizzie began prepping mini boxes for those that needed baby food, formula, and baby oatmeal. There was a commotion coming from the other room and her eyes darted for the door before she was stopped by the volunteer that was early.

"Elizabeth, no...it's soldiers, you need to stay in here."

"Bollocks! They saw me on the way here this morning and did not like that I turned the other direction. It is my fault they are here."

"No it isn't, they have been showing up at random times over the last few months. Elizabeth please. Even if Robert was still around, I don't think he would want you to get caught."

"Lily, you now that he would not care and I am done worrying about what he would and would not care about. He abandoned this church and everything it stands for, I am here to see it through to the end and if this will get the..."

Before she could finish her statement, the soldiers barged into the kitchen. As their eyes met her own, one of them jumped on the radio with a smirk on his face.

"I located her sir." A mumbled squawk came over the radio and she frowned. "Understood."

As he let go of the radio, he stepped towards her and slammed her against the wall. One of the other soldiers began to prepare the needle that would contain the microchip that would be placed into her body. Another soldier was putting her volunteer through the ghastly tests to prove that she was human. Lily continued to look over at her boss with a frown. They forcefully turned Lizzie around, made her open her mouth to look for fangs. When they didn't see fangs, they cut their finger towards her to see if they would retract when the blood was near. Nothing. They scoffed and she perked her brow. They didn't like that her skin color was normal though on the pale side but that it was that gave her away was the final test....the mirror. Lily tried to rush forward to break the mirror when it was produced but Lizzie just shook her head.

"Elizabeth?!"

"It is fine....."

Holding up the mirror, a twisted smile graced upon the lips of one of the soldiers that held the needle. Closing her eyes as she didn't want to see it happen only for a light whimper to slip from her as the needle entered her body. After a few moments, they pulled it out and they began to give her instructions that she couldn't focus on. It felt like she was in a fog or a dream as she was concerned that she had failed Henry and their family. Taking the pages of information from the soldiers before they took their leave after they had checked their iPad to make sure the chip was working properly. They had already searched her purse to gather the information needed that she failed to provide them.

Once they had left Solace, she slid down the wall and began to cry. "I failed.... Lily shook her head and rushed to her. Putting her hands on her knees and spoke in a calm, soft voice.

"Elizabeth, you did not fail, they are ruthless and they had no business treating you like that. Do you want to go home?"

Shaking her head as she wiped the tears away and got up from the floor. Lizzie stepped towards the table and began to load boxes as she waited for the rest of the volunteers to arrive. "No Lilly, the work that we do here is far more important than my life being watched under a microscope. Plus I have to think of how I am going to break this to the family. Could you unlock the back door for the vendors? We are getting that big shipment of fruits and vegetables before I have to outsource." Lily instantly ran to the back door to unlock it before returning and helping her pack boxes in silence.

[Mora]

[for_harmony][/for_harmony]

She had seen a flyer for some volunteer work. She knew it was within the walls of Solace and she shuddered a little bit. She had memories of Solace and who it belonged to - if anything the building left a bad taste in her mouth, however history was history - the building had belonged to Robert Pratt. He was an ex of Mora’s - the man had been cruel, but just what she needed to see her straight and realise that she was wearing rose tinted glasses the whole time.

She had not long awoken from the realms so the world was different - she had no idea if Pratt was around still, or if it was within the hands of someone more capable. She headed to Newborough and into the woods. Her emerald orbs darted around her looking for any sign of Fae. They were impervious to harm. They could rip a vampire apart in sheer seconds but a vampire could do nothing to them.

The cool air was lovely around her. Tonight she wore a pale blue dress that went down to her knees. Revealing brown lace up sandals. She had been renovating the library for a few weeks already and she needed a break. Her arms hurt from the manual labour and shift of wood, and boxes. So an escape from that had her here at the doors to Solace with a flyer in hand doing something else for the community.

