For whom the bell tolls
Posted: 31 May 2014, 13:57
--The following transcript was a live chat roleplay--
Deanna: Dea was roaming around the sewers as the darkness suited her dark mood. Keara was out of town and Robert was god knows where. He’d been nice enough to speak to her using his powers and yet she hadn’t been able to reply, so the conversation was a little one sided. She didn’t much mind the time alone though, as she was working on building her strengths so she could find Ric and start the first round of their experiments. To be pulled across the city wasn’t new, but then it didn’t happen often, she was all set to tell Keara she could have just called when she realised she was with Robert. “Robert!” she yelled happily before she moved to air kiss his cheeks, the way he usually did hers.
Robert: His burned face broke into a grin as he kissed her 'cheeks' back and then stepped away and sighed. "I'm sorry, for the last few days. But, it was for your own good. Forgive me?"
Deanna: “Always,” she replied without pausing to think as she looked him over. “What in the world have you been up to. You look like Keara after one of those fae battle thingies that keep seeming to happen in skyscrapers and such. Are you all right?”
Robert: "Good!" He smiled, feeling a weight lift from him immediately. "Well, the good folks of the city would like to see me dead again. So they've been hunting me, laying traps for me and using their powers on me where they can. Seeing as how they can't find me." He couldn't help but smirk at that one, proud of himself for lasting almost 2 weeks already without being found.
Deanna: “Oh. Well that seems a bit…excessive. Are you sure you’re all right? You’re not like just doing that male thing where you pretend things are better than they cos you can’t appear weak…are ya?” She sounded worried and had moved back a little so that she could fully look him over. He did look bad but she’d seen worse…unfortunately.
Robert: "Well, they've not found me. So there's no bullets or slashes. Well, one bullet - but that was a hunter in the sewers." He looked down at himself, frowning. "It's the curses that have fucked me up the most. Constant headache for like, the last 3 days. It sucks ***!"
Deanna: “Language. Lady present and all that,” she laughed, trying to make light of the situation. “Well I’m glad you don’t look too beaten up. But…what the hell were you doing wandering the sewers if you’re being hunted? Didn’t you think you had enough to worry about without taking a stroll down there?”
Robert: He curled his nose and nodded. "Sorry. And I do a lot of work down there, trying to persuade the hunters we're not all bad. Just.... some of them.... don't really listen"
Deanna: “For fu… Urgh. Robert. Take an f’ing break already. Seriously. You have people trying to kill ya and you’re out doing missionary work? That makes like no sense to me at all. Kinda speaks to the fact you have a death wise,” she joked.
Robert: He laughed, hard. "And here I believed you were a lady!" He couldn't help but chuckle, shaking his head. "And no. If I stopped working whenever there was a threat to me - I'd be curled up somewhere 24/7 and never moving. There's always someone out there who wants me dead" He shrugged his shoulders, smirking at a thought. "Hey, maybe you do too. Then we can be wraiths together!"
Deanna: “Hmm…Now there’s an idea. Maybe I should go tell this hunting party where you are eh? Ask Keara to banish my ***. And…no judging me.” She poked her tongue out at him but it probably wasn’t obvious through her ragged form. “I save the hard language for when it’s necessary. You know…since words are pretty much all I’ve got.”
Robert: He just laughed some more. "I know you never would. I don't think you could bear to watch bullet after bullet sinking into my flesh, blade after blade stabbing me, draining my blood until all that remained was ash"
Deanna: “Pfft. I wouldn’t have to watch,” she huffed semi-dramatically and then started laughing. “Yeah. Yeah. Guess that plan’s out then eh? Better start working on a plan B. How do you feel about a nice fadewalk? Oh wait… Hmm…I may not get back from that one. And…you may not even have that power. ****. Better work on a plan C.” Her tone was still light-hearted as she teased him.
