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”Yeah, she did have dark hair. But I doubt that’s going to narrow it down none,” Elliot said. The amount of Paladins that would match the description of the one that came into Lancaster’s that night would be innumerable. There’d be no point in trying to describe her, in trying to narrow it down.

Elliot was torn when it came to Paladins. They were hunters, and their prey were vampires. They were brainwashed to believe that vampires were the spawn of the devil. It was all so black and white to them. Elliot couldn’t grudge them their beliefs, not really. They were all innocent in their own way. And who could blame them, really, for thinking that all vampires were monsters? Hell, Elliot himself flip-flopped like a gasping fish, unable to decide whether he hated himself or not, and his view of the majority of vampires outside of himself was not so good.

But he’d never harm them, unless absolutely necessary. He could never believe anyone completely evil. There’s always got to be some room for a little grey. Nobody was ever so black and white. Maybe that’s why he found it hard to ever hold a grudge for too long.

Kira mentioned a Paladin she knew who didn’t act like a Paladin. Elliot spoke before he could stop himself.

”Why the **** does he call himself a Paladin if he’s not anti-vampire, and if he doesn’t give a **** what the others think? Seems kinda counter-productive,” he said. It was a serious question. He was really very curious as to why someone with such a strong view against Paladins would remain one. Why not just quit and call yourself a regular human, then? Maybe he wanted to remain a spy—but he wouldn’t be a very good one if he didn’t know anything, as Kira suggested he might not.

Elliot gave a shrug.

”Whatever, though, up to you. If you think it might help, give him a call,” Elliot said, hardly fazed by the notion that Kira might be friends with Paladins. Elliot really was far too trusting for his own good.

Kira wasn’t sure of the paladins numbers, she thought they weren’t that many of them but she couldn’t be sure. How many females, how many with dark hair? She didn’t catch much about the woman considering she was there, kick in the head then gone. Which was why it pissed her off. She didn’t know that woman. “Yeah well, a dark haired paladin broke my skull suddenly, didn’t know her before it. It wouldn’t really surprise me if someone like that, could be behind this. They after all hate us all.” She said.

She gave a short laugh because of what he said about Windy. “That…is most likely something he should explain than me.” she said. She knew the reason, it was to kill her. As a human, he just couldn’t do it. He was over power, strength needed to fight a vampire, he took it. He killed her, still took him tons of traps to weaken her down for his killing blow but he did it. And all because it was a goal he needed to complete.

Kira took out her phone, sighing a little. No, she really didn’t want to talk to him but on the off chance he might have overheard something. She scrolled down to his name and tapped it, listening to the rings.

--The following transcript was a live chat roleplay—

Anemoi shoved some items in his new lockbox. Having been on the fence with The Order, he decided that staying with them wasn’t the best so he got his own place. He raised an eyebrow as his phone rang. His phone never got any action unless he was bugging Kira so he was surprised that it was her calling him. “My, what a surprise. What can I do for you my sweet?”

Kira should have figured that would be what he would say. “Don’t call me that.” She growled softly. “I need to ask you a question.”

Anemoi sat down, “Alright, shoot.” He replied, wondering what this was about.

“Do you know if the paladins or those other magic humans, have found a way…to take a vampire’s powers away?” Kira asked, again, wishing she had worn some nice warm gloves. Having to take her one hand out of her pocket to hold her phone was making her even more cold.

Anemoi blinked, “No, wouldn’t think that would be possible. Course I don’t know much about the capabilities. You’re the one into all those rituals…” he said. There was something in her voice that was off, and the question was an odd one to ask. “Is there something wrong?”

Kira’s jaw tightened, she didn’t want her teeth chattering. “I really don’t know if I should tell you if you don’t know anything already.” She said.

“Are you snapping your fangs at me or something?” Anemoi asked, he was hearing something. “I told you, I don’t want to kill you again. Just trust me..”

“My trust in people let alone males isn’t that high.” Kira replied, “And I’m freakin cold..” she added softly. “Something is wrong, I don’t have my powers but I’m not the only one, alright. I just had to cover the bases and make sure it wasn’t something our enemies were doing to us. Course you’re not the greatest vault of information.”

“Well I’m sorry I don’t know anything. The Order is pretty useless, won’t go into any details but yeah.” Anemoi said, he frowned. “No powers? That’s dangerous. Vampires aren’t supposed to be cold right?” he then paused. “Need me to keep you warm?” he added with a grin.

“Shut up!” Kira hissed. She sighed, “Anyway…have someone here that would love to hear why you would become a paladin when you’re not anti-vampire and don’t really care about paladin affairs.” She said, “Stop by Lancaster’s and find me.” she then hanged up on him. She knew he wouldn’t pass up the chance to see her. She put her phone back into her pocket, keeping her hand there. “Well that was a dead end.” She said, distracted a bit. “Maybe…we can wait it out. Maybe it won't last long.”

