Path of the Vampire forum

Elliot stood, prepared to go to the phone to order another black coffee. He paused, however, as Anemoi forged on with his story without waiting for Elliot to actually make the order. Elliot sat back down again, listening with a curious interest, perched on the edge of the couch, his hands dangling in front of him. It was indeed an odd reason to become a Paladin. Elliot of course did not understand. If so obviously enamoured by Kira now, why bother killing her in the first place? And why should she take so kindly to someone who had killed her in the first place?

Elliot just assumed he was again in the company of people who didn’t take death seriously. Who didn’t think to kill another was merciless murder, regardless of whether they came back or not. Elliot had not experience the Shadow Realm himself, but he hadn’t heard good things. He glanced between the two in front of him, slightly disenchanted—if only because he wondered whether he would ever find someone as averse to this life, and to all the violence, as he was. They were all the same. He was starting to think he’d have to try and change. The road was slow, but he supposed he’d already started.

Kira responded to Anemoi’s prompts, and Elliot perked a brow.

”Didn’t we already go over this? You’re a vampire. What other reason do they have to have to kill you?” he asked. No vampire ever has to do anything to incur the wrath of Paladins. They just have to be.

He finally stood and made his way to the phone, quickly dialling downstairs to order another black coffee before he could be deterred again. Only after that was done did he turn back to Anemoi, quite willing to leave behind the topic of why he had become a Paladin. Instead, he was curious about the particular relationship between Anemoi and Kira.

”Are you sure you’re not her thrall now?” he asked. He was always forward, and was aware of maybe overstepping certain boundaries at this point. But Elliot had a temper, and it didn’t take too long to rise to the surface. He was irritated. It grated on his nerves. He had the tendency to overreact. He was curious. So why not ask the questions?

”You come because she says there’s someone interested in your story. You get here, you don’t know me from a bar of soap, and you just… tell me everything, just like that? Because she asked you to?” he asked, long legs taking him back to his seat in a matter of moments, where he lifted the coffee to his lips, brow still perked inquisitively.

Anemoi started to laugh when Elliot talked to Kira. “We’re talking about vampires, not paladins..” he said. At least he was guessing to as what he was talking about. “I’m not too sure why the leader of the pack had taken a liking to her and kept paying her a visit but she has only died by my hands and that group of a little shits that also put me in the ER for merely talking on that board of yours.” He said. He looked at Kira, “She doesn’t call them by their given name. Something to do with owls and poop.” He heard the name a couple of times but he didn’t give a **** what they were called. Little Fuckers who attacked in a pack like dogs.

He cocked his head to the side when he was asked if he was sure he wasn’t Kira’s thrall. “Thrall?” he said, he looked at Kira. “Oh, like Dave is?” he said. That whole thing had been explained to him before cause he didn’t understand why Dave put up with the things that Kira did and said. “Considering she has one already, no, I’m not a thrall.” He said. “Thought you could only have one anyway.”

He leaned back in the bean bag chair some. “I’ve asked her before if she has me under some spell. She’s used some before, like when we first met. Told me to stay still and I did. Rather annoying.” He said. “And I really didn’t care if there was someone here interested in my story. I was more interested in the fact she has no powers. She might be a bit of a wild cat and all but I don’t see her standing against a group of vampires, who I was far more worried about than a group of paladins. I told them before that…she was off limits to anyone but me.”

“Bar of soap. Well, you don’t look like a bar of soap. That’s a funny thing to say.” Anemoi said, he looked at Kira. “Isn’t he a friend? Seems far better than your other friends.” He said, looking back to the man. “Maybe because I still feel somewhat guilty about having to kill her for a goal. If she needs my help, I’m going to come. If I didn’t tell you my story, she would. So what difference does it really make.”

Anemoi sighed softly. “Maybe I just really like her.” He muttered, not looking at either one of them. “If I was a thrall, her telling me to leave her alone would work. Which doesn’t.” he said with a grin, looking at Kira. “Does it my dear?”

Kira raised an eyebrow as Windy laughed. "Yeah, we're talking about vampires. Haven't had any trouble with paladins besides that dark haired woman kicked me in the head." she said, glancing at Windy. "And you of course." she smirked. "Owl Turds. That's what I call them. Their name means a kind of owl, and they are shitty people as far as I'm concerned. Therefore, Owl Turds."