Robert: "Wow. Language!" He smirked. "There's a lady here!" He pointed to himself with a wink. "And yes, I have that power. So if you ever get banished - I'll come and visit"
Deanna: “Well I guess you could be a lady…since you know…I still haven’t taken you up on that offer,” she almost hesitated towards the end of the sentence as she wasn’t sure it was an appropriate thing to bring up at this point. “And cool. Though…you know that mood thing Keara warned you about. If I end up in that realm…be prepared for a tantrum. I’m not sure what I’d ever do to deserve that though,” s shiver passed through her. “I’m still kinda clinging to the hope Keara loves me too much to ever do that.”
Robert: "Oh who knows. She doesn't always seem the most.... stable of people. But she definitely cares for you. That's obvious. And there'd be little to no point in having a tantrum, that's for sure. And I know you've not taken me upon the offer. What's that all about?"
Deanna: “She’s perfectly stable… Well… Unless Enver’s around or you bad mouth him or something. And erm…” she made a face he couldn’t see and a sound that sounded like a cough, not that she had a throat to clear. “I’m a lady,” her words were missing a certain amount of confidence in this answer, in fact the reply sounded almost like a question as she uttered it.
Robert: "So?" He smiled, pushing her for an answer.
Deanna: “You know. Like a lady. Virtuous and stuff. Pure. Basically I’m a good girl is what I’m getting at.”
Robert: "Really?" He asked, looking at her suspiciously, not believing a word of it.
Deanna: “You really can’t wait to corrupt me can ya?” she laughed and then groaned. “Are we gonna have one of those conversations again already?”
Robert: "Well, if you're going to live in this time and age - you should really experience everything it holds."
Deanna: “I wasn’t aware awkward conversations were era specific.”
Robert: "Oh, I wasn't talking about the conversations" He chuckled. "Just everything else in the world!"
Deanna: “Yeah well I’m limited on what I can experience these days in case you forgot. And other things…well… there’s no rush is there? I mean… You’re not planning to rescind the offer ya?” There was something in her words that hinted at a reason as to why she didn’t want to rush but she wasn’t about to offer it, as she didn’t want to freak Robert out… Though she knew he’d likely figure it out sooner or later.
Robert: "Other things? Like what hun? And no, of course not. The offer's always good."
Deanna: “You know…the corrupting stuff.” Her reply was a little cryptic as she still tried to hold to her secret.
Robert: "How's seeing me naked going to corrupt you? I'm sure you saw Ven naked, when you lived together."
Deanna: “It’s not polite to stare at one’s sire. I saw Keara naked all the time. But you know… Same physicality and all that. Ven…not so much…or at all. He was way too much of a gentleman to go doing stuff like that. We did have those things called screens back in my day you know.”
Robert: "And you and Keara, you had the same shape? And 'not so much' means you saw something. What did you see of him?"
Deanna: “You ask a lot of questions. Ya know that?” she sighed wishing the conversation had taken a different route. “Yeah I guess we kinda did…Maybe… It’s not like I was comparing or anything. And well I saw him shirtless on occasion.” She’d had to think on that but that really was the extent of her exposure to him. She’d seen more of Enver. It was just different thinking about seeing Robert disrobed, it meant more.
Robert: "I'm a curious guy" He grinned. "Oh! Had you heard of Lux before me? I know other elders have, but I'm not sure on you and Keara"
Deanna: “Nupe. Sorry.” She seemed eager to change the subject. “But you know. That doesn’t mean others hadn’t heard of it. Maybe it was a this side of the ocean kinda religion?”
Robert: "Hmmmm" He frowned, obviously disappointed.
Deanna: “I wouldn’t worry. I don’t think many people have heard of Nox either. Though Keara’s not pushy with her religion like some people,” she giggled.
Robert: "I would just like to find some more evidence of it is all. And yeh, those Jehovah's are annoying!"
Deanna: “Those what?” she asked, clearly not understanding the link between what they’d both said.
Robert: "Jehovah's Witnesses" He repeated, in full this time.
Deanna: “I’m sorry babe but you’ve lost me.” She’d not used a term of endearment on him before but this one was one he’d called her and it just slipped out, completely natural sounding.