There was an unease between humans and vampires that much she was sure of perhaps that was why she was putting so much thought in the library she had always use it as just a library but nothing more - despite everything that’s going on in the world of Harper Rock she wanted to give the people - no matter the species a safe haven - she had no idea if it would be used, she hoped it would but it would be there for those who needed it - or protection.

“Hello.” Mora called. Her voice soft and melodic as she entered the threshold of the church. Straight away she could smell, no sense those of her bloodline nearby. Not of Daradasi - she was alone there. Her childer and husband slept - this was Noble. The one that Hellequin had sired her into. Direct heritage of Isabelle Drake.

“I’m here to volunteer.” She called as she saw a woman in front of - with a warm smile. “I’m Mora.” She told her - showing the flyer to the human. Emerald eyes looked fondly at the human, putting on her ‘im human’ face.

[Segreti]

[for_harmony][/for_harmony]

Antonio woke up from a rather pleasant nap. He had sat in his recliner for awhile just staring at the ceiling in thought. Progression was slow. Business was fine, that wasn't the issue. It was society. There was unease and chaos in every block. If something wasn't done, things would fall apart, but he didn't have the influence necessary and he didn't have the money to resolve it all. He was well off, but not that well off.

He sat up, setting aside his work. Tidying it all up and keeping his house neat. There was someone he could rely to help solve problems. Even if it wasn't yet the big ones, or his personal problems, she did work that was important for people who needed it. Elizabeth Constance. He'd met her before, a vampire, one he could trust. One who genuinely seemed out for the betterment of others.

The sorcerer would walk outside, getting in his car and headed off.

-------Arrival--------

He looked at the activity near the Church and frowned. Soldiers. Before the vampire rules, that might be alright. But as it was, that was generally a bad sign. He parked and began to walk, reaching the checkpoint, he cooperated. Being human it didn't take too long to prove it, had his ID, showed up in a mirror, no signs of being undead. He sighed as they let him pass. He was not one for confrontations. Never did like them. He liked cooperation and he liked friendly and informative conversations. Harper Rock was not the best place for that.

Antonio smiled as he saw someone else at the entrance already, holding up a flyer. He changed direction so that he could see inside from behind her, trying to see if he could see Elizabeth Constance from where he was if she was in there. If he could, he'd hold up a hand waving before moving forwards.

"Don't suppose I can do anything to help?" He'd ask once he got within talking range of anyone inside.

[Athena]

[for_chaos][/for_chaos]
The scent of decayed flesh and stale beer permeated the air as the lithe vampire lifted herself from the sewers, gloved fingers careful to avoid the rust of the iron ladder. Theoretically, it wouldn’t harm her – she was, after all, already dead – but it was a practice that she hadn’t been able to shake. Once she had freed herself from the dank darkness below, she used a booted foot to kick the cover back into place and lifted her pale face to the sky, taking a deep breath of fresh air. “One day they will pray, save us from ourselves,” she whispered, a slow smile pulling on her crimson painted lips. It was ironic, really, that such a song would come onto her playlist as she headed for the church. It had been years since she had stepped foot within any kind of holy sanctuary, and she wasn’t sure she believed her sister when she reassured her countless times that she wouldn’t catch fire.

“It would be just my luck,” she mused out-loud, her crisp and melodic voice the only thing heard as she made her way through the deserted streets to her destination. With each step, the wariness she felt tightened in her chest, causing her to press her fingers against her sternum as if that would do anything to ease the ache. She was a vampire, stronger than she had ever been. She had an entire enterprise at her fingertips, ready to do her bidding the moment she snapped her fingers, but she still felt as fragile as ice. One quick, well timed tap against her armor, and she would shatter. It is not true. It will never be true. You are not what he claimed you to be, she thought as she watched one of the remaining businesses flick their light off, shrouding her in complete darkness. With a quiet laugh, the necromancer wiggled her fingers and blew the owner a kiss as he quickly ducked back inside, his beady eyes filled with terror at the sight of the white-skinned beauty that walked towards him.