Kira once again pulled out her phone, and began talking to an unknown entity on the other side. Elliot assumed it was the Paladin they’d just been talking about; from Kira he could detect a wave of reluctance, as if he was a person that she didn’t really want to call. Elliot was easy, he didn’t care if she did or if she didn’t. He vaguely listened to the conversation—or at least the half that he was privy to—as they reached the doors of Lancaster’s. He nodded to the security positioned out the front as he eased his way inside, visibly relaxing as the warmth welcomed him, enveloped him, as if it had been waiting for him. Although the vampires of the city may not have needed the indoor heating, the humans appreciated it. And Elliot did what he could to sate the needs of his customers.

At first Kira said she wasn’t sure she wanted to tell whoever what was going on; if it was a Paladin, Elliot agreed. To let a Paladin know—no matter how much she thought they could be trusted—that they were weak and without powers was probably not such a grand idea. Whoever it was on the other end of the phone must have done some quick persuading, however, as in the next breath Kira was telling them exactly what had happened. She then proceeded to tell the Paladin—as Elliot was sure, now, that that’s who it was—that there was someone who wanted to know why he was a Paladin to begin with.

Elliot was confused, but assumed he must have had it wrong. Kira seemed reluctant to even call the guy, but had invited him to come see her. She had seemed reluctant to tell him what was going on, but had told him everything, and then had told him exactly where to find them. Elliot felt a flutter of unease at the whole situation, but continued through the pub, toward the door that would lead to the newly refurbished second floor.

He nodded and shrugged as Kira hung up the phone and returned to addressing Elliot himself.

”Yeah, wait it out in warmth and comfort. Sounds like a grand plan to me,” he said. He climbed the stairs, and the first thing he did was pick the phone from its perch on the wall to call downstairs to the bar.

”Yeah, it’s Lan. Can you bring some coffee upstairs, please? Yeah, long black. And some hot chocolate, too. No rush. Thanks.” he hung up the phone, and gestured to the lounges and bean bags set up in front of a TV set, just inside the door. The space was large, and there were a few doors that led into small rooms that contained bunk beds. Each door was numbered. Over in the back corner was a kitchenette with a couple of small fridges and microwaves and cupboards.

He took one of the couches for himself.

”Forgive me for asking and slap me if I’m being too nosey, but you seemed reluctant to call that guy. But you told him everything and then invited him here. What’s up with that?” he asked, never afraid to be completely honest.

Kira couldn't believe the difference from cold to warm. She was glad to finally be in doors again. She followed after her now would be host to the second floor. The sound of hot coco sounded even better now, she took a seat in one of the bean bag chairs, having never been in one before. She relaxed, sinking in. She was sure if she had one, the animals would tear it up.

She brought her hands to her mouth, a pure human habit of trying to warm up one's hands. She looked over at him when he asked her about what just happened on the phone. Slap him? No, she was sure anyone would be going why the hell did you just do that right about now. Why? Ah hell she didn't know really.

"He and I...have a complicated...I don't want to say relationship...but something like that." Kira said, "I don't want to trust him but yet I do. If I'm going to be attacked, I rather have him around. I do not like seeing Dru hurt, she's not much of a fighter. Maybe one day she will but not right now." she said. Even if Dru was able to take care of herself, Kira was the one who liked fighting. Dru didn't fight unless you pissed her off. She sighed softly. "Frankly I don't trust that many people. Kind of pathetic that I trust the man that has stalked me since coming to this town more than my own childe, David." she was sure David was trying to destroy her somehow. She had a lot of reason not to trust David. Windy however, he killed her. Assured her that would be the only time and now he seemed to only want to be near her.

Then a thought came to her. "I'm sorry. I should have asked you first. I swear he's not like those other nuts but if other vampires found out, that might make your life difficult." she said. She was tried of trying to hide the fact that she knew a paladin, hanged out with him a few times. Hell he bought her in that damn auction. It just wasn't worth the stress anymore. She hadn't been killed over it yet, hopefully never would but around here people had rather weak reasons or no reason at all for who they kill. "After that dark haired one hurt me, he went to find her to talk about it. Supposedly I won't have to worry about her again. And he went through a minefield of traps just to do that."

Elliot scoffed as he made himself more comfortable. Although it was heated up here, on the second level, he kept his jacket on for the time being. It would take a while to warm up again, given that he had no body heat. Or did he? He crossed his arms over his chest as his legs sprawled out in front of him, like a glorious stick insect. Even as he spoke, he was waiting to see—if they had indeed been cured, or stripped of their powers, if they were completely human, then body warmth, as it used to be, would have returned to them.

