Path of the Vampire forum

(( Set a week or so from now ))

Robert wandered the streets regularly, looking to help anyone he came across that looked like they might be in need. It was something that he felt drawn to do, as if it was his calling. He hated violence for violence's sake, and he tried to live his life peacefully. People called him a hypocrite for now and again falling back on the blade or bullet - but none of them were him. None of them knew his mind or his beliefs. So none of them had the right to call him hypocrite, liar, manipulator - or any of the other names they called him. He had a right to defend himself when driven into a corner, just as he had a right to defend against the Darkness that was threatening the whole of humanity. Then of course, the thing they all seemed to forget, he was human and he made mistakes. He had emotions, thoughts, feelings - all which could be hurt. He had a temper that could be pushed to breaking point, just like anyone. However, he worked to try and control all of it and to walk in the Light and be better than he was programmed to be.

He collected his bags from the carousel and then headed out of the airport, back into the streets he knew so well and just took a moment to smell the air. The city had a very distinct smell to it, mostly because of the underlying scent of blood that seemed to permeat everything. There was only one reason for it all that he could think of - the slaughter that happened on a nightly basis. The vampires were savage and cared little for life, though Robert really didn't know what happened to the thousands of bodies that they created, nor why there wasn't more in the media about the killings. It was something he was going to have to really sit down and look into.

Starting to walk, before people thought him weird for standing smelling the air, he headed for the train station in Wickbridge. However, as he walked - he glanced up an alley and caught sight of the Modern Art Gallery. He couldn't help but think of how happy Lizzie had been when she'd bought the place. Nor the times they'd had in the apartment above as husband and wife.... though it was also the place she and Asher had fucked, breaking the marriage and the good thing he'd thought he'd had. However, it was the radio broadcasts that came to mind strongest in that moment - the rest having been thought on long and hard until it had been thought on to death.

The radio broadcasts had been fabulous and had achieved so much good in the city. The humans were all more aware of vampires. The hunters in the sewers were hurting those who travelled there - which were usually the darker and more lost of his kind. They'd shown there were weaknesses in the police system, and the holes had been blocked up - he'd heard that security had been tightened up and the databases were now pretty much impenetrable. Yes, it had meant another stint in the realm of shadows - but while there, they'd again broadcast another message to the masses. Three times in total they'd reached out over the radio waves, together, as a couple with their mission to protect the humans of the city and to open their eyes to the evil within the city's very heart. Too long had passed since he'd done something big and bold like that, and too many humans were dying and forgetting. Perhaps he and his children..... no. He couldn't put them in danger that way. He wanted them to live happy and healthy lives that did not involve the vampires or pain.

(( Memory 1 ))

He continued on walking down the street, one foot in front of the other as one hand held onto his bag and the other swung by his side. Each step seemed to echo in his mind like a drip in an empty cavern. So much had happened in such a short space of time and his mind still hadn't processed it all. He needed some time alone, just to be by himself - but he knew he wouldn't get that and couldn't have that. He was Robert Pratt, and if he weren't being hunted by the vampires who wanted to kill him - he was being hunted down by humans who needed his assisstance. He couldn't begrudge anyone the help they needed and deserved, which is why he knew he wouldn't and couldn't withdraw into himself.

What did he really want out of his life? He knew the answer immediately he asked himself the question. It came to him without a seconds thought, because it was what he'd wanted from the beginning. He wanted a family. He'd been so desperately lonely for so many years, on his own with his imagined sister for company. That family that had been torn from his mind, the family that had been torn from his grasp. He'd always felt their loss, even though he hadn't known specifically what it was that he had lost. Now he did, and that just made it all so much worse, so much more painful. He'd found them again now though, so now he was going to do his damndest to make up for it all - All those years they'd spent without a father..... He would be that father now and he would regain his place in the family. One way or another. He had to. For his own sanity.

There it was, the abandoned warehouse that had started this journey off. One of the ones he'd frequented as a blood thief, collecting the blood of the vampires and paying them richly for it. He wasn't sure why they were called thieves by the vampires, because they had never stolen anything from anyone and had never raised a weapon against the vampires - not until they had made the first move. They took what was willingly offered, and offered cash - large sums of it - in return. There was no thieving to speak of.

That fateful night had offered him up the customer that was Pi. In she'd swanned, not one of his regulars but there was nothing surprising about that. He got them now and again, just walking in and looking to give him their blood. He'd had no idea they were vampires and simply thought them members of a study into those suffering from various types of photosensitivity. He'd taken her blood, been more than pleasant about it as he always was to his patients - or customers. However, she'd freaked out then - lost her nerve or something. Still, to this day, he didn't know why exactly she'd freaked out as she did. Suffice to say, they'd both ended up shot and her blood had mixed with his and entered his blood stream. The gunshot and her blood had combined and killed him - turning him into the vampire he was today.