“Do not fret, little pig. I am not coming for you. At least, not yet…”

Another laugh followed her words as she rounded the corner to the sound of his door slamming, only to come to a stop as the church came into view. It was beautiful. Too beautiful. It was definitely not a place for someone as tainted as her, with blood miles thick on her hands. I do not belong here, she sighed, gloved fingers lifting to pull her hood into place, concealing the white of her hair. Her mask was next, the material meant to conceal her deathly appearance so she didn’t frighten those that worked for the woman she had come to respect in such a few short months. It was no easy feat, either. To earn Athena’s respect was something that so many coveted. That was the only reason she allowed her feet to move forward towards the door – only to come to another sharp stop when she saw what was happening. A low growl hummed from her throat, but she kept herself in the shadows, fingers curving into a fist as the soldier released Lizzie and stepped back.

Bide your time, Athena…

Gripping the edge of the frame, she felt the wood give beneath her unnatural strength, and this time – she didn’t care about the splinters piercing her flesh. Her attention was focused on the uniformed unit making their way out, their faces smug as they relished in what they had done. When they finally disappeared from sight, she ducked back into the shadows, careful to avoid Lizzie’s careful eye.

The woman did not need to see what she was about to become.

As the soldiers moved into the street, the necromancer followed, the soft clink as she freed her blades from their sheaths undetectable to the human ear. Already, her mind was racing forward, picturing how she would pick them apart until none remained standing. As if fate was on her side, the second she had thought to find a way to distract them, one fell back, his hand working to adjust his holster. In a flash, she was behind him, her fingers curving into his hair as she pulled his head back. His lips parted in a warning, but the only sound to fall free was a wet gurgle as her blade sliced clean across his throat, spilling his blood across her arm and down the front of his uniform. As he dropped to the ground, she hastily jumped out of the way, leaving his body where it lay.

“Come here, little ones, and pay for what you have done…”

As if hearing her, one of the soldiers turned, his face slack as he tried to make sense of what he was seeing. When his too slow brain finally put the pieces of the puzzle together, he shouted a warning and ran towards her, his hands outstretched, as if to sweep her up off of her feet. With a gleeful laugh, she spun out of the way and landed in a crouch, her fingers tightening on the hilt of her daggers as the others began to surround her. It seemed that the element of surprise was no longer on her side.

Pity.

“Hello, boys,” she practically purred, bracing herself for the fight to come.

Click for dice roll results. Both succeeded. Moderate approved by storyteller due to stats.

Tag: Raven Seminova for the soldier scene.

[Raven Seminova]

[for_chaos][/for_chaos]

The tall, ebon-haired Necromancer drifted from the cover of darkness that she had taken solace in, debating whether or not she would show up, or whether she should even try stepping foot into the elegant building across the street. When the scene of overbearing authority and unnecessary cruelty against one of her own had unfolded, though, she had made up her mind. She had her pistol in hand, prepared to take the lot of them on herself when Athena had ascended from the sewer.

She watched as the woman dispatched the soldiers with a relative, elegant ease, and she couldn’t stop the slightest curl at the corner of her lips as the group of big, muscle-bound figures scattered, forced to regroup as their comrades were dispatched so easily by one little girl. She sneered at that, and lifted her hand, waving it into the darkness of the alley she had come from, and crooked a finger. A short blonde woman stiffly stepped from the darkness, clearly unsure of the direction she should take without the Necromancer’s command, until the spindly, pale woman turned and flicked a finger at one of the soldiers.

The vampire, risen from beyond the veil for the sole task of fulfilling her whim, understood the silent command. Her Master’s will had been made plain. In a blur of motion, the woman surged forward and threw herself into one of the soldiers, fangs ripping into his throat as he screamed, throwing his rifle to one side and fumbling for her service pistol. The others watched as the small woman exhibited strength far beyond her appearance, and grasped either side of the man’s head and gave a sharp yank, breaking his neck like it was a toothpick.