Robert: He grinned, picking up on the word 'babe' and nodded. "Yeh, they go around knocking on doors and trying to get people to convert and 'see' Jehovah." He groaned, as his headache increased again.
Deanna: “Oh… Something wrong?” she asked as he groaned. “Should I get going and let you rest up?” She didn’t want to go but she had to make the offer at the very least, as Robert was the sort to tough it out rather than be rude and tell her to “do one.”
Robert: "No no. It's ok." He sighed. "Just someone cursing me again. Don't worry about it."
Deanna: Dea huffed. “That’s so easy for you to say. No worries. Just being cursed. Can’t you at least get angry about it something? Fight back? No. Not fight back but…” she sighed. “I dunno. I guess I just wish there was a way to make it stop. Do you know who’s doing it… or why?”
Robert: He concentrated for a moment and then slowly nodded, after appraising Every. "Well, this one I think was Every. The traps earlier were Madison. And I'm not sure who else it is, but there's at least one other person cursing me too. And there's not a lot that would get me angry. Nor would I fight back unless seriously annoyed. And some cursing - not that big of a deal in my day to day life. Just a headache and clumsiness."
Deanna: “Well the clumsiness thing is always kinda cute. I mean it makes guys look a little vulnerable. And…are you sure…about who’s doing it? How can you tell? Did you catch the one trapping the place on camera?”
Robert: "No. But she hates me, and Solace. She's my childe, you see - though she denies it. She has no reason to be in Solace and the other day she tried to properly kill me. Well, I used psychometry and found out she'd been in Solace, right when the traps were laid. As for the cursing, no, not sure. Just a feeling and an educated guess."
Deanna: “Oh. That’s so sad,” she sounded injured on his behalf. “Your own childe dislikes you that much. What happened between you?” she asked without pausing to think that maybe she shouldn’t be prying.
Robert: "She had a chip on her shoulder from the beginning, because she didn't understand what it meant to be a blood thief. And she never removed that chip and got over it. No matter what I tried to make it up to her, to show her I cared and was there for her. Nothing I ever did was good enough. Now, for some reason, after a year or more - she's decided to renew her hatred again and has turned violent against me. None of my childre manage to stick around"
Deanna: She wanted to ask if they were touched in the head but she managed to swallow that comment before it escaped. “You know…I doubt the whole disappearing thing has much to do with you. Happens to Keara too. She says you can’t expect to sire and adult and not have them want to walk their own path or something. I guess she’s right but then she’s never seen a colony like this before. You know so many in one place. She says it’s unhealthy.” She couldn’t understand someone disliking Robert, even when he was being obstinate he was still kind… in his own way.
Robert: "Yeh, I know. But it would be nice to have some contact. You know? I mean, adults can be friends and see each other still!"
Deanna: “True. But you also can’t force someone to like you. You kinda have to come to that in your own time. And just cos she doesn’t like, doesn’t mean someone else doesn’t.”
Robert: "Well, a few left the city to seek their fortune elsewhere. Some didn't survive. The three I have, don't talk to me - and one of them wants me dead. So, yanno. not too optimistic."
Deanna: “Well I like ya,” she said in a slightly tentative manner. “That counts…right?”
Robert: "Yup. Very much so." He grinned, happy
Deanna: “Good,” she was much happier now. “So…was there a reason you brought me here… Hmm? I mean I wanted to see you, of course I did, but if you’re being hunted and that and I’m guessing I could give you away…Then was it wise to like bring me here?”
Robert: "Well, I wanted to see you. And explain face to face. Not just the random messages via telepathy"
Deanna: “Explain that you’re injured and kinda half in hiding and not seeing me for my own good?” she asked checking she hadn’t missed anything.
Robert: "Well, not in hiding. Just not stopping too long in one place." He grinned
Deanna: “Right. Got it. So I guess I’ll be seeing you when I see you then for the time being. Right?”
Robert: "Yup yup. But then, it's always that way." He chuckled.
Deanna: “Yeah I guess so. But then you’d be like super bored of me if I hung around you all the time like some pathetic lost stray the way…” she cut that sentence off as she realised she was about to insult Keara as much as Enver if she continued that one.