”Oh I don’t care. I want for Lancaster’s to be neutral, and I reckon that shouldn’t apply just to vampires. Can’t exactly call it neutral if I’m unwilling to have a paladin visit, right?” he asked. He then shrugged, licking his lips as he voiced his honest-to-god thoughts about it. ”I mean, ****. Everyone’s allowed their beliefs. I don’t reckon they’re all bad, they’re just…far too hardcore in their belief system, you know? Where I could look at a Paladin, listen to them, hear their story, and withhold judgment, those that I’ve met seem unwilling to do the same with us. And that’s the thing that I think is fucked. So no, invite him, I don’t care. It’s no skin off my back. I was just askin’ the question because you didn’t seem keen,” he said. He could talk a lot, when he was on a roll. When the subject matter was of some weighty importance. He had stopped, as if that’s all he had to say. But he suddenly continued, eyes wide as he pointed at Kira.

”And I do not, for your information, give a flying rats *** about what other vampires think of me. They can go to hell,” he said, grinding his teeth just that tiny bit as old frustrations and fresher woes bubbled to the surface. His knee twitched from side to side, that old restlessness keeping him from being absolutely still.

Footsteps could be heard on the stairs outside. Seconds later, the door swung open; one of the waitresses walked in, back first, carrying two mugs. The steam curled from the top, the scent of coffee and chocolate wafting toward them. Elliot stood to take the drinks from the waitress, who grinned, turned on her heel, and clattered back downstairs. Elliot handed the hot chocolate to Kira.

Anemoi put his phone away, what an interesting conversation he just had with Kira. No, he would not pass up a chance to see her. A vampire without powers? That was troublesome, he wondered what that was about. If this had happened back when he was trying to kill her, he wouldn’t question it but now was a different story. He put a shirt on and then a jacket. He slipped some gloves on before heading out the door. He had never been to this place before so it took him awhile to find it.

He stepped inside, taking off his gloves and putting them in his jacket pocket. He looked around but didn’t see the blonde. He asked someone who worked there. “Hey, you’ve seen a hot blonde, short if she wasn’t wearing heels. Emotionless expression, most likely was with someone?” he got pointed to the upstairs.

He headed upstairs and looked inside. He spotted Kira and someone else. He closed his eyes, trying to convince himself that this was a social call and that the male was just a friend. He went inside, “Guess I should have figured that the person you were talking about was a vampire.” He said, he could just tell by his body’s reaction to the man, something that didn’t happen around Kira. He pulled a beanbag chair over to Kira and sat down. “You know why I became a paladin..” he said, wondering why he had to be the one to tell. If Lexster was here, he would figure it was a trap but he didn’t see any reason why Kira would play him. He reached out and touched Kira’s cheek with the back of his hand. He never noticed her being cold before, it was different tonight. “Still no answers about what is going on?” he asked.

Kira moved her hands together, her own thoughts had went to what if they were human right now. Or human enough. She wanted to take a blade out and cut herself and see if it heals or just bleeds. Just a simple cut did not last long on a vampire. She nodded about this place being neutral, the temple was neutral. She had vampires and humans in there, the only paladins that showed up were looking for her however. She did wonder if it was easy to find out she was the owner of the temple and she would most likely be there.

"One has to wonder, after they take their marks. If it changes something in their head. I mean yes, there are some really awful vampires here but same goes for humans. There's good and bad from both races, some of those bad ones have surly have been turned and became worse." Kira said, "But no, they are not all bad. Well, at least one...the one that is coming, he isn't that bad.." she added. He was trouble for her, and Lexy only because they annoyed each other so much, hate each other, David because he was an *** and Windy now knows that David had tricked her into a fake marriage and refuses to sign the papers to set her free. She would never be free of him as her childe of course but she hated the thought of being married in the eyes of the human world to a man she hated.

When Elliot got really serious and pointed at her, she blinked then let out a laugh. "Good to know." she said. "I can't say the same only because I tried to hide the fact I know him so I don't get killed from some other stupid reason. I really...really hate the shadow realm."

Kira took the hot coco, "Thank you." she said, holding it in her hands for warmth before taking a sip. She turned her attention to the door when Windy showed up. "You have an really odd excuse for becoming a paladin. Best to come from you." she replied. "Anemoi, this is Elliot. Elliot, this is Anemoi, or Windy as I call him. His other nicknames are not so nice." she said, giving a smirk as both Lexy and David had other names related to the wind but not nice ones.