She set the cup down now that it was empty, she didn't feel cold now. She closed her eyes a moment. "I have only had one thrall, Dave." she said, "but...when he was in a coma, I did take another but when he woke up the spell wore off." she said, opening her eyes. "So, it would seem yes, can only have one thrall. Otherwise I most likely would have another." she said, she tilted her head. "A paladin thrall, now I'm sure I'd get killed over that one. David has been jealous over Dave and you, so you as a thrall would be much worse I think."

She rolled her eyes a bit, "For the last time I haven't put a spell on you. What ones I have used, wear off after a day. You are just clearly obsessive with me." she said. The way he flew off the handle after hearing a rumor that she was 'cuddling' with a man which was a bunch of ********. There was something wrong with this man's head.

"Ah.." Kira said, when Windy asked if Elliot was a friend. "Well, hum, this is like the third time we've met...really. Got no problems with him though...does that count?" she couldn't really say they were friends, they didn't know each other. She sighed, "You and Lexy fighting all the time rather annoying. But you were trying to kill, then you did, stalking me still. The auction...she's just really over protective.."

"You should feel guilty. My first trip to that damn shadow realm fucked me up." Kira said, growling slightly. "I rather have my limbs cut off then go back to that hell of a place." she settled herself down again. Him saying maybe he just really likes her didn't set well with her either. "Depends on the thrall and master I guess. Dave used to be a little love sick puppy when it came to me. Then attacked me a few times. Thralls can have free will, they are not mindless slaves. If you were my thrall I have a feeling you wouldn't listen to a single order I gave you."

She glared at him, "You should really start listening to when a woman says to get lost." she said. She looked away, lifting her hands to study them. Finally curious enough, she took a throwing dagger from her sleeve and cut a small cut into the palm of her hand. Normally such a minor cut would go away right away but it just sat there. She pressed her sleeve to the cut to stop the bleeding. "I swear I feel almost human again.." she said. She wondered if she could feed. She looked over at Windy, "Want to be my blood doll since you're so concerned about me? I got shot earlier after all.." she asked. He did have some nice blood.

Elliot had gotten them confused. As he sat there, Kira and Anemoi seemed to begin to discuss things between themselves. Elliot didn’t feel like an outsider, not at all—in fact, he often liked to sit and listen to others talk. He liked to watch, to sit in the background, to interrupt when needed, or when he thought he had something that needed to be said. Perhaps it was why he had gotten confused as to which group of feral bastards the two of them were talking about; they were attuned to each other’s ways of speaking, and Elliot was getting lost.

They sure did talk a lot.

They both thoroughly disliked Tytonidae. Elliot was in good company, then—a company of like-minded people. Tytonidae were the cause of the majority of Elliot’s woes. Not because they hunted him, of course, but because those he cared about wanted to join their ranks. Well, at least, the person he cared about most felt the need to join Tytonidae. Her decision had split the family. Elliot was dead set against them, and their ways. He thought they were bullies masquerading under what they touted as a good cause. They did it not for the cause, he believed, but because they simply wanted an excuse to indulge in mindless violence.

As far as thralls were concerned, Elliot did not know whether he was able to enthral more than one. He’d never tried. Roxette had been an accident; another incident for which he would feel eternal and perpetual guilt, regardless of the fact that Roxette is happier now about her circumstances than she was before. Of course, she hadn’t talked to him properly since the incident with Oliver—her best friend, who she saw as a brother, whom Elliot had turned. Who went rogue. Who Elliot and Pi were forced to put down. Never would Elliot submit anyone to the fate Roxette had been submitted to. Rarely did he ever take advantage of the power he had over her.

The two of them descend into talk about their relationship with each other; Anemoi obviously enamoured, and Kira not having a bar of it. In the end, Kira asked if Anemoi was willing to play blood doll, at which point Elliot was forced to clear his throat. He shifted, putting his weight on his feet as he stood, pushing his hair from his eyes as he did so.