Robert: "Why would I be?"
Deanna: “What? Sick of me? Well for one I’m not much to look at,” she began answering before he’d confirmed that that was what he meant. “You’re busy and stuff with all your work commitments and then well…I don’t think many people are cut out to be together like 24/7… if ya get what I mean.”
Robert: "Yeh, 24/7 doesn't always work. But spending time together is fine. I don't mind you being around at all."
Deanna: “Oh yeah. Well I like spending time with you but even if I wanted to like stalk your every move, K would get pretty sick of me not being there to help her as and when she needs it. Not that she needs much mind you. Oh…Is Leyna back? Did you get her back?” she blurted out as the thought crossed her mind.
Robert: "Mm Hmm" He nodded his head. "I summoned her back with the ritual. She had an.... interesting convo with a wraith the other night. One of Keara's lot"
Deanna: “Really? Who?” There’s a lot of her’s that have ended up on that side.
Robert: "Not surprising, considering her past and opinions." He mumbled half under his breath. "Jonah? His wraith is called Notte. Total psycho who's all into the Nox rubbish"
Deanna: “What do you mean her past and attitude? She didn’t put them there. And never heard of it. Notte? And could you please not call my sister’s religion rubbish. It’s rude.” She was clearly displeased with Robert now, her tone sharp with frustration.
Robert: "Her religion is a lie spread by Muga, to bring more people into the Dark. That's all."
Deanna: Deanna sighed. “I’m starting a list of things you aren’t allowed to talk about with me. Religion is going on. ‘kay?”
Robert: He just laughed
Deanna: “I’m serious mister. I’ll make Keara write it down on a note somewhere and leave it out if it starts growing so I can memorise it and everything.” She had her spectral arms folded across her chest.
Robert: "You think that will stop me if it's pertinent?"
Deanna: She sighed. “Fine then I guess you better get used to watching me drift away. ‘Cos while it may not be my religion, it’s important to someone I care about and I’m not gonna stand around and listen you basically insult my sister through her beliefs ‘cos they don’t match yours. All right?”
Robert: "That's the thing, they are in mine - as a form of evil that Muga created to get more followers." He shrugged.
Deanna: “I’m not getting into this. All right? Conversation over or I’m gone.”
Robert: "Did you never discuss and debate things when..... before?"
Deanna: “You’re kidding right? In a century when women were only to be seen and not heard. Add in the fact I was training to be a thrall and I might as well have been born with the Shadow’s shadow power,” she laughed. “That aside. I don’t much like being in the middle. I don’t believe what you do. I don’t believe what she does. And you don’t see that by saying her religion is a bunch of crap, or whatever your words were make my sister sound like an idiot for believing them. I’d say she’s no-one’s fool but she kinda is these days.” She huffed again, obviously wanting to be mean towards Enver, again.
Robert: He laughed again at her demeanour. "You do so love Enver don't you! Well, look, if I die - you need to tell him for me. Please."
Deanna: “Huh? Wait. What? You plan on dying? I mean I know you’re being hunted and stuff but they aren’t gonna catch you right?” She sounded panicked now, whatever anger she previously had completely dissolved.
Robert: "Course they are." He said matter of factly, looking at her blankly
Deanna: She shrank back from him, obviously upset by this revelation (as that was what it was to her). “But that’s not fair. I mean. What did you do. You didn’t do anything worth being killed for did you?”
Robert: "No, of course I didn't." He frowned, looking at her reaction curiously. "Dea, babe, what's wrong? You do know that's what happens to Enver and I regularly didn't you?"
Deanna: “Yeah but Enver probably deserves it.” The words escaped her and sounded like a childishly retort. “It’s not fair. I can’t fadewalk. I won’t see you for ages. What if you don’t get out of there? It could happen you know. You could be too weak or decide to stay there or something. I dunno. You could just lose the plot.” She was babbling quite quickly as she was still trying to deny the obvious truth he’d presented.