Still though. You hear about and read about these vampires in books and film, and how they have their clans that all work together and stick together through most anything. But Pi and the d'Artois - they weren't like that. Not to him. He'd never been accepted, not even from the moment of his turning when he was abandoned and left to hopefully die - Pi had even admitted as much. She'd wanted him dead, wanted him gone. He was nothing to her but a shameful moment that she wanted to be rid of and to forget. She seemed to have managed that - though his pain would never fade.

(( Memory 2 ))

He was being so melancholy when he finally reached the station and walked on in. He really did need that time to himself, otherwise he'd be of no use to anyone. He climbed onto the train to Newborough and dodged around a number of people. For some reason, the train was busier tonight than he'd seen it in a long while. He moved from carriage to carriage until he found one that was less crowded, and even managed to slide himself into a seat. His eyes closed for a moment, his head tipping to the side to lean against the cool glass. He was so tired, so drained - did he have anything left in himself to give? Had he burnt himself out emotionally?

A giggle made his eyes open and look across the table he was sitting at. There was a little girl there with dark brown hair and the most striking blue eyes. She was playing with a my little pony on the table top, and seemed to be making it dance. The simple things like that, was all it took to remind him why it was he worked so hard to protect the humans in the city. What sort of a person would he be if he sat back and allowed the city to fall as it seemed to be falling? How could he sit there and do nothing, knowing that that little girl could be snuffed out of existance at the whim of one of the dark ones? Gone would be her joy. Gone would be her laughter. Gone would be her beauty, and that boy she was destined to marry, those children she was supposed to have - would never find their fates realised. All because he failed to act. She and those like her were why he did what he did and why he knew without a doubt that he was in the right.

The train moved off and the little girl gave a squeak of surprise, her bright and alive eyes opening that fraction wider as she turned her head to stare out of the window. Then she bounced, up and down, so happily, on her seat and pointed things out with her horse to her mother who was only half paying attention. They headed along by the river, and Robert watched the little waves crash over the rocks, trying to ignore the art gallery as they went by it. They were headed to Coastside, and then they'd drop down towards Newborough - not too much longer and he'd be home! Or.... as home as anywhere really felt these days.

He looked out across the river and saw the broken down warehouse he'd been sitting in, hiding in a corner, when he'd met Mora. He'd been sitting there with his little chemistry kit, trying to find a way to use his own blood mixed with various compounds to become stable and create a pill that when taken, would turn humans into blood thieves. She'd been lost, lonely, taught nothing by her sire and totally confused - they were like two peas in a pod in a way. They'd sat there and chatted, and then continued to chat in the weeks to come. He didn't think he'd ever be able to forgive her for her use of powers on him, but it was all in the past now with he and her. He was more interested in his research.

He'd had all manner of notes and failed experiments, not to mention successful ones. Eugene had been evidence of it - though the strength of blood had perhaps been too strong? He wasn't entirely sure what had happened there, as the subject had been a loon before and after the test. But he'd given the man the drug - as he was an addict anyways - and it had seemed to work. Only Eugene had been spooked, run off into the street and been knocked down and killed. Only, he'd not stayed dead - instead, he'd become a vampire and Robert's childe.

He made a mental note, that when he found a minute - he'd look out those notes and possibly restart his research to see if he couldn't create those drugs he'd been dreaming of and wishing for. After all, a cure for vampirism? A drug to create blood thieves unknowingly? A pill, that would solve all the issues the vampires brought - it was a dream!

(( Memory 3 ))

The train jerked into and then swiftly out of the Coastside station with a minimal amount of passenger change, and Robert gave a sigh. He was ready to be home already, to get out of his clothes, to have a shower, anything other than 'travelling'. He pulled out his phone and looked at the pictures he'd taken of his children and his.... Marie. Sharing them with the little old woman beside him who'd commented on how alike he and his son were. He had to admit, Hunter had grown into the spitting image of him at that age - mostly. He had to wonder about all the things he'd missed with the boy as he'd grown up. All of those ball games. Father Son camps. Crafting god only knows what in the garage on a Sunday. Everything. Gone. However, he let none of that show and simply chatted amicably with the woman until they reached his stop. Excusing himself, he got up and retrieved his bag before stepping off the train.

It was a well worn path he took, heading South West through the streets and alleys towards Solace. As he went, he walked by some of the University buildings and paused for a few seconds. He barely thought about it, his feet seeming to decide for him as they took him forwards and through the front doors. He found the reception and asked for a prospectus. He was directed to another little window that was closed, but which had a number of leaflet racks upon it's ledge. Picking up a prospectus, he leafed through and managed a little smile. He was going to make sure that Emily went to University, got herself a degree and was therefore able to go on to an amazing job that would make her happy and comfortable. Hunter was another issue altogether, and he'd need to find a way to help the boy and his future. It was just going to be a little more difficult.