He himself did not drink the blood of humans. The only blood that he drank was from Pi—and that one time, in absolute desperation, from Reilly, because he’d been half asleep and hadn’t realised what he was doing. For near on a year, the main and only association he made with drinking blood was a sensual association. It was a private thing. He assumed that should they go ahead with it, Kira and Anemoi would want to be left alone. He would feel, if he stuck around, like some pervert watching two people have sex.

”Maybe I should leave you two alone,” he said, glancing over his shoulder. There were a few smaller rooms behind him, where the bunk beds were situated. Upstairs, on the third floor, was a space reserved only for himself and Pi—a private place that they hadn’t yet got around to furnishing. Still, the basics were there.

”You’re welcome to stick around, stay as long as you like. It’s light-tight in here. No one will bother you – take one of the rooms with the bunk beds,” he said, to Kira and Anemoi both.

Anemoi couldn’t help but smirk, whatever pissed that David off he’d be all for it but not ending up like Dave. If he did go through with becoming a vampire by Kira’s blood, that would piss him off just as much.

He listened to Kira, he couldn’t really deny he was obsessed with her. That was clear. He just wasn’t sure why. He looked from one to the other, this guy sure wasn’t talkative. It was hard to have a three way conversation if two were doing all the talking. He wasn’t the most social person in the world but he didn’t mind talking to people if he had to. He looked away when she said he should feel guilty, yeah it was back there in the back of his mind. He was trying to make up for it. There was two parts to buying her in the auction after all. To spend time and knew she could use the money for something.

He stared at her as she made the smallest cut, it didn’t heal. He remembered the minor cuts he had made on her healing right away. He raised an eyebrow when she asked about him being a blood doll. “Hum..” he said, then Elliot said that maybe he should leave them alone. He didn’t exactly wanted anyone watching if she was going to feed from him. He suppose he didn’t mind if she did.

“I guess you two are waiting for sunrise to see if your powers return. Talking for hours, might run out of topics.” He said, he wasn’t sure that would be a problem with Kira but clearly this guy wasn’t interested in talking that much. “Guess chill out until sunrise and go from there..”

Kira wondered why Elliot didn't say much. She herself was only talkative around those she knew she suppose. She sighed, running into Windy so often she suppose she has grown comfortable with him. This was problematic. Getting close to people was problematic, they tend to disappoint. Was anyone really worth trusting fully?

She sifted in her seat, Elliot was going to leave her alone with Windy. Ah ****. She wasn't sure if that was the best idea. If Lexy found out he got handsy with her again she would flip. No, the conversation wouldn't be brought up. Only reason she knew about that was because she asked how the auction time went and she had told the truth. He did seem to be debating about the blood doll thing, it was something that was always done in private. Even when it was a random person. Course that was also because people were being killing over being spotted during a feeding.

She thought for a moment, being here with public downstairs was better than going back to any of her places where she would be alone and worrying that her powers wouldn't return. If humans were likely to attack, she would guess it would be right before the sun raises or a little after. Everything pointed to the sun raising as the tell all sign of what was going on. Even then, what was so different about tonight? If no attack came then it would mean something else but what.

"Yes, wait for the sun. Though I really don't want to spend all this time worrying and counting the hours." Kira said, shifting uncomfortably as she thought about the sun. She never looked forward to it before. "If we get our powers back without some attack on us then we know it has something to do with tonight. If it never happens again, so be it. If it does then we have more information to go on."

Talking for hours, might run out of topics. Elliot perked a brow. If that wasn’t hint enough that it was time for their little party to break up (or Elliot himself to leave the room so that Kira and Anemoi could fill their time with other occupations. He wasn’t particularly worried about Kira or any reluctance that she might have to be alone with Anemoi, the way she was so quick to invite him into their company—she mustn’t be that worried about the guy. Elliot wondered whether all her haughty disregard of the human was just there to hide the fact that she actually cared for him.

Elliot lifted a hand to scratch a stray itch at the back of his head. Neither of them had made an attempt to persuade him to stick around, which made him all the more certain that they’d prefer to be alone together—Kira, to distract herself from the worry. He gave a knowing smirk. He’d like to distract himself, too, in that manner. Music would have to do instead.