Robert: Robert closed his eyes and found his power, imagining Dea beside him to summon her to him.This RP takes place on Sunday 25th May.
Deanna: Dea was roaming around the sewers as the darkness suited her dark mood. Keara was out of town and Robert was god knows where. He’d been nice enough to speak to her using his powers and yet she hadn’t been able to reply, so the conversation was a little one sided. She didn’t much mind the time alone though, as she was working on building her strengths so she could find Ric and start the first round of their experiments. To be pulled across the city wasn’t new, but then it didn’t happen often, she was all set to tell Keara she could have just called when she realised she was with Robert. “Robert!” she yelled happily before she moved to air kiss his cheeks, the way he usually did hers.
Robert: His burned face broke into a grin as he kissed her 'cheeks' back and then stepped away and sighed. "I'm sorry, for the last few days. But, it was for your own good. Forgive me?"
Deanna: “Always,” she replied without pausing to think as she looked him over. “What in the world have you been up to. You look like Keara after one of those fae battle thingies that keep seeming to happen in skyscrapers and such. Are you all right?”
Robert: "Good!" He smiled, feeling a weight lift from him immediately. "Well, the good folks of the city would like to see me dead again. So they've been hunting me, laying traps for me and using their powers on me where they can. Seeing as how they can't find me." He couldn't help but smirk at that one, proud of himself for lasting almost 2 weeks already without being found.
Deanna: “Oh. Well that seems a bit…excessive. Are you sure you’re all right? You’re not like just doing that male thing where you pretend things are better than they cos you can’t appear weak…are ya?” She sounded worried and had moved back a little so that she could fully look him over. He did look bad but she’d seen worse…unfortunately.
Robert: "Well, they've not found me. So there's no bullets or slashes. Well, one bullet - but that was a hunter in the sewers." He looked down at himself, frowning. "It's the curses that have fucked me up the most. Constant headache for like, the last 3 days. It sucks ***!"
Deanna: “Language. Lady present and all that,” she laughed, trying to make light of the situation. “Well I’m glad you don’t look too beaten up. But…what the hell were you doing wandering the sewers if you’re being hunted? Didn’t you think you had enough to worry about without taking a stroll down there?”
Robert: He curled his nose and nodded. "Sorry. And I do a lot of work down there, trying to persuade the hunters we're not all bad. Just.... some of them.... don't really listen"
Deanna: “For fu… Urgh. Robert. Take an f’ing break already. Seriously. You have people trying to kill ya and you’re out doing missionary work? That makes like no sense to me at all. Kinda speaks to the fact you have a death wise,” she joked.
Robert: He laughed, hard. "And here I believed you were a lady!" He couldn't help but chuckle, shaking his head. "And no. If I stopped working whenever there was a threat to me - I'd be curled up somewhere 24/7 and never moving. There's always someone out there who wants me dead" He shrugged his shoulders, smirking at a thought. "Hey, maybe you do too. Then we can be wraiths together!"
Deanna: “Hmm…Now there’s an idea. Maybe I should go tell this hunting party where you are eh? Ask Keara to banish my ***. And…no judging me.” She poked her tongue out at him but it probably wasn’t obvious through her ragged form. “I save the hard language for when it’s necessary. You know…since words are pretty much all I’ve got.”
Robert: He just laughed some more. "I know you never would. I don't think you could bear to watch bullet after bullet sinking into my flesh, blade after blade stabbing me, draining my blood until all that remained was ash"
Deanna: “Pfft. I wouldn’t have to watch,” she huffed semi-dramatically and then started laughing. “Yeah. Yeah. Guess that plan’s out then eh? Better start working on a plan B. How do you feel about a nice fadewalk? Oh wait… Hmm…I may not get back from that one. And…you may not even have that power. ****. Better work on a plan C.” Her tone was still light-hearted as she teased him.