Bullets tore into the woman from every side, but it was too late. Her task completed, a grunt of pain left the summoned vampire before she vanished in a burst of shadowy smoke. The sudden appearance and subsequent disappearance of the woman had sown the confusion that Raven had required. She brought her sidearm to bear, and fired a round into the head of the nearest man, the sound of her weapon a muffled pop as the man’s life was snuffed out in an instant. As her first round was off, the soldiers jumped back into action again, turning on her.

She zeroed her sights on the soldier farthest from her, taking time to not shoot her sister, who was between her and the target. The soldier had lifted his rifle as screams filled the street in front of that peaceful facade of the church, and had taken aim at Athena’s far side. Her pistol snapped off again, and this time caught her mark in the chest. He fell to his knees, dead before they hit the ground, and crumpled like a marionette with its strings cut. She danced to one side as bullets filled the air again, one catching her in the shoulder as she elicited a hiss of pain. She turned to the man that shot her, and snapped off another pair of shots, one hitting him in the shoulder, in retaliation for the sharp pain that bloomed through her arm, and the other hitting him in the neck.

She moved away from where Athena had come to rest, guiding the attention of the soldiers away from her, and allowing her more ease to work and room to breathe. The number of soldiers had been cut significantly, and it was clear that their courage flagged as their confidence in their coming out of this encounter alive faltered.

Dice rolls for combat made public.

[Henry Craven]

[for_chaos][/for_chaos]

A shadow moved between the trees. The dog was large, three feet at the withers, with long storks for legs that were as dark as swamp mud. His rust coloured coat and the extravagant mane of fur around his neck gave the canid an unmistakable appearance: not quite a fox, but not nearly a wolf. His paws kissed the earth as he trotted along, and his jade green eyes were fixed to the horizon where the sun had yet to burn away the shelter of the night. All the while, the forest hummed with life around him; birds sang and cawed in the canopy above, twigs snapped under the foot of roaming deer, and all manner of insects droned, skittered, and scratched. As the sun broke through the cracks between towering pines, it lit up the dirt path ahead, accentuating outgrown roots, wildflowers, and fallen leaves that crunched beneath him. He trudged on, pursuing shadows, taking in the fragrance of minty grass and the loam of the earth until the fruity spice of stewing vegetables trickled through. It was enough to confirm that he was going in the right direction.

As the treeline thinned like hairs on the scalp of an aging man, a new yet familiar scent joined the others. The dog halted and turned his nose upward toward the incoming breeze, his long ebony ears folding back over his shoulders like velvety lapels. Each breath in told him something new, sketched detail around a possibility that was drawn up in his mind. The tang of copper on the air could mean only one thing and what blood had been spilt, had been Human, and there had been enough of it to carry on the wind to his location. He took a cautionary foot forward and the air to the west was detonated in an invisible explosion. The dog tensed as each subsequent burst rattled through the calm of the burgeoning dawn, causing his fur to bristle like porcupine spines. That was enough for him to make his decision and he ran, full pelt, through the tall grass, through the bitter choke of gunpowder and the flash of bullets, until he caught a soldier in his sights and then between his jaws.

The dog’s bite force was unnaturally strong. When he caught the man’s wrist between his teeth, he bore down until the bones crunched, splintered, and shattered. The sound was a gruesome melody to the thunderclaps of gunfire, like the triangle’s jingle amidst triumphant percussion. The gun was let go and it swung around the soldier's shoulders as they struggled. However, the man’s agonising yells were quickly stunted as the canid yanked back ferociously, sending him flying onto his face. Once he was on the ground, it was over. Pinning the man with his bodyweight by perching on the man’s shoulders, the dog reached around, binding the man’s windpipe with a corset of sharp teeth before clamping shut. It would be moments before the man succumbed to suffocation, even less if the shock got to him first. It wasn’t everyday that a group of soldiers went in to chip one Vampire and end up getting attacked by three. Henry, in his animal form, was just about able to recognise the scent of his kin before charging into the attack. Still, had he known the reason for such bloodshed, his actions wouldn’t have been any different.

