Path of the Vampire forum

Esli figured the shirt that was recently buttoned down and secured on his shoulders would have to do. It was clean and it coordinated well enough with his pants that no fashion police were going to be likely to issue him a citation. The Birkenstocks that he picked up seven years ago at a flea market sale may stand out as a bit too casual but he was fine with it. His feet were no prize but they certainly were far from the ugliest on the planet. Being comfortable is what was important. It was dinner with family and it was one that had his stomach making noise the more he thought about it.

“Should we bring anything?” He barely stepped up into the r.v. when he called out to Lasair in question.

While he waited for an answer he rolled up the loose cuff sleeves that were free from any restraint thanks to missing buttons. Lasair was the one who thought of the details of things such as dining and etiquette. He had been around the world enough to know the basics but this was Gideon inviting them. His brother was content with a cozy campfire, an iron skewer, a bag of marshmallows and a case of import last time they ate together. How much could things have changed? He eyed the space where Lasair would hopefully appear ready for the night ahead. The bounce of Oliver over the hand made hammock and onto the dash caught his attention instead.

“Kids love monkeys.” It was a comment made as soon as it came to his mind. It was a thought that had some truth to it. Just as he thought about reaching for the door to the snack cupboard the flying pelt made a ear piercing squeal of protest. “Relax! “ His hand pulled back. “You won’t be left to starve.” It took a few minutes to get his dinner put together and in the dish he preferred to balance on his miniature lap. Some squatted while they feasted. Not their Oliver. He was a different little fellow in more ways than one.

“Oliver is sitting down to dinner. How about we go get ours?” He rubbed the drops of applied hand sanitizer in his palms and evenly distributed the product between the lengths of his fingers. "That is if you are ready." His stomach growled while he watched Oliver consume the orange segments like they were at risk of disappearing if he took too long. He mumbled. "I know I am ready." He was so much so that he reached over to help himself to a piece of unclaimed fruit on the creatures miniature dish. Hunger clouded his knowledge and past experience. Esli was instantly countered with the monkey clinging to his face and sending out all sorts of noise. It was like pulling an octopus intent on holding on from his fast moving hands."Hey, did you by chance forget to feed him lunch, Lasair?"

Lasair had been told about the plans. Of course she had. She’d probably nodded yes to the invite—a matter of habit. The redhead had always been so outgoing, had always said yes to everything, no matter what. There’d always been a smile on her face and regardless of the host’s wishes, she’d always bring something with her—whether it be a six pack of Guinness or box of chocolates. To say yes was easy. It was default, even though her whole body was screaming no.

The minute after the dinner had been mentioned, Lasair had forgotten about it. She’d been out of the hospital for a while—they all had. But she still felt empty. There was something missing where there should have been life. And she was angry. She was furious. She was beyond savage and wanted every single vampiric demon dead for what they had done.

The doctors had given her some pills to help with her mood, to try dig her out of the rut she’d burrowed down into, barely moving, barely getting out of bed unless coaxed. But she didn’t take them. The existence that she and Esli had led, they preferred natural remedies over pharmaceutical ones, and deep down she tried to convince herself she didn’t need the help. But she did. Because when Esli came to the door asking about what they should take, and whether she was ready to go, she could only groan.

She’d forgotten.

She pulled the blanket up over her head and revelled in the darkness, the only sound her breath, the only scent that of her unwashed body. Guilt churned with dismay and she knew she had to get up. She had to at least try. She had to do it for Esli, and for her new brother.

”I’m sorry,” she called, her voice muffled before she swept the blanket from her limbs. ”I forgot to feed Oliver. I forgot about dinner. I’ll go for a shower. I’ll be quick,” she said, forcing lightness into her tone though it was laden with genuine remorse. She spared the smallest glance and a light smile for Esli before she disappeared into the shower (no smile from Lasair was ever lacking genuine mirth).

The water sluiced over her freckled skin, and whenever her fingers brushed the flatness of her own stomach she wanted to cry. She could feel the burn at the corner of her eyes, the hot tears threatening to inflame the skin around her eyes. But she took a deep breath, and then another. She continued to focus on her breathing to keep the tears at bay, to force herself to be strong.

Once out of the shower she pulled on the nearest dress; it was unironed and crumpled and could have been dirty, though it smelled alright so she figured it had just been discarded. It hung limp over a body that had previously been so full, glowing with the life within. She didn’t bother with make-up, and paused only to push a comb through her hair which would be left to dry naturally. Boots that didn’t match the outfit at all were pulled onto her feet.