Robert: "Wow. Language!" He smirked. "There's a lady here!" He pointed to himself with a wink. "And yes, I have that power. So if you ever get banished - I'll come and visit"
Deanna: “Well I guess you could be a lady…since you know…I still haven’t taken you up on that offer,” she almost hesitated towards the end of the sentence as she wasn’t sure it was an appropriate thing to bring up at this point. “And cool. Though…you know that mood thing Keara warned you about. If I end up in that realm…be prepared for a tantrum. I’m not sure what I’d ever do to deserve that though,” s shiver passed through her. “I’m still kinda clinging to the hope Keara loves me too much to ever do that.”
Robert: "Oh who knows. She doesn't always seem the most.... stable of people. But she definitely cares for you. That's obvious. And there'd be little to no point in having a tantrum, that's for sure. And I know you've not taken me upon the offer. What's that all about?"
Deanna: “She’s perfectly stable… Well… Unless Enver’s around or you bad mouth him or something. And erm…” she made a face he couldn’t see and a sound that sounded like a cough, not that she had a throat to clear. “I’m a lady,” her words were missing a certain amount of confidence in this answer, in fact the reply sounded almost like a question as she uttered it.
Robert: "So?" He smiled, pushing her for an answer.
Deanna: “You know. Like a lady. Virtuous and stuff. Pure. Basically I’m a good girl is what I’m getting at.”
Robert: "Really?" He asked, looking at her suspiciously, not believing a word of it.
Deanna: “You really can’t wait to corrupt me can ya?” she laughed and then groaned. “Are we gonna have one of those conversations again already?”
Robert: "Well, if you're going to live in this time and age - you should really experience everything it holds."
Deanna: “I wasn’t aware awkward conversations were era specific.”
Robert: "Oh, I wasn't talking about the conversations" He chuckled. "Just everything else in the world!"
Deanna: “Yeah well I’m limited on what I can experience these days in case you forgot. And other things…well… there’s no rush is there? I mean… You’re not planning to rescind the offer ya?” There was something in her words that hinted at a reason as to why she didn’t want to rush but she wasn’t about to offer it, as she didn’t want to freak Robert out… Though she knew he’d likely figure it out sooner or later.
Robert: "Other things? Like what hun? And no, of course not. The offer's always good."
Deanna: “You know…the corrupting stuff.” Her reply was a little cryptic as she still tried to hold to her secret.
Robert: "How's seeing me naked going to corrupt you? I'm sure you saw Ven naked, when you lived together."
Deanna: “It’s not polite to stare at one’s sire. I saw Keara naked all the time. But you know… Same physicality and all that. Ven…not so much…or at all. He was way too much of a gentleman to go doing stuff like that. We did have those things called screens back in my day you know.”
Robert: "And you and Keara, you had the same shape? And 'not so much' means you saw something. What did you see of him?"
Deanna: “You ask a lot of questions. Ya know that?” she sighed wishing the conversation had taken a different route. “Yeah I guess we kinda did…Maybe… It’s not like I was comparing or anything. And well I saw him shirtless on occasion.” She’d had to think on that but that really was the extent of her exposure to him. She’d seen more of Enver. It was just different thinking about seeing Robert disrobed, it meant more.
Robert: "I'm a curious guy" He grinned. "Oh! Had you heard of Lux before me? I know other elders have, but I'm not sure on you and Keara"
Deanna: “Nupe. Sorry.” She seemed eager to change the subject. “But you know. That doesn’t mean others hadn’t heard of it. Maybe it was a this side of the ocean kinda religion?”
Robert: "Hmmmm" He frowned, obviously disappointed.
Deanna: “I wouldn’t worry. I don’t think many people have heard of Nox either. Though Keara’s not pushy with her religion like some people,” she giggled.
Robert: "I would just like to find some more evidence of it is all. And yeh, those Jehovah's are annoying!"
Deanna: “Those what?” she asked, clearly not understanding the link between what they’d both said.
Robert: "Jehovah's Witnesses" He repeated, in full this time.
Deanna: “I’m sorry babe but you’ve lost me.” She’d not used a term of endearment on him before but this one was one he’d called her and it just slipped out, completely natural sounding.