[Storyteller]

==========AUTOMATED POST==========

Henry Craven attempted to overpower a standard target, and was successful!

[Elizabeth Constance]

[for_harmony][/for_harmony][no_confidence][/no_confidence]

It was becoming increasingly hard for her to focus and it was starting to stress her out because the less fortunate in the city needed her compassion and undivided attention. Finishing up on the mini boxes for the baby supplies and checking to see if there were extra dippers and wipes in case they were needed, she sighed as she rubbed at the side of her neck where the new chip had been implanted. Closing her eyes for just a moment when she heard the front door open and Lily went to greet the guests. It was the scent and the feeling of familiar blood that she hadn't sensed in years that pulled her attention away from her own concerns.

Curiosity was getting the better of her because she hadn't sensed her aunt in the city since she got back into town at the beginning of the year from her extended business trip but there was Noble blood in the walls of Solace. Turning her attention to the lobby, Lizzie took the needed steps towards the lobby with a forced smile on her lips. When she turned the corner what she didn't expect was to see Mora. The first and only time she met her tht she could recall was when Robert was sort of dating them both and Lizzie was expelled from the basement of the library but to be fair, Robert was at fault because he didn't tell either of them but they were both free of him even though Lizzie ran Solace now and she was here to help.

Lily turned as she heard feet behind her and stepped aside when she saw Lizzie join them. Nodding her head as she moved back to the kitchen. Stepping towards her blood in this life, she kept the smile on her face. Everyone deserved a second chance and she knew that Mora's feelings before were mad out of hurt and anger, she would never hold that against her as she would have done the same thing. Hell her grandsire and sire had done the same to her in fact and she had reacted poorly.

"Good evening, Mora. It is good to see you; you look well. I appreciate your desire to help. Would you like to help pack boxes, cook, serve food, or all of the above. Your choice?"

She rubbed at the spot once more because it was tender but in a few minutes the pain should disapate because of her vampiric healing. It didn't change her hurt feelings that all she wanted was to help the humans in the city and yet it was humans that had done this to her. A change needed to happen and soon.

As the door opened once again, she nearly jumped thinking the soldiers were returning only to relax when she saw Antonio. Her concern rose as her realization that both Antonio and Mora arrived just shortly after the soldiers had left. Looking between the both of them and she instantly frowned.

"Please tell me that you both were able to arrive safely..." Her eyes focused on Antonio and she nodded her head lightly as she tried to force a smile. "Of course, I have tables set up over against the wall for the baffet. The serving dishes will go into to stay warm. We will need to set up the tables soon but need to cook the meals first. Dishes and cutlery will go next to the buffet on the left."

Blue eyes shot to the door as she heard a man shout a warning outside. What was going on out there. Her heart sank as it wasn't time for any of the human to show up but she did tend to have a few come in early just to warm up from the cold. Lizzie needed to open part of the church to being a homeless shelter as there were beds and rooms that laid empty. Every part of her body screamed that she wanted to protect them and care for them to the best of her ability.

She jumped as the sounds of several shots outside began. That was an event that she had hoped to avoid this day but now she feared that it was her fault for more or less running from the checkpoint. Frowning as she looked at Antonio and Mora. "Please excuse me a moment. Mora, Lily can help you get set up in the kitchen with either cooking or packing boxes. Antonio, Lily will show you were the dishware and serving holders are for the baffet table."

Moving towards the door, her eyes grew wide as she watched the scene unfold between the two women that she would inherit as daughters through Henry fighting with the soldiers. It was almost as if she was watching it all in slow motion as she stepped out of the church. As Raven was shot, she tried to scream out for it to stop but her voice caught in her throat and a mere squeak escaped her. Overwhelming concern for the girls welled up in her and then her thoughts drifted to Henry because he wasn't home yet before she had left for the church. She knew that Chelsea was safe at home with Molly to get her ready for school, that was a small relief to her but her eyes watched her other girls in action. They were quick and graceful, simply beautiful to watch even through it was against what she believed in. Lizzie wasn't sure why they were fighting the soldiers but she knew that she would have to break the news to them sooner than later now that they were dispatching her aggressors.