She stiffened when he touched her, she moved her face away even if she enjoyed the warmth at the moment. "No answers." she said. "Are you concerned about me?" she asked, amused as she looked at him. "We are thinking of just waiting it out. Maybe when the...sun comes up, it will be over." she said, course if she was still here when the sun came up she would either have to teleport home, if her powers have returned, or hang out here all day.

Elliot thought about it. Paladins weren’t just mean men and women with weapons. They, too, had magical power. And quite a few of them seemed to act like they were brainwashed. It wouldn’t too much to assume that something in the process of becoming a Paladin actually physically messes with their brains. That would be a cop-out, however. And doesn’t at all explain the difference in this friend of Kira’s, who apparently doesn’t buy into any of the Paladin ********. Elliot still didn’t understand, of course. Yeah, he agreed – there were good and bad no matter what they were, but there was something special about Paladins. It wasn’t really a ‘species’, per se. One couldn’t be turned into a Paladin against one’s will. It was a job choice, a career path. It was a whole different kettle of fish.

Kira mentioned hating the Shadow Realm, and Elliot could only frown. He’d never been there. His own proclivities weren’t bad enough to be noticed, he supposed. His own disagreement with the whole system just wasn’t as loudly spoken as some. He wasn’t on anyone’s radar, though he supposed that might all change, soon, depending on Pi. He was still undecided—still utterly torn.

Before any of this could be mentioned, however, they were interrupted. The Paladin that Kira had invited, no doubt. A pretty boy, who breezed on into the space as if he owned it, plonking himself down next to Kira as if Elliot didn’t even exist. Just referred to him as a vampire. Elliot’s eyes narrowed as he, too, resumed his seat. He gave a nod and a smile as Anemoi was introduced to him; he couldn’t lie and utter the customary It’s nice to meet you because he didn’t feel as if it was particularly nice; he’d wait and see if the Paladin became any less rude.

”Can I get you anything to drink?” he asked the newcomer; he could have launched into his questions about why the Paladin was so happy to hang around with vampires, but that would be rude. And they had time. Elliot loved returning rudeness with kindness. It was somewhat vindicating.

Anemoi sighed, no his other nicknames were not nice. They were all from people who hated him. Hated him because of all the interactions with Kira. He looked to the male, “Hello Elliot..” he said. He guessed he was the same kind of vampire as Kira that could eat and drink, from what he knew there was only one kind that could, though he was still unsure how many there were.

He frowned at Kira, “Of course I’m concerned. Those little fucks don’t play nice before, think they’d miss a time when you can’t like teleport yourself somewhere else.” He said. If there was ever a group of vampires he hated besides Lexster and David, it would be the ones who put him in the ER and sent Kira to that shadow realm place. “Well, you haven’t done anything lately to get their attention?” he asked.

“Wait it out.” He said, he suppose that was really the only option with no leads to go on. He looked to his watch, seeing how many hours it would be until sunrise. He looked up when he was asked if he wanted anything to drink. “Ah, some black coffee would be fine. Thank you.” He said.

He took in a deep breath, “So, the reason I became a paladin.” He started. “After I came to this town, I was hired by the gangster to kill Kira. Obviously they don’t know she’s a vampire or they would realize how pointless that was. I always complete a goal and staying a normal human was not cutting it. When I ran into those naked crazy guys in the sewers, offering me a way to better fight vampires. I took it.” He said. “I killed Kira and now that goal is over. I have a problem with a few vampires but that’s simply because our personalities clash or they didn’t take kindly to me being close to Kira..”

“I know it’s an odd reason but Kira understood so that’s all that matters.” He said, it was true. He didn’t give a **** what anyone else thought. While he knew Kira didn’t like that place, she knew why he did it.

Kira could understand why Elliot didn't say much. Windy wasn't the most polite person. She glared at him, tempted to send him a mind message to be nice. Then he at least greeted Elliot. She stared at Windy as he explained why he was concerned. "Right, they wouldn't.." she said. She closed her eyes. "I didn't do anything to deserve the first time they killed me." she said through gritted teeth. Her hair on the back of her neck stood up, she was feeling like a pissed off cat.

She took a calming breath, another habit of hers. "Shits and giggles they might as well say." she said, she drank down half of her coco. She listened to him talk about why he became a paladin, to kill her. No, she didn't hold it against him, maybe a little wary of him sometimes, her trust issues with people couldn't let things go so easily.

"There you have it. He has to be the strangest paladin to be made." Kira said with a smirk. She was sure other paladins became what they were after seeing something bad involving vampires. It was understandable of course but to attack and make enemies of vampires who might have been on the side of humans if they weren't attacked before hand. She wondered if this unseen war have always been this way. Vampire egos get too big, kill without purpose and humans fight back, why wouldn't they.