Robert: He grinned, picking up on the word 'babe' and nodded. "Yeh, they go around knocking on doors and trying to get people to convert and 'see' Jehovah." He groaned, as his headache increased again.
Deanna: “Oh… Something wrong?” she asked as he groaned. “Should I get going and let you rest up?” She didn’t want to go but she had to make the offer at the very least, as Robert was the sort to tough it out rather than be rude and tell her to “do one.”
Robert: "No no. It's ok." He sighed. "Just someone cursing me again. Don't worry about it."
Deanna: Dea huffed. “That’s so easy for you to say. No worries. Just being cursed. Can’t you at least get angry about it something? Fight back? No. Not fight back but…” she sighed. “I dunno. I guess I just wish there was a way to make it stop. Do you know who’s doing it… or why?”
Robert: He concentrated for a moment and then slowly nodded, after appraising Every. "Well, this one I think was Every. The traps earlier were Madison. And I'm not sure who else it is, but there's at least one other person cursing me too. And there's not a lot that would get me angry. Nor would I fight back unless seriously annoyed. And some cursing - not that big of a deal in my day to day life. Just a headache and clumsiness."
Deanna: “Well the clumsiness thing is always kinda cute. I mean it makes guys look a little vulnerable. And…are you sure…about who’s doing it? How can you tell? Did you catch the one trapping the place on camera?”
Robert: "No. But she hates me, and Solace. She's my childe, you see - though she denies it. She has no reason to be in Solace and the other day she tried to properly kill me. Well, I used psychometry and found out she'd been in Solace, right when the traps were laid. As for the cursing, no, not sure. Just a feeling and an educated guess."
Deanna: “Oh. That’s so sad,” she sounded injured on his behalf. “Your own childe dislikes you that much. What happened between you?” she asked without pausing to think that maybe she shouldn’t be prying.
Robert: "She had a chip on her shoulder from the beginning, because she didn't understand what it meant to be a blood thief. And she never removed that chip and got over it. No matter what I tried to make it up to her, to show her I cared and was there for her. Nothing I ever did was good enough. Now, for some reason, after a year or more - she's decided to renew her hatred again and has turned violent against me. None of my childre manage to stick around"
Deanna: She wanted to ask if they were touched in the head but she managed to swallow that comment before it escaped. “You know…I doubt the whole disappearing thing has much to do with you. Happens to Keara too. She says you can’t expect to sire and adult and not have them want to walk their own path or something. I guess she’s right but then she’s never seen a colony like this before. You know so many in one place. She says it’s unhealthy.” She couldn’t understand someone disliking Robert, even when he was being obstinate he was still kind… in his own way.
Robert: "Yeh, I know. But it would be nice to have some contact. You know? I mean, adults can be friends and see each other still!"
Deanna: “True. But you also can’t force someone to like you. You kinda have to come to that in your own time. And just cos she doesn’t like, doesn’t mean someone else doesn’t.”
Robert: "Well, a few left the city to seek their fortune elsewhere. Some didn't survive. The three I have, don't talk to me - and one of them wants me dead. So, yanno. not too optimistic."
Deanna: “Well I like ya,” she said in a slightly tentative manner. “That counts…right?”
Robert: "Yup. Very much so." He grinned, happy
Deanna: “Good,” she was much happier now. “So…was there a reason you brought me here… Hmm? I mean I wanted to see you, of course I did, but if you’re being hunted and that and I’m guessing I could give you away…Then was it wise to like bring me here?”
Robert: "Well, I wanted to see you. And explain face to face. Not just the random messages via telepathy"
Deanna: “Explain that you’re injured and kinda half in hiding and not seeing me for my own good?” she asked checking she hadn’t missed anything.
Robert: "Well, not in hiding. Just not stopping too long in one place." He grinned
Deanna: “Right. Got it. So I guess I’ll be seeing you when I see you then for the time being. Right?”
Robert: "Yup yup. But then, it's always that way." He chuckled.
Deanna: “Yeah I guess so. But then you’d be like super bored of me if I hung around you all the time like some pathetic lost stray the way…” she cut that sentence off as she realised she was about to insult Keara as much as Enver if she continued that one.