Shock filled her as a large wolf came bursting through the trees and began to attack one of the soldiers. It was agressive and cruel, much like how a large aggressive dog would attack his abuser. Eyes darted between the girls and wolf, fear setting in before she called out. "Girls! Hurry, please get inside." Her mind touched to Lily's quickly as she opened the door. 'Please get the first aid kit, I need it to patch up one of my daughters.' Standing with the door pressed against her back as she held it open, she touched her mind to Henry's but paused. She rarely used her powers on him but she felt terrified for the outcome of the current actions that resulted in the death of the soldiers that laid upon the ground outside of the church. 'Please come to Solace, I need your help. There has been an incident. Raven was shot.'

[Mora]

Emerald orbs looked directly at Elizabeth as she came into view. She looked around and could not see Robert Pratt. Her shoulders relaxed instantly. He put her back up. She wasn’t at ease being here in solace but she will slowly get used to it she was here to help. She knew she could sense the Noble blood. A smile appeared on the woman’s lip. It was fake, it wasn’t sarcastic it was gentle and warm. She wanted to repair things.

”Hello Elizabeth.” She looked behind her to see someone new enter the church looking to help. She turned back around to focus her gaze upon the woman in front of her. ”Thank you. I’ve recently got… back.” she didn’t want to touch on the point that she had recently got back from the realm - with no Judas around she was lonely, and it had gotten the better of her. There was a spasm of pain within her chest. Phantom pain from her suicide. She winced slightly before looking back at Elizabeth. She wasn’t on friendly enough terms to call her Lizzie like others within Noble did. ”You look well as well, it has been a while. I am here to help. I’ll do whatever you need me to do.”

She mentioned then that lily would help her out she nodded and let Elizabeth go. She could hear a ruckus outside. She turned her head around, strands of blonde hair touched the woman’s face as she swished her head around. She looked at Lily. A human.

”Is everything ok?” She asked her. As Elizabeth went to the entrance of the church. She was calling for girls to come inside. It was then the scent of blood filled her nostrils. Human and vampire blood alike. She could smell the metallic.

She turned around leaving Lily where was and headed in the direction of Elizabeth ”Do you need help, Elizabeth?” Eyes locked onto the wolf tearing at the soldiers outside the threshold of the church.

[Segreti]

Segreti smiled slightly as she asked if he and Mora, who he didn't recognize, arrived alright. He had to assume that was in reference to the soldiers. "It's not me they've been after." he said. he knew something had happened before he got in. Things weren't remotely at ease. Or perhaps that was just how bad the presence of soldiers had become for vampires. He wanted to help in whatever way he could. But there wasn't much he could do about soldiers, he wasn't about to get into warfare.

However attention was drawn as there was shouting, followed by gunfire not to far after. He looked out the door to see, well violence was the simplest term. Dead or near dead soldiers along with those still trying to fight, what he had to assume were two vampires, and some kind of wolf. At first he considered that it might be like his trayonetic wolf, but it didn't quite match. No it made more sense if that was a vampire or something. Elizabeth had told him she could change into an animal form, it must be like that. He gritted his teeth, it was an unpleasant sight, but he wasn't sure he wanted to get involved.

He looked at Elizabeth as she spoke, didn't seem she wanted them involved either, "I can heal humans, I can do nothing about vampires." he said quietly, Segreti wasn't about to fight humans, nor did he particularly feel like defending the soldiers, not that it was an option. He moved on to find Lily and start work. However, his eyes kept going to the door.

He didn't really want to see the results. It wasn't that he had an issue with blood, it was more that the brutality of things like this, and the danger involved, it was just a bit more than he really wanted to have to see. He was always in just the right position to feel that he was obligated to do something, but not enough of one to actually accomplish anything. It was monumentally frustrating.