His steps a little bit lighter now, he left the University and headed into the woods to take a shortcut on the way back to Solace.

The wilderness was where he'd first met Lux, where she'd come to him and spoken to him. Where she'd saved him. He'd lost himself to despair and anger with the mindless slaughter of those he'd called family. Having done all he could and having been shut down at every turn, ignored, made fun of and told to accept that he was now a monster - he'd slipped into despair. Vanishing into the woods he'd sat there weeping and raging, and suddenly there had been peace sweeping over him. Soemething had calmed him, and when he'd opened his eyes - and let them adjust - there she was.

She'd told him a little of her life, that he'd been chosen to help her in this life, that it was his duty to help to save the humasns and stop Muga and his Darkness from sweeping over the land. He had to do all in his power to save everyone, and though it would be a hard walked path, then he'd manage it if he had faith and believed. He'd never looked back since then and had done all he could in her name to bring about the peace she spoke of.

He brought out his phone and went to the files, he didn't keep this picture in with the others. He'd moved it into it's own password protected folder. It was his most prized possession and was saved in a number of places. Just to make sure that no matter what happened, he'd always have it. Not that time, but another, when she'd visited him - she'd allowed him to take a picture of her. Looking at it always made him feel so much better about everything that was going on. It was as if a part of her had been saved in the image file so that it could exert it's calming influence on those who looked at it and bring them a little bit of her love. Bringing it up, he paused a moment and simply looked at it, letting it affect him like a drug to soothe his soul and make him feel better about everything that was and had been going on.
(( Memory 4 ))

Feeling a little better, he set off again after putting his phone away again. It wasn't long before he got to Solace and smiled as he looked upon the large wooden frame that contained so much good and happiness. He remembered when he'd seen this plot of land and just known that this was where he had to build it. It had felt like someone had pointed to the place, and the sun had split through the trees as he looked upon it. It had taken him months to design the building, pick the materials and then oversee it's building. Even now he wasn't satisifed with it and knew he'd make changes and additions, possibly removals as well, as time went on. But for now - it would do.

So much good had been done within the walls of his vision, so many people had been helped. But he couldn't help but remember Sophia's visit as he walked on in through the front doors. She'd come here and seduced him, multiple times, for an entire week. To this day he didn't know why she'd done that, what her purpose had been. Because no sooner had it started, than it ended again and he'd barely seen hide nor hair of her since. She'd been in the other day - which was why his mind had wandered onto her - as his security cameras had caught her. But other than that, nothing. He'd even emailed her, asked her why she was there and what she wanted - but as far as he was aware, he was still waiting for a reply on that one. It had been a very strange week that one and it still confused him.

Belle came hurrying over and enveloped him in a giant hug that he returned with just as much gusto as she was giving it. He pulled out a little gift for her and gave it to her, it was nothing much - just a scarf - but it was a little thank you for watching over the place while he was gone. It was still standing, so that was a plus. Anything else - he could deal with later. Belle could obviously see how tired he was, so let him go. Though it didn't stop her from looking at him in concern as he retreated up the stairs.

(( Memory 5 ))

He climbed the stairs to his home as it was now and dumped the bag at the door. He'd unpack later and just couldn't face it right now. His footsteps were becoming more and more sluggish as they walked on through to the couch. He didn't bother trying to sit, he simply.... collapsed onto it. He was drained. He was dead inside. And all he could do was lie and stare at the ceiling. There was so much he wanted to do in the city, so much he wanted to achieve and so many people he wanted to help. But he knew he couldn't do it alone. And he felt so alone right now, more alone than he'd felt in a long, long time. He had no partner and no sidekick. There was no-one for him to go to and share his worries with, share his joy with, no-one to just spend time relaxing with. He hated how it felt and he hated himself and his situation - he'd always had someone there to rely on and share things with - imagined or real. Now, there was no-one other than Lux, and he refused to burden her with his petty issues as Lizzie seemed to.

He dragged himself from the couch and through to his little meditation space. He turned on the water feature and set it to just the right speed so that there was a wonderfully relaxing trickling sound filling the room. Then, the CD was turned on so that there was a a very gentle guitar melody drifting and surrounding the senses. Finally, he removed his clothes and sat upon the mat with his legs crossed under him and his hands on his knees. A couple of cleansing breaths later and his eyes slowly closed. He let his problems trickle from his head with the water, while his spirit soared and danced with the guitar - focussing on nothing other than himself and his calm as he tried to centre himself once more. However long it might take.