Robert: "Why would I be?"
Deanna: “What? Sick of me? Well for one I’m not much to look at,” she began answering before he’d confirmed that that was what he meant. “You’re busy and stuff with all your work commitments and then well…I don’t think many people are cut out to be together like 24/7… if ya get what I mean.”
Robert: "Yeh, 24/7 doesn't always work. But spending time together is fine. I don't mind you being around at all."
Deanna: “Oh yeah. Well I like spending time with you but even if I wanted to like stalk your every move, K would get pretty sick of me not being there to help her as and when she needs it. Not that she needs much mind you. Oh…Is Leyna back? Did you get her back?” she blurted out as the thought crossed her mind.
Robert: "Mm Hmm" He nodded his head. "I summoned her back with the ritual. She had an.... interesting convo with a wraith the other night. One of Keara's lot"
Deanna: “Really? Who?” There’s a lot of her’s that have ended up on that side.
Robert: "Not surprising, considering her past and opinions." He mumbled half under his breath. "Jonah? His wraith is called Notte. Total psycho who's all into the Nox rubbish"
Deanna: “What do you mean her past and attitude? She didn’t put them there. And never heard of it. Notte? And could you please not call my sister’s religion rubbish. It’s rude.” She was clearly displeased with Robert now, her tone sharp with frustration.
Robert: "Her religion is a lie spread by Muga, to bring more people into the Dark. That's all."
Deanna: Deanna sighed. “I’m starting a list of things you aren’t allowed to talk about with me. Religion is going on. ‘kay?”
Robert: He just laughed
Deanna: “I’m serious mister. I’ll make Keara write it down on a note somewhere and leave it out if it starts growing so I can memorise it and everything.” She had her spectral arms folded across her chest.
Robert: "You think that will stop me if it's pertinent?"
Deanna: She sighed. “Fine then I guess you better get used to watching me drift away. ‘Cos while it may not be my religion, it’s important to someone I care about and I’m not gonna stand around and listen you basically insult my sister through her beliefs ‘cos they don’t match yours. All right?”
Robert: "That's the thing, they are in mine - as a form of evil that Muga created to get more followers." He shrugged.
Deanna: “I’m not getting into this. All right? Conversation over or I’m gone.”
Robert: "Did you never discuss and debate things when..... before?"
Deanna: “You’re kidding right? In a century when women were only to be seen and not heard. Add in the fact I was training to be a thrall and I might as well have been born with the Shadow’s shadow power,” she laughed. “That aside. I don’t much like being in the middle. I don’t believe what you do. I don’t believe what she does. And you don’t see that by saying her religion is a bunch of crap, or whatever your words were make my sister sound like an idiot for believing them. I’d say she’s no-one’s fool but she kinda is these days.” She huffed again, obviously wanting to be mean towards Enver, again.
Robert: He laughed again at her demeanour. "You do so love Enver don't you! Well, look, if I die - you need to tell him for me. Please."
Deanna: “Huh? Wait. What? You plan on dying? I mean I know you’re being hunted and stuff but they aren’t gonna catch you right?” She sounded panicked now, whatever anger she previously had completely dissolved.
Robert: "Course they are." He said matter of factly, looking at her blankly
Deanna: She shrank back from him, obviously upset by this revelation (as that was what it was to her). “But that’s not fair. I mean. What did you do. You didn’t do anything worth being killed for did you?”
Robert: "No, of course I didn't." He frowned, looking at her reaction curiously. "Dea, babe, what's wrong? You do know that's what happens to Enver and I regularly didn't you?"
Deanna: “Yeah but Enver probably deserves it.” The words escaped her and sounded like a childishly retort. “It’s not fair. I can’t fadewalk. I won’t see you for ages. What if you don’t get out of there? It could happen you know. You could be too weak or decide to stay there or something. I dunno. You could just lose the plot.” She was babbling quite quickly as she was still trying to deny the obvious truth he’d presented.