”I’m sorry,” she repeated again to her husband. ”I’m ready,” she added. Hunger no longer occurred to Lasair. When was the last time she’d eaten? She didn’t feel it anymore.

Esli found the vision of Lasair reappearing before him no less stunning than the first time he set eyes on her. Her hair was damp then too. Her face was fresh and free of any artificial color or concealer. The dusting of prominent freckles stood out and he could swear he discovered the single one among the many that he had been intending to kiss. Every other had been ceremoniously christened by his lips over the years. He could list all the names he had given them. Perhaps not entirely accurate with name to each beautiful mark but in the darkest hours and most passionate moments he was inspired to give it his all trying. He caught his breath at the sound of her voice repeating her apologies for grieving. His jaw tightened and his eyes burned. He would never forget her arms should be full with the stirring tiny limbs of a child between them.

“We don’t have to do this now.” His hands came to hers and gently brought them to his lips. The empty distance left between them that had been filled over the preceding glorious months was closed with the step forward he needed to take to draw her against him. “Listen to me.” His hands slid to the sides of her face, the fiery wet strands dropped between his fingers as he cupped her face. “We can do this next week, next month. It can wait until you are ready.” He caressed the surface of her cheek. The shimmering of those heartstopping orbs found him and set his soul on fire. “Whatever you want.”

It wasn’t something easily resolved and agreed upon like the surprise imbalance of saved funds or whether or not to invest in the extended warranty on the appliance they still were in limbo about purchasing. This changed the course of their lives and left an impact that would be with them till their final days.

“I know they would understand.” He didn’t want to offer her the easiest way out of coping. The pro-active supportive route was his intention. “How about we start with a walk instead of driving there? We can take our time.” Fresh air and silent prayer was something he practiced routinely and managed to live by. His arm curled around the outside of her hips. His fingers melded to the curve of the flesh provided by the bone beneath. “Shall we take Oliver?” His brow lifted. He was known to go just about anywhere with them. On a walk or to their brother’s place was nothing unusual.

Esli wouldn’t willingly admit it without being asked but he had a part of him that grew darker whenever the shimmer of excess fluid formed in his wife’s eyes and presented proof of inner pain he couldn’t relieve. A part that made him just as imperfect as any other human on the planet and equally vulnerable to the anger that resided within it. He prayed routinely and often. Not to get rid of it but to be honest with himself and God that it was there.

Each prayer spoken out loud on his knees beside Lasair was genuine. It was inspired from the place within that believed even in his final breaths that God would not forsake him or those around him if he was obedient and gracious. He didn’t have to be on his deathbed to become humble in the eyes of his God. He believed discipline, faith and active work towards maintaining the world wide kingdom created was in fact his responsibility as well as his wife’s and every other christian brother and sister asking for God’s protection and mercy.

Esli mentally felt the physical wrap of affectionate arms placed around Oliver. There was no place he would rather be than nestled heartbeat close to her. However, this was not a moment that was to be about him or seeking comfort from the woman he loved and found in a struggle that was otherwise consuming. Her. It was his job to draw his wife out and remind her there was a peace in returning to the world, of being present in the blessing of another day. As they walked beneath the fading sun he was rewarded with the beautiful rays forming a fiery glow of a halo to crown her head. She was slowly peeking out and he savored it. She was never one to be held back, to waste away. She was fighting a battle and anything he could do to ease it for her was his focus.

“I love you, Lass.”

His hand slid around her waist with his profession and locked in place protectively at her hip. The sounds of a miniature monkey breathing and chewing at the same time found its way to his sensitive ear. As soon as he glanced down to find the fur eared creature looking up he noticed the animal's jaws paused in the audible efforts of chewing as if fully aware at the thoughts coming to mind. Little bead like eyes narrowed as they were known to. Esli’s face deadpanned. He ignored the presence of what was generally there between them on most occasions. Regardless of the cramped space a kiss was pressed to her head and he closed his eyes as he inhaled what was known to be unique only to her.

Truth be told, Esli Barnes could be blind and without use of his hands or feet or hearing. Even then he could pick her out of a crowd of thousands. It was sublime perfection the scent of her in his nose and lungs. And distracting enough that he nearly lost track of the route that had them arriving to Gideon and Mona’s place. He continued to hold her in that place that was as relaxed and natural as it was comfortable in his side. Like two pieces that fit perfectly together they stood while he knocked on the door.

“I think this will be a good thing.” He rocked lightly on the balls of his heels and waited for someone to answer the door in front of them. “Answer the door, Brother.” He whispered to no one in particular.