At that moment, one of the waitresses came through the door, brining Anemoi’s coffee. Elliot gave a smile and thanked the girl. He pushed his hands into the back pocket of his jeans. The girl sauntered back downstairs—she looked tired. It was probably near the end of her shift. Elliot cleared his throat.

”Okay then. Uhm – stay the day. I reckon we’ll be fine,” he said, always the optimist. Although he was anxious about this particular problem, there was no immediate answer. He didn’t know how to find the immediate answer. It was in his personality to move on, to forget about it, until something else came along that might provide a semblance of an answer.

”I’ll be just upstairs. We can meet again here tomorrow night – see if anything’s changed,” he said. He then sauntered away, headed for the stairs. He took them up, two at a time, closing the door behind him.

--The following transcript was a live chat roleplay--

Anemoi: Anemoi held the cup of coffee, he kept about the same hours as a vampire so staying up wouldn’t be a problem. After the man left he looked to Kira. “Think we made him uncomfortable or something?” he asked.

Kira: “Well you make me uncomfortable so maybe.” Kira replied, the thought of spending the night, or rather day here with Windy sure made her uncomfortable. It wasn’t thinking he was going to cut her throat open while she slept but she didn’t want to get closer to him.

Anemoi: Anemoi frowned, “You’re uncomfortable with human contact.” He said, “Well, I mean, male contact I guess.” He added before drinking some of his coffee. He couldn’t use the term human contact, it just seemed different when talking about humans and vampires now.

Kira:”I have my reasons for that..” Kira replied, thinking of all the males that caused her so much trouble, him included. She got up from the beanbag chair, which wasn’t as easy as sitting down. She left him there to check out the room with the bunk beds.

Anemoi: Anemoi looked after her, he knew some of the reasons. He suppose he didn’t help much with that but he was sure David screwed her up way before he came into the picture. He still wanted to kill David and was sure that Kira wouldn’t care, hell she sounded like she would even help. He finished the coffee, setting the cup down and followed after her. “Well, you want my blood?” he asked.

Kira: Kira turned her head towards him, “You’re seriously offering? Trust me enough for that?” she asked.

Anemoi: “I’ve been trying to get you to trust me more.” Anemoi replied, moving over to her. “I trust you’re not going to kill me, hurt me sure but not kill..” he said. He touched her shoulder, turning her towards him.

Kira: Kira stared at him, shrugging off his hand. “Trust is very hard to come by.” She replied. “But if you’re offering…it saves me from having to go track down someone else. Without my powers, I think it would be rather hard for me to feed..” she added. She tugged on his jacket, pulling him down so he was leaning down enough so she could reach his neck. She sank her fangs into his skin, taking in enough then let him go, taking care of the wound.

Anemoi: Anemoi let her pull him down. It always annoyed him to be bitten randomly by vampires. This was different, it wasn’t random. While his mind got a little fuzzy, he remembered it was her that bit him. He sat down on the lower bunk. He cleared his head and looked up at her. “I’m going to go downstairs and get something to eat.” He said, figuring he should eat. He got up and made his way into the other room, gathering the cups to take downstairs.

Kira: Kira watched him leave, she had no desire to eat. She got up on the top bunk, it would be easier to keep an eye on the man from here. She laid her head down, looking at the time before closing her eyes. It was better to just got to sleep, she set the alarm for her phone to go off when the sun rose. She wouldn’t be able to stand not knowing any sooner.

--The following transcript was a live chat roleplay--

Anemoi: Anemoi returned to the room after getting something to eat. He peered over the edge of the bunk but quickly ducked in case she decided to punch him. He knew exactly why she picked the higher spot. He laid down, closing his eyes.

Kira: Kira muttered as the alarm went off. She turned off the alarm, putting her phone in her pocket. She hanged her head down to see if he was awake before jumping down. “Test time.” She said with a grin.

Anemoi: Anemoi raised an eyebrow. “I hope you’re talking about a power that isn’t going to hurt me.” He replied, he sat up and put his feet on the floor.

Kira: “Oh you’re no fun.” Kira replied, putting her hands on her hips. “Fine.” She said. She used hall of mirrors instead, creating many images of herself. She then healed herself of the gun shot from earlier. “Well, my powers are back.” She said. She wasn’t sure if she should try to keep finding out why it happened, maybe it was a one time deal. But if it happened again, there would be more to go on.

Anemoi: “Good.” Anemoi replied and got up, “I’m sure you’re happy now.” He yawned slightly and ran a hand through his hair. “I’m still ready for more sleep though. I keep vampire hours it seems.”

Kira: “Well when you stalk a vampire, that will tend to happen.” Kira said, “I’m not very active during the day..” she added, most likely so she didn’t have to think about the sun being up. She hated it. “Guess only thing to do is to sleep until nightfall. Make sure my powers stay put..” she said, and jumped back up onto the top bunk.

Anemoi: Anemoi nodded, “Shall go back to bed for awhile but unlike you I got to eat so don’t be alarmed if I head out around noon..” he said, getting back into the bunk.

Kira: “Think I’ll miss you or something?” Kira muttered and covered her head. By night time she knew she would have to feed again but she might just buy a blood bag on the way home. She jumped off the bunk, she knew her hair had to be going wild by now. She smoothed it down and gathered it around and stuck a hair pin in.

Anemoi: Anemoi had only gotten up a few times, when she jumped down it woke him up again. He watched her a moment as she tried to tame her hair. “Stick got your powers?” he asked, getting out of bed.

Kira: Kira looked over at him, she simply sent him a mind message to see if it worked. ’Can you hear me?’

Anemoi: “Well that’s a yes.” Anemoi said with a smile. “So it was just last night..” he said, moving into the other room. “Well, hopefully it doesn’t happen again.”

Kira: “I agree..” Kira replied, she didn’t like not having powers. It put her in danger, that’s for sure. She followed after him, “Now just need to talk to Elliot then I’m out of here. Hate being cooped up for long.” She said.

The top floor of the pub was more like a d’Artois store room than anything else. There were hydroponics and lockers, and spare weapons that he himself had put there. That was only half the floor. The other half was an open balcony; that was where he want, for the rest of the night. He had a telescope out there, and every now and again liked to look for the faraway plants. Liked to wonder whether there were whole other planets out there, just like this one, with all its ordinariness and its discrepancies by way of vampires.

The night wasn’t really too clear, but every now and again there was a break in the clouds and Elliot would try to catch a glimpse of a few stars. He soon realised that the night was darker than usual. It didn’t take long for him to realise—double-checking the app on his phone—that the phase of the moon had come full circle. The moon was black, unkissed by the sun’s rays. He shoved his hands into his pockets as he stared up at the sky, pondering all its secrets and its mysteries. The moon had more of an effect on the Earth than the ignorant person knew. The waves and the tides were dictated by the moon. The moon played an enormous role in countless mythological stories and fables.

Soon enough the sun started to creep up over the horizon and Elliot was forced to escape indoors, to close the doors securely behind them, and pull the blinds closed. Only when all the doors and windows were fastened did he find the spare cot in the corner and fold down into it. No sooner had he turned his face to the wall, he fell asleep, victim to the sun’s awesome power. It had been like this from the very beginning. As soon as that sun rose into the sky, he was dead asleep. Literally.

It was only when the sun set again that he woke, fresh as a daisy. That was one thing that he did not miss. When he woke up he was never lethargic. It took him seconds to do what would have taken an hour when human. Sleep did not linger. It was gone, as if a blanket had been lifted from his eyes. And it was almost as if, on this particular night, he was gifted with the light of intelligence. He may not dream, but in his sleep his brain was still trying to figure things out.

He didn’t bother changing. He swept his fingers through his hair as a means of combing in, and clambered down the stairs again. He was almost wary of what he might find, but nothing was out of place. Kira was lingering.

It was only when he was near the two that he knew, for sure, that he had his powers back. There was that peculiar one he had, where he knew what other people were feeling. He likened it to hearing something that no one else could, just like dogs are able to pick up on that whistle that is undetectable by the human ear. It’s an extra sense. A warm smile spreads over his lips.

”Maybe it’s got something to do with the moon,” he said with a shrug.

”Long shot, but – last night was a new moon. So I’ll give you a call in a month and see whether it’s the same thing,” he said, hands still shoved deep into his pockets. He didn’t have to ask Kira whether she had her powers back – he could feel her relief, even from where he was standing. It was clear as day.